A/68/PV.65 General Assembly

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013 — Session 68, Meeting 65 — New York — UN Document ↗

In the absence of the President, Ms. Borges (Timor- Leste), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: A/RES/68/76 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (173)
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✓ Yes (165)
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✓ Yes (169)
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✓ Yes (179)
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✓ Yes (128)
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (178)
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✓ Yes (178)
The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m.

Reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

The Acting President #69825
The General Assembly will consider the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on agenda items 48 to 60, 122 and 135. I request the Rapporteur of the Committee, Mr. Michal Komada of Slovakia, to introduce the reports of the Committee in one intervention. Mr. Komada (Slovakia), Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee): I have the honour to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) submitted under agenda items 48 to 60, 122 and 135. The reports, contained in documents A/68/420 to A/68/433 and A/68/591, include the texts of draft resolutions and decisions recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. For the convenience of delegations, a checklist prepared by the Secretariat of action taken in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee is contained in A/C.4/68/INF/3. During the main part of the sixty-eighth session, the Special Political and Decolonization Committee held a total of 25 formal meetings, during the course of which it adopted 27 draft resolutions and two draft *1361405* 13-61405 (E) decisions. Of those, 13 draft resolutions and both draft decisions were adopted without a vote. The first report, submitted under agenda item 48, entitled “Assistance in mine action”, is contained in document A/68/421. Under the terms of the draft resolution, contained in paragraph 10 of that report, the General Assembly would call for the continuation of the efforts of States, the United Nations and the relevant organizations involved in mine action to foster the development of mine-action capacities in mine-affected States, and would encourage Member States to support victim assistance. The second report, submitted under agenda item 49, entitled “Effects of atomic radiation”, is contained in document A/68/422. Under the terms of the draft resolution, contained in paragraph 9 of the report, the General Assembly would decide, among other things, to endorse the proposed programme of work of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, including its next global survey of medical irradiation usage and exposures and its assessments of the levels of ionizing radiation exposure resulting from electrical energy production. The third report, submitted under agenda item 50, entitled “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”, is contained in document A/68/423 and contains two draft resolutions in paragraph 12. During its consideration of the item, the Fourth Committee held a number of meetings of a working group of the whole, chaired by the delegation of Japan. Under the terms of the first draft resolution, entitled “Recommendations on national legislation relevant to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space”, the General Assembly would recommend a number of elements for consideration by States when enacting regulatory frameworks for national space activities in accordance with their national law. Under the terms of the second draft omnibus resolution, the General Assembly would request that the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space continue to consider, as a matter of priority, ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes and report thereon to the Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. It would also decide that Belarus and Ghana should become members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The fourth report, submitted under agenda item 51, entitled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”, is contained in document A/68/424. The Fourth Committee considered the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as well as other relevant reports. The Committee adopted four draft resolutions related to various aspects of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, as contained in paragraph 17 of the report. Under the terms of the first draft resolution, “Assistance to Palestine refugees”, the General Assembly would decide to extend the mandate of UNRWA until 30 June 2017. The fifth report, submitted under agenda item 52, entitled “Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, is contained in document A/68/425. The Fourth Committee considered the report of the Special Committee concerning the protection and promotion of the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arab inhabitants of the occupied territories, as well as other reports by the Secretary-General. The Fourth Committee proposes that the General Assembly adopt five draft resolutions, which are contained in paragraph 20 of its report. The sixth report, relating to agenda item 53, entitled “Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects”, is contained in document A/68/426. The Fourth Committee heard comprehensive introductory statements by, and held an informal interactive dialogue with, the Under- Secretaries-General for Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support. Many of the issues raised during the interactive discussion and the comprehensive general debate held under this item will be further considered by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations in its upcoming session in 2014, the report of which will be considered by the Fourth Committee in its resumed session in the first half of 2014. The seventh report, relating to agenda item 54, entitled “Comprehensive review of special political missions”, is contained in document A/68/427. Under the terms of the draft resolution, contained in paragraph 8 of the report, the Assembly would request that the Secretary-General have a dialogue with Member States and submit a report at the sixty-ninth session on the overall policy matters pertaining to special political missions. The eighth report, submitted under agenda item 55, entitled “Questions relating to information”, is contained in document A/68/428. The Fourth Committee considered the report submitted by the Committee on Information (A/68/21) and the related reports of the Secretary-General (A/AC.198/2013/2- 4), and was briefed by the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information about the efforts being made by his Department to promote the United Nations message around the world. The Fourth Committee adopted, without a vote, a draft resolution in two parts, which is contained in paragraph 9 of the report. With regard to the cluster of items on Non-Self- Governing Territories and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, namely, agenda items 56 to 60, the Fourth Committee considered those five items together and held a joint general debate at which it heard 77 petitioners from the various Non-Self-Governing Territories, as well as the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. Under those items, the General Assembly has before it five reports, as follows. The report on agenda item 56, entitled “Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations”, is contained in document A/68/429. The report on agenda item 57, entitled “Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories”, is contained in document A/68/430. Regarding agenda item 58, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations”, the report is contained in document A/68/431. The report relating to agenda item 59, entitled “Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories”, is contained in document A/68/432. The corresponding draft resolution in each of the four reports I have just referred to is contained in paragraph 7 of the relevant report. The report submitted under agenda item 60, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”, is contained in document A/68/433. Under this item, the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) adopted seven draft resolutions and a draft decision, which are contained in paragraphs 26 and 27 of the report. With regard to agenda item 122, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, the report containing the proposed work and timetable of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) for the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly is contained in document A/68/591. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) recommends the draft decision, contained in paragraph 6 of the report, to the General Assembly for adoption. The need did not arise for the Committee to take up item 135, entitled “Programme planning”, at this stage, as indicated in the report of the Committee contained in document A/68/434. I have the honour to submit to the General Assembly for its consideration and adoption the draft resolutions and draft decisions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in its reports contained in documents A/68/421 to A/68/434 and A/68/591. Before concluding, I would like to recall the high level of cooperation prevailing in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee). The Committee was able to fulfil the mandate entrusted to it by the Assembly and complete its work effectively and constructively within the time allocated by the Assembly. I should like to express, on behalf of the Bureau of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), our sincere appreciation to all delegations for their constructive participation during the session. In that regard, I would also like to pay tribute to the efforts of the facilitators of the draft resolutions. I wish to thank the Secretary of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), Ms. Emer Herity, and her team of Ms. Christa Giles, Mr. Dino Del Vasto, Mr. Martin Vrastiak, Ms. Nana Kharbedia and Ms. Jee Eun Kang for their direct assistance to the Chair and other members of the Bureau, as well as to all Committee members during this year’s session of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee). I should also like to place on record our appreciation for the able and effective assistance provided to the Committee by members of the Secretariat from the Disarmament and Peace Affairs Branch of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. I would also like to thank the representatives of the Eastern European States for my nomination and delegations for my election as the Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee). I should like to pay particular tribute to the Chair of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), Mr. Carlos García González of El Salvador, whose knowledge and experience in multilateral forums, enhanced by his consummate diplomatic skills, enabled the Committee to consider in depth all of the agenda items allocated to it. The able guidance of Ambassador García González was visible especially in his commitment to reach consensus whenever possible, inter alia through his support to the facilitators. The other members of the Bureau, Ms. Christina Rafti of Cyprus, Mr. Mafiroane Motanyane of Lesotho and Mr. Francesco Santillo of Italy, with whom I had the pleasure of working, also contributed greatly to the successful conclusion of the work of the Committee.

