A/43/PV.56 General Assembly

39.  (continned) CRITICAL EQ)NCMIC SITUATION IN AFRI~: UNITED NATIONS PROGRFlMME OF ACl'ION EUR AFRICAN ECOQ1IC REQ)VERY AND DEVEIDlMENT 1986-1990 (a) REOORT OF THE .lID mc OOMMITTEE OF THE WIDLE OF THE GENERAL ASS&1BLY ON THE REVIJ:W AND APPRAISAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME OF ACl'ION EUR AFRICAN SQ)NQUC RECDVERY AND DEVELOEMENT 1986-1990 (A/43/664 and Corr.l) (b) REPORT OF THE SEQmTARY-GENERAL (A/43/S00 and Corr.l and Add.l and Add. 2) (c) DRAFT RmOWTION (A/43/664, chapter IV) Mr. BLANC (France) (interpretation from French): My Government fully subscribes to the views expressed by the President of the European Community in his recent statement on the agenda item under consideration. '!Wo months ago, under the dlairmanship of Mr. Tom Vraalsen, Ambassador of Norway, we completed our mid-term review of the United Nations PrograJmle of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development. TWo years after the launching of the exercise, we had to determine whether we had embarked on the right course. In my Government's view, the mid-term review or stock-t.aking exercise is ve-ry important. France, which remains clceely attached to the Afriean peoples, is their principal donor. We are familiar with the major econanic difficulties besetting Africa, and my country believes it can provide assistance to overcome them. It would be idle to paraphrase the text of the final document, which is especially enlightening. It would be more desirable to recall the broad lines of the Progranme that was drawn up and to form sane ideas on the actions to be W1dertaken in the coming years, during which concrete results should be achieved. Wi th respect to the measures taken by many African countries, we pay tribute to their efforts in the agricultural field in particular. It would be desirable to pursue such endeavours. They are indispensable to redress the situation in that continent. We must of course ensure that we do not lose sight of the human dimension and should give special protection to the most underprivileged groups. It is also desirable to take better advantage of private initiatives by enhancing the value of human resources, encouraging savings and direct investments, and combating the drain of capi tal. In the face of the important decline in the price of colll1lOdities, reduced here and there by the rise in the price of sane canmodities, we also feel it is imperative that there be diversifi~~tion of the African economies and increased processing, marketing and distribution operations. 'lb those efforts to be undartaken by Africans should be added the contribution of the international canmunity. The improvement of economies and market-oriented development cannot in fact be achieved wi thout considerable financial inputs. Without dwelling Oft the details of (Mr. Blanc, France) the fWl document, we should like to emphasize that it recalls the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product all donor countries shoulio! try to achieve, and the need to il'Iprove the quality of assistance .aich ls its corollary. with respect to pr1llary colllDOdities, it is crucial for that continent, as we have often said, that the international caIIIunity help the African ecCftcmies to achieve a level of proWctivit¥ comparable with that of other producing groups. The seccnd aspect of the CcIma<:Jn Pur.d ay be an effective instrWllent to that effect. Stabilization of export earnings in an unstable economic environment is a useful instr\lllent, more particularly, as stated in the report, through the impltmentation of progrumes such as Stabex and Sysmin. The group of experts to be established by the Secretary-General should take a new lcok at the prospects envisaged in the area. Wi th respect to the debt probl~_, a cCllllilitllen~ was undertaken in 'l'orCllto with respect to the poorer heavily indebted countries which subscribed to certain structural adjustment policies. '!'hat C<.WIitlumt was confirmed by the States members of the International Monetary Fund in Berlin, the Paris Club works to implement the measures. Debt proble_ ccntinue to exist and CCllcern other debtor countries, which is why t.he President of the Prench Republic launched a proposal concerning the private debt of mediua-inCClle countries which was the object of consideration by the cOlll'etent authorities .. In conclusion, I believe that the mid-terra review has been ctMrrled out energetically by the various partnerlll. The States of Africa must resolutely puraue ':heir efforts along the right road, but they cannot do ao vi thout the cantinueCI an'\! evolving support of the international co_unity, which reflects the neceseary and obligatory interdependence of ccnteBporaEY ecanc.leso Q!£.. Blanc, Prance) Kr. LE Wye (China) (interpretation from Chinese) I The fact that the General Assembly has once again included on its agenda an item on the critical economic situation in Africa indicates that the economic sit~ation in Africa relllllins critical and cQ'ltinues to be of serious concern to the international colllllunity. We appreciate the inforMative report of the Secretary-Generc.:l on this item and the official document made available by the Organization of African Unity, which a~e very useful for our consideration of this item. Over the past year the African countries have made strenuous efforts to attain economic recovery and developnent. Throltr.;h economic reform and structural adjustment many Africml countries have taken effective steps to rehabilitate and develop agriculture, promote agro-related industries, combat drought and desertification and ensure effective development and utilization of human resources. They have achieved scme degree of success. At the same time, the developed countries mld the .televant international organizations have also done considerable work. They have taken action and made certain coJ'llllitments in terms of increasing official development assistance and other financial flows to African cowtries and alleviating their debt burden. Despite all this, it is regrettable that the economic situati~n in Africa has yet to take a fundamental turn for the better. Africa's grain output has continued to grow at a slOlfer pace than its population, and its per capita income level is still below that of 1980. Therefore, it remains a pressing task for the international conmunity to step up its efforts for African economic recovery and development. Last September, the Ad Roc Caomittee of the Whole of the General Assembly conducted a mid-term review and appraisal of the thited Nations PrograJllfte of Action for African B::onomic Recovery ~d Development 1986-1990. Presided over by Mr. Tal Eric Vraalsen, the Aaballlsador of Nonay, the Coanlttee adopted the final report after two weeks of intensive work. Although it leaves mch room for improvement, the report gives expression to a realistic approach and a spirit of co-operation of all parties and helps to maintain the lOOI'I\entum for implementing the Progranane of Action. It is our hope that t.'tis session of the General Assembly will take action on the report and adopt a corresponding resolution to ensure the implenentation of the report. There are only two years left for the implementation of the Progranme of Action. Whether or not we HhaU achieve succes~ in bringing about African econanic recovery and developnent will depend on what we do during those two years. Time is short, and the task formidable. The African countries have already shown their confidence and determination to overcome the difficulties and revitalize their eCalany. The international canmunity as a whole, and the developed countries in particularf should demonstrate the political will, take effective measures and make still greater efforts, especially in alleviating the debt burden, increasing financial assistance and stabilizing the prices of primary commodities so that a favourable external environment can be created for the benefit of African eCalanic recovery and development. The Chinese Government will, as always, continue to support the African countries in their efforts for eCalanic recovery and development. We shall continue to provide economic and technical assistance to African countries to the best of our ability and engags in economic and technicftl co-operation of various forms with them on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and attainment of cOl'llllOn progress. We hope that with concerted efforts from all sides the economic sitlAation in Africa will have considerably imprwed by the time there is a final review and appraisal of the Programe of Action in 1990. (Mr:. Lt wye, China) Hr. ABULBASAN (Kuwait) (intet'pretation frOll Arabic) I DeBp!te the sincel'e, tireless efforts by the African Governaenta to reactivate their ecoocmies and resUJle the process of developaent, and chapite the recently heighten~ international CQ'lcern over the African ccmUnent IS econaa!c crisis, Afric& IS overall ea»nOlll!c situation continues to deteriorate. Indeed, in his report to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General states that, in general teru, the African economic performance is still disappointing. we all know of the many ccmtradictory explanations of this situation. Sane have found it easier to put the blame on this or that quarter, regardless of the tremendous complexity and the interrelatedness of the various aspects of the question. But it is only fair and just to put the blame on all those who contribute to the SHtrpetuation or e'Ulcerbation of the problem and pay a tribute to all those who have done all they could and lIade positive contributions. tb cme would claim that we could expect African eCQI'lanic recovery and development overnight, even if all sides had sincerely honoured their col1lllitmen".s. It is, however, clear that ale of the _jar obstacles to African econanic recovery is the lat level of the flQol of finance frClll the developed countries to African development. That is why the geml of progress and sufficient growth remains unattainable. If we review the situation created by trade barriers, financial and monetary systems, indebtedness, canmdity prices and the effects of drought and desertification, we shall find that sometimes the dedicated efforte of the Afr lean countries to "cape th~s vicious circle appear to he futile. This calls for sincere efforts on the P!lrt of the international coiHllunity an the broadest possible scale. Por a long ti.. now the foc.. has b.en on the developing coamtdes i debt and its destructive effect on their cJev~oPl8nt and on the econCllic and social cenditions of their peoples. My coWltry, Kuwait, ha. always been ooi1cerned ewer the situation of friendly African =untries and other developing countries. Thus, a few 'leeks ago, frcn the rostrua of the world Organization, Ri. Highn_s the Blir of the State of Kuwait announced an ill!portant, constructive and generous initiative - n_ely, the three-point prograllllle of action to solve the ~obl_ of indebtedness. In the interest of the world econaay in general IM'ld th~ econaaies of the third world in particular, that initiative should be taken up and put into effoct. That will require the c~certed efforts of all. It will 9reatly benefit thE! African continent, in its lcng, arduous eClOnClllic struggle. All those who heard &is Highness the &lIir of !tU_it agreed that he cJleilOnBtrated a sincere political will - which, unfortunately, is very rare in our tiaes- to find an effective, redical 3olution to a crisis _idl is worsening, v1 th dire consequences for millions of peroons in the developing cowatries. The solution advocated will, of course, require sacrifice and self-denial. Almost all African States emphasize the need for self-reliance in facing up to the pol!tical and econanic challenges of this age. That conviction stems fran the individual and collective experienClll of these countries since the end of the c::olcnial era. That experience has taught them the important lesson that they have to work hard and produce IIlOre in order to achieve self-sufficiency, which is the corner-stme of genuine growth and development. There can be no doubt, lIoreOller, that the African countries are fully convinced that they must act en two levels. Pint, they lIlust deter any attempt to subjugate thell politically or eoonOllically and keep th_ in & continuous stata of need Md depend.cy. ThiB tMy CM do through mclal ateadfatn.... Seccndly, tRley IlUSt incr.... their productilCn and enllure that it ha sound fosmdation8. That The Afd,can and other: developing coWltri.. are now aware that in order for th. to rise to the dlaUflftge Dd r.toxe their fr_dos of action, it ia not enough to uke declarati«Xl1I and fOl'aulaq plan. on paper. They realizfl that wat is nM6td iD actual work - not j..-t plans. In addition, they realize that they have to co-operate with oacb other IIld, gradually, reach for reali8tic integration. 'l'hat i. evident in the curront progr..e. of action of the African Group. Thi8 tendency took concrete forD in the Lago. Plan of Action, which was suppl..nted by the Afdclln Progr_e of Prioritie. for llConc.ic Reccwery end the tili ted Ha tion8 Progr~ of Action for Afriea's BoonCllic Recovery and Developaent. Mben '"' speak of the tragedy of f_ine _1ch threaten8 _iUion8 of live8 atllong the young and tho old, we _t refer to the atrociou8 paradox of our age - nuely, that .-blle hundred. of thou.ut. are dying dally of f_ine, there is a trend towards re4sclng foceS production in sa. parU of the world in order to lighten the burden of food 8urpl._ and buoy up food pdc.... We cannot but join the Mcwement of Non-Aligned Countri.. in calling for the adoption of a special progrUlile of action for: financial and fooc1 auiatlllC8 to .eet .ae.:gencie8 in the developing countries that BuUer frOM chrcnic food lIbortages. There is no doubt that the food cdsis in Africa ha been exacerbated by the persistent drought, creeping cSeaertif1cation, and the recent calnitoua locust infestation. In this regard, ve caU upon the international COIIMuni1::y, MC8 again, to mpl.ent without delay General Asa.bly ruolut'-ons 39/309 and 40/175. We wieh to reiterate that the right to food is ene of the most buic of human rights and thmt it lIuat be upheld. Hence, there should not be any linkage of food assistance to any poll tical cCl1ditions of 1ltlatever kind. Lest sOlleene should claim that this is the ultillate objective, we hasten to affirm, once again, the absolute indispensable need for consolidating North-South co-operation in developing the capabilities of the African and other developing coWltries in their striving towards self-sufficiency in food and agriculture. In this context, we welcome the Qiprus inith.tive against world hunger, and hope that it wll1 gain enough mmentum to translate its tenets into reality. We also urge the Meabers of the Organization fully tc support the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IPA!), in its _jor task. we also urge them to support the establishment of an international system of information Md early warning ",ithin the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U1ited Nations with the objactive of dealing with the crisis in Africa, and particularly the poorer countries, in the area of food and agriculture. It is only natural that speaking of the eecnemic problems of Africa should lead us to call for access to the markets of developed countries, by the products of. the African and other developing countries, the stabilization of their collllllOdity prices, the elimination of the protectionist tendencies of the industrialized countr ies, and ending the unfair competition based on the subsid1zation by the developed c;guntries of their exports, the domination of the world markets by the tranDnation~1 corporations and the practice of pr ice-fixinge 1lben we speak of the critical eCClnOllic 8itlJat1on in Africa, we aust express our concern oVer the large n.."ers of refugees l'ho cross the borders of other countries on the African ccotinent mder the pressure of various factCX's and the resultant social and eoonOllic suains this influx of refugees creates fo.: the .countries of refuge. '!'bis leads us to urge the international COII.unity to reaffirm its co_~taent to the objectives of the Second lll'llf<':)rnational Conference for Msistance to Rlfugees in Africa, which was held in 1984, and the international conferenee of the Organization of African Q'lity on the plight of refugees and displaced persons in Africa. As the international co_unity already knows and as has been delloi1strated by the _jority of its Ilenbers in various resolutions, the policy of destabilizatiOlt pursued by the South African regille has very grave eoonOllio consequences. This makes it illlperative for all of us to support the African countries and the liberation JIOv_ents, whid,) bear the brunt of these aggressive and racist policies. In this regaEd, lily delegation would like to pay tribute to the Southern African Developaent (»-ordination Conference and laud the progress it has a<::hieved in launC1hing important economic programes to lessen the dependency of the front-line States in southern Africa. we call an the mellllbers of the international cam.unity to support those progral" as mch as they possibly can. In conclusioni I should lilee to confirm to all the friendly peoples of Africa from this rostr.. that ay CQUfttry, Kuwait, will ccntinue to honour its c:oM:lt:JIent8 with regard to {:''ie relief and developnent of 1£1'i08, not coly out of its conviction concerning the iJlportance of that cmtinent but also out of an awareness of the importance of the eoonc.ic recovery of that continent 1n regard to the peace, security and stabUity of the world. (Hr. Abulhas., Ku",all.) Mr. BARHBT'I (J_ica) I The er it.ical situation affecting the Afr iean regimwu given full recognition by the intunatianal co_unity .en the General Ae....bly, at its thirteenth .pecial ....im in 1986~ adopted the tmited Ratione Jlrogr_e of Action for African BconOllic Recovery and Developaent. During the pe.t two ye.ra of the Progr.-'Il lIIpl.entation, African countries b.. _cSa significant efforts to adjust Md develop their eccnoaies and societies. Priority bas been given by aany countries in the region to the development of ~9r1culture, the reduction of fi.cal illbelancea, the iaprOl1eaent of _cr01CC1loaic lUlnage_nt, the rationalization of the public .ector, the further encourage.ent of the pdvet.e oeetor, the reduction of populaticn growth, the protection of the environ.nt, and the develes-ent of bWllln capacitie.. In a nWlber of cases these policies are begiming to Ihow results. Juaica wi.ha to pay a tribute to these courageous efforts and achieveMnts of the African people, ....tiJIe. in the face of considerable political and social ri.k and against a backdrop of unfavourable international econOllic environ_nt anc! uny proble••till existing on the cmtinent. We ~lM» note, with appreciation, the efforts Bade by the international cc..unity to support the i.pleaentation of the Progr_e of Action. SoIIe denors have increased their davelor-ent assistance to African countrie.. A nUJlber of international and regional financial inatitutiol'lll have taken positive aeasures to incr:eue flClfB to Af~ica. The aajor developed countries have adopted policies to belp reUeve the external debt problea of the pocxest African countries. The relevant boeJieti 0% the tmited Rations systea bave also responded positively. Q1fort.W\ately, a. the report of the Secretary-G"U~l'al, entitled lIJ4id-tera 1'.,,1_ of the illPl.entationof the tmited Nations Progr~ of Action for African BconaBic Raccweq and Developaent- (A/413/S00 m Corr.l and Adc! ..l and 2; highlights, overall econcaic and social conditions in Africa contin. to cJeteri~ate. During the pel'~.~ undtar review, increasea in the gross doIieatic product have been slight, per capita inco. hp fallen. Investaent in the educatiua Md healtit sectOIrS, vital for the long-tem dftgelo~ent of any counuy, has decreased. Drought, flClOds and now a .ajor locust infestation threaten agricultural production. The external debt burden has beClOlle worrieolle. Collmdity prices rellam depressed. Resource flars in relll teras have fallen. (Hr. Barnett, JuaiCA) The need, therecfore, for further: concerted efforts both by African countries and, equally important, by the international ooDl1lunity is absolutely clear. This, to sorr.e extentt has been reC';"'gnized in the report of the Ad Ibc ConIIlittee of the Mlole on the Review and Appraisal of the United Nations ProgIa1TIIle of AcUon for African Ecooanic Iecovety and Development (A/43/664 and Corr.l), which is before the Assembly today. As the report notes, a number of problems faced by African countries - and this holds true for the developing world as a whole - are related to exogenous factors over which Africa has no control. The international trading system is one of these and, given the heavy c:bpendence of African economies on export earnings and the lack of diversi~ thereof, positive action by the international ccXnmunity in order to improve the adverse terms of trade is a must. The Ad Hoc Committee recognized the situation but fell short of making specific reconmendations. The problem of the external debt burden is another area of major concern reoognized by the Ad tl:K: Colilllit tee, whose reconunendations should be implemented as quickly as possible. E\1rther measures will also need to be taken by the international canmunity to alleviate the debt burden of all affected countries in the continent and thus enable them to utilize scarce resources as far as possible for economic recovery and long-term development. Since the adoption of the United Nations Prograume of Action for African Ec.:onomic Recovery and Development, African countries as a group and indigenous African institutions have intensified their efforts to put forward proposals dealing wi th some of the problems facing Africa, and this would, inter alia, involve action by the international community. In particular, bodies such as the Organization of African uni~ and the African Development Bank have been responding in an extremely constructive manner to a number of issues which African Governments have to confront on a daily basis. The African common position on Africa's (Mr. Barnett, Jamai.