A/74/PV.52 General Assembly

Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019 — Session 74, Meeting 52 — New York — UN Document ↗ — OCR ✓ — ⓘ 189 unattributed speechs — ⚠ 60 duplicate speechs
▶ This meeting at a glance
238
Speeches
24
Countries
43
Resolutions
Resolutions: 31/37, 32/132, 31/37, 32/132, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 32/95, 31/127, 32/97, 32/98, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 31/37, 32/132, 74/244, 74/245, 32/95, 74/248, 31/37, 32/132, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 32/95, 31/127, A/RES/74/251, A/RES/74/215, A/RES/74/208, A/RES/74/216, A/RES/74/204, A/RES/74/202, A/RES/74/201, A/RES/74/200, A/RES/74/224, A/RES/74/226, A/RES/74/228, A/RES/74/237, A/RES/74/241, A/RES/74/243, A/RES/74/246, A/RES/74/247
Topics
UN resolutions and decisions Sustainable development and climate Security Council deliberations General statements and positions Peacekeeping support and operations Economic development programmes

In the absence of the President, Ms. Beckles (Trinidad and Tobago), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: A/RES/74/215 Recorded Vote
✓ 154   ✗ 2   26 abs.
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✓ Yes (154)
Vote: A/RES/74/208 Recorded Vote
✓ 162   ✗ 7   7 abs.
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✓ Yes (162)
Vote: A/RES/74/216 Recorded Vote
✓ 131   ✗ 2   49 abs.
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✓ Yes (131)
Vote: A/RES/74/204 Recorded Vote
✓ 177   ✗ 1   0 abs.
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✓ Yes (177)
Vote: A/RES/74/202 Recorded Vote
✓ 179   ✗ 1   0 abs.
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✓ Yes (179)
Vote: A/RES/74/201 Recorded Vote
✓ 176   ✗ 2   0 abs.
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✓ Yes (176)
Vote: A/RES/74/200 Recorded Vote
✓ 122   ✗ 2   51 abs.
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✓ Yes (122)
Vote: A/RES/74/224 Recorded Vote
✓ 134   ✗ 2   45 abs.
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✓ Yes (134)
Vote: A/RES/74/226 Recorded Vote
✓ 177   ✗ 2   1 abs.
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (177)
Vote: A/RES/74/228 Recorded Vote
✓ 134   ✗ 2   44 abs.
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✓ Yes (134)
Vote: A/RES/74/237 Recorded Vote
✓ 126   ✗ 49   2 abs.
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (126)
Vote: A/RES/74/241 Recorded Vote
✓ 127   ✗ 3   44 abs.
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✓ Yes (127)
Vote: A/RES/74/243 Recorded Vote
✓ 160   ✗ 6   15 abs.
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✓ Yes (160)
Vote: A/RES/74/246 Recorded Vote
✓ 134   ✗ 9   28 abs.
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✓ Yes (134)
Vote: A/RES/74/247 Recorded Vote
✓ 79   ✗ 60   33 abs.
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✓ Yes (79)
The meeting was called to order at 10.05 a.m.

Reports of the Second Committee

The Acting President unattributed #96539
The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 16 to 24, 60, 121 and 136. I request the Rapporteur of the Committee, Mr. David Mulet Lind of Guatemala, to introduce the reports of the Committee in one intervention.

17.  Macroeconomic policy questions Report of the Second Committee (A/74/379)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

24.  Agriculture development, food security and nutrition Report of the Second Committee (A/74/386)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

121.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the Second Committee (A/74/389)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

142.  United Nations common system Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/600)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

(a) International trade and development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/379/Add.1)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 122   ✗ 2   51 abs.
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✓ Yes (122)

19.  Sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 162   ✗ 7   7 abs.
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✓ Yes (162)
The Acting President unattributed #96542
I thank the Rapporteur of the Second Committee. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall therefore take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Second Committee that are before the Assembly today.

128.  Investigation into the conditions and circumstances resulting in the tragic death of Dag Hammarskjöld and of the members of the party accompanying him

Vote: 74/248 Consensus
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
The Acting President unattributed #96544
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. I would like to 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 plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. In addition, I remind delegations that 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 Second Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. This means that, where separate or recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I should also hope that we will proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations adopted without a vote in the Committee. The results of the votes will be uploaded to the PaperSmart portal. Before proceeding further, I would like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat, in English only, entitled “List of proposals contained in the reports of the Second Committee for consideration by the General Assembly”, which has been circulated as document A/C.2/74/INF/1. The note has been distributed desk-to-desk in the General Assembly Hall as a reference guide for action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Second Committee in its reports. Members will find, in the fourth column of the note, the symbols of the draft resolutions and decisions of the Committee, with the corresponding symbols of the reports for action in the plenary in the second column of the same note. For reports containing multiple recommendations, the draft resolution or decision number is contained in the third column of the note. Members are reminded that additional sponsors are no longer accepted now that draft resolutions and decisions have been adopted in the Committee. Any clarification about sponsorship in the Committee reports should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee. Furthermore, any corrections to the voting intention of delegations after the voting has concluded on a proposal should be made directly to the Secretariat after the meeting. I would seek members’ cooperation in avoiding any interruptions to our proceedings in this regard.
Vote: 32/132 Recorded Vote
✓ 127   ✗ 3   44 abs.
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✓ Yes (127)

14.  Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields

Vote: 74/244 Consensus

17.  Macroeconomic policy questions (b) International financial system and development

Vote: 74/245 Consensus

16.  Information and communications technologies for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/378)

The Acting President unattributed #96546
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/132 Recorded Vote
✓ 176   ✗ 2   0 abs.
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (176)

70.  Promotion and protection of human rights (c) Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives Report of the Third Committee (A/74/399/Add.3) Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/609)

Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 134   ✗ 9   28 abs.
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✓ Yes (134)
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/197).
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
The Acting President unattributed #96547
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 16?
Vote: 31/125 Consensus
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96548
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 17 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, 2021”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 74/198).
The Acting President unattributed #96549
Draft resolution II is entitled “Promoting investments for sustainable development”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 74/199).
The Acting President unattributed #96550
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 21 of its report and two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 22 of its report. The Assembly will now take decisions on draft resolutions I and II and draft decisions I and II, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Kyrgyzstan informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 122 votes to 2, with 51 abstentions (resolution 74/200).
Vote: 31/125 Consensus

136.  Programme planning (A/74/612)

Vote: A/RES/74/251 Recorded Vote
✓ 148   ✗ 2   4 abs.
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— Abstain (4)
✓ Yes (148)
The Acting President unattributed #96551
Draft resolution II is entitled “International trade and development”. A recorded vote has been requested.

135.  Proposed programme budget for 2020 Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/614)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 176 votes to 2 (resolution 74/201).
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The Acting President unattributed #96552
I now invite delegations to turn to paragraph 22 of section III of the report of the Committee concerning the draft decisions. Draft decision I is entitled “Venue of the fifteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in 2020”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision I was adopted (decision 74/531).
The Acting President unattributed #96553
Draft decision II is entitled “Eighth United Nations Conference to Review All Aspects of the Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices, in 2020”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
Draft decision II was adopted (decision 74/532).
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
The Acting President unattributed #96554
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/97 Consensus

(b) International financial system and development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/379/Add.2)

The Acting President unattributed #96561
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 31/125 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 179 votes to 1 (resolution 74/202)
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
The Acting President unattributed #96562
I now call on the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote after the voting.
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Mr. Ghorbanpour Najafabadi IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #96563
With regard to resolution 74/202, entitled “International financial system and development”, due to a reference in paragraph 28 of the resolution to initiatives to which the Islamic Republic of Iran is not party, in particular, the Financial Action Task Force, my delegation disassociates itself from this paragraph.
The Acting President unattributed #96564
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 17. (c) External debt sustainability and development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/379/Add.3)
The Acting President unattributed #96565
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/203).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96566
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.

(d) Commodities Report of the Second Committee (A/74/379/Add.4)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96567
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 177 votes to 1 (resolution 74/204)
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96568
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.

(e) Financial inclusion for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/379/Add.5)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96569
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/205).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96570
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.

(f) Promotion of international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and strengthen good practices on assets return to foster sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/379/Add.6)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96571
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/206).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96572
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96573
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 17.

18.  Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/380)

The Acting President unattributed #96574
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/207).
The Acting President unattributed #96575
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 18?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96576
The Assembly has before it eight draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 57 of its report. The Assembly will now take decisions on draft resolutions I to VIII, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have the opportunity to explain their vote on any or all of the draft resolutions. I invite delegations to turn to paragraph 57 of section III of the report, concerning the draft resolutions recommended by the Committee. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “Oil slick on Lebanese shores”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Comoros informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 162 votes to 7, with 7 abstentions (resolution 74/208)
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96577
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96578
Draft resolution II is entitled “International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 74/209).
The Acting President unattributed #96579
Draft resolution III is entitled “Strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development”. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the second preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 12. I shall first put to the vote the second preambular paragraph.
A recorded vote was taken.
The second preambular paragraph was retained by 168 votes to 4, with 4 abstentions
The Acting President unattributed #96580
I shall next put to the vote operative paragraph 12.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 12 was retained by 110 votes to 5, with 49 abstentions.
The Acting President unattributed #96581
The Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 74/210).
The Acting President unattributed #96582
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Sustainable tourism and sustainable development in Central America”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 74/211).
The Acting President unattributed #96583
Draft resolution V is entitled “International Day of Clean Air for blue skies”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 74/212).
The Acting President unattributed #96584
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Cooperative measures to assess and increase awareness of environmental effects related to waste originating from chemical munitions dumped at sea”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 74/213).
The Acting President unattributed #96585
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Sustainable tourism and sustainable development in Central Asia”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 74/214).
The Acting President unattributed #96586
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “Agricultural technology for sustainable development”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President unattributed #96587
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote after the voting.
Ms. Fidan TUR Türkiye #96588
Turkey voted against the second preambular paragraph of the resolution 74/210, entitled “Strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development”. Turkey is not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and we are of the opinion that neither is that the Convention is neither universal nor unified in character. We also believe that it is not the only legal framework regulating all activities in the oceans and seas. We would like to re-emphasize that Turkey does not consider the language on oceans and the law of the sea with respect to the Convention contained in the resolution to have been agreed and calls for a warning on such use of language in future draft resolutions.
Mr. Ghorbanpour Najafabadi IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #96589
With regard to resolutions 74/210 and 74/213, entitled “Strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development” and “Cooperative measures to assess and increase awareness of environmental effects related to waste originating from chemical munitions dumped at sea”, since the Islamic Republic of Iran is not a contracting party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, my delegation disassociates itself from the second preambular paragraph of the former resolution and from the twelfth preambular paragraph of the latter resolution.
Mr. Cuellar Torres COL Colombia [Spanish] #96590
My delegation takes this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening cooperation and integrated coastal zone management in order to achieve sustainable development. It also reaffirms its commitment to cooperative measures to assess the environmental effects of chemical munitions dumped at sea and to raise awareness of that issue. However, we regret that the text of the draft resolution did not garner the consensus required for its adoption in the form that we would have liked and tried to achieve throughout the negotiations. Colombia conducts its activities in the marine environment in strict compliance with the various international commitments that it has expressly accepted and takes this opportunity to reiterate that it has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea since its principles are neither enforceable nor opposable, except those it has expressly accepted. My delegation does not share the view that the Convention is the normative framework that regulates activities conducted in the oceans; accordingly, we express our reservation about that Convention being mentioned in the resolutions just adopted.
Mr. Bayley Angeleri VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #96591
With regard to the resolution on strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development, our delegation disassociates itself from the references to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and wishes to reiterate that it is not a party to the Convention. The same applies to the resolution on cooperative measures to assess and increase awareness of environmental effects related to waste originating from chemical munitions dumped at sea. (a) Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/ Add.1)
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96592
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 131 votes to 2, with 49 abstentions (resolution 74/216).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96593
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 19? (b) Follow-up to and implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.2)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96594
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/217).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96595
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.

(c) Disaster risk reduction Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.3)

The Acting President unattributed #96596
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/218).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96597
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 19? (d) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.4)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96598
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 9 of the draft resolution, on which a separate, recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 9 was retained by 118 votes to 49, with 3 abstentions.
The Acting President unattributed #96599
We will now take a decision on the draft resolution as a whole. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise? The draft resolution, as a whole, was adopted (resolution 74/219).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96600
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 19? (e) Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/ Add.5)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96601
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/220).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96602
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.

(f) Convention on Biological Diversity Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.6)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96603
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/221).
The Acting President unattributed #96604
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 19. (g) Report of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.7)
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96605
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/222).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96606
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.

(h) Education for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.8)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96607
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Education for sustainable development in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 13, on which a separate, recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 13 was retained by 173 votes to 4, with 2 abstentions.
The Acting President unattributed #96608
The Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Education for sustainable development in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/223).
The Acting President unattributed #96609
I now give the floor to the representative of Iran, who has asked to speak in explanation of vote.
Mr. Ghorbanpour Najafabadi IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #96610
At the outset, let me announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UNESCO Education 2030 Framework for Action as two absolutely non-legally binding, voluntary instruments that merely set out a number of non-obligatory guidelines, suggestions and recommendations. My delegation hereby officially announces that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not committed at all to those parts of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Education 2030 Framework for Action that in any way contradict Iranian national priorities, laws, regulations, legislation and policies; Islamic principles, instructions and teachings; or the cultural and religious norms and values of Iranian society. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no legal obligation vis-à-vis the implementation of those two instruments. It should be noted that the voluntary use of any parts of those instruments will be possible only when and where the relevant competent national authorities confirm that they do not conflict with the abovementioned principles. Moreover, with regard to all domestic development and education issues, national open-ended instruments, plans and programmes shall enjoy absolute priority and will be considered as the sole reference for action. Having made those introductory remarks, let me explain my delegation’s position on resolution 74/233. Owing to the references in the resolution to the UNESCO Education 2030 Framework for Action, regarding which the Islamic Republic of Iran has entered an official reservation, my delegation disassociates itself from its twelfth preambular paragraph.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96611
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (h) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.

(i) Harmony with Nature Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.9)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96612
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 134 votes to 2, with 45 abstentions (resolution 74/224).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96613
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 19? (j) Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/ Add.10)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96614
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/225).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96615
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (j) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.

(k) Combating sand and dust storms Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/ Add.11)

The Acting President unattributed #96616
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, 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, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Australia [Subsequently, the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
The draft resolution was adopted by 177 votes to 2, with 1 abstention (resolution 74/226).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96617
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (k) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.

(l) Sustainable mountain development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/ Add.12)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96618
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. I now give the floor to the representative of Kyrgyzstan, who has asked to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mrs. Moldoisaeva KGZ Kyrgyzstan on behalf of Kyrgyzstan and Italy #96619
The draft resolution on sustainable mountain development reflects the main aspirations of all mountain countries that are members of the United Nations to ensure sustainable economic development and a safe environment, reduce the risk of natural disasters, and guarantee food security and full development for all people living in mountain areas. Those aspirations are entirely consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. On behalf of Kyrgyzstan and Italy, the co-sponsors of the draft resolution, I would like to thank all Member States for their active participation in the discussion of the draft resolution, enabling us to make many improvements and achieve a balanced and productive draft resolution.
The Acting President unattributed #96620
We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/227).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96621
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (l) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96622
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 19.

20.  Globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/74/382)

The Acting President unattributed #96623
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee contained in documents A/74/382? It was so decided (decision 74/533). (a) Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/74/382/Add.1)
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96624
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on the ninth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution.
A recorded vote was taken.
The ninth preambular paragraph was retained by 111 votes to 49, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President unattributed #96625
We will now take a decision on the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96626
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 20? (b) Science, technology and innovation for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (/74/382/Add.2)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96627
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/229).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96628
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 20?
It was so decided.

(c) Culture and sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/382/Add.3)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96629
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/230).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96630
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 20? (d) Development cooperation with middle-income countries Report of the Second Committee (A/74/382/Add.4)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96631
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/231).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96632
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 20 and agenda item 20 as a whole?
It was so decided.

21.  Groups of countries in special situations Report of the Second Committee (A/74/383)

The Acting President unattributed #96633
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 74/534). (a) Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/74/383/Add.1)
The Acting President unattributed #96634
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/232).
The Acting President unattributed #96635
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 21. (b) Follow-up to the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/74/383/ Add.2)
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96636
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/233).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96637
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 21?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96638
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 21.

22.  Eradication of poverty and other development issues Report of the Second Committee (A/74/384)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96639
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 74/535). (a) Implementation of the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018- 2027) Report of the Second Committee (A/74/384/Add.1)
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96640
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 7/234).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96641
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 22?
It was so decided.

(b) Women in development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/384/Add.2)

The Acting President unattributed #96642
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 23 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraphs 18 and 19.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraphs 18 and 19 were retained by 152 votes to 15, with 6 abstentions.
The Acting President unattributed #96643
The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution, as a whole, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution, as a whole, was adopted (resolution 74/235).
The Acting President unattributed #96644
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote on the resolution just adopted.
Ms. Csók HUN Hungary #96645
Hungary wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity. Hungary joined the consensus on resolution 74/235 and thanks the main sponsors for bringing forward this initiative. Hungary is fully committed to reaching the highest attainable standards of wealth and eradicating poverty, with a special focus on women’s empowerment. My country therefore welcomes the focus of this year’s resolution on those crucial matters. We are proud of Hungary’s long-standing achievements in health care and contributions to advancing global public health. At the same time, we would like to take this opportunity to recall Hungary’s concern about certain aspects of the political declaration of the high-level meeting on universal health coverage (resolution 74/2) that were clearly voiced at the time of its adoption on 23 September. We would therefore have preferred a neutral reference to the declaration in the eleventh preambular paragraph of resolution 74/235.
Mr. Ghorbanpour Najafabadi IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #96646
Concerning resolution 74/235, while my delegation joined the consensus for its adoption, given that the meeting held in Nairobi in November 2019 to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development was not a United Nations initiative and that its outcomes were not negotiated by Member States, my delegation dissociates itself from the phrase “as well as the outcomes of their reviews” at the end of paragraph 8 of the resolution.
Mrs. Udida NGA Nigeria #96647
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the following delegations: Algeria, Bahrain, Burundi, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, the Gambia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, the Republic of Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the Sudan, Syria, Tanzania and Yemen. Our group of countries joined consensus on resolution 74/235, which was introduced by the Group of 77 and China. Most importantly, we did so to demonstrate our commitment to the empowerment of all women and girls in the three dimensions of sustainable development  — economic, social and environmental. However, while our delegations wish to reiterate our strong commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls, we regret that the controversial phrase “multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination” appears in some paragraphs of the resolution. It is our view that the notion of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination is an ambiguous concept that seeks to include a particular set of ideas that do not enjoy consensus in international human rights instruments. In other committees, when that controversial phrase has been discussed, our delegations have consistently rejected all attempts to introduce it in various resolutions. Although we have decided to join the consensus on resolution 74/235 given our understanding of the importance of the need to continue supporting the development of all women and girls, we wish to take this opportunity to register our dissociation from all references to that controversial phrase and from any inference of its applicability in our national contexts. With regard to the European Union’s amendment to paragraph 8 of the resolution, our group of countries also wishes to dissociate itself from the addition of the phrase “as well as the outcomes of their reviews” at the end of the paragraph. We are concerned that the additional phrase is vague and could include controversial and non-consensual outcomes. It is our view that the outcomes of the International Conference on Population and Development reviews held outside the United Nations are neither consensual nor intergovernmentally negotiated outcomes since they have not been adopted by the General Assembly. We therefore dissociate ourselves from that reference and any obligations arising from it. While we request that our statement be reflected in the record of this meeting, let me reassure the Assembly that our delegations will continue to support all efforts to fulfil the global objectives of empowering all women and girls, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other consensually agreed outcome documents.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96648
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 22?
It was so decided.

(c) Human resources development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/384/Add.3)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96649
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/236).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96650
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 22? (d) Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/384/Add.4)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96651
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 126 votes to 49, with 2 abstentions (resolution 74/237).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96652
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 22 and agenda item 22 as a whole?
It was so decided.

23.  Operational activities for development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/385)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96653
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 74/536). (a) Operational activities for development of the United Nations system Report of the Second Committee (A/74/385/ Add.1)
The Acting President unattributed #96654
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/238).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96655
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 23?
It was so decided.

(b) South-South cooperation for development Report of the Second Committee (A/74/385/Add.2)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96656
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/239).
The Acting President unattributed #96657
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 23 and its sub-item (b).
The Acting President unattributed #96658
The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 26 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to III, one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote or position on any or all of the draft resolutions. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Natural plant fibres and sustainable development”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 74/240).
The Acting President unattributed #96659
Draft resolution II is entitled “International Tea Day”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 127 votes to 3, with 44 abstentions (resolution 74/241).
The Acting President unattributed #96660
Draft resolution III is entitled “Agriculture development, food security and nutrition”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 74/242).
The Acting President unattributed #96661
I call on the representative of Bangladesh, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote on the resolution just adopted.
Ms. Fatima BGD Bangladesh #96664
I have the honour to make a statement on resolution 74/240 following its adoption by the Assembly. The diverse range of natural plant fibres provide an important source of income for producers and farmers, particularly in developing countries, and thus play a critical role in eradicating poverty. We believe that the promotion of such fibres, especially the lesser known ones — such as jute, abaca, coir, kenaf, sisal, hemp and ramie — will also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheik Hasina, the Government of Bangladesh has adopted bold policies aimed at transforming the agricultural sector, promoting rural development, empowering marginalized people and protecting small landholders and small-scale farmers and producers. It was based on that commitment that Bangladesh undertook the initiative to highlight the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of natural plant fibres such as jute  — the golden fibre, as it is fondly known in my country. We are grateful to all Member States for their strong support in recognizing natural plant fibres as a development issue for the first time in the General Assembly. I would like to sincerely thank all States Members of the United Nations for their constructive approach and flexibility throughout the negotiation process, which not only enabled consensus but also enriched the text. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank those Member States that have co-sponsored the resolution. I also wish to place on record our deep appreciation to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat and the Bureau and secretariat of the Second Committee for their cooperation throughout the process. In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our hope that resolution 72/240 will pave the way for fostering scientific research and development and, very importantly, for cooperation and collaboration at the national, regional and global levels in order to ensure  — in addition to their traditional use  — the high-end, value-added and innovative use of all lesserknown natural plant fibres.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96666
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 24?
It was so decided.

60.  Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources Report of the Second Committee (A/74/387)

The Acting President unattributed #96761
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 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 160 votes to 6, with 15 abstentions (resolution 74/243).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #96762
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 60?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #96763
The Assembly has before it two draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Assembly will now take decisions on draft decisions I and II, one by one. After both decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote on either or both of the draft decisions. Draft decision I is entitled “Revitalization of the work of the Second Committee”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision I was adopted (decision 74/537).
The Acting President unattributed #96764
Draft decision II is entitled “Draft programme of work of the Second Committee for the seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision II was adopted (decision 74/538).
The Acting President unattributed #96765
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 121.

136.  Programme planning Report of the Second Committee (A/74/388)

The Acting President unattributed #96766
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee? It was so decided (decision 74/539).
The Acting President on behalf of General Assembly unattributed #96767
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 136. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations and Chair of the Second Committee, members of the Bureau and representatives for a job well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee before it for this meeting.
The Acting President unattributed #96768
I now give the floor to the representative of Chile to introduce draft resolution A/74/L.37.
Mr. Skoknic Tapia CHL Chile [Spanish] #96769
I have the honour of introducing draft resolution A/74/L.37, entitled “International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, 2021”, submitted by Costa Rica, Nigeria and my country, Chile. The primary objective of the text is to raise awareness of the need to adopt public policies to promote sustainable food systems, based on healthy diets, with an emphasis on sustainable means of production and consumption. The commemoration of this International Year seeks first, to enhance knowledge and awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption; secondly, to promote their sustainable production and consumption, with a focus on family agriculture and small farmers; and thirdly, to reduce the waste and losses in supply chains from production to consumption. It should be noted that the draft resolution is based on the resolution adopted by the 41st session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, held in Rome in June, in which it requests the General Assembly to declare 2021 the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables. That proposal is based on scientific evidence that indicates that the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables makes it possible to eradicate non-communicable chronic diseases, reduces the risk of obesity and helps to mitigate various deficiencies. It is also in line with the recommendations of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization with regard to the benefits of the daily consumption of fruit and vegetables. The draft resolution is also based on resolution 70/259, by which the General Assembly proclaimed 2016-2025 the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition, recommendation 10 of the Second International Conference on Nutrition and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 2, on ending hunger, and Goal 3, on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being. In conclusion, the need to overcome the challenges linked to nutrition at the global level, reduce food waste and create agricultural systems that are resistant to climate change are some of the issues that we hope can be addressed during this International Year through active, transparent dialogue with all sectors of society. Finally, we would like to thank the more than 50 delegations that have already sponsored this initiative. We call on all members of the General Assembly to join in the important task of promoting this International Year. In closing, we would particularly like to thank the delegations of Costa Rica and Nigeria for their support in the work that led to the submission of the draft resolution.
The Acting President unattributed #96770
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/74/L.37, entitled “International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, 2021”. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.
Mr. Nakano Department for General Assembly and Conference Management #96771
I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to those delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of draft resolution A/74/L.37: Afghanistan, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, the Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.
The Acting President unattributed #96772
May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/74/L.37?
Draft resolution A/74/L.37 was adopted (resolution 74/244).
The Acting President unattributed #96773
Before giving the floor for explanations of position on the resolution just adopted, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Lawrence USA United States of America #96774
We are pleased to join consensus on resolution 74/244 and refer the Assembly to our remarks delivered on 21 November regarding our position with respect to language concerning the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development contained in resolution 74/244.
The Acting President unattributed #96775
We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 14.

7.  Organization of work, adoption of the agenda and allocation of items

The Acting President unattributed #96776
Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 20 September 2019, the General Assembly decided to allocate sub-item (b) of agenda item 17 to the Second Committee. To enable the Assembly to take action expeditiously on draft resolution A/74/L.38, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider sub-item (b) of agenda item 17 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 74/503).
The Acting President unattributed #96777
I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain to introduce draft resolution A/74/L.38.
Mr. Alrowaiei BHR Bahrain #96778
It is my honour to speak today on behalf of the main sponsors — Egypt, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and my country, Bahrain — as well as the additional sponsors of draft resolution A/74/L.38, entitled “International Day of Banks”. Over the course of the negotiations, we worked extensively to address all the issues and concerns expressed by delegations. We would like to stress our appreciation for the support, flexibility and constructive engagement of all our colleagues as we sought to produce a balanced text that meets the expectations of every delegation involved. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development lay out an ambitious commitment to create a more inclusive global economy that will provide opportunity for all people and ensure a healthier planet for future generations. Furthermore, the report of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development found numerous examples of progress in the mobilization of financial resources, in the introduction of changes to business models and the operations of public and private actors, and in the strengthening of cooperation among countries in the achievement of sustainable development. Aligned with all these multilateral efforts, it is crucial to recognize the role of banks and financial institutions and their significant potential in the financing of sustainable development. As we invite all delegations to co-sponsor the draft resolution, we sincerely hope that it will gather the support of all States and be adopted by consensus.
The Acting President unattributed #96779
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/74/L.38, entitled “International Day of Banks”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.
Mr. Nakano Department for General Assembly and Conference Management #96780
I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to those delegations listed in document A/74/L.38, the following countries have become sponsors of the draft resolution: Bangladesh, Belarus, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, the Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Djibouti, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lesotho, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, the Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The Acting President unattributed #96781
May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/74/L.38?
Draft resolution A/74/L.38 was adopted (resolution 74/245).
The Acting President unattributed #96782
Before giving the floor for explanations of vote after adoption, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Lawrence USA United States of America #96783
We are pleased to join consensus on resolution 74/245 and refer the General Assembly to our remarks delivered in the Second Committee on 21 November on our position with respect to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in the context of the draft resolution.
Mr. Terva FIN Finland #96784
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its 28 member States. The candidate countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the country of the European Free Trade Association Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement. Allow me to stress at the outset that the EU acknowledges the right of every State Member of the United Nations to present draft resolutions for the consideration of the General Assembly and its Committees. Furthermore, the EU always enters into and conducts negotiations in a constructive spirit aimed at achieving consensus whenever possible and if compatible with our principles. This was also the spirit in which we conducted negotiations on resolution 74/245 and eventually joined consensus. However, to be frank, we did it reluctantly and only after very serious consideration. The EU position on the proliferation of proclamations of international days and years is well known. We restated it at the beginning of negotiations on the draft for this resolution. Mindful of the annex to resolution 1980/67 of the Economic and Social Council, we believe that new proposals for the designation of international days, years and anniversaries should be limited to issues and occasions that otherwise would not attract the attention and importance they deserve. As a general rule, there are, in our view, often more effective and appropriate means to raise awareness of certain issues than designating an international day or year. In this particular case, the EU remains unconvinced that the role of banks in promoting sustainable development, while not at all calling the role itself into question, needed to be specifically showcased by establishing an international day. The foregoing policy is also fully in line with our strong support for streamlining and revitalizing the work of the Committees, in particular the Second Committee, and of the General Assembly. To achieve this objective, it is important for all Member States to commit to limiting the putting forward of resolutions with no specific added value. The resolution to establish an International Day of Banks falls under this category in our view. Apart from substance, we also feel the need to reiterate our misgivings about the fact that proper procedures were not followed. The topic at hand, which relates to economic growth and development under sub-item (b) of agenda item 17, should, if at all, have been formally submitted as a draft resolution of the Second Committee. Instead, it was put forward the same day that Second Committee resolutions were adopted and just one day before the Second Committee concluded its work. This approach posed various difficulties given that all experts were absorbed by bringing difficult Second Committee negotiations to a fruitful conclusion with very little time to properly discuss and negotiate the draft resolution. Our repeated calls to postpone negotiations and re-examine the proposal during next year’s session of the Second Committee remained unheeded. We would like to underline that such approaches stakeholderould not set a precedent and will not be tolerated in future. Lastly, international years and anniversaries should not be proclaimed before the basic arrangements for their organization have been made. That includes ensuring the effective coordination of the activities of all United Nations organizations and bodies concerned. The EU has therefore consistently urged the designation of a single lead agency in charge of facilitating the observance of this International Day. While we appreciate that the facilitators, in a last-minute attempt, tried to take our concerns into account by inviting the Department of Social and Economic Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and other relevant United Nations entities, we would have appreciated it if the facilitators had given proper consideration to the implementation of the Day.
Mr. Nakano JPN Japan #96785
I would like to deliver an explanation of position on resolution 74/245, entitled “International Day of Banks”. At the outset, Japan would like to thank the delegation of Bahrain as the proponent and facilitator of the resolution. We also express our appreciation to our colleagues who participated in the informal consultations. Japan decided to join the consensus on the resolution in recognition of the vital role of banks in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, we must express our concern regarding the consultation process. As we understand it, the purpose of the resolution is closely connected with the 2030 Agenda and its achievement. We believe that the resolution should have been consulted on as Second Committee item 17(b). We are concerned that submitting a draft resolution to the General Assembly which bears a close relationship to issues under the purview of the Second Committee so soon after the end of the main part of the Committee’s work undermines the Committee’s process. Nor is doing so aligned with our efforts to revitalize the Second Committee in order to make its work more efficient and effective with a view to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In addition, during the informal consultation process we asked for the rationale behind the designation of this International Day at this particular time, yet we were never given a clear explanation. Also, throughout the process, compilation documents reflecting the consultations were not circulated in a timely manner, which made it difficult for us to have enough time to adequately discuss the text of the draft resolution with our capital. Moreover, it was unfortunate that the facilitators’ text was put under silence procedure in a very sudden manner, without, we felt, sufficient discussion or efforts to reach a consensus among colleagues on controversial paragraphs. We sincerely hope that this will not be a precedent going forward.
The Acting President unattributed #96786
I now give the floor to those representatives who wish to speak in exercise of the right of reply. May I remind members that statements in the exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second intervention and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Aldoseri BHR Bahrain on behalf of Egypt [Arabic] #96787
The Kingdom of Bahrain, also on behalf of Egypt, Nigeria and Kazakhstan, would like to thank all the sponsors of resolution 74/245, entitled “International Day of Banks”. In response to our colleague from the Mission of Japan and the comments he made in his explanation of position, we would say that we wish that those comments had been made during the informal meetings, which were attended by the representatives of Japan, in order for them to be reflected and considered.
Mr. Lawrence USA United States of America #96788
I would like to associate my delegation with the remarks made by the representative of Finland and the representative of Japan with regard to the process by which resolution 74/245 was managed.
The Acting President unattributed #96789
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 17 and its sub-item (b)?
It was so decided.
The meeting was suspended at 12.20 p.m. and resumed at 3.20 p.m. on Tuesday, 24 December.
The President took the Chair.
The President unattributed #96790
I have been informed by the Chair of the Fifth Committee that the Committee requests a further extension of its work to Friday, 27 December, in the hope that such an extension would facilitate reaching consensus on the pending draft resolutions before it. There are particular challenges with the new annual budget faced by the Fifth Committee this year. I acknowledge our Fifth Committee colleagues for the tentative agreement reached on three draft resolutions over recent days, including the significant agreements on programme planning and budget reached earlier today. That having been said, we have not yet concluded all items, so this afternoon I must impress upon all Member States to work harder to achieve consensus on the remaining items as soon as possible in order for all delegations to be able to enjoy a well-deserved holiday. Allow me also to commend the work done by the Chair and his team, Bureau members and the dedicated Secretariat team for their tireless support to date. The Fifth Committee remains key to the good functioning of the United Nations. Let us finalize its work. In this regard, I would like to propose that the Assembly further postpone its recess date to Friday, 27 December. If there is no objection, may I take it that the Assembly agrees to further postpone the date of recess of the seventy-fourth session to Friday, 27 December?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #96791
May I also take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Fifth Committee until Friday, 27 December?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #96792
The General Assembly will take up the pending items, including the reports of the Fifth Committee, after the completion of the work of the Fifth Committee in the General Assembly Hall. I wish delegates a merry Christmas and happy holidays. Before suspending this meeting, I would like to announce that the meeting of the Fifth Committee will take place in this room immediately after this meeting.
The meeting was suspended at 3.30 p.m. and resumed at 5.15 p.m. on Friday, 27 December.
The President unattributed #96793
The General Assembly has before it draft resolution IV, recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 47 of its report. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/74/609. The text of the report, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.17, section A. I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Suan MMR Myanmar #96794
My delegation will vote against draft resolution IV, contained in document A/74/399/Add.3. The draft resolution is yet another classic example of double standards and the selective and discriminatory application of human rights norms to a member country. It is purposefully crafted to exert unwarranted political pressure on Myanmar. As I mentioned before in the Third Committee, the draft resolution grossly mischaracterizes the complex issue of Rakhine state. The draft resolution clearly did not attempt in good faith to find a peaceful feasible solution to the complex situation of Rakhine state. It failed to recognize the real situation on the ground and refused to take into account the efforts of the Government and the people of Myanmar aimed at finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the multiple challenges inherited from previous Administrations since independence. As it stands, the draft resolution will sow seeds of mistrust and further polarize different communities in the region. It will be detrimental not only to the process of repatriation but also to the fragile peace and harmony in Rakhine. It would also cause more alienation between the people of Myanmar and the international community. I would like to underline one particular concern of my delegation regarding the so-called Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar as set forth in the draft resolution. As my delegation has made our opposition to it very clear on several occasions, Myanmar does not recognize the Mechanism or its predecessor body, the independent international factfinding mission on Myanmar. In creating these two unprecedented mechanisms, the Human Rights Council exceeded its mandate, with full political intent and in violation of human rights norms and established rules of procedure. The Council has no mandate to form such investigative mechanisms of a prosecutorial nature. The Council’s blatant breach of its mandate and guiding principles for political purposes will set a grave negative precedent in the United Nations system that the General Assembly should not justify. The budget for the Mechanism for the year 2020 alone is over $15 million. The total financial allocation for the two-year period will reach nearly $27 million. The Organization’s scarce resources should have been utilized for more meaningful purposes, such as providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to those in need of it or feeding millions of hungry children around the world. It is total hypocrisy to waste millions of dollars on an instrument designed to fulfil the groundless political agenda of some powerful member countries against a nascent democracy that is facing daunting challenges. The Government of Myanmar has been taking the necessary initiatives to address accountability issues. The Independent Commission of Enquiry has taken approximately 1,500 witness statements from all affected groups in Rakhine. The Commission has also interviewed military and police personnel who were deployed or stationed in the affected areas during the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army terrorist attacks on security posts in Rakhine in 2016 and 2017. The Commission will finalize its report after collecting evidence from the alleged victims of abuse from the camps in Cox’s Bazar. The Commission’s Evidence Collection and Verification Team is now ready to travel to Cox’s Bazar at any time. The Bangladesh authorities’ facilitation and cooperation are needed for the success of evidence collection, which is a crucial part of accountability measures. Furthermore, the Office of the Judge Advocate General has initiated a court martial proceeding to address allegations of human rights violation in Rakhine. It is therefore critically important to refrain from any action or statement that could undermine the integrity of these ongoing domestic criminal-justice processes and prevent them from running their course. While striving to address the root causes of the issues in Rakhine state, our urgent priority is to commence the repatriation of verified displaced people from Bangladesh as soon as possible. The Government is undertaking the necessary preparations for conditions conducive to the safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced persons based on bilateral agreements with Bangladesh. Just a few days ago, on 18 and 19 December, a highlevel Myanmar delegation, together with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Emergency Response and Assessment Team, visited Cox’s Bazar and met with displaced persons and provided them with detailed preparations concerning the repatriation process. That was the second visit from the Myanmar side this year to give information to displaced persons on the repatriation process. We shall continue bilateral efforts with Bangladesh to solve the humanitarian issue in accordance with the signed agreements between the two countries. At the same time, the Government is also working closely with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme and ASEAN to facilitate the implementation of the bilateral agreements with Bangladesh on repatriation, resettlement and development of returnees. While cooperating objectively with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, we shall also maintain existing constructive engagements with the United Nations, including the Security Council and the Offices of the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Sexual Violence in Conflict. I would like to take this opportunity to express my Government’s deep appreciation to our friends in the region who have been helping us in every way possible in our efforts to address the humanitarian problems in Rakhine State. We shall be relentless in our continued efforts to address distrust and fear, prejudice and hate, poverty and insecurity among the communities of Rakhine. We shall steadfastly uphold our commitment to a lasting peace, the rule of law, human rights and sustainable development for all citizens as we move forward to build a democratic federal union. Before concluding, my delegation wishes to express its most sincere appreciation to those delegations standing firm on their principled positions and voting against, abstaining or not participating in the voting on, this discriminatory draft resolution in the Third Committee. Once again, I would like to call on all delegations to stand together with us today and oppose the politicization of human rights by voting against draft resolution IV.
Mr. Terva FIN Finland #96795
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The situation of human rights in Myanmar remains an issue of deep concern to the international community. Draft resolution IV acknowledges that the gravest human rights violations have been perpetrated by the security and armed forces against persons belonging to minorities in Myanmar, including the Rohingya community, and that the violations and abuses continue to be committed. The draft resolution is part of broader efforts to ensure justice and accountability. In that respect, we note with interest the recent developments, including the application filed by the Gambia at the International Court of Justice under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the forthcoming investigation by the International Criminal Court into facts that could qualify as crimes against humanity and the complaints under criminal law of genocide and crimes against humanity filed in Argentina under the principle of universal jurisdiction. It is a positive development that the draft resolution welcomes the operationalization of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which follows the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar and has a crucial role to play in helping fight the impunity of those responsible for the most serious international crimes and violations of international law, in particular by collecting, consolidating, preserving and analysing evidence. The draft resolution is not against Myanmar. The EU will continue to support the democratic transition in the country and critically engage with the Government of Myanmar with a view to improving the situation of human rights. The draft resolution recognizes that the Government of Myanmar has taken some steps towards the solution of the crisis, including on children’s rights and the closure of camps for internally displaced persons. We note the establishment of the Independent Commission of Inquiry in July 2018 and look forward to receiving the Commission’s initial report, while also reiterating the need for independence, impartiality, transparency and objectivity in the Commission’s work. However, the draft resolution reminds us that much more must be done by the Government of Myanmar to create the conditions that will enable refugees and other forcibly displaced persons to return to their places of origin or a place of their choice voluntarily, in safety and dignity, and that are conducive to their sustainable reintegration, as well as to tackle the root causes of the violations and abuses by putting an end to the structural discrimination against the Rohingya and other minorities and implementing all the recommendations contained in the Annan report. The European Union, having introduced this draft resolution jointly with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, thanks the Member States that voted in favour of the draft resolution in the Third Committee, in particular the members of the Group of African States who have supported the draft resolution for the first time this year. We call on all States Members to vote in favour of the draft resolution.
Mr. Alfayez SAU Saudi Arabia [Arabic] #96796
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes it is important to reach a decisive solution to the tragedy of the Rohingya Muslims that acknowledges their rights to citizenship, return and a dignified life. Draft resolution IV calls on the Government of Myanmar to show clear political will backed by concrete measures to facilitate the dignified, voluntary, safe and sustainable return of the Rohingya Muslims, while ensuring their reintegration into society. It also calls for effective measures to address the spread of discrimination and the incitement of hatred against the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, as well as for public condemnation of such activities and efforts to address hate speech in full compliance with international human rights law. The draft resolution further seeks to enhance interfaith dialogue, with the cooperation of the international community, and encourages political and religious leaders in Myanmar to work to achieve reconciliation among local communities and entrench national unity through dialogue. It also advocates enhanced efforts to address discrimination against people of religious and ethnic minorities, especially the Rohingya Muslims, as well as their lack of citizenship. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports all efforts by the United Nations in that respect and encourages Myanmar and neighbouring countries to continue their engagement with the Special Envoy of the Secretary- General to facilitate her mission and reach a swift and effective solution to this dire humanitarian crisis. My delegation will therefore vote in favour of draft resolution IV and calls on other Member States to do likewise.
The President unattributed #96797
The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution IV. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 134 votes to 9, with 28 abstentions (resolution 74/246).
The President unattributed #96798
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 70 and of agenda item 70 as a whole?
It was so decided.

