guarding of their independence and sovereignty under the 18 I - umbrella of international legitimacy and the principies and purposes of the Charter. 204. The’profound changes that have left their.mark on the evolution of mankind during this short span of time will shape and affect the future of the United Nations. The need for the interdependence of nations may well be the most far-reaching of those changes, a requirement for their survival and a guarantee of their progress. 205. I had the opportunity when I was Representative of Egypt to follow at first hand the methods used by the United Nations in dealing with many international politi- cal and economic developments. I can state from expe- rience that the approach of the Organisation in dealing with the problems and crises in the world has gradually deviated from the philosophy advocated by the Charter, which is based primarily, on the one hand, on conferring on the Security Council the responsibility of taking the necessary measures to maintain international peace and security and, on the other, on the necessity for abiding by the resolutions adopted by the Council to face any threat to world peace. Nevertheless, individualism and not collec- tivism has for the most part had the upper hand-a situa- tion that has led to a gradual retreat from internationalism and multilateralism in dealing with international problems. 206. What we direly need today is a thorough analysis and a scientific and realistic diagnosis of the current inter- national situation-a diagnosis that should not seek to apportion blame or divide responsibility, but rather to invigorate the concepts of independence and solidarity with a view to defusing tension, confronting escalating vio- lence and tackling economic problems. 207. The United Nations at age 40 is badly in need of the crystallization of a scientific conception, or rather a 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security, and the need for a scientific and realistic diagnosis of the current international situation to address issues such as escalating violence and economic problems. It does not specifically mention economic development, natural resources, or environmental issues, but rather focuses on the political and social aspects of international relations.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief