A/70/PV.70 General Assembly

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 — Session 70, Meeting 70 — New York — UN Document ↗

The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m.
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10.  Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin Note by the Secretary-General (A/70/365)

The President #76564
I give the floor to the representative of Greece to introduce draft resolution A/70/L.28.
Mrs. Boura GRC Greece on behalf of sponsors #76565
On behalf of the sponsors, I am pleased to introduce draft resolution A/70/L.28, entitled “Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin”. We hope that today the General Assembly will adopt this important draft resolution by consensus, as in previous years. I thank the Secretary-General and the Director- General of UNESCO for the comprehensive report on the return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin (see A/70/365). The report outlines the most significant developments which have taken place during the past three years in the field of return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of provenance. Three years after the General Assembly adopted resolution 67/80, entitled “Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin”, major developments have occurred, which this draft resolution seeks to reflect in a thorough and balanced way. The issue of return of cultural property to the countries of *1541191* 15-41191 (E) origin has become particularly timely due to recent international developments, including the rise in the cross-border movement of cultural objects, the increase of organized crime involving cultural property, money- laundering through the antiquities market, and the selling of stolen cultural objects in auctions. Shocked and horrified, we are witnessing unprecedented destruction and looting of monuments of worship and cultural property in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. Centuries-old multi-ethnic and multi-confessional communities are seeing their cultural heritage threatened by extinction through barbaric terrorist acts. The draft resolution under consideration today expresses the deep concern about the loss, destruction, theft, pillage, illicit removal or misappropriation of cultural property from archaeological and other sites, in particular in areas undergoing armed conflict and occupation. It condemns recent attacks on world cultural heritage sites and calls for an immediate end to such acts, reminding the parties to the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols of their obligations thereunder. Furthermore, it recognizes the leading role of UNESCO in the fight against the destruction of and illicit trafficking in cultural property in areas of armed conflict, including its specific mandate within the context of Security Council resolution 2199 (2015), which highlights the direct linkage connecting the destruction and pillage of the cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria with the financing of terrorism. As highlighted in the draft resolution, awareness- raising and capacity-building are crucial to the success of efforts undertaken in the context of the return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin. Interaction with the international art market with a view to improving the practices in various areas of expertise — such as the provenance, investigation, ethics and procedures of restitution — have been proven to be of paramount importance. In that respect, the operational guidelines adopted in May by the meeting of the States parties to the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property is a very important tool with which to guide and assist States in implementing the Convention. The international community shares a common responsibility to protect cultural heritage in peace and war. Cultural heritage is not simply a testimony of a nation’s past. It reflects its identity. It is the mirror of a country’s history and the core of its existence. It represents not only specific values and traditions, but the unique way in which a nation perceives the world. That is why cultural heritage must be protected against any illicit act and restored to its historic environment, where it can best inspire the collective conscience of humankind. That is precisely the reason for which the objectives of the draft resolution should leave no State indifferent.

53.  International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/495)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

63.  Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/505)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
Ms. Pachoumi CYP Cyprus on behalf of my delegation #76566
On behalf of my delegation, I wish to express Cyprus’ appreciation for today’s discussion. My country supports and sponsors draft resolution A/70/L.28, proposed under agenda item 10, to be adopted today. We wish to thank the main sponsor of the draft resolution for organizing informals in an open and transparent manner. We welcome the updates to the draft resolution that reflect important initiatives and developments in the area of this agenda item. Such updates include reference to the Doha Declaration (A/CONF.222/17, p.12), adopted on 19 April during the thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice; the leading role of UNESCO in combating trafficking in cultural property; and UNESCO’s role on education and awareness-raising. They also include reference to the International Guidelines for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Responses with Respect to Trafficking in Cultural Property and Other Related Offences (resolution 69/196) and the operational guidelines for the implementation of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Of equal importance are the updates related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) and the recent unfortunate developments with regard to the destruction and trafficking of cultural property in the Middle East and the efforts to protect it. Today, we are witnessing the international rise of terrorism and violent extremism, which also target cultural heritage. The deliberate destruction of and illicit trafficking in cultural property in the Middle East constitute a threat not only to the heritage and tradition of cultural diversity of the region, but also to the invaluable cultural heritage of humankind. It reflects an effort to erase an important part of our history, to tamper with our collective memory and to eliminate the footprints of the human effort towards cultural development and progress. In the light of those developments, further increasing and improving international cooperation in the area of countering the destruction of and trafficking in cultural property and of facilitating the return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin is of paramount importance. In that framework, draft resolution A/70/L.28 takes on particular significance. Cyprus has had its own unfortunate experience with regard to the destruction, looting and illegal smuggling of its cultural property as the result of foreign occupation. My country is engaged in a constant effort to repatriate its stolen cultural treasures, many of which were illegally exported from the occupied part of Cyprus, and their number is estimated at 60,000 objects. The issue of protecting cultural heritage is a priority for my country. Having gained relevant experience and expertise, Cyprus also contributes and stands ready to further contribute to international and regional efforts to promote and strengthen effective international cooperation in that area.

54.  United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/496)

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55.  Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories Report of the Special Political andDecolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/497)

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Mr. Cardi ITA Italy #76567
Italy commends the Permanent Mission of Greece and draft resolution A/70/L.28, on the return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, which will be adopted by consensus and which we have co-sponsored. During the negotiations, we made our contribution to the advancement of the text, in keeping with Italy’s commitment to countering the illegal destruction of and looting, trade and international trafficking in cultural property and cultural heritage in all their forms. In close cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Jordan and with the support of UNESCO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and INTERPOL, Italy is carrying out a project, entitled “Protecting cultural heritage: an imperative for humanity”, that will be launched with a dedicated exhibition to open on 14 December at United Nations Headquarters and will encompass the three thematic debates to be held in the General Assembly in the coming months. In that respect, I wish to recall Italy’s commitment to promoting and sustaining the important resolution 38 C/49, adopted on 13 November 2015 by the UNESCO General Conference, on the reinforcement of UNESCO’s action for the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of cultural pluralism in the event of armed conflict. For technical reasons, it was not possible to include — as we would have wished — a reference to that landmark decision in draft resolution A/70/L.28, but we believe that UNESCO resolution 38 C/49 can be considered an essential point of reference for the initiatives and all forms of implementation of relevant legal instruments, such as that we are about to adopt today, that the international community will be undertaking in this very crucial sector.

