SEVEN TEXTS ADDRESSING UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN AND DISASTER RELIEF ADOPTED BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Press Release
GA/9034
SEVEN TEXTS ADDRESSING UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN AND DISASTER RELIEF ADOPTED BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19951212 Report of Preparatory Committee for Fiftieth Anniversary Also AdoptedThe General Assembly this morning adopted a series of separate resolutions addressing United Nations humanitarian and disaster relief, including assistance to Liberia, Central America, El Salvador, Angola and Djibouti, as well as countries affected by the sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). All of the texts were adopted without a vote.
Under the provisions of the resolutions adopted today, the Assembly:
-- Decided to refer further deliberations on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations to the 1996 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council;
-- Requested the Secretary-General to undertake, when conditions permit, an overall assessment of needs in Liberia, with the objective of holding a round-table conference of donors on the matter;
-- Requested the United Nations to mobilize resources to give effect to the new strategy for development of the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America;
-- Urged the Government of El Salvador and all the political forces involved in the peace process to finish complying with the remaining commitments of the Peace Agreement and to continue to develop programmes designed to improve the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of the population;
-- Called upon the parties in Angola to fully and effectively implement the Peace Accords in order to bring peace and stability to the country, thus creating conditions conducive to its economic rehabilitation;
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-- Requested the Secretary-General to increase the opportunity for countries affected by the implementation of the Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to participate actively in the post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation of the crisis-stricken areas of the former Yugoslavia;
-- And declared its solidarity with the Government and people of Djibouti and requested the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary resources for that country.
Also this morning, the Assembly adopted the report of its Preparatory Committee for the Organization's fiftieth anniversary, taking note with deep appreciation of the successful completion of its work. The report was introduced by the representative of Jamaica, rapporteur of the Preparatory Committee.
The representative of Sweden introduced the draft on strengthening United Nations assistance, and the representative of Benin introduced a text on assistance to Somalia.
The Assembly will meet again at 3 p.m. today to take action on the reports of its First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).
Assembly Work Programme
The General Assembly met this morning to continue its consideration of strengthening the coordination of United Nations humanitarian and disaster relief assistance. It is also scheduled to take up the report of the Preparatory Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations. (For background on humanitarian assistance reports, see Press Release GA/9010, of 27 November.)
Draft Resolutions
A draft resolution sponsored by Sweden would have the Assembly decide to refer further deliberations on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, including those related to the Central Emergency Revolving Fund, to the 1996 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council (document A/50/L.39).
By a draft resolution sponsored by South Africa on assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Liberia (document A/50/L.27/Rev.1), the Assembly would call upon all States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide Liberia with assistance for the repatriation and resettlement of Liberian refugees, returnees and displaced persons and the rehabilitation of combatants. It would appeal to all States to contribute generously to the Trust Fund for Liberia. The Assembly would emphasize the urgent need for all parties and factions in Liberia to respect the security and safety of all United Nations personnel, as well as non-governmental organizations and the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Observer Group, and to create an atmosphere conducive to the successful resolution of the conflict.
The Secretary-General would be requested to continue to mobilize United Nations assistance for Liberia's reconstruction and development efforts. He would also be requested to undertake, when conditions permit, an overall assessment of needs, with the objective of holding a round-table conference of donors on the matter.
A draft resolution on international assistance to and cooperation with the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America (document A/50/L.29/Rev.1) would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General and the United Nations system to mobilize resources to put the Alliance's new strategy for development into effect. The Assembly would reiterate that only by solving the political, economic, social and environmental problems that are the cause of tensions and conflicts in society would it be possible to avoid a reversal of the achievements and guarantee a firm and lasting peace in Central America.
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Under other provisions of that text, the Assembly would support the efforts of the Central American countries in their commitments to the alleviation of extreme poverty and the fostering of sustainable human development, and would urge their Governments to continue their efforts to implement policies and programmes relating to investment in human capital. It would stress the importance of international assistance in supporting the efforts of the Central American Governments to implement the new programme for sustainable development in their subregion.
That draft is sponsored by Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Gabon, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Romania, Rwanda, Spain and the United States.
Under the provisions of a draft resolution on assistance for the reconstruction and development of El Salvador (document A/50/L.30/Rev.1), the Assembly would urge the Government of that country and all the political forces involved in the peace process to finish complying with the remaining commitments of the Peace Agreement and to continue to develop programmes and strategies designed to improve the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
The Assembly would reaffirm that the implementation of the remaining commitments of the Peace Agreement, the continuation of the programme for national reconstruction, the strengthening of democratic institutions and the promotion of sustainable development constituted the collective goals, aspirations and needs of the country in overcoming the root causes of the crisis and in consolidating peace, democracy and human development. The international community would be encouraged to respond flexibly and generously in support of the Government's efforts to achieve the aspirations of the country's people.
That draft is sponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
By a draft resolution on international assistance for the economic rehabilitation of Angola (document A/50/L.31), the Assembly would call upon the parties in that country to fully and effectively implement the Peace Accords in order to bring peace and stability to Angola, thus creating conditions conducive to its economic rehabilitation. The Assembly would appeal to all those who had announced contributions at the recent Round-Table Conference of Donors to honour their commitments, and would encourage Angola to proceed with its programme of economic rehabilitation. The Secretary- General would be requested to continue to mobilize the United Nations system to ensure an appropriate level of economic assistance for Angola. Member
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States and other donors would be urged to provide support for the programme of demobilization and reintegration of excess combatants.
