disarmament. Yet,overthepast40years,insteadofareduction wehavewitnessed aquantitative andqualitative increase inthearsenals ofbothnuclear and conventional weapons. Itisareproach totheconscience ofthisOrganization thatwhilean increasing proportion oftheworld'S population seemsdoomedtocontinue tolivein conditions ofpenury,squalor, famineandillhealth, somecountries findit necessary tospendenormous sumsofmoneyeachyearonanever-ending questfor armssuperiority. Sincetheacquisition ofincreasing quantities ofarmsimplies a fear-orthefact-thattheconditionsforpeacenolongerexist,isour commitmenttothepeaceprOVisions ofourCharter tobp.considered nolonger credible?SK/12 A/40/PV.l7 42 (Mr.Mahabir, Trinidad and Tobago) Mydelegation supports thecalloftheministerial meeting oftheMovement of Non-Aligned Countries, heldrecently inLuanda, fortheconvening ofathird special session oftheGeneral Assembly devoted todisarmament. Webelieve that MemberStatesactinginconcert couldmakeameaningful contribution atsucha session toeffortsathalting andreversing thearmsrace. Trinidad andTobagoalsosupports thecallforaninternational conference on therelationship between disarmament anddevelopment~ Suchaconference could establish themechanisms through whichthevastresources nowdevoted tothe production ofarmaments couldbechannelled intopeaceful andproductive activities. Webelieve thatsecurity fornationsismorelikelytobeachieved through political, socialandeconomic co-operation thanthrough investment inand deployment ofnewerandevenmoreawesome meansofmassdestruction. This celebration ofthefortieth anniversary oftheUnitedNations musttherefore have asoneofitsprimary objectives theattainment ofasubstantial reduction inthe production andproliferation ofweaponsofalltypesandtheredirection ofthe resources nowusedforthosepurposes tosecureasignificant improvement inthe quality oflifeofallpeoples. Whenmovedtocompassion byharrowing televised scenesofhunger, squalor and diseaseafflicting countless millions throughout theworld, MemberStatesofour Organization havedemonstrated thatatthenational leveltheyarenotlacking eitherinsympathy orinthecapacity quickly andeffectively totransform that sympathy intoadequate material assistance inanemergency situation. Butwe evidently finditdifficult totakethenecessary stepstoensurethatour Organization anditsrelevant agencies areadequately provided withthenecessary requirements foraverting suchemergency situations. If,because ofthelackofappropriate means,ourorganization isrenderedSK/12 A/40/PV.17 43 (Mr.Mahabir, Trinidad and Tobago) incapable ofemploying "international machinery forthepromotion oftheeconomic andsocialadvancement ofallpeoples", asenvisaged inourCharter,itwillbe unabletoachieve theobjective ofpromoting socialprogress andbetter st~ndards oflife. Theeconomic andsocialconditions ofthoseMemberStatesthatwouldmost benefit fromtheinternational assistance thatourOrganization wasintended to provide haveinrecentyearsbeenaggravated bythedeteriorating worldeconomic cHmate.AIthoughsomeofourMemberStatesareclearly inabetterpasitionthan otherstocontribute effectively tothesolution oftheworld's economic problems, ourCharter prescribes theneedforco-operative action. MemberStatestherefore haveasolemnobligation toensuretheachievement ofinternational co-operation so thatthesepressing problems mayberesolved. Mycountry fullyaccepts that obligation andwillcontinue, insofarasiswithinitspower,toplayitspartin theattainment ofthatobjective. Aswemarkthisfortieth anniversary, letusremember withgratitude and sincere appreciation theinvaluable contribution madebyallthosemenandwomen whoovertheyearshavededicated themselves tothegrowth, development and strengthening ofourOrganization. Iparticularly wishtopaytribute toour Secretary-General andtoallthosewhopreceded himinthatoffice. Theiruntiring efforts haveearned themanenduring placeinthehistory oftheUnitedNations. Inappending theirsignatures totheCharter on26June1945,thefounders of ourOrganization declared thattheydidso"infaith". Conceived infaith,our Organization hasbeennurtured inoptimism. Letus,onthismemorable occasion, reaffirm thatfaithandrenewthatoptimism sothatintheyearsthatlieaheadwe mayfulfilthehopesandaspirations thatinspired thefounders andthatmust
**Analysis**
The text discusses disarmament, the arms race, and the allocation of resources for peaceful and productive activities, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and the need for a substantial reduction in the production and proliferation of weapons. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of the United Nations' role in promoting social progress and better standards of life, and the need for co-operative action to address pressing global problems.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International trade, Education