A/67/PV.99 General Assembly

Members will recall that the General Assembly considered agenda item 11 at its 84th and 85th plenary meetings, on 10 June. The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/67/L.69/Rev.1, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declarations on HIV/AIDS”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision A/67/L.69/ Rev.1?

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

The United States would like to make the following explanation of position on draft decision A/67/L.69/Rev.1. The United States is pleased that the General Assembly has adopted a decision on the Secretary- General’s important report (A/67/822), although belatedly. We would like to express our regret that we were not able to arrive at a consensus and welcome *1347476* 13-47476 (E) the report, as has previously been our practice. As is often the case, reports such as this cover a wide range of subjects and can touch on issues that are sensitive for Member States. We recognize that some of the issues raised in the report are difficult for some Member States; in fact, some sections of the report have caused debate within our own Government. The United States was prepared to look at the report as a whole, acknowledge the strong overall analysis it provides and welcome it as an important contribution to the dialogue as the global community makes the final push towards 2015 on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While much has been achieved in recent years in the fight against HIV and AIDS, there is much left to do. We must be prepared to discuss the epidemic rationally, with a basis in science. It is a fact that key populations, including men who have sex with men, people who use drugs and sex workers, are driving the growth of the epidemic in certain hotspots. As we strive to meet the MDGs and look to the post-2015 process, we must acknowledge and respond to each country’s epidemic by pursuing an evidence-based, non-discriminatory approach. With that as our basis, together we can create an AIDS-free generation.

While Australia is pleased that a decision (decision 67/562) has been agreed on under this very important agenda item, we would like to express our disappointment that Member States were not able to agree on the text that welcomed the Secretary-General’s report on the issue (A/66/757). The report, which gave all of us reason to be optimistic about the progress towards the targets for a world free of AIDS, also provides us with clear directions on what still has to be done, particularly for populations at risk. We thank the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS for its ongoing efforts on the HIV response. Achieving the targets set out in the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS must remain a priority for all of us.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position. I now give the floor to the observer of the European Union, who wishes to make a statement following the adoption of the decision.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. We would first like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (A/67/822) on the progress towards achieving the targets of the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: Intensifying Our Efforts to Eliminate HIV and AIDS, adopted by the General Assembly in 2011. We appreciate the review of the progress made and the challenges involved in meeting the 10 specific, time-bound targets by 2015. We would like to stress that we consider the report to be well balanced, emphasizing as it does the worst- affected countries while taking into consideration the specificities of the various regions. The EU and its member States are committed to upholding human rights and gender equality, and the common EU values of solidarity in support of equitable and universal coverage through quality health services. In its relationship with partner countries, the EU pays particular attention to rights-based programmes for addressing the specific needs of key populations. While we do not wish to oppose consensus in the Assembly on the decision (decision 67/562) on the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declarations on HIV/AIDS, the European Union and its member States wish to stress that we find no reason not to welcome the Secretary-General’s report, as the General Assembly did with regard to the Secretary-General’s 2012 report. However, we have decided to accept the proposal to take note of the report, thereby demonstrating our utmost flexibility in a spirit of collaboration and compromise, and to reflect the importance we attach to the AIDS response. The European Union and its member States wish to reaffirm our commitment to addressing HIV and AIDS and our support for all the actors involved in the AIDS response.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 11?

Members will recall that the General Assembly considered, in a joint debate, agenda item 63 and its sub-items (a) and (b) and agenda item 13 at its 25th and 26th plenary meetings, on 17 October, and its 28th plenary meeting, on 22 October 2012. I now give the floor to the representative of Mozambique to introduce draft resolution A/67/L.80.

