A/71/PV.51 General Assembly

Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 — Session 71, Meeting 51 — New York — UN Document ↗

In the absence of the President, Ms. Kasese-Bota (Zambia), Vice-President, took the Chair.
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✓ Yes (179)
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The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m.

Reports of the First Committee

The Acting President #78961
The General Assembly will now take up the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 89 to 105, 121 and 135. I now request the Rapporteur of the First Committee, Mr. Darren Hansen of Australia, to introduce the reports of the First Committee in one intervention.

99.  Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/71/451)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

100.  Review of the implementation of the recommendations and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session Report of the First Committee (A/71/452)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
Mr. Hansen AUS Australia #78962
I have the honour to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the Disarmament and International Security Committee, the First Committee, on agenda items 89 to 105, 121 and 135, as contained in documents A/71/441 to A/71/459. For the convenience of delegations, a checklist prepared by the Secretariat specifying the action taken in the First Committee is contained in document A/C.1/71/INF/3. During this main part of the seventy-first session, the Disarmament and International Security Committee held a total of 26 formal meetings so as to consider the 20 agenda items that were allocated to it. During the session, 118 delegations made statements within the general debate segment, while an impressive 302 interventions were made during the thematic discussion segment. That can be compared with 112 delegations and 273 statements in 2015. During the action phase, the Committee adopted 69 draft resolutions and decisions, 35 of which were adopted by recorded vote with 29 separate votes requested. That can be compared with 57 draft resolutions and decisions in 2015. The first report, submitted under agenda item 89, entitled “Reduction of military budgets”, is contained in document A/71/441 and, as indicated, no proposal was put forward in the Committee. The proposals considered under agenda items 90, 91, 92, 94, 97, 100, 102, 103 and 105 were all adopted without a vote. Oral statements by the Secretariat were made prior to the adoption of draft resolution A/C.1/71/L.4, entitled “Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects”, submitted under agenda item 102; and draft resolution A/C.1/71/L.56, entitled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction”, under agenda item 105. Of the eight proposals considered under agenda item 99, “Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly”, seven were adopted without a vote, and oral statements by the Secretariat were made prior to the adoption of draft resolution A/C.1/71/L.50, entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”, and draft resolution A/C.1/71/L.62, entitled “United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament”. The First Committee voted on 35 proposals submitted under seven agenda items, namely, 93, 95, 96, 98, 99 (c), 101 and 104. Since the issuance of the report of the First Committee on agenda item 101, entitled “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East” (A/71/453), the Secretariat has been informed that the Comoros had intended to vote in favour of draft resolution A/C.1/71/L.2/Rev.1 as a whole. Agenda item 98, entitled “General and complete disarmament”, accounted for 25 of the 29 separate votes, 6 of the 11 oral statements made by the Secretariat and the two programme-budget implications issued for the session. With regard to item 121, “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, the draft decision containing the provisional programme of work and timetable of the First Committee for 2017 is contained in document A/71/458. As indicated in the report of the Committee in document A/71/459, the need did not arise for the Committee to take up item 135, “Programme planning”. I have the honour to submit to the General Assembly for its consideration and adoption the draft resolutions and draft decisions recommended by the Disarmament and International Security Committee in its reports contained in documents A/71/441 to A/71/459. Before concluding, I would like to recall the high level of cooperation prevailing in the First Committee. The Committee was able to fulfil the mandate entrusted to it by the Assembly and to complete its work within the time allotted by the Assembly. I should like to express, on behalf of the Bureau of the Committee, our sincere appreciation to all delegations for their constructive participation during the session. In that regard, I would like to note in particular the positive manner in which the new e-delegate and e-cosponsorship tools were embraced by delegations. I should like to pay particular tribute here to the Chair of the First Committee, His Excellency Ambassador Boukadoum of Algeria, whose knowledge and experience in multilateral forums, enhanced by his consummate diplomatic skills, enabled the Committee to consider in depth all of the agenda items allocated to it. The other members of the Bureau, Mr. Rene Zeleny of the Czech Republic, Ms. María Soledad Urruela Arenales of Guatemala, and Mr. Kamapradipta Isnomo of Indonesia, with whom I had the pleasure of working, also contributed greatly to the successful conclusion of the work of the Committee. Finally, I would like to recognize the dedicated support of Mr. Kim Won-soo, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and the staff of the Office of Disarmament Affairs, as well as the Secretary of the Committee, Ms. Sonia Elliott, and her team: conference officers, interpreters, record keepers, press officers, documents officers, sound technicians and information technology staff.

