الجمعية العامة: الجلسة العامة 42 – الدورة 80
الجمعية العامة
Date: 17 November 2025
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/ar/ga/80/42?lang=en
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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GA · PGA [0:05]:

The 42nd Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will consider sub-item A of Agenda Item 114, entitled Election of Members of the Committee for Programme and Coordination. Coordination. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. Pursuant to Decision 42/450 of 17 December 1987, and on the nomination of the Economic and Social Council, the Assembly elects the members of the Committee for Programme and Coordination. The nominations by the Economic and Social Council to fill the 7 vacancies in the Committee that will occur on December 31st, 2025, upon the expiration of the terms of office for the following members: Argentina, China, Liberia, Morocco, Philippines, Republic of Korea, and Tunisia. These States are eligible for immediate reelection. I should like to inform members that as of 1st January 2026, the following states will remain members of the Committee and therefore are not eligible in this election. They are Armenia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, France, France, Germany, Haiti, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Russian Federation, Rwanda, South Africa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Uruguay. I should now like to inform members that following the states having been nominated by the Economic and Social Council for 3-year period beginning 1st January 2026: Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal for the 3 seats among the African states; China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea for the 3 seats among the Asia-Pacific states, and Cuba for the 1 seat among the Latin American and Caribbean states. The number of states nominated from among the African states, the Asia-Pacific states, and the Latin American and Caribbean states is equal to the number of seats to be filled in each of those groups. In accordance with Rule 92 of the Rules of Procedure, all elections should be held by secret ballot. However, I should like to recall paragraph 16 of Decision 34/401, whereby the practice of dispensing with a secret ballot for elections to subsidiary organs when the number of candidates corresponds to the number of seats to be filled should become standard unless a delegation specifically requests a vote in that given election. In the absence of such a request, may I take it that the Assembly decides to proceed to the election on the basis of dispensing with the secret ballot? It is so decided. We will proceed to the election of members from among the African States, the Asia-Pacific States, and the Latin American and Caribbean States. Since the number of candidates from among the African States, Asia-Pacific States, and the Latin American and Caribbean States corresponds to the number of seats to be filled by the regions, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to elect those candidates as members of the Committee for the Program and Coordination for the 3-year term of office beginning 1st January 2026? It is so decided. The following states have therefore been elected members of the Committee for Program and Coordination: China, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, and Senegal. I congratulate them on their election. May I take it that it is a wish of the Assembly to conclude the consideration of It is so decided. The Assembly will now consider sub-item G of agenda item 115, entitled Appointments of Members of the Committee on Conferences. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. Since the terms of office of Austria, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Guatemala, Japan, and the United States of America will expire on 31st December 2025, it will be necessary for the President of the General Assembly to appoint 7 members to fill the resulting vacancies. These members will serve for a period of 3 years beginning on January 1st, 2026. Consequently, after consider— after consultations with the chairs of the group of African states, the Asia-Pacific states, and the Western European and other states, the President has appointed Austria, China, Japan, Kenya, Libya, and the United States of America for a 3-year term beginning on January 1st, 2026. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of these appointments? It is so decided. Members are reminded that the one vacancy from the Latin American and Caribbean States remain to be filled for a 3-year term beginning on 1st January 2026. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item G of agenda item 115. The Assembly will consider sub-item H of agenda item 115 entitled Confirmation of the Appointment of Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. In paragraph 22 of its Resolution 1240B of the 13th Session on the Establishment of the Special Fund the Assembly provided that the Secretary-General, after consultation with the Governing Council of the Special Fund, would appoint the Managing Director subject to confirmation by the Assembly. That procedure has been construed as applying also to the appointment of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. Following consultations with members of the Executive Board Board of the United Nations Development Programme, the Secretary-General requests the Assembly to confirm the appointment of Alexander de Croo of Belgium as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for a 4-year term of office beginning 2 December 2025 and ending on 1 December 2029. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation on a point of order.


