A/75/PV.59 General Assembly

It is my sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who passed away on 17 March. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to ask the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to convey our condolences to the Government and the people of Tanzania and to the President’s bereaved family. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of President Magufuli and to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania on the President’s passing. Tanzania is a cherished member of the United Nations family and a committed supporter of multilateralism. President Magufuli embodied that sentiment at the general debate in September, when he pledged, through the Permanent Representative, that “the United Republic of Tanzania will continue to render the necessary support to the United Nations in ensuring success in all important global agendas, including the promotion of the equality and self- determination of nations, peace and security, human rights, development, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the United Nations reform processes.” (A/75/PV.15, pp. 13-14) Tanzania’s commitment to multilateralism is particularly evident through its contribution to United Nations peacekeeping. More than 2,000 Tanzanian peacekeepers are currently serving in six operations, demonstrating Tanzania’s commitment to peace and security, the cornerstones of social development. Tanzania and the United Nations are close development partners and have a rich history of working together. In 2007, Tanzania became one of eight countries worldwide to pilot the Delivering as One reforms. Today, 23 United Nations agencies are closely working to implement the United Nations Development Assistance Plan 2016- 2021, which supports the Government in achieving the objectives of its national visions, the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 and the Zanzibar Vision 2020, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. President Magufuli was a champion of Tanzania’s development. During his time in office, he invested in many large infrastructure projects such as a standard- gauge railway, major highways and bridges and the upgrading of ports and ships. He championed the building of health-care and clean water facilities. He also focused on the youth of Tanzania, devoting resources to educating Tanzania’s future doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers and raising enrolment in primary schools by more than 50 per cent in five years. Those achievements will long be remembered here at the United Nations. I wish the people of Tanzania and the family of the President well as they mourn this great loss. I now ask representatives to join me in observing a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.

I now give the floor to Secretary- General António Guterres.

We are gathered today to honour the memory of His Excellency Mr. John Magufuli, the late President of the United Republic of Tanzania. As we convey our condolences to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, we also recognize the service of President Magufuli. He sought to expand access to social services and tackle corruption. The late President was a noted proponent of infrastructure development and industrialization  — vital tools for economic advancement. Tanzania reached its ambition of becoming a middle-income country four years ahead of its 2025 goal. The late President also helped strengthen the education system and increased the enrolment of new students in secondary schools. Furthermore, his Government improved rural electrification with the aim of expanding Tanzania’s electricity-generation capacity to ensure nationwide access to energy. On behalf of the United Nations, I once again offer our condolences to the late President’s family, the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania. We recognize Tanzania’s long history of support for multilateralism and applaud its dedication to international and regional cooperation. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate and reinforce the commitment of the United Nations to continue working closely with his successor, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country’s first woman President. We stand with the people of Tanzania in advancing sustainable development and supporting their aspiration for a prosperous Tanzania for all.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of the Congo, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States.

On behalf of the Group of African States, I have the sad duty to address this solemn ceremony of the General Assembly and pay posthumous tribute to a great statesman, President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli of the United Republic of Tanzania, who passed away on 17 March. I bow to the memory of the late President and extend our deepest condolences to the Government and brother people of Tanzania who have been bereaved by the sudden death of this distinguished African leader. I also want to extend my condolences to his family. In these dark hours for Tanzania, the members of the African Group would like to express their solidarity and deepest sympathy with their Tanzanian brothers and sisters. Figuratively, we use the term “bulldozer” — a powerful earth-moving machine mounted on a tractor on caterpillar tracks and used to dig soil and level ground — to describe a person who is undeterred by any obstacle, and the sobriquet suited the builder who was President Magufuli perfectly. After his election in 2015, he committed his Government to an ambitious programme of infrastructure construction for his country’s economic and social development. His first five years in office were marked by emblematic projects building roads, railways and extension bridges and modernizing ports and airports, along with a number of socioeconomic achievements. He also earned his nickname of “Bulldozer” through his relentless fight against corruption and simultaneous commitment to fiscal consolidation and rationalization. Thanks to his far-sighted economic governance, putting the national interest first, Tanzania’s growth rate was among the highest in Africa at 5.5 per cent in 2018 and trending upward at around 6 per cent in 2019. President Magufuli was a believer, and as if prophesying he once said, speaking in English, “One day you will remember me. I know one day you will remember me, not for bad things but for good deeds, because I have sacrificed my life for the poor in Tanzania.” The eradication of poverty was one of his priorities and his hobby horse. As if to echo that prophecy, the whole of Tanzania, grieving but grateful, gave him a tribute and funeral worthy of a hero. The passing of an iconic pan-Africanist political figure, so loved and appreciated by his people, is a difficult and painful ordeal. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kuwait, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Asia-Pacific States.

