A/63/PV.61 General Assembly

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 — Session 63, Meeting 61 — New York — UN Document ↗

Mr. Seck SEN Senegal [French] #55076
It gives me great pleasure to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 81 to 96, 110 and 119. Those reports are contained in documents A/63/381 through A/63/397 and A/63/446. In response to the General Assembly’s appeal, the First Committee continued to fully utilize its existing resources and was able to conclude its work at the current session in four weeks, with 22 formal meetings. The work of the Committee at the present session could be characterized as procedurally smooth and substantively constructive, more focused and action- oriented. The First Committee had before it 54 draft resolutions and four draft decisions submitted under various disarmament and related international security agenda items for its consideration. Of all adopted texts, 23 draft resolutions and 4 draft decisions, or almost 46 per cent, were adopted without a vote. As at previous sessions, the whole complex of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues, including preventing terrorists from acquiring nuclear technologies, as well as other weapons of mass destruction, were by far the most important subjects. Out of the 58 adopted draft texts, 21 draft resolutions and one draft decision were devoted to these subjects. Turning to the meetings of the First Committee, several new trends were evident. First, statements made by the delegations, as during previous sessions, paid well-deserved attention to the existing stockpiles of weapons, in general, and weapons of mass destruction, in particular. The debates were focused on nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and small arms and light weapons. A renewed sense of urgency and readiness to act with an unprecedented degree of cooperation on all outstanding disarmament and related issues was clearly visible. On the one hand, this is a result of the ongoing process of Member States to reconsider their positions on disarmament and security issues. On the other, it is rooted in the understanding of the necessity for redoubling the efforts aimed at substantive disarmament measures. It was this new, action-oriented approach which provided a background for discussions on the entire complex of nuclear weapons. Member States increasingly focused on the aspects of nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament that should be addressed on a priority basis in the immediate future. In this context, delegations focused on further efforts necessary to scale down nuclear weapons at both unilateral and bilateral levels. They noted that in the atmosphere of reasonable expectations, which prevails in anticipation of the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, it is even more important to take a fresh overall look at nuclear disarmament, with a view to adopting new innovative and bold approaches. Here, the discussions clearly highlighted the practical underpinnings of operative military postures, as well as measures to prevent weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. Those concerns were reflected in a number of draft resolutions concerning, inter alia, the conclusion of a convention on the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, reducing nuclear danger, renewed determination to achieve the total elimination of nuclear weapons, nuclear disarmament and decreasing the operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems. In several draft resolutions, such as those related to the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in Central Asia, in the Middle East and in the southern hemisphere and adjacent areas, States continued to express their broad support for existing nuclear- weapon-free zones and called for the creation of new ones in order to rid the world of such weapons. The majority of delegations referred to the opportunities provided within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament. The need to begin substantive efforts to put in place effective, legally binding international arrangements in all areas remained a priority focus of the discussions on security issues at the current session. As usual, the draft resolution on the Conference on Disarmament was adopted without a vote. The draft resolution took note of the fact that the Conference had intensified and better focused its activities at its 2008 session. In addition, Member States expressed a certain disappointment at the ongoing stalemate in the negotiations and at the fact that the Conference had been unable to address substantive issues through its failure to establish ad hoc committees to lead the negotiations on the whole range of nuclear-weapon issues, in particular the cessation of the nuclear arms race; nuclear disarmament; the prevention of nuclear war, including all related issues; security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States; and the prevention of an arms race in outer space. Nevertheless, members expressed the hope that solutions to those issues would be found, as well as the willingness to undertake the establishment of the relevant ad hoc committees at the end of the Conference in order to begin full-scale negotiations next year. With regard to other types of weapons of mass destruction, broad support was expressed for measures to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention. States also welcomed decisions concerning the holding of four annual meetings and the establishment of an Implementation Support Unit for the period 2007-2011. While retaining its traditional aspects, regional conventional disarmament has reached a new dimension that requires urgent and decisive measures, in particular with regard to the problem of small arms and light weapons. An unprecedented number of delegations discussed the issues of a future arms trade treaty and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Speakers called on all States to implement the Programme of Action on Small Arms adopted by the Conference of States Parties. In particular, some States believe that the Programme does not go far enough, and calls were thus made for a review of its implementation. The Committee also adopted eight draft resolutions concerning, inter alia, the implementation of the Ottawa Convention on Landmines; the Convention on Cluster Munitions; inhumane weapons; conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus; the arms trade treaty; the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons; and the effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium. Finally, I should like to revisit the issue of terrorism. As I indicated earlier, the Committee adopted by consensus a draft resolution aimed at preventing the acquisition by terrorists of radioactive materials and sources and weapons of mass destruction. The draft resolution once again emphasized the Committee’s general agreement that the new challenges faced by the international community call for a joint response. In addition, it reaffirmed that global threats can be addressed only through multilateral and concerted efforts. Before concluding, I should like to pay well- deserved tribute to all delegations for their active participation in the work of the Committee and for their spirit of cooperation in the common search for a better, safer and more stable world. I should like to express special gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Marco Antonio Suazo, Chairman of the First Committee, who, with his intimate knowledge of disarmament and international security matters and his outstanding diplomatic skills, led the proceedings of the Committee with vision and able leadership. On behalf of the Committee and on my own behalf, let me also extend our sincere gratitude to the Committee’s Vice-Chairmen — Mr. Martin Zvachula of the Federated States of Micronesia, Mr. Ivan Mutavdžić of Croatia and Mr. Miguel Graça of Portugal — for their most effective contributions to the work of the Committee. I should also like to express my appreciation to Mr. Sergio Duarte, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and Mr. Shaaban Muhammad Shaaban, Under-Secretary- General for General Assembly and Conference Management, for their leadership and contributions, as well as to the Secretariat staff that assisted the Committee. Moreover, special thanks go to Mr. Jarmo Sareva, Secretary of the First Committee, whose vast experience made a significant contribution to the successful outcome of the Committee’s work. My thanks go also to Mr. Timur Alasaniya, Mr. Sergei Cherniavsky, Ms. Emer Herity, Ms. Tatyana Shestakova and other officials of the Secretariat for their valuable assistance to the Committee. With those brief remarks, I submit the reports of the First Committee to the General Assembly for its consideration and approval, as contained in documents A/63/381, A/63/397 and A/63/446.
Vote: A/RES/63/36 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (175)
Vote: A/RES/63/37 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (178)
Vote: A/RES/63/39 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (122)
Vote: A/RES/63/40 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (177)
Vote: A/RES/63/41 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (141)
Vote: A/RES/63/42 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (163)
Vote: A/RES/63/44 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (2)
✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (175)
Vote: A/RES/63/46 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (117)
Vote: A/RES/63/47 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (118)
Vote: A/RES/63/49 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (127)
Vote: A/RES/63/50 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (126)
Vote: A/RES/63/53 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (174)
Vote: A/RES/63/54 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (141)
Vote: A/RES/63/55 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (120)
Vote: A/RES/63/58 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (166)
Vote: A/RES/63/59 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (158)
Vote: A/RES/63/62 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (182)
Vote: A/RES/63/63 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (141)
Vote: A/RES/63/64 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (159)
Vote: A/RES/63/65 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (171)
Vote: A/RES/63/68 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (180)
Vote: A/RES/63/69 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (160)
Vote: A/RES/63/72 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (181)
Vote: A/RES/63/73 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (173)
Vote: A/RES/63/75 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (121)
Vote: A/RES/63/84 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (169)
Vote: A/RES/63/87 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (175)
The Acting President [Spanish] #55077
I thank the Rapporteur of the First Committee for his introduction of the reports of the Committee. 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 that are before it today. It was so decided.

