Assembly calls for action to strengthen international security.

• Position: UN General Assembly

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...