39.  The situation in Afghanistan

Vote: 70/77 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Mr. Uğurluoğlu TUR Türkiye #76568
At the outset, allow me to express our appreciation to the delegation of Greece for its hard work during the consultations on draft resolution see A/70/L.28, entitled “Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin”. Turkey is pleased to once again co-sponsor the draft resolution before us today, and we look forward to its adoption by consensus. The illicit trade in cultural property continues to be a source of grave concern, not least in the Mediterranean basin. Despite awareness-raising and capacity-building efforts to address this challenge, as the Director-General of UNESCO has highlighted in her report (see A/70/365), threats to cultural heritage have been increasing and have taken on new forms. Removing artefacts from their natural and historical context is a crime committed against humankind. Cultural properties from past civilizations that have survived thousands of years and been entrusted to our care constitute the common history of humankind. We believe that cultural assets reflect their true significance when protected and preserved on their own soil. Situations of conflict or instability further aggravate the risk of the destruction of or illicit trafficking in cultural heritage. The recent actions of the terrorist organization Daesh have set an unfortunate example of this. We deplore the inhumane attacks resulting in the destruction of movable and immovable cultural properties that constitute the common heritage of humankind. We strongly condemn the brutal destruction of archaeological sites, museums, places of worship and other religious places, and books and manuscripts that are irreplaceable treasures of humankind. We regard these acts of Daesh as a crime against humanity. In the face of these unfortunate developments, Turkey has reinforced all necessary measures to prevent the illegal transfer of historical artefacts from their countries of origin. Among other precautions, Turkey regularly conducts import-control operations along its southern and south-eastern borders in order to prevent the smuggling of cultural property. Moreover in close collaboration with UNESCO, INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization, all governorships, State-run and private museums, and collectors are informed on a daily basis of the risks of the illicit trafficking in goods from neighbouring countries. In that context, we meticulously implement Security Council resolution 2199 (2015), which Turkey co-sponsored. Against that background, we categorically deny the unfounded allegations of the representative of the Syrian regime, which lost its legitimacy long ago. Today, we have unfortunately heard attempts from the representative of that regime to divert the attention of the international community from the enormous destruction that the regime has wrought upon its own people. What Turkey does on behalf of the Syrian people is done before the eyes of the international community and in close collaboration and cooperation with the United Nations. Turkey will continue to stand by the people of Syria. International efforts to combat the illicit trade in cultural property require the active involvement of all Member States, cultural and education institutions, museums and civil society. We commend the leading role assumed by UNESCO in combating the illicit trade in cultural property. We also underscore the necessity to enhance and intensify cooperation at the national, regional and international levels. Turkey supports all efforts that contribute to international cooperation in this field. With that understanding, most recently we were pleased to host the fifth International Conference of Experts on the Return of Cultural Property in October 2015 in Nevşehir, Turkey.
The President #76569
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on agenda item 10. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/70/L.28, entitled “Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.
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Mr. Botnaru Department for General Assembly and Conference Management #76570
I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to those delegations listed in the draft document, the following countries have become sponsors of A/70/L.28: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belize, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Luxembourg, Mali, Micronesia, Nigeria, Poland, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine. I would like also to announce that the Dominican Republic is not a sponsor of A/70/L.28.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
The President #76571
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/70/L.28?
Vote: 70/76 Consensus
Draft resolution A/70/L.28 was adopted (resolution 70/76).
The President #76572
I give the floor to the representative of Argentina for a statement after adoption.
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Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Mr. Marani ARG Argentina [Spanish] #76573
Argentina welcomes the adoption of resolution 70/76, which seeks to preserve and safeguard the historic and cultural heritage of States. In particular, we would like to thank the delegation of Greece for conducting the negotiations. The cultural heritage of a State is a clear and unequivocal testament to its identity. For that reason, Argentina is firmly committed to the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, which can no longer be considered loot but rather the fundamental elements of the civilization and culture of peoples. Argentina is a party to the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Having recently been elected by the UNESCO General Conference to join the intergovernmental committee that monitors the implementation of the Convention, Argentina takes this opportunity to renew its commitment to initiatives aimed at a better and more effective application of its provisions. Argentina’s geographical location on the American continent makes it very sensitive to trafficking in archaeological artefacts from the pre-Hispanic era. Nevertheless, we wish to highlight the positive cooperation we have enjoyed with brotherly countries in the region to address the issue. Illicit trafficking in cultural property is a serious issue in the modern world. The methods used are becoming increasingly sophisticated and linked to other illicit activities. Moreover, modern technologies have given rise to sophisticated smuggling networks and illegal sales on the Internet. Fighting such developments requires the development of common strategies to facilitate identification and arrest. Likewise, the active involvement of States in the work of UNESCO through their implementation of relevant conventions should be reflected in national laws that reflect international commitments and is an effective way to mitigate the pernicious effects of the smuggling of cultural goods on the living memory of peoples and States.
The President #76574
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 10?
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
The President #76575
Members will recall that the Assembly considered agenda item 39 at its 65th plenary meeting, on 30 November. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/70/L.23, entitled “The situation in Afghanistan”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
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Mr. Botnaru Department for General Assembly and Conference Management #76576
I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to those delegations listed in the draft document, the following countries have become sponsors of A/70/L.23: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Iceland, Indonesia, Jordan, Micronesia, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The President #76577
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/70/L.23?
Draft resolution A/70/L.23 was adopted (resolution 70/77).
The President #76578
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 39?
Vote: 31/169 Recorded Vote
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It was so decided.

