also reaffirm New zealand's strong and continuing support for the Antarctic Treaty. we will vigorously defend that Treaty not only because of the nuclear-free and demilitarized zone it established but also because for 25 years it has guaranteed the stability of the region to our south. It is a system which is in place. It is a system which works. JSM/gmr A/C.l/40/PV.S 44 (Mr. McDowell, New Zealand) When endorsing the South Pacific Nuclear-Free-Zone · Treaty, the countries of the South Pacific Forum also considered the three draft protocols to the Treaty and agreed that consultations should be held on them with the nuclear-weapon States. We hope that after these consultations these States will become party to the protocols and thereby agree not to use or threaten to use nuclear explosive devices against any territory or country in the zone. They would also undertake not to test nuclear explosive devices in the zone. It is expected that these consultations will be initiated shortly. We believe that the achievement of a nuclear-free zone in our region will strengthen existing measures to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. We are only too well aware, however, that the nuclear-arms race can only be stopped by global measures and that the nuclear-weapon States must play the major role in their negotiation. In this regard the summit meeting next month between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev is an occasion for hope for all countries . In the past few years, the absence of political dialogue and the chequered and so far unsuccessful history of arms control talks has caused enormous anxiety throughout the whole world. My country urges the two leaders when they meet in Geneva to set a framework for increased co-operation that will assist the bilateral arms control negotiations being held in that city. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses international relations, specifically the Antarctic Treaty and the South Pacific Nuclear-Free-Zone Treaty, and their importance for regional stability and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. The text also touches on the need for global measures to control the nuclear arms race, and the potential for increased cooperation between world leaders. These themes suggest that the category is most closely related to international relations and diplomacy.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, International relations