A/69/PV.84 General Assembly

In connection with this item, the General Assembly has before it a note by the Secretary-General circulated in document A/69/107. Members will recall that at its 64th plenary meeting, on 5 December 2014, the Assembly took note of the appointments of the Central African Republic, Namibia, Paraguay and the Russian Federation as members of the Committee on Conferences for a period of three years, beginning on 1 January 2015. Members will also recall that at its 79th plenary meeting, on 2 February 2015, the Assembly took note of the appointment of France as a member of the Committee on Conferences for a term of office beginning on the date of appointment and ending on 31 December 2017. Members will further recall that two seats from the Asia-Pacific States, for a period beginning on the date of appointment and ending on 31 December 2017, remain vacant. On the recommendation of the Chair of the Asia-Pacific States, the President of the General Assembly has appointed Sri Lanka as a member of the Committee on Conferences for a term of office beginning on 2 April 2015 and ending on 31 December 2017. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of this appointment? *1509446* 15-09446 (E)

I would now like to draw the attention of members to document A/69/843, in which the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations announces that Denmark will relinquish its membership in the Committee on Conferences effective 1 April 2015, in favour of Austria, for the remainder of its term ending on 31 December 2016. As a result, a vacancy has occurred and a new member must therefore be appointed to fill the unexpired term of office of Denmark that commenced on 1 January 2014. The President of the General Assembly has therefore appointed Austria as a member of the Committee on Conferences for a term of office beginning on 2 April 2015 and ending on 31 December 2016. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of this appointment?

Regarding the remaining vacant seat from the Asia-Pacific States, I urge the group to submit their candidature as soon as possible. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 113.

Members will recall that the Assembly held a debate on agenda item 13 and its sub-item (a), jointly with agenda item 115, at its 51st plenary meeting, on 14 November 2014. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/69/837. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/69/L.55, entitled the “Statute of the United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/69/L.55?

I am pleased to be here today to deliver this statement on behalf of the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Sam Kahamba Kutesa. “I welcome the adoption today of resolution 69/269, through which the General Assembly has taken another important step in paying tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Mr. Nelson Mandela. “The United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize is not only dedicated to the memory of Mr. Mandela, but also aims to recognize the achievements of those who dedicated their lives to the service of humankind through the promotion of the purposes and principles of the Organization. “In accordance with this resolution, Member States, observers, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations will have an opportunity to submit their nominations for this Prize. I encourage all to actively participate in the nomination process, and in the coming days I will take steps to ensure that the inaugural Prize is awarded, in accordance with the Assembly’s resolution. “Mr. Mandela, who was the first democratically elected President of South Africa, remains an international symbol of hope, humility and leadership. His legacy continues to inspire people the world over, spanning generations, races and religions. This unique Prize will serve as an inspiration to all who work tirelessly to contribute to and improve the well-being of others through the promotion of the United Nations highest values, including peace, reconciliation, human rights and development. “I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Ambassador Sabri Boukadoum, Permanent Representative of Algeria, for his leadership and ably conducting informal consultations on the Statute on my behalf. Further, I wish to express my appreciation to Member States for their constructive role and support throughout those consultations. “As we have done each year since 2010, this 18 July, we will observe the Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of his values and dedication to the service of humankind. I invite you all to participate in this day’s events as we celebrate Mr. Mandela’s contributions and service to humankind.” The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 115.

Members will recall that the Assembly held its debate on agenda item 123 and its sub-items (a) to (y) at its 48th plenary meeting, on 11 November 2014. I now give the floor to the representative of Senegal to introduce draft resolution A/69/L.58.