89.  General and complete disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/63/389) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The Assembly has before it 34 draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 86 of its report and two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 87 of the same report. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution XXV, entitled “Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms”, is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution XXV as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to XXIV and XXVI to XXXIV and on the two 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 86 of section III of the report concerning the draft resolutions? We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Decreasing the operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Montenegro, Netherlands, Palau, Poland, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 141   ✗ 3   34 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (163)

90.  Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/63/390) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The Assembly has before it eight draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 28 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolutions I through VIII, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have, once again, the opportunity to explain their vote or position. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations regional centre for peace, disarmament and development in Latin America and the Caribbean.” The First Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

91.  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/63/391) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision 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?

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55078
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. The 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, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, 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, and that 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 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 Committee, unless the Assembly is notified otherwise in advance. That means that where separate 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 First Committee. Before proceeding further, I would like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat entitled “Situation reports of the First Committee on agenda items 81 to 96”, which has been circulated in English only as document A/C.1/63/INF/3. This note has been distributed desk-to-desk in the General Assembly Hall as the reference guide for action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Committee in its reports. In that connection, members will find in column 2 of the note the numbers of the draft resolutions or decisions of the First Committee, with the corresponding numbers for action in the plenary in column 5 of the same note. I would like to remind the Assembly that we are adopting measures on the draft resolutions recommended to us by the First Committee and that no Member State may be added to the sponsors of these draft resolutions in plenary meeting. Corrections to the reports of the First Committee by delegations, including those having to do with sponsors of draft resolutions that appear in the Committee’s reports, should be presented to the secretariat of the Committee so that it can publish them. Since there are still several reports to be considered, I would like to ask delegations to approach the secretariat of the First Committee at the conclusion of the meeting to present any corrections they may have. Nevertheless, the floor will be given to any delegation that wishes to make corrections to the text of any draft resolution appearing in the Committee’s report.

81.  Reduction of military budgets Report of the First Committee (A/63/381) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): May I take it that the Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee contained in document A/63/381? It was so decided.

The Acting President [Spanish] #55079
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 81? It was so decided.

82.  Prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons: report of the Conference on Disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/63/382) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: United States of America Abstaining: Israel

The draft resolution was adopted by 175 votes to 1, with 1 abstention (resolution 63/36).
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 121   ✗ 50   10 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (167)
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55080
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 82? It was so decided.

83.  Maintenance of international security — good-neighbourliness, stability and development in South-Eastern Europe Report of the First Committee (A/63/383) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55081
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 83? It was so decided.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Consensus

84.  Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/63/384) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55082
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 84? It was so decided.

85.  Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security Report of the First Committee (A/63/385) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: United States of America

The draft resolution was adopted by 178 votes to 1 (resolution 63/37).
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 175   ✗ 1   2 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (117)
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55083
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 85? It was so decided.

86.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/63/386) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.

Mr. Aly EGY Egypt #55084
I have asked for the floor before the Assembly takes action on the draft resolution entitled “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East” in order to address a technical issue related to the text of the draft. While reviewing the draft resolution adopted by the First Committee, we noted that the reference to the Secretary-General’s report in the last preambular paragraph of the draft resolution, namely preambular paragraph 12, was inaccurate, since it refers to the Secretary-General’s report of last year and not that of this year. The footnote of the same paragraph was also outdated. In order to correct this technical reference, we propose to correct the last preambular paragraph of the draft resolution to read as follows: “Having examined the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 62/18”. Consequently, the footnote on this paragraph should also be corrected to refer to document A/63/115. Since this correction represents the correction of a purely technical nature, we look forward to adopting the text as amended by consensus, as was the case in the First Committee and in accordance with the practice in previous years.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55085
We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, as orally corrected. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution as orally corrected? The draft resolution, as orally corrected, was adopted (resolution 63/38).
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55086
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 86? It was so decided.

87.  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/63/387) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The draft resolution was adopted by 122 votes to 1, with 58 abstentions (resolution 63/39).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55087
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 87? It was so decided.
Vote: 32/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 117   ✗ 45   19 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (118)
Vote: 32/97 Consensus

88.  Prevention of an arms race in outer space Report of the First Committee (A/63/388) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: United States of America Abstaining: Israel

The draft resolution was adopted by 177 votes to 1, with 1 abstention (resolution 63/40).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55088
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 88? It was so decided.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 141 votes to 3, with 34 abstentions (resolution 63/41).
Vote: 32/98 Recorded Vote
✓ 118   ✗ 50   14 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (127)
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55089
Draft resolution II 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. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: None Abstaining: Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Syrian Arab Republic, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam [Subsequently, the delegations of Eritrea, Japan and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution II was adopted by 163 votes to none, with 18 abstentions (resolution 63/42).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55090
Draft resolution III is entitled “Regional disarmament”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 63/43).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55091
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: India Abstaining: Bhutan, Russian Federation [Subsequently, the delegations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 175 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions (resolution 63/44).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55092
Draft resolution V is entitled “Confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 127   ✗ 30   23 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (127)
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 63/45).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55093
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Serbia, Sweden, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution VI was adopted by 117 votes to 45, with 19 abstentions (resolution 63/46).
Vote: 32/101 Recorded Vote
✓ 126   ✗ 5   50 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (174)
The Acting President [Spanish] #55094
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Reducing nuclear danger”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Marshall Islands, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution VII was adopted by 118 votes to 50, with 14 abstentions (resolution 63/47).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55095
Draft resolution VIII 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 VIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 35/94 Consensus
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 63/48).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55096
Draft resolution IX 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 recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IX was adopted by 127 votes to 30, with 23 abstentions (resolution 63/49).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55097
Draft resolution X is entitled “Promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Vote: 33/173 Consensus
Draft resolution X was adopted by 126 votes to 5, with 50 abstentions (resolution 63/50).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55098
Draft resolution XI is entitled “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XI was adopted (resolution 63/51).
Vote: 39/192 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55099
Draft resolution XII is entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”. I give the floor to the representative of France.
Mr. Delacroix FRA France [French] #55100
The French delegation was the only delegation that had asked for a vote when draft resolution XII was before the First Committee. My delegation does not wish to renew its request for a vote in plenary meeting, but rather will make a brief explanation of position after the adoption of the draft resolution.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55101
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution XII without a vote? I see no objection.
Vote: 351/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 141   ✗ 4   34 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (120)
Draft resolution XII was adopted (resolution 63/52).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55102
Draft resolution XIII is entitled “Measures to uphold the authority of the 1925 Geneva Protocol”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: None Abstaining: Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States of America [Subsequently, the delegations of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Thailand advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution XIII was adopted by 174 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 63/53).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55103
Draft resolution XIV is entitled “Effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: France, Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Vote: 40/143 Recorded Vote
✓ 120   ✗ 10   50 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (120)
Draft resolution XIV was adopted by 141 votes to 4, with 34 abstentions (resolution 63/54).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55104
Draft resolution XV is entitled “Missiles”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 40/144 Consensus
Draft resolution XV was adopted by 120 votes to 10, with 50 abstentions (resolution 63/55).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55105
Draft resolution XVI is entitled “Mongolia’s international security and nuclear-weapon-free status”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVI was adopted (resolution 63/56).
Vote: 37//6/ Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55106
Draft resolution XVII is entitled “Information on confidence- building measures in the field of conventional arms”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVII was adopted (resolution 63/57).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55107
Draft resolution XVIII is entitled “Towards a nuclear- weapon-free world: accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments”. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 4. Is there any objection to that request? As I see none, I shall now put operative paragraph 4 to the vote.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 4 was retained by 165 votes to 4, with 6 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55108
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XVIII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 55/108 Recorded Vote
✓ 166   ✗ 5   7 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (166)
Draft resolution XVIII was adopted by 166 votes to 5, with 7 abstentions (resolution 63/58).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55109
Draft resolution XIX is entitled “Compliance with non-proliferation, arms limitation and disarmament agreements and commitments”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIX was adopted by 158 votes to none, with 18 abstentions (resolution 63/59).
Vote: 40/233 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55110
Draft resolution XX is entitled “Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XX was adopted (resolution 63/60).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55111
The Assembly will now turn to draft resolution XXI, entitled “Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus”. Before taking action on the draft resolution, I wish to inform members that I have received a communication from the Secretariat that the recorded vote on the draft resolution in the First Committee was scheduled only due to the request of one delegation that later indicated it had done so in error. May I therefore take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution XXI without a vote? I see no objection.
Vote: 40/234 Consensus
Draft resolution XXI was adopted (resolution 63/61).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55112
