A/58/PV.78 General Assembly

The General Assembly will consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 91 to 104 and 12. I request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, Mr. José Alberto Briz Gutiérrez of Guatemala, to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention. Mr. Briz Gutiérrez (Guatemala), Rapporteur of the Second Committee (spoke in Spanish): I have the honour to present for consideration the following reports of the Second Committee on the agenda items allocated to it by the General Assembly at its fifty- eighth session. Under agenda item 12, entitled “Report of the Economic and Social Council”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraphs 17 and 18 of document A/58/495, the adoption of two draft resolutions and two draft decisions, respectively. Under sub-item (a) of agenda item 91, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: international trade and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 12 of document A/58/481/Add.1, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item (b) of agenda 91, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: science and technology for development”, the Second Committee 04-20847 (E) * 0 4 2 0 8 4 7 * recommends, in paragraphs 14 and 15 of document A/58/481/Add.2, the adoption of two draft resolutions and of two draft decisions, respectively. Under sub-items (c) and (t) of agenda item 91, entitled, respectively, “Macroeconomic policy questions: Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries” and “Macroeconomic policy questions: Outcome of the International Ministerial Conference on Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraphs 8 and 9 of document A/58/481/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution and of one draft decision, respectively. Under sub-item (d) of agenda item 91, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: International financial system and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/58/481/Add.4, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (e) of agenda item 91, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: External debt crisis and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/58/481/Add.5, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (g) of agenda item 91, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: Commodities”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/58/481/Add.6, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 92, entitled “Sectoral policy questions: preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of funds of illicit origin and returning such assets to the countries of origin”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/58/482, the adoption of one draft resolution. Agenda item 93 is entitled “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Women in development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/58/483/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (b) of agenda item 93, entitled “Human resources development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/58/483/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (c) of agenda item 93, entitled “International migration and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/58/483/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (d) of agenda item 93, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on International Economic Cooperation, in particular the Revitalization of Economic Growth and Development of the Developing Countries, and implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 4 of document A/58/483/Add.4, the adoption of one draft decision. Agenda item 94 is entitled “Environment and sustainable development”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy, including the implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996-2005”, I would first like to call the attention of the plenary to a correction in paragraph 2 of the report the Second Committee contained in document A/58/484/Add.l: San Marino and Andorra are to be added to the list of subsequent sponsors of draft resolution A/C.2/58/L.26. The Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of the same document, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (b) of the agenda item 94, entitled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 14 of document A/58/484/Add.2, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item (c) of agenda item 94, entitled “Convention on Biological Diversity”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/58/484/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (d) of agenda item 94, entitled “Further implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/58/484/Add.4, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (e) of agenda item 94, entitled “International Strategy for Disaster Reduction”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 15 of document A/58/484/Add.5, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item (f) of agenda item 94, entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 11 of document A/58/484/Add.6, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (g) of agenda item 94, entitled “Sustainable mountain development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/58/484/Add.7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 94, entitled “Environment and sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 6 of document A/58/484/Add.8, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 95, entitled “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 14 of document A/58/485, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 96, entitled “United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/58/486, the adoption of one draft resolution. Agenda item 97 is entitled “Operational activities for development”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Operational activities”, and sub-item (b), entitled “Economic and technical cooperation among developing countries”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 13 of document A/58/487, the adoption of one draft resolution, and, in paragraph 14, the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 98, entitled “Implementation of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006)”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 16 of document A/58/488, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 99, entitled “Training and research”, I would first like to call the attention of the plenary to a correction in draft resolution I, contained in document A/58/489, entitled “United Nations Institute for Training and Research”. In operative paragraph 5 of that draft, the words “Institute’s training office at Hiroshima, Japan” are to be replaced with the words “UNITAR Hiroshima Office for Asia and the Pacific in Hiroshima, Japan”. Operative paragraph 5 should then read as follows: “Also welcomes the establishment of the UNITAR Hiroshima Office for Asia and the Pacific in Hiroshima, Japan”. With this correction, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 16 of document A/58/489, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 100, entitled “Globalization and interdependence”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 12 of document A/58/490, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 101, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and of the twenty-fifth special session of the General Assembly”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 15 of document A/58/491, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 102, entitled “Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 12 of document A/58/492, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 103, entitled “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/58/493, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 104, entitled “Follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 15 of document A/58/494, the adoption of one draft resolution. Before concluding, I would like to take this opportunity sincerely to thank the Chairman of the Second Committee, Mr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury of Bangladesh, as well as the Vice-Chairpersons, Ms. Ulrika Cronenberg-Mossberg of Sweden, Mrs. Irena Zubčević of Croatia and Mr. Henri Raubenheimer of South Africa for their exceptional cooperation and partnership during this very productive session of the Second Committee. Finally, I would like sincerely to thank all the delegations that participated in our work; their dedication and efforts were essential for the accomplishment of the task entrusted by the Assembly to the Second Committee during the current session. In conclusion, I would like to thank the Secretariat for its outstanding assistance to me and all the members of the Bureau.

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 Second Committee which are before the Assembly today.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Second Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May 1 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 Second 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 Second Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. This means that where a recorded vote was 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 Second Committee.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 58/544).

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 91. (a) International trade and development Report of the Second Committee (A/58/481/Add.1)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. Draft resolution I, entitled “International trade and Development”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Bhutan informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour; the delegations of Ireland, Italy, Latvia and Romania had intended to abstain.]

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 91?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report and on the two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 15 of the same report. Draft resolution I, entitled “Creation of a global culture of cybersecurity and the protection of critical information infrastructures”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution II, entitled “Science and technology for development”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft decision I, entitled “Science and technology for development”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft decision II is entitled “Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union on the ongoing preparatory process for the World Summit on the Information Society”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II recommended by the Second Committee?

I call on the representative of the United States of America, who wishes to speak in explanation of position on the decision just adopted.

The United States understands that the General Assembly, in all of its decisions today to take note of reports of the Secretary-General, is doing so consistent with General Assembly decision 55/488 of 7 September 2001.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 91? (c) Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries (f) Outcome of the International Ministerial Conference on Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation Report of the Second Committee (A/58/481/Add.3)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of the same report. The draft resolution, entitled “Almaty Programme of Action: Addressing the Special Needs of Landlocked Developing Countries within a New Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The draft decision is entitled “Report on the transit environment in the landlocked States in Central Asia and their transit developing neighbours”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-items (c) and (f) of agenda item 91?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 91?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 91?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 91 and of agenda item 91 as a whole?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The draft resolution, entitled “Preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of assets of illicit origin and returning such assets to the countries of origin”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 92?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 58/548).

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 93. (a) Women in development Report of the Second Committee (A/58/483/Add.1 and Corr.1)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 93?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 93?

The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 93? (d) Implementation of the Declaration on International Economic Cooperation, in particular the Revitalization of Economic Growth and Development of the Developing Countries, and implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade Report of the Second Committee (A/58/483/Add.4)

The Assembly will take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 4 of its report. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision entitled “Report of the Secretary-General on progress towards and challenges and constraints to the achievement of the major development goals and objectives adopted by the United Nations during the past decade”, recommended by the Second Committee?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 93 and of agenda item 93 as a whole? It was so decided.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/58/484? It was so decided (decision 58/550).

The Assembly will now turn to the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/58/484/Add.8. The draft resolution, entitled “Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its twenty-second session”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 94. (a) Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy, including the implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996-2005 Report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.1)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 94? It was so decided. (b) Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa Report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.2)

Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution I will be postponed until the next meeting of the Assembly, scheduled to take place today at 6.30 p.m., so as to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution I as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution II recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report. Draft resolution II, entitled “International Year of Deserts and Desertification, 2006”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

I give the floor to the representative of the United States, who wishes to speak in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

The United States is disappointed by the continued diversion of resources from the United Nations regular budget to subsidize an independent and self-sustaining treaty body, such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. As a matter of principle, treaty bodies can and should collect the necessary funds from their membership to finance their activities.

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 94. (c) Convention on Biological Diversity Report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.3)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 94? It was so decided. (d) Further implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States Report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.4)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 94? It was so decided. (e) International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.5)

The Assembly will take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 15 of its report. Draft resolution I, entitled “International Strategy for Disaster Reduction”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II, entitled “Natural disasters and vulnerability”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 94. (f) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind Report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.6)

I should like to inform members that action on the draft resolution contained in the report will be postponed until to the next meeting of the Assembly, scheduled to take place today at 6.30 p.m., to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. (g) Sustainable mountain development Report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.7)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The draft resolution, entitled “Sustainable development and mountain regions”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 94? It was so decided.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of that report. Draft resolution I, entitled “International Decade for Action”, ‘Water for Life’, 2005-2015”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution II, entitled “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 95? It was so decided.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 96? It was so decided.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 13 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 14 of the same report. The draft resolution, entitled “Economic and technical cooperation among developing countries”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

We turn now to the draft decision. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision entitled “Report of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme on the activities of the United Nations Development Fund for Women”, recommended by the Second Committee?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 97? It was so decided.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 16 of its report. Draft resolution I, entitled “Programme of Action for the International Year of Microcredit, 2005”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution II, entitled “Implementation of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006)”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 98? It was so decided.

I now call on the representative of Spain, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.

Spain endorses the content of the draft resolution on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. However, we would like to clarify our position on operative paragraph 4 of the draft, which relates to the need to continue developing and expanding partnerships between the Institute and other bodies of the United Nations system with respect to their training programmes, in particular at the country level. Spain would like to place on record the fact that it interprets this operative paragraph as referring solely to the establishment of partnerships between the Institute and other organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, and definitely not to possible partnerships between UNITAR and territorial, non-State entities.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 16 of its report. Draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations Institute for Training and Research”, was adopted by the Second Committee and was orally corrected by the Rapporteur. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt this resolution?

Draft resolution II, entitled “United Nations System Staff College in Turin, Italy”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99? It was so decided.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. The draft resolution, entitled “Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100? It was so decided.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 15 of its report. Draft resolution I, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN- Habitat)”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II, entitled “Rules of procedure of the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 101?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 102?

I now call on the representative of Israel, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.

My delegation deeply regrets that the substantive debate in the Second Committee this year was once again used as a platform from which to level accusations against Israel and to adopt a draft resolution which is completely one-sided, inaccurate and, ultimately, counterproductive. The draft resolution before us has nothing to do with the issues addressed by the Second Committee, and it shifts the focus of our work from those activities identified by Member States as priorities. Its adoption will only invite the further politicization of the work of the Second Committee by the Palestinians, as well as by others, and will further distract us from the important work on our agenda. As we sought this year to strengthen the Organization by aligning the work of the Second Committee with the priorities outlined in the outcomes of the major international conferences, it appears that this politically motivated item, whose impact is dubious, might have been an appropriate place from which to start the process of rationalizing and harmonizing our work. Moreover, the draft resolution will contribute nothing to the achievement of a lasting peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, as it prejudges issues that the sides had agreed would be addressed through direct bilateral negotiations, thus undermining the bilateral spirit of the peace process. As in past years, Israel will vote against this biased and counterproductive draft resolution. We urge other delegations to do the same.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 103?

I give the floor to the representative of South Africa on a point of order.

I apologize, Mr. President, for interrupting your work, which has been running so smoothly. We need to make a slight correction to operative paragraph 17 of the draft resolution recommended for adoption in paragraph 15 of the report. In the title of the proposed agenda item, the words “the implementation” should be replaced with “and implementation”, and the words “outcome of the” should be added, so that it reads “Follow-up to and implementation of the outcome of the International Conference on Financing for Development”.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 15 of its report. The draft resolution, entitled “Follow-up to and implementation of the outcome of the International Conference on Financing for Development”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution, as orally corrected? The draft resolution, as orally corrected, was adopted (resolution 58/230).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 104?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 17 of its report and on the two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 18 of the same report. Draft resolution I, entitled “Public administration and development”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II, entitled “Agreement between the United Nations and the World Tourism Organization”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft decision I is entitled “Documents relating to the report of the Economic and Social Council”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision I, recommended by the Second Committee?

