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GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly addressed Agenda Item 165, implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women, from 14-17 November 1995. Delegates had before them the report of the Conference (A/CONF.177/20), in addition to the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of the outcome of the Conference (A/50/744), a report on the merger of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) with the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) (A/50/747) and other reports associated with Agenda Item 107, Advancement of Women, which was considered at the same time.

During the course of the four-day debate, almost all delegates stressed the importance of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the local, national, regional and international levels. While some delegates focused their statements on national-level activities, others focused on the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Beijing Conference. Many did not support the Secretary-General's proposal to establish a high-level advisory board, but preferred the Platform's recommendation to establish a post in the Office of the Secretary-General to advise him on gender issues. A number of delegates did not support the proposed merger of INSTRAW and UNIFEM. Others stressed the importance of strengthening the Division for the Advancement of Women and reviewing the mandate of the Commission on the Status of Women.

The following is a summary of the Third Committee's debate.