it expressly indicated that there would be an initial exploratory stage and that •as an initial step in that stage', it would be necessary to consider 'through substantive and general study, questions related to the prevention of the arms race in outer space •. In their view, from the explicit reference contained in the last line of the mandate it was clear that the stage mentioned should come to an end at the same time as the 1985 session of the Ad Hoc Committee, and that next year's negotiations should begin with the aim of arriving at 'one or several agreements', as appropriate, on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, as specifically laid down in resolution 39/59, adopted by 150 votes in favour and none against." The Mexican delegation, which was among the very many delegations referred to in that paragraph of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee, hopes that this will be the case, as was specifically stated at the 304th plenary meeting of the Conference, held on 29 March of this year. I cannot conclude my statement without saying a few words about the recent establishment in the South Pacific of a new nuclear-weapon-free zone, which thUS joins the one that was established thanks to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America, opened to signature on 14 February 1967, in the historic neighbourhood of the Mexican capital which bears the Aztec name of Tla telolco. This, together with the fact that the Mexican Government has the privilege of acting as the depositary of that Treaty, clearly explains why we were so pleased to hear the news that, on 6 August of this year at Rarotonga, Cook Islands, the international instrument entitled "South Pacific Nuclear Free zone 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international relations and diplomacy, specifically in the context of the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee and the prevention of an arms race in outer space. It also mentions a nuclear-weapon-free zone established in the South Pacific and the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America. These topics suggest that the category should be related to international relations, disarmament, and security.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology