A/70/PV.67 General Assembly

Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 — Session 70, Meeting 67 — New York — UN Document ↗

In the absence of the President, Mr. Alrowaiei (Bahrain), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: A/RES/70/39 Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (179)
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✓ Yes (139)
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✓ Yes (138)
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✓ Yes (168)
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✓ Yes (166)
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✓ Yes (128)
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✓ Yes (133)
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✓ Yes (157)
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✓ Yes (132)
Vote: A/RES/70/37 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (127)
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✓ Yes (139)
Vote: A/RES/70/31 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (129)
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (178)
Vote: A/RES/70/56 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (137)
Vote: A/RES/70/38 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (121)
Vote: A/RES/70/62 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (130)
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✓ Yes (181)
Vote: A/RES/70/26 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (179)
Vote: A/RES/70/52 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (127)
Vote: A/RES/70/28 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (176)
Vote: A/RES/70/41 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (174)
Vote: A/RES/70/47 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (144)
Vote: A/RES/70/44 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (2)
✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (182)
Vote: A/RES/70/27 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (129)
Vote: A/RES/70/70 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (157)
Vote: A/RES/70/25 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (127)
The meeting was called to order at 10.05 a.m.

Programme of work

The Acting President #76383
Before proceeding to the items on our agenda for this morning, I would like to make the following announcement concerning the work of the plenary. I would like to draw the attention of members to the date of recess of the current session. Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 18 September, the General Assembly decided that the seventieth session would recess on Wednesday, 16 December 2015. However, in view of the work that remains to be completed for this part of the session, I would like to propose to the Assembly that it postpone the date of recess to Thursday, 24 December. If there is no objection, may I take it that the Assembly agrees to postpone the date of recess to Thursday, 24 December 2015?

98.  Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/70/461)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

99.  Review of the implementation of the recommendations and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session Report of the First Committee (A/70/462)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
It was so decided.

95.  Prevention of an arms race in outer space Report of the First Committee (A/70/458)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The Acting President #76384
I should now like to consult members regarding an extension for the work of the Second Committee. Members will recall that at its 61st plenary meeting, on 23 November 2015, the General Assembly agreed to extend the work of the Second Committee to Monday, 7 December 2015. However, I have been informed by *1540651* 15-40651 (E) the Chair of the Second Committee that the Committee requests an additional extension of its work to Monday, 14 December, in view that such an extension would facilitate reaching consensus on the pending resolutions before the Committee. May I therefore take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Second Committee until Monday, 14 December 2015?
It was so decided.

97.  General and complete disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/70/460)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The Acting President #76385
I should also like to consult members regarding an extension of the work of the Fifth Committee. Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 18 September 2015, the General Assembly approved the recommendation of the General Committee that the Fifth Committee would complete its work by Friday, 11 December 2015. However, I have been informed by the Chair of the Fifth Committee that the Committee requests an extension of its work to Wednesday, 23 December 2015, in view that such an extension would facilitate reaching consensus on the pending resolutions before it. May I therefore take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Fifth Committee until Wednesday, 23 December 2015?
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 130   ✗ 48   8 abs.
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✓ Yes (130)
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 129   ✗ 4   46 abs.
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✓ Yes (129)

