Peaceful settlement of disputes between States

The General Assembly,

Having considered the item entitled "Peaceful settlement of disputes between States",

Recalling its resolution 37/10 of 15 November 1982, by which it approved the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, annexed thereto,

Recalling also its resolutions 38/131 of 19 December 1983, 39/79 of 13 December 1984, 40/68 of 11 December 1985 and 41/74 of 3 December 1986,

Deeply concerned at the continuation of conflict situations and the emergence of new sources of disputes and tension in international life, and especially at the growing tendency to resort to force or the threat of the use of force and to intervention in internal affairs, and at the escalation of the arms race, which gravely endanger the independence and security of States as well as international peace and security,

Taking into account the need to exert the utmost effort in order to settle any situations and disputes between States on the basis of sovereign equality and exclusively by peaceful means, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, and to avoid any military actions and hostilities against other States, which can only make more difficult the solution of existing problems,

Considering that the question of the peaceful settlement of disputes should represent one of the central concerns for States and for the United Nations and that efforts for strengthening the process of peaceful settlement of disputes should be continued,

1.         Again urges all States to observe and promote in good faith the provisions of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes in the settlement of their international disputes;

2.         Stresses the need to continue efforts to strengthen the process of the peaceful settlement of disputes through progressive development and codification of international law and through enhancing the effectiveness of the United Nations in this field;

3.         Calls upon Member States to make full use, in accordance with the Charter, of the framework provided by the United Nations for the peaceful settlement of disputes and international problems;

4.         Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-third session a report containing the replies of Member States, relevant United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental organizations and interested international legal bodies on the implementation of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes and on ways and means of increasing the effectiveness of this instrument;

5.         Decides that the question of the peaceful settlement of disputes between States shall be considered at its forty-third session as a separate agenda item, in conjunction with the item of the provisional agenda entitled "Report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization".