Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USUNNEWYORK915
2007-10-24 22:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

UNGA/C-6:PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF UNCITRAL'S 40TH

Tags:  UNCITRAL UNGA 
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UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000915 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR L/PIL BURMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNCITRAL UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA/C-6:PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF UNCITRAL'S 40TH
SESSION


UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000915

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR L/PIL BURMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNCITRAL UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA/C-6:PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF UNCITRAL'S 40TH
SESSION



1. SUMMARY: The UN Commission on International Trade Law
(UNCITRAL) presented the report of its 40th session to the
Sixth Committee on October 22. Twenty-seven delegations
addressed the Sixth Committee and took note of UNCITRAL's
achievements in harmonizing international trade law.
Concerning the report of the 40th session, the majority of
delegations commented on the draft Legislative Guide on
Secured Transactions, the Model Law and Guide on Procurement,
the revision of arbitration rules, the working group report
on transport law, the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency,
commercial fraud, technical assistance cooperation and
UNCITRAL working methods. END SUMMARY.


2. During the October 22 Sixth Committee debate on the 40th
session of the UN Commission on International Trade Law
(UNCITRAL),twenty-seven delegations took the floor to
comment on the progress of the current session and to praise
UNCITRAL's work toward the harmonization of international
trade law (Note: Available statements pouched to L/PIL Hal
Burman. End Note). Delegations that delivered statements to
the Sixth Committee were: Norway (on behalf of Denmark,
Sweden, Finland and Iceland),India, Singapore, Austria,
Morocco, Guatemala, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Belarus, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, Nigeria, Japan,
Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada,
France, Kenya, the Russian Federation, Italy, Venezuela, Iran
and El Salvador.


3. As to UNCITRAL's current session, the majority of
delegations highlighted the draft Legislative Guide on
Secured Transactions, work on the Model Law and Guide on
Procurement, the revision of arbitration rules, the working
group report on transport law, the Model Law on Cross-Border
Insolvency, commercial fraud, technical assistance
cooperation and UNCITRAL working methods.


4. Several delegations were pleased with progress on the
draft Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions and called
for the finalization of the document during UNCITRAL's
December meeting in Vienna. Japan said that a modernized
secured transaction guide would promote access to credit and
enhance economic growth and international trade. Some
delegations also took note of UNCITRAL's plan to develop a
guide on security rights for intellectual property. Canada,
Australia and India stated that a focus on this matter was
welcome, since rights to intellectual property represent a
significant part of corporate wealth. Guatemala also
encouraged more work in this direction as Guatemala was now
preparing its own national draft law on secured transactions.


5. On procurement, the UNCITRAL Report cited efforts to
improve e-procurement methods, deal with conflicts of
interest and work on an electronic format for
indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity contracts. Morocco,
Nigeria and Belarus emphasized the importance of UNCITRAL's
work in e-procurement and referred to the adaptation of Model
Law elements in their respective national laws. Turning to
arbitration and insolvency, some delegations were clear that
any revision of UNCITRAL arbitration rules should respect the
flexibility and simplicity of the existing text. Australia
noted its concern with provisions on interim measures
presented during UNCITRAL's most recent group meeting on


arbitration. Many delegations emphasized that the
cross-border insolvency guide should update the existing
guide on insolvency, not replace it.


6. As to transport law, remarks were positive and stressed
the economic benefits of the draft convention on
international carriage of goods by sea. China called for the
convention's adoption in 2008. Australia, however, expressed
reservations concerning the "width of volume contract
exemption" in the draft resolution. Australia was concerned
with the exemption's "potentially wide scope for allowing
parties to deviate from the mandatory liability regime."
Australia regretted the draft resolution's departure from the
principle of maintaining uniform international law.


7. Guatemala noted that UNCITRAL's two trust funds lacked
sufficient resources, which jeopardized UNCITRAL's ability to
provide technical assistance to developing countries.
Singapore also noted the importance of UNCITRAL technical
assistance and underscored the fact that Singapore was one of
the only countries to make a fund contribution. Indonesia
said UNCITRAL's assistance was needed to help developing
countries implement the Commission's model laws and harmonize
them with national legislation. Malaysia added that the
Model Law on Electronic Commerce played a key role in
developing Malaysia's national e-commerce laws.
WOLFF