shape their decisions according to the common interest of all humankind. The accumulation of weapons of mass destruction by any individual country on the justification of its need to assure its own security and survival constitutes a threat to the security and survival of all nations. On the day of the opening of the general debate at this session of the General Assembly, ~3 September, the President of Brazil, Mr. Jose sarney, touched on this point when he said: "In true democratic spirit, we have campaigned for many years on behalf of disarmament and we have shunned as precarious, violent and irrational the idea of a peace maintained by parity in atomic arsenals." (A/40/PV.4, p. 8) Peace and security will continue to be in jeopardy as long as the most heavily armed States persist in expanding the means of destruction at their disposal, which far exceed any reasonable defence needs. By the same token, the expansion of their BHS/jcl A/C.l/40/PV.S 3 (Mr. Maciel, Brazil) rivalry to ever widening spheres of military confrontation endangers peace and diminishes the prospects of achieving durable security for all nations. worse still, such developments run counter to the obligations and commitments which were explicitly undertaken by those States in legally binding international instruments and in solemn declarations adopted in multilateral forums. It is for these reasons that the international community must do its utmost to reinforce its commitment, in solidarity, to stop and reverse the arms race, particularly in its nuclear aspect. The world community cannot resign itself to the role of a mere observer of the dealings in restricted centres of power. The acquisition of absolute military might cannot be regarded as a right to be exercised by a selected few that seem to assume that they are placed above and 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the issue of disarmament and the threat it poses to global security and peace. It highlights the need for the international community to work together to stop and reverse the arms race, particularly in its nuclear aspect. The text does not mention economic development, natural resources, or any specific industry, but rather emphasizes the need for solidarity and collective action to address a global issue.

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