NGLS Roundup 87, January 2002

FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly (GA), the highest deliberative body for formulating and appraising United Nations policy, meets annually in regular sessions from September to December and thereafter as required, bringing together the delegations of all 189 UN Member States. In addition to the plenary, the work of the Assembly is delegated to six main committees. Although the Assembly's resolutions are not legally binding, they carry the weight of world opinion and can initiate actions affecting millions of people. Major issues addressed in the 56th session included terrorism; the programme budget for 2002-2003; the Millennium Summit Goals; global partnerships; economic and financial questions; social, humanitarian and cultural matters; and the convention against human cloning.

The 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States dominated the General Assembly's debate on international terrorism and had a significant impact on the tone and content of the 49 texts eventually adopted by the Assembly during its 56th session. The general debate itself was postponed from the beginning of the session in September to mid-November because of the attack on New York, as was the GA's Special Session on Children, which will now take place from 8-10 May 2002.

The issue of terrorism was raised by many of the 188 speakers during the general debate, including 41 Heads of State and government, two vice-presidents, nine deputy prime ministers and 96 ministers for foreign affairs. According to GA President Han Seung-soo (Republic of Korea), combating terrorism was the highest priority for the 56th session. He cited the Assembly's swift adoption of a strong resolution following the 11 September events and progress on strengthening the legal framework against international terrorism. He also noted the impact the attacks had on discussions related to controlling nuclear proliferation.

The definition of terrorism was also a major theme and there was general agreement that acts of terrorism could never be justified regardless of the cause, motive or perpetrator. Some delegations made the point that any definition must distinguish between acts of terrorism and acts in the exercise of the legitimate right to self-determination and defense against foreign occupation. In this light, the GA President underscored the importance of expediting work on the pending convention on international terrorism.

In his speech to close the 56th session on 24 December 2001, Mr. Han Seung-soo said that while the terrorist attacks on the host country had created unexpected constraints, they had not deterred the GA from pursuing its common goals of global peace and progress. He recalled the five-day plenary debate on terrorism, the promotion of inter-cultural exchange and the two-day meeting on the Dialogue Among Civilizations (see Go Between 88) as carrying particular significance in light of the events.

Amid widespread emphasis on the need for effective multilateral cooperation to address the immediate threats posed by terrorism, the GA President said the importance of directly linking the wider goals of the UN with the fight against terrorism was also recognized. “In this regard, it has often been stressed that terrorism can only be eliminated if the conditions creating a fertile breeding ground for terrorism, such as poverty and social and economic marginalization, are removed.” Some speakers also pointed out that a lack of democracy and persistent violations of human rights could lead to the emergence of terrorist movements, while others saw a link between acts of terrorism and the lack of progress in resolving long-standing disputes, particularly with regard to the Middle East conflict.

It was widely agreed that the Millennium Declaration, adopted by Heads of State and Government at the Millennium Summit in September 2000, provided a valuable blueprint for tackling global issues. Mr. Han Seung-soo welcomed the Secretary-General's “road map” as useful guidance for implementation of the Declaration.

The impact of the 11 September attacks on the already slowing global economy provided the backdrop for discussions in the Second Committee (Economic and Financial). As chronic underdevelopment and poverty were cited as breeding grounds for extremism, some delegations emphasized the importance, now more than ever, of stepping up development efforts. In addition to addressing issues such as poverty reduction, environment, trade and development assistance, the session was also devoted to building momentum for the International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD), and the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD), to be held in Johannesburg from 26 August to 4 September.

President Han Seung-soo cited other major accomplishments of the 56th session's work including: the adoption of the UN's budget for the 2002-2003 biennium; progress towards the establishment of a comprehensive convention against the cloning of human beings; and an overall review of peacekeeping operations (see Go Between 89). The Assembly also celebrated the awarding of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations and its Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan.

terrorism

On 12 September 2001, the GA unanimously adopted the session's first resolution (A/RES/56/561), strongly condemning the “heinous acts of terrorism” of 11 September. Speakers stressed that the attack on the host country was also an attack on the values of the UN, and that terrorism should not be associated with any religion or culture (see Go Between 88).