It is with honour that I introduce, on behalf of the African Group, draft resolution A/67/L.80, entitled “Consolidating gains and accelerating efforts to control and eliminate malaria in developing countries, particularly in Africa, by 2015”. Furthermore, Mozambique is proud to Chair the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA). Over the past decade, more than 1 million lives have been saved, with a 25 per cent reduction in mortality globally and a 33 per cent reduction in mortality in Africa. That success has happened through the collaborative efforts of Governments, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, United Nations agencies, international organizations, donors, foundations and other stakeholders. Indeed, African countries and partners have mobilized hundreds of millions of dollars to scale up malaria-control interventions, including long-lasting insecticidal nets, indoor residual spraying, rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin-based combination therapies. As a result, nine African countries— namely, Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Namibia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa and Swaziland — have already achieved or are on track to reduce malaria incidence by 75 per cent, and two additional countries, Madagascar and Zambia, are on track for a reduction of 50 to 75 per cent by 2015. Notwithstanding those gains, the grim reality is that malaria is still a global threat that affects 99 countries globally and contributed to 595,000 deaths in 2010. Africa continues to bear the brunt of that burden, accounting for 81 per cent of malaria cases occurring worldwide; and 90 per cent of malaria deaths occur in the region, with 86 per cent being those of children under 5. The Roll Back Malaria Partnership Harmonization Working Group supported countries in completing a comprehensive programmatic and financial gap analysis, detailing a $3.6 billion gap in the resources needed to sustain universal coverage of essential malaria interventions in Africa to the end of 2015. Today, we are less than 840 days from the 31 December 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. More than ever, we need the big push, as described by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Financing the Health-Related Millennium Development Goals and for Malaria and strongly advocated for by the Chair of ALMA, His Excellency President Armando Emílio Guebuza. This annual United Nations draft resolution is critical because it provides a rallying message for countries and guideposts to key partners, such as the African Development Bank; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the Economic Commission for Africa; the World Bank; the United Kingdom; France and the United States; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, to ensure that we build sustainable funding plans and ensure quality financial management, including priority-setting and accountability for results. I also want to recognize the creation of the Asia- Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance. This year’s draft resolution highlights a few technical updates and new developments since last year. The new components are as follows: it takes note of the declaration of the Special Summit of the African Union on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, held from 12 to 16 July 2013 in Abuja; it urges the inclusion of research and evidence-based and cost-effective and context-appropriate environmental management solutions to malaria-control strategies; and it recognizes the importance of a multisectoral approach to advance global malaria control efforts, and therefore looks forward to the presentation to Member States of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and the United Nations Development Programme Action Framework for a Multisectoral Approach to Malaria. In addition to those developments, we would also like to have the document reflect the following amendments, which were made post-consultations. In line 5 of paragraph 13, the phrase “treatment in pregnancies” should be deleted. Secondly, in line 6 of paragraph 27, the phrase “treatment for pregnant women, antimalarial treatment for all populations” should be deleted and replaced with the phrase “therapies for pregnant women, children under 5 and infants”. The draft resolution conclusively requests the Secretary-General, in close collaboration with the Director General of the World Health Organization and in consultation with Member States, to report on the implementation of the draft resolution at the sixty-eighth session, specifically on progress towards achieving the 2015 targets of the Abuja Declaration and those of the Global Malaria Action Plan, as well as Millennium Development Goal 6. Let me express our appreciation to the representatives who participated in the consultations for their constructive engagement and contributions. We furthermore thank those Members who sponsored the draft resolution, and invite other delegations to join the sponsorship today. We look forward to the adoption of the draft resolution by consensus, as in previous years.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/67/L.80, entitled “Consolidating gains and accelerating efforts to control and eliminate malaria in developing countries, particularly in Africa, by 2015”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, in addition to those delegations listed on document A/67/L.80 or previously mentioned during the introduction of the draft resolution, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, India, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Slovenia, Suriname, Sweden and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/67/L.80, as orally amended?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 13?

Members will recall that, at its 42nd and 43rd plenary meetings on 28 November 2012, the General Assembly held a debate on agenda item 14 jointly with agenda item 113 and agenda item 119. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members about the status of the consideration of draft resolution A/67/L.83, entitled “Review of the implementation of General Assembly resolution 61/16 on the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council”. Due to the late submission of the agreed text, there was insufficient time for the Secretariat to process the document, issue it in all six languages and circulate it for consideration at today’s plenary meeting. May I take it that the Assembly decides to transmit the agreed text contained in draft resolution A/67/L.83 to the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session, in order for the Assembly to take action on the draft resolution at that session?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda items 14 and 113.

I shall now invite the attention of the General Assembly to draft resolution A/67/L.82, circulated under agenda item 19 and entitled “Modalities for the sixth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development”. Members will recall that the Assembly concluded its consideration of agenda item 19 at its 61st plenary meeting, on 21 December 2012. In order for the Assembly to take action on the draft resolution before it, it will be necessary to reopen its consideration of agenda item 19. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of agenda item 19?

Members will further recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 21 September 2012, the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 19 to the Second Committee. To enable the General Assembly to take action expeditiously on the document, may I also take it that the Assembly wishes to consider agenda item 19 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration?

The General Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/67/L.82, entitled “Modalities for the sixth High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/67/L.82?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 19?

Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 21 September 2012, the General Assembly allocated this sub-item to the Second Committee. Members will also recall that at its 63rd plenary meeting, on 22 January 2013, the Assembly agreed to consider this sub-item directly in plenary meeting, proceeded immediately to its consideration and adopted decision 67/555, entitled “Open Working Group of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals”. Members will further recall that at its 89th plenary meeting, on 21 June 2013, the Assembly adopted decision 67/559, entitled “Intergovernmental committee of experts on sustainable development financing”, and at its 91st plenary meeting, on 9 July 2013, adopted resolution 67/290, entitled “Format and organizational aspects of the high-level political forum on sustainable development”. The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/67/L.81, entitled “Board of the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft decision A/67/L.81?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 20?

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 report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) which is before the Assembly today.

The positions of delegations regarding the recommendation of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth 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, that is, 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 General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendation contained in the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take a decision in the same manner as was done in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), unless notified otherwise in advance. The General Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 54?

Members will recall that the Assembly held a debate on agenda item 121 and its sub-items (a) to (w) at its 40th plenary meeting, on 19 November 2012. I now give the floor to the representative of Eritrea to introduce draft resolution A/67/L.67/Rev.1.

I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the African Group, draft resolution A/67/L.67/Rev.1, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union”. The African Group would like to express its appreciation to all delegations for their constructive engagement in and contributions to the draft resolution. Our gratitude is also directed to the President of the General Assembly for allowing a space for members to conduct further consultations and clarifications on ambiguous aspects of this very important draft resolution. I also thank the Secretary-General for allocating his time to attend this important meeting. The draft resolution submitted today reaffirms the existing cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union in key areas of peace and security as well as development. The draft resolution recognizes the need to enhance strategic partnerships and cooperation between the United Nations Security Council and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union in the realms of conflict prevention and resolution, early warning, mediation, crisis management, peacekeeping, security-sector reform and post-conflict peacebuilding in Africa. That would include efforts to implement the African Union Framework for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development. The African Group welcomes the ongoing efforts of the two Councils to hold joint meetings and commends the Security Council for its anticipated meeting with the African Union Peace and Security Council in October. The Group looks forward to a concrete expression of the determination of the two Councils to further consolidate their strategic partnership. With less than 800 days left to the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the draft resolution recognizes that Africa remains the only continent not on track to achieve the Goals. The draft resolution therefore stresses the need for the United Nations to redouble its efforts to address the challenge of poverty eradication and the critical issues of debt cancellation, enhanced official development assistance, increased inflows of foreign direct investment, technology transfer, the building of productive capacity and the creation of employment opportunities, as well as food insecurity, agricultural partnership, quality education, gender quality, improved maternal health and combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases. Finally, the draft resolution acknowledges the increasing relevance of strategic partnerships for the development of the African continent. The draft resolution expresses appreciation for the active role that both the United Nations and the African Union are playing in facilitating that relationship aimed at enhancing the attainment of Africa’s development goals. The African Group attaches great importance to ongoing strategic partnerships with various countries and regions and takes note of the new form of partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in the context of the International Conference on African Development, held in Yokahama, Japan, from 1 to 3 June. The African Group would like to welcome and commend ongoing strategic partnerships in the context of Africa-China, Africa-European Union, Africa-South America, Africa-Arab Summit, Africa-Turkey, Africa- India and Africa-Korea.

