ROLE OF UNCTAD AS FOCAL POINT FOR INTEGRATED TREATMENT OF DEVELOPMENT IN UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM STRESSED IN FIFTH COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/AB/3114
ROLE OF UNCTAD AS FOCAL POINT FOR INTEGRATED TREATMENT OF DEVELOPMENT IN UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM STRESSED IN FIFTH COMMITTEE
19961114 Discussion of Proposed Medium-Term Plan ContinuesThe proposed medium-term plan for 1998-2001 should reflect the priority accorded to the work of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as the focal point within the United Nations system for the integrated treatment of development, including trade, finance, technology and investment, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) was told this morning as it discussed the proposed medium-term plan.
Speaking on programme 9, on trade and development, the representative of Costa Rica, on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said that the relegation to the status of a subprogramme of matters concerning least developed countries, land-locked and island developing countries, for the previous status of a full programme, contradicted the mandates of major United Nations conferences. The subprogramme should be modified to retain most of programme 15 in the current 1992-1997 medium-term plan and to reflect General Assembly resolutions and the outcomes of United Nations conferences, in particular the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (Barbados, 1994).
Speaking for the Group of Land-locked Developing Countries, Mongolia's representative underlined the role of UNCTAD in relation to the subprogramme. Bangladesh's representative said most of the least developed countries were being marginalized by globalization and many of the developing countries were being victimized by similar trends. He called for a widening of the scope of the terms of reference of subprogramme 9.1, on globalization and development.
Libya's representative said that trade barriers, embargoes and sanctions, including the freezing of States' foreign assets, should be lifted in order to usher in a new and just world order. The effect of the flow of capital from developing to developed nations should be mitigated and the consumption patterns in the advanced nations moderated.
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Also discussed this morning were programmes 20 (Humanitarian assistance), 21 (Protection and assistance to refugees), 22 (Palestinian refugees), 23 (Public information), 24 (Administrative services) and 25 (Internal oversight).
Statements on programmes in the proposed medium-term plan were made by the representatives of Ireland (on behalf of the European Union and associated States), Cuba, Mexico, Uganda, Egypt, Syria, Norway, Algeria, Indonesia, China, Kuwait, Malaysia, Brazil, Jamaica, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Turkey and Kenya.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue discussing various programmes in the proposed medium-term plan and hear statements on the reports of the Board of Auditors and the Office of Internal Oversight Services.
Committee Work Programme
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to continue discussing various programmes in the proposed 1998-2001 medium-term plan, under the agenda item on programme planning. It is scheduled to debate programmes 20 (Humanitarian assistance), 21 (Protection and assistance to refugees), 22 (Palestinian refugees), 23 (Public information), 24 (Administrative services) and 25 (Internal oversight). (For details on those programmes, see Press Release GA/AB/3111 of 8 November.)
Programme 9 (Trade and Development)
The Committee also will take up the revised programme 9 (document A/51/6-Prog.9/Rev.1), which contains the following seven subprogrammes: 9.1 - - Globalization and development; 9.2 -- Investment, enterprise development and technology; 9.3 -- International trade in goods and services and commodity; 9.4 -- Service infrastructure for development and trade efficiency; 9.5 -- Least developed countries, land-locked and island developing countries; 9.6 -- Institutional development and support services for trade promotion, export development and international purchasing and supply management; and 9.7 -- Market development and trade information. Subprogramme 9.5 has been expanded to include land-locked countries and developing countries. Programme 9 will be implemented by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/World Trade Organization (ITC), the technical cooperation arm of the two organizations.
Also added to the new version of the programme is the issue of integration of developing countries into the global economy as a particular challenge for the international community. Many of those countries, particularly in Africa, risk being left behind and marginalized in world trade, investment, commodities and capital markets. Ongoing intensive efforts are needed to help developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, to benefit from the process of global trade liberalization.
The mandates for programme 9 flow from the role and responsibilities assigned to the UNCTAD secretariat, the quadrennial sessions of the Conference, the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies, including the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, and the Trade and Development Board and its subsidiary bodies. The programme mandates are also derived from the 1990 Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s, the Cartagena Commitment, adopted at the eighth session of UNCTAD in 1992, and, in particular, the Midrand Declaration and "A Partnership for Growth and Development", adopted at the ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD IX), held in South Africa in May.
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The revised programme is being submitted in response to the recommendations of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) (document A/51/16 - Part II). The Committee had requested the Secretary- General to submit a revised version of programme 9 in light of the results of UNCTAD IX, as well as of the decisions of the Trade and Development Board at its forty-third regular session, held at Geneva from 7 to 18 October. During its review of the proposed medium-term plan, the CPC was informed of the amendments proposed by the Trade and Development Board's Working Party on the Medium-term Plan and the Programme Budget during its twenty-seventh session, held at Geneva, on 17 June.
Statements on Programme 20 (Humanitarian Assistance)
PATRICK KELLY (Ireland), speaking for the European Union and Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, said that programme 20, on humanitarian assistance, was one of the Union's major priorities. It also attached importance to the work of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs and to strengthening its capacity for dealing with, and ensuring international response in, complex emergencies and the provision of disaster relief. The Union strongly supported activities, including those under way in the Economic and Social Council, on strengthening coordination within the United Nations system in providing humanitarian assistance. The work-plan for the Department contained in programme 20 should be adopted as drafted.
DULCE MARIA BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she had learned that other Committees had been dealing with questions which were not within their purview. For example, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) had been debating a document on the programme budget implications of some legislative action. Such practices should stop, as the Fifth Committee had the competence to debate budgetary matters. The Fifth Committee's Chairman should put an end to such practices, as they could affect the work of the Committee.
The Acting Chairman, KLAUS-DIETER STEIN (Germany), said he would continue ongoing efforts to end that problem.
NAZARETH INCERA (Costa Rica), speaking for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, supported what Cuba's representative had said regarding procedures in other Committees. The General Assembly had reaffirmed that the Fifth Committee was the main organ responsible for administrative and budgetary issues.
The representative recalled that the Group of 77 had not received answers from the Secretariat on the priorities accorded the various programmes. A list of priorities was necessary for the negotiations in the
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Committee. The Group hoped the information would be provided during consultations.
MARTA PENA (Mexico) expressed support for the conclusions and recommendations of the CPC on programme 20, which had not been changed from the form proposed by the Secretariat. She expressed the hope that the Fifth Committee would soon receive official documents containing the views of the other Main Committees on the medium-term plan programmes they had discussed, and also that the Fifth Committee would receive replies to questions previously asked soon.
The Committee's Secretary, JOSEPH ACAKPO-SATCHIVI, said that answers had been received from the First (Disarmament and International Security), Second (Economic and Financial) and the Third (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) Committees. Their replies encompassed about 75 pages of text, which would not be available before the end of the week. It was up to the Committee to decide whether it would suspend further debate on the question until it received the replies in all official languages.
He added that the Sixth Committee (Legal) had addressed its response to the President of the General Assembly, which had been released as document A/C.6/51/8.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said her delegation felt that there seemed to have been a lack of guidance regarding the procedure that the Committees should follow on how to submit their answers to the Fifth Committee. Perhaps the bureaus of the different Committees should have made efforts to submit summaries of the debates, and not compilations of the positions the various delegations put forward in the debate. The Committee might thoroughly consider how to proceed on the issue, she said, adding that there was no contradiction in requesting additional efforts in getting the letters from the other Main Committees and suspending debate on the issue.
She said that the Group of 77 had asked for a submission of lists of priorities to be accorded to the subprogrammes. Her delegation had not placed any obstacle to the consideration of any programme. Documents on programme planning had indicated that the Secretary-General should have indicated which subprogrammes had priority. She cited relevant documents to support her view. There were sufficient arguments to allow the Committee to discuss the structure of the proposed medium-term plan.
SYED RAFIQUL ALOM (Bangladesh) endorsed the statement by the chair of the Group of 77. Programme 20 was very important and he broadly agreed with its aims. Since Bangladesh was susceptible to natural disasters, humanitarian assistance in response to such phenomena was important. Paragraph 20.2 had emphasized the need for the international community's timely response to
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disasters and emergencies. However, an approach on how the programmes would be implemented was missing. In developing a gradual process of rehabilitation, it was important to actively coordinate the implementation of assistance programmes with the countries affected by disasters or emergencies. All the organizations of the United Nations system should be involved in the implementation of the programme's aims.