96.  Prevention of an arms race in outer space Report of the First Committee (A/71/448)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

98.  General and complete disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/71/450)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 166   ✗ 1   16 abs.
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✓ Yes (166)
The Acting President #78963
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the First Committee that are before the Assembly today.
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The Acting President #78964
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the First Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official documents. May I remind members that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in the plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee, and that the explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the First Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance. That means that where separate or recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the First Committee. Before proceeding further, I would like to draw the attention of Member States to a note by the Secretariat, in English only, entitled “Situation reports of the First Committee on agenda items 89 to 105, 121 and 135”, which has been circulated as document A/C.1/71/INF/3. The note has been distributed desk to desk in the Hall to be held as a reference guide for action on the draft resolutions and the decisions recommended by the First Committee in its reports. In that connection, members will find in the second column of the note the symbols of the draft resolutions and decisions of the First Committee, with the corresponding symbols of the report for action in the plenary in the fourth column. For reports containing multiple recommendations, the draft resolution or decision number is contained in the fifth column of the note. Furthermore, members are reminded that additional sponsors are no longer accepted now that the draft resolutions and decisions have been adopted by the Committee. Any clarification about sponsorship in the Committee reports should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee. Moreover, Member States are reminded that any corrections to the voting intentions of delegations, after the voting has concluded on the proposal, should be made directly to the Secretariat after the meeting in writing. In that regard, I would seek members’ cooperation in avoiding any interruptions to our proceedings.

89.  Reduction of military budgets Report of the First Committee (A/71/441)

The Acting President #78965
May I take that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee?
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 130   ✗ 4   48 abs.
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✓ Yes (130)
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
It was so decided.
The Acting President #78966
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 89?
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 128   ✗ 50   9 abs.
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✓ Yes (128)
It was so decided.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus

90.  African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/71/442)

The Acting President #78967
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 71/26).
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The Acting President #78968
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 90?
It was so decided.

91.  Consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) Report of the First Committee (A/71/443)

The Acting President #78969
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 71/27).
The Acting President #78970
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 91?
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/97 Consensus

92.  Maintenance of international security — good- neighbourliness, stability and development in South-Eastern Europe Report of the First Committee (A/71/444)

The Acting President #78971
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft decision. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 71/513).
Vote: 31/169 Recorded Vote
✓ 126   ✗ 49   10 abs.
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✓ Yes (126)
The Acting President #78972
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 92?
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
It was so decided.

93.  Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security Report of the First Committee (A/71/445)

The Acting President #78973
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted by 181 votes to none, with 1 abstention (resolution 71/28).
The Acting President #78974
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 93?
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
It was so decided.

94.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/71/446)

The Acting President #78975
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 71/29).
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
The Acting President #78976
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 94?
It was so decided.

95.  Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons Report of the First Committee (A/71/447)

The Acting President #78977
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 128 votes to none, with 57 abstentions (resolution 71/30).
The Acting President #78978
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #78979
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. After both decisions have been taken, representatives will have the opportunity to explain their votes on either or both of the draft resolutions. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “Prevention of an arms race in outer space”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 182 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 71/31).
The Acting President #78980
We will now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “No first placement of weapons in outer space”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 32/101 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted by 130 votes to 4, with 48 abstentions (resolution 71/32).
The Acting President #78981
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 96?
It was so decided.
Vote: 35/94 Consensus

97.  Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/71/449)

