A/70/PV.45 General Assembly

Members will recall that the Assembly considered agenda item 122 at its 29th and 30th plenary meetings, held on 12 October. Members will also recall that under this item the Assembly adopted resolution 70/3 at its 38th plenary meeting, held on 23 October 2015. During the debate on this item held on Monday, 12 October, the Assembly had before it identical letters dated 17 June 2015 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council (A/70/95), containing the report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, and a report of the Secretary- General entitled “The future of United Nations peace operations: implementation of the recommendations of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations”, circulated in document A/70/357. Following the deliberations on the topic that took place on that day, as well as constructive informal consultations subsequently held with the membership, I submitted a draft resolution that is now contained in document A/70/L.6. I would like to thank delegations for their fruitful engagement during the consultation process, which resulted in the proposal that is now before the Assembly. *1534703* 15-34703 (E) The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/70/L.6, entitled “Strengthening of the United Nations system”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt it?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 122.

I would like to begin with a few remarks on the issue that is the subject of today’s debate. In our recent celebrations of the seventieth anniversary of the Organization, we reminded ourselves about the values, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. In order to advance those purposes, however, the General Assembly’s role, authority, effectiveness and efficiency must be continually reviewed and enhanced. Resolution 69/321, adopted in September, mandated that the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly should continue its work during the seventieth session. With that in mind, I recently reappointed Ambassadors Vladimir Drobnjak of Croatia and Wilfried Emvula of Namibia to continue their work as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group. I commend their efforts to date, and I call on members to extend to them their full support and cooperation. During the sixty-ninth session, the Working Group focused on four thematic clusters and identified ways to enhance the Assembly in line with its mandate. First, concerning the role and authority of the General Assembly, resolution 69/321 encouraged the implementation of resolutions and reaffirmed the relationship between the principal organs of the United Nations. I am working to increase cooperation, coordination and exchanges of information between the Presidents of the principal organs and the Secretary- General. Indeed, only two weeks ago, I briefed the Security Council during its open debate on working methods (see S/PV.7539), an exercise that I feel was beneficial to both bodies. As mandated, I will also continue the practice of holding thematic debates, of which there will be three next year, and I will do all I can to ensure that they are focused on results. Secondly, regarding the working methods of the General Assembly, significant progress has been made through the sharing among the Main Committees of best practices and lessons learned. Since taking office, I have met with the Chairs of each of the six Main Committees, and so far we have had one meeting with the General Committee, in which we discussed issues of common interest, including streamlining the General Assembly’s agenda in the light of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) and the need to manage time efficiently in the work of the Committees. A further meeting will be held in November. I have also met with the coordinators of the regional groups, and in November I hope to meet with them collectively to discuss ongoing business in the General Assembly. Finally, during this session I will convene an informal meeting on enhancing cooperation between the Permanent Missions and the Secretariat. The third cluster considered by the Ad Hoc Working Group relates to the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General. Resolution 69/321 provides clear guidance on the way forward on that crucial issue. In that regard, the President of the Security Council and I will circulate a joint letter to the membership inviting the timely presentation of candidates and describing the entire process. It is also envisaged that the names of individuals submitted for consideration as candidates, together with accompanying documents, including curricula vitae, will be circulated on an ongoing basis and that the Assembly will conduct informal dialogues or meetings with candidates. The resolution also stresses the importance of ensuring that the position of Secretary-General is filled by the best possible candidate. In my view, the inclusion and consideration of female candidates will go a long way to securing that outcome. The fourth cluster considered by the Ad Hoc Working Group relates to the running of the Office of the President of the General Assembly, a matter that has taken on even greater significance given recent events connected to the President of the Assembly at its sixty- eighth session. Last year, the Assembly recognized that the activities of the President have increased markedly in recent years, and over the past two months I have already seen evidence of that. The primary role of the President and his or her Office continues to be to officiate at the meetings of the General Assembly, but in reality, the work is much more extensive and includes ensuring the fulfilment of mandates as laid down in multiple Assembly resolutions. The presidency is therefore not just a great honour but a considerable responsibility, requiring an Office that is adequately staffed and run in the most effective manner possible, while adhering to the highest standards of ethics and governance. As members are aware, the Office of the President is subject to a series of checks and balances, including through briefings to Member States and audits of the regular budget and of the trust fund for the Office of the President of the General Assembly, as well as through reports submitted in the context of the Assembly revitalization process, and so forth. As with any institution, however, there is always scope for improvement, and that, I believe, should be considered in greater detail as a matter of priority by the Ad Hoc Working Group. I have also been informed that the Secretary- General intends to establish an internal task force on the issue as a whole that could also be of assistance. Consideration could be given, for example, to matters of disclosure, financial independence, staffing and reporting. Engagement with external actors is another important issue, although, given the emphasis on partnership in the 2030 Agenda, it is perhaps relevant to the broader Organization as well. Transparency, however, is also a matter for each and every President, and from the outset I have taken a number of steps to support that objective, including by holding regular press briefings and providing information on the staffing of my Office. In addition, on a new page on my website that is entitled “Commitment to Transparency”, I am today making available an information note on the Office of the President of the General Assembly that builds on the President’s handbook. In order to strengthen confidence in the presidency, I would also like to outline to members three principles of conduct that my Office and I will adhere to during my presidency. The first is integrity and impartiality — representing the Assembly in an impartial manner, trying to avoid conflicts of interest and ensuring gender and geographic balance in my Office. The second is transparency and accountability — providing information about official travel, finances and engagements, communicating openly with the membership and external audiences and complying with all relevant rules and procedures. And the third is professionalism and effectiveness — running my Office effectively and using its resources efficiently, keeping appropriate records and ensuring a smooth transition to the President of the next session, as the President for the sixty-ninth did so effectively. On this and on the other three clusters, there is still significant scope for action, and I will be giving close attention to the views of members on how best to further revitalize the Assembly’s work, including the comments I have already received this morning from a number of ambassadors who have themselves been discussing how to improve the ethics and transparency of the work of the President of the General Assembly and of the President’s Office. I now give the floor to the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

Today I will be speaking about a most serious matter that strikes at the prestige and reputation of the General Assembly. I have already expressed my shock at the very serious allegations that have been made against the President of the Assembly during its sixty-eighth session. I have also declared unequivocally that we will not tolerate corruption at the United Nations or in its name. The Assembly must now draw the larger lessons from the incident and act with resolve. In that effort, we can build on a tradition of responding to problems with systemic solutions. As members are aware, the election of the President of the General Assembly used to be held on the same day that the new session opened. Then, in 2001, the 11 September terrorist attacks prevented the Assembly from convening and electing a President. As a result, there was a leadership vacuum and a crisis. At the time, I was the Chef de Cabinet of the incoming President. We realized that we had to prevent any such disruption in the future, so we ended the 56-year tradition of holding the election on the first day of the session. Starting in 2002, the President of the General Assembly was elected three months in advance. That protects against a leadership vacuum and provides transition time for the new President to prepare. I also take note of the fact that the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council will now be elected six months in advance of their terms. It is critical to learn from unfortunate incidents or terrible events. Member States must now improve the functioning of the Office of the President of the General Assembly in order to make its organization more robust, and that includes strengthening the budget that supports the President’s activities. We need greater transparency and accountability. That is essential. I welcome the work undertaken in that regard by the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia, who served as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly during the previous session, and I welcome their reappointment by you, Mr. President, for this session. I will support them in every way possible. Throughout my tenure, I have made it clear that the United Nations should embody the highest level of integrity and ethical standards. That is why I have taken note of the intention of the United States Attorney to get to the bottom of the very serious allegations regarding the propriety of the conduct of the President of the sixty-eighth session. As members are aware, I have taken a number of specific steps to address, head on, the important issues that have been raised. I have requested an internal audit by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) of the interactions between the United Nations and the entities mentioned in the criminal complaint. I have also asked OIOS to audit any funds received from those entities, as well as any funds disbursed to them by the United Nations. I have also requested that OIOS determine whether other matters that might arise during the course of the audit merit further audit. Decisions on the functioning of the Office of the President of the General Assembly are the purview of the Assembly. But it is incumbent on all of us to help get this right. That is why I have established an internal task force, chaired by the Chef de Cabinet, to review the arrangements for the financing and staffing of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. The task force will recommend ways to promote enhanced transparency and accountability. I have also asked the heads of the United Nations entities mentioned in the criminal complaint that may have engaged with the entities involved in the complaint to advise me about what they are doing to look into the matter. My Office, and I personally, will continue to be in close contact with the Office of the President of the General Assembly in order to ensure the complementarity and coherence of those efforts. All of us have a responsibility to work together to make sure that this Organization and its officials comply fully with all relevant rules and regulations, and to carry out our duties in full transparency before the eyes of the world. I welcome the General Assembly’s initiatives aimed at involving more stakeholders in its discussions on issues of critical importance to the international community. Informal interactive thematic debates now include members of civil society and others, whose voices and efforts can add great value to our work. In the Assembly’s most recent resolution on revitalizing its work (resolution 69/321), Member States set out important measures concerning the process for selecting and appointing the next Secretary-General, my successor. They include a joint letter from the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to start the process of soliciting candidates, circulation of the names of individuals that have been submitted for consideration, and the convening by the Assembly of informal dialogues or meetings with those candidates. Those advances demonstrate the wide-ranging scope of the agenda item on that topic, which encompasses the role and authority of the General Assembly, its working methods and the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the Assembly. I look forward to working with members and supporting their efforts to revitalize the General Assembly so that it can achieve our shared objectives.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). I would like to express our thanks to you, Mr. President, for having convened this plenary meeting, which is devoted specifically to engaging in a debate to consider jointly agenda item 119, “Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations”, and agenda item 120, “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”. At the outset, the Non-Aligned Movement would like to congratulate Mr. Wilfried Emvula, Permanent Representative of Namibia, and Mr. Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia, on their reappointment as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly and to wish them every success in discharging their duties. First, NAM stresses the importance of the full implementation of resolution 69/321, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, which the General Assembly adopted by consensus on 11 September, and recalls its flexible approach, which led to that consensus adoption. It was also agreed to continue examining the four clusters, among them the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads during the Assembly’s current, seventieth session, as well as strengthening the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. Secondly, NAM highlights the importance of giving priority this year to the issue of the appointment of the future Secretary-General, whose election is planned to take place in 2016. In the light of paragraph 44 of resolution 69/321, and in full compliance with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations, NAM calls on the President of the General Assembly to play a proactive role in the run-up to the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General, in order to enhance the transparency and credibility of the selection process and to make the latter more interactive and inclusive at all stages. In this regard, NAM believes that the current practice of the appointment of the Secretary-General is informal and flexible, having evolved over time. Therefore, resolution 11 (I) was completed and amended by the provisions of resolutions 51/241, 60/286, 64/301, 66/294, 68/307 and 69/321, in order to make this process more transparent and democratic and inclusive of all States Members of the United Nations. While strongly expressing the importance of the fact that the relevant provisions of the aforementioned resolutions should be fully applied to the forthcoming process of the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General, the Non-Aligned Movement has noticed with regret that most of these provisions have not yet been implemented, as reflected in the updated inventory chart of General Assembly resolutions on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. In this regard, NAM stresses the importance of the full implementation of the aforementioned resolutions to the immediately upcoming process of the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General, in strict compliance with rule 141 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, which provides for a vote by secret ballot in a private meeting of the General Assembly upon the relevant recommendation of the Security Council. In the light of the foregoing, NAM considers that at this time of increased global challenges, from climate change to armed conflict, terrorism and pandemics, the urgent need for effective leadership and international cooperation is greater than ever. In this regard, we stress, on the one hand, the need to promote more interaction between the Security Council and the General Assembly, in particular through a more analytical report of the Security Council, and, on the other, the importance of improving the current process of the appointment of the Secretary-General. The aim is to make the way in which the Secretary-General is chosen more transparent, credible and inclusive of all Member States by making full use of the power of appointment enshrined in the Charter. To remedy this, NAM calls on the Security Council to recommend more than one candidate endorsed by a Member State for appointment as Secretary-General for consideration by the General Assembly. The best- qualified candidates will possess and display, inter alia, a commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter, extensive leadership and administrative and diplomatic experience. To start the process in an open and transparent manner, NAM requests the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to circulate a joint letter addressed to all Member States calling on all States Members of the United Nations to submit formal candidatures for the post of Secretary-General. Such a letter should include a description of the entire process and specify a deadline for the candidatures. NAM also calls on potential endorsed candidates to send a letter to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council notifying them of their formal candidatures for the post of Secretary-General, unlike under the current practice, which is limited to informing formally only the Security Council. Furthermore, NAM calls on the President of the General Assembly to hold timely hearings or meetings of the Assembly for an exchange of views and a dialogue or informal dialogues with candidates presented by a Member State. The summary of the consultations would then be forwarded to Member States and the Security Council. In the course of the identification and appointment of the best candidates for the post of Secretary-General, who should include women, due regard will continue to be given to regional rotation and will also be given to gender equality, as stipulated in paragraph 59 of resolution 51/241. We also believe, as suggested in the Joint Inspection Unit report for 2011, that prevailing practices in the election of executive heads in other United Nations system bodies could also be suitable for the appointment of the Secretary-General. Therefore, we recommend considering existing practices. Moreover, NAM would like to emphasize the issue of promises made by candidates in exchange for the support of the permanent members of the Security Council, which is described in the aforementioned report of the Joint Inspection Unit. We consider that there is no position reserved for any Member State. It is therefore important that candidates not be under pressure, either before or after being appointed, to give posts in the Secretariat to people of any particular nationality in return for political support, since this is clearly contrary to the spirit of the United Nations Charter. Thirdly, NAM believes that there is a need to balance the part allocated in the Ad Hoc Working Group to the general debate and the part devoted to negotiations on the resolution. Delegations must also have enough time to revert to their capitals on those matters. In that context, we kindly request the co-Chairs to present a draft work programme of the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly, which should be balanced and concise and have a clear time frame. Once again, the Non-Aligned Movement supports an effective, genuine strengthening of the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly and of the role and authority of the General Assembly, including in questions related to international peace and security, bearing in mind the Assembly’s intergovernmental, inclusive and democratic character, which have immensely contributed to the promotion of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its goals. At the same time, NAM reiterates the validity and relevance of its principled position on working methods. In that context, NAM emphasizes the need to continue examining pending issues related to the four clusters. To conclude, the Non-Aligned Movement underlines the importance of the political will of Member States and of the role to be played by the President of the General Assembly during this session in the process of selecting and appointing the next Secretary-General, a process that must be conducted in accordance with the aforementioned resolutions. The Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms its commitment to contributing effectively and constructively to the upcoming meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly and to the discussions on each of the clusters. We are ready to cooperate and engage in fruitful and constructive discussions with all the delegations in a comprehensive, thorough and transparent manner.

