ASSEMBLY ADOPTS TEXTS ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL INTEGRATION, MACROECONOMIC POLICY, DEVELOPMENT AND AID ISSUES, SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIZATION

Press Release
GA/9042

ASSEMBLY ADOPTS TEXTS ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL INTEGRATION, MACROECONOMIC POLICY, DEVELOPMENT AND AID ISSUES, SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIZATION

The General Assembly stressed this morning that global financial integration presents new challenges and opportunities and should constitute a very important element of the dialogue between the United Nations system and the Bretton Woods institutions. It took that position by one of 42 draft proposals adopted -- two by recorded votes -- on the recommendation of its Second Committee (Economic and Financial).

The Assembly also acted this morning on proposals concerning the United Nations Education and Training Programme for Southern Africa; United Nations support for democratization; and assistance to the Palestinian people, Madagascar and Somalia as well as cooperation to mitigate the Chernobyl disaster.

Adopting its first ever resolution on global financial integration, the Assembly underscored the need for encouraging private flows to all countries, while reducing the risks of volatility. The need for a stronger and central role for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in surveillance of all countries for potential sources of destabilization of financial markets was also recognized.

By another resolution, the Assembly, stressing the need to put development at the centre of United Nations activities, agreed to hold a two-day high-level dialogue at its fifty-first session on "the social and economic impact of globalization and interdependence and their policy implications".

In another text, the Assembly decided to convene the ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD IX) in Midrand, Gauteng Province, South Africa, from 27 April to 11 May 1996, to address the unifying theme of "Promoting growth and sustainable development in a globalizing and liberalizing world economy".

In a related text, the Assembly reaffirmed the role of the UNCTAD as the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of development and interrelated issues in the areas of trade, finance, technology, investment,

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services and sustainable development and stressed that there should be a constructive cooperation between the Conference and the World Trade Organization, based on the complementarity of their functions.

Acting on macroeconomic policy questions, the Assembly invited international financial institutions to examine proposals to tackle the foreign debt problems of developing countries, while preserving the preferred creditor status of the multilateral financial institutions to ensure that they can continue to provide concessional financing to assist those countries in their development. It also decided to consider at its fifty-second session the convening of an international conference on the financing of development.

In addition, the Assembly noted with serious concern the trend of a decrease in overall development assistance, emphasizing that financial commitment to the development of human resources is of critical importance to enhancement of the concept of people-centred sustainable development.

By a resolution on the triennial policy review of operational activities of the Organization for development, the Assembly decided that the United Nations system should use, to the fullest extent possible, available national expertise and indigenous technologies. It called for further work on the development of common guidelines at the field level for the recruitment, training and remuneration of national project personnel.

By other texts related to development activities, the Assembly established a target for voluntary contributions to the World Food Programme (WFP) of $1.3 billion for the period 1997-1998; endorsed the agreement between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to designate Fund resident country directors as Fund representatives; welcomed the decision of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to convene a World Food Summit in 1996 in Rome; and called upon the United Nations system to promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming gender perspective in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all policies and programmes.

By a text on "business and development", the Assembly invited Member States, requested the Secretary-General and called upon the United Nations system to encourage private-sector, cost-effective involvement in the construction, use and maintenance of infrastructure. By another resolution, Member States and the United Nations system were invited to consider the recommendations of the United Nations Panel on Opportunity and Participation on efforts for the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries as an effective measure for promoting opportunity and participation in the context of national development.

On environment and sustainable development, the Assembly decided to convene a one-week special session in June 1997 to review and appraise the implementation of Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).

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In a series of UNCED-related resolutions, the Assembly: called upon governments to implement provisions concerning water supply and sanitation of Agenda 21; called upon the international community to meet all the objectives as reaffirmed in Agenda 21 concerning access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on concessional and preferential terms; and took note of the decision of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Nassau, Bahamas, December 1994) to accept the offer of Canada to host the Convention's secretariat.

The Assembly also recommended that upon the entry into force of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, a session of the Conference of the Parties should be convened in 1997, the exact dates and venue to be determined; welcomed the efforts of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and of the UNDP to strengthen their cooperation in combating desertification; and endorsed the institutional linkage between the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations, as advised by the Secretary-General and adopted by the first session of the Conference of the Parties (Berlin, April). It noted the Conference decision to accept the offer of Germany to host the Convention's secretariat.

The Assembly further asked the Secretary-General to ensure provisions for the development and compilation of a vulnerability index for small island developing States; decided to convene a closing event of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction in order to facilitate the full integration of disaster reduction into the substantive efforts for sustainable development and environmental protection by the year 2000; requested the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Decade to continue to study new scientific and experimental concepts and methodologies for accurate and timely short-term forecasting of earthquakes and natural disasters; and requested the UNEP Governing Council to prepare a report on the role and activities of the Programme in the implementation of Agenda 21 and to submit it to the 1997 special session.

Addressing matters related to South-South cooperation, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to present a biennial report on the state of that cooperation including a comprehensive overview and analysis of South-South economic and technical cooperation worldwide and international support in that regard; welcomed with satisfaction the agreement signed between Dr. Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, of Colombia, and the World Health Organization (WHO), by which he donated the patent rights to the SPf66 anti-malarial vaccine developed by him; and called upon both the land-locked developing countries and their transit neighbours further to strengthen their collaborative efforts in dealing with their transit problems.

In the two Second Committee texts adopted by recorded votes, the Assembly

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-- Reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development -- 126 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 28 abstentions (see Annex II); and

-- Urged the international community to adopt urgent measures to eliminate the use by some developed countries of unilateral coercive economic measures against developing countries as a means of forcibly imposing the will of one State on another -- 100 in favour to 30 against, with 22 abstentions (see Annex I).

Following up on a recommendation of the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development, the Assembly proclaimed the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006) and recommended that all States undertake to elaborate the measurements, criteria and indicators for determining the extent and distribution of absolute poverty.

Acting on upcoming United Nations development-related conferences, the Assembly decided that the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) (Istanbul, 3 to 14 June 1996) would be held at Headquarters from 5 to 16 February 1996. It noted with interest the call by the Secretary-General to give the Conference the dimensions of a "city summit" and reaffirmed that the Conference should be held at the highest possible level of participation.

In a related text, the Assembly endorsed decisions adopted by the Commission on Human Settlements on its fifteenth session (Nairobi, 25 April- 1 May), including the text on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000.

By a series of resolutions concerning the development of Africa, the Assembly

-- Requested the Secretary-General to make concrete proposals on activities, in the context of the 1996 mid-term review of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s, to strengthen United Nations system support for science and technology in Africa;

-- Called upon the United Nations to intensify its efforts to assist the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in the rapid implementation of the entire Lusaka Protocol and called upon the international community to continue to extend its support to the people of Mozambique in their efforts to consolidate their newfound peace and democracy based on national reconstruction and development in that country; and

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-- Requested the Secretary-General to take into account the implementation of the programme for the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1993- 2002) when preparing for the 1996 mid-term review of the New Agenda for the Development of Africa.

Addressing another specific group of countries, the Assembly sought a substantial increase in the aggregate level of external support for the least developed countries.

In other actions, the Assembly invited the Committee on Information to consider the issue of communication for development at its forthcoming session; requested the Secretary-General to report to its fifty-first session on possible ways to strengthen the training activities of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and better define its role; requested him to designate a clearly identifiable focal point on international migration and development and to submit a report with proposals on ways of addressing that issue, including the possible convening of a United Nations conference on the subject; endorsed the Economic and Social Council's decision 1995/320 of 12 December by which it enlarged the membership of the Commission on Population and Development from 27 to 47 members; and approved the biennial programme of work of the Second Committee for 1996-1997.

Also this morning, the Assembly, acting without a vote, decided to transfer, no later than 1 May 1996, management of the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa and its funds and decision-making authority to the Administrator of UNDP through its Executive Board, which would be entrusted with the authority to continue the Trust Fund as an identifiable entity for three to five years beyond April 1994; to undertake fundraising for the Programme; and to review the Programme.

Concerning the situation in Central America, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, a resolution stressing the importance of negotiations between the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca aimed at reaching a peace agreement which would complete the peace process in Central America; calling upon the Government of El Salvador and all political forces involved in the peace process to complete the implementation of all remaining aspects of the Peace Agreement; and emphasizing the importance of the Secretary- General's compliance with Nicaragua's request for observers to be present during its electoral process next year. The Assembly also supported the concern of Central American countries to create a new model of regional security based on a reasonable balance of force and the pre-eminence of civil authority.

Adopting another resolution without a vote, the Assembly encouraged the Secretary-General to continue to improve the Organization's capacity to respond to requests of Member States to achieve democratization, and encouraged States to promote democratization.

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Also adopted without votes were three resolutions on humanitarian assistance to individual countries or regions, including a resolution on assistance to Somalia, another on assistance to the Palestinian people and a third on assistance to Madagascar. A resolution on strengthening international cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster was adopted as well.

The resolution on Somalia called on all parties in the country to respect the security of safety United Nations and other personnel. It appealed to Somali parties concerned to terminate hostilities and engage in national reconciliation to allow for transition from relief to reconstruction.

On assistance to the Palestinian people, the Assembly called on relevant United Nations organs to intensify their response to the urgent needs of the Palestinians according to priorities set forth by the Palestinian Authority.

By adopting the resolution on assistance to Madagascar, the Assembly urged the international community to increase support to that country's Government with a view to preventing disasters and mitigating their effects on development.

Adopting the resolution on strengthening cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster without a vote, the Assembly invited members of international community to support ongoing efforts made by Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to cope with the consequences of the disaster.

The Assembly will meet again at 3 p.m. tomorrow, 21 December, to take up reports of its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this morning to take action on the reports of its Second (Economic and Financial) Committee. It will also consider the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa, the situation in Central America and United Nations efforts to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies. (For background reports on Central America, see Press Release GA/8991, issued 9 November. For background reports on United Nations efforts to promote democracies, see Press Release GA/8992, issued 10 November.)

The Assembly will also consider assistance to Somalia; assistance to the Palestinian people; and international cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. (For background on reports concerning Somalia, Madagascar and the Palestinians, see Press Release 9010, issued 27 November.)

Second Committee Reports

The Second Committee drafts pertain to matters relating to relevant chapters of the report of the Economic and Social Council; macroeconomic policy questions; sustainable development and international economic cooperation; environment and sustainable development; operational activities for development; training and research; agenda for development; renewal of the development dialogue; international migration and development; and implementation of the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

The Second Committee's report on issues transmitted by the Economic and Social Council (Part II, document A/50/615/Add.1) contains five draft resolutions and two draft decisions. [Part I of the report (document A/50/615) contains a text, adopted by the Assembly on 1 November by which it created the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP).]

By draft resolution I, approved without a vote on 30 November, the Assembly would call upon governments to implement provisions concerning water resources and water supply and sanitation of Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Those provisions include recommendations to governments to assign high priority to programmes designed to provide basic sanitation and excreta disposal systems to urban and rural areas and to treatment of waste waters. The Assembly would decide to review at its fifty-fifth session the situation at the end of the 1990s of water supply and sanitation. In the text's preambular part, the proclamation of 22 March as World Day for Water is recalled.

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By draft resolution II, also approved on 30 November without a vote, the Assembly would establish a target for voluntary contributions to WFP of $1.3 billion for the period 1997-1998. The Secretary-General would be requested to convene a pledging conference for this purpose at United Nations Headquarters in 1996, in cooperation with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

By draft resolution III, approved without a vote on 30 November, the Assembly would endorse the strategies and work plans developed through a collaborative process by the United Nations system, with the World Health Organization (WHO) as task coordinator, to provide optimal support to affected developing countries for the prevention and control of malaria and diarrhoeal diseases. It would welcome with satisfaction the agreement signed in May between Dr. Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, of Colombia, and the WHO, by which he donated to the organization the license of the patent rights and know-how related to the SPf66 anti-malarial vaccine developed by him, in an example of solidarity and effective South-South cooperation for development. And the Assembly would support the WHO request for the provision of additional resources for malaria research under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases in order to develop an effective vaccine for the control of malaria.

Approved on 30 November by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 22 abstentions, draft resolution IV would have the Assembly reaffirm that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development. It would recognize the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and on the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan. The inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the population of the occupied Syrian Golan to their natural and all other economic resources would be reaffirmed, and any infringement of it would be considered as illegal.

Approved without a vote on 8 December, draft resolution V on communication for development would have the Assembly recognize the important role of communication for development programmes in the United Nations system in enhancing transparency of system-wide coordination. The Committee on Information would be invited to consider that issue at its forthcoming session. The role of effective communication in disseminating the outcome and follow-up of major United Nations conferences and in ensuring the effective flow of such information to non-governmental organizations would be recognized. The United Nations system would be encouraged to use informal mechanisms, such as round-table conferences, to improve those communication programmes.

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By draft decision I, approved on 30 November without a vote, the Assembly would endorse the agreement between the UNDP and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to designate Fund resident country directors as Fund representatives, on the understanding that the agreement would not result in increased administrative expenditure for the Fund.

By draft decision II, the Assembly would take note of the following documents: note by the Secretary-General on the United Nations Population Award (document A/50/132); note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Director-General of the WHO on the progress made in the implementation of the global AIDS strategy (document A/50/175-E/1995/57); note by the Secretary-General on the revision of the general regulations of the WFP and reconstitutions of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes as the Executive Board of the WFP (document A/50/706).

Part III of the report (document A/50/615/Add.2) contains a draft decision by which the Assembly would approve the biennial programme of work of the Second Committee for 1996-1997, as approved by the Committee on 13 December.

The report of the Second Committee on macroeconomic policy questions (document A/50/616) contains three draft resolutions and one draft decision which were approved without a vote.

Draft resolution I, approved on 5 December, would have the Assembly stress that global financial integration presents new challenges and opportunities for the international community and should constitute a very important element of the dialogue between the United Nations system and the Bretton Woods institutions. It would underscore the need for encouraging private flows, especially long-term flows, to all countries, particularly developing ones, while reducing the risks of volatility. It would be recognized that in a globalized world, sound fiscal and monetary policy in each country is an essential element in preventing crises relating to capital flows.

Also, the General Assembly would reiterate the need for broadening and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the international economic decision-making process. It would reaffirm the objective of promoting greater transparency and openness, including increasing participation of developing countries in the work of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). And it would recognize the need for a stronger and central role for the Fund in surveillance of all countries for potential sources of destabilization of capital financial markets and for promoting growth.

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Draft resolution II, approved on 12 December, concerns the external debt problem of developing countries. It would have the Assembly recognize that equitable, development-oriented and durable solutions to the external debt and debt-servicing problems of developing countries can contribute substantially to the strengthening of the global economy and to those countries' efforts to achieve sustained economic growth and development. It would also be recognized that the evolving international debt strategy has to be supplemented by external financial flows to indebted developing countries. The importance for developing countries of continuing their efforts to promote a favourable environment for attracting foreign investment would be stressed as would the need for the international community to promote a conducive external economic environment.

In addition, the Assembly would note the high proportion of multilateral debt of a number of developing countries and invite international financial institutions to examine proposals to tackle those problems of the countries concerned, while preserving the preferred creditor status of the multilateral financial institutions to ensure that they can continue to provide concessional financing to those countries to assist their development.

The Assembly would urge creditor countries, multilateral institutions and commercial banks to ensure that the debt strategy evolved through the years is fully implemented and taken into account. It would, further, recognize that a durable solution to the external debt and debt-servicing problems of developing countries could contribute towards releasing domestic resources and sustaining their development efforts, in particular those for social development.

Draft resolution III, approved on 12 December, concerns sources for the financing of development. Under its provisions, the Assembly would decide to consider at its fifty-second session [1997] the convening of an international conference on the financing of development. The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to submit a report on substantive areas, including aspects of interrelatedness and coordination needed as a basis for the full consideration of financing of development and its potential funding sources.

By the draft decision, the Assembly would decide to take note of the Secretary-General's report on sources of finance for development at mid-decade (document A/50/397) and of the report of the Secretary-General on long-term trends in social and economic development (document A/50/429).

The Committee's report on sustainable development and international economic cooperation (document A/50/617) has 13 parts, 12 of which contain recommendations.

Part II of the report (document A/50/617/Add.1), contains four draft resolutions and one draft decision.

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Draft resolution I concerns international trade and development. The Assembly would stress the urgent need to continue trade liberalization, the elimination of discriminatory and protectionist practices in international trade relations, and to improve access to the markets of all countries, in particular those of the developed countries, in order to generate sustained economic growth and sustainable development. Also stressed would be the need for the full integration of the economies in transition, as well as other countries, into the world economy. The work undertaken jointly and separately by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the impact of the Uruguay Round on developing countries would be noted. The Assembly would deplore any attempt to bypass or undermine multilaterally agreed measures of trade liberalization, through resort to unilateral actions, over and above those agreed to in the Uruguay Round, and reaffirm that environmental and social concerns should not be used for protectionist purposes.

The Assembly would reaffirm the role UNCTAD has been playing as the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of development and interrelated issues in the areas of trade, finance, technology, investment, services and sustainable development and, in that context, stress that there should be constructive and effective cooperation between the Conference and the WTO, based on the complementarity of their functions. It would decide to enable UNCTAD to discharge its mandate, thereby making it a more effective and efficient instrument for promoting development. It would recognize that UNCTAD IX will, among other issues, consider the future role of the organization, including its relationship with other international institutions. The UNCTAD and the WTO would be invited to continue to develop their working relationship, mutual cooperation and complementarity.

Approved by a recorded vote of 79 in favour to 27 against, with 19 abstentions on 5 December, draft resolution II would have the Assembly urge the international community to adopt urgent and effective measures to eliminate the use by some developed countries of unilateral coercive economic measures against developing countries which were not authorized by relevant organs of the United Nations or were inconsistent with the principles contained in the Charter as a means of forcibly imposing the will of one State on another. The Secretary-General would be requested to assign to the Department of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis of the Secretariat, in cooperation with UNCTAD, the task of continuing to monitor the imposition of those measures and to prepare possible methodologies or criteria for evaluating their impact on the affected countries, including their effect on their trade and development.

Draft resolution III, approved without a vote on 8 December, would have the Assembly reaffirm the right of access of land-locked developing countries to and from the sea and freedom of transit through the territory of transit

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States by all means of transport. It would call upon both the land-locked developing countries and their transit neighbours, in the spirit of South-South cooperation, further to strengthen their cooperative efforts in dealing with their transit problems. The Assembly would endorse the Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation between Land-locked and Transit Developing Countries and the Donor Community contained in the report of the Second Meeting of Governmental Experts from Land-locked and Transit Developing Countries and Representatives of Donor Countries and Financial and Development Institutions, held in June in New York. The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to convene in 1997 another meeting of those concerned to review progress in the development of transit systems, taking also into account the results of the consultative group meetings.

By draft resolution IV, approved on 5 December, the Assembly, welcoming with appreciation the offer of South Africa to host UNCTAD IX, would decide to convene the ninth session in Midrand, Gauteng Province, in that country, from 27 April to 11 May 1996, to be preceded by a one-day meeting of senior officials. The crucial importance of UNCTAD IX's provisional agenda would be stressed, and the need to achieve through the session a constructive and action-oriented outcome would be affirmed. Governments would be called upon to ensure their full participation at the highest political level. The Secretary-General would be invited to establish a voluntary fund for the participation of least developed countries in that ninth session.

By the draft decision the Assembly would take note of the note by the Secretary-General on negotiations on an international code of conduct on the transfer of technology (document A/50/486).

Part III of the report (document A/50/617/Add.2) contains a draft resolution approved on 5 December, without a vote, by which the Assembly would endorse the report of the Commission on Human Settlements on the work of its fifteenth session (Nairobi, 25 April-1 May), including its resolution 15/1 on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000, and the report of the Commission on the implementation of the strategy. The Assembly would take note with appreciation of the contribution of the Commission and of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to the preparations for the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) (Istanbul, 3 to 14 June 1996).

Part IV (document A/50/617/Add.3) contains a draft resolution, approved on 5 December without a vote on Habitat II. The Assembly would endorse a series of decisions of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference, including those related to financing. It would decide that the third session of the Preparatory Committee would be held at Headquarters from 5 to 16 February 1996. The Secretary-General would be requested to make the necessary provisions, within existing resources, so that the Committee may decide to establish two working groups to meet during the session in addition to the

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plenary. The Assembly would note with interest the call by the Secretary- General to give the Conference the dimensions of a "city summit" and reaffirm that the Conference should be held at the highest possible level of participation.

Part V (document A/50/617/Add.4) of the report contains two draft resolutions approved without a vote on 8 December.

Draft resolution I concerns science and technology for development. The Assembly would call upon the international community to meet all the objectives as reaffirmed in chapter 34 of Agenda 21 -- the programme of action adopted by UNCED -- in particular those dealing with access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, including new, emerging and publicly owned technologies, to developing countries on favourable terms. Those would include concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed. Account would be taken of the need to protect intellectual property rights and the special needs of developing countries.

Also, the Assembly would recognize the role of the private sector in science and technology for development, in particular in the transfer and development of capabilities. In addition, it would recognize the role of governments, in particular in providing appropriate regulatory frameworks and incentives for the development of science and technology capabilities. The Assembly would request United Nations organizations to work in a coordinated manner to develop a catalogue of proved technologies that would enable developing countries to make effective choices from among state-of-the-art technologies.

Draft resolution II concerns United Nations system support for science and technology in Africa. Under its provisions, the Assembly would take note of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) report on the subject and of the comments of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) (documents A/50/125- E/1995/19 and Add.1). The Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to continue to promote and implement activities in support of science and technology in Africa in the context of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s. It would also request that he make concrete proposals on activities, in the context of the 1996 mid-term review of the New Agenda, to be carried out in 1996, to strengthen United Nations system support for science and technology in Africa.

Part VI (document A/50/617/Add.5) contains a draft resolution and a draft decision approved on 12 December without a vote.

The draft concerns the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s. The Assembly would endorse the measures and recommendations contained in the report of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Mid-term Global Review of the Implementation

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of the Programme of Action, which are designed to ensure that the Programme is fully carried out over the second half of the decade. Full account would be taken of the measures and recommendations of the mid-term global review to ensure economic growth and sustainable development in the least developed countries and to enable them to participate in and benefit from globalization and liberalization.

The Assembly would urge donor countries to implement their commitments expeditiously in all relevant areas, including the agreed menu of aid targets and commitments as set out in the Programme of Action, as well as the measures agreed upon at the mid-term global review to provide a substantial increase in the aggregate level of external support for the least developed countries.

By the draft decision the Assembly would take note of the Secretary- General's note transmitting the report of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Mid-term Review of the implementation of the Programme of Action contained in document A/50/746.

Part VII of the Committee's report (document A/50/617/Add.6) contains a draft resolution approved without a vote on 8 December. Under its provisions, the Assembly would take note of the Secretary-General's report on the effective mobilization and integration of women in development and call for the urgent implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by the Fourth World Conference on Women. Governments and all actors of society would be called upon to implement the commitment made at the Beijing Conference to create an enabling environment through removing discriminatory barriers and ensuring the equal participation of women in economic activities through the adoption of gender-sensitive policies and legal measures. The United Nations system would be called upon to promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming gender perspective in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all policies and programmes.

Part VIII of the report (document A/50/617/Add.7) concerns human resources development and contains one draft resolution approved without a vote on 8 December. Under its provisions, the Assembly would emphasize that, in the development of human resources, an overall, well conceived and integrated approach which mainstreams a gender perspective and takes into account the needs of all people should be adopted. It should incorporate such vital areas as population, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, housing, communications, education and training, and science and technology. Account should also be taken of the need to create more possibilities for employment in an environment that guarantees opportunities for political freedom, popular participation, respect for human rights, justice and equity, all of which are essential for enhancing human capacity to meet the challenge of development.

