General Assembly Session 55 meeting 96

The President

Members will recall that the debate on agenda item 14 was held at the Assembly's 52nd and 53rd plenary meetings, on 6 and 7 November 2000.

I call on the representative of Nigeria to introduce draft resolution A/55/L.75.

Mrs. Shodeinde (Nigeria)

Nigeria appreciates the important and admirable role the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to play in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. We are also delighted at the achievements recorded by the Agency in the past, and we look forward to further collaborative action among Member States, and, indeed, the international community, towards strengthening the activities of the Agency in these areas. Let me assure the Assembly that Nigeria remains unequivocally committed to the ideals of the Agency and will continue to deploy its best efforts to rally all Member States towards the goal of the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The simplified procedural draft resolution, as contained in document A/55/L.75, is an agreed text. The document has five preambular paragraphs and two operative paragraphs. Basically, it recognizes the importance of the work of the Agency and reaffirms its confidence in its role. The cooperation between the United Nations and the Agency is also recognized. I therefore have the honour of presenting the procedural draft resolution contained in draft resolution A/55/L.75.

It is my understanding that delegations are of the view that this year's procedural resolution should be seen as an exception and that in the future all delegations will renew their commitment to the activities of the Agency by adopting substantive resolutions on the Agency at the United Nations, which we have all grown used to and cherish. Consequently, this procedural resolution should be adopted without a vote.

The President

In the light of the statement just made by the representative of Nigeria, draft resolution A/55/L.25 and the amendments contained in documents A/55/L.26/Rev.1, A/55/L.27 and A/55/L.29 are no longer before the General Assembly.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/55/L.75.

I call on the representative of Egypt, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of vote before the voting.

May I remind delegations that the explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Mr. Bebars (Egypt)

Egypt has always attached great importance to the highly important role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) because of its responsibilities as one of the structures designed to put an end to nuclear proliferation and to provide safeguards. We also attach particular importance to the technical cooperation programmes of the IAEA and its programmes that promote the use of nuclear energy in many developing countries.

On the basis of these considerations, over the years Egypt has participated in the Agency's various areas of activity as a member of its Board of Governors. Egypt also participated in the various discussions under the agenda item on the report of the IAEA when it was considered in the General Assembly, as well as in the various debates on the preparation of the draft resolution. Our participation in these efforts in the General Assembly shows the importance that we attach to the IAEA's various fields of activity; it is also a testimony to our desire for the work of the IAEA to be reflected clearly and precisely in the draft resolution under this agenda item to be adopted by the General Assembly.

We have participated seriously, objectively and positively, on the basis of our convictions, in the discussions on the IAEA report during the current session, and we proposed an amendment to paragraph 5, which was reflected in A/55/L.26/Rev.1. The objective of that amendment was to clarify precisely the role of the Agency so as not to leave any room for doubt with regard to the IAEA safeguards. However, in order to ensure the success of the draft resolution and guarantee that the General Assembly adopted a draft resolution that truly reflected the role of the Agency, we decided to embark upon negotiations with the delegations that submitted the draft as well as with other delegations interested in this question. That enabled us to arrive at a compromise solution that reflected the interests of all.

It was our hope that those negotiations and consultations on the two outstanding items might lead to an agreement in the final analysis. The objective was the adoption of a draft resolution, such as those adopted in recent years, that truly demonstrated the interest of various delegations in the Agency's role. We are surprised, however, by the fact that the countries that supported the draft resolution decided not to put it forward so that a final decision could be taken, as has been the practice in recent years.

Our delegation therefore hopes that our decision to resort to a procedural draft resolution will prove to be an exception and will not become a pattern. In the future, draft resolutions should be adopted in such a way as to reflect the Agency's important role.

The President

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position.

The Assembly will now turn to draft resolution A/55/L.75.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/55/L.75?

The President

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.

May I remind delegations that explanations of position are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.