A/56/PV.68 General Assembly

Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001 — Session 56, Meeting 68 — New York — UN Document ↗

The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m.
Vote: A/RES/56/16 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (154)
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— Abstain (1)
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✓ Yes (151)
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— Abstain (3)
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Vote: A/RES/56/27 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (153)

Reports of the First Committee

The President #34770
The General Assembly will consider the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 64 to 84. I request the Rapporteur of the First Committee, Mr. Sylvester Ekundayo Rowe of Sierra Leone, to introduce the reports of the First Committee in one intervention. Mr. Rowe (Sierra Leone), Rapporteur of the First Committee: It is an honour for me to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 64 to 84. Those reports are contained in documents A/56/526 to A/56/546. I am pleased to inform the Assembly that in response to its appeal, the First Committee has fully utilized its existing resources and was able to conclude its work at the current session in four and a half weeks — which is three days earlier than originally planned — and in 24 formal meetings. The work of the Committee at the present session could be described as procedurally smooth and substantially constructive. The First Committee had before it 45 draft resolutions and six draft decisions submitted under various disarmament and related international security agenda items. One draft resolution was subsequently withdrawn. A total of 45 draft resolutions and six draft decisions were adopted, almost 75 per cent of them, without a vote. As in previous sessions, the core issues related to nuclear and conventional weapons, including anti-personnel landmines. Twenty-six of the draft resolutions and decisions adopted were devoted to those core issues. The disarmament calendars for 2000 and 2001 have been eventful. One can say without exaggeration that two events and their final declaration or programme of action clearly dominated discussions of the international disarmament agenda. These are the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the 2001 United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. At the same time, the terrorist attacks on 11 September had a significant impact on both the atmosphere and the content of the discussions. Under the circumstances, disarmament and international security assumed a new dimension. “New collective commitment”, “a new sense of realism”, “a new approach to international security”, “new stimulus”, “new impetus”, to “re-energize, invigorate and galvanize our concerted efforts” — these are some of the expressions that pervaded the entire atmosphere of the Committee’s general debate. There was a renewed sense of urgency and readiness to cooperate, perhaps much more than before, in addressing all outstanding disarmament and related issues. Delegations lauded the achievements of the NPT Review Conference and the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. However, they also underscored the increasing concern of the peoples of the world over the dangers posed by existing stockpiles of weapons, in particular, weapons of mass destruction. The urgent need for a more action-oriented approach to this phenomenon was evident in the course of discussions on the entire range of nuclear weapons. Member States focused on aspects of nuclear non- proliferation and nuclear disarmament that they believe should be addressed as a matter of priority in the immediate future. In this context, delegations paid particular attention to further efforts that are necessary to scale down nuclear weapons. They noted that in the prevailing atmosphere of high expectations following the conclusion of the NPT Review Conference and in the aftermath of 11 September, it is even more important to take a fresh look at nuclear disarmament in general, with a view to adopting new, bold and innovative approaches. Here, theoretical underpinnings, such as fundamental reconsideration of strategic doctrines and operative military postures, as well as practical measures for preventing weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, were clearly evident. These concerns were reflected in a number of draft resolutions, such as those on the conclusion of a convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons, on reducing nuclear danger, on a path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons and on nuclear disarmament. Moreover, the Secretary-General’s proposal for an international conference to deal with nuclear danger, as contained in his Millennium Report, was also welcomed. In draft resolutions such as “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia”; “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East”; “Consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco)”; and “Nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”, there was continued support for the existing nuclear-weapon-free zones. There were also calls for the creation of new zones as a step leading to a world without nuclear weapons. Member States also expressed their hope for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), especially in the context of the forthcoming review conference of States parties to the CTBT. The majority of delegations spoke of lost opportunities within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament. In particular, Member States expressed their disappointment over the inability of the Conference to take up nuclear issues in 2001 by establishing ad hoc committees to negotiate a fissile material cut-off treaty and security assurances to non- nuclear-weapon States. The need for further focused negotiations aimed at effective international arrangements in terms of a legally binding instrument on both these subjects remained at the forefront of the dialogue on security issues at this year’s session. However, despite the disappointment with the existing stalemate on negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty, many States expressed the hope that this issue would be resolved in new, propitious circumstances. Thus, the way will be paved for the possible establishment of the ad hoc committee by the Conference in order to start full-scale negotiations next year. As far as other weapons of