A/34/PV.41 General Assembly

I wish at the outset to express my regret t.hat we are beginning the meeting some 2S minutes after our appointed time. President Salim has repeatedly emphasized the need for us to begin our work promptly and I must appeal to all representatives to come to meetings on time. I address this appeal especial- ly to those whose names are inscribed on the list of speakers. Of the five members whose names appear on the list for this morning, four are either not here or are not ready to speak. I think this is rather regrettable. Before calling on the first speaker, I should like to re- mind representatives that, in accordance with the deci- sion taken by the General Assembly yesterday after- noon, the list of speakers in the debate on this item will be closed today at 5 p.m.

It is a significant coincidence that this debate is taking place against the background of an important, far-reaching and comprehensive statement made last week by the Chairman of the movement of non-aligned countries, President Fidel Castro [31stmeeting]. In that statement, the Chairman of the movement of non-aligned countries articulated a number of important decisions and pro- posals, jointly agreed upon by the Sixth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Coun- tries held at Havana from 3 to 9 September 1979. 1In ad- dition, he made some proposals which are very pertinent to the whole gamut of our collective struggle to create a more just and equitable international economic order. Representing as it does a non-aligned country which took an active part in the discussions and decisions ar- rived at at Havana, my delegation is convinced that I For the Final Declaration of the Conference, see document A/34/542. NEW YORK some of the proposals made by the Chairman of the non-aligned movement will significantly facilitate our current deliberations, as this Assembly is once again called upon to apply its energies to a subject which af- fects the life and death of millions of people allover the world. My delegation has never failed to seek to make a contribution towards the search for a more equitable and just economic order. 3. The persistent negative trends in the world economy have received increasingly serious attention from all members of the international community. It is not a coincidence, therefore, that the General Assembly has decided to consider this item relating to development and international economic co-operation as a priority item in its plenary meetings. This gives the Assembly an opportunity to review the critical problems fac.ng the world economy. More importantly, however, it gives the Assembly an opportunity to assess the progress made in the various negotiations aimed at the establish- ment of a more equitable and just international economic order and to devise new ways and means of ensuring the implementation of the goals and objectives of the New International Economic Order. 4. It is an undeniable fact that the economy is in a state of deep crisis. The non-aligned countries at their sixth summit conference, held at Havana, have underscored this fact in their Economic Declaration and Programme of Action for Economic Co-operation [see A/34/542, annex, sects. IV and V). The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the States members of the Group of 77 also underlined the structural nature of this crisis in the Declaration adopted at their meetings held at New York from 27 to 29 September this year [A/34/533 and Corr.I, annex). This crisis, which is characterized main- ly by widespread unemployment, galloping inflation, in- stability in international commodity trade, indebtedness and currency fluctuations, continues to slow down world economic growth in general. S. For the developing countries, whose economies are weaker and more vulnerable to external conditions, the crisis, which has created conditions most unfavourable to their development efforts, has led to the perpetua- tion, and in some cases even to the aggravation, of their state of underdevelopment. Thus, the economic situa- tion in most developing countries remains one of grave concern. While the terms of trade of most developing countries are deteriorating and their external debt burdens grow heavier, inflation in the industrialized countries continues to impose increasingly high costs on the food, fertilizer and capital goods which they import from the developed countries. This situation aggravates the already severe balance of payments difficulties ex- perienced by most developing countries. 6. The economic situation of the developing countries 7. It isbecomingincreasinglyclear, however, that these isolated measures adopted by some developed countries have not succeeded in bringing about lasting solutions to the world economic problems. Instead, they have led to increased economic misery of the developing coun- tries and to a deterioration of economic relations be- tween the developed and the developing countries. The failure ofthese isolated and piecemeal measures to bring about lasting solutions further confirms our conviction that the economic problems facing the world today stem from the underlying structural maladjustments and the fundamental disequilibrium in the existing international economic system. This has also increased the awareness that world societycan be rescued from further economic disruptions and political conflicts only by effecting fun- damental structural changes in the relations between the developed and the developing countries, within the framework of the New International Economic Order. 8. The Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the sixth special session of the General Assembly in 1974 [resolutions 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S- VI)], were the first collective effort made by the international com- munity towards the establishment of a New Interna- tional Economic Order. Tbe seventh special session of the General Assembly, on development and interna- tional economic co-operation, which followed in September 1975, adopted concrete guidelines for further negotiations intended to lead to the establishmentofthe New International Economic Order [see resolution 3362 (S- VIljJ. But the events which followed the spirit of the seventh special session continued to reveal the persistent lack of political will on the part of some developed countries whose policies, based on selfish and short- term interests, have prevented progress in the achieve- ment of the goals and objectives of the New Interna- tional Economic Order. 9. This lack of political will has been manifested in several forums where negotiations for the New Interna- tional Economic Order have taken place. The fourth session of UNCTAD, held at Nairobi in May 1976,and the Paris Conference on International Economic Co- operation, held in the summer of 1977, both ended without concrete decisions on structural changes. The results of the fifth session of UNCTAD, held at Manila in May and June 1979, also confirm this lack of political will to effect strueturalchanges. Although some pro- gress has been made in the negotiations for a Common Fund under the Integrated Programme for Com- 10. The General Assembly has made several attempts to promote and sustain the North-South dialogue. The establishment of the Committee of the Whole under General Assembly resolution 32/174 is one of the most significant attempts. The Committee was intended to oversee and monitor the implementation of decisions and agreements already reached in the relevant bodies of the United Nations system, as well as to provide the necessary political impetus for resolving difficulties in the various negotiations to encourage the North-South dialogue to continue. But before the Committee had an opportunity of resolving difficulties in other negotiating forums, it fell into difficulties when its mandate to take decisions was challenged b,y some developed countries. Although at its last session the General Assembly was able to resolve this problem after intensive consulta- tions, developed countries continued to display the lack of political will which prevented the Committee from taking concrete and action-oriented decisions. For ex- ample, at its recent session held in September this year, the Committee could not reach agreement on measures to assist the least developed countries among the developing countries and other countries which are in a disadvantageous position. II. This record of continuous dialogue and consistent inaction clearly demonstrates that some developed countries are determined to defend tile unequal world at all costs. The developing countries, on the other hand, have always demonstrated their willingnessto enter into negotiations with a genuine desire to promote true in- terdependence based on the principle of mutual benefits and sovereign equality. But their tolerance is not limitless. Unless their willingness to negotiate is met with a similar desire for the search for peace and justice from the developed countries, further economic disrup- tions and political conflicts are bound to occur, for there can be no permanent coexistence between poverty and affluence, squalor and prosperity or development and under-development. 12. Both at the Sixth summit conference of the non- aligned countries and at the recent ministerial meeting of the .Group of 77, the developing countries have ex- pressed their desire to enter into a new round of global negotiations on international economic cooperation for development within the United Nations system, with the full participation of all States. It must be emphasized, however, that the success of these negotiations will de- pend upon a clear commitment, by the developed coun- tries in particular, to engage in genuine negotiations in the context of the establishment of the New Interna- tional Economic Order and within a specified time- frame. Only then can we hope that the new round of global negotiations will contribute significantly to the implementation of the international development strategy for the third United Nations Development 2 SeeProceedings 0/ the 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, sect. A, resolution 93 (IV). .13. .Mr, KEATING (Ireland): On behalf of the Euro- pean Community and its member States, I would like to thank the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg, for the excellent and detailed report which he delivered to us yesterday [40th meeting] on the work of the Committee. ~ should also like to thank Mr. Stoltenberg for the very great effort he has put into the chairmanship of the Committee, an effort which was not confined to presiding over and guiding our work when the Committee was in session, but which involved lengthy and frequent consultations with the various groups during periods between meetings. Such consultations were, we believe, very useful and con- tributed to the success of our work. 14. We have so far in our debate been able to listen to the statements of a number of countries outlining their views on the problems facing the international com- munity. We have listened to these contributions most at- tentively. In particular we have noted with interest the statement of the spokesman of the Group of 77, the representative-of'.India [ibid.], and we welcome the tone he has set for our debate. IS. We are now considering the proposal introduced by the Group of 77 in the Committee of the Whole on global negotiations relating to international economic co-operation for development [A/34/34, part three, an- nex 1]. The Community recognizes the importance of this proposal and is ready to consider it in a constructive way. This proposal represents an important initiative designed to give impetus to international economic co-operation. We would like the General Assembly to concentrate initially on the general orientation of the negotiations as well as on examining procedures through which the proposal could be pursued. It would not be in the interest of international co-operation to enter into a series of negotiations on a world scale without being certain that we all approach this exercise in the same spirit. 16. In order to benefit from the experience of the past and give more impetus to the progress of co-operation between the rich and the poor, we should be fully aware of action that has already been taken and is being taken. To ignore this 'would in reality make the process of decision-making more complicated and progress more difficult. 17. Although in recent years international co-operation was not as fruitful as we would have wished and was handicapped by the crisis in the world economic situa- tion and the difficulty in overcoming it, some important results have been achieved. In particular, there has been a remarkable expansion of the activities and resources of the international financial institutions, both on a regional and on a world level. In other fields agreement has been reached, inter alia, on the fundamental elements of the Common Fund; the GATT multilateral trade negotiations-from which the developing coun- tries stand to gain considerable benefits-have been brought to a conclusion and a new programme of work is being undertaken on the problems of the least developed countries. 19. Such an approach could promote discussions which would be beyond the scope of anyone of the specialized organizations of the international system. But each of those organizations has and must retain its own responsibilities, and duplication should be avoided. 20. In order to have any real chanc~s of success, it will be necessary to concentrate on certain main problem areas where there are special difficulties and where we think collectively that real progress can and should be made. When we have identified such subjects, we should ensure that, where competent organizations already exist, those organizations give them proper at- tention; where the organizations do not exist, we should consider how and where the subjects could best be handled. These negotiations should, in our view, make a significant contribution to the implementation of the in- ternational development strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade. 21. The Committee of the Whole should, accordingly, concentrate on preparing a coherent and selective agen- da, taking into account the viewpoints of all groups of countries and bearing in mind the progress of ongoing international economic co-operation. 22. We consider that the improvement of the world eco~omic.situation, which today is characterized by in- flation, high unemployment, balance-of-payments dis- equilibria and the growing debt of many developing countries, should be an essential objective of our efforts because such an improvement would both facilitate the adoption of measures for development and increase their impact. None the less, the European Community does not pretend that the problem of economic relations is only one of good management of the world economy. The share and role of developing countries in the world economy should be increased and we should attempt to bring about a new and more just international economic order. 23. The Community considers that, among the prob- lems, energy should occupy an important place in the international economic discussions and it welcomes the fact that the Group of 77 has taken account of it. But energy should not only be treated in a general framework. As in other important problem areas which will be treated in the global round, we must strike the right balance in the energy field between the integrated approach of the global negotiations and more specific problems which should be treated in other forums. The Community has noted and studied with interest the pro- posals which the Secretary-General, Mr. Waldheim, has made on a number of occasions in the past and par- ticularly at the last session of the Economic and Social Council. The Community has also listened carefully to the proposals made by the President of Mexico, Mr. Lopez Portillo, at this session of the General Assembly [11th meeting], and believes that they must be carefully studied. 2S. The degree to which the concerns of all parties, in- cluding those of the Community, are met during the preparatory phase, will of course determine whether global negotiations will be launched at the special ses- sion of the General Assembly in 1980. The Community will play an active role in the preparatory phase and is hopeful that as a result of our joint endeavours, the 1980 special session of the General Assembly will be able to launch a round of meaningful negotiations.

The report sub- mitted bv the Committee of the Whole as wellas yester- day's statement by its Chairman, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg, provided us with a good opportunity to review the work of the Committee during the past year and the years that followed its establishment. 27. Many of us harboured the hope that the Commit- tee would give an impetus to more successful negotia- tions on international economic co-operation. However, as has often been the case, it has been proved that dif- ferent organizational forms cannot bea substitute for policy. I should like to quote here what Mr. Stoltenberg said yesterday: . "At the end of the session [of the Committee of the Whole] I made the point that I felt it was not in our interest-and I meant the interest of all of us, developing and developed countries alike-to juggle with words in such a way that the world would get the impression that all was well, that progress had been made, and that agreement had been reached, when it was obvious that differences were verygreat indeed. I felt-and I believe the Committee agreed-that it would be better and more effective to recognize that we were far apart and to tell the world so." [40th meeting. para 21.] Such an outcome of the Committee's work, along with lack of progress in the negotiations conducted in other United Nations bodies, shows that ·international economic negotiations have reached an impasse. Moreover, life is not a bed of roses for other broader or narrower regional economic bodies acting outside the United Nations. That fact shows that it is becomingever more difficult to find effective, lasting and stable solu- tions to economic problems within a region or subregion, or whatever regional designation one chooses. We are increasingly dependent on each other. 28. My delegation feels that the tasks that we have to carry out at this particular time by joint effort in the economic sphere, within the framework of the United Nations, are specific ones and that it is difficult to com- pare them with any previous period or situation. Therefore, we hold that the agenda item which we are discussing today is an exceptionally important one. 29. As I have already pointed out, mutual economic interdependence is constantly growing. However, the content of interdependence varies. We are all wellaware that it may have both positive and negative conse- quences, which may be useful to some and detrimental 30. We do admit that interdependence exists and that it is constantly growing, in proportion to and in direct connexion with the growth of material wealth and spiritual values in the world. Our age is characterized by deep socio-economic changes that affect the degree of interdependence. These changes, if ignored, may sometimes have a negative impact on international rela- tions. However, viewedin the long term, developments are bound to confirm, sooner or later, that the re- quirements of co-operation make the normalization of relationsamong all States inevitable- as has been proved once again in practice. 31. When speaking of interdependence, we consider that everyState Member of the world Organization, as ~ sovereign country, should be in the position freely to decide on all the forms of its international economic associations; to assess freely and without outside pressure which economic policies suit it best, and to determine freelyand in a self-designedand autonomous manner what paths it will take towards its own economic and social development. Of course, that development and the Jinks with the outside world should not be detrimental to other countries. We do not believe that independence is incompatible with interde- pendence, provided that interdependence is founded on equality. Only that sort of interdependence can promote peace and progress. 32. There is yet another essential characteristic of the present-day world, namely, that the world has never before known so many different social systems with such great differences in levels of development. However~ in spite of all this, we can say that these dif- ferences have not diminished but, on the.contrary, have increased the need for co-operation in diversity. The ap- pearance, for example, of developing countries on the international scene is illustrative in that regard. 33. Another matter on which I should like to comment is the existenceof a somewhat outdated and sometimes one-sided assessmentof the world economic situatiop. I have listened very carefully to the statements made in that connexion. I think that there has not been a single statement in which one could not find something positive, good, and even more or less acceptable to all. Unfortunately, what waslessacceptable to all prevailed. Whether we like it or not, when anything that is said or proposed here is known to be unacceptable to the developing countries, it is at variance with the seriousnessof the issues. Moreover, I wish to say that it is not possible to conduct successful negotiations if, in- stead of concrete proposals, we follow the logic of a Yugoslav proverb which states: "I see a hair in some- one else's eye, but I do not see a log in mine.tt Every negotiation can be successful, if there is political will and if the rights and responsibilities of the negotiators are clearly perceived. In the negotiating process the most important thing is that all the participants should find their interest in it, bearing in mind that the ac- celerated development of the developing countries is in- dispensable and in the interest of all countries. These are some ofthe prerequisites, in our view, for the successof the forthcoming negotiations. 35...Economic relations between the developing and the developed countries are certainly the central prob- lem that we arc discussing today. It goes without say- ing that the developing countries must, in their own in- terest, exert every possible effort to promote mutual co-operation among themselvesto a much greater extent and in a more organized manner. 36. Relations between the developed and developing countries are frequently described in a rather simplified manner as so-called North-South relations or dialogue. It is obvious, meanwhile, that genuine global negotia- tions call for a new universal approach and that in such negotiations, all developed countries should assume their share of responsibility, as is rightly expected of them. The United Nations is the most appropriate forum for such negotiations. In saying this, I do not mean that we should underestimate the contributions to global negotiations of various regiQnal and subregional forms of co-operation, whether within the United Na- tions framework or outside it. We feel that only such a universal approach to negotiations can ensure rapid development of the developing countries and, at the same time, lead to increasingly harmonious relation- ships in the world as a whole. 37. The acuteness of the problem of the development of the developing countries, as well as other problems with which the present-day world is more than ever before faced, has produced a host of suggestions and ideas for resolving them. Having preciselythis in view, I feel that it would beuseful to analyse the numerous pro- posals in a realistic and objective way and to single out those likely to lead to the establishment of more equitable economic relations in the world. Of course, this can be done only in an open and democratic dialogue, and for such a dialogue there is no better forum than the United Nations. I believe therefore that all those who are, for one reason or another, trying to circumvent the United Nations, are making a great mistake. 38. Much has been said here about the current state of international economic relations. The vast majority of speakers have emphasized that the situation is serious. Some speakers have called it a crisis; others have spoken of difficulties. Some representatives, however, did not say much about th~ diffic~lties of their own countries but talked of the difficulties of others. Anyway, the time in which we live is beset with difficulties which threaten to become even greater. It is, at the same time, fraught with serious political consequences. 39. Bearing this in mind and aware of the gravity of 40. The present debate, and the ideas, suggestions and proposals emerging from it, could contribute towards promoting a better climate for negotiations. The debate should contribute to the solution of outstanding prob- lems. In this respect, it is also of crucial importance what degree of political readiness will be manifested by the large and rich countries whose role in all this is major. 41. Global negotiations, we feel, should cover the economic issues that the Group of 77 has already presented in the Committee of the Whole. If global negotiations do not lead to tangible results, then I am afraid they will be a waste of time. They should not be reduced to a mere political forum for laying down a framework and guidelines for further negotiations. We already have this. In fact, the dialogue has been going on for the last 20 years. We had two special sessions of the General Assembly, the sixth and the seventh, wherea. political consensus and framework for further action were achieved. As has already been pointed out by a number of my colleques in this debate, the time has come to move from words to deeds. In this regard, my delegation fully shares the opinion expressed yesterday by the spokesman for the Group of 77, our colleague and friend Mr. K. R. Narayanan, the representative of India, when he said: "We want to make it clear that this is not intended to be a repetition of the Conference on International Economic Co-operation which was held in Paris". [40th meeting, para. 48.] 42. We think that no subject of global negotiations should be subordinated to any other subject. We con- ~ider that all questions should be treated concurrently. A simultaneous approach is important, as it provides an easier and deeper insight into the global state of negotia- tions. 43. As regards prepar"tions for the negotiations, we willhave to effect them at the national and international levels. It is of great importance that all participants take an active part in the nelotiations. They should also pro- pose various concrete measures which could serve as a basis for a common synthesis. The Committee of the 45. The work of the Committee should be organized in such a way as to make it possible to complete all the necessary preparations for the special session of the General Assembly to be held at some reasonable time next year. In accordance with its mandate, the Commit- tee could set up the requisite number of working groups. Preparations for global negotiations could, in fact, be a continuing process. We think that the first session of the Committee should be held as soon as possible. 46. As the new international development strategy is also to be adopted at the special session of the General Assembly, the formulation of the strategy should be in- tensified, particularly since those two endeavours are complementary and interlinked. 47. By initiating global negotiations, the non-aligned countries have once again demonstrated their construc- tive role in international relations. 48. Fortunately, no serious objections have so far been raised. This does not mean that everyone likes this proposal. However, it is obvious that the vast majority is in favour of the negotiations. In the course of blfor- mal discussions that have taken place here, a few col- leagues have posed questions to me with regard to the substance and the aim of negotiations. It is not difficult to answer such questions. The aim of the negotiations should be the establishment of more equitable interna- tional economic relations, relations that can promote the interests of mankind as a whole and strengthen peace and solidarity in the world. The main subjects to be discussed are more or less known already. 49. Before I conclude, I should like to stress once again that my delegation is deeply convinced that inter- national economic relations can be improved only through open dialogue in which all countries will par- ticipate and demonstrate appropriate political will. Such a dialogue willlead the world, albeit gradually, towards ever more equitable relations. SO. In this respect, may I recall that at one time-let us say 50,40 or-even 30 years a~o-when someone spoke of the collapse of colonialism, many saw that as a Utopia, as one of our colleagues in the Second Committee eloquently stated the other day. The New International Economic Order may seem utopian to some people today. But it is a fact that new relationships are emerging. The new should be more just than the old, and should lead to greater prosperity for all. SI. Mr. MESTIRI (Tunisia) (interpretation from French): Exactly one year ago, the General Assembly considered the report of the Committee of the Whole Established under General Assembly Resolution 32/174 and adopted resolution 33/2 in which it redefined the Committee's mandate and recognized its role as a 52. A year has gone by-a year during which we should like to have seen substantial progress achieved in international .economic negotiations, a year during which we had hoped to take important steps towards the building of a, new economic order based on equity, justice and sovereign equality. Yet, as has been rightly emphasized in the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization, the past year has been full of uncertainty, tension and conflict (see A/34/J,sect.IJ. 53. This is certainly true with regard to international economic negotiations, in which, as Mr. Dadzie, Director-General for Development and International Economic Co-operation, pointed out in his statement to the -Second Committee on 1October, "the North-South dialoaue has stalled. What little progress has been achieved has been limited and piecemeal."! I 54. Of course, the Committee of the Whole, whose report we are considering today under agenda item 55 (a), has, thanks to the determination and skill of its Chairman, Mr. Stoltenberg, been able to achieve pro- gress on certain subjects, such as the transfer of resources in real terms to developing countries or world food problems and agricultural development. Never- theless, the impetus to go further and to achieve more ambitious goals has come up against resist- ance to change on the part of several industri- alized countries, and not the least of them. 55. In the face of this discouraging attitude, we should recall that developing countries have not given up and that-making the best of a bad situation, as it were- they have shown creative imagination in a final attempt to find a ~ay out of the impasse in the North-South dialogue by suggesting a series of global negotiations. 56. It is a commonplace to state that international economic relations are characterized by a domination of the poor and under-developed South by the in- dustrialized and wealthy North. Such subjection of the developing countries is reflected in the existence and maintenance of relationships of dependency vis- a-vis the industrialized world, relationships based on injustice, domination and exploitation. 57. The fragile economies of the developing countries are, furthermore, continuing to suffer the deleterious influences of the cyclical crises prevalent in industrialized countries', crises that result 'in a declining rate of growth, persistent unemployment and galloping inflation. 58. The industrialized countries, with few exceptions, have remained deaf to the repeated appe~s made by the deveiopina worid for the adoption of necessary changes aimed at brinaina abou~ a fundamental restructuring of international economic relations, in accordance with the objectives of the new international economic order. 3 Seedocument A/C.2/34/4, p. 8.Thisdocument contains theeem- pletetextof thestatement which appearsinsummary forminO/ficial R«ordl 0/ th, Gtntral ASHmbly, Thirty-!ourth Sa$ion, Stcond Committtt, 4th meetin•• para. 20-34, and ibid., Stcond Committtt, 8a!ional FtllCicl" corri.endum. 60. Conference after conference and meeting after mee~ing take place at which interminable discussions and negotiations produce only the most meagre results: either they adopt by consensus texts that are almost totally devoid of substance, or they merely note the enormous gap between fixed and rigid positions which neither a chairman's patience nor the "goodwill" pro- fessed by both sides has been able to narrow. 61. Unfortunately, most of the time, the Committee of the Whole has not escaped that process, which generates frustration and even bitterness. 62. In the three sessions it has held, the Committee of the Whole has indeed succeeded in adopting some agreed conclusions on the question of the transfer of resources and on the problems of food and agricultural development. Those results had been considered en- couraging, and they certainly deserved to be followed by more important progress in other items inscribed in the Committee's agenda. ,- 63. But the refusal of the major developed countries to allow the Committee of the Whole to make progress in the matter of industrialization, which would have open- ed up new horizons for the Third General Conference of UNIDO to be held at New Delhi in the early part of 1980, has been a great disappointment to the developing coun- tries. They were particularly disappointed by the refusal of several of our partners to abandon their traditional attitudes regarding the achievement of the objectives of the Lima Conference,s the industrial redeployment for the benefit of developing countries, the transfer of technology, the access to markets, the regulation and control of the negative and harmful aspects of the ac- tivities of transnational corporations, the elimination of restrictive business practices and so on. 64. The same negative attitude was apparent during the consideration of draft resolutions on special categories of developing countries, whose increased dif- ficulties should have led the international community to adopt special measures for their benefit. 65. Thus the developing countries, in their desire to solve through dialogue and concerted efforts the prob- lems they face in the fields of development, financing, trade, commodities, technology and so on, are increas- ingly and continually meeting with resistance, a resistance which is subtle, .to be sure, but determined in its opposition to any change. 66. Even the most optimistic observer cannot but be concerned over the rather sombre and even quite demoralizing situation which today, more than ever before, prevails in international economic relations which are characterized by lack of balance in trade, deterioration in the terms of trade, stifling protec- tionism, increasing deterioration of the international monetary system, galloping inflation, excessive growth in the indebtedness of the developing countries and so on. 4 Second General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, held at Lima from 12 to 26 March 1975. 68. During the past few years, we have felt the press- ing need to undertake a substantive and comprehensive North-South dialogue covering the fundamental and urgent problems which are impeding the development and strengthening of international economic relations on a more just and more equitable basis. 69. Aware of the scope of the crisis in the world econ- omy and of the need to deal with it with remedial meas- ures which would take account of the interdependence of nations as well as of the interdependence of prob- lems, the developing countries demonstrated, first at the sixth summit C~nference of the non-aligned coun- tries at Havana and In the Group of 77, and later in the Committee of the Whole, a highly developed 'sense of responsibility and good judgement in proposing to undertake comprehensive and detailed negotiations on the most pressing and crucial problems facing the world community in the field of international economic rela- tions. 70. Taking full account of both the relative successes and the failures of the experiences of the past, the Group of 77, in an effort to be realistic in their ambi- tions and moderate with regard to means, submitted specific proposals to break the deadlock and move for- ward the international economic negotiations. These were clear proposals outlining the framework and the procedure, a framework uniting us all and a procedure enabling us to prepare ourselves and ensure every condi- tion for the success of a global dialogue which we want to be a fruitful and constructive one. 71. Far be it from us, developing countries, to claim that. this round of global negotiations will, as if by magic, solve all the problems in international economic relations facing the international community. 72. What we advocate and what we ask the General Assembly to do is the following. First, to undertake a stage of detailed preparation in order to determine the ~ature, the scope and the impact of the various ques- nons to be included in the proposed global negotiations. Indeed, if we can define the problem clearly, it will be partly solved. That would enable us to avoid the obstacles and the procedural difficulties that have been impediments to other international conferences and to define the specific subjects on which negotiations will be held. That exploratory and preparatory work should be entrusted to the Committee of the Whole, which has proved to be a flexible, practical and even effective in- strument when political will was not lacking and, in any case, a good forum for negotiation. 74. Thirdly, we demand the inclusion in these negotia- tions, as is expressly stated in the draft resolution of the Group of 77, of raw materials, energy, trade, develop- ment and monetary and financial problems. 7S. Fourthly, we must scrupulously ensure that the negotiations on the different agenda items should go hand in hand with progress towards the achievement of the results expected from the negotiations. Since the ap- proach is a global one, the progress and the results on the various questions must be interrelated. 76. Fifthly, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that the world negotiations do not interfere in any way with other important negotiations being carried on in other forums of the United Nations, as is expressely mention- ed in the operative paragraph 3 of the draft resolution annexed to the report of the Committee of the Whole [see/34/34. part three ]. 77. We were happy to note that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of several developed countries sup- ported, in the statements which they made from this rostrum during the general debate, the proposal of the Group of the 77 concerning global negotiations. We believe that it is time for the General Assembly to decide without delay to undertake these negotiations, which we should like to be global and action-oriented. 78. At the dose of the session of the Committee of the Whole and at the express demand of the industrialized countries, we agreed to the postponment of the con- sideration of our proposal to this session of the General Assembly. We hope that the time for reflection has enabled those who felt some reticence and hesitancy to realize the importance and interest of the offer made to them. 79. Tunisia has alway, believed in the virtues of dialogue and of concerted efforts. We have never wanted to think that the arguments developed by our partners in the industrialized world on the in- -terdependence of nations were mere slogans. We have always refused to imagine that their statments on the universality of economic problems and their interrela- tionship were merely statements of compassion regard- ing the serious problems with which the developing countries are struggling. 80. Therefore, the time has come to commence con- structive negotiations, and the occasion certainly lends itself to this. In the last analysis those negotiations must lead us, together and in true and freely chosen in- terdependence, towards the establishment of the new in- ternational economic order.

Gambia is one of the smallest Members of this Organization. It is a15:0 one of the least naturally endowed countries of the world. 82. Yet, in common with any other people, the people of Gambia aspire to a healthy,' decent and respectable way of life. This brings them into a direct confrontation with the harsh and, for small and poor countries, bewildering economic realities of modern times. This is the first motivation for our keen interest in international economic relations and international co-operation for development. For us, it is a matter of survival and dignity. 83. From the outset, I must reiterate that we do not wish, nor do we expect, the international community or external agencies to solve our problems for us, in- domitable as these problems may appear. When we at- tained independence less than IS years ago, we im- mediately took cognizance of the heavy responsibilities that go with sovereignty and began facing up to those responsibilities-that is to say, the·enhancement of the standard of living and the overall social well-being of all Gambians. By the time we celebrated our tenth anniver- sary of nationhood, agricultural production, which is the mainstay of our economy, had increased by over 100 per cent. Health care and medical facilities are up today by some 150 per cent, enrolment in educational institu- tions is up by a similar figure and, by the end of 1973, in- ternational financial institutions considered our foreign reserves and balance of payments very healthy indeed. 84. At the international level, we have worked very closely with all our neighbors to establish our sub- regional organizations, such as the Organization for the Development of the Gambia River Basin, the Inter- State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel, the Economic Community of West African States, as well as a considerable number of bilateral economic agree- ments with all the neighboring States in the subregion. 8S. I have referred to the efforts which we continue to make, as well as to our achievements, in order to underscore our natural bent as a people, and our policy as a Government, to be primarily self-reliant. 86. Our strenuous efforts towards self-development notwithstanding, a large majority of our population are among the 800 million human beings who, according to World Bank statistics, are below the absolute poverty line. This has brought us to the increasing realization that our economic and development problems are part of a global pattern of economic crisis and that, while facing up to the problems at home, we should also join all members of the international community in a com- mon effort to overcome what, to l15, is a crisis. 87. Therefore, we re-echo the call by the Group of 77, following the lead by the sixth Conference of the non- aligned countries, for a fresh initiative and impetus for a new round of global negotiations aimed at establishing the anticipated New International Economic Order. 88. We are appreciative of the departures and progress made in international negotiating forums, for example, at the sixth and seventh special sessions of the United Nations General Assembly held at Headquarters in 1974 89. In the Second Committee, in which I have the honor of representing my country, I have heard at- tempts by representatives from some industrialized countries to rationalize the lack of disposition on the part of their countries and Governments to engage in in- ternational ~fforts to overcome the world economic crisis. Someof these representatives say that their coun- tries are too preoccupied with acute internal economic problems to devote any attention to what they consider external matters. Our response to this is simple. A con- siderable proportion of the causes of their internal economic problems originate from external factors. It follows that in order to solve their internal problems these countries will haveto disavow protectionist and isolationist policies. The root cause of their internal problems is to be found within the international eco- nomic system, and that is where the curative attempt should begin. 90. Some sub-groups within the industrialized world give reasons of principle and history for their want of enthusiasm to join the international effort to solve the crisis. They consider themselves absolved from the historical causes of the crisis, and therefore maintain only a peripheral interest in the search for a solution. Their position reminds us of the doctor who would not attend the victim of an accident of which he was not guilty. 91 . We cannot help looking askance at the determina- tion of the developed countries not to enter into serious, action-oriented global negotiations. We concede that they have attained higher livingstandards and enjoy bet- ter social services, but as far as our personal experience goes, and if we are to believe the official declarations of their Governments, the present state of their economies, both individually and collectively, gives them many reasons for concern. 92. We are all the more surprised when we consider that we, the developing countries, with which there is a reluctance to negotiate, are not incapable of making valuable and even decisive contributions towards a pro- gressive and expedient resolution of the world economic crisis. We have substantial material. human and moral resources that we are able and willing to contribute 93. The substantial contents of the first Lome Con- vention and the not so substantial, but still meaningful, results of the second Lome Conference, as well as some of the decisions of the fifth session of UNCTAD, held at Manila, and the recent trend initiated by Scandina- vian Governments-and followed by a number of other Western Governments-to write off loans to least developed countries and most seriously affected coun- tries, were very hooeful and promising indicators for those of us who come from such countries. It is therefore easy to imagine our disappointment at the failure of the. third session of the Committee of. the Whole to endorse the texts .~ppearing in annexes IV, V and VII of the above-mentioned document. Specifi- cally, those annexes urge the international community to accord added special considerations for urgent assistance to the least developed, the most seriously affected and the land-locked developing countries. 94. It is our ardent wish that at its thirty-fourth session the General Assembly will review and reverse the deci- sion of the Committee of the Whole on those proposals. Since we come from a small country that is not only one of the least developed and most seriously affected coun- tries, but also one that lies within the climatically af- flicted Sahelian zone of West Africa, those proposals have special significance for the Gambian delegation, The vagaries of the weather, the energy crisis and the in- equitable international economic system have all con- nived to deprive the peoples of the least developed coun- tries, the most seriously affected developing countries and the naturally disaster-prone countries not only of any livelihood worth speaking of, but also of any future worth looking forward to. 95. That is to say, by a sinister coincidence, purely extraneous factors have joined forces to deprive our peoples of their first and most valued and sought-after human right, the right to a healthy and full life in decent and respectable circumstances. As a people and as a Government, we in Gambia are always heartened and encouraged to hear any call for respect for the principles and the practice of human rights. It is our belief, rein- forced by experience, that a human being cannot enjoy too many rights, as long as those rights do not encroach upon those of his fellow men. 96. But permit me to reiterate our conviction, based on the experience of hard realities, that if there is one primordial human right, it IS the right to the means to enjoy a healthy and respectable life. No amount of con- stitutionality, no legal system, however equitable, will provide nourishment for a starving human being or medical care for the sick. 97. We implore our many friends in the international community to take cognizance of these hard realities 99. We believe this can be done through a positive change of attitude that would lead to a willingness to enter into serious negotiations with us and all other countries that share our predicament.

Before calling on the next speaker, I should like to make the following obsen tions for the attention of the General Assembly. T~ begin with, I should like to endorse fully what the acting President said this morning to the Assemblywith regard to the late starting of our meetings. 101. I know that one should not make repeated ap- peals, but I want to draw the attention of the Assembly to the special problem that we face both in the General Committee and in the Assembly in planning our meetings. 102. This morning, the meeting started 25 minutes late for two reasons. The first was the lack of a quorum and the second was that, of those five members who were scheduled tospeak, four were not present when they were supposed to be addressing the Assembly. This causes tremendous problems in terms of planning for the meetings. This year the General Assembly, at the plenary level, has a number of items on its agenda. In fact, it is true to say that we are supposed to have a plenary meeting almost daily on specific items. 103. In order to cope with this heavy schedule of work, meetings have to be arranged in advance and proper planning must be done. If we are compelled for one reason or another to start our meetings late, we are in- variaoly forced to end them late, sometimes later than anticipated, thereby taking up time allotted to another item. 104. For these reasons, I wish once again to make a solemn appeal to all members of the Assemblyto adhere strictly to the decision which the Assembly itself, in its wisdom, took at the very beginning of our session. 105. The second point I wish to make-and I made it yesterday in our meeting-is with regard to those delegations whose names have been inscribed to take part in the debate. I appeal to them to attend at the time when they are scheduled to address the Assembly. Otherwise I shall be compelled to have them speak at the very end. 107. This is a trend which, as I am sure all represen- tatives will agree, is not very healthy, particularly bear- ing in mind the fact that members of this Assembly knew very well in advance that we weregoing to take up the item now before us. I should like therefore to appeal once again to the Assembly that we do everything possi- ble to avoid a situation in which, because of the limited number of speakers on a given item, we are compelled to cancel a meeting.

In the statement made recently by the delega- tion of Spain in the debate of the Second Committee, we have already outlined our position on the proposal of the Group of 77 concerning global negotiations, and we have publicly stated our positive agreement to it. Now let me explain in greater detail the basic features of our position. 109. First of all, it is imperative to establish a new system of international economic relations based on equality and the common interest of all countries, and aimed at bringing about the new international economic order. 110. Secondly, this cannot be achieved through im- provised methods or fragmentary reforms designed to resolve transitory economic difficulties. Instead, it re- quires changes in world economic structures. 111. Thirdly, notwithstanding the large number of in- ternational meetings and conferences, the purpose of which was to bring about the new international economic order, and although their achievements are not entirely negligible, there can be no doubt that the progress made has been inadequate. This is due to several reasons: a lack of political will, the precarious nature of the economic situation which is due inter alia to repeated, sudden and massiveincreases in the price of oil, the general atmosphere of uncertainty, and so on. 112. Fourthly, the results of the Conference on Inter- national Economic Co-operation werefar from being en- tirely satisfactory to the participants. At that Con- ference, the industrialized countries did not achieve what they had intended to achieve in the sphere of energy. Since then, the Spanish delegation has repeated- ly emphasized, in international forums dealing with economic matters, the need to set up a permanent dialogue on the subject of energy. As we have already stated in the Second Committee, we fully support in this respect the wise proposal of President Lopez Portillo at this session of the General Assembly for the elaboration of a world energy plan. We hope that the negotiations to which the President of Mexico referred [JJth meeting, para. 68] will soon become a reality. 113. Fifthly, the Spanish delegation therefore welcomes the proposal of the Group of 77 on the establishment of global negotiations on energy, primary commodities, trade, development and monetary and 114. Sixthly, since the result of these negotiations will affect the world economy, we find it logical that they should be held with universal participation and conse- quently within the framework of the United Nations. 11S. Seventhly, we believe that these negotiations 116. Eighthly, as we see it, it is indispensable that in the global negotiations a voice be given to developed countries which are not oil exporters and whose balance of payments, levels of employment and general economic situation have suffered gravely for several years now as a result of successiveincreases in the price of energy.