It is my honour to introduce, on behalf of all the sponsors and under agenda item 123 (m), draft resolution A/69/L.58, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Organization of la Francophonie”. Since the draft resolution was submitted, the following countries have joined the list of sponsors: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Portugal, Seychelles, Togo and Tunisia. I would like to make an oral revision to the text of the draft resolution. In the second line of the third preambular paragraph, the draft should read “76 States Members of the United Nations” instead of “80”. The world today is more than ever beset with multiple challenges with very complex contours that threaten the universal and founding values ​of our shared humanity. Accordingly, from the problem of development to humanitarian issues or those related to peace and security or human rights, the United Nations is striving to put people at the pinnacle of world affairs. The magnitude of this task, together with an international context characterized by States forming groups based on cultural affinity or regional interests, invites the United Nations to develop and strengthen its partnership with regional organizations. It is in this spirit that the International Organization of la Francophonie and the United Nations have undertaken cooperation aimed at productively addressing the main issues in the world today and in the world of tomorrow. Draft resolution A/69/L.58 is inspired by the Dakar Declaration, adopted at the most recent Summit of Heads of State and Government of la Francophonie, held on 29 and 30 November 2014 in Dakar under the theme “La Francophonie’s women and youth: Vectors for peace, actors for development”. It aims to put the issue of development, including sustainable development, at the forefront of our priority concerns while strengthening, inter alia, the provisions relating to peacekeeping, the fight against international terrorism and the promotion and protection of human rights. Indeed, welcoming the contributions of francophone countries and the International Organization of la Francophonie to the consultations conducted by the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, the draft resolution stresses the need for greater efforts to move from early warning to quick response. In addition to this primary objective, it is important to further promote the participation of women and youth in conflict prevention and peacekeeping efforts, without forgetting the inclusion of the linguistic dimension in peacekeeping operations. Also, given the seriousness of the challenge of international terrorism, the draft resolution urges these States to refrain from financing and harbouring terrorist networks in accordance with international law, including the relevant Security Council resolutions. Bearing in mind the adoption of sustainable development goals and the ongoing negotiations for the post-2015 development programme, the draft resolution highlights the leading role of women and youth in efforts to set up an inclusive economic development model based on the promotion of human capital. Finally, the draft resolution welcomes the strengthening of cooperation between la Francophonie and the organizations of the United Nations system, such as UN-Women and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other international partners, including the World Intellectual Property Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It follows from the foregoing that the cooperation that governs the relationship between the United Nations and la Francophonie remains a key contribution in achieving the goals that we have set for ourselves and that are organized around the three main pillars of our beloved Organization, namely, peace and security, development and human rights. It is my hope that draft resolution A/69/L.58, which should be seen as a relevant instrument for strengthening such cooperation, will be adopted, as orally amended, by consensus and sponsored by a larger number of countries, as has been the case in previous years.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/69/L.58 entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Organization of la Francophonie”, as orally revised. I now 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/69/L.58, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Estonia, Georgia, Italy, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Montenegro, Ukraine and Viet Nam.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/69/L.58, as orally revised, without a vote? The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted (resolution 69/270).

In accordance with resolution 33/18, of 10 November 1978 and decision 53/453, of 18 December 1998, I now call on the Permanent Observer of the International Organization of la Francophonie.

On behalf of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF), I would like to thank the General Assembly for its adoption by consensus of resolution 69/270, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Organization of la Francophonie”. My thanks are those of Ms. Michaëlle Jean, Secretary General of la Francophonie, and of the entire Organization, consisting of 80 member States and Governments from five continents, of which 76 are States Members of the United Nations. During her first visit to New York, in March 2015, to attend the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Ms. Jean welcomed the particularly successful collaboration between our two organizations and the joint work they do every day. She reiterated the commitment of la Francophonie to taking an active part in the work of the United Nations throughout 2015, including in the preparation of the post-2015 development programme, the International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa in 2015 and the United Nations Climate Change Conference that will take place in Paris in December. I would like to express our gratitude to both the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session, Mr. Sam Kutesa, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the importance they attach to the cooperation between our two institutions. I particularly welcome the extremely successful partnerships with various departments in the Secretariat and with United Nations agencies, including UN-Women. These working relationships reflect the two organizations’ shared perspectives on matters in the political, social and cultural fields and on the three pillars of the United Nations: maintenance of international peace and security, development and human rights. I thank the delegation of Senegal, facilitator of resolution 69/270, for its constant availability and join with it in welcoming the numerous recent developments in cooperation between the United Nations and OIF. This cooperation allows us resolutely to promote cultural diversity in particular the defence of multilingualism, which is necessary condition for effective multilateralism. This implies strict respect for the principle of linguistic plurality in the activities of the Secretariat and the entire United Nations system. It can also be seen in the context of renewed commitment on the part of the International Organization of la Francophonie to fighting terrorism and peacefully managing and resolving crises, including those affecting francophone countries. Such cooperation also allows for active participation in the process of developing and implementing the post-2015 development programme with a view to ensuring that it is inclusive, including by taking into account problems relating to gender equality and young people. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the group of Ambassadors of the International Organization of la Francophonie, who work to promote the values and ideals of the International Organization of la Francophonie within the United Nations, strengthen the links between the two organizations and enhance the realization of the objectives we share. The resolution that the Assembly has just adopted reflects the efforts of the International Organization of la Francophonie and the United Nations to better coordinate and focus their actions, and encourages us to continue our efforts and strengthen our synergies, including with other linguistic groups, with which we already enjoy fruitful cooperation. It was guided by the same spirit that saw us hold. on 20 March, the International Day of la Francophonie, a round table on the theme “Language and diversity: factors of peace”. We will work so that together we can take that dialogue further. The International Organization of la Francophonie reaffirms its strong commitment and its readiness to play its full part.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (m) of agenda item 123? (p) Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM

Members will recall that the Assembly held its debate on agenda item 123 and its sub-items (a) to (y) at its 48th plenary meeting, on 11 November 2014. I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine to introduce draft resolution A/69/L.59.

On behalf of its main sponsors  — Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine — I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/69/L.59, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations in the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM”. The Organization for Democracy and Economic Development  — GUAM is an international regional organization comprising four member States: Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. According to its Charter, approved in 2006, GUAM’s activities are based on achieving the following purposes: promoting democratic values; ensuring the rule of law and respect for human rights; ensuring sustainable development; strengthening international and regional security and stability; deepening European integration for the establishment of common security space and the expansion of cooperation in the economic and humanitarian spheres; developing social, economic, transport, energy, scientific, technical and humanitarian potential of the parties; and intensifying political interaction and practical cooperation in fields of mutual interest. In order to achieve these purposes, GUAM members are developing mutually beneficial cooperation guided by the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States, the inviolability of their internationally recognized borders, non-interference in their internal affairs and other universally recognized principles and norms of international law. GUAM member States interact in the framework of other international organizations, in particular the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations. Under its resolution 58/85, adopted in 2003, the General Assembly granted GUAM observer status. In December 2012, at its sixty-seventh session, the General Assembly adopted by consensus resolution 67/109, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development  — GUAM”, which, among other things, emphasized the importance of strengthening dialogue, cooperation and coordination between the United Nations system and GUAM. The current draft resolution before the Assembly, A/69/L.59, is based on the aforementioned resolution. The main objective of the current draft, if adopted, is to reiterate the high level of cooperation between GUAM and the United Nations and to create guidelines for enhancing such corporation. Prior to the official submission of the draft, three rounds of informal consultations were held, where all interested delegations had the opportunity to express to comments and make proposals. I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank the delegations for their valuable contributions and constructive approach in promoting the draft to the General Assembly, as well as to those delegations which joined the list of sponsors. I would like to ask the Assembly for its kind support for the draft resolution, and I look forward to its adoption by consensus.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/69/L.59, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to the delegations listed in the document A/69/L.59, Latvia and Poland have become sponsors of the draft resolution.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/69/L.59?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (p) of agenda item 123?

I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, Mr. Matthias Dettling of Switzerland, to introduce in one intervention the reports of the Fifth Committee before the Assembly.

I have the honour to present to the General Assembly the reports of the Fifth Committee containing recommendations on issues considered during the first part of the resumed sixty- ninth session of the General Assembly. The Fifth Committee met from 2 to 27 March and held seven plenary meetings as well as numerous rounds of informal and informal-informal consultations. Notwithstanding a heavy schedule, it was particularly satisfying that the Committee finished its work on time. I am pleased to give the Assembly a brief account of the results achieved during that session. On agenda item 132, entitled “Programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015”, in paragraph 6 of its report A/69/422/Add.2, the Committee recommends the General Assembly adopt the draft resolution entitled “Special subjects relating to the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015”, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. On agenda item 138, “Joint Inspection Unit”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/69/846, the Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 147, “Financing of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/69/693/Add.1, the Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. On agenda item 131, “Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations”, in paragraph 10 of its report contained in document A/69/702/Add.1, the Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt two draft resolutions. Draft resolution I, entitled “Progress towards an accountability framework in the United Nations Secretariat”, and draft resolution II, entitled “Procurement”, were both adopted by the Committee without a vote. Finally, in paragraph 11 of the same report, the Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt a draft decision on questions deferred for future consideration, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. I assure delegations that the actions taken during the 34th formal meeting of the Fifth Committee are reflected in the reports before them. On a personal note, I would like to thank delegations for their hard work and the constructive spirit they showed during this fruitful session of the Fifth Committee. We will be guided by the same spirit of cooperation and compromise during our second resumed session in May. I would also like to thank the Chair of the Fifth Committee for his leadership and dedication, and my fellow Bureau members for their professionalism and friendship. My best wishes for their success go to those who have left the Committee or are soon to do so.

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 Fifth Committee that are before it today.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Fifth Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. I would like to 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.” I would like to 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 Fifth 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 Fifth Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance. That means that I would hope that we will proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations adopted without a vote in the Committee.

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 10 of its report and a draft decision recommended in paragraph 11 of the same report. The Assembly will now take decisions on draft resolutions I and II and on the draft decision. The Assembly will first take a decision on draft resolution I, entitled “Progress towards an accountability system in the United Nations Secretariat”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Procurement”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”. The Fifth Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 131.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. I now give the floor to the representative of Cambodia, who wishes to speak in explanation of position.

At the outset, I would like to thank the President for convening this plenary meeting on agenda item 132, “Programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015”, and the related draft resolution, A/69/422/Add.2. I would like to express Cambodia’s view on part I of section III of the report, concerning a request for a subvention to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). I would first like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our great appreciation for the efforts of the Group of 77 and China in support of our request for a subvention to both the international and national components of the Chambers during the Fifth Committee’s consultations in December. Today, I would like to confirm that in a spirit of partnership with the United Nations, the Royal Government of Cambodia supports the revised draft resolution on the proposed subvention for 2015 in limiting it to the international component of the ECCC, in the confidence that the United Nations will be in a position to provide financial assistance to the national component of the ECCC when it becomes necessary. Over the past two years, the ECCC has encountered shortfalls that disrupted the Chambers’ operations. It is therefore important that we work together to find a better way to address the funding for the ECCC’s national component as well as its international one. My delegation would again like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report, contained in document A/69/536, in which he discussed the overall atmosphere surrounding the ongoing developments and challenges facing the ECCC. The report also records what has been achieved since the hybrid courts were established in 2006 in close collaboration between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the United Nations. The Royal Government of Cambodia has continued to cooperate with its partners and all parties involved in the ECCC process to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of the Chambers during its current conduct of the hearing on the evidence in its case number 002/02 against Khieu Samphan, former Head of State of Democratic Kampuchea, and Nuon Chea, former Chairman of the Democratic Kampuchea People’s Assembly. The Assembly may be aware that under ECCC case number 002/01, those two top leaders of the Khmer Rouge were found guilty on 7 August 2014 of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment. Since its creation in 2006, the ECCC has received shared contributions from the Royal Government of Cambodia in kind and in cash. As pledged by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, during his meeting with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit held in November 2014 in Myanmar, in 2015 the Royal Government of Cambodia will continue making its contribution in support of the ECCC to a total amount of $4.1 million. Of that total, $1.6 million goes to general operating costs and $2.5 million to paying the national staff’s salaries for the first half of 2015. That total pledge of $4.1 million is equivalent to approximately 62 per cent of the 2015 revised budget for the national component. Despite that pledge, however, we note that there are still gaps to be filled for the second half of 2015. In that regard, while sincerely thanking our partners and donor countries for their financial support, we would like to appeal to them to consider funding the national component of the ECCC for its second semester. My delegation welcomes the Joint Statement on the ECCC issued on 25 March in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Special Expert of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials. In it, both sides expressed their continued full support for cooperation in implementing all the provisions of the ECCC law and the United Nations-Cambodia Agreement in order to discharge the ECCC’s judicial mandate and procedures. A memorandum of understanding was also signed on how to operationalize the Legal Documentation Centre, whose construction has been generously funded by the Government of Japan. Finally, I hope the United Nations will continue to work closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia in order to garner sufficient financial support from donor countries to secure funding for the ECCC’s national component for 2015.

We will now take a decision on the draft resolution contained in document A/69/422/Add.2, entitled “Special subjects relating to the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015”. The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 132.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 138.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Construction of a new facility for the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Arusha branch”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 147. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank Mr. František Ružička, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations and Chair of the Fifth Committee, the members of the Bureau and the Secretary of the Committee, as well as all the delegations, for a job well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Fifth Committee before it.