A/39/PV.50 General Assembly

The critical economic situation in Africa is a subject of deep concern for the entire international community. The seriousness and the rapid deterioration of the situation, its historic as well as its immediate causes, its consequences and repercussions, continent-wide as well as world-wide, and the scope and urgency of the problems to be solved, have all been very relevantly highlighted in the report [A/39/594] and the note [A/39/627] of the Secretary-General as well as in the statements of many delegations to the Assembly. 2. The seriousness ofthe situation demonstrates the depth of the economic crisis in Africa, and my delegation would like to emphasize the following aspects of it. 3. First, the annual increase of gross national product is literally at a standstill. It was negative in 1981, zero in 1982 and increased by only 0.1 per cent in 1983. National per capita income has dropped every year since 1980 by 4.1 per cent on average. 4. Secondly, in many countries agricultural produc- tion has declined from year to year. From 1976 to 1982 food production dropped on an average by 0.9 per cent every year. At the present time 150 million human lives are threatened by starvation. 5. Thirdly, the problem of external indebtedness is ofparticular concern. From 1973 to 1982 the amount of that debt increased fivefold. Towards the end of 1983 it had reached $150 billion. The servicing alone of Africa's debt absorbs 23 per cent of the export earnings ofAfrican countries and in some cases up to 50 per cent. 6. Fourthly-and this to crown all the difficulties- 80 per cent of the African countries are victims of natural disasters. The drought which has raged since 1980 has turned out to be the most serious of this century and is affecting 34 countries. Desertification is speeding up at a terrifying pa<;e and causing African countries to lose 6 million 'hectares of land every year. 7. The far-reaching causes of this critical economic situation in Africa have made the African economies NEW YORK extremely vulnerable to the harmful repercussions and consequences of the economic crisis of the capitalist system, as have adjustment measures taken to their detriment, and have deprived African coun- tries of the ability to react to the assaults of natural disasters. Many African delegations have already given exhaustive analyses of the consequences of underdevelopment inherited from prolonged colonial exploitation and domination, exacerbated by the neo-colonialist stranglehold which made African economies excessively dependent on foreign capital, technology and markets and extremely vulnerable to the negative repercussions of the current world economic environment. 8. Certainly the economic crisis of 1980-1982, with its monetary and financial disorder and the deterio- ration of international terms of trade, has had a serious effect on African economies. The policy of high interest rates and the intensified protectionist measures have further exacerbated an already alarm- ing situation. In 1982 African countries in the sub- Saharan region alone had to pay $3.2 billion for debt servicing. The African economies, which count large- lyon the export of primary commodities, have been in desperate straits because ofthe largest reduction in the price of these commodities in the past 40 years. Their export revenue consequently fell by 15 per cent from 1981 to 1983 and their terms of trade fell by 50 per cent from 1977 to 1981. 9. Furthermore, official development assistance for African countries did not increase at the beginning of the 1980s, whereas foreign investment dropped from $14.2 billion in 1982 to $7.8 billion in 1983. In such circumstances, African countries have no choice but to resort to loans from private banks, which inevit- ably impose on them high interest rates and very strict payment conditions. 10. Urgent and effective solutions to this critical economic situation in Africa are necessary. Delay would lead to devastating consequences for African countries and would have unpredictable repercus- sions on the international economic and political situation as a whole. 11. The delegation of Viet Nam gives full weight to the enormous, sustained efforts exerted by the Afri- can countries to overcome the present difficulties. Nevertheless, it is the unanimous opinion of delega- tions that the seriou~ness and scope of the problem have gone beyond what the African economies can cope with alone in present circumstances. The assis- tance of the international community is more neces- sary and urgent than ever before. This assistance must, moreover, be considered as an international obligation, above all on the part of the countries which have the greatest potential to grant such assistance and which are more or less involved in the historical origins of the situation. ur~ent food assistance to Africa should be the highest ful. We are optimistic that this year will be marked pnority ofthe international community, especially of by stability and progress, with less tumult. the countries that export foodstuffs, because the 2 d I . I . h h S G survival of 150 million people is now seriously 1. My e egatIon a so WIS es t e ecretary- ener- threatened by famine. Secondly, concrete and effec- at every success and commends him on his enormous tive measures to assist countries of Africa to attain efforts to help the Organization attain its objectives. food self-reliance should be put into e'ffer.t at the 22. The economic situation in the world at large is same time. in a state of acute crisis which we hope will not lead 15. In order to help African countries to overcome to disastrous results. However, everything is relative, the difficulties involved in debt servicing, which and from this viewpoint, the economic crisis in dangerously undermine their development efforts, Africa especially has assumed dire proportions. That the creditor countries should envisage the resched- this item has been included in the agenda for this uling ofthat debt or its cancellation in the case of the session is a positive measure opening up constructive least advanced or the most gravely stricken countries. dialogue which will at least have the effect of drawing Furthermore, a considerable increase in multilateral the attention of the international community to the and bilateral financial resources for long-term social seriousness of the situation prevailing on that impor- and economic development would be highly useful in tant continent. Truly, the economic, financial and giving an impetus to the development plans vf every food situation in Africa is a twentieth century African country. tragedy. If the First and Second World Wars were the tragedies of the first half of the century, then famine 16. With regard to long-term measures, my delega- in Mrica is the tragedy of the second half. tion warmly welcomes proposals to build indepen- dent and self-reliant national economies by the end 23. The economies of most of the African countries of this century, in accordance with the Lagos Plan of depend mainly on the traditional agricultural sector, Action and Final Act of Lagos.2 including forestry and stockraising. Another sector, 17. As a developing country which is a member of more