UN General Assembly
1954

16. Such true international co-operation can be promoted only in a world at peace, which requires the peaceful coexistence of all nations and peoples. As stated by the President of Indonesia in his speech to Parliament on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of our national independence: “Every nation must live, and it has the right to live according to its particular convictions. It is entitled to a life according to its own conscience, and to act, work and trade in conformity with its convictions, so long as such actions do not harm other people or nations.” 17. In this sense, “coexistence” is not a negative term implying passive acquiescence to the policies practised by others. It means, rather, a positive effort to recognize the terms or values under which other peoples determine their own way of life, so long as this does not impinge upon the rights of others.