A/76/PV.102 General Assembly

Before we proceed to other items, it is my sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away today. The passing of Her Majesty the Queen is a moment of great sadness for the royal family, the people of the United Kingdom and the international community. Her loss will be deeply felt throughout the world. She will always be remembered for her dedicated service at home, across the Commonwealth and around the globe. She fostered peace and friendship worldwide. On behalf of the General Assembly, I request the representative of the United Kingdom to convey our condolences to the royal family, the Government and the people of the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth of Nations. I would now like to invite representatives to stand and observe a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A formal tribute in the General Assembly will be convened at a later date to be announced.

The General Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/76/L.86, entitled “Financing for peacebuilding”. May I take it that is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/76/L.86?

Before giving the floor for explanations of position after adoption, I would like to remind delegations that explanations of position are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

It was not long ago that the General Assembly convened here for the high-level meeting on financing for peacebuilding. Our meeting and the consensus adoption of landmark resolution 76/305 this afternoon are a demonstration of the ownership and urgency that the entire membership has accorded to advancing tangible solutions addressing the existing peacebuilding financial gap in the context of the increasing global demand for peacebuilding. I thank Ambassador Anna Karin Eneström for her dedication and leadership and the efforts of her team during the core facilitation process. I also thank the members of my own delegation, who worked hard to reach this goal. And I am grateful to the Office of the President of the General Assembly and the Peacebuilding Support Office for their assistance in the exercise. It was a great honour for Kenya to undertake this responsibility. On behalf of my Government, I would like to convey my deep gratitude to you, Ambassador Shahid, for entrusting Kenya with co-facilitating the critical intergovernmental negotiations that led to today’s outcome during your term as President of the General Assembly. The initial listening exercises we conducted proved informative. The negotiations were complex but constructive, and we see the consensus conclusion before us today as truly groundbreaking. It would not have happened without the availability, flexibility and constructive spirit demonstrated by all delegations during the negotiations. I also want to especially recognize and commend the various regional groupings, including the Group of African States, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the Canada, Australia and New Zealand group and the European Union. Their leadership and united efforts greatly contributed to reaching our goal of a timely, action-oriented and substantive outcome that is focused on financing for peacebuilding. We were working on a tight timeline, but we have delivered on our designated mandate before the end of the seventy-sixth session. Together we have truly sent a clear political message and affirmed our commitment to considering all options for adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding, including through voluntary, innovative and assessed funding. Resolution 76/305 rightly notes that the provision of assessed contributions to financing for peacebuilding would represent the shared commitment of Member States to peacebuilding and sustaining peace. What that means is that for the first time, we, as the United Nations, recognize and are in agreement that the important work of peacebuilding cannot be left to voluntary contributions and cannot be in the hands of just a few countries, in the financial sense. What the provision of assessed funding also means is that beneficiary countries and regions, including my own continent, Africa, not only have a stake in peacebuilding and its dividends, but they also have ownership of it. From the vantage point of Kenya’s continued commitment to peacebuilding and as an informal coordinator between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, it is therefore our hope that the Secretary-General and the Fifth Committee will take up the clear guidance and recommendations that the resolution presents and urgently operationalize and translate those political commitments into tangible actions that respond to our changing peace and security landscape. I would like to conclude by noting that time and again, the General Assembly stands up and delivers hope at a time when the whole world looks to us when it comes to the critical matter of peace and security. Let us not lose the ambition that the General Assembly has laid out today in resolution 76/305.

Let me first express my deepest condolences to the delegation of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For a long time now we have recognized the existing gap in peacebuilding financing and the need to scale up our investment in peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Peace, the prevention of violent conflict, peacebuilding and sustaining peace are central to the work of the United Nations. Their financing is one of its most critical enablers. I am proud to have facilitated the intergovernmental negotiated outcome on finance for peacebuilding, together with my good friend Ambassador Martin Kimani of Kenya. His leadership skills and commitment were key to the successful conclusion of our work. I would also like to thank you, Mr. President, for bestowing on us the honour to represent you in that process. Peacebuilding remains a strong priority for Swedish foreign policy because we believe in it. Peacebuilding works. It saves lives and is cost-effective. It is an inherently political process, aimed at preventing the outbreak, escalation, recurrence and continuation of conflict. It is a collective endeavour, involving a great number and variety of stakeholders and bringing together elements of security and political, economic, social and human rights in a coherent and integrated way. The Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund has established itself as a beacon of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. Its achievements through its catalytic rapid response and flexible approach are well- known. The consensus-based adoption of resolution 76/305 confirms the international community’s recognition of the need for peacebuilding efforts to have adequate predictable and sustained financing in order to effectively assist countries in building and sustaining peace, and affirms our commitment to considering all options for ensuring such financing, including through voluntary, innovative and assessed funding and other means of resource mobilization. Among other things, the resolution sends a political signal to the Fifth Committee to determine the modalities under which assessed contributions could be used to finance the Peacebuilding Fund. It notes that the provision of assessed contributions to peacebuilding financing would represent a shared commitment by Member States to peacebuilding and sustaining peace. The resolution further stresses the importance of multi-year, flexible and risk-tolerant voluntary funding commitments for peacebuilding. It encourages enhanced efforts to explore and pilot an innovative financing mechanism. It encourages Member States and the private sector to take practical steps to strengthen partnerships in support of peacebuilding. It further recognizes the important role of international financial institutions in peacebuilding and sustaining peace and encourages strengthened partnerships and strategic cooperation between the United Nations and international financial institutions at all levels. I would like to thank all Member States for their active support and constructive engagement throughout the process, in keeping with our intention to have a concise and action-oriented resolution for focusing on financing and peacebuilding. Let me also express my deep appreciation to the entire Kenyan team, my own colleagues and the staff of the Peacebuilding Support Office and of your Office, Mr. President. We now look forward to building on that outcome, implementing its provisions and continuing our efforts to ensure adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding.

In my national capacity, before I speak on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM), I would like to express our deepest condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I now have the honour to deliver a statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. NAM would like to express its sincere appreciation and congratulations to the facilitators, Ambassadors Martin Kimani and Anna Karin Eneström, for their successful steering of the intergovernmental consultations on financing for peacebuilding, and for presenting resolution 76/305 for adoption today. We would also like to thank all delegations for their constructive engagement, flexibility and accommodation, which resulted in a consensus outcome for this important intergovernmental process. My special thanks go to all our experts for their sincere and tireless efforts in the whole process. The resolution adopted today is one of major significance. It further advances the ongoing efforts to address existing gaps in peacebuilding financing and ensure adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding. We are pleased to see a balanced text in the resolution, which will strengthen the peacebuilding architecture of the United Nations as transformed through the successive twin resolutions on peacebuilding and sustaining peace (resolutions 70/262, 72/276 and 75/201 and Security Council resolutions 2282 (2016), 2413 (2018) and 2558 (2020)) and emphasize accountability and the oversight of funds. We are encouraged to see that the resolution recognizes the need to consider all options for financing for peacebuilding, while ensuring synergies among all stakeholders, widening the donor base for peacebuilding financing and taking into account national peacebuilding priorities. We also appreciate the recognition of non-monetary contributions and innovative funding in peacebuilding, the role of South-South and triangular cooperation, public and private financing for peacebuilding, cooperation between United Nations and the international financial institutions and the role of other United Nations funds, in addition to the Peacebuilding Fund. NAM appreciates the emphasis on the role of women and young people in peacebuilding and sustaining peace. We also welcome the fact that the resolution underlines the critical contribution of peacekeeping operations and special political missions in this endeavour, through peacebuilding activities in their respective areas of operations. NAM believes that resolution 76/305 can be a good basis for the Fifth Committee to continue its discussions on peacebuilding financing. NAM countries will engage constructively in those negotiations to realize the objectives set forth by the resolution. Finally, I reiterate NAM’s full commitment to peacebuilding and sustaining peace, including through a stronger focus on national ownership, and express our pledge to continue advocating for adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding.

I add my voice to yours, Mr. President, and those of my colleagues in extending my deepest condolences to Ambassador Barbara Woodward and the members of the United Kingdom’s Permanent Mission on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. May her soul rest in peace. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of African States in my capacity as Chair of the African Peacebuilding Caucus. The African Group aligns itself with the statement just delivered by the representative of Bangladesh on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. At the outset, the African Group would like to express its gratitude and deep appreciation to our two excellent co-facilitators, Ambassadors Anna Karin Eneström and Martin Kimani, the Permanent Representatives of Sweden and Kenya, for a job very well done. Today’s consensus adoption of the landmark resolution 76/305 is a testimony to the shared commitment of Member States to peacebuilding and sustaining peace. It attests to the importance and urgency of addressing the critical challenge of peacebuilding financing with a view to strengthening the United Nations peacebuilding architecture and making it more impactful and effective. Africa has been a strong advocate of prioritizing investment in nationally owned and driven peacebuilding as a proven, cost-effective and smart investment  — an objective that is still out of reach as long as peacebuilding remains largely dependent on voluntary contributions, which are inadequate, unpredictable and unsustainable. This historic resolution is therefore timely and important, as it is clearly futile to continue funding a core function of the United Nations through voluntary contributions while expecting a different result. In that connection, the African Group welcomes the comprehensive and action-oriented nature of today’s resolution in tackling all the funding streams  — voluntary, innovative and assessed. We also welcome the emphasis it places on assessed contributions as a means to ensure adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding. For Africa, this resolution is important, as many of its provisions are in line with the African Common Position on the 2020 review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. It is also commendable that the resolution gives clear guidance to the Fifth Committee for continuing and concluding during the seventy-seventh session its consideration of the report of the Secretary-General on allocating $100 million to the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) through assessed contributions, including considerations related to increased transparency, accountability and oversight at the PBF. The African Group looks forward to the operationalization of the provisions of this important resolution, particularly the upcoming consideration of the Secretary-General’s proposal on assessed contributions next month at the main session of the Fifth Committee. The Fifth Committee process provides a unique opportunity for Member States to translate their political commitments in this resolution into action, as their consensus today has indicated. Africa, as a main stakeholder in peacebuilding, remains fully committed to engaging constructively in the Fifth Committee discussions, in concert with the active and constructive engagement of the African Group in the plenary to achieve the wonderful and successful conclusion that we have had today. In conclusion, the African Group congratulates you personally, Mr. President, as well as the co-facilitators and indeed all Member States, on the successful conclusion of this groundbreaking process.

