A/66/PV.91 General Assembly

Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 — Session 66, Meeting 91 — New York — UN Document ↗

The President [Arabic] #64705
I thank the Rapporteur of the Second Committee. If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Second Committee which are before the Assembly today. It was so decided.
Vote: A/RES/66/186 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (122)
Vote: A/RES/66/192 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (165)
Vote: A/RES/66/195 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (141)
Vote: A/RES/66/225 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (167)
The President [Arabic] #64706
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Second Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that, under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee.” May I also remind delegations that, also in accordance with decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. When a report contains more than one draft resolution, delegations will have an opportunity to explain their positions before and after the General Assembly takes action on all of the draft resolutions. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Second Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. I should therefore hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Committee. Before proceeding further, I would like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat entitled “List of proposals contained in the reports of the Second Committee”, which has been released in English only and circulated as document A/C.2/66/INF/1. That note has been distributed desk-to- desk in the Hall as a reference guide for action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Second Committee in its reports. In that connection, members will find in the third column of the note the order and numbers of the draft resolutions or decisions for action in the plenary meeting, with their corresponding titles and symbols assigned in the Second Committee in the fourth column of the same note. I remind the Assembly that we will shortly take action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended for adoption by the Second Committee and, as such, those draft resolutions and decisions can no longer be additionally co-sponsored in plenary meeting by Member States. Any clarification about sponsorship should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee.

19.  Sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 32 of its report. The Assembly will now take action on draft resolutions I to V, one by one. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Oil slick on Lebanese shores”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States of America. Abstaining: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Gabon, Panama, Tonga.

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 165   ✗ 8   6 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (141)

21.  Globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/66/442) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 17 of its report. We will now take action on draft resolutions I and II. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled “Culture and development”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

25.  Agriculture development and food security Report of the Second Committee (A/66/446) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 24 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to III, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Agriculture development and food security”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

16.  Information and communication technologies for development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/437) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it one draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/184).

17.  Macroeconomic policy questions Report of the Second Committee (A/66/438) The President (spoke in Arabic): May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided.

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President [Arabic] #64707
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 16? It was so decided.
The President [Arabic] #64708
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 17. (a) International trade and development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/438/Add.1) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 13 of its report. The Assembly will now take action on the two draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “International trade and development”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 66/185).
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 122   ✗ 2   53 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (165)
The President [Arabic] #64709
Draft resolution II is entitled “Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: Israel, United States of America. Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. [Subsequently, the delegations of Haiti, Peru and the Philippines advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution II was adopted by 122 votes to 2, with 53 abstentions (resolution 66/186).
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
The President [Arabic] #64710
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 17? It was so decided. (b) International financial system and development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/438/Add.2) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 18 of its report. The Assembly will now take action on the two draft resolutions. Draft resolution I is entitled “International financial system and development”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 66/187).
The President [Arabic] #64711
Draft resolution II is entitled “Addressing excessive price volatility in food and related financial and commodity markets”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 141   ✗ 2   33 abs.
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 66/188).
The President #64712
I now give the floor to the representative of the Dominican Republic, who wishes to speak in explanation of position.
Mr. Alcántara Mejía DOM Dominican Republic [Spanish] #64713
The delegation of the Dominican Republic would like to underscore the special significance of resolution 66/188, entitled “Addressing excessive price volatility in food and related financial and commodity markets”, which the General Assembly just adopted. This is a new resolution whose theme reflects an initiative by the President of our country, Leonel Fernández Reyna, which was taken up by the Group of 77 and China. It is a resolution that President Fernández Reyna instructed us to orient towards four primary goals. The first objective was that the resolution should posit the recognition of the existence of a disturbing phenomenon in the futures markets, namely, excessive price volatility, particularly with respect to food. Secondly, it should indicate that this phenomenon is having an adverse impact, both on producing countries as well as on net importers of food. Thirdly, it should establish a mechanism whereby the issue could be addressed in depth at the Organization. That forum, as the resolution has established, will be a high-level thematic debate in which the Dominican Head of State will participate alongside senior representatives of Member States as well as experts and scholars on the subject, representing the agencies of the United Nations and other relevant international organizations. And, fourthly, the resolution would recommend that those organizations and agencies continue with their analysis and investigation into the topic of excessive food price volatility in futures markets. At this point, our delegation would like to express its appreciation for the constructive and flexible manner in which all delegations undertook the discussion of the resolution, and in particular for the support of the Group of 77 and China, which early on in the process expressed their commitment to the issue. We never thought that the opposing positions that were aired during the negotiations would become irreconcilable differences. As coordinators of the resolution, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, the representatives of the Dominican delegation proceeded with the conviction that solutions arose from cooperation. Throughout the negotiations, which had their difficult moments, a constructive spirit prevailed. I am pleased to report that flexibility and cooperation ultimately prevailed. Problems such as those articulated by the resolution belong to everyone. Problems that concern us all are not going to be resolved by counting the votes on the resolutions that address them, nor by avoiding the necessary political discussions thereon. It has been repeatedly proven at the United Nations that our best chance for overcoming them lies in cooperative joint action. That is exactly what we have achieved with this resolution, namely, consensus. Before concluding, I would like to make two additional points. The first is anecdotal. Both during the adoption of the draft resolution within the Group of 77 and China as well as during the final consensus stage, what we refer to here as the silent procedure became a suspense procedure for the delegation of the Dominican Republic. My second point is to emphasize that this is a landmark. The fact that the resolution takes note of the initiative of President Leonel Fernández Reyna will make him and his initiative historic reference points in the way that the Organization addresses, discusses and takes decisions on the matter of excessive food price volatility in futures markets.
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
The President [Arabic] #64714
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 17? It was so decided. (c) External debt sustainability and development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/438/Add.3) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/189).
The President [Arabic] #64715
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 17? It was so decided. (d) Commodities Report of the Second Committee (A/66/438/Add.4) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/190).
The President [Arabic] #64716
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 17 and of agenda item 17 as a whole? It was so decided.

