A/71/PV.2 General Assembly

It is my sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of the late President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Islam Karimov, who passed away on Friday, 2 September. On behalf of the General Assembly, I request the representative of Uzbekistan to convey our condolences to the Government and the people of Uzbekistan and to the bereaved family of President Islam Karimov. May I now invite representatives to stand and observe a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of President Islam Karimov.

On behalf of all of us in this Hall, it is my sad duty to express my deepest condolences to the people and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the loss of President Islam Karimov. Mr. Karimov embodied the Republic of Uzbekistan’s modern history, having led his country for 15 years from the very first day of its independence on 1 September 1991. Uzbekistan has always been at the crossroads of the world, and I am confident that the Uzbek authorities will ensure a smooth transition on the road to security, stability, social development and prosperity for the country and for its people. My thoughts and profound sympathy also go to President Karimov’s family. I would be grateful to Ambassador Madrakhimov if he would kindly convey the message to them. I now give the floor to the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

I join with everyone in extending our condolences to the bereaved family of the late President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Islam Karimov. As the first President of the independent Republic of Uzbekistan, President Karimov undertook wide-ranging efforts to further the economic and social development of his country. Uzbekistan made notable progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and has supported the new sustainable Development Goals. Uzbekistan has also contributed to stability and development in Afghanistan, and has strived to support peace and security across the region. Among the most important initiatives of President Karimov’s tenure was the promotion of the establishment of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, which entered into force in 2009. I have visited Uzbekistan twice as Secretary- General, most recently in June 2015. I felt the warmth of the country’s people and saw the good cooperation that exists between Uzbekistan and the United Nations. I also witnessed the devastation in and around the Aral Sea. I urge the international community to intensify its support for Uzbekistan’s efforts to cope with the consequences of this disaster. Today, 25 years after Uzbekistan achieved its independence, and as President Karimov himself once said, the interests, rights and freedoms of the people should be at the centre of all development efforts. The United Nations remains committed to assisting Uzbekistan in advancing fundamental freedoms, building democratic institutions and nurturing a climate of inclusion and dialogue. As the Government and people of Uzbekistan embark on the next chapter in the country’s history, I reiterate the full commitment of the United Nations, including the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, to continuing to work closely for peace, development and human rights for all the people of Uzbekistan and beyond. Once again, I extend my deep condolences on the loss of President Karimov.

I now give the floor to the representative of Algeria, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States.

On this solemn occasion, the Group of African States wishes to express its deepest condolences to the Government and the people of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the passing of President Islam Karimov, a sad event that occurred on 2 September. The late President will be remembered for his laudable commitment to the advancement of his country and the Central Asia region as a whole. We in Africa call to remembrance his leadership in the promotion and entry into force of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia in 2009, which coincided with the entry into force of Africa’s Treaty of Pelindaba five months later, on 15 July 2009. The Group of African States also wishes to extend its heartfelt condolences during this very sad period to the bereaved family of the late President. May his soul rest in perfect peace and perpetual light shine upon him.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan, who will speak on behalf of the Asia-Pacific States.