The Acting President #78982
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of the report. We will now take action on the draft decision. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 71/514).
The Acting President #78983
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 97?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #78984
The Assembly has before it 42 draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 112 of its report and 3 draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 113 of the same report. The Assembly will now take action on draft resolutions I to XLII and draft decisions I to III, one by one. After all decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their votes on any or all of the draft resolutions and draft decisions. I now invite delegations to turn to paragraph 112, in section III of the report. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 166 votes to 1, with 16 abstentions (resolution 71/33).
The Acting President #78985
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Nicaragua informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 164 votes to none, with 20 abstentions (resolution 71/34).
The Acting President #78986
Draft resolution III is entitled “Information on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 71/35).
The Acting President #78987
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Preventing and combating illicit brokering activities”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on the eighth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The eighth preambular paragraph was retained by 167 votes to 1, with 12 abstentions.
The Acting President #78988
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution IV as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV, as a whole, was adopted by 184 votes to 1, with 1 abstention (resolution 71/36).
The Acting President #78989
Draft resolution V is entitled “Reducing nuclear danger”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution V was adopted by 126 votes to 49, with 10 abstentions (resolution 71/37).
The Acting President #78990
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 71/38).
The Acting President #78991
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 71/39).
The Acting President #78992
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “Regional disarmament”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 71/40).
The Acting President #78993
Draft resolution IX is entitled “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 2. I shall first put to the vote the sixth preambular paragraph.
Vote: 39/192 Recorded Vote
✓ 141   ✗ 2   39 abs.
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✓ Yes (141)
A recoded vote was taken.
The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 173 votes to 1, with 3 abstentions.
The Acting President #78994
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 2.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 351/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 144   ✗ 16   24 abs.
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✓ Yes (144)
Operative paragraph 2 was retained by 139 votes to 1, with 37 abstentions.
The Acting President #78995
I now put to the vote draft resolution IX, as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IX, as a whole, was adopted by 183 votes to 1, with 3 abstentions (resolution 71/41).
Vote: 40/143 Recorded Vote
✓ 137   ✗ 34   12 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (137)
The Acting President #78996
Draft resolution X is entitled “Transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution X was adopted (resolution 71/42).
The Acting President #78997
Draft resolution XI is entitled “Mongolia’s international security and nuclear- weapon-free status”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 40/144 Consensus
Draft resolution XI was adopted (resolution 71/43).
The Acting President #78998
Draft resolution XII is entitled “Transparency in armaments”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the fourth, seventh and eighth preambular paragraphs and operative paragraphs 3, 4, 6 (c) and 7. I shall first put to the vote the fourth preambular paragraph of draft resolution XII.
A recorded vote was taken.
The fourth preambular paragraph was retained by 150 votes to none, with 25 abstentions.
The Acting President #78999
I now put to the vote the seventh preambular paragraph of draft resolution XII.
A recorded vote was taken.
The seventh preambular paragraph was retained by 141 votes to none, with 35 abstentions.
The Acting President #79000
I now put to the vote the eighth preambular paragraph of draft resolution XII.
A recorded vote was taken.
The eighth preambular paragraph was retained by 141 votes to none, with 36 abstentions.
The Acting President #79001
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 3.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 3 was retained by 147 votes to none, with 29 abstentions.
The Acting President #79002
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 4.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 4 was retained by 148 votes to none, with 27 abstentions.
Vote: 55/108 Consensus
The Acting President #79003
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 6 (c).
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 6 (c) was retained by 152 votes to none, with 25 abstentions.
The Acting President #79004
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 7.
Vote: 40/233 Recorded Vote
✓ 179   ✗ 4   1 abs.
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✓ Yes (179)
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 7 was retained by 149 votes to none, with 26 abstentions.
The Acting President #79005
I now put to the vote draft resolution XII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 40/234 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XII, as a whole, was adopted by 156 votes to none, with 29 abstentions (resolution 71/44).
The Acting President #79006
Draft resolution XIII is entitled “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIII was adopted by 141 votes to 2, with 39 abstentions (resolution 71/45).
The Acting President #79007
Draft resolution XIV is entitled “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIV was adopted by 144 votes to 16, with 24 abstentions (resolution 71/46).
The Acting President #79008
Draft resolution XV is entitled “Humanitarian pledge for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XV was adopted by 137 votes to 34, with 12 abstentions (resolution 71/47).
The Acting President #79009
Draft resolution XVI is entitled “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XVI was adopted (resolution 71/48).
The Acting President #79010
Draft resolution XVII is entitled “United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 5, 20 and 27. I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 5.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 5 was retained by 173 votes to 3, with 5 abstentions.
Vote: 56/169 Recorded Vote
✓ 130   ✗ 37   15 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (130)
The Acting President #79011
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 20.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 20 was retained by 167 votes to 4, with 8 abstentions.
The Acting President #79012
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 27.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 27 was retained by 170 votes to none, with 10 abstentions.
The Acting President #79013
I now put to the vote draft resolution XVII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 56/170 Consensus
Draft resolution XVII, as a whole, was adopted by 167 votes to 4, with 16 abstentions (resolution 71/49).
The Acting President #79014
Draft resolution XVIII is entitled “The Arms Trade Treaty”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XVIII was adopted by 157 votes to none, with 28 abstentions (resolution 71/50).
Vote: 59/92 Recorded Vote
✓ 136   ✗ 25   22 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (136)
The Acting President #79015
Draft resolution XIX is entitled “Nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIX was adopted by 179 votes to 4, with 1 abstention (resolution 71/51).
The Acting President #79016
Draft resolution XX is entitled “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 58/246 Consensus
Draft resolution XX was adopted (resolution 71/52).
The Acting President #79017
Draft resolution XXI is entitled “Decreasing the operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on its eighth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 59/94 Consensus
The eighth preambular paragraph was retained by 168 votes to none, with 11 abstentions.
The Acting President #79018
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXI as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXI, as a whole, was adopted by 175 votes to 4, with 5 abstentions (resolution 71/53).
Vote: 59/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 132   ✗ 4   50 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (132)
The Acting President #79019
Draft resolution XXII is entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 14.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 14 was retained by 168 votes to 6, with 3 abstentions.
Vote: 63/70 Consensus
The Acting President #79020
I shall now put to a vote draft resolution XXII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXII as a whole, was adopted by 137 votes to 25, with 19 abstentions (resolution 71/54).
The Acting President #79021
Draft resolution XXIII is entitled “Ethical imperatives for a nuclear-weapon-free world”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXIII was adopted by 130 votes to 37, with 15 abstentions (resolution 71/55).
The Acting President #79022
Draft resolution XXIV is entitled “Women, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on the tenth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The tenth preambular paragraph was retained by 151 votes to none, with 25 abstentions.
Vote: 65/77 Consensus
The Acting President #79023
The First Committee adopted draft resolution XXIV as a whole without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXIV, as a whole, was adopted (resolution 71/56).
The Acting President #79024
Draft resolution XXV is entitled “United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 71/65 Consensus
Draft resolution XXV was adopted (resolution 71/57).
The Acting President #79025
Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution XXVI, entitled “Taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations”, is postponed to a later date to allow time for a review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. We now turn to draft resolution XXVII, entitled “Follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 71/66 Consensus
Draft resolution XXVII was adopted by 136 votes to 25, with 22 abstentions (resolution 71/58).
The Acting President #79026
