UN Decision 33/426: Second UFO Resolution Calls for International Research
On November 27, 1978, the U.N. Special Political Committee holds meetings on UFOs following up on Grenadian PM Eric Gairy's initiative. Witnesses include J. Allen Hynek, Jacques Vallée, Stanton Friedman, Lt. Colonel Lawrence Coyne, and astronaut Gordon Cooper. Cooper describes his 1951 Germany encounter with 'groups of metallic, saucer-shaped vehicles at great altitudes' that were 'able to change direction faster than our fighters.' He says UFOs exist and 'the truly unexplained ones are from some other technically advanced civilization.' The meetings conclude on December 8 with U.N. Decision 33/426 calling for 'establishment of an agency or a department of the United Nations for undertaking, coordinating and disseminating the results of research into unidentified flying objects and related phenomena.' Members are asked to develop scientific research programs. However, on March 13, 1979, Eric Gairy is overthrown in a coup by Maurice Bishop while at the U.N., killing the initiative.
Background
EVENT TITLE: UN Decision 33/426: Second UFO Resolution Calls for International Research
EVENT DATE: 1978-12-08
EVENT TYPE: legislation
On November 27, 1978, the U.N. Special Political Committee held meetings on UFOs following up on Grenadian PM Eric Gairy's initiative. The Grenadan delegation, led by Eric Gairy, proposed a U.N. study of UFOs, alleged alien contacts, and increased accessibility of UFO data. The proposal ultimately failed to gain significant traction.
The Incident Following meetings of the U.N. Special Political Committee on November 27, 1978, Wellington Friday gave an hour-long speech suggesting the U.N. study UFO sightings, alleged contacts with aliens, and work to make UFO data more accessible. He appealed to U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim to convene UFO hearings. Waldheim responded that the matter would be addressed after 126 other global issues were resolved.
The U.S. delegation stated they could not support the resolution, particularly the segment suggesting governments share UFO data. Britain concurred and arranged a closed-door session where it was decided the Grenadan proposal would be too time-consuming and expensive. On December 13, the U.N. General Assembly adopted Decision 32/424, acknowledging Gairy’s resolution and forwarding it to interested member states.