It is my honour, but a most sad one, to address you, Sir, from this rostrum on behalf of the Group of Asia-Pacific States as we gather today to mourn and pay tribute to a great leader. Allow me to extend our Group’s sincere condolences on the passing of President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan, one of the most outstanding statesmen and political leaders of modern times. I would also like to express our deep sorrow to his bereaved family and to the Government and the people of the Republic of Uzbekistan. We hope that Allah will grant them all the strength to bear such an irreplaceable loss. President Islam Karimov attached great importance to strenghening cooperation between his country and international and regional organizations and had his country join the United Nations and other intergovernmental structures. As a strong proponent of a nuclear-weapon-free world, he initiated the establishment of the Central Asian nuclear-weapon-free zone. Islam Karimov was a leader of strong principles, integrity and steadfastness to his country and society. Instilling in all citizens a great sense of national pride, he united them as a strong member State among the family of nations. His commitment to moving Uzbekistan forward from the commencement of his leadership was demonstrated in enormous efforts to improve the living standards of his people, promote small and medium- sized enterprises and entrepreneurship, develop infrastructure and many other measures he undertook. His entire track record portrayed his genuine desire to maintain better economic and social conditions through sound reforms and to make Uzbek culture known globally. To achieve such lofty goals, he set out to address a number of pressing issues, such as population growth, the advancement of the national economy and sustainable development, among many others. Under the iconic slogan “Uzbekistan: a future great State”, which he coined to consolidate his nationals and inspire them to invest in the future, the country made great strides in many fields. Today, the citizens of Uzbekistan attribute that outstanding accomplishment to the much beloved leader that President Karimov was for them. What makes the trajectory of the first President’s life a source of inspiration for generations to come in his country and elsewhere is the fact that the hardships he faced during the different periods of his life did not affect his resolve to steer his country on the path of modernization, progress and prosperity. He let it take its rightful place in the international community. The late President Karimov will forever remain in the hearts of nations of the Asia-Pacific States as a sincere and close friend who worked for the highest ideals and in the best interest of the region. His name will be deeply etched in our history as it records him as one of the great contemporary statesmen. The Asia-Pacific Group once again reiterates its deep sorrow for the loss of a visionary man whose wisdom and leadership will be missed and remembered. At the same time it honours a remarkable leader who strove for regional stability, for which we owe him a great debt. We wish the people of Uzbekistan great happiness and success in the future. We also reaffirm the Asia-Pacific Group’s commitment to working in close cooperation with his successor. May he rest in peace in the land of his ancestors.

I now give the floor to the representative of Estonia, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States.

On 2 September, the world learned of the passing of His Excellency President Islam Karimov of the Republic of Uzbekistan. On behalf of the Group of Eastern European States at the United Nations, I would like to extend sincere condolences to his family and to the Government and the people of Uzbekistan. With the passing of Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan has lost the country’s first President. Under the leadership of President Karimov, Uzbekistan emerged as an independent nation more than two decades ago. Islam Karimov was a true leader of his country. Major landmarks in the history of the modern Uzbek State are laid to his name. Under Mr. Karimov’s leadership, Uzbekistan pursued foreign policy that facilitated the consolidation of security and stability in Central Asia and the development of multilateral cooperation in the region. Once again, let me convey sincere sympathies to President Karimov’s family and to the Government and all the people of Uzbekistan.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

It is my sad duty to offer tribute on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC) to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Islam Karimov, President of Uzbekistan. On 1 September, the Republic of Uzbekistan celebrated its quarter-century anniversary of independence. Festivities were soon interrupted as Mr. Karimov passed away the following day. Uzbekistan became a sovereign nation under the leadership of President Karimov. Since then, it has played an important international role and has been an active Member of the United Nations. Uzbekistan was the first country to ratify the Treaty of Semipalantinsk, signed in Kazakhstan in September 2006, paving the way for the full establishment of the fifth nuclear-weapon-free zone in the world. As pro tempore Chairman of GRULAC, I wish to emphasize the great significance of this fact. In 2017, Latin America and the Caribbean nations will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which established the first nuclear-weapon-free zone in a densely poplulated area of the world. GRULAC takes this opportunity to commend the efforts of President Karimov towards our people’s shared objective of a world free from nuclear weapons. Under President Karimov, Uzbekistan supported the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a landmark in the pursuit of a world free from poverty, hunger, disease and want. President Karimov promoted Uzbekistan’s domestic economy and the export of commodities. Uzbekistan has always been a hub for trade and cultural exchange. Samarkand, the city in which President Karimov was born, is one with ancient roots in the Silk Road, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. GRULAC extends its most sincere condolences to the Uzbekistani Government and people and to the family of President Karimov for their loss.

I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and other States.

On behalf of the Group of Western European and other States, I extend to the people and to the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and, above all, to the family our deepest condolences on the death of Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Islam Karimov, the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, will be remembered as a leader whose tenure marked the modern history of his country. He led the newly independent Uzbekistan, conceiving a new foreign policy for the country both in the region and beyond. During his long-standing political leadership of the country, he worked towards economic, educational and agricultural reforms. The members of the Western European and other States Group wish a smooth transition of power in the Republic of Uzbekistan to ensure stability and prosperity for the country and its people and look forward to the preparations for the 4 December elections. Our thoughts are at this moment with his family, friends and the people of Uzbekistan during this difficult time.

I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan.

I should like to thank those who have taken the floor, as well as all delegations, for their condolences and support in this dark time for my country. The entire people of Uzbekistan were struck by a huge, unfathomable loss. On 2 September we lost the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov. At the head of independent Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov won the utmost prestige as a leader in State affairs, preparing and implementing a carefully crafted strategy for the building of a legal democratic State with an open civil society and a market economy. Maintaining and strengthening the sovereignty and independence of Uzbekistan were always the top priorities of President Karimov and became the fundamental principles behind his policies. The people of Uzbekistan directly ascribe the significant achievements of the country from the years following independence with the activities and person of Mr. Karimov, who is the author of the country’s Constitution, which is fully in line with the principles of democracy and international law. He ensured that the document was fully implemented. From the very first days of independence, Islam Karimov was deeply convinced that political independence is impossible without economic independence. That is why he drew up a programme of far-reaching reforms and restructured the country’s economy, which was later recognized across the globe as the Uzbek model for development. The lynchpin of the model was the implementation of strategic priorities for reform — not for reform’s sake, but for the people. On his initiative, Uzbekistan conducted far-reaching structural reforms in the areas of high technology, as well as petrochemicals, automobiles, agriculture, railway machinery, pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, textiles and construction materials. The practical implementation of President Islam Karimov’s reforms brought the country recognition as one of the five fastest growing economies of the world. He organized agricultural reform, creating a new class of landowners  — a farmers’ movement. Upon his initiative, a programme is being carried out for the full reform of the model of villages and farms to ensure high standards of living for those in rural and agricultural areas. As Commander-in-Chief, Islam Karimov carried out far-reaching reforms to increase the military might and potential of the armed forces, enabling them to protect the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the inviolability of its borders and a peaceful life for its people. He drew up and implemented the concept for the country’s foreign policy, the cornerstone of which was a love of peace, based on non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States and resolving any dispute or conflict through exclusively peaceful, political solutions. Islam Karimov made a huge contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the region and across the globe. In a total break with old dogmas and stereotypes, the President initiated the drafting and implementation of a full national programme for professional training and educational reform in line with the latest international standards. Islam Karimov tirelesssly led the work to establish a new system for the education of young generations, changing the thought process and view of our youth, who will be the determining factor in the present and future of Uzbekistan. He elevated respect for the spiritual values of our people to the level of State policy, preserving and revitalizing our religion, traditions, customs and invaluable historical heritage, and making a major contribution to the increasing visibility of the country in the international arena. He initiated the establishment of the institutions of civil society, and in particular enhanced the role of the institution of mahalla in Government and broadened its rights and purviews. Our people know and highly appreciate Islam Karimov as someone who carried out far-reaching reforms that totally changed the face of our capital, the city of Tashkent, and other cities and towns, modernizing their infrastucture and architecture. In recognition of his contribution to the development of Uzbekistan as a sovereign and independent State and the establishment of a democratic legal State ensuring civil peace and national agreement,  Islam Karimov was  named a Hero of Uzbekistan and awarded  the Mustakillik and Amir Temur Medals.. He was an active member of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. He was also recognized as Doctor Emeritus by a number of foreign States, and awarded with honorary titles, medals and decorations from various States and leading international organizations. Islam Karimov selflessly gave himself to his people and country. His whole life, up until his very last day, was offered in service to Uzbekistan. The hallowed name of the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and a great son of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, shall forever remain engraved in the hearts and minds of our people.

I invite the General Assembly to direct its attention to section I of the report of the Committee. In this section, the General Committee takes note of the information contained in paragraph 2. I request the General Assembly to now direct its attention to section II, entitled “Organization of the session”, which contains a number of recommendations concerning the General Committee, the rationalization of work, closing date for the session, schedule of meetings, the general debate, conduct of the meetings and so on. In paragraph 26, the General Committee draws the attention of the Assembly to the fact that the general debate shall begin on Tuesday, 20 September, and recommends that it continue on Saturday, 24 September. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the information contained in paragraph 26 and approves the recommendation that the general debate continue on Saturday, 24 September?

All other recommendations in section II of the report of the Committee concern established practice, so rather than go through them one by one, I believe it would be beneficial to address as a whole all of the organizational matters concerning the General Assembly. There being no comments on that approach, we shall proceed accordingly. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of all of the information and to approve all the recommendations of the General Committee contained in section II of the report?

