UN General Assembly
1965

9. There is no doubt that we are going through a period of transition characterized, among other visible phenomena, if not by the collapse of the outmoded concept of absolute State sovereignty, at least by an adaptation of that concept. This is indeed essential if we wish to live in the present era, which is marked by such amazing and disconcerting scientific and technical advances that there is no knowing how the human mind may react — with terror or with pleasure. Everything depends on the goals to be attained by mankind in the future: survival or destruction and the total annihilation of life. 10. This transitional stage is also marked by the emergence of a basic principle of international authority which has resulted in the struggle against colonialism and its immediate corollary, the birth of new independent States. Despite this, there are still many obstacles which impede progress towards the final goal.