Adopting 6 Drafts, General Assembly Proclaims International Day Honouring Women, Girls of African Descent, Decade for Action on Cryospheric Sciences
With the seventy-eighth session drawing to a close, the General Assembly today adopted numerous texts on a variety of topics, including one that honours the history, culture and struggles of women and girls of African descent around the world.
That text, as orally amended, was adopted without a vote; however the oral amendment was adopted by a recorded vote of 61in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 78 abstentions.
By the terms of the text, titled “International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent”, (document A/78/L.96) the Assembly decided to proclaim 25 July as the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent to highlight the importance of commemorating the global fight against slavery and racism, the commitment to achieve gender equality, and the significant contribution of all women and girls of African descent to the development of societies.
Introducing that text, the representative of Colombia described the impact of the armed conflict in her country on Afro-descendant women and recalled how an armed actor raped a woman of African descent and marked her body with a hot iron, “just as in times of slavery”. The woman said that “she was marked as if she belonged to someone”. This is an example of how intersectional and racial violence is inflicted on women, young people and teenagers of African descent. Underlining the need to stop reproducing stereotypes about Afro-descendent women and guarantee representation that underscores their dignity, she said that recognizing 25 July as the International Day within the UN system is an opportunity to do that.
South Africa’s delegate, stressing that discrimination is multifaceted, called for the resolution to include a reference to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in preambular paragraph 7. He pointed out that the Declaration stresses the intersection of race and gender and calls for targeted actions to empower women of African descent. He also underscored the urgent need to address intersecting issues using agreed international frameworks, such as the Durban Declaration and Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Cameroon’s delegate, speaking on behalf of the African Group, expressed support for the resolution and the amendment, voicing concern over the lack of reference to the Durban Declaration.
However, the representative of Israel, criticizing the practice of “introducing a text at the last minute in a non-constructive manner”, disassociated from preambular paragraph 7.
Brazil’s speaker, who abstained on the vote on the oral amendment, voiced regret that “the language referencing the Declaration is put to a vote”, while the delegate of Colombia, who also abstained, noted that the amendment “does not modify in any way the spirit of the resolution”. The United States’ representative said there have been ample opportunities to raise these issues before, and noted the lack of time for delegates to get instructions on how to vote. Along similar lines, the speaker for Mexico expressed appreciation for the language of the amendment but added that the circumstances of its presentation distort the transparency of the negotiation process.
Syria’s delegate, highlighting the lone vote against the amendment, said “the single red dot” on the voting screen is the embodiment of today’s atrocities and “a stain on the forehead of humanity”. The reference to the Durban Declaration was left out because the representatives of Brazil and Colombia wanted a consensual text, he said. But “a certain delegation has a major problem with the DPPA [Durban Declaration] and we all know the reasons behind it”. The Assembly should aim for a rightful text and not just a consensual text, he added. Responding to those delegates who said they abstained because they did not have time to consult with their headquarters, he said: “If I go back to my capital seeking instructions on how to vote on an amendment presented by South Africa on the DPPA [Durban Declaration], I would be jeopardizing my career.”
Also put to the vote today was a draft decision concerning “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction” (document A/78/L.102). That text was adopted with 146 votes in favour to 2 against (Russian Federation, Syria), with 1 abstention (Zimbabwe).
By its terms, the Assembly, noting that the organizational meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction and the Convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement was held from 24 to 26 June, requested the Secretary-General to convene the first and second sessions of the Preparatory Commission from 14 to 25 April 2025 and from 18 to 29 August 2025, respectively, and to convene at least one session of 10 working days in 2026.
The representative of Belize, introducing that text, speaking also on behalf of Australia, noted that the Commission constituted its bureau during its organizational meeting and decided to convene future meetings. The text is “a simple procedural action”, he said, adding that it is fundamental for the Commission to begin functioning.
Prior to adoption, the Secretary of the Assembly noted that the request contained in the draft decision would constitute an addition to the workload for the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, Office of Legal Affairs, Department of Global Communications, Department of Operational Support, Office of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Safety and Security. At this stage, it is estimated that the budget implications for 2025 would be in the range of $1.8 million to $2.2 million, and for 2026 from $1.4 million to $1.7 million. Also noting the request for provision for overtime as indicated in the draft, he added that when considering conference entitlements for calendar bodies, only regular meeting hours should be included.
The representative of the Russian Federation said her country does not intend to participate in the United Nations agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Its provisions run counter to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, she said, adding that it is an attempt to carve up the high seas into areas of influence. Rejecting any restrictions to the freedoms States enjoy under the Law of the Sea, she stressed the need to strike the right balance between sustainably using and protecting.
However, the representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis, speaking for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said the UN agreement is crucial for the equitable use of oceans. Samoa’s delegate, speaking for Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) stressed: “We cannot waste any time” in preparing for its entry into force. The representative of Hungary, speaking for the European Union, emphasized that the draft decision is only a procedural step to allow for the organization of the next meetings of the Preparatory Commission. “It should be uncontroversial,” she said, expressing disappointment that one delegation called for a vote on this decision.
The Assembly also adopted today, without a vote, a draft resolution titled “Multidimensional vulnerability index” (document A/78/L.98), by which the Assembly took note of the report of the “High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States” and decided to advance the index, also stressing that its use is voluntary.
By further terms, the Assembly decided that the index will be maintained by a relevant existing UN entity, which will fulfil responsibilities appropriate for the upkeep, maintenance, improvement of and reporting on the index; an Independent Expert Advisory Panel, which will prepare recommendations on future technical updates; and the Statistical Commission, which will provide technical reviews. The Assembly requested the Secretary-General to ensure that adequate resources are available to support the work on the index, including its periodic review.
Prior to its adoption, the Secretary of the Assembly read out a statement noting that the requests referred to in operative paragraphs 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 23 of the draft would entail new activities in 2025 and subsequent years. Adoption would give rise to budgetary implications for additional resources in the range of $210,000 to $260,000 in 2025, and in the range of $40,000 to $440,000 annually in subsequent years, with the high-end of that range relating to 2027 when the pilot testing of the vulnerability-resilience country profiles is envisaged to take place, he said.
Speaking in explanation of position after adoption, several representatives of small island developing States, including those of Seychelles, Fiji and Antigua and Barbuda, welcomed the adoption with great excitement and recalled their long decades of advocacy for this index. They called for its pilot testing to begin without delay. Other speakers including the delegates of Portugal, United Kingdom and Australia, speaking also for Canada and New Zealand, reaffirmed support for using this “living tool” to improve development decision-making.
The representative of Samoa, who spoke for AOSIS said the index is “an idea whose time has come”. Noting the vulnerabilities caused by climate change and debt payments, he said that “while the index will not strip away the current system, it will provide dimensionality and context”, and usher broader and deeper thinking about development.
Speaking for CARICOM, the representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis said this is a defining moment for her group, as “political will and reality converge” for the adoption of the index. Noting the problems posed by climate chaos and fragile economies, she said the index must serve as a tool for mobilizing financing, and pointed out that this is crucial not only for island nations, but all developing countries. Denmark’s delegate, who spoke for the European Union, noted that gross domestic product (GDP) and gross national income per capita do not reflect the vulnerabilities that small island developing States and other developing nations face. She called on all stakeholders “to integrate vulnerability factors into their analysis” and action.
Other speakers, such as the representative of the United States, who joined consensus on the text, stressed the voluntary nature of the index. International financial institutions and multilateral development banks have their own mandates and decision-making processes to ensure that they remain able to support the objectives of their members, he pointed out.
Colombia’s delegate said the index takes into account exogenous factors; therefore “its application is limited” for his country and its vulnerability will not be reflected by the instrument. International financial institutions should use the index as a complement to other development measurements, he said. Further, it is not be used as a criteria to limit access to development cooperation or condition negotiations in other multilateral fora or reduce the concessional nature of credits, he stressed.
Other action today included a resolution on “Fostering sustainable forest management, including afforestation and reforestation, in degraded lands, including drylands, as an effective solution to environmental challenges” (document A/78/L.95), that was adopted without a vote.
By its terms, the Assembly emphasized that sustainable forest management, including afforestation and reforestation, can have economic, social and environmental benefits inter alia by contributing substantially to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Assembly also emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation, as well as public-private partnerships to promote sustainable forest management.
The representative of Uzbekistan, introducing the text, spotlighted the positive role of forests and trees in mitigating the climate change and providing numerous environmental benefits, including protection against natural hazards and soil erosion. Highlighting the fundamental principle of the resolution — “planting a right tree in the right place for the right reason” — he urged to view sustainable forest management as an important component of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Also adopted without a vote was a resolution titled “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025–2034” (document A/78/L.99). By its terms, the Assembly proclaimed the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences to address the challenges associated with melting glaciers and changes to the cryosphere by advancing related scientific research and monitoring.
Introducing that text, the representative of France, speaking also on behalf of Tajikistan, spotlighted the vulnerability of glaciers and poles to climate change and their role in regulating climate, ocean levels and preserving biodiversity. Describing the cryosphere — the frozen components of the Earth’s system — as “an essential resource for our planet’s equilibrium”, she said that more than 30 countries, with the support of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), have launched an international appeal for the poles and glaciers, committing to launch a Decade of Cryospheric Sciences from 2025 to 2034. “This UN Decade will provide a political impetus needed to make this issue a priority on the multilateral agenda,” she said.
The Assembly then turned to a draft resolution on “Consideration of decision 14/1 of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, entitled ‘Recommendations regarding the identification of possible gaps in the protection of the human rights of older persons and how best to address them’” (document A/78/L.104/Rev.1), adopting it as orally revised. By its terms, the Assembly decided that the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing has completed its work as mandated in General Assembly resolution 65/182.
The representative of Chile, who introduced the text, said that “the world is aging” — by 2060, the global population of people over 60 will double. Protecting the rights of older persons is not only a moral imperative, but an important step in the face of global trends of aging, he pointed out, underlining the need to define the next steps in terms of challenges and opportunities for older persons. He proceeded to introduce oral amendments to the draft.
The representative of the Russian Federation said her delegation would join the consensus on the resolution. Drawing attention to the “confusing” title of the document and the processes leading to its adoption, she stressed that the General Assembly never met to discuss the options listed in paragraph 25 of decision 14. Moreover, the work of the working group on drafting the recommendations cannot replace the meetings of the main UN advisory body neither procedurally nor factually, she said, pointing out the low level of participation in the group. Therefore, “the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Aging has exhausted its capacity to promote and protect the human rights of older persons, and its mandate should conclude during the upcoming seventy-ninth General Assembly session,” she emphasized.
Cameroon’s delegate agreed that the Open-Ended Working Group has been ineffective with no tangible outcome; however work still needs to be done to identify the normative and implementation gaps. Expressing reservations about the best way to terminate that mandate without creating a precedent and while respecting the Organization’s procedures, she said the resolution under consideration does create a precedent by allowing a group of countries to initiate a separate process to end a mechanism they did not initiate. Thus, the text, “in actual fact, created more problems than it resolved”, she said, adding that it leaves a number of questions unanswered.
In other business, the Assembly appointed India as a member of the Board of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns for a term beginning on 13 August 2024 and ending on 20 March 2026.