The Assembly shall now take a decision on draft resolution A/67/L.67/Rev.1, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union”, as orally corrected. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to those delegations listed in document A/67/L.67/Rev.1 or mentioned during its introduction, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malaysia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/67/L.67/Rev.1, as orally corrected? I now give the floor to the representative of Japan, who wishes to speak in explanation of position following the adoption of the resolution.

Japan is happy to have joined the adoption by consensus of resolution 67/302, under sub-item (a) of agenda item 121, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union”. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Eritrea for having introduced the draft resolution, and Swaziland for its hard work in successfully facilitating the negotiations on the text of the resolution. The central role of the United Nations and African Union (AU) in promoting international peace and security and sustainable development in Africa is indisputable. The need for those two entities to work together to enhance effectiveness is also appreciated by all of us. It is in that spirit that Japan has wholeheartedly welcomed the participation of the African Union Commission as one of the co-organizers of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) since 2010, together with the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and the Government of Japan. It is our strong conviction that TICAD V, the most recent Conference, convened at the Head-of-State level in Yokohama, Japan, in June, provided a unique platform for a deepened partnership between the AU and the United Nations. We also wish to draw the Assembly’s attention to the fact that the outcome document of TICAD V has been circulated among Member States (A/67/938, annex I), including a covering letter singed jointly by the Permanent Observer of the African Union and the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations. We would like to commend once again the increasing partnership and collaboration between the African Union and the United Nations. Japan will remain strongly committed to strengthening the cooperation between the two bodies.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 121? It was so decided.

Members will recall that the Assembly held the debate on agenda item 121 and its sub-items (a) to (w) at its 40th plenary meeting, on 19 November 2012. I now give the floor to the representative of New Zealand to introduce draft resolution A/67/L.79.

I have the honour of introducing draft resolution A/67/L.79 on behalf of Australia, Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands, the current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, whose warm hospitality as host of the most recent meeting of the Forum made such an impression on all who attended. It has now been 42 years since the Pacific Islands Forum was established. It is astonishing to reflect that, at that time, only three of our members, and only one Pacific country, were United Nations Members. Indeed, several had yet to gain their independence. Today’s reality is very different. Fourteen Pacific States are United Nations Members and, in the past month, we welcomed to New York the latest of them, the newly established Permanent Mission of Kiribati. Our members, who represent some of the world’s smallest communities, know that, regardless of size and geographic location, our region cannot afford to be a passive witness to discussions on climate change, oceans and fisheries and sustainable development, the outcomes of which have such substantial implications for our people. The United Nations has been an important partner to the Pacific in our pursuit of stability and sustainable development. But more can be done to improve the scope, focus and effectiveness of that support, in which regard we pay very special and warm tribute to the Secretary-General’s unprecedented engagement with our region, including several meetings with Pacific island leaders, two joint statements and an actual visit to the region in 2011. Such sustained attention has been greatly welcomed by us. Over the coming year, we look forward to translating those discussions into practical improvements to the United Nations engagement on the ground. This draft resolution provides a firm foundation for taking forward that engagement. Once again, I thank our many friends in the United Nations membership who, by their sponsorship of this draft resolution, have displayed their support and solidarity with us today. I submit this draft resolution for the Assembly’s collective consideration.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/67/L.79, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, in addition to those delegations listed in document A/67/L.79 or previously mentioned during its introduction, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, India, Israel, Montenegro, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and the United States of America.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/67/L.79?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (s) of agenda item 121?

In connection with this item, I have received a letter dated 9 August 2013 from the representative of Azerbaijan. The representative of Azerbaijan has requested that consideration of this item be deferred to the sixty-eighth session of the Assembly. May I take it that the Assembly decides to defer its consideration of the item and to include in the draft agenda of the sixty-eighth session the item entitled “The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan”?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 39?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 21 September 2012, the General Assembly decided to include that item in its agenda on the understanding that there would be no consideration of the item by the Assembly until further notice. In connection with the item, I have received a note verbale dated 11 September 2013 from the Permanent Mission of the Comoros to the United Nations requesting the inclusion of the item in the provisional agenda of the sixty-eighth session. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include the item entitled “Question of the Comorian island of Mayotte” in the draft agenda of the sixty-eighth session?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 40?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 21 September 2012, the Assembly decided to include agenda items 43 to 48 in the agenda of the sixty-seventh session, in accordance with paragraph 4 (b) of the annex to its resolution 58/316 of 1 July 2004. In resolution 58/316, the General Assembly decided that those items shall remain on the agenda for consideration upon notification by a Member State. Accordingly, those items have been included in the draft agenda of the sixty-eighth session. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda items 43 to 48?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 21 September 2012, the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the sixty-seventh session. It is my understanding that it would be desirable to defer consideration of the item to the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer consideration of agenda item 126 and to include it in the draft agenda of its sixty-eighth session?

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 126?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 21 September 2012, the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the sixty-seventh session. It is my understanding that it would be desirable to defer consideration of this item to the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer consideration of agenda item 148 and to include it in the draft agenda of its sixty-eighth session?

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 148?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 21 September 2012, the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the sixty-seventh session. It is my understanding that it would be desirable to defer consideration of this item to the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer consideration of agenda item 152 and to include it in the draft agenda of its sixty-eighth session?

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 152?

Members will recall that the Assembly considered this item, in a joint debate with agenda items 14 and 113, at its 42nd and 43rd plenary meetings on 28 November 2012. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members on the status of the consideration of draft decision A/67/L.84 entitled “Extension of the intergovernmental process of the General Assembly on strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system”. Due to the late submission of the text, there was insufficient time for the Secretariat to process that lengthy document, issue it in all six languages and circulate it for consideration at today’s plenary meeting. May I take it that the Assembly decides to transmit the agreed text contained in draft decision A/67/L.84 to the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session in order for the Assembly to take action on the draft decision at that session?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 119.

I should like to remind delegations that the following agenda items, which have been considered at previous meetings, remain open for consideration during the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly: items 9, 14, 15, 20 (b) and (h), 30, 31, 33, 70 (a) to (c), 94 (b), 106, 107, 110 (a) and (b), 111 (f), 112, 113, 115, 118 (a) and (b), 119, 121 (b), (i), (p), (q) and (v), 124, 125, 128 (a) to (r), 129 to 147, 149 to 151, 153 to 157, 158 (a) and (b), 159 to 164 and 171. As members are aware, those items have been included in the provisional agenda of the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly with the exception of sub-item (b) of agenda item 110, entitled “Election of thirty members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law”; sub-item (b) of agenda item 118, entitled “Central role of the United Nations system in global governance”; sub-items (b), (i), (p), (q) and (v) of agenda item 121, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations”; sub-items (a) to (d), (i), (k), (m) to (p), and (q) of agenda item 128, entitled “Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors”; agenda item 138, entitled “United Nations pension system”; agenda item 139, entitled “Administrative and budgetary coordination of the United Nations with the specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency”; and agenda item 145, entitled “Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations peacekeeping operations”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda items 9, 14, 15, 20 (b) and (h), 30, 31, 33, 70 (a) to (c), 94 (b), 106, 107, 110 (a) and (b), 111 (i), 112, 113, 115, 118 (a) and (b), 119, 121 (b), (i), (p), (q) and (v), 124, 125, 128 (a) to (r), 129 to 147, 149 to 151, 153 to 157, 158 (a) and (b), 159 to 164 and 171 at the present session?

