A/64/PV.66 General Assembly

I would like to inform members that, in connection with draft resolution A/64/L.36*, entitled “Organization of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly”, I wish to put on record the following statement on the financial implications, on behalf of the Secretary-General, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. Under the terms of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 15, 16 and 19 of the draft resolution and its annexes, the General Assembly would decide that the High-level Plenary Meeting shall be held from Monday, 20 September 2010, to Wednesday, 22 September 2010, in New York; decide to hold the general debate at its sixty-fifth session from Thursday, 23 September 2010, on the understanding that these arrangements shall in no way create a precedent for the general debate at future sessions; decide also that the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly will focus on accelerating progress towards the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, taking into account the progress made with regard to the internationally agreed development goals, through a comprehensive review of successes, best practices and lessons learned, obstacles and gaps, challenges and opportunities, leading to concrete strategies for action, and request the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report in this regard in March 2010; decide that the High-level Plenary Meeting will be composed of six plenary meetings on the basis of two meetings a day, and six interactive round-table meetings to be held in concurrence with plenary meetings; decide also that the plenary meetings shall be organized in accordance with the modalities set forth in annex I to the present resolution and that the list of speakers for the plenary meetings shall be established in accordance with the procedure set forth in that annex; decide further that the six round-table sessions shall be organized in accordance with the modalities set forth in annex II to the present resolution; request the President of the General Assembly to organize, in consultation with representatives of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, civil society and the private sector, two days of informal interactive hearings no later than June 2010 with non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector to provide an input to the preparatory process of the High-level Plenary Meeting; decide that the President of the General Assembly shall preside over the informal interactive hearings with representatives of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector, and that the hearings shall be organized in accordance with the modalities set forth in annex III to the present resolution, and request the President of the General Assembly to prepare a summary of the hearings to be issued as an Assembly document prior to the High- level Plenary Meeting; and request the President of the General Assembly to continue to hold open, inclusive, timely and transparent consultations with all Member States with a view to reaching the broadest possible agreement on all major issues related to the High-level Plenary Meeting, including the adoption of a concise and action-oriented outcome to be agreed by Member States. Pursuant to operative paragraph 2 of the draft resolution, it is the understanding of the Secretariat that in accordance with annex IX to the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, the general debate of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly would be held over a period of nine working days on the weekdays between 23 September 2010 and 5 October 2010, unless a separate decision is taken. No additional requirements would arise for the general debate of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly, since related resources have been provided in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011. Pursuant to operative paragraphs 1, 3, 6, 9 and 11 of the draft resolution and its annexes I and II, the 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly and the interactive round-table sessions to be held from 20 to 22 September 2010 would require meeting services for six plenary meetings with interpretation from and into the six official languages and verbatim records to be issued in the six official languages and six interactive round-table meetings with interpretation from and into the six official languages as well. They also require documentation services for six pre-session and one post-session document for a total of 59,500 words to be issued in the six official languages, including a comprehensive report by the Secretary-General and an outcome document, as requested in operative paragraphs 3 and 19 respectively. The conference servicing requirements for the High-level Plenary Meeting and its documentation have already been included in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011. It is also the understanding of the Secretariat that two other high- level meetings — namely, the high-level review to assess progress made in addressing the vulnerabilities of small island developing States through the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation, and the high-level event of the sixty- fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate the International Year for Biodiversity — will not meet in parallel with the 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly. The six interactive round-table meetings have not been planned by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management in its draft calendar of conferences and meetings for 2010 and 2011. Consequently, additional requirements of $87,000 in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011 would be required under section 2, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council affairs and conference management ($75,000), and section 28D, Office of Central Support Services for other support services ($12,000). It is considered that the additional requirements for servicing the six interactive round-table meetings could be absorbed within the provisions to be made under sections 2 and 28D of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010- 2011. Pursuant to operative paragraphs 15 and 16 of the draft resolution and its annex III, the informal interactive hearings would consist of a total of four meetings over two days, that is, one brief opening plenary meeting followed by four interactive hearing sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon each day, and require meeting services with interpretation from and into the six official languages. It is envisaged that these hearings would be serviced using the resources allotted to service the General Assembly in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011, on the understanding that the General Assembly itself would not be meeting at the same time. Pursuant to operative paragraph 19 of the draft resolution, the President of the General Assembly would hold consultations with all Member States. It is envisaged that these consultations would be held as informal plenary meetings of the General Assembly, using resources allotted to service the General Assembly in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011. Accordingly, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/64/L.36*, no financial implications would arise under the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011.

Before giving the floor to the representative of Sweden, who wishes to speak in explanation of position before action is taken on the draft resolution, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote or position are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The European Union welcomes the imminent adoption of draft resolution A/64/L.36* on the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly next year, and we thank the facilitators for their dedicated and effective management of the consultation process. Through this draft resolution we have now jointly agreed that this critical meeting in September 2010 must accelerate progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. In this draft resolution we have also set out a meeting format that entails both debate in the plenary and discussions at round tables. The European Union attaches particular importance to the round-table discussions, as they allow for a frank, concrete and action-oriented discussion among all partners. The European Union believes that achieving the MDGs will require deep engagement from a multitude of actors ranging from Governments to international financial institutions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. The themes of the round tables cover all the MDGs as well as broader challenges affecting their achievement. The European Union would welcome an appropriate and balanced schedule of the MDG- focused round tables and the round tables on broader issues respectively. We must prepare this meeting well. The European Union looks forward to the Secretary-General’s report laying out key achievements and key challenges to the achievement of the MDGs. How can success stories benefit MDG work across a country or even a region? We need to know which policies work and how those policies can best be implemented. The European Union also looks forward to input from all actors involved in realizing the MDGs. We need as much evidence-based and analytical information as possible to produce a meaningful outcome of the meeting. We have given ourselves the opportunity offered by a High-level Meeting of the General Assembly. This opportunity must be used to its maximum. Political commitment to the Millennium Development Goals needs to be even stronger than before if we are to succeed in the final stretch to 2015.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position before action is taken on the draft resolution. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/64/L.36*, entitled “Organization of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly”. May I take that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/64/L.36*?

I now give the floor to representatives who wish to speak in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

I am privileged to speak today on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand (CANZ). Canada, Australia and New Zealand welcome the adoption of resolution 64/184. We would like to thank Ambassadors Badji and Staur for so ably steering this resolution. We would like to commend the constructive atmosphere that prevailed throughout those discussions. From the outset, CANZ has stressed the importance of holding a short, action-oriented meeting that keeps the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at its core. We are pleased that the General Assembly has agreed that the High- Level Plenary Meeting will focus on accelerating progress towards achieving the MDGs. With 2015 fast approaching, it is important, now more than ever, that we turn our attention to identifying the bottlenecks to the achievement of the MDGs and what can be done by all partners to overcome them. We must put our emphasis on the need for action. In preparation for next year’s meeting, we have asked the Secretary-General to provide a comprehensive review of successes, best practices and lessons learned, obstacles and gaps, challenges and opportunities. It is expected that the many partners actively working towards achieving the MDGs will want to share their perspectives and submit their own reports. More important, many programme countries, with the support of the United Nations, will review their own national progress and will no doubt be in a position to share their valuable experience. There will also be a number of regional meetings that will capture the growing body of knowledge and best practices for the benefit of all. We believe that these perspectives will constitute significant additions to the Secretary- General’s report and should be taken into consideration by Member States when discussing the High-level Meeting’s outcome. We therefore hope that the process leading to the outcome document will start with a preliminary phase where the information and data compiled from these national and regional consultations are broadly shared and discussed by the membership. As a result, when Member States start discussing the shape and content of the Plenary Meeting outcome document, these crucial inputs will be available and understood and can be factored into the discussion. We believe that this will greatly enrich the dialogue between our leaders during the High-level Meeting. Let me assure the Assembly of the continued support of CANZ for the MDG agenda. We look forward to continuing to play an active and constructive role in the preparation for this important High-level Meeting and expect to see a very successful conclusion.

Allow me on behalf of the Group of 77 and China to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the co-facilitators, His Excellency Mr. Paul Badji, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Senegal, and His Excellency Mr. Carsten Staur, Permanent Representative of Denmark, for the diligence, commitment and enormous patience they demonstrated during the negotiation process which resulted in today’s adoption of resolution 64/184 on the scope, duration, modalities, participation and framework of the 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting. The Group of 77 and China likewise extends its appreciation to our colleagues for the flexibility and constructive participation they manifested during the negotiation process. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the adoption of resolution 64/184 and believes that it will form a strong foundation for constructive discussions in the process leading to the commencement of the 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting. It has been nine years since the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration (resolution 55/2), which committed Member States to form a new global partnership to reduce poverty and disease and achieve universal primary education, to mention but a few of its aims. Yet the world is still far from realizing the Millennium Development Goals in the light of the 2015 deadline. The majority of the population in developing countries is severely affected by the lack of implementation of the Goals. As more time is spent on cross-cutting issues that are not of paramount importance, many in the developing world are dying from preventable communicable diseases. Their children lack basic education, and their young people lack opportunities to empower themselves economically. How much longer do we have to wait to rid the world of poverty and economic imbalance? The Group of 77 and China is fully committed to seeing that the 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting attracts the wide participation by heads of State or Government. Their participation in the plenary meetings and the round tables will no doubt contribute enormously to the success of the anticipated High-level Plenary Meeting. The Group is looking forward to the important report that the Secretary-General will be issuing in March 2010 in accordance with resolution 55/162. We hope that he presents a comprehensive report focused on the results and benchmarks achieved, the identification of gaps, and the implementation of strategies on the MDGs. The report, among other reports, could provide the needed background documentation for a constructive and successful 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China envisages an action-oriented outcome document based on inclusive, timely and transparent consultations with all Member States.

Let me express my deep gratitude to Ambassador Carsten Staur of Denmark and Ambassador Paul Badji of Senegal for the leadership and great skill which have led us to a consensus on the adoption of resolution 64/184. Ensuring the success of the High-level Plenary Meeting is a priority for Japan. The meeting should be an opportunity for all of us to galvanize the political will needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 through a comprehensive review of successes, best practices and lessons learned, obstacles and gaps, challenges and opportunities, as this resolution stipulates. In our view, the High-level Plenary will offer the last chance to address the issue of the lack of implementation on the ground. All stakeholders who gather in New York next September should discuss concrete ways to effectively deliver assistance to those in need. Effective approaches should be identified in that regard. My delegation will participate constructively and actively in the preparatory process leading up to the 2010 High-level Plenary. We will spare no effort to make that meeting a resounding success and a turning point in our drive to realize the Millennium Development Goals.

We would like to briefly take the floor today to reiterate our full support for and commitment to engaging constructively in the process leading to the 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting. Now that Member States have agreed on the modality resolution (resolution 64/184), we all have to join forces in making this key event a success for development. As we become increasingly aware that nations are more interdependent and that threats are interconnected, challenging individual countries, institutions and the global governance system as a whole, we believe that the summit will be an important opportunity to demonstrate that the United Nations is capable of taking these complex issues on board. It is also a key moment to reaffirm that the United Nations remains a universal and legitimate platform for debating and bringing together, in one unique forum, the various interlinked global challenges that affect development. In the light of this, it will be critical to ensure that negotiations on the outcome document for the meeting be based on contributions by stakeholders, as well as on a solid and up-to-date base of information and evidence from a variety of sources. We would therefore recommend that deliberations on the outcome do not start too early next year, giving Member States time to take note of the wealth of information that will be produced during the first six months of 2010. The month of June seems a reasonable point for the membership to start engaging in negotiations. On the format of the meeting, we believe that the round tables will play a central role in responding to the scope that Member States have agreed on. Heads of State or Government should use these platforms to show their high-level commitment to speeding up progress towards development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by contributing to a thorough analysis of the opportunities, obstacles, gaps and challenges affecting development, as well as by reviewing best practices and lessons learned. High- level engagement by Member States will be critical for giving political impetus to accelerating progress in addressing development challenges.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda items 48 and 114. Reports of the Second Committee The President: The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 40, 50 to 60, 118, 133 and 170. I now request Ms. Denise McQuade of Ireland, Rapporteur of the Second Committee, to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention. Ms. McQuade (Ireland), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: I have the honour to present, for the Assembly’s consideration, the following reports of the Second Committee on the agenda items allocated to it by the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the facilitators and negotiators who worked so hard to bring the Committee’s work to a successful conclusion. Under agenda item 40, entitled “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 13 of document A/64/416, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 50, entitled “Information and communication technologies for development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 16 of document A/64/417, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 51, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions”, the report of the Committee is issued in five parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/64/418, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under sub-item 51 (a), entitled “International trade and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/64/418/Add.1, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item (b), entitled “International financial system and development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/418/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (c), entitled “External debt and development: towards a durable solution to the debt problems of developing countries”, the Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/418/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (d), entitled “Commodities”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/64/418/Add.4, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 52, entitled “Follow-up to and implementation of the outcome of the 2002 International Conference on Financing for Development and the 2008 Review Conference”, the report of the Committee is issued in two parts, as documents A/64/419 and A/64/419 (Part II). As the General Assembly will recall, the recommendation contained in A/64/419 was adopted by the Assembly at its 49th plenary meeting, on 20 November. The Second Committee now recommends, in paragraph 11 of document A/64/419 (Part II), the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 53, entitled “Sustainable development”, the report of the Committee is issued in 10 parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/64/420 and the recommendations are contained in the chapeau as well as in the various addenda. Under the chapeau of item 53, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 15 of document A/64/420, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item 53 (a), entitled “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 20 of document A/64/420/Add.1, the adoption of three draft resolutions. Under sub-item 53 (b), entitled “Follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/64/420/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 53 (c), entitled “International Strategy for Disaster Reduction”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/64/420/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 53 (d), entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/64/420/Add.4, the adoption of one draft resolution. As the General Assembly will recall, the recommendation contained in the report was adopted by the Assembly at its 59th meeting, on 7 December 2009. Under sub-item 53 (e), entitled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 14 of document A/64/420/Add.5, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item 53 (f), entitled “Convention on Biological Diversity”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/64/420/Add.6, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 53 (g), entitled “Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its twenty-fifth session”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/420/Add.7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 53 (h), entitled “Sustainable mountain development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/64/420/Add.8, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 53 (i), entitled “Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/64/420/Add.9, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 54, “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 12 of document A/64/421, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 55, entitled “Globalization and interdependence”, the report of the Committee is issued in four parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/64/422, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under agenda item 55 (a), entitled “Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 21 of document A/64/422/Add.1, the adoption of three draft resolutions. Under agenda item 55 (b), entitled “Preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of assets of illicit origin and returning such assets, in particular to the countries of origin, consistent with the United Nations Convention against Corruption”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/422/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 55 (c), entitled “Science and technology for development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 14 of document A/64/422/Add.3, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 56, entitled “Groups of countries in special situations”, the report of the Committee is issued in three parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/64/423, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under agenda item 56 (a), entitled “Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/423/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 56 (b), entitled “Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/64/423/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 57, entitled “Eradication of poverty and other development issues”, the report of the Committee is issued in four parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/64/424, and the recommendations are contained in the chapeau as well as in the three addenda. Under the chapeau of agenda item 57, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 16 of document A/64/424, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 57 (a), entitled “Implementation of the second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017)”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/64/424/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 57 (b), entitled “Women in development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 7 of document A/64/424/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 57 (c), entitled “Human resources development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/424/Add.3, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 58, entitled “Operational activities for development”, the report of the Committee is issued in three parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/64/425, and the recommendations are contained in the chapeau as well as in the two addenda. Under the chapeau of item 58, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/425, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 58 (a), entitled “Operational activities for development of the United Nations system”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/425/Add.1, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 58 (b), entitled “South-South cooperation for development”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/64/425/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 59, entitled “Towards global partnerships”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/64/426, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 60, entitled “Agriculture development and food security”, the Committee recommends, in paragraph 12 of document A/64/427, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 118, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/64/428, the adoption of two draft decisions. Under agenda item 133, entitled “Programme planning”, as indicated in paragraph 3 of document A/64/429, there was no action taken by the Second Committee on the item. Under agenda item 170, entitled “United Nations University”, the Second Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/64/430, the adoption of one draft resolution. Before I conclude, I would like to request delegations having any queries about corrections to the text of draft resolutions that were adopted by the Second Committee to communicate as soon as possible with the secretariat of the Second Committee for these corrections to be made prior to the final issuance of texts as resolutions of the General Assembly. Also, I take this opportunity to thank most sincerely our Chairperson, His Excellency Mr. Park In-kook of the Republic of Korea, as well as the Vice- Chairpersons, Mr. Carlos Enrique García González of El Salvador, Mr. Mohamed Cherif Diallo of Guinea and Mr. Dragan Mićić of Serbia, for their extraordinary collaboration and partnership during this challenging and successful session of the Second Committee. May I also thank the secretariat of the Second Committee for their outstanding assistance and support to me and to all the other members of the Bureau. Finally, and on a more personal note, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my very best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season and the occasion to spend a well-deserved break from our work with our families and friends. Last but not least, I wish you all peace and prosperity in the new year.

I thank the Rapporteur of the Second Committee for her 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 Second Committee that are before the Assembly today.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Second Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that, under paragraph 7 of General Assembly decision 34/401, the Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee”. May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. When a report contains more than one draft resolution, delegations will have an opportunity to explain their positions before and after the General Assembly takes action on all of the draft resolutions. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Second Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. I should therefore hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Committee. The Assembly is reminded that we will shortly be taking action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended for adoption by the Second Committee and, as such, those draft resolutions and decisions can no longer be additionally co-sponsored in plenary meeting by Member States. Any clarification about sponsorship should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee. Any language or other corrections that delegations may have concerning the reports of the Committee before us, including the listing of sponsors of draft resolutions and decisions, should be submitted to the Secretariat of the Second Committee for issuance of corrigenda. Before proceeding further, I would like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat, entitled “List of proposals contained in the reports of the Second Committee”, which has been circulated as document A/C.2/64/INF/1. This note has been distributed desk-to-desk in the General Assembly Hall as a reference guide for action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Second Committee in its reports. In this connection, members will find in column three of the note the order and numbers of the draft resolutions or decisions for action in plenary meeting, with their corresponding titles and symbols assigned in the Second Committee in column four of the same note.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 40?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Information and communication technologies for development”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 50?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 51. (a) International trade and development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/418/Add.1) The President: The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take action on draft resolutions I and II. We will now take action on draft resolution I, entitled “International trade and development”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Afghanistan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]

We will now take action on draft resolution II, entitled “Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Afghanistan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 51? (b) International financial system and development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/418/Add.2) The President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 51? (c) External debt and development: towards a durable solution to the debt problems of developing countries Report of the Second Committee (A/64/418/Add.3) The President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “External debt sustainability and development”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 51? (d) Commodities Report of the Second Committee (A/64/418/Add.4) The President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 51 and of agenda item 51 as a whole?

Under this same agenda item, the Assembly also has before it a draft resolution issued as document A/64/L.41. I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico to introduce draft resolution A/64/L.41.

I take the floor with regard to the draft resolution contained in document A/64/L.41, entitled “Modalities for the fourth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development”. First, I wish express my gratitude to all delegations thanks to whose efforts and flexibility the draft resolution enjoys the consensus of the membership, having determined that the Dialogue will take place on the 16 and 17 March 2010 on the basis of the modalities proposed in the note of the Secretary- General contained in document in A/64/377. My delegation believes that the agreed modalities for the event will promote discussions that will make it possible to explore the links between the various chapters of the Monterrey Consensus and the Doha Declaration, thus promoting its collegial and holistic nature. It is our expectation that these modalities will generate interest among potential participants, thus increasing the level of attendance at this major event. My delegation also believes that the decision we are about to adopt is consonant with the recent recommendation of the Economic and Social Council with regard to the strengthening of the inclusive, reinforced and more effective intergovernmental process to follow up financing for development, which reaffirms the importance of the biannual high-level dialogues of the General Assembly as an intergovernmental coordination forum for general follow-up of the Monterrey and Doha Conferences, with special stress on the new issues raised. In this context, my delegation wishes to recall how important it is that the follow-up to the financing for development process maintain its broad and diverse nature, relying on the participation of all the various stakeholders involved, including civil society and the private sector. Similarly, while reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in coordinating follow-up to financing for development and the need to maintain that role in order to ensure the process’s continuity and dynamism, we also believe it important to reaffirm the necessity of continuing to strengthen the commitment of all interested parties, including the United Nations system, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization, to following up implementation of the commitments made in Monterrey and Doha. It is also important to stress the Dialogue’s utility in generating input for the high-level event scheduled for September 2010, which will focus on the measures needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on time. My delegation believes that the financing for development process can provide most relevant input for that discussion, as it did for the 2005 World Summit. In our opinion, the follow-up to financing for development should be conducted so as to provide a connecting thread and continuity between the various events that make up the process. To this end, my delegation would like to ask the Economic and Social Council to consider both the dates and the modalities of the General Assembly’s High-level Dialogue in order to decide, in consultation with the relevant institutional participants, the date and topic of its special high-level meeting in the spring with international financial and commercial organizations. We should stress that the decision regarding the dates of the Assembly’s High-level Dialogue, originally scheduled for 23 and 24 November 2009, was informed by circumstances beyond the intergovernmental decision-making process, and we therefore understand that the practice this year will not necessarily set a precedent for the process in the future. In addition, we should recall that various significant discussions on economic and development issues will take place in the first half of the coming year, in particular in the framework of the follow-up to the United Nations high-level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development; the work of the special group on that subject; and the ongoing discussions within the framework of the Economic and Social Council to respond to the mandate set out in the Conference’s outcome document (resolution 63/303). While it should be emphasized that these are parallel processes, it is also essential to acknowledge that there are substantive points of convergence. We hope that each will mutually enrich the other, maximizing the effectiveness of our deliberations. Finally, I take this opportunity to thank the Chair of the Second Committee, Ambassador Park In-kook of Korea, and Ambassador Sylvie Lucas of Luxembourg, President of the Economic and Social Council, for their commitment to and support for our progress on this important subject, which we hope will help build and strengthen an effective world association for development to the benefit of those who need it most.