I also join others in expressing our deepest condolences to the delegation of the United Kingdom on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. India welcomes our adoption of resolution 76/305, and we would like to acknowledge the contribution of the co-facilitators, Kenya and Sweden. In my national capacity, I would like to make the following points. As Member States move forward with discussions related to assessed contributions towards peacebuilding, issues related to accountability and the oversight of funds to be allocated for the purpose, as well as our assessed contributions, should continue to receive the full attention of the General Assembly, as well as the Fifth Committee. We hope that issues related to the examination of financial rules and regulations governing the use of assessed contributions for peacebuilding purposes will be exhaustively discussed in the Fifth Committee in due course. The constructive suggestions raised by delegations during the negotiations, for instance with regard to designating separate windows for voluntary and assessed contributions in order to ensure full transparency, should be explored fully in the Fifth Committee discussions. The Fifth Committee must remain the final arbiter of decisions related to funding and financing for peacebuilding. Furthermore, all such decisions must be taken by consensus, just as today’s resolution was adopted by consensus. India welcomes that constructive approach to discussions on peacebuilding. In conclusion, I would like to make the following three suggestions to the Assembly. We continue to underscore the importance of the cardinal principle of inclusivity in advancing national peacebuilding objectives. An exclusively donor-driven approach to peacebuilding is therefore not the most prudent path to follow. The discourse on enhanced financial support for peacebuilding activities through sources other than voluntary contributions merits in-depth and careful study of its ramifications for the United Nations ecosystem. Any decision to that effect must be based on consensus. Lastly, as one of the largest troop- and police-contributing countries to United Nations peacekeeping operations, India believes that it is important to set clear benchmarks and criteria for an exit strategy in countries under consideration. The Peacebuilding Committee in advocating for peacebuilding needs to ensure drawdowns when those criteria are met.

We add our voice to others in expressing our sincere and deep condolences to the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. El Salvador is grateful for the convening of this plenary meeting and aligns itself with the statement made by the delegation of Bangladesh on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. We welcome the adoption by consensus of resolution 76/305, the General Assembly’s first resolution devoted to financing for peacebuilding. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the co-facilitators, Ambassadors Martin Kimani and Anna Karin Eneström, and their teams, for their leadership and efforts in steering the negotiations on this resolution. We see the resolution as a reflection of the commitment of Member States to putting prevention and peacebuilding at the heart of their efforts and establishing the partnerships needed to make sustainable peace into reality. We therefore hope that its full implementation will translate into tangible actions aimed at closing the financing gap in peacebuilding and thereby facilitating political processes that prevent the stagnation, exacerbation, recurrence or continuation of conflicts, such as the creation and implementation of sustainable development and human rights programmes. El Salvador hopes that the discussions and commitments in this resolution will be enhanced and strengthened in the discussions and decisions of the General Assembly during its next session, and we will continue to participate constructively in them. My country welcomes the recognition in the resolution of the fundamental role that women and young people play in peacebuilding, as well as the urgent need to finance initiatives that integrate them on an equal footing and enable their full and meaningful participation. Peace and prosperity can be ensured only if they are included at all levels. In future, we hope that our deliberations will be supported by the broad and timely availability of information on financial instruments and changes in the flow of financing for peacebuilding. We must continue to prioritize greater transparency and enhanced accountability regarding resources for the financing for peacebuilding, with a view to bolstering the impact of our initiatives on the ground. Finally, allow me to express our belief that the current circumstances require that the international community act proactively and decisively to prevent conflicts and respond to them. In that regard, El Salvador’s firm commitment to peacebuilding and sustainable peace remains unchanged.

At the outset, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We associate ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Bangladesh on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. We would first of all like to thank Kenya and Sweden for their efficient facilitation of the consultations in this process and all delegations for their constructive engagement. We believe the adoption of resolution 76/305 is an essential step in ensuring that we have predictable, flexible and timely resources to better support peacebuilding. The Dominican Republic is honoured to serve as Vice-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission for the Latin American and Caribbean region. Throughout this period, we have seen the positive impact of the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund on the achievement of the aspirations of countries that have found in the Commission an inclusive, impartial and open platform for sharing their challenges and experiences. And we have seen that by including the voices of women and young people, the potential of the tools that we have to achieve our goals as an Organization is even greater. The financial support for women’s peacebuilding initiatives and their integration in the planning, implementation and monitoring of such initiatives is therefore crucial. Closing the clear financial gap we face in order to continue to have the desired impact on peacebuilding is a priority for the Dominican Republic. We believe it is especially urgent to unite our efforts to address the fact that the financial gap affects initiatives led by youth organizations in particular. In view of the situation whereby the Secretary- General’s proposal did not reach the necessary consensus in the Fifth Committee and its discussion was postponed to the next main session, we believe that this is an essential step that we encourage Member States to consider for future negotiations on this topic in the Fifth Committee. In conclusion, we believe that the final outcome of this resolution is aligned with the creation of a clear mechanism to establish predictable, pro-rated resources and innovative financing that will enable the Peacebuilding Fund to meet our growing needs.

Before I deliver our statement, I would like to express our deepest condolences for the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Japan welcomes the adoption of resolution 76/305 by consensus. I thank the Permanent Representatives of Kenya and Sweden for tirelessly co-facilitating the informal consultations. Japan engaged in the process constructively and gladly joined the consensus with a view to further advancing the United Nations peacebuilding and sustaining peace agenda. In hopes of facilitating our future discussions on this important theme, I would like to clarify Japan’s position on a few points that remained contentious during the negotiation process, particularly in relation to paragraphs 16 and 18 of the resolution. First, the continued flexibility and agility of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) must be ensured at all costs in order to respond to the needs on the ground. For that reason, the United Nation’s programmatic activities typically conducted by the funds and programmes for development and humanitarian activities have been financed in principle by voluntary contributions. The level of transparency, accountability and oversight required for assessed contributions is not compatible with the flexibility and agility needed for those field operations. This means that if we are to consider using assessed contributions for the PBF to finance operations on the ground, their use should be strictly limited to exceptional cases and in a way that does not jeopardize the flexibility and agility of the PBF. Recurring administrative costs, such as staffing, could be considered an exception. Time-bound programmatic activities to support smooth transitions after United Nations missions’ withdrawal could be another. In any case, the use of assessed versus voluntary contributions must be clearly demarcated. That is Japan’s understanding of the phrase “assessed funding is not meant to be a substitute for voluntary contributions” in paragraph 16. Secondly, Japan would like to re-emphasize the need to revisit the question of the most desirable funding target for the PBF. The Fund’s current resources may not be sufficient to finance all the increasing project proposals by the relevant United Nations entities. However, that alone cannot support the argument that the PBF is underfunded. We expect the Peacebuilding Support Office to conduct strict scrutiny and approve only quality and qualified projects to meet its core funding purpose, which is to provide seed funding. If we do acknowledge funding shortages vis-à-vis qualified applications, the voluntary contributions mechanism per se is not the cause of the shortage and does not justify resorting to assessed contributions, which are not meant to replace voluntary contributions. Last but not least, I would like to posit the key elements for securing adequate, predictable and sustained financing for the PBF or for peacebuilding and sustaining peace more broadly. First, with regard to the monitoring and evaluation of PBF-funded projects and the sharing of their results, we welcome the launch of the Secretary-General’s peacebuilding dashboards, as noted in paragraph 9. Secondly, with regard to creating synergy between the PBF and the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), as mentioned in paragraph 2, the PBC should become an instrument to enhance the transparency and visibility of the PBF. Thirdly, with regard to strengthening the United Nations system-wide coherence of all the relevant activities conducted by different entities, including peacekeeping operations and special political missions, agencies, funds and programmes, the triple nexus should be strengthened on the ground and at Headquarters level as well. In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Japan’s full commitment to advancing the peacebuilding and sustaining peace agenda.

Peacebuilding contributes to eliminating the root causes of conflicts and achieving lasting peace. It responds to the needs of conflict-affected and post- conflict countries and is an integral part of the United Nations work. China attaches great importance to peacebuilding, and has always actively advocated for and participated in peacebuilding, with peacebuilding support and assistance within its capacity provided through multiple channels to conflict-affected and post- conflict countries. Currently, with the significantly greater uncertainty and instability manifest in the international security landscape, there is an ever- growing need for peacebuilding in conflict and post- conflict countries, especially in Africa. Resolution 76/305, which we have just adopted, is a major step forward in exploring options for adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding. It provides an opportunity for strengthening and improving the peacebuilding architecture, which China welcomes. We would also like to commend the efforts of the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Sweden and Kenya. Financing through assessed contributions subjects the Organization to the management and supervision of its Member States. As a basic principle governing United Nations financing, we expect Member States to consider ways to increase the transparency, accountability and oversight of the Peacebuilding Fund, in accordance with the resolution. We expect the Secretariat to review the terms of reference of the Fund in close consultation with Member States, give donors and the recipient developing countries a greater say in the Fund and ensure that financing for peacebuilding complies with the current United Nations budgetary and financial regulations. China will actively join follow-up discussions with all parties to consider a fair, reasonable, practical and feasible approach to that end.

At the outset and on behalf of Brazil, I would like to express our deep condolences to all our colleagues at the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As the world mourns her departure, we remember with fondness her trip to Brazil, where she was received with great warmth. Her decades-long sense of duty and devotion to her people will not be forgotten. I would like to thank my colleagues Ambassadors Anna Karin Eneström and Martin Kimani for their outstanding work as co-facilitators in the drafting of resolution 76/305. Their insight and leadership were key to addressing all the parties’ concerns and showing the way forward when compromise was needed to find common ground. Their commitment and energy are now rewarded as the Assembly is providing guidance to the Fifth Committee to work on the critical issue of peacebuilding financing. That guidance is an important step forward, as it leaves in the hands of the Fifth Committee the task of further exploring different types of funding. In the particular case of assessed contributions, the Committee’s work is key to addressing issues of accountability and transparency in the activities of the Peacebuilding Fund. And there are questions in that regard. Let me name just a few. Unlike the traditional United Nations practice regarding assessed contributions, Member States would be financing activities that were not previously planned and budgeted accordingly before being submitted to the scrutiny of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the approval of the General Assembly. Neither would the use of those resources be regulated by the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations. Not to mention that contrary to the usual practice, Member States would have financial obligations related to non-mandated activities, something that does not align with United Nations standards. The Fifth Committee must complete its work to properly assess the effects of such a proposal on Member States and the Organization as a whole. Given its potential financial and procedural impact, I want to reiterate that no decision should be taken on the issue until that process is completed successfully. Brazil is ready to continue to engage constructively in that exercise.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position after adoption. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Ambassadors Anna Karin Eneström and Martin Kimani, the Permanent Representatives of Sweden and Kenya to the United Nations, who very ably and patiently conducted the discussions and complex negotiations in the informal consultations to produce a draft text of resolution 76/305 by the end of this session. I would also like to recognize the work of their experts, Ms. Eva Nthoki of Kenya and Ms. Kadi Doumbia of Sweden, and their teams. I am sure the members of the Assembly join me in expressing our sincere appreciation to them. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 66?