Russian Federation [8:54]:

Distinguished President, we would like to make a statement on the rules of procedure because we object I welcome you all to the adoption of this decision without a vote. This year, the UNDP will turn 60. Over these years, it has become a cornerstone of the UN development system and has become a reliable partner for countries receiving aid, as well as a guiding light for the Sustainable Development Agenda. However, throughout this time, despite fundamental changes in the world order and in the development architecture, the post of Administrator of the UNDP has always been occupied by officials from the Group of Western European and other states. Continuing this practice would jeopardize trust in UNDP and its legitimacy. At the same time, we note that Previous public statements by Mr. de Croo causes us to seriously doubt his ability at this new— on this new post to follow the principle of impartiality in accordance with Article 100 of the UN Charter. We believe that the political positions of the head of the UNDP should not affect the neutral role of the organization and should not create a threat of politicizing Its activity— its activities must be in the interest of the Global South. In light of this, the Russian Federation would like to request the holding of a vote on the approval of the appointment of Mr. Ducruet, and after the vote, we would like to explain our position. Thank you.


GA · PGA [10:49]:

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation. We shall now proceed to consider the request for confirmation of the appointment. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote before the vote, may I remind delegations that they are strongly urged to limit explanations of vote for 5 minutes, which should in any case not exceed 10 minutes, and be made for from their seats. I give the floor to Ireland on behalf of the European Union and its member states.


Ireland · EU [11:30]:

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. At this pivotal moment, less than 5 years before 2030, the UNDP requires a leader with demonstrated commitment to partnership, a deep understanding of development realities, and the credibility to bridge global divides. We recall that the appointment of the UNDP Administrator is the prerogative of the Secretary-General, as established by the UN's founding instruments, upon consultation of the Executive Board and confirmation by the General Assembly. This prerogative is essential to safeguarding the independence, the neutrality, and the effectiveness of the UN's development system. It is our collective responsibility to respect and uphold this principle. Further to a transparent and inclusive process and the successful consultation of the Board, we therefore would like to fully support the confirmation of the Secretary-General's decision to appoint Alexandre de Croo. Mr de Croo brings more than 2 decades of experience working closely with partners across the world, particularly in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. As Minister for Development Cooperation and later as Prime Minister of Belgium, he championed country ownership, fairer global economic governance, and development finance that responds to the universality of Agenda 2030. His record demonstrates a clear philosophy: development succeeds when it is shaped, led, and sustained together. Most importantly, Mr. De Croo has shown unwavering commitment to listening to partners, respecting diversity, ensuring that all voices inform collective decisions. We are convinced that as UNDP Administrator, he will work in full alignment with Member States to advance the UNDP's mission to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and foster sustainable development worldwide, while strengthening its role as a trusted, responsive, and country-focused partner. Excellencies, the challenges before us are immense, but with the right leadership, the UNDP can continue to be a transformative We firmly respect and support the Secretary-General's decision to appoint Alexander de Croo in guiding the Organization into its next chapter, building strong partnerships. I thank you.


GA · PGA [13:42]:

I thank Ireland on behalf of the European Union. We have heard the last speaker in explanation of the vote before the vote. The Assembly will now take a decision on the confirmation of the appointment. A recorded vote has been requested. We shall now begin the voting process. Those in favour of confirmation of the appointment of Alexander de Croo of Belgium as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for a 4-year term of office, Beginning on 2 December 2025 and ending on 1 December 2029. Please signify. Those against? Abstentions? The Assembly is now voting on the confirmation of the appointment of Alexandre de Croo of Belgium as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for a 4-year term of office beginning on 2 December 2025. And ending on 1 December 2029. A yes vote means you are in favor of the confirmation of the appointment. A no vote means you are against the confirmation of the appointment. Will all delegations confirm that their votes are accurately reflected on the screen? The voting has been Completed. Please lock the machine. The result of the vote is as follows: in favor, 172; against, 0; abstentions, 1. The Assembly confirmed the appointment of Alexander Ducru of the Belgium as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for a 4-year term beginning on 2nd December 2025 and ending on 1st December 2029. Before giving the floor for explanations of votes after the vote, may I remind delegations that they are strongly urged to limit explanations of vote to 5 minutes, which should in any case not exceed 10 minutes, and be made from their seats. I give the floor to the Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [16:38]:

