co-operation that'<iioddpravent thescourgeofwarandil;s...ftermath ofsuffering. In1945thewor:1dcommunity resolved toestablish guiding principles forthe conductofstates, topromote respect forthefundamental rightsofindividuals and peoples, andtoexpandmultilateral co-operation. TheUnitedNations mechanism whichthusemerged wasoneofthegreatest political achievements inhistory. Toagreatextent, today's worldisaproduct ofourOrganization. Itwas thankstothesupport oftheunitedNations thatmanyofthecountries represented heretodayachieved theirsovereignty. TheDeclaration ontheGranting of Independence toColonial Countries andPeoples, adopted in1960,wasapolitical eventofdecisive importance. Withoutitself-determination wouldhaveexacted a heavier price ~nbloodandworsened existing worldtensions. WeoweittotheUnitedNations thatdevelopment istodayanessential concern :)fthecommunity ofnations. Thesystemprovides themostappropriatemechanism forchannelling economic andtechnical co-operation tothebenefitoftheBcr/rd A/4O/PV.8 18-20 (Hr..Sepulveda Amor,Mexico) less-favoured countries. TheOrganization's workoffurthering theevolution of theinternational juridical orderisasimilar sourceofunanimous recognition. Itscontribution tothecauseofuniversal respect forhumanrightsisparticularly ODtstanding. NorshouldweforgettheworkoftheOrganization inresolving political confl.:.cts andarmedconfrontations. Ithasfrequently beenausefulinstrument in defusing hostilities thatwouldhaveledtomoT~serious clashes. Intheglobal confrontation, theunitedNaticms hasalsobeenafactorinpromoting d~tente and dialogue; itsperseverance hasprevented universal destruction. TheunitedNations hasbroadened areasofunderstanding ar.:3hasprovided a nOU18tive orderthatdoesawaywiththelawofthejr.mgleandprotects weak countries. Withoutitspresence, thetensions andinequalities facinguswould havebeengreater. Thisisanappropriateoccasion torecognize thatinits40yearsofexistence ourOrganization hassucceeded inshaping institutions andpromoting programmes benefiting children, youngpeopleandwomen;ithassoughttoimprovehealth, labourconditions, dietary levels, education andculture, tothebenefit of mankind. ThisOrganization's workinthefieldofpopulation problems isalso outstanding. Mexicorepeatsitsfirmcommitment totheprinciples andpUJ:poses ofthe unitedNations, whichcoincide withthehistorical doctrine ofmycountry's foreign policy. Inouropinion, thisisbyfarthebestforumforjoining thepolitical willsofstatestofosterthevaluesthatareadistinctive characteristic of civilization.JP/at A/4U/PV.8 21 (Hr.Sepulveda Amor,Mexico) In1945,attheChapultepec Conference, thenations ofLatinAmerica co-ordinated theirpointsofviewontheDumbarton Oaksproposals. Wethen suggested measures tostrengthen theGeneral Assembly andtoexpanditsauthority inmatters ofsecurityandpeace. Wemaintained thattheUnitedNations should reflect theidealsofuniversality, equality beforethelaw,democracy andrespect forthelaw.Wealsoexpressed LatinAmerica's concern abouttheneedforour Organization tobegiventheinstruments topermitittocarryoutitsactivities effectively. unfortunately, theLatinAmerican idealsweretobefacedwiththereality of anunequaldistribution ofpower. ThePowersthathadbeenvictorious inthe SecondWorldwarsoughtprimarily tosafeguard theirowninterests ratherthanto attendtotheneedsofthedeveloping countries. Bipolar attitudes havemarkedthe lifeoftheorganization eversince. Inaddition, thepolitical mapoftheworldhasbeenradically transformed. Today159Statesholdseatsinthisforum. Thedevelopment ofthemajority of countries stillurgently requires action. Various regions aresuffering grave economic andpolitical crisesandevenwarlike confrontations, andtheUnited Nations isnotalwaysabletoprovide satisfactory solutions. Thusweshouldnotbesurprised thatthereisdiscouragement whenobstacles areplacedinthepathofmeasures neededtomaintain peaceandsecurity. The difficulties involved inestablishing anewordering ofecgnomic andpolitical relations between Statesgiverise,equally, todespair andscepticism. Wemustalsorecognize thataccusations andconfrontation haveoftenprevailed overnegotiation andpragmatic meansofobtaining results. Itmustbeadmitted thatthistendency weakens theunitedNations andfeedsmistrust andfrustration.JP/at A/40/rv.8 22 (Hr.Sepulveda Amor 6Mexico) Thesereflections shouldnotleadustounderestimate thevalueof multilateral forums. Thatiscertainly notmyintention. Thefortieth anniversary oftheUnitedNations offersanexceptional opportunity todrawupabalance sheet
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement that highlights the importance and achievements of the United Nations, emphasizing its role in promoting international cooperation, respect for human rights, and addressing global challenges. The speaker mentions various areas where the UN has made a positive impact, such as promoting development, resolving conflicts, and protecting human rights. The text does not specifically focus on economic development, natural resources, or environmental issues, but rather on the UN's broader role in promoting peace, security, and human well-being.

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