| Date | 20 December 1995 |
|---|---|
| Started | 10:00 |
| Ended | 12:55 |
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Reports of the Second Committee
The President
This morning the Assembly will consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 94, 95 (a) to (k), 96 (a), (b) and (d) to (f), 97 to 102, and 12.
I request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention.
Mr. Zoubi (Jordan)
I have the honour to present to the General Assembly for its consideration the following reports of the Second Committee.
Under agenda item 94, "Macroeconomic policy questions", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 20 of document A/50/616 the adoption of three draft resolutions and in paragraph 21 the adoption of one draft decision.
Document A/50/617 contains the introduction to agenda item 95, "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation".
I would like to make two small corrections to paragraph 3 of the English text of document A/50/617. In the sixth line, the words "and 36th" should be replaced by "to 37th". Also, in the following line, the words "16 November" should read "16 and 17 November" and in the eighth line "A/C.2/50/SR.30-36" should read "A/C.2/50/SR.30-37".
Under agenda item 95 (a), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: trade and development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 21 of document A/50/617/Add.1 the adoption of four draft resolutions, and in paragraph 22 the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 95 (b), "Sustainable development and international economic development: human settlements", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 6 of document A/50/617/Add.2 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 95 (c), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 9 of document A/50/617/Add.3 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 10 the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 95 (d), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: science and technology for development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 11 of document A/50/617/Add.4 the adoption of two draft resolutions.
Under agenda item 95 (e), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 9 of document A/50/617/Add.5 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 10 the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 95 (f), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: women in development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.6 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 95 (g), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: human resources development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 6 of document A/50/617/Add.7 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 95 (h), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: business and development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.8 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 95 (i), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: international cooperation for the eradication of poverty in developing countries", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 8 of document A/50/617/Add.9 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 95 (j), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.10 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 95 (k), "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: food and sustainable agriculture", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.11 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under the chapeau of agenda item 95, "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 8 of document A/50/617/Add.12 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 9 the adoption of one draft decision.
Document A/50/618 contains the introduction to agenda item 96, "Environment and sustainable development".
Under agenda item 96 (a), "Environment and sustainable development: implementation of decisions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 20 of document A/50/618/Add.1, the adoption of three draft resolutions and in paragraph 21 the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 96 (b), "Environment and sustainable development: desertification and drought", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 8 of document A/50/618/Add.2 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 9 the adoption of two draft decisions.
Under agenda item 96 (d), "Environment and sustainable development: protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/618/Add.3 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 96 (e), "Environment and sustainable development: implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 6 of document A/50/618/Add.4 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 96 (f), "Environment and sustainable development: International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 11 of document A/50/618/Add.5 the adoption of two draft resolutions and in paragraph 12 the adoption of one draft decision.
Under the chapeau of agenda item 96, "Environment and sustainable development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/618/Add.6 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 8, the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 97, "Operational activities for development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 17 of document A/50/619 the adoption of three draft resolutions and in paragraph 18 the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 98, "Training and research: United Nations Institute for Training and Research", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 9 of document A/50/620 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Document A/50/621 contains the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 99, "Agenda for development". The Committee took no action under this item.
Under agenda item 100, "Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 10 of document A/50/622 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 101, "International migration and development, including the convening of a United Nations conference on international migration and development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 9 of document A/50/623 the adoption of one draft resolution. In connection with this report, I should like to make two small corrections to paragraph 7. The symbols of the documents cited in that paragraph should refer to the fiftieth session of the General Assembly and should therefore read "A/C.2/50/L.12" and "A/C.2/50/L.26".
Under agenda item 102, "Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development", the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 10 of document A/50/624 the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 12, "Report of the Economic and Social Council", the General Assembly has before it Part II of the report of the Second Committee, contained in document A/50/615/Add.1. In paragraph 26 of that report the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of five draft resolutions and in paragraph 27 the adoption of two draft decisions.
Under this item, the Assembly also has before it document A/50/615/Add.2, in paragraph 4 of which the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft decision.