Draft resolution XXII is entitled “Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures”. A separate vote has been requested on the tenth preamble paragraph of draft resolution XXII. Is there any objection to this request? As there is none, I shall first put to the vote the tenth preamble paragraph of draft resolution XXII, on which a separate vote has been requested. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 56/167 Consensus
The tenth preamble paragraph of draft resolution XXII was retained by 176 votes to none, with 1 abstention.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55113
We will now vote on draft resolution XXII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXII was adopted by 182 votes to none (resolution 63/62).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55114
Draft resolution XXIII is entitled “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIII was adopted by 141 votes to 3, with 36 abstentions (resolution 63/63).
Vote: 39/201 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55115
Draft resolution XXIV is entitled “The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour; the delegation of Bahrain advised the Secretariat that it had intended not to participate in the voting.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIV was adopted by 159 votes to 1, with 18 abstentions (resolution 63/64).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55116
We shall now take a decision on draft resolution XXVI, entitled “Nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 6. Are there any objections to this request? As there are none, we shall now take a vote on operative paragraph 6 of draft resolution XXVI, on which a recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 56/169 Recorded Vote
✓ 141   ✗ 3   36 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (141)
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 6 of draft resolution XXVI was retained by 168 votes to 2, with 9 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55117
We shall now take a decision on draft resolution XXVI as a whole, on which a recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Algeria, Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 57/583 Recorded Vote
✓ 159   ✗ 1   18 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (159)
Draft resolution XXVI as a whole was adopted by 171 votes to 3, with 7 abstentions (resolution 63/65).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55118
We now turn to draft resolution XXVII, entitled “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXVII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXVII was adopted (resolution 63/66).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55119
We now turn to draft resolution XXVIII, entitled “Preventing and combating illicit brokering activities”. 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 63/67).
Mr. Feoktistov RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #55120
Although draft resolution XXVIII was adopted without a vote, my country decided not to participate in the decision.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55121
Draft resolution XXIX is entitled “Transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIX was adopted by 180 votes to 1, with 1 abstention (resolution 63/68).
Vote: 59/92 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55122
Draft resolution XXX is entitled “Transparency in armaments”. Separate votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 (b), 5 as a whole and 7. Are there any objections to those requests? As there are none, I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 2 of draft resolution XXX, on which a separate recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 2 was retained by 157 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.
Vote: 58/246 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55123
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 3 of draft resolution XXX, on which a separate requested vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 3 was retained by 158 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55124
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 4 of draft resolution XXX, on which a separate requested vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 59/94 Recorded Vote
✓ 180   ✗ 1   1 abs.
Show country votes
— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (180)
Operative paragraph 4 was retained by 157 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55125
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 5 (b) of draft resolution XXX, on which a separate requested vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 5 (b) was retained by 158 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55126
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 5 as a whole of draft resolution XXX, on which a separate recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 5 as a whole was retained by 158 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55127
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 7 of draft resolution XXX, on which a separate recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 7 was retained by 158 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55128
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXX as a whole, on which a recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXX was adopted by 160 votes to none, with 22 abstentions (resolution 63/69).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55129
Draft resolution XXXI is entitled “United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXXI was adopted (resolution 63/70).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55130
Draft resolution XXXII is entitled “Convention on Cluster Munitions”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXXII was adopted (resolution 63/71).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55131
Draft resolution XXXIII is entitled “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”. Separate votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 4 and 13. Are there any objections to those requests? As there are none, I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 4 of draft resolution XXXIII, on which a separate recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 4 was retained by 177 votes to none, with 2 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55132
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 13 of draft resolution XXXIII, on which a separate recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 59/95 Consensus
Operative paragraph 13 was retained by 176 votes to 1, with 1 abstention.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55133
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXXIII as a whole, on which a recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: United States of America [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution XXXIII was adopted by 181 votes to 1 (resolution 63/72).
Vote: 63/70 Consensus
The Acting President [Spanish] #55134
Draft resolution XXXIV is entitled “Renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor- Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Bhutan, China, Cuba, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Myanmar, Pakistan [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution XXXIV was adopted by 173 votes to 4, with 6 abstentions (resolution 63/73).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55135
We shall now turn to paragraph 87 of section III of the report contained in document A/63/389, in order to take action on the two draft decisions recommended by the First Committee. Draft decision I is entitled “Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”. The Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 63/71 Consensus
Draft decision I was adopted.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55136
Draft decision II is entitled “United Nations conference to identify appropriate ways of eliminating nuclear dangers in the context of nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft decision II was adopted by 130 votes to 3, with 46 abstentions.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55137
I shall now give the floor to representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote or position on the resolutions and decisions just adopted. May I remind members that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, delegations should, as far as possible, explain their 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. Explanations of vote or position are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Delacroix FRA France [French] #55138
Before we conclude our consideration of agenda item 89, my delegation would like express its position with regard to resolution 63/52. France’s position was not to participate in the General Assembly’s action on the resolution. We continue to maintain our known reservations on the symbiotic nature of the relationship between disarmament and development.
Mr. Ben-Shaban LBY Libya [Arabic] #55139
I should like to explain my country’s vote on resolution 63/42, entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on their Destruction”. My country abstained in the voting on that resolution for the following reasons. It is regrettable that current international mechanisms have failed to address the issue of anti- personnel landmines in an objective manner that takes into account the concerns of several countries suffering from the effects of those weapons. Very often, the issue of anti-personnel landmines has been dealt with solely against the backdrop of the Ottawa Treaty, which regrettably imposes a total ban on weak countries and prohibits them from utilizing those simple weapons to defend their borders. The resolution also neglected to take into consideration the fact that those weak countries were the ones that suffered the effects of colonialism, occupation and invasion. Mines have been banned because it was thought that they were no longer needed. The Ottawa Convention and its provisions must therefore be reviewed in order to establish additional provisions making the use of landmines acceptable in certain cases. First of all, existing mines and remnants of war in several countries — which persist despite the fact that the wars that led to their being planted are long over — must be removed. Secondly, all persons injured by those mines and explosives must be treated and allowed to rejoin society. Thirdly, there is a need to repair the environment affected by mines, equipment and explosives. Fourthly, landmines should be banned and the countries that laid them should pay for the demining. Fifth, there must be a total ban on the production and stocking of weapons of mass destruction, and this must happen even before we deal with landmines. Smaller countries have to be allowed to use mines to defend their territories and their borders. The Ottawa Convention, as it exists today, is not balanced. It favours the interests of some countries, while ignoring those of others. We have to adjust it so that it responds to the fears of some countries. If we do not do so, it will continue to serve as a justification for many countries to refrain or abstain from voting on relevant resolutions that are presented as part of the work of the General Assembly. This imbalance will also serve as justification for a number of Member States who have signed the Convention to withdraw from it, in accordance with article 20 of the Convention itself.
Mr. Zinsou BEN Benin [French] #55140
Benin voted in favour of resolution 63/42, entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on their Destruction”, because the Government of Benin attaches great importance to the fight against landmines in the framework of the implementation of the Convention. Anti-personnel mines have been banned because of the needless physical harm they inflict on civilian populations. They continue to injure long after the conflicts that had led to their laying have come to an end. They prevent the use of land that is needed for reconstruction and sustainable development in countries in post-conflict situations. Benin calls for the universality of the Convention. In order to substantially contribute to its implementation, Benin, in the framework of its cooperation with France, established a project in 2002 to create a centre for post-conflict training in demining and decontamination. This nationally-based and regionally-focused school in Ouidah has interns from 19 African countries. The training centre is open to any country that wishes to train personnel for demining and decontamination purposes. The centre has already cleared several hectares of land that had been used as a shooting range near the economic capital of Benin, Cotonou. This land, which was previously inaccessible, is now being developed for real estate. Countries affected by anti-personnel mines should receive increased help from the international community and will thus be able to bring under control the threat mines pose to the civilian population. The international community needs to take more active measures to recuperate land affected by anti-personnel mines as an integral part of peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The Ouidah centre serves as a partner to affected countries and is ready to assist in a responsible effort to deal with this threat in order to reduce the unjustifiable effects of landmines. The Government of Benin envisions enlarging the centre’s capacity and its ability to contribute to the training of soldiers deployed in United Nations peacekeeping missions. The Government of Benin thanks the people of France, who have made the building and operation of the centre possible. It hopes that this centre will become part of the network of training centres that the United Nations uses in the African region and thus becomes a genuinely regional centre when it comes to international peacekeeping operations.
Ms. Diallo MLI Mali [French] #55141
I would like to call attention to the fact that Mali is a sponsor of two of the resolutions adopted and its name does not appear on the relevant lists. These are resolution 63/64 on the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation and resolution 63/72 on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. I would like this to be rectified in the record.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55142
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 89.
Vote: 65/77 Recorded Vote
✓ 181   ✗ 1   0 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (173)
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 63/74).
The Acting President [French] #55143
Draft resolution II is entitled “Convention on the Prohibition on the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Marshall Islands, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Serbia, Uzbekistan [Subsequently, the delegations of Benin and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution II was adopted by 121 votes to 50, with 10 abstentions (resolution 63/75).
Vote: 71/65 Recorded Vote
✓ 173   ✗ 4   6 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (130)
The Acting President [Spanish] #55144
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 63/76).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55145
Draft resolution IV is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”. 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 63/77).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55146
Draft resolution V is 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 V without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 63/78).
The Acting President [French] #55147
Draft resolution VI is entitled “United Nations Disarmament Fellowship Training and Advisory Services”. 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 63/79).
The Acting President [French] #55148
Draft resolution VII is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”. 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 63/80).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55149
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 63/81).
The Acting President [French] #55150
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 90? It was so decided.
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 63/82).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55151
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 63/83).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55152
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 91? It was so decided.

92.  The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/63/392) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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 separate vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution. Is there any objection to this request? As there is none, 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. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: India, Israel, Pakistan, Palau, United States of America Abstaining: Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Ethiopia, Mauritius The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 167 votes to 5, with 4 abstentions. [Subsequently, the delegations of Niger and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]

The Acting President [Spanish] #55153
We will now vote on the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Cape Verde and Saint Kitts and Nevis advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 169 votes to 5, with 6 abstentions (resolution 63/84).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55154
I now give the floor to the representative of Canada, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote following the voting.
Mr. Saint Arnaud CAN Canada [French] #55155
The delegation of Canada would like to explain its vote on resolution 63/84 today, as it was not possible to do so during the deliberations of the First Committee on the draft resolution. In 2007, Canada made a statement before the voting on last year’s version of the draft resolution on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, which unfairly focused solely on Israel. My country would therefore like to express its reservations with regard to the lack of nuance that characterizes this text, which makes no other reference to sources of nuclear proliferation risks in the Middle East. We believe that, if the resolution truly aimed at preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as its title appears to indicate, its contents should have referred to the obligation of every State in the region to clearly and unequivocally adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to fully respect its obligations. Given that, among other things, the resolution aims to emphasize that the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East poses a serious threat to international peace and security, it should have referred to the country of the region that poses the most serious risk, namely, Iran. In that regard, we deplore the fact that Iran has not abided by Security Council resolutions 1835 (2008), 1803 (2008), 1747 (2007), 1737 (2006) and 1696 (2006). That country has chosen to ignore the obligations imposed by the Security Council and the efforts of the international community to find a fair and lasting solution that addresses international concerns about Iran’s intentions. Canada continues to be quite concerned about the information that emerged earlier this year that there may be undeclared installations and activities in Syria. We encourage that country to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency so as to resolve the situation. It is for those reasons that, once again this year, Canada has decided to abstain in the voting on the draft resolution. We hope that the draft resolution at the next session of the General Assembly will be more balanced and comprehensively reflect the situation in the region. Canada will reassess its position next year if its concerns about this resolution are addressed.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55156
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 92?
It was so decided.

93.  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/63/393) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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 it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 63/85).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55157
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 93?
It was so decided.

94.  Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Report of the First Committee (A/63/394) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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 it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 63/86).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55158
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 94?

95.  Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/63/395) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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.

A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 175 votes to 1, with 3 abstentions (resolution 63/87).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55159
May I take it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.

96.  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/63/396) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): 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 approved the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 63/88).
The Acting President [Spanish] #55160
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 96?
It was so decided.

110.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/63/397) The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision. The First Committee adopted the draft decision, entitled “Proposed programme of work and timetable of the First Committee for 2009”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55161
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 110.

119.  Programme planning Report of the First Committee (A/63/446) The Acting President: May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee?

It was so decided.
The Acting President [Spanish] #55162
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 119. Programme of work The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): I should like to consult members regarding an extension for the work of the Second Committee. Members will recall that at its second plenary meeting on 19 September 2008, the General Assembly approved the recommendation of the Committee that the Second Committee should complete its work by Friday, 28 November 2008. However, I have been informed by the Chair of the Second Committee that due to ongoing negotiations and the Doha Review Conference, the Chair would like to request an extension of the Committee’s work until Thursday, 11 December 2008. May I therefore take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Second Committee until Thursday, 11 December 2008? There being no objection, it is so decided.
The meeting rose at 12.50 p.m.