A/70/PV.105 General Assembly

Members will recall that, at its 50th plenary meeting on 9 November 2015, the General Assembly elected the following 23 States as members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law for a six-year term of office beginning on 27 June 2016: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Mauritius, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Therefore, those 23 States are not eligible for election. Members will also recall that, at its 91st plenary meeting on 15 April, the General Assembly elected the following five States as members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law for a six- year term of office beginning on 27 June 2016: Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Nigeria and Uganda. Therefore, those five States are not eligible for election. Members will further recall that there remain one seat to be filled from among the Group of African States and one seat from among the Group of Asia- Pacific States. I should like to remind members that as of 27 June 2016, the following States will continue to be represented on the Commission: Armenia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Namibia, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Zambia. Therefore, those 30 States are not eligible for election. The General Assembly will now proceed to the election of two members to replace those members whose terms of office will expire on 26 June 2016. In accordance with rule 92 of the rules of procedure, the election shall be held by secret ballot and there shall be no nominations. I should like to recall, however, paragraph 16 of decision 34/401, whereby the practice of dispensing with the secret ballot for elections to subsidiary organs when the number of candidates corresponds to the number of seats to be filled should become standard unless a delegation specifically requests a vote on a given election. In the absence of such a request, may I take it that the Assembly decides to proceed to this election on the basis of dispensing with the secret ballot?

With regard to candidates, I should like to inform members of the following. For the one seat from among the African States, the Group has endorsed Burundi. For the one seat from among the Group of Asia-Pacific States, the Group has endorsed Sri Lanka. Since the number of candidates for the groups is equal to or less than the number of seats to be filled by each group, may I take it that the General Assembly wishes to declare those candidates elected for a six-year term of office beginning on 27 June 2016?

I congratulate Burundi and Sri Lanka, which have been elected members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 113?

