Sixty-third General Assembly

Plenary

64^th Meeting (AM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS BROAD RANGE OF TEXTS, 26 IN ALL, ON RECOMMENDATION OF ITS

FOURTH COMMITTEE, INCLUDING ON DECOLONIZATION, INFORMATION, PALESTINE REFUGEES

Concludes Consideration of Law of Sea with Passage of Two Resolutions;

Wraps Up Items on Culture of Peace, Cooperation with Regional Organizations

Acting on the recommendations of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), the General Assembly adopted 23 draft resolutions and three draft decisions covering decolonization, outer space, atomic radiation, information and public outreach, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Israeli practices in the occupied Arab territories.

Demonstrating a traditional voting pattern, the Assembly took recorded votes on over half of the Fourth Committee’s resolutions during the morning session.  It also adopted a plenary-generated text related to oceans and the law of the sea by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 1 against ( Turkey), with 4 abstentions ( Colombia, El Salvador, Libya, Venezuela).  (For details on the vote, see Annex XV.)

Four other texts generated by the plenary were adopted by consensus, including a draft resolution related to sustainable fisheries, two texts related to United Nations cooperation with regional and other organizations, and a draft resolution on the culture of peace.

Taking up 12 decolonization texts, the Assembly adopted six by recorded votes, including one related to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and another to the specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the United Nations (Annexes XIV and XII, respectively).

Repeating last year’s consensus on a draft resolution on the question of Western Sahara, the Assembly unanimously welcomed the commitment of the parties to continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue, in order to enter into a more intensive phase of negotiations, in good faith and without preconditions, taking note of efforts and developments since 2006. 

Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted a resolution related to Tokelau, acknowledging the General Fono’s decision that consideration of any future act of self-determination by that Territory will be deferred following the failure, in February 2006 and October 2007, of two referenda on changing its status.

The Assembly also passed by consensus a draft decision on the question of Gibraltar, as well as a draft decision that increases the membership of the Special Committee on Decolonization from 27 to 28, with Ecuador’s appointment.

Taking up nine resolutions related to the Middle East, the Assembly adopted a resolution on assistance to Palestine refugees, which affirms the need to continue UNRWA’s work, as well as the importance of the Agency’s unimpeded operation, by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 6 abstentions (Cameroon, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States).  By the text’s further terms, the Assembly decided to commemorate the Agency, on the sixtieth anniversary of its establishment, at a high-level meeting to be convened on 1 October 2009 (Annex I).

Recorded votes were sought for three other UNRWA-related texts, including one on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues, by which the Assembly urged the Palestinian and Israeli sides to deal with that issue within the framework of the final status negotiations (Annexes II to IV).

The Assembly adopted five draft resolutions on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian and other peoples in occupied Arab lands, all by recorded vote (Annexes V through IX).  By a text on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, it called on Israel to comply strictly with its obligations under international law with respect to the alteration of the character and status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and demanded the immediate and complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities.

It took that action by a vote of 171 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire) (Annex VII).

Turning to outer space issues, the Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, urging States that have not yet become parties to the international treaties governing the uses of outer space to consider ratifying or acceding to those treaties.  It also urged all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the prevention of an arms race in space.

Also by consensus, the Assembly adopted two resolutions and a draft decision relating to information.  By one text, on “United Nations public information policies and activities”, the Assembly emphasized the essential role of the Department of Public Information in ensuring that the voice of the United Nations was heard in a clear and effective manner. 

In further action, the Assembly adopted a text on the effects of atomic radiation and a draft decision on revitalization of the Assembly’s work, both without a vote.  It also took note of the Fourth Committee’s reports on a comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects and programme planning.

The representative of Iran spoke in explanation of position on the Fourth Committee texts.

The Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee introduced that body’s reports.

Speaking in explanation of vote on the plenary-generated texts were the representatives of Venezuela, Argentina, Turkey, and France (on behalf of the European Union).

The representatives of Uganda and the Netherlands introduced the two plenary texts on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations.

The representative of Singapore spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

The General Assembly will meet again at a time to be announced.

Background

The General Assembly met this morning to take up the reports of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).

It was also expected to conclude consideration of five plenary-generated draft resolutions.  Two related to oceans and the law of the sea, and sustainable fisheries:  the 27-part draft text onoceans and the law of the sea (document A/63/L.42) and the 13-part text on sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments (document A/63/L.43).

The third draft resolution addressed the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010 (document A/63/L.23).

Two other draft texts concerned cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations:  Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations:  cooperation between the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (document A/63/L.46) and Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) (document A/63/L.44).  (For more details on these five draft resolutions, please see Press Release GA/10793.)

Topics covered in the Fourth Committee included effects of atomic radiation (item 27); international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (item 28); United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (item 29); report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (item 30); comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (item 31); questions relating to information (item 32); decolonization issues (items 33-37); revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (item 110); and programme planning (item 119).

Decolonization issues before the Assembly included information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (item 33); economic and other activities which affect the interest of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (item 34); implementation of the  Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (item 35); offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (item 36); and implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (item 37).

Committee Reports

The Assembly had before it a report on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/63/398) containing a draft resolution of the same name, by which it would reaffirm the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the Scientific Committee.  It would also note, with appreciation the Scientific Committee’s work and the release of its extensive report, to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes, which provides the scientific and world community with the Committee’s latest evaluations.

By further provisions, the Assembly would note with concern that the Committee cannot initiate work immediately on topics which make up half of the entire programme, due to the lack of resources within the professional secretariat.  It would endorse the Committee’s longer-term strategic plan for its work.  It would also take note of the Secretary-General’s comprehensive report on the financial and administrative implications of increased membership of the Committee, staffing of its professional secretariat, and methods to ensure sufficient, assured and predictable funding.

By that text, it would also recognize the conclusion, outlined in paragraph 48 of the Secretary-General’s report, on the need for strengthened human resources for the professional, scientific secretariat, in order to support the Scientific Committee in a more predictable and sustainable manner with a longer-term perspective, to effectively facilitate the use of the invaluable expertise offered to the Committee by its members and to enable the Committee to discharge the responsibilities and mandate entrusted to it by the General Assembly.  In this context, it would emphasize that these resources are needed in any case and before Member States can agree to a change in Committee membership.  The Secretary-General would be requested, in formulating his proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011, to consider all options, including the possibility of internal reallocation, to provide the Scientific Committee with the resources outlined in paragraphs 48 and 50 of his report.

The Committee approved that text on 5 November 2008 without a vote (see Press Release GA/SPD/416).

Also before the Assembly was a report on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/63/399).  By the resolution contained therein, the Assembly would urge States that have not yet become parties to the international treaties governing the uses of outer space to consider ratifying or acceding to those treaties.  It would also urge all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the goal of preventing an arms race in outer space.  It would emphasize the need to increase space technology’s benefits, and to contribute to an orderly growth of space activities favourable to sustained economic growth and sustainable development in all countries, including mitigation of the consequences of disasters.

The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, without a vote on 24 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/410).

The Committee’s report on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/63/400) contains four draft resolutions, all of which were approved by a recorded vote on 7 November (see Press Release GA/SPD/418).

Draft I, on assistance to Palestine refugees, would have the Assembly affirm the need to continue the Agency’s work, as well as the importance of its unimpeded operation, pending the resolution of the question of the Palestine refugees.  It would have the Assembly call on all donors to continue to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the Agency’s anticipated needs.  It would also have the Assembly decide to commemorate UNRWA, on the sixtieth anniversary of its establishment, at a high-level meeting to be convened on 1 October 2009, during the General Assembly’s sixty-fourth session, and encourage the participation of Member States at the ministerial level.

The draft was approved, as orally amended, by a recorded vote of 158 in favour to 1 against ( Israel), with 6 abstentions ( Cameroon, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States). 

By the terms of draft II, on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, the Assembly would reaffirm the right of all persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967.  It would endorse the efforts of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance on an emergency basis, and as a temporary measure to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious need of continued assistance.  Further, it would have the Assembly strongly appeal to all Governments, organizations and individuals to contribute generously to the Agency, and to other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned.

The text was approved by a recorded vote of 158 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Canada).

By draft III, on operations of UNRWA, the Assembly would reaffirm that the Agency’s functioning remains essential in all fields of operation and ask the Secretary-General to support the Agency’s institutional strengthening through the provision of sufficient resources from the United Nations regular budget.

By further provisions, it would call on Israel to comply fully with the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the United Nations Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.   Israel would be urged to speedily compensate the Agency for damages to its property and facilities, and to reimburse all transit charges and financial losses incurred as a result of delays and restrictions on movement and access it imposed. 

The text was approved by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 1 abstention (Cameroon).

Draft IV, on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues, would have the Assembly reaffirm that the Palestine refugees were entitled to their property and to the income derived therefrom.  It would also request the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps, in consultation with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, for the protection of Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel.  It would also urge the Palestinian and Israeli sides, as agreed between them, to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees’ properties and revenues within the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process.