Having just adopted the recommendation in paragraph 21, on waiving the requirements of rules 67 and 108 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly to declare a meeting open, I should like to encourage delegations to be present in the meeting rooms at the scheduled time in order to promote punctuality and efficiency in the Assembly’s proceedings. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the information contained in paragraph 53 concerning the timely submission of draft proposals for the review of their programme budget implications?

I now invite members to turn their attention to section III, dealing with the adoption of the draft agenda. The question of the allocation of items will be dealt with subsequently in section IV. In section III, the General Committee took note of the information contained in paragraphs 67 to 69. In paragraph 70, in connection with item 38 of the draft agenda, entitled “Question of the Comorian island of Mayotte”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading B, entitled “Maintenance of international peace and security”, on the understanding that there would be no consideration of this item by the General Assembly. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 71, in connection with item 59 of the draft agenda, entitled “Question of the Malagasy islands of Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Europa and Sassas da India”, the General Committee decided to recommend that consideration of this item be deferred to the seventy-second session of the General Assembly and that the item be included in the provisional agenda of that session. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 72, in connection with item 62 of the draft agenda entitled “Peacebuilding and sustaining peace”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading B, entitled, “Maintenance of international peace and security”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 73, in connection with item 88 of the draft agenda, entitled “Request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading F, entitled “Promotion of justice and international law”, on the understanding that there would be no consideration of this item by the General Assembly before June 2017 and thereafter it may be considered upon notification by a Member State. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 74, in connection with sub-items (mm), (nn), (oo), (pp) and (qq) of item 99 of the draft agenda, entitled, respectively, “Countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices; Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons; Humanitarian pledge for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons; Ethical imperatives for a nuclear-weapon-free world; and Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”, the General Committee decided to recommend their inclusion under heading G, entitled “Disarmament”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 75, in connection with sub-item (i) of item 116 of the draft agenda, entitled “Appointment of members of the Board of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, entitled “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 76, in connection with sub-item (u) of item 133 of the draft agenda, entitled “United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, entitled “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 78, in connection with item 172 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Ibero-American Countries in the General Assembly”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, entitled “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 79, in connection with item 173 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America in the General Assembly”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, entitled “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 80, in connection with item 174 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for the Pacific Islands Development Forum in the General Assembly”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, entitled “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

In paragraph 81, in connection with item 175 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for the International Chamber of Commerce in the General Assembly”, the General Committee decided to recommend its inclusion under heading I, entitled “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?

We turn now to the agenda recommended by the General Committee in paragraph 82 of its report for adoption by the General Assembly, taking into account the decisions just adopted with respect to the draft agenda. Bearing in mind that the agenda is organized under nine headings, we shall consider the inclusion of items under each heading as a whole. I should like to remind members once again that, at present, we are not discussing the substance of any item. Items 1 and 2 have already been dealt with. We shall now turn to items 3 to 8. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?

We turn now to the inclusion of the items listed under heading A, “Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and recent United Nations conferences”. May I take it that the items listed under heading A are included in the agenda?

We now turn to heading B, entitled “Maintenance of international peace and security”. May I take it that the items listed under heading B are included on the agenda?

I now call on the representative of Armenia.

As this is the first time that the delegation of Armenia takes taking the floor at this session, I would like to begin by congratulating the President on his assumption of the leadership of the General Assembly, as well as the other members of the Bureau, and to assure them of my delegation’s full support and cooperation in the deliberations and work of the General Assembly. I wish to state that Armenia dissociates itself from the consensus on including item 37 on the agenda of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session. I would like to ask the President to request that the Secretariat duly reflect the Armenian position in the official records of today’s meeting.

We take note of the statement by the representative of Armenia. We now turn to heading C, entitled “Development of Africa”. May I take it that the item listed under this heading is included on the agenda?

Now we come to heading D, entitled “Promotion of human rights”. May I take it that the items listed under it are included on the agenda?

Heading E is entitled “Effective coordination of humanitarian assistance efforts”. May I take it that the item listed under this heading is included on the agenda?

Next we turn to heading F, entitled “Promotion of justice and international law”. May I take it that the items listed under heading F are included on the agenda?

