A/71/PV.48 General Assembly

In paragraph 3 of document A/71/593/Add.1, the Fifth Committee recommends that the General Assembly reappoint Ms. Maria Gracia Pulido-Tan of the Philippines as a member of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2017. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to reappoint Ms. Maria Gracia Pulido-Tan of the Philippines as a member of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2017?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 115? (h) Appointment of members of the Joint Inspection Unit Note by the Secretary-General (A/71/596)

As indicated in the note by the Secretary-General, as a result of the resignation of Mr. George Bartsiotas of the United States of America during its current session, the General Assembly is required to appoint one member of the Joint Inspection Unit who will serve for a full term, beginning on 1 January 2017 and expiring on 31 December 2021. In accordance with the provisions of article 3, paragraph 1, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit and after consulting with the regional group concerned, I have requested that the United States of America propose a candidate to replace Mr. Bartsiotas. In accordance with resolution 59/267, of 23 December 2004, the candidate should have experience in at least one of the 13 following fields: oversight, audit, inspection, investigation, evaluation, finance, project evaluation, programme evaluation, human resources management, management, public administration, monitoring and/or programme performance, as well as knowledge of the United Nations system and its role in international relations. Document A/71/596 also indicates that, as a result of the consultations that were held in accordance with article 3, paragraph 2, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, in particular consultations with the President of the Economic and Social Council and with the Secretary-General in his capacity as Chair of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination, I am authorized to submit to the Assembly the candidature of Ms. Eileen Cronin of the United States of America as the candidate for appointment as a member of the Joint Inspection Unit for a five-year term beginning on 1 January 2017 and expiring on 31 December 2021. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to appoint the proposed candidate?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude the current stage of its consideration of sub-item (h) of agenda item 115?

I now give the floor to the representative of Kyrgyzstan to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.5.

The delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic, as Chair of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) this year, has the honour to submit draft resolution A/71/L.5, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States”. Established in 1991, the Commonwealth is made up of 11 member States and is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year. The Commonwealth is aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation among member States in political, economic, humanitarian, cultural, environmental and other areas. In line with resolution 48/237, of 24 March 1994, the Commonwealth was accorded observer status in the General Assembly. The central event of the year for the CIS was the meeting of the Council of Heads of State in September in Bishkek. It is worth noting the four declarations adopted at the summit: a statement on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the CIS, which assesses the activities of the Commonwealth and considers the need to improve, develop and enhance the organization; a statement on the outcome of the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem; a statement on future joint efforts to combat international terrorism; and a statement on the seventieth anniversary of the completion of the Nuremberg trials. Pursuant to the decision of the CIS Heads of State, those statements were circulated to the United Nations by the Kyrgyz chairmanship of the CIS as official documents. Cooperation between the CIS and the entities of the United Nations system continues to develop. The CIS Executive Committee liaises with a number of the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, in particular the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The executive bodies of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Economic Commission for Europe, as well as the United Nations Office at Geneva and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, have established contractual relations with the CIS. Since July 2013, the CIS Executive Committee has acted as a contact point for cooperation with the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1540 (2004). That list is far from complete. On 28 October, the Russian presidency convened a debate of the Security Council (see S/PV.7796) on the issue of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the CIS with a view to supporting international peace and security. Most of those who spoke at that debate agreed that the United Nations could not afford to try to cope with contemporary threats to peace and security on its own. It is necessary instead to establish a collective approach that requires the consistent enhancement of the cooperation capacity of the United Nations, as well as that of regional and subregional organizations, which have a clearer understanding of both the overall and the local political situations on the ground. The CIS, the SCO and the CSTO were recognized for their contribution to ensuring peace and security at the international and regional levels. Speakers noted in particular the success of operations to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and illegal migration, and joint initiatives with the United Nations in Central Asia and Afghanistan. As Chair of the CIS for 2016, Kyrgyzstan is grateful to the Secretary-General for his report on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations (A/71/160). The report covers the two-year period from 2014 to 2016 and assesses the progress of cooperation between the United Nations and the relevant regional organizations, including the CIS. The activities and achievements outlined in the report demonstrate the scale and breadth of United Nations cooperation with its regional partners in the maintenance of international peace and security, in providing humanitarian assistance and in promoting development and human rights. In recent years, the solid cooperation between the United Nations and CIS has focused on addressing common problems relating to social, economic and humanitarian issues at various levels. In order to enhance the practical component of that cooperation and increase its effectiveness, we need to strengthen the relevant basis for such cooperation in order to promote the development and deepening of relations between the CIS and the agencies of the United Nations system. We therefore submit for consideration the draft resolution entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States” (A/71/L.5). The draft resolution invites the specialized agencies and other organizations, programmes and funds of the United Nations system, as well as the international financial institutions, to develop their cooperation with the CIS. Kyrgyzstan is convinced that developing the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, including the CIS, will make it possible to completely and effectively address a wide range of areas, exchange best practices in various fields and bring them into practical application. In conclusion, on behalf of the Kyrgyz delegation, I would like to express our thanks to the States involved for their participation in the work on the text of the draft resolution submitted today.

I now give the floor to the representative of Belarus to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.7.

Belarus, as the current Chair of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), has the honour to submit to the General Assembly draft resolution A/71/L.7, on cooperation between the United Nations and the CSTO. The sponsors are Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Belarus. The CSTO is an important partner of the international community in promoting peace, security and progress on the path towards sustainable development. Today, the CSTO is a multifaceted organization with a wide range of capabilities to address contemporary threats and challenges. Cooperation between the CSTO and the United Nations is based on a number of documents, including the joint declaration of 2010 on cooperation between the secretariats of the two Organizations and the 2012 memorandum of understanding between the CSTO secretariat and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The draft resolution welcomes the contribution of the CSTO in areas of international cooperation such as combating terrorism and organized transnational crime, the fight against drug and weapons trafficking, illegal migration, human trafficking and dealing with the consequences of natural and man-made disasters. It also highlights the development of CSTO peacekeeping capacities. Collective actions taken in those areas are in line with the principles of the United Nations and contribute to the achievement of its goals. The CSTO is ready to initiate mechanisms for cooperation on all those issues. I should like to cite one example of such cooperation in practice. Last year, in order to address the drug-distribution channels emanating from Afghanistan, the CSTO conducted operations that involved 25 non-CSTO States Members of the United Nations. Such collaboration confirms the practical contribution of the CSTO to strengthening regional and international security. The draft resolution calls for both organizations to continue exploring potential ways to increase cooperation in the field of peacekeeping. We look forward, during the Belarus chairmanship of the CSTO, to the qualitative development of such cooperation, including on the basis of new ideas, for harnessing the peacekeeping potential of CSTO member countries together with United Nations peacekeeping operations. We are grateful to the delegations of the countries that participated in the consultations on the draft resolution and look forward to future constructive cooperation in the building of partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations, including the CSTO.

I now give the floor to the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.9.

As the country currently holding the chairmanship of the Central European Initiative (CEI), Bosnia and Herzegovina has the honour to introduce, under agenda item 126, the draft resolution entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and Central European Initiative”, contained in document A/71/L.9. The draft resolution submitted today reaffirms our strong commitment to regional and subregional cooperation as the vital precondition for successful international cooperation. Addressing many challenges in today’s ever-changing world requires constantly renewing partnerships among regional organizations and between regional organizations and the United Nations. The Central European Initiative — the largest and oldest forum for regional cooperation in Central, East and South-East Europe — has always considered cross- border, regional and interregional cooperation to be the most valuable instruments for ensuring regional stability and security and for exploring the potential for trade and economic partnerships. The CEI focuses particularly on the areas of common interest between its member States such as agriculture, transport, energy, assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises, municipal infrastructure and services, banking, insurance, institution-building and capacity-building. By focusing on sustainable development and interconnectivity at the regional level, the Initiative is contributing to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. That was confirmed during the June 2016 annual meeting of ministers for foreign affairs of the CEI member States held in Banja Luka and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At that meeting, the Ministers reiterated their full commitment to good-neighbourly relations, the rule of law, a free market economy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are preconditions for stability, security and development. The continuing commitment of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in supporting the economies of CEI countries and their regional integration is living proof of the importance of the partnership between the CEI and the EBRD. The CEI member States express their great appreciation for the contributions of the Central European Initiative Trust Fund, financed entirely by Italy, as well as the Know-how Exchange Programme, financed by Austria and Italy. The CEI is placing new emphasis in its cooperation with the most important European institutions and organizations, above all the European Union, as well as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. I would also like to underline that the CEI continues to strengthen its cooperation with other regional initiatives, such as the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the South-East European Cooperation Process and its operational arm, the Regional Cooperation Council. The focus is on identifying the most efficient and productive action, avoiding duplication and properly managing resources in order to reach our shared goals. In that sense, the Initiative is confirming its role as a bridge between macroregions. Allow me to express our sincere thanks to the CEI secretariat and the CEI member States for their assistance and cooperation in preparing the draft resolution. Finally, I would like to call on the States members of the General Assembly to adopt the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Central European Initiative without a vote.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.11.

As we commence this important meeting, I welcome the recent release of the Secretary-General’s report on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations (A/71/160), which provides insights into the latest trends in the collaborative efforts of the United Nations to fulfil the mandates of its Charter. Today, on behalf of the States members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)  — the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan  — I have the honour to submit for the Assembly’s consideration draft resolution A/71/L.11, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization”. The draft resolution is based on resolution 64/183, of 18 December 2009; resolution 65/124, of 13 December 2010; resolution 67/15, of 19 November 2012; and resolution 69/11, of 11 November 2014. This year, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization celebrates its fifteenth anniversary. In the decade and a half of its existence, the organization has enjoyed 12 years of observer status in the General Assembly. During that time, the SCO has attained a commendable profile in its standing as a reputed international and regional organization. The SCO is an influential and effective factor in strengthening mutual trust and ensuring security and stability in contemporary international relations. Its activities are also aimed at sustainable development, particularly in the spheres of economy, education, energy, environmental protection, information and communication technologies and other areas. The organization contributes to effective counter- terrorism cooperation, including through the regional anti-terrorist structure, and promotes the fight against drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime. SCO member States support the swift attainment of peace and stability in Afghanistan — an important factor in maintaining and strengthening security in the region. The draft resolution before us is the result of informal consultations convened by the Republic of Kazakhstan in its capacity as a current chair of the organization. Finally, I would like to thank all of the delegations that participated in the deliberations with sincere commitment and engagement. Their constructive contribution to strengthening the existing ties between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has been significant.

I now give the floor to the representative of Azerbaijan to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.12.