The text was approved by a vote of 161 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 1 abstention (Cameroon).

The Committee’s report on the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/63/401) contains five draft resolutions, all of which were approved by recorded vote on 7 November (see Press Release GA/SPD/418).

Draft I, entitled Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, would have the Assembly reiterate its demand that Israel cooperate with the Special Committee in implementing its mandate.  In turn, it would have the Assembly request the Special Committee to continue to investigate Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, especially violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention.  The Assembly would also have the Special Committee consult with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as appropriate.

The text was approved by a recorded vote of 87 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 70 abstentions.

By the terms of draft II, on the Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories, the Assembly would demand that Israel accept the de jure applicability of the Convention in the occupied Arab territories and that it comply scrupulously with that Convention’s provisions.

The text was approved by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire).

By draft III, on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would call on Israel to comply strictly with its obligations under international law, with respect to the alteration of the character and status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.  It would express grave concern about the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in and around Occupied East Jerusalem, including Israel’s so-called “E-1 plan” at connecting its illegal settlements around Occupied East Jerusalem, as well as the continuing unlawful construction of the wall outside the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  Further, the Assembly would reiterate its demand for the immediate and complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities.

The text was approved by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire).

Draft IV, on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, would have the Assembly reiterate that all measures and actions taken by Israel that violated the relevant provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and were contrary to the relevant Security Council resolutions, were illegal and had no validity.  All acts of violence, especially the excessive use of force by the Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians, would be condemned.  Grave concern would be expressed at the firing of rockets against Israeli civilian areas resulting in loss of life and injury.  The text would also have the Assembly urge Member States to continue to provide emergency assistance to the Palestinian people to alleviate the financial crisis and dire socioeconomic and humanitarian situations they faced, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

The draft text was approved by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 5 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Honduras, Mongolia).

According to draft V, on the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would call upon Israel to comply with the relevant resolutions on the occupied Syrian Golan, in particular Security Council resolution 497 (1981), in which the Council, among other things, had decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect.  It would also call on Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and, in particular, to desist from the establishment of settlements.   Israel would further be called on to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and Israeli identity cards on the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and from its repressive measures against the population of the occupied Syrian Golan.  Member States would be called on not to recognize any of the legislative or administrative measures and actions referred to above.

That text was approved by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 1 against ( Israel), with 7 abstentions ( Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States).

Also before the Assembly was the Fourth Committee’s report on its comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/63/402).

The report on questions relating to information (document A/63/403) contains two draft resolutions and a draft decision, which were approved on 5 November by consensus (see Press Release GA/SPD/416).

By the terms of draft I, on information in the service of humanity, the Assembly would urge all countries, United Nations organizations, and all others to cooperate and interact to reduce existing disparities in information flows at all levels, by increasing assistance for the development of communication infrastructures and capabilities in developing countries, to enable them to develop their own information and communication policies freely and independently.  Those countries and other entities would be urged to ensure, for journalists, the free and effective performance of their professional tasks and condemn resolutely all attacks against them, and to enhance regional efforts among developing countries, and between developed and developing countries, to strengthen communication capacities and to improve the media infrastructure.

By the terms of draft II, on United Nations public information policies and activities, the Assembly would reaffirm that the Organization remains the indispensable foundation of a peaceful world, and that its voice should be heard in a clear and effective manner.  It would emphasize the essential role of the Department of Public Information, the activities of which should be organized to promote, to the greatest possible extent, an informed understanding of the work of the United Nations among the peoples of the world.  The Department would be requested to pay particular attention to such major issues as poverty eradication, conflict prevention, sustainable development, human rights, HIV/AIDS, combating terrorism and the needs of the African continent, as well as to implementing the internationally agreed-upon development goals and raising public awareness of climate change.  The Department would also be requested to continue to evaluate its products and activities, with the objective of improving their effectiveness.

The Assembly would also welcome the Department’s ongoing efforts to enhance multilingualism in all its activities.  Underlying efforts towards bridging the digital divide, it would also call upon the Department to contribute to raising the international community’s awareness of the importance of the implementation of the outcome document of the World Summit on the Information Society.

By further terms, the Assembly would emphasize the importance of the network of United Nations Information Centres in enhancing the public image of the United Nations and in disseminating messages on the Organization to local populations, especially in developing countries.  It would also stress the importance of rationalizing the Centres’ network.

The Assembly would, by the text, express appreciation for the Information Department’s work in promoting issues of importance to the international community.  It would also request the Secretariat to ensure the Information Department’s role in every stage of future peacekeeping operations.  The Information Department would be requested to continue cooperating with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in raising awareness of the new realities, successes and challenges faced by peacekeeping operations, and in explaining the Organization’s zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation and abuse.