Draft decision II is entitled “Provisional programme of work of the Second Committee for 2004”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Kuwait informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.] [In the 79th plenary meeting the Rapporteur of the Second Committee drew attention to the text of a draft decision, distributed at that meeting and subsequently issued as A/58/495/Corr.1, that was meant to be included in A/48/495 as draft decision II. Thus the draft text adopted as decision 58/553 has been renumbered draft decision III.]

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 12.

Members will recall that the General Assembly held the debate on this agenda item from the 32nd to 35th plenary meetings, on 15 and 16 October 2003. I give the floor to the representative of South Africa to introduce draft resolutions A/58/L.17/Rev.1 and A/58/L.56.

I have the honour to present draft resolution A/58/L.17/Rev.1, under sub- item (a) of agenda item 39 of the General Assembly, entitled “New Partnership for Africa’s Development: progress in implementation and international support”. The draft resolution is based on the general debate in the fifty-eighth session of the General Assembly, including the proposal made therein on the report of the Secretary-General, entitled “The New Partnership for Africa’s Development: first consolidated report on progress in implementation and international support” (A/58/254). The negotiations were smooth, and there was consensus on the content of various parts of the draft resolution. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is an important framework for achieving accelerated growth and economic and sustainable development in Africa. NEPAD recognizes that peace and security and good governance, including, among other things, the rule of law, transparency and respect for human rights, are important to attaining sustained growth and sustainable development. In its resolution 57/7 of 4 November 2002, the General Assembly adopted NEPAD as the framework within which the international community, including the United Nations, should focus its efforts for Africa’s development. The Group of Eight (G-8) countries have also made NEPAD the framework for their support to Africa. The principles of ownership and partnership of the Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development will also support the implementation of NEPAD. While recognizing that progress has been made in the implementation of the objectives and priorities of NEPAD, the draft resolution calls upon Member States and the international community, including the United Nations, to announce their support in moving forward with the implementation of NEPAD. This draft resolution welcomes the efforts of African countries in the management and resolution of conflicts in the region, as well as the progress made in the African Peer Review Mechanism, particularly with regard to the accession of a number of States members of the African Union and the appointment of the panel of eminent persons for the African Peer Review Mechanism. The draft resolution further recognizes the efforts made by African countries in raising awareness of NEPAD and involving all stakeholders, namely, Governments, the private sector and civil society, including women’s organizations, in the implementation of NEPAD. It also heralds the decision of the African Union’s Executive Council to integrate NEPAD into the African Union structures and processes. The issue of adequate external financial resources for the implementation of NEPAD is a critical one. In this regard, the draft resolution welcomes the pledges made by the development partners for increased official development assistance, including to the untying of such assistance. The draft resolution stresses the need to find a durable solution to Africa’s external debt problem, especially for heavily indebted poor countries in Africa. Equally important is the issue of increased market access through trade and the need for developed countries and their partners to support the promotion of private investment, particularly in the key sectors of African economies. The draft resolution further recognizes the need to take concrete steps to implement the existing frameworks for South-South cooperation, including through triangular cooperation in the implementation of NEPAD. The draft resolution notes with satisfaction the growing collaboration among the entities of the United Nations system and encourages them to continue such efforts to support the implementation of NEPAD. It also welcomes the creation of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. The draft resolution further requests the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report to the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly on the implementation of NEPAD based on the inputs from various stakeholders. I wish to express the African Group’s appreciation to all members of the Group of 77 and China for their strong support during the negotiation process. We also thank them for sponsoring this draft resolution, together with a number of other countries. Among those who have joined us in sponsorship are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Spain and Sweden. Before presenting this draft resolution for adoption, there is a slight correction I would like to make in the second last line of the sixth preambular paragraph. As it now appears, it is the “African Partnership Forum”. In fact, it should read “Africa Partnership Forum”. I wish to present, through you, Mr. President, this draft resolution for adoption by the General Assembly. I am now pleased to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/58/L.56. This draft appears under agenda item 39 (b) and is entitled “Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa”. The draft resolution is based on the general debate in the fifty-eighth session of the General Assembly, including the proposals made therein on the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa” (A/58/352). The Secretary-General’s report underscores the nexus between peace and development. NEPAD also recognizes peace and security as an important precondition for Africa’s development. The recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s 1998 report on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa (A/52/871) are as pertinent and relevant to the African situation today as they were when the report was submitted in 1998 to the Security Council and subsequently to the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. As such, the draft resolution reaffirms that the implementation of the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s report must remain a priority on the agenda of the United Nations and Member States, and that the General Assembly must continue to play the primary role in monitoring progress in the implementation of the recommendations. The draft resolution reaffirms that the responsibility for peace and security lies primarily with African countries as well as with regional and subregional organizations, and welcomes the efforts of African countries towards establishing a peace and security council of the African Union, while it encourages African Union member States that have not yet ratified the protocol to do so. It welcomes the decision of the European Union to establish a peace facility to support the establishment of the African Peace and Security Mechanism to support African efforts and peace initiatives. It also welcomes the establishment of the Security Council’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa and the Economic and Social Council’s Ad Hoc Advisory Group on African countries emerging from conflict, such as Guinea-Bissau and Burundi. In addition, it underscores that Member States and the United Nations system should support efforts in conflict prevention and post-conflict development through enhanced coordination, coherence and sustained financial and political support. The draft resolution recognizes that poverty eradication is a critical challenge to achieving sustained economic growth and development. The draft resolution calls upon Member States to provide adequate support to eradicate poverty and to strengthen institutions to maintain the rule of law, transparency and accountable public administration. The draft resolution notes with concern that progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s report remains slow and uneven, and it notes the need to continue to monitor the implementation of the recommendations. In that regard, it welcomes the designation of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa to continue to monitor — through the already-established interdepartmental task force on African affairs — progress in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s report. It further requests the Secretary-General to report on the progress made in the implementation of the resolution to the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly. In submitting this draft resolution for consideration by the General Assembly, I wish to express the appreciation of the African Group to all members of the Group of 77 and China for their support during the negotiation process. We also wish to thank them, together with a number of other countries, for sponsoring the draft resolution. Among those that have joined the list of sponsors recently are Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Mozambique, Netherlands, Rwanda, Singapore and Sweden. This draft resolution is being presented for adoption by the General Assembly.

I now give the floor to the representative of Mozambique to introduce draft resolution A/58/L.55.

On behalf of the African Union, I have the honour to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/58/L.55, entitled “International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda”. I am pleased to announce that the following countries have joined the list of sponsors: Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, Mauritius, the Republic of Korea, Somalia, Sweden, Uganda and the United Kingdom. From April to July 1994, we witnessed in Rwanda one of the most despicable acts of genocide in the history of mankind when up to 1 million people were brutally murdered in a tragedy in which Rwandans, Africans and, ultimately, humanity at large were the victims. The genocide in Rwanda remains a vivid memory of the cruelty that Rwandans have endured, and it requires us to reflect on the matter with a view to preventing it from ever happening again. Within the framework of preventing and dealing with the wounds of genocide, the Executive Council of the African Union decided, at its second ordinary session, held in 2002 in Ndjamena, to recommend the proclamation of an International Day of Reflection on the 1994Genocide in Rwanda and recommitment to the fight against genocide throughout the world. That recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the second ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held in Maputo in July 2003. It was therefore on instruction from the heads of State and Government of the African Union that we tabled this draft resolution, which, if adopted, would mainly decide to designate 7 April 2004 as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda and seek the solidarity and commitment of the international community at large in observing that day through relevant commemorative activities. The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda would enable us to honour the memory of those innocent men, women, children and elderly persons who died at the hands of extremist killers in Rwanda. The International Day of Reflection would also enable us to recommit ourselves to ensuring that genocide never happens again anywhere on our planet. As the international community, we must ensure that our “never again” really means “never again”. To that end, the draft resolution calls on all States to ensure that there is no repetition of the kind of event that occurred in Rwanda. It is the wish of the sponsors that this draft resolution be adopted by consensus. In that regard, I call upon all Member States to show their solidarity by adopting the draft resolution by consensus.

