A/66/PV.100 General Assembly

I should like, in keeping with established practice, to draw the attention of the General Assembly to documents A/66/668/Add.5 to 7, in which the Secretary-General informs the President of the General Assembly that, since the issuance of his communications contained in document A/66/668/ Add.4, Gabon, the Dominican Republic and Tonga have made the payments necessary to reduce their arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter. May I take it that the General Assembly duly takes note of the information contained in these documents?

I should like to draw the attention of the General Assembly to a letter dated 14 February 2012 from the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, addressed to the President of the General Assembly and circulated in document A/66/742. In this letter, the President is informed of the interest of the Government of Ecuador in becoming a member of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. As delegations are aware, in accordance with resolution 3376 (XXX) of 10 November 1975, members of the Committee are appointed by the General Assembly. The proposal before the General Assembly is for Ecuador to be added to the membership of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to the enlargement of the membership of that Committee by appointing Ecuador as a member of the Committee?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 37.

Members will recall that the Assembly considered agenda item 123 and its sub-item (a), in joint debate with agenda item 14, agenda item 117 and agenda item 124 at its 72nd plenary meeting, on 2 December 2011. I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia to introduce draft resolution A/66/L.39.

It is a privilege for me to speak and introduce to the General Assembly, on behalf of Canada, Indonesia and all other sponsors, a draft resolution entitled “Civilian capacity in the aftermath of conflict”, contained in document A/66/L.39. I would also like to report that the draft resolution has been extensively discussed among Member States in a series of open-ended informal consultations, as well as in informal informal meetings among other interested delegations. Indonesia and Canada wish to profoundly thank all delegations for their continued support and constructive engagement throughout the process of consultations on the draft resolution. Now more than ever, we are bearing witness to the importance of effective and timely civilian deployment in fragile and post-conflict situations. Readily deployed and skilled civilian capacities and resilient institutions are vital to building and sustaining peace. However, building capable and accountable national institutions requires effective international civilian capacity to support national recovery. This in turn requires effective partnerships between the United Nations and Member States, as well as other relevant stakeholders, including country-specific configurations and regional organizations, to deploy more effective, demand-driven civilian capacities. The draft resolution before us lays down a clear and viable political framework that has potential for the stakeholders. Member States, United Nations system entities, regional and subregional organizations, along with others, work synergistically to enable effective civilian capacities in post-conflict countries that require them. The draft resolution before us today stresses, among others, the following key elements: the need to fully respect the principles of national ownership, enhanced cooperation and inclusive processes towards developing civilian capacities and expertise. Allow me to elaborate on these elements. First, in highlighting the centrality of national ownership as the fundamental principle of peacebuilding, our focus shall be on better supporting the development of home-grown capacities in conflict-affected countries, and on fully respecting their nationally identified priorities. If national ownership of civilian capacity is to develop in a meaningful way, it must be nationally identified, owned and driven. Secondly, with respect to inclusive processes, the draft resolution calls for the establishment of close consultation and collaboration with the Member States and the United Nations system, aimed at broadening and deepening the pool of experts, particularly from the global South and among women. Countries with relevant experience in post-conflict peacebuilding or democratic transition also house pools of civilian experts who could be readily mobilized. Thirdly, with regard to enhanced partnership, there is a need to clarify and synergize the United Nations system in order to harness available global capacities and match them effectively with civilian gaps. In that regard, the draft resolution stresses the need for enhanced regional, South-South and triangular cooperation, thereby intensifying the existing and encouraging new international cooperation on the provision of civilian expertise. Let me conclude by reiterating our sincere gratitude to the many delegations that have demonstrated their profound interest in and affirmed their support for this important issue. I would be remiss if I did not thank Canada for its effective and constructive partnership in jointly steering this process. Indonesia is grateful for its fervent support and vital role throughout the entire process, displaying effective cross-regional partnership. It is the hope of Indonesia and Canada, along with many other countries, that the draft resolution will succeed in the manner it deserves, and that it will be adopted by consensus.

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/66/L.39, entitled “Civilian capacity in the aftermath of conflict”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to those delegations listed in document A/66/L.39, the following countries have become sponsors: Argentina, Belgium, Benin, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Malaysia, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovakia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Viet Nam.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/66/L.39?

I call on the representative of Canada.

I am very pleased to speak following the adoption by consensus of resolution 66/255 on civilian capacity in the aftermath of conflict, jointly advanced by the Republic of Indonesia and Canada. Canada believes that the United Nations system has before it a unique opportunity to strengthen its contribution to States facing the possibility of a lapse or relapse into violence. Too often, opportunities have been missed because important civilian capacities are lacking, international efforts are disjointed, or expertise is simply too slow to arrive. This resolution provides a procedural basis for Member States and the United Nations system to carry forward discussions on how to improve the ways in which the Organization develops, draws on and deploys civilian expertise in post-crisis settings. It also underscores the need for continued close consultations. The resolution emphasizes several important points. (spoke in French) First, the international community has long recognized that national ownership is central to peacebuilding. Yet we have been less successful turning this commitment into practice. The resolution focuses attention on this issue, noting the fundamental principle of national ownership and stressing the importance of supporting national civilian capacity development and institution-building. Secondly, there is an evident need to leverage, nurture and support latent capacity within national institutions in regional and subregional contexts on the part of developing countries and emerging donors alike. Doing so holds promise for strengthening the supply of expertise properly tailored to the specific demands of a given situation. (spoke in English) Thirdly, the resolution requests the Secretary-General to report on the measures outlined in his previous report (A/66/311), as well as on the development of further initiatives. It also underscores the need for regular consultation through the General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies. The current inadequacies in the United Nations approach to civilian capacity have real consequences for States struggling to rebound from violent conflict or facing the prospect of instability. The civilian capacity review is also under way at a time when the Organization is undergoing a broader reform process, and when the international community better understands the deep challenges posed by peacebuilding. This resolution thus lays out a consensual and comprehensive approach to developing, considering and adopting important changes to the way the Organization addresses civilian capacity issues. Most importantly, this approach is based on close cooperation and mutual understanding between Member States and the United Nations system. This, we believe, is a very useful step forward. Finally, let me close by thanking the many delegations that have demonstrated such high levels of interest and support. Canada would also like to take this opportunity particularly to thank the Republic of Indonesia for serving as such a dedicated, proactive and effective partner in this process. For the reasons I have outlined today, we strongly encourage all delegations to support the implementation of this resolution and to engage actively in the subsequent consultation process.

I give the floor to the representative of El Salvador.

El Salvador welcomes the adoption of resolution 66/255, entitled “Civilian capacity in the aftermath of conflict”. We take this opportunity to thank the Permanent Missions of Canada and Indonesia for their efforts and flexibility during the consultations that led to the consensus adoption of the resolution. El Salvador attaches great importance to national, regional and international efforts to address the transition from conflict to development, which also strengthens support for national civilian capacity-building in countries recently emerged from conflict. Our interest is based on our own experience of recovery and transition from war to peace following the armed conflict that took place in our country from 1980 to 1992, when peace agreements were signed between the parties, drawing on the strong support of the United Nations system and the Group of Friends. Since then, by way of seeking to repay the international community for its valuable assistance, El Salvador has played an active role in the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, a platform from which we are committed to sharing our experience in this field. In that regard, I note that, on Sunday, 11 March, new legislative and municipal elections were held in El Salvador. The elections were assessed by the electoral observation mission of the Organization of American States to have been a successful milestone in the consolidation of democratic institutions and the alternation of power in our country. At the same time, this success highlights the novel participation of independent candidates. Ours could be a useful experience in the analysis of the role that electoral processes play in post-conflict situations, the shaping of institutions and the strengthening of governance. We wish further to stress that the principles of national ownership, civilian capacity-building and the establishment of State institutions that uphold and protect rights and promote citizen participation are key to ensuring a successful transition from conflict to development and the strengthening of democracy in those countries. These principles also guide our international efforts in the context of the Peacebuilding Commission and are reflected in the third preambular paragraph of the resolution. In that context, we welcome the request made to the Secretary-General to include the Peacebuilding Commission in the consultations on civilian capacity­ building. The experience that the Commission has accumulated in its years of functioning will allow it to make a valuable contribution to future discussions on civilian capacity-building. We also welcome the inclusion of the views of United Nations country teams on the ground, in particular those involved in the follow-up to and implementation of the agenda of the Commission in its specific configurations. Similarly, El Salvador recognizes the need to draw on cross-cutting experience, including the advancement of women and the promotion of a gender-based perspective, in the mobilization of capacity and initiatives of the various stakeholders of civil society and the private sector in order to support and complement national policies aimed at strengthening institutions and building capacity. Our delegation believes that this important resolution unfortunately overlooks one significant issue related to the need to promote and strengthen North-South cooperation. While North-South cooperation is supplementary to South-South and triangular cooperation, it must be considered a key component of support for civilian capacity-building and institution-building in countries emerging from conflict. The Peacebuilding Fund, under the Secretary-General’s auspices, is a specific example of the role that such cooperation can play. We believe that consistent and strong North-South cooperation, as well as broadened and strengthened South-South and triangular cooperation, are an effective combination for assisting States that require help in peacebuilding. The fact that such countries are no longer in the media spotlight or on the international agenda once their conflicts are considered to have been resolved does not mean that the international community should reduce its support. Rather, its aim should be to better focus and develop such assistance, along with each beneficiary State, in order to ensure that the social and economic conditions that prevailed during the so-called resolved conflict do not undermine the gains that have been made. At this stage, civilian participation and the promotion of civilian capacity are essential, as reflected in resolution 66/255. In conclusion, allow me to reiterate the commitment and political resolve of the Government of El Salvador to contribute to the intergovernmental discussions on this significant matter, and its willingness to share the lessons we have learned from our own process of transition from conflict to development, which we believe could be useful to future processes.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 123. (b) Central role of the United Nations system in global governance

Members will recall that the Assembly held the debate on sub-item (b) of agenda item 123 at its 88th plenary meeting, on 16 December 2011. I now give the floor to the representative of Chile to introduce draft resolution A/66/L.38.

I have the honour, on behalf of Chile, Kenya, Singapore and Switzerland  — representing all the sponsors  — a draft resolution entitled “The United Nations in global governance”, contained in document A/66/L.38, under agenda item 123 (b), “Strengthening of the United Nations system: central role of the United Nations system in global governance”. The draft resolution is the result of open and transparent negotiations held over more than four weeks. A balanced and substantive agreement has been reached by all interested parties, as reflected in the text under consideration. The main purpose of the draft resolution is to reaffirm that the United Nations system must remain the cornerstone of global governance and to provide a road map for improving and strengthening the Organization to that end. In the third preambular paragraph of the draft resolution, we acknowledge “the vital importance of an inclusive, transparent and effective multilateral system in order to better address the urgent global challenges of today, recognizing the universality of the United Nations, and reaffirming its commitment to promote and strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the United Nations system”. In the fourth preambular paragraph, we also reaffirm “the role and authority of the General Assembly on global matters of concern to the international community, as set out in the Charter”. The United Nations holds a unique position within the multilateral system. As a body of universal membership, it enjoys unquestioned legitimacy in addressing all matters of global concern. The draft resolution was formulated with that in mind, and we have decided for a second time that the General Assembly will concentrate on the issue of global economic governance and development. By paragraph 4 of the draft resolution, the General Assembly would decide to “include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-seventh session, under the item entitled ‘Strengthening of the United Nations system’, the sub-item entitled ‘Central role of the United Nations system in global governance’, and in this regard [to request] the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly, by the end of February 2013, an analytical report focusing on global economic governance and development”. Two elements must be underscored. First, we have provided for a year for the preparation of that report in order to obtain a comprehensive analysis with concrete recommendations. We hope that we will have adequate time and opportunity next year for a serious consideration of the report, which was not the case last year. Secondly, we have also asked that the report be prepared in consultation with Member States and all relevant entities of the United Nations system, and taking into account the results of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to be held in Rio, and all other United Nations processes, including the relevant financing for development process. In order to maintain the central role of the United Nations in the evolving framework of global governance, we must consider how to engage effectively with the relevant institutions and stakeholders that have an impact on and a role to play in global issues. In that regard, the draft resolution also refers explicitly, in paragraph 3, to the “importance and benefit of a continuing interaction between the General Assembly and international, regional and subregional forums, organizations and groups dealing with global matters of concern to the international community”. We are living in a time of great challenges, and the world needs an effective United Nations system that has the capacity to respond to the many global problems. We should consider how the United Nations can be strengthened in order to remain relevant and responsive to the evolving challenges of global governance. We invite the entire United Nations system, including the regional commissions, and the international financial and trade institutions to discuss and make proposals concerning the central role of the United Nations in global economic governance. We have also called on civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to contribute to this debate. I note that the draft resolution invites the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Economic and Social Council to consider organizing, in a coordinated manner, informal thematic debates on the central role of the United Nations in global governance. Last week, the President of the Economic and Social Council hosted an important event on that topic. We are prepared to support the leadership of the President of the Assembly in that area. It is now important to identify and address deficiencies in global governance. We hope that the President will help us to develop a comprehensive agenda of relevant issues in this regard and to promote a broad international consensus towards an adequate response, helping thereby to strengthen the inclusive international framework for global economic cooperation in support of development. Fair and cooperative reform of global governance is essential if globalization is to have a future. To that end, the legitimacy of the inclusive framework represented by the United Nations is invaluable and irreplaceable. The draft resolution is a call on the United Nations leadership to promote inclusive and effective responses to improve global economic governance and development.

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/66/L.38, entitled “The United Nations in global governance”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/66/L.38, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors: Albania, Andorra, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Colombia, Cyprus, Estonia, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Monaco, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Ukraine and Viet Nam.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/66/L.38?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 123.