General Assembly Session 52 meeting 50

The President

Before turning to the items on the agenda for this morning, I should like to remind the General Assembly that today is the eighth Africa Industrialization Day.

Since its proclamation by the General Assembly eight years ago, Africa Industrialization Day has been celebrated on 20 November. Today, it gives me great pleasure to join in the commemoration of this event.

What are we celebrating on Africa Industrialization Day? First, we are celebrating the valiant efforts of the peoples of Africa to achieve a better life for themselves through industrial development. Secondly, the celebration of this event serves as an important reminder of the need to draw world attention to the industrial development of Africa. Thirdly, Africa Industrialization Day symbolizes the solidarity of the international community with the countries in Africa. Above all, it reaffirms the principle of partnership and shared responsibility between Africa and the international community in the industrial development of the continent.

For many years, the United Nations has actively supported African countries in their efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and development. The New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s, the United Nations System-wide Special Initiative on Africa, the Industrial Development Decade for Africa and the newly launched Alliance for Africa's Industrialization are some of the major programmes and initiatives that come to mind. Collectively, they underscore the commitment of the international community to Africa's development. An integral part of this commitment is the promotion and acceleration of Africa's industrial development. Based on the experience of the rich industrialized and the newly industrializing countries, there is increased recognition that industrialization holds the key to the transformation of Africa from poverty to prosperity.

The continuing decline of the industrial sector despite growing signs of economic recovery in many African countries has therefore been a cause for serious concern. As a consequence of the poor performance of the industrial sector, the share of sub-Saharan Africa in global manufacturing production has dropped from 0.6 per cent in 1970 to 0.3 per cent in 1995. The share of manufactured products in total African exports has barely changed over the last two decades and is still below 10 per cent. Moreover, four-fifths of sub-Saharan Africa's industrial production is classified as low-technology.

This disturbing trend has contributed to the widening industrialization and technological gap between Africa and the rest of the world. It has raised considerable concern about the ability of African industry to compete in a highly competitive global economic environment. Africa's leaders recognized the need to take collective and effective action to address this crucial challenge. In June of this year, the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity decided in their Harare Declaration on African Industrialization to redouble their efforts to promote sustainable industrial development through private-sector-led strategies and new global partnerships. They endorsed the launching of the Alliance for Africa's Industrialization, supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as the principal mechanism for promoting private-public sector partnerships within Africa as well as partnerships between African and non-African enterprises.

Given the prominence of the private sector in Africa's industrialization strategy, it is appropriate that the theme of this year's celebration of Africa Industrialization Day is "Development of Small and Medium Industries". The majority of industrial enterprises in Africa are small and medium-sized, but they account for a large share of jobs created in the economy.

Many are individual or family-owned business operations with great potential for adjusting rapidly to changing market conditions. With trade liberalization and deregulation, their role has increased in importance. They are increasingly becoming a dynamic force for the promotion of sustainable industrial development in Africa.

While the United Nations system has done much to support the efforts of African countries to achieve sustainable development, much more needs to be done. Organizations of the United Nations system need to work more closely together to encourage the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in African countries. They need to intensify their efforts to help small African entrepreneurs gain access to markets, investments, credit, technology and training. In this connection, the contribution that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization has made over the years in facilitating enterprise-level cooperation between African and non-African business partners and in providing a range of technical support services to small enterprises, particularly those of women entrepreneurs, has been commendable.

The development activities of United Nations agencies in support of industrial development in Africa should be better harmonized. Resources available throughout the United Nations system for this purpose should be pooled to maximize the impact of the system's contributions to Africa's development. An important step in this direction is the incorporation of the industrial development objectives of African countries in the formulation of country strategy notes and in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

As we celebrate Africa Industrialization Day, we remind ourselves of the importance of taking a common approach to our common challenges. The development of Africa is our common challenge, requiring concerted and coordinated action on the part of the international community. Today's event provides a good opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation and our steadfast support to Africa as it strives to fulfil its hopes and aspirations for a better future.

I call now on the Secretary-General.

The Secretary-General

We gather on Africa Industrialization Day to raise public awareness and harness international support -- political, technical and financial -- for Africa's industrial development. Industrial development is a key element of sustainable economic growth. It helps countries achieve important social objectives, such as jobs and equity. It creates opportunities for the integration of women. In rural areas, linked with agricultural development, it can help stem migration and relieve pressure on cities.

With industrial development, the continent can take decisive steps towards full-throttle competition in the globalized marketplace. But without it, as African leaders themselves declared last June in Harare, African economies will be condemned to persistent crisis, dependence on humanitarian relief and deepening poverty, despair and political unrest.

The Secretary-General

As we mark this eighth Africa Industrialization Day, hope is the watchword for much of the African continent. In 1996, for the first time in 20 years, Africa experienced growth exceeding 4 per cent. More and more countries are experiencing remarkable economic expansion. The private sector is beginning to play its role in powering the economy. Everywhere, civil society is creating the institutions it needs in order to be heard. Decision-makers are vigorously pursuing their programmes of political, economic and social reform. Good governance and its foundations -- political legitimacy, a State based on the rule of law, and transparency in administration -- are now the goals.

Notwithstanding what has been achieved, the results of African industry remain too meagre. Inadequate infrastructure; weak institutions; poorly adapted regulations and systems for stimulating the financial sphere; and the widening technological gap between developed and developed countries: these are obstacles that slow the industrialization of Africa. The continent therefore does not benefit as much as it could from the globalization and liberalization of trade, and it remains difficult for African countries to become fully integrated into the world economy.

The Secretary-General

This year's Africa Industrialization Day focuses on the development of small- and medium-scale industries. Such enterprises are the backbone of economic activity in Africa. They are a major source of livelihoods and income. In both the formal and the informal sectors, small entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in alleviating poverty and promoting economic progress. Increasingly at ease with new technologies and niche marketing, they can respond quickly to changes and new opportunities.

But small-scale industries need support from Governments and the international community. They require a favourable policy environment. They need to upgrade the skills of their workers, to improve the quality of their products, to find sources of financing and to gain market access. They need technology and the requisite physical infrastructure. They need partners: partners from within and beyond the region.

In this light, I welcome recent initiatives by Africa's development partners to promote trade and investment with African countries. The outcome of last month's high-level meeting on the least-developed countries, sponsored by the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Trade Centre, is very encouraging. With 33 out of 48 least-developed countries, Africa stands to benefit greatly from the integrated framework adopted in Geneva, especially the market access facilities that have been announced.

The Alliance for Africa's Industrialization, launched last year, is another important undertaking, in particular with respect to its focus on partnerships with the private sector.

The United Nations system -- through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Programme, the Economic Commission for Africa and other bodies -- will continue to support such ventures. UNIDO, as the only specialized agency dealing with industrial development issues, is already promoting technical assistance to small- and medium-scale enterprises. As members know, I am committed to a strong UNIDO.

The work ahead will not be easy. There is donor fatigue towards Africa, and aid is declining. As we move forward, Africa's leaders must rise to the occasion. Their commitment -- not only to getting the economic fundamentals right but to creating the broader conditions that will encourage investment and development -- is of vital importance. Only then will African industry take off. Only then will Africa find the path to sustained prosperity.

For my part, I renew my pledge that the industrialization of Africa will remain one of the top priorities of the United Nations, and that I will continue to be a strong champion of African industrial development.

The President

I would like to remind members that in 1954 the United Nations General Assembly, at its ninth session, recommended in resolution 836 (IX) that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children and of activity devoted to promoting the welfare of the world's children. The date of 20 November marks the anniversary of the adoption by the General Assembly in 1959 of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the adoption in 1989 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The prominent English writer Charles Dickens said,

"In the little world in which children have their existence, whosoever brings them up, there is nothing so finely perceived and so finely felt as injustice". [Great Expectations]

We should do our utmost to protect the young generation all over the world.

Let us remember the words of another English writer, John Ruskin:

"Give a little love to a child, and you get a great deal back". [The Crown of Wild Olives]

I thank the Assembly for its attention, and I remind the Assembly that today, besides marking the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day, we also celebrate Universal Children's Day.

The President

In connection with sub-item (j) of agenda item 17, a note by the Secretary-General has been circulated in document A/52/110.

As indicated in that document, the General Assembly is required, during the fifty-second session, to appoint a member to fill the vacancy in the Joint Inspection Unit that will arise from the expiration of the term of office on 31 December 1998 of Mr. Raul Quijano of Argentina.

As also indicated in that document, in accordance with article 3, paragraph 1, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, the President of the General Assembly shall consult with Member States to draw up a list of countries -- in this case, one country -- which would be requested to propose a candidate for appointment to the Joint Inspection Unit.

After holding the necessary consultations, I should like to communicate to the Assembly the following information received from the Chairman of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States: two countries -- namely, Argentina and Colombia -- have decided to present their candidatures for one vacancy from among the Latin American and Caribbean States.

I should like, in accordance with past practice, to consult with Member States through the procedure of holding an advisory vote by secret ballot to select from among the Latin American and Caribbean States one country, which would be requested to propose a candidate for appointment to the Joint Inspection Unit.

Although this advisory vote would not be an election, we would follow the rules of procedure of the Assembly governing elections.

If there is no objection, may I take it that the General Assembly agrees to that procedure?

The President

In accordance with existing practice, the country receiving the greatest number of votes, and not less than a majority of the votes of those present and voting, shall be the country selected.

May I also take it that the General Assembly agrees to that procedure?

The President

In accordance with rule 93 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, when only one person or member is to be elected and no candidate obtains in the first ballot the majority required, a second ballot shall be taken, which shall be restricted to the two candidates obtaining the largest number of votes. If in the second ballot the votes are equally divided, and a majority is required, the President shall decide between the candidates by drawing lots.

I take it that the Assembly also agrees to that procedure.

The President

Before I request the Secretariat to distribute the ballot papers, I should like to remind members of the Assembly that we are now going to proceed to the selection of one country from among the Latin American and Caribbean States, which will be requested to propose a candidate to fill the vacancy in the Joint Inspection Unit. The Assembly is not -- I repeat, not -- appointing a member to the Joint Inspection Unit at this time. It is only selecting one country which will be requested to propose a candidate. Therefore, only the name of a country and not the name of an individual should appear on the ballot paper.

I should like to repeat the names of the two countries from among the Latin American and Caribbean States that decided to present their candidatures: Argentina and Colombia.

The ballot papers will now be distributed.

May I request representatives to use only those ballot papers.

May I further request members of the Assembly to write on the ballot paper the name of one State from among the Latin American and Caribbean States for which they wish to vote. A ballot paper containing more than one name from among the Latin American and Caribbean States will be declared invalid. Any ballots with the name of a State outside the relevant region or with the name of an individual shall not be counted at all.

The President

The result of the voting is as follows:

Latin American and Caribbean States

Number of ballot papers: 167 Number of invalid ballots: 3 Number of valid ballots: 164 Abstentions: 1 Number of members voting: 163 Required simple majority: 82 Number of votes obtained: Colombia 86 Argentina 77

The President

I thank members for their advice and assistance. I thank the tellers for their assistance.

In accordance with article 3, paragraph 1, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, Colombia will be requested to submit the name of a candidate and a curriculum vitae highlighting the candidate's relevant qualifications for the task ahead.

After holding the appropriate consultations described in article 3, paragraph 2, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, including consultations with the President of the Economic and Social Council and with the Secretary-General in his capacity as Chairman of the Administrative Committee on Coordination, I will propose a qualified candidate to the Assembly for appointment to the Joint Inspection Unit.

We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of sub-item (j) of agenda item 17.

The President

I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh to introduce draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1.

Mr. Chowdhury (Bangladesh)

It is a pleasure and an honour for Bangladesh to introduce draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1, on behalf of my delegation and all the sponsors listed in the draft resolution, as well as the new sponsors of this draft resolution: the Central African Republic, Chile, Jamaica, South Africa and Swaziland.

In this draft resolution, we propose some elements regarding a culture of peace. The basic thrust of the draft resolution is to have at the next session a draft declaration and programme of action on a culture of peace, and we are requesting the Secretary-General to submit one.

This draft is the outcome of intensive consultations with all interested delegations. In order to accommodate the concerns of other delegations, we have made amendments to the original draft contained in A/52/L.4, and those have been incorporated into this new text.

I will briefly mention those changes, but before that let me say that we, the sponsors, very strongly believe that the subject of a culture of peace is an important one that covers a broad area and deserves our attention at the highest level. With that in mind, we requested that this item be considered in plenary under a new and separate agenda item, and we hope that this will continue to be the case in coming sessions of the General Assembly as well.

This subject has attained a level of attention, importance and comprehensiveness that it is appropriate that it be dealt with by the apex body of the United Nations system, the General Assembly. We believe that it is the desire of the sponsors, and of all other delegations, that this be done similarly in the coming years.

In this revised text, we have added, in operative paragraph 2, the full text of a paragraph from last year's resolution on a culture of peace. In operative paragraph 3, subparagraph (c) has been added, regarding a presentation of the progress of projects within the framework of the project entitled "Towards a culture of peace".

Finally, in operative paragraph 4, we have requested that any comments made on a culture of peace or relevant issues at the just concluded session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) be included in the report submitted next year.

With these words, we would like to request that the draft resolution contained in A/52/L.4/Rev.1 be adopted by consensus.

The Acting President

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1.

I call on the representative of the Secretariat.

Mr. Jin Yongjian (Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services)

I should like to inform members that should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1, the Secretary-General does not anticipate that any programme budget implications would arise.

The Acting President

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1, entitled "Culture of peace".

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1?

The Acting President

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of position. May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Ms. Kirsch (Luxembourg)

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. Estonia, Poland and Norway also align themselves with this explanation of vote.

The member States of the European Union attach great importance to the concept of a culture of peace. The European Union participates actively in the transdisciplinary project on a culture of peace in the framework of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). I would like to reaffirm here the European Union's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.

In recent weeks the member States of the European Union have carefully considered the language of the draft resolution, the revised version of which is before us. In a constructive and positive spirit, the European Union proposed a number of changes to the principal sponsors of this draft resolution. We thank the sponsors for having held informal consultations at our request, but we regret that an agreement on our most important proposals did not prove possible.

We would have preferred that the further consideration of the elements of the draft declaration and programme of action on a culture of peace contained in the report of the Director-General of UNESCO, submitted to the General Assembly in document A/52/292, take place within the framework of UNESCO. We will convey to the Director-General our ideas regarding his draft declaration and programme of action.

The European Union has nevertheless decided to join the consensus on draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1.

Ms. Saiga (Japan)

The promotion of a culture of peace is an important task for the Member States of the United Nations if our common quest for peaceful coexistence is to succeed. It is only in a culture of peace which is rooted in social interaction and sharing, tolerance and respect for human rights, and a determination to lay and then maintain the foundation of democracy and freedom that it is possible to actualize the purposes and principles of the United Nations, and thus save future generations from living in terror and fear of violence. It is for this reason that my delegation joined in the consensus on draft resolution A/52/L.4/Rev.1.

When the General Assembly requests a report to be submitted, it expects that that report will genuinely reflect the views of the Secretary-General or of the organization to which the Secretary-General has assigned the task of preparing it. Much to our disappointment, this is not the case with the report of the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in document A/52/292. That report, which contains important elements such as a proposal to establish a special fund, was submitted to the Secretary-General without any prior consultation with the Executive Board of UNESCO. That failure to follow proper procedure was brought to the attention of the members of the Executive Board at its meeting last October.

My delegation would have liked a genuine discussion to have taken place within UNESCO before the report was submitted to the General Assembly so that it could benefit from the views of member States and, consequently, be received as a credible basis for future discussion. As this is not the case, my delegation is of the view that it is premature to proceed, in accordance with this year's resolution, to request the Secretary-General to submit a consolidated report containing a draft declaration and programme of action on a culture of peace.

My delegation is concerned that the draft declaration and programme of action will be prepared without any substantive discussion and on the basis of a report that does not properly reflect the views of the States members of UNESCO. Japan therefore expresses strong reservations with regard to paragraph 4 of the resolution, and it hopes that when the Secretary-General implements this year's resolution, in cooperation with the Director-General of UNESCO, the views of the States members of UNESCO will be properly reflected.

The Acting President

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote.

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

Mr. Boyd (Panama)

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