(Continued) 1st meeting, Ad Hoc Working Group on the

Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly

11 February 2021

Singapore stressed the following aspects: 1) impact of COVID on negotiations process.

“we cannot continue for a second year to avoid crucial issues”; 2) need to explore
creative and valid options, including the possibility to hold safe in-person consultations;
3) steps must be taken to ensure the realization of HL meetings; 4) rationalization and
streamlining of the GA agenda to avoid overlaps and take into account concerns and
priorities of delegations.

United Kingdom reiterated that GA must serve those who need it the most.
Resolutions must be action-oriented and focus on the implementation of SDGs. COVID
has amplified the need for the revitalization of the GA.

United States stressed the following aspects: 1) appreciation for the reduction of
duplications around the 6 committees; 2) need to adapt a code of conduct; 3) increase
civil society participation; 4) COVID remains a significant global challenge and
continues to impact the work of our delegations.
Showed appreciation for hybrid meetings and called for delegations to keep supporting
such modalities even after the global health crisis.

Malaysia focused on the elimination of duplications and the need to ensure

accountability of the PGA’s office, especially in terms of sharing information with MS in
a timely manner.
Called for transparency, and reaffirm the importance of allocating human and financial
resources to the PGS’s office

Philippines 4 points: 1) it is imperative that MS galvanize efforts to reinforce the

authority of the GA and its transparency; 2) enhance synergies and coherence and
reduce overlaps. Expressed support for a code of conduct to ensure standards of
accountability; 3) in terms of selection and appointment of SG, need to ensure
transparent process; and 4) strengthening institutional memory and discuss measures
to reduce the gap between the number of request the PGA office receives and its
capacity.

Korea focused on 1) the importance of ensuring business continuity and informing MS

transparently; 2) rationalizing and streamlining the work of the GA; 3) transparent and
open selection process of the next SG; 4) ensure accessibility of people with disabilities
even during COVID; 5) need to strengthen the spirit of solidarity and cooperation to
address the challenges we are facing.

Liechtenstein said that the pandemic and the UN anniversary should be an occasion
to reinvigorate multilateralism. Focused on 2 areas: 1) The GA has not been consistent
in the filed of peace and security. Sometimes, the SC is unable to deliver due to the use
or threat of the veto power, thus the GA can play an important role in offering an
alternative; 2) proliferation of events and high level meetings.
Namibia said that the recent use of innovative technology showed positive results, but
there is an urgent need to increase the capacity of technological solutions to make the
GA an international platform accessible worldwide. The revitalization process is
therefore key to implement the work of the GA and the 2030 Agenda. Outcome
documents should be more coincise and action-oriented. Need to further improve the
participation of private sector, NGOs and civil society.

Colombia stressed the need to reaffirm the central role of the GA. Paraguay said that
the GA needs to be reformed to face current challenges and reorient its agenda. Egypt
noted that the reform of the UN must include the revitalization of the GA. Argentina
stressed the importance of multilingualism.