18.  Follow-up to and implementation of the outcome of the 2002 International Conference on Financing for Development and the 2008 Review Conference Report of the Second Committee (A/66/439) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 15 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/191).
The President [Arabic] #64717
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 18? It was so decided.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 165 votes to 8, with 6 abstentions (resolution 66/192).
The President [Arabic] #64718
Draft resolution II is entitled “International cooperation and coordination for the human and ecological rehabilitation and economic development of the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 66/193).
The President [Arabic] #64719
Draft resolution III is entitled “Protection of coral reefs for sustainable livelihoods and development”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 66/194).
The President [Arabic] #64720
We will now take action on draft resolution IV, entitled “Agricultural technology for development”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: South Africa, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of). Abstaining: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brunei Darussalam, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen. [Subsequently, the delegation of South Africa advised the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 141 votes to 2, with 33 abstentions (resolution 66/195).
The President [Arabic] #64721
Draft resolution V is entitled “Sustainable tourism and sustainable development in Central America”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 66/196).
The President [Arabic] #64722
I now give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, who wishes to speak in explanation of position.
Mr. Ovalles-Santos VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #64723
I take the floor in order to set forth the position of my delegation with regard to resolution 66/194, entitled “Protection of coral reefs for sustainable livelihoods and development”. In the context of the resolution’s adoption, I should like to reiterate the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s reservation with regard to the paragraphs referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is not a party to that treaty. Consequently, its provisions are not applicable to Venezuela either as treaty law or customary law, unless they have been incorporated into our domestic legislation. We therefore thank the Secretariat for noting this reservation, whose text we are providing so that it can be included in the record of this meeting.
The President [Arabic] #64724
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 19. (a) Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.1) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it one draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 16 of its report, as well as two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 17 of the same report. We will now take action on one draft resolution and two draft decisions, one by one. The draft resolution is entitled “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/197).
The President [Arabic] #64725
We now turn to draft decision I, entitled “Contribution of the ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President [Arabic] #64726
Draft decision II is entitled “Arrangements for accreditation and participation in the preparatory process and in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development of relevant non-governmental organizations and other major groups”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President [Arabic] #64727
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 19. (b) Follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.2) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it one draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Assembly will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/198).
The President [Arabic] #64728
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (c) International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.3) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it one draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/199).
The President [Arabic] #64729
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (d) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.4) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/200).
The President [Arabic] #64730
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (e) Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.5) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/201).
The President [Arabic] #64731
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (f) Convention on Biological Diversity Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.6) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/202).
The President [Arabic] #64732
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (g) Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its twenty-sixth session Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.7) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/203).
The President [Arabic] #64733
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (h) Harmony with Nature Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.8) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/204).
The President [Arabic] #64734
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (h) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (i) Sustainable mountain development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.9) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/205).
The President [Arabic] #64735
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 19? It was so decided. (j) Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy Report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.10) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/206).
The President [Arabic] #64736
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (j) of agenda item 19? It was so decided.
The President [Arabic] #64737
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 19.

20.  Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Report of the Second Committee (A/66/441) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/207).
The President [Arabic] #64738
I now give the floor to the representative of Turkey, who wishes to speak in explanation of position.
Mr. Müftüoğlu TUR Türkiye #64739
I would like to reiterate that Turkey stands ready and will be honoured to host the third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urbanization (Habitat III) in Istanbul in 2016. We have already notified the Secretary-General, by a letter dated 30 November, of our willingness to host the Conference. We look forward to cooperating with the membership and the Secretariat to make Habitat III a success. In line with paragraph 5 of resolution 66/207, it is our intention to contribute to the work on the scope, modalities, format and organization of the Habitat III Conference to be held next year.
The President [Arabic] #64740
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 20? It was so decided.
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 66/208).
The President [Arabic] #64741
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Promoting the efficiency, accountability, effectiveness and transparency of public administration by strengthening supreme audit institutions”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 66/209).
The President [Arabic] #64742
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 21. (a) Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/66/442/Add.1) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/210).
The President [Arabic] #64743
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 21? It was so decided. (b) Science and technology for development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/442/Add.2) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/211).
The President [Arabic] #64744
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 21? It was so decided. (c) Development cooperation with middle-income countries Report of the Second Committee (A/66/442/Add.3) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/212).
The President [Arabic] #64745
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 21 and of agenda item 21 as a whole? It was so decided.

22.  Groups of countries in special situations Report of the Second Committee (A/66/443) The President (spoke in Arabic): May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided.

The President [Arabic] #64746
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 22. (a) Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/66/443/Add.1) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report, and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 11 of the same report. We will now take action on the draft resolution and the draft decision. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/213).
The President [Arabic] #64747
We now turn to the draft decision, entitled “Report of the Secretary- General on the ten-year appraisal and review of the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President [Arabic] #64748
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 22? It was so decided. (b) Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation Report of the Second Committee (A/66/443/Add.2) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/214).
The President [Arabic] #64749
The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of this stage of agenda item 22.

23.  Eradication of poverty and other development issues Report of the Second Committee (A/66/444) The President (spoke in Arabic): May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided.

The President [Arabic] #64750
The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of this stage of agenda item 23. (a) Implementation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017) Report of the Second Committee (A/66/444/Add.1) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/215).
The President [Arabic] #64751
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 23? It was so decided. (b) Women in development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/444/Add.2) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/216).
The President [Arabic] #64752
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 23? It was so decided. (c) Human resources development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/444/Add.3) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/217).
The President [Arabic] #64753
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 23 and of agenda item 23 as a whole? It was so decided.

24.  Operational activities for development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/445) The President (spoke in Arabic): May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided.

The President [Arabic] #64754
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 24. (a) Operational activities for development of the United Nations system Report of the Second Committee (A/66/445/Add.1) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/218).
The President [Arabic] #64755
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 24? It was so decided. (b) South-South cooperation for development Report of the Second Committee (A/66/445/Add.2) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 18 of its report, as well as two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 19 of the same report. We will now take action on the draft resolution and two draft decisions. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/219).
The President [Arabic] #64756
We turn next to draft decision I, entitled “Pérez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President [Arabic] #64757
Draft decision II is entitled “United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation”. The Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President [Arabic] #64758
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 24 and of agenda item 24 as a whole? It was so decided.
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 66/220).
The President [Arabic] #64759
Draft resolution II is entitled “International Year of Quinoa, 2013”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 66/221).
The President [Arabic] #64760
Draft resolution III is entitled “International Year of Family Farming, 2014”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 66/222).
The President [Arabic] #64761
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 25? It was so decided.

26.  Towards global partnerships Report of the Second Committee (A/66/447) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/223).
The President [Arabic] #64762
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 26? It was so decided.

29.  People’s empowerment and a peace-centric development model Report of the Second Committee (A/66/448) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “People’s empowerment and development”. The Second Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 66/224).
The President [Arabic] #64763
I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh, who wishes to speak in explanation of position.
Mr. Islam BGD Bangladesh #64764
Bangladesh attaches great importance to people’s empowerment and development. We believe that people’s empowerment is a must for sustained political and economic development. Under the auspices of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, we introduced resolution 66/224 in the Second Committee. We are grateful to all Member States, particularly those of the Group of 77 and partners such as the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the United States of America, Japan, Belarus and Russia, for reaching an overwhelming consensus. Our special thanks go to the representative of Indonesia, who facilitated the resolution. Finally, I would like to convey the invitation of the Prime Minister to the international conference to be held in 2012, as mentioned in paragraph 2 of the resolution.
The President [Arabic] #64765
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 29? It was so decided.

61.  Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources Report of the Second Committee (A/66/449) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States of America. Abstaining: Australia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Panama, Tonga.

The draft resolution was adopted by 167 votes to 7, with 6 abstentions (resolution 66/225).
The President [Arabic] #64766
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 61? It was so decided.

121.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the Second Committee (A/66/450) The President (spoke in Arabic): The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Programme of work of the Second Committee for the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly”. The Second Committee adopted the draft decision. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft decision was adopted.
The President [Arabic] #64767
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 121.

135.  Programme planning Report of the Second Committee (A/66/451) The President (spoke in Arabic): May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided.

The President on behalf of General Assembly [Arabic] #64768
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 135. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Abulkalam Abdul Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations and Chair of the Second Committee, members of the Bureau, the Secretary of the Committee and representatives for a job well done. (spoke in English) I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.
Mr. Suárez Salvia ARG Argentina [Spanish] #64769
The draft resolutions and reports adopted during the meetings of the Second Committee having now also been adopted by the General Assembly, allow me to begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your leadership. We are very familiar with that leadership, given your past experience both as a former Chair of the Group of 77 and China and of the High- level Committee on South-South Cooperation, as well as now in the post of President of the General Assembly. Our delegation also wishes to thank the Bureau of the Second Committee and the whole of the Secretariat. When we refer to the Secretariat, we speak in broad terms, wishing also to include all the agencies, funds and programmes that participated in supporting the work of the Second Committee. With this meeting, the work of the coordinators and Chair of the Group of 77 and China comes to a close. We would therefore like to thank all delegations in the Group of 77 and China for the great confidence they vested in us and for the support we received throughout the year. We would also like to pay tribute to the very praiseworthy work done by the coordinators of the Group of 77 and China in the negotiations in the Second Committee, particularly for the skilful manner in which they presented the positions of the Group and defended the interests of the developing world. Our thanks also go to delegations from developed countries and other negotiators who, in a constructive spirit and showing great camaraderie, were able to support the demands of the Group, reaching consensus in most instances. In conclusion, I would like to express our very best wishes for success to the delegation of Algeria which next year will be taking on the important responsibility of coordinating the positions of developing countries.
The President [Arabic] #64770
I thank the representative of Argentina, Chair of the Group of 77 and China, for Argentina’s commitment. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee before it today.