mass destruction were concerned, wide support had been expressed for measures to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention. At the same time, States were clearly disappointed at the failure to reach an agreement during the last stages of negotiations on the verification protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention. However, they continued to be hopeful in the light of the forthcoming Review Conference, which, inter alia, will address this issue as well. The First Committee once again focused on the need to preserve and strengthen missile defence systems, especially the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, as a cornerstone of global strategic stability. In this context, the issue of the prevention of missile technology proliferation and the universalization of the existing missile technology control regime was duly emphasized. The Committee’s deliberations reveal that while retaining its traditional aspects, conventional disarmament has attained a new dimension, one which requires urgent and decisive action, with particular reference to the problem of small arms. The draft resolution to follow up the successful outcome of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects received wide support. Speakers called on all States to implement the Programme of Action adopted by the Conference. The draft resolution asks the Assembly to convene a conference to review the implementation of that document. Before concluding, I would like once again to refer to the sad events of 11 September and their impact on the work of the First Committee at this year’s session. The Committee considered and adopted by consensus a draft resolution submitted by its Chairman, Ambassador André Erdös, entitled “Multilateral cooperation in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation and global efforts against terrorism”. This draft resolution signalled the Committee’s general agreement that the new challenges faced by the international community in the areas of, inter alia, disarmament and non-proliferation, international security and international terrorism require a common response. Furthermore, it reaffirmed that global threats to international peace and security could be effectively addressed only through concerted multilateral cooperation. Let me now briefly turn to the reports of the First Committee and draw the Assembly’s attention to some additions, as well as to a few technical errors that appear in the texts of the following documents. First, in document A/56/539, on agenda item 77, page 1, paragraph 5, in the second line the definite article “the” before the words “States Members of the United Nations” should be deleted. In document A/56/540, on agenda item 78, page 2, after the title “II. Consideration of draft resolution A/C.l/56/L.43”, an asterisk should be added after document symbol L.43. In document A/56/544, on agenda item 82, page 1, paragraph 5, in the second line, the words “subsequently joined by Mongolia and Uruguay,” and the surrounding commas should be deleted. Under agenda item 68, in document A/56/530, page 2, at the end of paragraph 5, please add a new sentence to read as follows: “Subsequently, the United States of America joined in sponsoring the draft resolution”. Finally, under agenda item 75, in document A/56/537, page 5, the last word of the title of draft resolution A should read “Africa”. Next, I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to a number of what I would describe as mostly editorial errors that will require corrections in some of the reports. In order to save time, we will not take this up in the plenary this morning. Instead, we are asking the Secretariat to make the necessary corrections in due course. Before concluding, I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the text of an information document which has been reissued for technical reasons and circulated to all members this morning, contained in document A/C.1/56/INF/3*. This document, as members know, has been made available by the Secretariat, following the past practice, for ease of reference only. I should like to pay a well-deserved tribute to all delegations for their active participation in the work of the First Committee and for their spirit of cooperation in the common search for a safer and more secure world. I should like to express special gratitude to the Chairman of the First Committee, Ambassador André Erdös, who, with his thorough knowledge of disarmament and international security matters, as well as his diplomatic skills, led the proceedings of the Committee to a successful conclusion. Let me also, on behalf of the Committee and on my own behalf, extend our sincere gratitude to the Committee’s Vice-Chairmen, Ambassador Milos Alcalay of Venezuela, Mr. Stéphane De Loecker of Belgium and Mr. Lee Kie-cheon of the Republic of Korea, for their effective contribution to the work of the Committee. I should also like to express my appreciation to the Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Dhanapala, and to Mr. Chen Jian, Under-Secretary- General for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services, for their leadership of the Secretariat staff who provided invaluable assistance to the Bureau and to the Committee as a whole. Moreover, special thanks go to the Secretary, Mr. Mohammad Sattar, whom we warmly welcomed back to the First Committee after a three-year absence. His experience and competence contributed significantly to the successful outcome of the Committee’s work. I should also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Timur Alasaniya, Mr. Saijin Zhang, Ms. Olga Sukovic and other officers of the Secretariat for their valuable assistance in the Committee. With these remarks, I present to the Assembly for its consideration and approval the reports of the First Committee, as contained in documents A/56/526 to A/56/546.
The Acting President #34771
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the First Committee which are before the Assembly today.
It was so decided.
The Acting President #34772
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the First Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee.” May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the First Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the First Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance. This means that where recorded or separate votes were taken, we will do the same. I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the First Committee.