The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/76/L.79, entitled “Fourth Conference of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones and Mongolia”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100?

Before we proceed to take a decision on the draft resolutions, delegations wishing to make a statement in explanation of vote or position on either or both of the draft resolutions are invited to do so now, in one intervention. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote or position before the voting, I would like to remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of myself and my dear friend Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, the Permanent Representative of Guyana, in our capacity as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental process on establishing the United Nations Youth Office. At the outset, I would like to reiterate our appreciation to you personally, Mr. President, for entrusting us with this important responsibility. We are also deeply grateful to all delegations for their constructive engagement and strong support. For more than two months delegations worked diligently to reach the best text formulation that would give the Youth Office a robust mandate in a manner that reflects our shared and growing commitment to advancing the work of the United Nations on youth. Despite different views, one commonality prevailed  — recognizing the importance of engaging with young people and listening to them. Given the large global youth population, which numbers approximately 1.2 billion, the largest generation of young people in history, it is extremely important to ensure that youth issues are prominent on the United Nations agenda and that their voices are heard and their views considered, especially as the world is grappling with increasing challenges such as the setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the additional burdens of the coronavirus disease pandemic. We therefore thank the Secretary-General for proposing the establishment of the Youth Office in his report Our Common Agenda (A/75/982). Draft resolution A/76/L.85, which is before the General Assembly today, reflects our collective efforts and hard work towards advancing that proposal. We should be proud of what we have achieved together. Throughout the negotiation process, Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett and I have prioritized listening to all views to ensure that we could put forth a strong text. We held a series of open and transparent consultations with all delegations. We also engaged with youth organizations and representatives to hear their suggestions and proposals for the new Office, many of which are reflected in the draft resolution. The best legacy we can leave young people is letting them know that we are confident in their ability to play an integral part in shaping their future. A sustainably funded and effectively structured United Nations Youth Office will create the space for them to do so and strengthen the capacity of the United Nations system to support and engage with young people across the world more effectively. We remain grateful to all who contributed to this process, and we appreciate the support extended to us by the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, the Office of the President of the General Assembly, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management and, of course, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and her able team, whose insights were extremely valuable. The establishment of this Office is timely and an indication of our common understanding of the potential role of youth and the contributions they can make to the work of the United Nations and its three pillars of peace and security, development and human rights. We hope that all delegations will join the consensus in adopting this important draft resolution as a demonstration of our multilateral efforts in that regard. I would like to say one last word of appreciation to our junior colleagues, Mr. Mohamed Hassan Mohamed from the Egyptian Mission and Ms. Trishala Persaud from the Mission of Guyana, for doing their utmost to make this draft resolution a reality. They spent hours and hours working hard to make it a success and build consensus.

Today is a day of deep sadness for New Zealanders, with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was a monarch with an unwavering sense of duty and deep love of family. We mourn her loss. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for entrusting Ambassador Al Hassan and me with the responsibility of serving as co-facilitators for the conduct of intergovernmental consultations related to the modalities for the summit of the future. It has been a privilege to be a co-facilitator of draft resolution A/76/L.87 with Ambassador Al Hassan. He worked tirelessly and thoughtfully to ensure that we were able to deliver on the mandate that you entrusted to us. To the delegations involved, we also acknowledged that this process was not easy at times, especially working over the summer. We very much appreciated their ongoing support and constructive engagement throughout the process. From the outset, New Zealand and Oman were guided by a couple of key principles. First, we knew that as co-facilitators, we were responsible for leading an inclusive and effective process, but that ultimately the substance of what we produced sat with the Member States. Secondly, we had an overarching goal of ensuring that the modalities draft resolution provided a strong platform for a substantive and meaningful summit of the future. Looking to the future, we do hope that the summit will provide an opportunity for Member States to come together to show a renewed commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of effective multilateralism. In conclusion, I would like to thank you once again, Mr. President, for the opportunity to serve; the Secretariat for all of its support; Mr. Al Hassan for his partnership; my own team, of course, who worked tirelessly and went above and beyond; and ultimately the Member States, for their active engagement throughout the process.

Before I deliver my statement, I would like to echo my previous colleagues and express my sincere condolences to the delegation of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. At the outset, I want to sincerely thank you, Mr. President, and all the Member States of the United Nations, for the kind words addressed to me and for the trust you have placed in me by appointing me as a facilitator, alongside my colleague Ambassador Carolyn Schwalger of New Zealand, to work on the modalities for the summit of the future. It was an honour to work with her and the New Zealand team. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all Member States for their cooperation and their statements, which enriched our consultations and negotiations. That has also allowed us to achieve a text today that while it may have overlooked some aspects, we believe it reflects a balance among the various positions of Member States, as Ambassador Schwalger said. We hope we have accomplished the mission entrusted to us. I would like also to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General, the Secretariat and the staff of the Office of the President of the General Assembly for their cooperation, which was concrete and important.

At the outset, allow me to express Malaysia’s profound sadness and heartfelt condolences to the delegation and people of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II earlier today. There is a proverb in the Malay language, loosely translated, that says that youth are the hope of the people and the pillar of the nation. With that in mind, it is imperative that we undertake efforts to empower our young people at the national, regional and international levels, because they are the leaders of tomorrow. We should also undertake those efforts within the auspices of our Organization. Malaysia welcomes the submission of draft resolution A/76/L.85, which is before us today. We believe it is timely and apt. The youth agenda should be mainstreamed within the United Nations and the avenues in which young people’s voices can be heard should be expanded. The establishment of a Youth Office within the Secretariat is therefore a step in the right direction. We commend the efforts of the Permanent Representatives of Egypt and Guyana for their excellent stewardship of the negotiations on the draft resolution. Their inclusive, mindful and professional approach has led to a balanced text free of contentious terminology. We hope that approach will be emulated in other negotiations. Malaysia fully supports the establishment of the Youth Office as outlined in the draft resolution, as it will dedicate necessary resources to the youth agenda. We commend the Secretary-General’s Envoy for Youth for her excellent work in empowering youth within the United Nations system, despite significant challenges, including a lack of predictable funding. We believe her experiences and insights will be helpful in producing a detailed proposal on the modalities of the Youth Office. Malaysia is of the view that the Youth Office should streamline efforts vis-à-vis youth within the United Nation system to optimize resources and avoid duplication. The Office must be able to utilize frameworks and resources under the relevant United Nations entities, inter alia, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNICEF and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. We look forward to the Secretary-General’s detailed proposal on the modalities of the Youth Office and hope that his proposal will be taken into consideration. Let me conclude by reaffirming Malaysia’s full commitment towards the youth-empowerment agenda. Accordingly, please be assured of Malaysia’s utmost support for the Youth Office and other youth- empowerment initiatives within the United Nations.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote before action on the draft resolution. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/76/L.85, entitled “Establishment of the United Nations Youth Office”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

The present oral statement is made in the context of rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. It has also been distributed to Member States. The activities referred to in operative paragraphs 1 through 6 of the draft resolution would entail new activities in 2023 related to the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office as well as additional documentation workload for the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. Adoption of the draft resolution would give rise to budgetary implications in the range of $3.5 million to $3.9 million per year, including post resources on a continuing basis to cover the activities of the newly established United Nations Youth Office as well as for the translation of documentation in all official languages by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. However, as further internal consultations and analysis on the operational functions, structure, resources and staffing of the Office are necessary within the Secretariat, the Secretariat is not currently in a position to provide detailed cost estimates. Should the General Assembly adopt the draft resolution on the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office, a revised estimates report would be submitted to the General Assembly during the main part of its seventy- seventh session detailing the requirements for which an additional appropriation would be requested for 2023, in line with the request contained in operative paragraph 1.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/76/L.85?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/76/L.87, entitled “Modalities for the Summit of the Future”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

The present statement, pertaining to operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 21 of the current draft resolution, is made in the context of rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The present statement has also been distributed to Member States. The request contained in operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 21 of the draft resolution would constitute an addition to the workload of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, the Department of Global Communications, the Office of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Safety and Security in 2024 and entail additional resource requirements in the amount of $183,000 in that year. Detailed cost estimates and their underlying assumptions for the requirements are provided in the annex to this statement, which, again, has been distributed to Member States. Accordingly, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/76/L.87, additional resource requirements estimated in the amount of $112,100 under section 2, Economic and Social Council Affairs and General Assembly and Conference Management, $5,800 under section 28, Department of Global Communications, $27,800 under section 29C, Office of Information and Communications Technology, and $37,300 under section 34, Department of Safety and Security, would be included in the proposed programme budget for 2024 for the consideration of the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/76/L.87?

Before giving the floor for explanations of position after adoption, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by representatives from their seats.

At the outset, allow me to convey my delegation’s deepest condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She personified an era and embodied hope and compassion. I have the honour to deliver this explanation of position on draft resolution A/76/L.87 on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Allow me, first of all, to express our Group’s appreciation to the co-facilitators, Ambassadors Carolyn Schwalger and Mohamed Al Hassan, for their tireless efforts in achieving a balanced outcome. The Group also congratulates you, Mr. President, and through you, the co-facilitators, for the successful outcome of a complex process. The Group decided not to break silence and join consensus as a show of its commitment to multilateralism and global solidarity, which is most needed at this time, when the world is facing multiple and cascading crises. Nevertheless, the Group wishes to express its concerns regarding the process. First, it is not clear why the consultations on the draft resolution were conducted with such obvious haste. Throughout the process, the Group was not afforded sufficient time to consult internally and respond to the tight deadlines, which were imposed for no apparent reason. Even the silence procedure on the final text was concluded in less than 24 hours, which is unprecedented. Secondly, it would have been important to have clarity on the process, with a calendar containing details for the circulation of drafts and for the holding of meetings, as that is standard practice. This would have allowed consultations to develop and conclude in a better fashion. Thirdly, it should be understood that, in any negotiation, sufficient time must be provided for Member States to reflect on a text, engage in dialogue, exchange proposals and find compromises with the assistance of the co-facilitators. The Group is therefore also surprised by the new method of negotiations by which the co-facilitators consulted the Member States and not even a single session was arranged by the co-facilitators to allow for negotiations among the delegations concerned. With regard to the text of the draft resolution, the Group reaffirms that its reading of operative paragraph 17 is fully consistent with the content of the tenth preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 4 and 16, which highlight that the preparations for the Summit and the negotiations over its outcome will be through an intergovernmental process in line with the United Nations Charter and the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Group would also express its reservations about referring to the outcome document as “A Pact for the Future”, as that prejudges a process that has yet to start. Finally, the Group would like to put on record that this form of consultation should not set a precedent for any future negotiations. We hope that there will be a clear way forward with regard to the Summit in order to allow for more constructive engagement in future.