Ms. PENA (Mexico) said she did not understand the Secretariat's reply. She asked whether the process of translating the documents had begun. She was not trying to delay the consideration of the item, subject to the submission of the documents which could be used in the informal consultations. They should be submitted as official documents in all the official languages.
NESTAR ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) asked to discuss programme 19, on human rights.
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said he would complete the consideration of the outstanding programmes -- 20 to 25 and 9 -- and then revert to a discussion of any other programme.
YUKIO TAKASU, United Nations Controller, responded to Member States' concerns about the Secretariat's failure to recommend priorities in subprogrammes. He said that recommending priorities in subprogrammes was contrary to the existing regulations. Recalling the background to the Secretary-General's submission of the proposed medium-term plan, he said it had been the culmination of joint efforts by Member States, in the CPC and the ACABQ, and the Secretariat. Major changes had taken place in the structure of the medium-term plan. Citing the existing approved regulations, he said the structural plan should emphasize the programme and not the organizational unit. That was also relevant to subprogrammes.
The Assembly had authorized the preparation of the new medium-term plan on the basis of a new format which was different from the established programme planning rules. If the Assembly felt that it should revert to the previous approach, it could authorize that. The proposed medium-term plan on the new format had been authorized by recommendations of the CPC and the ACABQ. However, it was the prerogative of any Member State to recommend a change in the new format since it had not been approved by the Assembly. Programme priorities could be established by the existing regulations but not in the new format. Six priority areas had been presented in the Note and the Perspective documents -- introductory documents to the medium-term plan. It was unfair criticism by delegations to return to the past format after certain decisions had been made to change it.
The Fifth Committee Secretary, Mr. ACAKPO-SATCHIVI, said since the Committee had requested that the replies of the other Main Committees on the
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medium-term plan be issued in all languages, they were being translated. The relevant documents would be issued in two weeks.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she was insisting on her concern. It was not the first time that the Secretariat had found itself in difficulty in interpreting mandates, particularly those of the Fifth Committee. The new format for the proposed medium-term plan had not been adopted by the Assembly. The interpretation of the decision had been an attempt to impose a structure that had not been adopted on the Committee. Although the changes in the programme planning rules had not yet been adopted, the exercise of preparing the proposed medium-term plan had not been entirely in vain. The Committee could approve a decision on the plan's structure. There had been some confusion as to the time when a decision should have been taken on that matter. She reiterated her request that the Secretariat submit a list of priorities within the programmes and the Assembly would then take a decision on the mechanism to be followed to adopt the various priorities.
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany) said the Committee had concluded its general discussion on programme 20
Statements on Programme 21 (Protection and Assistance to Refugees)
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany) said the CPC had recommended the approval of the programme subject to a number of modifications.
Ms. PENA (Mexico) endorsed the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on the programme. They should be incorporated into the respective draft resolution on the matter. She welcomed the information that the responses from the other Main Committees on the proposed medium-term plan would be available in all languages in two weeks.
AMR NOUR (Egypt) said he supported the CPC's recommendations on the programme.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she supported the Secretariat's proposals on the programme and requested that the CPC's recommendations be incorporated into the programme.
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said the Committee had concluded its general discussion on programme 21.
Statements on Programme 22 (Palestinian Refugees)
Ms. PENA (Mexico) endorsed the CPC's recommendations and conclusions on the programme.
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TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) said he attached great importance to the programme and to the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The programme provided services to the Palestinian refugees and was extremely important to Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank and the Gaza Strip who were in need of assistance. He made reference to the source of funding of the salaries of the UNRWA staff. The programme required more attention and importance, since the problems in Palestine had not been resolved. The refugees residing in neighbouring countries still needed the support and assistance of the international community.
JORN GUTTEROD (Norway) said that UNRWA had had an adjusted deficit of more than $14 million in a particular period, despite efforts to bring income and expenditure into line. About $12 million in salary increases had been deferred in order to prevent UNRWA from running out of money. Such developments jeopardized the agency's ability to maintain its services adequately. The UNRWA deficits must be addressed in terms of their impact on services such as education, health care and other forms of relief, as those programmes were being threatened by the agency's deficits. A continuation of the situation of chronic deficits could lead to cuts in core programmes, resulting in potentially destabilizing circumstances. Governments should consider making additional contributions to finance UNRWA to ensure that services continued uninterrupted and to allow the agency to restore services that had been cut due to the financial situation.
DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria) said that the programmes should be pursued without change. The UNRWA should have the means it needed to carry out its mandate. He endorsed the recommendations of the CPC on the programme.
Mr. NOUR (Egypt) said that UNRWA's ability to implement its programme of work depended on the voluntary contributions of the international community, which should contribute to the programme. He endorsed the recommendations of the CPC, subject to the modifications forwarded.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) endorsed the CPC's recommendations and conclusions on the programme.
PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia) said he agreed with the CPC's conclusions and recommendations.
IBRAHIM ELMONTASER (Libya) expressed support for the programme as a matter of principle. The current strategy for implementing the programme should be expanded. He was not fully satisfied with the activities carried out, due to the impact of a lack of resources. The programme would be an academic exercise if the international community did not provide it with substantial support. The international community should, therefore, provide
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resources for the programme on the Palestinians until the day their problems were solved.
ZHANG WANHAI (China), noting that his country had provided funds to UNRWA, supported the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on the programme.
ZIAD MONAYAIR (Kuwait) expressed support for the important programmes implemented by UNRWA in order to improve the lot of the Palestinian people living under hard conditions.
ZULKIFLI ADNAN (Malaysia) expressed support for the CPC recommendations. Malaysia had helped fund UNRWA yearly and had never failed to do so.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, expressed appreciation for the declarations of support for UNRWA, which was facing difficult circumstances. The agency had been funded from extrabudgetary resources. Since a 1975 decision of the General Assembly, the salaries of about 92 international staff members were being paid from the regular budget. He expressed the hope that more support would be provided to the agency.
Mr. SULAIMAN (Syria) asked whether UNRWA depended totally on voluntary contributions. If not, he asked to what extent the regular budget funded its activities.
Mr. TAKASU said that the Assembly had decided that the regular budget would pay the salaries of UNRWA's international staff. As a result, about $22.6 million had been provided from the regular budget to fund 92 international staff.
Statements on Programme 23 (Public Information)
Ms. PENA (Mexico) supported the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on the programme.
Mr. KELLY (Ireland), speaking for the European Union, reiterated the general need for the Department of Public Information (DPI) to adapt to the changing environment of the information world, constantly evaluate its goals and to soundly use its resources to achieve the best possible results. The Committee on Information had an important role to play in that regard and should review the mandates in that area. The DPI should produce a more comprehensive list of mandates governing its work than what it had provided the first part of the CPC's thirty-sixth session.
The Union, he continued, found it appropriate to apply a "value for money" approach when analysing the outputs of the programme. He expressed doubts as to whether the DPI had always made the best use of the resources
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available to it to adequately counter criticism of the United Nations and explain its successes. In the current difficult budgetary climate, the Department should try to take greater advantage of recent technological advances in discharging its work. The Union supported a thorough evaluation of the results of the network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) to ensure that they were used to disseminate United Nations-related information most efficiently. It also supported the proposal for a independent evaluation of the work of the Dag Hammarskjold Library. The DPI should proceed with the implementation of the consensus recommendation of the Committee on Information for such an independent evaluation to be carried out.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) supported the work of the DPI, carried out within the programme on public information, and the CPC's recommendations on the programme. She asked why the Committee on Information had not considered the proposed programme 23 when it met in 1996.
Mr. ALOM (Bangladesh) expressed strong support for programme 23, adding that his country had provided support for its implementation. The information centres could play very important roles in many countries. They should be independent of other organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). That would allow them to provide effective services. Also, they should consider the linguistic and cultural circumstances of the nations they worked in. The information centres should be funded appropriately.
Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) said he had not taken the floor on previous agenda items because he agreed with the CPC recommendations. The DPI was important because it would help countries learn more about developments in relation to the United Nations. The programme should be strengthened to allow the DPI to carry out its mandate.
Mr. NOUR (Egypt) said he supported the recommendations of the CPC, subject to the changes submitted.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica), speaking for the Group of 77 and China, said she supported the CPC recommendations on the programme
PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia) said the DPI played an important role for the United Nations. Expressing support for UNICs, he also supported any efforts to strengthen them.