64.  Reduction of military budgets Report of the First Committee (A/56/526)

The Acting President #34773
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/14).
The Acting President #34774
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 64?

75.  Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/56/537)

Vote: 57/60 Consensus
It was so decided.

65.  Verification in all its aspects, including the role of the United Nations in the field of verification Report of the First Committee (A/56/527)

The Acting President #34775
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/15).
Vote: 57/61 Consensus
The Acting President #34776
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 65?
It was so decided.

66.  Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace Report of the First Committee (A/56/528)

The Acting President #34777
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently the delegation of Kuwait informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.

74.  General and complete disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/56/536)

Vote: 57/61 Recorded Vote
✓ 98   ✗ 45   14 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (98)
The draft resolution was adopted by 110 votes to 3, with 41 abstentions (resolution 56/16).
The Acting President #34778
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 66?
It was so decided.

67.  African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/56/529)

The Acting President #34779
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “African Nuclear-Weapon- Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba)”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/17).
The Acting President #34780
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 67?
It was so decided.

68.  Maintenance of international security — good- neighbourliness, stability and development in South- Eastern Europe Report of the First Committee (A/56/530)

The Acting President #34781
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/18).
The Acting President #34782
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 68?
It was so decided.

69.  Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security Report of the First Committee (A/56/533)

The Acting President #34783
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes likewise to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/19).
The Acting President #34784
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 69?
It was so decided.

70.  The role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/56/531)

The Acting President #34785
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 92 votes to 46, with 17 abstentions (resolution 56/20).
The Acting President #34786
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 70?
Vote: 31/37 Consensus
It was so decided.

71.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/56/532)

The Acting President #34787
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/21).
The Acting President #34788
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 71?
It was so decided.

72.  Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons Report of the First Committee (A/56/534)

The Acting President #34789
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 105 votes to none, with 54 abstentions (resolution 56/22).
Vote: 57/69 Consensus
The Acting President #34790
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 72?
It was so decided.

73.  Prevention of an arms race in outer space Report of the First Committee (A/56/535)

The Acting President #34791
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 57/70 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 156 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 56/23).
The Acting President #34792
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 73?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #34793
The Assembly has before it 23 draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 73 of its report and three draft decisions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 74 of the same report. In this connection, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution U is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of the programme budget implications by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of draft resolution U is available. I shall now put the 22 draft resolutions and the three draft decisions to the Assembly one by one. After all of the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. To avoid any confusion, I should like to reiterate that I shall now put to the Assembly for action draft resolutions “A” TO “T” and “V” to “W”, as well as draft decisions I to III, contained in paragraphs 73 and 74, respectively, under section III of the report, entitled “Recommendations of the First Committee”. Will delegations please turn to paragraph 73 of section III concerning the draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Preservation of and compliance with the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems”. I give the floor to the representative of Venezuela, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Alcalay VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #34794
Venezuela shares the concerns that have been raised with respect to this draft resolution. We are aware of the global ramifications that a unilateral modification of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty would have for the strategic balance and for the overall body of international agreements in the area of disarmament and nuclear-arms control. Negotiations in recent days among the States parties to the Treaty did not arrive at the necessary agreement to resolve differences concerning the validity of this legal instrument, which is considered to be a pillar of the international disarmament architecture. In view of uncertainty about the future of the Treaty, Venezuela believes that any relevant decision will have to be taken without jeopardizing the principles and integrity of, or compliance with, the Treaty. Venezuela will therefore vote in favour of the draft resolution contained in document A/C.1/56/L.1/Rev.1.
The Acting President #34795
We shall now take action on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Benin and Mauritania informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 82 votes to 5, with 62 abstentions (resolution 56/24A).
The Acting President #34796
Draft resolution B is entitled “Missiles”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 98 votes to none, with 58 abstentions (resolution 56/24B).
The Acting President #34797
Draft resolution C is entitled “Effects of the use of depleted uranium in armaments”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution C was rejected by 54 votes to 45, with 45 abstentions.
The Acting President #34798
Draft resolution D is entitled “Reducing nuclear danger”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution D was adopted by 98 votes to 45, with 14 abstentions (resolution 56/24 C).
The Acting President #34799
Draft resolution E is entitled “Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution E without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution E was adopted (resolution 56/24 D).
The Acting President #34800
Draft resolution F is entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution F without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution F was adopted (resolution 56/24 E).
The Acting President #34801
Draft resolution G is entitled “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Italy informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution G was adopted by 154 votes to none, with 5 abstentions (resolution 56/24 F).
The Acting President #34802
Draft resolution H is entitled “Nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. Separate votes have been requested on the words “and South Asia” at the end of operative paragraph 3 and on operative paragraph 3 of draft resolution H. If there is no objection to these requests, I shall first put to the vote the words “and South Asia” at the end of operative paragraph 3 of draft resolution H, on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The words “and South Asia” were retained by 140 votes to 2, with 8 abstentions.
The Acting President #34803
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 3 as a whole, on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 3, as a whole, was retained by 145 votes to 1, with 7 abstentions.
The Acting President #34804
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution H as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Italy informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution H, as a whole, was adopted by 148 votes to 4, with 4 abstentions (resolution 56/24 G).
The President #34805
Draft resolution I is entitled “Regional disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 56/24 H).
The President #34806
Draft resolution J is entitled “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution J was adopted by 151 votes to 1, with 1 abstention (resolution 56/24 I).
The President #34807
Draft resolution K is entitled “The Conference on Disarmament decision (CD/1547) of 11 August 1998 to establish, under item 1 of its agenda, entitled `Cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament’, an ad hoc committee to negotiate, on the basis of the report of the Special Coordinator (CD/1299) and the mandate contained therein, a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution K without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution K was adopted (resolution 56/24 J).
The President #34808
Draft resolution L is entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution L without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Draft resolution L was adopted (resolution 56/24 K).
The President #34809
Draft resolution M is entitled “Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution M without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution M was adopted (resolution 56/24 L).
The President #34810
Draft resolution N is entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction”. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 115   ✗ 7   37 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (115)
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution N was adopted by 138 votes to none, with 19 abstentions (resolution 56/24 M).
The President #34811
Draft resolution O is entitled “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution O was adopted by 139 votes to 3, with 19 abstentions (resolution 56/24 N).
The President #34812
Draft resolution P is entitled “2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution P was adopted by 156 votes to 1, with 3 abstentions (resolution 56/24 O).
The President #34813
Draft resolution Q is entitled “Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution Q without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution Q was adopted (resolution 56/24 P).
The President #34814
Draft resolution R is entitled “Transparency in armaments”. Separate votes have been requested on operative paragraph 4 (b) and operative paragraph 6 of draft resolution R. Are there any objections to these requests? There are none. I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 4 (b) of draft resolution R, on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 4 (b) of draft resolution R was retained by 133 votes to 4, with 12 abstentions.
The President #34815
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 6 of draft resolution R, on which a separate, recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 6 was retained by 133 votes to none, with 17 abstentions.
The President #34816
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution R, as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution R, as a whole, was adopted by 135 votes to none, with 23 abstentions (resolution 56/24 Q).
The President #34817
Draft resolution S is entitled “Nuclear disarmament”. A separate vote has been requested on paragraph 9 of draft resolution S. If there is no objection, I shall first put to the vote paragraph 9 of draft resolution S, on which a separate, recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 9 was retained by 149 votes to 3, with 6 abstentions.
The President #34818
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution S, as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution S, as a whole, was adopted by 103 votes to 41, with 17 abstentions (resolution 56/24 R).
The President #34819
Draft resolution T is entitled “Follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons”. A separate vote has been requested on paragraph 1 of draft resolution T. If there is no objection, I shall first put to the vote paragraph 1 of draft resolution T, on which a separate, recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Paragraph 1 was retained by 153 votes to 4, with 2 abstentions.
The President #34820
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution T, as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution T, as a whole, was adopted by 111 votes to 29, with 21 abstentions (resolution 56/24 S).
The President #34821
Members will recall that, earlier in the meeting, it was announced that draft resolution U will be acted on at a later date. Draft resolution V is entitled “Multilateral cooperation in the area of disarmament and non- proliferation and global efforts against terrorism”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 56/24 T).
The President #34822
Draft resolution W is entitled “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution W without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution W was adopted (resolution 56/24 U).
The President #34823
We now turn to paragraph 74 of the report, concerning the draft decisions. We turn first to draft decision I, entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: the need for a new agenda”. The First Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft decision I was adopted.
The Acting President #34824
Draft decision II is entitled “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia”. The First Committee adopted draft decision II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft decision II was adopted.
The Acting President #34825
Draft decision III is entitled “United Nations conference to identify ways of eliminating nuclear dangers in the context of nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Canada informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour, and the delegation of Bulgaria had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft decision III was adopted by 115 votes to 7, with 37 abstentions.
Ms. Marcus USA United States of America #34826
I request that the record of today’s proceedings reflect that the United States did not participate in the consensus on agenda item 74, draft resolution F, which asserts a relationship between disarmament and development. We continue to believe that disarmament and development are two distinct issues that do not lend themselves to being linked. It is for this reason that the United States did not participate in the 1987 Conference on this matter. Accordingly, the United States does not and will not consider itself bound by the declaration in the Final Document of the International Conference.
Mr. Balestra SMR San Marino #34827
I asked for the floor to explain my delegation’s abstention in the vote on resolution O, “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons”. San Marino favours the spirit of the resolution itself, and I thank the delegation of Japan for its efforts towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, a goal entirely shared by my country. This position has been demonstrated by our positive vote in the past. The text submitted this year, however, presents some elements in its operative part that my country considers a step backwards vis-à-vis previous achievements.
The Acting President #34828
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 74.
The Acting President #34829
The Assembly has before it six draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 21 of its report. I shall put them to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Regional confidence-building measures: activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central America”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution A without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 56/25 A).
The Acting President #34830
Draft resolution B is entitled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Guatemala informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution B was adopted by 104 votes to 46, with 11 abstentions (resolution 56/25 B).
The Acting President #34831
Draft resolution C is entitled “United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution C without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution C was adopted (resolution 56/25 C).
The Acting President #34832
Draft resolution D is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution D without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution D was adopted (resolution 56/25 D).
The Acting President #34833
Draft resolution E is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution E without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution E was adopted (resolution 56/25 E).
The Acting President #34834
Draft resolution F is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution F without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution F was adopted (resolution 56/25 F).
The Acting President #34835
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 75?
It was so decided.

76.  Review of the implementation of the recommendations and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session Report of the First Committee (A/56/538)

The Acting President #34836
The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Report of the Disarmament Commission”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution A without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 56/26 A).
The Acting President #34837
Draft resolution B is entitled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution B without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 56/26 B).
The Acting President #34838
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 76?
It was so decided.

77.  The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/56/539)

The Acting President #34839
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. A separate vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution. If there is no objection to that request, I shall first put to the vote the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution, on which a separate, recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 153 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #34840
I now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 153 votes to 3, with 6 abstentions (resolution 56/27).
The Acting President #34841
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 77?
It was so decided.
The President returned to the Chair.

78.  Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects Report of the First Committee (A/56/540)

The President #34842
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/28).
The President #34843
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 78?
It was so decided.

79.  Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Report of the First Committee (A/56/541)

The President #34844
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 if its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/29).
The President #34845
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 79?
It was so decided.

80.  Consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) Report of the First Committee (A/56/542)

The President #34846
The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/30).
The President #34847
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 80?
It was so decided.

81.  Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction Report of the First Committee (A/56/543)

The President #34848
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #34849
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 81?
It was so decided.

82.  Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/56/544)

The President #34850
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 161 votes to 1.
The President #34851
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 82?
It was so decided.

83.  Compliance with arms limitation and disarmament and non-proliferation agreements Report of the First Committee (A/56/545)

The President #34852
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee contained in document A/56/545?
It was so decided.
The President #34853
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 83?
It was so decided.

84.  Review of the implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security Report of the First Committee (A/56/546)

The President #34854
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #34855
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 84?
It was so decided.
The meeting rose at 11.50 a.m.