SECOND COMMITTEE APPROVES SIX DRAFTS ON DEVELOPMENT MATTERS BY VOTE

Press Release
GA/EF/2806

SECOND COMMITTEE APPROVES SIX DRAFTS ON DEVELOPMENT MATTERS BY VOTE

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) this morning approved six draft resolutions which contained the expression "sustained economic growth and sustainable development" by recorded votes requested by the representative of the United States. The drafts concerned industrial development, human resources development, women in development, renewal of the dialogue for development through partnership, external debt problem of developing countries, and global financial flows and their impact on developing countries.

Speaking before the first vote, the representative of the United States said his Government could not accept the equation of "sustained economic growth" and "sustainable development". The United States had recognized at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) that sustainable development required economic development, social development and environmental protection. Sustained economic growth was one component of sustainable development -- it was not an equal concept. In the five years since the Earth Summit, governments had tried to achieve economic growth at the expense of social development and environmental protection, and their efforts had never been sustainable, he added.

After the last vote this morning, the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania, speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, regretted the lack of agreement between the United States and the Group of 77 on the six texts which contained references to sustained economic growth and sustainable development. The Group of 77 strongly maintained that for any development process to be meaningful, particularly in developing countries, economic growth sustained over a period of time was critical, he stressed, adding that the United States believed that sustainable development should be based on private sector growth, but most countries recognized that that approach to development was restrictive.

By the provisions of the drafts approved this morning, the Assembly would:

Second Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

-- Request its President to consult Member States in order to decide the modalities, focus of the discussions and timing of the first two-day high-level development dialogue on the theme of social and economic impact of globalization and interdependence, to be held during the Assembly's fifty-third session -- by a vote of 151 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with no abstentions. (See Annex IV for details of the voting.);

-- Call on the United Nations system to support developing countries to integrate gender concerns into national programmes and to implement those programmes -- by a vote of 153 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with no abstentions (See Annex V.);

-- Call on all Member States to support the implementation of the programme for the Industrial Development Decade for Africa and the Plan of Action for the Alliance for Africa's Industrialization, taking into account the results of the mid-term review of the Decade -- by a vote of 151 in favour to 1 against (United States), with no abstentions (See Annex III.);

-- Request the Secretary-General, in close cooperation with the Bretton Woods institutions and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), to analyse the current trends in global financial flows -- by a vote of 147 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with no abstentions. (See Annex I.);

-- Call on the United Nations system to support national and regional human resources development and capacity-building, both among themselves and with other development partners -- by a vote of 154 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States). (See Annex VI.); and

-- Call on the international community and invite the Bretton Woods institutions and the private sector to implement the agreements and decisions on external debt agreed to at major United Nations conferences and summits -- by a vote of 150 in favours to 1 against (United States), with 1 abstention (Romania). (See Annex II.) After the vote, the representative of Romania said his vote should have been recorded as in favour of the draft.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its deliberations.

Committee Work Programme

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this morning to take action on all outstanding drafts.

Among proposals before the Committee is a draft resolution on renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership (document A/C.2/52/L.11/Rev.1), sponsored by the "Group of 77" developing countries and China. By the provisions of that draft text, the Assembly would reaffirm the continued need to strengthen constructive dialogue and genuine partnership to promote further international economic cooperation and development. The President of the General Assembly would be requested to start consultations with member States in order to arrive at an early decision on the modalities, focus of the discussions and date -- including a date shortly before the Assembly's fifty-third session -- of the first two-day high-level dialogue on the theme of the social and economic impact of globalization and interdependence and their policy implications to be held during the Assembly's next regular session. The Assembly would further request the Secretary-General, in close cooperation with governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations and other development actors, to make initial preparations for such a dialogue.

By the terms of a draft resolution on business and development (document A/C.2/52/L.13/Rev.1), the Assembly would stress the importance of microcredit to people living in poverty, allowing them to undertake micro-enterprises, which in turn generate self-employment and contribute to achieving empowerment, particularly of women. It would call for the strengthening of institutions supportive of micro-financing, including microcredit. It would also call upon the United Nations funds and programmes to incorporate support for sustainable development from the private sector in their programmes, country cooperation, and development assistance frameworks, as well as promote entrepreneurship.