On behalf of the Group of Asia-Pacific States, I would like to extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and to our colleagues at the Permanent Mission of Tanzania on the passing of their late President, His Excellency Mr. John Magufuli, on 17 March. It was with great sorrow that we learned of the passing of the President last month. He was a man of devout faith, who served his country and people with distinction throughout his political career. President Magufuli was devoted to bringing growth and prosperity to the people of Tanzania as he strove to develop his country’s economy and infrastructure. His efforts to combat corruption will also be remembered as he looked to build a more transparent and affluent nation for his people. Over the years, President Magufuli took concrete steps to unlock his country’s potential, and his reform efforts were recognized by the people of Tanzania as significant strides towards progress and development across many sectors, including health, education and transport. He leaves behind a country filled with hope that it will continue to build on what he started. I would like to conclude by once again reiterating the heartfelt condolences of the members of the Asia- Pacific Group to the late President’s family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Romania, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States.

I am taking the floor on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States to express our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania on the passing of His Excellency Mr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, late President of the United Republic of Tanzania and a well-known political figure of the African continent who had a significant influence on his country’s development. President Magufuli played a major role in Tanzanian politics for several decades. Prior to his presidency, he served as Minister of Works, Transport and Communications from 2000 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2015, and was Chair of the Southern African Development Community from 2019 to 2020. His efforts and determination, especially in promoting the economic advancement of Tanzania, will be remembered and remain a lasting legacy. We would like to take this opportunity to express our confidence that Tanzania will continue its efforts to ensure the well-being and prosperity of its people and make a noteworthy contribution to the African continent. May his soul rest in peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Chile, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

I am honoured to speak on this solemn occasion on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States in order to pay tribute to His Excellency Mr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the late President of the United Republic of Tanzania, a statesman who served as the leader of the people of Tanzania during his five years in office and as Transport Minister before that. During his tenure President Magufuli worked to eradicate corruption, improve public services and promote public health as the country was fighting the spread of cholera. As soon as he took office in 2015 he embarked on a process aimed at transforming his country’s infrastructure, improving its system’s efficiency and connecting markets in his region through the introduction of agricultural technology and by building railways and a road network that is growing by the day. The international community, and in particular our sister region of Africa, has lost a leader who advocated for redefining the role of public service in pursuit of the effective service delivery that the entire population deserves. We should pay tribute to him. The Member States of Latin America and the Caribbean, and their Permanent Representatives here at the United Nations, express their deepest condolences to his family and to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, and their hope that they may find solace in his lasting legacy.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Netherlands, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and other States.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Western European and other States. On Wednesday, 17 March, we received with sadness the news of the passing of President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli of the United Republic of Tanzania. On behalf of the Group of Western European and other States, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Government and the people of Tanzania and to the family and friends of President Magufuli. We meet here today to contemplate the memory of the late President and great African leader and to reflect on his loss. President Magufuli will be remembered for his desire and action to realize the dreams of the first President of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. We will also remember his perseverance and dedication in transforming and developing Tanzania. As soon as he was sworn in, we witnessed how President Magufuli worked vigorously to root out corruption while at the same time promoting an improved public-service ethos for civil servants and politicians alike. He lived to see Tanzania achieve the status of middle-income country, an ambition that was set for 2025 but had already been reached before the sad event we are commemorating today. We applaud Tanzania’s strong commitment to constitutionalism as shown in its strict adherence to the constitutionally prescribed process and provisions with regard to President Magufuli’s successor, and we welcome President Samia Suluhu Hassan as a new member of the growing United Nations community of women Heads of State and Government. We pledge our full support to her in the new role and responsibilities that have been conferred on her. On behalf of the Group of Western European and other States, I would once again like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania.

I now give the floor to the representative of the United States of America, who will speak on behalf of the host country.

On behalf of the Government and the people of the United States, I would like to begin by extending our deepest sympathies to the wife and children of the late President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, his extended family and friends and all the people of Tanzania. As we gather here today, we remember a man who took immense pride in leading Tanzania and consistently reminded all of us of his country’s history as a leader in securing independence and promoting sustainable development across the continent of Africa. When President Magufuli assumed office in 2015, my Government saw the sense of urgency that he brought to the fight against corruption and heard his desire to improve the efficiency of the Tanzanian Government. When he took steps to cut down the size of presidential delegations and shrink his Cabinet, we took notice. We also took notice of Tanzania’s improvement in transparency metrics and of President Magufuli’s efforts to strengthen his Government’s corruption accountability mechanisms. May his memory be a blessing for those commemorating his life and tenure. His successor, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and her Government are in our thoughts during this difficult time of transition. The United States has a long history of partnership with the people of Tanzania. We stand with all Tanzanians as they seek to move forward, united in their determination to build a more democratic, healthy and prosperous society. We are committed to working with Tanzania’s new leaders and support their efforts as they strive to build that society for all Tanzanians.

I now give the floor to the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Let me begin by thanking you, Mr. President, on behalf of Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, and on my own behalf, for organizing this meeting to pay tribute to the memory of my late President, Mr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, who passed away on 17 March. This is an immense honour, and we are deeply humbled. The gesture attests to the importance that the membership attaches to the spirit of solidarity within the United Nations. I thank all those present unreservedly for the kind words and heartfelt condolences expressed to me, and through me to the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and especially to the bereaved family. Life has seasons. It has been said that every so often — very rarely — people who are the best of their generation are gifted to the world. Our late President Magufuli was one of those rare people. He discovered the mission of his generation and never betrayed it. His love for God and his nation, his trust in his people and his charisma made him a remarkable person, with the dignity of a President but a common touch. He was a towering figure who inspired many across the world and spoke truth to power, through tough love and in the tradition of humility. Among his peers, he conducted himself with remarkable candour. He will always stand out as an unrelenting and hard-working leader, a true patriot and great statesman with a humble and selfless disposition. He was a paragon of virtue, an economic national who believed unapologetically in self-development. He was also a visionary leader and ardent pan-Africanist who believed that Tanzanians, Africans and all of humankind deserved the best. Taking over from his predecessors’ achievements, he was an architect of the contemporary infrastructural development of Tanzania, and his development philosophy and anti-corruption drive created a unity of purpose and actions that propelled Tanzania to the status of a middle-income country in the lower category nearly five years ahead of the projected time. He was a champion of self-determination and initiated several daring strategic institutional and regulatory reforms in order to build an independent and sustainable economy with self-reliance at its core. He was a true believer in global solidarity and a force for stability in the search for greater understanding and harmony among the peoples of the world. May God rest his soul in everlasting peace. The chapter of the fifth phase Government of Tanzania has closed and a new chapter has opened smoothly. On 19 March, Her Excellency Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as the sixth President and Commander-in-Chief of the United Republic of Tanzania. We are proud as a nation and grateful to have ushered to the helm the first woman President in the history of our country. She is currently the only woman Head of State and Government in Africa, and we could not be prouder. President Suluhu Hassan is patriotic, a seasoned politician with high principles, a visionary stateswoman and a staunch supporter of multilateralism. She is no stranger to this Organization, and her commitment to and belief in the ideals of the Charter of the United Nations is unquestionable. Under her leadership, the United Republic of Tanzania will continue to be a faithful member of the United Nations and what it stands for  — international peace and security, human rights, development and the well-being of the human race. The President has already taken over the leadership with unprecedented vitality, humility, creativity, speed and passion with regard to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Finally, on this solemn occasion in which we are gathered to honour the memory of the late President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, let me conclude by recalling what the late President of the United Republic of Tanzania Benjamin William Mkapa said at the passing of the father of our nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, in 1999. “Our world is composed of givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.” Indeed, in death as in life, President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli sleeps better, for his entire life was one of giving, not taking. He died a fulfilled man at the age of 61, and history will remember him fondly. I thank the Assembly for the kindness and courtesy with which it has listened to me. Reports of the Fifth Committee

The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Fifth Committee on agenda items 139, 141, 147 and 148. I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, Mr. Tsu Tang Terrence Teo of Singapore, to introduce in one intervention the reports of the Fifth Committee before the Assembly. Mr. Teo (Singapore), Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee: I have the honour to present to the General Assembly the reports of the Fifth Committee containing recommendations on issues considered during the first part of the resumed seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly. The Fifth Committee met from 1 to 26 March and held three plenary meetings, as well as numerous informal and informal-informal consultations. I shall now present the reports of the Fifth Committee containing recommendations on issues that require action by the General Assembly. Regarding agenda item 141, “Proposed programme budget for 2021”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/75/682/Add.1, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution on special subjects relating to the programme budget for 2021, which the Committee adopted without a vote. Regarding agenda item 147, “Joint Inspection Unit”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/75/830, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Regarding agenda item 148, “United Nations common system”, in paragraph 7 of its report contained in document A/75/670/Add.1, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution adopted by the Committee without a vote. Finally, regarding agenda item 139, “Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations”, in paragraph 6 of its report A/75/683/Add.1, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft decision entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. I thank delegations for their cooperation and spirit of compromise, which enabled the Committee to finish its work on time. I would also like to thank the Chair of the Committee, Ambassador Carlos Amorín of Uruguay, and his team, Fernanda Silvera Flores, for their guidance and encouragement. I also thank my colleagues in the Bureau, Katlego Mmalane of Botswana, Jakub Chmielewski of Poland and Armağan Crabtree of Turkey, with whom we have always had robust and good-hearted exchanges. I look forward to working with them to ensure the success of the second part of the resumed session, to take place in May, when the Committee will focus on the financing of peacekeeping operations. Finally, I would also like to give special thanks to the Fifth Committee secretariat, led by Lionelito Berridge and his team, Wiryanto Sumitro, Sarah Mueller, Geraldine Velandria, Lindsay Edwards, Ilene McGrade and Rogena Inductivo, for their tireless and admirable dedication to their work.

I thank the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee for his report. 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. 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 Fifth Committee before the Assembly today.

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, and that explanations 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 will proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Fifth Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. I therefore hope that we will proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Fifth Committee.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. 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 Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 147.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. 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 Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 148.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Special subjects relating to the programme budget for 2021”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 141.

The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 139. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Fifth Committee before it at this meeting.

Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 120 at its 30th plenary meeting on 23 November 2020. In order for the Assembly to take action on this document, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of the sub-item. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 120?

Members will also recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting on 18 September 2020, the General Assembly decided to allocate sub-item (d) of agenda item 120 to the Fifth Committee. To enable the Assembly to proceed expeditiously on this sub-item today, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider sub-item (d) of agenda item 120 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 75/504B).

