A/59/PV.75 General Assembly

The General Assembly will consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 39 (b), 44, 83 and its sub-items (a) to (d), 84, 85 and its sub-items (a) to (h), 86, 87 and its sub-items (a) to (e), 88 and its sub-items (a) and (b), 89 and its sub-items (a) to (c), 90, 91, 92 and its sub-items (a) and (b), and 109. I request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, Mr. Azanaw Tadesse Abreha of Ethiopia, to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention. Mr. Abreha (Ethiopia), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: 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-ninth session. Concerning agenda item 39 (b), “Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance: Special economic assistance to individual countries or regions”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 27 of document A/59/479, the adoption of six draft resolutions. In connection with draft resolution II, entitled “Humanitarian and special economic assistance to Serbia and Montenegro”, the following corrections should be made. In the third line of operative paragraph 10, the words “which should emphasize” should be corrected to read “emphasizing”. In the fifth line of operative paragraph 11, the words “the provision of” should be deleted. With respect to agenda item 44, entitled “Information and communication technologies for development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 12 of document A/59/480, the adoption of one draft resolution and, in paragraph 13, the adoption of two draft decisions. Under sub-item (a) of agenda item 83, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: international trade and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/59/481/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (b) of agenda 83, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: international financial system and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 6 of document A/59/481/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (c) agenda item 83, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: external debt crisis and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/59/481/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. In connection with the draft resolution, the following corrections should be made. In the eighth line of operative paragraph 4, the word “including” should be inserted before the words “inter alia”. Under sub-item (d) of agenda item 83, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: commodities”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 11 of document A/59/481/Add.4, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 84, entitled “Follow-up to and implementation of the outcome of the International Conference on Financing for Development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 13 of document A/59/482, the adoption of one draft resolution. Concerning agenda item 85, entitled “Sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 11 of document A/59/483, the adoption of one draft resolution. In connection with the text of the draft resolution, the following corrections should be made. In the first line of operative paragraph 5, the words “for an” should be corrected to read “of the”. In the fifth line of operative paragraph 6, the semi-colon after the words “twenty-third session” should be replaced by the word “and”. In the sixth line of the same operative paragraph, the phrase “that have not yet done so”, should be set apart by commas. In the tenth line of the same operative paragraph, the semi-colon after the word “Secretary-General” should be deleted. Under sub-item (a) of agenda item 85, entitled “Sustainable development: 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 13 of document A/59/483/Add.1, the adoption of two draft resolutions. I would like to point out the following corrections to the body of the report. All of the sponsors listed in paragraph 4 of the report should be listed under paragraph 9, as they were additional sponsors of the draft resolution entitled “Activities undertaken during the International Year of Freshwater, 2003, and further efforts to achieve the sustainable development of water resources”. Under sub-item (b) of agenda item 85, entitled “Sustainable development: Further implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 16 of document A/59/483/Add.2, the adoption of two draft resolutions. I would like to point out that a draft decision was inadvertently omitted from the report under this sub- item. The decision is entitled “Accreditation of non- governmental organizations to the International Meeting in Mauritius” and the text reads as follows: “The General Assembly decides to approve the participation of non-governmental organizations contained in document A/59/409 and Corr.1 as observers in the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, to be held in Mauritius in January 2005, in accordance with rule 65 of the draft provisional rules of procedure of the International Meeting.” Under sub-item (c) of agenda item 85, entitled “International Strategy for Disaster Reduction”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 16 of A/59/483/Add.3, the adoption of three draft resolutions. Here, I would like to call attention to a correction to draft resolution III, entitled “Natural disasters and vulnerability”. In the fifth preambular paragraph, the words “such extreme weather events as” should be replaced with the words “extreme weather events such as”. Under sub-item (d) of agenda item 85, entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/59/483/Add.4, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (e) of agenda item 85, 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 6 of document A/59/483/Add.5, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (f) of agenda item 85, entitled “Convention on Biological Diversity”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 6 of document A/59/483/Add.6, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (g) of agenda item 85, entitled “United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 6 of document A/59/483/Add.7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (h) of agenda item 85, entitled “Rendering assistance to the poor mountain countries to overcome obstacles in socio-economic and ecological areas”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/59/483/Add.8, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 86, 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 11 of document A/59/484, the adoption of one draft resolution. Agenda item 87 is entitled “Globalization and interdependence”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Globalization and interdependence”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/59/485/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (b) of agenda item 87, entitled “International migration and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/59/485/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (c) of agenda item 87, entitled “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 6 of document A/59/485/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (d) of agenda item 87, entitled “Culture and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 3 of document A/59/485/Add.4, the adoption of one draft decision. Under sub-item (e) of agenda item 87, entitled “Integration of the economies in transition into the world economy”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 6 of document A/59/485/Add.5, the adoption of one draft resolution. Agenda item 88 is entitled “Groups of countries in special situations”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/59/486/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (b) of agenda item 88, entitled “Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/59/486/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Agenda item 89 is entitled “Eradication of poverty and other development issues”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Implementation of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997- 2006)”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 15 of document A/59/487/Add.1, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Here, I would like to call attention to a correction to draft resolution I, entitled “Role of microcredit and microfinance in the eradication of poverty”. In the ninth preambular paragraph, a comma should be inserted after the words “the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor”. Under sub-item (b) of agenda item 89, entitled “Women in development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/59/487/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (c) of agenda item 89, entitled “Industrial development cooperation”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 6 of document A/59/487/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. Agenda item 90 is entitled “Operational activities for development”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Operational activities for development of the United Nations system”, and sub-item (b), entitled “Triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraphs 9 and 10 of document A/59/488/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution and of one draft decision, respectively. Here, I would like to call attention to the draft decision. The draft decision should bear the following title: “Document considered under agenda item 90”. With respect to agenda item 91, 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 11 of document A/59/489, the adoption of one draft resolution. Agenda item 92 is entitled “Training and research”. Under sub-item (a), entitled “United Nations Institute for Training and Research”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/59/490/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 92 (b), entitled “United Nations University”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/59/490/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. On the recommendation of the General Committee of the General Assembly, the Second Committee was requested to discuss item 109, entitled “Programme planning”, in conjunction with item 83 (a), “International trade and development”, specifically, Programme 10 of the proposed strategic framework for the period 2006-2007, contained in document A/59/6(Prog.10)/Rev.1. The Second Committee’s recommendations in this regard are contained in document A/59/610. Delegations wishing to inquire about technical corrections to the texts of the draft resolutions adopted by the Second Committee should communicate their queries to the Second Committee secretariat prior to their final issuance as resolutions of the General Assembly. Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to thank very sincerely our Chairman, Mr. Marco Balarezo of Peru, and the Vice- Chairpersons, Mr. Antonio Bernardini of Italy, Mrs. Ewa Anzorge of Poland and Mr. Majdi Ramadan of Lebanon, for their extraordinary collaboration and partnership during the very successful Second Committee session. Finally, I would also like to thank the Secretariat for its outstanding assistance to me and to 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 I remind members that, under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee.” May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the 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 separate votes or recorded 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 Second Committee.