Before giving the floor to the next speaker, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek Mahmoud, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations; Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations; Her Excellency Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations; and His Excellency Mohamed Al Hassan, Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations, who ably and patiently conducted the discussions and complex negotiations in the informal consultations on draft resolutions A/76/L.85 and A/76/L.87. In the spirit of the consultations on “Our Common Agenda” (A/75/982), they spared no efforts to ensure that the views of all stakeholders were heard. I would also like to recognize the work of the experts: Mr. Mohamed Omar Elfarouk Hassan Mohamed of the Permanent Mission of Egypt, Ms. Trishala Simantini Persaud of the Permanent Mission of Guyana, Ms. Christine Nam of the Permanent Mission of New Zealand and Ms. Aura Velasquez of the Permanent Mission of Oman. I am sure that members of the Assembly join me in extending to them our sincere appreciation.

China congratulates the General Assembly on the adoption by consensus of the resolution on the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office (resolution 76/306). We thank Egypt and Guyana and appreciate the excellent hard work they have done as co-facilitators. The adoption of resolution 76/306 is an important step as the United Nations works to better coordinate and strengthen youth affairs and encourage global youth to get more involved in the United Nations. China has given much attention and support to active participation of young people in United Nations affairs. We appreciate and welcome the initiative put forward by the Secretary-General in his report, “Our Common Agenda” (A/75/982), and we have constructively participated in the negotiation of the resolution. The newly established United Nations Youth Office focuses on the three pillar areas of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, with a clearly defined and balanced mandate. China hopes the Youth Office will function with well- integrated resources and bring innovative working methods. China also hopes that it will become a body with proper geographic and gender balance so that it can play a unique role in helping young people, especially those from developing nations, to achieve sustainable development and participate in United Nations affairs in a broader manner. China thanks the Secretariat for its explanation of the budget implications of resolution 76/306. According to the resolution, the existing Office of the Secretary- General’s Special Envoy for Youth will be merged into the newly established Youth Office, which will become an office dedicated to youth affairs within the Secretariat. As a result, it is eligible for funding through the regular budget. As the second largest contributor to the United Nations, China has always believed that the United Nations budget should give priority to ensuring resources in the field of development. We therefore support the use of the regular budget for the purpose of this Office to ensure its full operation. China looks forward to a report from the Secretary-General on feasible resource allocations by the Office and hopes that the United Nations can take this opportunity to further increase the representation of developing countries in the Secretariat staff. As the United Nations Youth Office is being set up, China wishes to take this opportunity to work with all parties to promote the development of young people. We also wish to make our contribution to building a community of a shared future for humankind.

Allow me to begin by expressing our sincere condolences to the delegation and the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom on the sudden passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by Pakistan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. In addition, let me make the following comments in my national capacity. Despite our concerns with respect to document A/76/L.87, we have decided to join the consensus on resolution 76/307, given our historic commitment to multilateralism and the irreplaceable role of the United Nations in addressing the complex challenges facing the international community as a whole. However, my delegation’s support for the adopted text should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the unsettling way in which this process was conducted, resulting in modalities with more than a few ambiguities. As a part of the Group of 77 and China and in its national capacity, on repeated occasions and in a transparent and timely manner, the Cuban delegation expressed its concern from the beginning of the process about the timing of the launch of this process and the hasty manner in which it was conducted, which directly affected the ability of smaller missions, particularly those from the South, to participate on an equal footing. It is a contradiction that the objective underpinning the Summit of the Future, as we have heard from the Secretary-General himself, is to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, whose fundamental axiom is to leave no one behind, and that the negotiation process for the modalities of this summit was conducted in a manner that did not uphold this principle. Delegations were not given adequate time to evaluate the evolving versions of the text, consult their capitals and receive instructions to find the necessary compromises, steps that are indispensable in a rigorous negotiation. The Group of 77 and China, the largest negotiating group of this Organization, and several of its members speaking in their national capacity, reiterated on more than one occasion the need to give delegations adequate time. However, the opposite was the case. Between the zero draft and A/76/L.87/Rev.1, delegations were given less than 48 hours. Between Rev.1. and Rev.2, they were given less than 24 hours. Between Rev.2 and Rev.3, they were given about 20 hours. Rev.3 was put under the silence procedure without even discussing it with all delegations, despite the fact that it included elements that had not been considered in an inclusive manner. Furthermore, the Group of 77 and China, whose membership represents numbers equivalent to two thirds of the Organization, requested an extension of the deadline for the silence procedure to which Rev.3 was subjected in order to be able to carry out the necessary consultations among delegations and with its members’ respective capitals. We all know what the answer was: bring the text before the Assembly for its consideration. This is simply unacceptable and cannot be considered a precedent for the future. We understand the pressure to which the facilitators of the negotiation process were subjected, given the mandate given to conclude this process within the framework of the seventy-sixth session. However, it is up to the Member States and to them alone to decide on the feasibility of holding such an important process in less than a month or to give themselves the time necessary to carry out a truly inclusive and rigorous process, the outcome of which generates a solid consensus among all delegations. The rushed manner in which this process was moved forward has undermined the quality of the text adopted and the general consensus on its content. It is regrettable that we preferred to start off on the wrong foot in order to finish more quickly than to move forward slowly but go further. In our view, this is not the way to a better and more inclusive future. With regard to the content of the resolution, I would also like to point out a few aspects. First, with regard to the eighth preambular paragraph, our understanding is that it is up to the Member States to decide which inputs to take into account  — and which not to take into account  — in the intergovernmental negotiation process on the scope of the Summit of the Future, its areas of focus and its outcome document. Secondly, with regard to the holding of a preparatory ministerial meeting in 2023, an idea that was inserted in the text late and not discussed with all delegations, our understanding is that its purpose is to give political impetus to the preparations for the 2024 summit and that as a preparatory meeting it should be guided by the terms of this modalities resolution. We would be doing a disservice to the Summit of the Future and its outcome document if an attempt is made to take advantage of this ministerial meeting to prejudge or force agreements on what we have mandated to be adopted in 2024. On the other hand, we understand that the preparatory ministerial meeting should contribute to and not overshadow or replace the work of the Sustainable Development Goals summit mandated by this Assembly for 2023 several years ago. The comprehensive and timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda must continue to be our top priority. Thirdly, with regard to operative paragraph 17, while we agree on the need for the preparations for the Summit to be transparent and inclusive, we understand that the negotiations mandated by resolution 76/307, including the negotiation of the outcome document, will be conducted in an intergovernmental format in accordance with the rules of procedure and practices of the General Assembly. In conclusion, allow me to express my delegation’s readiness to participate in a constructive spirit in the next phase of preparations for the Summit of the Future. In that next phase, we look forward to a truly rigorous, transparent and inclusive process of intergovernmental negotiations for all delegations. Only in this way will we ensure that the outcome document will have the necessary consensus without which this modalities resolution could not have been adopted.

Mexico expresses its most sincere condolences to the people and the Government of the United Kingdom — and to the royal family — on the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, undoubtedly an example of service to her people and country. Mexico joins the consensus today on resolution 76/307 and appreciates the efforts of the Permanent Representatives of Oman and New Zealand as co-facilitators of this process. We note that the text adopted today leaves open many windows of opportunity. But allow me to highlight in particular the most important limitation that my country identifies in the text, namely, the mention that the outcome document must be adopted by consensus. Historically, my country, Mexico, has maintained a consistent position on consensus. For Mexico, consensus is a desirable aspiration and not an end in itself or an ultimate goal. As established by the rules of procedure and the Charter of the United Nations, decisions of the Assembly must be taken by a majority of the members present and voting. Consensus does not mean unanimity. It means the will expressed by a large majority of the members present. And unanimity can mean, in practice, granting vetoes, affecting progress on issues as important as our future as humankind on this planet. In addition, this limitation is detrimental to the image of our Organization. It is also inconsistent with the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. As it will be a high-level meeting of the General Assembly, any Member State has the right to introduce initiatives for consideration by the summit, which can be adopted by a majority vote of the Member States present. In this regard, Mexico regrets this unnecessary limitation in the text we have just adopted. Nevertheless, my country will work proactively to reach an agreement that is ambitious, with a view to achieving a positive impact for the benefit of future generations. For Mexico, the inclusion of the notion of consensus in this modalities document should not limit or reduce the threshold of the objectives or the ambition of the commitments contemplated in this important initiative. Furthermore, I would like to raise the following point: the precedent set by the very hurried process in which the Member States negotiated and were constrained to reach an agreement on this modalities resolution is worrisome. While we commend the efforts of the co-facilitators throughout the process, we regret that the time to develop the resolution’s mandate given to the Member States was insufficient for them to adequately consult with their capitals. Mexico therefore hopes that the negotiation process for the outcome document of the Summit of the Future will provide Member States with sufficient time to adopt an ambitious and action-oriented text. Otherwise, it would be very unfortunate if similar circumstances were to lead not only to a Pact for the Future without real commitments and substance, but also to the failure to reach a final outcome at all. Mexico reaffirms its commitment to the process of holding the Summit of the Future, to youth and to future generations. It is our obligation today to embrace the future.

Before I begin, let me express the deep and sincere condolences of the Government and the people of Australia on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with our colleagues at the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom, the royal family and all the people of the United Kingdom. I take the floor on behalf of Australia and Canada with regard to resolution 76/306 on the establishment of a United Nations Youth Office. Let me join others in thanking the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Egypt and Guyana, for their efforts aimed at steering this important resolution. We are particularly grateful for the thorough consultation process that preceded the zero draft, including engagement with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Youth and a range of youth organizations. We are pleased to see that many of the views of these important stakeholders are reflected in the resolution adopted this afternoon. As the Secretary-General’s report “Our Common Agenda” (A/75/982) rightly identifies, a rich diversity of people, including by age, gender, disability and race, must be meaningfully involved in multilateral decision-making if we are to deliver a relevant, inclusive and effective United Nations system. This includes bolstering youth representation and participation in deliberative and decision-making forums of the United Nations. It is for these reasons that Australia and Canada welcome today’s consensus adoption of resolution 76/306. However, we would like to take this opportunity to register our views on the process with regard to the consideration of the budgetary implications of the resolution. Given the resource constraints facing Member States and the multiple pressures on the United Nations regular budget, we are disappointed that delegations were not provided with cost estimates prepared by the Secretariat at an early stage in the consultation process. In our view, providing early indications of the budgetary implications would have enabled a better informed and more transparent discussion of the recurring financial implications of this decision. Once again, we reiterate our strong support for increased youth engagement across the United Nations system and look forward to engaging with the United Nations Youth Office once it is established.

First of all, let me express our deepest condolences to all the representatives of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a remarkable Head of State. Switzerland welcomes the adoption by consensus of the resolution on the modalities of the Summit of the Future (resolution 76/307). We especially thank the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of New Zealand and Oman, for guiding these negotiations so skilfully with commitment and great patience. The adoption of the resolution, as well as the establishment of a United Nations Youth Office, as decided by the General Assembly today (resolution76/306), are important first steps. Switzerland attaches great importance to the preparatory process for the Summit of the Future and looks forward to participating actively and constructively in the various aspects of the negotiations leading up to the Summit. These tracks, such as the preparation of a new peace agenda, a global digital pact, a declaration on future generations and the elaboration of new proposals to improve the governance of global common goods, present an opportunity to advance the debates and strengthen the multilateral system, so that it can deliver on the promises of peace, development and human rights. Switzerland is particularly pleased that resolution 76/307 encourages the active participation of all relevant actors — not only in the Summit itself, but also in the preparatory phase. As the world is facing major challenges, it is essential that we take into consideration all relevant approaches and ideas in order to arrive at a summit that generates real answers for the future. We have set ourselves the ambitious goal of achieving a consensual outcome in the negotiations. This is a challenge but also an opportunity. We call on all parties to engage constructively and with maximum flexibility in the next steps. Let us be ambitious. We look forward to engaging in these important discussions without delay, and will be attentive to contributing to and, above all, maintaining positive momentum until 2024.

We would like to thank the co-facilitators from Guyana and Egypt for their leadership in this process. They have undertaken a very arduous valuable and undoubtedly rewarding task, and we congratulate them for the excellent work done during the negotiation process. The Dominican Republic welcomes the adoption of resolution 76/306 on the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office. Our country proposed the creation of United Nations Youth in 2011, and we are very pleased to see this aspiration become a reality. We commend the youth consultation conducted by the co-facilitators, allowing us to hear from a wide range of young people and youth organizations and to strengthen our commitment to moving forward on key aspects for the establishment of this Office. Increasingly, we are witnessing how young people are positive agents of change and are allies and partners in multilateralism efforts. This landmark historic resolution represents a major step forward in strengthening the United Nations in the area of youth, in particular for the full and equal and meaningful participation of young people in decision-making to address the specific needs and aspirations of young people and to work together with them in transforming societies that are more just. The Dominican Republic has been a strong supporter of these principles and therefore of any reform that would result in a United Nations that is more effective for all young people. In this spirit, as soon as the deliberations in this regard began, our country became involved in the negotiations working hand in hand with some 64 countries that expressed their support and concerns, including through joint speeches on the establishment of this Office. Member States and young people will now be able to count on a United Nations Youth Office, which, we are convinced, will be adequately staffed and have sufficient resources allocated from the regular budget to ensure its sustainability and, therefore, its operational functioning, as well as for programmes and initiatives to be conducted. We are also pleased that the resolution takes into account several other priorities of the Dominican Republic, including how the Office will serve as an anchor for the coordination and accountability through an honour system in matters related to youth in relation to peace, sustainable development and human rights, as well as for facilitating intergenerational solidarity, ensuring that the United Nations remains accessible to youth and youth-focused and youth-led organizations, that its staff has an equitable geographical representation, and that youth focal points are appointed across the United Nations system and country teams. We would also emphasize that the Office must be led by a young person in a high-level position. We also hope that the annual report that the Secretary-General will submit to the General Assembly will include not only an update on the activities of the Youth Office, but also those of the entire United Nations system in the area of youth, as it is a matter of coherence of the coordination and of the approach itself. Let us always remember that this Office is owned not only by the Member States, but by all young people, with and for young people. We reiterate the thanks of the Dominican Republic to the co-facilitators. Our delegation will continue to contribute to the strengthening of the United Nations and the multilateral system in favour of all youth.

I take the floor to deliver the explanation of position of my delegation on resolution 76/307, entitled “Modalities of the Summit of the Future “. At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of Oman and New Zealand and their respective teams for their efforts in facilitating the consultative process. My delegation associates itself with the explanation of position delivered by Pakistan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on this resolution. We would like to add the following points in our national capacity. With regard to the process, there was a significant lack of clarity throughout it and on the way forward. It is not clear why the consultations on the draft resolution were conducted with such obvious haste. It is unfortunate that the proposal of the Group of 77 and China to extend the silence procedure for further consultations was not accepted. Furthermore, there was no real or in-depth negotiation in the process, which is normally expected. This form of consultation should not and must not set a precedent for any future negotiation. With regard to the substantive issues, I would like to put on record that, during the consultations, the Group of 77 and China requested the deletion of the reference to “A Pact for the Future” in operative paragraph 4, as it prejudges a process that has yet to be started. However, this proposal was ignored. In relation to the way forward, as this is an intergovernmental process, all decisions must be taken by Member States, and all countries, especially developing countries, must be able to participate in all preparatory processes for the Summit. With regard to operative paragraph 17, we value the participation of relevant stakeholders based on internationally agreed criteria and the principle of equal participation, especially by representatives of developing countries. We also value their participation, upon invitation by co-facilitators, in the process, so that their valuable inputs can be presented and heard. This operative paragraph is not agreed language, nor does this language appear in any compilation text. Rather, it originates from small-group consultations. We therefore disassociate ourselves from this operative paragraph. We do not agree with or consider this language a basis for future negotiations. Notwithstanding this clarification, we joined consensus in adopting the resolution.

Brazil aligns itself with the statement delivered by Pakistan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, allow me to express our appreciation and support for the work done by the Permanent Representatives of Oman and New Zealand, along with their teams, in facilitating the process related to the Summit of the Future. It was a bumpy road to get us here. Notwithstanding this successful outcome, the tight schedule imposed upon all Member States, but especially developing countries, made consultations among ourselves hasty and imperfect and generated unnecessary risks to our negotiations. We do not believe it should serve as a model for any other process in the United Nations. Nevertheless, we are glad to be in a position to adopt resolution 76/307 today due to the good progress achieved in central points of the text, in line with the interests of the overwhelming majority of the countries of the Group of 77 and China. I will emphasize three of them: the date of the Summit, the engagement of Member States and stakeholders and the decision-making process for the way forward. First, I will start with the date of the Summit. As consistently underscored by my delegation, we already have a multilaterally agreed framework to tackle our development challenges  — the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has not yet reached its midpoint. Our current crises, such as the rise in food insecurity and the deterioration of living conditions, among others, illustrate that this is a time to highlight the centrality of the Agenda and to accelerate its implementation, not to overshadow it by creating new agendas. We therefore consider the option of convening of the Summit of the Future in 2024, after we have had the opportunity to take stock of our progress in the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Summit, as the most appropriate choice. Secondly, my delegation understands the importance of hearing from stakeholders and giving them an opportunity to participate at the Summit. However, that cannot happen at the expense of our intergovernmental process or of the time and space needed for Member States to express their positions. We hope that the balance that the resolution strives for can be observed throughout the organization of the Summit. Thirdly, the text before us today is clearer than its first draft with respect to the ownership of the preparatory process by Member States through intergovernmental negotiations. A summit can represent a shared vision for our future only if its scope, tracks and outcomes are defined and controlled by Member States. On that note, we understand that the Secretary- General would not want to interject in such a strictly intergovernmental process and that his inputs would be most useful if presented after the membership has had the opportunity to shape the scope and tracks of the Summit of the Future.

On behalf of the United Kingdom, let me first thank the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and many of our colleagues here for the tributes they have paid to Her Majesty the Queen. As my Foreign Secretary said today, she will be remembered for her dedicated service at home, across the Commonwealth and around the world. Her extraordinary service fostered peace and friendship worldwide. I would now like to turn to item 124 on today’s agenda. Let me start by thanking the co-facilitators, Egypt and Guyana, for the work on the resolution to establish the Youth Office (resolution 76/306). As the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) makes clear, with 1.8 billion young people in the world, it is essential that we support their contribution to decision-making at the highest levels. That is why the United Kingdom welcomed the President of the General Assembly’s youth engagement dialogue on 30 August, and that is why we are committed to supporting young people having a voice on all issues. We must champion a diverse range of voices within the United Nations system, in line with the Secretary- General’s vision for inclusive multilateralism. Although we support the intent of the Youth Office, particularly with regard to improving the ways that young people can engage with the work of the United Nations, including by coordinating work across existing United Nations mechanisms, we are disappointed with the process adopted to establish it. The United Kingdom regrets that we were obliged to break silence on this text due to a lack of transparency over the potential financial implications of this decision. While discussion on exact budget and staffing levels rests solely with the Fifth Committee, it is important that the General Assembly have a full picture when taking decisions. That includes ensuring that it has an indication of potential financial implications before action is taken. And that means doing so before a silence deadline, where they are used. We thank the Secretariat for providing those figures so quickly, and we look forward to considering the Secretary-General’s detailed proposal on the operational functions, structure, resources and staffing at the Youth Office. We trust that it will set out clearly how the new Youth Office will work with the United Nations system entities in order to ensure a more effective, integrated and joined-up approach to incorporating a youth perspective in the work of the United Nations, including through tackling duplication and ensuring better mainstreaming. If we are to deliver Our Common Agenda’s vision for United Nations 2.0 — a United Nations that is focused on results, impact and effectiveness  — then Member States must have the evidence and analysis they need to inform such important decisions. As we continue to deliver on the vision of Our Common Agenda, we would ask that all Member States ensure that any new activity supports a more effective United Nations, allowing for agility, integration and cohesion across the system. That must be our guiding light as we move forward and deliver on our common agenda and make preparations for the Summit of the Future. Now let me address the resolution on the modalities for the Summit of the Future (resolution 76/307). I pay tribute to co-facilitators New Zealand and Oman for their work to deliver this resolution. It was no easy task, especially on such a tight timeline. Despite that challenge, we agreed today on a consensus resolution for the holding of the Summit of the Future. The General Assembly’s unity, in requesting this meeting, is an important signal of our common support for the Summit. While we regret that the Summit will not take place until 2024, we welcome the pre-Summit in 2023, an important opportunity to take stock of progress and maintain momentum. We welcome the inclusion of strong language on civil society participation, both in the Summit itself and in its preparatory process. Civil society actors are vital for the work of the United Nations. They will provide invaluable inputs. As we look forward to the Secretary-General providing further information to prepare the Summit, as we have requested, allow me to end by saying a word on the Summit itself. The world is facing an unprecedented set of challenges, from natural disasters caused by climate change to growing conflict. If we do not prepare for the future, we can only expect more of those challenges to come. That is why the United Kingdom fully supports the Summit of the Future, and we look forward to working with all our colleagues on delivering it.

