Organizational Meeting of Fourth Committee Approves Work Programme for Seventy-first General Assembly Session
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved its work programme for the seventy-first session, which covers topics ranging from the decolonization of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, to peaceful uses of outer space, to the plight of Palestinian refugees and Israel’s practices in Occupied Arab Territories.
At the outset of its organizational meeting this morning, Committee Chair Vladimir Drobnjak (Croatia) welcomed Vice-Chairs Juan Antonio Benard Estrada (Guatemala), Hossein Maleki (Iran) and Wouter Poels (Belgium). Awale Ali Kullane (Somalia) will serve as Rapporteur.
According to its work programme (documents A/C.4/71/1, A/C.4/71/L.1), the Committee will first consider items relating to decolonization, in a general debate to be held from 3 to 10 October. The Chair informed members that he had received an aide-mémoire containing 133 requests for hearings on the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)*, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, New Caledonia, United States Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Western Sahara, which had been circulated to delegations by e-mail. The President of French Polynesia, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and the Vice-President of New Caledonia, or their representatives, would address the Committee under agenda item 58, he added.
From 11 to 13 October, the Committee will hold three meetings on international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space. As in previous sessions, members agreed to establish a working group of the whole on outer space, to be chaired by the delegation of Canada. The Committee will hold a general debate on questions relating to information from 14 to 19 October.
Beginning on 20 October, it will hold a four-day comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects. It will review special political missions on 27 October. On 28 October, the Committee will hold a general debate and take action on the effects of atomic radiation.
On 31 October and 1 November, the Committee will take up the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories. On 2 and 3 November, it will consider aspects of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
With its overall work expected to conclude by 8 November, the Fourth Committee will reconvene at 3 p.m. on Monday, 3 October, to begin its consideration of decolonization issues.
* A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).