A/60/PV.73 General Assembly

I invite members to turn their attention to the note by the Secretary-General contained in document A/60/718. In his note the Secretary-General recalls that on 23 November 2005, the General Assembly approved a two-month extension of Mr. Töpfer’s appointment, until the end of March 2006. In the same note, the Secretary-General informs the Assembly that, following a thorough review and evaluation of candidates proposed to succeed Mr. Töpfer, he wishes to nominate Mr. Achim Steiner for election as Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for a term of four years, beginning on 15 June 2006 and ending on 14 June 2010. Accordingly, may I take it that the General Assembly wishes to elect Mr. Achim Steiner as the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme for a term of four years, beginning on 15 June 2006 and ending on 14 June 2010?

I give the floor to the representative of South Africa, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. We wish to congratulate Mr. Achim Steiner on his election as the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and wish him well in his new post. We would like also to thank the Secretariat for having informed the regional groups about Mr. Steiner’s nomination, though the Group of 77 and China would have preferred to have the regional groups consulted prior to this nomination. Our concern is being raised only in terms of the process and should not reflect on the person of Mr. Steiner. We are quite positive that he will carry out his work, prioritizing the needs of the developing world. We assure Mr. Steiner of our constructive cooperation in creating a better world for all and again congratulate him on his appointment.

I take note of the comments made by the representative of South Africa, which will be conveyed to the Secretariat.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I would like to congratulate Mr. Achim Steiner on his appointment and to welcome him to the great city of Nairobi to carry out the mandate given to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). We would also like to thank Mr. Klaus Töpfer on a job well done. He did us proud during his stewardship of UNEP. One of the fond memories of the people of Kenya is that he not only served the United Nations, but became a real friend of the people of Kenya. We would like to thank him and to wish him well in his new work.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I join in congratulating Mr. Steiner and in expressing our gratitude to Mr. Töpfer for a job well done. Nairobi is a very good place to go. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 112?

In order for the General Assembly to consider the report of the Fifth Committee under the sub-item, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 113. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 113?

To enable the General Assembly to take up expeditiously the report of the Fifth Committee, may I further take it that the Assembly agrees to proceed immediately to the consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 113? I see no objection.

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.

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 its vote in the Committee.” May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes. Before we begin to take action on the recommendation 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 Fifth Committee recommends in paragraph 4 of its report that the General Assembly appoint Mr. Gordon Eckersley of Australia as a member of the Committee on Contributions for a term of office beginning today, 16 March 2006, and ending on 31 December 2007. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to appoint Mr. Gordon Eckersley of Australia as a member of the Committee on Contributions for a term of office beginning on 16 March 2006 and ending on 31 December 2007?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 113?

Before adjourning this meeting, I would like to remind delegations that, as announced in today’s Journal, the 3rd meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the General Assembly will begin in this room immediately following the adjournment of this plenary meeting. Delegations are therefore invited to remain seated.