GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATES U.N. SUPPORT FOR NEW OR RESTORED

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001049 DEPT FOR IO/HR, DRL/MLGA, PRM/PIP SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV AORC UNGA SUBJECT: GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATES U.N. SUPPORT FOR NEW OR RESTORED DEMOCRACIES ¶1. On November 9, the General Assembly debated Agenda Item 11: Support by the U.N. system of the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies. Qatar introduced resolution A/64/L.12 which was later adopted by consensus without vote. ¶2. The interventions from member states centered on several common themes: praise for the work of the International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, support for the International Day of Democracy, promotion of effective follow up between conferences, and appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report (A/64/372). Member States commended Qatar for its leadership on the subject, particularly for its work as the Chair of the Sixth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies and welcomed Venezuela for chairing the Seventh Conference. ¶3. Brazil, Mongolia, Venezuela, India, Togo, Maldives, Philippines, and Benin addressed the General Assembly on the topic. The U.S. did not make a statement. In addition, two Permanent Observers, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Institute for Democracy and Election Assistance, commented on the efforts of the United Nations to promote democracy. WOLFF