The monthly meeting
between
the Office of the President of the General Assembly
and the Chairpersons of the Regional Groups for the month of March
21 March
2001
The meeting was attended by the Chairpersons of the Regional Groups
for the month of March: Mauritius
(African States), Pakistan (Asian States), Armenia (Eastern European States),
Cuba (Latin American and Caribbean States) and Belgium (Western European and
other States).
1. SPECIAL SESSION ON HIV/AIDS
The major issue the President highlited regarding the special session was
the nomination of the chairs of the round tables. The President mentioned that
he has taken this matter up also with the predecessors of the current chairs
in January and February this year.
It was noted that there has been a letter of invitation to the special session
by the Secretary General of the UN. In this letter Member States were invited
to participate at the highest level, preferably at the Head of State or Government.
Accordingly, the President noted that the regional chairs might wish to convey
to their members, that consideration should be given to the fact that heads
of states might be among the participants in the round tables, which would place
certain requirements also on the chairs and their ranking.
It was also noted that the resolution 55/13 decided that the Special Session
will consist of plenary meetings and four round tables. The chairs will represent
all other regional groups except the Western European and other States Group,
which group is not required to nominate a chair.
Resolution 55/242, which was adopted in February this year on the organizational
issues of the Special Session and the preparatory process, decided on the themes
of each round table. The President noted that he hopes this decision will facilitate
the selection of the chairs.
Another issue to which the President wanted to draw the attention of the
regional chairs for the month of March, was the participation of member states
in the round tables.
Resolution 55/242 gives guidance as for how many member states from each geographic
group will be able to be included in each of the round tables. This request
concerns now also the Western European and other states group.
Resolution 55/242 decided that the round tables shall compose of a mix of member
states and United Nations organizations and civil society actors.
2. IMPROVING THE WORKING METHODS OF THE ASSEMBLY
The President informed the chairs that the chairpersons of the Joint Coordination
Committee (JCC) Ambassador Kumalo and Ambassador Asadi had briefed him on the
outcome of the JCC meeting. Their message was that there is an overwhelming
consensus to improve the working methods of the Assembly and revitalize it and
the JCC is supportive to the process.
In order to allow sufficient time for consultations for the time being the President
said that he will continue, together with Ambassador Valdes, to consult Member
States and major groups.
The President informed that he will prepare a non-paper focusing on implementing
existing decisions and circulate it to Member States early April. This paper
is meant to facilitate the discussions at the informal/informals of the Plenary
to be arranged sometime late April.
3. SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM
The President referred to the first substantive session of the Open-ended
Working Group which was held the previous week. At the meeting the discussions
focused on the veto as a voting instrument and the working methods of the Council.
The veto is one of the questions that needs to be addressed in order to reach
general agreement on the reform.
The papers submitted by the Vice-chairs and the President guided the discussions
and participation was active and constructive. The aim is a comprehensive reform
of the Security Council in all its aspects. Discussions will continue in May,
and as the President hoped the chairs will understand it would be premature
to make any comments now on possible outcomes.
4. AFRICA WORKING GROUP
(the Open-ended Working Group on the Causes of Conflict and the Promotion
of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa)
The President noted that at the organisational session held 20 March the two
themes on which the Group will focus its monitoring at its meeting in May were
agreed upon They are prevention and post-conflict peace building and education.
The Group had also agreed that at the meeting in July/August, the Group will
make a short review or wrap up of the outcomes for Africa of the major events
which will have taken place up to that time this year.
It was further noted that the meeting heard a statement by Under-Secretary-General
Gambari, the main co-ordinator in the Secretariat side for this issue. He pledged
the full and co-ordinated support form the Secretariat side, which was very
encouraging.
The President had urged Member States to participate actively in the next meeting
in May.
5. MILLENNIUM SUMMIT FOLLOW UP
The President told that he continues to follow up the implementation of
Resolution 162/55. He has continued to follow up the preparations for major
upcoming events to ensure follow up aspect in these processes.
In this connection the President had hosted a luncheon for members of the Bureau
of the Small Arms Conference to discuss how that conference can be used as a
tool in the implementation of the Summit Declaration. Participants had briefed
the President about the progress made, including in the question of non-governmental
organization (NGO) participation.
6. VISIT TO JAPAN AND CHINA
The President also informed the chairs that he will be travelling to Japan
and China at the end of March at the invitation of the Governments of these
countries. As before this trip takes place under the overall umbrella of the
Millennium Summit follow up.
In Japan the President will be meeting with the Foreign Minister Kono and in
China with Premier Zhu and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Tang.