UN General Assembly
2012

World history makes clear the operational validity of the principle of the peaceful settlement of international disputes. It also teaches us that processes of dialogue and negotiation, in order to remain credible as ways of resolving conflicts and disputes, must be based on truth and respect for the law and the values and universally recognized principles. They should guard against both hasty action and stalemate, and they should demonstrate effectiveness by producing the hoped-for results, even if this is done in a gradual manner. It must be noted that more than 60 years after the founding of the United Nations, the world continues to witness many situations of war and instability. Terrorism is increasing instead of decreasing. Maritime piracy, which we thought had been eradicated, is once again becoming one of the main threats to peace and security. The Middle East is today a hotbed of tension. Syria is in the throes of bloodshed, and Mali is witnessing attempts at separatism. More broadly, as peace is more than just the absence of war, many scourges still affect humanity. Many are