UN General Assembly
1992

painful, complex and difficult, but they are necessary in order to build a better future. A growing number of Governments involved in such processes are requesting electoral assistance from the United Nations. Given the particular importance of free and honest elections, I believe the United Nations should continue to strengthen its capacity for acting in this area. I also propose that the United Nations cooperate with other international organizations with experience in this field in particular, the Council of Europe. My Government believes that the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio, was a historic event. It is true that not all our hopes were fulfilled and that many of the decisions taken lack clarity and courage. But who could deny the importance of the preparatory work and the awareness which it brought about? A world-wide process was launched. Major political commitments were made at the highest level. However, the real battle still lies ahead. The convention on climate change and the convention on biological diversity still must be ratified and