Reports of the First Committee

The Acting President #76386
The General Assembly will now take up the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 88 to 105, 120 and 135. I request the Rapporteur of the First Committee, Ms. Tasha Young of Belize, to introduce the reports of the First Committee in one intervention. Ms. Young (Belize), Rapporteur of the First Committee: It gives me great pleasure to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 88 to 105, 120 and 135. Those reports are contained in documents A/70/451 to A/70/468, A/70/516 and A/70/517. In response to the General Assembly’s appeal, the First Committee continued to fully utilize its allocated resources efficiently. Against the benchmark of 80 per cent mentioned in resolution 70/9, of 13 November 2015, on pattern of conferences, the Committee’s utilization factor of conference-servicing resources was 92 per cent this year, keeping the score above 90 per cent for three straight years. We were thus able to conclude our work in four weeks, in full accordance with the planned completion date, with 26 formal meetings. Twenty-one agenda items were allocated to the Committee. In the course of the general debate, 112 delegations, including observers, made statements. Among those, 10 spoke on behalf of various groups. A record-breaking total of 273 statements were made within the framework of thematic discussions at the second stage of the Committee’s work. On 22 October, a joint ad hoc meeting was held, pursuant to resolution 69/38, of 2 December 2014, between the First Committee and the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) to address possible challenges to space security and sustainability. During the third and final stage of its work, devoted to action on draft resolutions and decisions, the First Committee had before it 56 draft resolutions and two decisions. Of the 57 resolutions and decisions adopted by the Committee after one was withdrawn, 28 drafts, or 49 per cent, were adopted without a vote. Meeting on the heels of the commemoration in September of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, the First Committee saw this year that nuclear disarmament issues were the primary concern for many delegations, illustrated by the fact that of the 57 resolutions and decisions adopted by the Committee, 23 were on nuclear weapons. This included a provision in which the Assembly would request the President of the General Assembly to organize, on 26 September every year, a one-day high- level plenary meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Under the cluster on other weapons of mass destruction, three draft resolutions are recommended. In addition, three drafts are recommended on the disarmament aspects of outer space, eight on conventional weapons, six on other disarmament measures and international security, five on regional disarmament and security and, finally, nine under the cluster on disarmament machinery. There was one proposal with programme budget implications. In conclusion, I would like to pay a well-deserved tribute to all delegations for their active participation in the work of the Committee and their spirit of cooperation in the common search for a better, safer and more stable world. I should like to express special gratitude to the Chair of the First Committee, Mr. Karel van Oosterom, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands, who skilfully guided the proceedings of the Committee with vision and great leadership. I am confident that his efforts were greatly appreciated, in particular in ensuring the timely conclusion of the work of the Committee. Under the Chair’s leadership, the Committee held an informal meeting on 3 December to discuss its working methods, as requested in resolution 69/321, of 11 September 2015, on the revitalization of the work of the Assembly. On behalf of the Committee, let me also extend our sincere gratitude to the Committee’s Vice-Chairs — Mr. Abiodun Richards Adejola of Nigeria, Mr. Abdulaziz AlAjmi of Kuwait and Ms. Lachezara Stoeva of Bulgaria — for their invaluable contribution to facilitating the work of the Committee. I would also like to thank Mr. Kim Won-soo, Acting High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and Mr. Tom Kono, Special Assistant to the High Representative, for their support to the Chair and the Committee during this session. I also wish to underscore the Committee’s appreciation for the exceptional work of the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Kenji Nakano, and his hard- working team in the First Committee secretariat, and for those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to complete the Committee’s work. I thank the conference officers, interpreters, record-keepers, press officers, document officers, sound technicians and information technology staff. Echoing the sentiments of the Chair, their combined efforts and extremely hard work have made this year’s session a memorable and productive one. With those brief remarks, I present the reports of the First Committee, as contained in documents A/70/451 to A/70/468, A/70/516 and A/70/517 to the General Assembly for consideration and adoption.
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
The Acting President #76387
I thank the Rapporteur of the First Committee. If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the General Assembly rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the First Committee that are before the Assembly today.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76388
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the First Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that, in accordance with the General Assembly decision 34/401, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote just once, either in the Committee or in the General Assembly plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in the plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee, and that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the First Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take positions in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance. That means that where separate or recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the First Committee. Before proceeding further, I would like to draw the attention of Member States to a note by the Secretariat, in English only, entitled “Situation reports of the First Committee on agenda items 88 to 105, 120 and 135”, which has been circulated as document A/C.1/70/ INF/3. The note has been distributed desk to desk in the Hall to be held as a reference guide for action on the draft resolutions and the decisions recommended by the First Committee in its reports. In that connection, members will find in the second column of the note the symbols of the draft resolutions and decisions of the First Committee, with the corresponding symbols of the report for action in the plenary in the fourth column. For reports containing multiple recommendations, the draft resolution or decision number is contained in the fifth column of the note. Furthermore, members are reminded that additional sponsors are no longer accepted now that the draft resolutions and decisions have been adopted at the Committee. Any clarification about sponsorship in the Committee reports should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee. I give the floor to the representative of South Africa.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Mr. Wensley ZAF South Africa #76389
I just wish to refer to the introduction by the Rapporteur, who was totally absent during our First Committee session. How she can give an interpretation of what happened in the First Committee astounds me. It totally astounds me.
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The Acting President [Arabic] #76390
We have taken note of your statement.

88.  Reduction of military budgets Report of the First Committee (A/70/451)

The Acting President #76391
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/21).
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 129   ✗ 4   50 abs.
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✓ Yes (129)
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
The Acting President #76392
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 88?
It was so decided.

89.  Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace Report of the First Committee (A/70/452)

The Acting President #76393
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 128 votes to 3, with 45 abstentions (resolution 70/22).
The Acting President #76394
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 89?
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 138   ✗ 12   34 abs.
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✓ Yes (138)

90.  African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/70/453)

The Acting President #76395
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/23).
The Acting President #76396
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 90?
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/98 Recorded Vote
✓ 140   ✗ 26   17 abs.
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✓ Yes (140)

91.  Review of the implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security Report of the First Committee (A/70/454)

The Acting President #76397
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76398
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 91.
Vote: 32/99 Consensus

92.  Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security Report of the First Committee (A/70/455)

The Acting President #76399
In relation to the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report, I should like to inform members that the Assembly will be in a position to take action on the draft resolution after the Fifth Committee has considered its programme budgetary implications. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 92.

93.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East
Report of the First Committee (A/70/456)

The Acting President #76400
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/24).
Vote: 32/100 Consensus
The Acting President #76401
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 93?
It was so decided.

94.  Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons Report of the First Committee (A/70/457)

The Acting President #76402
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour; the delegation of South Africa informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 32/101 Recorded Vote
✓ 127   ✗ 48   10 abs.
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✓ Yes (127)
The draft resolution was adopted by 127 votes to none, with 55 abstentions (resolution 70/25).
The Acting President #76403
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 94?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76404
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution I and II, one by one. After both decisions have been taken, representatives will have the opportunity to explain their votes on either or both of the draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Prevention of an arms race in outer space”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 179 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (resolution 70/26).
The Acting President #76405
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “No first placement of weapons in outer space”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 129 votes to 4, with 46 abstentions (resolution 70/27).
The Acting President #76406
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 95?
Vote: 33/173 Recorded Vote
✓ 179   ✗ 1   5 abs.
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (179)
It was so decided.

96.  Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/70/459)

The Acting President #76407
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 70/514).
The President #76408
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 96?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76409
The Assembly has before it 33 draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 94 of its report and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 95 of the same report. In relation to the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 95 of its report, I should like to inform members that, due to the submission of an amendment to the proposal issued as document A/70/L.26, the Assembly will be in a position to take action on the amendment and the draft decision only after the Fifth Committee has considered the relevant programme budgetary implications of the amendment. I invite delegations wishing to explain their vote before the voting on any or all of the 33 draft resolutions contained in document A/70/460 to do so now.
Mr. Deghani IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #76410
Consistent with its principled position on nuclear disarmament, the Islamic Republic of Iran will vote in favour of draft resolutions XX, entitled “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons”, and XXI, entitled “Humanitarian pledge for the prohibition and the elimination of nuclear weapons”. However, my delegation would like to make some points with regard to those two draft resolutions. First, in many of its resolutions over several decades, the General Assembly has declared that the use of nuclear weapons constitutes a violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law and is a crime against humanity. Such a declaration, which represents the belief of an overwhelming majority of the international community, leaves no doubt that there is no legal gap with respect to the illegality of the use of nuclear weapons. Any reference to that important declaration is missing in draft resolutions XX and XXI. That omission must be corrected next year. Secondly, in article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the States parties to the Treaty are explicitly committed to pursuing negotiations in good faith on effective measures for nuclear disarmament and bring such negotiations to a conclusion. Full and urgent implementation of that commitment is essential to achieving the total elimination of nuclear weapons in a verifiable and irreversible manner. In that regard, the content of those two draft resolutions needs to be strengthened next year. Thirdly, the phrase “lowering of the technical threshold of nuclear weapons capability”, contained in the fourth preambular paragraph of draft resolution XXI, should not be interpreted as being contrary to the inalienable right of the States parties of the NPT to develop and use nuclear energy and technology, including a national fuel cycle for peaceful purposes. Fourthly, in our view, the use of the phrase “States possessing nuclear weapons”, contained in the fourth preambular paragraph of draft resolution XXI, should not be considered as recognizing nuclear-weapon-State status for non-NPT parties. Finally, it appears that noteworthy fluctuation and inconsistencies exist in the voting patterns of the lead sponsor of the draft resolutions regarding other nuclear disarmament resolutions of the First Committee, in particular draft resolution XI, entitled “Follow-up to nuclear disarmament obligations agreed to at the 1995, 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons”. We sincerely hope that such an inconsistency will be corrected when it comes to supporting the goal of nuclear disarmament.
The Acting President #76411
The Assembly will now take decisions on draft resolutions I to XXXIII, one by one. After all decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their votes on any or all of the draft resolutions. I now invite delegations to turn to paragraph 94 of section III of the report, concerning the draft resolutions. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 176 votes to none, with 3 abstentions (resolution 70/28).
The Acting President #76412
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 70/29).
The Acting President #76413
Draft resolution III is entitled “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 70/30).
The President #76414
We now turn to draft resolution IV, entitled “Promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 129 votes to 4, with 50 abstentions (resolution 70/31).
The Acting President #76415
Draft resolution V is entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 70/32).
The Acting President #76416
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VI was adopted by 138 votes to 12, with 34 abstentions (resolution 70/33).
The Acting President #76417
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Follow-up to the 2013 high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VII was adopted by 140 votes to 26, with 17 abstentions (resolution 70/34).
The Acting President #76418
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 70/35).
The Acting President #76419
Draft resolution IX is entitled “Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IX was adopted (resolution 70/36).
The Acting President #76420
Draft resolution X is entitled “Reducing nuclear danger”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution X was adopted by 127 votes to 48, with 10 abstentions (resolution 70/37).
The Acting President #76421
Draft resolution XI is entitled “Follow-up to nuclear disarmament obligations agreed to at the 1995, 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 124 votes to 3, with 49 abstentions.
The Acting President #76422
I shall now put to a vote draft resolution XI as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XI, as a whole, was adopted by 121 votes to 48, with 12 abstentions (resolution 70/38).
The Acting President #76423
Draft resolution XII is entitled “Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XII was adopted by 179 votes to 1, with 5 abstentions (resolution 70/39).
The Acting President #76424
Draft resolution XIII is entitled “United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 5, 15 and 19. I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 5.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Vote: 40/143 Consensus
Abstaining:
Operative paragraph 5 was retained by 173 votes to 3, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #76425
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 15.
Vote: 40/144 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
Operative paragraph 15 was retained by 171 votes to 2, with 7 abstentions.
The Acting President #76426
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 19.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
Operative paragraph 19 was retained by 171 votes to 1, with 9 abstentions.
The Acting President #76427
I now put to the vote draft resolution XIII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
Draft resolution XIII, as a whole, was adopted by 166 votes to 3, with 16 abstentions (resolution 70/40).
The Acting President #76428
Draft resolution XIV is entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the fifth preambular paragraph and on operative paragraph 10. I shall first put to the vote the fifth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 55/108 Recorded Vote
✓ 178   ✗ 4   1 abs.
Show country votes
— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (178)
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
Vote: 40/233 Consensus
The fifth preambular paragraph was retained by 152 votes to 3, with 17 abstentions.
The Acting President #76429
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 10.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
Operative paragraph 10 was retained by 150 votes to 3, with 20 abstentions.
Vote: 40/234 Recorded Vote
✓ 144   ✗ 18   22 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (144)
The Acting President #76430
We shall now take action on draft resolution XIV as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Vote: 56/167 Recorded Vote
✓ 139   ✗ 29   17 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (132)
Abstaining:
Draft resolution XIV, as a whole, was adopted by 174 votes to 0, with 4 abstentions (resolution 70/41).
The Acting President #76431
Draft resolution XV is entitled “Confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 39/201 Consensus
Draft resolution XV was adopted (resolution 70/42).
The Acting President #76432
Draft resolution XVI is entitled “Regional disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XVI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVI was adopted (resolution 70/43).
The Acting President #76433
Draft resolution XVII is entitled “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. A separate recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 2.
Vote: 56/169 Recorded Vote
✓ 132   ✗ 36   16 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (132)
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
Operative paragraph 2 was retained by 143 votes to 1, with 35 abstentions.
The Acting President #76434
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XVII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
Draft resolution XVII, as a whole, was adopted by 182 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions (resolution 70/44).
The Acting President #76435
Draft resolution XVIII is entitled “Nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Vote: 47/147 Consensus
Abstaining:
Draft resolution XVIII was adopted by 178 votes to 4, with 1 abstention (resolution 70/45).
The Acting President #76436
Draft resolution XIX is entitled “Countering the threat posed by improvised explosived devices”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XIX was adopted (resolution 70/46).
Vote: 59/92 Recorded Vote
✓ 139   ✗ 2   40 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (139)
The Acting President #76437
Draft resolution XX is entitled “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Vote: 58/246 Consensus
Abstaining:
Draft resolution XX was adopted by 144 votes to 18, with 22 abstentions (resolution 70/47).
The Acting President #76438
Draft resolution XXI is entitled “Humanitarian pledge for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, India, Japan, Mauritius, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
In favour:
Vote: 59/94 Recorded Vote
✓ 137   ✗ 24   25 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (137)
Draft resolution XXI was adopted by 139 votes to 29, with 17 abstentions (resolution 70/48).
The Acting President #76439
Draft resolution XXII is entitled “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXII was adopted (resolution 70/49).
The Acting President #76440
Draft resolution XXIII is entitled “Ethical imperatives for a nuclear-weapon-free world”. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 59/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 133   ✗ 23   28 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (133)
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIII was adopted by 132 votes to 36, with 16 abstentions (resolution 70/50).
The Acting President #76441
Draft resolution XXIV is entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments”. A separate recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 13.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 13 was retained by 172 votes to 6, with 3 abstentions.
The Acting President #76442
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXIV as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIV as a whole, was adopted by 142 votes to 7, with 36 abstentions (resolution 70/51).
The Acting President #76443
Draft resolution XXV is entitled “Nuclear disarmament”. A separate recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 16.
Vote: 63/71 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 16 was retained by 177 votes to 2, with 3 abstentions.
The Acting President #76444
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXV as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of South Africa informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
Vote: 65/77 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXV, as a whole, was adopted by 127 to 43, with 15 abstentions (resolution 70/52).
The Acting President #76445
Draft resolution XXVI is entitled “Transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXVI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXVI was adopted (resolution 70/53).
The Acting President #76446
Draft resolution XXVII is entitled “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXVII was adopted by 139 votes to 2, with 40 abstentions (resolution 70/54).
The Acting President #76447
Draft resolution XXVIII is entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXVIII was adopted by 168 votes to none, with 17 abstentions (resolution 70/55).
The Acting President #76448
Draft resolution XXIX is entitled “Follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIX was adopted by 137 votes to 24, with 25 abstentions (resolution 70/56).
The Acting President #76449
Draft resolution XXX is entitled “Universal Declaration on the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Angola and India informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXX was adopted by 133 votes to 23, with 28 abstentions (resolution 70/57).
The Acting President #76450
Draft resolution XXXI is entitled “The Arms Trade Treaty”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on the operative paragraph 3.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 3 was retained by 151 votes to none, with 25 abstentions.
The Acting President #76451
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXXI as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXXI, as a whole, was adopted by 157 votes to none, with 26 abstentions (resolution 70/58).
The Acting President #76452
Draft resolution XXXII is entitled “Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that it is the Assembly’s wish to do the same?
Draft resolution XXXII was adopted (resolution 70/59).
The Acting President #76453
Draft resolution XXXIII is entitled “Treaty on the South-East Asia Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone (Bangkok Treaty)”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that it is the Assembly’s wish to do the same?
Draft resolution XXXIII was adopted (resolution 70/60).
The Acting President #76454
I now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote or position on the resolutions just adopted.
Mr. Dehghani IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #76455
Iran strongly supports measures to counter the threat posed by the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by illegal armed groups and terrorists. For that reason, my delegation joined the consensus on resolution 70/46. We believe that prevention and combating the use of IEDs by terrorists and illegal armed groups is the exclusive purpose of the resolution. Therefore, any interpretation of the provisions of resolution 70/46 should be consistent with that purpose. Since it is almost impossible to define the scope of the items usable for manufacturing IEDs, and many of those items have civilian applications, any interpretation beyond the exclusive purpose of the resolution that could restrict free access to and trade in such equipment and goods for civilian use is unacceptable.
Mr. Shava ZWE Zimbabwe #76456
I am speaking on sub-item (l) of agenda item 97, entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and a State party to the Chemical Weapons Convention. My delegation voted in favour of resolution 70/54 because we believe that the resolution’s ultimate objective is critical to the maintenance of international peace and security. We abstained on paragraphs 5 and 10 of the resolution, however, because we do not believe they reflect the views and consent of all Member States. We propose holding extensive consultations to produce a balanced text in 2016.
The Acting President #76457
I should like to remind members that consideration of the amendment contained in document A/70/L.26 and the draft decision recommended in paragraph 95 of the Committee’s report will take place after the Fifth Committee has considered the relevant programme budget implications of the amendment. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 97.
The Acting President #76458
The Assembly has before it six draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 21 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to VI, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have an opportunity to explain their vote or position on any or all of the draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament”. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 70/61).
The Acting President #76459
Draft resolution II is entitled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Angola informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour; the delegation of Ukraine had intended to vote against.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 130 votes to 48, with 8 abstentions (resolution 70/62).
The Acting President #76460
Draft resolution III is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 70/63).
The Acting President #76461
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Regional confidence-building measures: activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 70/64).
The Acting President #76462
Draft resolution V is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 70/65).
The Acting President #76463
Draft resolution VI is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 70/66).
The Acting President #76464
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 98?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76465
The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 13 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I, II and III, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 70/67).
The Acting President #76466
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “Report of the Disarmament Commission”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 70/68).
The Acting President #76467
We next turn to draft resolution III, entitled “Thirty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 70/69).
The Acting President #76468
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99?
It was so decided.

100.  The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/70/463)

The Acting President #76469
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report, entitled “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East”. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the fifth and sixth preambular paragraphs of the draft resolution. I shall first put to the vote the fifth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The fifth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution was retained by 170 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #76470
I shall now put to the vote the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution.
A recorded vote was taken.
The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 171 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #76471
I shall now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President #76472
I now give the floor to the representative of Italy.
Mr. Cardi ITA Italy #76473
Italy has voted in favour of resolution 70/70. By so doing, Italy reaffirms its strong support for the process leading to the full implementation of the resolution on the Middle East adopted at the 1995 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and the related practical steps endorsed by the 2010 NPT Review Conference. Italy wishes to stress that the 1995 resolution remains valid until it is fully implemented and its goals and objectives are achieved. While commending the tireless efforts of the Facilitator, Ambassador Jaakko Laajava of Finland, of the Secretary-General and of the co-conveners, Italy regrets that so far it has not been possible to convene a conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, to be attended by all States of the region, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at by them, as decided by the 2010 Review Conference. Italy also underscores the importance of recognizing Israel’s commitment to the negotiation process on convening such a conference, as demonstrated during five rounds of multilateral regional consultations, and its participation as an observer in the NPT Review Conference.
The Acting President #76474
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100?
It was so decided.