Before we proceed further, I should like to consult the Assembly with a view to proceeding immediately to consider the draft resolutions contained in documents A/58/L.17/Rev.1, A/58/L.55 and A/58/L.56. In that connection, since the draft resolutions were circulated only today, it would be necessary to waive the relevant provision of rule 78 of the rules of procedure, which reads as follows: “As a general rule, no proposal shall be discussed or put to the vote at any meeting of the General Assembly unless copies of it have been circulated to all delegations not later than the day preceding the meeting.” Unless I hear any objection, I shall take it that the Assembly agrees with this proposal.

The General Assembly will proceed to consider draft resolutions A/58/L.17/Rev.1, A/58/L.55 and A/58/L.56. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to inform representatives that, under the terms of operative paragraphs 33 and 34 of draft resolution A/58/L.17/Rev.1, the General Assembly would welcome the creation of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, would request the Secretary- General to take measures to strengthen the Office to enable it to effectively fulfil its mandate, and would request the Secretary-General to submit a report on the implementation of the resolution to the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly. By its resolution 57/300 of 20 December 2002, the General Assembly approved the transfer of the resources allocated to the Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa and the Least Developed Countries and those from the Office of the Adviser for Special Assignments in Africa, to the new Office of the Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, and requested the Secretary-General to ensure that the new Office is reflected in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2004-2005 with the allocation of adequate resources for its expanded mandate. The Assembly also entrusted that Office with responsibility for, inter alia, coordinating and guiding the preparation of Africa-related reports and inputs, in particular support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, and for coordinating the interdepartmental task force on African affairs to ensure the coherence of and an integrated approach to United Nations support for Africa. Provisions for these activities have already been included in section 11 of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2004-2005, United Nations support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. Hence, no additional appropriations would be required as a result of the draft resolution.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/58/L.17/Rev.1, entitled “New Partnership for Africa’s Development: progress in implementation and international support”. Before proceeding to take action on the draft resolution, I should like to announce that, since its introduction, Ukraine has become a sponsor of draft resolution A/58/L.17/Rev.1. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/58/L.17/Rev.1, as orally corrected?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/58/L.55, entitled “International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda”. Before proceeding to take action on the draft resolution, I should like to announce that, since its introduction, the following countries have become sponsors of draft resolution A/58/L.55: the Russian Federation and France. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/58/L.55?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/58/L.56, entitled “Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa”. Before proceeding to take action on the draft resolution, I should like to announce that, since its introduction, Italy has become a sponsor of draft resolution A/58/L.56. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/58/L.56?

I call on the representative of Canada, who wishes to speak in explanation of position on resolution 58/234. May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes, and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Canada was a sponsor of draft resolution A/58/L.55 on the establishment of an International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, and we supported its adoption. (spoke in English) Over the past decade, we have continued to witness events which make a mockery of declarations of “never again”. Appropriately commemorating the horrific events of April 1994 is essential to understanding not just our past failures, but also our future responsibilities. For the United Nations to remain relevant, we must not avert our eyes from such atrocities because some Members insist on a narrow interpretation of sovereignty — one that implies only privileges, not responsibilities. We should acknowledge that States have a fundamental responsibility to protect their people, and that there is a related responsibility of the international community to take action to prevent or halt genocide or other atrocities when the State in question is unable or unwilling to do so, as was so tragically the case in Rwanda. (spoke in French) We must deal with this crucial issue in the context of discussions on the reform of the United Nations, as the Secretary-General has emphasized. In recognizing its errors of the past, the international community must strengthen its resolve to respond more effectively in future for the benefit of the peoples of the world — those for whom the Charter was written.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 39?

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/58/L.54. I call on the representative of Singapore, who wishes to speak in explanation of position before action is taken on the draft resolution. May I remind delegations that explanations of position are limited to 10 minutes, and should be made by delegations from their seats.