In our capacity as 2016 chair of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM, the delegation of Azerbaijan has the honour to introduce, on behalf of the sponsors and under agenda item 126 (x), draft resolution A/71/L.12, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM”. GUAM is an international regional organization consisting of four member States, namely, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. This multilateral format of cooperation was established on 10 October 1997, when the Presidents of the four States signed a joint communiqué. Since then GUAM has been transformed into a full-fledged international regional organization, with a well-institutionalized structure and permanent secretariat, as well as with a distinct vocation of promoting democracy and the economic development of its member States. GUAM has established and continues to develop mutually beneficial cooperation and dialogue with other international organizations and partner countries. In resolution 58/85, of 8 January 2004, the General Assembly granted observer status to GUAM. On 17 December 2012, at its sixty-seventh session, and on 2 April 2015, at its sixty-ninth session, the General Assembly adopted by consensus resolutions 67/109 and 69/271, respectively, each entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM”. Over the period since the adoption of the latest resolution, further efforts have been undertaken to continue cooperation with the relevant United Nations agencies, as well as to explore further opportunities for dialogue and interaction across a broad agenda of mutual interest and concerns. This year’s draft resolution, which is based on the previous resolutions of the General Assembly on the topic, acknowledges the efforts of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM aimed at developing partnership relations with the United Nations and its Member States. It also takes note of the activity of GUAM targeted on promoting regional cooperation in various areas. The draft resolution emphasizes the importance of strengthening dialogue, cooperation and coordination between the United Nations system and GUAM, and urges the specialized agencies, components, organizations, programmes and funds of the United Nations to cooperate and develop direct contacts with GUAM for the joint implementation of projects aimed at the attainment of common objectives. We are confident that the adoption of the draft resolution will further contribute to developing cooperation between the United Nations and GUAM, promoting the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The draft resolution has been discussed in the course of informal consultations in an open and transparent manner. I would like to thank delegations for their constructive approach and support for the draft resolution as well as those delegations that have sponsored it. I look forward to the adoption of the draft resolution by consensus.

I now give the floor to the representative of Algeria to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.6.

It is a pleasure, on behalf of the League of Arab States, to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.6, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States”, sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, as well as El Salvador, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The draft resolution is based on the important collaborative principle reflected in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, whereby the United Nations is encouraged to cooperate with regional and international organizations in areas of common interest, in particular the maintenance of international peace and security. Furthermore, the draft resolution welcomes the amendment to the cooperation agreement between the League of Arab States and the United Nations, dated September 2016, and appeals for cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. In that context, a meeting was held in 2015 in Cairo in which the League of Arab States focused on the repercussions of undervaluing human rights. A thirteenth meeting, held in Geneva in May 2016 between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, considered in detail the challenges to international peace and security and the current regional and international difficulties that need to be overcome, particularly in the recent period, and require enhanced cooperation. Because that cooperation needs to be broadened, the draft resolution calls for enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, which is most important. Indeed, the draft resolution calls for broader cooperation at all levels between the United Nations, its specialized agencies and the League of Arab States in order to achieve our joint goals. For that reason, I call on the General Assembly to adopt the draft resolution without a vote.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who will introduce draft resolution A/71/L.14.

I have the honour, on behalf of the members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.14, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization”, dated 14 November 2016, which is based on resolution 69/111, on the same topic. Regional cooperation is now a prevailing paradigm and a phenomenon of interest in international relations. Cooperation among neighbouring and regional countries within the context of institutional frameworks such as the ECO has proved its value for the economic development and prosperity of peoples. The ECO, which was established in 1964, has become a dynamic and outward-looking regional organization and has been successful in forging a range of economic and non-economic cooperation arrangements. As one of the largest groups in the world, the Economic Cooperation Organization spans a territory of 8 million square kilometres, with more than 450 million inhabitants. The ECO regions cover 10 countries in West and East Asia, as well as Central Asia and the Caucasus, connecting Europe to China and Russia to the Persian Gulf. ECO is now functioning on two tracks, namely, as a regional cooperation framework to complement the individual development efforts of its member States and as a platform to translate the global agenda into actions at the regional level. In accomplishing those two functions, the ECO has been expanding partnerships and cooperation arrangements with potential partners. The United Nations system has always been the prime target of ECO outreach policy to help to implement the global agenda in our part of the world. That is why we are of the view that the United Nations-ECO relationship, as consolidated by the draft resolution before us, not only helps the ECO to utilize the capacities, resources and knowledge of United Nations agencies in the interests of ECO member States, but also offers the United Nations system the regional capacities, networks and platforms developed by the ECO during the past three decades. The ECO will soon begin to implement its new vision for the next 10 years, which has been drafted in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The new vision, guided by regional needs and requirements, as well by the global development agenda, will focus on cooperation in areas such as economic growth and productivity, trade expansion, enhanced connectivity, energy efficiency, and human development and social welfare. It is encouraging to note that the draft resolution will be in place during the first two years of the new ECO vision, enabling the ECO and its member States to benefit from an enhanced relationship with United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies while implementing our visions, plans and programmes. The draft document has been prepared after continuous engagement with and receiving input from ECO member States. The document is based on the lessons learned from the implementation of ECO Vision 2015, adopted in 2005 in Astana. The draft Vision 2025 aims to address the emerging needs and requirements for economic development of the ECO, its member States and the region as a whole, endeavouring to focus on core matters such as trade, transport, connectivity and energy as called for by the needs and aspirations of member States. A comprehensive framework for implementation and periodic review has been included so as to ensure its optimal implementation. In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of ECO member States, our sincere thanks to all States Members of the United Nations that participated actively and constructively in the consultations on the draft resolution and showed flexibility throughout the process, without which no agreement would have been possible. In view of that, I would like to request that all Member States lend their continued support to this year’s draft resolution and adopt it by consensus, as in previous years.

I now give the floor to the representative of Estonia to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.15.

In accordance with the mandate given by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to the chairmanship of the Council of Europe, I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.15, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe”. Estonia assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Europe in May and concludes it tomorrow, so it is symbolic to present this draft resolution to the General Assembly at the end of our term. The draft resolution is sponsored by the 52 countries listed in the document, which to our knowledge is the highest number for this draft resolution on cooperation. Cooperation between the Council of Europe and the United Nations started as far back as 1951 with the agreement between the secretariats of the two organizations. In 1989, the General Assembly granted the Council of Europe an invitation to participate as an observer in its sessions. Today, the Council of Europe works closely with a large number of United Nations bodies. Since 2000, and every second year since 2004, a resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe has been adopted. Those resolutions have demonstrated that the collaboration between the United Nations and the Council of Europe is well established and has evolved and deepened over time. The draft resolution under consideration today includes important updates with regard to the work undertaken by the Council of Europe and the United Nations in the areas of common interest since the adoption of resolution 69/83, in 2014. The draft resolution encourages further cooperation in the fields of the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law; the fight against discrimination and intolerance; the advancement of gender equality and the fight against violence against women; the prevention of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; the protection of the rights of children; the fight against terrorism, transnational organized crime, cybercrime, corruption and trafficking in human beings; as well as in the fields of Internet governance, the information society and fostering intercultural dialogue. The draft resolution also recognizes the effective implementation of the outcomes of relevant international conferences and legal instruments. Let me assure members that the Council of Europe remains committed to the promotion of its three main pillars: human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It stands ready for dialogue and partnership aimed at advancing its core values and achieving greater synergy with the United Nations. To conclude, I would like to thank all members of the Council of Europe and the observer States for their support during the Estonian chairmanship, as well as all delegations here in New York for their constructive engagement and the flexibility shown during consultations on the draft resolution. We hope that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus.

I now give the floor to the representative of Serbia to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.16/Rev.1.

On behalf of the States members of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC), I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.16/Rev.1, submitted under sub-item (o) of agenda item 126 and entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization”. I wish to thank all BSEC member States for agreeing on a joint text of the draft resolution, which will further contribute to enhancing cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, funds and programmes, as well as to strengthening the relevance and visibility of the activities undertaken for the benefit of the countries of the wider Black Sea area. I also wish to thank the sponsors of the draft resolution for their valuable support for the noble aims and objectives of the oldest, most representative and institutionally mature organization promoting multilateral economic cooperation in the region. BSEC will mark its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2017. The draft resolution — which I sincerely hope will be adopted without a vote again this year — is aimed at building on a relationship that is fully complementary to the purposes of the United Nations in achieving international cooperation in solving problems of an economic, social or humanitarian nature, and is in accordance with the promotion of the purposes and principles of the United Nations in terms of regional cooperation, as set out in the relevant Articles of the Charter of the United Nations. It also seeks to promote the interest of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, bearing in mind the interconnectivity and mutually beneficial and supporting role that regional and subregional frameworks can play in facilitating the effective translation of sustainable development policies into concrete action at the national level. Furthermore, it will also help to promote fruitful cooperation in developing practical and goal-oriented projects with the aim of implementing sustainable development strategies based on a balanced and harmonious relationship linking social needs, economic activities and environmental protection. In implementing regional projects for the sustainable development of the region, it will, inter alia, strive to focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, green technologies, developing small and medium- sized enterprises, improving regional and municipal infrastructure, and increasing the export potential of the region’s States. It will also support numerous ongoing projects with a variety of partners from the United Nations family in areas as diverse and broad as strengthening transport infrastructure, the preservation of the environment, enhancing criminal justice systems and fostering common values through the promotion of understanding and reconciliation among cultures globally and regionally. As Chairman-in-Office of BSEC, Serbia has endeavoured to contribute to the improvement of economic cooperation among the countries of the region in areas of mutual interest, building on the activities and projects of the previous chairmanships. Its main priorities have been the development of economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and tourism; cooperation in the area of transport, on which a ministerial meeting was recently held in Belgrade; the strengthening of cooperation with other international and regional organizations and initiatives, striving to achieve synergies wherever possible; and reform of the organization, which is aimed at making it more project- oriented, efficient and functional. It has also sought to foster cooperation in various other areas, such as energy, tourism, education, science, technology, culture, environmental protection, customs, health care, pharmaceuticals and combating crime, among others, in the context of the interrelatedness of those issues and their importance for the economic development of BSEC member States. Serbia has remained open to new ideas and suggestions by other BSEC member States, observers and sectorial-dialogue partners on modalities to further enhance cooperation. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the hope that the draft resolution will garner the support of the members of this body, as has been the case in previous years, and that, once adopted, it will contribute to the strengthening of cooperation between the United Nations and BSEC.

I now give the floor to the representative of Rwanda to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.17.