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The Assembly would note with serious concern the worrisome trend of a decrease in overall development assistance, which affects the level of resources for human resources development. It would emphasize that financial commitment to human resources development is of critical importance in contributing to the enhancement of the concept of people-centred sustainable development.

Part IX of the report (document A/50/617/Add.8) contains one draft resolution, approved without a vote on 12 December, which concerns business and development.

Under its terms, the Assembly would value the promotion of entrepreneurship in the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and industries by civil society, and of privatization, demonopolization and the simplification of administrative procedures. Member States would be invited, the Secretary-General requested and the United Nations system called upon, in their respective activities, for the provision of infrastructure services to encourage private-sector, cost-effective involvement in the construction, use and maintenance of infrastructure.

The Assembly would look forward to its resumed session in March and April 1996, during which it will examine public administration and development and address, among other issues, the role of public administration in promoting partnership for development. It would welcome the continuation of work on illicit payments in international business transactions by the concerned international forums, including the United Nations, and recommend that the Economic and Social Council, at its 1996 organizational session, consider the appropriate time frame and procedure for the continuation of the work, with a view to completing the draft international agreement on illicit payments.

Part X (document A/50/617/Add.9) contains a two-part draft resolution on the subject of poverty eradication, which was approved on 12 December without a vote.

By the text's first part, the Assembly would decide that to achieve the goal of eradicating poverty, activities during the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (1996) should be guided by principles. Those principles should include: adoption of policies to ensure that all people have adequate economic and social protection during unemployment, ill health, maternity, child-rearing, widowhood, disability and old age; access of all people living in poverty to basic social services, as well as their participation in the economic, social, cultural and political life of society; and well coordinated efforts of the United Nations system to achieve the overall goal of eradicating poverty should ensure that activities are complementary and cost-effective.

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The Assembly would recommend that all States, as set out in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, undertake, among other measures, preferably by 1996, to develop a precise definition and assessment of absolute poverty; and elaborate the measurements, criteria and indicators for determining the extent and distribution of absolute poverty. The Assembly would reaffirm the agreement to a mutual commitment between interested developed and developing country partners to allocate, on average, 20 per cent of official development assistance (ODA) and 20 per cent of the national budget, respectively, to basic social programmes.

By the terms of the second part of the draft, the Assembly would proclaim the first United Nations decade for the eradication of poverty (1997- 2006) and urge governments and organizations to pursue the implementation of the recommendations and adopted programmes of major United Nations development conferences relating to the eradication of poverty, in particular the Social Summit. It would welcome the arrangements, within the agreed appropriation level for the 1996-1997 biennium, made by the Secretary-General regarding the Secretariat entity required to undertake the functions in support of the system-wide implementation of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, including activities of the decade.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would decide that the Trust Fund of the World Summit for Social Development, established to finance preparatory activities, be renamed the Trust Fund for the Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development, under the authority of the Secretary-General. The Fund would support programmes, seminars and activities for the promotion of social development in the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, which include activities of the first United Nations decade for the eradication of poverty. All States would be invited to contribute to the Fund.

Part XI of the report (document A/50/617/Add.10) contains a draft resolution, approved without a vote on 8 December, by which the Assembly would welcome the report of the United Nations Panel on Opportunity and Participation, which met at Headquarters from 15 to 19 May. It would take note of the Panel's contribution to the completion of an agenda for development and the follow-up arrangements to the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development. Member States and the United Nations system would be invited to consider the insights and recommendations of the Panel, particularly those relating to efforts for the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries as an effective measure for promoting opportunity and participation in the context of national development.

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The report's Part XII (document A/50/617/Add.11) has one draft resolution approved on 5 December without a vote. It concerns the World Food summit and it would have the Assembly welcome the decision of the Conference of the FAO to convene such a summit in Rome from 13 to 17 November 1996 at the level of heads of State or government and invite governments to participate actively in the event. Organizations and the private sector would be invited to cooperate actively with the FAO in preparing for the Summit. The international community would be invited to contribute to the voluntary fund established to facilitate matters relating to the Summit, including the participation of representatives of developing countries at the Summit and at the preparations for it, to be conducted by the Committee on World Food Security of the FAO in January and September 1996.

Part XIII of the report (document A/50/617/Add 12) contains one draft resolution and one draft decision.

By the draft resolution on the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1993-2002), approved without a vote on 12 December, the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), as well as the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and all other partners in the development process, would be requested to continue to play an active and more effective role in the implementation of the programme for the Second Decade, bearing in mind the undertakings made in the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s. The UNIDO would be requested to facilitate the exchange of information among African Governments on activities carried out nationally in collaboration with the United Nations system and with the support of bilateral and multilateral partners. The Secretary-General would be requested to take into account the implementation of the programme for the Second Decade when preparing for the 1996 mid-term review of the New Agenda for the Development of Africa.

By the draft decision the Assembly would take note of the report of the Secretary-General on the programme for the Second Decade (document A/50/487).

The report of the Second Committee on environment and sustainable development (document A/50/618) is before the Assembly in seven parts.

That section of Part II of the report (document A/50/618/Add.1) contains three draft resolutions and one draft decision.

By draft resolution I, approved without a vote on 30 November, the Assembly would welcome the results of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held at Nassau, Bahamas, from 28 November to 9 December 1994. It would take note that the Conference decided to accept the offer of Canada to host the secretariat of the Convention, and express appreciation for the support offered by the

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Canadian authorities to ensure the effective functioning of the secretariat. The Convention's Executive Secretary would be requested to report, through the Economic and Social Council, on the results of the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, held in Jakarta from 6 to 17 November.

In connection with the above draft, the Assembly has also before it a report of the Fifth Committee (document A/50/831).

According to that report, the Committee decided without a vote to inform the Assembly that should it adopt the draft resolution, an additional appropriation not to exceed the amount of $197,400 would be required.

Approved on 5 December without a vote, draft resolution II would have the Assembly, welcome the signing of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification by a large number of States and one regional economic integration organization and its ratification by a growing number of States; it would urge States to continue to do that so that the Convention may enter into force as soon as possible. It would decide that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Convention's elaboration should continue to prepare for the first session of the Conference of the parties. It would also decide to convene two sessions of the Negotiating Committee in 1996, each of up to two weeks' duration, the eighth session to be held at Geneva from 5 to 16 February and the ninth session in New York from 3 to 13 September.

It would further decide to convene the tenth session of that Committee in New York from 6 to 17 January 1997 and, pending the entry into force of the Convention, to convene, as necessary, a further session in 1997, of up to two weeks' duration, the exact date and venue to be determined. The Assembly would recommend that, upon the entry into force of the Convention, a session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention be convened in 1997, the exact dates and venue to be determined.

Draft resolution III, approved on 12 December without a vote, concerns the convening of a special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted by UNCED.

By its provisions, the Assembly would decide to convene the special session for one week in June 1997 at the highest possible level of participation. The decision of the Commission on Sustainable Development to devote its fifth session to preparations for the special session would be welcomed. The Assembly would also decide that both the preparations and the special session itself should be kept within the agreed appropriation level for the 1996-1997 biennium. The United Nations system, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), multilateral financial institutions and the WTO, would be invited to contribute to the special

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session. The Secretary-General would be requested to prepare a comprehensive report containing an overall assessment of the progress achieved in the implementation of Agenda 21 and of related measures and programmes, as well as recommendations for future actions and priorities. The report should also include country profiles providing a concise presentation of progress made and constraints encountered in implementing Agenda 21.

By the draft decision, the Assembly would decide to take note of the Secretary-General's note on the elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought or desertification, particularly in Africa (document A/50/74 and Add.1).

Part III of the report (document A/50/618/Add.2), contains a draft resolution approved on 5 December without a vote, and two draft decisions.

By the resolution, the Assembly would welcome the efforts of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and of the UNDP to strengthen their cooperation in combating desertification through partnership. It would renew its appeal to governments and organizations to make contributions to relevant United Nations bodies, including the UNDP Office to Combat Desertification and Drought, to strengthen their capacity to support activities to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in all affected developing countries and regions. The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to submit to its fifty-second session a report on the implementation of the draft to be considered under one unified sub-item under the overall item of "environment and sustainable development: implementation of decisions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development".

By draft decision I, approved on 12 December, the Assembly would take note of the report of the Secretary-General on observance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (document A/50/516).

By draft decision II, approved on 12 December, the Assembly would take note of the Secretary-General's note transmitting the report of UNEP on desertification (document A/50/227-E/1995/99).

Part IV of the report (document A/50/618/Add.3) contains one draft resolution approved without a vote on 5 December. It would have the Assembly endorse the institutional linkage between the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations, as advised by the Secretary-General and adopted by the first session of the Conference of the Parties to it held in Berlin, from 28 March to 7 April. The Secretary-General would be requested to review the functioning of that institutional linkage not later than 31 December 1999. The Assembly would note that the Conference of the Parties decided to accept the offer of the Government of Germany to host the Convention secretariat and express its

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appreciation for the support of the future host Government for the relocation and effective functioning of the secretariat. Other provisions of the draft concern administrative and financial arrangements relating to the Convention and its secretariat.

In connection with the above draft, the Assembly has also before it a report of the Fifth Committee (document A/50/823).

According to that report, the Committee decided without a vote to inform the Assembly that should it adopt the draft resolution the related costs are estimated at $3,522,200. The actual amount, including the need for additional appropriation, will be considered by the Assembly at its resumed session in 1996.

Part V of the report (document A/50/618/Add.4) contains one draft resolution, approved on 30 November without a vote, by which the Assembly would take note of the establishment of the Small Island Developing States Unit within the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development, and request the Secretary-General to maintain the level of staffing and the structure and organization of the Unit as requested by the Assembly. The Secretary-General would be asked to ensure that the Small Island Developing States Unit of the Department include in its work programme, along with an indication of the resources of its activities and programmes, provision for the development and compilation of a vulnerability index for small island developing States, to be prepared in collaboration with the UNCTAD and other relevant organizations.

The report's Part VI (document A/50/618/Add.5) concerns the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction [the 1990s] and contains two draft resolutions and one draft decision approved without a vote.

By draft resolution I, approved on 5 December, the Assembly would decide to convene a closing event of the Decade, through coordinated sectoral and cross-sectoral meetings, in order to facilitate the full integration of disaster reduction into the substantive efforts for sustainable development and environmental protection by the year 2000. Other provisions of the draft address details of the preparatory process for that event.

By draft resolution II, approved on 8 December, the Assembly would request the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Decade to continue, within the scope of its work on early-warning capabilities, to study new scientific and experimental concepts and methodologies for accurate and timely short-term forecasting of earthquakes, natural disasters and similar disasters with an adverse impact on the environment. The Committee would consider making recommendations on their applicability and development in the context of international cooperation to improve preparedness for and minimize the risks of such disasters. Also, the Assembly would invite the Secretary- General to facilitate, within the existing International Framework for Action for the Decade, an internationally concerted framework for improvements in early-warning capacities by developing a proposal for an effective international mechanism on early warning, to include the transfer of technologies to developing countries under the auspices of the United Nations and as part of the implementation of the Framework and the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action [adopted by the first World Conference on Natural Disaster

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Reduction which took place in 1994].

By the draft decision, the Assembly would take note of the report of the Secretary-General on core functions of the Decade submitted pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/47B (document A/50/521).

The Committee's report on operational activities for development (document A/50/619) contains three draft resolutions and one draft decision approved without a vote.

Draft resolution I, approved on 30 November, concerns cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It would have the Assembly call upon the countries and organizations that have not yet established contact and relationships with the Community to explore the possibility of doing so. It would appeal to the international community to extend assistance to the newly democratized South Africa to enable it to implement its reconstruction and development programme as speedily as possible. It would call upon the United Nations to intensify its efforts to assist the government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in the rapid implementation of the entire Lusaka Protocol. It would call upon the international community to continue to extend its support to the people of Mozambique in their efforts to consolidate their newfound peace and democracy based on national reconstruction and development in that country.

Draft resolution II, approved on 5 December, would have the Assembly endorse the recommendations contained in the report on new directions for technical cooperation among developing countries (document TCDC/9/3). Those recommendations include calls for the adoption of a more strategic orientation for technical cooperation among developing countries, focusing on priority issues such as trade and investment, debt, the environment, poverty alleviation, production and employment, and macroeconomic policy coordination. It would focus, too, on education, health, the transfer of technology and rural development. The decision of UNDP's Executive Board to increase the allocation of resources for technical cooperation among developing countries during the next programming cycle would be welcomed. The Secretary-General would be requested to present to the Assembly, on a biennial basis, a report entitled "State of South-South cooperation". It would contain a comprehensive overview and analysis of South-South economic and technical cooperation worldwide and international support in that regard, including quantitative

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data and indicators on all aspects of South-South cooperation and recommendations for strengthening such cooperation, keeping in view the importance of the proposal to convene a United Nations conference on South-South cooperation.

Draft resolution III, approved on 12 December, concerns the triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system. Under its provisions, the Assembly would strongly reaffirm that the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of United Nations operational activities should be enhanced by a substantial increase in their funding on a predictable, continuous and assured basis, commensurate with the increasing needs of developing countries. It would decide that intensified consultations and negotiations on prospective new modalities for financing operational activities for development should lead to an agreed outcome within the framework of the review process set out in resolution 48/162, on the restructuring of the Organization's work in economic and social fields.

Also, by the draft, the Assembly would decide that:

-- Where in place, the country strategy note should be the common framework for country programmes of United Nations system activities, and should outline the contributions of the United Nations system, including an indication of resources needed to meet the requirements set out;

-- The objective of capacity-building and its sustainability should continue to be an essential focus of the operational activities of the United Nations system at the country level, with the aim of integrating their activities and providing support to efforts to strengthen national capacities for policy and programme formulation, development, management, planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and review;

-- Where governments so desired, the United Nations system should be ready to engage in providing an enabling environment to strengthen the capacity of civil societies and national non-governmental organizations that are involved in development activities, in accordance with national priorities;

-- In order to promote coordination and a better division of labour, resident coordinators should, at an early stage of formulation, be informed of planned programme activities of the United Nations agencies, funds, programmes and bodies;

-- As an integral part of the next comprehensive triennial policy review, there should be, in consultation with Member States, an evaluation of the impact of operational activities for development; and

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-- The United Nations system should use, to the fullest extent possible, available national expertise and indigenous technologies.

In addition, the Assembly would call for:

-- Further work on the development of common guidelines at the field level for the recruitment, training and remuneration of national project personnel, including national consultants in formulating and implementing development projects and programmes supported by the United Nations development system; and

-- Further simplification of rules of procedures used by the United Nations development system in operational activities, particularly promoting greater consistency in the presentation of budgets at the Headquarters level, as well as in sharing administrative systems and services in the field and in developing common databases, in consultation with national governments.

By the draft decision, the Assembly would take note of the following documents: notes by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the JIU entitled "National execution of projects" and the comments of the ACC on that report (document A/50/113 and Add.1); and the report of the Secretary-General drawing the attention of the General Assembly to the report of the High-level Committee on the Review of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries on the work of its ninth session (document A/50/421).

The Committee's report on training and research (document A/50/620) contains one draft resolution approved without a vote on 8 December. Under that draft, the Assembly would reaffirm the relevance of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), particularly in view of the many training requirements of all Member States. It would invite the Institute to further develop its cooperation with the United Nations and other institutes. The Assembly would welcome the decision of the Institute's Board of Trustees regarding the opening of a liaison office in New York in order to respond to the training needs of the missions and delegations of Member States in New York, and in order to strengthen its cooperative relationship with the United Nations Secretariat.

Also, the Assembly would urge Member States to consider resuming or increasing their voluntary contributions to the restructured Institute, in particular to its General Fund. It would encourage the Secretary-General to take measures to regularize post of the Executive Director of the Institute, taking into account the recommendations of the Board of Trustees. He would be requested to submit a report to the Assembly's fifty-first session on possible ways to strengthen the training activities of the Institute and better define its role.