The General Assembly will now resume its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 120. In his note, the Secretary-General informs the General Assembly that he has received notification of the resignation of Luis Mariano Hermosillo Sosa, of Mexico, from the International Civil Service Commission, effective 22 February 2021. The Assembly will therefore be required to appoint, at its current session, a person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Mr. Hermosillo Sosa’s term of office, which expires on 31 December 2021. The Secretary-General also informs the General Assembly that the Government of Mexico has nominated Claudia Angélica Bueno Reynaga to fill the vacancy arising from the resignation of Mr. Hermosillo Sosa. The Secretary-General further informs the Assembly that he has undertaken consultations with Member States, through the Chairs of the various regional groups; with the executive heads of the other organizations; with staff representatives, through the Federation of International Civil Servants’ Associations and the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System; and with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, pursuant to the provisions of articles 3 to 5 of the Statute of the International Civil Service Commission and in accordance with General Assembly resolution 43/226, section II, paragraphs 3 and 4. May I therefore take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to appoint Claudia Angélica Bueno Reynaga as a member of the International Civil Service Commission for a term of office beginning on the date of appointment by the General Assembly and ending on 31 December 2021? It was so decided (decision 75/407 B).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 120?

Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting on 18 September 2020, the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 19 to the Second Committee. To enable the Assembly to take action expeditiously on draft resolution A/75/L.73, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider agenda item 19 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 75/504B).

The General Assembly will now resume its consideration of agenda item 19 to take action on the draft resolution contained in document A/75/L.73. I give the floor to the representative of Kyrgyzstan to introduce draft resolution A/75/L.73.

Today we are considering important draft resolutions for our Organization, and I am glad that we in this Hall are showing our unity and ambition to move forward on the path to sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015, became a universal and comprehensive plan that considers all aspects of sustainable development. The goals and targets outlined in that cornerstone document give us a precise map for achieving the resilient economies and social stability that are essential to a better future. We underline the importance of the goals designed to protect the environment as a critical element of sustainable development. They are proof of a universal recognition that urgent measures and international cooperation are needed to overcome current threats and challenges in the environmental arena. The Kyrgyz Republic fully supports the 2030 Agenda and most of the key international initiatives on the environment. We believe firmly that recognizing environmental challenges and the need for international cooperation opens up vast opportunities for cooperation and development aimed at finding solutions to those problems. In the light of the current situation, the Kyrgyz Republic has supported and launched several international initiatives, including a global initiative on snow leopards designed to preserve a rare species and its natural habitat. In 2019, the Kyrgyz Republic, with strong support from the relevant Member States, established the informal Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries to promote sustainable mountain development principles, including with regard to preserving fragile mountain ecosystems. In addition, in 2018 Kyrgyzstan put forward an updated resolution on the role of the international community in preventing the threat of radiation in Central Asia (resolution 73/238). In 2019, in cooperation with Italy, we worked on the updated resolution on sustainable mountain development (resolution 74/227). Those resolutions also contributed to the development of transboundary cooperation and were broadly supported by Member States. Draft resolution A/75/L.73, entitled “Nature knows no borders: transboundary cooperation — a key factor for biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use”, is also designed to preserve the world’s biodiversity through cooperative action aimed at providing our countries’ future generations with a pure, safe and stable environment, ensuring the rational use of natural resources in line with the principles of sustainable development and implementing the 2030 Agenda. It has garnered positive responses from global environmental organizations. The promotion of transboundary cooperation is timely given the restrictions that have been instituted to curb the coronavirus disease pandemic. The effect of those restrictions has shown how interconnected our world is. The decision to develop transboundary collaboration in favour of environmental stability will also help to overcome the obstacles to reviving interaction among Member States. The active discussion of the draft resolution over the past two months has resulted in a well-balanced text reflecting key issues in transboundary cooperation for biodiversity protection, restoration and sustainable use and for development. I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all the Member States that participated in the informal consultations and supported and sponsored this initiative. Adopting this draft resolution today will once again show our united intention to cooperate on preserving biodiversity for future generations.

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/75/L.73, entitled “Nature knows no borders: transboundary cooperation — a key factor for biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of draft resolution A/75/L.73, and in addition to those delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Paraguay, the Philippines, Qatar, Romania, the Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Singapore, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition, the delegations of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Nigeria and Peru have also become sponsors.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/75/L.73?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 19.

Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its consideration of agenda item 69 at its 46th plenary meeting on 16 December 2020. In order for the Assembly to take action on the draft decision, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of agenda item 69. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of agenda item 69?

Members will also recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 18 September 2020, the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 69 to the Third Committee. To enable the Assembly to take action expeditiously on the draft decision, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider agenda item 69 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 75/504B).

The General Assembly will now resume its consideration of agenda item 69 to take action on the draft decision, entitled “Informal interactive hearing with indigenous peoples”, contained in document A/75/L.77. We shall now proceed to consider draft decision A/75/L.77. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 69?

Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting on 18 September 2020, the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 111 to the Third Committee. To enable the Assembly to take action expeditiously on the document, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider agenda item 111 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 75/504B).

The General Assembly will now resume its consideration of agenda item 111 to take action on the draft decision contained in document A/75/L.75. Draft decision A/75/L.75 is entitled “Special session of the General Assembly against corruption”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 111.

The General Assembly will resume its consideration of agenda item 10, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the political declarations on HIV/ AIDS”, to take action on the draft decision contained in document A/75/L.74. Members are reminded that the debate on the item will be held during the high-level meeting scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 June 2021. The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/75/L.74, entitled “Participation in the 2021 high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 10.

The General Assembly will resume its consideration of agenda item 64, entitled “Peacebuilding and sustaining peace”. I would like to remind members that the debate on this item is scheduled for 18 May 2021. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Turkmenistan to introduce draft resolution A/75/L.72.

I have the honour to present draft resolution A/75/L.72, entitled “Role of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia”. It was submitted on behalf of the five countries of Central Asia, that is, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and my own country, Turkmenistan, to emphasize the role of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia and in the region. The Central Asian countries would like to underscore their broad, unwavering interregional support for the draft resolution and to express their deep gratitude to the other sponsoring countries. We would also like to point to the constructive atmosphere that accompanied the entire process of deliberations on the draft resolution. The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) is a special political mission of the United Nations, established in December 2007 in Ashgabat at the initiative of the five Central Asian States. The Centre promotes dialogue between the Governments of the countries of Central Asia on finding solutions to emerging problems and eliminating potential threats, keeping regular contact with regional and international organizations operating in the region in order to stimulate their peacemaking efforts and initiatives and cooperating with other United Nations agencies working in the areas of sustainable development and conflict prevention. Since its establishment, the Centre has provided Governments with a platform for dialogue on the most challenging regional issues, ranging from the management of shared resources to addressing transnational threats such as terrorism and violent extremism, organized crime and drug- and other forms of trafficking. In doing so, UNRCCA has closely cooperated with all Governments in the region and built their capacity to use the methods and instruments of preventive diplomacy to address existing and emerging challenges. Today’s draft resolution generalizes the experience of the Regional Centre for use by other countries around the world and once again emphasizes the role of preventive diplomacy. In addition, it draws attention to the need to continue cooperation between the Regional Centre and the Central Asian countries, within its mandate, in order to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic in the region. The draft resolution notes the initiatives of the Regional Centre aimed at empowering women and youth, such as the Preventive Diplomacy Academy, which trains young people in preventive diplomacy, and the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus. Within the global agendas for women and peace and security and youth, peace and security at the United Nations, the Centre has continued its efforts to increase the participation and role of women and young people in public and political life. In conclusion, we would once again like to express our gratitude to the delegations that have sponsored draft resolution A/75/L.72, as well as our hope that it will be adopted by consensus, and we call on Member States that have not yet done so to become sponsors.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/75/L.72. The Assembly will take a decision on draft resolution A/75/L.72, entitled “Role of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/75/L.72, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors: Afghanistan, Angola, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Nauru, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Viet Nam. In addition, the delegations of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, the Gambia, Guinea, Iceland, Indonesia, Mauritania, Nigeria, North Macedonia and Peru have also become sponsors.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/75/L.72?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 64.