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17 September 1999

The General Assembly President, Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, is presiding, as we speak, over the third plenary meeting. The Assembly is considering the report of the General Committee, document A/54/250, containing recommendations on the organization of the work of the fifty-fourth session, adoption of the agenda and allocation of items.

The report recommends a total of 170 agenda items. After a lengthy procedural debate on Wednesday, in which 66 delegations spoke on whether or not to include an item on Taiwan, the Committee recommended against doing so. Thirteen States had requested inclusion of an item, on the "need to examine the exceptional international situation pertaining to the Republic of China on Taiwan, to ensure the fundamental right of its 22 million people to participate in the work and activities of the United Nations is fully respected".

The report before the Assembly this morning recommends that it consider the question of East Timor directly in plenary meeting on the understanding that those having an interest in the question would be heard, in conjunction, in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).

The General Committee further recommends that the Assembly hear a brief presentation by the Secretary-General of his Annual Report on the Work of the Organization (A/54/1), prior to the start of the general debate on Monday, 20 September.

Among the 19 speakers listed for Monday are nine Heads of State and 6 Heads of Government. A list of speakers is available in room 378 and on the UN Homepage on the Internet at www.un.org/ga/54.

Copies of the President’s schedule for today are available in room 378. This morning, the President addressed staff at the UN Millennium Staff Day programme in the General Assembly Hall. In his statement, the President recalled the enormous assistance rendered to his country, Namibia, and its people by the UN and its staff since the inception of the Organization. He also cited some of the challenges facing staff, among them, the issues of career development; staff mobility; the safety, security and protection of humanitarian and UN personnel; as well as human resources management in general. Copies of his statement are available in room 378.

The President is also expected to speak at a special meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of Bangladesh’s admission to the United Nations, taking place in the Economic and Social Council Chamber. The President participated in yesterday’s ECOSOC meeting to inaugurate the newly renovated Chamber. Copies of his remarks at that gathering are also available in room 378. This afternoon, he will address the closing session of the DPI/NGO Conference on "Challenges of a Globalized World: Finding New Directions".

On Sunday, referred to as UN Sunday, the President will deliver a sermon at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue and 112^th Street here in Manhattan.

Question: Has the General Assembly President said anything about East Timor?

Spokeswoman: He has indeed. The President spoke on East Timor in his acceptance speech before the General Assembly, and again at his press conference held yesterday in this room.