We would like to thank the co-facilitators and all delegations for their engagement on this very important resolution regarding the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office (resolution 76/306). We commend the facilitators for holding a consultation with youth representatives and relevant stakeholders on 14 July in order to hear their visions and views. My delegation appreciates the outstanding work of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and her Office and hopes to continue expanding our collaboration. Japan joins the consensus on this resolution and supports the establishment of this new Office. Japan encourages the meaningful participation of youth in promoting the agenda for peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. We are happy to see those elements included in this resolution.. As explained in the co-facilitators’ letter dated 31 August, we understand that an oral statement shared before the adoption of this resolution gives only a broad indication or a range of budgetary implications. We expect that the detailed cost estimates will be submitted later for further consideration by Member States in order to ensure transparency and accountability. As emphasized during negotiations and accommodated in this resolution, a detailed proposal by the Secretariat on the operational functions, structure, resources and staffing of the Office, based on the further analysis of the resource needs of the new Youth Office, is critically important for the Member States to further analyse and discuss the details of the Office, including financial aspects. By ensuring the process for Member States to analyse and discuss this proposal at a later stage, we believe that we can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Office and avoid further duplication and fragmentation of the Organization’s work. Finally, the voices of youth should be heard in a more institutionalized way, including within this new Office. We believe that we can institutionalize the participation and engagement of youth in intergovernmental spaces if we can take stock of more good practices. We are ready to listen to and work with youth.

Allow me to begin by expressing Indonesia’s deepest sympathy and condolences to the Government and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Her leadership has showcased timeless prudence and serves as a good example to the world. Indonesia applauds the leadership of the President in strengthening the United Nations by mainstreaming and advancing the role of youth in the system. We also appreciate the work of the Permanent Representatives of Egypt and Guyana for their wisdom in guiding the deliberation process on the Youth Office modalities. Indonesia recognizes the importance of establishing the future Youth Office within the United Nations. More than just a priority to us, it is also proof of our commitment to empowering and advancing the leadership of young people in the world. As a country with a large young population, Indonesia understands fully the power that young people hold. In 2022, the number of people between 15 to 34 years of age grew to more than 87 million. That represents at least 31 per cent of our total population, and it brings a demographic bonus to our country economically, socially and politically. We can see how young people start to live in the financial sector. Eighty percent of 8.3 million investors in Indonesia’s capital markets are young people. In political sectors, we continue to see an increase from time to time in the participation of youth in the Parliament and within the Government. That is why we understand the importance of engaging and involving youth within the United Nations. We therefore support the establishment of a Youth Office in the United Nations. In that regard, Indonesia has been consistent in advancing two points. First, we must start by enhancing a youthful and young-spirited United Nations. The Organization is now facing many new and more complex challenges. In order to face those new challenges, new, fresh and energized perspectives are needed. We therefore need a youthful United Nations, and changes need to start from within. It is critical to enhance the role and participation of youth in developing ideas within the United Nations system. That is why we have to pursue young and age-balanced United Nations workforces in order to lower the average working age in meaningful positions within the United Nations. As a point of reflection, we observed that the average age for P4-level officers is around 47 years old, and the average age for P5- level officers is around 50 years old. By comparison, in many rising companies and institutions outside the United Nations, the average age of people in strategic positions ranges from 30 to 35 years old. In that regard, we support the decision of the General Assembly to include this element of an age-balanced workforce in this consensus resolution and to highlight the importance of geographical representation in pursuing that balance. Secondly, youth empowerment within the United Nations system should never be a stand-alone and exclusive agenda. Instead, it should be pursued with a broader intergenerational perspective while ensuring youth participation. The meaningful legacy from generations past must not be ignored. At the same time, inspiration coming from the younger generation must never be neglected. An intergenerational approach to youth participation is therefore essential. That approach can be built only through dialogue and deliberations that involve multiple generations. With a view to establishing the Youth Office, Indonesia emphasizes the need to include efforts to enhance intergenerational dialogue in its mandate. Indonesia supports the development of modalities on the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office. We see that as one of the issues that unites us rather than divides us. We hope that can be maintained in the same spirit of multilateralism, constructive engagement and collaboration. Let us collaborate in harmony in order to bring in the power of youth to the United Nations. As President Sukarno, Indonesia’s founding father and the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, stated: “Bring me 1,000 men and I will move the mountain. Bring me 10 young men and I will shake the world.”

We echo the sincere condolences expressed to the people of the United Kingdom upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Nicaragua aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Pakistan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. With regard to the resolution adopted just now by consensus on the Summit of the Future (resolution 76/307), Nicaragua wishes to state its position on the negotiating process for this resolution on modalities. We regret that non-inclusive working methods were imposed and that there was a very short amount of time to negotiate this important resolution, which obviously requires many more consultations and greater consensus. We also regret that the considerations and positions of all Member States were not taken into account. That is particularly true of the recommendations made by the Group of 77 and China. We reiterate that this is a fundamental topic for developing countries, and the process should be inclusive without leaving anyone behind. We reaffirm that no process should replace or undermine the mandates established by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Sustainable Development Goals. We hope that those errors will be corrected in the next steps of these processes so that we can truly have a Summit led by the Member States with a successful and inclusive outcome that guarantees the well-being and happiness of present and future generations.

We have heard the last speaker in the explanation of position. We will now hear statements after the adoption of the resolution. I now give the floor to the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.

Before delivering our prepared statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States, I would like to express our collective and sincere sadness over the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the royal family, the United Kingdom Permanent Mission and all those who mourn her in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and worldwide. As President Charles Michel wrote earlier today: “[she] never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in this modern world — values like service, commitment and tradition.” Now I will move to the resolutions adopted today. I deliver this general statement in relation to both resolutions under this agenda item, resolution 76/306, on the establishment on the United Nations Youth Office, and resolution 76/307, on the modalities for the Summit of the Future. In the interest of time and in view of the close interlinkage between the two items, I will address both in one statement. North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Australia and Canada align themselves with this statement. With regard to the modalities of the Summit of the Future, we welcome the consensual adoption of resolution 76/307 and thank the Permanent Representatives of New Zealand and Oman for their tireless efforts to achieve such an outcome, which, we agree, was no easy task. We joined the consensus on the resolution as just now adopted, but it should come as no surprise to hear us say that we would have appreciated even more ambitious language. The Summit of the Future is a key milestone of the Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) process, which we were looking forward to, and preparing for, in September 2023, as proposed by the Secretary-General in his report. We deeply regret that this ambition did not find the support of everyone in the membership, despite many across regional groups having spoken in favour. Holding the Summit in 2023 would have paid tribute to the urgency of agreeing a pact for the future in response to the multiple burning issues that are unfolding simultaneously across our planet — from the ongoing global pandemic and the climate emergency to ravaging conflicts, including the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has triggered a global humanitarian food and energy crisis of massive proportions. All of those crises require swift and common responses. As the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka put it  — far more eloquently than I can now — during the first consultations on the Declaration on Future Generations: “If we do not act swiftly and decisively, there will be no future to discuss anymore”. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is our common road map to address many of those challenges collectively. The Sustainable Development Goals Summit, in 2023, will take stock of progress on its implementation. Holding a Summit of the Future in 2023, during the same week, would have therefore allowed us to demonstrate the complementarity between those two summits, which the Secretary-General rightly called “twin summits”, and to prove our determination to live up to the expectations of future generations. We regret that this opportunity has now been pushed back to 2024. Nevertheless, we feel reassured by many delegations that spoke out very vocally on the need to maintain momentum on our common agenda and in favour of preparing a Summit of the Future that can be truly transformative in nature with a view to preparing and agreeing an action-oriented outcome document and to ensuring a process that is as inclusive as possible, engaging all relevant stakeholders as closely as possible throughout the preparatory process, and the Summit itself. When it comes to the substance, we welcome the agreement to hold a preparatory ministerial meeting during next year’s United Nations high-level week. That meeting will be an important opportunity for our principals to express their views on the vision and ambition for the Summit of the Future in 2024, an opportunity to take stock, reconfirm our strong commitment and ambition and look ahead. Such a meeting calls for thorough and well- structured preparations. We very much look forward to both the Secretary- General’s guidance and the broad and inclusive engagement with a wide array of stakeholders in the upcoming seventy-seventh session and stand ready to work constructively with all parties towards delivering the ambition that the Secretary-General has called for and that is needed to achieve the transformative change that Our Common Agenda has set out to achieve. We welcome the strong language in the resolution on the active participation of civil society and other stakeholders, notably young people, and look forward to their active participation in the months ahead. More systematic and effective youth engagement is a top priority and a clear deliverable of Our Common Agenda, true to the notion of inclusive and networked multilateralism. The EU therefore welcomes the adoption of resolution 76/306, on setting up a United Nations Youth Office. We thank Guyana and Egypt, as well as the Envoy on Youth, for their leadership and look forward to the creation of a stand-alone, full-fledged and properly staffed United Nations Youth Office that will ensure close coordination on youth issues within the United Nations system. The new Office will have the crucial role of promoting youth involvement and partnerships, following a gender-responsive approach across all three pillars of the United Nations and in humanitarian action. We expect the Office to lead, promote and coordinate efforts to advance the full realization of young persons’ human rights and opportunities. The EU will engage constructively in the upcoming discussions of the Fifth Committee, which will need to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.

We have heard the last speaker under this item. May take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 124?

By its resolution 48/141, of 20 December 1993, the General Assembly decided to create the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In paragraph 2 of his note, the Secretary-General, pursuant to the provisions of resolution 48/141, proposes to appoint Volker Türk of Austria as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The effective date of the appointment will be communicated to the Assembly at a later stage. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to approve the appointment by the Secretary-General of Volker Türk of Austria as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for a four-year term of office? It was so decided (decision 76/423).

We would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Mr. Volker Türk on his appointment to an extremely demanding job. We wish him great success in his role and his prospective work. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always shown its determination and willingness to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights while remaining committed to cooperating with Member States and the United Nations human rights mechanisms. We have repeatedly rejected the manipulation of human rights for political objectives and have instead insisted on the imperative of the promotion and protection of human rights in all countries through constructive dialogue, engagement and cooperation. We believe that the appointment of Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights focused on specific countries is a purely political process that does not lead us to the promotion and protection of human rights. We highlight that the new High Commissioner should exercise all due diligence to bring balance and a non-discriminatory approach in order to depoliticize the situation of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Moreover, further consideration of human rights issues should take into account the fundamental principles of universality, transparency, impartiality, non-selectivity, non-politicization and objectivity. We trust that Mr. Volker Türk will properly address everything that encompasses those important issues.

I would like to be very brief. Oman welcomes the appointment of Mr. Volker Türk to the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

I would like first to add my voice to others in wishing sincere condolences to the royal family on this sad day of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Canada warmly welcomes the appointment of the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to this new role and looks forward to engaging with Mr. Türk on important and pressing human rights issues brought before the Human Rights Council and the world. We thank Ms. Bachelet once again for her important contributions as the previous United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, more broadly, as a passionate human rights defender. The coronavirus disease pandemic has taught us that the world can change quickly. Existing inequities can become exacerbated, particularly for those experiencing vulnerability, and we are seeing increasingly assertive authoritarian Governments seeking to undermine universal human rights norms. We are confident that the new High Commissioner, through his Office, will meet those challenges. The promotion of human rights is an integral part of Canada’s history, policy and constructive engagement in the world. We are a strong supporter and funder of human rights defenders, and we look forward to working together to better promote and protect their work, particularly that of women, who are increasingly under attack for raising their voices in the defence of universal human rights. In Canada, we strongly believe that openness to ongoing reflection and constructive scrutiny not only strengthens the society and institutions of each Member State but also, more broadly, buttresses multilateralism, which is essential to our collective efforts to address the complex challenges of the twenty-first century. We are strongly committed to constructive engagement on human rights within a rules-based multilateral system and to doing more both at home and abroad. We look forward to working with the new High Commissioner and his Office on following up on the work of his predecessor, including the concerns and recommendations of Ms. Bachelet as contained in her last report, an assessment of human rights in Xinjiang. We hold the independence and integrity of the Office in its duties in high regard and stand ready for ongoing collaboration in order to advance common objectives and build a more effective, efficient, relevant and accountable United Nations.

China joins the consensus of the General Assembly in approving the Secretary-General’s appointment of Under-Secretary-General Türk as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in accordance with resolution 48/141: “The High Commissioner for Human Rights shall be the United Nations official with principal responsibility for United Nations human rights activities under the direction and authority of the Secretary-General; within the framework of the overall competence, authority and decisions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights...” (resolution 48/141, para. 4) It is our hope that, once he assumes office, Mr. Türk will lead the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the strict fulfilment of its mandate in line with the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council and commit to promoting dialogue and cooperation on human rights. Propelled by a few countries, there is currently a serious trend of politicization, confrontation and division in the field of human rights. A few countries, under the pretext of defending human rights, arbitrarily interfere with other countries’ internal affairs, a practice that the majority of Member States categorically oppose. It is China’s hope that Mr. Türk will lead the Office in strictly abiding by the principles of objectivity, impartiality, non-selectivity and non-politicization and commit to promoting dialogue among Member States on an equal footing — bridging differences, firmly opposing double standards and rejecting the instrumentalization and politicization of human rights for political purposes. Human rights are universal, historical, specific and real. For developing countries, especially the least developed countries, their rights to life and development are the most important human rights. We hope that the OHCHR will promote all human rights in a balanced manner, champion the reasonable aspirations of developing countries, pay more attention to, and invest more in, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the right to development, and assist developing countries with human rights capacity-building, with the consent of the countries concerned. The OHCHR should always embrace diversity and attract talents from all sources. Currently, there is a huge imbalance in the personnel composition of the Office, with developing countries vastly underrepresented, which is deeply concerning to China and many developing countries. We call for fundamental reform to the OHCHR in order to ensure inclusiveness and geographical equity. I would like to point out that just now the Canadian representative, in her statement, mentioned the human rights situation in China, which China firmly opposes and categorically rejects.

Like the colleagues who have just spoken before me, I have the pleasure to express our sincere congratulations to Mr. Volker Türk on his unanimous appointment by the General Assembly to occupy the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. I would like to say here that, having known Mr. Volker Türk, I can say that he is well acquainted with the United Nations system. He is familiar with the workings on the ground. He is a very sensitive person, who is committed to impartiality and equal rights, but also very committed to the promotion and protection of human rights. His experience at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees gives him practically all of the skills and advantages that he needs in order to succeed at the head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at a unique moment in international relations, particularly following the coronavirus disease pandemic  — a time when human rights have been violated or attacked and where a number of countries did not keep their commitments when it comes to the protection and promotion of human rights. It is time for human rights issues to be restored to their pride of place as a pillar of the United Nations system, alongside development, security and peace in the world. There can be no peace without respect for human rights, just as there can be no development without respect for human rights. Those three pillars must be treated equally, and we have every confidence that the Secretary-General’s choice is a good one. It is in line with the current international circumstances and satisfies the expectations of our respective countries for human rights to be upheld all around the world. I would like to assure Mr. Türk that the Kingdom of Morocco will provide tireless support for his work in Geneva and  — just as it did for all of his predecessors  — will provide political, material and financial support so that he can carry out his role in the best possible conditions. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that while we have high expectations for countries when it comes to respecting and protecting human rights, and while we ask them to do a great deal, to do more and to lead by example, the fact is that here in the General Assembly, especially the Fifth Committee, we forget that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights needs a budget and human resources adequate to its work. It cannot function without financial support and human resources and appropriate staffing. Most importantly, as one speaker today pointed out, we also need diversity and representativeness among the senior officials of the United Nations. Knowing Mr. Türk, I am sure that he will take the task of strengthening the mechanisms of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to heart, as well as selecting and choosing the best among the candidates proposed to assist and support him in his mandate. I would once again like to reiterate Morocco’s strong, constant and committed support for Mr. Türk and thank the Secretary-General for choosing him.

I would like to start by extending the United States’ deepest condolences to the royal family and the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen lived an extraordinary life dedicated to service. She was a dear friend of the United States and will be sorely missed. The United States welcomes the appointment of Volker Türk as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mr. Türk’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights around the world is already evident through his distinguished career in the United Nations system, including in his most recent role as Under-Secretary- General for Policy, as well as his work on refugee and humanitarian issues. The role of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is one of the most critical positions in the United Nations system. The High Commissioner must serve as an independent, impartial and unwavering voice for human rights issues around the world. At a time when civil and political rights are increasingly under attack and the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are continually flouted, the High Commissioner must be willing to call out human rights violations and abuses wherever they occur. The High Commissioner has a duty to reaffirm the universal values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through his work with the special procedures, treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, as well as civil society and human rights defenders around the world. We find ourselves in a time when human rights violations continue to increase on a global level. Mr. Türk has a challenging road ahead of him, but he can count on the full support of the United States as he undertakes the immensely important work of safeguarding and defending human rights across the globe.

We would like to join others in congratulating Mr. Volker Türk on his appointment as the new High Commissioner for Human Rights. We believe that his long experience in the United Nations, particularly in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, will add great value to the work of his new Office. Under his leadership, Bangladesh will remain fully committed to engaging with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms in a spirit of constructive dialogue and cooperation. We assure Mr. Türk of Bangladesh’s full support.

I now give the floor to the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.

The European Union (EU) and its member States warmly welcome the appointment of Mr. Volker Türk as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and we congratulate him. He can count on us to strongly support his mandate and work. We call on all States to respect the independence of the High Commissioner and to cooperate with his Office. The EU calls on all States to cooperate with and grant the Office of the High Commissioner and the human rights mechanisms access to their territories and specific regions. All countries must uphold international law and international human rights law, and we count on the Office of the High Commissioner and the wider United Nations system as a whole to guarantee the protection and promotion of all human rights worldwide and work relentlessly for accountability for violations and abuses wherever they are committed. The report on Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) announced an update to its human rights framework, which in addition to the comprehensive implementation of the Call to Action for Human Rights represents huge work ahead. The EU supports the close involvement of civil society, particularly human rights defenders, in the work of the United Nations human rights system. We strongly condemn acts of intimidation or reprisal against those who have cooperated, cooperate or seek to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner and United Nations human rights mandate holders and mechanisms. Those actions simply cannot be tolerated, and we call on the new High Commissioner to actively oppose them. It is essential that Member States ensure that budgetary support is commensurate with the high expectations placed on the Office of the High Commissioner and its capacities. The EU will continue to actively pursue that objective. The EU and its member States also continue to be the largest provider of voluntary contributions to the Office of the High Commissioner and will continue to strongly support its work in order to enable and equip it to deal with the many challenges it faces.

First of all, let me also express our deepest sympathies and condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the delegation of the United Kingdom, the royal family and the people of the United Kingdom. Austria welcomes the General Assembly’s approval by acclamation today of the appointment of the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Under-Secretary-General Volker Türk. In times of increasing uncertainty, it remains a fundamental principle of our rules-based order that every State has to abide by its human rights obligations. The mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is indispensable in that regard. The High Commissioner reminds us as States Members of the United Nations of our obligations and holds us to account. Austria strongly supports that mandate and will continue to advocate for full respect for the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner and to urge all Member States to cooperate with it and the special-procedures mandate holders. Let me underline that the mandate of the new High Commissioner should start as soon as possible to prevent a prolonged gap. There can be no break in guaranteeing human rights for all. Finally, Austria would like to congratulate Mr. Türk on his appointment today and assure him of our continued support for his mandate as High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Switzerland welcomes the appointment of Mr. Volker Türk as the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Switzerland underlines its full support for the High Commissioner and will continue its close cooperation with his Office. As the host country of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, it is a special honour for us to welcome the new High Commissioner to Geneva. We look forward to Mr. Türk’s contribution to strengthening the three pillars of the United Nations and the links between Geneva and New York.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 117?

Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the seventy-sixth session. In connection with the item, I have been advised that the Permanent Mission of Kenya requests its inclusion in the provisional agenda of the Assembly at its seventy-seventh session. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer the consideration of agenda item 14 and to include it in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/576).

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 14?

Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include this sub-item in the agenda of the seventy-sixth session. In connection with the item, the President has received a letter dated 12 July 2022 from the Permanent Representatives of Finland and Türkiye to the United Nations, requesting its inclusion in the provisional agenda of the seventy- seventh session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer the consideration of this sub-item and to include it in the provisional agenda of its seventy- seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/577).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 35?

Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include this item in its agenda of the seventy-sixth session on the understanding that there would be no consideration of this item by the Assembly. In connection with the item, the President has received a note verbale dated 13 April 2022 from the Permanent Mission of the Comoros to the United Nations requesting the inclusion of the item in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include this item in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/578).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 41?

Members will recall that at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the seventy-sixth session. In connection with the item, a letter dated 4 August 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly has been issued as document A/76/914, in which it is requested that the item be included in the agenda of the Assembly at its seventy- seventh session. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include item 67 in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/579).

I now give the floor to delegations wishing to make statements of position on decision 76/579.

