text: Nations hasinfactsolvedalargenumberofconflicts duringthelast40years, someofwhichcouldhaveeasilyledtoworldwar. LetusalsolistentothevoiceswhichsaythattheUnitedNations has provided Stateswhichcannotaffordtomaintain diplomatic missions in158other capitals withacost-efficient, uniquemultilateral instrument, nam~lyUnited Nations Headquarters; thattheUnitedNations haswritten aphilosophy ofhuman lifeintheUniversal Declaration ofHumanRightsandintheHumanRights Covenants~ thattheUnitedNations hasprovided theworld,forthefirsttimein history, withthenecessary data,statistics andinformation oneveryaspectofthe humancondition andhabitat; andthattheUnitedNations hascreated asystemof specialized agencies andworldprogrammes whichfacilitate theidentification and assessment ofworldproblems, aswellasinternational actiontohelpresolve them. LetuspauseandlistentothosewhosaythattheUnitedNations hass~ved livesandproperty byissuing warnings onglobalproblems suchaspopulation growth, theenvironment, energy, water,habitat, theclimate anddesertification, .._i _A/40/PV.l 8 (TheTemporary President) amongothers, t.hattheUnitedNations hasrendered inunenseservice tochildren, women,theelderly andthehandicap~d, andthat it~worldconferences on international yearshavepromoted actionforthesesocialgroups, and,finally, thattheUnitedNations hascreated newrEgimes fortwocommons ofhumanity: outer spaceandtheseasandoceans. Ihaveheardotherviewsandperceptions ofourOrganization. Ofcoursethey varyfromcountry tocountry, fromsocialgrouptosocialgroup,buttheyall reflect theinunense complexity ofhumancomplaints andaspirations. This Organization i.sperhaps thelargest mirrornations andpeoples haveeverhad through whichtolookatthemselves. Onthisfortieth anniversary wearereceiving aworld-wide evaluation, avast balance-sheet, withitspositive andnotsoPositive sides. Therehavebeenand therewillbemanysuggestions onh,1Wwecanimprove ontherecordofour Organization. Asizeable numberofideas,proposals andplansfromvarious 60~rces hasbeenadvocated. Manyhavealready beensubmitted totheOrganization. Allof themareworthconsidering. Itwillbethetaskofthissession oftheAssembly to evaluate allthevarious proposals. Incidentally, therecentmeetingofpast Presidents oftheGeneral Assembly whichwasorganized bytheUnitedNations Institute forTraining andResearch hasalready forwarded, through the Secretary-General, asetofconclusions asitscontribution tothedebateonhowto improve theimpactoftheUnitedNations. Allowmetosingleoutonesimplebutimportant suggestion, namely, theneed forbetterknowledge andinformation abouttheUnitedNations. Isha,efullythe hopeoftheSecretary-General expressed inhisstatement of31May1984that "1985willwitness thebeginning ofaserious educative efforttofoster world-wide information abouttheUnitedNations andthatGovernments, the mediaandeducators willplayanimportant roleinthisendeavour".A/40/W.l 9-10 (TheTemporary President) Thefactisthatmuchofthemisconception abouttheactivities oftheunited Nations anditsroleinthepursuitofworldpeacecanbeattributed. to misinformation andlackofinformation: Thegathering ofHeadsofStateandGovernment duringthissessionofthe Assembly shouldbeapplauded. Itismyhopethatitwillbefruitful andthatit willleadtomanybilateral encounters, friendship, business transactions, recommitment andnewideasforenhancing international understanding and co-operation intheyearsahead.Itisalsomyhopethattheleaderswillreturn homewithaninnersatisfaction thattheydidagoodjob.Perhaps, ashasbeen suggested, theymaywishtoholdsuchencounters annually duringfuturesessions of theGeneral Assembly. Andspeaking ofsummitgatherings, wenotethatthiscommemorative session of theGeneral Assembly coincides withwhatweallprayandhopewillbea constructive summitmeeting between President ReaganoftheUnitedStatesof America andGeneral-Secretary Gorbachev ofthetinionofSovietSocialist Republics. Thiscouldwellbeaprelude toanentirely neweraininternational relations.IA/40/PV.l 11 (TheTemporary President) Wewhoareassembled herewill,inthenextfewdaysbegintoargue,toagree anddisagree, todebateanddelibe~ate, todiverge andcoalesce andtovoteand resolve. Allthatispartoftheprocessofpeace-building. Thatprocesswillnot becomplete untilwemakeourconsensus operational, untilweimplement our resolutions anddecisions whenweleavethisbuilding attheendofthesession. Asaformer P~esident oftheGeneral Assembly, asadelegate andasahuman being,Ihavemanyhopesforthisfortieth session. Oneofthemisthatwhatever wedowillbedoneinthespiritofthe.theme: IiUnited Nations forabetterworld.· ITEM4OFTHEPROVISIONAL AGENDA ELECTION OFTHEPRESmENT OFTHEGENERAL ASSEMBLY !!:!.TEMPORARY PRESmEN'l': Inowinvitemembers oftheGeneral Assembly to proc~ed '-~ti~ee1ection ofthePresident ofthefortieth sessionoftheGeneral
analysis: The text discusses the United Nations' role in international relations, its achievements, and its challenges. It highlights the organization's efforts in promoting peace, human rights, and sustainable development, as well as its role in addressing global issues such as population growth, environment, energy, and climate change. The text also touches on the importance of education and information about the United Nations, as well as the need for international cooperation and understanding.