The Assembly has before it six draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 27 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to VI, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to speak in explanation of vote or position. Draft resolution I, entitled “Assistance to Mozambique”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “International assistance for the economic rehabilitation of Angola”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution IV, entitled “Humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation for Ethiopia”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution V, entitled “Assistance for humanitarian relief and the economic and social rehabilitation of Somalia”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution VI, entitled “Assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Liberia”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 39 and of agenda item 39 as a whole?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of its report and two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 13 of the same report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution and on draft decisions I and II. The draft resolution, entitled “World Summit on the Information Society”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

Draft decision I is entitled “Report of the Secretary-General on information and communication technologies for development”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision I, recommended by the Second Committee?

Draft decision II is entitled “Report of the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on communication for development programmes in the United Nations system”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II, recommended by the Second Committee?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 44?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee on this item?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 83. (a) International trade and development Report of the Second Committee (A/59/481/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “International trade and development”. A recorded vote has been requested.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 83?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 (b) of agenda item 83?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, as orally corrected. 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 (c) of agenda item 83?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Commodities”. A separate recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 12 of the draft resolution. As there is no objection to that request, I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 12 of the draft resolution, on which a separate vote has been requested. I call on the representative of Benin, who has asked to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.

On behalf of the least developed countries, we have requested the floor in explanation of vote in order to express our surprise, our deep concern and our unanimous disappointment at the request made by one delegation to request a separate vote on operative paragraph 12 of this draft resolution on commodities. We would like to emphasize that that provision is but an expression, mutatis mutandis, of the commitment entered into by the international community, in particular the development partners of the least developed countries, at the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Brussels in 2001. Let me recall that commitment: “We aim at improving preferential market access for [least developed countries] by working towards the objective of duty-free and quota-free market access for all [least developed countries’] products in the markets of developed countries”. (A/CONF.191/12, para. 6) While we wish to renew our sincere gratitude to all those partners who have and will continue working towards improving preferential access by least developed countries to their markets, we have to point out that the least developed countries, individually or collectively, constitute no threat to the competitiveness of products of those countries due to their structural weakness in responding to market demands. Furthermore, least developed countries hardly begin to develop their productive capacities when they are deemed able to graduate from the group of least developed countries, thus losing the benefits derived from preferential market access. In such circumstances, any attempt to call into question a commitment that has been internationally and unanimously undertaken in favour of the least developed countries or to seek unilaterally to suppress it can only fuel and sustain, on the one hand, confusion and inconsistency in such international initiatives, and, on the other hand, vague attempts to subjugate the least developed countries, thus resulting in exploitation of the dire poverty of the most vulnerable segment of the international community. In addition, improved access for least developed countries to the markets of developed countries is part of a series of specific measures and commitments taken under the Brussels Programme of Action, which has been inadequately implemented since its adoption in 2001 — a fact that is reflected in the relevant resolutions of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. We believe that the request for a separate vote on operative paragraph 12 of the draft resolution is an error of judgement. That is why, while there is still time, we wish to make an appeal through you, Mr. President, to the delegation that made that request to withdraw it. If the vote is taken, we wish to ask the international community, in particular the friends of the least developed countries, which continue to work tirelessly to improve the fate of humanity, especially the most vulnerable sectors, to reaffirm their solidarity and commitment to the least developed countries, based on the international community’s commitment to combat extreme poverty and human misery.

I now put to the vote operative paragraph 12 of the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report (A/59/481/Add.4), on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.

The General Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution as a whole. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution as a whole without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise? The draft resolution, as a whole, was adopted (resolution 59/224).

I give the floor to the representative of Canada in explanation of vote on the decisions just taken.

On this draft resolution, in the Second Committee and today, Canada abstained in the vote on operative paragraph 12. We did not make an explanation of vote in the Second Committee; in retrospect, it would appear that it would have been wise to do so. Since the vote, a number of delegations have approached us to express their concern over our vote, believing that it represented a change of policy on the part of Canada with respect to market access for products originating from least developed countries. Nothing could be further from the truth. Canada’s market access initiative for least developed countries, which took effect on 1 January 2003, extends duty-free and quota-free access to Canada’s imports from least developed countries with the exception of certain over-quota supply-managed agricultural products, a category which is limited to dairy and poultry products and eggs. It is important to note that this initiative is one of the most far-reaching preference schemes for least developed countries of any developed country, partly because of its realistic and liberal rules of origin, which allow for accumulation from all developing countries. As a final point, that initiative has had a notable effect on our trade with least developed countries. In 2003, our total imports from least developed countries rose by 77 per cent over their 2002 levels. That includes an increase of 4,307 per cent in imports under the least-developed-countries preferences. That clearly shows the degree to which least developed countries have made use of this Canadian initiative. We trust that this explanation of vote has clarified Canada’s position on this issue.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 83 and of agenda item 83 as a whole?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 13 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of agenda item 84.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, as orally corrected. The draft resolution, entitled “Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its eighth special session”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same. The draft resolution, as orally corrected, was adopted (resolution 59/226).

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 85. (a) Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Report of the Second Committee (A/59/483/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 13 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II. Draft resolution I, 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 too wishes to adopt draft resolution I?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Activities undertaken during the International Year of Freshwater, 2003, preparations for the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, 2005-2015, and further efforts to achieve the sustainable development of water resources”. 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 85?

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 16 of its report and one draft decision, as noted by the Rapporteur of the Second Committee. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Further implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Promoting an integrated management approach to the Caribbean Sea area in the context of sustainable development”. A separate vote has been requested on the fourteenth preambular paragraph of draft resolution II. As there is no objection to that request, I shall now put to the vote the fourteenth preambular paragraph of draft resolution II. A recorded vote has been requested.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution II as a whole. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II as a whole without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise.

The draft decision is entitled “Accreditation of non- governmental organizations to the International Meeting in Mauritius”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee?

I call on the representative of Turkey to speak in explanation of decision on the resolution just adopted.

Turkey joined the consensus on draft resolution 59/230, as it addresses important issues for the Caribbean Sea area. Turkey, however, disassociates itself from the references made in the resolution to the international instruments to which it is not party. Those references, therefore, should not be interpreted as indicating a change in the legal position of Turkey with regard to the said instruments. Turkey will continue to be bound by the relevant rules of international law.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 85. (c) International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Report of the Second Committee (A/59/483/Add.3)

The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 16 of its report. We will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled “International strategy for disaster reduction”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “International cooperation to reduce the impact of the El Niño phenomenon”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Natural disasters and vulnerability”. 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 (c) of agenda item 85? (d) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind Report of the Second Committee (A/59/483/Add.4)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind”. 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 85?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We shall now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 (e) of agenda item 85?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 (f) of agenda item 85?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 (g) of agenda item 85?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 sub-item (h) of agenda item 85?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (United Nations- Habitat)”. 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 86?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee on this item?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 87. (a) Globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/59/485/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence”. 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 (a) of agenda item 87?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 (b) of agenda item 87?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on 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”. 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 Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 87?

The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 3 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Document relating to culture and development”. 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 Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 87?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Integration of the economies in transition into the world economy”. 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 sub-item (e) of agenda item 87 and agenda item 87 as a whole?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 88.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries”. 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 (a) of agenda item 88? (b) Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation Report of the Second Committee (A/59/486/Add.2)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

I call on the representative of Chile to speak in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

The delegation of Chile wishes to refer to paragraph 5 of document A/59/486/Add.2, which states “At the same meeting [of the Second Committee], the representative of Chile made a statement”. The statement referred to our position in agreement with the consensus and the support voiced in favour of the resolution. However, the substantive contents and underlying concepts of that statement remain valid in this plenary meeting.

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 88 and agenda item 88 as a whole?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 89. (a) Implementation of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006) Report of the Second Committee (A/59/487/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 15 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II. Draft resolution I, entitled “Role of microcredit and microfinance in the eradication of poverty”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt draft resolution I, as orally corrected?

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 too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 89?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “World Survey on the role of women in development”. 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 (b) of agenda item 89?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 89 and of agenda item 89 as a whole?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/59/488?

We turn now to the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/59/488/Add.1. The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 10 of the same report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution and on the draft decision. The draft resolution, entitled “Triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

We now turn to the draft decision, entitled “Document considered under agenda item 90”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee?

May it take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 90?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.

I give the floor to the representative of Israel, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote on the resolution just adopted.

Israel is dismayed that the substantive debate in the Second Committee has yet again devolved into a forum for passing unbalanced resolutions motivated by politicized interests which are one-sided, misleading and unproductive. It is especially disappointing this year because it appears that today the Middle East is presented with a window of opportunity. It is only through cooperation on the ground that we can make the best use of our region’s natural resources for all inhabitants of the Middle East, not through acrimony here at the United Nations or through baseless and unconstructive allegations levelled in our deliberations. The connection between this resolution and the issues addressed by the Second Committee is extremely tenuous. The resolution attempts to shift our focus away from our actual priorities. Its adoption only invites further politicization and destruction and is not in line with the spirit of reform and revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. Further, this resolution contributes nothing towards a real peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. It deals with issues specifically reserved for direct bilateral negotiations and in doing so undermines the hopes for such negotiations. It is for those reasons that we voted against this resolution.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 91?

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee on this item?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 92. (a) United Nations Institute for Training and Research Report of the Second Committee (A/59/490/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 (a) of agenda item 92?

The General Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. 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 (b) of agenda item 92, and of agenda item 92 as a whole?

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee on this item?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 109. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee.