commdtment toseeklong-term changes inordertoeliminate discrimination against women. Wehavethereby beenprCNided withanimportant setofpropositions that.willguideourrenewedefforts tohelpwomentomoveintothesocialandeconomic mainstream oftheir societies~ TheGeneral Assembly shouldatthissession takestepstoensurethatthemany recommendations aresystematically followed upandmonitored bytheUn~ted Nations. Norwayintends toparticipate actively inthe~eliberations atthis sessionoftheGeneral Asserubly inordertoarriveatacomprehensive approach withintheUnitedNations toissuesrelated towomen. TheUnitedNations hasoverthepast40yearsmadesubstantive advances in elaborating international humanrightsstandards. TheCovenants andConventions thatgrewoutoftheUniversal Declaration ofHumanRightsconstitute thebasisfor promoting equalandfundamental rightsforpeopleinallpartsoftheworld. Specific mechanisms havealsobeenestablished bytheUnitedNations tomonitor compliance withtheseagreements. Although theexisting international instruments arefairlycomprehensive, Unprovements canandshouldbemade.Norwaysupports theseefforts oftheUnitedNations andstandsreadytoparticipate actively and constructively inthisfield. Inspiteofpresent international rulesandregulations, violations ofhuman rightscontinue totakeplacetoanal~rming extent. Inmanypartsoftheworld, discrimination, arbitrary executions, torture anddenialofbasicpolitical and civilrightsseemtobetheruleratherthantheexception. Themostpressing challenge facingustodayinthefieldofhumanrightsisthepracticalJVM/13 (Hr.Stray,Norway) implementation ofagreed.standards. Th~~obligation r~sts. p~imarily withthe Governments themselves withintheirareaofresponsibility. Theinternat~on~l .. community, however, inparticular through therelevant organsoftheUnited Nations, hasaresponsibility toopposeandasfaraspossible prevent violations wherever theyoccur. Thisinternational responsibility mustbeexerted ina non-discriminatory wayirrespective of.where theviolation takesplace. The application ofbasichumanrightsstandards mustbetrulyuniversal. Apriority taskmusttherefore betostrengthen theabilityoftheUnited Nati.ons todealwithhumanrightsviolations. Theestablishment ofaposition such astheunitedNations HighCommissioner forHumanRightswillinouropinion bea usefulinstrument tothisend.· Therefugee problemisalsoajointresponsibility oftheinternational community. Itisimportant thatweallcontribute toitssolution. Theunited Nations HighCommissioner forRefugees playsakeyroleintheefforts toalleviate theplightofrefugees, inproviding humanitarian assistance andprotection andin findingcountries forresettlement. International humanitarian work,andinparticular assistance torefugees, is animportant element andhasalongtradition inNorway's foreign policy. This policywillbecontinued andwewilldoourutmosttostrengthen andsupport the activities oftheHighCommissioner. TheUnitedNationsisaptlydescribed asacorner-stone inNorway's foreign policy. Toenhance theroleoftheOrganization isanimportant taskforthe Norwegian Government. Ouraimisanorganization thatiseffective andvigorous, th!.\tservestheneedsofMemberStatesandthatplaysacentralroleinthe maintenance ofinternational peaceandsecurity, inthepromotion ofeconomic and social •ThePresident returned totheChair.JVM/13 A/40ip:V· 5 48. nations intheat;taiiWient ofthese C-\iiWiiOiiends·,asformulated int."1eCharter, will webeab1e·tobuildamorepeaceful, stableandjustworld• .Mr.CAPO'ro(Argentina) (interpretation fromSpanish): FirstofallI shouldliketoconvey mycongratulations toyou,Sir,onyourunanimous election as President ofthisfortieth sessionoftheGener Assembly. Wearegreatly encouraged toseeourproceedings conducted byadiplomat ofsuchdeepknowledge, akillandtact,asonofSpain,acountry withwhichArgentina islinkedbythe strongest historical tiesofsolidarity andfellowship. Ishouldlikealsotoextend mygratitude toAmbass?dor PaulLusaka, whoso effectively presided overthethirty-ninth session oftheGeneral Assembly. Icannotrefrain todayfromexpressing theprofound griefofthepeopleand theGovernment ofArgentina overthetragedythathasafflicted thefraternal Mexican people. Weofferthemoursincere condolences andconveyourfeelings of solidarity. Wehavemounted anoperation togivetheMexican Government all possible assistance andwehopethatthedifficult andtragicsituation confronting ittodaywillbeswiftly remedied. Thepost-war international system, whichincludes asitscentre-piece the UnitedNations, isnow40yearsold.OVersuchalongperiodoftimeour Organization hashadtimetofinditsplaceinthefunctioning ofthatsystem, and observers havehadanopportunity toconsolidate theirviewsoftheachievements
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a speech or statement from a representative of Norway, addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations. The content focuses on international human rights, the role of the United Nations, and humanitarian efforts, particularly in regards to women's rights, refugees, and human rights violations. The text also touches on the importance of the United Nations in promoting peace and security, and the need for strengthened international cooperation.

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