A/65/PV.64 General Assembly

On behalf of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), I am very pleased to have this opportunity to report to the Assembly on the cooperative activities undertaken by AALCO over the past two years. The Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization is the institutional outcome of the historic Bandung Conference, held in 1955. It is composed of 47 African and Asian member States that have been working together over the past 54 years, notwithstanding their different economic, social, cultural, political and legal systems. The role of Asian- African countries in making, shaping and transforming international law has been greatly enhanced as a result. Since its establishment in 1956, AALCO has been consistently working towards the progressive development of international law and strengthening the rule of law in international affairs. As an advisory body to its 47 members, it ensures interregional cooperation and exchanges of information and views on matters of common concern in international legal matters. In these areas, AALCO closely follows the work of the General Assembly, the International Law Commission (ILC), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the specialized agencies. AALCO has enjoyed permanent observer status at the United Nations since 1980, when the General Assembly recognized the importance of AALCO's work, particularly in the development of the law of the sea, and invited AALCO to participate in the work of the United Nations. AALCO has endeavoured to complement and supplement the work of the United Nations ever since. In August 2009, the States members of AALCO decided to revitalize and strengthen the work of the organization. The Putrajaya Declaration adopted in Malaysia for this purpose states, in part: “We are determined to act positively and cooperate fully in order to shape our future, advocating a new system of international relations that is both democratic and representative of all — inclusive of developing countries — based on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respect for the sovereign equality of nations.” AALCO held an extraordinary session in 2008 and annual sessions in Malaysia, in 2009, and in Tanzania, in 2010. A series of intersessional meetings, seminars, training programmes and workshops were also organized to focus on various aspects of international law as reflected in its work programme. I would now like to highlight some of the activities undertaken by AALCO in the field of international law, beginning with its work relating to the International Law Commission. Under its statute, AALCO is required to examine subjects that are under consideration by the International Law Commission and thereafter to forward the views of its members to the Commission. The fulfilment of this mandate over the years has helped to foster a closer relationship between the two bodies. It has also become customary for both bodies to be represented at each other's sessions. In 2007, the General Assembly invited Member States, in association with regional organizations and members of the Commission, to convene national or regional meetings dedicated to the work of the Commission. In response, AALCO organized a seminar to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the International Law Commission. Discussions were held on the role of the ILC in the twenty-first century, strengthening Asian-African solidarity in the ILC, and ensuring adequate reflection of Asian-African concerns in the work of the ILC. A special debate was organized in 2010 on making AALCO's participation in the work of the ILC more effective and meaningful. Among the issues discussed, AALCO members recognized in particular the importance of responding in a timely fashion to the questionnaires from the ILC on topics under consideration. The work of the ILC was also the subject of a panel discussion held at United Nations Headquarters in November. The Chair of the Sixth Committee, together with ILC members, took part in the discussion. Among the issues discussed was how to bring matters of common concern to Asian and African countries before the Commission. In this connection, AALCO plans to organize a series of meetings at United Nations Headquarters in the spring of 2011 to introduce candidates from Africa and Asia for the forthcoming elections of members of the ILC and the International Court of Justice. Each meeting will be devoted to a topic or theme, and candidates will be invited to express their views thereon. Turning to the subject of international criminal law and the International Criminal Court (ICC), AALCO attaches high importance to the subject of international criminal jurisdiction. In order to facilitate the participation of its member States in the Kampala Review Conference of the Rome Statute, AALCO convened a seminar and a round-table meeting of experts. The outcomes of those meetings were presented at the Kampala Review Conference. Special meetings were also organized to focus on the principle of complementarity and the crime of aggression. Member States, as well as representatives of the ICC and the International Committee of the Red Cross, took part in the deliberations. AALCO is concerned over the subject of trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, which has become a serious transnational organized crime. It affects national security and human rights and caters to illicit transnational migration. In 2009, AALCO established an open-ended group to study the issue of mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. A workshop on trafficking in persons, the smuggling of migrants and international cooperation was also organized in collaboration with the Government of Malaysia. Another area that AALCO has been considering for more than three decades is the law of environment and sustainable development. Our current area of concern is the emerging legal architecture to combat climate change beyond 2012. Member States emphasize that the ongoing negotiations must be conducted within the existing framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. We were extremely pleased to learn of the significant achievements made in Cancún, as just reported by the Secretary-General. We also wish to congratulate the Government of Mexico on its presidency of the Conference. The law of the sea constitutes an important element of the work programme of AALCO. It is widely recognized that AALCO played an active part in the development of the law of the sea and made a significant contribution to the emergence of the concept of exclusive economic zones. Mr. Ould Hadrami (Mauritania), Vice-President, took the Chair. At a recent one-day special meeting on the law of the sea, organized jointly with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea, the principal themes of the discussion were maritime security and piracy, and the delimitation of maritime boundaries. Recognizing that piracy constitutes a threat to international trade and maritime safety and transportation, AALCO members are of the view that a balanced, fair and effective legal regime must soon be put in place. This regime should be able to apprehend, investigate and prosecute alleged criminals in accordance with due process of law. However, such a regime should not place an undue burden on the States in the affected areas. A resolution was adopted encouraging AALCO to make a contribution to this endeavour. I now turn to the dissemination of international law. AALCO organized a regional training exercise on treaty law and practice in cooperation with the Government of Indonesia and the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs. Such training programmes are designed to improve awareness of the issues involved in conducting negotiations in treaty-making and related aspects of international law. All of these activities are intended to strengthen our relationship with the United Nations, in particular in the area of the progressive development of international law. AALCO pays tribute to the work of the General Assembly and strongly supports this organ in upholding its universal character and democratic approach. Member States and regional and other organizations need to work cooperatively to address global challenges. Exchanging information and sharing experiences is particularly important for this purpose. For the betterment of peoples across the world, may all our efforts be fruitful. We look forward to the continued guidance and leadership of the President of the General Assembly.

In accordance with resolution 477 (V) of 1 November 1950, I now call on the Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States.

At the outset, I would like to commend the President of the General Assembly for his leadership and guidance of the work of the General Assembly. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, submitted to the General Assembly in document A/65/382. Cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations is based on the League’s Charter. Its dual purpose is to maintain peace and security and to organize economic and social relations with a view to achieving the common goals and purposes of the two organizations. With regard to international peace and security, the League of Arab States continues to follow developments in the Sudan. The secretariat of the Arab League has continued to cooperate with United Nations bodies in monitoring the electoral process throughout the provinces of the Sudan. In implementation of the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, the League of Arab States will participate in the monitoring of the referendum on self-determination in Southern Sudan, in cooperation with the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and participating international and regional organizations. The Arab League continues to devote extensive efforts in support of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur in its role in promoting development, voluntary returns and reconciliation in Darfur. The Arab League also continues its efforts to resolve the crisis in Somalia in cooperation with the Somali Transitional Federal Government, as well as international and regional organizations, with a view to achieving comprehensive reconciliation and strengthening peace and security in Somalia. We participate in the International Contact Group on Somalia and in conferences addressing the reconstruction of that country. The Arab League also participates in the working groups relating to the fight against piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. The Arab League has also participated in the efforts of the international community to reach a settlement to the parliamentary crisis in the Comoros. Based on those international efforts, the parties to the dispute were able to reach agreement on the holding of presidential and gubernatorial elections in the country in November and December 2010, with the provision of an interim period until the elected official assume office. Moreover, through high-level delegations, the Arab League has participated in the meetings of the technical committees pertaining to Iraq and in monitoring the Iraqi elections. We have also helped coordinate meetings with international monitoring teams, including that of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. In all its actions pertaining to Iraq, the Arab League takes care to consult and coordinate directly with the United Nations. It also participated in monitoring the parliamentary elections in Lebanon through an organizational meeting attended by United Nations representatives and other international observers. The League continues to cooperate with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, including by organizing a seminar in Cairo in June 2010 under the rubric “Towards an arms trade treaty”. The seminar achieved its desired goals. It allowed Arab States to consider the latest developments on the drafting of a legally binding international arms trade treaty, and identified the international parties that support such an agreement and the priorities, opinions and concerns of Arab countries in this regard. With regard to increasing cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League in the peaceful settlement of disputes, the two organizations have recently exchanged information in fields of common interest, most notably conflict prevention and early warning, peacebuilding and peacekeeping. The Arab League looks forward to continuing this cooperation and to strengthening it in the near future in order to develop the functions and mechanisms of the Arab Peace and Security Council. This will include creating a databank and an early warning mechanism to help develop Arab action in conflict areas where the Arab League is working in cooperation with the United Nations. The Arab League has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme and the European External Action Service establishing an early warning facility at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo similar to that which exists at the European Union. The three organizations are working to formulate a trilateral memorandum of understanding that would bolster the capacities of the Arab League secretariat to analyse and respond to risks and crises. It would also encompass the establishment of early warning mechanisms that would deal with any crisis in a positive and timely manner, as well as the establishment of a network linking a number of organizations, research institutions and open-source information centres, on the one hand, and national decision-making centres in the Arab world, on the other. With regard to cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League, the two organizations held their ninth sectoral cooperation meeting, with a focus on climate change. The Arab League continues to follow up on these issues with the parties concerned, focusing its cooperation on mitigation and adaptation efforts and measures, and efforts pertaining to cross- cutting issues. Further cooperation between the two organizations is ongoing in many fields. There are also many joint projects that entrench the purposes and objectives of cooperation shared by the two organizations. In this regard, the representative of the United Arab Emirates introduced a draft resolution (A/65/L.33) to the General Assembly at this morning’s meeting on behalf of the Arab League. The League of Arab States aspires to enhance its cooperation with the United Nations in all fields based on our clear desire for continued consultation and cooperation towards ensuring the implementation of all United Nations resolutions, whether they pertain to disarmament, the fight against terrorism or the peaceful settlement of disputes. This cooperation between the two organizations will strengthen ongoing efforts to address international challenges and dangers and to safeguard international and regional peace and security. Therefore, we call on the members of the General Assembly to adopt by consensus the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, contained in document A/65/L.33.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on agenda item 122 and its sub-items (b) to (w). The Assembly shall now proceed to consider draft resolutions A/65/L.6, A/65/L.11, A/65/L.29, A/65/L.32, A/65/L.33, A/65/L.34, A/65/L.35, A/65/L.40 and A/65/L.41. The representative of the United States of America has asked to speak in explanation of vote before the voting. Before giving him the floor, may I remind him that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

The United States welcomes cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to address global challenges, as outlined in draft resolution A/65/L.29 before us today. In joining consensus, the United States underscores the importance of Member States conducting their activities, as outlined in the draft resolution, in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law obligations.

The Assembly will now take decisions on draft resolutions A/65/L.6, A/65/L.11, A/65/L.29, A/65/L.32, A/65/L.33, A/65/L.34, A/65/L.35, A/65/L.40 and A/65/L.41. Draft resolution A/65/L.6 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organization”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.6?

Draft resolution A/65/L.11, as orally corrected, is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations, national parliaments and the Inter-Parliamentary Union”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since draft resolution A/65/L.11 was submitted, the following countries have become sponsors: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.11, as orally corrected?

Draft resolution A/65/L.29 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.29?

Draft resolution A/65/L.32 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Eurasian Economic Community”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.32?

Draft resolution A/65/L.33 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.33?

We shall now turn to draft resolution A/65/L.34, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/65/L.34, the following countries have become sponsors: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.34?

We shall now turn to draft resolution A/65/L.35, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the introduction of draft resolution A/65/L.35, the following countries have become sponsors: Israel, Montenegro, Portugal and the United States of America.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.35?

Draft resolution A/65/L.40, as orally corrected, is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the introduction of draft resolution A/65/L.40, Bosnia and Herzegovina has become a sponsor.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.40, as orally corrected?

We shall now turn to draft resolution A/65/L.41, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the introduction of draft resolution A/65/L.41, the following countries have become sponsors: Armenia, Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Serbia and Slovakia.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/65/L.41?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-items (d), (f), (h), (j) (k), (m), (o), (u) and (v) of agenda item 122? It was so decided.

Before adjourning the meeting, I would like to appeal to those Member States intending to submit draft resolutions on the remaining sub-items to do so as soon as possible.