I should like to inform the General Assembly that during this session the Second Committee adopted 42 draft proposals, all of which except two were adopted by consensus.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Second Committee for their contribution to the work of the Committee, and also to pay tribute to the Chairman, His Excellency Mr. Goce Petreski of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and to the two Vice-Chairmen, Mr. Conor Murphy of Ireland and Mr. Max Stadhagen González of Nicaragua, for their diligence and dedication throughout the session and for the manner in which they steered our meetings to a successful conclusion. I would like to add that it was an educational experience for me to work closely with these three fine gentlemen. My thanks go also to the members of the Secretariat for their unswerving assistance and endeavours.
The President
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 Second Committee that are before it today.
The President
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position.
The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Second Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the General Assembly agreed that
"When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee".
May I also remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Second Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we shall proceed to take decisions in the same manner as in the Committee. This means that where recorded votes were taken we will do the same. I would also hope that the Assembly may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Second Committee.
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of its report and on the draft decision recommended in paragraph 21.
We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "Global financial integration: challenges and opportunities".
Draft resolution I was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I consider that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "Enhancing international cooperation towards a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries".
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II.
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
Draft resolution III is entitled "Sources for the financing of development".
Draft resolution III was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
We turn now to the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 21 of document A/50/616. The draft decision is entitled "Documents relating to macroeconomic policy questions".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 94?
Agenda item 95
Sustainable development and international economic cooperation
Report of the Second Committee (Parts I and XIII) (A/50/617 and A/50/617/Add.12)
The President
The Assembly will first consider Part I of the report of the Second Committee (A/50/617).
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of Part I of the report of the Second Committee?
The President
We now turn to Part XIII of the report of the Second Committee (A/50/617/Add.12).
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of Part XIII of its report and on the draft decision recommended in paragraph 9.
The Assembly will first turn to the draft resolution, "Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa".
The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Assembly will now turn to the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part XIII of its report. The draft decision is entitled "Report of the Secretary-General on the programme for the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
(a) Trade and development
Report of the Second Committee (Part II) (A/50/617/Add.1)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 21 of Part II of its report and on the draft decision recommended in paragraph 22.
The Assembly will first turn to draft resolution I, entitled "International trade and development".
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "Economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries".
We shall now begin the voting process.
| favour |
| against |
| abstain |
| absent |
Draft resolution II was adopted by 100 votes to 30, with 22 abstentions (resolution 50/96).
favour=100 against=30 abstain=22 absent=33
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The President
Draft resolution III is entitled "Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of land-locked developing countries".
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development".
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
We now turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 22 of the report, which the Second Committee recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
The draft decision is entitled "Note by the Secretary-General on negotiations on an international code of conduct on transfer of technology".
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
I now call on the representative of Spain, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.
Ms. Menendez (Spain)
I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union following the adoption of draft resolution III in document A/50/617/Add.1, entitled, "Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of land-locked developing countries".
The European Union joined the consensus on this resolution, but wishes to make it clear that we do not believe that geographical conditions in themselves can be the basis for creating a category of countries. The European Union therefore reiterates that it does not recognize the category of "land-locked developing country" as a separate and distinct category in the context of the United Nations.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 95?
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of Part III of its report.
The draft resolution, entitled "Commission on Human Settlements", was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 95?
(c) United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)
Report of the Second Committee (Part IV) (A/50/617/Add.3)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part IV of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10.
We turn first to the draft resolution contained in paragraph 9 of Part IV of the report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
We now turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 10 of Part IV of the report. The draft decision is entitled "Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the regional commissions on the preparations for the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) at the regional level".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 95?
(d) Science and technology for development
Report of the Second Committee (Part V) (A/50/617/Add.4)
The President
We turn now to the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 11 of Part V of its report.
Draft resolution I is entitled "Science and technology for development".
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "United Nations system support for science and technology in Africa".
Draft resolution II was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
I now call on the representative of the United States, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.
Mr. Dugan (United States)
The United States delegation wishes to register a reservation on operative paragraph 4 of the draft resolution entitled "Science and technology for development", contained on page 9 of document A/50/617/Add.40.