recently exploited, is that of mining. The first the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and of the of these sectors has in recent years experienced an Group of 77, and as a country that suffered a long unprecedented collapse because of drought in some period of colonial domination and now has to countries and because it has been impossible to gain overcome great difficulties in order to achieve its access to modem methods for agricultural develop- social and economic development, Viet Nam under- ment. Moreover, some agricultural products from the stands perfectly the ordeal of the African countries. outset, for centuries, were planned to meet needs We are convinced that, strengthened by their conti- outside our continent. nental solidarity, by their experience of active co- 24. As regards the m~ning sector, of which exploita- operation and, above all, by their unshakeable deter- tion is limited to restricted areas, it has been affected mination to be independent, the African countries by the international economic crisis and remains in will be able successfully to overcome their present many countries nothing more than a reserve for the difficulties and to use international assistance effec- needs of foreign industry and manufactures. In a tively in their efforts to find a harmonious solution to way, it is expatriated and without national character. both the short-term and the long-term probLems Its effect on the African economies is minimal, facing Africa. In so doing, they will make a great especially as it has suffered in recent years from a contribution to the improvement of the international recession in prices and diminished production. economic and political situation as a whole. 25. Because of these unfortunate circumstances, ~ 8. Although Viet Nam has very limited resources, African countries h(\.v~ had to resort to loans in order it would be pleased to be able to strengthen co. to finance the defich.. .In their balance of payments. operation with brotherly African countries in the This has been an additional burden for them and has spheres where it might be able to share with them its compelled them to add their voices to those of other experience, however modest-in particular in the countries calling for a new policy for loan repayment. fields of health, education and agricultural produc~ At a time when the growing needs of our peoples are tion. ofthe utmost urgency, our Governments are trying in 19. My delegation agrees with many other delega- every way to meet the demands of the World Bank tions that have emphasized that the current debate and IMF in hopes of obtaining economic and finan- and the programmes of assistance to African coun- cial assistance !hat can put an end to economic tries would be meaningless if they did not lead to stagnation in our countries. avail~ble to this l~ast. fav:our:ed continent through consensus has emerged on a n~mber o~ i~sues, and multIlateral finanCIng InstItutIOns. the time has come to surmount m a realIstIc manner 65. Our hopes are rather meagre in these are~s in the difficulties remaining. :rher~fore ~e should go view ofthe current trends and the lack ofenthUSIasm beyond the stage of theoretIcal dISCUSSIon and vary- shown by certain developed countries. In order to ing opinions on priorities and commit oursel~e~ to justify such an attitude, they have, in fact, invoked practical implementation. It is on the~e condItIO~S the lack of appropriate national policies, instead of that the success and the failures of AfrIca d~pend In recognizing the importance of the social and political its quest for economic growth and self-relIant, re- costs of the adjustment policies which we have been sponsible prosperity in solidarity. pursuing with a great deal ofcourage and sacrifice. In 70. To attribute the modesty of our results to the another connection, we are quite rightly concerned ambition of our goals only conceals the deep-rooted by the prediction of a reduction in the net flows of causes of our difficulties. An approach which would capital to sub-Saharan Africa in the coming years. conceal both the historic and particular responsibili- According to the report of the World Bank, those ties ofthe rich countries in the origins of underdevel- flows will diminish from an average of$11 billion for opment, the structural drawbacks of the present the period 1980-1982 to approximately $5 billion for system and the cumulative failure of international the period 1985-.1987. This compels us to reaffirm negotiations would not be acceptable to us. !he.recommeI?-datIOns made by the General Assembly 71. Mr. BIRIDO (Sudan) (interpretation from Ara- m ItS resolutIon 38/199. hie): I have followed with attention the statements by 66. The third element of general policy which we the speakers who have preceded me this morning and should bear in mind, in the view of my delegation, on Friday. It is clear that the deliberations of the relates to the co-ordination of assistance. We wel- General" Assembly on the economic situation in come the efforts made at meetings such as those of Africa follow along the same lines as those of the the advisory groups, round-table discussions and Economic and Social Council and the general debate consultations between the World Bank and UNDP at the outset of this session. These deliberations for the implementation of the African programme. confirm the swelling international concern at what is Such practic~s, however, should not. be us~d by !h.e going on in Africa and the intern~tional.response ~n do~or countrI~s.as a ~eans of reducmg.theIr paT!Ic~- helping the African States de~l WIth th~Ir eCOn?mIC patlOn. Sut;:h Jomt actIon can be effectIve only If It crisis. With regard to the natIonal and mternatIOnal !eads to specific verifiable c<?11?-mitm~nts and takes efforts being made to deal with this crisis.' and mto account the general polIc1es WhICh have been referring to the statement by the representatIve of jointly established. As quite ngntly emphasized by Cameroon, chairman of the Group of African States the Secretary-General in his recent report, the Assem- for this month [47th meeting], rather than repeating bly is the best place for States to discuss and adopt what he or other representatives have said, I shall just such guidelines. In this regard, we wish to express our make some comments on the economic crisis in gratitude to the S.ecretary-General fo~ the steps he h~s Africa based on the experience of Sudan. tak~n to ensure Increased co-ope~atI<:>n ~nd co-ordI- 72. First, the economic and social situation in nat~on amo~g the organ.s and .mstIt~tIons of !~e Africa has been described as serious, as threatening a Un~te~ NatI<?ns syste~ !~ ~ealmg WIth t~e CrISIS real disaster and the survival of millions in different affl~~tmg AfrIca. Such mI~IatIveS have receIved the African countries. These descriptions are not exag- polIt.lcal S1;1pport of all AfrIcan States, and they could gerated; indeed they are not adequate to indicate the contmt;e !!l the manner suggested recently by the dimensions of the crisis confronting many States in delegatIOn of Japan. Africa. If we look at what Sudan, for instance, 67. Finally, the development <:>f Africa requires that faces-a country that covers a large area, with many we not only react to urgent SItuatIons such as the climatic conditions, resources and water sources-we food crisis and the difficulties in the balance of see that with all its resources, it can absorb the payments; what is especially important is to attack effects of natural disasters such as drought or deserti- the very roots of the difficulties. This requirement fication which affect some parts of the country by compels us to emphasize the importance of the depending on the productivity of other areas. In the p~oc~sse~ of structural transformation, the gra9~al light of Sudan's eXI?erience the s~rious dimen.sions of elImmatIOn ofthe causes ofthe external vulnerabIlIty the crisis confrontmg other AfrIcan States IS clear. of the African economies and, finally, the establish- The drought has continued in Sudan for the third ment of a favourable international economic envi- year and as the Foreign Minister of Sudan stated in ronment. the Gen~ral Assembly in October [21st meeting],.it 68. In this context, we are thinking in particular of has spread throughout most of the country,. m the problems concerning commodity trade and those particular the eastern and western parts, compellIng linked to finance and currency A series of specific tens of thousands of the inhabitants of those re- measures spaced out over a peri Jd of time has been gions-an area approximate!y half that of .Western submitted on these matters, both in the Special Europe-to move to the capItal or other CItIes along Memorandum of the ECA Conference of Ministers the Nile, because the continued droue:ht :mrl thp ~g~lcu!tural regIOn and which depends on artificial polICies are well known and I do not need to digress. IrngatIOn. Furthermore, there has been a decline in 78.. The African countries will continue to deploy corn production in the southeastern part of the maximum efforts to face this multifaceted crisis on country, w1?-ich is.the most imp0f!:ant regi~n depen- all fronts. We are convinced, however, that those dent on raIn, owmg to the scarcity of ramfall this efforts will not succeed unless these countries receive year. international support, whether directly or through a 74. President Jaafar Mohammed Nemery, the Pres- necessary improvement in the world economic cli- Ident of the Republic, last week visited the camps of !TIate. In keeping with the principle of international displaced persons who had moved from the drought- Interdependence, the adverse effects of the economic stricken and desertified areas in western Sudan crisis in Africa will not stop at Africa but will go which camps surround the capital. Two camps alon~ beyond and affect all the countries of the world. have absorbed 42,000 displaced persons who have 79. Thirdly, the African countries, at the tenth left their villages and farms and whose livestock had meeting of the Conference of Ministers of the perished because of the scarcity of rain, water and Economic Commission for Africa and at other pasture. The State, depending on its own resources ministerial meetings, have set priorities for the and local voluntary resources, is duty-bound to help African States' national action. They have reaffirmed those displaced persons and hundreds of thousands that such action is the basis for confronting the mor~ it?- other areas by providing" food, water, present .crisis. Tp.ey have also set priorities for medicatIon and shelter. Because ofthe Increase in the InternatIOnal actIOn to complement the national numbers of displaced persons and the expectation of efforts. In this connection, we would mention the greater nu~ber~ in the fut~re fleeing from drought praiseworthy initiative of the World Bank in estab- and deserttficatIOn, the PreSident of the Republic has lishing a joint action programme for Africa, as well as decide~ ~o establish a national committee, headed by the declaration ofthe World Bank-IMF Development the Mmlster of Health and Social Welfare to co- Committee. We hope that the donor countries will ordinate the operations to help the displaced. At the respond by providing the necessary financial re- same time Sudan, with the assistance of the interna- sources to assist the Bank in implementing its tional community, is providing all kinds of aid to programme. a~out a million refugees from neighbouring coun- 80. We note with satisfaction that in his note tnes. The numb~r of refugees is increasing daily, [A/39/627], the Secretary-General has endorsed the because of the senous effects of drought and deserti- international action priorities set by Africa. These fication in their countries, among other causes. include an increase in the flow of financial resources 75. I mention all this in order to stress the serious- to Africa, the solution of the external debt problem, ness of the natural factors which confront most an increase in commodity export earnings and an African countries, which at the same time are facing increase in agricultural production in Africa. Urgent the consequences of the world economic recession and sustained international action in these areas will ~hich is characterized by a decline in export earn~ strengthen the African States' efforts to overcome the ~ngs, an increase in costs of essential imports, an crisis and to continue their social and economic Increased burden of foreign debt servicing and the development efforts. Among the most important depletion of financial resources. All these factors areas of action for the achievement of this objective natural and external, come together and increase ou; is revamping of and training in the productive awareness of the serious situation in the continent. sectors, particularly agriculture, and infrastructures 76. Secondly, in the light of the serious economic ~du~~~io~e~~d ~al~~~sportation, communications, crisis in Africa, clear unanimity has emerged on the n d fl rt d' Id . I h" 81. Fourthly, in his note the Secretary-General ee o! conce e ~ct~0l.l to tac e It. n t IS regard identifies the areas wher~ the United Natl'ons could the Afncan States, mdlvldually and collectively and at al~ levels, affirm that the responsibility for con- play an important role in supporting the efforts ofthe frontmg the current crisis and for continuing devel- African States. In this context, the delegation of opment ~fforts rests in the first place with them. We Sudan attaches particular importance to the pro- repeat thiS not as an empty slogan but as our beliefin grammes of the United Nations and its specialized this essential principle, to which all African States are agencies in Africa. We believe that in providing striving to give effect in their efforts to deal with the international assi~tance to African countries, the current crisis. United Nations will help to improve the situation, in particular in spheres where the Organization has had 77.. A quick look at the records ofthe policies ofthe long experience. We believe that the areas identified .~,::~:!h~O~~~r~;~~t~~~ft~~~:ntgr~~!~~~~eW~} Siet~i~u~~f:t~7t~:~~~:-V~~::~b~~~~::"~.