The Assembly would also ask the Secretary-General and the operational development agencies of the United Nations system to focus analytical work, in implementing the present resolution as well as General Assembly resolutions 48/180 and 50/106, on the role of the private sector, including the informal sector, in sustainable development. It would encourage the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to involve non-governmental organizations actors in its activities in an advisory capacity. It would welcome the "Partners for Development Initiative" of UNCTAD Secretary-General and the meeting to be held at Lyon, France, in November 1998.

The draft text is sponsored by Argentina, Bulgaria, Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Russian Federation, Ukraine, United States and Uruguay.

A draft text on women in development (document A/C.2/52/L.17/Rev.1), sponsored by the Group of 77 and China, would have the Assembly call on all governments and all actors of society to create an enabling environment by

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

removing discriminatory barriers and ensuring the full and equal participation of women in activities through the adoption of gender-sensitive policies and legal measures and the provision of other necessary structures. Governments would also be urged to develop and promote national strategies for promoting sustainable and productive entrepreneurial activities for income-generation among disadvantaged women and women living in poverty. The United Nations system would be called on to support developing countries in their efforts to integrate gender concerns into national programmes and to implement those programmes. The Assembly would request the United Nations development system to work towards establishing a more coherent approach to its support for women's income-generating activities, particularly credit schemes.

By a draft resolution on the implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcome of the Assembly's nineteenth special session (document A/C.2/52/L.29), sponsored by the Group of 77 and China, the Assembly would call on all governments, relevant United Nations actors, the international community, including non-governmental organizations, to implement the programme of action adopted by the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests. Stressing that concerted efforts by all governments would be required to achieve advance results by the next review of the implementation of Agenda 21 in the year 2002, and taking into account the priority areas adopted at the special session, the Assembly would call on the developed countries to fulfil their commitments with respect to financial resources and technology transfer.

The Assembly would invite the Commission on Sustainable Development to establish funding modalities to enable developing countries that were not members to participate in the work of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, and urge Governments to contribute to the trust fund for that purpose. Governments would be invited to assist developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, to participate in the follow-up meetings envisaged for the next five years, and to make timely contributions to the trust fund to support the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Assembly would also stress the urgent need to replenish the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to enable it to fulfil its mandate.

A draft resolution on industrial development cooperation (document A/C.2/52/L.40) is submitted by a Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Adel Abdellatif (Egypt), on the basis of informal consultations held on a draft contained in document A/C.2/52/L.16. By the provisions of that draft, the Assembly would call on all Member States to support the implementation of the programme for the Industrial Development Decade for Africa and the Plan of Action for the Alliance for Africa's Industrialization, taking into account the results of the mid-term review of the Industrial Development Decade for Africa. African Member States would be urged to integrate the objectives of the Alliance into their national plans and to establish an institutional capacity for the formulation of mechanisms to follow up and monitor programmes and projects.

The Assembly would call on the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

strengthen their coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other United Nations agencies and donors to accelerate the implementation and goals of the Industrial Decade for Development of Africa. The UNIDO, ECA and other relevant United Nations organizations would also be requested to work closely with governments and the private sector in Africa at the national, regional and international levels to foster industrial production and development.

The draft biennial programme of work for the Second Committee for 1998-1999 is transmitted to the Committee in a note by the Secretariat (document A/C.2/52/L.45).

By the terms of a draft resolution on global financial flows and their impact on the developing countries (document A/C.2/52/L.48), submitted by the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Abdellatif (Egypt) on the basis of informal consultations held on draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.4, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General, in close cooperation with the Bretton Woods institutions and UNCTAD, to analyze the current trends in global financial flows. It would also request him to make recommendations in the World Economic and Social Survey, 1998 and the Trade and Development Report, 1998 on ways and means to address the volatility of those flows. Those recommendations would include measures to help economies become more resilient to currency fluctuations.

Also by the draft, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be invited to ensure that, in exercising its role in promoting capital account liberalization, it does so in an orderly and flexible manner, to enable member countries to tailor capital account liberalization to the circumstances of each individual country. The Assembly would stress that sound domestic macroeconomic policies of each country in regard to promoting macroeconomic stability and growth were vital to private capital flows, and that the coordination of macroeconomic policies and a favourable international economic environment were important. It would stress the need for international cooperation to prevent future currency crises which affected not only developing countries, but also the international financial and monetary system.

A draft resolution on developing human resources for development (document A/C.2/52/L.49), submitted by a Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Hans- Peter Glanzer (Austria), on the basis of informal consultations held on a draft resolution contained in document A/C.2/52/L.31, would have the Assembly call on the United Nations system to support national and regional human resources development and capacity-building, both among themselves and with other development partners.

The Assembly would invite international organizations, including financial institutions, to support human resources development and to integrate it into their policies, programmes and operations. It would request the Secretary-General to include in his report to the fifty-fourth session an assessment of the effectiveness of the contribution of the United Nations

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

system to advance human resources development, including recommendations on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of its contribution. It would decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-fourth session, under the item entitled "Sustainable development and international economic cooperation", the sub-item entitled "Human resources development".

By a draft text on the protection of the global climate for present and future generations of mankind (document A/C.2/52/L.55), submitted by Vice- Chairman Mr. Glanzer (Austria), on the basis of informal consultations held on the draft text contained in document A/C.2/52/L.21), the Assembly would decide to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium 1998-1999 the sessions of the Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, entailing eight weeks of conference- servicing facilities envisaged for that biennium. It would also decide to maintain the arrangements regarding personnel and financial matters established in regard to the provision of administrative support to the secretariat of the Convention for the biennium 1998-1999.

By a draft text on the Convention on Biological Diversity (document A/C.2/52/L.56), submitted by Vice-Chairman Mr. Glanzer (Austria), on the basis of informal consultations held on the draft text contained in document A/C.2/52/L.25, the Assembly would call on the States parties to the Convention to urgently settle their arrears and to pay their contributions in full and in a timely manner, in accordance with the decision of the Conference of the Parties regarding the contributions required for the trust fund for the Convention to ensure continuity in the cash flow required to finance the ongoing work of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, its subsidiary bodies and its secretariat. It would also encourage those States that had not yet ratified the Convention to do so as soon as possible. Noting that the first national reports of the States parties to the Convention were due to be submitted to its secretariat no later than 1 January 1998, the Assembly would call upon Member States that are parties to the Convention to meet that requirement as soon as possible. It would also invite the international community to assist developing countries in fulfilling that commitment.

Another draft resolution submitted by Committee Vice-Chairman Mr. Glanzer (Austria) concerns the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa (document A/C.2/52/L.57) and is based on informal consultations held on draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.22. By the provisions of that draft text, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to authorize the Convention's interim secretariat to act as the secretariat for the transition period following the first session of the Conference of the Parties until the permanent secretariat begins operating at Bonn, by 1 January 1999. It would also request him to maintain the arrangements within the current programme budget for the interim secretariat to support the Convention until the permanent one begins operating and to maintain the arrangements relating to extrabudgetary funds.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

The Secretary-General would be requested to close, on 31 December 1998, the Trust Fund and the Special Voluntary Fund established under the provisions of General Assembly resolution 47/188 and to transfer any amounts remaining in those funds as of 31 December 1998, respectively, to the supplementary fund and to the special fund to be established in accordance with the financial rules. The Assembly would call on all countries, particularly developed countries, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to contribute generously to the trust funds (general, supplementary and special funds) to be established by the Secretary-General on 1 January 1999, to facilitate activities under the Convention and to support the participation of representatives of developing and, in particular, least developed country parties affected by desertification and/or drought, particularly those in Africa.

Stressing the need to advance the full implementation of the Convention, the Assembly would call on governments of affected countries to accelerate the processes of elaboration of national, subregional and regional action programmes. It would also call on the international community, particularly the developed countries, and the United Nations system, and invite the multilateral financial institutions and all other interested actors, to support the efforts of affected developing countries in those processes by providing financial resources and other forms of assistance, in accordance with the relevant articles of the Convention and the decisions of the Conference of the Parties. It would decide to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for 1998-1999 the sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for that biennium, taking into account the request of the Conference of the Parties.

According to a statement on the financial implications of the above draft resolution (document A/C.2/52/L.54), should the Assembly decide to adopt that draft text, no additional appropriations under section 27E would be required in the 1998-1999 programme budget.