In the interests of saving time, I will not read out the full text of my explanation of position, as I believe the text will be circulated shortly. At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to you, Mr. President, for putting forward this important draft resolution, entitled “Follow-up to the outcome of the twenty-sixth special session: implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS”. I would also like to commend my good friend Mr. Denis Dangue Réwaka, the Permanent Representative of Gabon, and his colleagues, for having held successful consultations on behalf of the Office of the President. We believe that the adoption by the General Assembly of the draft resolution before us today will help to keep the international community focused on combating the scourge of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Singapore has requested this opportunity to state its full support for the global effort to combat HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has grown into a global crisis of staggering proportions. The latest statistics on the disease make for sobering reading. According to the joint report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization, AIDS Epidemic Update 2003, an estimated 40 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2003. Sub-Saharan Africa has been by far the worst affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Southern Africa alone accounts for about 30 per cent of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide — yet this region has less than 2 per cent of the world’s population. In its World Health Report 2003, the World Health Organization noted that HIV/AIDS has cut life expectancy by as much as 20 years for millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. At his press conference on 18 December 2003, the Secretary-General described combating HIV/AIDS as one of the Organization’s top priorities for the coming year. He noted that the epidemic was killing 8,000 people a day. He rightly pointed out that, for the countries worst afflicted by HIV/AIDS — like South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia — the AIDS epidemic is a “real weapon of mass destruction”. Amid the gloom of the current HIV/AIDS crisis, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria stands out as a beacon of hope in combating the epidemic. As a partnership among Governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities, the Global Fund represents an innovative approach to international health financing. Global Fund grants will support a major scaling-up of HIV treatment. Over the next five years, more than 500,000 people will begin to receive antiretroviral treatment, representing a near tripling of coverage in poor countries, including more than a sixfold increase in Africa. In line with the Secretary-General’s recent call for the Global Fund to be fully funded, I am pleased to announce that Singapore will be contributing $1 million over five years to the Fund, beginning in 2004. As part of a region where the epidemic is rapidly growing, Singapore also faces the challenge of combating HIV/AIDS. Hence, we have made prevention of the disease a key priority. We have adopted a comprehensive, multisectoral national AIDS control programme. At the regional and international levels, Singapore cooperates actively with the Association of South-East Asian Nations to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in South-East Asia. And, at the international level, Singapore cooperates with the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a serious global problem and poses one of the greatest challenges to mankind. It is only right that the international community continue to pay serious attention and to redouble its efforts to address this mounting global crisis. That is why we are very pleased to support the draft resolution before us for consideration.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position before action is taken on the draft resolution. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/58/L.54, entitled “Follow-up to the outcome of the twenty-sixth special session: implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/58/L.54?

I call on the representative of Brazil, who wishes to speak in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