I would like to join in the condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the royal family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Russian Federation dissociates itself from the consensus on the decision to include the agenda item entitled “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” on the agenda of the seventy- seventh session of the General Assembly. We regret that the world’s most representative platform for dialogue is once again being used for politicization and to promote destructive approaches. Discussing the situation in Ukraine in such a confrontational manner is not conducive to finding real solutions to the crisis, eradicating its causes and establishing peace in the region.

First of all, please allow me to convey my heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of the United Kingdom and, of course, the royal family, on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is a sad day for the entire world indeed. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic- Baltic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Estonia. There is no justification for the Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. The bloodshed created by Russia at the very heart of Europe is a major threat to international peace and security. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is therefore of serious concern to every State in the United Nations and must remain high on the agenda of the General Assembly. We reiterate our strongest condemnation of the cruel and reckless war that the Russian Federation is waging on Ukraine, causing large-scale human suffering and civilian casualties, including among children. We also condemn Belarus for its involvement in Russia’s aggression. We once again reiterate our demand that the Russian Federation stop this war against Ukraine, including all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and call for Russia’s full respect for its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The perpetrators of the war crimes — the Russian soldiers who commit them as well as those who give them their orders — will be held accountable. We would like to point to the General Assembly’s conclusions that the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine is a violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. We deplore the Russian Federation’s failure to implement General Assembly resolutions ES- 11/1 and ES-11/2 of 2 and 24 March, respectively. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We demand that Russia immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops from the territory of Ukraine and implement the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice with immediate effect. We fully support Ukraine in its request that the item entitled “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” be retained on the agenda of the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session.

The Republic of Belarus expresses its deep condolences to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. I would like to reiterate that Belarus opposes so- called country-specific decisions, including on the issue under consideration, and would like to dissociate itself from the consensus on decision 76/579, to include agenda item 67 in the provisional agenda of the seventy- seventh session of the General Assembly.

It is now close to 200 days since Russia’s recent unprovoked and illegal act of aggression against Ukraine. The full-scale war Russia continues to wage is not the original conflict; it has become a world war. Russia has not only shown its true imperialistic face through its ongoing killing, destruction and persecution inside Ukraine but also continues to threaten the entire international community with food, energy and humanitarian crises resulting from the invasion. The situation in Ukraine is deteriorating every day as a result of the shelling of Ukrainian cities, towns and villages by Russia’s troops. It is deteriorating because of Russia’s weaponization of civilian nuclear-energy installations and its forced deportations of Ukrainian citizens to Russia. That is coupled with the ongoing Kremlin-orchestrated disinformation campaign, a good example of which we saw at today’s Security Council meeting (see S/PV.9127). The wolf in sheep’s clothing was once again trying to turn things upside down. Let us not be fooled. Nearly 200 days ago, Russia invaded its neighbour using military means. It is Russia and Russia alone that can withdraw its troops from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and stop the mayhem it has brought on Ukraine, Europe and the whole world. In the light of everything I have mentioned, Poland fully supports decision 76/579, to include agenda item 67 in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly.

Let me start by expressing my delegation’s deepest condolences to the delegation and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Georgia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the European Union. I would like to few remarks in my national capacity. Georgia supports Ukraine’s request to include agenda item 67, entitled “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine”, in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly. It is an item that not only addresses the situation in one country but also directly affects the maintenance of regional and international peace and security. Maintaining close attention to the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine during the seventy-seventh session is therefore of vital importance. We reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters. We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified full- scale invasion of Ukraine, which constitutes a grave violation of international law and infringes upon the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act, including the principles of territorial integrity, the sovereign equality of States, the non-use of force or threat of use of force and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders.

First of all, in my national capacity, before I speak on behalf of the European Union (EU), let me express my profound sadness and most heartfelt condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As to the matter at hand, I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union and its member States. The candidate countries Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova; the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina; the European Free Trade Association countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area; as well as Georgia, Monaco and San Marino, align themselves with this statement. It is essential for the General Assembly, as well as the Security Council, to remain seized of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The EU reiterates its strongest condemnation for Russia’s continued violation of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as its disregard of resolutions ES-11/1 and ES-11/2, adopted in March by an overwhelming majority of States Members of the United Nations. The EU recalls previous General Assembly resolutions on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and calls for their full implementation. We deplore Russia’s failure to comply with the legally binding order of the International Court of Justice to immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine, and we call on the Russian Federation to comply with its obligations under international law, including the United Nations Charter, international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The perpetrators of war crimes and other serious violations, as well as the responsible Government officials and military representatives, will be held accountable. The EU and its member States reaffirm their commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and extending to its territorial seas. We reiterate our demand for the immediate cessation of the military aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation and the full, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of its forces and military equipment from Ukraine’s territory. In order for the General Assembly to be able to continue following the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in a comprehensive manner, the member States of the European Union therefore appreciate decision 76/579, to include the item entitled “The situation in the occupied territories of Ukraine” in the provisional agenda of the seventy- seventh session of the General Assembly.

The United States supports decision 76/579, to include agenda item 67 in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly, and it was good to see that the decision was adopted without a vote. It is entirely appropriate for the General Assembly to continue its deliberations on Russia’s aggressive acts against Ukraine, including its ongoing violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Donbas and occupied Crimea.

We join others in expressing our sincere condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. We would like to thank the General Assembly for decision 76/579, to include the item entitled “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” in the provisional agenda of the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session. Let me remind the Assembly that, just a few hours after the consideration of that item on 23 February in this Hall (see A/76/PV.58), the Russian Federation cynically launched its unjustified and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. After the Security Council failed to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security because of Russia’s misuse of the right of the veto (see S/PV.8979), the issue of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was transmitted for the consideration of the General Assembly. On 2 March, by an overwhelming majority of 141 Member States, the General Assembly adopted resolution ES-11/1, entitled “Aggression against Ukraine”, which included very strong language, clear definitions and qualifications of Russia’s actions as aggression. However, the Russian Federation continues its complete disregard for the repeated requests and demands of the General Assembly, the orders of the International Court of Justice and its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, in particular to immediately cease its armed aggression against Ukraine and completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders extending to its territorial waters. For more than six months, Russia’s aggression has resulted in enormous civilian casualties, the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure, the displacement of refugees and a humanitarian crisis on a scale not seen in Europe since the Second World War. The war of aggression against Ukraine has also posed serious risks for global food and energy security and has exacerbated global hunger. There is mass evidence and verified facts, including from United Nations monitoring mechanisms, of the heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity that the Russian occupiers have committed against the civilian population in Ukraine, including in the occupied territories. Russia’s recognition of the so-called independence of the temporarily occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine constitutes another blatant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter, and aims to further undermine the rules-based international order. Russia must be held to account for all its violations of international law in Ukraine, including its aggression in violation of the Charter, as well as any violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. All perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression must be brought to justice. Russia must bear the legal consequences of all its violations, in particular through internationally established mechanisms, including by making reparations in relation to the damage, loss or injury caused by its aggression against Ukraine. Everything that I have mentioned only increases the need to use all the tools that are available to the General Assembly. I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the explanatory memorandum submitted by Ukraine (A/73/193, annex) that initially requested the inclusion of the item in the General Assembly’s agenda at its seventy-third session, which stipulated that, “[c]lose attention to this issue with its consideration by the General Assembly has to be consistently maintained until the violations committed as a result of foreign occupation of parts of the territory of Ukraine are duly dealt with and the territorial integrity of Ukraine is fully restored.” My delegation therefore welcomes the consensus decision of the General Assembly (decision 76/579) to include the item “The situation in the temporary occupied territories of Ukraine” in the provisional agenda of its seventy-seventh session.

I would like to inform everyone that it is 6.05 p.m. The interpreters have kindly agreed to stay with us for another 10 minutes, until 6.15 p.m., and I hope that we will be able to finish our work by then. I would like to thank the interpreters for their support for the work of the General Assembly.

At the outset, I would like to express our sincere condolences to both the people of the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth. France fully aligns itself with the statement just delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to add a short statement in my national capacity We regret that the Russian Federation continues to disregard and violate the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the decisions of the International Court of Justice. We call on the Russian Federation to immediately leave the illegally occupied territories in Ukraine and to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. That is why it is important and crucial that this issue continue to be addressed in both the General Assembly and the Security Council. We therefore welcome decision 76/579— which was adopted without a vote  — to include agenda item 67 in the provisional agenda of the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 67?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include agenda item 89 in the agenda of its seventy-sixth session. In connection with the item, the President has received a letter dated 27 July 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations, requesting its inclusion in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session. May I therefore take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer the consideration of agenda item 89 and include it in the provisional agenda of its seventy-seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/580).

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 89?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include agenda item 121 in the agenda of its seventy-sixth session. It is my understanding that it would be desirable to include the item in the provisional agenda of the seventy- seventh session. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer the consideration of agenda item 121 and include it in the provisional agenda of its seventy- seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/581).

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 121?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include agenda item 127 in the agenda of its seventy-sixth session. In connection with the item, the President has received a letter dated 7 September 2022 from the Permanent Mission of Angola to the United Nations, requesting its inclusion in the provisional agenda of the seventy-seventh session. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer the consideration of agenda item 127 and include it in the provisional agenda of its seventy- seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/582).

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 127?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting, on 17 September 2021, the Assembly decided to include agenda item156 in the agenda of its seventy-sixth session. It is my understanding that it would be desirable to defer the consideration of the item to the seventy-seventh session. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer the consideration of agenda item 156 and include it in the provisional agenda of its seventy- seventh session? It was so decided (decision 76/583).

May I also take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 156?

I should like to remind delegations that the following agenda items remain open for consideration during the seventy-sixth session of the General Assembly: 9, 15, 16, 20, 20 (c), 20 (i), 21, 23, 23 (a), 25, 31, 33, 35, 35 (a), 37 to 40, 43 to 49, 72, 75, 75 (a) to (c), 78, 78 (a), 90, 109, 115, 116, 116 (g), 117, 117 (f), 117 (h), 118, 119, 122, 125, 131, 134 to 155, and 157 to 166. As members are aware, those items have been included in the provisional agenda of the seventy- seventh session of the General Assembly, with the exception of agenda item 33, “Support by the United Nations system of the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies”; agenda item 37, “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”; sub-item (g) of agenda item 116, “Election of members of the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent”; agenda item 125, “United Nations reform: measures and proposals”; and agenda item 149, “Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of United Nations peacekeeping operations”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda items 9, 15, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 35, 37 to 40, 43 to 49, 72, 75, 78, 90, 109, 115, 116, 116 (g), 117, 118, 119, 122, 125, 131, 134 to 155, and 157 to 166 and their relevant sub-items?