£8) external debt crisi~, the Khartoum Declar~tion, and the proposals by the African Developnent. Bank on resource flollS and external debt are all examples. we welcome t.'l!s de"elopment~ f« it is further recognition that the primary lCesponsibility for Africa's economic future lies in the hands of Afrioans. This reaponsibility ~elates not only to the ~plementationof policies and programmes nationally and regionally, but also to the creative and intellectual process of devising implementable solutions which recognize the particul~r circumstances of Africa, and who better to do this than Afr icans themselves? we noted that many of these proposals were present&d to the Ad Ibc CoaInittee for fl..lture consideration by the international ooftlllunity. we were deeply disappointed that sane appeared to be treated with scant regardo Surely this response falls short of the colllt\itment made in the Prcgranme of Action by the international community to "respond positively to the African call for a new era of co-operation based on a spirit of genuine and equal partnership, which is an essential element for harmonious and mutually beneficial economic co-operation in an inte~dependent world.· (resolution S-13/2, annex I, para. 7) We wish to urge that in the various international forums which examine issue:; Eelatil'l9 to Africa's economic recovery, these proposals emanating from the African continent itself are seriously considered with a view to Unplementation. Equally important to the success of development efforts is a peaceful and stable international political environment. In Md.ca we continue to face the long-standing issue of raci9'll and wili te mi.nority domination in Sc'~th Africa. Significant and scarce resources continue to be deployed by the front-line States in order to secure their borders against racist aggression. The relentless campaign of aggression and economic sabotage waged by the Pretoria regime against its neighbours has forced these Seates to spend large sums on armaments for their security. Resolution of the South African Md Namibia issues, m.d the consequent easing of tension, t10uld enable alternative use of those resources for develoPllent purposes in those coun~ries. We are therefore cautiously encouraged by the ~es"lts of the last romd of negotiations on the independence of South west Africa/Namibia. The international cCiDlmunity IiiUSt ensure that South Africa follows through on its coz:witments. Hewever, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the racist pOlicies of South Africa remain in place and that international pressure on that reg1ule must continue until ap!!rtheid is abolished. The report of the Ad !be CamDittee of the iIlole on the mid-term review and appraisal reoo!1lllands that a fin~l review of the United Nations Progrune of Action for African Econanic Recovery and Developl!lent take place at the forty-sixth session of the General Asse!IIbly. HOIIIever, priority attention by the inter.national community must cootinue beYClCld this period. During the next few years, the ttaited Nations will be elaborating a nEIW development strategy and will be convening a number of international conferences relating to developmental issues. Special attention must be given to Africa in the context of these. Africa is too important to be left behind in economic and social development. The dyntll!lllics of interdependence require that everything be done to redress the plight of that continent, which has contributed so IIllch to mankind's history and is so rich in huwm and natural resources. Its potential must be realized. Mr. POR'l'IER (Canada) (interpretation fram F~ench): tbt so long ago many of us and our Ministers spent two long and difficult weeks discussing the critical econaaic situation in Africa and the progress that has been made - and that which has not been made - in implementing the United Nations Programe of Action for African Economic gecoye~ and Development 1986-1990. The mid-term review was serious and, thanks to the excellent stewardship of the Chairman, (Mr. Barnett, Jamaica) ee-ittee, to .!lch I wish to pay a uibute, a consensus was reacbed. Tbe prcbl_s, the i8sues and the response to the situation in Afriea are colllPlex, huun ana CClCIpelling. We all know that recovery and develoPllent wUl take tille, co_UllIent and courage. We are _eting today to give official approval to the report of the Aa Hoc Co_ittee and to stress the illlportance of using the review as a guide for the r_aining yeags of the Progra-.e" The ~ited Nations Progr5Be of Action for African BccnC8lic ft!covery and Develo18ent ia the road asp for a lmg and difficult journey. The mid-term review vu an iaportant milestone. The review will continue to Berve an eBSential role in fuelling the political wUl needed to continue implementation of the ProgralDe throughout its relll1ining years.. The lIes84ge of the review is hope. Canada attaches great 1IIportance to the United Nations progra.e of Action and to the review. 'l'hat is why our Minister for External Relations and International Davelopaent, Mrs. Monique Iandry, ca_ to Hew York to participate in the opening debate.. eer lIe984ge was that AfriCia is a high priority for Canada and will remain a high priority. She Laid clNrly that Canada is co_itted for the long term. The aid-terM rwie" began by recognizing a distressing factI that despite efforts to date the econClllic situation in Africa has continued to deteriorate. And behind the numerB, behind the statistics, Hes a continuing scene of hUllan misery • (NI:. !brtier, canada) It is this hUmml reality that has touched the Canadian people, as it has so many others. It is this reality that muat compel both the international co_unity and African Governments to find every means possible to fulfil the commitments set out in the l!lited Nations PrograJlllO to the full and to reverse these downward trends. The consensus that emerged in the review was a recogni tion of this human need and a firm conmitment to continue to join forces for the future of Africa. At the outset it was clear to all concerned that the review was not the time to renegotiate the United Ratione Progrune of Action, to shift its focus from agriculture, or to detract from the principal role that African Governments must play. Any attempt to do so would have undermined the integrity of the Progranme and the momentum it had already gel:lerated internationally and in Africa. It ia an appropria~ Prograllllle. It is broad and balanced in tackling the root causes of the economic crisis, and it highlights such critical issues as the environment, hur..an-resource developnent, women in developnent, and population, which we must all address in our development plans. But, most importantly, underpinning the United Nations Progranme is the concept of sustainable development. Our common goal is to free African countries from dependence on external financial and technical support to sustain their economies. It is for the long term. In our implementation of the Programne, donors and African ooll'\tries should focus together on \:he lmg-term viability of the development strategies and eCCXlomic policies we aCbpt and on the long-term environmental impact of those policies. The key issues of the review were thc:l human impact of structural adjustment, debt, resource flows and trade and commodity issues. It would be naive to suggest that' there was unanimity of view on these issues. There was, however, a frank: exchange which allowed us to understand better the concerns of African Governments (Mr. Fortier, Canada) and the constraints and limit&tiona they face in responding to the crisis. We also emphasized the critical role the international colllllunity must play to support these efforts. On the basis of this understanding we must do a better job of bnplementing effective structural adjustment programmes, stimulating needed domeatic investment, disbursing funds faster, thinking and acting as constructively as we can about proposals for debt relief, and ensuring that we are all carrying our fa ir burden. Our: expactations in 1986, when the PrograJllile was adopted, were high. We could not have antioipated the worsening of the international eoonanic climate that Il1lltde it so difficult for African Governments to implement the necessary structural reforms. We in the international canmunity had high expectations that we could mobilize verY qUickly the necessary concessional resources. In actu&l fact, many measures have been put in place by both African Governments and the international community. But we have discovered that the problems and obstacles are enormous and that mange occurs only wi th the utmost effort and very slowly. The Progr anme for Afr ican recovery was a landmar k when it was adopted in 1986. The international community drew together with African countries to map out for the first time a jointly agreed, comprehensive plan for individual and co-operative action in order to address the serious econanic problems confronting the region. The United Nations is nCif enjoying a renaissance in the public view. It hu contributed successfully to the resolution of long-standing regional conflicts. The PrograJlllle for African recovery, therefore, is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the effeotiveness of the United Nations in finding solutions to difficult, yet equally important, economic, social and development challenges. It is important that our consensus be sustained. 'Jbgether, in the review, we listened to each other's points of view. On the depth of the crisis in Africa there wu no disagreement. As to the fact that .exe must be dene, there vas no disagr".ent. That we .ust, both Afr ican Governments and the international c:ea.unlty, ccntinue to do our utJloBt to iaplellent the Progr.-e was 8OIM!thing on which there was no disagr...ent. Where there wre divergenceo and differences th.e vere on .t:ters such as debt and trade in cODfllOdities, which for the II08t part must be adaressed in other, more technical, bodies. But there was no disagreement about the fact that all these .tter. need to be addreseed vith urgency. Our role here is to underline the need and the urgency. The review vas an opportunity for us to renew our cc.itllent to iIlpluenting the ProgrUlle to the full in its relusining years. Ibr its part, Canada vill Btay the course with Africa. Hr. PBJIC (Yugoslavia) I Two years have elapsed since the General Asseably adopted the Progr_e of kt!cn for Afdcan BcanCllic Recoyery and DeveloPlllent 1986-1990 as an iJlportant instrUlmnt for the alleviation of the critical eccnOllic situation in Africa. African oounuies and the international co_unity made a mutual colllitment to invest their best efforts to achieve this goal. For African countries this meant, first: and forel108t, that they were to give priority attention to the necessary econc.ic reform and to adjust their eoonoraic policies. Por the international cClllllunity it lIeant undertaking COIBplellentary action through intensified co-operation and substantially increased support. Must has been achieved 80 far? lbw did the eCClftOlllc situation in African ecanOllic situation of th_. countries not only has not iaproved but hes further c::ountri.. evolve? Unfortunately, the picture does not laok rosy at all. The deteriorated, and in 8C11e of th_ it hars U8W1ecS erisis proportions. The extant situation does not require elaboration, it is only too well known. 1IUlt does, however - and very ..ch so - is inadequate implementation of the ProgfaDllle of Action and the consequent absence of the expected results. 'lhe African Q)untries have made enorlllOus sacrifices to implement this Progrume. We cannot but Q)lIIIIend those courageous efforts, particularly since in many Q)untries such measures involve high socilll and politi~l risks. ast the efforts cannot be sustained indefinitely in the face of an adverse external envirolDent and vi thout increased support from the internat10nal COIDmunity, as is rightly stated in the Secreury-.General's report. We cannot be satisfied vi th the response of the international community concerning the implementation of the Prograume of Action, particularly so with financial support from the developed countries and international financi&l institutions as the necessary pre~ondition for ensuring growth and development in Africa. The external constraints, such as lov commodity prices, inadequate foreign rf/al resources flOlS, particularly of concessional aid, deteriorating terms of trade, net transfer of resources and, especially, a significant increase in debt and in the debt-servicing burden, are the major impeditllents to economic recovery and development in the region. Against that background the worthy efforts that have indeed been _de to support African countri4!s, including those made by the Governments of same developed countries, seem insufficient in the light of the extreme difficulties facing the African countries. The impleNentation of the Progrartl'lle of Action is further impeded by the policy of political and economic destabilization and acts of aggression pursued by the racist regime in South Africa against neighbouring front-line States, which not only threatens the countdes concerned but also endangers world stability. We cOllllend the efforts of the Secretary-General in sensitizing the international community to the critical economic situation in Africa in order to ennure the contr!bution of the United Nations system to the implementation of the PrograDllle. There is no doubt that the tbited Nations system has devoted due attention to this problem and included the activities for the implementation of the Progrume among its priorities. Yet the results have not been achieved and that calls for additional measures and further action. The mid-term review and appcaisal of the united Nations Programme of Action for African B::onomic Recovery and Developnent proyided an opportunity for an all....round look at the implementation of the Progullllle and reassessment of the factors that have impeded its implementation. After long and hard negotiations the Ad Hoc Committee of the "'ole adopted by consensus conclusions fram assessment of the responses and measures to accelerate the implementation of the Prograume. Howeo.ler, apart frail some positive effecta, the cwerall reaults fall short of expectations. Regarding the assessment of implementation of the Programa of Action, we must say that it does not duly recognize the exceptional efforts IIlllde by African countries in the implementation of the Prograane, while fulfilment of ccmmitments by donors and international institutions is somewhat overemphasized. We are not, of course, minimizing that but, concerning the measures for accelerating the implementation of ~e Programme of Action, a proper balance should be struck between the obligations of Afr ican countr ies and the cOJl!1litmenta of the international community. Noticeably absent are measures for the improvement of the external ecxmomic environment, which is one of the basic prerequisites for African efforts to bear fruit. Concerted efforts are needed to create an external environment more promotive of and conducive to the resumption of growth and development in African countries. In conclusion, let me say a few words about the efforts made by my country to support African countries. The extensive econanic co~perationof Yugoslavia with African countries is carried out in accordance with the progratmles of economic recovery of those countries. We Il\llintain investment co-operation wi th a large number of Afr ican countries on projects that are of vital importance to their development, particularly in the fields of agriCUlture, processing industries, electrification, transport, irrigation and mining. Although itself constrained by limited resources, Yugoslavia finances those projects mostly by itself exporting equipnent and technology. To its African partners Yugoslavia provides grants and technical assistance, which, coupled with regular and emergency humanitarian assistance, amounts to several million dollars per year. Our contribution to the Action for Resisting Invasion, Colonialism and Apartheid (AFRICA) Fund for the triennial period is $12 million. Yugoslavia fully supports the justified requests of Afr iean countries for support for their development and recovery. To that end we have called on the developed countries and international financial institutions to pledge their resources for the development of these countries in an even bolder lad more concerted way. Yugoslavia, too, is prepared to do &0, yet its financial eapacities are modeat. Nevertheless we shall ccntinue to aSBist African countries, which are to be counted as ever DIOre important partners in international economic co-operation and relations. Hr. KA1(X)KAR (India): My delegation wlQ)mes this opportunity to participate in the discussion on the mid-term review and appraisal of the thi ted Nations Progranme of Action for Afr iean &::onomic Recovery and Developaent 1986-1990. It is now widely recognized that the critical economic situation in Africa has worsened since 1986. The continued impact of declining export earnings, increasing debt-service obligations and inadequate resource flows has forced the majority of African countries to redlce investment and import levels, with detrimental effects (ft growth and development. Their capacity to implement fully their own ~itments has been further underlllined by natural disasters, desertification and locust infestation in sale areas. In addition, the countries of southern Africa continue to reilain the victims of act:u of political and economic destabilization by the racist Pretoria regime. Consistent with their colllllitments, African countries have undertaken major reforms in several priority areas at the national level. Despite the political, social and economic difficulties involved, the countries of the region have implemented these measures in the expectation that counterpart measures would be forthcollling. However, the recovery progr8llllD8 is hindered by the substantial shortfalls in external resource flows in relation to needs. The crisis facing African cowltrie8, and developing countries in general, is to a large extent the consequence of external forces beyond their control. In fact the internaticnal eccnal1c environment has becOIIe harsh and unfavourable for all developing cotmtries, including those in 8ub-6aharan Afri~. The collapse of caarmdity prices to histod~l1y low levela, deteriorating teras of trade and rising and new forms of protectionism may be recalled here. Added to these are the high real interest rates, misaligned exchange rates, inad~ate liq\2idity and the non-fulfillltint of internationally agreed official development assistanca targets, a8 well aB the heavy burden of debi:. and debt-servicing obligations. All th_e bave imposed heavy and unbear>lble burdena and accentuated the emnClllic crisis in Africa, as indeed in the developing countries in generlll. Improvement of the external environment and structural reform of the global econClllio system are therefore eBSential for tackling the critical econOllic situation in the African zegion. The Ad Hoc Ca.ittee of the Riole of the General Assembly en the mid-tera review I!Dd appraisal of the African recovery progralllle met here frail 15 to 23 September 1988. The Ad Hoc COI'II!littee, through its two 1tbrking Groups, undertook a th«ough review of the problems and consuaints facing the development efforts of African a:nmuies and the response of the international oo_unity, including the United Nations system, in supporting thOllile &fforts. The opportunity offered by the mid-term review exercise wm9 uti!lzed by all parties to reaffirm their conmit.ent to the PrograJBee They undertook to take further action to ensure the effective implementation of the Prcgrallfle during its raain:lng period. The lIid-tera reviev established that IIOSt African oountries have adopted significant policy reforms, often at severe social cost and political risk. The international CO!Illlunity, in turn, declared its intention to continue to support the efforts of African ClOWltries to iIIplement the ProgrUlle of Action. The United Haticns system ha. attached high priority to Africa. In add! tion to sensitizing the international c)lIIlunity to the eritical economic situation in Afr ica, the O\ited Nations systell has also been monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the PrograMDe of Action. It is important to implement vithout delay the agreements reached at the lIid-ter. review, limited though they were. The developed countries have a special reeponsibility in this regard. The policies and measures agreed in the areas of resource flows, trade, caDJlOdities and external debt should be implemented as soon as possible. This will contribute to the improvement in the external economic envuo..ent and thereby facili tate the long-term recOl1ery and development of the African countrieso In conclusion, I should like to recall the wrds of Prime Minister Rajiv Ganelli in his message to the thirteenth special session of the Geueral Assembly~ -ay working together in 8. spirit of partnership, the inter:national community has a great oppot:tmity and li challenge to contr ibute towards building a modern and prosperous Africa. An economically strong and dynamic Africa will be an important factor for world peace and stability." Hr. TmJIGlJC!!! (Jap~n): My delegation wholehearte&'y and IIOst war.ly welcCI!lfts the adoption by consensus by the Ad Hoc Calnittee of the tIlole of the Jlid-term review and appraisal of the impl_en~ticn of the Unlted Nations ProgrU5le of Action for African Econanio Recovery and Development 1986-1990 and reoolRendations for the acceleration of its implementation. This is a rell8rkable achievement, and is the result of the strenuous and colllbined efforts of all the delegations which took part in the negotiation, bearing in mind the impotunt need for an effective and urgent response to the continuing critical eCOIlaaic situation in Africa. I express my sincere appreciation to the Chairlll1Jn of the Id Hoc CQBlittee of the iIlole, Ambassador Tom Eric Vraalsen, for his able leadership in guiding the work of the Coamittee, and to the other members of the Bureau for their valuable contributions. M!y I also express my profound appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, to the former Ambassador of Cana~, "Ir. Stephen Lewis, in his capacity as Personal Adviser to the Secretary-General, and to the Steering Committee for their important contributions. My dele~ation also welcomes and supports the basic thrust of the report of the .Ad Roe COIIIIlittee, which is the result of the hard and conscientious negotiations we CQ'lductech we regard the adoption by consensus of the mf~d-terll review and appraisal by the Ad Hoc COIIIIittee as a great success. This clearly reflects a recognition by all Member States of the urgent need for more concerted action to alleviate and iIIIprove the econanio situation in Africa. The serious negotiations that took place in the course of drafting. the report of the Ad Iba Calmittee of the 1I10le were saDetilles very difficult and, in fmct, it was necessary to postpone their closure by one day.. This is due both to the inherent difficulty of the negotiations and to the genuine desire and aspiration of many delogations to contribute to the achievement of our COi80n objective. It 18 the view of my delegation that the mid-term review and appraisal of the implementation of the PrograJlllle of Action will certainly make a significant contribution to generating new maucntum in the international canmunity to take more effective action. My delegation is basically optimistic that the final assessment of the implementation \)f the Pr('gramme :)£ Action to be cooducted at the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly will be much enhanced by implementation of the newly adopted policies and measures. My delegation believes that all the participants in the Prograllllle of Action, both developed and developing eountdes, particUlarly African countries, the thited Nations system, and other international organizations, have all made their best efforts to implement it to the maximum extent their respective circumstances permit, and that the adoption of the mid-term review and appraisal will certaifily accelerate their continued efforts for the canmon objective of bringing about the speedy and fullest implementation of the Progral'lllle of Action. At the same time, it is the hope of my delegation that the adoption of the mid-term review and appraisal of the Programme of Action will contribute further to strengthening the determination of African countries to pursue their self-reliant development efforts, as well as to generate more vigorous international support for those efforts. My delegation also hopes that the revi-ew and appraisal of tha PrograJlllle of Action will further strengthen national and international co-ordination at various levels, so as to facilitate its implementation. In particular, we hope that the activities of the United Nations system will be further strengthened in this regard. The lesson we have learned from the oM Hoc Conmittee is that it is equally 1mpor\:r.mt to find _ye and means to accelerate implementation of the unfulfilled part of the Progranae of Action and assess positively wi thin its framework the achievements to date of the international community as a whole, including both developed and developing countries, as well as international organizations, encouraging them further to pursue their vigorous efforts. !Or its part, -Japan will continue to strengthen its efforts to help the peoples of Africa overcome their economic difficulties and realize their development objectives on the basis of the mid-term review and appraisal and the recommendations aoopted by the Ad Ibc COIIIDi ttee • In particular, Japan will continue to extend medium- and long-term assistance for African countries in cs broad range of fields. At the same time, by expanding grant. aid, particularly to least developed African countries, and by enhancing technical co-operation, Japan will further improve the quality of its assistance as well. In addition, it will exert its utmost efforts to provide financial contributions to the various international organizations involved in assistance activities in Afr lea. In this connection, may I also inform the Assembly that the necessary arrangements have been made to launch the project entitled "Journalists' Tours to Africa in the Framework of the United Nations Prograllllle of Action for African EcCXlanic Hecovery and Development It, which is to be financed bl' my Government, and that a team of journalists from the world's most influential media will visit Senegal and Ghana this month. It is hoped that the tours will heighten world wide public awareness of the critical economic situtltion in Africa. In concluding I wish to express my earnest hope that the mid-term review and appraisal of the Progralllle of Action will oontribute to the peoples of Africa ~ing a speedy recovery from their sufferings and to mobilizing further international assist1!nce for the efforts of African countries to this end. Japan stands f irlll1y caDlllit ted to doill3 its part in the renewed joint international efforts to achieve the c011lllOn objective set forth in the Progranme of Action. Sir Crispin TICKELL (lhited Kingdom) I We fully endorse what the representative of Greece has already said on behalf of the member States of the European Community. My delegation was able to make its views on the problems of Africa is recovery very clear during the recent mid-term review of the United Nations PrograJlllle of Action for African Economic IecoveEY and Development, and so for that reason I will limit myself to a few, very general remarks. As the British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said during the general debate, we weloome the outcome of the mid-term review. The original agreement on the PrograJlllle of Action in 1986 reI1resented a joint caumitment by the African and other members of the international community. The reaffirmation of that conmitment is heartening. The African countries have agreed to continue their efforts to put in place the economic policies necessary for recovery. we salute their courage and determination in sustaining such policies in spite of the difficult political decisions involved. Pbr their part, other countries have agreed on a range of measures in support of the Progranae of Action. None of us believes that African recovery can be completed overnight. There is a unique combination of natural and man-made hazards, in particular civil war. Change will take time, patience, imagination and effort. Aid can and does help, but cannot solve the problems on its own. We need also to create a more open trading environment and we attach great importance to the flbntre6l1 lilid-term meeting of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) next month.. aJ.t in the last resort it is for the peoples and Governments of Africa to decide for themselves how best to attempt to solve their complex economic problems. Many have already embarked on far-reaching p~ogrammes.. OYer 20 sub-Saharan African countries have already adopted such progrUllles with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other J'IIJltilateral and bilateral dmors. It is profoundly enCX)uraging that Afr: iean agr iculture has begun to show signs of recoyery in the form of increased food production and higher export earnings.* These are all matters in which Britain will continue to play a prominent role and in many respects to act as a catalyst. We took the lead in converting loans into grants and have encouraged others to do likewise. we have also sought to relieve the burden of debt on those least able to bear it, so we are all the happier that our initiative on debt r3lief, launched over a year ago, has since the conclusion of the mid-term review come to frui Hon. A number of poor, heavily indebted sub-5aharan CX)untries should soon join Mali and Madagascar in benefiting from the arrangements to give effect to the consensus reached in Toronto on debt relief through Paris Club reschedulings, the details of which were endorsed at the autumn meetings of the World Bar.\k and the IMF. For our part we will be reducing interest rates on reschedulGl:d debt by 3.5 per cent. This illustrates the very practical character of our approach. It should be the keynote of what we are all doing today. Mr. SCIAIOJA (Italy) I Let me first of all confirm my full support for the opinions already expressed this morning by the representative of Greece, who spoke on behalf of the &1ropean Community cnd its membar States. Italy, too, shares the positive evaluation of the results achieved during the mid-term review of the thited Nations PrograDllle of Action for African Economic * Mr. Borg Olivier (Malta), Vice-President, took the Chair. Recovery and Developmsnt 1986-1990 conducted last Septenber in two weeks of very interesting and stimulating work. My delegation therefore,is very glad to support the d~aft resolution the General Assemly is going to adopt in order to approve the relevant conclusions and recommendations of the said mid-term review. The exercise canpleted in September has been of paramount importance, having perm!tted all participants to focus properly on the positive results and also the shortcomings that emerged in the first two years of implementation of the Progralb9. The experience of the past is always useful because it makes possible a more positive COIIIllitment for the future. In this connection and as far as my OOW'ltry is concerned, Italian developnent co-operation policy will certainly take into account the conclusions and recommendations agreed upon in September for the tuning-up of our initiatives in Africa. We are sincerely convinced that the great potential resources of Africa will, sooner or later, permit the continent - with the sustained oo-operation of the international colllllunity - to achieve concrete and positive results, which we hope will be properly assessed in the course of the final review of the Programme scheduled for 1991. This favourable result will only be possible if the international cCl1lmunity continues its unflagging support and if the African countries persist along the path, already taken by most of them, with their courageous action and policies of reactivating the development process. Only mutually supportive efforts will allow Africa to overcome the present constraints: the debt burden and a still declining trend in commodity prices. There is no need to mention again the well-known strong comitment of the Italian Government to the African countries. My delegation already quantified this conmitment last September in the context of the work of the Ad Hoc COIIIlittee, and I do not wish to repeat the figures here. The only thing I want to stress hep:e is that Italy is firmy convinced that emergency Md hUllmitarian aid, on the ene hand, and lQ'lg-term develoPllent, on the othor, are closely connected and that any interventian should be carefully studied with this integrated approach in mind. There are, it is true, still sc.e painful emergency situations in SClle African countrid, and i:he widespread grasshopper and locust infestatiCln hu not yet been put under control, but we think that donors should move progressiv(!ly from a short-term approach to a long-tena dwelopment otrategy aimed at the prfNention of the recurrence of emergencies in the future. The role of the African oountries in this process is of primary importance, and my country stands ready to co-operate fully with them for a IIOc1ern and efficient developaent policy. (ME'. Selalo:la« Italy) Mr. DELPECH (Argentina) (interpretation from Spanish): The adoption by consensus of the report of the Id Hoc CcDnittee of the Whole of the General Assembly on the Review and ~praisal of the United Nations Progranme of ktion for African &:onaDic Recovery and Development (A/43/664 and Corr.1) shows the importance that the international ool1llllunity attaches to this question. The Prograume is undoubtedly a fundamental basis for futute co-operation to achieve the economic recovery and developnent of Africa. WhUe mch has been accanplished, it has undoubtedly not been enough to overcome Africa's developnent problems. It has been a lalg, uphill Eltruggle, and the road ahead will be arduous, though full of hope, as the Foreign M:.nister of Mali said in his statement to the Ad Hoc Committee last September. Argentina has fran the outset supported the 1980 Lagos Plan of 1tction and the Progrume of Action for African &::onanic Recovery and Development 1986-1990. we regard these documents as daring and brave. They contain detailed studies of the needs of the African continent and ways Md means of meeting these needs, and th~ will of Africans to be the architects of their own development is strongly highlighted. This African decision is proof of the political will of the peoples of Africa and of their coamitment to their own development. It shows, moreOlTer f that the peoples of the African continent wish to see a world eoonOllfi establish-=d on the basis of equitable conditions that will make possible regional development while reversing the trend of meagre growth we have witnessed during thls decade. We developing countries support Africa's endeavours and fully appreciate the adjustments the African peoples have made to overco_ their social and economic problell1S. Argentina •sunderstanding and solidadty are based on its own expertence and that of our sister republics of Latin _erica, with which we share the difficulties· inherent in the development process and its cQIlplex retinue of successes and failures. we are als~ familiar with a Whole series of external conditions outside our control, whose impact may either curb or give JIOlllntllll to the development process. The instability of international eoonClllic cycles, the very limited growth of international trade and its barely noticeable impact on IllOSt of our eCOIlCilies, the deterioration in the terms of trade, thE, growing protectionism of the developed countries, the instability of cQ'IlIa')dity prices, Md the overtllhebling external debt burden, aggravated by high interest rates - all have produced a vast transfer of resources from African, Latin American and Caribbean countries towards the indlJstrialized countries. Those resources are thus diverted from mseting the basic needs of their peoples and fran their own development efforts. Those negative international conditions have prejutu'ced the efforts undertaken by African counuies and made it necessary to adopt urgent measures, as was recognized at the last sU1III'Iit meeting of industrialized countries in Toronto. iWo years ago the international ccmmunity convened a special session of the General Assembly to deal with the critical economic situation in Africa. Today we are endeavouring to support the joint efforts of the African cCI'ltinent and the international colllllunity to .unplElllent the United Nations Plan of Action adopted in 1986, when the international community bec.e fu _ .. aware of the desperate situation that prevailed in the African continent and the principal measures that must a,." adopbd ::'f Africa was to cwerCQlle its underdevelopment problems. Blphasis was placed on the need to achieve the long-ter.m structural readjustment of their economies. '!'hat adjustment is vital if we are to break the vicious circle of poverty and underdevelopment and pav~ the way towards sustained ~oonOllic develOPMent. The ProgrSDIDe also includes inaec'Uat.e and less-inmediate measures for increasing agricultural productivity and promoting agriculture and afforestation progr_es, for the avoidance of droughts and desertification and for plannil¥,J the (Hr. Delpech, Arqtrlntina) (Mr. Deleech, Arsentina) ... of hUIlM r_ourcelJ. These objectives are all reiterated in document &/43/664. They were also .ntioned by the Pbreign Minister of Mali at the AS Roe CoIlIIaitteeOs review in Septellber, iIlen he eapbasized thfl efforts Wldertaken by Africa 1n the field of agr iculture, husbandry &nd protection of the envircnment. We emphashe these Ilatters bocauae we believe that, in the context of c::o-operation between developing countries, Argentina ean mako a valuable contribution to the fulfilaent of the ~ogr_e of Action. It has assuaed the co.!tzent aBsulQd by the international eo_unity in 1986 vis-la-vis the Afriean continent, we believe that, despite the serious econa.ie difficulties besetting it, it, Argentina must comply with its share of that co_itment, and, to that end, it has initiated a number of programmes with & view to contributing to the objectives of the Qlited Nations ProgrUlle of Action for African B:::onomic Recovery and Development 1986-1990. In the agricultural Md animal husbandry sectors, where Argentina h~!J extensive experience, we have carried out a number of undElrtakings with various African coWltriese For instance, the National Institute of Agricultural 'lechnology provided technical training in Argentina to experts from Gabon and Zaire, reconnaissance missions were carried out to determine the needs of the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Gabcm, COte d'Ivoire, Mozaubique, Nigeria, zaire, Zat'l'bia and Zi1'lt>sb'tfe, in April and May 1987 an Argentine-African seminar for agricultural development took place in Argentina with the partic..ipation of Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Moz4llbique, Nigeria, Sw&ziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, last October a seminar on agdcultoral technology was held in Argentina wi th the participation of the following countries: Denin, Burkina hso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, O1ad, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Nigel', Senegal, 'lbgo and Zair.e, and this month another seminar is under way in Argentina on the use and 1'I8intenance of agricultural machinery with the participation of: Angola, cape Verde, Equatorial Qlin~, (binea-Bissau, Mozarnbique and Sao '!bme and Principee All of these activities can be inscribed in the agricultural sector in general. With regard to public health, the Q)vernment of Argentina granted post-graduate fellowships on paediatrics to the following countries: Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ghana, COte d'Ivoire, Mozanbique, Nigeria and the United Republic of Tanzanise The object of those seminars is to cCll'ltribute to a joint study by offering such services in Argentina while also resorting to the services of sane of the countries I have mentioned which already have experience that they can convey to use The development and effective use of African human resources is a basic concern of that ccmtinente For that reason the GoV'ernment of Argentina has (Mr8 Delpech, Argentina) organized a seminar on population techniques, which is to be held in Buenos Aires at the end of this month, with the participation early in December of officials fran Angola, Mozani>ique and Sao Tome and Principe, among others. Bearing in mind the results of the identification missions which were carried out in 1987, and in the framework of the recent journey of the Foreign Minister of .Argentina to the continent, certain projects in the agricultural sector have been drawn up wi th a number of countries in the region: Angola, on phyto-sanita tion, Ghana, on improvement of pasturesJ Cape Verde, on animal health and the development of an experimental farm, Gabon, on improvement of pasturesJ the Cote d'Ivoire, on improvement ef livestock and the developnent of an experimental farmJ Mozambique, on improvement of cassava and sweet potatoes, Nigeria, on development of the agricultural sector in generalJ Zaire, on selection and enhancement of Rheep breedsJ Zanbia, on development of soya and sunfloweu and Zimbabwe, on improvement of pasture lands. In all such cases our desire was an exchange of experience between Argentina and most of those countries. All of those projects, which were carried out with the co~perationof the Qlited Nations Development Programme, are being undertaken wi ..hin the context of South-South co~peration and demonstrate 11¥ country's firm cOJllllitment to African development wi thin the context of this Sou th-Sou th co"'Operat1on. On the othe~ hand, traditionally Argentina has supported and will continue to support the food aid targets by contributing to the World Food Programme. During the period 1987 to 1988 contributions alllC)unting to more than 20,000 tonnes were made to various C9Untries in the region. Another way in which Argentina supports the economic co-opet;ation machinery established in the African continent is through its participation ss a non-regional member of the African Bank for Developnent since 1985 and '.its participation in the African Fund for Development. (Mr. Delpech , Argentina) My GoIrernment has sought to enhsnce trade and cultural relations with the African nations, which is a continu;ng and important part of Argentina's foreign policy. In that connection we should mention that in the c'Outse of the past two years economic, scientific and technical co-operation agreements were signed with ~ number of brother African countries, establishing that African-Argentine co-operation should be carded out through trade, comercial, technical and industrial joint enterprises, the exchcmge of experts, official missions and businessmen, and the training of personnel. Similarly, since 1984 Argentina has opened lines of credit for African countries - which are perhaps not very high but within Argentina's possibilities - anounting to about SlSO million for the purchase of Argentine goods. This granting of lines of credit is reflected in the increase in trade relations exceeding $25 million in 1987 alone. Finally, since it came to power the democratic GJvernment of Argentina has sought to establish closer relations with tJle African continent in all fields. Through the 14 existing diplanatic missions, diplomatic ties are maintained with almost all the countries of the cootinent. Atgentina wishes to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the valiant spirit of the African nations, which are prepared never to yield in their struggle aga~nst the heinous policy of !'Partheid. We are in full solidarity with the cause of the African people - which is the cause of civilized mankind. Because for us racial discrimination is inadmissible, and since we have denounced the repeated acts of aggression of the South African Government against the countries of southern Africa, we also broke diplanatic relations with South Africa in 1986. we are also aware of the difficulties of the front-line States resulting from the continued acts of aggression of South Africa and, together with the countries (Mr. Delpecb, Argentina) of the Non-Aligned Movement, we have caltributed to the establishment of the AiRIC'A P\.1nd, which was set up at the last summit meeting in Harare in 1986 in response to those attacks. (Hr. Delpech , Argentina) AB we stated earlier, my country fully supports the aultilateral econClllic .action of the United Nations and therefore endorses its action on this occasion. '!'he African nations expect us all to cClnuibute to lIleeting the challenge of the deep eoonanic crisis. We cannot disappoint theIR, we must strengthen int,ernational co-operation, which is at the very root of our Organization. The PRSSmEN'l', The next speaker, the representative of Zimbabwe, will lUJke his statement on behalf of the Molfement of Non-Aligned Q:nmtdes. Mr. BlMADZIRIPI (Zimbabwe) I I should like to convey our appreciation to Allbassadol' Tom Vculsen, tbairman of the Ad Ho., Ccaalttee, for the able and efficient manner in which he guided the work of that CoIiInittee. Our: appreciation goes also to his colleagues on the Bureau and indeed to all those who participated in the eo.ittee's work. without their dedication, patience and tireless efforts this i_ense task would not have been successfully accaaplished. The report of the Id Hoc CcuBittee constitutes a very important statement· in iJlplementation of the United Nations Progrllllllle of Action for African BcCftCllic Recovery and Development 1986-1990. It is significant not ClIlly in that it provides us wi tb a review and appraisal of what has been done so far and wbat needs to be done in the remaining two Yflars of the Programe, but MOre mpcrtantly in that it above all reaffirms the continuing validity of the nutual ce:-litllent between Africa and the international co_unity that the Progruae conatitutee. The mutuality of this cc.litment ia the central tenet of the lbited Rations Prograae of Action for African &::onOllic Recovery and Developnent. It is In this regard therefore that we welccne the conclusion by the Id Iba ca.ittee that (Mr. Dalpech, Argentina) "The continuing gravity of the econanic situation in Africa requires that all partners take urgent and decisive actions to accelerate and ensure the effective implement:at1on of the Programme during its remaining period". (A/43/664, chap. IV, para. 18 (annex, para. 5» As is evident fran the lid Hoc canmittee's report, most African cotlntdes have undertaken many significant policy reforms to improve the performance of their econanies. 'rbey have done so in spite of the severe social and political costs these pol~lcy reforms entailed. Such a courageous display of political will and determination needs to be complemented ~ a proportionately commensurate will and determination by the international community to ensure that the progress made is 6ustained. It is thus regrettable that in spite of the commendable and coutageous efforts of Africa's leaders, the overall performance of their economies remains largely unsatisfactory. It is more apparent to us that this depressing state of affairs has persisted partly because of the fa ilure of the in ternational community to match its SItated cOlllllitments at the required level of resources and policy actions for the effective implementation of the thited Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Developnent. The Ebreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Countries, at their Conference in Nicosia, C\'prus, from 5 to 10 September 1988, also noted wi th concern that "two years after the adoption of the United Nations .<:,.....qranme of Action for African &::onomic Recovery and Development, the econanic situation of Africa had de~riorated and short-, medium- and long-term prospects remained bleak in spite of the vigorous policy reforms of African countries, which have exacted social and political costs". (A/43/667, annex, Final Document, Ebonomic Part, para. 155) (Mr. Hamadziripi , Zimbabwe) The Ministers concluded that lithe devel.oped countries had not provided sufficient support, particularly financial resources for the implementation of the Progr2llll!le of Action-. (ibid, para. 156) Indeed, the Ad Hoc Ccmnittoe notes in its own report that, in real terms, resource flows to Africa were lower in 1986 and 1987 than in 1985. It is a tragic irony that whiJ.e resource flows to Afr ica from both bilateral and multilateral sources remained stagnant or even decreased in 1986 and 1987, there was a substantial net transfer of resources from Afr ica to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the same period. It is in that context that we welcome the Ad Hoc Comittee' s appeal that IlISustained and unfaltering efforts made by African countries must be matched by substantial and urgent efforts by the international conmunity to provide support to them at the required levels and to create an international environment favour~le to the process of reform and restructuring ll • (A/4J/664, chap. IV, para. 18 (annex, para. 10» That message on the need ieor a renewed sense of commitment to and urgency in accomplishing the objectives of the thited Nations Progranme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development, particularly by the international community, is most propitious. 'lb ignore it, or to do sanething else, would but constitute et betrayal of the hopes and aspirations and, indeed, the gallant efforts of the African countries themselves in ~dhieving self-sustaining socio-economic growth and development. We are not oblivious of the important initiatives that the international community has taken to ~plement and support the African recovery progranmeo However, we believe that more can be done - indeed, more needs to be done - if the goals of the Programme of Action are to reach frui tion. The Ad !bc Committee rightly notes th~t ·urgent and decisive actions- are required ·to accelerate and ensure the effective implementation of the PrograJllile lll • (A/43/G~4, chap. IV, para. 18, (annex, para. 5)) Besides substantially increasing the level of resource flowo to Africa, the international coll1llunity must urgently and decisively tackle the problems related to the prevaUing external ec:onCDic environment. The adverse external economic environment, over which Africa and indeed many others in the developing world have no control, poses a major constraint and impediment to Africa IS recovery and development efforts. The international oolllllunity has a responsibUity to make that environment more favourable to the achievement of sustainable growth and development in Africa. The need for a comprehensive and durable solution to the interrelated issues of l1IOney, trade, finance, external debt and development cannot be overemphasized. It is equally in the interest of the developed countries that these issues be resolved in the interest of balanced growth of the global econany. Failure to solve the debt problem could be catastrophic to the world co1'llllunity, as the persistence of the crisis could lead to a disruption of the international financial system and certainly to the underminL-'1g of growth ill developing countries - which in turn reduces demand for imports. Consequently, a durable and effective debt strategy should seek to ensure that no developing country should ever have the obligation to meet debt-servicing obligations at the expense of growth. We have studied very carefully the Ad Roc COllllliteees reconmendations on the measures required for accelerating the implementation of the tl1ited t,Jations Progranme of Action for African Phonemic Recovery and Development, in particular those falling within the purview of the international caDmunity. tle believe that, if energetically implemented, tb.se measure. will significantly contribute to and enhance the process of refor., recovery and developnent currently under way in . Africa. We thus call upon the international call1lumity fully to meet its obligations in that respect. As regards Africa's external debt burden, the measures contained in para9""aph 66 in c::bmpter IV of the Calmittee 's report are a step in the right direction and should be pursued with urgency. The debilitating effect of external indebtedness is not unique to Africa. In view of the interdependence of the prevailing world econC!mf, it may also be appropriate to consider extending, where applicable, acme of these measures to other developing countries similarly burdened by heavy debt repayments. That, in our view, would also ensure that the benefits of any favourable developments in the global econany accrued to all its canpcnent parts, in the intereste of balancad growth throughout the system. (Mr. Bamad:irifi 11 Zimbabwe) Peace and security are a sine qua non of sustainable development and growth. In southern Africa the prevalence of acts of aggression and destabil1zation perpetrated by the apartheid regime in South Africa against its neighbours has wrought havoc in these countries' econanies and frustrated their efforts at achieving sustainable growth and development. The non-aligned coWltries have long recognized the dire need to provide increased financial support and assistance to the front-line states to enable them better to withstand the nefarious activities of the apartheid regime. We thus welcome the determination and commitment of the international canmunity to continue and increase its assistance to the Southern African DeveloPllent Co-ordination Conference (SADCC), the Action for Resisting Invasion, Colonialisn and Apartheid (AFRICA) Flmd and other means of supporting the victims of apartheid, and the front-line States. We have reached an important milestate on the long and arduous road towards the recovery of Africa. Much has been done, but much more remains anQ needs to be done. This is not the mcment to despair or falter but indeed the moment to rally to the call for renewed colllllitment to our cause which the Ad Hoc COJIIDittee has issued. We have all made a cQlllllitment, and that cOlllllitment must be fulfilled if we are to be true to ourselves. We in the !bvement of !bn-Aligned Countries reiterate our support for Africa in its determined efforts to achieve self-sustaining socio-economic developnent and growth. Mr. REINO (Portugal) I Early today the representative of Greece spoke on behalf of the European CaDmunity and its member States. Being cne of the Twelve, my cowatry fully endorses what was then!!ta~d. Let me, however, add a few words. For Portugal, history has created a very special relationship with the African continento It should, therefore, not be surprising that Africa has and will have a very high priority in our policies. tklderstandably, of that large continent the five countries that use Portuguese as their official language deserve our very particular attention. In 1986 the special session of the General Assembly approved the United Nations Programme of Action for African EccnCl1lic Recovery and Development 1986~1990. The review and appraisal of its implementation was concluded by the NI !be Coamittee of the ~ole of the General Assembly last September. Although we have covered a loog path since the launching of the prograume, it is our assessment that mch still remains to be done by all the partners involved. The African comtr ies will have to continue their efforts in the adjustment process, but the internaticnal community has to sustain and increase its support for these efforts. In spite of the fact that it is going through a period of adjustment of its own economy, my country is involved in a considerable effort in its bilateral co-operation. PUlly aware of the burden of debt and debt service on the African econanies, Portugal is searching for new and innovative solutions for the debt problems of its partners in Africa with a oase-by-case approach. These include rescheduling of debt and, in scme cases, acceptance of payments in local currencies to be used for specific progranmes of co-operation. we should like to call the attention of this Assemb11 to two IIllltters we consider of great importance. One is the very particular attention the least developed countries deserve. Appropriate measures have to be taken to protect those countries from negative consequences resulting from the Uruguay lbund. The other is the specific support that the international community should give to the Southern African Developnent Co-ordination Conference. Through regional co-operation the countries Calcerned can iJIlprove the basis for ecooOlllic development in order to help in the achievement of political stabiUty and peace in the region. (Mr. Reino, Portugal) The PRJ!SmENT. I have to infor. the AIIs.bly that the Secretary-General has reviewed the draft resolutim ccnt8ined in the report and has indicated that he does not foresee at this tiae any additional buClgetary iIIplications. The AsseZllbly will no", take a decision en the draft resolution in paragraph 18 of the report of the Ad Hoc C~ittee (Al43/664 and Corr.l). May I take it that the Assellbly wishes to adopt ~at draft resolution? The 'draft resolution was adoeted (resolution 43/27). The ·PRJ!SmEHT. I call m the Secretary-General. The SB~E'1'ARY-GENBRAL •. itnI that the General Aaee-bly has concluded its deliberations on the· critical situation in Africa, .y I express ay great satisfaction with the resolution just adopted, together with the report of the Ad Be£ CoIIImittee of the tIlole. Today Africa and the international co_unity have renewed the unique partnership forged in 1986 for the ecmc.ic recovery and develo~ent of the continent. The report of the Ad Hoc ee-ittee constitutes a de.aneting work plan for both partners for the next two years, listing the extra efforts within the PrograJlllle that all have agreed "'ill be necessary to PIt Africa truly back on the road to sustainable development by the end of 1990. I note that there is general agreetaent that -.ore needs to be done by the Governments and peoples of the cmtinent. The report identifies as of special importance the rationalization by Afr tean GoverftlMlnt8 of public investment policies, the development ~ effective iapleaentstion of appropriate hUIIM resource and population policies, industrial develol8ent, iIIprcwelMlnt of international caapetitivenellB, and di"eraification of production. There is also an important call for intensified efforts towards econcm.c cooooPeration and integration in accordance with the objectives of the Lagos Plan of Ae:tion. Moreover, the report lays appropriate emphasis on development progr8llllling that will give due recognition to the factors critical to increased agricultural production, inclUding the needs of African wClI1len farmers for access to extension services, land titles, credit and new technologies. In all of this the United Nations system will make its full contribution.-- (The SecretarY-General) There must also be an energetic rei:lponse to the cllll in the report for increased co~peration with non-governmental organi:ations, to which I attach particular importance in all tllited Nations endeavours. In this regard, I am happy to inform the General Assembly that representatives of nCXl-governmental organizations will now participate in the work of the thited Nations Steering Committee for the Progranme of Action. In many respects, however, it will be the extra effort that the international camnunity must make in the immediate future that will make the crucial difference with r4!9ard to successful implementation of the PrograJlllle of Action. There is no escaping the close connection between external debt, financial flaws and trade if Africa's recovery and developnent is to be placed on a solid footing. With regard to debt, the review has identified a list of urgent steps that the international community should take towards "lasting, durable and growth-oriented solutions that cover the various categories of debt, various creditors and various debtor countries and that respond to Africa'S development needs." (A/43/664 and Corr.l, para. 66) An encouraging list of agreed steps to increase and expedite the delivery of external financial flows has also been presented. These now require concrete action by donor Governments. The amomt of attention paid during the review to Africa's trade problems is quite significant. It is Africa's ability to earn its _y in the world econany in conditions of equity and stability that will underwrite its lQ'lg developnent effort. As I stated in the General AssertOly laot year, the enhancement of the continent's external purchasing power requires well-adapted and competitive products and access to potentiml markets. This constitutes one of the major challenges for the design of lQ'lg-torm developuent strategies. ('!'Ee Secretar~neral) In this context, I have begun preliminary consultations for a special study on African commodities and the scope for export dive~sification. The report calls for the further strengthening of co-operation and co-ordination of the United Nations system's contribution to the implementation of the Progra11l1\e of Action. 'lb follow up on the mid-term review, the Steering Committee and Task Fbrce for the Programme of ~tion are formulating programmes of work for the next two years, in close consul ta tion wi th the Economic Commission for Africa and the Organization of African Unity. In conclusion, I urge resolute action by all c~lcerned Governments on all the measures outlined above. Without such action Africa will not be able to move forward dynamically and wi th assurance of success in its painful reforms. The ultimate test of international co-operation is in translating amply perceived needs and realistically agreed responses into tangible benefit for the peoples concerned. I pledge my best endeavours in the response to this challenge, and I appeal to the unique partnership forged here in the General Assembly to exert the utmost effort in bringing to the peoples of Africa the full benefits of our joint efforts.