Draft resolution XXVIII is entitled “Measures to uphold the authority of the 1925 Geneva Protocol”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXVIII was adopted by 181 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (resolution 71/59).
The Acting President #79027
Draft resolution XXIX is entitled “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXIX was adopted (resolution 71/60).
The Acting President #79028
Draft resolution XXX is entitled “Promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXX was adopted by 132 votes to 4, with 50 abstentions (resolution 71/61).
The Acting President #79029
Draft resolution XXXI is entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXXI was adopted (resolution 71/62).
The Acting President #79030
Draft resolution XXXII is entitled “Nuclear disarmament”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 16.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 16 was retained by 171 votes to 1, with 5 abstentions.
The Acting President #79031
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXXII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXXII, as a whole, was adopted by 122 votes to 44, with 17 abstentions (resolution 71/63).
The Acting President #79032
Draft resolution XXXIII is entitled “Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXXIII was adopted (resolution 71/64).
The Acting President #79033
Draft resolution XXXIV is entitled “Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXXIV was adopted (resolution 71/65).
The Acting President #79034
Draft resolution XXXV is entitled “Preventing the acquisition by terrorists of radioactive sources”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XXXV was adopted (resolution 71/66).
The Acting President #79035
Draft resolution XXXVI is entitled “Nuclear disarmament verification”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 1. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia Against: Russian Federation
Operative paragraph 1 was retained by 175 votes to 1.
The Acting President #79036
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution XXXVI as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXXVI, as a whole, was adopted by 175 votes to none, with 6 abstentions (resolution 71/67).
The Acting President #79037
Draft resolution XXXVII is entitled “National legislation on transfer of arms, military equipment and dual-use goods and technology”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the seventh and eighth preambular paragraphs and operative paragraph 1. I shall now put to the vote the seventh preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The seventh preambular paragraph was retained by 150 votes to none, with 26 abstentions.
The Acting President #79038
I shall now put to the vote the eighth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The eighth preambular paragraph was retained by 152 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.
The Acting President #79039
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 1.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: XXXIX Recorded Vote
✓ 151   ✗ 4   28 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (151)
Operative paragraph 1 was retained by 156 votes to none, with 17 abstentions.
The Acting President #79040
I now put to the vote draft resolution XXXVII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXXVII, as a whole, was adopted by 180 votes to none, with 3 abstentions (resolution 71/68).
Vote: XL Recorded Vote
✓ 140   ✗ 30   15 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (140)
The Acting President #79041
Draft resolution XXXVIII is entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the third and fourth preambular paragraphs and on operative paragraphs 2 and 13. I shall first put to the vote the third preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The third preambular paragraph was retained by 147 votes to 8, with 17 abstentions.
Vote: 71/72 Consensus
The Acting President #79042
I now put to the vote the fourth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The fourth preambular paragraph was retained by 145 votes to 8, with 19 abstentions.
The Acting President #79043
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 2.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 2 was retained by 139 votes to 12, with 20 abstentions.
The Acting President #79044
I now put to the vote operative paragraph 13.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 13 was retained by 143 votes to 9, with 18 abstentions.
The Acting President #79045
I now put to the vote draft resolution XXXVIII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXXVIII, as a whole, was adopted by 160 votes to 6, with 15 abstentions (resolution 71/69).
The Acting President #79046
Draft resolution XXXIX is entitled “Effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XXXIX was adopted by 151 votes to 4, with 28 abstentions (resolution 71/70).
The Acting President #79047
Draft resolution XL is entitled “Follow-up to the 2013 high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XL was adopted by 140 votes to 30, with 15 abstentions (resolution 71/71).
The Acting President #79048
Before proceeding further, I would like to inform Member States that action on draft resolution XLI, entitled “Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices” is postponed to a later date to allow time for a review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. We now turn to draft resolution XLII, entitled “Countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XLII was adopted (resolution 71/72).
The Acting President #79049