50.  International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/423)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

60.  Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/433)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The Acting President #69826
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 Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) that are before the Assembly today.

51.  United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Report of the Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth Committee) (A/68/424)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (173)

52.  Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/68/379) Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/425)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (95)
It was so decided.
The Acting President #69827
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. Before proceeding further, I wish to consult members on how I intend to refer to the reports of the Committee. In order to save time and given that this morning the Assembly is taking up only the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), I will only mention the term “the Committee”, on the understanding that the formal name of the Committee, the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), will be reflected in the official records. As I hear no objection, we shall proceed accordingly. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the 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 “[w]hen 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 further 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 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 Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified to the contrary in advance. That means that, where recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I should also hope that we will 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 “Checklist of reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) to the General Assembly on agenda items 48 to 60, 122 and 135”, which has been circulated, in English only, as document A/C.4/68/INF/3. The note has been distributed desk-to-desk in the General Assembly Hall as a reference guide for action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Committee in its reports. In that connection, members will find, in the fourth column of the note, the symbols of the draft resolutions and decisions of the Committee, with the corresponding symbols of the reports for action in the plenary in the second column of the same note. For reports containing multiple recommendations, the draft resolution or decision number is contained in the third column of the note. Furthermore, members are reminded that additional sponsors are no longer accepted, now that the Committee has adopted the draft resolutions and decisions. Any clarification about sponsorship should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee.
Vote: 32/413 Consensus

