The Third Development Decade saw slower growth in the UN membership and a re-examination of themes that emerged from earlier conferences. The Declaration on the Right to Development positioned the concept of development within the human rights framework.
The Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development explored some issues arising out of the arms race (A/CONF.130/39, para. 14):
"Security is an overriding priority for all nations. It is also fundamental for both disarmament and development. Security consists of not only military, but also political, economic , social, humanitarian and human rights and ecological aspects. Enhanced security can, on the one hand, create conditions conducive to disarmament and, on the other, provide the environment and confidence for the successful pursuit of development. The development process, by overcoming non-military threats to security and contributing to a more stable and sustainable international system, can enhance security and thereby promote arms reduction and disarmament. Disarmament would enhance security both directly and indirectly. A process of disarmament that provides for undiminished security at progressively lower levels of armaments could allow additional resources to be devoted to addressing non-military challenges to security, and thus result in enhanced overall security."
Decades:
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1990
These websites gather comprehensive historic information on a particular aspect of the UN and supplement this guide.