thezoneinviolation oftheprovisions oftheConvention andrelated resolutions. However,itisencouraging tonotethatanoverwhelming majority ofMenber StatesoftheUnitedNations havesignedtheConvention, andthatagrowing numberAP/jcl A/40/PV.3l 22 (Mr.Mboumoua, Camel'oon) ofthem,including Cameroon, haveratifiedit.Thistrendreveals thegrowing recogGition oftherightofallStates, richorpoor,weakorpowerful, tobenefit fromthejUdicious exploitationoftheresources ofthesea-bed through an equitable legalregimewhosenatureisofcrucial importance forinternational peaceandsecurity. Forthisreason, mydelegation firmlysupports theunambiguous implementation oftheConvention andofitsrelated resolutions. Suchimplementation mustprolOOte thEjointmanagement ofthecommonheritage ofmankind soastoimprove socialandhumanconditions throughout aworldthatis constantly beingbuffeted byinternational events. Withregardtohumanrights, Cameroon's accession tomostofthemain international instruments inthisfieldanditsparticipation intheworkofthe Commission onHumanRightsareevidence ofitsactivecommitment totheprotection andpromotion offundamental freedoms. Thiscommitment willbemaintained. Asfersocialandhumanitarian problems, itisencouraging tonotea convergence ofviewsonthevalueofprogrammes devoted tothissubject inthe UnitedNations. Inthisconnection itwouldbedesirable fortheinternational community tocontinue itssupport ofactivities aimedatpromoting thewell-being ofrefugees, children, youngpeople, thedisabled, theelderly, womenandmigrant workers. Although theinterdependence ofnations istodaybroadly accepted, Statesdo notalwaysseemwilling toassumealltheimplications ofthisprinciple asregards theestablishment ofspecific machinery designed toimprove themanagement ofthe commondestinyofmankind. Atpresent theUnitedNations isconfronting alarge numberofdifficulties andistheSUbject ofsuchvehement criticism thatsomeno longerhesitate toquestion theveryfutureoftheOrganization inviewofwhat wouldappeartobearegrettable decline ofmultilateralism.AP/jcl A/40/PV.31 23 (~r.Mboumoua, Cameroon) Whacever formsuchcriticism takes,itinfactreflects people's concern about thecontrol ofdecision-making machinery andindeedabouttheleadership ofthe Organiza tion.However, acareful reading oftheCharter,thedevelopment ofthe natureoftheworldandcollective wisdomshouldenableustoriseabovemomentary difficulties despite thecriticism levelled atourOrganization. Itwouldtherefore bedesirable fortheOrganization constantly toadaptits structures withaviewtothedemocratization ofinternational relations, soasto ensuretheincreasingly dynamic andequitable participation ofallmembers ofthe inter-national community intheconduct ofworldaffairs. Thefateofeachand everyone ofusdepends onit. Duringeachofoursessions weupholdtheinterests ofourrespective States, andintakingupsuchpositions wefrequently givetheimpression thatweexpect everything fromtheUnitedNations. Hasnotthetimecome,duringthishistoric session ofitsfortieth anniversary ~toaskourselves whatwecandoforthe Organization toincrease itseffectiveness anddynamism andthereby tostrengthen theroleitplaysforthebenefit andwell-being ofmankind? Thewilltodosois reqUired, andIshouldliketobelieve thatwearecapable of'meeting thisneed. Mr.TRIGONA (Malta): Mr.President, itisaparticular pleasure forme toextenjtoyoumycongratulations onyourelection 'tothepresidency ofthe fortieth session oftheGeneral Assembly. YourlonganddistingUished recordof service foryourcountry - aMediterranean country -intheUnitedNations hasbeen justlyrewarded ontheoccasion ofthisspecial anniversary. Perhaps oneofthemostsignificant aspects ofthesefortieth anniversary celebrations concerns theevaluation ofhowmuchtheUnitedNations hascontributed tothesubstitution oftheprinciple ofsovereign equality andmutualrespect among Statesforthelawofthejunglewhicherstwhile hadprevailed, culminating inthe horroroftwoWorldWars.AP/jcl A/40/PV ..31 24-25 (Mr..Trigona, Malta) unfortunately, anumberofmisgivings mustaccompany thisevaluation.. AmOng themorepositive factors, however, isundoubtedly therolewhichtheworld Organization hasencouraged evensmallandislanddeveloping statestoplayinthe conductofinternational relations .. MaltaisoneofthesesmallStateswhichhasderived significant benefits from itsparticipation intheunitedNations.. Ourfledgling parliamentary democracy, striving toestablish asolidinternal balance between individual freedom and
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech by a representative of Cameroon to the United Nations General Assembly, discussing various international issues such as the protection of human rights, the exploitation of natural resources, and the role of the United Nations in promoting international cooperation and peace. The speech also touches on the theme of the interdependence of nations and the need for the United Nations to adapt to changing global circumstances.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief