Fourth Committee Approves Work Programme for Seventy-Second Session, Covering Decolonization, Outer Space, Palestine Refugees Issues, among Others
Leaders of French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Guam, New Caledonia to Address Members
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved its work programme for the seventy‑second session, which covers topics ranging from the decolonization of the 17 remaining Non‑Self‑Governing Territories, through the peaceful uses of outer space to the plight of Palestinian refugees and Israel’s practices in the Occupied Arab Territories.
At the outset of its organizational meeting, Committee Chair Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño (Venezuela) introduced Vice-Chairs Ahmed Abdelrahman Ahmed Almahmoud (United Arab Emirates), Ceren Hande Őzgür (Turkey) and Yasser Halfaoui (Morocco). Angel Angelov (Bulgaria) will serve as Rapporteur.
According to its work programme (documents A/C.4/72/1 and A/C.4/72/L.1), the Committee will first consider decolonization issues during a general debate to be held from 2 to 10 October. The Chair said he had received an aide-mémoire containing 159 requests for hearings on French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Guam, New Caledonia, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Western Sahara, which had been circulated to delegations by email. The President of French Polynesia, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, the Governor of Guam and the President of New Caledonia, or their representatives, would address the Committee, he added.
From 11 to 17 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 18 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. The Committee will review special political missions on 30 October, assistance in mine action on 1 November and the effects of atomic radiation on 2 November.
On 3 November and 6 November, the Committee will consider aspects of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and from 7 to 9 November, it is expected to 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.
Mr. Ramírez (Venezuela), Committee Chair, noted the broad range of topics scheduled for discussion and their sensitivity for many nations and peoples, expressing hope that members would begin their work in a constructive fashion. Remarking on his delegation’s first time in the chair in 21 years, he said it was fortunate that the Committee had an extra day in which to hear what he believed to be a record number of petitioners.
With its overall work expected to conclude by 10 November, the Committee will reconvene at 3 p.m. on Monday, 2 October, to begin its consideration of decolonization issues.