We now turn to head G, entitled “Disarmament”. May I take it that the items listed under this heading are included on the agenda?

Heading H is entitled “Drug control, crime prevention and combating international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”. May I take it that the items listed under the heading are included on this agenda?

Lastly, we turn to heading I, entitled “Organizational, administrative and other matters”. May I take it that the items listed under heading I are included on the agenda?

We turn now to section IV of the report of the General Committee, on the allocation of items. The General Committee took note of the information contained in paragraphs 83 to 85. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the information contained in paragraph 85 concerning the granting of observer status?

We shall now turn to the recommendations contained in paragraphs 87 to 91. We shall take up the recommendations one by one. Before we proceed, I would like to remind members that the item numbers cited here refer to the agenda in paragraph 82 of the report before us, document A/71/250. We shall now turn to paragraphs 87 (a) to (m), which relate to a number of plenary items. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of all of the information that the General Committee wishes it to take note of and to approve all of the recommendations of the Committee contained in paragraphs 87 (a) to (m)?

We turn now to paragraphs 88 (a) and (b), which relate to item 98, “General and complete disarmament”, and to sub-items (mm), (nn), (oo), (pp) and (qq) of item 98, entitled, respectively, “Countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices”, “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons”, “Humanitarian pledge for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons”, “Ethical imperatives for a nuclear-weapon-free world” and “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions” of the First Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraphs 88 (a) and (b)?

We turn now to paragraphs 89 (a) to (c), which relate to sub-item (u) of item 132, entitled “United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund”; item 135, entitled “Programme planning” and item 145, entitled “Administration of justice at the United Nations” of the Fifth Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraphs 89 (a) to (c)?

We turn now to paragraphs 90 (a) to (d), which relate to item 170, entitled “Observer status for the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Ibero-American Countries in the General Assembly”; item 171, entitled “Observer status for the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America in the General Assembly”; item 172, entitled “Observer status for the Pacific Island Development Forum in the General Assembly”; and item 173, entitled “Observer status for the International Chamber of Commerce in the General Assembly” of the Sixth Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraphs 90 (a) to (d)?

We shall now turn to paragraph 91 of the report of the General Committee on the allocation of items to the plenary and to each Main Committee. We turn first to the list of items recommended by the General Committee for consideration directly in plenary meeting under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items listed for consideration directly in plenary meeting?

Next we come to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the First Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the First Committee?

We now turn to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of those items for consideration by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)?

We come now to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Second Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of these items for consideration by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)?

We come now to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Second Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of these items for consideration by the Second Committee?

We turn now to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Third Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of these items for consideration by the Third Committee?

Next, we come to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Fifth Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of these items for consideration by the Fifth Committee?

Lastly, we come to the list of items that the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Sixth Committee under all the relevant headings. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of these items for consideration by the Sixth Committee?

The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of the first report of the General Committee. I wish to thank all the members of the Assembly for their cooperation. Each Main Committee will receive the list of agenda items allocated to it so that it may begin its work in accordance with rule 99 of the rules of procedure. I would now like to draw the attention of representatives to a matter concerning the participation of the Holy See in its capacity as an observer State in the session and work of the General Assembly. In accordance with resolution 58/314, of 1 July 2004, and the note by the Secretary-General contained in document A/58/871, the Holy See, in its capacity as an observer State, will participate in the work of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly, with no further need for a precursory explanation prior to any intervention. I would also like to draw the attention of representatives to a matter concerning the participation of the State of Palestine, in its capacity as an observer State, in the sessions and work of the General Assembly. In accordance with resolutions 3237 (XXIX), of 22 November 1974; 43/177, of 15 December 1988; 52/250, of 7 July 1998; and 67/19, of 29 November 2012, and the note by the Secretary-General contained in document A/52/1002, the State of Palestine, in its capacity as an observer State, will participate in the work of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly, with no further need for a precursory explanation prior to any intervention. In addition, I would like to draw the attention of representatives to a matter concerning the participation of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, in the sessions and work of the General Assembly. In accordance with resolution 65/276, of 3 May 2011, and the note by the Secretary-General contained in document A/65/856, observers of the European Union will participate in the work of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly, with no further need for a precursory explanation prior to any intervention.