Assembly calls for action to strengthen international security.

Assembly calls for action to strengthen international security

Reaffirming that the collective security mechanism embodied in the United Nations Charter constituted "the fundamental and irreplaceable instrument" for preserving international peace and security, the Assembly on 7 December urged all States to focus their efforts on ensuring "universal security" through peaceful political means on an equal basis and in all spheres of international relations.

After considering issues related to international security, the Assembly adopted four texts on those questions on the recommendation of the First Committee (Political and Security). It called on international and national non-governmental organizations and political and public figures in all countries to contribute to the development of a "productive and meaningful international dialogue" on ways to promote comprehensive security. All States were called on to strengthen and enhance the role and efficiency of the United Nations system as an indispensable instrument for maintaining international peace and security.

The Assembly also reaffirmed the validity of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security and called on all States to contribute to its implementation. All States were urged to refrain from the use or threat of use of force, intervention, interference, aggression, foreign occupation and colonial domination or measures of political and economic coercion which violated the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and security of other States.

The United States voted against that text; 23 countries abstained. Expressing its conviction that the gradual military disengagement of the great Powers and their military alliances from various parts of the world should be promoted, the Assembly invited all States, particularly major military Powers and members of military alliances, to refrain from actions and manoeuvres, conceived "within the context of East-West confrontation and used as a means of pressure or threat to and destabilization of other States and regions".

The urgent need to enhance the effectiveness of the Security Council in discharging its principal role of maintaining international peace and security and to enhance its authority and enforcement capacity was stressed.

The Assembly also reaffirmed the lasting validity of the 1978 Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace.

By consensus, it reaffirmed that the security of the Mediterranean was closely linked with European security and with international peace and security, and that "just and viable solutions of existing problems and crises in the area" were needed.

All States were urged to cooperate with the Mediterranean States in further efforts required to reduce tension and promote peace, security and co-operation in the region. The Assembly noted the idea of the establishment of a Mediterranean forum as a multidisciplinary framework for the promotion of co-operation in the region.

States Members of relevant regional organizations were invited to submit to the Secretary-General concrete ideas and suggestions on their potential contribution to strengthening peace and co-operation in the Mediterranean region.