A/75/PV.48 General Assembly

Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 — Session 75, Meeting 48 — New York — UN Document ↗

The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m.
Vote: A/RES/75/213 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (178)
Vote: A/RES/75/211 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (147)
Vote: A/RES/75/204 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (177)
Vote: A/RES/75/209 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (162)
Vote: A/RES/75/203 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (177)
Vote: A/RES/75/236 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (153)
Vote: A/RES/75/222 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (174)
Vote: A/RES/75/225 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (4)
✓ Yes (123)
Vote: A/RES/75/232 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (124)
Vote: A/RES/75/226 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (175)
Vote: A/RES/75/233 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (182)

Reports of the Second Committee

The President #92770
The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 16 to 26, 62, 126 and 142. Before we proceed, I would like to make some opening remarks. I would like to commend the work of the Second Committee during the main session and to recognize the able leadership of Ambassador Amrit Bahadur Rai of Nepal as Chair of the Committee. As we know, the work of the Second Committee lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its efforts are directly related to the international mechanisms that drive global sustainable development. From the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the work of the Second Committee is evident throughout the United Nations system. I would like to congratulate all the members of the Bureau on their constructive engagement and on their work in continuing this worthy endeavour, particularly now, during the pandemic. I commend the Committee for its continued efforts to strengthen the key accelerators of sustainable development, which are particularly important now, as we aim to regain progress in the Decade of Action on the Sustainable Development Goals. That includes deliberations on draft resolutions related to the New Urban Agenda, as well as water and climate change, that recognize the interconnected relationship between the environment, human health and prosperity. Likewise, the call to discuss concrete steps towards a sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly as it relates to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, continues to be relevant to our world today. I also welcome the inclusion of a multidimensional vulnerability index in the draft resolution on small island developing States, which responds directly to the issues of achieving a more equitable global economy, inclusive societies and sustainable recovery. The Assembly is aware that I have established an advisory board to tackle issues affecting groups of countries such as least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States. Taken together with the work of the Second Committee, I hope this will further galvanize efforts to support those countries in the challenges they face. We very much welcome the fact that the Committee has continued negotiations around the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review and the strengthening of the United Nations development system. The efforts to address COVID-19 and accelerate action on the SDGs require a United Nations that is fit for purpose, and the work of the Second Committee has contributed to that. The deliberations represent a great display of flexibility and solidarity on the part of Member States. I particularly appreciated the mandate to the United Nations system to adopt climate- and biodiversity- informed approaches and to support countries’ efforts to meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The success of United Nations reform will depend on the political will of Member States to translate words and commitments into action. Our previous deliberations and the draft resolutions that will be adopted here today are a true reflection of the potential for leveraging international cooperation to recover better from COVID-19 and meet the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for an inclusive, resilient and green recovery. I thank members once again for their commitment, vision and tireless efforts. I now request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, Mr. Diamane Diome of Senegal, to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention.

126.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the Second Committee (A/75/467)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President #92771
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.

19.  Sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/457)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 162   ✗ 7   6 abs.
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✓ Yes (162)
It was so decided.
The President #92772
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. I would like to remind members that, in accordance with paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that when the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. I further remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by representatives from their seats. When there are multiple proposals under an agenda item, statements and explanations of vote before the vote on any or all of them should be made in one intervention, followed by action on all of them, one by one. Thereafter, there will also be an opportunity for statements in explanation of vote after the vote on any or all of them, in one intervention. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Second Committee, I would 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 also hope that we will proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Committee. The results of the votes will be uploaded to the e-deleGATE portal under plenary announcements. I would like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat entitled “List of proposals contained in the reports of the Second Committee for consideration by the General Assembly” issued in English only, as document A/C.2/75/INF/1. The note was circulated in advance as a reference guide for action on the draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Committee in its reports. In the fourth column of the note, members will find 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 shown in the third column of the note. Members are reminded that additional sponsors are no longer accepted now that the draft resolutions and decisions have been adopted by the Committee. Any clarification about sponsorship should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee. I would also like to remind members that any corrections to the voting intention of delegations after the voting has concluded should be made directly to the Secretariat at the end of the meeting and submitted on the e-deleGATE portal. I would seek members’ cooperation in avoiding any interruptions to our proceedings in that regard.

16.  Information and communications technologies for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/454)

The President #92773
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 11 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: 32/413 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/202).
The President #92774
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 16?
It was so decided.

17.  Macroeconomic policy questions Report of the Second Committee (A/75/455)

The President #92775
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 75/543). (a) International trade and development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/455/Add.1)
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 147   ✗ 24   7 abs.
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✓ Yes (147)
The President #92776
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Assembly 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 177 votes to 2 (resolution 75/203).
The President #92777
May I take it that is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.

(b) International financial system and development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/455/Add.2)

The President #92778
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 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 75/204).
The President #92779
May I take it that is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 17?
It was so decided.

(c) External debt sustainability and development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/455/Add.3)

The President #92780
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 75/205).
The President #92781
May I take it that is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 17? (d) 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/75/455/Add.4)
It was so decided.
The President #92782
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 75/206).
The President #92783
May I take it that is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 17? (e) Promoting investments for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/455/Add.5)
It was so decided.
The President #92784
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 75/207).
The President #92785
May I take it that is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 17 and agenda item 17 as a whole?
It was so decided.

18.  Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/456)

The President #92786
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 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 75/208).
The President #92787
May I take it that is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 18?
It was so decided.
The President #92788
The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to III, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Oil slick on Lebanese shores”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 162 votes to 7, with 6 abstentions (resolution 75/209).
The President #92789
Draft resolution II is entitled “International cooperation and coordination for the human and ecological rehabilitation and economic development of the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 75/210).
The President #92790
Draft resolution III is entitled “Entrepreneurship for sustainable development”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Tunisia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against.] (a) Towards the achievement of sustainable development: implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through sustainable consumption and production, building on Agenda 21 Report of the Second Committee (A/75/457/Add.1)
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 147 votes to 24, with 7 abstentions (resolution 75/211).
The President #92791
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report. The Assembly will now take decisions on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 75/212).
The President #92792
Draft resolution II is entitled “Promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on Agenda 21”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 178 votes to 1 (resolution 75/213).
The President #92793
May I take it that it is the wish of the 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/75/457/Add.2)
It was so decided.
The President #92794
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 13 of its report. The Assembly will now take decisions on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 75/214).
The President #92795
Draft resolution II is entitled “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”. The Second Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 75/215).
The President #92796
I now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote or position after adoption.
Mr. Gnecco Daza COL Colombia [Spanish] #92797
My delegation would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations. As an extremely diverse country, Colombia is committed to the conservation, protection and sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea through the implementation of policies, plans and programmes that highlight the national, regional and global importance of its ecosystems. In addition, our country has a significant institutional framework for coastal marine matters and an integrated vision of the sea, the coast and its resources as fundamental elements of achieving sustainable development. That has become even more relevant in the current context of sustainable and inclusive recovery from the coronavirus disease pandemic. Colombia conducts activities in the marine environment in strict compliance with the various international commitments that it has expressly adopted or accepted, and would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that it has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The provisions contained therein are therefore neither enforceable nor opposable, except for those that Colombia has expressly adopted or accepted. Consequently, the Republic of Colombia reaffirms that resolution 75/214, which has just been adopted, and our participation in its adoption cannot be considered or interpreted in any way that implies the express or tacit acceptance by the Colombian State of the provisions contained in UNCLOS. While my delegation joined the consensus, it does not share the opinion that the Convention is the sole normative framework regulating activities carried out in the oceans. We therefore express a reservation with regard to the resolution’s ninth preambular paragraph.
Mr. Bayley Angeleri VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #92798
The delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela would like to express its appreciation for the work carried out by the facilitators of resolution 75/214, “Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations”, which has just been adopted. Our delegation joined the consensus on the resolution because it addresses important issues related to sustainable development. However, we do not associate ourselves with the references in the resolution to international instruments to which Venezuela is not a party, and we reiterate that such references should not be interpreted to indicate a change in our traditional position in that regard. In particular, we would like to once again recall that Venezuela is not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is why the norms mentioned in that instrument, including those that could be characterized as customary law, are not opposable, except for those that our country has expressly recognized.
Ms. Flores Soto SLV El Salvador [Spanish] #92799
In accordance with resolution 71/312, El Salvador recognizes the importance of the oceans as fundamental elements for life on our planet and our future. In that regard, it is vital that we work to protect ocean sustainability, especially in order to ensure food security for millions of people. We therefore support the promotion of efforts aimed at the conservation and sustainable management of all coastal and marine resources. However, with regard to resolution 75/214, which was just adopted, my delegation wishes to dissociate itself from the language reflected in the ninth preambular paragraph, which includes a reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the sole legal framework for ocean activities. It is therefore necessary to clarify that, since El Salvador has not ratified the Convention and is not a State party to that instrument, we express our reservation regarding any mention of the Convention as the sole framework applicable to ocean activities. In that connection, it is important to highlight the existence of other relevant legal instruments that include customary international legal obligations that are equally crucial to such activities. In line with the position expressed in paragraph 10 of resolution 72/249, El Salvador would like to reiterate that neither our participation in the negotiations on the resolution adopted today nor their outcome can affect the legal situation of States that are not party to the Convention or other related agreements with respect to that instrument. Finally, my delegation wishes to reiterate its willingness to collaborate with other States on the management of the oceans and to ensure through good practices the sustainability of their coastal and marine resources as a vital asset for sustainable development and the well-being of humankind.
Ms. Fidan TUR Türkiye #92800
Turkey has asked for the floor to reiterate its position on resolution 75/214, entitled “Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations”. Turkey joined the consensus on the resolution because it addresses important issues regarding the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources in the Caribbean Sea area. We firmly support the continued efforts of the Association of Caribbean States to develop and implement regional initiatives to promote the sustainable conservation and management of coastal and marine resources. However, Turkey dissociates itself from the references made in the resolution to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which cannot be construed as changing Turkey’s legal position with regard to the instrument concerned.
The President #92801
May I take it that it is the wish of the 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/75/457/Add.3)

The President #92802
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 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?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/216).
The President #92803
May I take it that it is the wish of the 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/75/457/Add.4)
It was so decided.
The President #92804
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of its report. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 2 and 10. I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 2.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 2 was retained by 155 votes to 6, with 1 abstention.
The President #92805
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 10.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 10 was retained by 111 votes to 44, with 5 abstentions.
The President #92806
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 was adopted (resolution 75/217).
The President #92807
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/75/457/Add.5)
It was so decided.
The President #92808
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 75/218).
The President #92809
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/75/457/Add.6)

The President #92810
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 entitled “Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its contribution to sustainable development”. 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 75/219).
The President #92811
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 19?
It was so decided.

(g) Harmony with Nature Report of the Second Committee (A/75/457/Add.7)

The President #92812
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 75/220).
The President #92813
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? (h) Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Report of the Second Committee (A/74/457/Add.8)
It was so decided.
The President #92814
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 the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/221).
The President #92815
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) Combating sand and dust storms Report of the Second Committee (A/75/457/Add.9)

The President #92816
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. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 174 votes to 2, with 1 abstention (resolution 75/222).
The President #92817
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?
It was so decided.
The President #92818
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 19.

20.  Global Code of Ethics for Tourism Report of the Second Committee (A/75/458)

The President #92819
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. 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 75/223).
The President #92820
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 20?
It was so decided.

21.  Follow-up to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Report of the Second Committee (A/75/459)

The President #92821
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, entitled “Implementation of the outcomes of the United Nations Conferences on Human Settlements and on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)”. 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 75/224).
The President #92822
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 21?
It was so decided.

22.  Globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/75/460)

The President #92823
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee? It was so decided (decision 75/544). (a) Globalization and interdependence Report of the Second Committee (A/75/460/ Add.1)
The President #92824
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, entitled “Towards a New International Economic Order”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Japan informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.] 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?
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 123 votes to 48, with 4 abstentions (resolution 75/225).
It was so decided.

(b) International migration and development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/460/Add.2)

The President #92825
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 175 votes to 3, with 1 abstention (resolution 75/226).
The President #92826
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 and agenda item 22 as a whole?
It was so decided.

23.  Groups of countries in special situations Report of the Second Committee (A/75/461)

The President #92827
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee? It was so decided (decision 75/545) (a) Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/75/461/Add.1)
The President #92828
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 the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/227).
The President #92829
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 23. (b) Follow-up to the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/75/461/Add.2)
The President #92830
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 the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/228).
The President #92831
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 23?
It was so decided.
The President #92832
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 23.

24.  Eradication of poverty and other development issues Report of the Second Committee (A/75/462)

The President #92833
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Promotion of sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, for poverty eradication and environment protection”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? (a) Implementation of the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018- 2027) Report of the Second Committee (A/75/462/Add.1)
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/229).
The President #92834
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 the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/230).