I give the floor to the observer of the European Union.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania; the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia, align themselves with this statement. I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s plenary meeting and for your engagement in the revitalization process of the General Assembly. I would like to congratulate the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia on their reappointment as co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. That reappointment is a testament to their excellent work in the Ad Hoc Working Group during previous session of the General Assembly and the significant progress achieved in relation to resolution 69/321 on the topic. We wish the co-Chairs success also during this session and express our support for the upcoming work. The European Union and its member States are strong proponents of effective multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. Our top priorities remain the strengthening of the United Nations, based on effective and sustainable funding, in line with real capacity to pay, and increasing the efficiency of its functioning where there is scope to do more. In that context, we remain committed to the revitalization process and to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening the role and authority of the General Assembly in line with the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions. Indeed, we wish that the General Assembly — as the only intergovernmental body with universal membership and a broad mandate with far- reaching responsibilities — would take up the challenge of reconciling legitimacy and efficiency in the context of the emerging global challenges. At the same time, we wish to reiterate the importance of taking concrete steps, at all levels, aimed at spending more judiciously, delivering in new ways and ensuring that the Organization lives within the agreed budget levels. That applies to all United Nations activities, from peacekeeping to construction and the regular budget. For a more effective delivery of mandates and the sustainable use of resources to occur, an unceasing effort to find new, creative working methods is essential. We believe that only when the General Assembly takes relevant action on issues of common concern to the international community and produces results can revitalization be ensured. By doing so, it lives up to its role as one of the principal organs of the United Nations. The EU and its member States welcome the adoption of resolution 69/321, which contains significant new ideas. The flexibility of all States Members of the United Nations engaged in the intergovernmental negotiations made its adoption possible. It can be seen as a milestone in enhancing the transparency and inclusivity of the selection process for the next Secretary-General. We call on the President to ensure the necessary follow-up, including the sending of the joint letter envisaged in resolution 69/321. The holding of informal dialogues or meetings with candidates for the position of Secretary- General is particularly noteworthy in that regard. The General Assembly revitalization process has also led to other positive developments, for example, the thematic debates, which facilitate more in-depth discussions on current issues of critical importance to the international community. The EU and its member States especially value the interactive character of the thematic debates, which enable the General Assembly to be more closely engaged with other stakeholders, international and regional organizations and groups outside the United Nations system. We look forward to the continuation of that practice and invite the President to consult with Member States on the possibilities, where appropriate and in the spirit of partnerships, of engaging a broad range of stakeholders and achieving result-oriented outcomes in such debates. We also recognize the importance of interaction between the General Assembly and international or regional forums and organizations dealing with global matters of concern to the international community, and the benefits that such interaction yields. We appreciate the Secretary-General’s continued practice of holding periodic informal briefings on his priorities, travels and most recent activities, including his participation in international meetings and events organized outside the United Nations, and encourage him to continue that practice. As to the relationship of the General Assembly to the other principal organs of the United Nations, the EU and its member States believe that the strengthening of transparency and cooperation remains an important goal. The General Assembly should benefit from information about the meetings between the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Chairs of subsidiary bodies. On the issue of working methods, we wish to recall the need to consider and take steps aimed at rationalizing the agenda of the General Assembly and of the Economic and Social Council with a view to eliminating duplication and overlap, and promoting complementarity in the consideration and negotiation of similar and related issues. In that context, it is important to recall resolution 68/1. We believe that the biennialization and triennialization of items should be further examined, as well as their clustering or elimination, including through the introduction of a sunset clause, with the clear consent of the sponsoring State or States. In that regard, the leadership shown by the Chairs and the Bureaus of the Main Committees is of great importance. Let me highlight, in particular, the efforts of the Chairs of the Main Committees during the sixty-ninth session to improve working methods in the Committees. Their joint letter, dated 13 April, with specific proposals to streamline working methods proved most helpful in making further progress in that area. We look forward to continuing that very constructive work with the Main Committee Chairs during the seventieth session, and look forward to their briefings to the Ad Hoc Working Group in the spring. We note with appreciation the constructive debate on the working methods of the Second Committee, which was held on 9 October. We are encouraged by the general recognition of the need for the Second Committee to respond comprehensively and coherently to the proposals in the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1). We fully support the ongoing efforts of the Chairs to collect ideas and propose ways forward in that endeavour, in line with resolution 69/321 on the revitalization of the work of the Assembly. We welcome similar initiatives by the Chair of the Third Committee during the present session. Although each Main Committee has its own authority over its rules of procedure, we believe that streamlining and standardizing the rules would lead to more efficient work on the part of the Committees. We would like to stress as well the importance of making full use of e-services provided by the Secretariat. The widespread use by Main Committees and Member States alike of such e-services, including the PaperSmart portal, has had a positive impact on the work of the General Assembly during its main session, while it has also saved considerable amount of resources, energy and paper. We have to continue to work in that direction. We look forward to the active roles of the Secretary- General, the President — including in his role as Chair of the General Committee  — and the Chairs of the Main Committees, in consultation with Member States, to enhance the coordination of the scheduling of high- level meetings with a view to optimizing their number and distribution throughout the year, while bearing in mind the need to preserve the integrity of the general debate. We believe that the General Committee could play a useful role in that process. We would also like to stress the importance of implementing all General Assembly resolutions, including those on the revitalization of the Assembly’s work. The implementation of the resolutions will have a positive impact on the Assembly’s authority and efficiency. The revitalization of the work of the General Assembly is clearly interlinked with overall United Nations reform. With regard to the functions of the Office of the President, efforts to strengthen the institutional memory of the Office remain of great importance and benefit us all. To that end, efforts to encourage cooperation between incumbent and incoming Presidents of the General Assembly could prove most useful. Given the evolving work load of the General Assembly, the EU and its member States are firmly committed to identifying and implementing possible rationalization and improvements in the definition of the President’s role. That would be in support of the work of the General Assembly and the effective and efficient functioning of the Office. Strengthening the role and authority of the President also requires practical steps to strengthen the Office’s resources and ability to effectively accomplish its tasks. In that regard, we would welcome innovative ideas that correspond with the need for budgetary restraint and transparency. Resolution 69/321 encourages the President of the General Assembly to continue the practice of periodically briefing Member States on his or her activities, including official travel. We see that as both a valuable source of information and an important act of transparency for the Member States. The President of the General Assembly presides over the principal United Nations organ, with its universal membership, and his Office must embody transparency and accountability for all stakeholders, especially as the President represents all Member States at official meetings and during official travel. Finally, let me emphasize the important role played by the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of General Assembly. I would like to assure everyone that the EU and its member States will continue to engage constructively in the Ad Hoc Working Group’s proceedings. We look forward to receiving a work plan soon.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising 10 member States, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and my own country, Malaysia. ASEAN also aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. At the outset, let me congratulate Mr. Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia, and Mr. Wilfried Emvula, Permanent Representative of Namibia, on their re-appointment as the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly during the seventieth session. We would also like to express our appreciation for their stewardship in facilitating the Ad Hoc Working Group’s work during the previous session. ASEAN is pleased with the progress made during their co-chairmanship, particularly resolution 69/321, which was adopted on 11 September. We also commend Mr. Sam Kutesa, the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session, for his commitment to moving the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly forward. The recent seventieth anniversary of the United Nations provided an opportunity to further reinvigorate and revitalize the United Nations. A revitalized United Nations will make the Organization more effective, transparent and inclusive. The United Nations will then be better equipped to respond to the needs of Member States. We should all work together to ensure that the General Assembly plays its role as the chief deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the United Nations. I will highlight several keys issues that deserve special consideration during the seventieth session. First, we welcome the reaffirmation in resolution 69/321 of the importance and benefits of continuing the interaction between the United Nations and regional forums, particularly the political declaration on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations of 5 May 2015 (resolution 69/277). ASEAN has made great strides as a regional organization. This year is particularly significant, as the ASEAN Economic Community will be established at the end of the year. ASEAN looks forward to enhancing its interaction and cooperation with the United Nations aimed at addressing issues of common interest and concern. We hope that follow-up on concrete measures or actions will continue in that important direction set by the General Assembly. Secondly, ASEAN welcomes the General Assembly’s adoption of resolution 68/307 in 2014, on the conduct of the elections of the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of the Economic and Social Council about six months before the newly elected members assume their responsibilities. We support the current practice of the Security Council of inviting its newly elected members to observe some of its meetings and activities prior to assuming their responsibilities. That will certainly provide appropriate opportunities for newly elected non-permanent members to prepare for their tenure in the Council. Thirdly, with regard to the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General, ASEAN believes that the agreement reached in resolution 69/321 should be implemented faithfully in order to ensure a transparent and inclusive selection process. In that regard, we join other Member States in requesting the Presidents of both the General Assembly and the Security Council to start the process of soliciting candidates for the position of Secretary-General through a joint letter addressed to all Member States, requesting that candidates be presented in a timely manner. As we work towards the election and appointment of the next Secretary-General in 2016, ASEAN looks forward to receiving a clear description of the entire process, including a clear time line for the selection process and the schedule for informal dialogues between Member States and the candidates. We request that the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council jointly circulate the names of individuals who have been nominated as candidates for Secretary-General on an ongoing basis to all Member States. To further enhance accountability and transparency, we also encourage open Security Council meetings, including Arria-formula meetings, with the short- listed candidates, and regular briefings by the Security Council on the progress of the nomination process. Last but not least, we look forward to strengthening the institutional memory of the Office of the President. We are pleased that resolution 69/321 has emphasized the need to ensure, from within agreed resources, that the Office of the President is allocated dedicated Secretariat staff. The staff will be responsible for coordinating the transition between Presidents, managing interaction between the President and the Secretary-General and preserving the institutional memory in a timely manner. We also welcome Member States that have seconded members of their staffs from their respective Missions to assist and strengthen the Office of the President in discharging its mandates. ASEAN joins other Member States in encouraging frequent engagement between the President-elect of the General Assembly and the Council of Presidents. The Presidents-elect may benefit from the experiences of former Presidents in terms of best practices and lessons learned. In further strengthening institutional memory, we encourage the outgoing Presidents of the General Assembly to transmit a summary of their work during their terms of office to their successors. We also encourage the holding of a structured and constructive exchange of experiences between them during the three-month transition period. In conclusion, I wish to reiterate the continuing commitment of ASEAN to engage constructively with other Member States in the deliberations of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly during the Assembly’s seventieth session. We are confident that, with the political will of all Member States, we will be able to reach consensus and a concrete outcome.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) group. The cross-regional ACT group is comprised of 25 small and mid-size countries working together to improve the working methods of the Security Council. The ACT group would like commend all Member States for their commitment to the negotiation process and for the spirit of compromise and flexibility exhibited during the negotiations on resolution 69/321, and we wish, in that connection, to thank the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group, the Ambassadors of Croatia and Namibia, for their excellent work and dedication. We wish to stress the importance of the effective and substantiated communication between the permanent members of the Security Council and the wider membership during the negotiations on the resolution on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. The ACT group is pleased with the outcome and the consensual adoption of that resolution on 11 September, which has also established a structured process for the selection of the next Secretary-General. Of course, as mentioned by the previous President of the General Assembly at the adoption of the resolution, implementation is the key. Over the years, we have seen many resolutions passed and not implemented on the issue of selecting the next Secretary-General. We must change that. As a first step, a joint letter by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council should be sent to all Member States calling for nominations. We would hope to receive such a letter in the coming weeks in order to kick off the whole process before the end of the year. The President of the General Assembly has received a very strong mandate from resolution 69/321 on revitalization, and the elements of the letter are also outlined therein. Now we are looking forward to the Council’s doing its part. In that regard, we were pleased to hear about the informal discussion that the Security Council had under the New Zealand presidency in July and are hopeful that preparations to send out the letter are being made as we speak. Within a much wider picture, our main concern should be to ensure that the best candidates will come forward and be considered based on specific selection criteria. In 1945-1946, the Preparatory Commission of the United Nations said that the Secretary-General, more than anyone else, would stand for the United Nations as a whole. We would like to ensure that all Members States, as well as the wider international community, have the possibility to hear the candidates’ visions and to interact with them. In addition, we believe that, after 70 years, the time has come to be even more innovative. We are, therefore, of the opinion that, in making the final decision, due regard should be given to equal and fair geographical and gender balance. We are also looking forward to a thorough discussion during this session on the duration of the term in office of the Secretary-General, including the option of a single, non-renewable term.

I am honoured to address the General Assembly on behalf of India at today’s debate. I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting. At the outset, allow me to align myself with the statement made by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. I would like to congratulate Mr. Wilfred Emvula, the Permanent Representative of Namibia, and Mr. Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia, upon their reappointments as co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly and to wish them success in that endeavour. They also deserve our deep appreciation for the good work they did during the previous session. As we mark the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations, the issue of United Nations reform, including the revitalization of the General Assembly and the reform of the Security Council, has assumed particular significance. We must heed the call for United Nations reform made by a large number of world leaders during the recent general debate held at the beginning of the seventieth session of the Assembly. In his statement at the Security Council’s annual debate on working methods on 20 October, the President of the General Assembly said, “[i]t would be remiss of me to conclude without addressing the issue of Security Council reform — arguably one of the most discussed issues within the United Nations and beyond, over many decades. As was underlined by a large number of world leaders during this session’s general debate, this topic is of central importance to a large majority of the membership.” (S/PV.7539, p. 5) We note with regret that an ineffective Security Council has led to huge human costs in terms of wars and conflicts, which the international community cannot justify. The figures speak for themselves, especially the huge figure of more than 60 million people affected by the malfunctioning of the Security Council. It is our firm believe that urgent and comprehensive reform of the United Nations is imperative in order to make the Organization reflective of the current geopolitical realities and enhance its capability to meet the increasingly complex and pressing transnational challenges of our time. While we are happy that resolution 69/321, adopted on 11 September, has highlighted some of the important steps required on our collective journey towards a revitalized General Assembly, we firmly believe that we still have a great distance to cover. Meanwhile, the full implementation of that resolution is imperative. We believe that the General Assembly will not be empowered merely by strengthening procedures and streamlining working methods. It will be empowered only if its position as the chief deliberative, policy- making and representative organ of the United Nations under Article 10 of the Charter is respected in letter and spirit. That requires that the General Assembly should take the lead in setting the global agenda and restoring the centrality of the United Nations in formulating multilateral approaches to resolving transnational issues. In particular, revitalization must restore the primacy of the United Nations in development matters. We would like to make three points in that regard. First of all, it is critical that the issue of preventing encroachment upon the mandate of the General Assembly and making the Security Council more respectful of the mandates of other bodies be addressed. The encroachment by the Security Council on issues that traditionally fall within the purview of the General Assembly are of particular concern. Moreover, the holding of thematic debates on issues that frequently fall within the purview of the General Assembly or the Economic and Social Council also remains an area of concern. The balance between the principal organs of the United Nations, as stipulated by the Charter, must be respected and maintained. Secondly, one of the more important issues before the United Nations in the coming year will be the selection of the next Secretary-General. There is a great deal of debate on the prerogatives of the Security Council and the General Assembly in that matter. At the heart of the debate, however, is the question of the prerogatives of the P-5, as opposed to those of the rest of the membership of the United Nations. And that, to a large extent, is determined by something as seemingly innocuous as the working methods of the Council. My delegation has advocated strongly for the Security Council to recommend the names of two or more candidates to the General Assembly. While the pronouncements of the General Assembly do not specifically provide for that, there is, in our view, no legal impediment that would prevent the Security Council from taking such an action. The General Assembly, as the voice of the international community, must be given greater say in the selection of the next Secretary-General. That is in the interests of the United Nations system in general and of the Assembly’s prerogatives in particular. It is in our collective interest to select the most appropriate next chief executive of the United Nations as we begin to implement the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1). Thirdly, the Assembly and the other entities that form part of the United Nations system must reflect best practices in their day-to-day functioning. That will require a review of the way in which the Assembly conducts its business and the adoption of best practices. In our view, the primacy of the Assembly flows from the universality of its membership as well as from the diligent application of the principle of sovereign equality of all its members. Ownership of the Assembly’s decisions and activities is, therefore, reflected in the degree of participation by Member States. Member States must, therefore, have the political will to take concrete measures to reinforce the role and authority of the Assembly. In conclusion, let me re-emphasize the need to discuss substantive measures that would strengthen the role of the General Assembly as the chief deliberative, policy-making and representative body of the international community. You can count on my delegation’s constructive support and participation in those efforts.