As a consequence of the attacks, the GA decided to consider measures to eliminate international terrorism—also on the Sixth Committee (Legal) agenda—directly in plenary. Some 168 representatives and observers addressed the Assembly, the largest number of speakers to ever address one agenda item. Delegates stressed that, apart from short-term measures, such as the speedy conclusion of the draft comprehensive convention on the elimination of terrorism, a long-term strategy was needed to address root causes including poverty, foreign occupation and injustice.

The First Committee (Disarmament) grappled with the implications of a terrorist strike being carried out using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. Members called for a fundamental review of strategic doctrines and military postures, as well as practical measures for preventing the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists. One text adopted by the Assembly (A/RES/56/24T) emphasized the need for progress in disarmament and non-proliferation to help maintain international peace and security, as well as the need for global efforts against terrorism. Another resolution (A/RES/56/24C) highlighted the danger of terrorist acts using weapons of mass destruction and the urgent need for concerted international efforts to control and overcome the problem. Resolution 56/24N, entitled “a path to total elimination of nuclear weapons,” called on States to maintain the highest possible security standards, the safe custody, effective control and physical protection of all materials that could contribute to the proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in order to prevent those materials from falling into the hands of terrorists.

During a week-long segment of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) devoted to panel discussions with international observers and human rights experts, speakers repeatedly emphasized the need for global actors to address the root causes that spark or exacerbate numerous social ills—including widespread poverty and underdevelopment, racism and intolerance, gender inequality and lack of access to basic education—which threaten social progress and human security. Corruption, transnational organized crime and money laundering were also identified as difficult problems that not only undermine public trust but also serve to finance a variety of international scourges, terrorism among them.

On the recommendation of the Third Committee, the GA adopted a resolution (A/RES/56/160) that expresses its solidarity with the victims of terrorism, and reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as activities aimed at the destruction of human rights and democracy, which threaten the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States. The Assembly condemned the incitement to ethnic hatred, violence and terrorism and urged the international community to enhance cooperation at the regional and international levels in the fight against terrorism, with the aim of its eradication. The Assembly also called upon States to deny safe haven to terrorists, and to take all necessary and appropriate measures before granting refugee status to ensure that an asylum-seeker had not planned, facilitated or participated in terrorist acts.

The 11 September terrorist attacks also added urgency to the debate of the Sixth Committee (Legal) on measures to combat international terrorism. The Committee proposed a resolution later adopted by the Assembly (A/RES/56/88) strongly condemning all acts, methods and practices of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, wherever and by whomsoever committed. The GA reiterated its call upon States not to finance, encourage or provide training for terrorist activities; to adopt further measures to prevent terrorism; and to strengthen international cooperation in combating terrorism. The GA decided that the Ad Hoc Committee on terrorism would continue its work on a draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism, while the Sixth Committee would consider the remaining issues involved in the draft international convention for the suppression of nuclear terrorism. Work on these instruments will continue during the 57th session of the GA through 2002.

programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003

The Fifth Committee's (Administrative and Budgetary) major achievement of the year was its adoption of the Organization's US$2.63 billion budget for the biennium beginning on 1 January 2002. Out of this amount, the UN will finance most of its core activities other than peacekeeping missions for the next two years. The estimate for income amounts to US$51.76 million, bringing the net expenditure for the biennium to an estimated US$2.57 billion. The budget shows a reduction of the resources proposed by the Secretary-General in such areas as travel of staff (US$2.8 million); contractual services (US$6.4 million); general operating expenses (US$19.7 million); supplies and materials (US$1.4 million); and furniture and equipment (US$7.2 million). The programme budget is contained in seven resolutions: A/RES/56/253, A/RES/56/254A-C, A/RES/56/255, A/RES/56/256 and A/RES/56/257.

For the first time this year, the budget was presented on the basis of a results-oriented format, which had been approved by the GA at its previous session. The new approach shifted the budgetary process from a mainly quantitative focus on resources to a more qualitative one, based on expected accomplishments and measurement of the effectiveness of the Organization's activities. The work on the budget took place in the context of an improved financial situation of the Organization.

The Committee also took up the programme budget implications of the strategic plan for peacekeeping, developed on the basis of a comprehensive review of UN peacekeeping undertaken on the August 2000 recommendations of the so-called Brahimi Panel. To implement the proposed reorganization of current structures, which involves the creation of new entities and strengthening of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Committee recommended approval of US$1.58 million for the advancement of the UN peacekeeping activities, and approved an additional 121 support-account-funded posts (see Go Between 89).

road map of millennium summit goals

Among the major reports taken up by the Assembly at its 56th session was the Secretary-General's “road map” for the implementation of the Millennium Declaration, adopted on 8 September 2000 at the Assembly's Millennium Summit. The road map (A/56/326) contains an integrated and comprehensive overview of the current situation regarding progress on the implementation of the Declaration's ambitious agenda in the areas of: peace, security and disarmament; development and poverty eradication; the environment; human rights; protecting the vulnerable; meeting Africa's special needs; and strengthening the UN. It outlines potential strategies for action that are designed to meet the goals and commitments made by the 147 Heads of State and Government, and 189 Member States in total, who adopted the Millennium Declaration.

In resolution A/RES/56/95, the GA recommended that the road map be considered as a useful guide in implementing the Millennium Declaration, and requested the Secretary-General to prepare both an annual report and five-year comprehensive reports on progress achieved by the UN system and Member States towards its implementation. The GA requested that the annual report focus on cross-cutting and cross-sectoral issues, and on the major areas set forth in the road map, while the quinquennial comprehensive reports should examine progress in implementing commitments made in the Declaration.

During the debate, many developing countries said that measures must be instituted to enable developed countries to shoulder their responsibilities and ensure the existence and credibility of true multilateral action. They called on developed countries to reverse the declining trend in official development assistance (ODA), to eliminate obstacles to trade, and to ensure that poor people have the minimum conditions to ensure sustained economic growth. Some countries underscored the empowerment of the UN as central to promoting people-centered sustainable development. A revitalized GA and reformed Security Council were seen as essential in creating a more democratic world. Other issues highlighted by developing countries included: post-conflict peace-building; the prevention and settlement of conflicts; stopping the traffic in small arms and light weapons; increasing resources to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria, among other diseases; and addressing the root causes of crime, including terrorism.

In order to measure progress that is made in these areas, developed countries emphasized the need for parameters, with a focus on the national level. Many delegates from both the North and South welcomed the New Partnership for African Development launched by African countries, and emphasized the importance of the International Criminal Court.

towards global partnerships

Another key report considered by the GA during its 56th session was the Secretary-General's report on cooperation between the UN and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector (A/56/323 and Corr.1). The report concludes that the number, diversity and influence of non-State actors has grown dramatically over the past ten years and that the potential private sector contribution to development is multifaceted and needs to be harnessed in a focused and effective manner. The greatest contribution that domestic and foreign companies can make to support the goals of the Millennium Declaration, according to the report, is through private investment and through concerted and transparent efforts to ensure that the economic, social and environmental impacts of such investment are positive.

The report also concludes that the growing cooperation with non-State actors does not, and should not, replace the central role and responsibility of governments in national and international policy making and in ensuring the security and progress of their citizens. Governments must continue to play the leadership role in setting goals and agreeing on global and national frameworks. The resources non-State actors can contribute in terms of expertise, funding and technology should be a complement to governmental resources, the report says, not a substitute. 

After considering the Secretary-General's report the GA adopted a resolution (A/RES/56/76), which emphasizes that the approaches governing global partnerships should be built on purposes consistent with UN principles. It invites the UN system to continue to adhere to a common approach to partnership that includes: the principles of common purpose; transparency; the bestowal of no unfair advantages to any partner of the UN; mutual benefit and mutual respect; accountability; and a refusal to compromise the independence and neutrality of the UN system in general and the agencies in particular. The GA also stressed the need for international cooperation to strengthen the participation of enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, business associations, foundations and NGOs from developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The resolution invites the Secretary-General to continue to seek the views of relevant partners, in particular the private sector, on how to enhance their cooperation with the UN and requests him to submit a report at the GA's 58th session, when the GA will include the item on its agenda.

economic and financial questions

Deliberations on economic and financial questions—including international debt, development assistance, trade and investment—were mainly undertaken by the resumed third substantive session of the International Conference on Financing for Development Preparatory Committee (PrepCom), which was held at UN headquarters in New York from 15-19 October 2001 (see NGLS Roundup 83).

Resolutions relating to economic and financial issues adopted by the Assembly include resolution 56/227 on the Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-III) and the establishment of a new Office of the High Representative for Least Developed, Landlocked and Small Island Developing States; resolution 56/206 on the strengthening of the mandate and status of the Commission on Human Settlements and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat); resolution 56/201 on the triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, and resolution 56/226 on the upcoming WSSD.

new un office and programme established

In his report A/56/645 to the General Assembly on the follow-up mechanism for coordinating, monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the Programme of Action (POA) for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for the Decade 2001-2010, the Secretary-General suggested that an Office of the High Representative for the LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States be established and that the High Representative be nominated at the level of Under-Secretary-General. The key functions of the Office would include assisting the Secretary-General in ensuring the full mobilization and coordination of all parts of the UN system to facilitate the coordinated implementation of the follow-up and monitoring of the Programme of Action of LDC-III at the national, regional and global levels. The Office would also assist in mobilizing international support and resources for the implementation of the POA and other programmes and initiatives for landlocked developing countries and Small Island Developing States. By adopting resolution 56/227, the Assembly decided to establish the new Office as recommended by the Secretary-General, and asked him to take immediate measures to make the Office operational as soon as possible.

In its resolution 56/206 on the strengthening of the mandate and status of the Commission on Human Settlements and the UN Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), the Assembly decided to transform the Commission, its secretariat and Habitat—including its Foundation—into United Nations Human Settlements Programme or UN-Habitat, by 1 January 2002. UN-Habitat will have a governing body and a secretariat and will serve as the UN focal point for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. The resolution also called for UN-Habitat to maintain links with the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda as it relates to sustainable development.

operational activities for developing countries

In resolution 56/201 the Assembly decided to take action in 13 areas: the role of operational activities in response to global challenges; funding for operational activities; capacity building; UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF); evaluation of operational activities; simplification and harmonization of rules and procedures; resident coordinator system; planning, programming and implementation; humanitarian assistance; gender; regional dimension of operational activities; South-South cooperation and technical cooperation among developing countries; and follow-up. The Assembly decided that the UN development system should assist national governments to create an enabling environment where the links between national governments, the UN development system, civil society, national NGOs and the private sector will be strengthened with a view to seeking new and innovative solutions to development problems. The Assembly also called for renewed efforts in gender mainstreaming in all fields of operational activities, especially in poverty eradication.

world summit for sustainable development

Preparations for the upcoming World Summit gained momentum throughout the 56th session. In resolution 56/226 the Assembly decided to hold the upcoming Summit from 26 August-4 September 2002 in Johannesburg (South Africa), with the participation of Heads of State and Government from 2-4 September 2002. The Assembly requested the CSD, acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Summit, to decide on all remaining issues related to the Summit's organization of work. It also requested the UN Secretary-General to launch a public information campaign to raise awareness of the Summit.

social, humanitarian and cultural matters

Among the 65 resolutions and seven decisions adopted by the Assembly on issues related to social, humanitarian and cultural questions were resolutions on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (56/231), Afghanistan (56/176), Sudan (56/175), Iraq (56/174), the Democratic Republic of Congo (56/173), parts of South-Eastern Europe (56/172), the Islamic Republic of Iran (6/171) and Cambodia (56/169).

The Assembly also adopted resolutions on the right to development (56/150); globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of human rights (56/165); the right to food (56/155); the rights of disabled persons (56/115) and (56/168); and eight resolutions related to the advancement of women.

Member States were unable to discuss follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban (South Africa) from 31 August-8 September 2001, because the Conference's final report (A/CONF.189/12) was delayed. Member States adopted decision 56/432, in which it postponed its discussions on the issue to early 2002, when the report is expected to be finalized.

right to food

During deliberations on matters related to human rights, Member States received for the first time a report by the Special Rapporteur Jean Zeigler (Switzerland) on the right to food (A/56/210). The report calls on the Assembly to reiterate the urgent need to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. In a world that is “richer than ever,” and “that can produce enough food for the global population, a large number of people still remain chronically and severely undernourished,” stresses the Special Rapporteur's report. It also draws attention to the fact that “every seven seconds a child somewhere in the world dies of the direct or indirect effect of hunger.”

The Assembly adopted resolution 56/155 on the right to food by a vote of 169 in favour to two against (Israel and the United States), with two abstentions (Australia and New Zealand), reaffirming that hunger constitutes an outrage and a violation of human dignity and, therefore, requires the adoption of urgent measures at the national, regional and international levels for its elimination. The resolution said it was “intolerable” that 826 million people, most of them women and children, throughout the world, and particularly in developing countries, did not have enough food to meet their basic nutritional needs. According to the resolution, this situation infringes upon their fundamental human rights, and, at the same time, generates additional pressure on the environment in ecologically fragile areas. The resolution also urged Member States to give adequate priority in their development strategies and expenditures to the realization of the right to food.

protecting the rights of people with disabilities

Discussions on the protection of the rights of people with disabilities resulted in the adoption of a resolution (A/RES/56/168) establishing an Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate a comprehensive and integral international convention to protect and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. In the resolution, the Assembly invites States, relevant bodies and organizations of the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to make contributions to the work entrusted to the Ad Hoc Committee. The Assembly also called upon States, in cooperation with regional commissions, to hold regional meetings or seminars to contribute to the Ad Hoc Committee's work.

critical situation of instraw

Recognizing the critical situation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), the Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/56/125) in which it urged the Secretary-General to appoint a Director of the Institute as soon as possible in order to provide it with the required leadership, in particular throughout the period of restructuring; and to continue to encourage Member States to support INSTRAW by making voluntary contributions to the UN Trust Fund for the Institute.

convention against HUMAN cloning

The GA adopted a resolution (A/RES/56/93) forwarded by the Sixth Committee (Legal) proposing the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to study the elaboration of an international convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings. The Ad Hoc Committee will meet twice this year, from 25 February-1 March 2002 and 23-27 September 2002, to consider the elaboration of a mandate for the negotiation of the international convention. Upon adoption of the mandate, the GA will recommend the reconvening of the Ad Hoc Committee for negotiations on the international convention to begin.

Introducing the resolution in the Sixth Committee, the representative of France said that the initiative dealt only with the reproductive cloning of human beings and had no bearing on other types of cloning. The representative of Germany noted that while reproductive cloning was only one aspect within a wider range of bioethical concerns, the sponsors of the text would continue to insist that their initiative be limited exclusively to the cloning of human beings because only that approach would give the international community, acting in a spirit of prevention, “a real chance to come rapidly to concrete results and to win the race against some irresponsible researchers.”

Many delegations expressed the belief that reproductive cloning of humans had serious implications for the preservation of human dignity, the protection of human life and integrity of the human body, and also the maintenance of social order. Some delegations expressed concern, however, that attempting to prohibit research on the subject of human cloning would only drive it underground.

This edition of NGLS Roundup was prepared by the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS). The NGLS Roundup is produced for NGOs and others interested in the institutions, policies and activities of the UN system and is not an official record.