By a draft resolution on enhancing international cooperation towards a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries (document A/C.2/52/L.58), submitted by Vice-Chairman Mr. Abdellatif (Egypt) on the basis of informal consultations held on draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.8, the Assembly would call on the international community, including the United Nations system, and invite the Bretton Woods institutions and the private sector, to take appropriate measures and action for the implementation of the commitments, agreements and decisions related to the question of external debt taken at the major United Nations conferences and summits organized since the beginning of the 1990s on development.

The Assembly would stress the importance of implementing the eligibility criteria of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative flexibly, in a transparent manner, and with the full involvement of the debtor country. It would further stress the importance of continuously evaluating and actively monitoring the implications of the existing terms of the eligibility criteria

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

in the implementation of the Initiative to ensure sufficient coverage of heavily indebted poor countries.

The Assembly would invite creditor countries, private banks and multilateral financial institutions to continue the initiatives and efforts to address the commercial debt problems of the least developed countries and the requests for continued mobilization of resources through the debt-reduction facility of the International Development Association (IDA) in order to help eligible least developed countries reduce their commercial debt. It would stress the need for new financial flows to debtor developing countries from all sources, and urge creditor countries and multilateral financial institutions to continue to extend concessional financial assistance, particularly to the least developed countries, to support the implementation of economic reforms and stabilization and structural adjustment programmes by the developing countries that will enable them to extricate themselves from the debt overhang and attract new investment and to assist them in achieving [sustained economic growth and sustainable development] and the eradication of poverty. (The expression in brackets remains to be agreed upon.)

Action

ADEL ABDELLATIF (Egypt), Vice-Chairman of the Committee, introduced the draft resolution on global financial flows and their impact on the developing countries (document A/C.2/52/L.48). He read out the following amendment:

-- fifth preambular paragraph, line 2, the brackets around the phrase "sustained economic growth and sustainable development" should be removed.

The representative of Indonesia read out the following amendments to the draft text:

-- operative paragraph 10, line 4, the word "with" should be replaced by the word "within"; and

-- operative paragraph 11, line 1, the word "Baking" should be replaced by "Banking".

The representative of the United States requested a recorded vote. He said his Government would vote against the draft because it could not accept the equation of "sustained economic growth" and "sustainable development". Governments joined together at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1992) in adopting a programme of action for sustainable development worldwide. The United States recognized in Rio that sustainable development required economic development, social development and environmental protection. Sustained economic growth was one component of sustainable development -- it was not an equal concept. The United States reaffirmed the importance of sustainable development at the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, in the Agenda for Development, and at the General Assembly special session on Agenda 21. In the five years since the Earth Summit, governments had tried to achieve economic growth at the

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

expense of social development and environmental protection. Their efforts were never sustainable.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said the draft resolution captured all the important elements for the development of developing countries and the forging of a dynamic international cooperation. It represented the most rational approach to the subject for the next century. The Group of 77 and China would vote in favour of the draft.

The representative of Indonesia noted with regret that the draft resolution would be subject to a vote, given the current monetary crisis in Asia. Indonesia aligned itself with the comments made by the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally revised, by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with no abstentions. (See Annex I for details of the vote.)

The representative of Benin said his intervention had no meaning because he had wanted to speak before the vote.

The representative of New Zealand expressed concern and misgivings that the Committee resorted to vote. It was a backward trend. Many delegations saw the benefit of working by consensus. He reserved the right to make a lengthier statement in the plenary on that subject.

The representative of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said the European Union had voted in favour of the draft resolution and attached importance to sustainable development. In the past, the Committee's work had been characterized by the spirit of compromise and collaboration, and therefore, it was regretful that it had now resorted to a vote on the resolution. Solutions could have been found in the spirit of compromise during the informal consultations.

The representative of Canada said his Government had voted in favour of the draft resolution. Canada shared the concerns of others that a vote had to be called on the resolution. Canada hoped that the Committee would return to the spirit of consensus which had guided its work. Canada fully supported the concept of sustainable development.

The representative of Greece said his delegation had voted in favour of the draft resolution, along with the European Union, but there had been a technical problem in registering his vote.

