A/71/PV.24 General Assembly

We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (A/71/1) on the work of the Organization over the past year. We have turned yet another important page in the history of the United Nations, as we have adopted a new Agenda for Sustainable Development for the next 15 years. Much remains to be done in order to ensure that the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals is more successful than that of the Millennium Development Goals. In that regard, we agree with the Secretary-General’s opinion that, in order to achieve the Goals by 2030, priority must be given to preventing and ending new and ongoing conflicts. In that context, an important role falls to preventive diplomacy and mediation. A milestone last year was marked by the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, in accordance with which States committed to laudable goals, which will contribute to building a healthier, safer and more prosperous future for us all. Indeed, much has been achieved during the reporting period. However, we should not forget that we have been compelled to undertake many of our activities because of short- sighted policies in the past and the failure to resolve issues in a timely matter, such as, for example, the recent massive displacement of refugees and migrants. Numerous negative events taking place today could have been avoided had the world been more stable and predictable. Against the background of a number of important resolutions adopted by the United Nations, it must, unfortunately, be noted that the Organization has increasingly neglected the spirit of unity when initiatives are imposed on States that have been supported by only a few countries. That has consequently led to the violation of the provisions enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and a complete disregard for the sovereign rights of States. We are increasingly witness to unilateral interpretations of existing international law and codes of ethics. Unfortunately, the unilateral and non-transparent promotion of confrontational ideas has become characteristic of the Secretariat. The impartiality of the Secretariat is of critical importance if we wish to preserve the unity of the States Members of the United Nations. In summing up the work of the United Nations over the past year, we must address vital internal matters relating to the Organization. It is no secret that, with regard to Headquarters and the organization of work and the logistics of the United Nations, the Secretariat is not always on the same page as Member States. The Secretariat has established many bureaucratic internal rules that often create obstacles to carrying out the work of the United Nations. Furthermore, very frequently, interaction takes place on a transactional basis: the Secretariat furnishes Member States services for which they have already paid through the salaries paid to Secretariat staff. We believe that additional funding of the United Nations is something that should be done only on a voluntary basis. We believe that it is important to ensure that the Secretariat publish The Journal of the United Nations in all six official languages throughout any given session of the General Assembly. The issue is not one of purely technical importance. First and foremost, it is a matter of respecting the tradition of multilingualism in the Organization. In that regard, we would also like to direct the attention of the General Assembly to the role of translation and interpretation as a profession, art and tool for building trust and understanding among peoples. As a gesture of the importance that we attribute to that subject, we suggest establishing an international day for translation and interpretation. Today more than ever, we need to learn how to work in partnership. Any action or innovation on the part of the Secretariat that affects the working conditions of the Missions of Member States at Headquarters needs to be coordinated with Member States. We believe that looking for effective forms of cooperation between the Secretariat and Member States must become a priority for the next Secretary-General. But we are even more concerned by the trend leading to the excessive bureaucratization of our work as Member States. Given the complexity and breadth of the United Nations, carrying out our work would not be possible without a minimum number of rules. However, real-time action carried out by the Organization for the benefit of the well-being of countries and peoples should not be held hostage to formal and bureaucratic procedures, especially when development depends upon it. Belarus and many other countries have therefore been viewing with concern the fact that at the onset of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our joint plan of action is already being held hostage by routine and pro forma approaches. Instead of practically implementing the ideas in the Agenda, we are now engrossed in optimizing, synchronizing and compiling reports and resolutions. We will therefore not only fail to achieve the sustainable and equitable development of peoples and countries, but will also risk worsening the image of the United Nations as a bureaucratic mechanism far removed from the needs of the world’s population. Of course, the Organization alone cannot solve issues involving sustainable development for national Governments. But the United Nations must be the global coordinating centre for dealing with questions of development. Belarus has already spoken in favour of ensuring that the United Nations become a focal coordinating centre, gathering resources in expert assistance, financing, technology and the means of implementation. For those countries truly in need of support in the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development, that will be much more important than the formal approaches to work following the usual bureaucratic methods. We also believe that the United Nations system needs to be better adapted to meeting the differing needs of countries in line with their national priorities. More than anyone else, national Governments know their countries’ problems. The United Nations development system should therefore not decide a priori the question of what needs to be done. The development system must help States answer the question of how to achieve various results. Unfortunately, there is no universal formula for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, because countries have different needs and different ways of achieving them. We therefore expect the United Nations to concentrate more on unique approaches and problem-solving by taking into account the specific characteristics and peculiarities of each country. We believe that the United Nations must finally pay more attention to middle-income countries. Two thirds of all the poor people in the world live in those countries, which also account for a significant number of young people, who are highly vulnerable to external economic challenges. Any change in the world economy runs the risk of undermining all those countries’ efforts aimed at achieving sustainable development. What is key to successfully overcoming current problems is to ensure that we prioritize the activities of the United Nations. Strengthening the United Nations does not imply only the internal reorganization of the Secretariat. It must involve pursuing the kind of United Nations policy that strives to reinstate the authority of the Organization and ensure that the world is helped through its decisions. In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. Ban Ki-moon for his work as Secretary-General. We hope that the next Secretary-General will maintain the positive traditions of the United Nations and continue guiding the United Nations family in a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, healthy rationalism and real progress.

We welcome the Secretary- General’s annual report (A/71/1) on the work of the Organization, which provides a comprehensive account of the activities of the United Nations over the past year, as well as its accomplishments, and identifies challenges for the next year. The founding fathers of the United Nations acknowledged the indivisibility of peace and security, on the one hand, and economic and social development, on the other — the immutable reality that there can be no peace without development and no development without peace. Last year, we made much progress towards the achievement of one of those pillars by collectively endorsing the transformative new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. That and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change marked significant and historic milestones. We are now entering the implementation phase. Together, we must deliver on the pledges that were made. We will be judged, after all, not by our intentions but by our actions. Can we similarly be optimistic about our quest to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war? Turmoil in the Middle East; conflicts raging from Syria, Libya and Yemen to Afghanistan; tensions in and around Europe; the continued plight of people living under foreign occupation in Kashmir and Palestine; the unprecedented scale of suffering caused by human dislocation; the growing threat of violent extremism; the spread of intolerance and xenophobia; and the real threat to peace and security in my own neighbourhood are all indications not of what we have achieved, but of what still remains to be done in a world that is more fragile, yet more polarized. We have to ask ourselves, then, whether we have been able to live up to the promise and expectations generated by the Charter of the United Nations. Have we been able to move towards a fairer and more equitable and peaceful world, based on law and justice? After all, it is only by implementing the Charter in both letter and spirit that we can create a world free of conflict, where really no one is left behind. Pakistan believes that, in our turbulent yet interdependent world, the United Nations continues to be indispensable to our efforts to restore order and ensure global peace, stability and prosperity. Its principles remain the crucial pillars for international legality, a guide for the conduct of Member States and the guarantor of the legitimate rights of all nations and peoples. But, in order for the United Nations to regain its credibility as the central instrument for promoting peace, prosperity and liberty, it must be more representative, transparent and accountable. For that reason, my country supports comprehensive and democratic reform of the Security Council, aimed at enhancing its relevance and representativeness without creating new centres of power and privilege. The reviews conducted over the past year on peacekeeping, peacebuilding and resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, have shone a light not only on the Organization’s achievements in those areas but also on the shortcomings that need to be addressed. We stand ready to take those processes forward during the seventy-first session. Pakistan’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to United Nations peacekeeping has been acknowledged by everyone, and we have a significant stake in the success of that flagship enterprise. Arguably the most important message to emerge from the reviews is the need for prevention and mediation in managing conflicts and the need to stop them from occurring in the first place. Increasing the capacity of the United Nations in those areas is therefore imperative. And yet we see India continuing to reject the offer of the Secretary-General’s good offices aimed at resolving long-standing disputes in our region. The terrorist threat has become more pervasive and is evolving in complex and unpredictable directions, posing an ever greater danger to international peace and security. Countering terrorist entities such as Da’esh is possible only by ensuring international collaboration and reconciling the divergent interests of the regional and external Powers in the Middle East. Pakistan has been at the forefront of the global campaign against terrorism. We have lost tens of thousands of lives in that fight. The blood that has been shed, including that of our innocent children, has only strengthened our resolve to eliminate that scourge from our country. We will fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whether sponsored by militant organizations or by hostile Powers in our region. We have made substantial gains, but our campaign will end only when the last terrorist is eliminated from our country. The sovereign equality of States, the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means and the avoidance of the use or threat of use of force are fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. It is those very principles that inspire us to look to the United Nations to play its appropriate role in promoting lasting peace in South Asia and live up to its long-standing obligations to the people of Kashmir. India’s continued denial of the right of self- determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, promised in several Security Council resolutions, has sparked another indigenous and popular uprising in occupied Kashmir and has also led to tensions in the region. The struggle of the Kashmiri people for self- determination is a legitimate one, and they have the right to expect and receive moral and political support from the international community. The United Nations is under an obligation to play a role in bringing an end to human rights abuses and facilitate a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, through a free and fair plebiscite held under United Nations auspices. We reiterate our demand for an independent inquiry into human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir and welcome the call from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for unfettered and unconditional access in order to enable impartial monitoring of the human rights situation there. Sadly, India does not even allow the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, one of the earliest missions ever deployed by the United Nations, to fully function in accordance with its mandate and report to the Security Council, so that it can address threats to international peace and security. It is regrettable that by its recent declarations and actions, India has created conditions that pose a threat to peace and security in the region. Over the past few weeks India has engaged in unprovoked shelling across broad areas along the Line of Control. That continues even as I speak. Pakistan has exercised the greatest possible restraint in the face of such belligerence, because we know only too well that such a tense and fraught situation can easily spiral into uncontrolled escalation. Pakistan wants a peaceful resolution to all outstanding disputes, especially in Kashmir, where today a settlement is more urgently needed than ever. We stand ready to engage in a meaningful dialogue in the interest of all of the people of our region. But it is for India to take the first step, because it is India that has exacerbated the current situation. Finally, we can address the daunting security and development challenges confronting the world today and achieve our shared goals only by strict adherence to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The path to a more peaceful, just and prosperous world lies in cooperative endeavours promoted through effective multilateralism, to which my country remains fully and firmly committed.

