The open-ended informal consultations of the Plenary on Agenda Item 157 United Nations Reform: Measures and Proposals Statement by H.E. Mr. Abdallah BAALI New York - November 26, 1997 Mr. President, Taking into account the issues to be commented today, my delegation has prepared its position, regarding the recommendations, on paragraphs 43,44,48,85,89 and 91, contained in the Secretary General's report A/51/950 and would like to offer some very brief comments in this regard. My delegation fully endorses the comments and views expressed by the distinguished Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania on behalf of the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China on those above mentioned paragraphs. Concerning the proposal to streamline the agenda of the General Assembly, my delegation believes that all of us agree that this agenda have to be reviewed and rationalized . But we should, at the same time, make sure that the General Assembly continues to be this unique and privileged forum it has always been where can be considered and freely debated such essential issues , as peace, security and development, because we think that the General Assembly remains the best way to ensure an effective participation of all states to the management of the world's affairs, to the search of solutions to international problems and to promote and develop a genuine democratization of the international relations. It is in this spirit that could be conducted any review to identify items that Assembly General could accept to remove from its agenda. Mr. President, Regarding the proposal related to sunset provisions, my delegation requests further clarification and would like to emphasize that any specific time limits to review and renew any initiative taken previously , can only be decided by the General Assembly through appropriate action. On paragraph 48 related to the division of functions and responsibilities between the General Assembly and the Secretary General, my delegation believes that the United Nations Charter is clear on the respective prerogatives of each one. Any improvement to the current distribution of functions and responsibilities between the two should find an appropriate solution within the general framework of an overall redefinition of the relations between all the main bodies of the United Nations. Mr. President, With regard to the paragraph 85, my delegation shares the comment made by the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China. Regarding the proposal to establish a Special Commission, at the ministerial level, in order to examine possible needs for changes in the Charter of the United Nations and in the treaties from which the specialized agencies derive their mandates, my delegation takes note with interest of this suggestion for long-term and fundamental changes. However, this important issue requires further consideration and detailed clarification. On paragraph 91, my delegation supports, in general terms, the recommendation to convene the General Assembly in the year 2000 as a special "Millennium Assembly". Thank you.