UN General Assembly
1975

50. First, regarding universality of membership of the United Nations, starting with an original membership of 51 States, the United Nations has now grown to 141 States. In the process it has become an organization representative of virtually every race, religion and ideology in the world today. This representativeness has contributed to the Organization's fulfillment of its wide-ranging responsibilities under the Charter, and has greatly enhanced its effectiveness. I am convinced of the desirability of universality of membership so that the United Nations may continue to function as a genuinely representative forum for international co-operation. For this purpose it is imperative that membership be open, and remain open, to all peace-loving States able and willing to carry out the obligations set forth in the Charter.