A/65/PV.52 General Assembly

We have held a great number of United Nations conferences and summits in the past two decades that have had a huge impact on our thinking, priorities and especially our actions. Clearly, all of the discussions and outcomes of these major conferences and summits have been channelled to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which have become the international community’s most comprehensive and powerful action plan. Just two months ago, in this same venue, world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the MDGs and set out a concrete action plan for achieving those Goals by 2015. One of the tangible achievements of the summit was undoubtedly to raise over $40 billion in resources over the next five years in order to strengthen child and maternal health. However, from our perspective, another important milestone that our leaders set up was to deliver a clear message to the global community about the type of economic growth that will lead to poverty eradication and the achievement of the MDGs. We note that growth is an important driving force for the achievement of the MDGs and poverty eradication, but not every kind of growth has been as effective as we expected. There are key policies or mechanisms that can translate growth into progress on the MDGs. First, in order to contribute to poverty eradication and progress on the MDGs, needless to say, growth should be sustained without any halt or reversal. Secondly, if growth does not guarantee the participation of the broadest possible spectrum of people and excludes marginalized people or regions, it cannot properly expedite poverty reduction and may weaken national unity. Therefore, growth should be as inclusive as possible. Thirdly, growth cannot be a central strategy for fighting poverty if it does not evenly distribute the opportunities and gains it offers. As a recent survey shows, in circumstances where the poverty rate and growth rate are the same, an inequitable society may take six times longer to eradicate poverty than a more equitable society might. That is why world leaders have declared that sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth is the key to poverty eradication and the achievement of the MDGs. They have sent a clear message that economic growth should enable everyone, in particular the poor, to participate in and benefit from economic opportunities leading to job creation and income opportunities, complemented by effective social policies. Now it is our turn to carry this message forward. In this regard, I have the honour and privilege to introduce for adoption today the draft resolution contained in document A/65/L.12, entitled “Sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth for poverty eradication and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals” on behalf of the 70 sponsors listed in the document, including the Government of the Republic of Korea. At this time, I would also like to name the other countries that have since signed on as sponsors of the draft resolution but are not listed in the text itself. Those countries are Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Israel, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Mexico, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Serbia, South Africa, Togo and Uzbekistan. I thank all sponsoring countries for their unwavering support and cooperation. In particular, I would like to express special appreciation to the 12 countries — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam — that together initiated the draft resolution from scratch and closely cooperated as needed. All sponsors share the view that we need to strengthen discussion on the economic dimension of development in order to complement and create synergy with the discussion of the human dimension of development. Also, we concur that, in order to translate into action our leaders’ declaration on the importance of sustained, inclusive, equitable growth, we urgently need to formulate policy guidelines that aim to encourage institutions and policies favourable to sustained growth, maximize the impact of growth on health, education and gender equality, and devise specific policies that will necessarily allow the poor to gain their fair share. The draft resolution that we are introducing today is a follow-up to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the MDGs and also a procedural resolution that asks for the facilitation of an active discussion on sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth. In order to do that, the draft seeks to facilitate this discussion by inviting Member States to share best practices and lessons learned, inviting regional commissions to facilitate a discussion of this issue in each region, requesting the Economic and Social Council to hold a panel discussion during the 2011 substantive session and, finally, requesting the Secretary-General to include policy recommendations on this issue in his annual report on the MDGs by 2015. Based on the expected discussion, we will be able to extract important and detailed policy elements for the successful achievement of sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth. Before closing, I would like once again to express my deep, sincere gratitude to the many sponsors and supporters of the draft resolution. I now call upon the General Assembly to give its unequivocal support to its adoption.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 13 initial sponsors of draft resolution A/65/L.12 on sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth for the eradication of poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. We attach great importance to the achievement of the MDGs while promoting regional integration and narrowing the development gap. We provided constructive inputs based on regional experiences to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly with a view to accelerating progress towards the MDGs, especially through strengthened global partnership. On the sidelines of the High-level Plenary Meeting, we — the 13 countries from South-East Asia and East Asia — hosted a ministerial-level panel discussion on 21 September on “Achieving the MDGs through partnership, sharing experiences and challenges in Asia”, chaired by His Excellency Mr. Kasit Piromya, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and moderated by Ms. Nila Moeloek, the Indonesian President’s Special Envoy for the Millennium Development Goals. Among measures identified in the resulting way forward, we agreed that “emphasis should be placed on reducing poverty through sustained economic growth”. While recognizing the diversities within and among countries, including on how to achieve the MDGs, we are united in the view that economic growth should be given higher priority in the discussions on the MDGs. Despite slow and fragile global recovery from the worst international financial crisis, the East Asian economies were among the first to rebound soundly and became some of the key drivers of the global economic recovery. At the same time, we are placing greater emphasis on the kind of growth that enables everyone to benefit equally from economic development, with job creation and social protection measures aiming at protecting and empowering people and communities, the most vulnerable groups in particular. This is a lesson learned from the Asian monetary and economic crisis that our region experienced in the late 1990s. Recently, the seventeenth Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, on 28 October 2010 adopted the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, which emphasizes that policies for sustained strong growth will have to be complemented by targeted interventions and will require increased investment in basic infrastructure, health care and education. Furthermore, the thirteenth ASEAN+3 Summit held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, on 29 October 2010 reaffirmed the importance of promoting regional economic competitiveness and equitable economic development. We are pleased that the notion of “sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth” was included in the Outcome Document of the United Nations High-level Plenary Meeting on the MDGs (resolution 65/1), and further encouraged by the support given to draft resolution A/65/L.12 to promote the sharing of national experiences and best practices on this subject, taking into account the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. We are pleased to announce that the draft resolution is currently co-sponsored by 75 countries. We wish to thank all the sponsors for their constructive engagement and contributions. We encourage all other Member States to consider joining the ownership of the draft resolution. By initiating the draft resolution, we hope that useful policy guidelines will be shared, and we look forward to the contributions of the regional commissions and the Economic and Social Council panel discussion. We remain fully committed to supporting this process with a view to contributing to poverty eradication and the achievement of the MDGs within the established time frame.