~~~~S~_~ ------------ ---- ~=-==~::::::::::::::===::'"-=:::=--=== .::~==::'"_-=====~~?::-±~~~~~~~~ sh~uld here like to acknowJedge t~~ ~ommendable 89. I believe that there are two basic issues to be action of FAO and WFP m mobd~zmg food ~nd considered when dealing with the critical situation of other resources for the affected Afncan countrIes. Africa and the responses to the crisis. The first is 86. In addition to the consequences of these disas- where the emphasis for action lies. Should it be on trous climatic factors for African economies, there immediate requirements, or on long-term structural has been the equally destabilizing and profound measures? There is often a great temptation to see a impact of the adverse international economic envi- dichotomy. I believe, however, there should be none. ronment on the continent, particularly on its long- The immediate and long-term dimensions of the term capacity for growth and development. As my crisis are really no more t!lan two sides of the same country's Minister for External Affairs said in his coin. It is absolutely essential that urgent action be_ th~ C;onference .of Mm!sters of the Econo~Ic Com- needs of the countries concerned. Basic measures are mISSIon f~r AfrIca, WhICh .w~~ held at AddIS Ab~ba necessary, both in the monetary and financial spheres last ~ay, I.e., that responsIbIlIty for th~ f<?rmula~IOn and in trade and raw materials. ofpolIcIes and plans to cope not only WIth ImmedIate .. needs but above all with medium- and long-term 109..A lastmg solutI,?n to a~l these ~roblems a~d; the development imperatives rested exclusively with the establIshment of eqUItable InternatIonal c~ndItIons African Governments. None the less, regardless of fo.r the .development proc~ss of the 4evelopIn.g coun- the sacrifices to be made by African countries to meet trIe~ 'YIll c~!De through .sIn~ere, .um,:,ers~l dIalogue. the considerable needs of their development efforts, Afnca.s cntIcal eco.no~l1c sItu~tIOn I~, m the fi~al those efforts cannot have significant and lasting analysIs, the most SIgnIficant SIgn of tne broademng results unless they are backed by massive action at of ~he ~ulf between North and Sout~ that has been the regional and international levels. !Damt~Ined ~nd ex~cerbated by ~n Ill-adapted and IneqUItable InternatIonal economIC system. 103. ~onvinced <?f the need to st~engthen ~he 110. I wish to conclude by saying that statements of collec.tIve self-sufficle~cy oft~e developmg countnes, good intention are no longer enough. The needs for Algena, a~ a developmg Afncan countIJ:, began to the development and recovery of the African econo- take practIcal measure~ to ~elp the countnes aff~cted my have been clearly set out. Specific, feasible ~y drought and desertlficatIOn long bef~re the sItua- measures have been suggested. The time has come to tIon re~che~ the present .degree of serIous~ess. ~e act, and the international community certainly has have dIverSIfied <?ur multIse9toral co-operatIOn. wlt.h the means to do so. The universally declared resolve ma~y brother.AfncaJ.l countrIes. That co-operatI<?n IS to respond to the expectations ofAfrica and establish takmg place, m partlc.ular, In the .s~heres ,?f.agncul- more fairness in international relations must now be ture, forestry, educatIOn and traI~m~, mmmg and put into practice. This presupposes, beyond emergen- energy research, and telecommumcatIons. cy measures and timely action, foresight and deter- 104. Within its modest means, Algeria is thus min~tion cO!Dmensurate ~it~ the.challenges posed. by demonstrating its dedication to the principles of the mtern~tIOnaleconomIC SItuatIOn and the reqUIre- soiidarity of the Organization of African Unity, as ments of mterdependence. well as its commitment to the strengthening ofSouth- Ill. Mr. KOENTARSO (Indonesia): The world is South co-operation. It is in that spirit that we are appalled at the enormity of the economic and social pleased by the statements made during this debate by crisis that has engulfed Mrica. By the same token it is representatives of third world countries, which encouraging to note that the international commu- ~= de~o~n::rate that S:~~~:~:hc=::r~t~:,.is.a~v- ~~_~t~~~~:li:::::::ri~:~~t:_:::n::~::~=~~~ t~ad.e. Thus, Afnca s .fragl1e economies have fallen system. In this respect, we are convinced that the victim. te these m~ltIple onslaughts. We therefore Lagos Plan of Action, the Final Act of Lagos and the apprecla.te the sentiments repeatedly expr~ssed by Monrovia Strategy have provided relevant blueprints the Afncan leaders t.hemselves th~t,. ~hJle they for achieving fully self-sustained economic develop- recognize that the {'nmary re.sponSlblhty. for t~e ment. Nevertheless, this task would be extremely development of thelf economies rests with their difficult without a conducive international environ- Governments and people, thei.r heroic efforts to face ment. In this regard, the international community the double. challeI?-ge of survival. and developme~t should address itself to removing the obstacles that have been Ins~fficlent. The magnltuqe. of the task IS inhibit accelerated development. And in the end a far be.yond th~lr resou~ces and capaCItIes,. and th~re- thorough-going restructuring of the world economic fore. InternatIOnal ~ctlOn 1?-as become Imperative. system to achieve the new international economic Obviously, such an mternatlonal response should be order is we believe essential for long-term mutual c?ml1!ensurate with the complexity of the tragic needs.' , situation. . . . Mr. Lusaka (Zambia) took the Chair. 113. Havmg studied the analyses and reports which .. . graphically illustrate the desperate situation, we 117. ~ollectlve self-rehanc~ among the developmg should lose no time and spare no effort in reaching a countn~s also ha~ an essentlal.role to pl!iY' As my' collective decision on the concerted steps to be taken. delegatIOn sta~ed In th~ ~conorr~lc a!1d Soclal.C<?uncl1 My delegation can wholeheartedly agree with the last summer, In the splnt of sohdanty and w~thm the conclusions of the Special Memorandum of the ECA frat:Uework. o~the Carac!i~ Programme o~Actions a!1d Conference of Ministers,I which states that if the their own.hmlted capacities! the developmg countnes enormity and complexity of the situation is to be ca!1 contnbu~e greatly to ~hls coml1!0n endeavour. In effectively addressed, a concerted approach should thl~ conn.ectlOn, I~d0l'!esla has gamed. valuable ex- be taken at the emergency, short-term, medium-term penence.In exte~dmg ItS prog~ammes m the fra~e- and long-term levels. work ~f ItS techmcal co-ope~atlOl1 am0!lg d~velop!ng 114. Primary among the emergency measures count~les t<? other developmg countne~, mcludmg should be food aid, which is increasingly being some In Afnca. We are hopeful that we.w111 be able.to recognized as the most pressing need in Africa. The ~xtend these programmes to oth~r Afncan countn~s failure of food supplies has plunged the continent In the l'!ear future, .there~~ contnbutIng both to their into a crisis of catastrophic proportions. Ensuring efforts In t~e ongomg ~nsls and to ~he enhancement adequate food supplies, therefore, needs the most of ~conomlc~nd !echmcal co-operatIOn among devel- urgent and immediate attention by the General opmg countnes m general. Assembly. In this re~ard it is crucial expeditiously' to 118. In conclusion, I reiterate my dele~ation's deep overcome the 10gistIcal, co-ordination