(b) Industrial development cooperation Report of the Second Committee (A/75/462/Add.2)

The President #92835
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 the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 75/231).
The President #92836
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 24? (c) Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/462/Add.3)
It was so decided.
The President #92837
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 124 votes to 49, with 3 abstentions (resolution 75/232).
The President #92838
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 24 and of agenda item 24 as a whole?
It was so decided.

25.  Operational activities for development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/463)

The President #92839
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 75/546). (a) Operational activities for development of the United Nations system Report of the Second Committee (A/75/463/Add.1)
The President #92840
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 21 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system”. A separate, recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 30.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 30 was retained by 148 votes to 3, with 3 abstentions.
The President #92841
A recorded vote has been requested on the draft resolution entitled “Quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system” as a whole.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution as a whole was adopted by 182 votes to none, with 1 abstention (resolution 75/233).
The President #92842
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 25?
It was so decided.

(b) South-South cooperation for development Report of the Second Committee (A/75/463/Add.2)

The President #92843
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, entitled “South-South cooperation”. 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 75/234).
The President #92844
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 25 and agenda item 25, as a whole?
It was so decided.

26.  Agriculture development, food security and nutrition Report of the Second Committee (A/75/464)

The President #92845
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 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 75/235).
The President #92846
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 26?
It was so decided.

62.  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/75/465)

The President #92847
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 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 153 votes to 6, with 17 abstentions (resolution 75/236).
The President #92848
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 62?
It was so decided.
The President #92849
The Assembly has before it two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The Assembly will now take decisions on draft decisions I and II, one by one. Draft decision I is entitled “Draft programme of work of the Second Committee for the seventy- sixth 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 I was adopted (decision 75/547).
The President #92850
Draft decision II is entitled “Revitalization of the work of the Second Committee”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision, as orally revised?
Draft decision II, as orally revised, was adopted (decision 75/548).
The President #92851
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 126.

142.  Programme planning Report of the Second Committee (A/75/466)

The President #92852
May I take it that it is wish of the General Assembly to take note of the report of the Second Committee? It was so decided (decision 75/549).
The President on behalf of Group of 77 and China #92853
I now give the floor to the representative of Guyana, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, for an explanation of vote after the vote.
Mr. Pierre GUY Guyana on behalf of Group of 77 and China #92854
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. I would like to begin by expressing our heartfelt congratulations to Ambassador Rai, Chairman of the Second Committee, for his able leadership of our work through this challenging year. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the members of the Bureau, whose hard work and dedication brought our work in the Committee to a successful conclusion. The Group also thanks the Secretariat staff for their support during our deliberations, as we laboured through the many virtual and in-person meetings. We thank all of the facilitators of the Second Committee resolutions considered this year, for without their commitment and engagement we would not have been able to conclude our work in a timely manner. Our Group wishes to reiterate that the approaches we took during the seventy-fifth session do not set a precedent for any future sessions of the Second Committee. The conclusion of our work does not mean shelving the resolutions adopted here today, but safeguarding the commitments and obligations enshrined in them in order to fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We must strive to achieve our overarching objective of eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, as well as pursuing sustainable development in its three dimensions in a balanced, coordinated and integrated manner. As we chart our course through the beginning of the Decade of Action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals, we face an enormous task with the exacerbation of already daunting development challenges by the effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic, undermining many decades of development gains. Developing countries are disproportionately affected, due to many development bottlenecks and unfavourable conditions for sustainable development. Frail health systems, insufficient financing and high debt levels, inadequate market access for goods and services, the expanding digital divide, restricted access to needed pharmaceuticals and medical supplies and reductions in revenue from tourism and exports are only some of the structural difficulties we face. It is therefore crucial to ensure that our actions in the coming years accelerate efforts to build back better and achieve the 2030 Agenda and, more important, reinforce and strengthen a multilateral system underpinned by the principles of unity and solidarity. The Group acknowledges the arrangements made by the Bureau to organize our work during this session on an exceptional basis, including allocating sufficient time for informal consultations on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) of operational activities for development of the United Nations system. We would like to extend our gratitude to the facilitator, Mr. Markus Reisle of Switzerland, and his team for their tireless efforts throughout the negotiations. The Group reaffirms its support for resolution 75/233, which establishes key system-wide strategic policy orientations and operational modalities for development cooperation, as well as country-level modalities for the United Nations development system. It is an important document that provides strong guidance to the United Nations development system in its support for countries to achieve their national development objectives and strategies and in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda  — an Agenda that is universal and integrated in nature. However, we are concerned about the continuing efforts to dilute the focus of the QCPR and development activities. The Group firmly believes that human rights, humanitarian issues, sustaining peace, sexual exploitation and abuse and gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are all matters of importance. Unfortunately, those issues were often introduced into the resolution in an unbalanced manner and related to mandates that were beyond the development focus of the resolution. We strongly believe that the QCPR should retain its development focus. Nevertheless, in a spirit of compromise, the Group worked constructively with all delegations to address those issues in a balanced way and agreed to language on those areas as part of a package in order to find consensus. The Group would also like to re-emphasize the importance of national ownership and leadership in the implementation process. It is now imperative that we ensure the effective delivery of support to programme countries, in line with the mandates of the entities of the United Nations development system and in accordance with national development policies, plans, priorities and needs. In conclusion, we would like to extend our appreciation to all delegations for their engagement in the work of the Second Committee. Our toil this year, through the plight of the global pandemic, is a testament to a collective commitment to leaving no one behind and pushing forward with the objective of transforming our world and building a common future. We look forward to realizing all of the provisions contained in the Second Committee resolutions this year and towards a more coherent and coordinated United Nations development system that can deliver results on the ground, ensure national ownership and leadership and support programme countries in our efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda.
The President #92855
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 142. I would like to congratulate members on successfully concluding this session. As we look ahead to the resumed session and to working towards action against mandates, I hope that we will continue to do so in the same spirit of solidarity and with the forward- looking approach that members displayed during the main session. I look forward to working with the Assembly in the coming months on other important processes, including on revitalization and alignment, as well as on the review of the high-level political forum and the Economic and Social Council. With a challenging and tragic year behind us and with hopes for a better year ahead, we must strive even harder to make 2021 a year of transformation, encouragement and renewed optimism. I look forward to working with members in that regard. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all reports of the Second Committee before it.