107.  Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes Report of the Third Committee (A/74/401) Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/610)

The President unattributed #96799
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 13 of its report. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/74/610. The text of the report, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.17, section B. I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Terva FIN Finland #96800
The European Union (EU) strongly believes that launching the negotiation of a new international treaty on cybercrime without a broad consensus would be highly divisive. Whereas consensus exists on the need to step up our collective efforts to build capacity to fight cybercrime, discussions in the relevant forums have demonstrated that many Member States do not support the development of a new international instrument. Furthermore, those asking to start negotiations on a new treaty do not necessarily seem to agree on the legal scope and nature of a new treaty on this topic. Launching negotiations in the absence of a consensus would create further polarization among States. In addition, in the case that the negotiations on a new treaty should succeed, it would likely result in lower standards given the difficulty in reaching international agreement on matters concerning cyberspace, thereby further increasing the digital and economic divide and preventing effective cooperation. We would also like to underline that unnecessary lengthy discussions on a new instrument would divert efforts from national legislative reforms and capacitybuilding measures. We need to make concrete efforts to support the many Member States that have already started working on, or have undertaken, complex reforms of national cybercrime legislation. Good progress is being made, including often in regional forums. Those that started internal reforms cannot afford to wait several years for the completion of a United Nations treaty. That is why an exchange of best practices and legislation that effectively tackle cybercrime-related offences should be broadened. Finally, we see a significant risk of duplication. The process to establish a new international legal instrument on cybercrime would duplicate existing work and pre-empt the conclusions of the existing openended intergovernmental Expert Group to Conduct a Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime and the responses to the study by Member States. The intergovernmental Expert Group is, and should remain, the main process at the United Nations level on the topic of cybercrime, at least until the end of the work planned for the period from 2018 to 2021. As acknowledged by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in its consensus resolution of May 2019, the intergovernmental Expert Group has yielded results, including with regard to legislative reforms based on existing international standards, in particular in terms of capacity-building. We should refrain from duplicating existing work and pre-empting the work of the Expert Group. The resolution adopted by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in May (Economic and Social Council resolution 2019/19) should be the basis for further work. For those reasons, the EU will vote against draft resolution A/C.3/74/L.11/Rev.1 and calls on all Member States to do the same.
Ms. Norman-Chalet USA United States of America #96801
Draft resolution A/C.3/74/L.11/Rev.1 will undermine international cooperation to combat cybercrime at a time when enhanced coordination is essential. The United States will vote against the draft resolution and we urge other Member States to do the same. There is no consensus among Member States on the need for or value of drafting a new treaty. It would serve only to stifle global efforts to combat cybercrime. The existing open-ended intergovernmental Expert Group to Conduct a Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime is already tackling the question of whether we need a new treaty. Open to all Member States, the Expert Group will discuss the topic of international cooperation in the spring of 2020. The draft resolution is also premature and prejudges the outcome of the existing work of the Expert Group. It will undermine the work of the Expert Group before it completes its 2018-2021 workplan and offers its recommendations to Member States. It is wrong to take a political decision on a new treaty before our cybercrime experts can give their advice. Instead of adopting this very problematic draft resolution, Member States should give the Expert Group time to complete its work, conduct a stocktaking exercise in 2021 and present its conclusions and recommendations to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. In fact, on 5 November, the Third Committee endorsed such a process when it adopted by consensus a resolution on international cooperation against cybercrime (A/C.3/74/L.5). For those reasons, we urge other Member States to join us in voting against the draft resolution and, instead, to empower the appropriate United Nations venue in Vienna to continue its expert and consensusbased work on cybercrime issues.
Mr. Kuzmin RUS Russian Federation on behalf of European Union [Russian] #96802
We listened very carefully to our colleagues from Finland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, and from the United States of America. We would like to provide some clarifications in that regard. Draft resolution A/C.3/74/L.11/Rev.1, submitted by the Third Committee, seeks to create, under the auspices of the General Assembly, a negotiating platform for dialogue and to begin work on a convention. That platform would be an ad hoc committee that would bring together experts from every country around the world. In 2020, the committee would hold its first organizational session in New York so that the largest possible number of countries could participate. During that session, an outline and modalities for the committee’s future activities would be agreed. The United Nations Convention against Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime proceeded in a similar way in the past. I wish to emphasize that the draft resolution provides that the ad hoc committee should take into consideration the work and outcomes of the aforementioned Expert Group to Conduct a Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime, whose report we await next year. Taking that into account, substantive work on the convention will begin in 2021. Russia, together with other countries, fully supports the group and is a sponsor thereof. We are not, of course, talking about any duplication of platforms. The draft resolution submitted presupposes that the era of club agreements must give way to a democratic negotiating process. We deem it fundamentally important that that process be open, inclusive and transparent and would therefore like to ask all delegations to vote in favour of the draft, as was the case in the Third Committee.
Mr. Liu Yang CHN China [Chinese] #96803
Cybercrime is a global challenge facing all countries, and we should increase international cooperation to address it. The United Nations is the most representative, universal and authoritative intergovernmental organization in the world. China supports the holding of deliberations, under the auspices of the United Nations and with the participation of all Member States, on a cybercrimes convention. The convention will help to fill the legal vacuum in the area of international community and will to meet the needs and concerns of all countries around the world, in particular developing countries. Today the plenary of the General Assembly will be voting on the draft resolution entitled “Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes”. According to the draft, within the framework of the General Assembly, an intergovernmental committee of experts would be established in order to deliberate on a convention on the subject. We should also take into full account existing international instruments and current efforts at the national, regional and global levels. China believes that the draft is in keeping with the need to counter cybercrime and is also in the broader interests of the international community. It will guarantee the inclusivity of the negotiating process on such an international convention. The relevant negotiations will be modelled on regional and international instruments and will take into account the findings of such international mechanisms as the expert group in Vienna and, on that basis, will enhance cooperation and coordination among countries. China supports the draft resolution and hopes that other countries will vote in its favour.
The President unattributed #96804
We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. [Subsequently, the delegation of Lesotho informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
The draft resolution was adopted by 79 votes to 60, with 33 abstentions (resolution 74/247).
The President unattributed #96805
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 107?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #96806
The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/74/611. The text of the report, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.17, section C. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/74/L.20, entitled “Investigation into the conditions and circumstances resulting in the tragic death of Dag Hammarskjöld and of the members of the party accompanying him”. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.
Mr. Nakano Department for General Assembly and Conference Management #96807
I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to those delegations listed on the L document, the following countries have also become sponsors of A/74/L.20: Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, the Congo, Cuba, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, the Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Honduras, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, the Federated States of Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, the Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Romania, Senegal, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Togo, Ukraine, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam and Zambia.
The President unattributed #96808
May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/74/L.20?
Draft resolution A/74/L.20 was adopted (resolution 74/248).
The President unattributed #96809
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of item 128?
It was so decided.

Reports of the Fifth Committee

The President unattributed #96810
The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Fifth Committee on agenda items 132 to 136, 138, 140 to 142, 144 to 147, 156 and 163. I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, Mr. Yaron Wax of Israel, to introduce in one intervention the reports of the Fifth Committee before the Assembly. Mr. Wax (Israel), Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee: I have the honour to present the reports of the Fifth Committee. The Fifth Committee met from 7 October to 27 December 2019, holding 21 plenary meetings and numerous informal consultations. The reports of the Committee on the following items were already considered by the General Assembly at its 14th and 29th plenary meetings, held, respectively, on 10 October and 8 November 2019: agenda item 139, “Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations”, specifically under Article 19 of the Charter; and agenda item 115, “Appointments to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and other appointments”. I shall now present the additional reports of the Fifth Committee containing recommendations on issues that require action during the main part of the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly. Regarding agenda item 132, “Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/603, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 134, “Programme budget for their biennium 2018-2019”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/606, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 136, “Programme planning”, the Committee considered two draft resolutions. The Committee first considered draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.5, submitted by Belarus, Burundi, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Equatorial Guinea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria and Arab Republic and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which was rejected by a recorded vote. The Committee then proceeded to take action on draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.18, to which the representative of Qatar introduced an oral amendment, on which a recorded vote was requested and which the Committee voted to include. A recorded vote was requested on the draft resolution as orally amended as a whole. In paragraph 16 of its report contained in document A/74/612, the Committee subsequently adopted the draft resolution as orally amended as a whole. In paragraph 18 of the same report, it recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution. Regarding agenda item 138, “Pattern of conferences”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/602, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 140, “Human resource management”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/615, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 141, “Joint Inspection Unit”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/613, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 142, “United Nations common system”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 8 of its report contained in document A/74/600, the adoption of two draft resolutions adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 144, “Report on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/604, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 145, “Review of the implementation of the General Assembly resolutions 48/218B, 54/244, 59/272, 64/263 and 69/253, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 5 of its report contained in document A/74/605, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 146, “Administration of justice at the United Nations”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/433, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 147, “Financing of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/601, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 156, “Financing of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/608, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 163, “Financing of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur”, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/74/607, the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda 135, “Proposed programme budget for 2020”, the Committee considered the following proposals. The Committee recommended the adoption of three statements of programme budget implications. The reports of the Fifth Committee on these statements are issued in documents A/74/609, A/74/610 and A/74/611. Under questions related to the proposed programme budget for 2020, the Committee took action on draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.6, which was rejected by a recorded vote. The Committee then proceeded to consider five draft resolutions as contained in document A/74/614. The Committee first took action on draft resolution I, “Questions related to the proposed programme budget for 2020”. The representative of Finland introduced an oral amendment to draft resolution I. A recorded vote on the amendment was requested, in which the Committee voted to include the oral amendment. In paragraph 18 of its report, the Committee subsequently adopted the draft resolution as orally amended as a whole. In paragraph 60 of the same report, it recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution. With regard to draft resolution II, “Special subjects related to the proposed programme budget for 2020”, oral amendments were introduced as follows. On section XVIII, the representative of Cuba introduced an oral amendment. A recorded vote on the amendment was requested, in which the Committee voted not to include the oral amendment. On section XV, an oral amendment was introduced by the representative of Israel followed by a recorded vote on the amendment, in which the Committee voted not to include the proposed amendment. In paragraph 51 of its report, the Committee subsequently adopted the draft resolution as a whole, without a vote. In paragraph 60 of the same report, it recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution. With regard to draft resolution III, “Proposed programme budget for 2020”, in paragraph 55 of its report, the Committee adopted the draft resolution as technically updated containing the following sections: (a) the budget appropriations for the year 2020; (b) the revised income estimates for the year 2020; and (c) the financing of the appropriations for the year 2020. The Committee adopted draft resolutions IV, entitled “Unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for 2020” and V, entitled “Working Capital Fund for 2020”, without a vote. Finally, under agenda item 133, entitled “Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations”, in paragraph 5 of its report contained in document A/74/616, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the draft decision entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. I thank delegations for their cooperation and assure them that changes made during the 21st formal meeting of the Fifth Committee will be reflected in the draft resolutions, decisions and reports, which will be issued in all official languages. Before I conclude, I wish, on a personal note, to thank the Chair of the Fifth Committee, Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, and his team, Melina Savva and Panagiota Toumazou, for the dedicated way in which they guided us through our difficult work, as well as to my colleagues in the Bureau, Mohamed Fouad Ahmed of Egypt, Thiago Poggio Padua of Brazil and Giorgi Mikeladze, working with whom is always a truly gratifying experience. I would also like to give special thanks to the Fifth Committee Secretariat, led by Mr. Lionel Berridge, and his team, Sarah Mueller, Geraldine Velandria, Wiryanto Sumitra, Luisa Lafleur, Ilene McGrade and Rogena Inductivo, as well as to the interpreters, conference officers — namely, Ivanka Sporysova, Andrew Kowalchuk and Tyler To — and sound engineers for their dedication, collaboration and hard work.
The President unattributed #96811
I thank the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee for his report. Before proceeding further, I would like to emphasize that, as the Fifth Committee finished its work only a short while ago, its reports are available in English only. It is my understanding that they will be issued in all official United Nations languages as soon as possible. I thank representatives for their understanding. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Fifth Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. Therefore, 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 Fifth Committee before the Assembly today.
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #96812
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 plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee, and that 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 Fifth 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 Fifth Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. That means that, where 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 so adopted in the Fifth Committee. The results of the votes will be uploaded to the PaperSmart portal.

132.  Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/603)

The President unattributed #96813
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.11. We will now take action on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/249).
The President unattributed #96814
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 132.

134.  Programme budget for the biennium 2018-2019 (A/74/606)

The President unattributed duplicate #96815
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.14. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/250).
The President unattributed #96816
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 134.
The President unattributed #96817
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 18 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.18, as orally in the Committee. I give the floor to those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Chumakov RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #96818
I am taking the floor to introduce an oral amendment to the draft resolution, which is to exclude from programme VI, “Legal issues”, from the proposed programme budget for 2020. We propose to exclude all such references and descriptions. Our oral amendment will read as follows in English: (spoke in English) “Decides to delete paragraph 17 bis”. (spoke in Russian) There are several reasons for this proposal. The creation and subsequent inclusion in the draft regular budget for 2020 of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 were accompanied by blatant violations of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the rules of procedure of the General Assembly on financial matters, and the provisions and rules approved by the General Assembly governing budget programme planning. It is clear that the reason for including the Mechanism is not a lack of financing but rather an attempt by the Secretary-General, who has been involved by a group of States in a political gamble, to legitimize an illegitimate mechanism that does not have the right to exist. The Russian Federation considers resolution 71/248 to be invalid, does not recognize the Mechanism and will take this into account in its plans on its financial obligations. Let me reiterate the language of our oral amendment: (spoke in English) “Decides to delete paragraph 17 bis”. (spoke in Russian) We call on delegations to vote in favour of our oral amendment.
The President unattributed #96819
The representative of the Russian Federation has proposed an oral amendment to the draft resolution to delete paragraph 17 bis. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly will first take a position on the amendment proposed by the representative of the Russian Federation. In the absence of a request for a recorded vote, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the oral amendment proposed by the representative of the Russian Federation? I give the floor to the representative of Switzerland on a point of order.
Mr. Maurer CHE Switzerland on behalf of Liechtenstein and my own country #96820
I am taking the floor on behalf of Liechtenstein and my own country, Switzerland. We wish to call for a vote on the proposal just introduced by the representative of the Russian Federation and seconded by the Permanent Representative of Syria. The reasons have been explained already several times already during the day in the Third Committee. I would just like to point out once again that the General Assembly has repeatedly and by a wide margin affirmed its intention to finance the so-called International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria through the regular United Nations budget, first at the time of its establishment and then by tasking the Secretary-General to include the necessary funding in his 2020 budget proposal welcoming every step on the way. We will vote against the proposal of the Russian Federation.
A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstaining:
The oral amendment was rejected by 18 votes to 92, with 48 abstentions.
The President unattributed #96821
We will now take action on draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.18, as a whole.
A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
Against:
Abstentions:
Draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.18 was adopted by 148 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions (resolution 74/251).
The President unattributed #96822
I shall now give the floor to those representatives wishing to speak in explanation of vote on the resolution just adopted.
Mr. Nyein Zaw MMR Myanmar #96824
My delegation clearly expressed its position on the so-called International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. Myanmar does not recognize the Mechanism and will not cooperate with it. Therefore, for the record, my delegation dissociates itself from the General Assembly’s decision to approve the programme plan for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar under programme 6 of resolution 74/251, entitled “Programme Planning”.
Mr. Chumakov RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #96827
I would like to reiterate that we consider resolution 71/248 invalid and that we do not recognize the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. We therefore dissociate ourselves from the decision on resolution 74/251 as it relates to the Mechanism; we will take this into account in our plans concerning our financial obligations.
The President unattributed #96828
The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 136.

138.  Pattern of conferences Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/602)

The President unattributed duplicate #96921
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.10. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/252).
The President unattributed #96923
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 138.

141.  Joint Inspection Unit Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/613)

The President unattributed duplicate #96926
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.19. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities to conferences and meetings of the United Nations system”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/253).
The President unattributed #96927
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 141.

140.  Human resources management Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/615)

The President unattributed duplicate #96928
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.21. We will now take action on the draft resolution entitled “Seconded active-duty military and police personnel”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/254).
The President unattributed #96929
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 140.
The President unattributed #96930
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “United Nations common system”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.3. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 74/255 A).
The President unattributed #96932
We now turn to draft resolution II, also entitled “United Nations common system”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.4. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 74/255 B).
The President unattributed #96934
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 142.

133.  Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations Report on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/604)

The President unattributed duplicate #96940
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.12. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/256).
The President unattributed #96942
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda items 133 and 144.

145.  Review of the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 48/218 B, 54/244, 59/272, 64/263 and 69/253 Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/605)

The President unattributed #96945
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.13. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/257).
The President unattributed #96949
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 145.

146.  Administration of justice at the United Nations Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/433)

The President unattributed duplicate #96952
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.9. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/258).
The President unattributed #96954
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 146.

147.  Financing of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/601)

The President unattributed duplicate #96957
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.8. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/259).
The President unattributed #96958
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 147.

156.  Financing of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/608)

The President unattributed duplicate #96960
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.16. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/260).
The President unattributed #96962
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 156.