Distinguished President, Madam President, the Russian Federation takes note of the appointment of Mr. De Croo as UNDP Administrator. Our delegation is aware of the importance of the uninterrupted work of the agency for developing countries and therefore has decided to abstain during the vote. We expect that the new Administrator of the UNDP in his work will strictly adhere to the principle of impartiality as required by his new status as international civil servant, and thus will realize the unifying potential of the UNDP in the interests of the entire international community. We hope that under its new leadership, the UNDP will continue to strengthen its ability to provide assistance to countries of the Global South in accordance with the UN Charter and the fundamental directives of— directive documents in the area of operational activities for the goals of development. Russia, which over the past 10 years has carried out more than 80 joint projects with the UNDP funded in a total amount of $135 million, remains open to such cooperation with the UNDP. In the interests of the global south, thank you for your attention.


GA · PGA [18:07]:

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation, and I now give the floor to the representative of Ecuador.


Ecuador · Chair of the Executive Board of UNDP [18:19]:

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much, Madam President. With regard to the decision that was put to the vote today. I would like to make the following statement for the record based strictly on the procedures agreed upon by member states in my quality as Chair of the Executive Board of UNDP. In accordance with Resolution 1240 of 1958 of the General Assembly, the appointment of the UNDP Administrator is a prerogative of the Secretary-General. Following a process of consultations with the Executive Board and is subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. In full respect for this normative framework, the process that we have seen over the last few months has been transparent, timely, inclusive, and fully consistent with the precedents of 2017 and 2021. Throughout this process, delegations had the opportunity— formal and informal opportunities— to express their comments in writing or oral comments, and those comments were duly received, put in order, and communicated to the Executive Board, and subsequently passed on to the Office of the Secretary-General. As can be seen in the communication sent out on the 24th of October, there were no objections made within the established deadline. This communication was sent to the Secretary-General, as I said, by me in my quality as Chair of the Executive And therefore, the mandate of the General Assembly was fully respected, as well as the procedural timelines for consultation. My delegation voted in favor, reaffirming our trust in the due process and in the institutional role of the Secretary General in the appointment of the holder. of this office for the United Nations Development Programme. Thank you.


GA · PGA [20:50]:

I thank the representative of Ecuador and I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.


Uruguay [21:06]:

Madam President, Excellencies, on behalf of Uruguay, I'd like to express our thanks for the confirmation of Mr. Alexander de Croo. As new Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. We celebrate this appointment as a reaffirmation of the fundamental leadership that is necessary for the international community and for those that benefit from the work of the UNDP. The world is going through a turning point with a triple planetary crisis, inequality that requires urgent and collaborative action to be taken. In this context, the UNDP continues to be a strategic partner indispensable for technical assistance and mobilization of resources and assisting national development processes in order to move forward towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as well as national priorities. Administrator, please receive our congratulations and Uruguay's commitment to continue to work with UNDP in line with the strategic plan and the cooperation frameworks agreed nationally. We have full trust in your leadership to lead UNDP, deepen its work to remove to focus on climate change, gender equality, and reduce poverty, and facing human rights at the center of the multilateral agenda as one of the, one of the 3 pillars of this organization. You can count on our support. Thank you very much.


GA · PGA [22:33]:

I thank the representative of Uruguay. We have heard the last speaker in explanations of votes after the vote. May I take it that That it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item H of agenda item 115. It is so decided. The Assembly will consider sub-item I of agenda item 115, entitled Appointment of Members of the Joint Inspection Unit. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. As indicated in the note by the Secretary-General, the Assembly is required during the current session to appoint members to fill the vacancies of the Joint Inspection Unit that will arise from the expiration of terms of office on 31st December 2026 of Eileen Cronin of the United States of America and Carolina Maria Fernandez Opaso of Mexico. In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, the President of the General Assembly shall consult with member states to draw up a list of countries, in this case 2 countries, which would be requested to propose candidates for the appointment of the Joint Inspection Unit. In the present case, one country from Latin America and Caribbean states and one country from the Western European and other states will each be requested to propose a candidate. As further indicated in the document, the Assembly, by Resolution 61/238 of 22 December 2006, decided that beginning on 1 January 2008, the President of the General Assembly, when drawing up a list of countries that would be requested to propose candidates in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1 of the statute of the unit would invite member states to submit the name of— the names of countries and their respective candidates simultaneously, on the understanding that the candidates submitted are candidates that the respective member states intended to propose, to the extent possible, for appointment by the Assembly in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 2 of the statute. Having held the necessary consultations with the regional groups, I should like to communicate to the Assembly that for the Latin American and Caribbean states, the name of one country has been communicated, namely Mexico, and for the Western European and other states, the name of one country has been communicated, namely the United States of America. After holding the appropriate consultations described in Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Statute of Joint Inspection Unit, including consultations with the President of the Economic and Social Council and with the Secretary-General in his capacity as Chair of the United Nations System Chief Executive Board for coordination, the President of the Assembly will submit the names of the candidates to be proposed by Mexico and the United States of America to the Assembly for appointment to the Joint Inspection Unit. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item I of Agenda Item 115. I invite members to turn their attention to sub-item J of the, of the agenda, of agenda item 115 entitled Appointment of the Judges of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. Since the terms of office of 3 judges, namely Graeme Colgan, of New Zealand, Shouli Gao of China, and Kanwaldeep Sandhu of Canada are due to expire on 30th June 2026. It will be, it will be necessary for the Assembly to appoint 3 judges to the Appeals Tribunal for a term of 7 years starting on 1st July 2026. In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 2 Of the Statute of the Appeals Tribunal, the judges shall be appointed by the General Assembly in the recommendation of the Internal Justice Council in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 62/228. No 2 judges shall be the same nationality. Due regard shall be given to geographical distribution and gender balance. The 8 candidates recommended by the Council for the 3 vacancies on the Appeals Tribunal are as follows: Nino Bakuri, Georgia; Richard Butira, Uganda; Oberto da Silva Fragali Filho, Brazil; Witold Jakiemo, Poland; Ioannis Karkalis of Greece, Bobby J. McCartney of the United States of America, Renée Miller of Canada, and Lingling Zhang of China. In order to be eligible for appointment, Article 3, Paragraph 3 of the Statute of the Appeals Tribunal requires that a person shall be of high moral character and impartial, possess at least 15 years of aggregate judicial experience in the field of administrative law, employment law, or the equivalent within one or more national or international jurisdictions, and be fluent both orally and in writing in at least one of the working languages the Appeals Tribunal. Article 3, paragraph 4 of the Statute of the Appeals Tribunal further provides that a judge of the Appeals Tribunal shall be appointed for one non-renewable term of 7 years. It is proposed that the Assembly proceed to appoint the judges of the Appeals Tribunal by way of an election. Bearing in mind paragraph 58 of Resolution 63/253, in which the Assembly invited Member States, when electing judges to the Appeals Tribunal, to take due consideration of geographical distribution and gender balance, may I take it that the Assembly agrees to this proposal? It is so decided. Only those candidates recommended by the Council are eligible for election. The candidates who obtain the highest number of votes and a majority of the votes of those present and voting shall be considered elected and thereby appointed by the Assembly to the Appeals Tribunal. Balloting shall continue in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Assembly until as many candidates as are required for the seats on the Appeals Tribunal to be filled have obtained in one or more ballots a majority of votes the members present and voting. Also consistent with past practice, in case due to a tie of vote It becomes necessary to determine the candidate to be elected, or that will proceed to the next round of restricted balloting, there will be a special restricted ballot limited to those candidates that have, have obtained an equal number of votes. May I take it that the Assembly agrees to these procedures? It is so decided. The Assembly will now proceed to the election of 3 judges to the Appeals Tribunal for a term of 7 years starting 1st July 2026. The election will be held in accordance with the relevant Rules of Procedures of the Assembly. Therefore, in accordance with Rule 92 of the Rules of Procedure, The election shall be held by secret ballot. Before we begin the voting process, I should like to remind members that pursuant to Rule 88 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, no respective— no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order on the actual conduct of voting. Any announcements, including those concerning withdrawals of candidates, should therefore be made prior to the commencement of the voting process. That is to say, before the announcement of the beginning of the voting process. In addition, ballot papers will only be given to the delegates seated directly behind the country's nameplate. We shall now begin The voting process. Ballot papers will now be distributed, and voting has thus begun. I request representatives to use only those ballot papers that have been distributed, that has been distributed, and to put an X in the boxes. next to the names whom they wish to vote for. May I also remind delegates that they may vote for not more than the number indicated in the ballot papers. A ballot will be declared invalid if it contains votes for more than the number indicated in ballot papers. If a ballot paper contains any notation other than a vote in favor of an eligible candidate, those notations will be disregarded.


Speaker 12 [33:51]:

Thank you.


GA · PGA [35:28]:

I invite the representatives of the following states to serve as tellers and to accompany the conference officers as they collect the ballot papers: Antigua and Barbuda, Belgium, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Singapore, Slovakia, and Vietnam. Please proceed to collect the ballot papers. May I request delegations who have not voted to do so now? by approaching the podium to cast their votes. The voting is now closed. No more ballot papers will be accepted. I suspend the meeting for 40 minutes. The meeting is resumed. Number of ballot papers.


Teller [40:38]:

189.


GA · PGA [40:39]:

Number of invalid ballots: 1. Number of valid ballots: 188. Abstentions: 0. Number of members present and voting: 188. Required majority: Number of individual votes obtained. Ling Ling Zhang of China, 127. Richard Butera, Uganda, 110. Obeto da Silva Fragale Filho of Brazil, 68. Ioannis Karkalis of Greece, 63. Rene Miller of Canada, 60. Bobby J. McCartney of the United States, 58. Witold Dzikimo of Poland, 31. And Nino Bakakuri of Georgia, 18. Having obtained the required majority and the largest number of votes, the following candidates are elected as Judges of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal for a 7-year term beginning 1 July 2026: Richard Butera of Uganda and Lingling Zhang The Assembly will have to proceed to the first restricted ballot to fill the remaining one vacancy. This round of ballot shall be restricted to the 2 candidates that were not elected but obtained the largest number of votes in the previous ballot. This is in accordance with Rule 94 of the Rules of Procedures. Before we begin the voting process, I should like to remind members that pursuant to Rule 88 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order on the actual conduct of the voting. We shall now begin the voting process. Ballot papers will now be distributed.


Sierra Leone [43:22]:

All—


GA · PGA [43:22]:

Sierra Leone is asking for the floor. I now give the floor to Sierra Leone on a point of order. We'll now proceed. All the candidates whose names appear on the ballot paper are eligible. May I also remind delegations that they may vote for not more than the number indicated on the ballots. A ballot will be declared invalid if it contains votes for more than the number indicated in the ballot papers. If a ballot paper contains any notation other than a vote in favor of an eligible candidate, those notations will be disregarded. I invite the representatives of the following states to act as tellers and to accompany the conference officers as they collect the ballot papers: Antigua and Barbuda, Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Singapore, Slovakia, and Vietnam. Please proceed to collect the ballot papers. May I request delegations who may not have voted to do so now by approaching the podium to cast their votes. The voting is now closed. No more ballot papers will be accepted. I suspend the meeting for 20 minutes. The meeting is resumed. The result of the voting is as follows. Number of ballot papers: 190. Number of invalid ballots?