I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce draft resolution A/71/L.17, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Criminal Police Organization”. Rwanda has been a member of INTERPOL since 1974, and Australia, as a co-facilitator, has been a member of INTERPOL since 1948. Both countries have worked closely with INTERPOL over the years, with Rwanda having successfully hosted INTERPOL’s General Assembly in Kigali this year. Given our close cooperation with INTERPOL and our strong belief in INTERPOL’s activities, goals and objectives, we are pleased to introduce the draft resolution to the General Assembly, which we believe to be the next rational step in the history of cooperation between the two organizations. The INTERPOL Secretary General, Mr. Jürgen Stock, who is present here today, will be addressing representatives in due course. However, I would like to take a few minutes of members’ time to provide them with some of the background information on the relationship of long date between the two organizations. The INTERPOL Liaison Office to the United Nations in New York was established in October 2004 to raise awareness of INTERPOL’s services within the United Nations community and encourage the use of its available tools and networks, as well as identify areas of common interest and opportunities for increased cooperation and coordination. Indeed, since its inception, the Office has taken the lead role in further enhancing INTERPOL’s cooperation with United Nations entities directly involved in activities related to law enforcement. INTERPOL carries out all its activities in accordance with its own rules and regulations in full respect of member States’ sovereignty and consistent with each member State’s domestic laws and regulations. The goal of the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL is to formally acknowledge the cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL in assisting States Members of the United Nations that are also INTERPOL member countries to prevent and respond to crime and improve their law-enforcement capabilities upon their request and within the framework of their respective mandates. It also fully recognizes and encourages the strengthening of cooperation in areas of common interest  — as mentioned in the third preambular paragraph — namely, “tackling terrorism, including preventing foreign terrorist fighter travel and combating transnational crime, in particular transnational organized crime, including smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, intentional and unlawful destruction of cultural heritage and trafficking in cultural property, piracy, illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, illicit trafficking in nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological materials, cybercrime, corruption and money-laundering and crimes that affect the environment, such as illicit trafficking in wildlife”. To date, the General Assembly has adopted specific resolutions involving 23 observer organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the African Union and the League of Arab States, among others. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the core group that have been working closely with Australian and Rwanda in drawing up the draft resolution. I also extend my thanks to all 1smun that actively participated in the series of negotiation meetings and to those that sponsored the draft resolution. Their valuable contributions, guidance and support on the first draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL have been greatly appreciated.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), the member States of which are Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste and my own country, Brazil. The Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries held its eleventh summit meeting on October 31 and 1 November in Brasilia. On that occasion, CPLP Heads of State and Government welcomed the selection of António Guterres as the next Secretary-General in the most transparent process in the history of the Organization. We also highlighted that the Secretary-General-designate is the first citizen of a Portuguese-speaking country to occupy such a distinguished position. We were honoured that Secretary-General-designate Guterres accepted the invitation of President Michel Temer of Brazil to attend the eleventh CPLP summit meeting in Brasilia. We concur with Secretary- General-designate Gutteres that the CPLP has a positive role to play globally in that it is committed to the same general principles as those that underlie the functioning of the United Nations. Indeed, as enshrined in its founding document, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries shares a commitment to the primacy of peace, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and social justice. The year 2016 marks the twentieth anniversary of the CPLP, which we celebrated on 17 July. Over the past 20 years, the Community has managed to consolidate itself as a platform for dialogue and political and diplomatic cooperation among Portuguese-speaking countries and between the CPLP and the rest of the world. Looking ahead, CPLP members believe that mobility is an essential tool for progressively building a sense of CPLP citizenship. The implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development  — the central theme of this session of the General Assembly  — will require concerted cooperation among all relevant stakeholders. That is an area where the CPLP and the United Nations can be strategic partners. The CPLP is ready to promote political dialogue and the exchange of experiences and cooperation to support the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in all Portuguese-speaking countries. The very theme of the eleventh CPLP summit meeting, in Brasilia, “CPLP and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, reflects that priority. Allow me to emphasize the important role of regional and subregional groups in peacebuilding efforts. As Member States are aware, Angola, a member of our Community, co-facilitated, with Australia, resolution 70/262, entitled “Review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture”, and Security Council resolution 2282 (2016), on the same subject, which acknowledge the importance of enhanced partnerships and cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. Brazil currently holds the chairmanships of both the CPLP and the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. We intend to increase cooperation between those two bodies, in line with the mandate established in resolution 70/262 and the principles of the CPLP. The CPLP has long been engaged in peacebuilding efforts. The Community is part of the forum on Guinea-Bissau that includes representatives of the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union and works to promote a constructive dialogue between the Bissau-Guinean authorities and national and international stakeholders. In that regard, we commend the valuable work carried out by the former Special Representative of the Secretary- General in Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Miguel Trovoada. CPLP members are confident that the current Special Representative, Mr. Modibó Touré, will effectively discharge his responsibilities. As highlighted by the Peacebuilding Commission, the swift implementation of the six-point agreement, brokered by a high-level ECOWAS mission to Guinea- Bissau on 10 September, is urgently needed. The relevant regional and subregional actors should remain united in supporting the diplomatic efforts undertaken by ECOWAS and in supporting Guinea-Bissau in its endeavours to achieve stabilization. The Executive Secretary of the CPLP will continue to follow up on the political situation in Guinea-Bissau and promote consultation and interaction with that country’s authorities and international and regional partners. As mentioned in the report of the Secretary- General (A/71/160), the CPLP and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have cooperated closely with regard to the ILO International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour. Following the CPLP declaration of 2016 as the Year against Child Labour, a number of workshops were held with a view to undertaking joint activities aimed at preventing and eliminating that practice. The Secretary-General also recalls in his report CPLP cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the implementation of the CPLP Lisbon Action Plan for Establishing Common Measures to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, and its partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the implementation of a technical cooperation programme in support of the CPLP Regional Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition. We welcome the adoption, on 6 July 2015, of resolution 69/311, on cooperation between the United Nations and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries. This year’s draft resolution stresses the importance of continuing to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations, its agencies, entities, programmes and other international, regional and subregional organizations. Around 280 million people speak Portuguese in the world today, which makes it the fifth most spoken language in the world, the third most spoken in the western hemisphere and the most spoken in the southern hemisphere. Our goal is to continue promoting the Portuguese language, including within the United Nations, as a means to promote cultural diversity among the Portuguese-speaking peoples and as a means of projecting their cultural values internationally in an open and universal fashion. In that context, we wish to highlight the work of the Portuguese Unit of United Nations Radio in broadcasting issues of concern to the United Nations and Portuguese-speaking people. In my concluding remarks, I wish to reiterate that the CPLP is ready to engage with the United Nations system, its programmes, funds and agencies in order to strengthen mutual collaboration.

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

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member States. The candidate countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania; the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina; and the European Free Trade Association country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, align themselves with this statement. We welcome the coming adoption today of draft resolution A/71/L.15, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe”, which aims to enhance cooperation between the two institutions. Since the signing in 1951 of the agreement between the Council of Europe and the Secretariat of the United Nations, the cooperative arrangements between the respective secretariats in 1971 and resolution 44/6, of 1989, the Council of Europe has continued to contribute to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Moreover, the Council of Europe has striven to improve the synergy between its work and that of the United Nations. The draft resolution before us contains an operational paragraph on questions relating to human rights. In the informal consultations, several delegations called for an end to the use of the death penalty. Unfortunately, we note with regret that that call has once again not been taken on board and that the paragraph on that issue was not retained. The new inclusion of a call for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is but a small improvement. The Council of Europe, together with the European Union, its member States and many other European and non-European countries, have been engaged in the campaign on that subject for a long time. On the occasion of the World Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October, the Council of Europe and the European Union made a joint declaration appealing for a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty and urging States Members of the United Nations to support the draft resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty when it is put to a General Assembly vote in December. We hope to build on the momentum created by the call for a global moratorium by all participating members of the sixth World Congress against the Death Penalty in June of this year. We therefore strongly urge that, in future, that issue be included in the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe. Furthermore, we would like to draw representatives’ attention to the platform to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists. That new instrument was set up by the Council of Europe in 2015 and has been well accepted as a useful tool by persons working for various media in Europe.

Partnership is indispensable for addressing the myriad global challenges. The cooperation between the United Nations and other international organizations is at the heart of such international partnerships. Various organizations contribute to that collective effort through their respective strengths and comparative advantages. Thailand recognizes their valuable contributions in addressing such challenges. This year, my delegation would like to focus our statement specifically on the cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL. First, Thailand is proud to have been one of the core group members and sponsors of the draft resolution on the cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL (A/71/L.17). Undoubtedly, we have all gathered here for the same reason, namely, to eradicate all kinds of threats from our society, no matter which region those threats find themselves in, and lead the people of the world towards ultimate and sustainable peace. The critical threats that are now undermining our well-being, destroying our economies, jeopardizing our democracy, human rights and human dignity, impairing the potential of our generation as well as hindering our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, comprise terrorism, transnational crime and, last but not least, cybercrime. Everyone here knows very well how hard the United Nations has continuously fought the aforementioned threats. That effort has significantly intensified since the beginning of the twenty-first century, or, more specifically, since we adopted the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime in 2000. Despite the hard work and efforts of the United Nations and its machinery, especially the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, those threats — and I believe all would agree — have not only increased but have also rapidly expanded to every corner of the world. Even more so, they have become more complex and sophisticated, and that has made it very difficult for law-enforcement agencies to conduct investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice. Physical connectivity has led to a new paradigm in travelling in which people can go around the globe by multiple means of transportation. Wireless and cyberconnectivity have also enhanced the capabilities of transnational crime and its networks. Such technological advances can also enable an individual, even without an organized criminal network, to wreak havoc around the world. In such a situation, we need intelligence-led policing and law enforcement. That means that it is no longer enough for intelligence to come only from security agencies. Police and law-enforcement agencies and the public sector alone cannot fight effectively against crime and terrorism without the participation of the private sector and, most importantly, that of people in the community. In short, we need a public- private-people partnership to fight crime in this century, often called the century of transnational crime and terrorism. In order to engage the people in the fight against crime, we need to raise awareness. The United Nations, through the convening of international conferences and the adoption of the appropriate resolutions, has the power to raise public awareness. However, the challenge lies in how to make the work of the United Nations trickle down to the people and be relevant for the frontline officers in the performance of their daily duties. We should therefore bring the United Nations closer to the people. It is time for us to tell the frontline officers that the United Nations is relevant for them. It is also time that the discussions and exchanges at meetings like this one be made known not only to leaders and politicians, but also directly and effectively to frontline officers as well as to the people in the community. INTERPOL’s communication system, also known as the I-24/7, which has already expanded to frontline officers in some countries and is being expanded in many others, will be the key to raising awareness among the people and connecting the United Nations to frontline officers. With databases that frontline officers can immediately access, international best practices and guidelines, as well as valuable information, can be made readily available to them. Please allow me to cite an example in my country. More than 40 million foreigners came to Thailand between June 2015 and August 2016. Their information, and their passport numbers in particular, were checked against INTERPOL databases, in particular the Stolen and Lost Travelling Documents database. Nearly 1,300 foreigners were found to be using lost and stolen passports. We provided that information to our frontline officers around the country, which resulted in 55 fugitives with INTERPOL red notices being arrested, the highest number of arrests in Asia. Thailand believes that a public-private-people­ partnership will lead to effective and smart intelligence-led policing, which means better and more accurate anti-criminal and counter-terrorism operations. Strengthening the cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL will no doubt contribute to that objective, as well as to sustainable peace. Once again, it is time that we connect the United Nations with the frontline officers and our people. It is time for the people to see and understand the impact of the United Nations work on countering transnational crime and terrorism. It is time for people to realize that they are part of the solution and to engage themselves in the fight against transnational threats. INTERPOL is a key partner for Member States and the United Nations in making that happen. This year’s adoption of the first General Assembly draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL is a remarkable step in that direction.

I wish to refer to the report of the Secretary-General (A/71/160) on agenda item 126, on cooperation between the United Nations and the Asian- African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), and thank him for it. The Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization was established in 1956. Its inception was a tangible outcome of the historic Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955. AALCO is now composed of 47 member States from Africa and Asia, with several States from other parts of the world participating in its activities as observer States. AALCO is the only interregional organization combining the interests of two major continents for focused and serious discussions on matters of international law. It was one of the first organizations to which the General Assembly granted permanent observer status, in 1980. Pursuant to its main objective, which is to promote and disseminate international law, AALCO closely follows the work of the Sixth Committee — the Legal Committee of the General Assembly — the International Law Commission and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). As to the contribution of AALCO to the discipline of international law, a noteworthy development is the concept of the exclusive economic zone, an important element in the field of the law of the sea. Similarly, the organization’s member States use the Bangkok Principles on the status and treatment of refugees, adopted by AALCO, for guidance on those issues. AALCO’s work, which is of great value to its member States, includes studies and deliberations, inter alia, on the principles related to the extradition of fugitive offenders, the model text for bilateral arrangements on mutual assistance in civil matters and the model agreement for the promotion and protection of investments. India is proud to have been the host country for the organization since it was established, having provided land and a building for its headquarters in New Delhi. I am pleased to inform the Assembly that the current AALCO Secretary-General is from Tanzania. Regional rotation in leadership is a healthy practice, as it draws on the values and enrichment provided by diverse cultures and perspectives. In May, in New Delhi, AALCO held its fifty-fifth session, at which such topics as counter-terrorism, customary international law, sustainable development, the law of the sea, climate change and cybercrime were considered. The results of its deliberations have been published. AALCO has also established several regional arbitration centres in Asia and Africa. These centres apply the arbitration rules promulgated by UNCITRAL, and these arbitrations have been well received. At United Nations Headquarters, the Permanent Observer of AALCO has regularly organized seminars, workshops and informal discussions on international law topics of common interest. These events are open to all missions, delegations and the Secretariat, with inclusive and open discussion as the objective. Judges, jurists, scholars and practitioners visiting New York are invited to take an active part in these activities.

At the outset, I would like to extend our appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening today’s important debate. We also thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations (A/71/160). I would like to begin with an obvious proposition. The United Nations cannot work alone. Regional and other organizations must be engaged to complement and support the work of the United Nations and uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Many global challenges that we face today, from climate change to terrorism, are complex and of a transnational nature. A close partnership between the United Nations and regional and other organizations is necessary to address such challenges effectively. Regional organizations are able to work in concert with the United Nations to develop customized strategies to implement our collective goals, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and to do so in ways that take into account their unique circumstances and needs. International organizations, on the other hand, with their functional expertise can be tapped to enhance our capabilities to achieve our collective goals. In that regard, Singapore welcomes the adoption of the various draft resolutions on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations today. The significant number of resolutions to be adopted this year attests to the broad network of partnerships that the United Nations has forged. This network should be deepened and broadened. Of note, Singapore strongly supports the adoption of a new draft resolution entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Criminal Police Organization” (A/71/L.17), which we have the honour of co-sponsoring. The adoption of the draft resolution is timely and relevant. The threat of transnational crime has increased, as criminal networks exploit technological advances and connectivity to further illicit activities that have grown in sophistication. For example, cybercrime is becoming more prevalent and pervasive. We have also witnessed an increasingly strong nexus between organized crime and terrorism, as terrorists resort to criminal activities to finance, plan and carry out their nefarious activities. Tackling these fast-evolving threats therefore requires much stronger cooperation among Member States and with key partners, such as INTERPOL. With its long history, INTERPOL has played a key role as the world’s largest international police organization. Singapore has been a proud member of INTERPOL since 1968 and is privileged to be able to play our part to support international law enforcement by hosting the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation. The Global Complex in Singapore aims to equip police all around the world with the tools and capability to confront increasingly sophisticated crime. The Global Complex focuses on digital security, including how to strengthen cybersecurity and counter cybercrime, providing capacity-building and operational and investigative support. Situated in the heart of Asia, the Global Complex has broadened partnerships between INTERPOL and relevant stakeholders in Asia. Singapore looks forward to working closely with INTERPOL and the United Nations to explore ways to enhance cooperation through the Global Complex. As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Singapore also looks forward to the adoption of a draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and ASEAN later this year. It is encouraging that cooperation between the United Nations and ASEAN has continued to grow and strengthen over the years. The new five-year Plan of Action (2016-2020) that we recently adopted to implement the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations will be a useful road map for our collaboration in the years ahead. An area that both sides should focus on is how to enhance complementarities between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. As ASEAN continues to press ahead with its regional integration efforts, we are eager to deepen our partnership with the United Nations to further the goals of the Charter of the United Nations and create a better and safer world for our citizens.

At the outset, I would like to welcome presence here today of the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Mr. Jürgen Stock, on this important occasion. My country, Jordan, is honoured to be among the sponsors of draft resolution A/71/L.17, on cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL. We truly believe in the importance and effective role of INTERPOL in achieving cooperation among law- enforcement agencies in different countries to make our world safer and more secure. We would like to thank all the Member States that participated in informal discussions on the draft resolution last month. Their suggestions and other contributions are reflected in the draft resolution we have before us today. The draft resolution confirms INTERPOL’s neutral, non-politicized role, which was designed to respect the sovereignty and national legislation of States in combating organized crime, transnational crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, the destruction of cultural heritage, trafficking in cultural property, the illicit trade in small arms and biological, chemical and radiological materials, money laundering and crimes that affect the environment and wildlife. The draft resolution also points out the important cooperation between INTERPOL and United Nations agencies in combating terrorism by assisting States Members of the United Nations in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy whenever they request such assistance, including information-sharing on foreign terrorist fighters and border control. In that regard, I would like to point out that Jordan, through its participation in efforts to enhance cooperation in combating trafficking in nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological materials, has underscored IN many forums how important it is to exchange information to combat threats in that regard. We have also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between INTERPOL, the International Atomic Energy Agency and law-enforcement agencies. We encourage countries to benefit from INTERPOL databases, especially the I-24/7 global police communications system, which allows authorized law-enforcement agencies to share sensitive and important information with their counterparts in Member States around the world. Last week, under the I-24/7 programme, the Public Security Directorate in Jordan and INTERPOL installed new border-control equipment, using funding from the European Union. The project will be launched in the next few days. States can also benefit from the Criminal Information System, which supports the efforts of national agencies in their investigations and operations. We encourage countries that have not yet joined INTERPOL to do so as soon as possible in order to benefit from the services and information provided by INTERPOL to all of its members free of charge. At a time when the world is suffering from the scourge of terrorism, THE swift and effective exchange of information among countries and their security agencies remains one of the most important means to overcome this phenomenon and reduce its impact and that of accompanying organized and transnational crimes. As States Members of the United Nations, we must therefore establish or enhance platforms that allow us to fully carry out this role. Enhancing complementarity among States Members of the United Nations and INTERPOL, as an international organization, has proved to be highly effective in linking law enforcement agencies around the world. As countries seeking to create a better and more secure world, we now see that cooperation is our duty. We would like to stress the importance of achieving complementarity and cooperation between such specialized agencies as INTERPOL and the United Nations in order to combat organized crime and terrorist organizations, for such entities are impeding sustainable development and social development in many countries, especially those in the Middle East. The most important pillar to stress in the draft resolution is complementarity, the fulfilment of which will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

I would like to begin by expressing Spain’s support for the adoption of draft resolution A/71/L.17, on cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL, as well as to thank Australia and Rwanda for their work as facilitators. We have before us a draft resolution that will help to raise the level of cooperation between both organizations, even though it has been at a high level since it was formalized almost two decades ago. My country, Spain, is aware of the importance of the draft resolution for exploiting the great potential of the coordinated work of both organizations to adequately address the fight against terrorism and organized crime. For that reason, it is also crucial to efficiently use the capabilities that INTERPOL makes available to its member countries to address security threats. I would like to conclude by noting Spain’s sponsorship of the draft resolution, of whose importance and value we are, above all, convinced.

I have the pleasure to speak on agenda item 126, in particular on the cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL. In that regard, Argentina expresses its satisfaction at the imminent adoption of the first draft resolution (A/71/L.17) of the General Assembly on that topic. As a member of the Group of Friends of INTERPOL, we had the honour of participating actively in the negotiations on it. We thank the facilitators, Australia and Rwanda, for the work they have carried out. The text to be adopted today acknowledges and calls for reinforced cooperation on a wide range of issues, such as the fight against terrorism and international organized crime, including, inter alia, the smuggling of migrants, human trafficking, drug trafficking, the destruction of cultural heritage, trafficking in cultural property, piracy, illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, illicit trafficking in nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological material, cybercrime, corruption, money laundering and crimes that affect the environment. We underscore the fact that the draft resolution is fully in line with resolution 70/291, on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review, co-facilitated by my country and Iceland, whose paragraph 47 notes with appreciation the activities undertaken by INTERPOL to help Member States that require assistance put the Strategy into practice. Moreover, we believe that it is a balanced text and the fruit of arduous negotiations, which afforded Member States an opportunity to present and reconcile their positions. The draft resolution is also a good basis on which we can continue to build on over the next two years, particularly following the submission of what will be the first report of the Secretary-General on the subject, during the seventy-first session. Argentina expresses its intention to continue cooperating with INTERPOL, both through the United Nations and at the bilateral level, using the tools that INTERPOL makes available to Member States. Such cooperation includes the full support of the regional office in Buenos Aires, which was recently reflected in the INTERPOL General Assembly with the appointment of the Head of the Argentine Federal Police, General Commissioner Néstor Roncaglia, as one of the two representatives of the American continent of its Executive Committee for the period 2016-2017, as well as with the appointment of Ambassador Leandro Despouy, a human rights law expert, as a member of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files. In the light of those considerations, my delegation hopes that the General Assembly will adopt draft resolution A/71/L.17 by consensus.