The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Fifth Committee on agenda items 131, 149, 150 to 154, 156 to 160, 161 (a), 161 (b), 162 to 166, 148, 134 and 132. I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, Mr. Gert Auväärt of Estonia, to introduce in one intervention the reports of the Fifth Committee before the Assembly. Mr. Auväärt (Estonia), Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee: It is an honour to present to the General Assembly the reports of the Fifth Committee containing recommendations on issues that required action during the second part of the resumed seventieth session of the General Assembly. In the course of the second part of the resumed session, which took place between 2 and 27 May and on 13 June, the Fifth Committee held seven plenary meetings, as well as numerous rounds of informal and informal informal consultations, some of them running late into the night and on weekends. In accordance with resolution 49/233 of 23 December 1994, the second part of the resumed session of the Fifth Committee was devoted primarily to considering the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping missions and associated peacekeeping issues. The Committee considered the financing of 18 peacekeeping missions, as well as other items related to peacekeeping and to the programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017. On agenda item 131, entitled “Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/70/624/Add.2, the Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt a draft resolution that was adopted by the Committee without a vote. On agenda item 134, entitled “Proposed programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017”, in paragraph 6 of its report, contained in document A/70/648/Add.2, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution on special subjects relating to the programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. On agenda item 148, entitled “Administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations”, in paragraph 12 of its report contained in document A/70/943, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following four draft resolutions: draft resolution I, entitled “Cross-cutting issues”; draft resolution II, entitled “Support account for peacekeeping operations”; draft resolution III, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy”; and draft resolution IV, entitled “Financing of the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda”, which were adopted by the Committee without a vote. With regard to the draft resolutions on the financing of peacekeeping operations, I should like to inform the General Assembly that, with the exception of agenda item 161 (b), entitled “Financing of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Middle East: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”, all the draft resolutions were adopted by the Committee without a vote. The reports of the Fifth Committee are presented under the following agenda items: item 149, “Financing of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei”, as contained in document A/70/926; item 150, “Financing of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad”, as contained in document A/70/927; item 151, “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic”, as contained in document A/70/928; item 152, “Financing of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire”, as contained in document A/70/929; item 153, “Financing of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus”, as contained in document A/70/930; item 154, “Financing of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, as contained in document A/70/931; item 156, “Financing of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste”, as contained in document A/70/932; item 157, “Financing of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti”, as contained in document A/70/933; item 158, “Financing of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo”, as contained in document A/70/934; item 159, “Financing of the United Nations Mission in Liberia”, as contained in document A/70/935; item 160, “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali”, as contained in document A/70/594/Add.1; item 161 (a), “Financing of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Middle East: United Nations Disengagement Observer Force”, as contained in document A/70/936; item 162, “Financing of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan”, as contained in document A/70/938; item 163, “Financing of the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic”, as contained in document A/70/939; item 164, “Financing of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara”, as contained in document A/70/940; item 165, “Financing of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur”, as contained in document A/70/941; item 166, “Financing of the activities arising from the Security Council resolution 1863 (2009)”, as contained in document A/70/942. Regarding agenda item 161 (b), entitled “Financing of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Middle East: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”, the report of the Fifth Committee is contained in document A/70/937. The Committee considered the draft resolution, contained in paragraph 11, as orally amended, and decided to retain the fourth preambular paragraph and the existing operative paragraphs 4, 5 and 13 by a single recorded vote. The Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution, as orally amended, as a whole, which was also adopted in the Committee by a recorded vote. Finally, under agenda item 132, entitled “Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations”, in paragraph 5 of its report, contained in document A/70/649/Add.2, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft decision relating to questions deferred for future consideration. The proposal was adopted by the Committee without a vote. Before I conclude, allow me again to thank delegations for their cooperation and spirit of compromise in conducting the negotiations. I would also like to thank the Chair of the Fifth Committee, Ambassador Durga Prasad Bhattari, for the way in which he guided us through our heavy agenda for the second resumed session as well as throughout the seventieth session. I would also like to express my thanks to my fellow members of the Bureau, Mr. Omar Castañeda Solares, Mr. Yotam Goren, Mr. Bachar Bong Abdallah and Mr. Stefan Pretterhofer, with whom it was as always a pleasure to work. Allow me to also take this opportunity to thank the Fifth Committee secretariat, especially Ms. Sharon Van Buerle, Ms. Sarah Mueller and Ms. Lindsay Edwards, who helped guide our work through the seemingly endless nights of negotiations. We also give our sincere thanks to the interpreters and sound engineers. I wish the best of luck to the next Bureau.

If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the General Assembly rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Fifth Committee that are before the Assembly today. Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. 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. May I remind members, that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that: “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee.” May I 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 where recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I also hope that we will proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Committee.

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 the same?

The General 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. The Assembly 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 149.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 150.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 151.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 152.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 153

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 154.

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 the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 156.

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 the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 157.

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 the same?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 158.

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 the same?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 159.

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 the same?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 160.

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 “Financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same in this case?

I give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic in explanation of vote.

My delegation joined the consensus adoption of resolution 70/279, on the financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, and will vote in favour of the draft resolution contained in paragraph 11 of document A/70/937, on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, based on the confirmed principle that responsibility for the funding of those two forces must be borne by Israel, the occupying Power, whose actions led to their establishment. Our decision is in line with basic principles contained in resolution 1874 (S-IV), of 27 June 1963.

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 161. (b) United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Report of the Fifth Committee (A/70/937)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”. A recorded vote has been requested. A single, separate recorded vote has been requested on the fourth preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 4, 5 and 13. I shall put them to the vote now.

I shall now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 161.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 162.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 163.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 164.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 165.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 166.

The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. We will now take decisions on draft resolutions I through IV. Draft resolution I is entitled “Cross-cutting issues”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

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

Draft resolution III is entitled “Financing of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution IV is entitled “Financing of the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda”. 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 148.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Special subjects relating to the programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017”. 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 134.

The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. The Assembly will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to the same?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 132. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank Mr. Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Permanent Representative of Nepal and Chair of the Fifth Committee, members of the Bureau, the Secretariat of the Committee and representatives for a job well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Fifth Committee before it for this meeting.