UN General Assembly
1978

163. The search for that objective has continually been beset by trials and tribulations, sometimes giving rise to despair and cynicism, sometimes even casting doubt on the continued relevance of the Organization itself, which has also had to contend with cold war rivalries and other divisive forces. 164. Also our Organization, caught in the ebb and flow of the reality of international politics of competing military and ideological blocks, has had to make a tactical retreat from its primary responsibility for collective security. However, drawing vitality from its Charter provisions and sustained by a convergence of luck, acquiescence in its innovations and the sheer boldness of the character and personality of its distinguished chief executives, the United Nations survived the onslaught and set about transforming inter-State relations from one of confrontation to one of co-operation and increasing concern for the welfare of the individual. This transformation, in our view, represents one of the finest testimonials to the United Nations in its thirty-third year of existence.