9.  Report of the Economic and Social Council

The President #76579
Members will recall that the Assembly held a debate on agenda item 9, jointly with agenda item 15, at its 36th plenary meeting on 19 October. I give the floor to the representative of South Africa to introduce draft resolution A/70/L.16.
Mr. Marobe ZAF South Africa on behalf of Group of 77 and China #76580
I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/70/L.16, entitled “Extension of the preparatory period preceding the graduation of the Republic of Vanuatu from the least developed country category”, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The Republic of Vanuatu was expected to graduate in December 2017. However, in March Cyclone Pam, a category-5 storm, hit the country with full force. Vanuatu’s development progress suffered a heavy setback. Sixty-four per cent of the economy and 60 per cent of the population were affected by the storm. Given the exceptional human, economic and development losses that Vanuatu suffered, the draft resolution extends the preparatory period by three years, thereby leading to Vanuatu’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status in December 2020. That extension will allow Vanuatu to rebuild and reconstruct its country and economy so that graduation from LDC status will not result in the disruption of its development plans, programmes and projects. I wish to thank all delegations that have constructively engaged in the informal consultations that have enabled us to reach agreement on the text, and especially Mr. Jeffrey Salim Waheed, Deputy Permanent Representative of Maldives, who facilitated discussions on the draft. In order to accurately reflect the agreement reached, I wish to make two oral revisions to the draft. In the first line of the final preambulatory paragraph, we wish to add the words “to continue” after “international community”. The paragraph would then read: “Inviting the international community to continue to generously support the rehabilitation and disaster preparedness efforts undertaken by the Government of Vanuatu in this context”. Secondly, in the second line of paragraph 1, we wish to replace the word “of” with the word “on”. The paragraph would now read thus, “Expresses its deep concern at the severe consequences for Vanuatu of Cyclone Pam on 13 and 14 March 2015”. The Group of 77 and China commends the draft resolution to the General Assembly for adoption by consensus.
The President #76581
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/70/L.16, entitled “Extension of the preparatory period preceding the graduation of the Republic of Vanuatu from the least developed country category”, as orally revised. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt the draft resolution, as orally revised?
Draft resolution A/70/L.16, as orally revised, was adopted (resolution 70/78).
The President #76582
I now give the floor to the representative of Vanuatu.
Mr. Tevi VUT Vanuatu #76583
The unanimous adoption of resolution 70/78, on the extension of the preparatory period preceding the graduation of the Republic of Vanuatu from the least developed country category, gives hope and encouragement to my country. It also demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the international community to truly ensuring that graduating from the category of least developed country should not result in the disruption of development plans programmes and projects. Furthermore, the decision reaffirms our trust, confidence and gratitude in the fact that the international community stands with us and renders to us whatever assistance may be necessary to restore the damage caused by Cyclone Pam and move ahead with the development process. On behalf of the Government and people of Vanuatu, allow me to take this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation to the international community for the understanding shown and unanimous support extended to us in the formulation and adoption of the resolution. With particular gratitude, I reiterate our heartfelt appreciation to the Chairman and members of the Group of 77 and China, as well as to the members of the group of least developed countries. I also wish to extend our very sincere thanks to our development partners, especially Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, Japan and the United States of America, for the understanding and flexibility that they have shown in accommodating our request for an extension. Last but not least, allow me to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Jeffrey Salim Waheed of the Maldives for the helpful manner in which he facilitated the drafting of resolution 70/78, as well as to Mrs. Maureen Francella Strickland-Simonet of Samoa and Ms. Kavita Desai of Timor-Leste for coordinating the resolution. The impacts of tropical Cyclone Pam on our country are still being felt. As the Assembly is aware, 64 per cent of our economy was severely affected. This year tourism, which is our major economic mainstay, saw a significant decline, and our agricultural sector is still severely affected. The World Bank’s latest needs assessment predicted that the economy will decline this year and the year after, and then begin to slowly grow again in the medium term. That growth is predicted only if significant investments are realized in the economy. Despite this daunting environment, we are a determined people. We take this opportunity to assure the Assembly and the international community that we will put our greatest efforts into rebuilding our economy and putting Vanuatu back on the path of high, sustained growth and development. We fully understand that the cyclone has stacked serious obstacles against our vision of becoming a middle-income developing country. Nevertheless, our determination will not be deterred. We are confident that once again, with the help our development partners, we will emerge from the disaster stronger than ever before and proceed with the process of graduation, as specified in resolution 59/209. So far, the Vanuatu Government has already adopted the Cyclone Pam recovery plan, and international consultations with our development partners have already taken place. We hope that, with the renewed development partnership, Vanuatu will be able to grow again and develop a more robust, inclusive and climate-resilient economy. As we all know, natural disasters will continue to increase if climate change is not adequately addressed by the international community. That remains a cause for concern for small island developing States (SIDS), especially with regard to the efforts to achieve sustainable development. Cyclone Pam has clearly illustrated that daunting challenge. It is therefore important that the concerns of SIDS and the least developed countries be addressed by the international community, especially with regard to the new climate agreement currently being negotiated in Paris. Such an agreement is indeed indispensable to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1). In conclusion, the adoption of resolution 70/78 demonstrates the support and goodwill of the international community to see vulnerable States achieve sustainable development. Once again, on behalf of my Government and my people, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely express our gratitude for all the invaluable support.