The Cuban delegation aligns itself with the comprehensive statement made by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, but I would like nonetheless to make a few remarks in my national capacity. First of all, we are grateful to the co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly for drafting their report on the issues and the efforts undertaken to further the process of revitalization during the previous session of the Assembly. We would also like to congratulate them on their re-election to lead the Working Group. There will never be a genuine reform of the United Nations without far-reaching revitalization of the General Assembly, and that, in our view, will be possible only by bolstering the democratic, participatory character of the body through the full exercise by the 193 Member States of the powers enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The Assembly must recover and strengthen its deliberative, normative and policy-making functions in accordance with the powers stipulated by the Charter and in the multiple resolutions and declarations agreed on in the United Nations. In order to guarantee the ongoing trust of the international community in the United Nations, as well as its legitimacy, the Organization must truly respond to the collective interests of its Member States. The main problem of the Organization lies in the failure to implement many of the numerous resolutions of the General Assembly, which constitute an important normative corpus that remains largely inert, because the implementation of resolutions depends on the political will of States with the political, military and economic power to apply them. The resolutions on the topic that concerns us today have unfortunately not escaped that fate. Their level of implementation remains extremely limited. Cuba stresses the need for an appropriate balance among the major organs of the United Nations, in accordance with the Charter, and calls for a halt to the growing and dangerous tendency of the Security Council to encroach on the Assembly’s sphere of action. Revitalizing the General Assembly cannot be a bureaucratic process. In the wise words of Father Miguel d’Escoto, of the sister Republic of Nicaragua, in his farewell address as President of the General Assembly at the sixty-third session, “Revitalization is a political rather than a technical issue” (A/63/PV.105, p. 29). We hope that the revitalization process will enhance the interaction between the Secretariat and the General Assembly so that the Secretariat can respond in a more effective manner to the mandates that are determined by the Member States. We also hope that the process will strengthen the Office of the President of the General Assembly and wish to convey our full support to the President. As part of its work, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly must exercise strict control over the implementation of the relevant General Assembly resolutions, continually overseeing and updating the inventory chart of all the resolutions relating to the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. We now have a large body of legislation on the revitalization of this principal organ. We recognize the advances that have been made, but much remains to be done. We will not have an Organization that responds effectively to the system of contemporary international relations unless we reform the Security Council and make the General Assembly the centre of multilateral discussion and work. Cuba wishes to reaffirm its commitment to continuing to participate constructively in the upcoming meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly.

Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We congratulate Ambassadors Emvula and Drobnjak on their reappointment as co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. It is a fitting recognition of their success during the sixty-ninth session. The General Assembly has been working diligently on its mandated tasks. It played a landmark and seminal role in the design and development of the post-2015 development agenda. The implementation of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will put the General Assembly at the centre of decision-making. The roles and mandates of the General Assembly and the Security Council have been defined clearly by the Charter of the United Nations. Encroachment by any Charter body on the role of another must be avoided. The Charter provides the General Assembly with enormous space for playing its role. The General Assembly should use that space optimally. It has a leadership role to play, for example, on peacekeeping, by using the full potential of its Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, it has undertaken ground-breaking work in a number of fields from human rights to development to international law. Resorting to the Uniting for Peace mechanism, when necessary, enables the Assembly to leave an indelible imprint on international peace and security. Two-way communication between the Council and the Assembly should not remain merely symbolic and cosmetic but should become substantive and consequential. We have proposed a number of small steps that could improve that communication. First, the Presidents of the Assembly and the Council should add substance to their largely pro forma monthly meetings by discussing collaboration between them, based on the agendas of the two bodies. Secondly, the annual reports of the Council to the Assembly should be made more analytical, and the General Assembly’s views should feed back into the Council’s work. Last year’s letter from the President of the Assembly in response to the report of the Security Council was a beginning. Thirdly there should be better scrutiny and evaluation of the Council’s work by the general membership. Finally, the Ad Hoc Working Group, the intergovernmental negotiations for Security Council reform and the General Assembly itself should work with the Security Council and its Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions to refine and improve the Security Council’s working methods to make it more accountable and transparent for the general membership. Security Council reform provides us with an opportunity to enhance the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council. The Security Council undertakes the responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security on behalf of all the Member States, not in lieu of them. Therefore, the Council should be accountable to the wider membership of the General Assembly. The only way in which this accountability can be strengthened is through increasing the elected membership of the Council. Moreover, in that process, the General Assembly also needs to focus on increasing representation as well as on other equally important matters such as the veto, the size and working methods of the Council, and regional representation. Adding more permanent members to the Council will only undermine its representative character and the principle of accountability through democracy. We should pursue the principle of the greatest good of the greatest number by ensuring that all Member States — small, medium and large — are adequately and equitably represented in the reformed Council on the basis of fixed terms and rotation. Council reform should reflect the aspirations and interests of all, not the ambitions of a few. The process of selecting and appointing the new Secretary General has assumed even greater significance this year. Transparency, inclusivity and providing a say to the General Assembly would enhance the legitimacy of the process as well as the office. We made good progress on the issue last year and need to continue on that path. The implementation of resolutions is critical. And this requires the political will of Member States as well as adequate resources. The selective implementation of resolutions, by design or by default, must be avoided. As spelled out in resolution 69/231, Member States should be briefed by the Secretary-General about the status of implementation. Updating the inventory of resolutions should be further improved by including information on reasons for non-implementation and delays. The revitalization of the General Assembly and the faithful implementation of its decisions would act as a force multiplier in empowering the United Nations to resolve difficult issues of peace and security, development and human rights. We look forward to a substantive and constructive debate on the subject and assure the co-Chairs of our cooperation and support.

I would 1ike to start by thanking the President for his initiative on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. Both in his acceptance statement (see A/69/PV.94) and in his statement at the opening of the seventieth session of the Assembly (see A/70/PV.1), he emphasized the importance of revitalizing the General Assembly. Japan completely shares his views. Seventy years have now elapsed since the establishment of the United Nations. In addition to Security Council reform, to which Japan attaches high priority, revitalizing the General Assembly is a crucial component of the reform agenda. We must make steady progress towards achievable and realistic results on this item. We learned with deep shock and sadness the news that the President of the General Assembly at the sixty- eighth session was arrested in early October by United States authorities. According to media reports, Mr. Ashe took payments from a developer based in Macau using his official position. These unprecedented and serious allegations have severely damaged the prestige and reputation of the United Nations worldwide. I say it with regret because Mr. Ashe was a very active president. He made efforts to advance such issues as climate change and sustainable development. As the President stated at the press conference on 6 October, corruption has no place at the United Nations or anywhere else. I am very encouraged that he, as President of the General Assembly and coming from Denmark, which is consistently ranked as the most transparent country in the world, is fully committed to restoring the integrity and credibility of the United Nations. Before coming here today, I wanted to ask him to share with us some of the measures that may be considered on this matter. I was therefore very pleased and encouraged to hear that he has already taken concrete steps on the code of conduct for the President. On 8 October, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated a similar message on corruption and requested that the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) undertake an investigation. We welcome his quick action and hope that the OIOS report will be issued at the earliest possible date. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for the very strong message he delivered this morning on this matter. Based on the President’s proposals and on input from the Secretary- General, I would like the Working Group, in coming sessions, to consider how the Office of the President of the General Assembly is run. This case reminded us that the flow of money from and into the Office of the President of the General Assembly is not fully transparent. In particular, we have no information about how voluntary contributions from Member States and private sources are used. The transparency of the money flow should be one of the points considered by the Working Group. With regard to the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, Japan welcomes the adoption of resolution 69/321, which was the fruit of long and difficult negotiations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group during the previous session  — the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia  — for their chairmanship. We welcome their reappointment as co-Chairs of the Working Group for the current session and are looking forward to closely collaborating with them again. We achieved a lot in the previous session and, at this juncture, can concentrate on steadily implementing this cornerstone resolution and addressing the issues that were postponed to the current session. With regard to the selection of the Secretary-General, the resolution requests the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to circulate a joint letter containing a description of the entire process and inviting candidates to be presented in a timely manner. We hope that the letter will be issued as soon as possible. At the previous session, the idea of changing the current method of selecting the Secretary-General by encouraging the Security Council to recommend more than one candidate to the General Assembly was proposed and intensely debated. From the viewpoint of transparency, we believe that the most important point is to ensure the accountability of the Security Council in its choice of a candidate. We have to choose as Secretary-General the best candidate, the one who meets the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. It is desirable that we have as wide a range of candidates as possible, including women. In this regard, Japan supports paragraph 38 of resolution 69/321, which invites Member States to consider presenting women as candidates for the position of Secretary-General. In October, Japan was elected to the Security Council as a non-permanent member, supported by an overwhelming majority of Member States. I thank them once again for their support. Since being elected, we have two and half months before we join the Council on 1 January. Although it will be the eleventh time that Japan has the honour to serve on the Council and, for myself, the second time, I feel that two and a half months is a very short time in which to prepare for Council membership. I believe that the decision contained in resolution 68/307 to move the dates for electing new members of the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council to June will achieve the intended goal of giving new members more time to prepare for their membership. This year the General Assembly has 173 agenda items to consider. I think it is clear that streamlining the agenda has become an urgent issue. In order to avoid duplication, some agenda items — of the Second Committee, for example  — could be reviewed and integrated in the light of the holistic nature of the new 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (resolution 70/1). Japan has already submitted such a proposal to the bureau of the Second Committee. Furthermore, enhancing discipline and fairness in the management of this body remains an important topic for discussion. In this context, I have one point to make: I believe that when the representative of a member State delivers a statement on behalf of a group, the representatives of member States belonging to that group and wishing to speak in their national capacity should do so, in principle, after all others with national statements whose countries are not associated with a group have spoken. I would like to conclude my statement by reaffirming that Japan stands ready to support the President of the General Assembly and contribute in a constructive manner to the discussions on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, with a view to further enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of the United Nations.

