A/56/PV.85 General Assembly
The meeting was called to order at 10.05 a.m.
Reports of the Sixth Committee
The General Assembly will consider the reports of the Sixth Committee on agenda items 159 to 168, 170, 172 to 174, 176 and sub- item (f) of item 21.
I request the Rapporteur of the Sixth Committee, Mr. Mahmoud Mohmed Al-Naman of Saudi Arabia, to introduce in one intervention the reports of the Sixth Committee before the General Assembly.
161. Report of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on the work of its thirty- fourth session Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/588 and Corr.l)
Vote:
31/37
Consensus
162. Report of the International Law Commission on the work of its fifty-third session Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/589 and Corr.l)
Vote:
31/37
Consensus
165. Report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/592)
Vote:
31/37
Consensus
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 Sixth Committee which are before it today.
It was so decided.
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote.
The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Sixth 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 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 Sixth 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 Sixth Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance.
I therefore hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Sixth Committee.
Vote:
32/413
Consensus
Vote:
32/413
Consensus
Vote:
32/413
Consensus
159. United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/586)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The Sixth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/77).
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 159?
Vote:
31/100
Consensus
It was so decided.
160. Convention on jurisdictional immunities of States and their property Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/587 and Corr.l)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The Sixth 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 56/78).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 160?
It was so decided.
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 15 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 16 of the same report.
We turn first to the three draft resolutions in paragraph 15.
Draft resolution I is entitled “Report of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on the work of its thirty-fourth session”.
The Sixth Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 56/79).
Draft resolution II is entitled “Model Law on Electronic Signatures of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law”.
The Sixth Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 56/80).
Draft resolution III is entitled “United Nations Convention on the Assignment of Receivables in International Trade”.
The Sixth Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 56/81).
We turn now to the draft decision contained in paragraph 16 of the report.
The draft decision is entitled “Enlargement of the membership of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law”.
The Sixth 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.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 161?
It was so decided.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 10 of its report.
We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Report of the International Law Commission on the work of its fifty-third session”.
The Sixth Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 56/82).
Draft resolution II is entitled “Responsibility of States for internationally wrongful Acts”.
The Sixth Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 56/83).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 162?
It was so decided.
163. Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/590 and Corr.l)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report.
The Sixth 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 56/84).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 163?
It was so decided.
164. Establishment of the International Criminal Court Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/591)
I give the floor to the representative of the United States of America, who wishes to speak in explanation of position before action is taken on the draft resolution.
The United States will not participate in the adoption of the draft resolution on the establishment of the International Criminal Court. The United States has well-known objections about the International Criminal Court, including the Court’s purported ability to exercise jurisdiction over nationals of non-parties, the inclusion of the crime of aggression within the Statute of the Court, and the possibility of politically motivated prosecutions. The United States therefore believes that it would be inappropriate to join consensus on that draft resolution.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 10 of its report.
The Sixth 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 56/85).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 164?
It was so decided.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 13 of its report.
We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization”. The Sixth Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 56/86).
Draft resolution II is entitled “Implementation of the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations related to assistance to third States affected by the application of sanctions”. The Sixth Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 56/87).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 165?
It was so decided.
166. Measures to eliminate international terrorism Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/593)
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 11 of its report.
The Sixth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/88).
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 166.
167. Scope of legal protection under the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/594 and Corr.1)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report.
The Sixth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/89).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 167?
It was so decided.
168. Observer status for the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance in the General Assembly Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/595 and Corr.1)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The Sixth Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 168?
It was so decided.
170. Observer status for the International Development Law Institute in the General Assembly Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/596)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The Sixth 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 56/90).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 170?
It was so decided.
172. Observer status for the International Hydrographic Organization in the General Assembly Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/597 and Corr.1)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The Sixth 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 56/91).
In accordance with the resolution just adopted, I now give the floor to the observer for the International Hydrographic Organization.
Mr. MacFarland: I am speaking on behalf of Rear Admiral Angrisano, President of the Directing Committee of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). Admiral Angrisano sends his regrets at not being here to address the Assembly personally on this important occasion.
The IHO is very grateful to the General Assembly for having endorsed the recommendation of the Sixth Committee to grant observer status to the IHO in the General Assembly as it appears in document A/56/597. We also wish to thank the Government of the Principality of Monaco, host country of the IHO, for taking the initiative of presenting this proposal to the Assembly.
As members know, the IHO is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organization governed by a convention that was registered at the United Nations on 22 September 1970. The objectives of the organization are to coordinate the activities of national hydrographic offices, encourage the greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts, support the adoption of reliable and efficient methods of carrying out and exploiting hydrographic surveys, and advance the development of the sciences in the field of hydrography and the techniques employed in descriptive oceanography.
The IHO is fully committed to implementing United Nations resolutions related to the Law of the Sea Convention. Our work, which is aimed at achieving adequate global hydrographic data coverage, contributes significantly to the safety of navigation and to the protection of the marine environment. Without systematic collection and evaluation of the data related to coastal topography, aids to navigation, bathymetry, tides and currents, it is impossible to produce reliable navigational charts. Scientists and administrators also need adequate parameters to study and take measures for marine environmental management.
The profile of the IHO is as follows. At present, the IHO counts 70 member States, plus 8 pending. All the main maritime States are IHO members and employ thousands of personnel in their national hydrographic offices throughout the world. The survey fleet totals approximately 350 ships, plus a considerable number of survey launches and some aircraft. Forty member States provide training courses for national and international students, and one international maritime academy provides training courses for developing countries. Three member States produce a world-wide nautical chart portfolio. These are 15 regional hydrographic commissions to look after the local development of hydrography, and 20 committees and working groups to produce and update standards and develop the International Hydrographic Organization strategies.
The IHO is fully committed to the development of hydrography in regions such as Africa, Central America, the Middle East, East Asia and Eastern Europe.
The IHO membership is open to all countries, and new members are most welcome to join. The development of hydrography and charting significantly benefits countries which have under their jurisdiction sea and internal waters, supporting national and international trade and transportation. Membership also contributes to preservation of the marine environment, in view of various sustainable development activities such as tourism and exploitation of living and mineral resources.
The IHO cooperates on an ongoing basis with the United Nations and its specialized agencies and actively participates in their meetings, conferences and assemblies. We recognize the importance of the invitation made to the IHO by the United Nations
membership as it appears in paragraph 33 of Assembly resolution 56/12 of 28 November 2001.
I would like to conclude by simply reiterating our thanks to the entire membership of the General Assembly for granting the IHO the observer status that will enable it to strengthen its cooperation with all interested nations.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 172?
It was so decided.
173. Observer status for the Community of Sahelo- Saharan States in the General Assembly Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/598 and Corr.1)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The Sixth 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 56/92).
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 173?
It was so decided.
174. International convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/599)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report.
The Sixth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 56/93).
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 174?
It was so decided.
176. Observer status for Partners in Population and Development in the General Assembly Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/600)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report.
The Sixth Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted.
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 176?
It was so decided.
21. Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations (f) Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union Report of the Sixth Committee (A/56/646)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Sixth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The draft decision is entitled “Observer status for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the General Assembly”.
The Sixth Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 174?
It was so decided.
The meeting rose at 11.20 a.m.