Brazil wishes to offer an explanation of position following the adoption of the resolution contained in document A/58/L.54, on the follow-up to the outcome of the twenty-sixth special session. We attach high priority to the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, and we welcome the adoption of this resolution by consensus. There is no doubt that HIV/AIDS represents one of the greatest challenges of our time. We must send a strong signal on the urgent need for strengthening and accelerating the global response to the pandemic. As made clear by my delegation throughout the negotiating process, we remain concerned that the ninth preambular paragraph contains the expression “emphasis on prevention measures” and that operative paragraph 5 (d) (i) refers to the statement “prevention is the mainstay of the national, regional and international response”. For there to be any real hope of success in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, we must acknowledge that prevention, care, support and treatment are mutually reinforcing elements of an effective response. They must be integrated into a comprehensive approach to combat the epidemic. The provision contained in the eighth preambular paragraph must be our guiding principle. “Prevention” refers to measures aimed at protecting non-infected persons from contracting HIV. Nevertheless, people infected with HIV/AIDS need care, support and treatment. We cannot abandon the 42 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS. We must therefore address prevention and treatment on the same footing and with the same emphasis. And we say that on the basis of our concrete accomplishments. Brazil’s positive experience related to the effects of free and universal access to medication, including antiretroviral therapy, is widely acknowledged. Since 1996, we have seen AIDS-related mortality slashed by 50 per cent. Hospital admissions have dropped 75 per cent. Opportunistic illnesses have been drastically reduced. The positive consequences of this cost- effective policy are far-reaching. The number of people living with HIV/AIDS today in Brazil — 1 million — is half of what the World Bank foresaw a decade ago for the year 2003. The successful results that Brazil has achieved in its fight against HIV/AIDS are the outcome of a strong approach to both prevention and treatment as well as human rights advocacy. The global response to HIV/AIDS must be commensurate with the scale of the pandemic. It is a tragedy that, in addition to the 42 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, the pandemic claimed more than 3 million lives in 2003 and has orphaned 14 million children. It must also be noted with profound concern that an estimated 5.5 million people in low- and middle-income countries are considered in need of antiretroviral therapy, but that only an estimated 300,000 are receiving those medicines. Hence, the emergency to which operative paragraph 3 refers means the global health emergency: the failure to deliver antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS to the millions of people who need it, as defined by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization. It is a notion contained in the resolution entitled “Access to medication in the context of pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria”, adopted yesterday by the General Assembly. In the eleventh preambular paragraph, we are reaffirming the importance of the elimination of all forms of discrimination against people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS, including those most vulnerable. And we must be reminded that no grounds for discrimination — including sexual orientation — to prevent the full enjoyment of human rights are legitimate. In operative paragraph 6, we welcome with appreciation the Doha Declaration on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and Public Health and the World Trade Organization’s decision of 30 August on a mechanism to give developing countries that cannot produce cheap generic drugs the right to import them from other countries that can. It is imperative to work to implement that agreement to provide for better access to low-cost and effective drugs and related pharmaceutical products. And it is equally imperative that the international community support developing countries in achieving the “3 by 5” target, as mentioned in operative paragraph 7. Mr. President, my delegation wishes to express its appreciation to your Office and to Ambassador Denis Dangue Réwaka, Permanent Representative of Gabon, the facilitator of the informal consultations, for his dedication in helping Member States to reach consensus on this resolution. We also request that this statement be made part of the official record.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of vote. On behalf of the General Assembly, I should like to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Dangue Réwaka of Gabon for having so ably conducted the negotiations on the resolution just adopted. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 47.

Members will recall that the General Assembly held a debate on this agenda item at its 41st plenary meeting, on 22 October 2003. In this connection, the Assembly has before it a draft resolution, issued as document A/58/L.53. I give the floor to the representative of South Africa to introduce draft resolution A/58/L.53.

On behalf of all countries concerned about malaria, I would like to express my deep appreciation for all the delegations who cooperated in ensuring smooth progress and a positive outcome to the negotiations on the draft resolution before the Assembly today under item 51. As the Assembly knows, malaria is one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. In fact, malaria remains the single biggest cause of death worldwide, especially among children. At least 1 million children die of malaria each year, 90 per cent of them in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease places an enormous burden on the healthcare systems of poor countries, and, like HIV/AIDS, is a major factor in slowing economic development. I have the honour to introduce this draft resolution on behalf of Cameroon, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, the Gambia, Japan, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, the Sudan, Sweden, Togo and Uganda. The draft resolution calls on the international community to support ways of developing the manufacturing capacity of insecticide-treated nets in Africa and to facilitate the transfer of technology to make those nets more effective and long-lasting. The need for effective, prompt, affordable and quality treatment is also of the utmost importance. We stress those recommendations in particular because African countries may not be able to meet the targets set at the Abuja Summit or at the Millennium Summit if serious efforts are not made to scale-up successful programmes. That will require additional resources. The draft resolution calls on the international community to renew efforts to ensure that the fight against malaria receives adequate funding to support sound national plans to control malaria in endemic countries, countries which are often found among the poorest. It is clear that without making progress on malaria the other critical Millennium Development Goals will not be met in Africa by 2015.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/58/L.53. Before proceeding to take action on the draft resolution, I should like to announce that since the introduction of the draft resolution, the following countries have become sponsors of A/58/L.53: Ireland and Italy. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/58/L.53? It was so decided (resolution 58/237).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 51?