Explanation of Vote in a Meeting of the Second Committee on L.23 – Item 22a: Towards a New International Economic Order

Jason Lawrence
Adviser for Economic and Social Affairs
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York City
November 8, 2018

AS DELIVERED

Mr. Chairperson, we regret that the United States has to call a vote against this resolution. Yet again the UN General Assembly attempts to prescribe actions for institutions outside the purview of the UN; dictate the attributes and characteristics of trade and WTO processes; and call for technology transfer that is not voluntary and on mutually agreed terms. In addition, this resolution contains an unacceptable reference to “foreign occupation.” The United States calls on Member States to avoid the unnecessary politicization of resolutions. It is a waste of the UN’s time and scarce resources to consider this resolution and it should be retired. We therefore encourage all delegations to vote against this outdated resolution. Thank you.

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