A/78/PV.107 General Assembly

Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its consideration of agenda item 11 at its ninety-seventh plenary meeting, on 1 July. In order for the Assembly to take action on the draft resolution, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of agenda item 11. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of agenda item 11?

I now give the floor to the representative of Turkmenistan to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.107.

It is my honour, on behalf of the main sponsors, Turkmenistan and India, to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/78/L.107. I would like to convey our gratitude to all delegations for their active participation and valuable contributions during the negotiations. During the informal consultations, we consistently worked to foster a positive atmosphere and achieve a widespread consensus. I will start with a brief explanation of the main purpose of this draft resolution by referring to remarks of the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, during the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace: “Sport is one of the great human pursuits — a model of teamwork, a platform for individual excellence, a driver of economic growth for all of society”. The draft resolution before us aims to establish a lasting platform for sports diplomacy, one of the main priorities of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. This document builds upon the resounding success and positive impact of the inaugural United Nations Games, held in April this year within the framework of the General Assembly Sustainability Week in New York. Initiated by Turkmenistan, I am happy to report that the first United Nations Games embodied the spirit of friendship, trust, well-being and cooperation among the diplomats who participated, many of whom are present in the Hall today. What is significant was that our family members also joined us during our sports journey. The United Nations Games have proved to be a powerful force for unity in these troubled times, promoting trust and understanding among the diverse members of our global community. The Games have demonstrated the transformative power of sport in fostering dialogue, breaking down barriers and promoting peace. The United Nations Games align perfectly with the Olympic ideals of excellence and friendship. Those values, enshrined in the Olympic Charter, serve as a guiding light for all of us in upholding the values of fair play and respect. We believe that the United Nations Games will serve as a permanent platform for showcasing the rich cultural diversity of our world, celebrating the unique traditions and customs associated with sports from different countries. By supporting this draft resolution, members’ countries reaffirm our shared efforts to use the great power of sport in building bridges of coexistence, promoting healthy lifestyles and achieving sustainable and inclusive development. Based on that momentum, we invite all delegations to prepare for the second United Nations Games in April 2025 to foster diplomatic links and collaboration among Permanent Missions and United Nations agencies and cultivate a spirit of tolerance and understanding, creating a more positive, healthy and productive environment at Headquarters in New York. In conclusion, we express our gratitude to the delegations that co-sponsored this draft resolution, and we look forward to seeing additional sponsors, as well as the support of Member States for the adoption of this draft resolution by consensus.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/78/L.107. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution A/78/L.107: Albania, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, China, Colombia, the Comoros, the Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Suriname, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Türkiye, Tuvalu, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/78/L.107, entitled “United Nations Games”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.107?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 11?

I give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2.

On behalf of a core group comprising India, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand and my own country, Bangladesh, I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2, entitled “World Rural Development Day”. The draft resolution is aimed at proclaiming 6 July as World Rural Development Day. Indeed, the absence of such a day has been felt by many for quite some time. To briefly explain the background, 6 July 1979 was the date of the establishment of the Dhaka-based “Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP)”, the organization that was the initial proponent of the day. In our region, particularly in the South, the development of the rural economy, mostly based on agricultural activities, has always been considered as a key component in our efforts to alleviate poverty and ensure continuing socioeconomic development. That is also the same for almost all the developing countries in different regions. Sustainable development in rural areas has been, and still is, one of the key elements in the overall socioeconomic progress in many developing nations as well. CIRDAP has been playing a crucial role in assisting its member States in the Asia-Pacific region in their national efforts on rural development. We believe that 6 July, the day of the anniversary of the founding of CIRDAP, is a good choice for the proclamation of World Rural Development Day. According to the World Poverty Statistics 2024, approximately 9.2 per cent of the global population, or about 700 million people, live in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $1.90 per day. In addition, about 26 per cent of the global population, which is roughly 1.3 billion people, live in moderate poverty, with incomes ranging between $1.90 and $3.20 per day, and those people are largely concentrated in developing countries. Rural poverty in general accounts for nearly 63 per cent of global poverty. In fact, more than 80 per cent of the world’s extreme poor live in rural areas, in which about 45 per cent of residents are either extremely or moderately poor, as compared to 16 per cent of urban residents. Also, much of the urban poverty stems from the rural poor’s attempts to break free from poverty by migrating to cities. Therefore, those countries need more concerted collaboration in fighting rural poverty and promoting human rights-based rural development through strengthened partnerships, targeted investments and awareness-raising. Let me highlight the key aspects of the draft resolution apart from the declaration of 6 July as World Rural Development Day. First, in the preambular paragraphs of the draft resolution, the interlinkages between the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the importance of sustainable rural development are underscored. Also, the synergy between global undertakings on poverty and hunger alleviation, agricultural development, ensuring food security and nutrition, infrastructure development in rural areas, including digital infrastructure, creating productive employment and enterprises, the empowerment of rural women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, et cetera is emphasized. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development is reaffirmed. The importance of locally driven development approaches is underscored, and the roles of regional bodies and national initiatives on rural development are highlighted. Reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration on the Right to Development, the human rights-based aspect of the inclusion of rural marginalized poor, has been made. Altogether, the critical role of integrated rural development in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals in all three dimensions — economic, social and environmental — is underscored. Secondly, as per the provisions contained in the annex to Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/167, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs has been invited to facilitate the organization and implementation of World Rural Development Day as a way of promoting rural development, raising awareness of the contribution of rural development in achieving the SDGs and supporting Member States in planning and coordinating activities for observing the day, in collaboration with Governments, the relevant international and regional organizations, the specialized agencies and all other stakeholders. Thirdly, according to paragraph 4 of the draft text, the cost of all activities that may arise from the implementation of the present resolution would be met from voluntary contributions. In addition, no new reporting obligation has been imposed on the Secretariat. Therefore, as we understand, the draft resolution would not involve any programme budget implication in its implementation. Fourthly, the draft resolution invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations, individuals and other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, farmers’ organizations, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, the private sector and academia, as well as schools, to observe World Rural Development Day by presenting and promoting, as appropriate in national and regional contexts, concrete activities with regard to the sustainable development of rural areas and communities. Finally, the Secretary-General has been requested to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant stakeholders. All relevant stakeholders have been invited to contribute to and support World Rural Development Day. The core group undertook a transparent approach and held five rounds of informal consultations to reach consensus. We sincerely thank all delegations for their active participation in the informal consultations. We also appreciate the spirit of flexibility shown by all and the valuable inputs. However, a draft amendment, as contained in A/78/L.92/Rev.1, has been proposed, asking for the inclusion of a reference to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. While all the core group members have been supportive of that Declaration and the initial text of the draft resolution contained a reference to it, the same, along with some other elements, could not be accommodated during negotiations for the sake of building broader consensus by striking a delicate balance in the text. However, the draft amendment was proposed after the text was agreed upon through the silence procedure. Hence, on procedural grounds, the core group may not be in a position to accept the draft amendment. In conclusion, today we are optimistic that World Rural Development Day, once proclaimed, would eventually accelerate worldwide movements and actions on rural development to meet the SDGs by 2030. It would also remind everyone of their role and responsibility for collaborative actions on integrated, sustainable and inclusive rural development. The day would also recognize that rural areas, with their crucial role in sustainable food production, socioeconomic development, ecosystem restoration and improved livelihoods, should be provided with the relevant enabling environment to support equal access to opportunities in all areas of sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind. Therefore, on behalf of the core group and my own Government, I would like to thank all delegations for their constructive engagement and cooperation, especially those that co-sponsored the draft resolution. We hope that more delegations will co-sponsor it from the floor, and I call upon everyone to support the adoption of the draft resolution by consensus.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to introduce draft amendment A/78/L.92/Rev.1.

First of all, let me express our deepest appreciation to Bangladesh and the core group for submitting draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2. We note the significant leadership and consensus-building efforts. However, we regret that those issues could not be resolved in the previous negotiations owing to the lack of flexibility of some delegations in terms of our priorities as developing countries. Rural and Indigenous communities play an essential role in developing countries. Not only do they ensure food security and contribute significantly to our national economies, but also their efforts and work benefit others. Rural, peasant and Indigenous populations are key agents for sustainable development, hunger eradication and environmental protection. We therefore understand that the draft resolution presented acknowledges their contribution and work. In that context, the proposed draft amendment submitted by Bolivia, contained in document A/78/L.92/ Rev.1, does not introduce anything new or controversial. It simply requests that this General Assembly, consistent with its previous decisions, make a basic reference to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. In our view, to deny mention of that instrument in a resolution celebrating World Rural Development Day would frankly be like celebrating United Nations Day without mentioning the Charter of the United Nations. That omission would be not only inconsistent with, but also a setback in, recognizing the fundamental rights of those key actors in rural development. Finally, I would like to thank the delegations that have given their ongoing support to initiatives in support of rural populations, peasants and Indigenous Peoples. We hope that we can again count on members’ support to advance in this joint effort for justice and equitable development.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2 and draft amendment A/78/L.92/Rev.1. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I wish to address the additional co-sponsors of both the draft resolution and the draft amendment. Since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/78/L.84/Rev.2, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the United Republic of Tanzania. Since the submission of the draft amendment, and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/78/L.92/Rev.1, the following countries have also become sponsors of draft amendment A/78/L.92/Rev.1: Colombia and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Delegations wishing to make a statement in explanation of vote before the voting on any proposal under this agenda item are invited to do so now, in one intervention. After action on all of them, there will be an opportunity for statements in explanation of vote after the voting on any or all the proposals. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote or position before the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States of America.

The United States takes the floor to explain why we will call for a vote on the proposed amendment A/78/L.92/ Rev.1 to draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2. First, we thank the proponent and facilitator of the draft resolution, Bangladesh, for its efforts to work towards a consensual outcome. The text of the draft resolution was negotiated carefully after several informal consultations and many hours. While we do not agree with some of the proposals put forward, we respect the right of delegations to make suggestions in line with their national positions. We thank all members who took the time and made the effort to engage meaningfully in the process. That is what the processes are all about. Those are the rules, procedures and norms by which we all abide. Unfortunately, one member is seeking to hijack that process by not following a proper procedure and proposing an amendment from the floor that does not enjoy consensus. The proposed amendment was made only during informal consultations following the silence being broken by a different member on a different issue. The proposed amendment was firmly rejected on procedural grounds during that consultation. The floor proposal of the rejected amendment now exhibits a flagrant disregard for the hard work and compromise made by all members who participated in the negotiations, particularly the proponents of the draft resolution. We cannot view this draft amendment in a vacuum. We see a worrisome trend of certain delegations undermining processes and disregarding the work of facilitators and negotiators alike in their purposes. That type of manoeuvring must be called out and rebuked by all members. While we recognize that many delegations in the Hall would not have opposed the text of this draft amendment, we would urge everyone to join us in voting against, or at least abstaining on, the procedural fouls. We must continue to work together and respect our processes if we are to continue to enjoy consensual outcomes.

Before we proceed to take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2, in accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly shall first take a decision on draft amendment A/78/L.92/Rev.1. A recorded vote has been requested on the draft amendment.

Since draft amendment A/78/L.92/ Rev.1 is adopted, we shall proceed to take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2, as amended. The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2, as amended, entitled “World Rural Development Day”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.84/Rev.2, as amended?

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

I deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. We would like to start by thanking the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Ambassador Shatil for their efforts as a facilitator of resolution 78/326. The EU cares deeply about poverty eradication and sustainable rural development. In fact, it is at the core of the EU’s founding treaty and the primary objective of our development cooperation policy. We work in partnership with developing countries around the world every day to move us all closer to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to ensure that no one is left behind. However, we are disappointed that, after five informals and two silence procedures, one delegation chose to jeopardize the consensus-based nature of this text. Resolutions on international days and years should remain procedural and modalities-based. That is why the EU and its member States chose to abstain in the voting on the amendment. We would like to once again underscore the importance of eradicating poverty as a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We look forward to celebrating its importance next July.

We would again like to thank the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for its leadership and constructive engagement on this important resolution (resolution 78/326). We care deeply about poverty eradication, especially in rural communities. That is why we work in partnership with developing countries around the world to move us all closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 1, on eradicating poverty in all its dimensions. As we are all aware, global progress on Goal 1 has suffered, and people in rural areas are disproportionately impacted. We remain committed to accelerating efforts on poverty eradication. The United States seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth that improves the lives of all members of society, especially those in the most vulnerable situations. In the first three years of the Biden Administration, the United States disbursed over $58.5 billion in support of Goal 1, “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”, with some of that investment supporting other SDGs. The United States has committed over $20 billion to efforts to address global food insecurity since 2021. That includes committing about $1 billion annually through the United States Government’s global hunger and poverty initiative, Feed the Future, which has lifted 23.4 million people out of poverty, prevented 5.2 million families from experiencing hunger and unlocked $6.2 billion in additional food security financing. We underscore that General Assembly resolutions are non-binding documents that do not change the current state of conventional or customary international law. We note that the right to development is not recognized in any of the core United Nations human rights conventions, does not have an agreed international meaning and, unlike with human rights, is not recognized as a universal right enjoyed by individuals, which every individual may demand from his or her own Government. While we are grateful for this opportunity to deliver this position, we would also say that the United States disassociates itself from the voted paragraph proposed by the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the voting.

We shall now proceed to consider draft decision A/78/L.112. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation, who wishes to make an explanation of position before adoption.

We would like to make an explanation of position before draft decision A/78/L.112 is adopted. We regret and are concerned about the wording that was included in the text of the modalities resolution for this meeting (resolution 78/319). The phrase “for a final decision by the Assembly on participation in the high-level meeting” undermines the fundamental principles of the work of the United Nations. We believe that stakeholder participation should be based on the principle of non-objection, which guarantees that a decision to include civil society representatives in a high-level meeting should be taken only if no Member State objects. However, the proposed language nullifies that mechanism. We see that as a violation of the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations. Such wording limits the ability of Member States to object to the participation of specific organizations. That could lead to a situation where the concerns of individual countries are not adequately addressed, which undermines the principles of openness and equality among Member States in the decision-making process. It has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It is linked only to attempts to promote non-governmental organizations that are support by countries of the North. In that regard, I would like to note that the Russian Federation does not welcome the participation of the Society of Gender Professionals organization in the upcoming high-level meeting. If such a decision is made, we will disassociate ourselves from it.

