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Statementby the Non-Aligned Movement at the Ad Hoc Working Group rneeting on the Revitalization of the General Assembly on "the Role and Authority of the General Assembly" deliveredby H.E. Mr. Hamidon Ali, Permanent llepresentativeof Malaysia to the tlnited Nations and Chairrnan of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement Nelv York. Wednesday.29 March 2A06 Mr. and Madam Co-Chairpersons, I have thc honour to speakon behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. (NAM) for At the outset,the NAM would like to extend its appreciation the work undertaken 2. by the tr,voco-chairsin facilitatingthe work of the ad-hocworking goup. "enhancing the role and authority of the GA" as the 3. NAM considersthe cluster on centerpiece of all the efforls aimed at revitalizing the General Assembly. While we acknowledsethe sisnificanceof the other clustersoutlined in the letter of the co-chairsdated i". 2Z"d Mar"i ZOOA, believe that there is a wide convergenceamong the Membership to strengthenthe role and authority of the GA regarding the wide spectrum of issuesof concern in the United Nations, as highlighted by our leaders in the World Summit Outcome in endeavors the ad-hocworking group. fhis shouidbe the tocusot our collectrve Document. In this context, NAM would like to raise its concern that the elements outlined for 4. discussion under this heading does not include one of the most alarming features undermining the role and authority of the GA, namely the escalating tendency of encroachmentby other principal organs of the IIN on the functions and powers of the GA. Addressing this issue constitutes in our opinion the core of any efforts pertaining to enhancing the role and authorify of the GA. We have noted the recent trendsby the Security Council, as well as by the Secretanat 5. to infringe on the authorify of the GA. Our views in this context are well known, and are to outlined in various position papersof the Movement, as rvell as in the letters addressed the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council during the month of February 2006, which are distributed together with this statement. 6. We believe that the time has come for the entire membership to reflect on this core issue, with a view to addressingit with concrete measures.We believe that procedural measurespertaining to streamline the programme of work of the GA, as well as improving the working methods of the Assembly, albeit important, do not tackle the root causesof the problem. The GA has uldertaken several measures in the context of improving these
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procedural questions in the context of its resolutions N581126 and in particular N581376, which were implementedduring the 59thsession. also adopteda number of decisionsin the It context of its resolution Al58l126- Annex A, regardingthe relationshipbetween the GA and other principal organs of the [IN. We are alarmed to note that little or no progresshas been made in implementing these decisions.We need to take stock of such a development, and identify ways to ensurethe implenlentationof thesedecisions. 7. We would appreciateclearerinformation from the Presidentof the General Assembly on the implementation of paragraphs4, 5 and 6 of resolution 4/58/126-Annex A. These paragraphs were intended to enhance the relationship between the GA and the Security Council through information sharing on substantive issues and dissemination of this information to all Member States. Mr. and Madam Co-Chairpersons, 8. Another issue that merits our considerationis that of the periodic special reports by the Security Council on issuesof current internationalconcern,as well as the consultations by the membership on the annual report of the Council to the Assembly. Furthennore, we believe it would be appropriateto also addressthe role of the membership with regards to their participation in the work of the subsidiary organs of the Security Council, as well as making the reports of these organs available to the entire membership in a timely fashion. 9. While discussionson theseissueswould benefit from a more interactive debatein the context of the ad-hoc working group in accordance with its mandate as contained in resolution N591313, we would like to inform you that NAM is considering elements for a draft resolution with a view of addressine issueswe have raisedtodav. the 10. We have noted the elementscontained in the outline proposedby the co-chairs for discussion under this cluster. We underline our position that the General Assembly is the chief, deliberative policy making organ of the Organization.Our collective aim should be to strensthenthis role^ as.vell e-s foster the main committee stn-tctnre the Assemblv. not to to of r,veakenit. This principle should guide all our endeavorsin ensuring the maintenance of the balance between all principal organs of the UN as envisaged in the charter, recently reinforced in paragraph 6 of GA resolution 581126,and the roles assigned to the main committees as outlined in the rules of procedure of the General Assembly.
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Mr. and Madam Co-Chairpersons, 11. Let me turn now to the elementspertaining to the presidency of the GA. NAM would like to reiterate its position that the presidency of the GA should be limited to one year in order to ensure a better representation of all geographical groups in this very important position. As regardingthe early election of the Presidentof the GA, we would like to reecho our concerns that were highlighted in the 59th sessionthat such a proposal might entail practical difficulties associated with having two electedpresidentsfor a long period of time. We view the current arrangement,which was only recently institutionalized, as practical and efficient, as evident in the successful conduct of the World Summit in 2005. 12. NAM shongly believes in enhancing the role of the President of the GA. While strengthening the Office of the President of the GA is a very important aspect of this endeavor, we should not consider it as the only means to achievethis aim. We are convinced

that our coilective efforts in this regard should aim at facilitating a proactive role of the Presidentof the GA regardingissuesof concernto the GA, in particular the recent trends of encroachmenton the functions and responsibilitiesof the Assembly. NAM would appreciate receiving the vier,vs the Presidentof the GA on the resourcesneededto further strengthen of the Office, taking into accountthe recent decisionof the Assembly to augmentthe resources for the Office, as well as his views on how to better enhancethe role of the President. 13. Finally, NAM would like to assure you and the rest of the Membership of its of readinessto participateconstructivelyin the discussions the ad-hoc working group with a vierv to enhancing the role and authority of the GA, and looks forward to receiving the information we requestedin this statementin order to resume our debateregarding this very important cluster.

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