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At a glance: Assembly adopts earthquake memorial day and accreditation decision
Summary
The General Assembly adopted draft resolution A/79/L.76 establishing an International Day in Memory of Victims of Earthquakes and adopted draft decision A/79/L.78 on accreditation and participation of intergovernmental organizations in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
The General Assembly took two procedural decisions and adopted a commemorative resolution on earthquake victims during the plenary session.
International Day in Memory of Victims of Earthquakes (A/79/L.76)
Uzbekistan introduced draft resolution A/79/L.76, co‑sponsored by Chile and the Philippines, proposing 29 April as an International Day in Memory of Victims of Earthquakes to increase awareness, honor victims and promote risk reduction. The Secretariat announced an extended list of co‑sponsors during consultations. The Assembly adopted the draft resolution by the plenary decision ("It is so decided").
Explanations given after the vote included Argentina’s formal disassociation from paragraphs referring to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United States’ reservation that it disassociated from certain preambular paragraphs; both delegations explained their votes from the floor.
Accreditation and participation of intergovernmental organizations (A/79/L.78)
The Assembly also adopted draft decision A/79/L.78 on accreditation and participation of intergovernmental organizations in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development; the Assembly decided to adopt the draft decision by plenary decision.
Why it matters
Designating an international day provides a platform for awareness, commemoration, and advocacy about seismic risk and preparedness; the accreditation decision clarifies procedural arrangements ahead of a major financing conference. Both actions are procedural but relevant to disaster risk‑reduction and intergovernmental coordination.
Ending
Both measures were taken by the plenary; member states may hold national observances for the earthquake memorial day and the Secretariat will administer accreditation arrangements for the financing conference.
