UN General Assembly
1978

39. In a broader regional context, peace and security would be promoted through the creation of zones of peace, such as the Indian Ocean, South-East Asia, the Mediterranean and other regions. Such zones would, of course, need to take into account the interrelated aspects of eliminating the military presence of, and threat from, external Powers and the maintenance of security among the regional States. In this context, we welcome the meeting of the littoral and hinterland States of the Indian Ocean, to be held in July next year, as a first step towards the conference to be convened to establish the zone of peace in the Indian Ocean. 40. The roots of the disparity between the developed and the developing countries lie in the present economic system, which serves the interests of the industrialized nations. The hopes and expectations aroused by the call for the New International Economic Order are nowhere near fulfilment.