Switzerland welcomes the imminent adoption of draft resolution A/71/L.17, which will lead to a closer cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL in combating transnational crime and other security challenges. In today’s armed conflicts, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish one category of actors from another. Terrorist groups, for example, rely on criminal methods to appropriate financial resources. Some of those involved in organized crime are also involved in conflicts of a political nature. Moreover, new issues, such as the intentional and illegal destruction of cultural heritage, cybercrime and the involvement of foreign terrorist fighters, have an overall impact on security and stability at both the national and global levels. Such threats concern all States. Strengthening cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and INTERPOL will serve the goals and purposes of both organizations. That will be achieved by taking advantage of existing synergies whenever the opportunity arises. Using the resulting resources more effectively will contribute to long-term security improvements. As a founding member of INTERPOL, Switzerland has always played an active role in the development of the organization’s activities. Since it became a Member of the United Nations, our country has committed to fostering closer cooperation between the two organizations in order to better confront the challenges I mentioned. In that regard, we consider the adoption of this draft resolution as a decisive step in strengthening that cooperation. Furthermore, we also attach great importance to the report that will be submitted by the Secretary-General to the General Assembly at its seventy-third session, which should allow us to assess the progress made. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the representatives of Australia and Rwanda for their excellent work in facilitating the preparation of this draft resolution. Our thanks also go to the representatives of the Office of the Special Representative of INTERPOL to the United Nations for the valuable technical advice they provided throughout the negotiations.

In accordance with resolution 44/6, of 17 October 1989, I now call on the observer of the Council of Europe.

This year, for the tenth time, the General Assembly will adopt a draft resolution (A/71/L.15) on the cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe. The first-ever such resolution, resolution 55/3, adopted in October 2000, contained 11 paragraphs; this year’s draft resolution has nearly 30. There have also been qualitative developments, as we cooperate on many more issues today. The United Nations is a major partner of the Council of Europe and an ideal platform for global outreach. We work closely with a large number of United Nations bodies. The universality of our values constitutes the basis of our cooperation. The relationships between our organizations are focused on, but not limited to, human rights in a broad sense. Emphasis is placed on cooperation with the Human Rights Council, in particular in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review, to which the Council of Europe contributes regularly and actively with respect to its member States.
We see broad synergy between the development of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the quasi- jurisprudence of the United Nations treaty bodies, as well as the guidance emanating from special procedures mandate-holders and the Universal Periodic Review. Despite slight differences, the overall direction of the two organizations’ vectors is the same and includes addressing new challenges arising from new technologies, as in, for example, the area of information technology. It also includes challenges that are emerging owing to changes in our societies, for example, from the terrorist threat and the need to respect human rights while tackling terrorism, and a shared reflection on the increasing sensitivity of the human rights community for the rights of various groups at risk, such as the Roma, persons with physical and intellectual disabilities or migrants in an irregular situation. After those general considerations, let me address the particular issue of the death penalty. The Council of Europe takes great pride in having been the driving force in making the European continent a death- penalty-free zone for more than 800 million people. Two treaties have been central in that regard, namely, Protocol No. 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits the death penalty in times of peace, and Protocol No. 13, which prohibits it in all circumstances. In the last 19 years, no death sentence has been carried out on the territories of our 47 member States. Let me remind the Assembly that Belarus, the only European State that carries out capital punishment, is not a member of the Council of Europe. In 2010, the European Court of Human Rights qualified the death penalty as inhuman and degrading treatment, regardless of the circumstances under which it is imposed or executed. We are proud of these developments. However, three member States have still to meet their accession commitments and ratify the instruments I mentioned. At the global level, we are pleased to note that today 140 countries around the world have abolished the death penalty either legislatively or in practice. It is a gradual but still committed shift towards the elimination of capital punishment. On the other hand, there has been a spike in executions, albeit in a limited number of countries. There has also been a resumption of executions in several other countries and an increase in executions for drug offences, including of minors. That is why the Council of Europe will remain attentive and proactive, and will do so in two general directions. The first is with regard to our own member States, and the second is at the global level. We think that the legal framework adopted by the Council of Europe, as interpreted by the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, makes the abolition of the death penalty legally irreversible. However, it is very important to see how citizens will adopt and come to share the values on the abolition of the death penalty. Therefore, we should invest more in long-term education, especially of children and young people, and present the case for abolition as an integral part of the broader political and social objective of a just, humane and democratic society. The issue is one of fundamental human rights. As to the global dimension, in September 2016, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to emphasize its contribution to the biennial draft resolution of the General Assembly on a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty. We are also continuing to work with the European Union in that regard. I believe that there is scope to deepen and expand this cooperation through concerted policy action that support efforts for a global moratorium and through actions that target particularly unacceptable forms of capital punishment. Finally, I thank the delegation of Estonia and the other sponsors of draft resolution A/71/PV.15 for promoting it.

Pursuant to resolution 51/1, of 5 October 1996, I now give the floor to the Secretary General of INTERPOL.

In January 1946, the United Nations, then known as the United Nations Organization, held its first General Assembly in London. Six months later, INTERPOL, then known as the International Criminal Police Commission, held its fifteenth General Assembly in Brussels. After a difficult period for the world, the meeting was called to restore the Commission, which had not held any meetings since 1938. Records show that even then INTERPOL’s member countries had reflected on what its relations would be with the United Nations. In the 70 years since then the global threat landscape has evolved in many ways. The complexities in tackling transnational crime are very grave. The trends in criminal flows indicate ever-growing challenges over the horizon. In this period, enhancing cross-border law enforcement cooperation has become critical, as has the need for Governmental leadership worldwide to support such cooperation. Serving as an independent, apolitical entity since 1923, INTERPOL connects law enforcement around the globe in working together towards a safer world. With neutrality enshrined in its Constitution, our organization enables cooperation among police forces of countries that do not even have diplomatic relations. INTERPOL has well-developed policing capabilities to assist its global membership, based strictly on its neutral mandate and objectives. The organization provides a unique, trusted and secure platform to enable the exchange of police information across borders. This continues to be at the core of INTERPOL’s mandate. In fact, at the last INTERPOL General Assembly session, held only two weeks ago, member countries voted for new, additional measures to make INTERPOL’s information-sharing system more robust. We also provide capacity-building, analytical expertise and 24/7 support to policing and law enforcement, which includes the coordination of cross-border operational efforts. Established in every single member country, INTERPOL’s national and central bureaus serve to facilitate international police cooperation within an established institutional framework. INTERPOL has three global programmes focusing on countering terrorism, organized and emerging crimes, and cybercrime. In these spheres of criminal activities, cooperation between the United Nations and INTERPOL is key to achieving our common goals. Finally, as an independent and neutral entity serving law enforcement, INTERPOL must and will remain completely apolitical. However, given the existing complex threat landscape, efforts at international police cooperation require more support from the political leadership. In the fight against twenty-first century transnational crime, more emphasis should be placed on the responsibility Governments can take to facilitate the work of law enforcement globally because, looking ahead, continued cooperation on police and security matters is increasingly desirable for bringing about global peace and stability. I recently expressed this view to the outgoing Secretary-General, under whose tenure our cooperation has deepened and grown stronger. INTERPOL thanks Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his consistent support. We also look forward to nurturing this relationship further under the Secretary-General-designate. Here, today, the introduction of draft resolution A/71/L.17, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Criminal Police Organization”, marks an important step forward in the journey of our two organizations. With it, we move closer to supporting INTERPOL’s vision of a safer world for our member countries and for the States Members of the United Nations. In conclusion, I want to recognize the key role that the Permanent Missions of Australia and Rwanda played in facilitating the draft resolution. I would also like to extend INTERPOL’s gratitude to the draft resolution’s sponsors, in particular the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Brazil, Jamaica, Jordan, Thailand and Switzerland, which greatly assisted in this important process. In the end, it is in support of the efforts of law- enforcement agencies in 190 member countries that we stand here today to foster synergies for a safer world. On their behalf, let me assure the Assembly that international police cooperation must positively look forward to the ongoing cooperation of INTERPOL with all relevant agencies in the United Nations system. With that hope and purpose in mind, INTERPOL expresses its gratitude to the General Assembly for giving us this opportunity today.

In accordance with resolution 54/5, of 8 October 1999, I now give the floor to the observer of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

As the representative of the Permanent International Secretariat of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. (BSEC), I am honoured and privileged to address the General Assembly for the first time in my 40-year diplomatic career. The BSEC organization is the oldest and most institutionally mature international entity promoting economic cooperation, in the broadest sense of the term, among its 12 member States and in the wider Black Sea region. Next year, we will celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary, which will culminate in a summit conference to be held in Istanbul on 30 June. We have come a long way since 1992. The organization’s multifaceted activities have decisively contributed to enhancing cooperation and better understanding in a geostrategic region of the greatest importance. It is a region that even today faces welcome challenges, but also problems that sometimes cast their shadow on BSEC efforts. Yet the added value our organization provides is that it acts as a functioning confidence-building mechanism and is an open window for dialogue and understanding. At the same time, BSEC remains an open organization, seeking cooperation and synergies with other international bodies and with individual States. Over the years, we have come to highly appreciate our cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, funds and programmes in areas of common interest. Draft resolution A/71/L.16/Rev.1, which has been introduced for adoption today, testifies to the increased interaction between our organizations and provides useful guidelines for our future joint endeavours. Today, one of the BSEC priorities is to increase its efficiency and effectiveness, enabling it to be more results- and project-oriented for the benefit of the peoples of our region. In increasing its project-development and implementation capacity, BSEC can benefit even more from deepening its interaction with the United Nations system through concrete and focused collaborations. Allow me therefore from this rostrum to invite the specialized agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations system to strengthen their cooperation with the BSEC family of organizations and create new synergies based on existing cooperation agreements and memorandums. The BSEC structure of related bodies has the knowledge and experience to help United Nations agencies to effectively implement their policies and programmes in this crucial region of our small world. Before I conclude, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Republic of Serbia for its excellent guidance and solid support for the activities of the organization in its capacity as the Chairman-in-Office of BSEC during the second half of 2016 and for preparing the draft resolution, which we hope the Assembly will adopt by consensus. I would also like to express our appreciation to all BSEC member States and to the other States Members of the United Nations that have sponsored the draft resolution. Allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his strong leadership of the United Nations in these most turbulent times in world history and for being the friendly and human face of the United Nations in promoting its work around the world. We wish him health, happiness and continued success in his future endeavours. On behalf of BSEC, I would also like to congratulate Mr. António Guterres on his election to the highly prestigious and most challenging diplomatic duty of leading the United Nations. I have no doubt that, with his immense experience as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Guterres will continue to carry the torch soon to be handed to him by Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon and that he will appeal to the conscience of the international community in, inter alia, trying to bring to an end the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, namely, the refugee crisis. The BSEC organization will continue to assume its responsibilities in contributing to peace, security and stability in our part of the world through the effective promotion of economic cooperation among our member States and beyond.