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to include agenda items 9, 14, 15, 20 (b) and (h), 30, 31, 33, 70 (a) to (c), 94 (b), 106, 107, 110 (a) and (b), 111 (i), 112, 113, 115, 118 (a) and (b), 119, 121 (b), (i), (p), (q) and (v), 124, 125, 128 (a) to (r), 129 to 147, 149 to 151, 153 to 157, 158 (a) and (b), 159 to 164 and 171 in the draft agenda of the sixty-eighth session?

I now give the floor to the Secretary-General.

We have reached another notable moment on the United Nations calendar. With the end of the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly, we express our gratitude to the President of this body, His Excellency Mr. Vuk Jeremić, as well as the Vice-Presidents, committee chairs and others who helped steer the Assembly through an eventful year. I again thank His Excellency Mr. Vuk Jeremić for the great dynamism that he brought to the job. When he was elected President, he was just a month away from his thirty-seventh birthday, making him one of the youngest people ever chosen to serve in that capacity. I am sure he now feels considerably older than 38. Presiding over 193 Member States has a way of ageing a person. Over the past year, the General Assembly has realized a number of significant achievements across the range of issues that are on the General Assembly’s agenda. To cite but a few, the Assembly held its first- ever high-level meeting on the rule of law and adopted a far-reaching and forward-looking Declaration on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels. The Assembly also adopted an Arms Trade Treaty, the first-ever international treaty to regulate the trade in conventional weapons. Those were important breakthroughs indeed. All in all, the Assembly adopted more than 300 resolutions, including on the strengthening of the Organization itself. You, Sir, also convened a number of thematic debates and dialogues on entrepreneurship, culture, inequality and, just last week, on the responsibility to protect, a timely initiative indeed. The Assembly also renewed its efforts to combat trafficking in persons. The sixty-seventh session coincided with a challenging period for the international community. The Assembly stepped in when the Security Council was divided on Syria. The Assembly also continued to wrestle with the prolonged consequences of the global economic crisis. Member States also began the hugely important discussions on the post-2015 development agenda and a new set of goals for sustainable development, including by establishing the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. During the sixty-seventh session, we also closed the General Assembly Hall for much-needed renovations. I thank Member States for their continued support for the Capital Master Plan. I again thank all those who, during the sixty-seventh session, helped to lay the necessary groundwork for achievements in the years ahead. I look forward to the capable stewardship of Ambassador John Ashe during the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly to take this vital work forward for the benefit of the people we are here to serve. I thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. This is the last time that I will be addressing the General Assembly in my capacity as its President. I would like to give my address from the lectern, standing before the Assembly. It has been a distinct privilege for me to preside over the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly. I have been truly humbled by the opportunity to serve the world on behalf of my nation. Seven decades after we became a founding Member of the Organization in the wake of the great victory over fascism, and 20 years after having been left out of this Hall as our country descended into a maelstrom of ferocious civil war, we stood with pride on the world stage once again, empowered by the confidence bestowed upon us by the Member States. I have made every effort to carry out the duties of my office to the best of my ability, to exercise my authority in a forthright and even-handed manner, and to faithfully serve the cause of the United Nations. One of the finest accounts of the Organization was given by His Excellency Mr. Osvaldo Aranha of Brazil on his final day as President of the General Assembly at its second session, back in 1947. His words are as inspiring now as on the day he spoke them. The United Nations, he said, “stands for the new order, based on peaceful accord, on understanding, on free discussion, on free decision and on the common and equal responsibility of peoples. It is the organ of world public opinion.” (A/PV.128, p. 1442) I would like to thank everyone who has helped me carry out the agenda of the sixty-seventh session: first and foremost, the representatives of the 193 nations that make up this Hall, in particular the Vice-Presidents and the Main Committee Chairs, as well as the facilitators I have appointed over the course of the past year. I would also like to thank the hardworking people in various branches of the Secretariat for their support and assistance, especially the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, the Department of Public Information and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, as well as the interpreters, protocol officers and security personnel. My multinational team was anchored by a group of devoted Serbian advisers, who worked in tandem with highly capable diplomats seconded from their capitals. Allow me to acknowledge their industry and diligence, and to thank them for their invaluable contributions. Last but certainly not least, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Secretary-General for his invaluable advice and guidance throughout my term. It has been an honour to work with him over the past 12 months, and I take this opportunity to pay a wholehearted tribute to his spirited leadership of the United Nations. Right now he is represented in this Hall by my good friend the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, one of the most capable diplomats I have met in my career. I would like to thank him for his strong support and the backing of the Secretary-General in his leadership of the Organization. During this session, Member States adopted close to 90 written and oral decisions, and around 300 resolutions. One of the most significant related to the text of the breakthrough Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) (resolution 67/234 A and B), the first legally binding instrument ever negotiated at the United Nations to establish common standards for the international transfer of conventional armaments. That robust and actionable document will enhance transparency in the weapons industry; oblige sellers to provide an assessment as to whether their commercial activity could facilitate human rights abuses or violations of humanitarian law; and strengthen reporting and accountability mechanisms. I respectfully urge Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the ATT to do so at the earliest opportunity in order to expedite its entry into force. On the sixty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 181 (II) A and B, mandating two States for two peoples in the Holy Land, I was privileged to preside over a historic meeting of the General Assembly (A/67/PV.44) in which Member States voted overwhelmingly to grant Palestine non-member observer State status in the United Nations (resolution 67/19). It has helped set the stage for direct negotiations between the parties in the aftermath. I take this opportunity to urge all stakeholders to the peace process to join together in a common cause and thus bring to close an era of great enmity in the Middle East. The horrors of the past inevitably shape who we are, but unless we are ready to tame and eventually overcome them, the future is not likely to be any different. I believe that the talks that are now under way represent the best chance in a generation to achieve a just and comprehensive settlement, enabling two proud nations to finally start living side by side in peace and security. Another notable achievement of the sixty-seventh session was the landmark resolution on the United Nations and global economic governance (resolution 67/289). For the first time, Member States set baseline terms for flexible and regular interaction in the General Assembly between the United Nations, the Group of 20 (G-20) countries and non-G20 countries, as well as international financial organizations. Henceforth, this Hall will serve as an inclusive platform for exchanging views, sharing information and reflecting on common concerns about financial and trade issues. That will complement existing multilateral efforts to establish what a recent report of the Secretary-General called a “more inclusive and participatory global economic governance framework” (A/67/769, para. 58). The great Irish man of letters George Bernard Shaw once wrote that “[t]he people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them”. In order to create such circumstances, which would raise the vitality of the General Assembly, a decade ago States Member States of the United Nations gave a mandate to the President of the General Assembly to propose topics for thematic debates on issues of critical importance. During the latter part of the sixty- seventh session, I convened more than a dozen such events. Each, I believe, provided us with a unique opportunity to exchange views, as sovereign equals, on key subjects affecting the international community as a whole. I am proud of the fact that a record number of countries participated in them, empowered to speak up and present their cases, and listen to frank and open responses. Together, we broke a number of taboos, and made sure there would be no more forbidden topics in the General Assembly. I believe it will help this universal parliament to assume an even more pronounced role in the governance of world affairs. In addition to those mandated by specific resolutions, thematic debates were held on international criminal justice, the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa, sustainable development and climate change, culture, entrepreneurship, education, social inequality and, most recently, credit rating agencies. Some of them were groundbreaking events that featured not only the high-level participation of Member States, but gave the world’s most prominent platform to leading international