48.  Assistance in mine action Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/421)

The Acting President #69828
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 68/72).
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (170)
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 169   ✗ 6   7 abs.
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✓ Yes (169)
The Acting President #69829
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 48?
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
It was so decided.

49.  Effects of atomic radiation Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/422)

The Acting President #69830
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 68/73).
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 170   ✗ 6   6 abs.
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✓ Yes (170)
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 167   ✗ 6   9 abs.
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✓ Yes (167)
Vote: 32/95 Consensus

127.  Global health and foreign policy Note by the Secretary-General (A/68/394)

Vote: 68/98 Consensus
The Acting President #69831
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 49?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #69832
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Recommendations on national legislation relevant to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space”. The Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 68/74).
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (172)
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 165   ✗ 8   8 abs.
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✓ Yes (165)
The Acting President #69833
Draft resolution II is entitled “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”. The Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 68/75).
Vote: 32/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 178   ✗ 3   1 abs.
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (178)
The Acting President #69834
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 50?
It was so decided.
Vote: 31/169 Recorded Vote
✓ 169   ✗ 1   12 abs.
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (169)
The Acting President #69835
The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 17 of its report. The Assembly shall now take a decision on draft resolutions I to IV, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their vote on any or all of the draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Assistance to Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 32/98 Recorded Vote
✓ 178   ✗ 3   1 abs.
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (178)
Draft resolution I was adopted by 173 votes to 1, with 8 abstentions (resolution 68/76).
The Acting President #69836
Draft resolution II is entitled “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 170 votes to 6, with 6 abstentions (resolution 68/77).
The Acting President #69837
Draft resolution III is entitled “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 170 votes to 6, with 6 abstentions (resolution 68/78).
The Acting President #69838
We now turn to draft resolution IV, entitled “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 172 votes to 6, with 5 abstentions (resolution 68/79).
The Acting President #69839
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 51?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #69840
The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 20 of its report. We shall now proceed to take a decision on draft resolutions I to V, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 95 votes to 8, with 75 abstentions (resolution 68/80).
The Acting President #69841
Draft resolution II is entitled “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 169 votes to 6, with 7 abstentions (resolution 68/81).
The Acting President #69842
Draft resolution III is entitled “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan”, as recommended in document A/68/425. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 167 votes to 6, with 9 abstentions (resolution 68/82).
The Acting President #69843
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”, as recommended in document A/68/425. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 165 votes to 8, with 8 abstentions (resolution 68/83).
The Acting President #69844
Draft resolution V is entitled “The occupied Syrian Golan”, as recommended in document A/68/425. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution V was adopted by 169 votes to 1, with 12 abstentions (resolution 68/84).
The Acting President #69845
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 52?
It was so decided.

53.  Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/426)

The Acting President #69846
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee, contained in document A/68/426?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #69847
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 53.

54.  Comprehensive review of special political missions Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/427)

The Acting President #69848
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution entitled “Comprehensive review of special political missions”, recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 68/85).
The Acting President #69849
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 54?
It was so decided.

55.  Questions relating to information Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/428)

The Acting President #69850
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions A and B, one by one. Draft resolution A is entitled “Information in the service of humanity”. The Committee adopted draft resolution A without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 68/86 A).
The Acting President #69851
Draft resolution B is entitled “United Nations public information policies and activities”. The Committee adopted draft resolution B without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 68/86 B).
The Acting President #69852
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 55?
It was so decided.

56.  Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/429)

The Acting President #69853
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution entitled “Information from Non-Self- Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations”, as recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 179 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 68/87).
The Acting President #69854
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 56?
It was so decided.

57.  Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/430)

The Acting President #69855
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution entitled “Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories”, recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 180 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 68/88).
The Acting President #69856
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 57?
It was so decided.

58.  Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/431)

The Acting President #69857
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations”, recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 128 votes to none, with 55 abstentions (resolution 68/89).
The Acting President #69858
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 58?
It was so decided.

59.  Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/432)

The Acting President #69859
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution entitled “Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories”, recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 68/90).
The Acting President #69860
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 59?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #69861
The Assembly has before it seven draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 26 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 27 of the same report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to VII and on the draft decision, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their votes or positions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Question of Western Sahara”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 68/91).
The Acting President #69862
Draft resolution II is entitled “Question of New Caledonia”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 68/92).
The Acting President #69863
Draft resolution III is entitled “Question of French Polynesia”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 68/93).
The Acting President #69864
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Question of Tokelau”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 68/94).
The Acting President #69865
Draft resolution V is entitled “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 68/95).
The Acting President #69866
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Dissemination of information on decolonization”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VI was adopted by 178 votes to 3, with 1 abstention (resolution 68/96).
The Acting President #69867
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VII was adopted by 178 votes to 3, with 1 abstention (resolution 68/97).
The Acting President #69868
We will now take action on the draft decision entitled “Question of Gibraltar”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 68/523).
The Acting President #69869
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 60?
It was so decided.

122.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/591)

The Acting President #69870
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Proposed programme of work and timetable of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) for the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly”. The Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 68/524).
The Acting President #69871
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 122.

135.  Programme planning Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/68/434)

The Acting President #69872
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee?
It was so decided.
The Acting President on behalf of General Assembly #69873
The 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. Carlos Enrique García González, Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations and Chair of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), the members of the Bureau, the Secretary of the Committee and representatives for a job well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all of the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) before it.
The Acting President #69874
In connection with this agenda item, the Assembly has before it a note by the Secretary-General (A/68/394) transmitting the report prepared by the Director-General of the World Health Organization on country experiences in moving towards universal health coverage, pursuant to resolution 67/81, and a draft resolution entitled “Global health and foreign policy” (A/68/L.26). I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia to introduce draft resolution A/68/L.26.
Mr. Khan IDN Indonesia on behalf of Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative group #69875
This statement is delivered on behalf of the Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative group, which consists of Brazil, France, Indonesia, Norway, Senegal, South Africa and Thailand. As the group enters its seventh year, we appreciate that the ideas we have raised in the General Assembly have been well received and supported. Last year, with the support and cooperation of all Member States, the Initiative group succeeded in facilitating the adoption of one of the hallmark resolutions for health, namely, resolution 67/81, on universal health coverage. The timing of the adoption of that resolution felt right, given the vulnerability of the poor in the context of the turbulent global economic recovery. Ensuring that all people can obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship for the payment of such services was then the main consideration of the group in proposing the universal health coverage draft resolution. This year, as we are in the final lap of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) time frame, and in the context of all the ongoing processes leading towards the post-2015 development agenda, the Initiative group has raised the idea of partnerships for global health as the focus of the General Assembly’s draft resolution on global health and foreign policy at its sixty-eighth session (A/68/L.26). Even before the launch of the MDGs framework, more than a decade ago, partnerships for health were one of the contributing factors behind a lot of significant progress in achieving health goals. The MDGs framework, particularly its health-related goals, infused further momentum into such efforts, leading to more widespread action to transform health commitments into measurable and tangible results at all levels. Nevertheless, despite progress in the achievement of the MDGs on health and the proliferation of actors in the global health cooperation architecture, poor health outcomes and weak health systems remain. A global partnership for overcoming the structural and economic barriers to development and health is fundamental for reaching the goals of the global development agenda. The international community therefore needs to strengthen partnerships for global health and ensure that the commitments made in relation to partnerships for health are fulfilled. Working together in partnership, we can multiply the impact on health outcomes. Together we can make progress in implementing universal health coverage, promoting access to quality essential health services and equity in all the interconnected areas that contribute to health, accelerating progress for the achievement of all health-related MDGs, and strengthening health systems. It was in the spirit of partnership that this year’s General Assembly draft resolution on global health and foreign policy was negotiated and agreed upon by consensus. We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our utmost appreciation to all delegations for their positive and constructive engagement and contribution during the consultative process. We would also like to extend our highest appreciation to the World Health Organization for its continued support during the process, to the relevant United Nations entities and to international organizations, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations for their valuable input to the draft resolution in its earlier format. Through this draft resolution, we are calling for enhanced partnerships between States and other relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society and academia, to improve health for all, in particular by supporting the development of sustainable and comprehensive health systems; ensuring equity and universal access to quality health services; fostering innovations to meet current and future health needs; strengthening capacities for regulation and production as well as research and development; and promoting health throughout the course of a person’s life. The adoption of this draft resolution will definitely not be the end, but rather the beginning of the real hard work. Without the action required, the commitments expressed in the draft resolution are merely expressions of lofty ideals. The legitimacy of our commitments under the draft resolution will therefore be measured against the action that will take place. Before I conclude, I would like to make some oral corrections to some of the paragraphs in document A/68/L.26 that do not, after editing, reflect the essence agreed upon during the consultations on the draft resolution. First, in the fourth preambular paragraph, the reference to “the right of everyone” in the third line should be deleted, as the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and to a standard of living adequate for the health and the well-being of oneself and one’s family and to the continuous improvement of living conditions has been agreed to be the right of every human being, without distinction of any kind, as already mentioned in the beginning of that paragraph. In the eighth line of the sixth preambular paragraph and in the last part of the paragraph, the reference to the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights should be made in full, as taken from the agreed language of the previous resolution, and not just referred to as “Agreement”. In the first line of the fifteenth preambular paragraph, the correct reference is to recognize “the link between moving towards universal health coverage and many other foreign policy issues”, not “the promotion of universal health coverage”. In the middle of the third line of paragraph 11, the correct language should be “... of the post-2015 development agenda and that due consideration is given”. Lastly, there are two corrections in paragraph 12. The first is in line 4: the words “nationally determined” should be followed by “sets of”. The second is in line 5: the correct reference should be “basic health services needed and essential, safe, affordable, effective and quality medicines”. We would like those corrections to be reflected in the document, and we would like to thank the Secretariat and the editors for their hard work and assistance during the process.
Mr. Roet ISR Israel #69876
Let me begin by expressing Israel’s appreciation to the Secretary-General for transmitting the report of the Director-General of the World Health Organization on global health and foreign policy (A/68/394). The report makes clear that each and every Government has a responsibility to integrate the goals and objectives of global health into its foreign policy. The report also focuses on the importance of partnerships in achieving better health outcomes. As Charles Darwin said, “In the long history of humankind ... those who learned to collaborate ... most effectively have prevailed.” We must confront health challenges together because diseases do not discriminate. A health crisis in one country can easily spread to others in its region, and often well beyond. In our region, we are dedicated to working with our neighbours to promote long-term health and implement action plans in the event of a disease outbreak. One example is the Middle East Consortium on Infectious Disease Surveillance, a regional initiative that brings together Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians in an effort to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and food-borne illness. The linkage between health, prosperity and security is clear. Promoting global health helps to reduce poverty and inequality, advances stability and security and lays the foundation for economic progress and growth. Those issues are at the very core of the mission of the United Nations. Promoting good health has always been a priority for Israel. When the State was established, in 1948, a significant national health infrastructure was already in place. Israel has focused on developing innovative and effective solutions to meet the range of health challenges facing our population. In fact, Israel pioneered the practice of universal health care, and our system has been used as a model for many other countries. The Israeli Government health-care system has also benefited tremendously from partnerships. One example can be found at Israel’s iconic Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Partnering with the Anglican Church of Australia, Project Rozana trains people of different faiths and backgrounds to assist Palestinian children by providing treatment and medical training. Similarly, Israel’s Peres Center for Peace currently operates a humanitarian project with the Palestinian pediatric community. Together they facilitate the referral of Palestinian babies and children to Israeli hospitals. The network includes more than 60 Israeli and Palestinian doctors bound by a common practice and purpose. For decades, Israel has provided its expertise, technology, medicine and training to developing countries in the field of health. Much of this work is carried out by MASHAV  — Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation  — in partnership with the Ministry of Health, civil society and the private sector. In Ghana, Israel administers a network of community-based prenatal and healthy-baby clinics, known as Tipat Chalav, which is Hebrew for “drop of milk”. Initially developed for mothers and children in Israel, those clinics have proved highly effective in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health in Ghana. For more than 50 years, Israel has sponsored eye clinics in countries where health facilities are inadequate. Israeli ophthalmologists travel throughout the developing world to treat people who suffer from blindness and poor eyesight as a result of cataracts, malnutrition, trauma or infection. Such clinics have been set up around the world — in Cameroon, Liberia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, Uzbekistan and many other countries. Israeli ophthalmologists also train local personnel and leave behind equipment and supplies donated by the Government of Israel. There is no question that global health must have a central position in the post-2015 development agenda. Health is the foundation upon which the three pillars of sustainable development are built. Healthy people are more likely to seek higher levels of education, to be financially independent and to contribute positively to the societies in which they live. Good health not only contributes to sustainable development, it is also a powerful tool to measure our progress towards achieving sustainable development. Looking beyond 2015, the international community must focus on improving the quality and quantity of data and, in particular, be able to disaggregate data so that our progress is measured in an effective manner. We believe that is critical for reaching the most underserved individuals. We also need to emphasize the importance of health systems. We have had remarkable success with disease-specific goals and interventions, but we need to devote specific attention to health systems. Strong and well-designed health systems are the frontline of defence for healthy, productive societies. We need to find ways to hardwire the importance of health systems into our work. We can learn from each other’s policies, but we are aware that there is not one solution for every nation. These issues should be addressed in foreign policy in order to assert the position of global health in the international agenda. Israel is dedicated to sharing its knowledge and is willing and able to learn from others. It is only from that perspective that together we will improve the global health situation.
Mr. Maksimychev RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #69877
The Russian Federation welcomes and fully supports the efforts of the United Nations, and in particular those of the World Health Organization, aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation and promoting national capacity-building in the field of health care. The inclusion of health care as one of the priorities of the global socioeconomic agenda is a significant achievement of the United Nations. A healthy population is beginning to be seen as an essential resource necessary for States’ sustainable development. Health- care systems represent long-term investments by States in their human potential. We advocate stepping up work at all levels to address the imbalances between health- care systems. The implementation of the United Nations main objective in the field of health care — achieving the best possible level of health for every individual — requires targeted and sustained efforts to achieve universal access to health care. We welcome draft resolution A/68/L.26, introduced by the representative of Indonesia, on global health and foreign policy and have joined as a sponsor. That consensus document is in keeping with efforts undertaken by Member States and the United Nations system to develop health care and demonstrates the recognition of the need to incorporate the issue of health care into the new global development agenda currently being formulated. We are convinced that one of the priorities of socioeconomic cooperation post-2015 must be countering non-communicable diseases, which are the main cause of mortality in the populations of developing States and which, alongside infectious diseases, place a heavy burden on developing States’ health-care systems. In that regard, we note the contribution of the Economic and Social Council to work on pooling the efforts of United Nations system agencies, development banks and key intergovernmental organizations in combating non-communicable diseases under the coordinating role of the World Health Organization. During the course of the substantive session this year, upon Russia’s initiative, the Economic and Social Council adopted a consensus resolution that established a United Nations interagency task force on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, whose mission is to provide and consolidate a United Nations response to the challenges of such diseases. The development of health care is a priority for the Russian Federation. States’ efforts in the field enjoy increasing amounts of financing despite the difficulties experienced as a consequence of the global financial and economic crisis. It is not just another expense item in the budget. We believe that such allocations are one of the most important parts of State investment policies, since it is the mission of the State to improve the health of the population and resolve demographic and sustainable development-related problems. An effective response to global health-care-related challenges will be possible only on the basis of the partnership and cooperation of all interested parties. There is a need to coordinate the mechanisms for actions of the medical community, scientists, community organizations and, naturally, State structures. In that regard, Russia intends to step up work to develop centres of cooperation with the World Health Organization in all those areas and incorporate state-of-the-art technologies in the field of citizen health care, including the use of the potential of our largest State enterprises. We are always ready to back any useful initiatives by Russian non-governmental organizations and promote their active involvement in international health-care-related dialogue. We intend to continue to promote a strengthening of multilateral health-care corporations and provide support for relevant United Nations system organizations’ efforts.
Mr. Hinoshita JPN Japan #69878
I would like to begin by thanking the Oslo Group for drafting the current draft resolution (A/68/L.26) on global health and foreign policy, and Indonesia for facilitating it. Japan fully supported the proposal of the Oslo Group and appreciated its efforts, and subsequently decided to join in the sponsorship. It gives me great pleasure to briefly state my Government’s position on global health issues, including global health partnership, on the occasion of the impending adoption of the draft resolution. The Government of Japan regards global health issues as an important element of our foreign policy. As stated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the general debate of the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session in September (see A/68/PV.12), Japan has decided to promote the concept of universal health coverage. The achievement of such coverage is extremely important in closing the gap in access to health services and meeting wide-ranging health needs to accomplish the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) despite limited budgets. Universal health coverage can be a powerful tool to help reinforce national ownership and set priorities in search of value for money. In 1961, Japan set up a national health insurance system, through which it has achieved universal health coverage. As a result, in part, my country’s people has achieved the greatest average longevity of any country in the world. We would like to share our relevant experiences and knowledge with other Member States and contribute to the health and longevity of people in societies all around the world. From that point of view, as announced at the High-level Plenary Meeting of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly on the MDGs, my country committed to contributing $5 billion over five years to address health-related development issues, and we are steadily implementing that commitment. Japan also announced at the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, which was held in June, that we had mobilized $500 million and were at present concentrating on setting up training programmes for some 120,000 medical service providers in order to address health issues in Africa. Global health partnership, which is the theme of the current draft resolution, is also the core of MDG 8. My delegation believes that further progress towards achieving MDG 8 is essential, especially for the promotion and achievement of universal health care. Some problems have been pointed out with regard to global health policies, such as the fact that some policies address only specific diseases and/or inappropriately allocate resources for them. In order to resolve those problems, global partnerships should be improved and extended, including through information-sharing among different stakeholders and through the coordination of assistance based on the national strategies of the assisted countries. In that regard, my delegation hopes to see that kind of extension on the basis of the current draft resolution. Given that a growing number of poor people suffer from an increasingly diverse burden of diseases and that technology is contributing to addressing those global health needs, Japan has taken a lead in formulating the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund in order to address neglected tropical diseases. The GHIT Fund is an innovative financing mechanism for global health that encompasses traditional assistance frameworks such as North-South and South-South cooperation. My delegation expects the GHIT Fund to contribute to addressing global health issues through research and the development of new pharmaceuticals for neglected tropical diseases. We also expect that further initiatives of that kind will be formulated and subsequently expanded and that the draft resolution will contribute to formulating more efficient and broader partnerships for health. We would like to underscore the relationship between global health and human security. The promotion of global health is closely linked to human security, since access to basic health services and affordable quality medicine is crucial for people to be free from want and fear. Human security provides a comprehensive approach that strengthens the protection and employment of individuals and communities. Although human security was never incorporated into the current draft resolution, Japan expects it to be integrated into next year’s document. Only two years remain before the deadline for achieving the MDGs, beyond which lies the post-2015 development agenda. Japan is actively contributing to the discussion of the latter through such efforts as organizing the post-2015 development agenda contact group since 2011. My delegation believes that it is imporant to continue to develop the various partnerships that have been active over the past 10 years, as well as to move such discussions forward to create as wide a group of stakeholders as possible. In that regard, my Government hopes to contribute the manifold, various lessons and knowledge learned on the post-2015 development agenda.
Ms. Derderian USA United States of America #69879
The United States is pleased to speak to the item “Global health and foreign policy”. Our collective work in global health is based on partnerships, whether bilateral or multilateral. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was just successfully replenished, on 3 December, with outstanding new promises made. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization continues to extend life-saving vaccines to the world’s neediest countries. The World Health Organization-led Global Polio Eradication Initiative is critical for progress towards the polio end-game. Those are several good examples of how work through partnerships enables all of us to pursue our common objectives of saving and extending lives, eradicating diseases, advancing equal access to care and life-saving medicines and tackling many health challenges of our day. The United States is partnering with countries in their efforts to expand health access, reduce health disparities and strengthen capacities. Our development assistance helps countries to lay the foundations for universal health coverage by strengthening and increasing human resources for health, identifying and scaling up high-impact interventions, improving the quality and efficient purchasing of medicines, strengthening institutional and management capacities and improving the quality of care. As the landscape of international cooperation is changing, in many cases it is appropriate and necessary to move away from the traditional development assistance model towards a different kind of true cooperation. The great majority of people living in extreme poverty in the world today now live in middle-income countries. The effort to improve the coverage and quality of health services for people in those countries will be increasingly dependent on new partnerships that permit partners to share lessons learned and connect to different sectors of activity that impact health. The United States acknowledges the importance of considering health in the elaboration of the post- 2015 agenda as we seek to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We also welcome the continued focus on health as a critical foreign policy issue in the General Assembly. Draft resolution A/68/L.26, which we are about to adopt and which the United States is pleased to sponsor, recognizes the need for advancing global health partnerships to promote the effective implementation of universal health coverage, support gender equality and women’s empowerment, support quality health systems, strengthen research and development and health innovation and build capacity and national regulatory systems. We thank the sponsors of the draft resolution and, in particular, this year’s facilitator, Indonesia, for the inclusive process of negotiations on the draft resolution before us, on the important theme of partnerships. We note that countries have a wide array of policy options and actions that may be appropriate in promoting the progressive realization of the right to the enjoyment of the highest available standard of physical and mental health. Therefore, General Assembly resolutions should not try to define the content of that right. Advancing global health through partnership is the top priority for the United States. This important draft resolution confirms the possibilities and challenges for us all.
Mr. Lee SGP Singapore #69880
Singapore welcomes the note by the Secretary-General under the agenda item “Global health and foreign policy” (A/68/394), which transmits the report of the Director-General of the World Health Organization. The report outlines the vision and identifies the guiding principles of partnerships for global health. We thank the Global Health and Foreign Policy Group for its good work on the draft resolution on strengthening the partnership for global health (A/68/L.26) Singapore’s health care has made speedy progress over the years. We have constantly sought to refine our policies and improve our health-care system by learning from others. Our population’s life expectancy has steadily increased, from 78 years in 2001 to 82 years in 2012. Infant mortality rates have fallen over the same period, from 2.2 to 1.8 per 1,000 live births. That is on a par with developed countries. Improvements have also been made in other areas. For example, the death rate for people with heart disease age 35 to 64 fell from 76.2 per 100,000 in 2001 to 44.1 in 2012. Singapore achieved those results on the back of a sound and sustainable health-care financing system, including a multilayered social safety net. We agree with many research studies that there is no one-size-fits-all model of health-system delivery that every country should conform to. Each country’s social, economic and political background should be considered in the development of a health-care system that meets the needs and addresses the challenges of delivering good health care to our peoples. Singapore is facing a growing and ageing population. Increasing life expectancy is coupled with more sedentary lifestyles and a growing burden of chronic diseases. We are also grappling with the effects of global health-care inflation and competition for clinical talent. In the face of such challenges, our Government’s priority is to ensure that health care remains of good quality and affordable for everyone. After intensive consultations with stakeholders, Singapore launched its Health Care 2020 Masterplan, whose objective is to enhance the accessibility, quality and affordability of health care and guide us in building an inclusive health-care system for the future. We are ramping up the construction of new acute and community hospitals, nursing homes and polyclinics, as well as stepping up the training of more health-care professionals and administrators over the coming decades. We are further strengthening the social safety nets for the lower-income group to ensure that no one is left behind. Singapore notes that health care has featured in the current discussions on the post-2015 development agenda. Our delegation supports the view that health care needs to be incorporated in the post-2015 development agenda, as it is a key enabler for development. The provision of sustainable health care is key to that discussion. The reality is that countries are operating in a financially austere climate. Our delegation is of the view that it is important for Governments to preserve a culture of personal responsibility and to ensure social equity in the provision of health care. That is an important element that should be recognized in discussions of the post-2015 agenda. By taking a long- term view, Governments will be in a better position to look after the needs of their citizens for a long time to come.
The Acting President #69881
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on agenda item 127. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/68/L.26, entitled “Global health and foreign policy”, as orally corrected. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.
Mr. Saijin Zhang Department for General Assembly and Conference Management #69882
I should like to announce that, in addition to the delegations listed in document A/68/L.26 or previously mentioned during its introduction, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Iceland, India, Morocco, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
The Acting President #69883
May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/68/L.26, as orally corrected?
Draft resolution A/68/L.26, as orally corrected, was adopted (resolution 68/98).
The Acting President #69884
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 127?
It was so decided.
The meeting rose at 11.45 a.m.