suggested in its resolutions of recent years practical ways by which the Conference on Disarmament can approach the test ban issue. We are deeply disappointed that for the second year in a row the Conference has failed to respond to the injunctions in those resolutions. New Zealand believes that only by addressing directly the issues of concern to countries that have reservations about a comprehensive test ban will we ever achieve the goal desired by the vast majority of the international community. One of these issues is the scope of the test ban. BHS/plj A/C.l/40/PV.S 48 (Mr. McDowell, New Zealand) Another is verification. Until they have been adequately resolved there will be no comprehensive test-ban treaty. We acknowledge the various proposals that have been made this year for a moratorium on testing. We want all tests stopped. But we do not think a moratorium is an adequate substitute for an appropriately verifiable and legally binding treaty. Past history shows that however useful a moratorium might be, it can provide no lasting guarantees. At this Assembly, New Zealand will be working with Australia and other countries in putting forward another resolution calling for the urgent conclusion of a comprehensive test-ban treaty. We hope that the Assembly will send a clear signal to the Conference on Disarmament to do much better next year on this item than it has done over the past two years. In this connection, we welcome China's decision to participate in the work of the Conference on this issue. The nuclear test ban item was not the only one on which the Conference on Disarmament was unable to undertake any substantive work. we regret that the Conference was again prevented for another year from making progress on the subject 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the Conference on Disarmament and its inability to reach an agreement on a comprehensive test ban treaty, citing concerns over the scope and verification of the treaty. This suggests that the topic is related to international relations and security, rather than economic development or other categories.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology