As stated in the Friendly Relations Declaration 1970, all peoples have the
right to determine freely, without external interference, their political status
and to pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and every
State has the duty to respect this right in accordance with the provisions of
the UN Charter. It follows that the main objective of this principle is the
proclamation and recognition of equal rights and of the right to self-determination
of peoples. The Friendly Relations Declaration 1970 states that