A/67/PV.2 General Assembly
The meeting was called to order at 10.15 a.m.
May I invite the General Assembly to direct its attention to section I of the report of the Committee. In that section, the General Committee took note of the information contained in paragraph 2.
May I request the General Assembly now to direct its attention to section II, entitled “Organization of the session”, which contains a number of recommendations concerning the General Committee, the rationalization of work, the opening and closing dates of the session, the schedule of meetings, the general debate, the conduct of the meetings and so forth.
In paragraph 17, the General Committee draws to the attention of the Assembly that the general debate will be held from Tuesday, 25 September to Monday, 1 October 2012, and recommends that it continue on Saturday, 29 September. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the information contained in paragraph 17 and approves the recommendation that the general debate continue on Saturday, 29 September?
It was so decided.
All other recommendations in section II of the memorandum of the Secretary-General concern established practice, so rather than going through them one by one, I believe it would be beneficial and more efficient to address all of these organizational matters concerning the General Assembly as a whole. Are there any comments on this approach? If not, we shall proceed accordingly. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of all of the information that it is requested and to take note of and to approve all the recommendations of the General Committee contained in section II of the report?
Offi cial Records
It was so decided.
Having just adopted the recommendation in paragraph 16 on waiving the requirements of rules 67 and 108 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly to declare a meeting open, I should like to endorse the practical suggestion that has been made at previous sessions that each delegation designate someone to be present in the meeting rooms at the scheduled time.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the information contained in paragraph 39 concerning the timely submission of draft proposals for the review of their programme budget implications?
It was so decided.
May I now invite members to turn their attention to section III, dealing with the adoption of the agenda. The question of the allocation of items will be dealt with subsequently in section IV.
In section III, the General Committee took note of the information contained in paragraphs 47 to 52 of its report.
In paragraph 53, in connection with sub-item (a) of item 20 of the draft agenda, “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development”, the General Committee decided to recommend to the Assembly that the sub-item be renamed “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 54, in connection with item 29 of the draft agenda, “People’s empowerment and a peace-centric development model”, the General Committee recommends that item 29 be included in the agenda of the current session under heading A, “Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and recent United Nations conferences”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 55, in connection with item 40 of the draft agenda, “Question of the Comorian island of Mayotte”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading B, “Maintenance of international peace and security”, on the understanding that there would be no consideration of this item by the General Assembly. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 56, in connection with item 61 of the draft agenda, “Question of the Malagasy islands of Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Europa and Bassas da India”, the General Committee decided to recommend that consideration of this item be deferred to the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly and that the item be included in the provisional agenda of that session. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 57, in connection with sub-item (j) of item 95 of the draft agenda, “Women, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading G, “Disarmament”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 58, in connection with item 144 of the draft agenda, “Financing of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 59, with regard to item 167 of the draft agenda, “Addressing the socioeconomic needs of individuals, families and societies affected by autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 60, with regard to item 168 of the draft agenda, “Observer status for the Andean Development Corporation in the General Assembly”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 61, with regard to item 169 of the draft agenda, “Observer status for the International Chamber of Commerce in the General Assembly”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 62, with regard to item 170 of the draft agenda, “Observer status for
the European Organization for Nuclear Research in the General Assembly”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 63, with regard to item 171 of the draft agenda, “Financing of the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 64, with regard to item 172 of the draft agenda, “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Central European Initiative”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the agenda that the General Committee recommends, in paragraph 65 of its report, for adoption by the General Assembly, taking into account the decisions just adopted with respect to the draft agenda.
Bearing in mind that the agenda is organized under nine headings, we shall consider the inclusion of items under each heading as a whole. I should like to remind Members once again that, at present, we are not discussing the substance of any item.
Items 1 and 2 have already been dealt with. We turn next to items 3 to 8. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the inclusion of the items listed under heading A, “Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and recent United Nations conferences”. May I take it that the items listed under heading A are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We turn now to heading B “Maintenance of international peace and security”. May I take it that the items listed under heading B are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
I now give the floor to the representative of Armenia.
I would like to make a short procedureal statement before we proceed.
As this is the first time that my delegation takes the floor during the sixty-seventh session, let me warmly commend you, Sir, on your election as President of this body, as well as to assure you that Armenia will continue to work constructively. I also assure you, Sir, of my delegation’s full support and cooperation.
As was the case during previous sessions, this year again my delegation disassociates itself from the consensus on the decision to transfer the consideration of agenda item 39 to the sixty-seventh session.
I would like to request, Mr. President, that my statement be included in the record of this meeting.
Next, we turn to heading C, “Development of Africa”. May I take it that the item listed under this heading is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Now we come to heading D, “Promotion of human rights”. May I take it that the items listed under heading D are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Heading E is entitled “Effective coordination of humanitarian assistance efforts”. May I take it that the item listed under this heading is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Next, we turn to heading F, “Promotion of justice and international law”. May I take it that the items listed under heading F are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Now we turn to heading G, “Disarmament”. May I take it that the items listed under this heading are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Heading H is entitled “Drug control, crime prevention and combating international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”. May I take it that the items listed under this heading are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Lastly, we turn to heading I, “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the items listed under heading I are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We turn now to section IV of the report of the General Committee, on the allocation of items. The General Committee took note of the information contained in paragraphs 66 to 69. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the information contained in paragraph 68 concerning the granting of observer status?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendations contained in paragraphs 70 to 74. We shall take up the recommendations one by one. Before we proceed, may I remind members that the item numbers cited here refer to the agenda in paragraph 65 of the report before us, namely, document A/67/250.
We turn first to paragraphs 70 (a) to (j), which relate to a number of plenary items. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of all the information that the General Committee wishes it to take note of and approve all the recommendations of the General Committee contained in paragraphs 70 (a) to (j)?
It was so decided.
We now turn to paragraphs 71 (a) and (b), which relate to item 94, “General and complete disarmament”. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraphs 71 (a) and (b)?
It was so decided.
We turn now to paragraphs 72 (a) to (d), which relate to items 131, 141, 144 and 161 of the Fifth Committee. May I take it that the General
Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraphs 72 (a) to (d)?
It was so decided.
We turn now to paragraphs 73 (a) to (c), which relate to items 168, 169 and 170 of the Sixth Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraphs 73 (a) to (c)?
It was so decided.
We shall now turn to paragraph 74 of the report of the General Committee on the allocation of items to the plenary and to each Main Committee.
I turn first to the list of items recommended by the General Committee for consideration directly in plenary meeting under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items listed for plenary meeting?
It was so decided.
Next, we turn to the list of items that the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the First Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the First Committee?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)?
It was so decided.
We now come to the list of items that the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the Second Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the Second Committee?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Third Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the Third Committee?
It was so decided.
Next, we come to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Fifth Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the Fifth Committee?
It was so decided.
Lastly, we come to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Sixth Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the Sixth Committee?
It was so decided.
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of the first report of the General Committee. I wish to thank all the members of the Assembly for their cooperation.
Each Main Committee will receive the list of agenda items allocated to it so that it may begin its work in accordance with rule 99 of the rules of procedure.
I should now like to draw the attention of representatives to a matter concerning the participation of the Holy See, in its capacity as an Observer State, in the sessions and work of the General Assembly.
In accordance with General Assembly resolution 58/314 of 1 July 2004 and the note by the Secretary- General contained in document A/58/871, the Holy See, in its capacity as an Observer State, will participate in the work of the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly, with no further need for a precursory explanation prior to any intervention.
I would also like to draw the attention of representatives to a matter concerning the participation of Palestine, in its capacity as observer, in the sessions and work of the General Assembly.
In accordance with General Assembly resolutions 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974, 43/177 of 15 December 1988, and 52/250 of 7 July 1998, and the note by the Secretary-General contained in document A/52/1002, Palestine, in its capacity as observer, will participate in the work of the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly, with no further need for a precursory explanation prior to any intervention.
In addition, I would like to draw the attention of representatives to a matter concerning the participation of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, in the sessions and work of the General Assembly.
In accordance with resolution 65/276 of 3 May 2011, and the note by the Secretary-General contained in docuemnt A/65/856, representatives of the European Union will participate in the work of the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly, with no further need for a precursory explanation prior to any intervention.
The meeting rose at 10.35 a.m.