I now invite members to turn to paragraph 113 of the report of the First Committee, concerning draft decisions. We turn first to draft decision I, entitled “Further measures in the field of disarmament for the prevention of an arms race on the seabed and the ocean floor and in the subsoil thereof”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision I was adopted (decision 71/515).
The Acting President #79050
Draft decision II is entitled “Missiles”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision II was adopted (decision 71/516).
The Acting President #79051
Draft decision III is entitled “Open-ended Working Group on the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft decision III was adopted by 179 votes to none, with 5 abstentions (decision 71/517).
The Acting President #79052
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote or position on the resolutions just adopted.
Ms. Dagher LBN Lebanon [Arabic] #79053
My delegation would like to explain its vote on resolution 71/69, entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”. Lebanon would first like to say that we are fully committed to the principal objective of the Convention, to which Lebanon is a signatory. We have expressed our opinion on it many times, because the use of chemical weapons is a violation of international law. However, in view of the wording of the resolution — particularly with regard to the crisis in Syria and especially in paragraph 2 — and based on our policy of distancing ourselves from any intervention in that crisis, we abstained in the voting, despite our support for the resolution’s aims and our commitment and conviction that the Convention should be fully implemented and that we should cooperate internationally in its framework.
Mr. Ammar PAK Pakistan #79054
I am taking the floor to explain my delegation’s vote on resolution 71/67, “Nuclear disarmament verification”. Pakistan remains committed to achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world through the conclusion of a universal, verifiable and non-discriminatory comprehensive convention on nuclear weapons. We support the commencement of negotiations to that end in the Conference on Disarmament. We recognize that the process of multilateral nuclear disarmament involving the reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons would be a complex undertaking, and that verification would be an essential and key component of such a process, the credibility of which would rest to a large degree on an effective and independent verification mechanism, to be agreed on during the negotiations. The negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear-weapon convention should be undertaken holistically, not pursued piecemeal. Nonetheless, we see the value in doing some expert work on the issue of verification in a representative forum that includes all the relevant stakeholders. In our view, the most suitable forum for that work would be the Conference on Disarmament. Its rules of procedure and past precedent would enable the creation of a subsidiary body for this purpose. We gave the sponsors of resolution 71/67 an amendment to that effect; however, they chose to task a 25-member group of governmental experts, not the Conference on Disarmament, to do the work. In a demonstration of our flexibility and desire to contribute to the process, my delegation decided to vote in favour of the resolution. We did so in a spirit of constructive engagement that we hope will help to make a practical contribution to the cause of nuclear disarmament. In that context, we hope to be part of the group of governmental experts to be established pursuant to the resolution.
Mr. Mahfouz EGY Egypt #79055
Egypt is taking the floor to explain its vote on resolution 71/50, on the Arms Trade Treaty. As a matter of fundamental policy, Egypt is well aware of the facts of the illicit trafficking in weapons. We are fully committed to exerting every effort to combat and eradicate the illicit trade in arms. Nevertheless, Egypt abstained in the voting on the draft resolution entitled “The Arms Trade Treaty”, for we are of the view that the Treaty cannot be considered universal or inclusive. We therefore do not accept the text contained in paragraph 3, on which we already voiced reservations in consultations. In fact, the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty was unable to achieve consensus. Egypt regrets that the final Conference was unable to reach agreement on a balanced and robust text acceptable to all States. Egypt expresses its reservation on the principle of adopting an important international disarmament instrument through a vote. Neglecting the consensus principle is a negative precedent that undermines the basis upon which most international agreements on disarmament have been developed. In that context, Egypt shares the following concerns. First, with regard to the lack of definitions of important terms and concepts that are essential for implementing the Treaty, including “end use” and “end user”, we stress that providing information regarding “end use’ and “end user” should be consistent with the laws and national security requirements of the receiving party. Secondly, another important missing element concerns the criteria by which an exporter would determine the application of the Treaty. In that connection, we believe that the international community is meant to rely chiefly on the Register of Conventional Arms, which includes only seven categories of weapons, excluding small arms and light weapons. Thirdly, the inclusion of a clear reference to the crimes of aggression and foreign