UN General Assembly
1995

efforts to establish a permanent court. The tribunal’s role should be limited to cases where national jurisdiction is unavailable or ineffective. Fifthly, on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, we call on the United Nations to take a decisive lead in promoting sustainable development and eradicating poverty. Efforts to improve global security must address the issues of economic growth, development and poverty, while ensuring that the use of natural resources is kept within the carrying capacity of the Earth. The United Nations must become a driving force for sustainable development. The United Nations is the only forum with a mandate to tackle the truly global problems affecting the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources. Let me offer some brief examples. The Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks provided an invaluable contribution to the management of fishery resources. We are also pleased that, just a few days ago, the United Nations Panel on Forests was able to take the first steps to protect, preserve and manage the world’s forests in a sustainable manner.