progress inthecodification ofhumanrights, whether defined intermsofpolitical rights, economic, socialandcultural rights, actionagainst racismorthegeneral development oftheinternational billofhumanrights. Finland welcomed the adoption byconsensus bytheGeneral Assembly atitsthirty-ninth session ofthe Convention against Torture andOtherCruel,Inhuman orDegrading Treatment or Punishment. Theimplementation ofhumanrightsandfundamental freedoms remains inadequate. Violations ofhumanrightsaretheruleratherthantheexception. YetallMemberStateshaveundertaken asolemncommitment topromote andrespect humanrights. Observance ofhumanrightsisnotanoption, butanobligation •mustbecarried on. international community.TheGeneral Assembly hasdesignated thisyearasInternational YouthYear.(Kr.Vayrynen, Finland)A/40/FV.6 48 problems. However, thereexistsauniversal andstrongwillamongthepeoples ofTheunitedNations isanorganization forthefuture, forourchildren andfor generations. Thiswillshouldbefullyreflected inourworkattheunitedNations.theworldtoovercome theseproblems andtoprovide abetterfutureforcomingnational level,butinternationally aswell.Theactiveparticipation ofyouthposition, youngpeoplethemselves shouldbecomemoreactive, notonlyattheissueshavebeenhighlighted allovertheworld. Inordertoimprove their awakens newhopeandbringsrenewed energytotheaffairs ofsocieties andtotheTheworldconference toreviewandappraise theachievements oftheUnitedWeenvisage agreattaskforallcountries inpromoting and~plementing huaan ouryouth. Today,youngpeopleareconfronted withaworldplagued bymanyseriousmechanisms foradvancing thestatusofwomenhavebeenconstituted. Thatprocesstowardsfullequality between womenandmenatalllevelsandinallspheresof peopleandontheiraspirations, problems andconcerns. DuringtheYear,theselife.Theadoption without avoteofthefinaldocument onforward-lookingNations DecadeforWomen,heldatNairobi twomonthsago,wasasignificant steprightsbothnationally andinternationally. progress inthistaskwillhelpto strategies toiuprove thestatusofwomentotheyear2000wasasuccessful conclusion oftheUnitedNations DecadeforWomen. Global, regional andnational TheYearaimsatfocusing international attention onissuesofinterest toyoungstrengthen the.ruleoflawandtobuildadurable worldorderinpeaceandsecurity.EMS/14JiKS/14 A/40/lfV~6 49-50 ~(Mr~Vayryn~n, Finland) Fortyyearsago,thepeoplesoftheUnitedNations coBlldtted themselves inthe Charter topractice tolerance andlivetogether inpeacewithoneanother asgood neighbours, andtounitetheirstrength tomaintain international peaceand security~ Today"onbehalfofthepeopleandtheGovernment ofFinland, Irenew thatpledge. Bypursuing ourpolicyofneutrality wewishtoservethe international community forthebenefit ofpeace,security anddevelopment • •NR/at A/40/PV.6 51 Mr.SBEVARDNADZE (UnionofSovietSocialist Republics) (interpretation fromRussian): Sir,permit mefirstofalltocongratulate youuponyourelection tothehighpostofPresident oftheunitedNations General Assembly forthe fortieth session andtowishyousuccess inyourwork. Ishouldliketoaddress thedelegation ofMexico, whosecountry hassuffered suchaterrible natural disaster, entailing heavylossoflifeandtremendous destruction~ OnbehalfoftheSOvietleadership andonbehalfofalltheSOviet people, weshouldlikeonceagaintoconveytotheGovernml5!nt andpeopleofMexico ourmostprofound condolences. Fourdecades havegonebysincethevictoryofthefreedom-loving peoples over Germanfascism andJapanese militarism. TheunitedNations, whosebirthwasthe naturalresultofthatgreatvictory andwhoseworkhasLepresented theworld's majorhopeforpreventing newwars,hasnowbeeninexistence for40years. Todayitcanbestatedwithgreatsatisfaction thatthosehavebeen40years without aworldwar.Inthatperiodtrulygigantic changes havetakenplaceinthe world. Thesechanges include theestablishment anddevelopment oftheworld socialist system- asystemofstateswhoseverypolitical andsocialnature excludes thepossibility ofanyinterest inwar.Allthepractical activities of thecountries ofthesocialist community intheinternational arenaarebasedon thepolicyofthepeaceful coexistence ofStateswithdifferent socialsystems. Theroleofso~ialism inworldaffairs hasbeensteadily increasing. OVeranextremely shorthistorical spanoftimethehurricane ofthepeoples' liberation struggle hasdestroyed andeliminated fromthefaceoftheearththe colonial systemofimperialism. Over100newStateshaveemerged fromitsruins. Todaytheyarefull-fledged MembersoftheunitedNations. Theforcesthatareatworktostrengthen peaceandprevent warareconstantly growing. Atpresent theirstruggle involves peopleofallcontinents, ofall generations andoccupations, andwiththemostdiverse political beliefs. •NR/at A/40/PV.6 52---------------------- (Mr.Shevardnadze, USSR) Thepast40yearshavebeenaperiodofrapidprogress inthescientific and technological revolution, whichisnotonlydrastically changing ourconcepts of thestructure oftheuniverse andofmatteritselfbutisalsocreating ever
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses human rights, international relations, and the role of the United Nations in promoting peace, security, and development. It also touches on issues related to women's equality, youth empowerment, and the fight against racism. Given the focus on human rights, international cooperation, and social issues, it is likely that the text falls under the category of Humanitarian aid and relief, Education, and Culture.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education, Culture