Oct. 28, 1996

Statement by the delegation of Brazil

Mr. Chairman,

[...] In this context we welcome the Conclusions of the Preparatory Committee's Report when they refer to the "usefulness" of the discussions and to the "cooperative spirit" which permeated the debates having taken place since the 50th General Assembly. We are thus ready to lend our support to the intensification of the work of the Preparatory Committee so that concrete results may be reached in the coming year.

Although the challenges that lie ahead should not be underestimated, it is also undeniable that conditions for pursuing the objective of finalizing an international convention have matured greatly, first in the Ad Hoc Committee and now in the PRECOM. We therefore believe that the General Assembly should endorse the recommendations in paragraphs 368 and 370 of the Prep Com's Report and agree on a time-frame for concluding preparations for a diplomatic conference to be held in 1998.

As Governments, non-governmental organizations and the general public become increasingly motivated to contribute to this process, the United Nations General Assembly is given an opportunity to demonstrate its unique role as an universal negotiating forum for the advancement of international law and the enhancement of multilateralism.