and distnbu- conviction that extraordinary action IS necessary. tion difficulties associated with emergency food aid, and that it is imperative to make decisions and for speed, above all, is critical. As we deliberate here, implement them s.peedily.. Millio~s of lives depend hundreds ofthousands offellow human beings many on our resolute actIOn at thiS meetmg. The figures are ofthem children, are dying of starvation and hunger- astronomical, the magnitude of the problems over- related diseases. We cannot afford to delay action in ~helmiI!g. My delegat~on strongly believes that the the face of such large-scale human suffering. mternatlOnal commumty, thr?ugh the q~neral. As- 115. Beyond survival and crisis management, short- s~mbly,. shoul~ urgently. conSider the c~ltIcal SltU~- term and medium-term measures should be institut- t!on, With a view to taki~g concrete actIons expedl- ed. My delegation believes there is a need to create tloilsly.. We must ~o all In our power to co-opera~e conditions to avert future food supply emergencies. full~ With the Afr~can Governmen~s and peoples m Preparedness, prevention, reconstruction and reha- ~altmg ~nd rev~rsmg the current disaster, as we!l as bilitation measures are crucial for effectively counter- In puttmg Afnca back on the. J?ath of sustamed ing the recurrence ofthe current disasters. It has been recovery and development, stablhty and peace. correctly indicated that such measures should be 119. MR. GBEHO (Ghana): A previous speaker in carried out at the national, subregional, regional and this important debate observed that if ever there was international levels, since many problems are specific a time when the General Assembly had to face up to to particular countries and will respond to different a problem squarely and honestly, it was now. We policy mixes. National management of such sectors fully share that sentiment. Indeed, we would go a step as climatic information, water conservation, forestry further. If the Member States of the United Nations -=:.:d:umanreso:::::::::~~ :n~=::e political will nec:=~:eaCh. 2~uA~~es. Annual.per c.al?itallgrl~in Pdrod~ct!on in the 126. We endorse the Secretary-General's observa- ncan countnes ongma y Iste as lacmg severe tions about Africa's commodity export earnings and food shortages because ofdrought has been falling on how the deterioration in terms of trade has contrib- average by 2 per cent a year since 1970. For sub- uted significantly to African countries' severe bal- Saharan Africa as a whole, per capita output in 1983 ance-of-payments difficulties. As he points out, it is was 11 per cent below the 1980 level. In the majority of sub-Saharan countries, manufacturing as a per- essential to ensure reasonable earnings from current f d . d I . 1980 production before meaningful efforts are undertaken centage 0 gross omestIc pro uct was ower m to achieve diversification. In this context, further than in 1970. In the 1950s child mortality in sub- progress in the negotiation of more individual com- Saharan Africa was 50 per cent higher than the average for developing countries; now it is almost modity agreements and the improvement of existing double the average. An estimated 20 per cent of ones, early entry into effective operation of the Africa's population still eats less than the minimum Common Fund for Commodities and improvement needed to sustain good health. The number of in compensatory funding arrangements would be severely hungry and malnourished people is estimat- very useful. ed to have increased from close to 80 million in 127. We share the view that the United Nations 1972-1974 to as many as 100 million in 1984. system has an important role to play in. assisting 122. In the eloquent words ofthe latest World Bank African countries to overcome the current crisis. report, "No list of economic or financial statistics Therefore we are especially gratified to note the can convey the human misery spreading in sub- specific proposals of the Secretary-General in his Saharan Africa". Every day thousands die of starva- note calling for a clearer sense of focus through a Hon in a number of African countries, and millions reordering of existing priorities and a clearer com- more feel the constant pangs ofhunger and malnutri- mitment to action on the part of United Nations tion. International emergency assistance has been organs, organizations and bodies in Africa. We forthcoming on a massive scale, and we take this believe his emphasis on United Nations assistance opportunity to express appreciation to the many for national programmes for the development of donor countries, institutions, non-governmental or- human resources, particularly in management and ganizations and others that by their actions have administration in the public and private sectors, is given tangible expression to our common humanity, timely and appropriate. Of particular importance, as which enjoins us to be each other's keeper. However, he points out, are vocational training programmes in we join those who have pointed out the urgent- rural areas and programmes for the temporary use by indeed, the desperate-need for intensified relief African countries of the services of their own nation- efforts through the provision of additional food aid, als employed abroad. as well as logistical support and other emergency 128. We endorse the Secretary-General's proposal requirements described in the Special Memorandum for a major increase in United Nations programmes on Africa's Economic and Social Crisis,. adopted in targeted to the most vulnerable groups. We support May 1984 at Addis Ababa by African Ministers the expanded use of low-cost techniques for child responsible for economic development and planning, survival programmes and expanded programmes for and in the Secretary~General's report [A/39/594], provision of drinking water and improved health entitled "Review of th~ emergency rehabilitation and education. In this regard, we also agree that priority reconstruction situation in food-aid and drought- should be given to expanded technical and financial affected countries", which is now before the Assem- support for the maintenance and rehabilitation of bly. existing wells and drilling sites. 123. We note with appreciation the Secretary-Gen- 129. Increased technical and financial support for eral's efforts and initiatives to sensitize the intema- rehabilitation of the existing industrial set-up and tional community to the crisis in Africa. We are maintenance of the transport and communication particularly gratified to find in his latest note infrastructure are other major areas for priority =, [~/~:62~_.emPh:Sis=::::.eas~::. n:ot_o:_::.:~: :~ti:~,_an::es~p:o~e s:cre~::Ge~era:~~,er-_ ~I and ~ultiIateral channel~, almos~ three quarters of 149. In view of the many types of assistance, the Its offiCIal deyelopment aSSIstance, In other word.s,.an problem of their co-ordination is an urgent one. amount eqUIvalent to the. overel~l ~esource~ \yhI~h While it is necessary for the countries affected and UNOI P devotes to thBe tAttihnc~n cont~ntent dWlthln ItS the international community as a whole to make regu ar programme. u e Imm~nsI y an urgency determined efforts to find effective solutions, one of of the needs demand further ~ctIon. the essential elements, as we are told by the Secre- 142. To help ensure the ~~rvlval of people threat- tary-General, is to increase the effectiveness of ened uy hung~r, maln~tntIOn an~ underdevel~p- existing instruments and networks and better co- ment, the BelgIan ParlIament decIded to mobi';'~~' e ordinate the approach. some $180 millio1TI. in the fonn of a survival fund, a . . . . third of which ""JIB go in the next three years to 150: I~ IS, Indeed, c!Uclal that we Im.prove the ~o- activities in African rural regions ofabsolute poverty. OrdInatIOn 9f both. bIlateral and J!1ultIlateral assIst- The Belgian authorities have decided to use the anc~, especI~lly WIth the countr~es conce~ed, to agencies of the United Nations system to carry out aVOId sprea~Ing our efforts too t~In, to aVOId ~aste these projects. Co-<>rdination will be ensured by a and to aVOId ~dvocatIng sometimes contradI~tory steering committee presided over by IFAD in Rome. measures. In thIS regar~, the round tables estabhs~ed . . . . ' as part of the Substantial New Programme of ActIOn 143. Of the $4~0 mIllIon t~ $500 mIllIon devo~ed for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries? are annually by E~ttgmm to. offiCial dev:elopment aS~Ist- a good tool for co-ordination, particularly as the ance, a large ~"11 grOWIng share wIll go .to Afr~ca. work procedures have recently been improved. The 144. Over anJ above the problems of ImmedIate same applies to the World Bank consultative groups. survival, which have to be solved without delay, . . . . . Africa must face worrying long-term developments 151. BIlateral c9-ordInat~on IS too often.hln.dered which are the result in particular of vel1' rapid bal y a Idack 0lft~lletar Inl fOfJ!lathon. APproal cl1,es Int boIflaotenre- population grcwth, the accelerated growth of cities an mu xa era aSSIS ance are on y lace s and the deterioration of its ecosystem. As the Secre- and the sanle ~verall programme. T~ey should not tary-General has observed, we must tackle not only only be c?-ordI~ated. but.should be Interdependent tbe symptoms of the crises but also their causes, that ~Iso, ~nd In spec~fic SItuations they co~ld; even result is, the longer-term structural problems. In a~tI~l;lS ~aken In c~mm?n. BelgIUm IS In.favour of . .... any InItiative that mIght Improve the effiCIency and 145. T1?-e devel~pment pnontIes In Af~IC~ were cost-effectiveness of assistance given by the interna- ~efined In 1980 In the Lagos Pla~. ~f Action. more tional community to African countries within exist- Independent development, food lI_.~epend~n~e, .re- ing institutions ductIon of energy dependence, IndustnalIzatIOn' geared towards the internal market, and development 152. I note, furthermore, the progress achieved by of regional co-operation, to which, as is known, the inter-institutional organ entrusted with the task Belgium attaches great importance. It remains to of preparing a data bank system to reclassify and translate these objectives into actions, into sectoral make available to Governments data on assistance strategies and policies for the achievement of which projects and programmes carried out world-wide by African countries must rely primarily on their own various institutions of the United Nations system. efforts. For many years we have advocated this essential 146. Africa is at a critical turning-point. The scope instrument for co-ordi~ation. It would have been of the difficulties which beset it and the challenges valuable today for Afnca. which it must meet. is considerable. Afri~an leaders 153. In conclusion, we welcome with interest and b~caJP.e aware of thIS at t~e L~gos summIt.' and they sympathy the suggestions for United Nations action hIghlIg!J.ted the d~al obJecttves of ~atIOnal and made by the Secretary-General in his note: support collectl\;,e self-suffiCIency and .self-sustamed develop- for national human resources programmes; protec- ment-In two words, self-relIance. tion of underprivileged groups-and that coincides 147. Africa has no choice if it wishes to avoid with the objective also being pursued by the Belgian disaster. But it is clear that the reorientation of Survival Fund; priority to assistance to food-produc- policies and the necessary reform of social and tion projects; and sustained efforts for the mainte- economic structures can su~ceed only if they are ~ance and repair of transport and communications supported by more substantIal and better adapted mfrastructures. ~ssembly, as r~pres~nta~ives .of. the wider int~rn~- 176. Mr. van der STOEL (Netherlands): The cur- tIonal communIty, WIll gIve th~s Item the attentIOn It rent economic and social crisis in Africa has been deset:Ves ~nd find an. appropnate answer to remedy aptly described in a number of reports of the ~he sItuatIon. We belIeve tha~ the General Assembly Secretary-General submitted to the Economic and IS the.best forum for the SO~UtIO~ ~f proble~s of such Social Council and to the General Assembly at its magnItude as the economIC cnsIS In Afnca. current session. Drought and desertification have led 1'71. While it is primarily the responsibility of the to critical food shortages and epidemics. These African Governments and peoples themselves to worsening climatic conditions have aggravated the attend to the problems of combating drought and structural problems. Population has been outrunning desertification, alleviating and coping with their food production in Africa by about 1 per cent a year, immediate and long-term effects and resolving the and there is a serious danger that the gap between socio-economic crisis, we believe that sustained production and requirements may widen still further. international so.lidarity a!ld support are needeq in 177. Urbanization is a further alarming factor. t~rms of f}.nancIal, matenal and tech~Ical co~tnbu- Since 1960 the growth ofurban populations in Africa tIO~S to reInforce. the ~fforts ofthe Afncan natIons to has been the highest in the world, and their needs achIeve success I~ thIS regard. Be~a;use of the yast must be met by increased production in the rural scope and magnItude of the C~SIS,. the Afncan sector. This situation is further complicated by natIOns themselves cannot cope W.Ith It alone. ~on- changing food habits in the cities and towns. The certed ~fforts exerted on the natIOnal, sub~egIOnal traditional food crops are being gradually replaced by a.nd regIOnal lev~ls should be augmente~ by Inter:na- wheat and other types of staple foods which cannot tIonal co-operatIon and support to achIeve tangIble be grown in most of Africa. success. . b h h .. . . . . . 178. There IS no dou t t at t e present CrISIS In 172. A~ thIS Junc~u~e my delegatIon IS very happy to Africa is due, to some extent, to external factors. e~pr~ss ItS apprecI~tIon to the Secretary-<;Jeneral for Immediate action is necessary. Improved access to hIS tIrele~s efforts In the search ~or solut}(~ms to the markets, higher commodity prices, bilateral and outstandIng problems of the. Afncan contInent. 'Y{e multilateral concessionary financing and debt relief cO!Jl1l;1end hIm for the actlye role he l?l~yed In and balance-of-payments support are necessary. brIngIng the nature and magnItude ofthe CrISIS to the . . .. attention of the international community and in 179. However, the prImary responsIbIlIty for the calling for its concerted and co-ordinated action to African countr~es rests with the African c~untries avert the devastating effects of the crisis. themselves.. ThIS not only has been stre~sed In many 173. The just struggle of the African continent to ~tatements ~n ~he Assemb~y thus far but IS also stated recover from its socio-economic ills must be under- In.the AddIS Ababa SpecIal Memorandl;lll?- adoJ2j~d stood and appreciated. Structural maladjustment, thIS year by ~h~ ECA Conference of MI~Isters.. e which has a catastrophic influence on the African Netherlands IS Impressed by the often paI~fl;ll. adJu~t- economy and affects all aspects of everyday life, ment programmes ~hat have al~eady been ImtIate1.In should be redressed and corrected with the help of a number of AfrIcan countnes. Importa.nt po ICY international solidarity and support. The develop- reforms are under way. Nevertheless more IS needed. ment potentials of the African continent have never 180. In this context, I wish to refer to the report of been encouraged or even really put to the test. No the Committee for Development Planning, in which one can deny the realities of the economic prospects it is pointed out that many African Governments that may come to light if the potentials inherent in need to restructure their policies so as to improve the huge hu:nan, vegetable, mineral and other natural incentives for farmers and other producers, to in- resources in the African continent are utilized equit- crease the effectiveness of the public sector. to ization~ of the interna~ional. system dealing ~ith the 204. It is therefore necessary to adopt the broadest promotIOn of econ~m~c ~ssIstance pl~ns WhICh can, possible approach to this problem. As a senior m so~e way, even If IndI!ectly, beD;edt the affftcted international staff member said, "The hunger of a count.nes: Venezuela has Just pro~l1sed a voluntary child has no ideology." My delegation believes that contnbutlo~ of $1,200,009 for thIS year to UNpP. we should stress the co-operation ofall, the large and Venezuela IS a country w~Ich has been a ne~ contnb- the small, the rich and the poor. Every country has its ~tor for s.everal ):'ears. ThIS .reflects our deSIre for an own responsibility and its own sovereign concepts, m~rease In multIlateral.asslstance. No more appro- but the magnitude of the civil disputes in some of pnate programme for thIS can ~e found than UNDP, these territories cannot fail to cause concern. whose vast network and dedIcated staff members . .. have benefited many regions ofthe world, and above 205: InternatIOnal co-operatI~n. I~ the struggle all the African continent. agaID;st.hunger shoul~ have no lImItatIOns. The m~re . .. . altruIstIC and co-ordmated the efforts are, the eaSIer 198. Because of the magnItude of the .Afncan cnSlS it is for the various organs of the United Nations we ~ow that we must J?1ake an addltH:mal effort, entrusted with this problem to deal with it in an provld~ e~erg~ncy solutIons ~nd contnbute ~hat orderly fashion and achieve positive results. Policies humanItanan aId we ca!1. In thIS respect, there IS no must be harmonized, setting aside immediate inter- dou?t that Vet.tezuela WIll make use of any resources ests. It will take time to deal with the more structural ~va~lable to It to. demonst!a~e that we are .not questions. For the time being what we have to ~ndlffe!ent to the plIght of mIllIons of human bemgs consider is immediate action to alleviate the situa- m Afnca. tion: to save a person, to save a child, to make 199. But, I repeat, my delegation is participating in survival possible. Famines have been a constant this debate not so much because of what we can factor in history. What is unique to our time is the specifically offer, even though we have made contri- feeling of international solidarity which has awak- butions in the past, as because we believe that it is ened and which, despite tragedy and conflict, lends a essential, as members of the international commu- note of optimism concerning the possibilities of nity, to identify Venezuela with the efforts being understanding and co-operation. made in this ~reat li~e-saving endeavour. 206. Mr. BARNETT (Jamaica): Just over a year fOO: Th~ Umted ~atIOns and th~ organs and organ- ago, on the occasion of its silver jubil~e, ECA, in i!s Iza!Ions lID;ked to It. have spe~Ial reasons to feel preliminary perspective study on Afnca's economIC satIsfied WIth the. hIghly .eff~ctIve and compete!1t future entitled "ECA and Africa's Development work done both In mobIlIzmg resources and In 1983-2008" warned that the picture that emerges analysing the causes of the tragedy. Of course, the from the a~alysis of the perspective of the African magnitude ?f the tragedy is suc~ that it ~s not easy.to region by the year 2008 under the historical trend do all that IS necessary to fight It, espeCIally when ItS scenario is almost a nightmare. Today, with drought cause~ are so numerous as to defy complete under- sweepin~ through large parts of the continent, wide- standmg. spread ood shortages, hundreds o~ thousands of 201. The problem of hunger is not new to the cattle dead from plague and lack of leed and, m~st world, particularly Africa, which is the region most tragically, some 150 million persons faced wIt.h affiicted of late by this scourge. We all recall the starvation, the nightmare of which ECA warned IS World Food confere:ce~~::~t~Ro=e~i: :o~e=:r_~_ ~thr:atenin~~to_ ar_~~e _e::l~.~===~:: ..==:.~••=-~•••:= i~ the .proceed~ngs. of th~ General Assembly, the dIScussIons earlIer m bodies such as the Economic and Social Council and the World Bank-IMF Devel- opment Committee, and, indeed, the Secretary-Gen- eral's judicious initiative on Africa are indicators that the response ofthe international community will be commensurate with the needs of the affected African countries. The Jamaican delegation stands ready to support an action-oriented response by this Assembly to the critical economic situation in Africa. 208. While the entire developing world has experi- ence~ se~ere. econ~mic difficul~ies in recent years, the ~Ituat1on In.~fnca must be VIewed as having been p~rtIcularl~ cntIcal. Gross domestic product has eIth.er declIned or sh!Jwn only a marginal increase dunng the 1980s, wIth the result that per capita inc0!Ue has been qecreasing ~harply. Amongst the Iow-Income countnes of Afnca-and it must be recalled that 26 of the 36 least developed countries ~re to be found 0t?- the continent-per capita income IS less now than It was 15 years ago. Stagnation in output, accompanied by declining terms of trade- the latter estimated at over 50 per cent between 1977 and 1981-has caused marked weakening of the fisc~l and balance-of-payments situation of many Afncan countries. This deteriorating situation is now ~eflected in. a growing.burden of debt amongst low- Income Afncan countnes. At the same time, structur- a~ problems in agricu~ture and industry have per- SIsted, and the potentIal of the continent's human resources has not been fully realized. In areas such as transport and communications, health and nutrition infant mortality and life expectancy, as well as i~ other social and economic indices, Africa, even more !han other develol;'ing regions, faces a gigantic task in Its efforts at SOCIal and economic transformation. Furthermore, we are all aware ofthe role that natural calamities, particularly drought and desertification have had in compounding the difficult situation' t~ereby increasing human suffering and placing addi~ tIonal demands on already inadequate resources. 209. Jamaica's support for Africa in the difficult process of economic development, in which we as developi!1g countries are al~ eng~ged, has always been firm. It IS clear that the SItuatIon requires not only emergency action but a careful mix ofshort-term and longer-term measures that will assist not only in am~liorating the immediate crisis but in placing Afnca ~n a path of sec1Jla~ growth. To complement the polIcy efforts ofthe Afncan countries themselves significant and sustained technical and financiai resources must be channelled to the affected coun- tries. This requires a definite commitment to act on the part of the international community, particularly the major donors. In this cpnnection, the Lagos Plan of ActIon for the economIC development of Africa, and the .more ~e~ent analyses of and responses to the sharpenmg cnSIS, such as those contained in the Special Memorandum on Africa's Economic and So~i~l Crisis adopted by the ECA Conference of MInIsters and the World Bank's special programme for sub-Saharan Africa, provide a clear framework for nati0t?-al, regi~nal and international action. We urge the mternatIOnal community, both traditional i~portant points in regard to in!ernational co-opera- tIon for development. The first IS that sustained and incremental flows of resources, financial and techni- cal, to developing countries are essential if our countries are to overcome many of the chronic structural and other problems which beset our econo- mies. The second is that for the international com- !Uu!1ity ~o~ to recognize this. veri~y is, in fact, to InVIte cnSIS such as that whIch IS now tragically taking place in Africa. The Secretary-General's report [A/39/594] reminds us that over the last five years, several major studies and surveys have been made of the causes and remedies of the African crisis situa- !ion. The international community can plead neither Ignoranc~ nor lack of forewarning. This crisis has been neIther unannounced nor unexpected. It is therefore the firm conviction of the Jamaican delega- tion that more emphasis by the international commu- nity on the avoidance of crisis in the international field is essential if we are to alleviate much human suffering and assure more stable and predictable growth in the developing world. 212. Mr. BEAUGE (Argentina) (interpretation from Spanish): The delegation of Argentina wishes to add its voice to those of previous speakers to thank the Secretary-General once again for the initiative he took at the beginning of the year and his efforts to mobilize the international community to meet the critical economic situation which the African nations must perforce face. 213. The representatives of these nations have explained in detail, in their statements before the Assembly, the grave reality of the situation on that continent and have informed us ofthe efforts oftheir countries to find a solution to their problems. Likewise, they have reminded us that the Lagos Plan of Action requires accelerated implementation and that the Special Memorandum addressed by the ECA Conference of Ministers to the Economic and Social Council at its last session outlined the short-, medi- um- and long-term measures that should be adopted. Now, it is essential to implement those policies so as to overcome a problem which has not only internal but also external causes and thus requires interna- tional co-operation. 214. We, the developing countries, see the African continent as the most acute reflection of the prob- lems which affiict us, namely a deterioration in the terms of trade, the growing protectionism in the developed countries, a fall in international prices of raw materials, and the overwhelming weight of the external debt, aggravated by high interest r3te~ rela~ions. w.ith Africa in a~l f!.elds. Argent.lne dlplo- 223. We trust that the General Assembly will take matI~ mlsslC?ns ~lready eXist m 15 countnes of that the necessary steps to begin sustained, joint, t~ngible contInent. LikeWise, our country rec~ntly successf~lly action for the benefit of the peoples of Afnca. concluded a programme of techmcal co-operatIon with Africa in agriculture, in which technical experts from 14 African countries took part. The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic has set up facilities for the development of fisheries through the transfer of technology, and they are being used by African countries of the Atlantic basin. Moreover, we have made an offer to various African countries to study and conduct research on crops and seeds. Reiterating the importance we attach to technical co-operation among developing countries, we have used the UNDP indicative planning figure for our country to finance missions to some countries in the sub-Saheli- an region to study livestock and livestock diseases and to investigate the possibilities of setting up cold- storage facilities. 218. Through the National Institute for ~gricult~re and Livestock Technology and other offiCial bodies, my Government is examining and studying other possibilities for financing, assistance and technical a.dvice within the context of several projects con- nt~cted mainly with the production and hygiene of different kinds of livestock, the management and improvement of pasture, and infrastructure of instal- lations for the storage of agricultural goods and products. 219. Various Argentine private enterprises have shown an interest in contributing to different African infrastructure projects, including engineering work for the construction of roads, bridges, houses, schools and hospitals. NOTES lE/1984/110, annex. 2Lagos Plan of Action for the Implementatio~of the Monr~via Strategy for the Economic Development of Afnca, and the Fmal Act of Lagos, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its second extraordinary session, held at Lagos on 28 and 29 April 1980. 3Ministerial conference for a joint policy to combat desertifica- tion in the countries of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel and the Economic Community of West African States, in the Maghreb countries and in Egypt and the Sudan, held at Dakar from 18 to 27 July 1984. 4E/1984/68. sIbid.• para. 58. 6E/1984/110/Add.l, annex. 'Report ofthe United Nations Conference o!' the LelfSt Developed Countries. Paris. 1-14 September 1981 (United Nations publIca- tion, Sales No. E.82.I.8), part one, sect. A. 8Caracas Programme of Action on Economic Co-operation among Developing Countries, fldopted at the High.Level Con~er­ ence on Economic Co-operatIon among Developmg Countnes, held at Caracas from 13 to 19 May 1981. 9Arusha Programme for Collective Self-Reliance and Frame- work for Negotiations, adopted by the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77, held at Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, in February 1979.