163.  Financing of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/607)

The President unattributed duplicate #96964
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.15. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 74/261).
The President unattributed #96967
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 163.
The President unattributed #96971
The report of the Fifth Committee, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.26. The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 60 of its report. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation to introduce a draft oral amendment to draft resolution I.
Mr. Chumakov RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #96973
We are submitting an oral amendment to remove from the proposed budget all references to and narrative descriptions of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011, in particular with regard to the report of the Fifth Committee A/74/614, which contains document A/C.5/74/L.20. Our oral amendment to draft resolution I, on questions relating to the proposed programme budget for 2020, is as follows: (spoke in English) To delete paragraphs 44 bis and 44 ter. (spoke in Russian) There are several reasons for that decision. First, resolution 71/248 was developed behind closed doors and submitted to the General Assembly without the consent of the Syrian Arab Republic. Next, criminal investigations are not part of the functions of the General Assembly. Therefore, having decided, following a vote, to establish a mechanism to collect evidence of criminal acts and to decide on issues of fact regarding the criminal responsibility of specific individuals, the General Assembly thereby overstepped its mandate and violated Articles 10, 11, 12 and 22 of the Charter of the United Nations. The establishment of the Mechanism without the clearly expressed consent of the Syrian Arab Republic or a Security Council resolution adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter is a gross violation of the principles of the sovereign equality of all Members of the Organization and non-interference in their internal affairs, as enshrined in Article 2 of the Charter. Taking such factors into account, resolution 71/248 is, and will remain, invalid. Everything that the Mechanism itself and the Secretariat have been doing since the adoption of that resolution is therefore contrary to the Charter and international law. The Secretary-General continues to complain about the financial difficulties faced by the United Nations. At the same time, he has proposed moving the so-called Mechanism to the United Nations regular budget even though its financial situation is to be envied. Its surplus was more than $4 million as at the end of November. In particular, the Secretary-General proposed placing on all Member States an additional burden of $17.8 million despite the fact that consensus-based mandates continue to face shortfalls and cannot be fully implemented. If Member States are forced to finance structures that are clearly confrontational in nature, the current delays in the payment of assessed contributions will significantly increase and become lengthy arrears. That will have a negative impact in particular on technical and humanitarian assistance to developing countries. The Russian Federation does not recognize the Mechanism and will take that into consideration in fulfilling its financial obligations. We call on representatives to vote in favour of our oral amendment to delete paragraphs 44 bis and 44 ter of draft resolution I, contained in document A/C.5/74/L.20.
The President unattributed #96974
I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba to introduce a draft oral amendment to draft resolution II.
Mrs. De Armas Bonchang CUB Cuba [Spanish] #96977
My delegation wishes to discuss agenda item 135, in particular draft resolution II, on special subjects relating to the proposed programme budget for 2020, as contained in document A/C.5/74/L.22, and specifically section XVIII, entitled “Estimates in respect of special political missions, good offices and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council”. As we have pointed out for more than 10 years, there is no legal basis for carrying out activities related to the responsibility to protect, since there is no negotiated intergovernmental agreement among Member States regarding the definition of that concept. During that more-than-10-year period, the Secretariat has not been able to put forward a legislative mandate from Member States to make progress in the implementation of the concept. Resources related to the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect seem to have been combined with those requested for the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, whose functions have the full support of our delegation, in line with the consistent principled position of the Cuban Government against genocide. The amendments we propose do not seek to undermine either the functions or the resources of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. The delegation of Cuba therefore firmly believes that the budgetary estimates and the associated narrative presented for the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect should be deleted and should be considered only once the General Assembly has decided on the concept, its implementation, the scope of its application and other related matters. I would therefore like to reiterate Cuba’s request to introduce amendments to section XVIII of draft resolution II, contained in document A/C.5/74/L.22, currently being considered by the General Assembly, incorporated in the following preambular and operative paragraphs, which I will now read out. (spoke in English) The first preambular paragraph should read as follows: “Recalling that the General Assembly has not decided on the concept of responsibility to protect, its scope, implications and possible ways of implementation”. The second preambular paragraph should read as follows: “Noting that the estimates of thematic cluster 1 comprise narratives, functions, strategy and external factors, results, performance measures, deliverables and other information related to the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect”. Operative paragraph 1 should read as follows: “Decides to delete all references to the narratives, functions, strategy and external factors, results, performance measures, deliverables and other information related to the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect as contained in the strategic framework and the related narratives of the Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide (see A/74/6 (Sect. 3)/Add.2)”. Operative paragraph 2 should read as follows: “Requests the Secretary-General to issue a corrigendum to his report (A/74/6 (Sect. 3)/Add.2)”. (spoke in Spanish) In conclusion, we ask representatives to consider the amendments that we have just introduced and to vote in favour of them.
The President unattributed #96979
I shall now give the floor to delegations that wish to explain their vote or position before we take action on the proposals before us.
The President unattributed #96981
The representative of Syria’s 10 minutes have elapsed. He was entitled to 10 minutes.
The President unattributed #96983
The representative of Syria has spoken for more than 10 minutes. I would inform him that he may take the floor again at some other stage.
Mr. Madriz Fornos NIC Nicaragua [Spanish] #96985
The delegation of Nicaragua reiterates the position it expressed on the issue of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 during the discussion in the Fifth Committee — that the Mechanism is actually something that moves. It is not a court that listens, but rather something that moves. In what direction? It moves in the direction that it goes. And why? Because it is a mechanism. That is our position. In addition, in our view, the Mechanism resulted from the General Assembly acting beyond the mandate conferred to it by the Charter of the United Nations, as the Security Council is the sole organ that has a mandate to create a body of this type. Moreover, its creation was an unfriendly action that violates the sovereignty of the people of Syria. The General Assembly acted without previously consulting with the Syrian Arab Republic when it adopted resolution 71/248 against its will, in contravention of law, the principle of sovereignty and equality of all members and non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, in accordance with Article 2 of the United Nations Charter. Accordingly, we support the proposal made by the Russian Federation. Nicaragua believes that a solution to the Syrian conflict should be achieved through dialogue and negotiation to reach a political agreement that reflects the will of the people and the Government of Syria, with the support of the international community and without foreign intervention. Allow me also to refer to the principle of the responsibility to protect. The delegation of Nicaragua wishes to express its full support for the draft amendments introduced by the Cuban delegation to draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.22 on estimates in respect of special political missions, good offices and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council, under thematic cluster I, “Special and Personal Envoys, Advisers and Representatives of the Secretary-General”. We reiterate Nicaragua’s firm principled position that we do not agree with the allocation of resources for the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect. The responsibility to protect is a topic on which there is no consensus on the scope, definition and implications. It continues to trigger serious doubts due to its potential political uses and ends. That is why we support the draft amendment introduced by the Cuban delegation and call on all Member States to vote in favour.
Mr. Tozik BLR Belarus [Russian] #96986
We support the oral amendments just proposed by the delegation of Cuba and Russia. First of all, we note that the Republic of Belarus understands that the decision to create the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 runs counter to the existing prerogatives of the Security Council. We believe that the establishment of international platforms for the criminal investigation of Syria’s crimes falls within the mandate of the main United Nations organ with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, namely, the Security Council. Resolution 71/248, which created the Mechanism, was adopted by the General Assembly without consensus and under conditions where there was substantial disagreement between the parties. We will therefore not support the adoption of a decision on the programme budget that includes financing the Mechanism. We also believe that allocating financing for those purposes, based on the information that has been circulated about the dire financial situation of the Organization and the proposed austerity measures, is counterproductive. Secondly, the Republic of Belarus supports the oral amendment submitted by the delegation of Cuba because we are convinced that the concept of the responsibility to protect does not enjoy universal support, was adopted without consensus and is contradictory in nature. The practical realization of the concept of responsibility to protect is also unclear, given the lack of legal foundation for its functioning. There are also concerns about the concept’s being used for political purposes. We therefore cannot support the programme budget as it pertains to the responsibility to protect, and we support the oral amendment proposed by the delegation of Cuba.
Mr. Terva FIN Finland on behalf of States members of the European Union #96988
We would like to request a vote on the two oral amendments before us, which were proposed by the Russian Federation and Cuba, respectively. I would also like to make the following remarks with regard to the oral amendment proposed by the Russian Federation. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the States members of the European Union. The candidate countries Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Free Trade Association country Liechtenstein, and Ukraine and Georgia align themselves with this statement. The mandate of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 was approved by the General Assembly through the adoption of resolution 71/248. Subsequently, through the adoption of paragraph 35 of resolution 72/191, the General Assembly called upon the Secretary-General to include the necessary funding for the Mechanism in his budget proposal for 2020. However, the adoption of the oral amendment as proposed by the Russian Federation would lead to the absence of any funding for the Mechanism, which is in direct violation of the decisions taken by the General Assembly, as just outlined. We believe that the mandates and decisions adopted by a primary organ of the Organization must be respected and executed. For this reason, we ask for a vote on the oral amendment. Finland will vote against it and calls on others to do the same.
Mr. Tavoli IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #96990
In brief, I would like to reiterate what my delegation raised during the meeting on this topic in the Fifth Committee. We support the oral proposals made by the delegations of Russia and Cuba. My delegation will vote in favour of these proposals and calls on others to do the same.
Mr. Kim Nam Hyok PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #96993
My delegation would like to support the amendment proposed by the Russian Federation with regard to draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.20. The establishment of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 is a typical example of politicization, double standards and selectivity in connection with a human rights issue. What cannot be overlooked is that the Mechanism, which advocates independence and impartiality, is nevertheless engaged in interference in the internal affairs of Syria while anchoring its activities on the fabricated information and forced testimony against the Syrian Arab Republic offered by some countries. Nothing can justify allowing this illegal Mechanism to carry out its activities under the United Nations umbrella or sponsoring and financing the Mechanism from the Organization’s regular budget. My delegation also supports the oral amendments proposed by Cuba with regard to draft resolution A/C.5/74/L.22. As we have reiterated several times, the concept of responsibility to protect has not yet been consensually agreed upon by all Member States. The responsibility to protect is a variant of the humanitarianintervention concept that was rejected in the past by the international community. It is unacceptable to discuss the so-called budget issue relating to the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect or to combine its budget with that of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. My delegation will therefore vote in favour of the amendments proposed by the Russian Federation and by Cuba.
Mr. Simcock USA United States of America #96994
I will be very brief. Those familiar with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 know the critical nature of the work that it performs, and they know that it enjoys majority support from the General Assembly. The Russian amendment now under consideration seeks to undermine that work. We call on all delegations who support the Mechanism and accountability efforts in Syria to vote against this amendment.
The President unattributed #96996
We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to V and the oral amendments thereto, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Questions relating to the proposed programme budget for 2020”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.20, as orally amended in the Committee. The representative of the Russian Federation has proposed an oral amendment to draft resolution I to delete operative paragraphs 44 bis and 44 ter. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly shall first take a decision on the draft amendment proposed by the representative of the Russian Federation. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The oral amendment to document A/C.5/74/L.20 was rejected by 19 votes to 86, with 54 abstentions.
The President unattributed #96997
The Fifth Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 74/262).
The President unattributed #96999
Draft resolution II is entitled “Special subjects relating to the proposed programme budget for 2020”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.22. The representative of Cuba has submitted an oral amendment to section XVIII of draft resolution II. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly will now take a decision on the amendment submitted by the representative of Cuba. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The oral amendment to draft resolution II was rejected by 18 votes to 84, with 55 abstentions.
The President unattributed #97001
The Fifth Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 74/263).
The President unattributed #97003
Draft resolution III is entitled “Programme budget for 2020”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.23, as technically updated in the Fifth Committee. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 74/264).
The President unattributed #97004
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for 2020”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.24. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 74/265).
The President unattributed #97006
Draft resolution V is entitled “Working Capital Fund for 2020”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.25. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 74/266).
The President unattributed #97008
I give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in explanation of vote after the voting.
Mr. Poveda Brito VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #97009
As a responsible member of the international community, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela decided to join the consensus that enabled the recent adoption of resolution 74/263, entitled “Special subjects relating to the proposed programme budget for 2020”. However, that in no way implies tacit acknowledgement of the whole series of considerations included in the report of the Secretary- General on the revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council at its fortieth, forty-first and forty-second sessions (A/74/529), and in which budgetary issues linked to Council resolution 42/25 with regard to the so-called situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the alleged establishment of a costly fact-finding mission are addressed. Accordingly, our delegation has the duty to request that its decision to dissociate itself from any reference to Human Rights Council resolution 42/25 and the resources required for its purported implementation be placed on the record, not only because of its principled position of rejecting the selective adoption of resolutions on human rights situations in specific countries, but also because this particular resolution violates the central pillars of multilateralism, which led to its broad rejection by our people and our Government, including before its adoption, as it promotes the politicization of human rights and Human Rights Council mechanisms. Cooperation and genuine dialogue are the most appropriate and essential ways of ensuring the effective promotion and protection of human rights, as indicated in resolution 60/251, which led to the establishment of the Human Rights Council. That is why our country is working in coordination with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed in September to strengthen cooperation and technical assistance in the field of human rights so as to jointly and constructively address the challenges we face today and thereby to further strengthen our social protection system, all of which, furthermore, is in line with the provisions of Human Rights Council resolution 42/4. In conclusion, in reaffirming its firm commitment to the full enjoyment of human rights at the national and international levels and its unwavering political will to cooperate with the various United Nations human rights mechanisms, particularly during the 2020-2022 triennium when it will serve as a member of the Human Rights Council, thanks to the trust placed in us by the General Assembly, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates its call to take a constructive approach to this issue based on fair and equitable dialogue, objectivity, impartiality, non-selectivity and transparency and with respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of self-determination and non-interference in the internal affairs of States.
Mrs. Azucena PHL Philippines #97011
I wish to take the floor on agenda item 135, “Proposed programme budget for 2020”, in particular on the revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council (HRC) at its fortieth, forty-first and forty-second sessions, as set forth in the report of the Secretary-General (A/74/529). As a founding and current member of the Human Rights Council, the Philippines joins consensus on the decision to adopt resolution 74/263, entitled “Special subjects relating to the proposed programme budget for 2020”, which allocates overall resources for the revised estimates relating to the aforementioned HRC resolutions and decisions. Our delegation takes this opportunity to reiterate our country’s position that, in view of the financial crisis at the United Nations, the Assembly needs to exercise judiciousness and prudence in deploying resources to ensure that such endeavours are sensible and have the highest potential to make a positive impact on the ground. To that end, the Philippines actively engaged in frank and open discussions with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on HRC resolution 41/2, entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines”, with a view to generating a clear understanding of whether the requested resources would represent a judicious use of the very limited resources the United Nations has at its disposal. We deeply regret that OHCHR has been unable to provide a satisfactory justification for the establishment of the two proposed general temporary positions in relation to HRC resolution 41/2, given that the Office has existing capacity, both in Geneva and Bangkok. My delegation takes this opportunity to remind the Assembly that HRC resolution 41/2 was not universally adopted, having been supported by only 18 of the 47 members of the Council. It does not reflect the will of the Council; its validity is therefore highly questionable. For this reason, the Philippines rejects the resolution. In that context, my delegation is of the firm view that the decision to allocate resources to implement the resolution is misguided and irresponsible and would serve only to allow a few members to use the Council to advance their political agendas. Accordingly, the Philippines dissociates itself from the paragraphs in resolution 74/263 relevant to the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.
Mr. Zaw MMR Myanmar #97014
My delegation supported the package of appropriations for all the different budget sections and special subjects related to the programme budget for 2020. However, we would like to put on record that Myanmar dissociates itself from the General Assembly decision to appropriate any resources to the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 under section 8 of the resolution entitled “Questions relating to the programme budget for 2020” (resolution 74/262) and for the full implementation of Human Rights Council resolutions 40/29 and 42/3 under section XV of the resolution entitled “Special subjects relating to the programme budget for 2020” (resolution 74/263).
Mr. Tavoli IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #97016
Again, very briefly, as my delegation stated in the Fifth Committee, we believe that both the establishment and financing of the so-called International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM) are in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, as are the budgetary appropriations for the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). Because this is not a technical issue, my delegation would like to disassociate itself from the recognition of the approved budget for the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) and from the approved budget for the IIIM.
Mr. Chumakov RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #97017
With regard to the General Assembly’s actions on the regular budget for 2020, we would like to dissociate ourselves from the decision to finance the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 and from any reference to the Mechanism. We do not recognize the Mechanism in Syria and will take that into account when we fulfil our financial obligations.
Mr. Almansouri QAT Qatar [Arabic] #97020
The Syrian regime insists on politicizing the issues before us, which are merely administrative and financial. The regime is making accusations and arguments that have nothing to do with reality or this issue. It seeks to divert attention from the crimes perpetrated by the Syrian regime against its people, which also have terrible consequences for millions of Syrians and grave implications for international peace and security. Syria is facing the worst situation of impunity as war crimes and crimes against humanity have been and are still being committed. They are referenced in thousands of documents, including United Nations reports. Those crimes include the use of chemical weapons against civilians.
Mrs. Crabtree TUR Türkiye #97022
I will be very brief. I do not recognize the person who is sitting in the Syrian Arab Republic seat. I am not going to use the words “Syrian regime” because I am not going to give him the chance to use a point of order. I think his delusional remarks do not require me to say anything. The voting patterns we have seen today, as well as the facts on the ground for the past nine years, speak for themselves.
The President unattributed #97024
The representative of the Syrian Arab Republic has asked to exercise the right of reply. I remind him that statements in the exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second intervention and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Almansouri QAT Qatar [Arabic] #97026
I apologize for taking the floor again, but I find myself obliged to respond to the representative of the Syrian delegation. The Syrian regime has always spread unfounded accusations and lies and, while we are used to listening to such falsehoods, we do not wish to descend to the level of the Syrian delegation and respond in the same language that its representative has used against us. Nevertheless, I must recall here that the main reason for the establishment of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM) is the Syrian regime’s unwillingness to take the necessary measures at the national level on this matter. The blood of the Syrian people has been spilled by prohibited barrel bombs and chemical weapons in violation of national and international humanitarian laws. As responsible States, we cannot stand by idly as the credibility of international humanitarian law and the regime that governs the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is threatened. Rather, we must uphold our ethical and legal responsibilities to achieve accountability so that mass atrocities do not become a commonplace occurrence with impunity. That is why the State of Qatar, along with friendly countries, has endeavoured and continues to seek financing for the IIIM from the regular budget of the United Nations adopted by the General Assembly today (resolution 74/264), which will enable the Mechanism to fulfil its mandate by providing it with adequate financial resources. Allocating those resources from the regular budget will allow for better planning and forecasting of funds and will also enhance the transparency of the Mechanism’s work.
The President unattributed #97028
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 135.

