UN General Assembly
1976

135. The international Organization is passing through, its thirty-first year with its universality strengthened by the increase of its Members to almost threefold what they were when it was established in 1945. Each year the Organization gives one proof after another of its universality and durability against challenges and obstacles. Last year a number of States which had obtained their independence after long struggle joined the Organization. I welcome the presence among us in this hall this year of the delegation of Seychelles, and congratulate, in the name of Bahrain, the people and Government of Seychelles on their independence and admission to this Organization. At the same time, I do hope strongly that all States possessed with the qualifications contained in the Charter will join the Organization. 136. I am fully confident that the day will come soon when we will see all the peoples of Africa and other peoples in the world who still thirst for freedom and independence taking their place among us in this Organization.