In accordance with resolution 59/48, of 2 December 2004, I give the floor to the observer of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to all participants in today’s General Assembly meeting for their support for draft resolution A/71/L.11, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization”. We consider this draft resolution to be part of the comprehensive support of the international community for our joint efforts to maintain peace and security and provide the conditions for sustainable development. This year, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) marked its fifteenth anniversary. Since its founding, the organization has believed that the United Nations has been, and will continue to be, a leading universal international structure for maintaining global security and a major platform for solving inter-State and international issues, as it stands for strengthening its central coordinating role in international affairs. In that regard, we attach particular attention to furthering the progressive development of the relationship between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Since 2004, cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has gradually developed to the point where it has become a good example of effective cooperation between universal, global and regional organizations. The draft resolution opens new vistas for a broad spectrum of cooperation, and it will help to fully implement the multifaceted potential of the SCO in its interaction with United Nations agencies. Unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the contemporary world is not becoming more predictable or safe. The challenges and threats are increasing in number, while their essence is becoming more complicated. The draft resolution calls for joining together in cooperation to make efforts in a broad range of areas. The key ones are mentioned in the programme documents of the two organizations, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SCO Development Strategy until 2025, which are aimed at solving similar tasks and promoting the well-being of humankind. The draft resolution will become a sound foundation for broad interaction between the United Nations and the SCO in all directions. Consolidating and developing effective connections between the United Nations and regional organizations not only facilitates development of the regional structures, but to a great extent strengthens the United Nations itself. This fully applies to the cooperation between the United Nations and the SCO. This topic was discussed during the Security Council thematic debate on cooperation of the United Nations with regional and subregional organizations, held on 28 October 2016, at the initiative of the Russian Federation (see S/PV.7796). We are convinced that the increasing synergies of the multifaceted cooperation between the two organizations will help to solve the most urgent contemporary problems, including maintaining global peace and security and ensuring sustainable development. It is important to continue the United Nations efforts to strengthen and broadening such partnerships, including by elaborating well-directed approaches to cooperation while fully taking into account the needs, local specifics, mandates and capacities of regional organizations. The SCO is open to all forms of mutually beneficial cooperation with the United Nations and is ready to continue its close partnership in doing joint, fruitful work.

In accordance with resolution 477 (V), of 1 November 1950, I now give the floor to the observer of the League of Arab States.

First of all, allow me to congratulate the President on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session. We are certain that, thanks to his experience, we will be successful in our shared endeavours. The League of Arab States wishes to express its support for the President as he strives to serve the Organization. I also thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his unstinting efforts to serve the Organization over the past 10 years. I also wish to congratulate Mr. António Guterres, the new Secretary-General-designate. We wish him every success in his work, which will be full of challenges when he takes up his mandate next year. I also thank the Secretary General of INTERPOL. The close cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations began in 1950, when the General Assembly requested the United Nations Secretary-General to extend an invitation to the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States to attend the fifth session of the General Assembly as an observer. That invitation was extended pursuant to resolution 477 (V), of 1 November 1950. Since then cooperation between the two organizations has increased. In 1981, a new era of cooperation was ushered in with the adoption of resolution 36/24, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States”. When the League of Arab States asked the United Nations Secretary-General to take the steps needed to bolster cooperation at all levels between the two organizations, the 1981 resolution provided the basis for evaluation. The assessment was conducted to extend cooperation on a vast range of issues. Since that time, cooperation has been multifaceted in nature in order to respond to needs as they emerge, fulfil the vision of the League of Arab States and meet the political and economic challenges facing the Arab world. In September 2016, at the margins of the general debate of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and the United Nations Secretary-General signed a protocol amending the text of the cooperation agreement. Cooperation between our organizations will now change and touch upon such areas as conflict resolution, conflict prevention, sustainable development, crime prevention, peacebuilding, the protection of human rights, and human development. It will also cover issues relating to refugees, displaced persons and human rights. With a view to this increased cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations, in October 2014, the second sectoral cooperation conference between the two organizations, on the ramifications of a lack of understanding of human rights concepts, was held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States, in Cairo. Furthermore, in May 2016, in Geneva, the sixteenth cooperation meeting between the two organizations was held in order to enhance cooperation between the two organizations so as to develop an overarching vision that would include the review of developments in the Arab world and take into account the views of experts. During the conference, we also reviewed the socioeconomic and political concerns of the region. We adopted a series of programmes to be implemented between 2016 and 2018 in the areas addressed during the meeting. Our two organizations are strengthening their partnership in a number of areas. We have built capacity in elections and human rights as part of a project that was launched together with the United Nations Development Programme. Other initiatives include the setting up of databases and a project among Arab States to include Arab young people in debates on social issues. To the latter end, we have held dialogues in various forums in order not to isolate people — young people in particular — and to tap into their ideas and find alternatives approaches to dealing with climate change and other issues, including identity, the role of young people and their participation in resolving these issues. We have enjoyed fruitful cooperation with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, as well as with the various specialized agencies of the United Nations, with a view to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and properly invest in young people. We must protect young people during armed conflicts, ensure the non-proliferation of weapons and strengthen human rights. Other activities in that connection were also debated. Given our commitment to properly respecting the 1945 Charter of the League of Arab States, and in the light of the importance that we attach to the United Nations, its various agencies and what those do to protect refugees, we must leave no stone unturned in finding a fair solution to the refugee crisis. We are indeed doing everything we can in that connection. We also reaffirm the importance of the appeal launched by the Ministerial Council of the League of Arab States, and we urge the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its donor countries to respond to that appeal. Vast sums of money need to be collected to support those refugees. In November, a high-level meeting on a common strategy was convened to benefit Palestinian children at the headquarters of the League of Arab States, which brought together representatives of UNRWA who work with Palestinian children. Frustration reigns in the Middle East. That climate serves to demonstrate the vast number of challenges we face. There is currently a great deal of turbulence in our region. The political climate is difficult and the international community has not been able to respond to our appeals to combat terrorism and violent extremism. In order to continue the efforts undertaken by the League of Arab States to meet all of the challenges we face in the Arab world — terrorism in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya — and to implement and uphold the vision of the League of Arab States, namely, finding a peaceful solution to all Arab conflicts, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States appointed a Special Envoy on the issue of Libya in order to take stock of developments in Libya, together with the African Union. Ending the crisis in Libya is the ultimate aim, as well as tackling the scourge of terrorism in the country. The League of Arab States has now faced the growing threat of terrorism for more than five years. Indeed, the use of social networks to indoctrinate young people has seen a six-fold increase. Extremists’ obscurantist ideologies and hate speech are disseminated through social networks in order to sow the seeds of an ideology that in no way fits hand in glove with peace-loving religions and indeed has nothing at all to do with any religion. During its meetings with the Security Council, the League of Arab States has therefore underscored the importance of implementing the measures necessary to stymie that hate speech, so as to remedy the problems of terrorism and the indoctrination of foreign fighters through social networks. Terrorist organizations and their affiliates cannot sow the seeds of those extremist ideologies using social networks and must not do so; they must be stopped. They must also be stopped from using the media to pursue similar aims, as the Internet and the media are also used for those activities The use of any medium to disseminate hate speech must be outlawed. What I have laid out here gives the General Assembly an overview of our activities to further cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations. There are programmes under way in various political, cultural and legal spheres. To conclude, I wish to thank all Member States that have supported draft resolution A/71/L.6. I also wish to thank the representative of Algeria for introducing it. I call upon the General Assembly to adopt it by consensus.

In accordance with resolution 35/2, of 13 October 1980, I now give the floor to the Observer for the Asian- African Legal Consultative Organization.

I would like to refer to the Secretary- General’s report (A/71/160) submitted under agenda item 126, in particular as it pertains to the cooperation between the United Nations and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO). The Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization includes 47 member States, as well as several observer States from other regions of the world. It was one of the first interregional organizations specialized in international law to be granted observer status by the General Assembly. That step by the Assembly was in part in recognition of its contribution to the concepts of the exclusive economic zone, archipelago States and the continental shelf, which took place during the negotiations of the third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea in the 1970s. AALCO now has a new Secretary-General, Professor Kennedy Gastorn of Tanzania, which follows on from the organization’s healthy tradition of rotating its management leadership. One of the main purposes of AALCO is to promote and disseminate public international law. That is why AALCO works very closely with principal legal bodies, such as the Sixth Committee, the International Law Commission and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Much of the subject matter considered by those core legal bodies is also considered and studied by AALCO. Such topics include, for example, the law of the sea, counter-terrorism, sustainable development, climate change and cybercrime. Results of the deliberations are published and are available on the organization’s website. In that context, AALCO would like to thank in particular the Secretary-General and his Office and the Office of Legal Affairs for their support and cooperation. AALCO also has several regional arbitration centres and uses the arbitration rules promulgated by UNCITRAL. The results of the arbitration are well received and form a firm basis for the conduct of trade in the relevant regions. At United Nations Headquarters, the Permanent Observer organizes seminars, workshops and informal consultations on topics of international law of common interest on a regular basis with zero budget. Those events are open to all missions, delegations and the Secretariat; inclusive and open discussions are the objective. Judges, jurists, scholars and practitioners visiting New York are invited to actively take part in those activities. AALCO serves as a forum for intellectual stimulation and the free exchange of views. The General Assembly has initiated many significant activities, including the setting up of a new management mechanism for marine diversity and genetic resources. As it has done before, AALCO is ready to assist in building a functional, competitive and sustainable legal regime for managing such resources in the international ocean area beyond national jurisdiction.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on agenda item 126 and its sub-items (a) to (z). We will now consider draft resolutions A/71/L.5, A/71/L.6, A/71/L.7, A/71/L.9, A/71/L.11, A/71/L.12, A/71/L.14, A/71/L.15, A/71/L.16/ Rev.1 and A/71/L.17. Before giving the floor to speakers for explanations of vote or position before we take decisions on the draft resolutions, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

I take the floor to express my delegation’s position on draft resolution A/71/L.5, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States” (CIS), and draft resolution A/71/L.7, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organization” (CSTO). In the text of the draft resolution on the CSTO, the General Assembly “[n]otes with appreciation the significant practical contribution and efforts of the Collective Security Treaty Organization to strengthen its peacekeeping capacities and the system of regional security and stability” (A/71/L.7, para. 2); while the draft resolution on the CIS suggests that “strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States will advance the purposes and principles of the United Nations” (A/71/L.5, seventh preambular paragraph). In that regard, Georgia wishes to recall the ongoing illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation, which is a member of both the CIS and the CSTO, the continuous militarization of those regions and the policy of factual annexation, conducted in breach of international law, including of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the misuse of the mandate of the CIS peacekeeping mission both in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia over the years. Therefore, my delegation cannot endorse the draft resolutions mentioned and would like to disassociate itself from the consensus. We request that the Secretariat reflect this statement in the records of this plenary meeting for both draft resolutions.

I will speak about draft resolution A/71/L.5, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States” (CIS). The Republic of Moldova supports the promotion of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in advancing the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We believe that regional organizations play an essential role in fostering partnerships with a view to addressing economic and development issues, in a more targeted and cooperative way, among countries sharing common borders or economic interests. The Republic of Moldova will continue to promote and support initiatives aimed at the modernization of economies in the Commonwealth of Independent States region, in the development of transport infrastructure, the free movement of people and cooperation in the area of anti-terrorism. We also expect the complete and non-discriminatory implementation of the free trade agreement within the Commonwealth of Independent States, signed in October 2011. As stated at the summit of CIS leaders held in Bishkek in September, the Republic of Moldova is strongly interested in, and calls for, the elimination of all barriers to commercial activities for the benefit of all participating countries in this regional forum, as well as for meaningful inter-State cooperation in the humanitarian, cultural and social fields. With regard to the agenda item discussed today, we took note of the activities outlined in the report (A/71/160) of the Secretary-General regarding cooperation between the United Nations and the CIS and which provides information about the various exchanges and contacts with the CIS secretariat in matters relating to anti-terrorism measures, statistics and the cross- boundary effects of industrial activities. While joining the consensus on the draft resolution regarding the cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States, we wish to reiterate the fact that, because of its reservations about the regulations on the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States, adopted on 10 October 2008, the Republic of Moldova does not recognize the international legal personality of the CIS and its relations with other international organizations. Therefore, the adoption of this draft resolution shall not be interpreted as a deviation from those reservations. I would appreciate having this clarification reflected in the records of this meeting.

My country, the Syrian Arab Republic, believes that dangerous and undemocratic practices are marring the working methods in the League of Arab States as a result of the illegal and illegitimate policies and attitudes adopted by the Governments of certain States members of that organization with a view to controlling the election and decision-making mechanisms and the working methods of that regional organization. The League of Arab States has therefore gone beyond its goals to respect the independence and sovereignty of States, to safeguard the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs, to pursue the maintenance of regional and international peace and security and to defend the interests of peoples, and is instead exerting economic and humanitarian pressure on them. For all those reasons, the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic would like to request that draft resolution A/71/L.6 be put to a vote. My country also believes that malpractice is marring the working methods of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) owing to the attempts by the Governments of certain States to flagrantly interfere in its election and decision-making mechanisms and the working methods of that organization as well. That has made the OIC face risks that jeopardize some of its declared goals when it comes to justice and equality between member States with regard to respecting the independence and sovereignty of States and the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs. For all of those reasons, the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic would like as well for the draft resolution entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation” to be put to a vote.

Before the General Assembly proceeds to the adoption of draft resolution A/71/L.5, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States” (CIS), I would like to make the following statement. In general, Ukraine supports cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations with regard to Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. We consider such cooperation to be an important condition for the effective settlement of conflicts and the promotion of peace and security. Unfortunately, that is not the case with the CIS. To our disappointment, that organization demonstrated its complete failure to take appropriate measures to respond to the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The CIS is still pretending that there is no Russian aggression, no illegal occupation of Crimea and no war crimes committed by the Russian Federation. At the same time, I would like to make a short clarification. I am speaking about the CIS as an organization. We are very grateful to some of its members for their non-recognition of the attempted annexation of Crimea. Their voices are important in our common efforts aimed at defending the Charter of the United Nations. I would also like to remind the General Assembly that Ukraine has not signed the decision of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS of 24 December 1993, concerning certain measures to ensure international recognition of the CIS with regard to granting observer status for the CIS at the General Assembly. In not doing so, Ukraine acted on the basis of the statement delivered on 20 December 1991 of the Parliament of Ukraine concerning the conclusion of the agreement on the CIS, which stated that Ukraine declined to grant the Commonwealth the status of a subject of international law. The delegation of Ukraine must also draw attention to the fact that the basic documents of the CIS — namely, the Agreement on the Establishment of the CIS, the Alma Ata Declaration and the CIS Charter — do not qualify the status of the Commonwealth as one with the features of a subject of international law. The CIS is a special international, interregional formation that not only lacks definite status, but actually includes a military and political alliance established on the basis of the Tashkent agreement on collective security of 15 May 1992, which binds only some members of the Commonwealth. My delegation would also like to draw the attention of the Assembly to the fact that some provisions of the draft resolution do not correspond in full to the realities on the ground. In particular, paragraph 1 of document A/71/L.5 notes that “the activities of the Commonwealth of Independent States to strengthen regional cooperation in such areas as trade and economic development”, while the Russian Federation has undertaken targeted illegal and discriminatory steps on trade with Ukraine. With respect to Ukraine, it unilaterally suspended the Free Trade Area Treaty of 18 October 2011 — concluded within the CIS — as well as introduced prohibitions and restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, raw materials and food supplies, prohibitions and limitations on freedom of transit of international cargo transit from Ukraine through the territory of the Russian Federation to the territories of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The prohibition and limitation by the Russian Federation of the transit through its territory of Ukrainian goods violate the freedom of transit under article V of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1994 and the customs valuation of the World Trade Organization. We must also draw attention to the provision of paragraph 1 concerning the combating of terrorist acts and manifestations of extremism. We express our disappointment that, although the Commonwealth positions itself as an active fighter against terrorism and extremism, it has displayed a total absence of response to the actions of one of its most influential members — the Russian Federation, an aggressor and occupier country that controls, finances and directs the illegal armed groups in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, supplying them military equipment and weapons. That Russian policy constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security. In those circumstances, Ukraine will abstain in the voting on draft resolution A/71/L.5 exclusively on the understanding that its adoption should not be interpreted as a de jure recognition of the Commonwealth as a regional arrangement, as defined in Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, bearing responsibilities for dealing with matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, in particular for enforcement action under the authority of the Security Council.

In relation to draft resolution A/71/L.15, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe”, Cyprus aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and would like to add the following in its national capacity. Cyprus will assume the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from 22 November until 19 May 2017, for the fifth time during its membership to the organization. Cyprus attaches particular importance to enhancing the cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe in their shared endeavours to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world, and welcomes in that respect the upcoming adoption of today’s draft resolution. The assumption of the chairmanship comes at a time when our world faces several challenges — war, economic disparities, underdevelopment, poverty, migratory flows, terrorism, the rise of populism, xenophobic rhetoric and extremism — that test our democracies and shake public trust in State and international institutions. The chairmanship will be carried out under the general theme “Reinforcing democratic security in Europe” and will focus on rights and freedoms for all people without any discrimination, democratic citizenship and the prevalence of the rule of law. Our priorities include the protection of cultural heritage from wanton destruction and the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, as we see more and more incidents wherein antiquities are being targeted by terrorism and violent extremism or are being stolen and used to finance terrorism; the issue of migrants being held in reception centres, and sometimes in detention centres; the role of education in fostering democratic citizenship; the role of youth in peacebuilding and intercultural dialogue; the promotion of equal rights and improving the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities; dealing with homophobic and transphobic hate crimes; and the protection of human rights in the biomedical field. In general, our focus will be on issues that have been at the epicentre of recent and ongoing discussions of the United Nations. We hope that we will encourage and promote cooperation and synergies between the United Nations and the Council of Europe, leading to enhanced democratic stability and the promotion of human rights.

Armenia commends the leadership and competence of the Estonian delegation in negotiating draft resolution A/71/L.15, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe”, and welcomes the consensus reached on it. As a member of the Council of Europe, Armenia reiterates the crucial role of the organization as an important regional platform for cooperation and a repository of legal and practical knowledge and expertise in promoting democracy, the rule of law and good governance, and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms at the regional and national levels. Since its independence 25 years ago, including in the past 15 years of its full membership in the Council of Europe, Armenia has been a strong beneficiary of, and contributor to, such cooperation. The Council of Europe has developed sound and effective legal foundations, norms and standards for promoting the declared objectives. Armenia underlines the valuable partnership between the Council of Europe and the United Nations, which in essence gives prominence to the universality of human rights and the common objectives of promoting democracy and the rule of law. We encourage continued cooperation among the Council of Europe and various organs of the United Nations, including the Human Rights Council and its special procedures, the United Nations human rights treaty bodies and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Council of Europe has firmly positioned itself as a valuable contributor to the Universal Periodic Review process of the Human Rights Council. The Council of Europe, together with other regional organizations in Europe, provides sound foundations for effective and advanced regional cooperation in the areas of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and in assisting member States in promoting those objectives at the national level. Such strong foundations at the regional level should provide an opportunity for due assessment of the effective and efficient division of labour between regional and global frameworks of cooperation and scope of engagement at the national level by the respective organizations. This is important for the effective use of the available resources of the organizations, which are known to be limited, and for avoiding the duplication of effort. While engaging in negotiations on the draft resolution under consideration, Armenia was guided by the objective of fully retaining basic European values reflected in the draft while maintaining full respect of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression and opinion and the freedom of media, specification, inter alia, the promotion and protection of journalism and the safety of journalists. We regretfully note, however, that Armenia’s proposals were not properly reflected in the text during the negotiations of the draft resolution both in Strasbourg and New York. The choice of venues for organizing cooperation forums has become a very sensitive issue, especially when the venue turns out to be a country that, although a member of the Council of Europe and the United Nations, consistently violates the human rights of its people, shuts out Government opponents, imprisons journalists and human rights defenders, and, furthermore, promotes hatred and intolerance towards other nations and peoples at the highest level. Such is the case with the choice of Baku as the host of the first Global Forum on Youth Policies. The Baku Commitment to Youth Policies was adopted without a representative of Armenia attending the forum simply because the presence of an Armenian in Baku represents a serious physical security risk. That is a result of the consistent Armenophobia promoted by the Government of Azerbaijan, which glorifies all sorts of atrocities, including the beheading of Armenians. Finally, the cooperation between the Council of Europe and the United Nations is poised to be the subject of added value and prominence in the light of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Within its respective areas of competence, the Council of Europe is strongly positioned to assist its member States in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including in particular Sustainable Development Goal 16. In reiterating its strong support for the continued cooperation between the Council of Europe and the United Nations, Armenia remains a perennial sponsor of this draft resolution and calls upon all members to adopt it by consensus.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote or position before we take decisions. I now call on the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic on a point of order.

I just wish to clarify any possible confusion or error with regard to the symbols of the two draft resolutions. We are requesting votes on the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States and on the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions A/71/L.5, A/71/L.6, A/71/L.7, A/71/L.9, A/71/L.11, A/71/L.12, A/71/L.14, A/71/L.15, A/71/L.16 and A/71/L.17. Draft resolution A/71/L.5 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt it?