133.  Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations Report of the Fifth Committee (A/74/616)

The President unattributed #97031
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of the report. The text of the draft decision, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/74/L.27. We will now take a decision on the draft decision entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”. The Fifth Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 74/540).
The President unattributed #97032
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 133. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Fifth Committee before it. I congratulate all delegations on the successful conclusion of the Fifth Committee’s work, despite the challenges it faced during this session. Their flexibility to constructively engage with each other on complex issues has paved the way for getting us to this point. I commend Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, Chair of the Fifth Committee, for his sagacity, tenacity and dedication in steering the Committee’s work. I thank the members of the Bureau, the facilitators and the dedicated Secretariat team for their tireless efforts and support throughout the whole process. I know that the delay in convening this meeting has affected holiday plans — I am grateful for the patience and sacrifice of all those connected with the process and I extend my appreciation and best wishes to their family members. We surely need to find a way to avoid such delays. The decisions made by Member States today are key to the good functioning of the United Nations. The proposed programme budget for 2020, which provides necessary resources to the United Nations Secretariat to implement its various tasks, also prepares us well for entry into the decade of action for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. As we look forward to the upcoming resumed session, I urge all Members to continue to work for consensus, while supporting the work of the Chair and the Bureau.

115.  (i)Appointment of members of the Board of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

The President unattributed #97033
The General Assembly will now turn to sub-item (i) of agenda item 115 on the appointment of members of the Board of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, in order to replace those members whose term of office expired on 15 September 2019. Members will recall that the Assembly, by its resolution 67/203 of 21 December 2012, decided to establish the 10-member Board, consisting of 2 members from each United Nations regional group. Members will also recall that the Assembly, by its resolution 69/214 of 19 December 2014, decided that the duration of subsequent terms for members of the Board shall continue to be two years, starting on 16 September of every second year, and that the United Nations regional groups may renominate one of their existing two members of the Board for one consecutive term, while ensuring that no Member State may be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms and taking into account the importance of ensuring continuity and rotation in the work of the Board. In that regard, the Secretariat has received the nomination of Hungary. I would like to note that Hungary has already served one term, from 2017 to 2019, and has been renominated by the Group of Eastern European States for a second term, from 2019 to 2021. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to appoint Hungary as a member of the board of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns for a term beginning on the date of appointment and ending on 15 September 2021?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #97034
Members are reminded that eight vacancies remain for a term beginning on the date of appointment by the General Assembly and ending on 15 September 2021 as follows: two members each from African States, Asia-Pacific States and Latin American and Caribbean States; and one member each from Eastern European States and Western European and other States. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 115. Programme of work
The President unattributed #97035
With regard to the programme of work of the General Assembly, apart from organizational matters and items that may have to be considered by operation of the rules of procedure of the Assembly and bearing in mind that consideration and action have already been taken by the Assembly on a majority of items thus far, I should like to inform Members that the following items remain open for consideration, or have not been considered yet, during the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly: agenda items 9 to 15; 19 and its sub-item (f); 21 and its sub-item (a); 23 and its sub-item (b); 25 and its sub-item (a); 27 to 35; 37; 38; 40 to 46; 52; 62; 63; 64 and its sub-items (a) and (b); 68; 71 and its sub-items (a) to (c); 74 and its sub-item (a); 86; 87; 98; 110 to 113; 114 and its sub-item (a); 115 and its sub-items (c), (e), (g) and (i); 116 to 125; and 129 to 165. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of those items that remain open for consideration or have not been considered yet during the seventy-fourth session of the Assembly?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #97036
I wish all members a successful 2020.
The meeting rose at 7.50 p.m.
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UN Project. “A/74/PV.52.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/meeting/A-74-PV-52/. Accessed .