My delegation joins others in thanking the President of the General Assembly for convening today’s important joint debate and in congratulating Ambassador Drobnjak of Croatia and Ambassador Emvula of Namibia for their reappointment as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group for the seventieth session. Indonesia associates itself with the statements delivered by the representatives of Algeria and Malaysia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, respectively. There has been progress on numerous fronts since a dedicated agenda item on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly was first included in the agenda, which was at the forty-sixth session of the Assembly, in 1991. Deliberations on this issue have led to the introduction of a number of practices in the Assembly aimed at enhancing the Assembly’s effectiveness in performing its role and in fulfilling its mandate. The streamlining and reorganization of the Assembly’s agenda under thematic headings has given it greater focus. Improved working methods, the earlier election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of the Economic and Social Council and the strengthening of the Office of the President of the General Assembly are among the deliberations’ outcomes that have enabled the Assembly to achieve higher prominence. The practice of convening the members of the General Assembly for high-level debates on crucial global peace, security and development challenges have demonstrated how the Assembly can cultivate greater common understanding on shared challenges and how Member States can deploy their collective wisdom and experience for the greater good of humankind. That has enhanced the Assembly’s relevance. The latest resolution on revitalizing the work of the General Assembly, resolution 69/321, has once again taken the work of revitalizing the work of the Assembly to a higher level. It further paves the way for a closer collaboration between the Assembly and the Council, in particular on the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General. My delegation, however, strongly feels that more needs to be done to enable the Assembly to fulfil its role and responsibility, as envisaged under the Charter of the United Nations. In that context, my delegation would like to suggest the following additional points by way of strengthening our common endeavour of makinge the Assembly more robust. First, the full implementation of resolution 69/321 must be ensured, with sharper focus on the selection and appointment process of the next Secretary-General. Collaboration between the Assembly and the Council needs to be further strengthened in dealing with that issue and to be expanded to other relevant areas in a more meaningful way, according to the respective areas of competence of those two principal organs of the United Nations. Secondly, the upcoming deliberations should focus more intently on strengthening consultations between the Assembly and the regional organizations on issues of common interest, including in the fields of peace and security, human rights and development. The Charter rightly recognizes the role of the regional organizations. They can provide useful regional perspectives, wisdom and insights, as well as contribute positively to the work of the Assembly and of the United Nations as a whole. A more effective mechanism for consultations between the Assembly and the regional organizations needs to be further explored. Thirdly, the role of the General Assembly in the area of international peace and security should be reinforced in keeping with its functions and competence. It should take the lead in addressing issues of conflict prevention, advancing the peaceful settlement of disputes and searching for political solutions to conflicts, including by improving peacekeeping and peacebuilding architecture. We also believe that, having made a commendable beginning, the Assembly can do much more in such areas as terrorism by non-State actors, human displacement, intercultural dialogue, promoting coexistence between peoples and advancing democratic traditions and practices. Indonesia, for its part, will continue to suggest and support practical ways of revitalizing the Assembly so that, as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative United Nations organ, it can better meet the expectations of the global citizenry today.

The delegation of Ecuador would like to begin by expressing its gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia, Ambassadors Emvula and Drobnjak, respectively, and to their teams for the very wise, efficient and patient manner in which they have been leading the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. We would also like to congratulate the President on his decision to reappoint Ambassadors Emvula and Drobnjak as co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. That will ensure the continuity of our discussions and debates from the previous session. Undoubtedly, with the adoption by consensus of resolution 69/321 in September, we have been able to make significant progress with respect to the revitalization of the work of General Assembly. We have once again acknowledged the work of the permanent missions in the context of the effectiveness of the General Assembly, and we have revisited the question of holding an informal meeting of the Assembly to analyse ways of improving the coordination between those missions and the Secretariat. We are convinced that in the coming months, we will be able to hold that important meeting. We have also opened a channel for the Secretariat to familiarize itself with the obstacles that States encounter when implementing resolutions involving the Secretariat. We have encouraged the Chairs and Bureau members of the Main Committees to improve their consultations with member States with the aim of improving their work and have also stressed the importance of respecting the predetermined date for the opening of the annual general debate, in accordance with the norms that the Assembly itself has established. We have also requested a report from the Secretary- General regarding the gender distribution and the regional backgrounds of the executive heads and the members of the Senior Management Group of the Organization. This is a subject of particular importance for my delegation, and we are waiting for the report to be issued and intend to study it with a view to submitting specific proposals. Certainly, the question that has raised the most interest, for obvious reasons, concerns the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General. In the aforementioned resolution, resolution 69/321, we reaffirmed the necessity of the full application of rule 141 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly when appointing the Secretary-General, as this will enable us to avoid any kind of automaticity when the General Assembly exercises its exclusive prerogative, pursuant to the Charter, of appointing the chief administrative officer of the Secretariat. We have also introduced components favouring transparency in the selection and appointment process of the Secretary- General. They include coordination between the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council at the time that the list of candidates is presented and keeping Member States informed of who is on that list. Moreover, informal meetings have been planned between the General Assembly and these candidates. My delegation wishes to draw attention to paragraph 38 of resolution 69/321, which invites Member States to consider presenting women as candidates for the position of Secretary-General. Given that a number of countries have or have had women as their Heads of State or Government, it is high time for the United Nations to join them by appointing a women to the post of Secretary-General. The important measures involving transparency must be accompanied by others aimed at reaffirming the active role that the General Assembly must play in the process of the selection and appointment of the next Secretary- General, in accordance with Article 97 of the Charter. It is particularly important for my delegation, therefore, that pursuant to paragraph 44 of resolution 69/321, we continue during the current session to discuss and decide on several issues including, for example, the optimal number of candidates that the General Assembly should submit to the Security Council or the duration of Secretary-General’s term. Of course, we are committed to discussing and exchanging views on those questions, with a view to determining ways of democratizing the process of selecting and appointing the Secretary-General, including the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, who will preferably be a woman. The aim of our delegation, while serving on the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly, has been and still is to reaffirm the rights and prerogatives of the General Assembly, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, it being the universal and most representative organ of the United Nations, on which all Members States are represented on an equal footing. We will maintain that position, bearing in mind that we have a long road ahead of us before we attain the objectives outlined. Our delegation stands ready to continue to provide its support to the President of the General Assembly.

This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations. For the past 70 years, the United Nations has consistently made efforts to maintain international peace and security, to advance world development and prosperity, and to promote coordination and cooperation among all countries. For the past 70 years, the United Nations has witnessed the exploratory and practical efforts of Member States to safeguard peace, build a homeland and seek cooperation. At this new historic starting point, we should further reflect on how the United Nations can play a bigger role in the advancement of humankind in the twenty-first century, so that the United Nations can better serve the people of the United Nations. The General Assembly comprises 193 Member States and is the most universal and representative Charter organ of the United Nations. It is also the main organ for deliberating policy. The seventieth session of the General Assembly is a session at which we can build on the past and prepare for the future. It is of great significance. It represents an important opportunity for the United Nations to reposition itself and make a fresh start. Member countries should work together to revitalize the General Assembly by injecting a new dynamism into its proceedings during this session, with a view to further promoting and improving United Nations efficiency and effectiveness. In that regard, I wish to emphasize the following. First, we should comprehensively implement the outcomes of the United Nations summits with a view to promoting progress in all areas of the work of the General Assembly. The United Nations has held a series of summits in the areas of development, of peace and security and of women. All the summits have achieved positive outcomes. This session of the General Assembly should focus on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) and push the General Assembly to a higher level of achievement. Secondly, we should fully discharge the General Assembly function of policy deliberation and continue to improve the work of the General Assembly. The Charter of the United Nations provides that the General Assembly may discuss any questions or any matters within the scope of the Charter and make recommendations. The General Assembly should, pursuant to the provisions of the Charter, improve its division of labour and coordination with the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council, with each continuing to maximize its own advantages in their respective fields, while at the same time strengthening coordination and cooperation to form a synergy. The revitalization of the General Assembly is in the common interest of all Member States and an effort that China staunchly supports. China has taken note of the efforts by the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly to strengthen the role and the authority of the General Assembly and improve its working methods. China welcomes the reappointment of the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia to co-chair the Ad Hoc Working Group. We hope that, within the framework of the Working Group, all parties will follow the principles of democratic consultation and gradually progress from easier issues to more difficult ones, so as to steadily push forward the implementation of resolution 69/321. China will work with other countries in joint efforts to push for positive progress on the important question of the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly.

The United States would like to thank the co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly, the Permanent Representative of Croatia, Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, and the Permanent Representative of Namibia, Ambassador Wilfried Emvula. Their significant contributions to the General Assembly’s revitalization and their even-handed management of the Working Group’s negotiations over the past year allowed Member States to reach consensus on a resolution with wide-ranging positive implications for the Assembly’s work. We are very pleased that they are returning to the helm this year. During the sixty-ninth session, the Working Group discussed many issues of paramount importance to the efficacy of the General Assembly with the process for selecting the Secretary-General, a clear priority for many Member States. The United States welcomed the opportunity to work constructively with other members towards increasing engagement and communication on the process. In the past year, we achieved consensus on resolution 69/321. That consensus will serve as a strong basis for revitalization and includes significant, concrete outcomes, particularly on the selection process. The selection of a new Secretary-General is always an exciting time for the Organization. In our view, resolution 69/321 reflects the efforts of Member States to work together constructively to address the selection process, consistent with the clear and straightforward directive set forth in Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations. We look forward to carefully considering all candidates over the coming months. Moving forward, the United States believes we must refocus our efforts to increase the Assembly’s efficiency, effectiveness and transparency. We must streamline and prioritize the agenda with an eye to removing outdated topics to allow more time to address the pressing issues most in need of our attention. We should also look to improve the practices and working methods of the Main Committees. These should be among the Working Group’s highest priorities — tangible aspects of revitalization that will result in real improvements for the work of the General Assembly. We recognize that attention is also being given to other aspects of the Organization’s work, such as the working methods of the Security Council. These are important topics, but we do not believe that they should be the primary focus of the Working Group’s efforts, particularly the working methods and other issues within the Council’s remit. The Charter of the United Nations makes clear the coequal relationship between the two organs, which should be respected. The United States is fully committed to multilateral engagement and a strong United Nations system. We look forward to working with all Members as we continue to consider the best options for revitalizing the General Assembly.

We welcome the convening of today’s meeting of the General Assembly on revitalizing its work. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia on their reappointment to the posts of co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group. We noted their work in those positions during the sixty-ninth session. We support realistic initiatives aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the work of the General Assembly, which to a large extent can be achieved by improving the working methods of the General Assembly and by reorganizing its agenda, which is currently overburdened. We believe it is necessary to continue to biennialize and triennialize some agenda items and to delete those that are no longer relevant. We support the proposal to move the high-level week of the general debate, because the Heads of State and Government and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs who are present in New York already have a busy diary of bilateral events. During that period we should limit the number of high-level events, and the rest should be spread evenly over the whole period of the General Assembly session. In that regard, we welcome the plan of the President of the General Assembly to hold several high-level thematic debates on important agenda items next May. Of course, any reform initiative must be based on strict respect for the relevant prerogatives of the principal organs of the United Nations, as set out in the Charter of the United Nations. The election of the new Secretary-General is approaching, and we hope that it will be conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Charter, according to which the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. It remains to be seen how the platform of the General Assembly will be used during the election campaign by the candidates for the post of Secretary-General. We believe that the process should not eclipse the substantive work of the General Assembly. The best format for interaction between candidates and Member States is still through regional groupings. And there is another aspect. We all recall that in one of the resolutions of the General Assembly there is a request that the Security Council should submit the name of only one candidate to the General Assembly. However, Russia does not exclude the possibility that the Council may recommend more than one such candidate. Such a variant should not present any difficulties for the work that the members of the Security Council must undertake. In discussing issues that concern the revitalization of the General Assembly, we have heard the Security Council criticized for allegedly encroaching on the prerogatives of other United Nations organs. We share that concern. Our colleagues in the Security Council well know that we show restraint with respect to initiatives that draw the Security Council into addressing issues of a general nature. We believe that the Council should restrict itself to the country-based issues and areas in which it can and must take practical decisions. In fact, we have just prevented attempts within the Security Council to discuss one of the sustainable development agenda issues, as we believe that to do so would be a clear example of encroaching on the mandates of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. We believe that in such cases the President of the General Assembly should exercise the prerogatives of that body. We note that the Security Council often holds open debates that are of interest to many Member States and that do not address issues of maintaining international peace and security. We often have the impression that the General Assembly has merged into the Security Council. We believe that debates on such issues should take place in the General Assembly, where all States Members of the United Nations can speak on an equal basis, giving greater impetus to the revitalization of the General Assembly.

I would like to thank the President for his leadership and to congratulate the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia for the historic advance in the recent resolution on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. Their confirmation as co-Chairs reaffirms our belief in the possibility of the concrete and significant progress that remains to be achieved and the certainty that positive results can be obtained when Member States work with the shared goal of improving this Organization with effectiveness, ethics and transparency. Colombia aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Resolution 69/321 strengthens four key elements concerning the principal deliberative organ of the United Nations: its role, its authority, its efficiency and its effectiveness. In that regard, I would like to stress the work of the General Assembly with respect to the nomination, selection and designation of the person who will succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the end of 2016 in a transparent and inclusive manner, with changes that include, first, the circulation of a joint letter from the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, on which many delegations have insisted; secondly, a timetable for the process; thirdly, a list with the names of the candidates and their curricula vitae that will enable all Member States to analyse the experience and qualities of each; and, fourthly, the holding of hearings, both formal and informal, in the General Assembly such that all Member States without exception, large and small, can interact with the candidates and experience the traditional trappings of a democratic process, which have now been incorporated into the election process of the United Nations. A fifth element of immense importance to my delegation is the inclusion, for the first time in the Organization’s 70 years of existence, of a call to present women as candidates for the highest post of global diplomacy, which represents a genuine contribution by the United Nations to the highest principles for which it has fought in recent years, as President Lykketoft himself noted in his statement this morning. In that regard, I would like to recall the initiative, so far joined by 50 countries, to create a group of friends in favour of a woman candidate to be the next Secretary-General, prompted by the conviction that in 11 months we will be making history. Achievements such as those set out in the recently adopted resolution 69/321, on the revitalization of the work of theGeneral Assembly, are certainly important, but they do not imply that the work of strengthening the principal deliberative organ of the United Nations has been fully realized. As both the President and the Secretary-General have stressed, tasks still to be accomplished and on which we should make headway during this session include increasing cooperation and integration among organs and maximizing the efficient use of resources. There needs to be equitable representation and geographical distribution within the United Nations, and both working methods and accountability need to be improved across the diverse structures that form the system to make them more efficient, but also more transparent, credible and legitimate, in order to respond to the challenges in the agendas on development, security and human rights. Colombia firmly believes that such steps will enable us to achieve a revitalized General Assembly that will be more capable of fulfilling the mandate that Member States have entrusted to it of promoting among nations, on the basis of respect, the principle of equal rights and universal peace.

Egypt fully associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. I thank the President for convening this important meeting on agenda items 119 and 120. I am also pleased by the reappointment of the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia as co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. I congratulate them on their remarkable achievements during the past session, and I assure them of my delegation’s full support and cooperation in addressing the important tasks ahead of us this year. Given the central role of the General Assembly as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations, Egypt believes that the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly is an integral part of the broader efforts aimed at strengthening the entire Organization. Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Assembly is indeed an essential step towards creating an Organization that is more democratic, inclusive and capable of effectively undertaking its responsibilities, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Ensuring the implementation of its resolutions, including those related to revitalization, is critical to enhancing the role and authority of the General Assembly. In this context, Egypt welcomes the adoption of resolution 69/321 and stresses the importance of fully implementing all its provisions. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Working Group, important improvements have been introduced to the working methods of the General Assembly, notably the early election of the members of the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council, six months prior to their assumption of responsibilities. This is in effect in the current session of the General Assembly, with the aim of enabling them to prepare sufficiently for their new tasks. There is a need to continue improving the working methods of the General Assembly, and particularly its Main Committees, to ensure an efficient management and effective conduct of their steadily increasing workloads, and first and foremost to sufficiently empower the office of the President with the resources and staffing to enable it to implement its challenging task. The challenges facing the United Nations today  — from combating terrorism and maintaining peace to achieving sustainable development and addressing the root causes of conflicts — are daunting. Meeting them requires enhanced cooperation among the principal organs of the United Nations in a mutually reinforcing and complementary relationship, while respecting the balance among their respective functions and mandates, as enshrined in the Charter. The open debate on the working methods of the Security Council held on 20 October (see S/PV.7539), in the presence and with the contribution of the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, demonstrated the desire of the wider membership for enhanced cooperation among these bodies to ensure a more holistic approach to sustaining peace and to forge stronger linkages among the three pillars of the work of the United Nations. In that regard, Egypt welcomes the Security Council’s adoption of its first-ever presidential statement (S/PRST/2015/19) focused entirely on its working methods, in which the Council underscored the importance of increased coordination, cooperation and interaction among the principal organs of the United Nations. Lastly, I wish to address the issue of the appointment of the new Secretary-General. Egypt believes that the landmark resolution 69/321, which was adopted by consensus in September, paves the way for a predictable, transparent and merit-based selection process. The resolution addresses some of the multiple imperfections that have negatively impacted the selection process for the past 70 years. Our collective responsibility now is to ensure its timely and effective implementation. We are mindful that some very important aspects of this process remain subject to further consideration during the current session. We are hopeful that the same spirit of understanding and accommodation that led to the adoption of resolution 69/321 by consensus will guide the next phase of our work. As an elected member of the Security Council, and through its membership of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly, Egypt will exert its utmost efforts to guarantee that the process will be inclusive, open and democratic, and that the voices of all Members will be heard and duly considered throughout the process.

My delegation fully associates itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Allow me to congratulate the co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly on the four thematic issues during this seventieth session. We welcome the reappointment of the Ambassadors of Namibia and Croatia to steer the ship. My delegation wishes to reiterate its strong belief that the General Assembly remains the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations, and that it is our responsibility as Member States to ensure that the Assembly remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the populations we serve. It is therefore appropriate that during this seventieth session the General Assembly, through the Ad Hoc Working Group, should again discuss the critical issue of the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads with renewed vigour. South Africa fully endorses the urgent, near universal call of the membership, as voiced by several groups, including the Non-Aligned Movement, for the appointment process for the next Secretary-General finally breaks from the antiquated process established by resolution 11 (I) of 1946. It is time for the most representative Organization in the world to appoint its chief administrative officer through a transparent and inclusive process, with due consideration for pre-established selection criteria, gender equality and geographic representation. That can be achieved only if the process of selecting and appointing the Secretary- General becomes more structured and starts with a call for applications. In this modern day and age, such appointment stipulations are critical to ensuring that the best candidate for the position is selected and that the Secretary-General can be held accountable to the General Assembly and not only to a select few. To that end, we call for a joint letter by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to officially launch the selection process by describing the process and inviting candidates to be presented in a timely manner. A list of the selection criteria, including proven leadership and managerial abilities, extensive experience in international relations and strong diplomatic, communication and multilingual skills, is a prerequisite. We request that the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council continuously update the curricula vitae of prospective candidates and that they avail themselves of the opportunity for informal dialogue with the broader membership of the Organization. There is above all a strong need for the appointment of a Secretary-General who embodies the highest standards of efficiency, competency, integrity and a strong commitment to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, together with the values and objectives of the Organization. This year, which marks the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, provides a seminal opportunity for Member States to reinvigorate the Organization as a whole and to continue our efforts for the revitalization of the General Assembly. The General Assembly’s role, authority and working methods must be strengthened to restore its rightful place at the centre of the global governance system. In addition to emphasizing the issues of greater transparency and inclusiveness, South Africa shares the view strongly held by many Member States that the General Assembly should be given a prominent role on all critical issues, including the selection and appointment processes for the new Secretary-General, that goes beyond merely rubber-stamping the choice of a select few Members of the United Nations. We do not share the view expressed by a small minority of States that it is premature at this stage to discuss the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General. In that regard, South Africa expresses its hope that the Council’s discussion will result in full engagement with the General Assembly. The broad interest in the issue and the fervour with which the important matter has repeatedly been raised in the Ad Hoc Working Group in recent years attests to the fact that the matter is urgent. We trust that the urgency of our discussions will translate into a more democratic process. Such a democratic process needs to include a thorough consideration of the nomination of multiple candidates for the post of Secretary-General, as well as that of seriously considering a single term limit for the next appointee. In closing, my delegation looks forward to continued rich discussion during this session on the issue and on the other three core thematic issues: enhancing the role and authority of the General Assembly, improving the working methods of the Assembly, and strengthening the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly.

At the outset, my delegation wishes to express its immense gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia for their effective conduct of the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group during the past session. We assure them of our full support in their future endeavours at the current session. The seventieth anniversary of the United Nations calls for a highly effective General Assembly as the key deliberative, representative and policymaking organ of the United Nations. We are facing new issues and priorities that demand efficient working methods and new approaches. Today more than ever, the General Assembly must address the needs and interests of all States, particularly those in vulnerable groups, such as the least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked countries. My delegation would like to present a few points for consideration. The General Assembly, due to its comprehensive membership, should be able to bring new, enhanced perspectives to the issues of peace and security that could add value to the Security Council’s work, with the two organs working in close cooperation so that they do not compete but rather complement each other. Even though the General Assembly’s decisions are not binding, it could facilitate speedy and sufficient responses to challenges. A revitalized General Assembly should be able to meet the acute contemporary challenges of wars and conflicts. Our central task in the twenty-first century should be to implement a strategy that would completely eliminate wars, their threats and causes. For that purpose, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan proposed in the general debate of the seventieth session (see A/70/PV.13) that by the United Nations centenary in 2045, a global strategic initiative plan should be agreed to pave the way for a world totally free of conflicts, provide fair conditions for all nations to have equal access to world infrastructure, resources and markets, and maintain comprehensive accountability for human development. With peace, security, sustainable development, human rights and gender equality becoming paramount imperatives today, the General Assembly agenda will have to be well conceived, structured and sequenced to obtain optimal outcomes. Such clear delineation would also strengthen the General Assembly’s authority and standing. While trying to preserve the principle of consensus, we should avoid weak resolutions and focus debates on the substance rather than on the process. In our striving for inclusion and integration, we must ensure that results take us to a new level each time. All General Assembly resolutions must be given due attention so that they are implemented in a proper, timely and inclusive manner. In addition, the General Assembly’s agenda should be streamlined so as to avoid duplication and allow us to concentrate on properly applying our time, efforts and resources to core problems. It is therefore obvious that the process of biennializing and triennializing resolution cycles and the periodicity of agenda items should be undertaken in an appropriate and balanced way. My delegation wants to underline the importance of the General Assembly’s close collaboration with the Secretariat for the purposes of internal coordination, greater rationalization and streamlining the agenda to avoid duplication with other bodies in the United Nations system. Furthermore, serious consideration must be given to the scheduling of high-level events, both in terms of number and distribution throughout the year, so as to ensure the highest level of participation, the review of proposals and the monitoring of their results and success. My delegation wants to underline the importance of the comprehensive institutional memory of the General Assembly. In that regard, we strongly believe that the General Assembly’s efficiency and the President’s abilities and capacity should in no way be confined by financial constraints. That is why my delegation joins the call for the greater allocation of funds from the United Nations regular budget to provide the President with wider support from the Secretariat. We believe that the reform process should encompass all the main organs of the United Nations. Along with our joint efforts to increase the effectiveness of the General Assembly, the optimization of other United Nations entities is equally important. To that end, the President of Kazakhstan has also proposed to transform the Economic and Social Council into a global development council, thereby uniting States Members of the United Nations and other United Nations specialized agencies, including the International Monetary Fund, tasked to become a global economic regulator. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my country’s interest in and readiness to support new efforts and to engage in the work on the revitalization of the General Assembly.

We very much welcome the 19 October 2015 letter of the President of the General Assembly informing Member States of the reappointment of the co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. We believe that it serves as recognition of their excellent during the previous session, which culminated in the adoption of the cornerstone resolution 69/321. It is also a clear indication of the strong commitment of the President of the General Assembly to promoting further concrete positive developments on the matter. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia, and Ambassador Wilfried Emvula, Permanent Representative of Namibia, on their reappointment. I wish to assure them of my delegation’s complete cooperation. It goes without saying that Romania aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. I wish now to make a few brief remarks in my national capacity. We highly appreciate the call of President of the General Assembly for two important annual debates, to be held in conjunction. As we heard in many statements delivered on Friday under agenda item 121, concerning reform of the Security Council and related matters, the two processes are to be considered as complementary and mutually reinforcing. We share the view that the adaptation process of United Nations bodies must ensure that the entire system becomes fit for purpose and committed to action, pursuant to the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1, annex). Today, I would like to refer to two concrete aspects being discussed under those agenda items: working methods and the selection and appointment of the new Secretary-General. Over the past couple of years, we have seen much progress in making the activities of the General Assembly more efficient and in line with recent developments. Nevertheless, we believe that a lot more remains to be done in order to continue rationalizing the agenda. In that context, my delegation expresses its appreciation for the work and proposal of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group. Along the lines of the European Union’s call for further examination of the possibility of discussing items or introducing resolutions over a longer period, I would like to draw attention to the fact that Romania and Germany have already proceeded in that matter, including on the First Committee draft resolution entitled “Objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures” (A/C.1/70/L.17). We invite other States to also contemplate that possibility, especially as it will have been noticed that many new issues are emerging from Agenda 2030. The second aspect that I would like to underline is the importance Romania attaches to the process — which we hope will begin soon  — for the selection of the next Secretary-General. We were pleased to see the constructive way in which delegations worked together to adopt resolution 69/321 by consensus, especially the specific and concrete provisions on that matter. We strongly hope that all of them will be implemented so that the process will become more transparent, predictable and inclusive. We look forward to further steps, such as the joint letter of the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, a permanent update of the list of candidates, and the organization of meetings with the candidates, while of course fully observing the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. At the same time, we call on all United Nations States Members to pay special attention to the fact that, during its 70 years of existence, the Organization has never had a representative from Eastern Europe at its helm. We believe that it is high time to correct that historical injustice. Member States from the Group of Eastern European States have the same great potential to successfully fulfil the challenging mandate of Secretary-General as the representatives of all other geographic groups entrusted with that honour and responsibility.

My delegation would like to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this important annual joint debate on agenda items 119 and 120. We thank and commend the co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly for their dedication and continued leadership, which facilitated the adoption of resolution 69/321, whose celebrated provisions will be implemented during the current session. We align ourselves fully with the statement delivered by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and would like to make some additional remarks in our national capacity. First, we wish to reiterate our keen interest in the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. This chief deliberative policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations has tremendous potential and an even greater role to play in its seventieth year of existence. As such, our work towards bolstering its role, authority and working methods must be part of the overall reform of the United Nations. Secondly, we welcome the unfading spirit of multilateralism that is manifested through the adoption of the resolutions of this organ and its Main Committees. While welcoming those outcomes, some of which have undergone a strenuous process, we wish to underline the importance of timely implementation by all concerned. We note that a lack of implementation only serves to undermine the authority and credibility of this important organ and its member States. It is imperative, therefore, that we strive for quality, not quantity; foster a culture of accountability, not impunity; and find effective ways to rationalize and monitor the implementation of those resolutions. Thirdly, we wish to underline the importance of cooperation among the principal organs of the United Nations in a complementary and mutually reinforcing manner, while adhering to their respective mandates, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. We welcome the continued interactions with and submission of annual reports by the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Secretariat to the General Assembly. We would like to see a qualitative improvement of those reports, especially their analytical aspects. We note with great satisfaction the continuing interaction between the General Assembly and international and regional forums and organizations, as well as civil society, as appropriate. The consultation with stakeholders held prior to intergovernmental processes is truly commendable and illustrative of the partnerships that we must forge to overcome the complex challenges of our time. Fourthly, we welcome the instructive provisions of resolution 69/321 pertaining to the selection of the next Secretary-General in respect of the issuance of the joint letter from the Presidents of the Assembly and the Security Council soliciting candidates for this post; the publishing of the list of candidates; and the holding of informal meetings with interested candidates. We believe that, after two decades of championing for gender equality and female empowerment, we will witness the participation of competent female candidates and, we hope, the election of the first woman Secretary- General. For Tanzania, such a development would be an achievement commensurate with the seventieth anniversary of the Organization, and could serve as a precursor for achieving further reform, including of the Security Council. Last but not least, we second the calls for strengthening the Office of the President of the General Assembly. We certainly can do more to enhance the institutional memory of the Office, including by exploring the option of allocating dedicated Secretariat staff to complement and reinforce staffing from Member States, which is a costly endeavour that many developing countries cannot shoulder. In that regard, we must review the budget allocation to the Office of the President with a view to ensuring adequate and predictable resources to the Office. Failure is not an option. The stakes are too enormous. We must strive to preserve the authority, credibility and integrity of the Office of the President.

The delegation of the Republic of Belarus aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Algeria for its systemic and consistent formulation and promotion of the positions of the Movement as one of the key players in the process of revitalizing the work of the General Assembly. Our delegation fully supports the decision of the President of the General Assembly at its seventieth session to extend the co-chairmanships of the Permanent Representatives of Namibia and Croatia of the Ad Hoc Working Group. We note that resolution 69/321, which was formulated under their chairmanship, contains many important and timely elements, including making the possibility of reaching a decision on other issues at this session. Belarus firmly believes that the valuable experience the co-Chairs have accumulated over the past year will enable them to achieve even more impressive success. In our view, the joint debate on the two agenda items  — “Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations” and “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly” — is symbolic. However carefully resolution 69/321 may be worded, it is entirely up to us, the States Members of the United Nations, to determine whether the resolution will serve as a catalyst for the urgent changes needed in the work of the Organization or join the remarkable list of unfulfilled General Assembly resolutions. We commend the efforts to restore the procedures for the election of the Secretary-General as envisaged in the General Assembly’s rules of procedure. The Belarusian delegation believes that it is crucial to ensure that, for the first time in many years, no State large or small is denied a genuine opportunity to express its opinion about the candidacies for Secretary-General. My delegation also hopes to see a substantive and open dialogue with the leadership of the Secretariat on issues related to the daily work of the Organization. The number of outstanding issues and the organization of the work needed to address them require action to be taken by the General Assembly, as provided for by resolution 69/321. That may seem insignificant considering the challenges and problems facing our Organization, but it is precisely on such details that the general context and organization of our collective work and, ultimately, its effectiveness, depend on. We intend to continue our focused and constructive efforts to revitalize the work of the General Assembly in the future.

I would like to thank the President for convening today’s joint debate, which gives us an opportunity to discuss issues directly related to the proper functioning and legitimacy of our Organization. We are grateful for his initial comments on the items on the Assembly’s agenda today and for the statement by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. I would also like to commend the reappointment for the Assembly’s seventieth session of Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia, and Ambassador Wilfried Emvula, Permanent Representative of Namibia, as co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. We support efforts to streamline the agenda and working methods of the General Assembly and its Main Committees. We also support strengthening the Office of the President of the General Assembly, which should be provided with adequate resources from the Organization’s regular budget. We welcome the President’s presentation today of his code of conduct for integrity, impartiality, transparency, accountability, professionalism and effectiveness aimed at strengthening our institutional memory. The consideration of General Assembly resolutions is particularly important. It is essential that we identify and eliminate constraints on their implementation. In that regard, we encourage the Ad Hoc Working Group to continue to review and update the inventory of Assembly resolutions on revitalization. There is a broad consensus that the selection of the next Secretary-General should be more transparent, inclusive and democratic. Member States and civil society share that view. Important organizations, such as The Elders and 1 for 7 Billion, have recently launched successful awareness campaigns about the issue. Resolution 69/321 introduced significant improvements into the selection process. It will start with a joint letter from the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, addressed to all Member States, soliciting candidates for the position, and we look forward to that letter’s speedy issuance. Candidates are expected to take part in informal dialogues and meetings with Member States; objective criteria and qualifications will be required; and Member States will consider presenting women as candidates. Among those changes, the most transformative is the organization of informal dialogues and meetings providing all Member States with the opportunity to interact with candidates and hear their proposals. The invitation to present women as candidates is another important step forward. Other ways to address the gender issue can be considered as well. One would be to ensure that the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General are of different genders. Another would be to make sure that the next Secretary-General is fully committed to the empowerment of women. The aforementioned meetings with Member States could be an interesting occasion for testing the candidates’ credentials on the issue. We must bear in mind that in order to select the best candidate, it is also necessary to consider the times we live in and the specific moment being experienced by the United Nations. Of the three pillars of this Organization — peace and security, development and human rights — that of peace and security is probably generating the most visible credibility deficit for the United Nations. The creation of the Human Rights Council and the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals have provided us with a road map for the other two pillars. That of peace and security, however, is facing vital challenges, both substantive and with regard to governance. The next Secretary- General should be able to provide leadership in that area. In addition, he or she should be supportive of more democratic and participatory ways to address peace and security so as to increase the efficiency of United Nations efforts in that regard. Although resolution 69/321 will be fundamental to strengthening the role of the General Assembly in the selection of the next Secretary-General, it could have touched on other aspects of the process that will continue to warrant our attention. The first concerns the possibility of the Security Council sending more than one name for consideration by the Assembly. The selection would be more democratic if the General Assembly had more options than either approving or rejecting a single candidate. As suggested by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Security Council could send a list of three candidates to be considered by the Assembly. Secondly, another important item discussed in the framework of the revitalization of the General Assembly is the process of appointing the other executive heads of the Organization, including the Deputy Secretary-General and the Under-Secretary- Generals, which should also be conducted with more transparency and inclusivity. The practice of reserving certain positions for specific countries raises legitimate questions. Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations clearly states that the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff of the Secretariat should be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. The same Article states that the Secretary-General should appoint members of the Secretariat according to regulations established by the General Assembly. The General Assembly should exercise that prerogative to ensure that these appointments are subject to more transparent criteria and made on the basis of merit. There is a growing demand on the part of Member States and civil society for more transparency and accountability within the United Nations. The same impetus that prompts Member States to intensify their efforts for decisive action on Security Council reform during the seventieth session is now expressing itself in the widespread support for a democratic, inclusive and revitalized General Assembly that will fully exercise its role, including on such questions as the selection of the Secretary-General.

This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations. This special event provides a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the role of General Assembly as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations system. We must sieze this opportunity not only to note the shortcomings and successes of the work of the General Assembly over the past 70 years, but also to draft new decisions aimed at enhancing its role and authority in line with the Charter of the United Nations and relevant General Assembly resolutions. The Kyrgyz Republic believes that the General Assembly, as the principal deliberative and representative organ of the United Nations system, should play a lead role in resolving issues of peace and security; discussing and designing recommendations on socioeconomic, cultural, humanitarian and environmental problems; promoting and protecting human rights; and bolstering friendly relations among States. In that regard, the Kyrgyz Republic advocates the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly and enhancing its role, authority, effectiveness and actities. The Kyrgyz Republic welcomes the efforts undertaken during the sixty-ninth session to improve the work of the General Assembly. Above all, we welcome the unanimous adoption on 11 September of resolution 69/321, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly.” We support the report of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (A/69/1007). I take this opportunity to thank the co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group, the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Namibia, for their active and fruitful work during the sixty-ninth session, and congratulate them on their reappointment to those positions for the current session. Under their leadership, we will discuss four main issues: the role and authority of the General Assembly; the working methods of the General Assembly; the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads of agencies within the United Nations system; and enhancing the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. The creation of multilingual web pages devoted to this subject on the website of the United Nations in all official languages was very useful and timely. Particular attention should be given to the proposals to improve the working methods of the Main Committees of the General Assembly, submitted by the Chairs of the Main Committees at a thematic meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, held on 14 April. In recent years, much has been done to improve the work of the General Assembly, but much remains to be done. As asserted in resolution 69/321, it is important to enhance cooperation between the General Assembly and the international and regional organizations in addressing contemporary global problems. In addition, the agenda of the General Assembly grows longer every year and the number of resolutions continues to grow. We believe that particular attention must be given to streamlining the agenda of the General Assembly and enhancing the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. We support the proposal to move some agenda items to a biennial and triennial basis, and to merge or exclude certain items. Finally, I wish to assure the President of my delegation’s full support in his efforts to revitalize the General Assembly and to strengthen its role and authority.

Peru endorses the statement delivered by the representatives of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and of Estonia on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group, respectively. My delegation joins others in recognizing the work carried out during the sixty-ninth session by the Ambassadors of Croatia, Mr. Vladimir Drobnjak, and Namibia, Mr. Wilfried Emvula, as co-Chairs of Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. We welcome their re-appointment as co-Chairs for this session. Peru recognizes the importance of the consensus adoption of resolution 69/321, which reaffirms the functions and authority of the Assembly, recognizes the pressing need for this organ to review its working methods, commits resources to strengthen the Office of the President of the General Assembly, and further reaffirms the role of the General Assembly in the process of selecting and appointing the next Secretary- General. My delegation believes that this last point should be given particular consideration given that we will elect the next Secretary-General next year. The growing challenges that face our Organization require us to strive to identify and designate the best possible candidates for the position of Secretary-General and to adhere to the principles of gender equality and the criterion of regional rotation in that regard. When Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations was drafted, our predecessors were aware that, although the Secretary-General has a global mandate to serve all States Members of the Organization, there must also be very close coordination between the Secretary-General and the Security Council so that the United Nations can achieve concrete results in the maintenance of international peace and security. Bearing in mind the process established in Article 97 of the Charter, Peru believes that greater interaction between the Security Council and the General Assembly in the process of selecting and appointing the Secretary- General of the United Nations is essential. In that regard, we appreciate the stress placed in resolution 69/321 on the role to be played by the General Assembly — the sole universal organ of our Organization in which all States are equally and democratically represented — in that important process. The procedure set out in resolution 69/321 responds to the demand of the membership for greater participation and transparency in the important task of choosing the successor of Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. We are convinced that the proper implementation of the provisions of that resolution will give greater legitimacy to the way in which the next Secretary-General is elected and help us to select the best candidate, which will undoubtedly benefit the work of whoever assumes the job. The President has a twofold mission. He must play an active role in the process of selecting and appointing the Secretary-General from the outset of that process, by issuing a joint letter with the President of the Security Council and by convening and leading dialogues with the candidates and the membership. He also faces the great challenge of ensuring the effective implementation of resolution 69/321 in that process. Indeed, implementation is key. We trust in his capacity to lead that process and his political will to fulfil these mandates, both of which are highlight important to the Organization. My delegation is committed to participating actively and constructively in that process.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item.