opinion-makers, religious leaders, artists, academicians, athletes and non-governmental organizations. The most glaring failure of the international community during the sixty-seventh session has been the ongoing tragedy of Syria. I feel deeply ashamed that we have not been able to find a way to stop that carnage. In that proud and ancient land, the death toll continues to rise with every passing hour, as does the number of refugees and internally displaced persons. The nation’s social fabric is breaking down. Schools have been shut and hospitals operate without medicine. Continued militarization deepens the suffering of Syria’s people and strengthens those who seek to establish ethnic or sectarian fiefdoms. To end the fratricide, we must have a high-level political dialogue. We must bring the parties together and make them talk to each other face to face. To that end, I believe we must push even harder for an international peace conference on Syria, and wholeheartedly support all initiatives that can prevent exacerbation of the catastrophe. Syria is but the latest fissure to appear in the international system. In recent times, both the quantity and frequency of flashpoints has been surging upwards. Our problems have become more complex and have led to an increase in the overall sense of uncertainty about our future. Humankind is facing a test of unprecedented proportions  — an existential crisis unlike any the world has experienced in its long and tumultuous history. We are in the midst of a period of great consequence, characterized by growing economic instability, rising social inequality and spiraling environmental degradation. Our energy and agricultural demands are soaring; our access to clean water is plummeting; sovereign debts are mounting; populations are exploding; youth unemployment is rising; the polar icecaps are melting and droughts becoming commonplace. All nations are increasingly affected, and none can hope to solve those challenges on its own. It is against that backdrop that world leaders came together, in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, to set the foundation of the post-2015 agenda. They agreed to comprehensively integrate the three dimensions of development  — social, economic and environmental  — into a single, fully coherent and sustainable whole. And they endowed the General Assembly with additional mandates. Over the course of the sixty-seventh session, we took the essential first steps to fulfil them. We set up the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals; we agreed on the terms of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing to propose options for financing them; and we achieved consensus on the framework for the high-level political forum for monitoring their implementation. I am very proud of those achievements. They have established the necessary groundwork upon which substantive issues can now start to be addressed. The General Assembly has less than 850 days to do so. I believe that there is still a lack of understanding in certain quarters of the enormous scope of that task. It is probably the most challenging endeavour in the history of multilateral diplomacy. All eyes are now turned to this Hall for leadership, and this Hall must now answer the call of an anxious humankind. This is the only international institution endowed with indisputable legitimacy to act on behalf of all sovereign States. If it fails to establish the parameters of a universal transition to sustainability, we will not move forward. Across the globe, economies would slump, social tensions rise and adverse climate change gallop ahead with abandon. We would lurch as a world into a downward spiral from which we might never recover. I believe that this is the moment to shake off complacency and throw aside old habits that reinforce the status quo. It is the moment to reinvent the very definition of human progress to transform what not so long ago was but a far-off dream into a reality for all of humankind. And it is the very last moment to chart a course towards a more secure and sustainable future. There will be no second chance — no “next time”, no “do over”. We must not squander this opportunity out of fear, reticence, distrust, incredulity or whatever else may be holding us back. As we embark on this fateful journey, I believe we should draw inspiration from what the great Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld once wrote not long before his death: “Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road ... Never, ‘for the sake of peace and quiet’, deny your own experience and convictions.” God bless the representatives gathered in this Hall; God bless Mr. John Ashe, my successor; and God bless the Organization of the United Nations.

We are now coming to the end of the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly. I would like to invite representatives to stand and observe one minute of silent prayer or meditation.

Before proceeding further, I would like to invite to the podium the President-elect for the sixty-eighth session, His Excellency Mr. John Ashe, to hand over the gavel to him. I declare closed the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly.