A/63/PV.103 General Assembly

May I take it that the General Assembly, on the proposal of the Secretary- General, wishes to include in the agenda of the current session two additional items entitled “International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994” and “International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991” under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”?

In his note, the Secretary- General further requests that the items be considered directly in plenary meeting. May I take it that the General Assembly, as requested by the Secretary- General, wishes to consider these items directly in plenary meeting? It was so decided.

I should like to inform members that the items just included become items 159 and 160, respectively, on the agenda of the current session.

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 19 September 2008, the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 29 to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee). In order for the General Assembly to proceed expeditiously with the consideration of the draft decision issued as document A/63/L.78 under the item, may I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to consider agenda item 29 directly in plenary meeting under heading A, “Maintenance of international peace and security”?

May I further take it that the Assembly agrees to proceed immediately to the consideration of agenda item 29?

I would like to inform Member States that this oral statement is made in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. By paragraph 1 of the draft decision, the General Assembly would “decide to reschedule the high-level meeting to 24 September 2009, mindful of the need to ensure the participation of Member States at the ministerial level”. Pursuant to the decision of the Assembly and based on the latest conference servicing requirements communicated to the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) by the New York office of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), it is envisaged that the high-level event organized by UNRWA will be held in New York on 24 September 2009 for one meeting with simultaneous interpretation in all six official languages. Documentation requirements would consist of one outcome document of up to two single-space pages to be issued in all six official languages. No other documentation is foreseen at this time. Conference servicing requirements of the high- level event is estimated at $16,300. Since conference services were planned in advance to be provided from the resources allocated for the activities of the General Assembly itself in connection with resolution 63/91, DGACM made advance provisions for this event. Therefore, should the General Assembly adopt the draft decision, there will be no additional conference servicing implications under section 2, “General Assembly and Economic and Social Council affairs and conference management”, of the programme budget for the biennium 2008-2009. Public information requirements of the high-level event are estimated at $11,000 under section 27, “Public information”, of the programme budget for the biennium 2008-2009, and include the rental of television equipment, the engagement of temporary services of a television camera director, six contractual engineering personnel, six scanning assistants and one web developer. Although provisions to implement the envisaged activities have not been included under section 27, “Public information”, of the programme budget for the biennium 2008-2009, it is anticipated that the requirements could be met from within the resources already approved under the section for the biennium 2008-2009. Accordingly, should the General Assembly adopt draft decision A/63/L.78, no additional requirements would arise under the programme budget for the biennium 2008-2009.

The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/63/L.78 entitled “Commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt the draft decision A/63/L.78?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 29?