22.  Groups of countries in special situations (a) Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries Draft decision (A/66/L.30) The President: The General Assembly has just adopted resolution 66/213, recommended in the report of the Second Committee on the implementation of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (A/66/443/Add.1). Paragraph 16 of the resolution “Requests the President of the General Assembly to establish, in consultation with Member States and the Secretary-General, an ad hoc working group to further study and strengthen the smooth transition process for the countries graduating from the least developed country category and to submit a report to the General Assembly during its sixty-seventh session with specific recommendations, consistent with the Istanbul Programme of Action”. As members will recall, the Istanbul Programme, which was adopted in May, in its paragraph 143, invited the General Assembly to establish such a group. To follow up on that mandate, and in line with resolution 66/213, I have undertaken extensive consultations with Member States, in particular the major groups that are closely involved in this matter, namely, the Group of Least Developed Countries, the Group of 77 and China, the European Union and the Group of Friends of the Least Developed Countries, which represents a variety of Member States, including key development partners, as well as with the Secretary-General. The draft decision before the Assembly contained in document A/66/L.30 is the product of those consultations, and has been submitted for adoption to the General Assembly by me in my capacity as its President. In that connection, I would like to propose an oral revision in order to insert a reference to resolution 66/213. The draft decision should therefore read as follows: “The General Assembly, recalling its resolutions 65/280 of 17 June 2011, 65/286 of 29 June 2011, and 66/213 of 22 December 2011, decides to adopt the terms of reference of the ad hoc working group to further study and strengthen the smooth transition process for countries graduating from the least developed country category annexed to the present decision.” In that regard, I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the oral statement that was made in the Second Committee by the Secretariat relating to the programme budget implications of paragraph 16 of resolution 66/213, indicating that there would be no such implications for the programme budget for the biennium 2012-2013. I would emphasize that the proposed ad hoc working group would undertake an important responsibility vis-à-vis achieving one of the key objectives of the Istanbul Programme with regard to the graduation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the needed smooth transition process for those graduating. To be in a position to complete its work and submit its report to the sixty-seventh session of the Assembly in time, the ad hoc working group needs to commence its work very early in 2012. I suggest that the group convene its first meeting in mid-January to organize its work and prepare a road map for its substantive work for completion by early September 2012. I would underscore the need for the Secretariat to attach high priority to the work of the working group and to extend its full support in every possible way. In that regard, I would particularly emphasize the support to be provided by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States as the secretariat of the group, as well as by the Department for Economic and Social Affairs and the United Nations Committee for Development Policy and its secretariat. I will closely follow the progress in the work of this group. As I have reiterated time and again, the Least Developed Countries and their Programme of Action should be a top priority for the international community as a whole. I would call for the wholehearted engagement of the United Nations system and its leadership, of its Member States and of all other development partners in the full and effective implementation of the LDC Programme. The working group is open-ended and any Member State that wants to contribute substantively to its work will be able to do so. Relevant non-State partners, including think tanks, research bodies, development institutions and private sector and civil society representatives could be invited by the co-chairs, in consultation with group members, to make their contribution. In view of the substantial overlap in the composition of the Group of Small Island Developing States and the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries with the Group of LDCs, I would strongly recommend that the Chairs of those groups should at least participate regularly in the work of the working group, in addition to individual members of their Groups who would decide to participate. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I have decided to appoint Ambassador Jan Grauls, Permanent Representative of Belgium, and Ambassador Brian Bowler, Permanent Representative of Malawi, as co-Chairs of the ad hoc working group. I wish them every success in their work. (spoke in Arabic) The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/66/L.30, as orally revised, entitled “Ad hoc working group to further study and strengthen the smooth transition process for countries graduating from the least developed country category”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt the draft decision, as orally revised? The draft decision, as orally revised, was adopted.

The President [Arabic] #64771
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 22. Programme of work The President (spoke in Arabic): I would now like to draw the attention of members to the date of recess of the current session. Members will recall that, at its 83rd plenary meeting, on 12 December, the General Assembly decided that the sixty-sixth session would go into recess on Thursday, 22 December. In the light of the work still to be completed in the Fifth Committee, I would like to propose to the Assembly that the date of recess of the current session now be extended to tomorrow, Friday, 23 December. If there is no objection, I will take it that the Assembly agrees to that proposal. It was so decided.
The President [Arabic] #64772
I should also like to consult members regarding an extension for the work of the Fifth Committee. Members will recall that at its 81st plenary meeting, on 9 December, the General Assembly decided that the Fifth Committee would complete its work by Thursday, 22 December. However, I have been informed by the Chair of the Fifth Committee that the Committee will not be able to finish its work by today, Thursday, 22 December. May I therefore take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Fifth Committee until Friday, 23 December? It was so decided.
The meeting rose at 5.20 p.m.