The United States delegation wishes to reaffirm that whenever the term "sustained economic growth" appears in the draft resolution, it is the understanding of the United States that the term refers to growth in the context of sustainable development. This would be consistent with paragraph 6 of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development as affirmed at the World Summit for Social Development. The Copenhagen paragraph reads as follows:
"We are deeply convinced that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development, which is the framework for our efforts to achieve a higher quality of life for all people ...." (A/CONF.166/9, annex I)
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 95?
(e) Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s
Report of the Second Committee (Part VI) (A/50/617/Add.5)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part VI of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10.
We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled "Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s". The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The draft decision is entitled "Report of the Secretary-General on the mid-term global review of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 95?
(f) Women in development
Report of the Second Committee (Part VII) (A/50/617/Add.6)
The President
We turn now to the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 7 of Part VII of its report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of position.
Ms. Menendez (Spain)
The European Union joined in the consensus on the draft resolution in document A/50/617/Add.6, entitled "Women in development", despite the fact that there is no reference in the draft resolution to paragraph 51 of the Platform for Action adopted at Beijing. We would have liked to see such a reference included in the preamble to the draft resolution.
Mr. Cabactulan (Philippines)
The Group of 77 and China welcomes the adoption of the draft resolution entitled "Women in development". We believe that the sixth preambular paragraph deals with the question of overall discrimination against women, including discriminatory practices against women on the issue of inheritance.
While we recognize the continued discrimination against women, we believe that the issue of inheritance should not be addressed out of context. We believe also that the Beijing Conference struck a balance and a formulation that should be acceptable to all.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 95?
(g) Human resources development
Report of the Second Committee (Part VIII) (A/50/617/Add.7)
The President
We turn now to the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 6 of Part VIII of its report. The draft resolution is entitled "Developing human resources for development".
The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 95?
(h) Business and development
Report of the Second Committee (Part IX) (A/50/617/Add.8)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 7 of Part IX of its report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration sub-item (h) of agenda item 95?
(i) International cooperation for the eradication of poverty in developing countries
Report of the Second Committee (Part X) (A/50/617/Add.9)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of Part X of its report.
The draft resolution is entitled "Observance of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty and proclamation of the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty".
The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 95?
(j) United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation
Report of the Second Committee (Part XI) (A/50/617/Add.10)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part XI of its report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (j) of agenda item 95?
(k) Food and sustainable agricultural development
Report of the Second Committee (Part XII) (A/50/617/Add.11)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part XII of its report.
The draft resolution, entitled "World Food Summit", was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (k) of agenda item 95 and of agenda item 95 as a whole?
Agenda item 96 (continued)
Environment and sustainable development
Report of the Second Committee (Parts I and VII) (A/50/618 and A/50/618/Add.6)
The President
We shall first consider Part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 96 (A/50/618).
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of Part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 96?
The President
We now turn to Part VII of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 96 (A/50/618/Add.6).
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part VII of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8.
The Assembly will turn first to the draft resolution entitled "Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme".
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of the report.
The draft decision is entitled "Report of the Secretary-General on products harmful to health and the environment".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
(a) Implementation of decisions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
Report of the Second Committee (Part II) (A/50/618/Add.1)
Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/831)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of Part II of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 21.
The Assembly will turn first to the three draft resolutions contained in paragraph 20 of Part II of its report.
Draft resolution I is entitled "Convention on Biological Diversity".
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "Elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa".
Draft resolution II was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution III is entitled "Special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21".
The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of this draft resolution is contained in document A/50/831.
The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
We turn now to the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 21 of Part II of its report.
The draft decision is entitled "Notes by the Secretary-General on the elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 96?
(b) Desertification and drought
Report of the Second Committee (Part III) (A/50/618/Add.2)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of Part III of its report and on the two draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9.
We turn first to the draft resolution contained in paragraph 8 of Part III of the report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
We turn now to the two draft decisions recommended for adoption by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part II of its report.
Draft decision I is entitled "Report of the Secretary-General on observance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: implementation of General Assembly resolution 49/115".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision I?
The President
Draft decision II is entitled "Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme on the overall implementation of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, including implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region".
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 96?
(d) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind
Report of the Second Committee (Part IV) (A/50/618/Add.3)
Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/823)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part IV of its report.
