UN General Assembly
1964

43. At the outset I wish to deal with the most urgent and serious problem of our time: disarmament. As one of the countries which are represented at the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament, Sweden has particular reason to share the general sense of disappointment caused by the inability of the Committee to report any real progress from its work at Geneva during 1964. However, it can and should, I think, at least be said that through the labours at Geneva the ground has usefully been prepared for further and more constructive efforts in both broad and limited areas of disarmament. We should appreciate the fact that through the Eighteen-Nation Committee channels are kept open for intercommunication across boundaries and for continuous contact among the great Powers. The machinery for disarmament negotiations exists. It is now our duty to use it.