A/33/PV.36 General Assembly

Before calling on the first speaker, I should like to suggest that the list of speakers in the debate on the item be closed this afternoon at 5 o'clock. This would give us an indication of the number of meetings that will be necessary for the consideration of this item and will enable the Assembly to organize its work. If I hear no objection, I shall consider that the Assembly decides that the list of speakers in the debate on item 58 (a) will be closed this afternoon at 5 o'clock.

The debate in the General Assembly on the report [A/33/34j of the Committee Established under General Assembly Resolution 32/174, known as the Committee of the Whole for the new international economic order, is something with which Romania is completely in accord not only because of the well-known circumstances in which the Conunittee's activities took place over the past year, but also because of the results which have been submitted to us. Our support is also based on the principled concept of the Romanian Government conceming the essential role the General Assembly must play in discussing and fmding a solution to the basic issues of co-opention, mutual under- standing and peace. Finally, we support the consideration within this framework of the prospects for a dialogue on an overhaul of world economic structures, fa: we feel that the elimination of underdevelopment and the establishment of new relations based on equality and equity are a major priority objective of the development of human society and of the politicals economic and social emancipation of peoples. 3. Together with the other countries members of the Group of 77, Romania made an earnest attempt at the orevious se3s1on to bring back within the framework of the NEW YORK United Nations the global negotiations on the establishment of the new international economic order and, to this end, to set up a Committee of the Whole. We feel, in fact, that the General Assembly's decision to do so is of particular imporian~~ in view of the failure of th~ attempts to seek, on a more restricted basis, solutions to extremely comple:?' problems which are of equal interest to all countries. 4. The countries members of the Group of 77 recently reaffirmed, in the Declaration adopted by their Ministers for Foreign Affairs [see A/33/278, annexj, their conviction that the United Nations provides the only rr()pitious framework for any negotiations on the new international economic order. This eminently political stand fully meets my country's position as to the adequate and fully representative nature of this body in action taken to solve such problems. 5. Like the distinguished speakers who have preceded me I must regretfully note that the results of the negotiations held within the United Nations system, including the Committee of the Whole, fall far short of the hopes of peoples and the need to reduce economic disparities and to promote the economic and social progress of all countries. We note, furthermore, that the greater willingness of the international community to tackle in concrete terms the subject of the in-depth restructuring of intern~tional economic relations continues to be contingent on the fact that the control and management of these relations, whether in the fields of production, technology, or trade, are still in the hands of the developed countries. These factors are strongly affected by the perpetuation and aggravation of the economic crisis, as well as by a lack of results, in the attempts made thus far to overcome them. This can only further worsen price fluctuations, distort the terms; of trade, aggravate inflationist phenomena and the burden of indebtedness, strengthen the trend towards protectionism, increase the difficulty of access to teclmol- ogy and capital markets, and contribute to economic instability. Furthermore, the tendency of certain countries to strengthen their dominant positions in various parts of h~e world directly jeopardizes the independence and sover- eignty of many States, especially the developing countries. 6. In this brief review of the situation, we realize; once again how necessary it is to overcome any hesitation and any legacy of the past and to be confident and innovative, for unless we are we can hardly make progress in our search for adequate solutions to the complex economic problems mankind still faces today. 7. In our view, a healthier international economic life requires reasonable economic policies and lower profits for monopolies and transnational corporations. It requires the promotion of the development and the diversification, of A/33/PV.36 13. The experience acquired over the years shows the attention we should give to, and the way we should use, the principle of consensus so that it does not become a factor impeding the search for and identification of gUidelines for action or solutions to problems of crucial interest to the overwhelming majority of Member States. The procedure of agreeing unanimously to conclusions applicable to all requires a responsible attitude and the active participation and goodwill of the parties concerned so as to reach the ultimate objective of consensus. That is precisely the basis of the official document on the strengthening of the role of the United Nations which was submitted by the Romanian Government to the thirtieth session of ~'"'e General Assem- bly" lhat document states that tl~e prindple of consensus should be defmed and applied in such a way as to permit, in cases where such a possibility has not been contemplated, the implementation by United Nations bodies of pro- cedures for adopting decisions provided for in the Charter. 8. This, then, is our approach to the .over-all activities of the United Nations system designed to promote the new international economic order, including those of the Com- mittee 0: the Whole. We are aware of the scope and complexity of these objectives, just as we are aware of the considerable efforts which Member States must make both at the internal and international level. 9. The fulmmeDi' of the mandate entrusted to the Com- ,mittee of the Whole by the General Assembly nevertheless requires that aB its members commit themselves unre- servedly to making progress in the negotiations, to facilitat- ing a solution of the problems still pending, to identifying priorities and to ensuring the implementation of the agreements reached. 14. The current debates on this year's activities of the Committee of the Whole clearly reflect the important role that Committee must play in pursuing the objectives of the new international economic order. They also reflect the interest of States in the continuance and success of its work. These observations are in part based on the lessons of the recent past, which show that the building of the new international economic order is a complex task which cannot be undertaken effectively except in the framework of a unified process. The achievement of positive results still depends on the constructive contribution of all members of the Committee and on their ability to find areas of agreement. This is what emerges clearly from the consultations which took place last week on the con- tinuance of the activities of the Committ0e of the Whole. 10. Furthermore, this body will no doubt be given broad powers as regards the careful preparation of the special session of the Genera] Assembly to be held in 1980. This session will have as its objective a review of the progress achieved in the establishment of a new international economi\~ order and the adoption on that basis of the international development strategy for the next develop- ment decade. 15. We ar" ,fi'~mly convinced that the agreement that will conclude th~ Assembly's present deliberations will create favourable conditions for the negotiation and adoption of common conclusions with regard to practical action to be taken to solve the crucial economic problems of today's world. 11. We therefore believe that no considerations should be allowed to impede the activities or deliberations of the Committee, nor should it be prevented from becoming an effective body capable of promoting dialogue on basic economic problems. As a body of the General Assembly, the Committee or the Whole is, of course, subject to the procedures of the United Nations and should adopt its decision-making procedure. The nature of the problems dealt with by the Committee-crucial, need I say, to the future of economic and ~;ocial progress in the world-makes necessary the direct participation df all the countries concerned and the commitment of their political will to, identifying solutions. It also reqUires consideration of their specific interests. 16. Furthermore, the time has come, we believe, to give new impetus to action to accelerate the econqmic and social progress of all countries that still lag behind, to diminish the present gap, and to establish among States a new typ'e of relationship based on equality and equity. The stability of the world economy can only gain from this. We· should like also to assure by this means that all Member States can count in the future also on the direct and constructive contribution of Romania. 12. Only thus can the solutions agreed upon be effective, accepted and implemented in good faith by all Member States. Differences in positions can and must be reconciled by having recourse to various methods-some of which have already been sanctioned by United Nations practice-·of bringing points of view closer together and of arriving at generally acceptable solutions. We note with satisfaction in

When the General Assembly, by its resolution 32/174, established the Committee of the Whole, after a lengthy and disappointing process of· North-South con~ 1 Sec document A/C.6/437. 18. Inspired by that hope, the representatives of our countries have worked steadfastly and have devoted their best efforts to the activities ef that Committee. But it has proved difficult to find the desired solutions. In many cases, in spite of intensive work, there was almost a repetition of prior agreements without commitments to act~on. 19. At several stages the process was confined to a discussion of procedural matters, but agreement was not reached there either. In fact, ill the apparent discussion of matters of form, substantive positions were vying with each other and we could see a discouraging lack of the will on the part of the major countries to discu~,:, negotiate and reach agreement. 20. The developing countries, in stressing our dynamic interpretation of the authority of the Committee of the Whole, in no way attempted or intend to duplicate the functions of other bodies of the United Nations system, which actively deal with such issues. But all countries have already seen very clearly the need for a central body, supported by the full authority of the General Assembly, to give new impetus to the work of other bodies when they are paralysed and unable to find adequate solutions. 22. If we limited ourselves to simple statements of position we would be on the level of matters already fully familiar to all. The problems of the developing world have been explained during the past 30 years with such vigour and their characteristics so fully described that all the roles could be played by any of the actors in this drama, since they all know by heart the problems of development. 23. But this is not a matter simply of improving the situation of the poor countries. The new order which we are seeking is a world of peace ~nd prosperity in which all peoples and individuals will obtain adequate compensation for their efforts. When countries refer to the issue of the necessary transfer of resources, they arc not speaking of gifts or of burdens imposed on some for the benefit of others. They are talking of correcting imbalances and of anything else that widens the gap which today ever more deeply and dangerously separates the rich from the poor countries. 24. The straightforward agenda which must be dealt with by the Committee of the Whole clearly outlines the matters that are of concern to mankind, and that sooner or later will have to be considered thoroughly because of their paramount and dramatic importance. 26. This new international economic order must put an end to customs barriers and protectionism, which have been '" criticized by even the most authoritative spokesmen of the developed world. Only a few days ago the President of the World Bank pointed out that the richest countries sell five times more manufactured goods to the poorer countries than they purchase from them, while special drawing rights absorl: 30 per cent of the exports of manufactured goods in our world. The denial of facilities to some also limits the necessary expansion of trade by developing countries while we see a tightening of credit restrictions in even the largest agencies established to provide that credit. Those restric- tions are sometimes attdbuted to political reasons, some- times to a lack of projects, sometimes to slowness in the disbursement of funds already agreed upon or to the lack of new studies concerning the over-all economy of a country. All of this delays, month by month or even year by year, the awaited benefits of loans, although debt servicing already absorbs the greatest efforts of the poorer countrjes. 27. There must be progress in the short term, for example, in establishing the common fund. That is essential for the Integrated Programme for Commodities2 ifwe are to dispel the atmosphere of frustration now prevailing in this field, an atmosphere which has already been very well described by highly placed representatives of developing countries from thIs very rostrum. 2 See Proceedings ofthe United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Fourth Session, vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.II.D.1O and corrigendum), part one A, resolution 93 (IV). or~:S.ilS of th~ United Nations system should be requested and \.uged to co-operate fully and unreservedly with that Committee. It. would be regrettable, indeed truly intoler- ' ~ble, if a 'parochial stand were taken by bureaucrats to prejudice and obstruct the work of the Committee precisely because its status as a central forum has been supported by all the weight of this Assembly. Thus States as well as int'ernational organizations would receive from the highest body of the United Nations the necessary incentive for action arising from the conclusions drawn in that Com- mittee. Of course, although consensus is desirable, because of its voluntary nature, we cannot, for the sake of a facile solution to the problem of one opposing view which runs counter to the will of the international community, renounce the prerogative of adopting resolutions according to the rules of procedure in force, which are the pledge and expression of national sovereignty in the exercise of the equal rights of large and small nations, as provided for in the Charter. 33. What are the true causes of the present situation? In , our view the problem does not lie in the mandate of the Committee of the Whole, so we do not think that any' special clarification of its mandate is necessary. In accord- ance with resolution 32/174, the Committee has sufficient authority to advance the cause of restructuring inter- national economic relations on a just and democratic basis. 34. The fruitlessness of the efforts over many years to establish a New International Economic Order confirms the fact that the main obstacle to a radical restructuring of international economic relations has been and remains the position of monopolistic circles of capitalist States. Their neo-colonialist course of continuing and intensifying the exploitation of developing countries, destablizing the economies primarily of those countries which have chosen a progressive road of development, suppressing the national liberation movements and supporting the racist regimes remains virtually unchanged. We note that the negative effects of the persisting economic, financial and monetary crisis phenomena in the capitalist sector of the world economy are a heavy burden above all on the developing' countries as they disorganize their economies and hinder their developmeHt. 29. In conclusion, my delegation would like to express its congratulations to Mr. Idriss Jazairy, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole for his valiant efforts. We should like also to support the specific views expressed by the Chairman of the Group of 77 [35th meeting, paras. 42-69/. I hope that the industrialized world will av&il itself of this opportunity to engage in a world-wide undertaking of paramount importance in the history of our Organization- that of building the world of prosperity and justice which we all desire and which has been described and established in this General Assembly as the new international economic order. 3S. The socialist countries stated (:heir position of prin- ciple concerning the Committee of the Whole in a joint statement made in the Second Committee on 15 December 19773 when resolution 32/174 was adopted at the thirty- second session of the General Assembly. At that time our. countries emphasized that the solution of the problem of restructuring int~rnational econonUc relations should be sought, not in creating new organs, but in making pur- poseful and effective use of the already existing organs created under the United Nations Charter: namely, the Second Committee of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, which have sufficient authority and experience to consider all the major problems posed by the prevailing pattern of international economic relations. '

On behalf of the delegations of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Czechoslovak Socialist Re- public, the Gennan Democratic R~public, the Hungarian People's Republic, the Mongolian People's Republic, the Polish People's Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics I wish to make the following statement in connexion with this item. 31. The socialist countries have given sympathetic con- sideration to the proposal of developing countries for the discussion in plenary meetings of the thirty-third session of the General Assembly of agenda item 58 (a) on the premise that t4eir action was an expression of their utmost dissatisfaction with both the failure of the Committee of the Whole and the lack of real progress towards the restructuring of unequal international economic relations.. 36. The establishment of new United Nations bodies tends to create' the illusion that some radical. mayes are being, taken towards restructuring international economic rela- . tions, whereas. in reality an unjustified prolif~ratiori of United ,Nations bodies leads to dissipation of efforts: and' comp'icates the carrying out of the main,task of 'sum~" moning the political will of the opposing' forces and making . them carry out the progressive, provisions of the Declaration 32. Unfortunately" itis not the, fust case'in recent years of d~li,berations on 'concrete action for the reStructuring of internatiomil economic relations and the establishment of a New Internation3I Economic Order, as set out in the 'decisions of the sixth special· se'ssion of the United Nations General, Assembly' [resolutions 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S- VI)j and in the Charter of Economic Rights and. 38. Life has thus confirwijd the correctness of our appraisal of the prospects foJ. the Committee of the Whole as spelled out clearly in the joint statement of 15 December 1977 by socialist countries on the adoption of resolution 32/174. In our view all the possible implications of the proposals submitted on the question of the organizational restructuring of the United Nations should be weighed thoroughly in order that the creat:0n of new United Nations bodies should not block the work of existing organs. It should be noted with concern and regret that the Second Committee has not been able to work at full capacity for three weeks of this session of the General Assembly. This period of time could have been used for discussion of the same agenda items as were allocated to, but not considered by, the Committee of the Whole. 39. In spite of their doubts concerning the possibilities of the Committee of the Whole, the socialist countries participated actively in its work and gave all-out political support to the basically progressive orientation of the programme put forward by the developing countries for the establishment of a New International Economic Order. 40. The socialist countries strove to make a constructive contribution to the solution of the problems before the Committee of th~ Whole. They set out their evaluation of the situation of the world economy, pointed to the causes and factors hindering the advancement of developing countries and, stated their views on ways and means for the solution by those countries of their problems of social and economic development. Concrete proposals were made on all those questions and, were contained iil the joint statements of the socialist countries in the Committee set out in documents A/33/34 of 1 March 1978, A/AC.191/24 of 4 May 1978 and A/AC.l91/26 of 10 May 1978 and in the statement in the Committee of.13 May 1978. 4L 'In th'e course of the C~IIUll1ttee~s work the 'socialist counti'ies 'reaffrrmed their readiness to assist interested developing' countries in their efforts 'to'solve p~oblems of econ9nuc development'. arid to stret:tgtlien their'econo~c independence. The socialist countries presented a ,J?roac'l programme of concrete, action in that directiOJ:l by which they are guided in their trade and economic relations with 'the 'developing countries. The essence 'of that programme is t~e following. stu~ying' the possibilities, and advisability of organizing multihiteral ~ndustrial, co-operation With the participation of the socialist, developing, and developed capitalist coun- tries, paying attention to the specific problems' of the participating developing coun'tries_ ' ' " 43. 'The, programme for the developmerit 'of tr~de, eco- nomic, scientific ~ and technological co-operation.1?etween' ' socialist, and developing' countries, as set forth iI'.' the Committee of the' Whole and 'iri other United 'Nation,S 44. The restructuring of international economic relations on a just and democratic basis and the elimination from them of discrimination, diktat and inequality are major demands of our times. 50. The socialist States are constantly aware of this interrelationship and take it into account in their foreign policy actions. They are ready to co-operate in both directions with everyone who is interested in the strength- ening of international peace and security, and in the economic and social progress of mankind. 45. It is incontestable that the socialist countries bear no historical responsibility for the disastrous situation in the developing countries and that they do not take part in their exploitation. Relations within the socialist community, as well as its relations with other countries, are built on a quite different basis and are governed by quite different principles: they reject discrimination of any kind and presuppose all-round expansion of co-operation among all interested States on the basis of full equality and mutual advantages. These are exactly the distinctive features of economic and trade co-operation between socialist and developing countries. 51. The socialist States, which share the warranted con· cerns of the developing countries over the problems facing them in the world capitalist economic system, are ready to give them continued support in solving their problems both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of the United Nations and the organizations of the United Nations system, and they will make a constructive contribution to the continuing efforts for the restructuring of international economic relations and the establishment of a New Interna· tional Econ.omic Order. 46. For several decades the socialist countries have been actively advocating the restructuring of international eco- nl;>mic relations on a democratic and just basis. The fact that the fundamental interests of the socialist and the developing countries basically coincide in this field bears out the objective nature of their unity of action. 52. In view of the foregoing considerations laid down in this joint statement, the delegations of the socialist coun- tries, confirming their stand on various questions related to the restructuring of international economic relations and· the organization of the work of United Nations bodies for this purpose, have no objection to the draft resolution4 and the statement of the President on this question, which were agreed to in the course of informal consultations held among countries belonging to various regional groups. 47. The outcome of the struggle for the Irestructuring of international economic relations depends, and will ulti- mately depend, not only on the degree to which the progressive forces will be able to break the resistance of the international monopolistic circles, but also on how uncom- promising and unrelenting the struggle of developing countries with imperialism and neo-colonialism will be. The success of this struggle also greatly depends on how consistently the developing countries themselves will follow the recommendations contained in the decisions of the sixth special session of the General Assembly, in the' Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States and iri other progressive resolutions of the General Assembly concerning the need for mobilization of their internal resources on the basis of profound democratic socio- economic reforms.

My delegation would like to express its support for the s~atement made at yesterday'S plenary meeting by the Chairman of the Group of 77, and we wish to thank Mr. Jazairy, Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, for his objective report on the work of that Committee and for his personal efforts. 54. Faced with a situation of world trade in a clear state of decline and diminishing participation structurally by the developing countries, only uncertainty and growing concern can be the general feeling of countries such as ours confronted with the present outdated international eco- nomic structure. 48. Without solving the problem of restructuring interna- tional economic relations one can hardly count on the irreversibility of detente, or on the establishment of lasting peace. At the same time, without further strengthening detente and supplementing political detente by a military one, without curbing the arms race and bringing about -disarmament, the possibilities for States to accelerate their socio-economic development and to solve urgent economic and other problems would be limited because of lack of means and resources. It is quite obvious that the more resources are spent on the anas race the fewer remain for development purposes. Nowadays more and more questions of international economic policy and practice are at a standstill as a concomitant of unresolved disarmament problems. SS. In fact, according to GATT figures, world trade has declined in volume from 11 per cent in 1976 to 4 per cent in 1977. This is, inter alia, a result of the import restrictions applied by the industrialized countries, whose negative impact affects sectors such as trade in textiles and others in which the developing nations have basic participation. . 56. Furthermore, the inflationary fever that has afflicted the large nations, estimated by the Organization for 4 Subsequently distributed as A/33/L.4. 57. From this arises the urgent need to prepare a complete system of specific action-oriented measures making it possible within the framework of interdependence to develop national and regional self-sufficiency, through which, with the assistance of the rich nations, it will be possible to grow together for the benefit of the great majority of our peoples. 58. What I have just stated-and it cannot be suspected of partiality to the interests of developing countries, for these facts have been provided by agencies which group together and basically represent the industrialized market-economy countries-give us an idea of why the majority of the nations of the world are justified in their search, one fraught with obstacles and marked by failures, to create a new economic order which will establish equity and justiCe amoI).g all nations. 59. It can be said that a period of four years is a brief one, perhaps extremely brief, in the history of mankind for us to be concerned seriously about the lack of real and effective solidarity in respect of the issues which we-more than 120 nations-have been reiterating in economic forums. 60. But do we have the right to close our eyes, we who are on the threshold of the twenty-first century, when we have seen a vast expansion of technology, reaching to other worlds which we have conquered and forces of nature which we are dominating and which until a short time ago were considered in the realm of the gods? 61. Can we, I repeat, close our eyes as four years go by and fail to be affected by the more than 600,000 children who year after year lose their sight because of the lack of adequate nutrition? Can we face without concern the fact that in many parts of the world millions of human beings die of hunger and malnutrition? Is it feasible to continue to increase expenditures on deadly weapons of all types while in many countries, even those that are producing arms, ~here are areas that suffer because they are unable to prepare for a better life? 62. In other circumstances these questions might have been considered unnecessary; but here, before the repre- sentatives of peoples that see their hopes for a better standard of living er for a life of peace destroyed, they are abundant assessments of a disturbing reality. 63. If we wish to establish in clear figures the gap between well-being and uncertainty over the very subsistance and survival of people, we should just consider those that have been used by the Inter-American Development Bank in Latin America, showing how our region has increased its population at an annual rate of 2.8 per cent, which is higher 64. Latin America had 200 million inhabitants in 1960 and 320 million last year, and, at that rate of population increase, the figure will reach 400 million in 1985. At the present time, the Inter-American Development Bank states, the participation of each Latin American in the social product is equal to 17 per cent of that enjoyed by each inhabitant of the industrialized countries. 65. How much of that social product enjoyed in Western Europe or in North America has been transplanted by the present machinery of the international economic system? What have we done to enable those who produce raw materials for world industry to enjoy finally a propor- tionate share of j}e products? How have we helped to incorporate the millions of inhabitants of the developing nations in the production process? Have we created technology that uses manpower as the basic element, and have we transferred or adopted industries that meet the needs of the masses? 66. In this sovereign forum four years ago we adopted all the elements for the establishment of the new international economic order, which attempts, through reconciliation and agreement, to make progress in meeting all the concerns I have just outlined. 67. What is more, in the analysis of one of the most serious problems facing us, the problem of food, during the meeting of Ministers of the World Food Council held in the capital of my country [see A/33/19 and Co", 1], President Lopez Portillo made an appeal to the effect' that hunger should no longer be considered'a question of concern only to the hungry. He reiterated the need that part of the resources which would be made available as a result of the reduction of military expenditures should be devoted to financing measures to promote -;.he development of nations still struggling to achieve that goal. 68. This distressing range of problems we have just superficially mentioned is what the international com- munity had -in mind in establishing the Committee of the Whole under resolution 32/174, in order to foster the implementation of the new international economic order. 69. The hope was therefore renewed that we were determined to seek solutions meeting our needs in UNCTAD concerning the Integrated Programme for Com- modities and its common fund and the code oLconauct being discussed there. We felt that the problems aired in the Economic and Social Council, in FAD, in the World Food Council, in UNIDO and in other fomms would be given the political impulse to which we all aspired. 70. But a year went by without any progress being achieved. Moreover, a wave of protectionism hovered threateningly over our economies, which Were greatly weakened by the effects of prior "stagflation". 71. It is our understanding that structural changes are needed in the international economy and we agree with the views expressed at the highest level of the Group of 77 that 72. We are confident that these will be days of frUitful dialogue. We cannot continue to put forward differing views and move further away from solutions. 73. Only a process of decision-making in the international economy with the participation of all countries on an equal footing-always within the framework of the United Nations system-and only a stressing of the central role of the United Nations can reaffirm the desire for discussion and democratic action enshrined in the Charter of our Organization. 79. My delegation would like to reiterate its conviction that, the General Assembly being the most representative universal forum, its centrai political role in launching the global dialogue should not be a matter of dispute. In this context, the direct responsibility of the Committee of the Whole to the General Assembly assumes special signifi- cance. Now that the Assembly is expected to clarify the mandate of its own creation, the Committe~ of the Whole, we hope that that Committee will make real progress on the issues pending before it. How effectively the Committee will function depends in large measure on the political will of the developed countries, which have abundant resources and hence, a special responsibility for mitigating the difficulties of developing countries. 74. We are confident that the Committee of the Whole, which was established under resolution 32/174, will resume its activities on the basis of a clear understanding of its important role in the speedy course of action towards the new order. It must be in a position to meet whenever the world economy and its phenomena so warrant, with a view to promoting action at the political level in the forums of the United Nations system which deal with these issues. 80. It is encouraging to note that the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, speaking yesterday on behalf of the European Economic Community [35th meeting, paras. 132-137J, reaffirmed the readiness of the Com- munity to participate constructively in the ongoing dia- logue in the Committee when it takes up its substantive work early next year. We have no doubt that constructive and meaningful dialgoue leading to concrete and action- oriented decisions and their effective implementation will definitely make the concept of interdependence a living reality. 75. The members of the international community hope that, with renewed confidence, we will all fulfil our role in structuring the new order. Growing concern is latent. Only united work on the part of all, and particularly those who have the largest share of the world's wealth, will put an end to the uncertainty affecting the social life of our peoples. 76. May we be in a position in 1980 to report favourably to the special session of the General Assembly! May the world embark on a course towards genuine economic and social progress! 81. My delegation would like to express its appreciation to the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole for his untiring efforts, and to the Chairman of the Group of 77 for his comprehensive introductory statement [ibid, paras. 42-69J.

The impasse in the work of the Committee of the Whole, established under General Assem- bly resolution 32/174, as a result of disagreement on t11e interpretation of its mandate was a set-back to the promotion of the North-South dialogue. My delegation, like the delegations of other developing countries, has firmly held the view that the competence of the Committee to negotiate and adopt decisions on outstanding economic issues of global dimension should not be questioned. While the usefulness of deliberations and the exchange of views cannot be ruled out, it would be wrong to separate the negotiating capacity of the Committee from its deliberative functions. The Group of 77 has already made it clear that the Committee of the Whole in no way seeks to pre-empt the negotiations underway in other bodies. In fact, the mandate of the Committee has been so devised as to avoid the pitfalls of duplicatiC'n. The Committee under its mandate lays down policy guidelines which would facilitate the speedy resolution of problems which are of immediate concern to developing countries and in particular the least developed among them.

One of the proudest claims of the United Nations is that it has succeeded not only in promoting the quest for world peace but also in promoting international economic co-operation. The fact that the world's attention has at last been focused on the urgent problem of development is no small achievement. 83. Especially as a response to the dramatic changes which the global economy has undergone since 1973, various. conferences, both under the auspices of the United Nations system and outside, have grappled with the difficult question of how to better the world economic situation in the short and long term, while guarding against the kind of cataclysmic shocks that made such a re-evaluation necessary in the first place: . 84. In regard to the specific problem of international economic co-operation, we can look back on a number of significant attempts to bring about real progress towards a 78. Needless to say, the pressing problems facing the least- developed countries call for concrete measures and their 85. There were, of course, other conferences, programmes and resolutions. Each of these was indicative of a new awareness and a new acceptance of shared responsibility for the economic well-being of all the world's inhabitants. Many of us felt that a turning-point had come, that the plight of the developing countries was finally being taken seriously and, what is more important, that something meaningful would be done about it. 86. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, there was a glaring discrepancy between what was expressed on those occasions and what was actually achieved. When we look back on the various efforts both within and without this august body, they appear to have been an exercise like pushing the world uphill, in the manner of Sisyphus. We all know it was the unhappy fate of Sisyphus, the erring Titan, to spend eternity pushing a boulder up a hill without ever quite reaching the top. Praiseworthy ideals, if not imple- mented, become hollow slogans, and our efforts would be no different from those of Sisyphus. 87. There were indications at the seventh special session of the General Assembly that the developed nations were ready to move in a decisive manner towards the establish· ment of the New International Economic Order. Yet our hopes again proved illusory, as a heartfelt commitment to work constructively was lacking on the part of several countries. The sit-dation today is, I regret to say, essentially the same. The developing nations have heard the words spoken many times, but they remain unconvinced that the shining promise of world-wide economic interdependence can indeed become a reality. 88. My Foreign Minister recently described from this rostrum [24th meeting] the disproportionate allocation of resources to military purposes as a major factor in the imbalance of the world economy. It is hard to imagine how a just economic order can ever come into being without the reallocation of even a small part of these resources to peaceful purposes. 89. The runaway rates of inflation that marked recent years appear to be subsiding. The industrialized nations are continuing their recovery from the recession of 1974-1975. 90. It bears repeating that if the economic outlook for the developing countries in general is discouraging, it is nothing short of grim for the designated least.developed States. A recent UNCTAD background paper on the least-developed, land-locked and island developing countries and on t the most seriously affected countries·-as contained in docu- ment A/AC.191/30-notes that 14 of the least·developed countries, containing roughly three-fourths of the popula- tionofthe entire group, have experienced declines in export volume per capita in the 1970s. This fact, 1,lpsetting in itself, is a sad commentary on the failure of the Inter- national Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade to fulfil the hopes of those that were in most desperate need of hope. .. 91. In the light of the aforementioned UNCTAD report, which offers new statistical confirmation of the critical nature of the plight of the least-developed countries, there can be no doubt that drastic, immediate measures are needed to assist the poorest members of the international community in any global economic solution. Loans at commercial interest rates are simply out of the question. Official development assistance must take other forms, including that of outright grants. • 92. Most least-developed countries are also land-locked developing countries. This group of countries suffers from certain obvious geographical disadvantages that are a special constraint on their efforts to attain economic self-reliance. It is in view of this that we believe that urgent measures at national as well as at international levels are essential with a greater sense of understandjng and co-operation. Uruessithe special constraints of the land-locked countries are over- come, their future will remain bleak. The guidelines required for mitigating these problems have been outlined in UNCTAD resolutions 63 (III)s and 98 (IV).6 As pro- vided in those resolutions, it is, in fact, absolutely impera- tive that development financing for these countries be 5 See Proceedings ofthe United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Third Session, vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.73.Il.D.4), annex lA. 6 Ibid., F.ourth Session, vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.II.D.IO and corrigendum), part one A. 93. Primary commodities play an extremely large and vital role in the economies of the less developed countries as a group. Wild fluctuations in commodity prices are unde- sirable from any and all standpoints. It is clearly in the interest of the developed countries to aid the developing countries in stabilizing the prices of their primary com- modities. Here we have an ideal example of the way in which economic measures that benefit the developing countries can benefit the industrialized nations as well. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that, in helping the developing countries to become economically more self- reliant, the developed countries are creating vast new markets for their own exports. The ec.onomic potential of the developing countries is limitless, and their ability to increase demand is staggering. If we at the United Nations comprehend this, it is unfortunately true that we have not made it sufficiently clear to the citizens of the indus- trialized countries. Given a more informed perspective and, it is to be hoped, an improved effort by the mass media, many would undoubtedly realize that what they may now view as charity to the developing nations is actually investment on a massive scale, an inVl~stment that will bring :rich fruits to all. I do not deny that further dialogue and serious negotiations are needed, that more and better planning is essential, that new strategies are always welcome. But what is needed most is action and not misinterpretation of an agreed course of action. 95. Thus far we have failed to take decisive steps that will enable the developing countries to break the bonds of dependence and embark upon a new era of collective economic self-reliance. Only in this way will a truly interdependent world be created, for the kind of interde- pendence we are striving for will be characterized by the existence of mutually beneficial relationships among equal, self-respecting partners. This is our vision of a more equitable and just economic system. "... the inculcation not so much of new ideas or unknown strategies as of a new resolve to pursue vigorously a course that is already perceived with suf- ficient clarity." 7 The meeting rose at 12.35 p. m.