In connection with draft resolution A/64/L.41, I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I would like to inform members that, in connection with draft resolution A/64/L.41, entitled “Modalities for the fourth High- level Dialogue on Financing for Development”, I wish to put on record the following statement of financial implications on behalf of the Secretary-General, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. Under the terms of paragraphs 1, 5, 6 and 8 of the draft resolution, the General Assembly would decide to hold its fourth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development on 16 and 17 March 2010 at United Nations Headquarters; decide that the modalities for holding the fourth High-level Dialogue will be the same as those used in the 2005 and 2007 High-level Dialogues, as described in General Assembly resolution 59/293 of 27 May 2005; decide also that the High-level Dialogue will consist of a series of plenary and informal meetings and three interactive multi-stakeholder round tables; and decide that the High-level Dialogue will result in a summary by the President of the General Assembly that will provide, as appropriate, an input on financing for development to the preparatory process of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly of September 2010. Pursuant to the aforementioned paragraphs, the fourth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development would comprise a total of six meetings: two plenary meetings on 16 March 2010, three parallel round tables in the morning of 17 March 2010 and one informal interactive dialogue combined with a short plenary meeting in the afternoon of 17 March 2010, with simultaneous interpretation from and into all six official languages and verbatim records for the three plenary meetings to be issued in the six official languages. Documentation requirements are also required for one post-session document of 10,700 words to be issued in all six official languages. These six meetings of the fourth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development have not been planned by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management in its draft calendar of conferences and meetings for 2010 and 2011. Consequently, additional requirements of $254,700 in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011 would be required under section 2, “General Assembly and Economic and Social Council Affairs and Conference Management” ($242,700), and section 28 D, “Office of Central Support Services”, for other support services ($12,000). It is considered that the additional requirements to service the fourth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development could be absorbed within the provisions to be made under sections 2, “General Assembly and Economic and Social Council Affairs and Conference Management”, and 28 D, “Office of Central Support Services”, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011 by using the resources allotted to service the General Assembly in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011, on the understanding that the General Assembly itself would not be meeting at the same time. Accordingly, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/64/L.41, no financial implications would arise under the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/64/L.41, entitled “Modalities for the fourth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development”. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/64/L.41?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 52.

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Harmony with Nature”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

I call on the representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia for an explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

On behalf of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, we wish to thank all Member States for the adoption by consensus of resolution 64/196, entitled “Harmony with Nature”, which was sponsored by 61 countries and enthusiastically supported by our sister countries of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas. As part of the implementation of this resolution, I wish to announce that, following the events in Copenhagen, President Evo Morales will convene, in Bolivia on 28 April 2010, a world conference of the peoples on climate change and the rights of mother Earth. At this conference, we will discuss a world referendum of peoples on climate change in which ordinary citizens will be consulted as to whether developed countries should reduce and reabsorb their greenhouse gas emissions domestically so that world temperatures do not go up by more than one degree Celsius, and as to whether the funds that are currently spent on wars should be allocated to preventing climate change. As a result, much work remains to be done on the topic of harmony with nature, particularly in the dissemination of information, during the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of agenda item 53. (a) Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.1) The President: The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of its report. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution III, entitled “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development”, is postponed to a later date to allow time for review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. We will now take action on draft resolutions I and II. We will first take action on draft resolution I, entitled “Agricultural technology for development”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour; the delegations of Algeria, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Egypt and Jordan advised the Secretariat that they had intended to abstain.]

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Midterm comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’, 2005-2015”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

I now give the floor to the representative of Israel to make a statement in explanation of vote on the resolution just adopted.

At the outset, I wish to thank the 89 sponsors of resolution 64/197, “Agricultural technology for development”. On behalf of the sponsors, I extend Israel’s thanks to all 145 delegations that voted in favour of this important resolution. I also wish to thank Mr. Daniel Hirsch of the Permanent Mission of Norway. His determined efforts and tireless work on behalf of this resolution were instrumental in creating today’s positive outcome. The wide spectrum of sponsors in support of this resolution from developing countries and developed, from both North and South, demonstrates the importance and wide appeal of the issue before us. Such diversity, along with the smooth nature of the negotiation process, reflects the human desire to make the world a better place — to engage in what we call in Hebrew tikkun olam. This humanitarian value transcends borders, cultures and politics. Today’s resolution reaffirms our belief that developing and disseminating agricultural technologies for development is important, possible and necessary. Yet such conviction is not enough to achieve our goals. We must now seek practical ways of implementing this resolution. Collectively and individually, each State must work with partners and stakeholders to share and receive life-altering agricultural technology. In promoting such activity, this resolution will have positive economic, social and environmental impacts far beyond food production. It will improve the economic future of many who struggle to survive. It will empower women and other vulnerable populations. It will advance research and development of important agricultural technology and production. It will promote the establishment of sustainable agricultural systems and management practices. In moving forward, Israel stands ready to work with all partners to turn the words of this resolution into reality. We look forward to its becoming a biannual exercise so that we can ensure that our work related to this important issue will continue to fulfil humankind’s needs.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 53. (b) Follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.2) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

I give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

My delegation wishes to speak concerning resolution 64/199, entitled “Follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”. We wish to confirm the commitment of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to supporting small island States in their efforts to deal with their limited financial resources and reduce poverty levels and the social problems that arise from them, as well as their vulnerability to the impact of climate change and related phenomena. In our region this commitment has been manifest principally via PetroCaribe, whereby the political will of member countries has made it possible for this integration scheme to become a united energy platform. From this point of view, PetroCaribe has complied strictly with strategic objectives that are of the greatest importance to its member countries, such as devoting special attention to reducing existing asymmetries by making the most of available resources and potential in the region in order to ensure energy security and fair trade. We are also making integration a reality and strengthening the capacities of members of the organization to respond fairly to the demands inherent in growth. PetroCaribe is more than an agreement to supply energy with payment facilities for member countries. Among its achievements, we would point to social projects in the areas of tourism, education, health, housing, the environment, roads, sport and agriculture. In the framework of South-South cooperation, we joined in the consensus adoption of the resolution. However, we did so without prejudice to our country’s position on the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, paragraphs 26 and 27 of which refer to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We wish to confirm that these paragraphs, as established under international law, are binding only on States parties to the Convention. We therefore stress that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is not a State party to the Convention, the standards of which do not apply to it under customary international law, other than those that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela may have expressly recognized or will recognize in the future through their incorporation in its domestic legislation.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 53? (c) International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.3) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 53? (e) Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.5) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report. We will now take action on draft resolutions I and II. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (2010-2020)”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 53? (f) Convention on Biological Diversity Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.6) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 53? (g) Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its twenty- fifth session Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.7) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 53? (h) Sustainable mountain development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.8) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (h) of agenda item 53? (i) Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy Report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.9) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 53?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 53.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 54?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 55. (a) Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/64/422/Add.1) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 21 of its report. We will now take action on draft resolutions I to III. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled “Development cooperation with middle- income countries”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We will now take action on draft resolution II, entitled “Towards a New International Economic Order”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently the delegations of Colombia and Senegal advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour; the delegations of Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia advised the Secretariat that they had intended to abstain.]

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 55? (b) Preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of assets of illicit origin and returning such assets, in particular to the countries of origin, consistent with the United Nations Convention against Corruption Report of the Second Committee (A/64/422/Add.2) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. I should like to inform Members that action on the draft resolution is postponed to a later date to allow time for review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 55. (c) Science and technology for development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/422/Add.3) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report. We will now take action on draft resolutions I and II. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled “Creation of a global culture of cybersecurity and taking stock of national efforts to protect critical information infrastructures”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Science and technology for development”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 55?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 55.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 56. (a) Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/64/423/Add.1) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 56? (b) Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation Report of the Second Committee (A/64/423/Add.2) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Groups of countries in special situations: specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 56 and of agenda item 56 as a whole?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 57. (a) Implementation of the second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008- 2017) Report of the Second Committee (A/64/424/Add.1) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution entitled “Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017)”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

I give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

This year, Bangladesh coordinated the process leading to the adoption of resolution 64/216 on the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty. It is indeed a great pleasure for us to see that the resolution enjoyed the consensus of all fellow Member States. Against the backdrop of the ongoing multifaceted crises worldwide, the question of poverty has taken on new dimensions. As we speak at this gathering, one billion people will go to bed hungry tonight. Since the multiple crises appeared on the surface of this planet, 50 million more people have been driven to extreme poverty. In this dismal scenario, the world has spoken in unison for the need to fight against poverty under the aegis of resolution 64/216. Bangladesh has championed the United Nations cause of fighting poverty because we believe that seeking a world free of poverty is not an act of charity, but the responsibility of each country and the United Nations at large. Accordingly, I would like to state that our leader, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, believes that the right to food is a basic human right. While fighting against poverty, the development agendas of many countries, including the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), have been halted midway. To achieve the MDGs by 2015, the particular issue of poverty eradication, namely MDG 1, remains at the top of the list of priority actions. In Bangladesh, despite our limited resources, the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been planning, implementing and evaluating myriad programmes in different sectors aimed at poverty eradication. All these plans and programmes have been devised towards fulfilling the ultimate vision of the Government — Vision 2021 — of a Bangladesh free of poverty; a Bangladesh where human faculties flourish in a democratic, secure, free and progressive society; a Bangladesh free from all forms of racial and religious discrimination, extremism and exclusion. We feel confident that, as we have reached a consensus on the resolution on fighting poverty, all Member States will join us in our endeavours. We believe that that is a step forward in translating Vision 2021 into a reality. The delegation of Bangladesh wishes to express its thanks to all Member States, especially the delegation of experts of the Second Committee, for their sincere endeavours in this regard. We especially thank the Group of 77 and China for supporting us throughout the negotiation process for the resolution. We also thank all partners — including the United States of America, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the European Union — for taking a renewed interest in the cause of poverty eradication, which greatly helped us to reach a consensus. We believe that the spirit that we saw in the process of negotiating a consensus on the resolution will also be manifest in its implementation phase.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 57? (b) Women in development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/424/Add.2) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 57? (c) Human resources development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/424/Add.3) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 57 and of agenda item 57 as a whole?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 58. (a) Operational activities for development of the United Nations system Report of the Second Committee (A/64/425/Add.1) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 58? (b) South-South cooperation for development Report of the Second Committee (A/64/425/Add.2) Draft resolution (A/64/L.37) The Acting President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “South- South cooperation”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Under this agenda item, the Assembly also has before it a draft resolution issued as A/64/L.37. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to consider the draft resolution directly in plenary meeting?

I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

We have a small correction to the draft resolution on the Nairobi outcome document of the High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation, contained in document A/64/L.37. The words “on South-South cooperation” in the final sentence of sub-paragraph (l) of paragraph 21 of the annex should be corrected to read “for South- South cooperation”.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/64/L.37, entitled “Nairobi outcome document of the High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/64/L.37, as orally corrected?

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

It is a great honour to deliver a statement on behalf of the Government of Japan following the adoption of resolution 64/222 on the Nairobi outcome document of the High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation. Japan has recognized the value of South-South cooperation and actively supported countries in the South in engaging in it through triangular cooperation for more than 30 years. We are glad to see South-South and triangular cooperation being widely recognized as an indispensable means of development today. At the High-level Conference held in Nairobi, we observed a wide range of interpretations of the term “South-South cooperation”. For certain countries, it is a concept of solidarity among developing States; for others, it is an activity that comes under the aid- effectiveness agenda. In our view, however, this difference should not prevent us from moving forward with concrete actions on South-South and triangular cooperation. In such an endeavour, all stakeholders — including Governments, civil society and the private sector of developing and developed States alike — should join hands to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, despite serious setbacks caused by multiple crises. Japan is willing to further support South-South and triangular cooperation while respecting the ownership of the host country and emphasizing capacity-building of the participants. We encourage the increased involvement of the other bilateral donors in supporting South-South cooperation and implementing triangular cooperation.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 58, and of agenda item 58 as a whole?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 59?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 60?

The Second Committee adopted draft decision II, entitled “Rotation of the post of Rapporteur of the Second Committee”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of item 118.

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 133.

I give the floor to the representative of Japan in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

As the host country of the United Nations University headquarters, Japan welcomes the adoption by consensus of resolution 64/225, which enables the United Nations University to expand its activities by granting advanced academic degrees. The United Nations University postgraduate programme will contribute in particular to capacity- development in developing countries. I would like to express my gratitude, on behalf of the Government of Japan, to the 112 sponsors that supported the expeditious adoption of the resolution. My delegation’s special thanks go to Mr. Markus Weidling of the Permanent Mission of Germany, who facilitated informal consultations within the very tight schedule at the end of the Second Committee’s work for this session.

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 170?

On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Park In-kook, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and Chairperson of the Second Committee, as well as members of the Bureau and representatives, for a job well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee before it. Programme of work The Acting President: I would like to draw the attention of members to the date of recess of the current session. Members will recall that, at its 63rd plenary meeting, on 11 December 2009, the General Assembly decided that the sixty-fourth session would recess on Tuesday, 22 December 2009. However, in view of the work that remains to be done for this part of the session, I would like to propose that the Assembly postpone the date of recess of the current session to Wednesday, 23 December 2009. If there is no objection, may I take it that the Assembly agrees to this proposal?

I would also like to consult Members regarding an extension for the work of the Fifth Committee. Members will recall that, at its 63rd plenary meeting, on 11 December 2009, the General Assembly approved the recommendation of the General Committee that the Fifth Committee complete its work by Friday, 18 December 2009. However, the President of the Assembly has been informed by the Chairman of the Fifth Committee that the Committee was not able to finish its work by Friday 18 December. May I therefore take it that the Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Fifth Committee until Tuesday, 22 December 2009?