A/66/PV.122 General Assembly

Members will recall that, at its 114th plenary meeting, on 8 June, the Assembly elected, in accordance with rule 30 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, 20 of the 21 Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly for the sixty-seventh session. There remained the election of one Vice-President from among the Group of African States. I have been informed by the Chair of the Group of African States, in a letter dated 29 June, that Kenya has been selected by the African States to fill one of the seats allocated to Africa as a Vice-President of the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session. In accordance with paragraph 16 of General Assembly decision 34/401, the election of the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly by secret ballot will be dispensed with when the number of candidates corresponds to the number of seats to be filled. We shall proceed accordingly. Since there is only one candidate for the one seat to be filled from among the African States, I declare Kenya elected Vice-President of the Assembly at its sixty-seventh session. I congratulate Kenya on its election.

Members will recall that the General Assembly considered, in a joint debate, agenda item 63 and its sub-items (a) and (b), along with agenda item 13, at its 32nd and 33rd plenary meetings, on 11 October 2011. I now give the floor to the representative of Algeria, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, to introduce draft resolution A/66/L.40/Rev. 1.

I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China, a draft resolution entitled “New Partnership for Africa’s Development: progress in implementation and international support”, contained in document A/66/L.40/Rev.1, under sub-item (a) of agenda item 63. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to all delegations for their constructive deliberations on and contributions to the draft resolution. Our particular appreciation is extended to the facilitator, Mr. Modest Mero of Tanzania, for his remarkable work and to the coordinator, Mr. Hussein Elshaar of Egypt, for his tremendous effort and commitment on behalf of the G-77 and China. We would like to highlight that the draft resolution reaffirms the support of the entire United Nations membership for the implementation of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development and recognizes the progress in its implementation. The draft resolution also stresses the need to implement all commitments of the international community to Africa’s development and to continue to support the special needs of Africa in order to mitigate the impacts of the world economic and financial crisis on the continent. It emphasizes the need to enhance the voice and participation of developing countries, including African countries, in international economic decision-making and norm-setting and to avoid further marginalization of the continent in that regard. The Group of 77 and China hopes that the draft resolution will be adopted by acclamation during this meeting.

Before giving the floor to the speaker in explanation of vote before the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

I thank you, Mr. President, for giving the United States the floor to underscore our support for Africa’s common vision to achieve the goals and objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). My delegation fully supports African-led efforts to enhance economic growth and to enjoy the benefits of integration into the global economy. The United States takes note of the progress under way in areas critical to economic growth and sustainable development. We encourage the ongoing activities to assist the implementation of NEPAD by African States. The United States delegation is pleased to join the consensus on the draft resolution before us today, entitled “New Partnership for Africa’s Development: progress in implementation and international support”, contained in document A/66/L.40/Rev.1. We especially appreciate the excellent facilitation efforts of our Tanzanian delegation colleague, Mr. Modest Mero. In future General Assembly consideration of NEPAD, we wish to stress the importance of keeping the focus on Africa and its development, while being mindful of its macroeconomic underpinnings. The discussion of broader international macroeconomic policy issues are extensively and more appropriately treated under the relevant agenda item in the Second Committee. The United States delegation attaches great importance to the annual consideration of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, and congratulates all parties on today’s imminent adoption of the draft resolution.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of vote before the voting. The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/66/L.40/Rev. 1, entitled “New Partnership for Africa’s Development: progress in implementation and international support”. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to those delegations listed in document A/66/L.40/Rev.1, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Australia, Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/66/L.40/Rev.1?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 63?

Members will recall that the General Assembly considered, in a joint debate, agenda item 63 and its sub-items (a) and (b), along with agenda item 13, at its 32nd and 33rd plenary meetings, on 11 October 2011. I now give the floor to the representative of Algeria to introduce draft resolution A/66/L.41/Rev.1 on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

I have the honour to introduce, under sub-item (b) of agenda item 63 and on behalf of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China, a draft resolution entitled “Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa”, as contained in document A/66/L.41/Rev.1. The Group would like to express its appreciation to all delegations for their constructive deliberations and contributions to the draft resolution. We would also like to thank all the Member States that have joined the list of sponsors. Our special thanks go to the facilitator, Mr. Hussein Elshaar of Egypt, and the coordinator, Mr. John Mugerwa of Uganda, for their outstanding work. We welcome the progress made by African Member States, the African Union and subregional organizations in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development. We also welcome their continuing efforts to settle conflicts and promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law and constitutional order in Africa. While the responsibility for peace and security in Africa, including the capacity to address the root causes of conflict and to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner, lies primarily with African countries themselves, we also recognize the need for the support of the international community and the United Nations, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter. We are convinced that conflict prevention and the consolidation of peace would benefit from the coordinated, sustained and integrated efforts of the United Nations system, its Member States and regional and subregional organizations, as well as of international and regional financial institutions. In particular, the achievement of durable peace and sustainable development in countries in conflict and post-conflict situations requires national Governments and international partners to continue to develop coordinated approaches tailored to the peacebuilding needs and challenges faced by those countries. We would like to stress that international and regional efforts to prevent conflict and consolidate peace in Africa should be channelled towards the sustainable development of Africa and the human and institutional capacity-building of African countries and organizations, particularly in priority areas identified at the continental level. The Group hopes that this draft resolution will be adopted by acclamation at this meeting.

The Assembly will now proceed to consider draft resolution A/66/L.41/Rev.1, entitled “Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa”. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I would like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to those delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors of draft resolution A/66/L.41/Rev.1: Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/66/L.41/Rev.1?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 63 and agenda 63 as a whole?

As indicated in document A/66/864, the General Assembly is required, during the current session, to appoint members of the Joint Inspection Unit to fill the vacancies that will arise from the expiration of the terms of office, on 31 December 2012, of Mr. Mohamed Mounir-Zahran, Mr. Nikolay V. Chulkov, Mr. Enrique Román-Morey, Mr. Even Francisco Fontaine Ortiz, Mr. Zhang Yishan, and Ms. Deborah Wynes. Members will recall that, at its 47th plenary meeting, on 1 November 2011, the Assembly decided to fill one vacancy in the Joint Inspection Unit for a term of office beginning on 1 January 2012 and expiring on 31 December 2016, which resulted from the resignation of Mr. Enrique Román-Morey (Peru) with effect from 31 October 2011. That vacancy was subsequently filled at the 92nd plenary meeting, on 23 December 2011, by Mr. Jorge Flores Callejas (Honduras). In accordance with the procedures described in article 3, paragraph 1, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit and pursuant to resolution 61/238, of 22 December 2006, having consulted Member States and having drawn up a list of countries from among the regional groups concerned, I requested the Gambia, Haiti, India, the Russian Federation and the United States of America to propose candidates to serve for a period of five years beginning on 1 January 2013. As also indicated in document A/66/864, in accordance with paragraph 7 of resolution 59/267, of 23 December 2004, candidates should have experience in at least one of the following fields: oversight, audit, inspection, investigation, evaluation, finance, project evaluation, programme evaluation, human resources management, management, public administration, monitoring and/or programme performance, in addition to knowledge of the United Nations system and its role in international relations. As further indicated in document A/66/864, as a result of the consultations held in accordance with article 3, paragraph 2, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, including consultations with the President of the Economic and Social Council and with the Secretary-General, in his capacity as Chairman of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination, I submit to the Assembly the candidatures of Ms. Sukai Prom-Jackson (Gambia), Mr. Jean Wesley Cazeau (Haiti), Mr. A. Gopinathan (India), Mr. Gennady Tarasov (Russian Federation) and Mr. George Bartsiotas (United States of America) for appointment as members of the Joint Inspection Unit for a five-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2013 and expiring on 31 December 2017. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to appoint Ms. Sukai Prom-Jackson (Gambia), Mr. Jean Wesley Cazeau (Haiti), Mr. A. Gopinathan (India), Mr. Gennady Tarasov (Russian Federation) and Mr. George Bartsiotas (United States of America) as members of the Joint Inspection Unit for a five-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2013 and expiring on 31 December 2017?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 115?

We shall now proceed to consider draft decision A/66/L.54. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

This oral statement is made in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. In connection with draft decision A/бб/L.54, entitled “International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994”, I wish to put on record the following statement of financial implications on behalf of the Secretary-General. By the draft decision, the General Assembly would, first, decide that, notwithstanding the expiry of their term of office on 30 June 2012, Judge William H. Sekule (United Republic of Tanzania), Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda) and Judge Mparany Mamy Richard Rajohnson (Madagascar) may continue, on an exceptional basis, to serve at the International Tribunal until 31 December 2012 or until the completion of the Ngirabatware case which they began before the expiry of their term of office, while taking note of the intention of the International Tribunal to complete the Ngirabatware case by December 2012; secondly, take note of the intention of the International Tribunal to complete all remaining judicial work by 31 December 2014 and decide, bearing in mind the expiry of his term of office on 30 June 2012, to extend the term of office of Judge Vagn Joensen (Denmark), on an exceptional basis, until 31 December 2014 so that he may continue to perform the functions required of him as trial judge and President of the International Tribunal, to complete the work of the Tribunal and express its intention to review this decision in June 2013. The extension of the term of office of Judge William H. Sekule, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa and Judge Mparany Mamy Richard Rajohnson through 31 December 2012 would require a total payment in honoraria amounting to $126,000 for an aggregate period of six additional months. The extension of the term of office of Judge Vagn Joensen through 31 December 2014 would require a payment in honoraria for the biennium 2012-2013 of $273,000 for 13 additional months from 1 December 2012 to 31 December 2013. The extension of the term of Judge Joensen would also entail the retention of three staff members — a driver, a security officer and a secretary — and miscellaneous expenses for security, transportation and office space amounting to $190,000. Accordingly, should the General Assembly adopt draft decision A/66/L.54, additional requirements in the amount of $589,000 for honoraria, staff and miscellaneous expenditures would arise under the budget for the Tribunal for the biennium 2012-2013. The Tribunal would make every effort to meet these additional requirements from within the overall resources amounting to $171,613,100 approved for the Tribunal for the biennium 2012-2013.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 127.

The General Assembly will now take up a request submitted by the Secretary-General in document A/66/234, relating to the election of a member of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. In his note, the Secretary-General informs the General Assembly that he has received notification, by a letter dated 6 June 2012 from the Permanent Representative of Poland, that according to the agreement among members of the Eastern European States to rotate their membership in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law among themselves, Poland is relinquishing its seat in favour of Croatia. The General Assembly will therefore be required, at its current session, to elect a member to fill the remainder of the term of office of Poland, which expires on the last day prior to the beginning of the forty-ninth session of the Commission, in 2016. The agenda of the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly does not contain a sub-item on the election of members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. The Secretary-General has therefore deemed it necessary to request, pursuant to rule 15 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, the inclusion in the agenda of the current session of an additional sub-item entitled “Election of members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law”, under agenda item 114, entitled “Elections to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and other elections”. Given the nature of the item, unless there is an objection, may I take it that the General Assembly agrees to waive the relevant provision of rule 40 of the rules of procedure, which would require a meeting of the General Committee on the question of the inclusion of this additional sub-item on the agenda?

May I take it that the General Assembly, on the proposal of the Secretary-General, wishes to include in the agenda of the current session, an additional sub-item entitled “Election of members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law”, as a sub-item of agenda item 114 under heading I (Organizational, administrative and other matters)?

The Secretary-General has requested that the sub-item be considered in plenary meeting. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to consider this sub-item directly in plenary meeting?

I should like to inform members that this additional sub-item becomes sub-item (e) of agenda item 114 of the current session.