3 December 1982

Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization

The General Assembly,

Deeply disturbed by the continuing deterioration of international relations, the frequent recourse to the threat or use of force, the further escalation of the arms race, particularly in its nuclear dimension, the aggravation of global economic problems, widespread, mass and flagrant violations of human rights, all hindrances to the process of decolonization and the continued stalemate in the resolution of various fundamental international crises and their exacerbation,

Gravely concerned at the crisis in many multilateral negotiations and in co-operation, especially within the United Nations,

Noting with concern that the United Nations system of collective security has not been used effectively,

Gravely concerned at the frequent disregard shown for the provisions of the Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations,

Convinced that there is an urgent and imperative need for strict respect for the provisions of the Charter and for strengthening the role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security and in solving international problems in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter,

Recalling the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes,

Bearing in mind the views expressed by Member States during the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization;

2. Solemnly reaffirms that genuine and stable peace and security in the world can be achieved by strict adherence to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to international law and that all States should fulfil in good faith their obligations assumed in accordance therewith;

3. Emphasizes the imperative need to strengthen the role and effectiveness of the United Nations as indispensable for the maintenance of international peace and security, for the settlement of international disputes and crises by peaceful means, for the strengthening of international co-operation on the basis of sovereign equality and for the promotion of economic and social development and of human rights;

4. Calls upon all organs of the United Nations to discharge fully and effectively their responsibilities in accordance with the Charter and upon all Member States to contribute actively to that end;

5. Requests the Security Council to carry out the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and to give due consideration to the report of the Secretary-General;

6. Invites the Secretary-General, in discharging his responsibilities under the Charter, to continue his efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the United Nations to fulfil the effective and decisive role as envisaged for it in the Charter;

7. Urges that efforts to this end continue, taking into account the views expressed by Member States during the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly as well as those which Member States may wish to offer, while views of institutions and eminent persons may also be taken into consideration as appropriate;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the General Assembly informed on the implementation of the present resolution.