UN General Assembly
1982

peoples to attain indepen¬dence and thereby make their own contribution to the international community. 110. There are today very few situations where non-self-governing peoples have yet to exercise their right of self-determination. Namibia, however, remains on the agenda. The Secretary-General in his report on the work of the Organization reflects a sense of cautious optimism about Namibia. Let us hope that that optimism is well placed. A peaceful solution to this long-standing problem would clearly be a very great achievement, if such a solution is worked out, it will owe much to the persistent efforts of the contact group and the front-line States. Australia continues to stand ready to contribute an engineering and head¬quarters unit of about 300 men to UNTAG to help oversee and supervise the independence process. 111. Decolonization is not the only area of United Nations success. There have been, and continue to be, considerable achievements in the economic, social and technical fields—so much so perhaps that we sometimes take these achievements for granted. As a clearing-house for ideas and as an instrument for technical assistance and