48th session opens amidst substantial achievements, serious set-backs.

• Position: United Nations

A few days before the opening of the forty-eight session of the General Assembly on 21 September, Secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali affirmed that the UN was "indispensable". Only it, he said, had the universal character, the global convening power and the extensive networks which cover virtually every international function in the service of all peoples".

The United Nations "is now understood to be humanity's best hope in the pursuit of peace, development and human rights", the 71-year-old Chief Executive declared in his annual report on the work of the organization (A/48/1), issued on 10 September. "Dedicated to the integrity and development of each individual, driving legitimacy from all peoples, expressing the consensus of States, the, United Nations Organization calls forth, through its universality and dedication to life's basic tasks, a greater potential than humanity has ever before conceived possible:'

The UN's vast potential, he went on, had been recognized and had begun to be employed in the establishment of a more stable world order: "as a strengthened voice for the poorest countries, as deliverer of humanitarian relief, as guardian of human and minority rights, as rescuer of States in crisis and as an instrument for repairing a damaged global environment". In virtually every area, there had been substantial achievements, but there had been serious set-backs and shortcomings as well.

As of mid-November, the Assembly agenda included 182 items, a record number - 24 more than the Previous record in 1989. Among 25 new agenda items, the Assembly will consider mine clearance, attacks on UN personnel, several UN peace-keeping missions, and building peace through sport.

The Assembly's, plenary is to act on a wide variety of topics, including an

item on review of membership of the the Security Council - not a new item-which has prompted replies from more than 70 countries. There is general agreement that membership should be expanded, but opinions differ as to how that should be done. it will also discuss the Middle East, Central America, Haiti, and the elimination of apartheid and establishment of a united, democratic and non-racial South Africa. The agenda covers the entire spectrum of UN activities, including political, disarmament, decolonization, economic, social and humanitarian affairs, as well as legal, administrative and budgetary questions.

Among the 175 participants in the general debate - a record number - were 28 Heads of State, two Crown Princes, 13 Prime Ministers, 107 Foreign Ministers, 15 Deputy Prime Ministers, 2 other ministers and 8 Chairmen of delegations. The annual exercise took place between 27 September and 13 October.

The forty-eighth Assembly is scheduled to recess on 21 December and officially conclude on 19 September 1994.

The achievements of the past year, the Secretary-general said, vastly outweighed the setbacks. Common concerns had become more evident and were more effectively expressed. The readiness to rely on the UN gave reasons for growing hope...