Inthepastyeartherehasbeenamixofeventswhichhavebrought both despair andglimmers ofhope.Inthecourseofhistory, someyearsbearthestamp ofsomedominating eventorseriesofeventsforwhichtheyremainmemorable. I fearthatthepastyearmayberemembered asanotable yearforthenumberand scaleofdisasters whichhavestruckindifferent placesanddifferent forms. We recallwithsadness thedrought andfamineinAfrica, theBhopaldisaster, anumber ofairline andtraincrashes, andlastmonth's tragicearthquakes inMexicoCity, allofwhichmeantsuffering, deathanddevastation. Theyalldemonstrate how fragileisthehumancondition andtheextenttowhichweareallsusceptible to shatter.ing blowsbynatural calamity ormalfunctioning technology. Itshouldnotbe overlooked thatitisadversity ofthiskindwhichoftenemphasizes thecommon bond ofhumanity thatunitesusandplacesintrueperspective thebarriers dividing us.Wehaveseenthisreflected inthegenerous outpouring ofverbalandmaterial expressions ofsympathy, solidarity andsupport fromtheworldatlargetothe peopleofeachafflicted nation. Jamaica onceagainexpresses itssympathy tothe Governments andpeoples affected.00/8 A/40/PV.27 22 (Mr.Rarding, Jamaica) TheunitedNations hasbeeninvolved indisaster reliefthrough theOfficeof theunitedNations Disaster ReliefCo-ordinator (UNDRO), butrecentexperience has illustrated thegreatimportance ofreadiness andefficient emergency services, as wellasoverall co-ordination, inreliefefforts. Webelieve thatthisisanarea inwhichinternational co-operation canbeexpanded, andweurgethatconsideration begiventothestrengthening ofUnitedNations capabilities inthisfield. Onthebroader scene,theinternational situation isstillcharged with tension anduncertainty, although somedevelopments duringthepastyearhave generated someoptimism. Wehavebeenencouraged bytheresumption ofdialogue between theUnitedStatesandtheSovietUnion,theresumption ofbilateral arms control negotiations, andtheagreement forasummitmeeting between theleaders of thosetwocountries inGenevanextmonth. Weconsider itanimpo:tant opportunity forestablishing greater understanding andmorestablerelations. Thereismuchat stakeinthismeeting affecting thegeneral atmosphere ininternational affairs and theoutlook forthefuture. Wehopeforaconstructive approach andaconstructive spiritfrombothsides,sothattheresults maypavethewayforanewerain East-West relations. Itcouldalsogiveanimpetustoprogress inarmscontrol anddisarmament in whichachievements havesofarbeenmeagre. Thecontinued proliferation ofnuclear weapons increases theever-present dangertoourveryexistence. Jamaica reiterates itsviewthattheprocess ofnuclear disarmament shouldbeginandthat itshouldstartwithanagreement onacomprehensive banonnuclear tests.Inour view,thiswouldnotonlyopenthewayforprogress tobemadeinrelation to nuclear weapons butwouldalsofosteraclimate formovingforward onarmscontrol forothercategories ofweapons. Inaworldwheresuffering anddeathfromwantBG/8 A/40/PV.27 23 (Mr.Haroing, Jamaica) arebrought sosharply toourattention, particularly inrecenttimes,itis shameful thatsomuchoftheworld'~ resources isbeingdevoted tothemanufacture andprocurement ofarmamenfs oArecentestimate ofworldexpenditure onarmsputs itatanannualfigureof$1,000billion -anastounding indictment ofthe priorities intheworldtoday. Thelessons ofthepasthavetaughtusthelimits ofmilitary power. Whatisneededinourtimeareconditions ofpeaceandeconomic well-being asthefoundations forsecurity. Ourcollective energies andresources shouldbechannelled inthatdirection. Timeismarching on,andtoolittleisachieved inmeeting thechallenges beingfacedandtheproblems beingposed. WemeetinthisAssembly yearafteryear andexpress ourcommonhopesforabetterandsaferworldbeyondthenarrowvision ofnational interests; yetthepolitical accommodation andadjustments tomakethem areality arenotmade.International co-operation mustbeseentobeworkingif itistobemaintained andextended. Therearedisturbing trendswhichindicate thatthereareforcesatworkaimed atlimiting thescopeofinternational actionandavoiding amultilateral approach indealing withproblems oftheday.Itistherefore important thatresults canbe shownandprogress'made onthemanyproblems facingtheinternational community to reinforce continued faithinourmultilateral institutions. Oneareainwhichthereisanemerging consensus forinternational actionis inrelation tothesituation inSouthAfrica. Eventsoverthepastyearorsohave brought theissuetoacritical point. Over700persons areestimated tohavelost theirlivesinthecontinuing unrestinthatcountry, anditmustbecleartothe oppressors thatthepeoplewillnotabandon theirstruggle, eveninthefaceofthe
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement by Jamaica's representative to the United Nations, discussing various global issues, including natural disasters, international relations, and humanitarian aid. The speech highlights the fragility of human life, the importance of international cooperation, and the need for progress in areas such as nuclear disarmament and arms control. The text does not focus on a specific economic, industrial, or technological issue, but rather on the human impact of global events and the need for collective action to address them.

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