The representative of the Russian Federation said his Government had voted for the resolution because of the importance it attached to the concept of sustainable development. Voting was undesirable in the Committee. The topic presupposed a consensus approach. Russia hoped that today would be an exception and not the rule.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

The representative of Norway said his Government had voted in favour of the draft resolution. It was regrettable that a vote had been taken, thereby breaking the Committee's pattern of acting by consensus. Any development must occur in the overall context of sustainable development, as recently defined in the Agenda for Development.

The representative of Japan said it was regrettable that there had been a vote on the draft text after so much effort had been made to create a consensus. Japan had voted in favour of the draft text and would also vote in favour of the other five related draft resolutions. Nevertheless, Japan would like to record its doubt over the wording "sustained economic growth and sustainable development". As stated in the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, economic development, social development and environmental protection were interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development, which was the framework for efforts to achieve a higher quality of life for all people.

The representative of Turkey said that was not the way the work of the Committee should be conducted. The subject of development deserved treatment by consensus, which was not as elusive as it currently seemed.

The representative of Jordan said his Government had voted in favour of the draft resolution and would vote in favour of the related drafts. The concept of sustainable development had helped to bridge the gap between the North and the South over concerns about environmental protection and economic growth. The deterioration of the environment had negative affects on economic growth. Although there had been over one hundred definitions of sustainable development, it meant maintaining human integrity, maintaining environmental integrity, and maintaining economic efficiency. Economic growth was of vital importance to the world, and it was particularly vital for developing countries.

In light of the approval of draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.48, draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.4 was withdrawn by its sponsors.

Mr. ABDELLATIF (Egypt), Vice-Chairman of the Committee, then introduced the draft resolution on enhancing international cooperation towards a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries (document A/C.2/52/L.58). He requested the removal of the brackets around the phrase "sustained economic growth and sustainable development" in preambular paragraph 13 and operative paragraphs 2 and 20.

The representative of the United States asked that his Government's explanation of vote for the previous resolution be applied to the current draft text. The United States would vote against the draft text.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania said the Group of 77 was in favour of the draft resolution. In the spirit of compromise and understanding it had agreed to the current language of the draft resolution. He recalled that the language regarding sustained economic growth and

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

sustainable development was also included in a similar resolution adopted last year.

The representative of China said his delegation fully supported the statement made by the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania. In addition, the Chinese version of the draft contained language that did not correctly reflect the definition of sustained economic growth and sustainable development. The Chinese version should be corrected when the draft resolution was reprinted.

The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally revised, by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 1 abstention (Romania). (See Annex II.)

The representative of Romania said his delegation had voted in favour of the draft text but its vote was recorded as an abstention.

The representative of Jamaica said his delegation had voted in favour of the draft resolution because of the importance it attached to sustained economic growth and sustainable development. Jamaica was firmly opposed to any idea that the phrase "sustained economic development and sustainable development", as a consequence of the adoption of the Agenda for Development, could be placed on the shelf of the United Nations. Such an approach could make future compromise and the achievement of consensus much more difficult.

The representative of Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Union, said the Union had voted for the draft resolution. The European Union reaffirmed the importance it attached to the concept of sustainable development. Economic development, social development and the protection of the environment were interdependent, mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development. That was agreed upon at the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen and reaffirmed by the General Assembly in its adoption of the Agenda for Development.

The representative of the Russian Federation said he had voted in favour of the draft text and intended to vote in favour of the remaining four related drafts. His statement of the first resolution should be reflected on the record regarding the other related resolutions. The Russian Federation was committed to sustainable development as defined in the Agenda for Development.

The representative of Nigeria said he had voted in favour of the draft resolution and associated himself with the statement by the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania. The external debt burden had caused many problems in Nigeria's development efforts, and the international community needed to address the problem of external debt. It was unfortunate that a member of the international community had withdrawn itself from addressing those issues.

In light of the adoption of draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.58, draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.8 was withdrawn by its sponsors.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

Next, Mr. ABDELLATIF (Egypt), Vice-Chairman of the Committee, introduced the draft resolution on industrial development cooperation (document A/C.2/52/L.40). He proposed the removal of the brackets, in the fifth preambular paragraph, around the phrase "sustained economic growth and sustainable development".

The representative of Luxembourg made the following amendments to the draft resolution:

-- the title of the draft resolution should read: "Industrial development cooperation: the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa"; and

-- operative paragraph 4, line 3, the word "agreed" should be inserted between "their" and "mandates".

The representative of Cote d'Ivoire said there was a translation error in the fourth preambular paragraph in the French version. The French version should be corrected when the draft resolution was reprinted.

OSCAR DE ROJAS (Venezuela), Chairman of the Committee, said the same error was in the Spanish version.

The representative of the United States said once again the Committee had before it a draft text with the words "sustained economic growth and sustainable development". The United States requested a recorded vote.

Speaking before the vote, the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania said the Group of 77 and China would vote in favour of the draft resolution.

The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally revised, by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 1 (United States) against, with no abstentions. (See Annex III.)

The representative of Luxembourg requested that his previous explanation of vote be applied to the current draft text.

The representative of South Africa said his delegation endorsed the sentiments expressed by the Group of 77 and China. South Africa and Southern African countries as a whole took the utility and need of industrialization seriously. Development and partnership were two sides of the same coin. The concepts of sustained economic development and sustained development were important to South Africa.

In light of the adoption of draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.40, draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.16 was withdrawn by its sponsors.

HANS-PETER GLANZER (Austria), Vice-Chairman of the Committee, introduced the draft resolution on the renewal of the dialogue on strengthening

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

international economic cooperation for development through partnership (document A/C.2/52/L.11/Rev.1). He said the resolution was not a Vice- Chairman's text, and consensus had been achieved on the draft resolution except for operative paragraph 2, which contained the phrase "sustained economic growth and sustainable development".

The representative of the United States said the draft text contained the phrase "sustained economic growth and sustainable development", and therefore, his delegation called for a recorded vote. He asked that his earlier explanation of vote be applied in the current situation. The concept of the renewal of dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation had been intimately linked with the Agenda for Development. It was unfortunate that the consensus reached in the Agenda for Development had not been applied to the present resolution.

The representative of Luxembourg read out the following amendment:

-- operative paragraph 6, line 1, the word "subsequent" should be replaced by "the following".

The representative of Canada said it should be "following" and not "the following".

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania said the wording described by the representative of Canada was correct. He asked that his earlier explanation regarding the phrase, "sustained economic growth and sustainable development", be applied to the current resolution.

The Committee then approved the draft resolution, as orally revised, by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 2 against (Israel and United States), with no abstentions. (See Annex IV.)

The representative of Luxembourg said the European Union had voted in favour of the draft resolution. He asked that his earlier explanation of vote be recorded for the current draft text.

The representative of Indonesia said the resolution was also intended to implement 51/174, on the same topic, which was adopted by consensus last year. The purpose of the dialogue was to deepen the understanding of the global community. Yet it had been voted on, which was deeply regretful because it had far-reaching implications for the work of the General Assembly and the Committee. The vote should not thwart the efforts of the international community in the process to open a dialogue.

The representative of China said it had voted in favour of the draft because it was an important resolution and in the interest of every country in the international community. China regretted that the draft text had been put to a vote. The countries that voted against the resolution would hopefully adopt a more positive attitude in the implementation and follow-up to the resolution.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

The representative of Canada said the two-day dialogue described in the resolution was one, stand-alone event to be held at an appropriate time to be determined later. Canada looked forward to the holding of that singular event.

The CHAIRMAN said he had received a letter from the President of the General Assembly inquiring about the implementation of resolution 51/174. He would inform the President of the Assembly that work had not been completed thus far and would be undertaken at a later time.

Mr. GLANZER (Austria) introduced the draft resolution on women in development (document A/C.2/52/L.17/Rev.1). He said it was not a Vice-Chairman's text and there was consensus on the draft text except for the third preambular paragraph, which was missing in the English version and should read as follows:

-- "Reaffirming that gender equality is of fundamental importance for achieving sustained economic growth and sustainable development".

The representative of Luxembourg read out the following amendment:

-- operative paragraph 12, line 2, the word "and" should be inserted between the "family-friendly" and "gender-sensitive".

The representative of the United States said he regretted the reappearance of the missing preambular paragraph, and his country regretted that it could not join the consensus in adopting the resolution on "women in development". The United States had worked with many delegations to ensure that the resolution addressed issues fundamental to women's participation in the economy, including women's and girls' education, equal rights and access to resources, positive investment climates, mainstreaming gender, and income generation activities. If governments did not place equal value on economic development, social development and environmental protection, development would not be sustainable and women would be among the casualties.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania asked that his previous statement be recorded again regarding that draft resolution.

The Committee then approved the draft resolution, as orally revised, by a vote of 153 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with no abstentions. (See Annex V.)

The representative of Luxembourg asked that his earlier explanation of vote be recorded in reference to the current draft text.

The representative of Namibia said there was language in the resolution that her Government would have preferred to have been left out. Yet, in the spirit of compromise, Namibia had allowed that language to remain while reserving its position. The draft resolution was on a subject that bordered many important issues, including culture, tradition, religion, among others.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibia was perturbed that while gender mainstreaming was advocated it was being told that sustainable development did not include women but did include the environment. The inclusion of women in development was essential for the eradication of poverty. Women and men should contribute and benefit equally. The display of arrogance could not lead to consensus.

The representative of Morocco, speaking on behalf of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, said the group had reservations about paragraph 9 of the draft resolution, which called for equality of inheritance. The group was not against the principle of equality of men and women as regards inheritance, but it was opposed to the paragraph in the text stipulating equality of share of inheritance. It ran counter to the legislation of those countries and to the shariah. The group would like to reaffirm its position on that issue.

The representative of Syria expressed regret that the Second Committee was compelled to resort to voting on the draft resolution on women in development. Syria had voted in favour of the draft text out of its belief in the major role women played in development. His Government reaffirmed that endorsement, based on the explanation of operative paragraph 9 that was in conformity with the outcome of Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women and on the basis of the understanding that the paragraph would not run counter to legislation in Syria regarding inheritance. In addition, there was a mistake in the Arabic version in the title of the draft.

The Committee then decided that the General Assembly should take note of the report of the Secretary-General on the effective mobilization and integration of women in development (document A/52/345).

Mr. GLANZER (Austria), Committee Vice-Chairman, then introduced the draft resolution on developing human resources for development (document A/C.2/52/L.49). In the fifth preambular paragraph, the brackets around the phrase "sustained economic growth and sustainable development" should be removed.

The representative of the United States requested a recorded vote, asking that his first explanation of vote be recorded as the explanation of vote for the current resolution.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania requested that his earlier explanation regarding the importance of sustained economic growth and sustainable development be recorded for the current resolution.

The Committee then approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, by a vote of 154 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with no abstentions. (See Annex VI.)

The representative of Luxembourg asked the Secretariat to repeat his earlier explanation of vote.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

The representative of the Russian Federation confirmed that his earlier explanation of vote should be recorded for the current resolution as well as the preceding drafts.

The representative of Jamaica asked that his earlier explanation of vote be recorded for that draft resolution. Jamaica had voted in favour of the draft resolution because it attached great importance to human resources development. It was regrettable that an issue of such critical importance to the developing countries had to be subjected to a vote. Jamaica, like other developing nations, would continue to make sustained economic growth a priority.

The representative of Australia said resorting to a vote was not conducive to the international partnership that sustainable development deserved. His Government had voted in favour of the six resolutions which contained the phrase "sustained economic growth and sustainable development". That was not consensus language, and it was regrettable that consensus language could not be found. He also requested that his explanation of vote be recorded for the preceding five draft resolutions.

The representative of China expressed regret that votes were taken on the six resolutions, but the results of the votes reflected that the international community had the same views on those issues. The developing countries had repeatedly emphasized that sustained economic growth was important in improving the livelihood of their people. China hoped that the countries outside the consensus would rethink their positions so that they would finally join the consensus on those issues with the rest of the international community.

In light of the adoption of draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.49, draft resolution A/C.2/52/L.31 was withdrawn by its sponsors.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said it was regrettable that the Committee had concluded its work with a lack of agreement between the United States and the Group of 77 on the six draft resolutions, which contained references to sustained economic growth and sustainable development. The Group of 77 strongly maintained that for any development process to be meaningful, particularly in developing countries, economic growth sustained over a period of time was critical. The United States believed that sustainable development should be based on private sector growth, but most countries recognized that that approach to development was restrictive. The views of the United States were not shared by the members of the Group of 77 and China, and that country had set a bad precedent for the future work of the Committee. The Group of 77 and China had been willing to negotiate, but that spirit was not shared by the United states. The work of the Committee depended on the cooperation and partnership of all countries and the acknowledgement of principles agreed upon by the international community.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

The CHAIRMAN then advised the Committee that the General Assembly would be informed that no draft resolutions had been submitted under the sub-item on the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

Mr. GLANZER (Austria) then introduced the draft resolution on implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa (document A/C.2/52/L.57).

The CHAIRMAN drew attention to the programme budget implications for the resolution contained in document A/C.2/52/L.54.

The representative of the United States requested a vote on operative paragraph 17.

[That paragraph reads as follows: "Decides to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for 1998-1999 the sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for that biennium, taking into account the request of the Conference of the Parties.]

He said his Government could not support the current resolution authorizing continued United Nations regular budget funding for conference servicing beyond the life of the interim secretariat of the Convention. It was appropriate for the United Nations to fund the activities of interim secretariats of those conventions as they move through the transition period and into full operational status. Once those conventions passed through that phase, the costs associated with their operation must be borne by the parties to the conventions themselves. Last year, the General Assembly agreed to continue funding, among other things, the conference servicing for the interim secretariat of the Desertification Convention. The United States continued to support that agreement. The United States would continue to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

The representative of Luxembourg asked the Chairman to briefly suspend the meeting to allow the countries of the European Union to meet, given the request for a vote on operative paragraph 17.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania said there had been an agreement on the draft resolution and that it was regrettable that the United States was requesting a vote on operative paragraph 17. The Conference of the Parties had recently concluded in Rome, and among the decisions taken was that the permanent secretariat would move to its seat in Bonn on January 1999. The period referred to in the resolution covered 1998-1999. Therefore, it was difficult to understand what was implied by the statement made by the representative of the United States. The Group of 77 and China joined the representative of Luxembourg in asking for a short adjournment.

The representative of Canada said his delegation regretted that there had been a request for vote on operative paragraph 17.

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

The representative of Benin said the work of the Committee had reached an important and crucial point. His Government was greatly disappointed because developing countries had made great concessions during negotiations in order to take into account the concerns of the United States. The position of the United States did not take into consideration the populations that were suffering yet were also working to improve their situations.

Combating desertification was an important element in achieving sustainable development, he said. The results of the First Conference of the Parties were an important stage in the effective implementation of the Convention, particularly in regard to the programmes being undertaken at the national, regional and subregional levels. In 20 years there had never been a vote on a resolution dealing with desertification, let alone a vote on a paragraph of a resolution. Solidarity and partnership should override any political considerations or domestic concerns. Benin hoped that the position of the United States would not set a precedent for the future.

The CHAIRMAN said that given the time constraints he would adjourn the meeting until 3 p.m.

***

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

ANNEX I

Vote on Global Financial Flows

The draft resolution on global financial flows and their impact on the developing countries (document A/C.2/52/L.58) was approved by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to 2 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sir Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstain: None.

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Greece, Grenada, Haiti, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

(END OF ANNEX I)

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

ANNEX II

Vote on External Debt of Developing Countries

The draft resolution on a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries (document A/C.2/52/L.58) was approved by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 1 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sir Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: United States.

Abstain: Romania.

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu

(END OF ANNEX II)

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

ANNEX III

Vote on Industrial Development Cooperation

The draft resolution on industrial development cooperation: Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (document A/C.2/52/L.40) was approved by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 1 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sir Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: United States.

Abstain: None.

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

(END OF ANNEX III)

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

ANNEX IV

Vote on Development Dialogue

The draft resolution on renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership (document A/C.2/52/L.11) was approved by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 2 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sir Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstain: None.

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Haiti, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

(END OF ANNEX IV)

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

ANNEX V

Vote on Women in Development

The draft resolution on women in development (document A/C/2/52/L.17/Rev.1) was approved by a vote of 153 in favour to 2 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sir Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstain: None.

Absent: Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Haiti, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

(END OF ANNEX V)

Second Committee Press Release GA/EF/2806 50th Meeting (AM) 9 December 1997

ANNEX VI

Vote on Human Resources for Development

The draft resolution on developing human resources for development (document A/C.2/52/L.49) was approved by a vote of 154 in favour to 2 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstain: None.

Absent: Angola, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Haiti, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

* *** *