The President #76584
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 9. Reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)
The President #76585
The General Assembly will consider the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on agenda items 50 to 63 and 120 and 135. I request the Rapporteur of the Committee, Ms. Clotilde Ferry of Monaco, to introduce the reports of the Fourth Committee in one statement. Ms. Ferry (Monaco), Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (spoke in French): I have the honour to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (the Fourth Committee), submitted under agenda items 50 to 63 and 120 and 135. The reports, contained in documents A/70/492 to A/70/529, include the texts of draft resolutions and decisions recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. For the convenience of delegations, a checklist has been prepared by the Secretariat containing actions taken in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, which is contained in document A/C.4/70/INF/3. During the main part of the seventieth session of the General Assembly, the Special Political and Decolonization Committee held a total of 25 formal meetings, during the course of which it adopted 27 draft resolutions and 3 draft decisions. The first report, submitted under agenda item 50, entitled “University for Peace”, is contained in document A/70/492. In the draft resolution submitted under this agenda item and contained in paragraph 9 of the report of the Fourth Committee, the General Assembly requests the Secretary-General to expand the scope for using the services of the University as part of his conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts through the training of staff in these disciplines. The second report, submitted under agenda item 51, entitled “Assistance in mine action”, is contained in document A/70/493. The draft resolution submitted under this agenda item is contained in paragraph 8 of the report of the Fourth Committee. The third report, submitted under agenda item 52, entitled “Effects of atomic radiation”, is contained in document A/70/494. In the draft resolution contained in paragraph 8 of the report, the General Assembly decides, inter alia, to encourage Member States to make voluntary contributions to the general trust fund established by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and also to make contributions in kind, in order to support the work of the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. The General Assembly also requests the Secretary-General to provide the Assembly at its seventy-second session with a list of the Member States that have expressed their particular interest in membership of the Committee between the sixty-sixth and seventy-second sessions for consideration. The fourth report, submitted under agenda item 53, entitled “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”, is contained in document A/70/495 and contains two draft resolutions in paragraph 16. In the draft decision found in paragraph 17 of the report, the Fourth Committee also appoints six Member States as members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. In draft resolution I, the Assembly requests the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to continue to consider, as a matter of priority, the ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes and to report thereon to the Assembly at its seventy-first session. In draft resolution II, the Committee, inter alia, agrees to reinstate several activities in 2016 under the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. During it consideration of the agenda item, the Fourth Committee held a number of meetings of the Working Group of the Whole, chaired by the delegation of Algeria. The fifth report, submitted under agenda item 54, entitled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”, is contained in document A/70/496. The Fourth Committee considered the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, as well as other relevant reports. The Committee adopted four draft resolutions on various aspects of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, as contained in paragraph 16 of the report. The sixth report, submitted under agenda item 55, entitled “Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, is contained in document A/70/497. The Fourth Committee considered the forty-seventh report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People an Other Arab Inhabitants of the Occupied Territories, as well as other reports by the Secretary-General. The Fourth Committee proposes the adoption of five draft resolutions contained in paragraph 19 of its report. The seventh report, relating to agenda item 56, “Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects”, is contained in document A/70/498. The Fourth Committee heard an introductory statement by the Deputy Secretary-General, as well as comprehensive introductory statements by the Under-Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations and the Under- Secretary-General for Field Support . Many of the issues raised during the comprehensive general debate held under this agenda item will be further considered by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations at its 2016 session, the report of which will be considered by the Fourth Committee in a resumed session in the first half of 2016. This year, the Committee also jointly considered items 56 and 57 of the agenda, in addition to the report (A/70/357) of the Secretary-General on the future of peacekeeping operations in order to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the High- level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. The eighth report of the Committee, submitted under item 57 of the agenda, entitled “Comprehensive review of special political missions”, is contained in document A/70/499. In accordance with paragraph 9 of the draft resolution, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit to it at its seventy-first session a report on overall policy issues pertaining to special political missions, including efforts towards improving transparency, accountability, geographical representation, the participation of women, expertise and effectiveness. The ninth report, submitted under item 58 of the agenda, entitled “Questions relating to information”, is contained in document A/70/500. The Fourth Committee considered the report submitted to it by the Committee on Information contained in document А/70/21 and the related report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/70/220. The Committee was briefed by the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information concerning the measures taken by the Department of Public Information to disseminate the message of the United Nations around the world. The Fourth Committee adopted draft resolution A, entitled “Information in the service of humanity”, and draft resolution B, entitled “United Nations public information policies and activities”. Both are contained in paragraph 9 of the report. With regard to the cluster of items on the non-self- governing territories and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples — agenda items 59 to 63 — the Fourth Committee considered those five items together. The Fourth Committee held a general debate on those issues and heard 80 petitioners on the various non-self-governing territories as well as the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, a minister of the Government of New Caledonia and a senator from Guam. For the consideration of those items, the General Assembly received the following five reports: the report submitted under agenda item 59, entitled “Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under paragraph Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations”, contained in document A/70/501; the report submitted under agenda item 60, entitled “Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self- Governing Territories”, contained in document A/70/502; the report submitted under agenda item 61, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations”, contained in document A/70/503; the report submitted under agenda item 62, entitled “Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-governing Territories”, contained in document А/70/504; and the report submitted under agenda item 63, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”, contained in document A/70/505. Under that item, the Fourth Committee adopted seven draft resolutions and a draft decision on issues relating to the implementation of the Declaration and the Non-Self Governing Territories, as contained in paragraphs 32 and 33 of the report. With regard to item 120 of the agenda, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, the draft decision on the proposed programme of work and timetable of the Fourth Committee for the seventy- first session of the General Assembly is contained in document А/70/528. The Fourth Committee recommends to the General Assembly to adopt the draft decision. The need did not arise for the Fourth Committee to take up item 135, entitled “Programme planning”, as indicated in the report of the Committee contained in document А/70/529. I have the honour to submit to the General Assembly for consideration and adoption the draft resolutions and draft decisions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in its reports, documents А/70/492 to А/70/529. Before concluding, I would like to emphasize the spirit of cooperation that prevailed in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee throughout its work. The Committee was able to fulfil the mandate entrusted to it by the General Assembly and to complete its work effectively and constructively within the time allotted. I wish to express, on behalf of the Bureau of the Committee, our sincere appreciation to all delegations for their constructive participation during this session. In particular, I would like to pay tribute to the Chair of the Fourth Committee, His Excellency Mr. Brian Bowler of Malawi, whose knowledge and experience in multilateral institutions enabled the Committee to consider in depth all the agenda items allocated to it. The other members of the Bureau — namely, Mr. Danijel Medan of Croatia, Mr. Abdulaziz AlJarallah of Kuwait and Mr. José Eduardo Proaño of Ecuador, with whom I had the pleasure to work — also contributed significantly to the successful conclusion of the work of the Committee. I would also like to express our appreciation to the Secretariat and to the Committee’s team in the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management for their support and effective assistance throughout the session.
Mr. Oh Joon (Republic of Korea), Vice-President, took the Chair.
The Acting President #76586
I thank the Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) for her introduction of the Committee’s reports. If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) that are before the Assembly today.
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76587
Statements will therefore be limited to the explanations of vote. Before proceeding further, I wish to advise members about how I intend to proceed to refer to the reports of the Committee. In order to save time and given that this morning the Assembly is taking up only the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), I will only mention the term “the Committee”, on the understanding that the formal name of the Committee, the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, will be reflected in the official records. As I hear no objection, we shall proceed accordingly. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind Members that, under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that when the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. May I further remind delegations that, also in accordance with decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified to the contrary in advance. That means that, where recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I should also hope that we will proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Committee. I would also like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat entitled “Checklist of the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) to the General Assembly on agenda items 50 to 63, 120 and 135”, which has been circulated, in English only, as document A/C.4/70/INF/3. The note has been distributed desk- to-desk in the General Assembly Hall as a reference guide for action on the draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Committee in its reports. In that connection, Members will find, in column 4 of the note, the symbols of the draft resolutions and decisions of the Committee, with the corresponding symbols of the reports for action in the plenary in column 2 of the same note. For reports containing multiple recommendations, the draft resolution or decision number is contained in column 3 of the note. Furthermore, Members are reminded that additional co-sponsors are no longer accepted now that the Committee has adopted the draft resolutions and decisions. Any clarification about co-sponsorship should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee.

50.  University for Peace Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/492)

The Acting President #76588
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/79).
The Acting President #76589
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 50?
It was so decided.

51.  Assistance in mine action Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/493)

The Acting President #76590
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/80).
The Acting President #76591
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 51?
It was so decided.

52.  Effects of atomic radiation Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/494)

The Acting President #76592
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/81).
The Acting President #76593
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 52?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76594
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 16 of its report and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 17 of the same report. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution II, entitled “Matters relating to activities under the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in 2016”, is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution II as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. We will now take a decision on draft resolution I and on the draft decision, one by one. The Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled “International cooperation on the peaceful uses of outer space”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 70/82).
The Acting President #76595
We now turn to paragraph 17 of the report to take action on the draft decision entitled “Increase in the membership of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Tunisia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by a vote of 155 to none, with 16 abstentions (decision 70/412).
The Acting President #76596
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 53?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76597
The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 16 of its report. As there are no requests for the floor in explanation of vote or position before we take action on the draft resolutions, we will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to IV, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote or position on any or all of the draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Assistance to Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 167 votes to 1, with 11 abstentions (resolution 70/83)
The Acting President #76598
Draft resolution II is entitled, “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hosilities.” A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 164 votes to 7, with 7 abstentions (resolution 70/84)
The Acting President #76599
Draft resolution III is entitled “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 169 votes to 6, with 5 abstentions (resolution 70/85)
The Acting President #76600
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 167 votes to 7, with 4 abstentions (resolution 70/86)
The Acting President #76601
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 54?
It was so decided
The Acting President #76602
The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 19 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to V, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have an opportunity to explain their votes or positions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 92 votes to 9, with 75 abstentions (resolution 70/87)
The Acting President #76603
Draft resolution II is entitled “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 163 votes to 6, with 8 abstentions (resolution 70/88).
The Acting President #76604
Draft resolution III is entitled “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mauritius informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 161 votes to 7, with 8 abstentions (resolution 70/89).
The Acting President #76605
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 158 votes to 8, with 10 abstentions (resolution 70/90).
The Acting President #76606
Draft resolution V is entitled “The occupied Syrian Golan”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Cyprus informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution V was adopted by 160 votes to 1, with 16 abstentions (resolution 70/91).
The Acting President #76607
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 55?
It was so decided.

56.  Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/498)

The Acting President #76608
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee contained in document A/70/498?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76609
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 56.

57.  Comprehensive review of special political missions Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/499)

The Acting President #76610
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/92).
The Acting President #76611
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 57?
It was so decided.

58.  Questions relating to information Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/500)

The Acting President #76612
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions A and B, one by one. Draft resolution A is entitled “Information in the service of humanity”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 70/93 A).
The Acting President #76613
Draft resolution B is entitled “United Nations public information policies and activities”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 70/93 B).
The Acting President #76614
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 58?
It was so decided.

59.  Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/501)

The Acting President #76615
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Germany informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 175 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 70/94).
The Acting President #76616
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 59?
It was so decided.

60.  Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/502)

The Acting President #76617
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by a vote of 176 to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 70/95).
The Acting President #76618
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 60?
It was so decided.

61.  Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/503)

The Acting President #76619
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by a vote of 126 to none, with 53 abstentions (resolution 70/96).
The Acting President #76620
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 61?
It was so decided.

62.  Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (À/70/504)

The Acting President #76621
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 70/97).
The Acting President #76622
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 62?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #76623
The Assembly has before it seven draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 32 of its report and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 33 of the same report. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution VII, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”, is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution VII as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. There being no requests for the floor in explanation of vote or position, we will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to VI and on the draft decision, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their votes or positions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Question of Western Sahara”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 70/98).
The Acting President #76624
Draft resolution II is entitled “Question of New Caledonia”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 70/99).
The Acting President #76625
Draft resolution III is entitled “Question of French Polynesia”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 70/100).
The Acting President #76626
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Question of Tokelau”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 70/101).
The Acting President #76627
Draft resolution V is entitled “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 70/102).
The Acting President #76628
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Dissemination of information on decolonization”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VI was adopted by 175 votes to 3, with 1 abstention (resolution 70/103).
The Acting President #76629
We will now take action on the draft decision entitled “Question of Gibraltar”. The Committee it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 70/520).
The Acting President #76630
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 63.

120.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/528)

The Acting President #76631
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Proposed programme of work and timetable for the Special Political and Decolonization Committee for the seventy-first session of the General Assembly”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 70/521).
The Acting President #76632
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 120.

135.  Programme planning Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/70/529)

The Acting President #76633
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Fourth Committee contained in document A/70/529?
It was so decided.
The Acting President on behalf of General Assembly #76634
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 135. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank Mr. Brian Bowler, Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations and Chair of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), the members of the Bureau and the Secretary of the Committee, as well as representatives, for a job well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) before it for this meeting.
The meeting rose at 11.55 a.m.