In recognition of the importance of Antarctica to the whole international community, I reiterate the statement made by Kenya's Minister for Foreign Affairs in plenary meeting last Friday: " ••• it is imperative that activities in [Antarctica] be conducted by and for the benefit of the international community as a whole. In this context, the initiative and the call by the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries for a declaration that any and all resources in Antarctica are vested in the international community as a whole as the common heritage of mankind needs to be understood and underscored. Thus all States, regardless of their size, AW/sm A/C.l/40/PV. 9 43 (Mr. Afande, Kenya) socio-economic system or stage of development, have a legitimate interest in Antarctica and ought to have a say in the development and management of its affairs." (A/40/PV.33, p. 70) Thus, while a number of positive aspects of the Antarctica Treaty regime can be identified, its shortcomings must not be minimized. Chief among these is the conceptual_ approach to the Antarctica problems which seems to favour the possession of technological expertise and ability to exploit the resources in the territory as a pre-condition for active membership of the Antarctica Treaty. The interests of the overwhelming majority of other States non-parties to the Treaty ought to be given due weight and consideration, and necessary steps should be taken to safeguard them in a more broad-based arrangement than the present regime. Mr. DHANAPALA {Sri Lanka): Mr. Chairman, your country and mine, which in times past were linked by legend and myth, have in times present been bound together in a common commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement, which has provided such a powerful impetus for general and complete disarmament. Our countries were among the five Colombo Powers which chartered the irreversible course of 