The Chinese delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s report (A/71/1) on the work of the Organization. Over the past year, in the face of a very complex international situation and global challenges, the United Nations has promoted multilateral cooperation and made outstanding progress in the areas of peace and security, development, women’s empowerment, climate change, and migration and refugees, public health and counter- terrorism. The efforts of the United Nations over the past year have therefore focused on global trends and on supporting the interests of Member States. China commends Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Secretariat for their work in that regard, and would like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his efforts. Today, even as one or another regional conflict or hotspot subsides, others appear, and traditional and non-traditional security threats become intertwined. Globally, economic recovery continues to be weak and lacking in the momentum needed for sustainable development. During the current session of the General Assembly, the international community should therefore focus its efforts on building a community of common destinyfor humankind and coordinate its actions in order to address our global challenges. First, we must adhere to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in order to create a global climate conducive to peace and stability. We must uphold the spirit of the Charter and nurture a new concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and promote a global partnership that features dialogue instead of confrontation as well as partnership instead of alliance. We should stay committed to settling regional hotspot issues through political means, make further efforts in conflict prevention and other areas, strongly uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, actively promote international counter-terrorism cooperation, and develop synergies in the area of maintaining international peace and security. Secondly, we should step up our contributions to development and further promote international development cooperation. The international community’s first priority should be to put an end to hunger and poverty, and to that end Member States should combine their efforts and work to achieve comprehensive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. North-South cooperation should be maintained as a main channel. Developed countries should make good on their official development assistance commitments to help developing nations improve their people’s livelihood and accelerate their development, while developing countries should further promote South-South Cooperation and make efforts to achieve collective self-sufficiency. Thirdly, greater priority must be given to international cooperation and proper measures must be taken to tackle global challenges. On the issue of refugees, we must first ensure that refugees are provided with the basic necessities of life. Of fundamental importance is to eliminate the cause of war and restart development so as to address the root causes of the issue. With regard to public health security, the international community should support the countries concerned in their efforts to establish public health emergency response and management mechanisms, improve grass-roots prevention and control systems, enhance prevention awareness among the general public. Regarding climate change, Member States must adhere to the principle of shared but differentiated responsibility, equity and respective capabilities, jointly deal with climate change and push for the universal acceptance and early entry into force of the Paris Agreement. In his address to the General Assembly as it marked the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations (see A/70/PV.13), China’s President Xi Jinping discussed the importance of fashioning a new kind of international relations based on win-win cooperation and made important proposals regarding support for the United Nations. Those measures are being implemented. At the Group of 20 Summit meeting held recently in Hangzhou, participants reached the Hangzhou consensus on global economic development, A blueprint was drawn for building an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world economy, Participants pledged to actively implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and formulate an action plan for it, thereby bringing new vigor to sustainable development efforts around the world. During the general debate in the Assembly at its seventy-first session, the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, stated (see A/71/PV.11) that China ready to take an active part in international cooperation and support an even greater role of the United Nations in the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. China will continue to strenghen its cooperation with the developing countries and will do whatever it can to help African countries and the least developed countries. As a permanent member of the Security Council and the world’s largest developing country, China is a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of and a defender of the international order. We have made significant contributions to the maintenance of international peace and the promotion of common development, and are ready to cooperate with the great majority of Member States, firmly practice multilateralism, uphold the principles and purposes pf the Charter of the United Nations and promote an even greater role for the Organization in international affairs, with a view to advancing the cause of peace, development and progress for all humankind.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 10 States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam and my own country, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. I wish to begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his comprehensive annual report (A/71/1) on the work of the Organization, which provides a detailed overview of the activities, achievements and challenges of the United Nations on a wide range of issues of common interest and concern to all humankind. As this is Mr. Ban Ki-moon’s last year as Secretary-General, I also wish to congratulate him and thank him for his tireless efforts over the past 10 years to promote peace, development and human rights in the world. I hope that his successor will continue his good work. On 31 December 2015, ASEAN marked one of the most significant events in its history as it reached a key milestone in its community-building efforts by establishing the ASEAN Community. Next year, in 2017, ASEAN will turn 50, an important occasion that its member States will mark with pride and joy. As an outward-looking intergovernmental regional organization, ASEAN continues to consider the work of the United Nations very important and greatly values its cooperation with the Organization. Among other examples of that link, the ASEAN Charter has a provision expressing its commitment to upholding the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Furthermore, the convening of the annual ASEAN- United Nations Summit, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting with the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, the implementation of the just- completed 2014-2015 ASEAN-United Nations work plan, and the adoption of a 2016-2020 plan of action to implement the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations all clearly reflect ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening its cooperation with the United Nations. We are very grateful for the Secretary-General’s participation in the recent eighth ASEAN-United Nations Summit, held on 7 September in Vientiane, and the annual meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers with the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, held on 22 September on the sidelines of the general debate of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly here at Headquarters. In the light of that, ASEAN will submit a draft of the biennial resolution entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and ASEAN” to the Assembly at its current session, so as to identify areas of cooperation and help address the challenges that Member States face in areas such as sustainable development, poverty, climate change, peace and security, human rights, the rule of law, disarmament and terrorism. I therefore look forward to continued support for, and sponsorship of, the draft resolution from all Members of the United Nations. In his report, the Secretary-General highlights the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals, the need for the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — the framework for global development for the next 15 years — and the promise made by Member States to leave no one behind. ASEAN also believes in the importance of sustainable development in helping to secure a rule-based, people-centred ASEAN community, as envisioned in ASEAN’s Community Vision 2025, guided by the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter, which will serve as a solid foundation for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region and for emphasizing the complementarity between the implementation of both the 2030 Agenda and ASEAN’s Community Vision 2025, with the goal of raising our people’s standards of living so that no one is left behind. ASEAN is also striving for inclusive and sustained growth. Consisting as it does of 10 countries with varying levels of development, ASEAN has been making efforts to narrow the development gap among its members through its successive Initiatives for ASEAN Integration Work Plans, currently at the beginning of their third phase with the recent adoption of Work Plan III. I therefore welcome the continued support of our dialogue partners, the United Nations and other external partners in our efforts to strengthen the ASEAN Community, which was established on 31 December 2015. The Secretary-General pointed out that climate change poses a challenge to the achievement of sustainable development and the eradication of extreme poverty. In that regard, ASEAN welcomes the signing and ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change by Member States and the beginning of work on the modalities, procedures and guidelines for its implementation. In addition, ASEAN is committed to improving the management of ASEAN’s diverse ecosystems and landscapes, including its vulnerable terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems, through a landscape-based approach aimed at building climate resilience. On human rights, ASEAN has made progress in its institutional development since the entry into force of its Charter. Some highlights include the milestone adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration in 2012 and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Children in ASEAN in 2013, following the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights has conducted various programmes and activities in consultation and cooperation with ASEAN sectoral bodies and with the relevant institutions and external partners concerned to promote human rights awareness in 2016. They include the second Regional Dialogue on the Mainstreaming of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community, held in Thailand, the Workshop on Effective Communication Strategies to Combat Trafficking in Persons, held in Viet Nam, and the Regional Forum on Media and Human Rights in ASEAN, held in Malaysia. In order to enhance humanitarian assistance efforts in the region, during the chairmanship of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2016, our leaders adopted the ASEAN Declaration on One ASEAN, One Response: ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One in the Region and Outside the Region at the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth ASEAN Summits. On peace and stability, ASEAN is also striving to maintain and promote the Association as a flag- bearer for regional norms of good conduct, particularly through the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. The Treaty is regarded as the key code of conduct governing inter-State relations in South-East Asia, which provides a foundation for the maintenance of regional peace and stability. We welcome other non-regional States’ growing interest in acceding to the Treaty. In that regard, we welcome the recent accessions of Chile, Egypt and Morocco to the Treaty on 6 September 2016 in Vientiane and look forward to Iran’s accession to the Treaty upon the completion of its internal processes. Furthermore, ASEAN attaches great importance to strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime so as to maintain and promote peace, security and prosperity in the region. We are committed to preserving South-East Asia as a nuclear- weapon-free zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction, as enshrined in the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and the ASEAN Charter. ASEAN also welcomed the biennial adoption of the General Assembly resolution on that Treaty in December 2015 during its seventieth session, which reiterates the importance of the Treaty in strengthening the security of States in the region and in contributing to international peace and security. On countering terrorism, ASEAN shares the deep concerns over the increasing violence and brutality committed by terrorist and extremist organizations and radical groups in Yemen, Iraq and Syria. ASEAN denounces all acts of destruction, violence and terror in all its forms and manifestations. In line with those efforts, ASEAN adopted the Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates at the twenty- sixth ASEAN Summit in April 2015, which outlines measures to promote moderation and curb extremism throughout the region. ASEAN leaders announced the establishment of the ASEAN Community on 31 December 2015 and adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and its three blueprints at the twenty-seventh ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Under the chairmanship of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2016, “Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community” was chosen as the theme. We believe that ASEAN’s collective efforts at the regional level will contribute to the work of the United Nations in promoting peace, security and stability, as well as in contributing to inclusive and sustained growth for all. I wish to conclude by reiterating ASEAN’s resolve to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations in all areas of mutual interest.

Allow me to begin by thanking Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his report (A/71/1) on the work of the Organization. I would like to touch briefly on some of the issues that we find noteworthy in the report. In paragraph 97 of his report, the Secretary-General welcomes the adoption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, in the following way: “This historic accomplishment — a testament to the value of diplomacy — marks an important turning point in the international community’s relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran and benefits nuclear non-proliferation. I am confident that this agreement will lead to greater mutual understanding and cooperation on the many serious security challenges in the region and beyond.” While we thank the Secretary-General for that realistic assessment of the value of the agreement and its positive impact on our region and beyond, we invite the Secretariat to do its share by taking a more constructive and positive approach in fulfilling its reporting and monitoring functions. In our view, our full compliance with the terms of the agreement and the non-performance by certain Plan of Action participants should be duly reflected in the reports by the Secretariat on the implementation of the agreement. Also, on the issue of disarmament, we reiterate that the priorities of the international community have not changed. Achieving the objective of nuclear disarmament is the highest priority. However, as the Secretary-General indicated in his report, the state of affairs is disappointing in that regard. As a result of nuclear-weapon States persistently not complying with their obligations, there has been no progress towards that objective. We are deeply concerned about that dangerous situation and its consequences for international peace and security. There are thousands of nuclear weapons that threaten to annihilate humankind by accident, miscalculation or madness. The only absolute guarantee against the use of nuclear weapons is their total elimination. We call on the nuclear-weapon States to honour their special responsibility and legal obligations relating to the total elimination of their nuclear weapons. As the main sponsor of the General Assembly draft resolution entitled “A world against violence and violent extremism”, we welcome the initiative by the Secretary-General to develop a plan of action aimed at preventing violent extremism. We think that it is an important document, and that it could form the basis for further negotiations aimed at finalizing a plan of action that all Member States would implement. On the issue of human rights, we note the efforts by the Secretary-General and the Organization to further advance human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, the Secretariat should avoid trying to devise principles or set priorities and agendas that Member States have not agreed to. In that regard, we register our disagreement with the analysis presented in paragraph 77 of document A/71/1 concerning the death penalty, and with the status attributed to the doctrine of “responsibility to protect” in paragraph 76. On the issue of peacekeeping operations, the prerequisite for the success of the United Nations in discharging its responsibilities, including in peacekeeping, clearly lies in the partnership and cooperation of Member States with the United Nations and their contribution to the various activities of the Organization. In that regard, we believe that the United Nations should be able to use the potential capacity of the whole membership in peacekeeping operations, including troop, military, police and civilian contingents. Therefore, the base of contributors should be broadened, and, to that end, any invitation by the United Nations requesting the contributions of Member States to the peacekeeping missions or special political missions should be transparent and include all potential contributing countries. On the issue of sustainable development, as stated in the report, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is built on the lessons learned from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed commitments and on their expansion. One lesson learned from the MDGs was that deviating from a commitment to partnership could lead to underachievement. We must keep international cooperation on the right track, especially in the first year of implementing the 2030 Agenda, which requires full and effective international support and solidarity. As Member States have started implementing the 2030 Agenda, a strong and more dynamic United Nations development system, compatible with their needs and priorities, is of much significance. In that context, the forthcoming draft resolution on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review should appropriately address a number of important issues, including the existing imbalance between core and non-core resources; the necessity of revitalizing governing bodies with equal participation and the presence of Member States; transparency, accountability and coherence; and exploring ways to avoid the overlapping of work across the United Nations agencies. The world today faces greater risks, but we are also endowed with greater opportunities. Let us join hands for a better and brighter future.

We welcome the presentation of the annual report (A/71/1) of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization and the work undertaken to prepare it. This will be the last such report of the current Secretary- General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize his dedication to promoting and protecting multilateralism, his contribution to international peace and security and his dedication to achieving a better world. The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 were milestones in the history of the Organization, thus highlighting the importance of multilateralism and the continuing relevance of the United Nations and the purposes and principles set out in the Charter of the United Nations. However, a long path remains until we fulfil the agreed accords. We should not overlook the fact that obstacles are still impeding progress towards achieving sustainable development for our peoples. We are confronting a world in which multilateralism is being challenged on a daily basis. We have war, aggression, soft coups and attempts at regime change promoted by some hegemonic nations, interference in the internal affairs of States and violations of national sovereignty under the pretext of combating terrorism. Preventing armed conflict presents a larger challenge for the Organization than ever before. For Cuba, building upon the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and strengthening international law continue to be the basic pillars of international security. In essence, that requires full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the non-use of force in international relations, and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. The international efforts being made to preserve future generations from the scourge of war, maintain international peace and security, and achieve economic and social progress and the full enjoyment of all fundamental human rights are still insufficient. That is attested to by the 795 million people who still suffer from hunger, the 781 million adults who are illiterate and the 17,000 children who die every day from curable diseases. To effectively leave no one behind, we must change the current unjust and profoundly inequitable international order, and the United Nations must play an important role in that regard. We urgently need to end the application of unilateral coercive measures against developing countries, eliminate colonialism and foreign occupation, and reject interventionism disguised as humanitarian aid. We must end the political manipulation of human rights by ensuring that we have an impartial, objective and non-selective approach. The imposition of single and imperfect concepts of democracy, of models that ignore the particular characteristics of each society and give control to centres of world power, is unacceptable. Cuba deems that a climate of international peace and security, where the rule of law is respected internationally, is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development. That requires the full recognition of the sovereign equality of States, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, respect for political independence and for the political, economic, social and cultural system that nations have freely chosen for themselves and the rejection of the threat or use of force against any State. It is also vital to have new, additional and predictable financial resources for the implementation of the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals requires capacity-building and the establishment of an international mechanism that facilitates the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies, on favourable terms for developing countries. Just as the report itself points out, last year was the worst in terms of climate change, with the increased melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels and increasing emissions of greenhouse gases. Urgent concrete and immediate action must be taken to reverse that situation. The Paris Agreement constitutes a starting point, but it is not sufficient in itself if we want to preserve our planet for future generations. It is up to the industrialized nations to assume their environmental debt, change their irrational models of production and consumption and reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions. The existence of nuclear weapons is a further threat to human beings. The only way to save humankind from the horrendous impact of nuclear weapons is through their complete prohibition and total elimination. Cuba is totally committed to the international efforts to achieve that priority objective. We support the recommendation to convene an international conference in 2017 for the purpose of negotiating a legally binding instrument for the prohibition of nuclear weapons, with a view to their elimination. We hope that such an instrument can be formally adopted in 2018 at the high-level international conference on nuclear disarmament that the General Assembly will convene. We recognize that much remains to be done in the fight against terrorism. The international community must take specific steps towards adopting a comprehensive convention on international terrorism containing a full definition of that scourge. It is unacceptable that the alleged fight against terrorism should be used as a cover for acts of aggression and interference in the internal affairs of States or for perpetrating gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The new genuinely just, democratic and equitable international order that we all wish to see requires a radically reformed United Nations. To make the United Nations more democratic and effective, the General Assembly must be revitalized and strengthened. It must fully exercise its powers under the Charter, without any interference from the Security Council in its work or that of its bodies. The reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic and representative means that we must change its membership and working methods. We must not further postpone that task. We are proud to belong to a zone of peace, as was proclaimed at the second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, held in Havana in January 2014. Cuba reiterates that the rules of coexistence based on friendship, cooperation and respect are vital in international relations among States and in ensuring the full enjoyment of the right to peace and development of their peoples.

Today we are about to select the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations. The final report (A/71/1) of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the work of the Organization is therefore an appropriate inflection point for examining the main challenges that face us and the means and mechanisms to mend our problems. Those are not simple issues, nor are they small in number. However, because of the paucity of time, I will focus on just three examples relating to international peace and security that are emblematic of the problems we face. In an increasingly interconnected world where we have seen the globalization of everything — from propaganda to violence, from technologies to cyberattacks, from terrorism to the ill effects of climate change, from conflicts to narco-networks — the response mechanisms that we have in place in the only global organization of our times are inadequate. Let us begin with the principal organ tasked with the maintenance of international peace and security — the Security Council. So far this year it has met formally on approximately 180 occasions, and informally perhaps more than 400 times. Yet on cardinal issues, such as Syria, we see inaction; in other situations, such as resolution 2304 (2016), on South Sudan, action is agreed upon but not yet implemented; and, finally, where measures are taken, as in the case of resolution 2276 (2016), on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, they are disregarded. In a variety of ways, therefore, the Council has become unresponsive to the needs of our time and ineffective in meeting the challenges it is confronted with. It is an organ that ponders for six months on whether to punish leaders of organizations it has itself designated as terrorist entities. Then, unable to decide, it gives itself three more months to further consider the issue. One has to expectantly wait throughout a nine-month process to know if Council members have decided on a single issue. In some instances it does not even begin that nine-month process of identifying and listing publicly announced leaders of terrorist entities. At best, it is now an organ that can be described as an interesting and random mix of “ad-hocism”, scrambling and political paralysis. The global governance architecture calls for comprehensive reform. Our public consciousness is being ravaged daily by incessant acts of terrorism targeting innocent people, our civilizational heritage and, increasingly, the socioeconomic infrastructure of our societies, especially in vulnerable developing countries.Yet on the issue of terrorism the United Nations has still to come up with a coherent policy, let alone take the lead on one of the biggest threats to global peace and security. As many as 31 entities within the United Nations system deal with some aspect of countering terrorism. We know the adage that too many cooks spoil the broth. That is clearly the case here, as coherence and coordination are missing. It is nearly impossible to argue the case of the relevance of the United Nations on the issue of terrorism, where even the adoption of an international norm on the prosecution or extradition of terrorists evades us despite 20 years of talk. The inability to address what is among the most dangerous of scourges faced by States and societies collectively since the Second World War raises questions about the relevance of the Organization to the very lives of the people on whose behalf we are bound by the Charter to act. The choice of relevancy requires a willingness to address what is staring us in the face. Yet we look away. We look away as some among us stall their collective efforts while they use terrorists as proxies in their territorial quests. Today, a short while ago, we again heard one such lone voice making claims to an integral part of my country. The voice comes from a country that has established itself as the global epicentre of terrorism. Such claims find no resonance among the international community. Less than 10 days ago, the General Assembly Hall witnessed the general debate. It also witnessed a singular lack of support for the representative of Pakistan’s baseless claims (see A/71/ PV.11). Need one say more? Our response to Pakistan is consistent: it should abandon its futile quest. The State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so. No amount of misuse of international platforms by Pakistan will change that reality. The sell- by date of Pakistan’s anachronistic approach is long past. Peacekeeping is the leitmotif of the United Nations. However, peacekeeping is under great stress. A plethora of tasks and Christmas-tree mandates without adequate funding; a departure from the well-established principles of impartiality; the avoidance of the primacy of politics and the focus instead on band-aid solutions through peacekeeping; and an unwillingness to walk away from the quagmires into the sunset — these are all part of the burgeoning philosophical dilemma facing peacekeeping. It would appear that we have blunted peacekeeping as an effective tool. Additionally, there are appalling cases of sexual exploitation and abuse. Peacekeepers turning into predators is our worst nightmare come true. India has fully supported the initiative to create a trust fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. It was the first to contribute to that fund. It is disappointing that only three other countries have followed suit. It is now 16 months since the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations concluded its report (see A/70/95), yet tangible progress and the implementation of its recommendations are still awaited. Against that inaction, a tally of the disasters that are roiling peacekeeping — the most used tool of the United Nations — makes for worrisome reading. Those are three key issues but they are also examples of the many ailments of the Organization that need to be addressed. This raises the question whether we are failing in our duty to address these and other problems from which the Organization suffers. Observing the International Day of Non-Violence at the United Nations just three days ago, we heard a dictum coined by Mahatma Gandhi in his interaction with the United Nations as far back as 1947. He said, “Begin with a charter of duties of man and I promise the rights will follow as spring follows winter.” Gandhi believed that if each person fulfilled his or her duties to others, no one’s rights would be violated. Fulfilling our duties will correct a lot of what imperils us today. The duty to change what is not working is inherent in our commitment to the Charter of the United Nations. What we have is an Organization that is ailing in many ways. As Member States, it is a part of our duty to address those ailments. Now is as good a time as any to begin that venture.

We would like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his final report (A/71/1) on the work of the Organization. Costa Rica would like to recognize the tireless and determined efforts of the Secretary- General to promote sustainable development. The process for negotiating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and establishing the Sustainable Development Goals was a milestone in the multilateral process. We are confident that the Agenda will give new direction to the central functions of the Organization. It will be directed towards a more firm, more inclusive, more universal and more sustainable development — one that promotes the creation of peaceful societies, respect for human rights and the rule of law and one that leaves no one behind. We look forward to continue working in that direction and to focus on implementing the Agenda with the next Secretary-General. Costa Rica recognizes the commitment of Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon and the extraordinary support he gave to the negotiation, signing and entry into force of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The personal commitment of the Secretary-General to promoting this historic Agreement is especially remembered by the Government of Costa Rica. Now that the first threshold in terms of the number of ratifications has been reached, we are enthusiastically looking forward to the 55 per cent threshold for global emitters over the coming weeks so that this important instrument can enter into force as soon as possible. We must now prepare for the most important and most complex stage, which is the process of its implementation. We recognize the transformational potential of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, and we hope that the very significant political will underpinning both of them will mark an inflection point in terms of the complexity, comprehensiveness and transformative nature of international agreements on sustainable development, and that, thanks to such political will, we shall be able to adopt other needed agreements on peace, security, disarmament and migration. We pay tribute to the Secretary-General’s full commitment to making progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women in a cross-cutting manner throughout the agenda of the United Nations. The establishment of the High-level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment is but one demonstration of that commitment. It recognizes the absolute need to integrate all women into the economic life of our societies. The President of Costa Rica had the honour, at the request of the Secretary-General, to co-chair that Panel. Last September, it submitted its preliminary report, which highlighted the fact that the inclusion of women in economic activity was not just the correct approach, but also the most intelligent one, as it is absolutely necessary to ensure the full and comprehensive implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The tenaciousness of the Secretary-General’s drive and support with respect to gender issues deserves praise, and Costa Rica, as a country that believes in gender equality and women’s empowerment, hopes that women and girls will continue to be at the centre of our human endeavours. The Human Rights Up Front initiative and its implementation in the United Nations system must continue so that we improve our capacity to respond to serious violations of human rights and our capacities to work preventively in seeking peace and ensuring human rights for all. The courageous words of the Secretary-General in defence of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or intersex persons should also be highlighted. Costa Rica would like to recognize the support given to the rule of law as a cross-cutting and enabling way of fulfilling the purposes and principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. The themes that we have highlighted are but part of the legacy left by the Secretary-General, not just over the past year but during his entire term of office, for the benefit of future generations. Therefore, I would like to conclude by expressing our thanks to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for all his efforts and work throughout his term of office.

My delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his report contained in document A/71/1. South Africa is of the view that the debate on the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization is an apt way to start our activities in the General Assembly, as it allows us to take stock and reflect on the work we are doing as an Organization. The report reflects his clear vision and his firm determination to enhance multilateralism and strengthen the authority and role of the United Nations. The United Nations must remain at the apex of multilateralism in addressing the global challenges that we face. There are many pertinent issues highlighted in the report. My delegation wishes to focus on three, namely, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the maintenance of international peace and security, and combating international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. South Africa supports the implementation of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development without any reservations. The triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality that the Agenda seeks to address is in line with South Africa’s national development plan as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063. At the core of South Africa’s development plan is the objective to guide our policies and programmes in every sector, including how to allocate our budget and skills investment and other resources at the national and local levels in order to move South Africa forward and ensure sustainable livelihoods for all our citizens. That will ensure the domestication of the Sustainable Development Goals as part of our national development plan. We need a United Nations that is fit for purpose to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”, as mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report, and the need for this has never been greater. Today, the world is grappling with a multiplicity of new challenges that threaten global peace and security, and therefore require the intervention of the Organization. While we must undoubtedly aim to strengthen the tools at our disposal in addressing conflicts as they arise, we must also emphasize the preventive approach — as highlighted by the Secretary-General in his report — in addressing conflict and its root causes in order to prevent countries that are emerging from conflicts from relapsing. South Africa is convinced that peace and stability in the world will remain elusive if we do not address the nexus between security and development. We welcome the General Assembly’s recognition of the increasing role that regional organizations play in peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts. Regional organizations are well positioned to understand the causes of armed conflicts owing to their knowledge of the region, which can benefit their efforts in influencing the prevention or resolution of such conflicts. Furthermore, they have a comparative advantage owing to their increasing political resolve to address a situation. It is beneficial for the United Nations to work closely with regional and subregional organizations in their mediation and peacemaking efforts. Over the past few years we have witnessed the practical advantages of that cooperation in the area of peacekeeping on the African continent. While we acknowledge that the primary responsibility for international peace and security lies with the Security Council, it is often regional organizations such as the African Union that are the first responders in the stabilizing of crisis situations. The African continent is one of the largest troop contributors to United Nations-mandated peace operations. Additionally, the continent has made significant progress in activating its Peace and Security Architecture. That notwithstanding, more needs to be done to ensure that the continent has adequate capacity to address its peace and security challenges. In that regard, we are calling on the United Nations to support and adequately fund the Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for an Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security. The threat of terrorism continues to challenge the international community. While the threat grows and mutates, the results of terrorist acts remain the same: sowing devastation, killing and maiming innocent people, damaging property and infrastructure, fostering fear in local communities, undermining social and economic confidence and, in many cases, entrenching the forces of poverty. Conflict situations, including in the Middle East and North Africa, have also created fertile environments for terrorist groups to carry out their brutal acts with impunity. The activities of those groups have complicated the search for political solutions, which are necessary for the re-establishment of peace, security and stability and the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. To counter the narratives and ideologies of terrorism in the medium to long term, international cooperation must address the conditions and contexts that drive it. Military approaches alone cannot resolve the challenge of terrorism. The United Nations, with the broad range of expertise and tools at its disposal, is in the best position to lead the coordination of international efforts in this regard. South Africa continues to support the central role of the United Nations in countering terrorism and strengthening the multilateral system to take effective measures within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Initiatives to further improve coordination and cooperation among the United Nations entities involved in countering terrorism and coordination between the United Nations and regional structures should be encouraged and supported. We acknowledge the work being done by the General Assembly and Security Council in guiding the international community’s response to terrorism. The General Assembly, with its universal membership, has a valuable contribution to make. Both the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the Secretary- General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism have added to the tools at our disposal to counter this threat, as they are premised not only on addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism but also on respect for the rule of law and human rights. While great strides have been made, much more needs to be done. My delegation looks forward to contributing in that regard. In conclusion, my delegation wishes to thank the Secretary-General and the Secretariat for their services to the Organization. We assure them and all Member States of our commitment to ensuring that we progress closer to our shared goal of achieving a better world for all.

My delegation has perused the report (A/71/1) of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization. We would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Secretariat for their efforts, especially those expended on the preparation of the report. The topics dealt with by the Secretary-General in his report are of great importance for my delegation and for the Government of National Accord, which will represent Libya in this international forum. Among these important topics are sustainable development, migration and respect for, and the promotion of, human rights and international peace and security. As the Assembly is aware, my country is passing through a transitional phase. This phase has involved meetings that led to the formation of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord, which began its work in March. The question of migration is one that concerns all States. With a long Mediterranean border of 2,000 kilometres, my country — like others — is suffering from the repercussions of the migration problem. While we express our sympathy with all those who have found themselves in difficult situations, we want to indicate that Libya, in its current situation, cannot resolve the problem on its own. Libya sympathizes with the victims who have drowned in the sea or died in the desert; however, this major question requires the assistance of the United Nations, the international community, developed countries and countries possessing the appropriate technologies. From Libya’s point of view, the issue of migration necessitates working to establish and promote development projects in the countries of origin so as to provide employment opportunities for those who might otherwise seek to migrate, thereby enabling them to work in their own countries. Such projects would help to prevent the catastrophic conditions that have befallen those desiring to improve their lives by leaving their countries of origin and heading to other countries that might offer a better standard of living and a better life. As the Assembly is aware, Libya has been cooperating with the various United Nations bodies, including the Security Council and the Human Rights Council. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has been working in cooperation with Libyan national authorities, particularly with the Government of National Accord. Cooperation has been fruitful and constructive. Libya has spared no effort to develop such cooperation in order to emerge from the political dilemma it has experienced during the past two years. The issue of countering terrorism is an extremely important one, and it receives Libya’s full attention. The forces of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord have declared war on behalf of the world against the terrorists in the city of Serte and are close to eliminating them. Finally, I would like to express Libya’s continued readiness to cooperate with all United Nations bodies and agencies.

We have now heard the last speaker in the debate on agenda item 109. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization, as contained in document A/71/1?

Before calling on the speaker in the exercise the right of reply, may I remind delegations that, in accordance with decision 34/401, statements in the exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second intervention, and should be made by delegations from their seats. I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

I take the floor to respond to the remarks made by the Permanent Representative of India with regard to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. We believe that equating a legitimate struggle for self-determination with terrorism is not only disingenuous, but a travesty of history. The issue of Kashmir cannot be wished away by fanciful rhetoric and claims. Nor can India justify the barbaric killings and atrocities committed against the hapless Kashmiris under any guise. Jammu and Kashmir is not an integral part of India, and never has been. It is an issue on the agenda of the Security Council and is recognized as disputed territory. This core issue cannot be cast aside by empty rhetoric. It has to be resolved in accordance with Security Council resolutions. There is a need to start a dialogue with Pakistan and the two representatives of Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the issue according to the will of the Kashmiri people. I would like to reiterate that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, in his address in this forum (see A/71/PV.11), clearly reiterated his offer to India to enter into a serious and sustained dialogue for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 109?

The General Assembly will now take action on a draft resolution entitled “Political Declaration of the high- level meeting of the General Assembly on antimicrobial resistance”, issued as document A/71/L.2. I should like to remind members that the debate on agenda item 127 is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 7 December, as announced in the programme of work contained in document A/71/3. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/71/L.2. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

This statement is made in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, and is also made available in advance on the PaperSmart portal. By paragraph 15 of draft resolution A/71/L.2, the General Assembly would request the Secretary-General to establish, in consultation with the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health, an ad hoc inter-agency coordination group, co-chaired by the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and the World Health Organization, drawing, where necessary, on expertise from relevant stakeholders, to provide practical guidance for approaches needed to ensure sustained effective global action to address antimicrobial resistance, and also request the Secretary-General to submit a report for consideration by Member States by the seventy-third session of the General Assembly on the implementation of the present declaration and on further developments and recommendations emanating from the ad hoc inter-agency group, including on options to improve coordination, taking into account the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance. It is anticipated that the request contained in paragraph 15 will constitute an addition to the documentation workload of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management of one document of 8,500 words, to be issued in all six languages. That would entail additional requirements in the amount of $37,600 for documentation services in 2018. Accordingly, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/71/L.2, the additional resource requirements of $37,600 that would arise for 2018 under section 2 — General Assembly and Economic and Social Council Affairs and Conference Management — would be included in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2018-2019.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/71/L.2, entitled “Political Declaration of the high- level meeting of the General Assembly on antimicrobial resistance”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/71/L.2?

I now call on the representative of Mexico.

Contrary to what we would have imagined not long ago in this Hall, we have realized not only that health care is of global interest, but that it must occupy a central role on the agenda of the Organization. As with HIV/ AIDS, non-communicable diseases and Ebola, the General Assembly has now, at the highest level, dealt with antimicrobial resistance. Indeed, resistance to antimicrobial treatments, particularly antibiotics, is one of the greatest threats we are facing today, as we see that people are beginning to die throughout the world from infectious diseases that until recently were routinely treated and cured. It is undoubtedly a crisis when resistant pathogens are being transmitted and multiplying in people, animals and food, and causing 700,000 deaths each year. By 2050, such resistance could generate more deaths than cancer and could take 10 million lives per year. Moreover, its economic impact would then exceed that of the 2008 financial crisis and reach a cost of $100 trillion. That represents between 2 and 3.5 per cent of global gross domestic product. As Margaret Chan has said, this is a slow tsunami that respects no borders. The term “antimicrobial resistance” once had little meaning. However, today it is understood in all its grave and complex aspects. We know that the solution must be collective and multifaceted, with the support of various United Nations entities. As with many other formidable challenges, antimicrobial resistance is not a North-South issue, or a competition where one party wins and the other party loses. It is a global threat that requires efforts from all of us and, in order to resolve it, we must recognize the specific circumstances prevailing in each region and country. In addition, the most advanced countries must commit to cooperating with all the other countries. Furthermore, the roles of the pharmaceutical and food industries will be key. We have seen major commitments on the part of both. However, we must continue strengthening knowledge and mutual understanding with a view to establishing the conditions that will enable the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antibiotics and the food industry to reduce its use of antibiotics. Both sectors must continue increasing their understanding of the social challenges and determining which actions to undertake or to end. I would like to thank President Thomson and President Lykketoft for entrusting this task to me, and to extend my gratitude to the organizations and delegations whose constructive work led to the robust Political Declaration.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ambassador Juan José Gómez Camacho of Mexico, facilitator of the informal consultations, who demonstrated great ability and patience in his conduct of the discussions and complex negotiations on the outcome document. I also thank Member States for their valuable contributions in reaching agreement on draft resolution (A/71/L.2). The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 127. Programme of work

Before adjourning, I would like to briefly refer to the consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 115, entitled “Election of the members of the International Law Commission”, which will take place on Thursday, 3 November. In order to facilitate the election of members of the International Law Commission, and in accordance with the established practice, the General Assembly will take an advance decision on the matter of requesting the Secretariat to issue a consolidated list of candidates reflecting all submissions and changes received so far. It is my intention to consult the Assembly in that regard at the plenary meeting to be held tomorrow morning, 6 October, as announced in The Journal of the United Nations.