That draft is sponsored by Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Guinea- Bissau, Honduras, Italy, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
By a draft on economic assistance to States affected by the implementation of the Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (document A/50/L.32), the Secretary-General would be requested to increase the opportunity for those countries to participate actively in the post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation of the crisis-stricken areas of the former Yugoslavia after the achievement of a peaceful, lasting and just political solution of the conflict in the Balkans. Expressing concern at the persisting special economic problems confronting those States, the Assembly would reaffirm the urgent need of a concerted international response to deal more effectively with their special economic problems. The international financial institutions would be invited to consider ways of mobilizing resources for mitigating the continuing negative impact of the sanctions.
Also by that text, the Assembly would request entities of the United Nations system to consider providing assistance to the affected States. It would renew its urgent appeal to all States to provide assistance to the affected States to mitigate the adverse impact of the sanctions on their economies. States of the region would be encouraged to continue to cooperate actively on a regional basis in such fields as cross-border infrastructure projects or promotion of trade, thus alleviating the adverse impact of the sanctions. United Nations bodies involved in rendering humanitarian assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) would be urged to broaden access for suppliers, particularly from the States affected by the implementation of the sanctions.
That text is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.
A draft resolution on assistance for the reconstruction and development of Djibouti (document A/50/L.33/Rev.1) would have the Assembly declare its solidarity with the Government and people of that country in the face of the devastation arising from torrential rains and floods and the new economic realities resulting from the continuing critical situation in the Horn of
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Africa. The text would request a review of the recommendations of the United Nations Inter-Agency Assessment Mission to Djibouti organized in April 1994 with a view to their implementation. The Secretary-General would be requested to continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary resources for an effective assistance programme for Djibouti.
That draft is sponsored by Burkina Faso, Colombia, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The Secretary-General would be called upon to continue to mobilize international assistance for Somalia by the terms of another draft resolution (document A/50/L.41). The Assembly would call upon all parties, movements and factions in Somalia to respect the security and safety of United Nations personnel and personnel of non-governmental organizations, and to guarantee their complete freedom of movement throughout the country. It would appeal to all the Somali parties to terminate hostilities and to engage in a national reconciliation process that would allow for the transition from reconstruction to development. Members of the international community would be urged to assist the Somali people in embarking on the rehabilitation of basic services as well as institution building.
That draft is sponsored by Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
Report of Preparatory Committee for Fiftieth Anniversary
The Assembly will also have before it the report of the Preparatory Committee which it established by resolution 46/472 of 13 April 1992 to oversee activities in connection with the observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. The Committee's report (document A/50/48/Rev.1) provides background information on the Preparatory Committee and reviews preparations for the commemoration of the Organization's fiftieth anniversary, including a summary of the discussions and debate that took place to prepare the six-part Declaration, eventually adopted at the special commemorative meeting on 24 October. The Declaration itself is included as an annex to the report, along with the list of speakers for the special commemorative meeting and the list of documentation concerning the Preparatory Committee's work.
The report also describes in some detail other commemorative activities organized by national committees, global projects undertaken by the
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Secretariat of the fiftieth anniversary, activities of the United Nations system, activities of non-governmental organizations and administrative and financial issues.
The report contains a draft resolution recommended by the Committee for adoption by the Assembly. Under its terms, the Assembly would approve the Preparatory Committee's report, taking note with deep appreciation of the successful conclusion of its work. Appreciation would also be expressed to those involved in commemorating the fiftieth anniversary, including national committees, non-governmental organizations and the secretariat of the fiftieth anniversary, as well as to Member States, corporations and individuals who had contributed to the Trust Fund for the Fiftieth Anniversary. The Secretary- General would be requested to ensure that the funds of the Trust Fund would be applied to the purposes for which they were committed. The Assembly would also express deep appreciation to the host country for its support of the special commemorative meeting.
Action on Draft Texts
HENRIK SALANDER (Sweden) introduced the draft resolution on strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations.
RENE VALERY MONGBE (Benin) introduced the draft resolution on international assistance for Somalia. He said Cameroon, India, South Africa and Sudan had joined in sponsoring the resolution. The Assembly was the last resort for reversing the bleak history of Somalia, he said, appealing to the Assembly to adopt the resolution without a vote.
The Assembly then adopted without a vote the resolutions on the strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian assistance of the United Nations and the resolution on assistance to Liberia.
The Acting President of the Assembly SAMIR MOUBARAK (Lebanon), said Brazil, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Uruguay had joined in sponsoring the draft resolution on international assistance for sustainable development of Central America.
MARTINI HERRERA (Guatemala) said the fifth preambular paragraph of the resolution on sustainable development in Central America, which spoke of returnees in Central America, ought to include the Spanish acronym "PRODERE" in the spanish text.
The Assembly then adopted without a vote the resolution on Central America.
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The Acting President said India, Israel, Jordan and the United States joined in sponsoring the resolution on assistance to El Salvador. The Assembly then adopted the resolution without a vote.
The Acting President said Australia, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, France, India and Japan joined in sponsoring the resolution on international assistance for Angola. The Assembly then adopted the resolution without a vote.
The Acting President announced that Albania, Brazil, Hungary, India and Norway had joined in sponsoring the resolution on economic assistance to States affected by the implementation of the Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Assembly then adopted the resolution without a vote.
The Acting President said Argentina and Cote d'Ivoire had joined as sponsors on the draft resolution on assistance to Djibouti. The resolution was then adopted without a vote.
The Acting President announced that the resolutions on Afghanistan, Burundi and Croatia would be taken up by the Assembly at a later date.
M. PATRICIA DURRANT (Jamaica), Rapporteur of the Preparatory Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations, introduced the Preparatory Committee's report. The Assembly adopted without a vote the resolution on the work of the Preparatory Committee, which is contained in paragraph 37 of the report.
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