The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/50/823.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 96?
(e) Implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
Report of the Second Committee (Part V) (A/50/618/Add.4)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of Part V of its report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 96?
(f) International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction
Report of the Second Committee (Part VI) (A/50/618/Add.5)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions A and B, recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of Part VI of its report, and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12.
We turn first to draft resolution A, contained in paragraph 11 of Part VI of the report. It is entitled "International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction".
Draft resolution A was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
We turn now to draft resolution B, also on the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
Draft resolution B was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Mr. Dlamini (Swaziland)
I apologize for interrupting the President while he is performing his noble task here in the Assembly. However, my delegation would like to place it on record that we do not have the English versions of some of the documents on which the President is asking the Assembly to take action. If you intend to conclude the voting at this time, Mr. President, I thought you should know that, because of the lack of documents, not all delegations are able to participate in the decisions knowledgeably.
The President
I have made inquiries and have been informed that all the documents being considered were made available prior to this meeting.
Mr. Dlamini (Swaziland)
I regret to say that, despite that confirmation from the President, I have been to the documents desk several times and have been told that the English set of documents is incomplete. The documents officer told me that they are expecting the missing documents. I can produce the officer to whom I talked. It is not the habit of my delegation to make any statement that is untrue.
I have given a paper to the documents officer, who has been here, at our seat, which lists the documents we do not have, and, in addition, I have personally gone to the documents desk. I have a few of the documents, but I do not have the lot.
The President
I have been informed by the Secretariat that they were convinced that all the relevant documents had been distributed to all delegations. Perhaps there has been a mistake that affected only the delegation of Swaziland. May I crave the indulgence of the representative of Swaziland in allowing us to proceed with the meeting.
Mr. Dlamini (Swaziland)
I wish to crave the indulgence of the President. Our purpose in drawing the President's attention to this situation was not in any way to hinder the progress of the Assembly but merely to place it on record that we do not have the English versions of some of the documents and that we have fully confirmed and reconfirmed this.
With due respect to the presidency, my delegation will yield to the President's persuasiveness, but I must insist that the matter I have raised be placed on the record.
The President
I thank the representative of Swaziland.
We turn now to the draft decision entitled "Report of the Secretary-General concerning the core functions of the secretariat of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction submitted pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/47 B", which is recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 12 of document A/50/618/Add.5.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 96 and of agenda item 96 as a whole?
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 17 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 18.
We turn first to the three draft resolutions in paragraph 17 of the report.
Draft resolution I, "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution II, "Economic and technical cooperation among developing countries and a United Nations conference on South-South cooperation", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution III, "Triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
We now turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 18 of document A/50/619. It is entitled "Documents relating to operational activities for development".
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 97?
Agenda item 98
Training and Research: United Nations Institute For Training and Research
Report of the Second Committee (A/50/620)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report.
The draft resolution, entitled "United Nations Institute for Training and Research", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
I call on the representative of Spain, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of vote.
Ms. Menendez (Spain)
I am speaking on behalf of the European Union.
The European Union joined in the consensus on the draft resolution contained in document A/50/620, on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. However, we wish to reiterate that we feel that this item should be considered and studied biennially and not annually, as at present -- especially since the other question under this agenda item, namely, the United Nations University, has been considered biennially for some time.
We sincerely hope that next year, with further progress made in the Institute's restructuring, serious consideration will be given to examining this item biennially.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 98?
The President
In paragraph 4, of its report, the Second Committee informs the Assembly that no action was taken by the Committee under agenda item 99.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the report of the Second Committee and to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99?
Agenda item 100
Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership
Report of the Second Committee (A/50/622)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
I now call on the representative of Indonesia, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote.
Mr. Poernomo (Indonesia)
My delegation is particularly enthusiastic about speaking now because we know that, with the agreement reached at this session of the General Assembly to renew the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership, a further step has been taken towards the implementation of the resolution on this subject. The resolution, which calls, inter alia, for the holding of a high-level dialogue for a period of two days at the fifty-first session of the General Assembly on the theme of the social and economic impact of globalization and interdependence and their policy implications, constitutes an important landmark that we have been advocating over the past two years.
The adoption of this resolution demonstrates the international community's determination to recognize that in promoting development in these vastly changed times, with rapidly growing interdependence, there is no alternative to a constructive dialogue based on the imperatives of mutual interest and benefits, shared responsibilities and genuine interdependence. We believe that the much-lauded spirit of partnership, which has been manifested in numerous intergovernmental forums over the past two years, will be further strengthened and more broadly embraced when such a dialogue is held in the General Assembly.
We consider that this first dialogue is a critical and necessary step towards ensuring that the process of fulfilling the commitments to cooperation for development will steadily move forward. In this respect, we believe it is indispensable that the preparations for the dialogue be undertaken well in advance by the Secretariat. I should add that since this is the first of a series of dialogues it is extremely important that we succeed. We should therefore spare no effort to ensure a successful outcome.
I would like to stress one further point: the linkages between the work of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on the Agenda for Development, on the one hand, and the dialogue, on the other, as stated in the resolution. Obviously, the dialogue and the Agenda should be mutually supportive. Indeed, the renewal of such a dialogue could well serve as a critical instrument for implementing the Agenda for Development; and the Agenda should greatly help by providing a supportive framework for conducting the dialogue within the United Nations. As such, the dialogue would also help to bolster the central role of the General Assembly in advancing international economic cooperation for development.
Having said that, I would only like to add that my delegation looks forward to the first high-level dialogue, which is to take place at the fifty-first session of the General Assembly. Thus, we would like to express our readiness to actively participate in the dialogue, to which we attach great importance, especially in the pursuit of our common objective of improving the well-being of all mankind.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100?
Agenda item 101
International migration and development, including the convening of a United Nations conference on international migration and development
Report of the Second Committee (A/50/623)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report.
The draft resolution, entitled "International migration and development", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 101?
Agenda item 102
Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development
Report of the Second Committee (A/50/624)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report.
The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 102?
Agenda item 12 (continued)
Report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Second Committee (Parts I and III) (A/50/615/Add.1 and Add.2)
The President
I now draw members' attention to Parts II and III of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 12 (A/50/615/Add.1 and Add.2), which concerns the report of the Economic and Social Council.
I shall put the recommendations of the Second Committee to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have the opportunity to explain their vote or position.
The President
We first turn to part II of the report (A/50/615/Add.1).
The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions contained in paragraph 26 of Part II of the report and two draft decisions contained in paragraph 27.
The Assembly will first take a decision on the five draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 26 of Part II of its report.
Draft resolution I, entitled "Water supply and sanitation", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution II, entitled "Target for World Food Programme pledges for the period 1997-1998", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
Draft resolution III, entitled "Preventive action and intensification of the struggle against malaria in developing countries, particularly in Africa", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, occupied since 1967, and on the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan".
We shall now begin the voting process.
| favour |
| against |
| abstain |
| absent |
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 126 votes to 2, with 28 abstentions (resolution 50/129).
favour=126 against=2 abstain=28 absent=29
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The President
Draft resolution V, entitled "Communication for development programmes in the United Nations system", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
We shall now turn to the two draft decisions contained in paragraph 27 of document A/50/615/Add.1.
Draft decision I is entitled "United Nations Population Fund: institutional arrangements".
Draft decision I was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft decision II, entitled "Documents relating to the report of the Economic and Social Council", was adopted by the Second Committee.
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
We now turn to Part III of the report (A/50/615/Add.2).
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 4 of Part III of its report.
The draft decision is entitled "Biennial programme of work of the Second Committee for 1996-1997".
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of the chapters of the report of the Economic and Social Council allocated to the Second Committee?
The President
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee.
Agenda item 34
United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa
Report of the Secretary-General (A/50/750)
Draft resolution (A/50/L.65)
The President
I now call on the representative of Norway, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa, to introduce draft resolution A/50/L.65.
Mr. Biřrn Lian (Norway)
In my capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa (UNETPSA), I am pleased to introduce the report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/50/750 and the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.65. I have been informed that since the draft resolution was printed, some additional countries have indicated that they will co-sponsor it. These countries are: Guyana, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America. This wide range of co-sponsoring countries from different regional groups reflects the broad support of the international community for the important work of this Programme.
I would like to point out at the outset that this will be the final report submitted to the General Assembly. As soon as its recommendations are endorsed and the attendant resolution adopted by the General Assembly, UNETPSA will cease to be considered as a General Assembly item. Allow me therefore to provide a brief historical overview of the Programme.
By resolution 2349 (XXII) of December 1967, UNETPSA was established by integrating earlier special programmes aimed at assisting persons from Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe and from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique while the countries were under Portuguese administration. The following year, by resolution 2431 (XXIII), the Trust Fund for UNETPSA and the Advisory Committee were established. Norway has consistently been one of the major donors to the Trust Fund and in 1980 succeeded Canada as Chair of the Advisory Committee.
Over the last 27 years since its inception, UNETPSA has trained close to 10,000 individuals from southern Africa. The Programme can be proud of having trained individuals who later assumed leadership roles such as a prime minister and a foreign minister and other cabinet ministers in some of these countries upon independence. In the case of South Africa, several national ministerial cabinet posts and provincial premierships are being held by individuals who have benefited from the Programme. Some of these UNETPSA graduates were trained in the front-line States and others received their training abroad. Other graduates are senior administrators of universities and technikons. Still others could be found managing the local and regional peace committees and structures which were established under the National Peace Accord. In this capacity, they provided essential cooperation during the United Nations preventive diplomacy and peace-building period preceding the April 1994 elections.
When the Programme was established, it called for training in the sectors which had previously been neglected for the disadvantaged majority. These sectors include agriculture, law, engineering, agronomy, public administration, education, business and industrial management. UNETPSA has indeed remained true to these sectors as priority fields of study. The Programme has also recently stressed a multi-pronged approach to capacity- and institution-building of the historically disadvantaged institutions and non-governmental organizations by training individuals at these institutions and by upgrading academic staff, particularly in mathematics and sciences, as well as the administrative staff of the universities and technikons concerned. Particular attention is given to the role of women in development.
I wish now to refer to the report before the Assembly. It will be noted that chapters I through IV introduce the Programme and its activities during the period 1 September 1994 through 31 August 1995. Chapter V contains the conclusions and recommendations regarding the future of the Programme. These recommendations were called for by resolution 49/17, operative paragraph 8, which invited the Secretary-General to make recommendations to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session on the future role of the Programme.
The recommendations are encapsulated in operative paragraphs 2 through 8 of the draft resolution now before us. For the purpose of integrating the goals of the programme with the overall multilateral development programnmes of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the draft resolution calls for the transfer of the management of UNETPSA and its funds as well as the decision-making authority to UNDP as soon as possible, but no later than 1 May 1996. The draft resolution also calls for the extension under UNDP of the present mandate for a period of three to five years, while retaining the Programme as an identifiable entity. The Programme should continue with its focus on human-resource development, with the objective of capacity- and institution-building among the historically disadvantaged sectors of the population.
Allow me to express, on behalf of the Advisory Committee, our appreciation to those Member States, organizations and institutions which have contributed to the success of the Programme. I would also like to express, again on behalf of the Advisory Committee, our gratitude for the persistent efforts of, and the valuable assistance given to the Programme by, the Secretary-General and the UNETPSA staff. Particular appreciation should be expressed to the Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Angela Masithela. I am confident that those staff in the Department of Development Support and Management Services (DDSMS) whose posts will be abolished as a result of this administrative streamlining will be given priority in the ensuing redeployment.
Finally, the Advisory Committee is pleased that, as a result of the transfer of UNETPSA to UNDP, its mandate will be completed and the Committee will be discontinued.
As South Africa strives to overcome the legacy of decades of apartheid, I would like to underscore the importance of the continued provision of assistance by the international community. The magnitude and urgency of the training and educational needs facing the country are enormous. Many challenges must still be faced before our vision of the new South Africa can become a reality. Prominent among these challenges is the need to provide sustained opportunities to enable the disadvantaged young South Africans to gain equal access to the education and skills necessary to improve their lives and to enable them to take a full part in the development of their new democratic and non-racial society. The continued commitment of the international community is vital to help meet this challenge.
Mr. Zulueta (Spain)
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The European Union has noted with satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General (A/50/750) of 7 December 1995 on the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa. That report underlines the important contribution the Programme has made in recent years towards fostering the educational needs of disadvantaged students from South Africa, and towards overcoming the legacy of apartheid. Furthermore, the report defines the proper framework in which the goals of the Programme can be integrated into the overall context of multilateral development programmes, with a view, in particular, to meeting the urgent need to contribute effectively to the immense human-resources requirements of the new, non-racial and democratic South Africa.
States members of the European Union have contributed substantially over the years to the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa. The European Union considers that the need to improve the educational system is a long-term development priority and would therefore best be addressed through the continued assistance of the international community and United Nations agencies now operating in the new South Africa.
The European Union welcomes draft resolution A/50/L.65, on the Programme, which we hope will be adopted by consensus today, and we commend the decision taken by the Advisory Committee on the future of the Programme, which the European Union believes is a step in the right direction.
The European Union attaches particular importance to the decision to transfer, no later than 1 May 1996, the management of the Programme and its funds and of the decision-making authority to the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Executive Board of UNDP. We also note the decision to endorse the activities of the Programme and to request UNDP to continue to place the primary focus of the Programme on human resource development aimed at capacity- and institution-building by contributing to South Africa's human resources.
We wish to pay tribute on this occasion to the staff of the Programme and to the Advisory Committee, in particular to its Chairman, for their outstanding work over the years.
It is the sincere wish of the European Union that the valuable contribution that the Programme has made to improve the economic and social development of southern Africa through the educational sector will continue within UNDP.
Mr. Mbatha (South Africa)
On behalf of the Government of South Africa, I wish to thank all donor countries that have over the years rendered valuable assistance to the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa. We also wish to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General, the Advisory Board of the Programme and all organizations, agencies and individuals that have cooperated with and made contributions to the success of the Programme.
Indeed, the Programme has made considerable progress; hundreds of students in southern Africa have benefitted from the Programme. With the birth of a new South Africa, the newly established Department of Education took the first step to deal at the national level with education and training: the Government made education free and compulsory for the first 10 years of schooling. The Reconstruction and Development Programme of the Government of National Unity provides for education and training components being built into many of its projects, such as public works and youth programmes. In the endeavour to restructure education and to eliminate the distortions and inadequacies in that area, the assistance that the United Nations Programme has provided was and still is indispensable.
Therefore, we welcome the decision to extend the Trust Fund as an identifiable entity within and under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In this way those still being supported by the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa will be able to finish their studies by the year 1999. We support the call for the continuation of fund-raising and the mobilization of resources in order to further the aims and objectives of the Programme. In this connection we would hope that donors will be as generous in their support for the Programme as they have been in past years.
Mr. Dlamini (Swaziland)
The importance of the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa cannot be overemphasized. As previous speakers have clearly and ably outlined, it is of great significance for southern Africa.
Swaziland, a State that is a neighbour of the countries that were affected whenever efforts to liberalize southern Africa were undertaken, feels it should congratulate the founders of the Trust Fund and express our heartfelt gratitude to them. It is our hope that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), having displayed its abilities in a number of development fields, will pick up where the United Nations Educational and Training Programme has left off. It is our desire and our prayer that the countries that have benefitted will continue the uncompleted tasks before them. Drought has continued to militate against their efforts, and they still need to be assisted in upgrading their educational aims.
It is our hope that, through the UNDP, stress will be placed on some areas not hitherto covered in the curricula, which are necessary to upgrade the development of the countries that have benefitted from the Educational Programme and that will continue to benefit under UNDP. We pray that greater efforts will be made to investigate thoroughly the question of whether all problems in the educational field have been addressed through the Fund.
The President
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item.
We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/50/L.65.
I should like to announce that since the introduction of draft resolution A/50/L.65 Mozambique and Namibia have become sponsors.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.65?
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 34?