Teller [51:22]:

1.


GA · PGA [51:24]:

Number of valid ballots?


Teller [51:26]:

189.


GA · PGA [51:29]:

Abstentions?


Teller [51:32]:

6.


GA · PGA [51:33]:

Number of members present and voting?


Teller [51:36]:

183.


GA · PGA [51:39]:

Required majority?


Teller [51:41]:

90.


GA · PGA [51:45]:

Number of individual votes obtained: Huberto da Silva Fragalli Filho of Brazil, 102; Ioannis Karkalis of Greece, 81. Having obtained the required majority of votes, the following candidate has been elected as Judge of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal for a period of 7 years beginning 1 July 2026. I take this opportunity to extend to the elected candidates the congratulations of the Assembly on the appointments. And to thank the tellers for their efforts. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item J, agenda item 115? It is so decided. I invite members to turn their attention to sub-item K of Agenda Item 115, entitled Appointment of the Judges of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. As indicated in the memorandum by the Secretary-General, One full-time judge position on the Dispute Tribunal is presently vacant following the resignation of Judge Zoëlle Ada of France, effective 1 January 2025. The unexpired remainder of Judge Ada's 7-year term of office was set to expire on 30 June 2026. Accordingly, there is a need to appoint a judge to fill this vacancy for a term starting immediately upon appointment and ending on 30th June 2026. There is also a need to appoint or reappoint a judge to fill this vacancy for the new 7-year term starting on 1st July 2026. Further, the term of office of Judge Francesco Buffa of Italy will expire on 30th June 2026, and the terms of office of Judges Francis H.V. Bell of Barbados, Eleanor Donaldson Honeywell of Trinidad and Tobago, Rachel Sophie Sikis of Malawi and Margaret Tulale of Uganda will expire on 9th July 2026. Accordingly, there is a need to appoint 5 half-time judges to the Dispute Tribunal who may serve for up to 6 months each year in one or more of the 3 locations of the Dispute Tribunal. as assigned by the President of the Tribunal, 1 for a 7-year term starting on 1 July 2026, and 4 for a 7-year term starting on 10 July 2026. As noted in his memorandum, the Secretary General proposes, given the need to appoint 5 halftime judges to the Tribunal, one for a 7-year term starting on 1st July 2026, and 4 for a 7-year term starting on 10th July 2026, to change the 7-year term of the one seat starting on 1st July 2026 to a 7-year term starting on 10th July 2026. This would allow the Assembly to to hold a single ballot for all 5 seats with the 10 candidates recommended for the Internal Justice Council. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to proceed accordingly? It is so decided. The 3 candidates recommended by the Council for the 1 full-time judge in New York for a term starting upon appointment ending 30th June 2026, and for the one full-time judge in New York for a 7-year term starting on 1st July 2026, are as follows: Adina Elvira Gita of Romania, Peggy Hamadgo Manda Dube of Botswana, Paulo Marcelo de Miranda Serrano of Brazil. The 10 candidates recommended by the Council for the 5 halftime vacancies for a non-renewable 7-year term of office, given the decision just taken, now all starting on 10th July 2026 are as follows: Republic of Korea. Anatole Kaboro of Burkina Faso.

of Greece.

of Kenya.

of South Africa. Renée Miller of Canada, Lucia Mise of Croatia, Martin Musokoke of Zambia, Mira Mihailova, Rizeva, Shekezi Eva of Bulgaria, and Elda Riojane of Albania. Article 4 of the Statute of the Dispute Tribunal states that the judges shall be appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Internal Justice Council in accordance with Assembly Resolution 62/228. No 2 judges shall be of the same nationality. Due regard shall be given to geographical distribution and gender balance.


Speaker 28 [58:38]:

Thank you.