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The Committee's report on an Agenda for Development (document A/50/621) contains no proposals for action.

The report on renewal of the development dialogue through partnership (document A/50/622) contains one draft resolution, approved without a vote on 8 December. Under its provisions, the Assembly would agree to hold a high- level dialogue for two days at its fifty-first session on the theme of the social and economic impact of globalization and interdependence and their policy implications. The date, modalities and focus of the discussions would be decided in the context of the outcome of the work of the ad hoc open-ended working group on an Agenda for Development, and the decision to be taken on the adoption of that agenda. The Secretary-General would be requested to make initial preparations for the dialogue, in close cooperation with governments, relevant organizations and other development actors.

The Assembly would reaffirm that a dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development should be conducted in response to the imperatives of mutual interests and benefits, genuine interdependence, shared responsibility and the partnership for achieving sustained economic growth and sustainable development. It would reaffirm that the dialogue would improve the international economic environment conducive to development, and that the United Nations should reinforce its activities to facilitate it. The need to put development at the centre of United Nations activities and the United Nations central role in promoting international economic cooperation for development and in bringing development issues to the attention of the international community would be stressed. The Assembly would further request the Secretary-General to elaborate proposals for convening special sessions of the Assembly on major issues relating to the dialogue on international economic cooperation for development.

The Committee's report on international migration and development (document A/50/623) contains one draft resolution approved without a vote on 30 November.

By its provisions, the Assembly would invite the Commission on Population and Development to consider in 1997 the interrelationship between international migration and development. The Economic and Social Council would be invited to consider at its 1997 organizational session the issue of international migration and development as a theme of its agenda for that year. The Secretary-General would be requested to designate a clearly identifiable, qualified and competent focal point on international migration and development and to submit a report with proposals on ways of addressing that issue, including the possible convening of a United Nations conference on the subject.

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The report on the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (document A/50/624) contains one draft resolution approved without a vote on 12 December.

By its provisions, the Assembly would endorse the Economic and Social Council's decision 1995/320 of 12 December by which it enlarged the membership of the Commission on Population and Development from 27 to 47 members with the following geographical distribution: 12 seats to African States; 11 to Asian States; five to Eastern European States; nine to Latin American and Caribbean States; and 10 to Western European and Other States. It would reaffirm that the follow-up to the Conference, at all levels, should take into account that the factors of population, health, education, poverty, patterns of production and consumption, empowerment of women and the environment are closely interconnected and should be considered through an integrated approach. It would reiterate the importance of South-South cooperation for the successful implementation of the Programme of Action arising from the Conference. It would request the United Nations system to continue to take measures to ensure the full and effective implementation of that Programme, while considering the specific needs of developing countries. The Economic and Social Council would be requested to consider relevant reports and give guidance on matters concerning harmonization, cooperation and coordination within the United Nations system regarding the implementation of the Programme of Action.

United Nations Educational, Training Programme for Southern Africa

Also before the Assembly was a report of the Secretary-General and a draft resolution regarding the United Nations Educational and Training Program for Southern Africa (UNETPSA). In the report (document A/50/750), the Secretary-General recommends the extension of the Programme for three to five years beyond the 1994 historic date representing the transition to democracy. He further recommends that the management of the Programme and the Trust Fund (which oversees the collection and disbursement of the voluntary contributions which finance UNETPSA) be transferred to UNDP as soon as possible, and no later than 1 May 1996.

The Secretary-General appeals to all States, institutions, organizations and individuals to offer continued generous financial and other support to the Programme in view of the urgent need to contribute effectively to the immense human resources needs of a new, non-racial and democratic South Africa.

The Educational and Training Programme was originally established to provide educational opportunities for individuals from countries under colonial domination. Traditionally, the Programme provided awards for individuals from countries which attained independence, such as Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe, during a transition period of up to two years beyond independence for most countries, three years

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for Namibia. However, in the cases of Zimbabwe and Namibia, longer-term awards -- extending beyond the transition period -- were granted.

With respect to South Africa, the report states that because of the devastating impact of apartheid on the education and training of the historically disadvantaged communities, the region is facing a challenging situation which cannot be redressed overnight. And it is now increasingly recognized that a large trained cadre of black South Africans, especially at the high- and middle-management levels in education, science, technology and other priority areas, is indispensable to the economic and social upliftment of South Africa. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the Programme a few more years.

The report details the contributions to the Programme made since the Secretary-General's 1994 report. It also describes the number of scholarships awarded, programmes undertaken, and co-sponsorships and other cooperative arrangements. For example, 50 primary health-care assistants are being trained at the University of Natal and another project seeks to upgrade the qualifications of 20 senior lecturers from the historically disadvantaged universities. Projects in the pipeline include one in planning and development management, to be carried out in conjunction with the Ford Foundation and a marshals' service corps training programme.

Even though the legacy of apartheid continues to wreak havoc at all levels of education, the report concludes, it is most devastating at the tertiary level, which in turn directly affects entry-level and middle- management job seekers. The Programme's staff have found that all tertiary institutions in South Africa have stressed the necessity to provide assistance for first-year students, especially in engineering, sciences, business and medical studies, and some graduate programmes since students have the hardest time finding sponsors during their first year of study, especially at these historically disadvantaged universities. To enhance the human resource development component of the Government's Reconstruction and Development Programme, the Educational and Training Programme should now consider support for students in the sciences in particular fields which previously were not available to the vast majority and even at this stage are largely available only in the well endowed and very expensive "white" institutions.

By the terms of the draft resolution (document A/50/L.65), the Assembly would decide to transfer, no later than 1 May 1996, management of the Educational and Training Programme and its funds and decision-making authority to the Administrator of UNDP through the Executive Board of the Development Programme. That Board would be entrusted with the authority to continue the Trust Fund as an identifiable entity for three to five years beyond April 1994; to undertake fund-raising and mobilization of resources for the Educational and Training Programme; and to monitor and review the Programme.

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The Assembly would also decide to endorse the activities of the Programme and request UNDP to continue to place the primary focus of the Programme on human resource development aimed at capacity- and institution- building. The UNDP would be requested to do that by expanding arrangements for co-sponsored training for the disadvantaged majority in sectors previously neglected, as well as by expanding the Programme's co-sponsorship and job- placement arrangements with corporations, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions.

The draft resolution was sponsored by Angola, Austria, Benin, Brazil, Denmark, Djibouti, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Turkey, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Situation in Central America

The Assembly also has before it a revised draft resolution and related report of the Fifth Committee concerning the situation in Central America.

The draft resolution on the situation in Central America (document A/50/L.17/Rev.1) would have the Assembly stress the importance of negotiations between the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca aimed at reaching a peace agreement which would complete the peace process in Central America. The parties would be called upon to comply fully with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA). The international community would be requested to continue to support the peace process and efforts to promote national reconciliation, development and democracy in Guatemala.

Addressing the situation in El Salvador, the text would have the Assembly call upon that country's Government and all political forces involved in the peace process to complete the implementation of all remaining aspects of the Peace Agreement. Regarding Nicaragua, the Assembly would recognize the importance of reaching a national understanding in order to define a national development strategy through dialogue among all sectors of the country, thereby strengthening grass-roots support for reconstruction. The Assembly would emphasize the importance of the Secretary-General's compliance with Nicaragua's request for observers to be present during its electoral process next year.

Concerning the region as a whole, the draft would have the Assembly support the concern of Central American countries to create a new model of regional security based on a reasonable balance of force and the pre-eminence

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of civil authority. It would urge that negotiations be pursued for a treaty on democratic security in Central America. Also, the Assembly would emphasize the importance of the political dialogue and economic cooperation between the Central American countries and the European Union.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The report of the Fifth Committee (document A/50/826) on the draft's programme budget implications states that should the Assembly adopt the text, an appropriation not exceeding $320,300 would be required of the 1996-1997 proposed programme budget.

United Nations Efforts to Promote Democracy

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution on United Nations support for Governments' efforts to consolidate new or restored democracies (document A/50/L.19/Rev.1). Under its terms, the Assembly would recognize that the United Nations has an important role to play in supporting the efforts of Governments seeking to achieve democratization, stressing that the Organization's activities must be in accordance with the Charter. The Assembly would encourage the Secretary-General to continue to improve the Organization's capacity to respond to requests of Member States to achieve democratization. States would be encouraged to promote democratization and to identify steps to support the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new and restored democracies.

That text is sponsored by the following countries: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Italy, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Malta, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Spain, Suriname, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

Assistance to Somalia, Palestinian People, Madagascar

By the terms of a draft resolution on assistance to Somalia (document A/50/L.41/Rev.1), the Assembly would call upon all parties, movements and factions in Somalia to respect fully the security and safety of personnel of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and of non-governmental organizations, and to ensure their complete freedom of movement throughout the

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country. It would appeal to all the Somali parties concerned to terminate hostilities and to engage in a national reconciliation process that would allow for the transition from relief to reconstruction and development.

Also by that text, the Secretary-General would be requested to continue to mobilize international humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Somalia. Members of the international community would be urged to assist the Somali people in embarking on the rehabilitation of basic social and economic services as well as institution-building aimed at the restoration of civil administration at the local level in all those parts of the country where peace, security and stability prevail. The Assembly would welcome the United Nations strategy aimed at rebuilding local infrastructures and increasing the self-reliance of the local population.

That draft is sponsored by Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Under the terms of a draft on assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/50/L.54), the Assembly would call upon the relevant United Nations organs to intensify their assistance in response to the urgent needs of the Palestinians, according to priorities set forth by the Palestinian Authority. Members of the international community would be called upon to extend economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people in order to assist in the development of the West Bank and Gaza in close cooperation with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and official Palestinian institutions. Member States would be urged to open their markets to exports from the West Bank and Gaza on the most favourable terms, consistent with appropriate trading rules.

That text is sponsored by Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Also before the Assembly is a revised draft resolution (document A/50/L.56/Rev.1) which would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to mobilize assistance for the reconstruction of Madagascar. Members of the international community would be urged to increase their support to the Government of Madagascar with a view to preventing disasters and mitigating their effects on the country's development.

That text is sponsored by Burkina Faso, Gabon, Madagascar and South Africa.

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Chernobyl Disaster

The Assembly also has before it a revised draft resolution on strengthening international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster (document A/50/L.26.Rev.1). Under its terms, the Assembly would declare 26 April 1996 the international day commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant accident, and would invite Member States to conduct appropriate activities to commemorate that tragic event and to enhance public awareness of the consequences of such disasters for human health and the environment throughout the world. The Secretary-General would be requested to continue to maintain close cooperation with United Nations agencies and with other relevant organizations, with a view to encouraging the regular exchange of information, cooperation and coordination of multilateral and bilateral efforts in those areas, while implementing programmes and specific projects.

Also by that text, the Assembly would invite members of the international community to support the ongoing efforts by Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to cope with the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and would appeal to the Secretary-General to appeal to Member States to intensify such assistance. The establishment in Ukraine of an International Scientific and Technological Centre for Nuclear and Radiological Accidents as an important step towards enhancing the capabilities of the international community to deal with the consequences of such accidents would be noted.

That text is sponsored by Belarus, Japan, Kazakstan, Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Action on Second Committee Reports

BASHEER ZOUBI (Jordan), the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, introduced its reports, as orally corrected.

The Assembly first took up the report of the Second Committee on macroeconomic policy questions.

Draft resolution I, on global financial integration, was adopted without a vote.

Draft resolution II, on the external debt problem of developing countries, was adopted without a vote.

Draft resolution III, on sources for the financing of development, was adopted without a vote.

The draft decision taking note of reports, was adopted without a vote.

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Next, the Assembly took up the 13-part report on sustainable development and international economic cooperation. First, it took note of the report's part I.

Part XIII of the report containing one draft resolution and one draft decision was before the Assembly.

The draft resolution on the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa was adopted without a vote.

The draft decision taking note of a report of the Secretary-General was adopted without a vote.

Part II of the report containing four draft resolutions and one draft decision was before the Assembly.

Draft resolution I on international trade and development was adopted without a vote.

Next the Assembly took up draft resolution II on unilateral coercive measures against developing countries.

The draft was adopted by a recorded vote of 100 in favour to 30 against, with 22 abstentions. (See Annex I.)

Draft resolution III, concerning land-locked developing countries and their transit neighbours, and draft resolution IV, on UNCTAD IX, were adopted without a vote.

The draft decision taking note of a report of the Secretary-General was adopted without a vote.

Speaking after the action, ANA MARIA MENENDEZ (Spain), on behalf of the European Union, said land-locked countries were not a special category of States at the United Nations as far as the Union was concerned.

Part III of the report containing a draft resolution on the Commission on Human Settlements was adopted without a vote.

Also adopted without a vote was a draft resolution on Habitat II contained in part IV of the report.

The draft decision taking note of a note by the Secretary-General relating to regional preparations for Habitat II was adopted without a vote, as was the draft decision taking note of the Secretary-General's report on the programme for the Second Decade.

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Part V of the report was before the Assembly for action.

Draft resolution I concerning science and technology for development was adopted without a vote.

Draft resolution II on the United Nations system support for science and technology in Africa was adopted without a vote.

Speaking following the action, HUGH T. DUGAN (United States) registered his country's reservation on operative paragraph 4 of the draft resolution. He reaffirmed that for the United States, whenever the term "sustained economic growth" appeared in the resolution, it was its understanding that it referred to "growth in the context of sustainable development" consistent with paragraph 6 of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development affirmed by the Heads of State or Government at the World Summit for Social Development.

Part VI of the report containing a draft resolution and a draft decision was before the Assembly.

The draft resolution on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s was adopted without a vote, as was the draft decision taking note of documents.

A draft resolution on women in development contained in part VII of the Committee's report was adopted without a vote.

After the action, Ms. MENENDEZ (Spain), on behalf of the European Union, said that it had joined in the consensus despite the fact that the draft resolution made no reference to the Platform of Action in the preambular paragraphs. It would have liked to see that done.

LIBRAN CABACTULAN (Philippines), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, welcomed the draft, adding that the issue of inheritance should not be included as it had been dealt with at the Beijing conference.

Part VIII of the report was before the Assembly, and the draft resolution on human resources development was adopted without a vote.

Part IX of the report containing a draft resolution on business and development was before the Committee for action, and the draft was adopted without a vote.

The two-part draft resolution on international cooperation for the eradication of poverty, contained in part X of the report, was adopted without a vote.

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The draft resolution contained in part XI of the report concerning the United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation was adopted without a vote.

The report's part XII contained a draft resolution on the World Food Summit, which was adopted without a vote.

The report of the Second Committee on environment and sustainable development was before the Assembly in seven parts. First, the Assembly took note of part I of the report.

The draft resolution contained in part VII of the report (document A/50/618/Add.6) concerning the UNEP report was adopted without a vote.

Under its terms the Assembly, endorsing the report of the UNEP Governing Council on its eighteenth session and its decisions, recognized, in particular, four of them concerning the role and priorities of UNEP, in-depth evaluation of the programme on environment, and environment and sustainable development and good environmental housekeeping within the United Nations system. The UNEP Governing Council was requested to prepare a report on the role and activities of the Programme in the implementation of Agenda 21 and to submit it to the 1997 special session on the overall review and appraisal of that international instrument.

The draft decision taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on products harmful to health and the environment (document A/50/182-E/1995/66 and Corr.1) was adopted without a vote.

Part II of the report contained three draft resolutions and one draft decision.

Draft resolution I, on the Convention on Biological Diversity, draft resolution II, relating to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and draft resolution III, concerning the convening of a special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21, were adopted without a vote.

Prior to action, the Assembly President drew attention to a report of the Fifth Committee on the draft.

The draft decision taking note of reports was adopted without a vote.

Part III containing one draft resolution and two draft decisions was before the Assembly for action.

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The draft resolution addressing cooperation between UNEP and UNDP in combating desertification through partnership was adopted without a vote, as were the two draft decisions taking note of reports.

Part IV of the report, which related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and contained one draft resolution, was before the Assembly for action.

The Assembly President drew attention to a report of the Fifth Committee concerning the above draft.

The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.

A draft resolution relating to small island developing States, contained in part V of the report, was adopted without a vote.

The report on the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction containing two draft resolutions and one draft decision was before the Assembly for action.

Draft resolution I concerning the closing event of the Decade, draft resolution II, concerning early warning capacities, and the draft decision taking note of reports were adopted without a vote.

MOSES M. DLAMINI (Swaziland) said his delegation had not been able to obtain all the documentation relating to the drafts before the Assembly and it would like the record to reflect his statement.

The Committee's report on operational activities for development, containing three draft resolutions and one draft decision, was before the Assembly.

Draft resolution I, concerning cooperation between the United Nations and SADC, draft resolution II, concerning technical cooperation among developing countries, and draft resolution III, on the triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, were adopted without a vote.

The draft decision taking note of documents was also adopted without a vote.

The Committee's report on training and research contained one draft resolution, which was adopted without a vote.

After the action, Ms. MENENDEZ (Spain), on behalf of the European Union, said that it had joined in the consensus but reiterated that the question

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should be considered biennially instead of annually. The European Union hoped that, with the restructuring of the UNITAR, action to that effect would be taken next year.

The Assembly then took note of the Committee's report on an Agenda for Development.

The draft resolution contained in the report on renewal of the development dialogue through partnership was adopted without a vote.

After the action, ISSLAMET POERNOMO (Indonesia) said the resolution constituted an important landmark and demonstrated the international community's determination to recognize that there was no alternative to a constructive dialogue based on the imperatives of mutual interests and benefits, shared responsibilities and genuine independence. Indonesia considered the first dialogue to be a critical step to ensure the forward movement of the process of fulfilling the commitments to cooperation for development. Stressing the interlinkages underlying the dialogue and the work of the ad hoc open-ended working group on the Agenda for Development, he said the two should be mutually supportive.

Next, the draft resolution contained in the report on international migration and development was adopted without a vote, as was the draft resolution on the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action.

The Committee's report on issues transmitted by the Economic and Social Council, containing six draft resolutions and three draft decisions, was before the Assembly.

The Assembly adopted without a vote the draft resolution contained in part I of the report concerning the Executive Board of the World Food Programme. [The Assembly first considered that text on 1 November.]

The Assembly then took up part II of the report.

Draft resolution I on water supply and sanitation was adopted without a vote, as was draft resolution II on a target for voluntary contributions to the World Food Programme of $1.3 billion for the period 1997-1998.

Draft resolution III on the prevention and control of malaria and diarrhoeal diseases was adopted without a vote.

Draft resolution IV on economic and social repercussions of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory was before the Assembly for action.

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The draft was adopted by a recorded vote of 126 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 28 abstentions. (See Annex II.)

Draft resolution V on communication for development, draft decision I, relating to UNFPA's resident country directors, and draft decision II taking note of reports were adopted without a vote.

The draft decision in part III of the report containing the biennial programme of work of the Second Committee for 1996-1997 was adopted without a vote.

Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa

JAKKEN BIORN LIAN (Norway) introduced the draft resolution on the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa (UNETPSA). Guyana, United Republic of Tanzania and the United States joined in sponsoring the resolution.

ERNESTO DE ZULUETA (Spain) said the European Union had noted with satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General on UNETPSA. It underlined the important contribution the programme had made towards fostering the educational needs of the disadvantaged students of southern Africa. Member States of the European Union had contributed substantially over the years to the Programme and considered the need to improve the educational system a long-tern development priority which could be best taken care of through continued assistance of the international community and the United Nations agencies now operating in South Africa.

KHULU Z. MBATHA (South Africa) thanked all the donor countries which had over the years rendered valuable assistance to the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for southern Africa. Hundreds of students in southern Africa had benefitted from the Programme. In the Government of South Africa's endeavour to restructure and eliminate the distortions in education, the assistance that the Programme provided had been and continued to be indispensable. Therefore, South Africa welcomed the decision to extend the trust fund as an identifiable entity within and under the UNDP.

MOSES MATHENDELE DLAMINI (Swaziland) said the importance of the Programme could not be overemphasised. He expressed gratitude to the founders of the Fund which supported it. He hoped UNDP would continue from where the Programme had left off. Many countries which had been affected by various calamities like drought should continue to benefit from the Programme. More efforts should be made to see if all problems in the educational field had been addressed by the Programme.

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The President added that Namibia and Mozambique had joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. The Assembly then adopted the resolution without a vote.

Situation in Central America

The Assembly then took up the draft on the situation in Central America. Brazil and Peru joined in sponsoring the draft text, which the Assembly adopted without a vote.

United Nations Efforts for Democratization

The Assembly then adopted, without a vote, the resolution on United Nations support for the efforts of governments to promote and consolidate democracies.

Humanitarian Relief Assistance

DANGUE REWAKA (Gabon) introduced the revised draft on assistance to Madagascar. The following countries joined as sponsors: Benin, Congo, Cuba, France, Mauritius, Mongolia and India. He expressed hope that the draft would be adopted by consensus.

ERNESTO DE ZULUETA (Spain), speaking on behalf of the European Union, introduced the draft on assistance to the Palestinian people. Historic progress had been made in the peace process, he said. The Union had provided support for that process and intended to continue to encourage the parties to undertake their responsibilities with respect to the development of the region as a whole. Assistance to the Palestinians was critical to enabling them to feel the tangible benefits of peace. The Union, which was the main contributor of assistance to the Palestinian people, would continue to provide support, and appealed to others to do the same.

Next, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, the resolution on assistance to Somalia.

India joined as a cosponsor of the draft on assistance to the Palestinian people, which was adopted without a vote.

The resolution on assistance to Madagascar was also adopted without a vote.

Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the resolution on strengthening international cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.

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ISRAEL ELIASHIV (Israel), explaining his country's position on the resolution on assistance to the Palestinians, said Israel had long cooperated with international organizations, including the United Nations, to implement programmes for the Palestinians. The United Nations should increase funding to the Palestinians. Israel fully supported expanding assistance to the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Economic and social progress could only be advanced through cooperation. Development and improved living conditions in the territories would encourage peace and stability in the region. "However, Israel's participation in the consensus on this resolution should not be construed as implying any position regarding the present status of the territories referred to as `the occupied territory'." Nor did Israel's support carry any implication regarding the permanent status of those territories.

GUMA AMER (Libya) said his country had joined the consensus on the resolution concerning assistance to the Palestinians. However, Libya would like to register the fact that its position could not mean in any manner whatsoever a recognition of Israel or approval of the peace process referred to in the text.

HADJI KARIM DJABBARY (Iran) said that while his country had joined the consensus on assistance to the Palestinian people, it had reservations regarding those paragraphs in the resolution which might be construed as implying recognition of Israel.

The observer for Palestine, SOMAIA S. BARGHOUTI, thanked all the countries which had co-sponsored the resolution and said expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle to obtain their rights merited the highest commendation.

(annexes follow)

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General Assembly Plenary Press Release GA/9042 96th Meeting (AM) 20 December 1995

ANNEX I

Vote on Political, Economic Coercion

The resolution on political and economic coercion (document A/50/617/Add.1) was adopted by the Assembly by a recorded vote of 100 in favour to 30 against, with 22 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Kazakstan, Malta, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.

Absent: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cape Verde, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Gambia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.

(END OF ANNEX I)

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General Assembly Plenary Press Release GA/9042 96th Meeting (AM) 20 December 1995

ANNEX II

Vote on Repercussions of Israeli Settlements on Palestinians

The resolution on the repercussions of Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people (document A/50/615/Add.1) was adopted by a recorded vote of 126 in favour to 2 against, with 28 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstaining: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Hungary, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Panama, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Suriname, Ukraine, Uruguay.

Absent: Burundi, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Nigeria, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire. * *** *