A/59/PV.66 General Assembly

Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 — Session 59, Meeting 66 — New York — UN Document ↗

In the absence of the President, Mr. Dauth (Australia), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: A/RES/59/62 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (106)
Vote: A/RES/59/64 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (118)
Vote: A/RES/59/65 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (178)
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✓ Yes (119)
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✓ Yes (175)
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✓ Yes (125)
Vote: A/RES/59/70 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (179)
Vote: A/RES/59/75 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (151)
Vote: A/RES/59/77 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (117)
Vote: A/RES/59/78 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (180)
Vote: A/RES/59/79 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (116)
Vote: A/RES/59/81 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (179)
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✓ Yes (132)
Vote: A/RES/59/84 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (157)
Vote: A/RES/59/85 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (171)
Vote: A/RES/59/88 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (178)
Vote: A/RES/59/91 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (161)
Vote: A/RES/59/102 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (125)
Vote: A/RES/59/106 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (170)
Vote: A/RES/59/109 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (177)
Vote: A/RES/59/76 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (165)
The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m.

108.  Programme budget for the biennium 2004-2005 Report of the Fifth Committee (A/59/448/Add.1)

The Acting President #43396
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 report of the Fifth Committee that is before the Assembly today.

66.  Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/59/460)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
It was so decided.
The Acting President #43397
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendation of the Fifth 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, that is either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from in the Committee. 04-63264S (E) *0563264* May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited, strictly, to 10 minutes. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the report of the Fifth Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take a decision in the same manner as was done in the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Estimates in respect of special political missions, good offices and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council: United Nations advance team in the Sudan”. The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same.

67.  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/59/461)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 59/58).
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The Acting President #43398
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 108. Reports of the First Committee

65.  General and complete disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/59/459)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The Acting President #43399
The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 57 to 72. I request the Rapporteur of the First Committee, Mr. Mohamed Ali Saleh Alnajar of Yemen, to introduce the reports of the First Committee in one intervention.
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
The Acting President #43400
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.
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 119   ✗ 4   60 abs.
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✓ Yes (119)
The Acting President #43401
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. 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, that is 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 decision 34/401, explanations of vote are strictly 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.
Vote: 32/95 Consensus

57.  Reduction of military budgets Report of the First Committee (A/59/451)

The Acting President #43402
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee contained in document A/59/451?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #43403
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 57?
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 175   ✗ 2   3 abs.
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✓ Yes (175)
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
It was so decided.

58.  Maintenance of international security — good- neighbourliness, stability and development in South- Eastern Europe Report of the First Committee (A/59/452)

The Acting President #43404
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First 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 59/59).
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
The Acting President #43405
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 58?
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 125   ✗ 9   49 abs.
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✓ Yes (125)
It was so decided.

59.  Verification in all its aspects, including the role of the United Nations in the field of verification Report of the First Committee (A/59/453)

The Acting President #43406
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First 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 59/60).
Vote: 32/98 Recorded Vote
✓ 125   ✗ 48   12 abs.
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✓ Yes (125)
The Acting President #43407
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 59?
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
It was so decided.

60.  Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security Report of the First Committee (A/59/454)

The Acting President #43408
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 59/61).
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
The Acting President #43409
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 60?
It was so decided.

61.  Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/59/455)

The Acting President #43410
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Georgia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against.]
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 106 votes to 48, with 21 abstentions (resolution 59/62).
The Acting President #43411
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 61?
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
It was so decided.

62.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/59/456)

The Acting President #43412
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First 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 59/63).
Vote: 32/100 Consensus
The Acting President #43413
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 62?
It was so decided.

63.  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/59/457)

The Acting President #43414
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Georgia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 118 votes to none, with 63 abstentions (resolution 59/64).
The Acting President #43415
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 63?
It was so decided.

