10 December 1981

Peaceful settlement of disputes between States

The General Assembly,

Having examined the item entitled "Peaceful settlement of disputes between States", Deeply concerned about the continuation of conflict situations and the emergence of new sources of disputes and tension in international life, and especially about the growing tendency to resort to force or the threat of force and to intervention in internal affairs, and about the escalation of the arms race, which gravely endanger the independence and security of States, as well as international peace and security,

Taking into account the need to exert utmost efforts in order to settle any situations and disputes between States exclusively by peaceful means, and to avoid any military action and hostilities, which can only make more difficult the solution of existing problems,

Also taking into account the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations concerning the peaceful settlement of disputes between States,

Considering that the adoption of a declaration on the peaceful settlement of disputes between States could contribute to the elimination of the danger of recourse to force or the threat of force and, therefore, to the strengthening of international peace and security, Taking note of the report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization and of the Working Group on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes,

Taking note also of the progress made in the Special Committee and in the Working Group in the elaboration of the draft Manila declaration on the peaceful settlement of international disputes;

Taking into account the opinions expressed during the examination at its thirty-sixth session of the question of the peaceful settlement of disputes between States,

1. Calls again upon all States to adhere strictly in their international relations to the principle that States shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered;

2. Considers that the question of the peaceful settlement of disputes should represent one of the central concerns for States and that, to this end, the efforts for examining and further developing the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes between States and the means of consolidating its full observance by all States in their international relations should be continued;

3. Considers also that the elaboration, as soon as possible, of a declaration of the General Assembly on the peaceful settlement of international disputes is likely to enhance the observance of the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes and to contribute to the strengthening of the role of the United Nations in preventing conflicts and settling them peacefully;

4. Requests the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization to finalize the draft Manila declaration on the peaceful settlement of international disputes with a view to its consideration and adoption by the General Assembly, and to submit it to the Assembly at its thirty-seventh session;

5. Refers to the Special Committee the report of its Working Group on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, as well as the views expressed at the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly on the contents of the declaration;

6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session the item entitled "Peaceful settlement of disputes between States".