Draft resolution A/71/L.6 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/71/L.6 and in addition to the delegations listed in the draft resolution, the following countries have also become sponsors of A/71/L.6: El Salvador, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The present statement is made in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly and will be made available in the PaperSmart portal. Under the terms of paragraphs 1 and 4 of draft resolution A/71/L.6, the General Assembly would, respectively, request the Secretariat of the United Nations and the League of Arab States to consider the possibility of forming a high-level working group to follow up on the implementation of the provisions of the protocol on amendment of the text of the cooperation agreement between the two organizations until a liaison office of the League of Arab States is opened in Cairo, with the aim of improving and achieving further coordination between the two organizations in the fields addressed in the protocol; and emphasize the importance of holding the thirteenth sectoral meeting between the two organizations and their specialized agencies, in 2017, concerning cooperation on the preservation and management of water resources in the Arab region, and the fourteenth general cooperation meeting between the two organizations and their systems during 2018, for which the dates and venue will be agreed upon in due course. Pursuant to paragraph 1 of the draft resolution, it is understood that a liaison office is expected to be opened. In the absence of specific details on the establishment of the liaison office, it is not possible at the present time to estimate the potential cost implications of the requirements for the liaison office. Upon the decision on the establishment of the liaison office and the related staffing and operational requirements, the Secretary- General would submit the relevant costs of such requirements in accordances with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. With regard to the request contained in paragraph 4, it is understood that all issues related to the two meetings, including the dates, venue, format, organization and scope, are yet to be determined. Accordingly, in the absence of modalities for the meetings, it is not possible at the present time to estimate the potential cost implications of the requirements for the meetings and documentation. Upon the decisions on the modalities, format and organization of the meetings, the Secretary- General would submit the relevant costs of such requirements in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. Furthermore, the dates of the meetings will have to be determined in consultation with the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. Accordingly, the adoption of draft resolution A/71/L.6 would not give rise to any financial implications under the programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017.

A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of El Salvador, France, Germany, India, Italy, Micronesia (Federated States of ) and Poland informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]

Draft resolution A/71/L.7 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organization”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt it?

Draft resolution A/71/L.9 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Central European Initiative”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to those delegations listed in the document, Georgia has become a sponsor of draft resolution A/71/L.9.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/71/L.9?

Draft resolution A/71/L.11 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt it?

Draft resolution A/71/L.12 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to those delegations listed in the document, Poland has become a sponsor of draft resolution A/71/L.12.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/71/L.12?

Draft resolution A/71/L.14 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt it?

Draft resolution A/71/L.15 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to those delegations listed in the document, Armenia and Mexico have become sponsors of draft resolution A/71/L.15.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/71/L.15?

Draft resolution A/71/L.16/Rev.1 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to those delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors of draft resolution A/71/L.16/Rev.1: Austria, Hungary, Montenegro and Spain.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/71/L.16/Rev.1?

Draft resolution A/71/L.17 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Criminal Police Organization”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to those delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors of draft resolution A/71/L.17: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine and Uruguay. Also in connection with draft resolution A/71/L.17, I wish to put on the record the following statement of financial implications on behalf of the Secretary- General, which is also available on the PaperSmart portal, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. In paragraph 5 of draft resolution A/71/L.17, the General Assembly would request that the Secretary- General submit to the General Assembly, at its seventy-third session, a report on the implementation of the resolution. It is anticipated that the request 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 official languages, which 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.17, the additional resources requirement of $37,600 that would arise for 2018 under section 2, “General Assembly and Economic and Social Council affairs and conference management”, will be included in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2018-2019.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/71/L.17?

Before giving the floor to speakers in explanation of vote or position on the resolutions just adopted, I should like to remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

While my delegation joined in the consensus on resolution 71/15, we would like to express our concern about the fact that one of the resolution’s main sponsors, Azerbaijan, has regularly misused the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development in order to present its distorted interpretation of the process for resolving the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. That does not contribute in any way to the negotiations conducted in the framework of the agreed format of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group co-chairship, on the basis of purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations — specifically, the non-use or threat of use of force, the self-determination of peoples, and countries’ territorial integrity.

Regarding resolution 71/16, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization”, my delegation would like to state for the record that Cyprus dissociates itself from the consensus on the resolution for the following reasons. In operative paragraph 2, the resolution takes note of the Baku Declaration, issued at the twelfth Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit meeting of its Heads of State and/or Government, held on 16 October 2012 in Azerbaijan. The Baku Declaration endorsed the report of the Organization’s Council of Ministers at their twentieth meeting and instructed the Secretary General of ECO to ensure that the report was fully implemented. We are informed that the report recommends that the so-called Turkish Cypriot State be given observer status in the Economic Cooperation Organization. The Baku Declaration in effect calls on the Secretary General of ECO to act contrary to Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on Cyprus, particularly Security Council resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984), which state that the declaration of a purported secession of part of the Republic of Cyprus is legally invalid and call for its withdrawal. By those resolutions, the Security Council condemns all secessionist acts, calling on all States to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and not to recognize any Cypriot State other than the Republic of Cyprus. The Council also urges States not to facilitate or assist the secessionist entity in any way. In that regard, I would also like to recall General Assembly resolutions 3212 (XXIX) and 37/253, of 1983, which call on all States to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. My delegation reiterates those calls made by the United Nations to the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization. We urge them and the Secretary General of ECO not to act contrary to United Nations resolutions by implementing the recommendation to accord observer status to a secessionist entity. We have decided not to break the consensus on today’s resolution on cooperation, based on the good faith and spirit of cooperation displayed by its sponsors during the informal negotiations on the text. We hope that same spirit will be displayed in response to the call we have just made, that the Economic Cooperation Organization and its member States will re-evaluate their position on the issue and, in consideration of their cooperation with the United Nations, act in compliance with our Organization’s Charter.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote or position after the voting. I now give the floor to those representatives who wish to speak in exercise of the right of reply. I would like to remind members that statements in exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second, and should be made by delegations from their seats.

The irrelevant statements made by the representative of Armenia with regard to two of the resolutions just adopted by the General Assembly are examples of its attempts to create an erroneous impression of the real situation and deflect the international community’s attention from the urgent need to address the chief problems caused by Armenia’s continued aggression against Azerbaijan. Armenia’s allegations of so-called Armenophobia are not worthy of criticism. Suffice it to say that, unlike Armenia — which has implemented a policy of total ethnic cleansing of all non-Armenians in both its own territory and the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and has thereby succeeded in creating a uniquely mono-ethnic culture in them — Azerbaijan has preserved its ethnic and cultural diversity to this day. The representative of Armenia asserted that his country was not represented at one of the international conferences held in Baku and mentioned in resolution 71/17, on cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe. However, he passed in silence over the fact that many Armenians, including Armenian citizens, visited Azerbaijan both before and after that conference in order to participate in various international conferences and sports events held there. If there is anywhere in the world that is insecure for the citizens of Armenia, it is their own country, Armenia itself. The international community has repeatedly expressed its indignation at the Armenian leadership’s undisguised promotion of odious notions of racial superiority and ethnic and religious incompatibility, and its expressions of hatred towards Azerbaijan and others of its neighbours, while the relevant United Nations bodies and other international organizations have repeatedly expressed their serious concerns about the spirit of intolerance that prevails in Armenia and the discriminatory policies and practices it pursues. The direct involvement of the current political and military leadership of Armenia, including its incumbent and former Presidents, in the brutal massacres conducted during its aggression against Azerbaijan that claimed the lives of thousands of Azerbaijani civilians, including children, women and the elderly, is well known and thoroughly documented. Against that background, it is curious that the representative of Armenia should criticize and lecture others on notions that are a priori alien to his country’s policy and practice. In conclusion, I would like to recall some of the relevant decisions and documents of international organizations, including General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, condemning Armenia’s use of force against Azerbaijan and calling for an end to the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. I am confident that a careful reading of those documents and decisions would convince the delegation of Armenia to refrain from wasting time by making irrelevant and out-of-context statements in the future.

It should be emphasized that many conflicts, including that in Nagorno Karabakh, are the result of systematic violations of human rights, aggravated by precarious situations where the rule of law is concerned. Countries that violate human rights systematically and unapologetically tend to be part of the problem rather than the solution when it comes to resolving such conflicts. Azerbaijan’s appalling human rights record and totalitarian tendencies are a case in point. Obviously, no country, including one that acts aggressively, will accept that. Such countries would rather blame their opponents for unleashing military aggression, and that is the case with Azerbaijan. Nonetheless, I do not want to engage in lengthy discussions with Azerbaijan, and our point was made pretty clearly when we spoke from the rostrum. I would just like to respond briefly to the mention of my country’s leadership in Azerbaijan’s statement. I understand the jealousy of the representative of Azerbaijan, a country that has been led by a single family for almost 50 years. Meanwhile, we in Armenia have a President who is democratically elected for no more than two terms of office. That should be enough for Azerbaijan to understand the difference between the situations in Armenia and Azerbaijan, which should not even be compared with each other.

I remind speakers once again to limit their statements to five minutes.

The remarks just made by the representative of Armenia are distorting, as well as self-contradictory in their substance and unacceptable in their tone. He goes so far as to lecture other Member States on principles and values that in fact his Government consistently disregards and opposes. In reality, the primary objective of the ongoing peace process aimed at resolving the conflict in and around the Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is to ensure the unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenia’s armed forces from the region and the other occupied territories of Azerbaijan, along with the exercise by the forcibly displaced population of their inalienable right to return to their homes and properties. Rather than wasting time and misleading both its own people and the international community, the Government of Armenia should reconsider its unconstructive position, which will become more and more difficult to stick to. The sooner that happens, the sooner the conflict will be resolved and the countries and peoples of the region benefit from the prospects of cooperation and economic development.

I will be brief. In order to demonstrate its commitment to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan should as a first step engage immediately and unconditionally in the implementation of the agreements reached in Vienna and Saint Petersburg in May and June. A refusal to implement them will leave it with the burden of full responsibility for the lack of progress in settling the Nagorno Karabakh peace process.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-items (d), (i), (l), (o), (u), (v), (w), (x) and (y) of agenda item 126?

Before concluding the meeting, however, I would like to appeal to those Member States intending to submit draft resolutions on the remaining sub-items to do so as soon as possible. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 126 and its remaining sub-items. Programme of work

Finally, I should like to consult members regarding an extension of the work of the Second Committee. Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 16 September 2016, the General Assembly approved the recommendation of the General Committee that the Second Committee complete its work by Wednesday, 23 November. However, I have been informed by the Chair of the Second Committee that the Committee requests an extension of its work to Wednesday, 30 November, in view of the fact that such an extension would facilitate reaching consensus on the pending resolutions before the Committee. May I therefore take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Second Committee until Wednesday, 30 November 2016?