A/76/PV.89 General Assembly

The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Fifth Committee on agenda items 135, 138, 140, 144, 150 to 152, 154, 155, 157 to 159, 161, 162 (a) and (b), 163 to 166 and 136. I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, Mr. Kavoy Anthony Ashley of Jamaica, to introduce the reports of the Committee in one intervention. Mr. Ashley (Jamaica), Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee: I have the honour to present to the General Assembly the reports of the Fifth Committee containing recommendations on the issues considered during the second part of the resumed seventy-sixth session. The Fifth Committee met in person and remotely, owing to the coronavirus disease pandemic, from 3 May to 29 June, holding eight plenary meetings and numerous formal and informal consultations. (spoke in French) In accordance with resolution 49/233 A, of 23 December 1994, the second part of the resumed session of the Fifth Committee was devoted primarily to the consideration of the administrative and budgetary aspects of United Nations peacekeeping operations and associated issues. The Committee considered the financing of 16 peacekeeping operations and the report of the Board of Auditors on peacekeeping operations, as well as other items related to administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of peacekeeping operations. (spoke in Spanish) In addition, the Committee considered a number of reports pertaining to appointments to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and other appointments, investing in prevention and peacekeeping, improving the financial situation of the United Nations and the estimated 2022 programming budget for addressing racism and promoting dignity for all in the Secretariat. (spoke in English) The initial reports of the Fifth Committee on sub-item (a) of agenda item 117, entitled “Appointment of members of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions” (A/76/516/Add.1), and agenda item 138, entitled “Proposed programme budget for 2022” (A/76/838), in which it recommended the adoption of a statement on the programme budget implications of draft decision A/76/L.46 on the Intergovernmental Conference on an International Legally Binding Instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, were already considered at the 74th plenary meeting of the General Assembly on 23 May. Let me now present the reports of the Fifth Committee containing recommendations on issues that require action by the General Assembly. Under agenda item 135, entitled “Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/76/617/Add.1, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted in the Committee by a recorded vote. On agenda item 138, entitled “Programme budget for 2022”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/76/633/Add.2, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution entitled “Addressing racism and promoting dignity for all in the United Nations Secretariat”, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. On agenda item 140, entitled “Improving the financial situation of the United Nations”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/76/873, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. On agenda item 144, entitled “Joint Inspection Unit”, in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/76/778/Add.1, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. Under agenda item 150, entitled “Administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations”, in paragraph 21 of its report contained in document A/76/874, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following seven draft resolutions: draft resolution I, entitled “Overview and cross-cutting issues”; draft resolution II, entitled “Post-traumatic stress disorder framework”; draft resolution III, entitled “Review of rates of reimbursement to troop- and police-contributing countries”; draft resolution IV, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy”; draft resolution V, entitled “Financing of the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda”; draft resolution VI, entitled “Support account for peacekeeping operations”; and draft resolution VII, entitled “Closed peacekeeping missions”, all of which were adopted by the Committee without a vote. With regard to the draft resolutions on the financing of peacekeeping operations, I should like to inform the General Assembly that the following draft resolutions were adopted by the Committee without a vote. The reports of the Fifth Committee are presented under the following agenda items: agenda item 151, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei”, as contained in document A/76/875; agenda item 152, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic”, as contained in document A/76/876; agenda item 154, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus”, as contained in document A/76/877; agenda item 155, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, as contained in document A/76/878; agenda item 157, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti”, as contained in document A/76/886; agenda item 158, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, as contained in document 76/887; agenda item 159, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo”, as contained in document A/76/879; agenda item 161, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali”, as contained in document A/76/880; sub-item (a) of agenda item 162, entitled “Financing of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Middle East: United Nations Disengagement Observer Force”, as contained in document A/76/881; agenda item 163, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan”, as contained in document A/76/882; agenda item 164, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara”, as contained in document A/76/883; agenda item 165, entitled “Financing of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur”, as contained in document A/76/619/Add.1; and agenda item 166, entitled “Financing of the activities arising from Security Council resolution 1863 (2009)”, as contained in document A/76/884. Regarding sub-item (b) of agenda item 162, entitled “Financing of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Middle East: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”, the report of the Fifth Committee is contained in document A/76/885. The Committee considered the draft resolution and decided to retain the fourth preambular paragraph and paragraphs 4, 5 and 13 by a recorded vote. In paragraph 12 of the report, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution as a whole, which was adopted in the Committee by a recorded vote. Under agenda item 136, entitled “Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations”, in paragraph 7 of its report contained in document A/76/634/Add.2, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft decision entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. Before concluding, I would like to indicate that it has been a source of great pride for me to serve as the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly at its seventy-sixth session and to represent the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States in the Bureau this year. As I continue along this path, I will take with me the lessons learned from all of my colleagues and friends here. I would also like to thank the Chair of the Fifth Committee, Ambassador Margaryan, for the way in which he guided us throughout our difficult work, as well as the other members of the Bureau of the seventy-sixth session, Vice-Chairs Ahmed Mohamed Ismail Elmahs, Mohammed Abdulaziz Alateek and Mike Martin Ammann.

I thank the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee and appreciate the fact that he delivered his statement in three languages, giving us a constructive lesson in respecting the General Assembly’s cultural and linguistic diversity. Before proceeding further, I would like to emphasize that as the Fifth Committee concludes its work this afternoon, the reports at the moment are available only in English. It is my understanding that they will be issued in all the official languages as soon as possible. I thank members for their understanding. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Fifth Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall therefore take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Fifth Committee that are before the Assembly today.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. I would like to remind members that in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, a delegation should, to the extent possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. I also want to remind delegations that, also in accordance with decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. When there are multiple proposals under an agenda item, statements in explanation of vote or position before action is taken on any or all of them should be made in one intervention, followed by action on all of them, one by one. Thereafter, there will also be an opportunity for statements in explanation of vote or position on any or all of them in one intervention after action is taken on all of them. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Fifth Committee, I would like to advise representatives that we will proceed in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance. That means that where recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I also hope that we will adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Fifth Committee. The results of the votes will be uploaded to the e-deleGATE portal, under plenary announcements. I would like to remind members that any corrections to the voting intentions of delegations after the voting has concluded should be made directly to the Secretariat at the end of the meeting and submitted via the-deleGATE portal. I ask for the cooperation of members in avoiding any interruptions to our proceedings in that regard.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.55. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 135.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.52. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Addressing racism and promoting dignity for all in the United Nations Secretariat”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 138.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.32. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 140.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.34. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities to conferences and meetings of the United Nations system”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 144.

The Assembly has before it seven draft resolutions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 21 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I through VII, one by one. The Assembly will first take a decision on draft resolution I, entitled “Cross-cutting issues”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.54. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution II, entitled “Post-traumatic stress disorder framework”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.36. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We will now turn to draft resolution III, entitled “Rates of reimbursement to troop- and police-contributing countries”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.56. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Next, we turn to draft resolution IV, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.38. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We now turn to draft resolution V, entitled “Financing of the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.37. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Next, we turn to draft resolution VI, entitled “Support account for peacekeeping operations”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.39. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We now turn to draft resolution VII, entitled “Closed peacekeeping missions”, the text of which, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.33. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 150.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.40. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 151.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.41. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 152.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.42. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 154.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.43. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The /Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 155.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.50. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 157.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.51. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 158.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the /Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.44. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 159.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.45. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 161.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.46. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 162. (b) United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Report of the Fifth Committee (A/76/885)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.31, as orally revised and technically updated in the Committee. I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

I will deliver a short statement. My delegation would like to present an oral amendment to the draft resolution. The fourth preambular paragraph and paragraphs 4, 5 and 13 introducing document A/C.5/76/L.31 are nothing more than an attempt to insert a political agenda into an otherwise non-political discussion. My delegation would like to request the deletion of the fourth preambular paragraph and paragraphs 4, 5 and 13 from the draft resolution. We urge Member States to join Israel in supporting that deletion.

The representative of Israel has proposed an oral amendment to the draft resolution. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly will first take a decision on the oral amendment proposed by the representative of Israel. A recorded vote has been requested.

Since the oral amendment proposed by the representative of Israel is not adopted, we shall proceed to take a decision on the draft resolution recommended in the report of the Committee, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”. A recorded vote has been requested.

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 162.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the /Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.47. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 163.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.48. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 164.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.53. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 165.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The text of the draft resolution, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.49. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 166.

The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The text of the draft decision, for the time being, is contained in document A/C.5/76/L.57. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Questions deferred for future consideration”. The Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 136. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations and Chair of the Fifth Committee. I would also like to thank the members of the Bureau, as well as all delegations, for a job exceptionally well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Fifth Committee before it.

Members will recall that, at its 61st plenary meeting on 15 March 2022, the General Assembly elected the following 34 States as members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law for a six-year term of office beginning on 27 June 2022: Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, the United States of America and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Members will also recall that there remains one seat to be filled from among the Western European and other States. I should like to remind members that, as of 27 June 2022, the following States are represented on the Commission from among the Western European and other States: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Those 14 States are therefore not eligible for election. The General Assembly will now proceed to the election of one member of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. In accordance with rule 92 of the rules of procedure, the election shall be held by secret ballot and there shall be no nominations. I should like to recall, however, paragraph 16 of General Assembly decision 34/401, whereby the practice of dispensing with the secret ballot for elections to subsidiary organs when the number of candidates corresponds to the number of seats to be filled should become standard, unless a delegation specifically requests a vote on a given election. In the absence of such a request, may I take it that the Assembly decides to proceed to this election on the basis of dispensing with the secret ballot?

With regard to candidatures, I should like to inform members that for the one seat from among the Western European and other States, the group has endorsed Greece. Since there is one candidate from the regional group and one seat to be filled from that group, may I take it that the General Assembly wishes to declare Greece elected for a term of office beginning on 29 June 2022 and expiring on the last day prior to the beginning of the sixty-first session of the Commission in 2028?

I congratulate Greece on having been elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 116?