UN General Assembly
1992

but also to the universality and importance of the United Nations. We welcome them and look forward to the opportunity to work together. During the last three years the world has witnessed the disappearance of the ideological conflict that had divided it and pervaded every aspect of social and economic life for much of this century. While these sweeping changes have brought new opportunities for peace, stability and progress, hopes have been dampened on the one hand by the unleashing of old hostilities and new conflicts, and on the other by the further impoverishment of millions of people for whom the changes in the international scene have little meaning. The social and economic situation remains dismal not only in many developing countries but also in many developed countries which are suffering from a prolonged recession. Though the opportunity for peace and progress has never been better, the challenges of inequity and poverty, which are the main reasons for instability and conflict, continue to be daunting as ever. In many ways the United Nations has been the greatest beneficiary of the