GA · PGA [58:39]:

In order to be eligible for appointment, Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Statute of the Dispute Tribunal requires that a person shall be of high moral character and impartial, possess at least 10 years of judicial experience in the field of administrative law or the equivalent within one or more national jurisdictions, and be fluent both orally and in writing in English or French. Article 4, paragraph 4 of the Statute of the Dispute Tribunal provides that a judge of the Dispute Tribunal shall be appointed for one non-renewable term of 7 years, and that a current or former judge of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal shall not be eligible to serve in the Dispute Tribunal. Article 4, paragraph 5 of the statute provides that a judge of the Dispute Tribunal appointed to replace a judge whose term of office has not expired shall hold office for the remainder of his or her predecessor's term and may be reappointed for one non-renewable term of 7 years, provided for— provided that the unexpired term is less than 3 years. It is proposed that the Assembly proceed to appoint the full-time judge in New York and the 5 half-time judges of the Dispute Tribunal through an election, bearing in mind paragraph 58 of Assembly Resolution 63/253. in which the Assembly invited Member States, when electing judges to the Dispute Tribunal, to take due consideration of geographical distribution and gender balance. May I take it that the Assembly agrees to the proposal? It is so decided. Only those candidates recommended by the Council are eligible for election. The candidates who obtain the highest number of votes and a majority of votes in the assembly of the members present and voting shall be considered elected and thereby appointed by the assembly to the dispute tribunal. Balloting shall continue in accordance with the rules of the procedure until as many candidates as are required for the full-time and half-time seats on the dispute tribunal are filled in one or more ballots, a majority of votes of the members present and voting. Also consistent with past practice, in case due to a tie vote it becomes necessary to determine the candidate to be elected or that will proceed to the next round of restricted balloting, there will be a special restricted ballot limited to those candidates that have obtained an equal number of votes. May I take it that the Assembly agrees to these procedures? It is so decided. The Assembly will now proceed to the by-election for the one full-time judge on the Dispute Tribunal in New New York for a term starting upon appointment and ending 30th June 2026 to fill vacancy on ballot paper A. The election of one full-time judge on the Dispute Tribunal in New York for a 7-year term beginning on 1st July 2026 on ballot paper B, and the election of 5 half-time judges to the Dispute Tribunal on ballot paper C. The election will be held in accordance with the relevant rules of procedure of the Assembly. Therefore, in accordance with Rule 92 of the Rules of Procedure, the election shall be held by secret ballot. Before we begin the voting process, I should like to remind members that pursuant to Rule 88 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order on the actual conduct of the voting. Any announcements, including those concerning withdrawals of candidates, should therefore be made prior to the commencement of the voting process, that is to say, before the announcement of the beginning of of the voting process. In addition, ballot papers will only be given to the delegates seated directly behind the country's nameplate.


Speaker 30 [1:03:38]:

Thank you.


GA · PGA [1:04:00]:

We pause for a brief break. We shall now begin the voting process. I request representatives to use only those ballot papers that have been distributed and to put an X in the boxes next to the names whom they wish to vote for. May I also remind delegates that they may vote for not more than the number indicated on the ballot papers. A ballot will be declared invalid if it contains votes for more than the number indicated on the ballot papers. If a ballot paper contains any notation other than a vote in favor of an eligible candidate, those notations will be disregarded. I invite the representatives of the following states to serve as tellers and to accompany the conference officers as they collect the ballot papers. Antigua and Barbuda, Belgium, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Singapore, Slovakia, and Vietnam. Please proceed to collect the ballot papers. May I request delegations who have not voted to do so now by approaching the podium to cast their votes. The voting is now closed. No more ballot papers will be accepted. In the interest of time, the Assembly will now proceed to consider other items announced in the United Nations journals while the ballots are being counted. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item K of agenda item 115. The Assembly will consider the report of the 5th Committee on sub-items A to F of Agenda Item 115 entitled Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Subsidiary Organs and Other Appointments. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the committee have been made clear in the committee and are In the relevant official records. Therefore, there is no proposal under Rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure. I shall take it that the Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the committee which are before the Assembly today. It is so decided. Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. We will proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the committee unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. I should therefore hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote in one gavel those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the committee pursuant to Resolution 79/327 of 5 September 2025. Additionally, I propose that the Assembly proceed to adopt without a vote in the one gavel mentioned just now the recommendation that was adopted by secret ballot In the committee. I hear no objection. It is so decided. We shall now proceed to consider the draft decisions recommended by the committee. Delegations wishing to make a statement in explanation of vote before the vote on any proposal recommended by the committee today are invited to do so now in one intervention. After action on all of them, there will be an opportunity for statements in explanation of vote after the vote on any or all of them in one intervention. I now invite the Assembly to take a decision in one gavel on all the draft decisions recommended by the Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision 1 to 6? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-items A to F of agenda item 115? It is so decided. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item As the ballot counting continues on the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, I suspend the meeting for 40 minutes. The meeting is suspended. Thank you. The plenary meeting is resumed. The assembly will resume its consideration of sub-item K of agenda item 115. 5, entitled Appointment of the Judges of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal. The result of the voting is as follows. Ballot A, 1 full-time judge in New York for a term starting upon appointment ending 30th June 2026. Number of ballot papers, 190. Number of invalid ballots, 0. Number of valid ballots, 190. Abstentions, 6. Number of members present and voting, 184. Required majority, 93. Number of individual votes obtained: Adina Elvira Gita of Romania, 84; Peggy Humanga Mondame of Botswana, 72; Paulo Marcelo de Miranda Serrano of Brazil, 28. Now, Ballot B: One full-time judge in New York for a seven-year term starting on first July, 2026. Number of ballot papers: 190. Number of invalid ballots: zero. Number of valid ballots: 190. Abstentions: Number of members present and voting, 184. Required majority, 93. Number of individual votes obtained, Adina Elvira Gita of Romania, 81. Peggy Humanga Madundume of Botswana, 75. Paulo Marcelo de Miranda Serrano of Brazil, 28. Ballot C, 5 halftime judges for a 7-year term starting on 10 July 2026. Number of ballot papers, 190. Number of invalid ballots, 1. Number of valid ballots, 189. Abstentions, 2. Number of members present and voting, 187. Required majority, 94. Number of individual votes obtained. Martin Musuluke of Zambia, 119. Mihailova Rechevka of Bulgaria, 119. Elda Veroni of Albania, 96. Aikaterini Koutsopoulou of Greece, 92. Anatole Kabora of Burkina Faso, 91. Yasmin Shenazmiya of South Africa, 81. Lusia Gneis of Croatia, 80. Renee Miller of Canada, 76. Kang Jinbaek of Republic of Korea, 74. And Enzioka Wah Makau of Kenya, 62. Since no candidate obtained the required majority of votes for the full-time judge for a term starting upon appointment and ending 30th June 2026, and for a 7-year period beginning on 1st July 2026, the Assembly will have to proceed to the first restricted ballot to fill the remaining one vacancy. for each. This round of ballot shall be restricted to the 2 candidates that obtained the largest number of votes in the previous ballot. This is in accordance with Rule 93 of the Rules of Procedure. Having obtained the required majority of votes, the following 3 candidates have been elected as halftime judges to the Dispute Tribunal for a 7-year term to begin on 10 July 2026. Martin Musaluke of Zambia, Mira Mihailova Raicheva Shekeji Eva of Bulgaria, and Elda Rioni of Albania. So that's Zambia, Bulgaria, and Albania. The Assembly will have to proceed to the first restricted ballot to fill the remaining 2 vacancies. This round of balloting shall be restricted to the 4 candidates that obtained the largest number of votes in the previous ballot. This is in accordance with Rule 94 of the Rules of Procedure. However, in view of the late hour, we will hold further balloting at 3 PM this afternoon. This meeting is adjourned until 3 PM this afternoon. Thank you.