119.  Elections to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and other elections (a) Election of members of the Committee for Programme and Coordination Note by the Secretary-General (A/75/248/Add.1)

The President #92856
Pursuant to General Assembly decision 42/450, of 17 December 1987, and upon their nomination by the Economic and Social Council, the members of the Committee for Programme and Coordination are elected by the Assembly. Members will recall that at its 30th plenary meeting, held on 23 November, the General Assembly elected 18 members of the Committee for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2021 and expiring on 31 December 2023. The Assembly has before it a note by the Secretary- General, circulated in document A/75/248/Add.1, which contains a nomination by the Economic and Social Council to fill an outstanding vacancy in the Committee for Programme and Coordination for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2021 and expiring on 31 December 2023. As indicated in the document, by its decision 2021/201B of 10 December, the Economic and Social Council nominated Germany for election by the General Assembly to fill an outstanding vacancy in the Committee for Programme and Coordination for a term of office beginning on 1 January 2021 and expiring on 31 December 2023. In accordance with rule 92 of the rules of procedure, all elections should be held by secret ballot. However, I should like to recall paragraph 16 of decision 34/401, whereby the practice of dispensing with the secret ballot for elections to subsidiary organs when the number of candidates corresponds to the number of seats to be filled should become standard, unless a delegation specifically requests a vote in a given election. In the absence of such a request, may I take it that the Assembly decides to proceed to the election on the basis of dispensing with the secret ballot?
It was so decided.
The President #92857
The number of States nominated from among the Western European and other States is equal to the number of seats to be filled for that Group. May I therefore take it that the Assembly wishes to declare Germany elected as a member of the Committee for Programme and Coordination for a term of office beginning on 1 January 2021 and expiring on 31 December 2023? It was so decided (decision 75/410).
The President #92858
I congratulate Germany on its election as a member of the Committee for Programme and Coordination. Members are reminded that two vacancies remain for a term beginning on the date of election by the General Assembly to be filled by one member from among the Western European and other States for a term expiring on 31 December 2021 and one member from among the Asia-Pacific States for a term expiring on 31 December 2022. I would also like to remind members that one vacancy for a member from among the Latin American and Caribbean States remains to be filled for a term beginning on 1 January 2021 and expiring on 31 December 2023. Finally, members are reminded that one vacancy for a member from the Latin American and Caribbean States remains to be filled for a term of office beginning on the date of the election and expiring on 31 December 2020. The General Assembly will be in a position to act on those vacancies upon nomination by the Economic and Social Council. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 119.
The meeting was suspended at 4.40 p.m.