The Assembly will take a decision on draft decision A/78/L.112, entitled “Participation of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector in the high-level plenary meeting on addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft decision A/78/L.112? The draft oral decision was adopted (decision 78/504 B).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda items 13 and 117?

Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its consideration of agenda item 18 at its 103rd plenary meeting, on 13 August 2024. In order for the Assembly to take action on the draft resolution, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of agenda item 18. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of agenda item 18?

I have been informed that draft amendment A/78/L.113 has been withdrawn. I give the floor to the representative of the United Arab Emirates to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.110.

Senegal and the United Arab Emirates have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.110, entitled “Modalities of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference to Accelerate the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. Over the past four months of our co-facilitation, we have engaged in extensive consultations, listening attentively to Member States. I extend our heartfelt appreciation to all delegations for their constructive engagement throughout that collaborative process and sincerely thank them for their patience, flexibility and spirit of compromise, all of which helped us to arrive at a balanced text. The draft text before us today represents a range of views, and we believe that it is a fair reflection of our collective priorities. Should the draft resolution be adopted, it will decide that the 2026 United Nations Water Conference will be co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates and will be held in the United Arab Emirates, where we look forward to welcoming delegations. The Water Conference will aim to unite key stakeholders in a shared effort to tackle water challenges, exchange solutions and accelerate progress towards ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The Conference will be an important building block in accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6. We are all aware of the serious implications of water scarcity. It impacts our communities and our families. It is at the heart of our livelihoods and our future. The Conference will therefore be a critical opportunity to exchange views and foster collaboration and innovation that enables us to achieve the targets set out in Goal 6. Without collective action, our efforts are isolated. The collaboration of all relevant stakeholders will be key to the success of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and, ultimately, the achievement of Goal 6. In that respect, the co-hosts will engage extensively with all stakeholders in the lead-up to the Conference, including Member States, the private sector and civil society, with a view to providing an inclusive atmosphere. Once again, on behalf of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, we express our gratitude to all delegations that co-sponsored this draft resolution, and we invite others to join them today. Our special thanks also go to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management for their support throughout this important process. In conclusion, let me stress that the adoption of this draft resolution by consensus will reaffirm our shared commitment to accelerating our joint efforts to tackle global water challenges and ensure water and sanitation for all. It would be an honour to receive the General Assembly’s support for a consensus adoption of this draft resolution.

We will now proceed to consider draft resolution A/78/L.110. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of draft resolution A/78/L.110: Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Comoros, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Niger, Nigeria, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, the United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam and Yemen.

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/78/l.110, entitled “Modalities of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference to Accelerate the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.110?

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 delegations from their seats.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member States. The candidate countries Montenegro, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia align themselves with this statement. We welcome the commitment of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates to advancing the global water agenda by co-organizing the next United Nations Water Conference in 2026. We commend the great work and tireless efforts of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, as co-facilitators, in bringing us to the balanced resolution 78/327. We now have clear guidelines and modalities to help us to prepare for the 2026 Conference. The 2023 United Nations Water Conference was a turning point. It generated significant political momentum and commitment towards enhancing water action at all levels. We welcome the launch of the first United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, and we expect the United Nations Special Envoy on Water to be appointed any day now. We are pleased that the 2026 United Nations Water Conference will build on the key achievements of the 2023 Water Conference, including the Water Action Agenda and its voluntary commitments, while putting a clear focus on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, as mandated. We expect a follow-up on the recommendations from its interactive dialogues. We also remain confident that the Conference and its preparatory meetings will further enhance international cooperation, identify joint action, accelerate progress and ensure that water stays at the top of the political agenda. As water scarcity is worsening across the world, and as billions of people still lack access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, we welcome the recognition of water and sanitation as human rights. Equally significant is the acknowledgement that water is critical to sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger, as well as the interlinkages and synergies of clean water and sanitation with all the other SDGs in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, together with the targets and principles established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The reference to the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation is crucial for enhancing the coordination and delivery of water priorities across the United Nations system to support country progress towards internationally agreed water-related targets, including Goal 6. We also appreciate that the Conference aims to contribute to the mainstreaming of a gender perspective in ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for all, including through the empowerment of women and girls. However, we regret that the general language on stakeholder participation did not achieve consensus at the highest level of ambition. We would also have liked to see a stronger outcome document for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. The EU and its member States support this important resolution. Today’s consensual adoption sends a strong signal that the world continues to be united in addressing the global water crisis. In conclusion, we look forward to working together in making the next Conference ambitious and successful. Following the adoption of this resolution, we need to keep strengthening the momentum on water, including through the appointment of a United Nations Special Envoy.

The United States welcomes the adoption of resolution 78/327, on the modalities of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference to Accelerate the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6. We express our appreciation for the steadfast work of the co-facilitators, the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, in leading the negotiations, and we look forward to the Conference that they will co-host. We are disappointed that annex II, paragraph 16, does not include language that fully reflects the importance of civil society participation in the Conference. A robust dialogue with non-governmental organizations brings crucial and diverse voices to the United Nations, which is essential to innovation and creative solutions. The United States appreciates the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in the text and would like to emphasize that Indigenous Peoples and local communities should not be conflated. Indigenous Peoples are a distinct constituency at the United Nations, as addressed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The United States prioritizes its relationships with Tribal Nations, which are built on respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance.

Today Turkey joined consensus on the resolution regarding the modalities of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (resolution 78/327). Water is one of the top priority areas for Turkey. Accordingly, we actively and constructively engaged in the negotiation process from the very beginning. Throughout the process, we proposed a large number of amendments in order to improve the text, as well as the modalities of the Conference. While Turkey was ready to continue to contribute to the process, with a view to finalizing the resolution in due course, a revised text was proposed at the last minute, and Member States were expected to agree with elements that had been newly introduced and that had not been discussed in detail beforehand. Due to the last-minute introductions to the text, we were not able to agree to them, and we therefore had to break the silence on those paragraphs, which are unacceptable to our delegation and need further elaboration. Although there have been some improvements in the text, those paragraphs are still far from meeting our expectations. It has also come to our attention that, while the text was under the silence procedure, one of the co-facilitators engaged with various delegations and introduced edits. Despite our timely intervention, the concerns of our country were not represented, while some delegations were allowed to incorporate their views into the text under the silence procedure without being obliged to break the silence. That lack of transparency in the process raises concerns about the manner in which the procedure was handled. It is essential that such procedural irregularities and non-transparency do not set an undesirable precedent. In relation to paragraphs 14, 17 and 18, Turkey disassociates itself from any of the upcoming preparatory meetings in which Turkey is not involved or with whose outcome Turkey does not agree. We do not consider any of the inputs of such preparatory meetings as a contribution to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. As the preparatory meeting to be organized in accordance with paragraph 17 is expected to directly contribute to the United Nations Water Conference, we also look forward to considering its modalities within the United Nations. Last but not least, with a view to reaching consensus on areas that are for our common interests, it is highly important to follow United Nations procedures, established practices and norms. Turkey will continue to support full transparency and inclusivity in United Nations negotiation processes.

The United Kingdom would like to thank the co-facilitators, Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, for their work on resolution 78/327. We are grateful to our fellow representatives for their constructive work on ensuring that the next United Nations Water Conference focuses on achieving internationally agreed water-related goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and we look forward to fully supporting the United Nations Water Conference in 2026. We regret that a specific paragraph of the resolution conflicts with our collective responsibility to ensure inclusive participation in United Nations conferences. The full participation of civil society is crucial for developing effective and inclusive water policies that address the needs of all communities. The next United Nations Water Conference will be a crucial moment for the response that we need and for accelerating progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and delivering on Goal 6, in particular. We look forward to working with colleagues to support an ambitious outcome at the Conference.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia (CANZ). First, let me thank the co-facilitators, the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, for their excellent work on the modalities resolution 78/327, and Australia looks forward to working hard to ensure its implementation. I wanted to take the opportunity to also make some remarks concerning the question of civil society participation, as we discussed earlier today. In Australia and CANZ’s view, civil society organizations are our eyes and ears on the ground and give us critical information and perspectives on many issues. Civil society organizations should be at the table in as many United Nations meetings as possible. The active engagement of civil society in the 2026 United Nations Water Conference has the potential to enhance the quality, inclusiveness and effectiveness of the discussions and outcomes. Its involvement is essential for fostering accountability, innovation and partnerships, which are critical to sustainable development. CANZ would also like to reiterate that requiring objections be brought for a decision by the General Assembly increases transparency and accountability and enables the whole General Assembly membership, instead of just one Member State, to decide on a particular civil society organization’s participation. We are also particularly concerned by the increasing trend of Member States objecting to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from other countries. The fate of a reputable and credible NGO should not be determined behind closed doors and through the objection of one or a few Member States. The General Assembly must consider the criteria set forth by the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations in determining eligibility for participating in a meeting and push back against politicizing work of civil society. Civil society’s greatest value added is that it works across countries, regions and issues, and that it pushes each of us to do better as Governments. We are disappointed that, on this occasion, the United Nations did not uphold best practice in facilitating civil society participation at the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. In our view, that is a missed opportunity, which has failed in meeting our objective of transparency and accountability for civil society participation across the United Nations.

Mexico thanks the delegations of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates for facilitating the discussions on resolution 78/327. For my country, sustainable water management represents a critical challenge, requiring a comprehensive and coordinated response. The 2026 United Nations Water Conference provides a unique opportunity to align our national efforts with global goals and move decisively towards the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 by strengthening collective action for more efficient and equitable water management. Although we acknowledge the progress achieved with the text adopted today, we regret that some important omissions remain, which we would like to point out in our explanation of position. In that regard, Mexico believes that the participation of civil society organizations is essential, as they bring perspectives and experiences that complement and enrich the efforts of Governments at the national and local levels. We strongly advocate that the 2026 Conference should ensure the inclusion of all interested organizations, provided that clear and transparent criteria are respected to ensure a fair and accessible process, in line with the spirit of inclusiveness that should govern our intergovernmental discussions and decisions. We would have preferred language more in line with the recently adopted resolution 78/319, on modalities of the high-level meeting on sea level rise, and with the language used in 13 previous modalities resolutions on various issues. The current text allows any Member State to unilaterally block the participation of a civil society organization, which we believe to be contrary to the principles of transparency and fairness that should guide a truly inclusive and constructive process. The language that Mexico would have liked to see reflected in this text would ensure that the General Assembly is informed of any objection to the participation of civil society organizations in a transparent and accurate manner, thereby promoting intergovernmental decision-making that is more democratic and more accessible to all. My country, Mexico, strongly believes that the ambition and impact of this high-level meeting will be strengthened by the active participation of civil society organizations, regardless of whether their views are in line with those of Member States. Such organizations provide crucial value added by enriching the debate and fostering more comprehensive and more effective solutions to the global challenges that we face. Mexico will continue to advocate for the inclusion of all actors ready to participate in that global effort. We urge all members to support such efforts to strengthen our discussions and ensure that the outcomes of the United Nations Water Conference in 2026 benefit all countries and help to fully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in a robust manner.

The Russian Federation joined the consensus on resolution 78/327. We would like to emphasize that water resources are an issue on which we need to cooperate under the auspices of the United Nations necessary, in as constructive and inclusive a manner as possible. We asked for the floor to thank the delegations of the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, which were able to achieve a delicate balance through professionalism and diplomacy. We also note that the resolution includes the phrase “Takes note of the United Nations System- wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation” without any assessment of the Strategy. We emphasize that the Strategy was not agreed with Member States. Citing the Secretariat, we emphasize that the Strategy refers to United Nations structures under the Secretariat, not Member States. Let us include that in the record of the meeting.

The General Assembly has thus con­ cluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 18.

We shall now proceed to consider draft decision A/78/L.111. The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/78/L.111, entitled “Participation of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector in the third United Nations Conference on the Landlocked Developing Countries”. May I take it that the General Assembly decides to adopt draft decision A/78/L.111?

I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

We request that it be taken into account that our statement today regarding draft decision A/78/L.112 also applies to decision 78/528 D. We would also like to inform the General Assembly for the record that Russia joined the consensus on that decision, but it does not support the participation of the two organizations GÉANT and the Society of Gender Professionals in the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 20?

Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its consideration of agenda item 68 at its 50th plenary meeting, on 19 December 2023. In order for the Assembly to take action on the draft resolution, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of agenda item 68. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of agenda item 68?

Members will recall that, at its 2nd plenary meeting on 8 September 2023, the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 68 to the Third Committee. To enable the Assembly to take action expeditiously on the document, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider agenda item 68 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration?

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolution A/78/L.106, entitled “Enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.106?

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 delegations from their seats.

Strengthening the participation of Indigenous Peoples is an outstanding debt at the United Nations. It is not only a necessity and a moral imperative; it is an investment in our future and in the future of the United Nations. It is also a commitment that we all made under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The knowledge, perspectives and contributions of Indigenous Peoples are invaluable and consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision to leave no one behind. We Member States are mandated to work together with Indigenous Peoples in that process. In that regard, we appreciate the efforts made by the delegations of Peru and Canada, as co-facilitators, and by Ms. Charters and Mr. Lounes, as advisers. However, we need to ensure an open, inclusive process, accessible to the Indigenous Peoples of the seven sociocultural regions of the world, in future consultations on this topic and at all its stages. We also look forward to a greater commitment to that process by all States. Transparency and communication among all parties involved are crucial to achieving agreements that result in concrete actions. Guatemala reiterates the need to establish a new category that allows Indigenous Peoples to participate in the United Nations, distinguishing them from civil society organizations, national human rights institutions and local communities, based on respect for the right to self-determination. We will continue to support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to promote initiatives to strengthen their participation in all matters of concern to them. We hope that we can count on the membership to that end.

Allow me to begin by expressing Canada and Peru’s thanks to Member States and the representatives of Indigenous Peoples for their collective contributions during the negotiation of resolution 78/328. The co-facilitators and advisers, Ambassador Víctor García Toma, former Permanent Representative of Peru, Ambassador Bob Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada, Ms. Claire Charters and Mr. Belkacem Lounes, would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President, for the confidence that you placed in them for this important task. They are grateful to you and your team for the support that they received throughout the consultation and negotiation process. The commitment to enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations is long-standing. The adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which clearly affirms that Indigenous Peoples have the right to participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights was an important landmark. In 2014, at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, Member States committed to considering ways to enable the participation of Indigenous Peoples in relevant meetings of the United Nations on issues affecting them. In resolution 71/321, adopted under the capable leadership of Finland and Ghana, Members States decided to continue the consideration of possible further measures necessary to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples during the session. While negotiations required significant time and effort, the complexity of this issue should not be seen as a reason to abandon it or to maintain the status quo. Such an approach is not aligned with the commitments that we, as Member States, already made. On the contrary, that complexity highlights the need for sustained engagement and constructive dialogue. It is only through continued efforts and dialogue that we can fulfil our collective responsibilities and ensure that Indigenous Peoples can effectively participate in decisions that affect them. We must also recognize the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples throughout this consultation process. We thank the many individuals and institutional representatives who travelled to New York to share their views. Their contributions significantly enriched and informed our discussions. The United Nations is committed to leaving no one behind. If we are to live by that principle, it is imperative that the voices of Indigenous Peoples, wherever they exist, be heard and contribute meaningfully to our collective efforts. We are hopeful that, following today’s adoption, delegations will engage in good faith with existing commitments and the principles of the United Nations Declaration as we move forward at the eightieth session in seeking to adopt procedural and institutional steps that would enable the participation of Indigenous Peoples. We look forward to continued collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and Member States in advancing this critical issue, and we reaffirm our commitment to its realization. As Mr. Wilton Littlechild noted in past interactive hearings, “Indigenous Peoples have not come to the United Nations to create problems, but to create solutions”.

The United States thanks Canada and Peru for co-facilitating resolution 78/328, on enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions at the United Nations. We appreciate the precedent that they set by including Indigenous representatives in the process as much as possible. We join consensus today to emphasize the importance of advancing Indigenous participation at the United Nations. It is crucial for Indigenous Peoples to have opportunities to address and engage on global issues that affect them. We appreciate the resolution’s efforts to continue the conversation on enhanced participation in the General Assembly. However, we are disappointed in the removal of language on Indigenous participation in interactive dialogues and an expert workshop on accreditation criteria and mechanisms. The best way to resolve the issue of accreditation is to discuss it, not to dismiss it. To enhance Indigenous participation, we must take concrete steps to meaningfully include Indigenous voices at the United Nations. We hope that the co-facilitators can help the General Assembly to take such steps and to include Indigenous peoples in our work.

Australia is pleased to see resolution 78/328 adopted by consensus, which provides a forward road map for taking the practical steps required for the enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations. We thank the delegations of Canada and Peru for their efforts in leading us in this process. A more peaceful, prosperous, healthy and sustainable world cannot be achieved without the full, effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous women and girls, have the right to participate and take a leading role in decisions that affect them, and it is our responsibility, as Member States, to facilitate their participation in these halls. Enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations implements the recognized right of Indigenous Peoples and all peoples to self-determination, which has been affirmed and reaffirmed on multiple occasions by this Assembly. We welcome the decision adopted in this resolution to further consider measures to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples, and we stress the importance of ensuring that Indigenous Peoples from all regions of the world are included in this process from the outset. We regret that the final resolution did not contain an operative paragraph that requests the President of the General Assembly to convene a workshop that would have initiated and facilitated further discussion on the enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations. However, in the spirit of compromise, we are pleased that this resolution was adopted by consensus, and we look forward to continuing these important discussions to elevate the valuable and important voices of Indigenous Peoples in our forums.

Mexico thanks Canada and Peru for their leadership during this process, as well as Claire Charters and Belkacem Lounes for their invaluable advice. We recognize that the negotiation of resolution 78/328 was clearly challenging. We are pleased that the General Assembly adopted a resolution that seeks to strengthen the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in United Nations mechanisms on issues of concern to them. That is a crucial step in ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard and in fulfilling our commitment to “nothing about them without them”. While the final text is meaningful, we regret the reluctance of some States to fully recognize the participatory rights of Indigenous Peoples in international forums, which led to the adoption of an unambitious resolution. It is crucial to remember that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples enshrines those rights — a commitment made almost 20 years ago, which States must fulfil. The Declaration is the most comprehensive agreement recognizing the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples, and today, as every day, is an opportunity to highlight their contributions to the enrichment of our societies. We call on all States to establish effective mechanisms for the full participation of Indigenous Peoples in issues that affect them, and we call on the United Nations system and its Member States to renew their commitment to Indigenous Peoples.

Before proceeding to the consideration of both proposals, allow me to explain about the draft oral decision. Members will recall that, in its resolution 76/307 of 8 September 2022 and decision 78/555 of 10 July 2024, the Assembly decided that the opening segment of the Summit of the Future would include the adoption of the outcome document, followed by statements by the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and youth representatives to be selected by the President of the General Assembly in consultation with Member States. As announced in my letter dated 4 September 2024, I propose that, in addition to those listed in the above-mentioned resolution and decision, the opening segment also feature statements by the President of the Republic of Namibia and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in lieu of their national statements from the plenary list of speakers. In order for the Assembly to take up this proposal, it must first agree, under rule 81 of its rules of procedure, to reconsider the provision contained in footnote 1 of decision 78/555. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to reconsider the provision contained in footnote 1 of decision 78/555?

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/78/L.105 and the draft oral decision. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become co-sponsors of A/78/L.105: Angola, Burkina Faso, the Congo and Senegal.

Delegations wishing to make a statement in explanation of position before adoption on any proposal under this item are invited to do so now in one intervention. After action on all of them, there will be an opportunity for explanations on any or all of them. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.105, entitled “Biennialization of the agenda item entitled ‘Elimination of unilateral extraterritorial coercive economic measures as a means of political and economic compulsion’”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.105?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft oral decision. May I take it that the Assembly decides that, in addition to those listed in resolution 76/307 of 8 September 2022 and decision 78/555 of 10 July 2024, the opening segment of the Summit of the Future also feature statements by the President of the Republic of Namibia and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in lieu of their national statements from the plenary list of speakers? Draft oral decision was adopted (decision 78/564 B).

Before giving the floor for explanations of position after adoption, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I now give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomes the adoption of resolution 78/329 by consensus, without a vote. The resolution, through which the Assembly decides to change the frequency with which the agenda item "Elimination of unilateral extraterritorial coercive economic measures as a means political and economic coercion" is considered, is strictly procedural. As we have said in the past, including at the General Assembly, the impact of unilateral coercive measures, applied in flagrant violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of every rule of international law, is a reality that cannot be concealed. Their harmful consequences directly affect more than one third of humankind. However, they have an impact on the entire international community, as they have brought about a systemic crisis that, among other things, is exacerbating the current multifaceted global crisis. Consequently, it is clear that the issue of unilateral coercive measures cannot be ignored, downplayed or concealed, as that would deliberately undermine not only the achievement of the pledge that we made to leave no one behind, but also the well-being and full development of current and future generations, to which so much reference has been made in recent times within this Organization. Continuing with a "business as usual” approach, which seeks to perpetuate an unsustainable status quo, is truly unacceptable. The credibility of our Organization is at risk, as is fulfilling the promise of peace, sustainable development and human rights contained in the United Nations Charter. The importance of our work and of the texts that we adopt depends, in large part, on their reflection of issues that affect our peoples on a daily basis. It therefore becomes an ethical and moral duty to include in all such texts, including those that will be submitted for the consideration of our Heads of State and Government in less than three weeks, concrete elements that reject the imposition and application of illegal unilateral coercive measures that are restrictive and punitive in nature. Such measures have today become a weapon of intended neocolonial domination and collective punishment against the peoples of nations that, freely and in a sovereign manner, decided to be masters of their own destiny. That is the situation of my country, which today has more than 930 so-called sanctions imposed on it, for the mere fact of not having yielded to the blackmail and extortion of foreign Powers. The resolution adopted today is clearly a step in the right direction, as it opens up opportunities to hold, within the General Assembly, the main deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the United Nations, a regular political dialogue. That will allow us, on the one hand, to raise greater awareness of this global problem, and, on the other hand, to move towards the complete, immediate and unconditional lifting of such criminal measures, which cause so much pain and suffering to entire peoples around the world. In that context, we take this opportunity to highlight the dignity of the Venezuelan people, who will continue to overcome the aggressions of a decadent empire and its cronies. We encourage all responsible members of the international community to participate actively and constructively in the plenary meeting to be held during the upcoming session to consider and debate this important issue, which, albeit to varying degrees of intensity, affects us all equally. In that regard, we recall that this issue, which today affects more than 30 countries around the world, including Venezuela, could tomorrow also affect any other country that adopts, in a sovereign manner, models and policies that are seen as an affront to the interests of those that today claim clearly non-existent hegemonies and exceptionalisms. We conclude by underscoring our conviction that the upcoming plenary debates on this issue will result in the achievement, sooner rather than later, of a world free of unilateral coercive measures, where unconditional respect for the norms of international law and the founding Charter of our Organization is a reality. That is in the interest of achieving not only our respective national development plans, but also the pillars that have underpinned the United Nations since its foundation almost 80 years ago. Finally, if I may, as this is very probably the last time that my delegation will take the floor during this seventy-eighth session, I take this opportunity to commend your work, Mr. President, at the helm of the General Assembly throughout a session that has not been without challenges. However, thanks to your leadership, we were able to move forward in many areas. Our congratulations go to you, as well as your entire team, for having raised the name of our region, Latin America and the Caribbean.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 122?

I now give the floor to the representative of Andorra to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.108.

On behalf of the co-facilitators, the Republic of Guatemala and the Principality of Andorra, and its sponsors, it is an honour for me to introduce, under agenda item 124, draft resolution A/78/L.108, entitled “Multilingualism”, which was sponsored by more than 90 Member States. We would first like to thank all delegations of Member States that participated actively and constructively in the negotiation of this text, as well as the States members of the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors, the Group of Friends of Spanish and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries for their support. We pay tribute to the dedication of the Coordinator for Multilingualism and thank the representatives of the Secretariat for their support. With more than 7,000 languages spoken in the world, multilingualism is essential to harmonious communication among peoples and to tolerance. Over the past three months, 11 informal negotiation meetings, open to all Member States and attended by various representatives of the Secretariat, were held from the start of the consultations. We also held numerous consultations with experts from different language groups and bilateral meetings with all interested delegations to ensure a transparent, participatory and inclusive process. We listened carefully and circulated eight versions of the text before putting the draft resolution under the silence procedure on 20 August in order to incorporate most of the proposals received. That is because multilingualism is a choice, and it is the choice that we have made in order to be understood and to understand others as we strive to achieve the objectives set out in Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations. Allow me to highlight a few new elements that we are presenting in this year’s draft resolution with a view to making progress in promoting multilingualism, which is a fundamental value and the DNA of our Organization. We welcome the publication on 28 March of the United Nations Strategic Framework on Multilingualism, the first of its kind in the Secretariat and system-wide. The draft resolution that we are considering today takes note of that long-awaited publication and calls on the Secretary-General to implement it. The publication of the Framework is a turning point for the effective implementation of multilingualism in our Organization. (spoke in Spanish) The liquidity crisis is impacting multilingualism in our Organization and the effective parity in the use of the six official languages of the United Nations, which is a matter of concern. However, with today’s draft resolution we want to highlight the progress and achievements and continue to equip ourselves with the necessary elements to further implement multilingualism as a core value of our Organization. In addition, we welcome the United Nations News team being awarded the 2022 United Nations Secretary- General Award in the category of multilingualism. We also reaffirm the crucial role of the Department of Global Communications in addressing the spread of disinformation. In that regard, it is imperative that multilingualism be integrated into the measures taken to that end requested of the Secretary-General. In order to continue to carry the message of the United Nations to all corners of the globe, we request that the Secretary- General study the feasibility of publishing Security Council press releases in all official languages, with full respect for the principle of parity. Those are some of the elements that we highlight. The biennial resolution on multilingualism was first presented to the General Assembly in 1995 and was adopted by a vote (resolution 50/11). However, in the 12 subsequent editions, we managed to adopt by consensus this crucial text for promoting one of the pillars of multilateral diplomacy. We hope that today we can once again count on the support of all delegations to adopt this draft resolution by consensus. (spoke in French) On 6 September 2000, Mr. Federico Riesco was appointed by the Secretary-General as the first Coordinator for Multilingualism following the request that we had all made in adopting by consensus resolution 54/64 on 6 December 1999, in which we asked the Secretary-General to appoint from among its senior officials a coordinator for multilingualism issues for the entire Secretariat. It would be regrettable if today, 24 years later, we had to go to a vote when asking the Secretary-General to submit a proposal to provide the Office of the Coordinator with more human resources to implement the Strategic Framework. (spoke in English) I would like to conclude by saying thank you.

It is with great honour that I speak on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) to express our strong support for the adoption of draft resolution A/78/L.108, on multilingualism. This draft resolution, the result of a collaborative negotiation process, reaffirms the fundamental value of linguistic and cultural diversity within the United Nations system and around the world. Multilingualism is not only a pillar of the United Nations system; it is also an essential principle and practice that strengthens democracy, inclusion and representation in international relations. When we advocate for multilingualism, we are defending the right of every nation, every culture and every individual to be heard, understood and respected in their native language. That practice enriches debate and promotes a deeper understanding among Member States, contributing to the building of a more just and peaceful world. As a linguistic and cultural community that brings together more than 270 million Portuguese speakers across five continents, the CPLP has an unwavering commitment to promoting multilingualism at the United Nations. We firmly believe that the presence of multiple languages within the multilateral system is not only a matter of equity but also a guarantee that the decisions made are more representative and inclusive. The draft resolution that we will adopt today is a significant milestone in that effort. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all official United Nations languages are used in a balanced manner across all its organs and processes. That is crucial to ensuring that the voices of all Member States are heard fairly and equitably. However, the impact of multilingualism extends beyond the United Nations. It reflects our global societies, where linguistic diversity is a vibrant and dynamic reality. Promoting the use of multiple languages is also promoting intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and social cohesion. It is recognizing that language is one of the pillars of cultural identity and a powerful means of transmitting knowledge, values and traditions. In adopting this draft resolution, we reaffirm our commitment to continuing to work towards a truly multilingual and multicultural United Nations system. The CPLP is committed to continuing to promote the use of the Portuguese language, alongside other official United Nations languages, as a valuable contribution to enriching global dialogue. Finally, I would like to express our gratitude to all Member States that supported this process and contributed to strengthening multilingualism within the United Nations. May this draft resolution be a symbol of our collective determination to build a future where all voices, in all languages, can be heard.

I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the Group of Friends of Spanish at the United Nations. We thank the co-facilitators of the draft text (A/78/L.108) that we will adopt today, Andorra and Guatemala, for their hard work in leading and guiding the negotiating process, as well as all the delegates who dedicated hours and efforts to arrive at a robust and meaningful text despite many obstacles. Multilingualism is at the heart of multilateralism. It is an expression of the importance attached to inclusiveness and mutual respect, which are crucial elements for transparent and effective global cooperation. The United Nations commitment to representing diverse cultures and perspectives through international dialogue is reflected in the use of multilingualism, as enshrined in its Charter. The integration of multilingualism in all areas of the work of the United Nations is a priority that is increasingly evident today. We must therefore strive to maintain a holistic approach in that regard to facilitate the equitable communication environment to which we aspire. Multilingualism is integral to the three pillars of the United Nations: peace, development and human rights. It opens doors to knowledge, understanding and the collective building of the future to which we all in this Organization aspire. It facilitates a richer exchange of ideas and contributes to finding more comprehensive solutions to the global challenges that we face. Multilingualism is not only a practical necessity but also a powerful symbol of the United Nations commitment to unity and diversity. In the previous adoption of this resolution two years ago, the Group of Friends stressed the need for the Secretariat to establish strategies and action plans to achieve the effective implementation of multilingualism as a cross-cutting principle in the work of the Organization (see A/76/PV.81). We are proud that this year we have taken action-oriented steps to address that urgent need, with the aim of achieving language parity in the Organization by putting multilingualism at the heart of multilateralism. We affirm that, in line with the fundamental principle of the United Nations to leave no one behind, the Group of Friends of Spanish remains committed to continued collaboration for the benefit of the Spanish- speaking community, our friends who speak other languages and the Organization as a whole.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors, a group that brings together countries from every continent and works tirelessly to defend full respect for linguistic diversity at the United Nations. I would like to begin by congratulating the co-facilitators of draft resolution A/78/L.108, on multilingualism, Ms. Meritxell Font Vilagines, Deputy Permanent Representative of Andorra to the United Nations, and Ms. María José del Águila Castillo, Deputy Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations, for their ambitious and remarkable work. Their commitment obliges us. It bears witness to the meaning that we attach to the values on which the multilateral system is based. Multilingualism has been enshrined several times by the General Assembly as a fundamental value of the Organization. It is at the heart of a revitalized multilateralism, for which we all call. It is key to successful international action, as well as the effective implementation of the mandates that we, the Member States, entrust to the Secretariat. In that regard, I welcome the decisive step represented by the publication of the first United Nations Strategic Framework on Multilingualism by the Secretariat in March. It focuses on eight areas for action. The first of its kind in the Secretariat and across the United Nations system, the Framework must now be implemented. The 2024 draft resolution on multilingualism submitted to the Assembly (A/78/L.108) highlights specifically the stage that has been reached and commits the Secretariat to action. In an effective and coherent manner, through paragraph 14, it calls for the strengthening of the capacities of the Office of the Coordinator for Multilingualism. Languages are at the heart of diplomacy. Multilingualism is essential for genuine dialogue among States. It is the guarantee of a multilateral system that is not only fair and balanced but also representative of the diversity of our world. We call on Member States to show unity and to support the draft resolution by consensus.

At the outset, allow me to thank the Secretary- General for his report on multilingualism (A/78/790). I would also like to thank the co-facilitators, Andorra and Guatemala, for their leadership of the negotiation process. This year, the Russian Federation was among the sponsors of draft resolution A/78/L.108, which is under consideration. As one of the core fundamental values of the United Nations, multilingualism not only contributes to the achievement of the purposes of the Charter, but it is also an essential component of multilateral diplomacy. It allows us to exchange ideas and conduct discussions in the six official languages of the United Nations. Member States should work together to ensure that multilingualism is at last reflected in all areas of United Nations work. We place some hope in the United Nations Strategic Framework on Multilingualism, which is a set of mandates and instructions of the General Assembly on this topic. Responsibility for the implementation of the Strategy rests with each unit of the Secretariat, with the Head of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management playing a coordinating role. Some of the problems that impede the achievement of parity among the six official languages have become chronic in nature. Go to any United Nations website and compare the amount of information available in English as compared to other official languages. Whatever language we agree on in resolutions on this matter, there can be no progress until we realize that we can no longer economize on multilingualism. We are marking time when we demand more and more from the Secretariat within existing resources. For that reason, during the consultations, the Russian Federation supported all proposals by delegations that involved strengthening the Secretariat’s human resources and funding in the area of multilingualism. There are other issues that are not mentioned in this draft resolution, but that still need to be resolved. In particular, we are convinced that, in order to maintain a favourable working environment for translators, the Secretariat management should listen to their views and continue to lease the Albano Building. We believe that language staff, as the main promoters of the principle of multilingualism in the United Nations, should not be subject to either the vacancy rate or the freeze on the hiring of new staff. We consider it very regrettable that the leadership of the Secretariat is saving on multilingualism, while hiding behind the financial crisis provoked by the United States delegation due to non-payment of contributions to the United Nations regular budget. We take this opportunity to call on all Member States to fulfil their financial obligations under the Charter of the United Nations in a timely manner, in full and without conditions. Of course, all the accumulated problems cannot be resolved by one resolution. However, we hope that the adoption of draft resolution A/78/L.108 will help to make multilingualism a genuine cross-cutting principle of the Organization. We regret the fact that a vote was requested on two operative paragraphs of the draft resolution. We object to a separate vote, and we call on Member States to support the draft resolution put forward by the co-facilitators.

Multilingualism is a means of promoting, protecting and preserving the diversity of languages and cultures throughout the world. In addition, multilingualism promotes unity in diversity and international harmony, tolerance and dialogue. Guatemala is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual country, in which the Mayan, Xinka, Garifuna and Ladino Indigenous Peoples live side by side. Twenty-five languages are spoken in Guatemala, 22 of which belong to the Mayan family. We would therefore like to emphasize that it has been a great honour to co-facilitate, together with the Principality of Andorra, the draft resolution under consideration under agenda item 124 (draft resolution A/78/L.108). My delegation especially appreciates the Secretary- General’s report on multilingualism (A/78/790), and we highlight in particular his supplementary information, which lists all the social media accounts and websites run by United Nations information centres, the Department of Global Communications, country teams, the Development Coordination Office, the peace and special political missions, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, among other entities. That huge effort demonstrates the importance of multilingualism as a contributing factor in multilateral diplomacy and ensures the ability to communicate with the peoples of the world in their own languages in order to reach the widest possible audience and convey the message of the United Nations to all corners of the world. We also welcome the publication of the United Nations Strategic Framework on Multilingualism, which sets out the challenges in implementing mandates related to multilingualism and reinforces the premise that the United Nations serves a multilingual international community, while setting out a strategic vision and the way forward. A coherent approach to multilingualism as a core value of the United Nations and its mainstreaming into the activities of all Secretariat entities as a means to improve the efficiency, performance and transparency of the Organization are a priority. We are aware that the available resources are limited. It is therefore commendable that the membership supports the efforts of the Secretary-General to ensure that multilingualism is safeguarded, and that it is not undermined by the cash-flow situation. In that regard, we acknowledge the efforts of the Coordinator for Multilingualism and the team of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. My delegation notes its deep commitment to supporting efforts to disseminate the Strategic Framework and to helping to improved cohesion, coordination and awareness of the respect for, and compliance with, multilingualism in a cross-cutting manner in the United Nations system. Even after each and every paragraph of the draft resolution was widely discussed with the entire membership, and is therefore equally important, we wish to highlight two such paragraphs, which, despite reflecting numerous compromises by the co-sponsors, continue to be of concern to a couple of delegations. Let me ask who could request the removal of those draft texts, which I will read out in English, being the language that was used in the negotiations. Paragraph 14 reads: (spoke in English) “Recognizes the need to strengthen the human resources capacity of the Office of the Coordinator for Multilingualism in order to facilitate successful implementation of the United Nations Strategic Framework on Multilingualism across the Secretariat in a timely manner, and requests the Secretary-General to submit a proposal in this regard, including on the revised estimates for 2025 and the proposed programme budget for 2026 and thereafter, in accordance within existing procedures, in particular rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly”. I do not understand how someone can wish to delete that, as well as paragraph 48, which reads: “Reaffirms the crucial role of the Department of Global Communications in addressing the spread of misinformation, disinformation and information manipulation, and in supporting the efforts of the United Nations system to eradicate hate speech, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that multilingualism is integrated into efforts taken in that regard and report thereon in the context of the upcoming review of the Department of Global Communications”. (spoke in Spanish) We thank the more than 90 countries that co-sponsored the draft resolution, entitled “Multilingualism”. We call on all members to join us in adopting it, as reflected in document A/78/L.108.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/78/L.108. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

The following oral statement is made in the context of rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. Under the terms of paragraphs 8, 14, 33, 48 and 50 of draft resolution A/78/L.108, the General Assembly would “Request the Secretary-General to ensure that further updates of the Procurement Manual are reflected in all six official language versions in an appropriate time frame [paragraph 8]; “Recognize the need to strengthen the human resources capacity of the Office of Coordinator for Multilingualism in order to facilitate successful implementation of the United Nations Strategic Framework on Multilingualism across the Secretariat in a timely manner, and requests the Secretary-General to submit a proposal in this regard, including on the revised estimates for 2025 and the proposed programme budget for 2026 and thereafter, in accordance within existing procedures, in particular rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly [paragraph 14]; “Regret that to date Security Council press statements are issued only in English and French and highlight the importance of these being issued in all official languages, in full respect of the principle of parity, and requests the Secretary- General to study the feasibility of issuing the press statements in all official languages and to report thereon in the context of the upcoming review of the Department of Global Communications [paragraph 33]; “Reaffirm the crucial role of the Department of Global Communications in addressing the spread of misinformation, disinformation and information manipulation, and in supporting the efforts of the United Nations system to eradicate hate speech, and request the Secretary-General to ensure that multilingualism is integrated into efforts taken in that regard and report thereon in the context of the upcoming review of the Department of Global Communications [paragraph 48]; and “Stress the need to treat the six official languages on the websites, social media and other web-based communication tools equally, and decide to limit the practice of granting waivers from the Department of Global Communications to Secretariat entities when establishing and maintaining websites on the un.org domain to a maximum period of six months and stress the importance of including in the next report of the Secretary-General the number of waivers granted and follow-up on the websites after the waiver has expired [paragraph 50].” The requests contained in the draft resolution would entail new activities in 2025 and subsequent years for the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, the Department of Global Communications and the Department of Operational Support. Pursuant to the request contained in operative paragraph 8, reflecting further updates of the Procurement Manual in all six official languages would require additional resources in the range of $50,000 to $60,000 for 2025 and in subsequent years when the Manual will be further updated, for which details for 2025 would be provided in a revised estimates report to be presented at the main part of the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly, and thereafter in the proposed programme budgets for consideration by the General Assembly in the applicable years. Pursuant to the request contained in paragraph 14, the Secretariat would submit, in the context of a revised estimates report for 2025, a proposal to strengthen the human resources capacity of the Office of the Coordinator for Multilingualism in order to facilitate successful implementation of the United Nations Strategic Framework on Multilingualism across the Secretariat in a timely manner. It is estimated at this stage that strengthening the human resources capacity of the Office of the Coordinator for Multilingualism would require additional resources for 2025 and beyond in the range of $130,000 to $210,000, for which details would be provided in the context of a revised estimates report to be presented at the main part of seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly. Pursuant to the request contained in paragraph 33, the Secretariat would study the feasibility of issuing Security Council press statements in all official languages and would report thereon in the context of the review of the Department of Global Communications. Subject to the outcomes of the feasibility study, any programme budget implications would be reflected in the context of future proposed programme budgets. Pursuant to the request contained in paragraph 48, the Department of Global Communications would report on means to ensure that multilingualism is integrated into its efforts to address the spread of misinformation, disinformation and information manipulation, and to support the efforts of the United Nations system to eradicate hate speech, in the context of the review of the Department of Global Communications. Subject to the outcomes of the review, any programme budget implications would be reflected in the context of future proposed programme budgets. Pursuant to the decision in paragraph 50, the Secretariat understands that the decision would be applicable only to new requests for the establishment and maintenance of new websites received following the adoption of the resolution, which may result in budgetary implications. The budgetary implications would be presented in the context of future proposed programme budgets, as applicable, under the respective budget section of the website author entity.

I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become co-sponsors of A/78/L.108: Albania, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, the Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, the Comoros, the Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Zambia.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.108, entitled “Multilingualism”. Separate recorded votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 14 and 48 of the draft resolution. The Russian Federation has made an objection to the motion for division, that is, an objection to the request for two separate votes. I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

I would like to once again note that the Russian Federation will vote against the proposal for separate votes, and we call on all sponsors of draft resolution A/78/L.108, as well as all other delegations concerned about the issue of multilingualism at the United Nations, to also vote against a separate recorded vote.

In accordance with rule 89, I shall now put to the vote the motion for division.

We shall now turn to the draft resolution as a whole. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.108 as a whole?

We shall continue the consideration of agenda item 124 this afternoon at 3 p.m. in this Hall to hear the explanations of vote after the voting.