64.  Prevention of an arms race in outer space Report of the First Committee (A/59/458)

The Acting President #43416
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Georgia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 178 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 59/65).
Vote: 35/94 Consensus
The Acting President #43417
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 64?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #43418
The Assembly has before it 30 draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 90 of its report and three draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 91 of the same report. I give the floor to the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who wishes to make statement in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Kim Chang Guk PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #43419
I should like to speak in explanation of vote on draft resolution A/C.1/59/L.50, entitled “The Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation”. My delegation understands that the missile proliferation issue is being used to obstruct the development and the positioning of missiles by certain developing countries, particularly those countries that the United States and its allies detest. Those that have most of the missiles in the world are none other than the United States and its allies. They are developing new types of missiles, deploying them abroad and selling them to other countries. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in dealing with the missile issue, always refers to the political and military situation that has been created on the Korean peninsula. The United States and its allies in the region have deployed numerous nuclear missiles around the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, blockading it militarily and threatening a pre-emptive strike against it. In these circumstances, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has no interest in any debate which may negatively affect the development, production and deployment of missiles for its self-defence. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is concerned at the use, under the pretext of non- proliferation, of double standards with respect to the efforts of the developing countries to strengthen their self-defence forces and to develop space technology. However, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, out of respect for the idea of the draft resolution, will not participate in the voting.
Vote: 33/173 Recorded Vote
✓ 117   ✗ 43   21 abs.
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✓ Yes (117)
The Acting President #43420
I give the floor to the representative of the Philippines on a point of order.
Mr. Gatan PHL Philippines #43421
I wish to speak on a point of order because, although the Philippine delegation co-sponsored draft resolution A/59/L.50, the Philippines is not included in the list of sponsors. Apparently there has been an inadvertent omission. We would like to rectify this situation by formally announcing and requesting that it be place on record that the Philippines is co-sponsoring draft resolution A/59/L.50.
The Acting President #43422
That will be attended to. The Assembly will now take a decision on the 30 draft resolutions and the three draft decisions, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. Will delegations please turn to paragraph 90 of section III concerning the draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “National legislation on transfer of arms, military equipment and dual-use goods and technology”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 59/66).
Vote: 39/192 Recorded Vote
✓ 180   ✗ 2   2 abs.
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (180)
The Acting President #43423
Draft resolution II is entitled “Missiles”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of New Zealand informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 119 votes to 4, with 60 abstentions (resolution 59/67).
The Acting President #43424
Draft resolution III 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 delegations of Canada and the Czech Republic informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Vote: 351/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 116   ✗ 46   18 abs.
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✓ Yes (116)
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 175 votes to 2, with 3 abstentions (resolution 59/68).
The Acting President #43425
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Greece informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
Vote: 40/143 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 125 votes to 9, with 49 abstentions (resolution 59/69).
The Acting President #43426
Draft resolution V is entitled “Measures to uphold the authority of the 1925 Geneva Protocol”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 40/144 Recorded Vote
✓ 179   ✗ 2   2 abs.
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✓ Yes (179)
Draft resolution V was adopted by 179 votes to none, with 5 abstentions (resolution 59/70).
The Acting President #43427
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution VI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 59/71).
Vote: 37//6/ Consensus
The Acting President #43428
Draft resolution VII 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 VII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 59/72).
The Acting President #43429
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “Mongolia’s international security and nuclear- weapon-free status”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution VIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 59/73).
The Acting President #43430
Draft resolution IX is entitled “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution IX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IX was adopted (resolution 59/74).
The Acting President #43431
Draft resolution X is entitled “Accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments”. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 2 of draft resolution X. If there is no objection to that request, I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 2 of draft resolution X. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 2 was retained by 169 votes to 4, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #43432
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution X as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 40/233 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution X as a whole was adopted by 151 votes to 6, with 24 abstentions (resolution 59/75).
The Acting President #43433
Draft resolution XI is entitled “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XI was adopted by votes 165 to 3, with 16 abstentions (resolution 59/76).
The Acting President #43434
Draft resolution XII is entitled “Nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Georgia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XII was adopted by 117 votes to 43, with 21 abstentions (resolution 59/77).
The Acting President #43435
Draft resolution XIII is entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIII was adopted by 180 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 59/78).
The Acting President #43436
Draft resolution XIV is entitled “Reducing nuclear danger”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Georgia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against.]
Vote: 56/167 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIV was adopted by 116 votes to 46, with 18 abstentions (resolution 59/79).
The Acting President #43437
Draft resolution XV is entitled “Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 39/201 Consensus
Draft resolution XV was adopted (resolution 59/80).
The Acting President #43438
Draft resolution XVI 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”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XVI was adopted by 179 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 59/81).
Vote: 56/169 Recorded Vote
✓ 178   ✗ 1   1 abs.
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— Abstain (1)
✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (178)
The Acting President #43439
Draft resolution XVII is entitled “Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XVII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVII was adopted (resolution 59/82).
The Acting President #43440
Draft resolution XVIII 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 operative paragraph 1 of draft resolution XVIII. In the absence of objection, I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 1 of draft resolution XVIII. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 57/583 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 1 of draft resolution XVIII was retained by 170 votes to 5, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #43441
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XVIII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 56/170 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XVIII as a whole was adopted by 132 votes to 29, with 24 abstentions (resolution 59/83).
The Acting President #43442
Draft resolution XIX 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.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 47/147 Recorded Vote
✓ 161   ✗ 2   15 abs.
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✓ Yes (161)
Draft resolution XIX was adopted by 157 votes to none, with 22 abstentions (resolution 59/84).
The Acting President #43443
Draft resolution XX is entitled “Nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. Separate votes have been requested on the three last words — “and South Asia” — of operative paragraph 5 and on operative paragraph 5 as a whole of draft resolution XX. In the absence of objection, I shall first put to the vote the last three words — “and South Asia” — of operative paragraph 5 of draft resolution XX, on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 59/92 Consensus
The last three words of operative paragraph 5 of draft resolution XX — “and South Asia” — were retained by 158 votes to 4, with 7 abstentions.
The Acting President #43444
In the absence of objection, I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 5 as a whole of draft resolution XX, on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 58/246 Consensus
Operative paragraph 5 as a whole of draft resolution XX was retained by 166 votes to 3, with 7 abstentions.
The Acting President #43445
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XX as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 59/94 Consensus
Draft resolution XX as a whole was adopted by 171 votes to 4, with 8 abstentions (resolution 59/85).
The Acting President #43446
Draft resolution XXI is entitled “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXI was adopted (resolution 59/86).
Vote: 59/95 Consensus
The Acting President #43447
Draft resolution XXII is entitled “Confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXII was adopted (resolution 59/87).
The Acting President #43448
Draft resolution XXIII is entitled “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIII was adopted by 178 votes to 1, with 1 abstention (resolution 59/88).
The Acting President #43449
Draft resolution XXIV is entitled “Regional disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXIV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXIV was adopted (resolution 59/89).
The Acting President #43450
Draft resolution XXV is entitled “Prevention of the illicit transfer and unauthorized access to and use of man-portable air defence systems”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXV was adopted (resolution 59/90).
The Acting President #43451
Draft resolution XXVI is entitled “The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Djibouti informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXVI was adopted by 161 votes to 2, with 15 abstentions (resolution 59/91).
The Acting President #43452
Draft resolution XXVII is entitled “Information on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXVII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXVII was adopted (resolution 59/92).
The Acting President #43453
Draft resolution XXVIII is entitled “United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXVIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXVIII was adopted (resolution 59/93).
The Acting President #43454
Draft resolution XXIX is entitled “Bilateral strategic nuclear arms reductions and the new strategic framework”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXIX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXIX was adopted (resolution 59/94).
The Acting President #43455
Draft resolution XXX is entitled “Improving the effectiveness of the methods of work of the First Committee”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXX was adopted (resolution 59/95).
The Acting President #43456
The Assembly will now turn to paragraph 91 of document A/59/459, which deals with draft decisions. Draft decision I is entitled “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia”. The First Committee adopted draft decision I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft decision I was adopted.
The Acting President #43457
Draft decision II is entitled “United Nations conference to identify ways of eliminating nuclear dangers in the context of disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Israel informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against; the delegations of the Czech Republic and the Netherlands informed the Secretariat that they had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft decision II was adopted by 138 votes to 5, with 38 abstentions.
The Acting President #43458
Draft decision III is entitled “Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus”. The First Committee adopted draft decision III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision III was adopted.
The Acting President #43459
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote after the voting.
Mr. Alnajar YEM Yemen [Arabic] #43460
Our delegation shares the concerns of the delegations that voted in favour of draft resolution XXVI, entitled “The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation”. Those concerns relate to disarmament and non-proliferation issues affecting regional and international peace and security. Our delegation does not oppose resolution 59/91 on the Hague Code of Conduct. My country attaches particular importance to the Code and is continuing to study it in depth. We are therefore unable to take a definite position on its contents and are still awaiting instructions, which is why we abstained in the voting.
The Acting President #43461
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.
The Acting President #43462
The Assembly has before it eight draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 25 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to VIII one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their votes or positions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Regional confidence-building measures: activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa”. The First 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 59/96).
The Acting President #43463
Draft resolution II is entitled “United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services”. The First 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 59/97).
The Acting President #43464
Draft resolution III is entitled “United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament”. The First 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 59/98).
The Acting President #43465
Draft resolution IV is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 59/99).
The Acting President #43466
Draft resolution V is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 59/100).
The Acting President #43467
Draft resolution VI is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution VI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 59/101).
The Acting President #43468
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VII was adopted by 125 votes to 48, with 12 abstentions (resolution 59/102).
The Acting President #43469
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “United Nations Disarmament Information Programme”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution VIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 59/103).
The Acting President #43470
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.
The Acting President #43471
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. I call on the representative of the United States to speak in explanation of vote.
Mrs. Hull USA United States of America #43472
The United States is not taking part in the General Assembly’s decision on the report of the Disarmament Commission under agenda item 67 (d).
The Acting President #43473
We will now take decisions on draft resolutions I and II. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”. The First 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 59/104).
The Acting President #43474
Draft resolution II is entitled “Report of the Disarmament Commission”. The First 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 59/105).
The Acting President #43475
May I take it that is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 67?
It was so decided.

68.  The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/59/462)

The Acting President #43476
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East”. A separate vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution. I shall first put to the vote the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution, on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 169 votes to 6, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #43477
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 170 votes to 5, with 9 abstentions (resolution 59/106).
The Acting President #43478
I call on the representative of Canada to speak in explanation of vote on the resolution just adopted.
Mr. Laurin CAN Canada #43479
I have taken the floor to explain Canada’s vote in favour of the resolution entitled “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East”. It is important for Canada to ensure that our position is not misunderstood or misrepresented, and we would be vigilant in that regard. In April 2004, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1540 (2004) on the non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Resolution 1540 (2004) calls on all States “to promote the universal adoption and full implementation, and, where necessary, strengthening of multilateral treaties to which they are parties, whose aim is to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons”. (para. 8 (a)) Canada, an original signatory and State party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), voted in favour of today’s resolution in due consideration of a number of factors, not the least of which is stipulated in resolution 1540 (2004), which I have just quoted. Canada has judged today’s resolution on its merit and determined that it is entirely consistent with Canada’s long-standing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation policy. The resolution is firmly grounded in the consensus achieved by NPT States parties and reflected in the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference. Our vote in favour of the resolution was announced in the Canadian statement to the plenary of the General Assembly in the debate on agenda item 37, “Question of Palestine”, on 30 November. Canada urges Israel, in the crucial months leading up to the 2005 NPT Review Conference, to take the necessary first steps to adhere to the NPT as a non- nuclear-weapon State. Canada further calls on all States in the Middle East region to comply fully with their NPT obligations and, in that regard, urges all States in the region that have not yet done so to sign and fully implement safeguard agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Acting President #43480
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.  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/59/463)

The Acting President #43481
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First 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 59/107).
The Acting President #43482
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.  Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Report of the First Committee (A/59/464)

The Acting President #43483
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First 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 59/108).
The Acting President #43484
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 70?
It was so decided.

71.  Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/59/465)

The Acting President #43485
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 177 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions (resolution 59/109).
The Acting President #43486
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.  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/59/466)

The Acting President #43487
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First 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 59/110).
The Acting President #43488
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.
The Acting President #43489
The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all of the reports of the First Committee before it.
The meeting rose at 11.45 a.m.