stand back and ponder whether competition in resolution adoption or acquiring bigger and better voting majorities are more important than using this forum as a BG/14 A/C.l/40/PV.9 57 (Mr. Dhanapala, Sri Lanka) step towards harmonizing our diverse views into a consensus on agreed action leading to general and complete disarmament. This anniversary year has not lacked proposals on how the Unit~d Nations can be improved and made more effective. Among them is the proposal contained in the summer issue of the newsletter Disarmament for a moratorium on contentious disarmament resolutions which record disagreement rather than promote progress on the basis of agreements. Sri Lanka will observe the thirtieth anniversary of its membership of this Organization in December of this year. our pride and faith in the United Nations remain strong and unyielding. Our participation as a Member State equal to all other 158 Member States in the quest to achieve the aims and objectives of the United Nations Charter remains active. A world without the United Nations is inconceivable. A better world in disarmament and security can be achieved through the United Nations by making more effective use of existing institutions before we think of creating new ones. We can make a start at this session in this Committee. Mr. SHAH NAWAZ (Pakistan): Please allow me, Sir, to felicitate you most warmly on your election to the chairmanship of the First Committee. We are happy to see you presiding over this important Committee, not only because you are a talented diplomat of outstanding ability and wide-ranging experience but also because you represent a country with which we have a close historical association and deep cultural links. Your unanimous election to the high office that you occupy is fitting recognition of your long and distinguished association with 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement made by a representative of Sri Lanka in a United Nations committee, discussing the importance of disarmament and the role of the United Nations in achieving this goal. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a focus on international relations and politics. The speaker also mentions the anniversary of Sri Lanka's membership in the United Nations, which suggests a connection to the organization's history and structure.

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