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said the Committee had concluded its consideration of programme 23.
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Statements on Programme 24 (Administration)
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said the CPC had recommended that the Assembly approve programme 24 (Administration), subject to a number of modifications.
Ms. PENA (Mexico) endorsed the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on the programme. However, she noted that for that programme, the CPC had proposed "the approval of the narrative" of its activities. Programmes 24 and 25 (Internal Oversight) should be submitted as one integrated programme, since they concerned similar spheres of activity. She, therefore, endorsed the programme narrative.
Mr. KELLY (Ireland), speaking for the European Union and associated States he had mentioned in his previous statements, expressed support for the objectives of subprogramme 24.1 -- management services -- including improvements in the timeliness of the receipt of assessed and voluntary contributions, and in financial management and internal control. Regarding subprogramme 24.3 -- human resource management -- the Union supported the establishment of a career development policy in the Secretariat regarding all types of appointments. Any reference to "professionalizing" the reconciliation of disputes and disciplinary cases would be premature pending the Assembly's consideration of the Secretary-General's proposals for reforming the internal justice system.
In connection with programme 24.4 -- support services -- he said the Organization should be provided with an efficient, transparent, competitive and fair procurement system. The Organization could make increased use of outsourcing in, for instance, printing on the part of the Office of Conference and Support Services, and the costs of living surveys of the Office of Human Resources Management. Such an objective should be reflected in subprogramme 24.5 -- conference services.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she supported the content of the activities described in the programme. She also supported the CPC's conclusions on it. Reiterating her position on the structure of the plan, she said the Assembly would make the final decision on programme 24 and the medium-term plan as a whole. Programme 24 was particularly important in the context of the plan's structure.
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said the Committee had concluded its consideration of programme 24.
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Statements on Programme 25 (Internal Oversight)
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said the CPC had recommended that the Assembly approve programme 25 (Internal oversight), subject to a number of modifications.
Ms. PENA (Mexico) said the Committee should approve the narrative of programme 25, on the understanding that it be combined with programme 24 and both be presented as a single programme.
Mr. KELLY (Ireland), speaking for the European Union and associated States, as listed earlier, said the Union attached the greatest importance to the work of the Office of Internal Oversight Services. Programme 25 should be adopted as a separate part of the medium-term plan to safeguard the Office's operational independence within the Secretariat. The Union emphasized the necessity of effective follow-up by the Secretariat in ensuring implementation of the Office's recommendations.
Mr. ELMONTASER (Libya) said he supported programme 25. He was convinced that oversight was aimed at safeguarding Member States' financial contributions to the Organization.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said her comments on programme 25 were related to those made on programme 24. Although she recognized the importance of the services under programme 25, they should be included in programme 24. The adoption of the programme would be contingent on the final decision by the Assembly on the overall programme structure of the medium-term plan.
SAM HANSON (Canada) said he supported the adoption of programme 25 as drafted, subject to the CPC's recommendations. He was convinced that for the programme to achieve its objective, it must remain structurally separate. He could not accept any proposal that it be combined with any other programme.
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said the Committee had concluded its consideration of programme 25.
Statements on Programme 9 (Trade and Development)
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said the CPC had recommended a revision of programme 9 (Trade and development).
Mr. TAKASU introduced the revised programme on trade and development.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica), speaking for the Group of 77 and China, said the medium-term plan should reflect the overall priority attached to the work of UNCTAD as the focal point within the United Nations system for the
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integrated treatment of development and of interrelated issues in the areas of trade, finance, technology, investment and sustainable development.
The programme had suffered a major change as a result of UNCTAD's restructuring, she continued. The modifications of subprogramme 9.5 -- least developed countries, land-locked and island developing countries -- in programme 9 were of particular concern. That subprogramme used to be a separate programme under UNCTAD's responsibility in the last medium-term plan (1992-1997). The fact that it had become a subprogramme was a matter of grave concern for those groups of countries concerned and also for the Group of 77 and China. Such a development was contradictory to the mandates of major United Nations conferences.
She then proposed a number of amendments to the programme, including the change of the name of the subprogramme and the inclusion of the reference to land-locked and small island developing States whenever there was reference to least developed countries and developing countries in a number of paragraphs. She added that subprogramme 9.5 should be completely modified to retain most of the former programme 15 (in the 1992-1997 plan) and to take account of Assembly resolutions and of the outcomes of United Nations conferences, in particular the 1994 Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. She called for changes in the programme to reflect the recent meeting of the Trade and Development Board.
Mr. KELLY (Ireland), speaking for the European Union and Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Norway, said the programme should reflect the results of UNCTAD IX. He expressed appreciation for the fact that consensus had been reached on a revised programme 9 in Geneva and noted that had been reflected in the revised text.
Mr. ALOM (Bangladesh) said most of the least developed countries were being marginalized by globalization, and many of the developing countries were being victimized by similar trends. He spoke on subprogramme 9.1 -- globalization and development -- and paragraph 9.11 (c). He called for a widening of the scope of the terms of reference on the need to examine successful development experiences to draw out lessons that might be of value to other nations, particularly the least developed, and then identify suitable options in supporting cooperation among developing countries. That would help the efforts of developing countries to benefit from globalization. Subprogramme 9.7 -- market development and trade information -- could become a programme on its own. The office of the Special Coordinator for the Least Developed Countries should be given adequate capacity to carry out its work.
MARCIO FAGUNDES (Brazil) approved the reforms carried out by UNCTAD in, among others, its secretariat and in strengthening its cooperation with other
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bodies. The Fifth Committee should let UNCTAD know that it welcomed its efforts to carry out the mandates of UNCTAD IX. It was important to continue paying special attention to the needs of the least developed, land-locked and small island developing countries.
SHEILA SEALY MONTEITH (Jamaica), speaking on subprogramme 9.5 -- least developed, land-locked and small island developing countries -- noted that the Division of the Least Developed, Land-locked and Island Developing Countries had been eliminated in the process of reorganizing UNCTAD's secretariat. That development should not reduce the level of importance accorded to the concerns of those nations. She wanted to be assured that the interest of the small island developing countries would be protected. The actions to be carried out should be derived from the Programme of Action adopted by the Barbados Conference.
PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia) said that UNCTAD was becoming even more indispensable. He expressed support for the statement of Costa Rica and the proposed amendments, which reflected the views expressed by the Group of 77 and China in the Second Committee.
Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) said that his delegation had spoken on the programme in the session of the CPC. He supported the remarks made by Costa Rica on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and the amendments she had proposed on subprogramme 9.5 -- least developed, land-locked and small island developing countries. He expressed the hope that the amendments would be accepted. Calling for particular emphasis on subprogramme 9.5, he said Member States should be flexible in their discussions on that programme.
FUMIAKI TOYA (Japan) said that he was ready to support the revisions submitted to programme 9. Since he was waiting for the comments of the Japanese Mission in Geneva, he would reserve the right to make further remarks later, either in formal or informal meetings. The representative of Costa Rica should distribute her proposed amendments in writing, he added.
RAJIV RAMLAL (Trinidad and Tobago) said that the question of the small island developing countries concerned his country. He supported Costa Rica's concerns and recommendations on subprogramme 9.5. The Barbados Conference had assigned UNCTAD a specific role in helping those nations. Those countries should continue to get priority in order to ensure that the UNCTAD mandate on those nations was carried out. The relevant UNCTAD mandates, as stipulated in the Barbados Programme of Action, should be implemented.
Mr. ELMONTASER (Libya) said that all trade barriers, sanctions and embargoes, including the freezing of States' foreign assets, should be lifted in order to help usher in a new and just world order. Protectionism, among other problems, should be ended, and the effect of the reverse flow of capital
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from developing to the developed nations mitigated. The consumption patterns in the advanced nations should be moderated and the industrialized nations should help relieve the debt burden of the developing world. The international community should act immediately to end the sanctions, embargoes and the freezing of assets.
KIM LAWLOR (United States) expressed general support for the programme, as it generally reflected the language that had been agreed to at UNCTAD IX. It was a good attempt to implement the decisions of that session of the Conference.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) expressed support for the efforts of UNCTAD to implement its mandates. She firmly supported the statement by the representative of Costa Rica on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. She stressed the importance of subprogramme 9.5 and took note of the change in its title. The proposals by the Group of 77 and China should be added to the final programme that would be approved. The Special Coordinator for the Least Developed Countries should take into account the specific situations of the various categories of countries, such as the land-locked and small island States. The comments of the Group of 77 and China on subprogramme 9.5 should be duly accommodated. The representative also expressed support for Libya's comments, which should be reflected in the narratives.
SANDAGDORJ ERDENEBILEG (Mongolia), also speaking for the Group of Land- locked Developing Countries, said that UNCTAD played a very important role in relation to the least developed, land-locked and small island nations. Its role should not be diminished. The role of the Special Coordinators should be enhanced. He underlined the importance of subprogramme 9.5. -- least developed, land-locked and small island developing countries.
MOHAMED FATTAH (Egypt) expressed support for the statement by the representative of Costa Rica. The General Assembly was the appropriate forum for discussing issues related to UNCTAD. He said he would raise the issue of a unit for Palestine during informal consultations.
Ms. PENA (Mexico) expressed satisfaction that the programme had to some extent included activities in favour of land-locked and small island nations. The text could be further negotiated to satisfy all sides. She would submit all the proposals that had been made to her authorities for comments. Work on the text could proceed, but should be kept open to allow for any changes that might be needed.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica), also speaking for the Group of 77 and China, said that the position of the Group had been relayed in the letter that had arrived from the Chairman of the Second Committee. She would submit the Group's proposed amendments in writing.
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The discussion on the programme was concluded.
Statements on Outstanding Programmes
Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda), speaking on programme 19 (Human rights), stressed its importance to his Government. The programme had to be strengthened to achieve its objectives. He was concerned about the restructuring of the Centre for Human Rights. Any restructuring must be take account of the role of the intergovernmental organs and issues of concern to all Member States.
He asked for information on the new structure that had been proposed for the Centre, including what efficiency measures had been taken; what transitional arrangements were being implemented; how the restructuring had been carried out; what was the cost of the use of a consultancy firm to prepare the restructuring proposal; and what would be the procedure for handling the second report on restructuring. He added that the second report did not focus precisely on the Centre's legislative mandates and did not reflect the Centre's work programme. He also asked for an explanation of the consequences of the implementation of the efficiency measures in the Centre.
SEDAT YAMAK (Turkey), speaking on programme 11 (Human settlements), said he would support the adoption of the revised text of that programme since it reflected the consensus reached in Istanbul last June.
S.K. MAINA (Kenya), also speaking on programme 11, said he supported the revised text, which was consistent with the outcome of the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II). He stressed the importance of the role of the regional bodies in the programme's implementation. In that connection, it was critical that the Centre for Human Settlements be provided with adequate resources to carry out its responsibilities.
Mr. GUTTEROD (Norway), speaking on programme 10 (Environment), said he supported the programme. However, he drew attention to the special session of the Assembly to review the implementation of Agenda 21, which was scheduled for June 1997, and the need for flexibility in programme 10 to take into account the conclusions of that session.
Mr. KELLY (Ireland), speaking also on behalf of the European Union and associated States, referred to programme 4 (Legal affairs). He stressed the importance of the initiative to establish an international criminal court. All possible support was essential to ensure the implementation of that project, including the provision of resources. He urged the Secretariat to ensure the timely publication of the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs. The status-of-forces agreements should be identified as an important
Fifth Committee - 16 - Press Release GA/AB/3114 28th Meeting (AM) 14 November 1996
aspect of the programme. He also stressed the importance of organizing international trade law.
He was concerned about the increase in the workload of the Office of Legal Affairs since the work of the Office was fundamental to the Organization.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, responded to the questions raised on the restructuring of the Human Rights Centre. The process had been started on the basis of the advice of the Oversight Office and the Assembly. It had included the creation of a branch for the promotion of the right to development. He informed the Committee of the use of a consultant, other details of the process of restructuring and the time schedule. The High Commissioner for Human Rights had taken every opportunity to explain the progress on restructuring to intergovernmental bodies in New York and Geneva.
The acting Chairman suspended the discussion of the programmes of the proposed medium-term plan until the next meeting.
Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) reserved the right to ask more questions based on the replies given by the Controller.
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