Regarding traditional means of communication, the Assembly would welcome the initiative of United Nations Radio, which remained one of the most effective and far-reaching traditional media available, to enhance its live radio broadcasting service.  The Assembly would also reaffirm that the United Nations website remained an essential tool for the media, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, Member States and the general public, and in that regard, reiterate the continued need for the Department to maintain and improve it.

By other terms, the Assembly would consider it necessary for the Department to clearly identify practical improvements intended by the change from the UN Chronicle to UN Affairs, taking into account parity of languages, editorial policy, potential qualitative gains and other improvements.  The Department would also be requested to continue publishing the UN Chronicle until a decision is taken on UN Affairs.

By the terms of a draft decision, on increase in the membership of the Committee on Information, the Assembly would decide to increase the membership of the Committee on Information, from 110 to 112, and to appoint Antigua and Barbuda, and Zambia as members.

The report on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/63/404) contains a draft resolution by which the Assembly would request the administering Powers to transmit, or continue to transmit, regularly to the Secretary-General, information relating to economic, social and educational conditions in the Territories, as well as the fullest possible information on political and constitutional developments in the Territories concerned.

The Committee approved that text by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions ( France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States) on 13 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/401).

The Committee’s report on Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/63/405) contains one draft resolution by which the Assembly would reaffirm the right of the peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories to self-determination in conformity with the United Nations Charter and the Declaration on Decolonization, as well as their rights to enjoy and dispose of their natural resources in their best interest.

The Committee approved the text by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to 2 against ( Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions ( France, United Kingdom) on 13 October.

A draft resolution contained in the report on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/63/406) would have the Assembly reaffirm that the recognition, by the General Assembly, Security Council and other United Nations organs, of the legitimacy of the aspirations of the peoples of the Territories to exercise their right to self-determination entails, as a corollary, the extension of all appropriate assistance to those peoples.  It would also request the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, and international and regional organizations, to take appropriate measures to accelerate progress in the Territories’ economic and social sectors.

The Committee approved that draft text by a recorded vote of 105 in favour to none against, with 54 abstentions on 13 October.

The report on offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/63/407) contains one draft resolution, by which the Assembly would invite all States to make or continue to make offers of study and training facilities to the inhabitants of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and, wherever possible, to provide travel funds to prospective students.

The draft was approved without a vote on 13 October.

The report on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/63/408) contains six draft resolutions and two draft decisions.

By draft I, on the question of Western Sahara, the Assembly would support the process of negotiations initiated by Security Council resolution 1754 (2007) and further sustained by Council resolutions 1783 (2007) and 1813 (2008), with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.  It would also commend the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in this respect, and welcome the commitment of the parties to continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue, in order to enter into a more intensive phase of negotiations, in good faith and without preconditions, taking note of efforts and developments since 2006. 

The Committee then approved the resolution without a vote on 21 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/407).

By the terms of draft II, on the question of New Caledonia, the Assembly would welcome the significant developments that have taken place in New Caledonia since the signing of the Nouméa Accord on 5 May 1998, and urge all the parties involved to maintain their dialogue in a spirit of harmony.  Noting the relevant provisions aimed at taking the Kanak identity more broadly into account in New Caledonia’s political and social organization, it would welcome efforts under way towards devising common identity symbols, such as name, flag, anthem, motto and bank notes.

The Committee approved the text without a vote on 13 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/401).

According to the terms of draft III, on the question of Tokelau, the Assembly would note that two referenda to determine the future status of Tokelau, held in February 2006 and October 2007, failed to produce the two-thirds majority of the valid votes cast required by the General Fono to change Tokelau’s status.  It would also acknowledge the General Fono’s decision that consideration of any future act of self-determination by Tokelau will be deferred, and that New Zealand and Tokelau will devote renewed effort and attention to ensuring that essential services and infrastructure on the atolls of Tokelau are enhanced and strengthened.

The Committee approved the text without a vote on 13 October.

Draft IV, which concerns the questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands, is divided into two sections. 

Part A would have the Assembly reaffirm the inalienable right of the peoples of the Territories to self-determination and that, in the process of decolonization, there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination, which is also a fundamental human right.  It would also stress the importance of implementing the Plan of Action for the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, particularly by expediting the application of the decolonization work programme of each Territory on a case-by-case basis. 

Part B of the text takes up the question of the 11 specific Territories. 

The Committee approved the two-part text as a whole by consensus on 20 October after a recorded vote to approve an amendment to strike the qualifying phrase “and where there is no dispute over sovereignty” from the resolution’s second operative paragraph (see Press Release GA/SPD/406).

By the terms of draft V, on dissemination of information on decolonization, the Assembly would approve the activities of the Departments of Public Information and Political Affairs for disseminating decolonization information, particularly the leaflet entitled “What the UN Can Do to Assist Non-Self-Governing Territories”, which was issued in March 2007.  It would also request the Information Department to empower the United Nations Information Centres, in the relevant regions, to disseminate material on decolonization to the Territories and request the Secretary-General to enhance the information provided on the United Nations decolonization website.  It would further request the Departments of Political Affairs and Public Information to continue to publicize the Organization’s decolonization work through all available media. 

The Committee approved the text by a vote of 153 in favour to 3 against ( Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 1 abstention ( France) on 13 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/401).

By the terms of draft VI, on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Assembly would reaffirm that the existence of colonialism in any form or manifestation, including economic exploitation, is incompatible with the United Nations Charter, the Declaration on Decolonization and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and affirm its support for the aspirations of peoples under colonial rule to exercise their right to self-determination.  It would also call on administering Powers to cooperate fully with the Special Committee to finalize, before the end of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, a constructive programme of work to facilitate the implementation of the Special Committee’s mandate and relevant decolonization resolutions, on a case-by-case basis.

The Committee approved the text by a vote of 156 in favour to 3 against ( Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 2 abstentions ( Belgium, France) on 13 October.

By the terms of draft decision I, on the question of Gibraltar, the Assembly would urge the Governments of Spain and the United Kingdom to reach a definitive solution to that question, while listening to its interests and aspirations.  It would also welcome the ongoing implementation of the first package of measures concluded at the Tripartite Forum for Dialogue on Gibraltar and the shared will to reach new agreements by July 2009.

The Committee approved the text without a vote on 13 October.

Draft decision II, on increase in the membership of the Special Committee, would have the Assembly increase the Special Committee’s membership from 27 to 28 and would appoint Ecuador as a member.

That draft decision was approved without a vote on 13 October.

Also before the Assembly were the Fourth Committee’s reports on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (document A/63/409) and on programme planning (document A/63/449).

Action on Fourth Committee Texts

PAULÁ PARVIAINEN ( Finland), Rapporteur, introduced the reports for the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).

Turning to the draft texts contained in those reports, the Assembly first took up the report on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/63/398), adopting the draft resolution contained therein without a vote. 

It then took up the report on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/63/399) and adopted, without a vote, the related draft text.

The Assembly next turned to the report on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/63/400).

The Assembly then adopted draft resolution I, on assistance to Palestine refugees, by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 6 abstentions (Cameroon, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States).  (For details of the vote, see Annex I.)

Next, it adopted draft resolution II, on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, by a recorded vote of 172 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States),with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Canada)(Annex II).

Taking a recorded vote, it adopted draft resolution III, on operations of UNRWA, by 172 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 1 abstention (Cameroon) (Annex III).

It adopted draft resolution IV, on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues, by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Vanuatu) (Annex IV).

The Assembly then turned to the report on the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/63/401), adopting draft resolution I on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 73 abstentions (Annex V).

It then adopted draft resolution II, on the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories, by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 6 against(Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 1 abstention (Cameroon) (Annex VI).

By a recorded vote of 171 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire), it adopted draft resolution III, on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan (Annex VII).

It then adopted draft resolution IV, on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Honduras) (Annex VIII).

Turning to draft resolution V, on the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly then adopted the draft text by a recorded vote of 171 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 7 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States) (Annex IX).

Speaking in explanation of vote after the vote, the representative of Iran said his delegation had voted in favour of the resolutions in solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinian people.  Yet, Iran wanted to make known its position on those resolutions, including some specific paragraphs.   Iran had always supported the legal and democratic Government of Palestine.  It continued to emphasize the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, and stressed that the settlement of the Palestinian crisis would only be reached if these inalienable rights were fully recognized, restored and maintained.  Further, a lasting solution should include the return of all refugees and the establishment of a democratic Palestinian State, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

The representative of Fiji said his delegation had intended to vote for draft resolution III and wished for that intention to be recorded. 

Next, the Assembly took note of the Fourth Committee’s report on its comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/63/402).

Taking up the report on questions relating to information (document A/63/403), the Assembly took action on its two-part resolution, adopting draft I, on information in the service of humanity, and draft II, on United Nations public information policies and activities, without a vote.

It then adopted a draft decision on increase in the membership of the Committee on Information, also without a vote.

It then took up the report on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/63/404), adopting a draft of the same name by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions (France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States) (Annex X).

Taking up the report on Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/63/405), it approved the draft text therein by a recorded vote of 179 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions (France, United Kingdom) (Annex XI).

The Assembly next took up the report on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/63/406), adopting the draft text of that name by a recorded vote of 125 in favour to none against, with 55 abstentions (Annex XII).

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution contained in the report on offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/63/407). 

Taking up the report on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/63/408), it adopted draft resolution I, on the question of Western Sahara, by consensus.

It then adopted draft resolution II, on the question of New Caledonia, also without a vote.

Again acting without a vote, it adopted draft resolution III, on the question of Tokelau.

Also without a vote, it adopted the two-part draft resolution IV, which concerns the questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Taking up draft resolution V, on dissemination of information on decolonization, the Assembly adopted the text by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 1 abstention (France) (Annex XIII).

Draft VI, on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, was adopted by a vote of 177 in favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 1 abstention (France) (Annex XIV).

Turning to draft decision I, on the question of Gibraltar, the Assembly adopted the text, also without a vote. 

The Assembly then adopted draft decision II, on increase in the membership of the Special Committee, by consensus. 

It next adopted a draft decision without a vote on the “Revitalization for the work of the General Assembly” (document A/63/409).

It then took note of the report entitled “Programme planning” (document A/63/449).

Having concluded its consideration of the reports of the Fourth Committee, the Assembly then returned to its consideration of its agenda item on oceans and the law of the sea.

Statements on Oceans and the Law of the Sea

In his new capacity as President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Judge JOSE LUIS JESUS gave the Assembly an overview on developments regarding the Tribunal since its last debate on the issue.  He said the death, on 12 November, of Judge Choon-Ho Park of the Republic of Korea, who had served as a Tribunal member since its inauguration in October 1996, meant a vacancy had occurred for the remainder of his term, set to expire in September 2014.  Steps were being taken, in consultation with the States parties to the Convention, to fill the vacancy.  He meanwhile welcomed Liberia and Congo as the latest States parties to join the treaty.

He said the Tribunal had exclusive competence to deal with all disputes and all applications submitted to it, in accordance with the Convention.  Some aspects of its jurisdiction were unique, a feature referred to in article 287 of the Convention.  The Tribunal was positioned to play a major role on issues pertaining to the law of the sea.  While it had already made a positive contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes, States had not yet made extensive use of the Tribunal.  Of the 39 States parties to the Convention that had made declarations under the Convention’s article, 24 had chosen the Tribunal as a means to settle a dispute concerning the treaty’s interpretation or application.

The Tribunal had undertaken a number of steps to promote knowledge about the Convention’s dispute-settlement system, as it related to procedures and proceedings before the body.  In cooperation with the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea, it had organized several regional workshops to provide Government experts working on the law of the sea or other legal areas that provided insight into the procedures before the Tribunal.  Last year, the Tribunal created an annual capacity-building and training programme on dispute settlement under the Convention.  The programme complemented the Tribunal’s internship programme, started in 1997.

BHAGWAT SINGH, Permanent Observer of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization to the United Nations, noting that his organization had for decades been involved in developing and codifying the law of the sea, said the oceans were a critical element in the global ecosystem, providing humanity with countless vital resources and serving as a key element in the stable regulation of climate.  Today, the oceans confronted one of the greatest challenges of the last 25 years:  the disruption of global climate on unprecedented scales.  As nations adapted to climate change, they should observe their duty to protect and preserve the marine ecosystem.  Left unaddressed, the damage to such ecosystems from climate change would be irreversible.  His organization, therefore, supported the need for collaboration to better understand climate change’s effects on marine environments, as called for in operative paragraph 100 of draft resolution “L.42”.

Underlining the particular vulnerability of small island developing States to the effects of climate change, he said the preservation, protection and sustainable use of the world’s oceans could not be done in a vacuum within national jurisdictions.  States had to act responsibly to ensure the protection of the whole marine environment.  Cooperation and coordination was needed at all levels, be they agency, subregional, regional or global.  Because the existing assessment of the world’s oceans lacked a global view, his organization looked forward to the report of the expert group conducting the assessment of assessments.

The waters of the Asian-African region were a “major nexus” of international trade, invaluable marine environments, sources of major fish stocks and, unfortunately, piracy, he said.  The Malacca-Singapore Straits could provide a positive example for how coastal States could address piracy by sharing information and building capacity to ensure a safe and secure marine environment.  The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia also provided a positive anti-piracy model, and an African version, under consideration, should be supported.

He called for intergovernmental cooperation and information sharing to combat piracy, armed robbery and transnational crime.  He also reiterated the need for further discussions on maritime safety and security, particularly on overfishing, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.  He called attention to the changing situation in the Arctic, and said that the new importance of marine genetic resources called into question the effectiveness of the Convention’s current provisions.  He, thus, suggested that States might want to consider strengthening or adapting the Convention to meet emerging realties.

Action on Plenary-Generated Texts

The Assembly then turned to two draft resolutions on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/63/L.42) and on sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments (document A/63/L.43).

Speaking in explanation of vote on draft “L.42”, the representative of Venezuela said her delegation wished to reiterate its commitment to the comprehensive management of oceans and seas for the well-being of all peoples.  The reasons that had kept her country from becoming party to the Convention were still relevant, however, and it was, therefore, not in a position to vote on the resolution.  Nor were the norms of international customary law applicable unless Venezuela recognized those in its national laws.  Reiterating her country’s historically held position, she said it had to abstain from the vote.

The Secretariat then informed the Assembly that draft resolution “L.42” had no budgetary implications.

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 1 against ( Turkey), with 4 abstentions ( Colombia, El Salvador, Libya, Venezuela) (Annex XV).

Next, it turned to the draft resolution on sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments (document A/63/L.43).

After the Secretariat informed the Assembly that draft resolution “L.43” had no budgetary implications, it adopted the draft text without a vote.

Speaking in explanation of position on “L.42” on oceans and the law of the sea, the representative of Bolivia said his vote in favour of the draft text had not been recorded, despite his having pushed the button.  He wished that support to be recorded now.

Speaking on resolution “L.43”, the representative of Argentina said the country had joined the consensus.  But none of the recommendations offered in the resolution could be considered as binding on those States that had not entered into consent on the implementation of the Convention or the accord adopted in 1995.

The representative of Turkey, noting that her delegation had voted against “L.42” on oceans and the law of the sea, underlined that the reasons preventing her country from becoming party to the Convention on the Law of the Sea remained valid.  While it supported international efforts to establish a regime of the sea based on the principle of equity, it believed the Convention did not make adequate provisions for special geographical situations, making it unable to establish an acceptable balance between conflicting interests.  It also made no provisions for registering reservations on specific clauses.  Thus, although Turkey agreed with the Convention in its general intent and with most of its provisions, it was unable to become a party to it and could not support a resolution calling for States to do so.

Turning to draft “L.43” on sustainable fisheries, shesaid Turkey was fully committed to the conservation, management and sustainable use of marine living resources and attached great importance to regional cooperation in that area.  In that context, she supported the draft.  Yet, Turkey disassociated itself from any references to international instruments in the text to which it was not a party.

Also speaking on resolution “L.43”, the representative of Venezuela said the issue of sustainable fisheries was a priority matter for the country, which had taken many initiatives to implement conservation and management programmes.  It was moving ahead with national legislation that would mesh with the region and protect fish stock that was found within its sovereign area and the region.  But Venezuela was not a party to the Convention of 1982 or the accord of 1995.  The application of the law of those instruments was not applicable to States unless they had recognized it.  Thus, it could not join the consensus.

Right of Reply

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the representative of Singapore responded to the statement made yesterday by Australia’s delegation.  While Singapore appreciated Australia’s point of view on the Torres Strait, it wanted to clarify certain points made regarding the compulsory “pilotage regime” in the strait.  The central issue was the sanctity of the regime of transit passage, which was global in nature and had implications for international law and, particularly, the integrity of the Law of the Sea Convention.  As such, any precedent that could affect the treaty’s delicate balance between the interests of coastal States and those of States using the strait for international navigation should be avoided.

Singapore also shared Australia’s concern for the environment and recognized the economic importance of the Torres Strait, particularly to littoral States, he said.  But because the strait was used for international navigation, the right of transit passage applied and must be respected.  That was not a zero-sum game; there was no choice between addressing environmental concerns and preserving the Convention.   Singapore, thus, supported efforts to address those environmental concerns and had consistently been willing to work with Australia to find a solution that accommodated the relevant concerns.

He further noted that a State bordering a strait used for international navigation could adopt a limited set of laws and regulations relating to transit passage, as laid out in article 42 of the Convention.  Accordingly, such laws and regulations should not deny, hamper or impair the right to passage.  But Australia was operating a compulsory pilotage system in the Torres Strait, requiring all ships to take a pilot on board and enforcing that rule through criminal prosecution.  That went beyond what was permitted by article 42.  It also did not have International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) approval.  Indeed, that organization’s resolution, previously cited by Australia, only made recommendations.  Further, at the organization’s twenty-fifth Assembly last year, an overwhelming majority of countries had reaffirmed that the resolution did not provide a legal basis for compulsory pilotage.   Singapore would continue working with its friends, including Australia, to preserve the consensus on balancing competing State interests found in article 42.

Action on Texts

Resuming consideration of its agenda item on the culture of peace, the  Assembly then turned to a draft resolution on the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010 (document A/63/L.23), adopting it without a vote.

Next, the Assembly turned to its agenda item on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations.

Uganda’s representative introduced the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (document A/63/L.44).

The representative of the Netherlands introduced the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations:  cooperation between the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (document A/63/L.46).

The Assembly then adopted, without a vote, the text on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (document A/63/L.44).

Acting again without a vote, it adopted the text on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations:  cooperation between the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (document A/63/L.46).

Speaking in explanation of position on draft “L.44”, the representative of France, speaking on behalf of the European Union, welcomed the strengthening of ties between the United Nations and regional organizations, and therefore, had joined consensus on the text.  At the same time, it wanted to make clear its issues on one important issue:  as a matter of principle, it had consistently opposed references to political commitments that had been agreed to by other organizations.  Such commitments were held by the regional organizations only and had no place in United Nations resolutions.  In that particular case, he expressed reservations on references to the 10-year plan of action of the OIC in the sixth preambular paragraph of the resolution, explaining that only because those references were not binding in any way had the European Union been able to join consensus on today’s text.

ANNEX I

Vote on Assistance to Palestinian Refugees

The draft resolution on assistance to Palestinian refugees (document A/63/400) was adopted by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against, with 6 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against:  Israel.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Vanuatu.

ANNEX II

Vote on Persons Displaced from June 1967 Hostilities

The draft resolution on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/63/400) was adopted by a recorded vote of 172 in favour to 6 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Canada.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Vanuatu.

ANNEX III

Vote on Operations of UNRWA

The draft resolution on the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/63/400) was adopted by a recorded vote of 172 in favour to 6 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

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

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Vanuatu.

ANNEX IV

Vote on Palestine Refugees’ Properties and Revenues

The draft resolution on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/63/400) was adopted by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 6 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia.

ANNEX V

Vote on Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices

The draft resolution on the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/63/401) was adopted by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 8 against, with 73 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay.

Absent:  Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Vanuatu.

ANNEX VI

Vote on Applicability of the Geneva Convention to the Occupied Territories

The draft resolution on Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories (document A/63/401) was adopted by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 6 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

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

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia.

ANNEX VII

Vote on Israeli Settlements in Occupied Territories

The draft resolution on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/63/401) was adopted by a recorded vote of 171 in favour to 6 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, 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 Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu , Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gambia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tonga.

ANNEX VIII

Vote on Israeli Practices Affecting Human Rights of Palestinian People

The draft resolution on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem (document A/63/401) was adopted by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 8 against, with 4 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, 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 Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Honduras.

Absent:  Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tonga, Vanuatu.

ANNEX IX

Vote on Occupied Syrian Golan

The draft resolution on occupied Syrian Golan (document A/63/401) was adopted by a recorded vote of 171 in favour to 1 against, with 7 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, 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 Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tonga.

ANNEX X

Vote on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories

The draft resolution on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/63/404) was adopted by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against:  None.

Abstain:  France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Monaco, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Vanuatu.

ANNEX XI

Vote on Economic Activities Affected Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories

The draft resolution on Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/63/405) was adopted by a recorded vote of 179 in favour to 2 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against:  Israel, United States.

Abstain:  France, United Kingdom.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone.

ANNEX XII

Vote on Implementation of Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by Specialized Agencies, International Institutions

The draft resolution on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/63/406) was adopted by a recorded vote of 125 in favour to none against, with 55 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Guatemala, Kiribati, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XIII

Vote on Dissemination of Information on Decolonization

The draft resolution on dissemination of information on decolonization (document A/63/408) was adopted by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to 3 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, 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 Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  France.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan.

ANNEX XIV

Vote on Implementation of Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

The draft resolution on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/63/408) was adopted by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to 3 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, 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 Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  France.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kiribati, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan.

ANNEX XV

Vote on Oceans and the Law of the Sea

The draft resolution on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/63/L.42) was adopted by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 1 against, with 4 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Turkey.

Abstain:  Colombia, El Salvador, Libya, Venezuela.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Belize, Bolivia, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea, Iraq, Kenya, Kiribati, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan.

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For information media • not an official record