101.  Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects Report of the First Committee (A/70/464)

The Acting President #76475
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/71)
The Acting President #76476
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 101?
It was so decided.

102.  Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Report of the First Committee (A/70/465)

The Acting President #76477
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/72).
The Acting President #76478
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 102?
It was so decided.

103.  Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/70/466)

The Acting President #76479
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph. I shall first put to the vote the sixth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 177 votes to none, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #76480
I shall now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
The Acting President #76481
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 103?
It was so decided.

104.  Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction Report of the First Committee (A/70/467)

The Acting President #76482
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/74).
The Acting President #76483
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 104?
It was so decided.

105.  Revitalizing the work of the Conference on Disarmament and taking forward multilateral disarmament negotiations Report of the First Committee (A/70/468)

The Acting President #76484
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76485
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 105?
It was so decided

120.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/70/516)

The Acting President #76486
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision. The First Committee recommended that the Assembly adopt the draft decision, entitled “Proposed programme of work and timetable of the First Committee for 2016”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision, as orally revised by the Rapporteur of the Committee? The draft decision, as orally revised, was adopted (decision 70/516).
The Acting President #76487
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 130.

135.  Programme planning Report of the First Committee (A/70/517)

The Acting President #76488
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76489
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 135.
Mr. Van Oosterom NLD Netherlands #76490
With regard to the reports introduced by the Rapporteur of the First Committee, Ms. Tasha Young of Belize, on behalf of the Committee’s Chair and Bureau, I can only commend her efforts. I would like to stress that she has our full confidence and we greatly appreciate her work. We have been very fortunate to work with such a professional colleague and I hope to be able to work with her on many more occasions in the future, as I am sure other Committee members do too.
Ms. Young BLZ Belize #76491
I would like to thank the representative of the Netherlands for his comments. It has indeed been a privilege and honour to serve as Rapporteur of the First Committee during the General Assembly’s historic seventieth session. I would like to add that despite the inaccurate and unfortunate observation by the representative of South Africa, I was present in the room at almost all formal meetings, all Bureau meetings and informal consultations held by the Chair. Belize is a small delegation, and as such, with clarification from the Secretariat and in consultation with a previous Rapporteur, I opted to sit proudly behind the Belize flag.
Mr. Wensley ZAF South Africa #76492
I did not wish to respond to the representative of Belize, but since she has responded to my comments, I would like to point out that there is a flag on the rostrum that says “Rapporteur”. I did not see her there at all. I would like to turn to the issue I wanted to raise. When we reflect on the issues of nuclear disarmament, it astounds me that there is a range of draft resolutions that the nuclear-weapon States vote against. I do not get that. Among other resolutions, there is the New Agenda Coalition resolution 70/51. If those States are committed to nuclear disarmament, why would they vote against such draft resolutions? That is beyond me. There is a fundamental issue there, and it is their commitment, or non-commitment, as nuclear-weapon States, to nuclear disarmament. Why would they vote against such resolutions? It is beyond me. Finally, I appreciate the comments and advice that come sometimes from the Secretariat, and I refer specifically to the person on the Acting President’s left. We will take that advice, but we will not be instructed as to what we do.
The Acting President on behalf of General Assembly #76493
On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank the Chair of the First Committee, His Excellency Mr. Karel Jan Gustaaf van Oosterom of the Netherlands, the members of the Bureau and the Secretary of the First Committee, as well as all representatives, for a job well done. The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the First Committee before it.
The meeting rose at 12.15 p.m.