occupation as part of the assessment would have clarified the implementation process and resulted in the essence of the Treaty being on regulating the arms trade, not restricting it. Fourthly, Egypt believes that all countries should be equally accountable to common benchmarks. Without agreed definitions or clear criteria, the implementation of the Treaty runs the risk of being subjective. It would depend upon the national political considerations of exporting States. The efforts of the international community should continue to focus on filling in the remaining gaps that the Arms Trade Treaty has left untouched. We continue to call for addressing the elements of overproduction and the ever-increasing stockpiles of conventional weapons within the territories of major arms exporters and producers. We still believe that every effort must be exerted to bring production and stockpiles in major arms-producing States under international scrutiny. International accountability is the only guarantee against the possible abuse of the existing imbalance between major arms producers and the rest of the world. We will be following closely the further developments regarding the implementation of the Treaty, in order to determine our further position.
Mr. Toro-Carnevali VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #79056
We abstained in the voting on resolution 71/69, entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”, as well as against the third and fourth preambular paragraphs and operative paragraphs 2 and 3, for the following reasons. During the past three years, the resolution on the Chemical Weapons Convention has evolved in a negative manner, focusing in a partial way on certain countries. That has caused this resolution to lose the consensus backing it enjoyed for two decades. That situation benefits no one; on the contrary, it affects us all. My delegation has always publicly declared the importance Venezuela attaches to the Chemical Weapons Convention. As a State party to the Convention, we actively participate in the work of the organization, and we condemn the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons by whomever, wherever and under any circumstance. At the same time, we believe that the full implementation of all of the provisions of the Convention requires joint efforts on the part of all States parties. We have been emphatic in pointing out that the General Assembly is not the forum in which to repeat speeches and discussions that should take place at The Hague in the framework of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. On the contrary, the General Assembly is the forum in which we should promote and consolidate the unity of us all in supporting the Convention. Political manipulation in this text against a particular country does not have any link to the key objective of this First Committee resolution, whose raison d’être is to promote and strengthen the unity of everyone behind the Convention. In previous years, Venezuela has called upon the sponsors of the resolution to reconsider the way they have been managing the resolution. Unfortunately, for the third time in the long history of this important resolution, confrontation and politicization prevail, instead of the spirit of cooperation and unity. We call on the sponsors to reconsider once more the position they have been taking.
The Acting President #79057
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 98.
The Acting President #79058
The Assembly has before it eight draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 23 of its report. Before proceeding further, I wish to inform delegations that action will proceed based on the roman numerical order of the draft resolutions in the report of the Committee. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I through VIII one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their vote or position on any or all of the draft resolutions. Draft resolution I is entitled “United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 71/73).
The Acting President #79059
Draft resolution II is entitled “United Nations Disarmament Information Programme”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 71/74).
The Acting President #79060
We next turn to draft resolution III, entitled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 128 votes to 50, with 9 abstentions (resolution 71/75).
The Acting President #79061
Draft resolution IV is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 71/76).
The Acting President #79062
Draft resolution V is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 71/77).
The Acting President #79063
Draft resolution VI is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 71/78)
The Acting President #79064
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Regional confidence-building measures: activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 71/79).
The Acting President #79065
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament”.The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 71/80).
The Acting President #79066
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #79067
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 10 of its report.. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 71/81).
The Acting President #79068
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “Report of the Disarmament Commission”. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 71/82).
The Acting President #79069
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100?
It was so decided.