The Group of 77 and China is pleased to participate in this morning’s joint debate under the agenda item “Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit”. The Group of 77 and China places a high priority on global public health and the achievement of health- related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We welcome the significant achievements made in some areas, but also note that much more needs to be done to achieve the health-related Goals, as was evident at the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly held in September. Factors such as poverty, coupled with the effects of the global food, financial and economic crises, have severely hampered the efforts of developing countries in implementing the internationally agreed development goals and commitments, including the Millennium Development Goals. Health and poverty are interlinked and are central to sustainable development, as recognized in the Ministerial Declaration of the 2009 High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council. The emergence of non-communicable diseases, the prevalence of which is increasing faster in poor countries, highlights the connection between health and poverty and its impact on social and economic development. Thus, the Group of 77 and China will focus its statement on the issue of non-communicable diseases, one of the main challenges to development in the twenty-first century. The Group of 77 and China thank the Secretary- General for the transmission of the report of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the global status of non-communicable diseases, with a particular focus on the development challenges faced by developing countries (see A/65/362). We note all the relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the World Health Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. The Group of 77 and China support the call for continued implementation of the 2008-2013 Action Plan for the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. We also recognize the role of the United Nations system, the Bretton Woods institutions, the private sector and civil society in the promotion of public health at all levels. The General Assembly’s unanimous adoption on 13 May of resolution 64/265, on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, which was submitted under agenda item 114, “Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit”, clearly underscored the need for concerted action and coordinated responses to this issue. As the report of the Director-General of WHO details, non-communicable diseases affect countries in every region of the world, from the Americas to the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. While we take note of the various national and regional initiatives undertaken on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, the statistics are daunting and paint a clear picture of the great human suffering and the financial toll these diseases are exacting on our populations, particularly if seen from a gender perspective. This fact was noted by the Secretary-General in his report entitled “Review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly and its contribution to shaping a gender perspective towards the full realization of the Millennium Development Goals” (E/CN.6/2010/2). Non-communicable diseases account for an estimated 35 million deaths every year, including the premature deaths of an estimated 8 million persons before the age of 60. Over 90 per cent of these premature deaths occur in developing countries, in particular among the poorest and most disadvantaged populations. The World Health Organization predicts that, by 2015, non-communicable diseases will increase by 90 per cent and will contribute significantly to, among others, the increased loss of productivity, slow economic growth, rapid rise in health-care costs, overwhelmed national health systems and an unprecedented level of poverty if we, the international community, do not take immediate and concerted action at the national, regional and global levels to address the development challenges posed by these factors. In the African region alone, deaths from non-communicable diseases are predicted to increase by more than 20 per cent by 2015 while, in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, non-communicable diseases account for an estimated 54 per cent of the 14.7 million annual deaths and over 75 per cent of deaths, respectively. Given the socio-economic impact of non- communicable diseases and its link to health and poverty, the Group of 77 and China cannot underscore enough the importance of strengthening international cooperation in the area of public health. We also urge developed countries, in accordance with their commitments, to meet the agreed target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product for official development assistance to enable developing countries to meet their internationally agreed development goals. In the case of global public health, there is an urgent need for increased and sustained levels of assistance to, among other things, build the capacity of public health systems; to improve access to affordable, safe, effective and high-quality medicines; to train, recruit and retain skilled public health personnel; and to develop necessary infrastructure and the transfer of technology if we are to tackle the growing threat of non-communicable diseases. The Group of 77 and China supports the call, in the report of the WHO Director-General before us, for global development initiatives to consider the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases as one of the priorities to be included as an integral part of the global development agenda, including through poverty reduction initiatives. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China was pleased to join consensus on resolution 64/265 and its call for a high-level meeting of the General Assembly, with the participation of heads of State and Government, to be convened in September 2011 to address non-communicable diseases and their socio-economic impact. We welcome the appointment of the Permanent Representatives of Jamaica and Luxembourg as co-facilitators of the informal consultations under way on the scope, modalities, format and organization of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to be convened in September 2011. The Group of 77 and China is participating actively in the consultations and, given the enormity of the crisis facing us, looks forward to the adoption of a resolution that reflects the views of all Member States, and which will result in a satisfactory, targeted and action-oriented outcome of the process.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. Due to the nature of the joint debate today, my remarks will bear on two different points, the first being on the draft resolution on growth (A/65/L.12) and the second on non-communicable diseases. The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration. The European Union is pleased to co-sponsor the General Assembly resolution on sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth for poverty reduction and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Republic of Korea and other sponsors for taking the initiative of formulating this draft resolution. Growth plays a particularly important role in our common endeavour to eradicate poverty, achieve the MDGs and promote sustainable development. Economic growth, provided it is socially inclusive, produces a much greater effect in terms of poverty reduction than direct transfer of resources. It can have a multiplier effect through employment creation and social protection. As for development aid, it should act increasingly as a catalyst, supporting the efforts of developing countries to generate growth. Adequate national policies that create an environment conducive to growth play an important role in this respect. The sustainability of growth is also a major factor that we have to take into consideration; hence the vital importance of the link established in the MDG outcome document (resolution 65/1) between, on the one hand, sustained, inclusive and equitable growth, and on the other, sustainable development in its three economic, social and environmental components. The policy message that the General Assembly is sending with this draft resolution is an important one. It shows the capacity of the United Nations to tackle the main issues and challenges of our time. The European Union looks forward to continuing our discussions on sustained, inclusive and equitable growth. (spoke in French) I would now like to discuss the note by the Secretary-General (A/65/362), transmitting the report of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the global status of non- communicable diseases. The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro; as well as the Republic of Moldova and Armenia align themselves with this declaration. Non-communicable diseases represent a considerable and worsening burden on world health, including in low- and medium-income countries. This has been made unambiguously clear in the recent report of WHO transmitted by the Secretary-General. The European Union itself has a high incidence of non-communicable diseases — such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity — that can be attributed to the convergence of a number of factors, including smoking, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, pollution and physical inactivity. We are convinced that prevention is vital to easing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, and involves strategies and mechanisms oriented towards the critical risk factors for these diseases, such as lifestyle and hygiene, as well as general environmental, commercial, economic and social factors. Multisectoral integrated approaches are essential if we wish to tackle these illnesses successfully, given that many of them are issues that elude health-care systems. We also believe that national health strategies and strengthened health systems must take non- communicable diseases into account within a broader framework of efforts to improve health and conditions generally. In this regard, we welcome the commitment made at the recent High-level Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals to improving the efficiency of health-care systems and giving greater support to interventions and initiatives that are clearly effective in dealing with increased health challenges, including the growing impact of non-communicable diseases. Next year, the high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases will give us an excellent opportunity to debate these subjects and to focus more world public attention on the challenge of non-communicable diseases. We are ready to participate actively and constructively in both the meeting and its preparation.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is honoured to take part in this joint debate under agenda item 115, “Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit”, and aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Yemen on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The issue of global public health is of fundamental importance to our subregion. CARICOM continues to strive at the national, regional and international levels to ensure the health and well-being of our citizens. To this end, earlier this year CARICOM heads of Government approved the establishment of the Caribbean Regional Health Agency (CARPHA), which will replace and build on the work of CARICOM’s existing five regional health institutions. CARPHA will facilitate a coordinated approach to regional health issues and prevent duplication of effort and resources. One health issue, however, that presents significant social, economic and development challenges for our subregion is that of non-communicable diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. In the Caribbean, the prevalence and mortality rates of non-communicable diseases are among the highest in the world, having accounted for 62 per cent of all deaths in the region in 2004, 40 per cent of which could have been prevented. Even more alarming is that deaths from these diseases in the Caribbean are expected to increase to 68 per cent in 2015 if urgent action to address them is not taken. Non-communicable diseases disproportionately affect the poorest in our societies, due to their limited ability to lead healthy lifestyles and access affordable health care. There is also sufficient evidence to show that non-communicable diseases further contribute to poverty, due to loss of household income in many cases and the overwhelming cost of health care associated with the treatment of such diseases. The Caribbean, however, is not alone in facing these challenges. CARICOM welcomes the report of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), transmitted by the Secretary-General’s note dated 13 September (A/65/362). The report indicates that non-communicable diseases account for 60 per cent of all deaths worldwide, more than 80 per cent of which occur in developing countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries. WHO also estimates that, globally, deaths from non-communicable diseases are expected to increase by 17 per cent over the next 10 years, the greatest increase being expected in Africa. The fact that a large percentage of all deaths related to non-communicable diseases occur at the highest rates in low- and middle-income countries, and that they are all preventable, establishes the strong connection between addressing these challenges and the global development agenda. Further, non-communicable diseases are emerging worldwide as a serious macroeconomic and development challenge due to loss of productivity, rapidly rising health-care costs and links to poverty, as confirmed in the WHO Director-General’s report. No single institution, organization or country has sufficient resources and capacity to reverse this growing epidemic, which requires concerted global and intersectoral responses. Consequently, there is a critical need for increased political commitment and international collaboration to, inter alia, promote partnerships for the prevention and control of these diseases; monitor them and their determinants at all levels; and strengthen health care for persons with non-communicable diseases by strengthening health- care systems. This is in addition to influencing the public policies of non-health sectors and implementing effective mechanisms for intersectoral action in such areas as agriculture, food production, education, finance, trade and sport. It is for these reasons that CARICOM members brought the issue to the attention of the General Assembly in 2009. We are further pleased to have participated in the adoption of resolution 64/265 on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases on 13 May. The resolution called for the convening of a high-level meeting of the General Assembly on non-communicable diseases, with the participation of heads of State and Government, to be held in September 2011. CARICOM would like to avail itself of this opportunity to recognize the role of the WHO throughout this process and to express its deep appreciation for the continuous support and technical assistance provided to Member States thus far, in particular by the Organization’s Pan American Health Organization office located here in New York. In addition, we look forward to the positive and successful outcomes of the regional meetings being convened on the issue of non-communicable diseases in preparation for the September 2011 high-level meeting, and anticipate the release of the WHO report, which will provide further valuable information to guide the process leading up to the high-level meeting in September 2011. CARICOM also supports the development of indicators to monitor the way in which Member States address this issue, the importance of which has been underscored by WHO. CARICOM will continue to be fully engaged in negotiations currently taking place under the able leadership of the Permanent Representatives of Jamaica and Luxembourg to determine the scope, modalities, format and organization of the high-level meeting. In conclusion, as agreed at the High-level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals in September 2009, we reiterate our commitment to undertaking concerted action and a coordinated response at the national, regional and global levels in order to adequately address the development and other challenges caused by non-communicable diseases as we work towards a successful high-level meeting of the General Assembly in 2011.

Despite attempts to gloss over current circumstances, the global situation, especially since the devastating effects of the world economic and financial crisis, continues to be extremely complex. No one is surprised that the measures adopted to boost growth and world economic recovery have not always responded to the needs of the poor and the most vulnerable. Quite the opposite is true; despite the promises made, many developed countries have resorted to protectionism as part of their policies created in response to the crisis, to the detriment of underdeveloped economies. The billions of dollars in fiscal stimulus packages applied hurriedly to rescue banks and other private companies responsible for the crisis contrast with the ever-decreasing amount of resources for development, including official development assistance. The current international economic order, plunged into financial and fiscal chaos caused by years of neoliberal policies, is deeply unfair and unsustainable and should be replaced. At the High-level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals that took place in September, it was clearly demonstrated that the majority of States will not be able to meet these modest objectives. The requests for new and additional financial resources to try to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the scant time remaining before 2015 were ignored by rich countries. They did not even allow a single mention of this situation in the outcome document of the High-level Meeting (resolution 65/1). If we follow this path, not only will the Millennium Development Goals go unmet, but other internationally agreed development goals will also elude us. We need radical changes in the patterns of production and consumption of Northern societies and the establishment of a new international economic order on the basis of new development paradigms. That is the only way to make real progress towards fulfilling the targets and goals to which we have committed. In this context, the establishment of a new international financial architecture should be a priority of United Nations deliberations. The aforementioned scenario highlights the need to strengthen the central role of the United Nations in international affairs. So-called global governance cannot marginalize the most democratic mechanisms of the Organization, nor should certain groups of countries proclaim themselves the decision-making nucleus for the majority. The General Assembly, the body in which we all participate in equal conditions and where there is no veto, should be strengthened. We also advocate greater coherence in the actions of all bodies of the United Nations system, in strict respect for mandates and the principle of national leadership in the field of development assistance. With respect to the Secretariat and the staff of funds and programmes, we need to take urgent measures to end such harmful practices as the fact that a small group of developed countries control the main management positions in the system’s bodies. Regarding the work of funds and programmes, we can no longer postpone the reform of the resident coordinator system through decentralization and a fairer distribution of responsibilities among different agencies in the field. Cuba has carried out, before the agreed date, the majority of the targets set under the Millennium Development Goals, despite the unfair and criminal economic and financial blockade imposed by the Government of the United States. That blockade is the main obstacle to greater development in Cuba and to raising the standard of living of our population. The results achieved by Cuba demonstrate its determination to continue fostering the achievement of higher standards of living and well-being for our population and channelling our limited resources towards those areas of greater socio-economic impact. Achieving human development has always been a priority for Cuba. In that context, it should be emphasized that the Human Development Report, published annually by the United Nations Development Programme, should reflect the concepts and indicators that have intergovernmental consensus and acceptance. The Human Development Report should abstain from using partial and politically biased sources. It should also strictly respect resolution 57/264. As that resolution states, consultations with Member States to draw up the Human Development Report should be broad, transparent and substantive and should not be limited to mere information sessions on how the Report was drawn up. If we aspire to maintaining the credibility of the Human Development Report, the criteria of Member States should be duly respected. Allow me to conclude by emphasizing that only with the participation of all, with genuine political will to confront the current pressing problems and with a strengthened United Nations, a firm defender of international law, will we comply with our responsibility to build a better world for future generations.

The United States would like to commend Member States for the success of the September High-level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Now is the time to work collectively, bilaterally and at the national level to accelerate progress towards achieving the MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals. During his address on 22 September at the MDG summit (see A/65/PV.9), President Obama unveiled a new United States development strategy that strongly supports the full realization of the MDGs and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Our strategy is an outcome- and results-based approach grounded in the fact that sustained and inclusive economic growth is the surest path to poverty alleviation and development. It stresses the need to foster innovation and deploy new technologies to confront global threats, including disease, undernutrition, climate change and other environmental challenges. Our strategy emphasizes country ownership and national responsibility for development — principles that require accountability both from donors and partner countries. We are working with our development partners, United Nations agencies, international institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector towards those goals. As tangible steps in that regard, the United States has introduced major initiatives, including our $63 billion Global Health Initiative and our $3.5 billion Feed the Future Initiative. We were also pleased to announce on 5 October a new $4 billion multi-year pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — a 38 per cent increase in the United States investment over the preceding three years. We were honoured to join the international community as it demonstrated its support for maternal and child health at the 22 September event led by the Secretary-General, and we look forward to working with our partners to implement the strategy. Under agenda item 13, “Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields”, we support the further discussion of best practices and lessons learned in the pursuit of sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, as highlighted in the MDG summit outcome document (resolution 65/2). We look forward to the high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases next fall and support a strong preparatory process, including a development and sector-wide approach with a socio-economic impact; to tackle the prevention, mitigation and treatment of non-communicable diseases. The United States is committed to a successful event and focused, tangible outcomes. The United States continues to urge full implementation of the outcomes of other major United Nations development conferences and summits, including the Millennium Declaration, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the 2005 World Summit Outcome, and the Monterrey Consensus and the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development. With appropriate and needed streamlining of its agenda items, the Economic and Social Council has an important role to play in the follow-up to the outcomes to major United Nations conferences and summits. The strengthening of the annual ministerial review and its focus on key thematic issues related to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals ensured that the Council played a vital role in the MDG summit. The United States is pleased to have joined others this year in making our national voluntary presentation on gender equality and women’s empowerment and to have an opportunity to exchange views, valuable information and experiences with other delegations. While there has been important progress in the follow-up to major conferences and summits, including the Millennium Summit, much more needs to be done. The United States looks forward to continuing the dialogue with other Member States on how to achieve the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves.

My statement will address agenda item 115, “Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit”. Switzerland welcomes this opportunity to go back over the issues of the effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the United Nations development system. Since the publication in 2006 of the report of the High-level Panel on United Nations System-wide Coherence (see A/61/583), great progress has been achieved at both global and national levels in terms of coordination and coherence of United Nations development operations. For example, we can confirm that thanks to the “delivering as one” initiative, United Nations development assistance has become more relevant. Indeed, it has been confirmed through the recent evaluations conducted by the One United Nations pilot countries that the “delivering as one” approach is contributing to renewed Government leadership in United Nations programmes as well as to those programmes being better aligned to national priorities. That is encouraging. But is it enough? As shareholders of the United Nations system, can we now simply sit back and hope for the best? Seeking better coherence and coordination is not enough, nor is it in itself our final objective. We have to continue to work together to optimize development activities through a more efficient and effective United Nations system. To do that, the United Nations operational system needs to improve the way partner capacities are assessed and strengthened, risks are detected and managed, and results are monitored and evaluated. That is why Switzerland will continue to insist on the need to strengthen and harmonize evidence-based programming, monitoring and evaluation systems within and across agencies. In that context, my country awaits with impatience the upcoming review of the experiences of countries that have voluntarily undertaken the reform process. The findings will supplement the experience of the United Nations operational system in the national application of the reform, with a view to the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system in 2012. That will contribute to informed decision-making by Member States on how to keep improving the United Nations system and the reform agenda so as to achieve better development results. The sustained will of Member States is essential to making this reform a success, but it has to go hand in hand with complete commitment of United Nations agencies and strong national leadership. As Member States, we must continue to encourage and guide the system with coherent and action-oriented messages and decisions. Switzerland, for its part, hopes that the individual agencies and the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) as a whole will continue to improve the functioning of the United Nations country teams. We believe that the role of the resident coordinators is essential in that regard. Therefore we urge the UNDG to put in place incentives and selection mechanisms to ensure that the resident coordinators’ positions are granted to the most committed and competent staff in the United Nations agencies. Finally, we are pleased that the system-wide coherence process has shown impressive institutional results, the most prominent of all being the establishment of a new United Nations agency for women. In our view, UN Women presents a real opportunity for the advancement of gender equality worldwide. We have a shared responsibility to provide it with the means that enable it to act effectively. It will fall to the Executive Board to provide it with outstanding operational and technical guidance to ensure that it is able to pursue its mission and contribute to bettering women’s lives.

Qatar is grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate on this agenda item. At the outset, Qatar aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Yemen on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The challenge that we all face is how to implement the resolutions adopted by the United Nations and how to improve the lives of millions of people in the world. We have to concentrate fundamentally on those most vulnerable to danger and poverty. We have to unite to fight increasing poverty, especially in developing countries. We have to work together to implement the world development programme, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), making progress that we can review and compare. Therefore we have to work together to make comprehensive economic growth a goal available to all, especially to the poor, within the framework of the United Nations. We need to concentrate especially on sustainable development and its main pillars, economic, social and environmental. That is our common responsibility, on which the credibility of the United Nations rests. The Monterrey Consensus that we agreed upon in 2002 in Mexico and reaffirmed in 2008 at the Doha Review Conference in Qatar points to certain principal subjects that must be followed up and implemented. We have to study the strategies and practical measures that can help us to implement ongoing progress in this vital sphere. We also have to accelerate progress towards achieving the MDGs. We have to strengthen sustainable growth to enable everyone, including the poor, to participate in and benefit from economic opportunities. That should provide job opportunities and increase incomes. We have to accelerate our efforts to fight poverty and to achieve the MDGs and enhance sustainable development. We have to make use of the international and national efforts already made towards international partnership. That is vital for achieving the progress we all aspire to in this sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly. Two months ago we held the High-level Plenary Meeting on implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, which made clear what we can achieve globally through opportunities and prospects. The Millennium Declaration (resolution 55/2) and other documents, including the Monterrey Consensus, the 2005 Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1) and the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development (resolution 63/239, annex), have all urged us to face the main global challenge, which is to combat poverty and to make the benefits of development available to all. In various parts of the world some progress towards the MDGs has been achieved, but developing countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, have not been able to acquire the means that would allow them to achieve the Goals by 2015. We have marched two thirds of the way to 2015, and the path forward to the MDGs has changed. We in Qatar believe that the main engine for achieving the MDGs will be finding international partnerships and a new, innovative mechanism to help people in the fields of health, education and appropriate and dignified employment for all. The challenges facing us are greater than what was expected at the Monterrey Conference. On a daily basis we find new, unexpected challenges that threaten peace and security, especially in the economic field. The most recent financial crisis happened too fast even for those who are experienced in dealing with such crises. The repercussions of what was called a financial problem in the largest industrial country in the world have affected all the other countries and led to lower levels of productivity and to unemployment. The progress that had been achieved has been reversed. The least developed countries are now even more vulnerable. The financial transfers to those countries have been reduced by half or more in some cases. Even the income of some of the oil-producing developing countries has decreased. The fact is that, besides the issue of debt alleviation, we can say that the amount of real official development assistance (ODA) has been reduced. The challenge is to respect the pledges of the Group of Eight, which seeks to increase ODA by $50 billion and to double assistance to Africa by 2010. I am pleased to mention that although the State of Qatar is a developing country, it has exceeded 0.7 per cent in terms of financial, developmental and humanitarian assistance. We have established rules and regulations to help people in the areas of health, the economy, the environment and the diversity of income. Finally, I would like to say that the State of Qatar has joined the sponsors of draft resolution A/65/L.12.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on draft resolution A/65/L.12, entitled “Sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth for poverty eradication and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”, tabled under agenda item 13. Singapore is pleased to align itself with the statements delivered earlier by Viet Nam on behalf of the 13 Member States that first proposed the draft resolution, and that of the Republic of Korea, on behalf of the draft resolution’s 88 sponsors. Through this draft resolution and its implementation, we hope to encourage a greater emphasis and attention and an exchange of experiences and expertise on the role of economic growth strategies in efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Why? First, there are direct and indirect connections between the eight MDGs; progress in one area often has a positive effect on others. Similarly, we see a basic correlation between sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth and each of the MDGs. Growth is often an indispensable, though insufficient, condition for development. It is what helps generate the long-term national resources for achieving the MDGs. Progress on the MDGs front would in turn help to promote economic growth. For instance, gender equality in all spheres, including in education and the workforce, could help reduce poverty and drive growth. It is therefore useful for countries, in pursuing growth and the MDGs, to take into account that close, complex and often positive relationship in their national development plans and strategies. That may sound like common sense to most. However, in the real world of scarce resources, compartmentalization in policy-making and stovepipe bureaucracies, countries are sometimes presented with a false choice between those goals. Countries should not have to choose, for instance, between environmental sustainability and economic growth. We need to work smarter to find complementarities and achieve both, because there will be no good long-term prospects for one without the other. Secondly, we see benefits in greater cross- regional exchanges of views and expertise on this issue. The United Nations, with its universal membership and the deep expertise and wide reach of its institutions, is well placed to facilitate this exchange. And while the food, fuel and financial crises of recent years have significantly slowed development efforts, key regions have shown strong improvement in niche areas. Africa and Latin America have made great strides towards education and gender equality. Those regions offer valuable lessons for Asia. Countries in Asia would also be keen to participate and offer some of their lessons learned. A key message would be the critical need for national efforts, including pro-growth strategies and supportive social policies aimed at lifting millions out of poverty and hunger. In Asia, national strategies and regional cooperation often go hand in hand. Regional integration has undoubtedly played an important role in boosting trade, investment and development. One example of that regional approach to collective growth is the ASEAN Connectivity Initiative. It seeks to close the gaps in road and rail links and aviation and maritime services in order to allow people, goods and services to flow more freely within the region. In then linking up with the broader East Asian region and international markets, we bring more opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and development to our people. Open markets and free trade are linchpins of Asia’s growth. The region’s belief in the importance of an open international trading system is undiminished despite the fact that the Doha Development Round has stalled. Countries in Asia have embarked on an ambitious series of free trade negotiations, which will, hopefully, bring impetus to global trade talks. On the whole, regional cooperation in the economic, social, political and security spheres have provided a uniquely enabling environment. This regional approach to development, particularly within the context of South-South cooperation, is one that other regions may find relevant. Thirdly, Singapore has worked bilaterally within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Japan and Korea and with others outside of Asia. We have formed partnerships with various organizations of the United Nations system, such as the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the International Maritime Organization, the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization to provide technical assistance to other developing countries in macroeconomic and financial management, urban development, trade and tourism promotion, port management, human resource development, et cetera. With the adoption of this draft resolution and its implementation, Singapore hopes to do more, to learn from other countries and work with them to contribute towards the sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth of all countries.

The focused and effective action of health- care systems was one of the major tasks of the High- level Plenary Meeting this year. Therefore, in my statement, I want to deal with one of the important aspects of this matter, and that is the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In May 2009 the General Assembly adopted a resolution on this issue (resolution 64/265) for the first time. The increasing attention in the United Nations is fully justified: NCDs are one of the most topical problems of global development. Recently we have seen a trend towards rising rates of sickness and mortality from non-communicable diseases in the populations of all countries. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease claim the lives of 36 million people annually, and of those, 9 million are under the age of 60. The lack of effective measures in that area could result in an increase of almost 20 per cent in the incidence of those diseases in developing countries by the year 2015. Also, a decrease in life expectancy and a deterioration in the quality of life goes along with a growing economic burden on both States and households. A direct link has now been proven between the most widespread NCDs and living conditions and lifestyles, in particular the four main risk factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. The possibility of effectively preventing non-communicable diseases by controlling those risk factors has been clearly established. Therefore, bearing in mind the entire range of economic, social, gender, behavioural, environmental and political aspects of the problem, non-communicable diseases can be effectively fought only with a multisectoral approach. A solid foundation for collective work in that area is the WHO 2008-2013 Action Plan for the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non- Communicable Diseases. Resolution 64/265 on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, which calls for a high- level meeting of the General Assembly on the subject in September 2011, is an important step forward. As one of the sponsors of that resolution, Russia supports the initiative for holding a summit and is prepared to participate actively in its preparation. A critical challenge is to agree on the thematic scope, the format and the modalities for the conduct of that event. We trust the capable leaders of the negotiating process, the Permanent Representatives of Luxembourg and Jamaica, to prepare the relevant General Assembly draft resolution. The success of the summit in September 2011 will largely depend on the quality of the organization and the fleshing out of the preparatory process. We believe that a leading role must be played by WHO. We support holding regional consultations under WHO auspices in preparation for the summit, with the participation of the private sector and non- governmental organizations, as well as the preparation of informational and analytical materials and reports, including the first global WHO report on non- communicable diseases. The first global conference on healthy lifestyles and NCDs, to be held at the ministerial level in Moscow from 28 to 30 April 2011, will make an important contribution to advancing the international dialogue on NCD issues, determining priorities for cooperative efforts and achieving agreement on principles. In resolution 64/265 the Assembly took note with appreciation of that initiative by the Government of the Russian Federation. The conference will be organized by the Russian authorities in close cooperation with WHO. Priority attention will be focused on organizing an open, transparent and inclusive preparatory process in very close coordination with WHO and with the broad participation of Member States and international partners. To that end, preparations for the conference will be coordinated by the Russian organizing committee and by the international executive committee, comprised of 22 experts from all regions of the world. The regular meeting of that committee will be held in Oslo tomorrow, 24 November, on the eve of the WHO European consultations on non-communicable diseases. We will need to formulate the goals and issues for the Moscow conference and to discuss its agenda, programme of work, format, and the parameters of the working and final documents. We anticipate that the format of the conference will be a plenary meeting, working meetings and a drafting group, with parallel round tables. A partners forum with the participation of all interested parties will be organized on the margins. At the end of the conference a ministerial declaration will be adopted. Invitations to the Moscow conference on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Director General of WHO will be sent out at the end of November, once agreed to by the executive committee. The invitation will be accompanied by a concept paper, a draft agenda and a draft programme of work for the conference. We are convinced that the conference will make a serious and substantive contribution towards the preparation of the United Nations summit on non- communicable diseases, and we invite all countries to participate actively in the Moscow event.

I will be addressing agenda item 115 this morning. We know that the global burden of disease is changing. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for almost 90 per cent of the disease burden in the European region and for about 60 per cent of all deaths worldwide. Part of the reason for that is that we have been successful in combating communicable diseases, as we have often heard in recent years, and part of the reason is that we live longer than we did a few decades ago. We have also experienced an economic growth that allows more people — regrettably — to pursue unhealthy lifestyles. Tobacco consumption, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and alcohol are key contributing factors. We have increasingly solid data on the situation of NCDs in poor countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mortality from NCDs is going to increase over the next 10 years, most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. It is therefore timely to address NCDs as a global challenge. The considerable progress that has been achieved in global health over the past decade shows that concerted efforts produce results. Child mortality is on the decline, there is better access to vaccines and life- saving antiretrovirals, and the health workforce has been recognized as the most valuable asset of national health systems, not simply an expenditure. However, several of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular those that concern women’s and children’s health and well-being, are still far from being reached and require sustained attention and commitment. That will be particularly important in the next few years as the world enters the final drive to deliver on the MDGs by 2015. In that regard it is important to note that communicable diseases, such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and the conditions that cause maternal and child mortality still constitute a greater share of the burden of disease borne by the poorest segments of populations. Common communicable diseases and malnutrition are still the main causes of high child and maternal mortality in the poorest countries. The MDGs and their focus on poverty must therefore continue to be given top priority by the global community, and the Norwegian Government will certainly do so. It is therefore essential that we move ahead in a way that reinforces national and global public health systems and that we avoid fragmentation and competition for scarce resources. In that regard, there are useful lessons to be drawn from our experience with MDG-related global health initiatives. I would like to focus on a few of them in particular. First, there is the importance of designing international initiatives so that they are driven by countries themselves: national Governments must take the lead. That is particularly important for NCDs because an effective response requires cross-sectoral action, including national legislation and regulation. Secondly, we wish to draw attention to the importance of strengthening national health systems to address infectious and non-communicable diseases holistically: external support should contribute systematically to strengthening national health systems and avoid the fragmentation that we see too often in the health sector. Thirdly, global health initiatives have to a large extent focused on service delivery and individual interventions, and much less on prevention. By forcing us to prioritize health promotion and cross-sectoral action, action to combat NCDs can add significant value through the resulting strengthening of public health functions and the stewardship role of health ministries. Fourthly, from the start, Governments must establish inclusive partnerships with civil society and the private sector. That has been key to success in the AIDS response and has also been our experience in Norway regarding NCDs. Fifthly, it is more true than ever before that money matters — but money alone is not sufficient. Many countries are in constrained economic situations, with public budgets, including those for official development assistance, under severe pressure. The emerging NCD movement is well placed to produce integrated plans, with realistic resource needs, that emphasize value for money and focus on actions that are needed in that phase. In the years leading up to 2015 we must expand the evidence base needed for decision makers; support national leadership and cross- sectoral capacity; and document what works in different contexts. We fully support the WHO Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. It provides an excellent framework for the work ahead. We encourage WHO to continue providing evidence and data in preparation for the High-level Meeting on NCDs in September next year. Later this week, as part of the preparations for the meeting, the Norwegian Government is hosting the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs-WHO regional high- level consultation on NCDs in Oslo. The 53 member States of WHO’s European region have been invited to attend. Next year’s High-level Meeting offers a key opportunity to galvanize Member States into action to reduce premature mortality from NCDs, with particular focus on the developmental challenges faced by developing countries. We look forward to an inclusive meeting involving many partners, where we can agree on near-term actions and on a way to ensure that NCDs in the longer term are aligned with the health MDGs and can support the strengthening of national health systems in an effective and sustained way.

We are pleased to be participating in the debate on the follow-up to the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and the High-level Plenary meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the sixty- fifth session of the General Assembly. We would also like to express our support for draft resolution A/65/L.12 on the follow-up to commitments for the MDGs, which ratifies the outcome document (A/65/1) of the High-level Conference held in September on the MDGs. We also reiterate our support for the outcome document of the thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 and China, held here at the United Nations in New York, on addressing the development challenges facing developing countries. My delegation would also like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his comprehensive report dealing with both the challenges and the progress made in keeping promises and the agreed programme of work for the MDGs in 2015. At the High-level Summit in September in New York, the world’s leaders discussed the implementation of the MDGs and concluded that progress towards achieving Goal 1, namely, eliminating poverty and hunger, is lagging, given that in 2009 there were more than one billion people in the world living in poverty and hunger. We must also step up our efforts to achieve the other two MDGs regarding maternal and child health and work together to make the expected progress. The world leaders also identified the challenges that the international community has been facing during the past few years, such as rises in food prices, the world financial and economic crisis, and the fluctuations in energy prices, as well as other problems that require all States, especially developed countries, to honour their commitments to allocate 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for official development assistance (ODA). In this context, we would like to pay tribute to the donor countries that have committed to 0.7 per cent of their GDP for ODA. Kuwait understands that sustainable development requires national development, and, as such, has drafted a comprehensive national development programme for the period 2010-2014. The plan aims at improving the areas of education, health, human resources, institutions and infrastructure, among others. Nor have we failed in our international commitments ever since we pledged to cooperate with the international community to achieve the lofty MDGs by the deadline, Kuwait has increased its contribution, as well as increasing its assistance to developing countries to 1.31 per cent of our GDP. In regard to Africa and efforts to combat the scourges that affect it, particularly increasing disease and poverty, we have allotted $300 million to the Islamic Development Bank, as well as another $100 million for Kuwait’s decent living fund, aimed at providing rapid food supplies for the needy and increasing harvests and agricultural products, in cooperation with other similar initiatives. Aware of the need to diversify and expand assistance to developing countries, the Emir of Kuwait has implemented a support fund for small and medium- sized enterprises with a capital endowment worth $2 billion. Five hundred million dollars of its capital will be used to create employment opportunities for Arab youth and the fight against poverty. It will also underpin the Kuwait Development Fund by focusing on supporting and financing development and infrastructure projects in more than 100 countries to the tune of some $15 billion. With regard to reviewing the progress towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals, we believe that it is still possible to attain the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 despite the global challenges for the international community. Everyone was unanimous in stating that political will, joint action and respect for the commitments were needed to achieve the Goals. Despite the difficulties hampering the efforts of States to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, we agree with the Secretary-General when he says that the Millennium Development Goals are still possible and achievable, with a view to creating a better world where the gaps resulting from differences and divisions are narrowed and the prospects for cooperation and partnership are widened and where peace and security prevail.

My delegation is honoured to be a sponsor of the draft resolution in document A/65/L.12 on sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, and we look forward to its adoption. This morning, however, I want to comment on the vital issue of non-communicable diseases. As the report transmitted in the Secretary-General’s note (A/65/362) highlights, the global burden of non-communicable diseases constitutes one of the major challenges for development in the twenty-first century, impacting particularly developing countries. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes have emerged as major public health problems, and the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases among poor and vulnerable groups is widening health inequalities within and among countries. In Australia’s own immediate region, non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the Pacific island countries, where they account for over 75 per cent of the deaths every year. The rate of diabetes, in particular in the counties of the Pacific, is among the highest in the world. We should all be warned of the dangers of those diseases, including diabetes. I should say that I wish I had listened to my own doctor. I am a diabetic, and, if I had listened to his warnings at a much earlier stage in my life, I would not face the prospects that I now face. The Australian Agency for International Development is working closely with partner countries in our region to lower the incidence and impact of non- communicable disease, including through strengthening national health systems, scaling up preventative health and health promotion programmes and improving access to health services. In Nauru, for example, Australia has supported the development of legislation to address the risk factors for non-communicable diseases, including, in particular, through a new tobacco bill; in Samoa, we support a programme of health promotion and disease prevention at the community and institutional levels; and in Tonga, we are working to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors, in particular, obesity and tobacco use. Australia is very encouraged that health issues are being given an increasingly high priority on the United Nations agenda. At the launch of the Secretary- General’s Global Strategy on Women’s and Children’s Health during the Millennium Development Goals summit in September, we committed to scaling up our efforts to tackle maternal and child health internationally (see A/65/PV.9), and we will, in fact, spend an additional $1.6 billion over the next five years to contribute to that project. In June 2011, 10 years after the United Nations first special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, we will gather to review progress and reaffirm our commitment to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases in September will provide a timely opportunity to consider how to scale up our actions to prevent and control non-communicable diseases. There are many steps that we can take to reduce the risk factors and improve access to health care for those affected by non-communicable diseases, and it is crucial that the challenge be given greater attention in national health plans and development strategies. We must also recognize the chronic nature of such diseases, and that multisectoral efforts will be required over many years before we see a change in the incidence of non-communicable diseases. Australia, for its part, will do what it can to help reduce the global burden of non-communicable diseases. We very much welcome the initiative to hold the high-level meeting in September next year, and we will continue to play a constructive role in the preparations for that meeting.

I wonder if I might crave the President’s indulgence for a moment and express thanks to the many delegations that have conveyed sympathy and concern to New Zealand at the plight of the 29 trapped miners. We are grateful for the thoughts and prayers conveyed to us by many delegations at this very difficult time. On 19 October 2010, this General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the outcome of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (resolution 65/1). Today, we debate the follow-up to that resolution. In its statement on 20 September 2010 at that High- level Plenary Meeting, New Zealand expressed the view that better, faster progress towards the Millennium Development Goals is achievable (see A/65/PV.4). We stressed the need to place a higher premium on outcomes and cooperation. We noted that more money alone would not solve all the problems and that a much greater focus on aid effectiveness was required. We also highlighted the connection between the MDGs and sustainable economic development, which is a priority for New Zealand’s own aid programme. Those points have been well captured within the MDG outcome document, which was endorsed by the General Assembly last month. They are critical to advancing our commitment to achieving the MDGs and, as such, I suggest that outcomes, cooperation and aid effectiveness should be central to our debate today. We are acutely aware that, of the eight MDGs, MDG 4 and MDG 5 on health and MDG 3 on gender are the most challenging. I come from the South Pacific — a region that is second only to sub-Saharan Africa in terms of the lack of progress towards achieving the MDGs. While infant and child mortality rates have improved in most Pacific island countries, maternal deaths have increased in Papua New Guinea, for instance, and achieving universal access to reproductive health and gender equality continues to elude many Pacific island countries. The MDG High-level Plenary outcome document sets out very clear steps to guide us in keeping the promise to achieve the MDGs. For its part, New Zealand intends to work harder on donor coordination, for example, through our Cairns Compact engagement, in order to focus more on results and practical interventions that improve economic and social well- being. Without detracting from any other MDG-related issues, I should highlight a relevant health and development concern that is exercising New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours, that is, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, referred to in two paragraphs of the outcome document, namely, paragraph 73 (k), which calls for strengthening the effectiveness of health systems and proven interventions to address evolving health challenges such as the increased incidence of non-communicable diseases; and paragraph 76 (i), which calls for concerted action and a coordinated response at the national, regional and global levels to adequately address the developmental and other challenges posed by non-communicable diseases, namely, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. In New Zealand, cancer and heart disease are the main causes of death, and disparities between ethnic groups are particularly worrying — notably among our Maori and Pasifika populations. In the Pacific, more than 70 per cent of deaths are due to non-communicable diseases, and rates of non-communicable disease-related blindness, disability and renal failure are also increasing. In response to the growing burden of non- communicable diseases globally, the New Zealand Aid Programme and New Zealand researchers and scientists have been working collaboratively with partners to find solutions to stem that epidemic and avoid the dire social and economic consequences that can ensue. Earlier this year, New Zealand co-sponsored the resolution in which the General Assembly decided to hold a high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in September 2011. New Zealand is committed to engaging actively and productively in all the processes relating to that meeting, including negotiations on the resolution on modalities that are currently under way. New Zealand stands committed and ready to play its part in assisting the global community in addressing the challenge presented by chronic, non-communicable diseases, in addressing the equally chronic and associated cycles of debt and illness, and thus, in achieving more equitable human development.

At the outset, I would like to add my voice to the others in extending our sympathies to New Zealand for the situation of the trapped miners. In addition, our heartfelt condolences go to the Government and people of Cambodia for the significant number of tragic deaths in the stampede that has been reported in today’s media. My delegation wishes to thank the President for organizing today’s joint debate on agenda items 13, 115 and 120. The issues they deal with are central to our collective efforts to strengthen the United Nations system and even more relevant for the theme that the President has chosen for the current session of the General Assembly, namely, “Reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance”. India has all along emphasized that sustaining economic growth is key for poverty eradication. It is also imperative that the fruits of development reach across the board and result in inclusive growth and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. We are, therefore, happy to co-sponsor draft resolution A/65/L.12, entitled “Sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth for poverty eradication and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”, for adoption by the General Assembly later today. In that regard, we recognize the crucial role of the Economic and Social Council in pushing for a comprehensive development agenda at the United Nations through an integrated and coordinated approach. We align ourselves with the statement by the Chairperson of the Group of 77 and China on the 2010 Human Development report of the World Health Organization (WHO), which I will now address. Like many other countries, India is also undergoing epidemiologic transition with the initial high burden of disease and mortality owing to infectious diseases gradually giving way to non-communicable diseases, injuries and geriatric problems as the main burden of disease. It is estimated that 42 per cent of all deaths in India today are due to non-communicable diseases, and we have lost millions of potentially productive years of life, owing to premature deaths caused by cardiovascular disease in the 35 to 64 year-old age group. That also illustrates the enormity of the challenge we face. There is also emerging evidence that poor people are particularly vulnerable to non-communicable diseases, owing to high rates of smoking and tobacco use, occupational risks, and living conditions. The Government of India has accorded very high priority to health care in our country. Our flagship National Rural Health Mission is using innovative and decentralized approaches to public health with strong involvement of local communities. The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also formulated various national programmes for non-communicable diseases, including national programmes for the prevention and control of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cerebral vascular diseases, as well as the National Cancer Control Programme and the National Mental Health Programme. While obviously much is being invested in the prevention and health promotion side, we need, of course, to tackle the need for affordable treatment. With non-communicable diseases becoming a major issue globally, it is imperative that policies with regard to access to safe drugs also ensure their affordability for all. We look forward to the high- level meeting of the General Assembly in September 2011, as it will give us an opportunity to bring global attention to this important and growing developmental challenge. My delegation also welcomes the report of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) on the selection and conditions of service of executive heads in the United Nations system organizations. It is a long overdue evaluation of the legal and institutional framework and practices followed in the selection and appointment of such senior officials. We are firmly of the view that the relevant legislative bodies, whether it be the General Assembly, in the case of the Secretary-General, or the governing bodies, as in the case of the funds, programmes and specialized agencies, should have a greater role in such appointments. My delegation has repeatedly voiced our strong support for a greater say on the part of the General Assembly in the process of selection of the Secretary-General, most recently in the context of our discussion on the revitalization of the General Assembly. The report of the JIU should give an impetus to the discussion among Member States to enhance the role of the General Assembly in selection of the Secretary-General. The situation is not much different in the case of executive heads of the funds and programmes. The process of consulting the governing bodies must involve real engagement with Member States. We would not like to see it reduced to a mere pro forma exercise, which is, regretfully, the case at present, with Member States given unrealistically tight time frames to react to the Secretary-General’s recommendations. My delegation believes the JIU has offered useful recommendations on the selection and conditions of service of executive heads in the United Nations system. It supports the objective of making the process and system more transparent, effective, and accountable by involving its principal stakeholders. We urge Member States to give it careful consideration.

In accordance with General Assembly resolution 57/32 of 19 November 2002, I now call on the observer of the Inter- Parliamentary Union.

The subject of today’s joint debate is too vast to be covered satisfactorily in a single statement. At the same time, this may not be the time and place to recount in any great detail the actual, concrete work that the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) is doing in follow-up to major United Nations conferences, much of which we have covered in other recent statements or is reflected in the biennial report of the United Nations Secretary- General on cooperation between the United Nations, national parliaments and the IPU. I will thus focus my remarks on one issue that, by and large, remains critical to the follow-up and implementation of global commitments emanating from major United Nations conferences, namely the issue of national ownership. Global commitments by definition are binding primarily on Governments, but they become tangible only when all stakeholders are made to feel involved and empowered to play their role. That in turn requires that national actors comprehend what is at stake, the various ramifications of the commitments taken, the policy prescriptions that are embedded in those commitments, and the specific actions that must be undertaken to help Governments make good on their promises here at the United Nations. Our experience over the last few years tells us that there must be more buy-in at the national level for global commitments to take hold. Parliaments provide a case in point on how necessary that is and how it can be achieved. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which originated with the Millennium Declaration (resolution 55/2), are, of course, very high on our agenda, but the action of the IPU extends to other issues as well, from HIV and AIDS to the least developed countries (LDCs), climate change and trade, to mention a few. To support parliamentary engagement on those issues, the IPU employs several modalities — some well tried and consecrated, others more innovative, which we hope to put to the test in the coming years. There is a growing practice on the part of Member States to include legislators in national delegations to major United Nations conferences and reviews. On such occasions, we find that there is value in bringing those members of parliament (MPs) together to exchange ideas and experiences and identify avenues for follow-up action within their parliaments back home. A recent illustration of that was a parliamentary meeting at the MDG Summit, where some 70 members of parliament from relevant select committees met to examine the Summit outcome document and to compare notes on their own work in relation to the MDGs. Similarly, the IPU will be holding a one-day parliamentary meeting on climate change on 6 December in Cancún, building on the positive and substantive exercise last year in Copenhagen on the occasion of the fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Within the IPU’s regular programme of work, briefings and panel discussions are held at IPU conferences and assemblies, where members engage with United Nations officials and among themselves in preparation for or in follow-up to major United Nations processes. A recent example of that is a thematic session held last month at the 123rd IPU Assembly in Geneva within the Committee on United Nations Affairs and with the participation of the United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, which sought to elicit the views of parliamentarians on their concerns and priorities with respect to a new programme of action for the LDCs. The outcome of that debate, also circulated here among United Nations Member States, will help inform the IPU contribution to the process leading up to the Istanbul Summit next year. Another modality whereby the IPU seeks to advance the implementation of major global commitments is directed at enhancing the capacity and institutional mechanisms for parliaments to mainstream the outcomes of international conferences and related commitments. Earlier this year, for example, the IPU conducted a comparative study on how parliaments as institutions deal with the MDGs. The results varied greatly, from parliaments that have no particular follow-up mechanism to parliaments that have set up specialized MDG committees or caucuses. One of the findings of the study is that huge global agendas, such as the MDGs, which cut across many policy areas, are best pursued through established committees of parliaments, such as health, education or the environment, and that those committees must be provided with the necessary information and expertise. The parliamentary committees are a home for the MDGs, provided that they do not work in isolation from one another. If a specialized committee or caucus for the MDGs needs to be established, one of its main functions is precisely to help ensure coherence and coordination throughout the parliamentary system when developing an integrated approach to the MDGs. Another area of particular importance for the IPU has to do with the type of role that parliaments can and should play in the review of implementation of existing international commitments. When dealing with national reviews of progress towards meeting the MDGs or international commitments in the area of the LDCs or HIV and AIDS, it is helpful when progress reports are also placed on the agendas of parliaments. Perhaps one of the most successful mechanisms that we have been able to develop thus far involves the United Nations human rights treaty body system, and in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). In that case, the IPU works with the parliaments of the countries under review, so that they can take part in the review process at the national level, provide input to the national report, attend the session of the CEDAW Committee and receive the United Nations findings for further consideration and action by the parliament concerned. We feel that that exercise is one that can be replicated in other areas as well. In conclusion, from our perspective, another way to look at the question of follow-up to United Nations conferences is through the larger prism of how the United Nations as a system engages with national parliaments and with the IPU. What we have described now is just one dimension of a much larger debate that we can expect to have in this Hall in just a few weeks’ time. Please allow me to take this opportunity to remind delegations that a draft resolution on cooperation between the two organizations has been tabled on the basis of a very substantive report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. We invite all delegations to consider that report for a more comprehensive overview of how we are working to support the implementation of global commitments at both the policy and the operational levels.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this agenda item. The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/65/L.12, entitled “Sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth for poverty eradication and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat to announce the additional co-sponsors.

I should like to announce that, in addition to the sponsors listed in draft resolution A/65/L.12 and those announced by the representative of the Republic of Korea when he introduced the draft resolution, the following countries have also become sponsors of A/65/L.12: Guyana, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino and Ukraine.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.12? Draft resolution A/65/L.12 was adopted (resolution 65/10).

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda items 13, 115 and 120.

I take this opportunity to express our sincere condolences to the Government and the people of Cambodia for the tragic loss of life in the stampede on a bridge during the water festival yesterday. It is now my privilege to introduce draft resolution A/65/L.8, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”, dated 29 October 2010, at this year’s session on behalf of the sponsors. Since the drafting of the draft resolution, the following countries have joined the list of sponsors: Afghanistan, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, El Salvador, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Peru, Qatar, Russian Federation, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey and Viet Nam. Since 2001, this draft resolution has been submitted and adopted each year by consensus. That shows the commitment of the entire global community to making the world safe for future generations. Here, let me quote from the statement delivered by our Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, at this year’s general debate of the United Nations: “Our unflinching commitment to peace finds expression in our annual flagship Assembly resolution on the culture of peace. Recent years have shown an extraordinary record of sponsorships because of the reference to International Mother Language Day. Ever since the Day was adopted by UNESCO in recognition of the language martyrs who gave their lives in 1952 for Bangla, their mother tongue, it has been celebrated throughout the world with growing fervour every year.” (A/65/PV.17, p. 17) Given that backdrop, it is important to continue dialogue among civilizations and to create a mindset and environment of tolerance, respect for diversity and cultural values, since most conflicts and wars begin at the level of the heart. It is therefore necessary to solidify and strengthen a sense of tolerance and sensitivity, and a strong relationship between different cultures, ethnicities, languages and civilizations for the betterment of all. In that regard, I would like to mention Bangladesh’s modest initiative, the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001- 2010) (resolution 53/25). Bangladesh will continue to play a constructive role in that area. The culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts through dialogue among individuals, groups and nations. We firmly believe that a world order informed by a culture of peace is conducive to the attainment of our development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. We see great value in the principles of tolerance, respect for diversity, democracy and understanding. Those ideals were endorsed by Member States in the 1999 Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (resolution 53/243). Bangladesh had the privilege of steering that process. As we come to the end of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace, we should start taking stock of what we have achieved since it began. I believe that that 10-year exercise has had some impact on our psyche in making a peaceful world for all, especially for the children of the future, and that in the days ahead we should focus on implementation. The Programme of Action enjoys universal support. I sincerely believe that the draft resolution before us will advance a culture of peace in eight areas of cooperation. One of the areas that should be stressed is that of raising public awareness and disseminating public information about a culture of peace. The Department of Public Information should launch a special information strategy for its promotion. For that purpose, we believe that the Department needs adequate resources at its disposal. At the national level, individual Governments can work to promote a culture of peace, using both the print and electronic media, in collaboration with the relevant ministries. Proper coordination among the various United Nations agencies is vital. In particular, we welcome the fact that the UNESCO Executive Board will provide a specific budget to that end. We call on the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to reflect a culture of peace strategy through relevant programmes of action at the country level. As the coordinator of the Non-Aligned Movement caucus (NAM) on the Commission, we have raised the subject repeatedly, all the more so since the NAM Summits have endorsed it. We wish to express our profound gratitude to all the stakeholders who have contributed, and are contributing, to the promotion of a culture of peace. Special thanks go to UNESCO, the lead agency in carrying out programmes promoting the idea all over the world. Our sincere thanks also go to the non- governmental organizations and members of civil society who are taking the idea of a culture of peace around the world. We commend the submission of the Civil Society Report on the Decade for a Culture of Peace, in particular the role of the Working Group on the Culture of Peace at the United Nations. In that quest, academics and the media also have an important role to play. We need to involve young people and children in the process. We should first listen to them and then take appropriate measures for the betterment of their lives. There have been some changes in this year’s draft resolution on the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. We have added three new preambular paragraphs and one new paragraph, as well as amending five other paragraphs. In the new fourteenth preambular paragraph, we welcome the summary report of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization High Panel on Peace and Dialogue among Cultures, convened by UNESCO’s Director-General on 18 February, as contained in document A/65/299. In the new seventeenth preambular paragraph, we encourage the continued and increasing efforts and activities on the part of civil society organizations throughout the world aimed at advancing the culture of peace as envisaged in the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Of the five amended paragraphs, paragraph 1 states that the objective of the effective implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace is to strengthen further the global movement for a culture of peace following the observance of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010), and calls on all concerned to give renewed attention to that objective. Amended paragraph 11 welcomes the efforts undertaken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to continue to enhance communication and outreach, including through its culture of peace website, along with its efforts to coordinate and implement its activities to promote the objectives of the International Decade at the regional and global levels. Immediately after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the father of our nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, pursued a policy of friendship towards all and malice towards none in the conduct of the country’s international relations. That principle has always guided us in our relations with countries around the globe, especially our neighbours. Our peacekeepers are assisting United Nations peacekeeping operations, even at the cost of their lives in difficult terrain in various parts of the world in the simple pursuit of peace. They also carry the idea of the culture of peace in their hearts and are putting the idea into action. As a member of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, we are discharging our responsibilities there with those same ideas in mind. We believe that a culture of peace holds the key to sustainable peace in post-conflict societies. Even in societies that are enjoying peace or apparent peace, we have to nurture that idea, so that no one can even consider violating the peace. In conclusion, I would like to extend our profound gratitude to all the Member States that have shown their solidarity by co-sponsoring this annual draft resolution over the last 10 years. Last year, we had as many as 118 sponsors, and I hope this year the number of sponsors will be even higher. The increase in the number of sponsors in each successive year has been a matter of great encouragement to the delegation of Bangladesh. In view of the time constraints, the current draft resolution was not able to enjoy the endorsement of more sponsors. I would request my colleagues from other Missions to co-sponsor the draft resolution by providing their valuable endorsement to it now.

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/65/L.8, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.8? Draft resolution A/65/L.8 was adopted (resolution 65/11).

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 15.

I have the honour to introduce under agenda item 73 draft resolution A/65/L.13, entitled “Report of the International Criminal Court”. Let me begin by saying that, in addition to the 85 countries mentioned in document A/65/L.13, which contains the text of the draft resolution, the following countries have indicated their wish to be included as its sponsors: Bangladesh, Barbados, Botswana, Central African Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, Japan, Mauritius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal and Uruguay, which brings the total number of sponsors to exactly 100. On 28 October 2010, the President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, presented the sixth annual report of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to this body. Subsequently, we had a very constructive and in-depth debate, a few elements of which I would like to mention here. First, in order to ensure the Court’s success, universal adherence to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court remains crucial. We are therefore pleased to welcome the countries that have recently become a party to the Rome Statute — Bangladesh, Seychelles, Saint Lucia and the Republic of Moldova. The addition of those new parties brings the total number of States that have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute to 114. It is our sincere hope that others will join soon. Secondly, the debate on 28 and 29 October made it clear once again that the establishment of the Court was the most significant development of the last decade in our long and ongoing struggle to eradicate impunity, a struggle that still continues. Considerable attention was given to the landmark event of this year, the Review Conference of the Rome Statute, which was held from 31 May to 11 June in Kampala. The main outcome of the Conference was the adoption of amendments to the Rome Statute that sought to define the crime of aggression and establish conditions under which the Court could exercise jurisdiction with respect to that crime. The participation of the Secretary-General, who convened and opened the Conference, and several high-level United Nations officials served as a powerful reminder of the strong connection between the United Nations and the Court. Thirdly, the International Criminal Court’s annual report and the debate in the General Assembly underlined the role of the Court in our common efforts to build an international community characterized, not only by the rule of law and respect for human rights, but also by peace and security. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved if perpetrators of the most serious crimes are not brought to justice. Peace and justice are complementary and both are necessary. The fourth element I would like to highlight is a fact that the President of the ICC drew attention to, namely, that, despite the recent successful arrest of an accused, the situation with respect to the outstanding arrest warrants is deeply troubling. The Court is completely reliant on State cooperation in the enforcement of its orders and decisions. If States do not provide the cooperation necessary for the Court’s functioning in accordance with their legal obligations, it will not be able to fulfil its mandate, and impunity will continue to flourish. The cooperation of States, international organizations and civil society is essential to the Court’s functioning, not only in relation to the arrest and surrender of accused persons, but also in relation to the provision of evidence, the protection and relocation of victims and witnesses, and the enforcement of sentences. We are therefore pleased that the United Nations has continued over the past year to assist the Court in its endeavours through implementation of the Relationship Agreement. We also welcome the assistance provided so far by States parties and non-States parties and call on all States to continue to support the Court’s efforts in that respect. Last but not least, it was stressed during the debate that the hallmark of the Court is its independence and its judicial nature. At the same time, that judicial institution operates within a political world, and it needs States to cooperate with it while also respecting, protecting and enhancing its judicial independence. The draft resolution before us serves three main objectives. First, the draft resolution serves to provide political support for the International Criminal Court as an organization, for its mandate and aims, and for the work it is carrying out. Secondly, it serves to underline the importance of the relationship between the Court and the United Nations on the basis of the Relationship Agreement, as both the United Nations and the Court have a central role in enhancing the system of international criminal justice. Finally, the draft resolution serves to remind States and international and regional organizations of the need to cooperate with the Court in carrying out its tasks. The Netherlands hopes that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus and that it will lead to even greater support for the International Criminal Court in the fight against impunity and in its attempts to hold perpetrators of very serious crimes accountable for their actions.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/65/L.13, entitled “Report of the International Criminal Court”. Before giving the floor to speakers in explanation of vote before the vote, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

My delegation would like to take this opportunity to dissociate itself from draft resolution A/65/L.13 on the report of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the following reasons. Principally, the Sudan is not a member of the Rome Statute and I would therefore like to remind this body of the provisions of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which clearly exempts States that are not party to an international treaty from being bound by legal obligations under that treaty. Having carefully studied the sixth annual report of the International Criminal Court, which covers the period from 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010 (A/65/313) and on which the proposed draft resolution is based, my delegation was greatly disappointed at the distorted information regarding my country contained in that report. We believe those unfounded allegations are baseless, lack strong legal justification and must therefore be seen as politically motivated. However, it is precisely the International Criminal Court’s partiality and its politicization and double standards under the guise of administering international justice that have made my country adamant in refusing to cooperate with the Court. The referral of the case of Darfur by the Security Council to the Court was heavily influenced by political considerations on the part of some countries and not based on legal reasoning. The Security Council is a political organ, and it will be fit to refer cases to any relevant international legal institutions only when it has been reformed and its composition is truly reflective of the four corners of the world, based on equitable geographical representation, which include granting Africa two permanent seats with all the privileges that come with being a permanent member. The Sudan played an instrumental role in the initial drafting of the Rome Statute, which eventually led to the formation of the International Criminal Court, and the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998. The behaviour and practices of the International Criminal Court to date are contrary to the principles, objectives and spirit on which the Court was founded. It is to be recalled that, during the early stages of establishment of the Court, my country sounded the alarm about the possible politicization of legal issues by the Court and voiced concern that the relationship between the Court and the Security Council, in accordance with article 13 (b) of the Rome Statute, could be used and monopolized by some countries as a Trojan horse in order to advance their own political interests, with the possibility of violating the norms and customs of international law. Today, our predictions, made after the initial drafting of what became the Rome Statute, have come true. The selectivity of justice and the double standards shown by the Court in respect of Africa have generated condemnation from the highest political organ of a leading regional organization. The Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League and the African union have issued statements and resolutions condemning the Court and its Pre-Trial Chamber for issuing the so-called arrest warrant. Decision 245 (XIII) of the Assembly of the African Union explicitly and unequivocally states in paragraph 10 that African Union member States “shall not cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the ICC relating to immunities, for the arrest and surrender of President Omar El Bashir of the Sudan”. It has created the perception that the Court is not a neutral institution legally speaking, but is indeed heavily politicized, which therefore politicizes the concept of justice as well. Without a shadow of a doubt, that politicization of the concept of justice will eventually lead to the militarization of international relations and disregard for multilateralism, along with the erosion of the commitment to the United Nations Charter and the cardinal principles of international law. The targeting of some African heads of State and other African officials entitled to jurisdictional immunity is an affront to the sovereign equality of African States. That affront will lead to injustice and undue harassment of African dignitaries and will constrain the capability and competence of African States to act as subjects of international law with international legal personalities that enable them to conduct foreign affairs and participate in international affairs. It is of imperative importance to note that the International Court of Justice has, in some instances, reaffirmed the rights of diplomatic immunity as a cardinal principle of customary international law. Nevertheless, the Court is of the contrary view with regard to the immunity of heads of State, which is evident in last year’s report of the International Criminal Court (A/64/356), in which the Court stated that the status of the President of the Republic of the Sudan, His Excellency Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir, “as Head of a State not party to the Rome Statute had no effect on the Court’s exercise of jurisdiction” (para. 15). That statement contradicts the provisions of article 98, paragraph 1, of the Rome Statute, which states that “The Court may not proceed with a request for surrender or assistance which would require the requested State to act inconsistently with its obligations under international law with respect to the State or diplomatic immunity of a person or property of a third State, unless the Court can first obtain the cooperation of that third State for the waiver of the immunity.” The Court has also blatantly ignored the sovereignty of the Sudanese State by acting unilaterally to waive the President’s immunity before seeking the consent of that State, as required under article 98 of the Rome Statute. The statement by the Court regarding the exercise of its jurisdiction upon an acting head of State without obtaining cooperation from the State concerned clearly demonstrates the excessive and abusive powers vested in the Prosecutor of the Court. The ICC Prosecutor has become a law unto himself and even an interpreter of the provisions of the Rome Statute according to his own wishes, without due consideration for the norms and practices of international law, peace and security. It is precisely because of that unchecked power of the Prosecutor that the ICC is in danger of substituting the tyranny of Government for the rule of judges.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of vote before the vote. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/65/L.13. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.13? Draft resolution A/65/L.13 was adopted (resolution 65/12).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 73? It was so decided. Programme of work The Acting President: I should like to consult members regarding an extension for the work of the Second Committee. Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 17 September 2010, the General Assembly approved the recommendation of the General Committee that the Second Committee would complete its work by Tuesday, 23 November 2010. However, the President of the General Assembly has been informed by the Chairperson of the Second Committee that the Committee will not be able to finish its work by today, 23 November 2010. It is my understanding that the Committee will need to meet until Wednesday, 1 December 2010. May I therefore take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Second Committee until Wednesday, 1 December 2010? It was so decided.

I would also like to inform members that the consideration of agenda item 117, “Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations”, and agenda item 118, “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, scheduled for Thursday, 2 December 2010, has been postponed to Monday, 6 December 2010. I also wish to remind delegations that they are invited to complete the survey of conference services in order to improve the quality of services provided by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. The survey may be accessed until Monday, 13 December 2010 from a number of United Nations websites, including the General Assembly website. More information in this regard can be found in the United Nations Journal.