UNGA: 63RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001087 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA AORC ECON EFIN VE SUBJECT: UNGA: 63RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT BY REDUCING ARMED CONFLICT REF: STATE 121392 ¶1. During its November 17, morning session, the 63rd General Assembly held a debate on agenda items 107, follow up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit; 44, integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major UN conferences; and 112, strengthening of the UN system. During the session, the General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus on "Promoting development through the reduction and prevention of armed violence" (A/63/L.27). ¶2. Switzerland introduced and the General Assembly adopted by consensus resolution A/63/L.27, "Promoting development through the reduction and prevention of armed violence." During the debate, France stated that while it supported the Geneva Declaration, it disagreed with the resolutions link between arms reduction and development. France's representative said that the relationship between the two was more complex than the wording implied, however, France would not block consensus. Per Department instructions, USUN gave a pre-action EOP (Ref A). In post-action EOP's, Egypt and Pakistan stated their reservations. Egypt would have preferred a greater reference to the principles UN Charter. Pakistan noted that in each of the past negotiations of the Geneva Declaration, Pakistan's objections and amendments have been disregarded. ¶3. Venezuela introduced a resolution that calls for a Summit on the global financial crisis (A/63/L.22). During the debate India, Nicaragua, Russia, Cuba, Argentina, France, and Algeria gave interventions. Except France, all the speakers gave support for the resolution introduced by Venezuela, calling for reform of the world's financial architecture, particularly the Bretton Woods institutions. Nicaragua expressed condemnation for capitalism, which had resulted in the current crisis. Russia also expressed support for the resolution on global health and foreign policy. ¶4. Switzerland introduced a resolution on the legal empowerment of the poor (A/63/L.25). South Africa introduced a resolution on global health and foreign policy (A/63/L.28). Tanzania introduced a draft International Labour Organization declaration on social justice for a fair globalization (A/63/L.29). Action on all these items will take place at a later date, to be announced. USUN is participating in ongoing informal negotiations. Khalilzad