A/78/PV.49 General Assembly

The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 15 to 23, 59, 120 and 135. I now request the Rapporteur of the Committee, Mr. Ivaylo Gatev of Bulgaria, to introduce the reports of the Committee in one intervention. Mr. Gatev (Bulgaria), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: It is an honour for me to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items allocated to it by the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session. These reports, contained in documents A/78/458 to A/78/469, include the texts of draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Second Committee to the General Assembly for adoption. For the convenience of delegations, a checklist of action taken in the Committee has been prepared and circulated by the Secretariat in document A/C.2/78/INF/1. At its first meeting at the seventy-eight session, on 28 September, the Second Committee approved the working arrangements of the Committee for the seventy- eighth session, as set out in the organization of work of the Committee, contained in A/C.2/78/L.1. As a result, during this main part of the seventy-eighth session of the General Assembly, the Second Committee held 25 plenary meetings, including its joint meeting with the Economic and Social Council, as well as one side event. The Committee also held its annual dialogue with the Executive Secretaries of the Regional Commissions. The Second Committee adopted a total of 43 draft resolutions, eight of which were adopted by recorded vote, and two draft decisions on the revitalization of the Committee’s work. Under agenda item 15, entitled “Information and communications technologies for sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/458, paragraph 11, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 16, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions”, the reports of the Committee is issued in nine parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/78/459, and the recommendations are contained in the chapeau, as well as in the addenda. Under the chapeau of item 16, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459, paragraph 9, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 16 (a), entitled “International trade and development”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459/Add.1, paragraph 25, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item 16 (b), entitled “International financial system and development”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459/Add.2, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 16 (c), entitled “External debt sustainability and development”, the Committee recommends in document A/78/459/Add. 3, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 16 (d), entitled “Commodities”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459/ Add.4, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 16 (e), entitled “Financial inclusion for sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459/Add.5, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 16 (f), entitled “Promotion of international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and strengthen good practices on assets return to foster sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459/Add.6, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 16 (g), entitled “Promoting investments for sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459/Add.7, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 16 (h), entitled “Promotion of inclusive and effective international cooperation on tax matters at the United Nations”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/459/Add.8, paragraph 12, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 17, entitled “Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development”, the Committee recommends in document A/78/460, paragraph 12, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 18, entitled “Sustainable development”, the report of the Committee is issued in 11 parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/78/461 and the recommendations are contained in the chapeau, as well as in the addenda. Under the chapeau of agenda item 18, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/461, paragraph 53, the adoption of nine draft resolutions. Under sub-item 18 (a), entitled “Towards the achievement of sustainable development: implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through sustainable consumption and production, building on Agenda 21”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/461/Add.1, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (b), entitled “Follow-up to and implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”, the Second Committee recommends in document A/78/461/Add.2, paragraph 8, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (c), entitled “Disaster risk reduction”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.3, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (d), entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.4, paragraph 11, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (e), entitled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.5, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (f), entitled “Convention on Biological Diversity”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.6, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (g), entitled “Education for sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.7, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (h), entitled “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.8, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (i), entitled “Combating sand and dust storms”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.9, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 18 (j), entitled “Strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/461/Add.10, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 19, entitled “Globalization and interdependence”, the report of the Committee is issued in four parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/78/462, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under sub-item 19 (a), entitled “Science, technology and innovation for sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/462/Add.1, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 19 (b), entitled “Culture and sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/462/Add.2, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 19 (c), entitled “Development cooperation with middle-income countries”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/462/Add.3, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 20, entitled “Groups of countries in special situations”, the report of the Committee is issued in three parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/78/463, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under sub-item 20 (a), entitled “Follow-up to the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/463/Add.1, paragraph 8, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 20 (b), entitled “Follow-up to the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/463/Add.2, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 21, entitled “Eradication of poverty and other development issues”, the report of the Committee is issued in three parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/78/464, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under sub-item 21 (a), entitled “Implementation of the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027)”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/464/Add.1, paragraph 8, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 21 (b), entitled “Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/464/Add.2, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 22, entitled “Operational activities for development”, the report of the Committee is issued in three parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/78/465, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under sub-item 22 (a), entitled “Operational activities for development of the United Nations system”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/465/Add.1, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 22 (b), entitled “South-South cooperation for development”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/465/Add.2, paragraph 7, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 23, entitled “Agriculture development, food security and nutrition”, the report of the Committee is issued in three parts. The report under the chapeau is contained in document A/78/466, and the recommendations are contained in the following addenda. Under sub-item 23 (a), entitled “Agriculture development, food security and nutrition”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/466/Add.1, paragraph 8, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item 23 (b), entitled “Natural plant fibres and sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/466/Add.2, paragraph 6, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 59, entitled “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/467, paragraph 16, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 120, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, the Second Committee recommends, in document A/78/468, paragraph 7, the adoption of two draft decisions. Under agenda item 135, the last agenda item, entitled “Programme planning”, as indicated in paragraph 2 of document A/78/469, no action was required on the item. That concludes my introduction of the reports of the Second Committee before the Assembly. Although it was not possible to find consensus on all the texts negotiated in the Committee, all delegations demonstrated a strong commitment to achieving the best possible outcome in support of our common goals, thereby enabling the Committee to conclude its work on time. In conclusion, on behalf of the Bureau of the Second Committee, I would like to express our appreciation to all the facilitators and coordinators and to all delegations for their constructive participation and engagement throughout the session. I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the leadership of the Chair of the Committee, His Excellency Ambassador Carlos Amorín of Uruguay, who led us with a steady hand, but also with a great sense of humour, even if — I must admit — I was sometimes a little slow on the uptake. I also wish to recognize the work of the Committee Vice-Chairs, namely, Mr. Jeswuni Abudu- Birresborn of Ghana, Mr. Diego Antonino Cimino of Italy, and Ms. Nichamon May Hsieh of Thailand. It has been a privilege and a great pleasure to serve alongside them all. I also express my gratitude to Ms. Stefany Romero Veiga for always being available to discuss matters relating to the Committee’s work. Let me also express the gratitude of the Bureau to the Secretary of the Second Committee, Ms. Emer Heriti, and her team from the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management  — Lesley Brough, Rachel Stein-Holmes and Chihiro Mitsuda — for their support and guidance, as well as to Neil Pierre, Fred Soltau and Joop Theunissen of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and other substantive offices that supported the work of the Committee. Finally, I take this opportunity to wish all delegations very happy holidays and some much- deserved rest.

I thank the Rapporteur of the Second Committee. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. Therefore, if there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Committee that are before the Assembly today.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. May I remind members that in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee, and that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. When there are multiple proposals under an agenda item, statements in explanation of vote or position before the voting on any or all of them should be made in one intervention, followed by action on all of them, one by one. Thereafter, there will be an opportunity for statements in explanation after decisions on any or all of them in one intervention. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Committee, I would like to advise representatives that we will proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. That means that where separate or recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Committee. The results of the voting will be uploaded on the e-deleGATE portal under plenary announcements. I would like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat entitled “List of proposals contained in the reports of the Second Committee for consideration by the General Assembly”, which has been issued as document A/C.2/78/INF/1. Members are reminded that additional co-sponsors are no longer accepted now that draft resolutions and decisions have been adopted in the Committee. Any clarification about co-sponsorship should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee. Furthermore, any corrections to the voting intentions of delegations after the voting has concluded on a proposal should be addressed directly to the Secretariat after the meeting. I count on the cooperation of members in avoiding any interruptions to our proceedings in that regard.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 15?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 16. (a) International trade and development Report of the Second Committee (A/78/459/ Add.1)

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 25 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “International trade and development”. Separate recorded votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 28 and 29. I shall first put the vote operative paragraph 28.

I now put to the vote operative paragraph 29 of draft resolution I.

The Committee adopted draft resolution I as a whole without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”. A recorded vote has been requested.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 16?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 16?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 16?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 16?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 16? (f) Promotion of international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and strengthen good practices on assets return to foster sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/78/459/Add.6)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 16? (g) Promoting investments for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/78/459/Add.7)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 16? (h) Promotion of inclusive and effective international cooperation on tax matters at the United Nations Report of the Second Committee (A/78/459/Add.8)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. I would like to inform members that action on the draft resolution is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (h) of agenda item 16.

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. I would like to inform members that action on the draft resolution is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 17.

The Assembly has before it nine draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 53 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to IX, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “International cooperation and coordination for the human and ecological rehabilitation and economic development of the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan”. The Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Oil slick on Lebanese shores”. A recorded vote has been requested.

Draft resolution III is entitled “Agricultural technology for sustainable development”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Indonesia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against; the delegation of Senegal informed the Secretariat that it had intended to not participate in the voting.]

Draft resolution IV is entitled “Sustainable and resilient tourism and sustainable development in Central America and the Dominican Republic”. The Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution V is entitled “Cooperative measures to assess and increase awareness of environmental effects related to waste originating from chemical munitions dumped at sea”. The Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution VI is entitled “Central Asia facing environmental challenges: fostering regional solidarity for sustainable development and prosperity”. The Committee adopted draft resolution VI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution VII is entitled “Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. The Committee adopted draft resolution VII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution VIII is entitled “The pivotal role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in driving sustainable development”. The Committee adopted draft resolution VIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft resolution IX is entitled “Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls for realizing all Sustainable Development Goals”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of China, Jamaica and Mali informed the Secretariat that they had intended to abstain.]

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 18. (a) Towards the achievement of sustainable development: implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through sustainable consumption and production, building on Agenda 21 Report of the Second Committee (A/78/461/ Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report, entitled “Promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on Agenda 21”. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 18? (b) Follow-up to and implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States Report of the Second Committee (A/78/461/Add.2)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. I should like to inform members that action on the draft resolution is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 18. (c) Disaster risk reduction Report of the Second Committee (A/78/461/Add.3)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 18. (d) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind Report of the Second Committee (A/78/461/Add.4)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A separate recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 16.

The Committee adopted the draft resolution as a whole without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 18. (e) Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa Report of the Second Committee (A/78/461/Add.5)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 18?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report, entitled “Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its contribution to sustainable development”. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 18?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report, entitled “Education for sustainable development in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 18? (h) Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Report of the Second Committee (A/78/461/Add.8)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (h) of agenda item 18?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 18. (j) Strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/78/461/Add.10)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

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

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is not party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Therefore, its norms are not applicable when it comes to conventional law or customary law, except for those that the Venezuelan State has recognized or will recognize in the future, by incorporating them into its national legislation. Venezuela believes that UNCLOS is not universal, unlike other instruments. Consequently, our consistent position in various international forums has been that the Convention should not be considered the only legal framework that regulates all activities carried out in the seas and oceans. There are other international instruments, which, along with the Convention, we believe constitute the legal framework for the “law of the sea”. For the sake of consensus, however, our delegation voted in favour of resolutions 78/146 and 78/159. Nonetheless, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its reservations about the references made to UNCLOS in the resolutions.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude it consideration of sub-item (j) of agenda item 18?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 19. (a) Science, technology and innovation for sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/78/462/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 19?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 19? (c) Development cooperation with middle-income countries Report of the Second Committee (A/78/462/Add.3)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 19 and agenda item 19, as a whole?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 20. (a) Follow-up to the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/78/463/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. I should like to inform members that action on the draft resolution is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on the draft resolution as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 20. (b) Follow-up to the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries Report of the Second Committee (A/78/463/Add.2)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 20.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 21. (a) Implementation of the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027) Report of the Second Committee (A/78/464/Add.1).

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 21? (b) Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Report of the Second Committee (A/78/464/Add.2)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 21 and item 21 as a whole?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 22. (a) Operational activities for development of the United Nations system Report of the Second Committee (A/78/465/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 22?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report, entitled “South- South cooperation”. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 22 and item 22 as a whole?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee? It was so decided.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 23. (a) Agriculture development, food security and nutrition Report of the Second Committee (A/78/466/Add.1)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) under agenda item 23? (b) Natural plant fibres and sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (A/78/466/Add.2)

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 23 and agenda item 23 as a whole?

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 16 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 59?

The Assembly has before it two draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We will now take decisions on draft decisions I and II, one by one. Draft decision I is entitled “Revitalization of the work of the Second Committee”. The Committee adopted draft decision I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Draft decision II is entitled “Draft programme of work of the Second Committee for the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly”. The Committee adopted draft decision II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 120.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Committee?.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 135. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee before it for this meeting. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Carlos Amorín of Uruguay, Chair of the Second Committee, the members of the Bureau, representatives and the Secretary of the Committee for a job well done.