101.  The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/71/453)

The Acting President #79070
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the fifth and sixth preambular paragraphs of the draft resolution. I shall first put to the vote the fifth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution.
A recorded vote was taken.
The fifth preambular paragraph was retained by 170 votes to 3, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President #79071
I shall now put to the vote the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution.
A recorded vote was taken.
The sixth preambular paragraph was retained by 171 votes to 3, with 3 abstentions.
The Acting President #79072
I shall now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President #79073
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 101?
It was so decided.

102.  Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects Report of the First Committee (A/71/454)

The Acting President #79074
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 71/84)
The Acting President #79075
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 102?
It was so decided.

103.  Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Report of the First Committee (A/71/455)

The Acting President #79076
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution.The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 71/85).
The Acting President #79077
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 103?
It was so decided.

104.  Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Report of the First Committee (A/71/456)

The Acting President #79078
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. I now give the floor the representative of Egypt, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Mahfouz EGY Egypt [Arabic] #79079
The following is an explanation of the vote of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report entitled “Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty” (A/71/456). Egypt’s commitment to the nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation regime has been unwavering over the past decades. Nuclear disarmament has been a top priority of Egyptian foreign policy, in the firm belief that nuclear weapons constitute a grave danger to international peace and security. My delegation will abstain in the voting on the fourth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution to express our strong objection to the reference within that paragraph to the controversial Security Council resolution 2310 (2016), given that, substantively, it not only falls outside the purview of the Security Council, but it is also legally and technically flawed in its relation to the nuclear disarmament regime. We regret that such a resolution was adopted by the Security Council. We have six specific reservations with regard to Security Council resolution 2310 (2016). First, the Security Council is not the appropriate forum to deal with the Treaty, since the preparatory committee for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization and its Provisional Technical Secretariat in Vienna have fully played that role to date. Involving the Security Council in the technical aspects of the Convention creates unnecessary duplication, a parallel track and an unfavourable environment that is not universal. Secondly, the draft resolution clearly fails to highlight the centrality of Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons with regard to the nuclear disarmament regime. Surprisingly, it does not refer at all to the need of achieving the univerality of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Thirdly, it would have been logical to treat not only the symptoms, but the disease itself. Addressing nuclear tests exclusively in that resolution, without mentioning the need for nuclear disarmament and to free the world of those immoral and inhuman weapons of mass destruction, in accordance with article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, not only allows the acquisition of those weapons but also prolongs their acquisition by the nuclear-weapon States, thereby creating a situation that threatens international peace and security. Fourthly, Security Council resolution 2310 (2016) is unacceptable and unfair. It places the nuclear-weapon States on an equal footing with the non-nuclear-weapon States with regard to the question of accession. The nuclear States and those that are not party to the Treaty should always assume a special responsibility. Fifthly, the resolution in its current form and language — I refer here to Security Council resolution 2310 (2016) — represents interference in the work of the preparatory committee Provisional Technical Secretariat of the CTBT in Vienna. Thus, it will not only have a counterproductive impact on the work in Vienna, but also completely undermine its role if the Security Council continues to be involved with the technical dossier. Sixthly and lastly, Security Council resolution 2310 (2016) reflects a puzzling dilemma, as it feverishly supports the completion of the verification regime, while many major Powers shirk their obligations in this context and do not assume their responsibilities in ratifying the CTBT on the pretext of their domestic policies and legislation.
The Acting President #79080
We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the fourth and seventh preambular paragraphs of the draft resolution. I shall first put to the vote the fourth preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The fourth preambular paragraph was retained by 170 votes to none, with 10 abstentions.
The Acting President #79081
I shall now put to the vote the seventh preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The seventh preambular paragraph was retained by 175 votes to none, with 5 abstentions.
The Acting President #79082
I now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
India, Mauritius, Syrian Arab Republic
The Acting President #79083
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 104?
It was so decided.

105.  Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction Report of the First Committee (A/71/457)

The Acting President #79084
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The First Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 71/87).
The Acting President #79085
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 105?
It was so decided.

121.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/71/458)

The Acting President #79086
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision. The First Committee recommended that the Assembly adopt the draft decision entitled “Provisional programme of work and timetable of the First Committee for 2017”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 71/518).
The Acting President #79087
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 121.

135.  Programme planning Report of the First Committee (A/71/459)

The Acting President #79088
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the First Committee?
It was so decided.
The Acting President on behalf of General Assembly #79089
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 135. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank the Chair of the First Committee, His Excellency Sabri Boukadoum of Algeria, members of the Bureau and representatives for a job well done. The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the First Committee before it for this meeting.

139.  Human resources management Report of the Fifth Committee (A/71/638)

The Acting President #79090
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, may I take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the report of the Fifth Committee that is before the Assembly today?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #79091
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Implementation of the new common system compensation package in the United Nations Secretariat”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 71/88).
The Acting President #79092
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 139. Programme of work
The Acting President #79093
I would like to draw the attention of members to the date of recess of the current session. Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 16 September, the General Assembly decided that the seventy-first session would recess on Monday, 12 December 2016. However, in view of the work that remains to be completed for this part of the session, I would like to propose to the Assembly that it postpone the date of recess to Monday, 19 December. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to postpone the date of recess to Monday, 19 December 2016?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #79094
I should also like to consult members regarding an extension of the work of the Fifth Committee. Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 16 September, the General Assembly approved the recommendation of the General Committee that the Fifth Committee would complete its work by Friday, 9 December. However, I have been informed by the Chair of the Fifth Committee that the Committee requests an extension of its work to Friday, 16 December, as such an extension would facilitate reaching consensus on the pending draft resolutions before it. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Fifth Committee until Friday, 16 December 2016?
It was so decided.
The meeting rose at 5.30 p.m.