recession meantadecline ofapproximately 20percentinitsgrossdomestic product. IfPOPulation growthandthenegative impactof ofinflation aretaken intoaccount,itcanbestatedthatpercapitanational incomefellbymorethan 30percentbetween 1983and1985. Thiseconomic contraction affected themostimportant socialandeconomic sectors. Exports fromtheminingsector, whichwasinasteepdecline, dropped by over25percentascompared with1977.Theagricultural sector, whichaccounts fortwo-thirds ofthepopulation, experienced asimilar dropoverthesameperiod. urbanunemployment andunderemployment areatpresent thelotofapproximately 40percentoftheactiveurbanpopulation. Between 1982and1984exports asa wholefellby50percent,whichwasreflected inasharpdecline intherateof domestic development. Itwasestimated that,attheendof1984,Bolivia's publicandprivate external debtamoounted to$4.693billion. Exportsthatyeartotalled approximately $780million, whereas imports amounted tosome$520million. Inthe meantime, external debtserVicing in1984hadrisentoatotalof$804million, a figurethattheBolivian Statewasmaterially unabletopay. Whatcountry couldovercome somanycalamities withoutpolitical repercussions? However, Bolivia haspreserved democracy, andonceagainthesoul andspiritoftheBolivian peoplehavewithstood thetestofadversity. "Todispelanyfalsehopes,although nothopeitself, whichmustbemaintained tothefullinordertomeetthechallenge posedbymisfortune, wecanstate", saidPresident PazEstenssoro, "thattherewouldbenopointinlivingina democracy ifthepeopledieofhunger".JVMI7 A/40/PV.27 18 (Mr.Garrett Ailloh, Bolivia) Inviewofthefactthatthecountry hadbeendestroyed bypoverty causedby theworldrecession whichbrought aboutadropinthepricesofthemineralsit exports,itwasincumbent upontheGovernment andpeopleofBoliviatoreversethis economic trend oTheinevitable alternative wouldhavebeenacalamity of unimaginable proportions. Awareofthis ~esponsibility, myGovernment has implemented aneweconomic p\.icywhichimpliooausterity measures andadjustments, butwhichalsopresupposes themodernization andimprovement oftheproduction systems andresources available. President PazEstenssoro putintowordsthedetermination ofBolivia, a country thatdoesnotgiveinandwillnotretreat onestepinthefaceofforces thatyesterday didnothesitate todestroy thecountry inordertodestroy the system. Inhisview "thereisnoformula forresolving theterrible crisisconvulsing Bolivia otherthanthecollective sumofmoralvaluesand©onstant labourwhichcan increase exportable wealth. Wemustmanagethescarceeconomic andfinancial resources properly, agreetoapauseinthesocialstruggle andconvince ourselves thattherecanbenorenaissance fortheRepublic unlesswe understand thescaleofthecatastrophe andthefeweffective remedies available toustoreversethisoverwhelming situation." Itwouldbeasadironyif,atatimewhenBoliviaismakingincreasing sacrifices tohelpitself, theinternational community weretorefusetosupport my country initsefforts. Mypeopleareatpresent makingtremendous sacrifices to overcome thecrisisandtoconsolidate ademocratic political community. weknow thatwearenotalone,andthatrepresentatives gathered hereandtheirrespective Governments willtransform thisAssembly intothemostactiveinstrument for international co-operation andsolidarity.JVM/7 A/40/PV.21 19-20 (Mr.Garrett Aillon, Bolivia) Onbehalfof~country Iexpress mydeepfaiththattheworldwillsetaside itsdisputes andfinally understand thatpeaceisinseparable fromthewell-being ofpeoples, that pove~ty represents thedenialoflifeandthattherecanbeno worsedependency thanpoverty. Letushavethecourage toproclaim that,ashas beensaidhere,wehavenotlostourfaithintheability totransform lifeandto transform theworld,andthathereinth~UnitedNationsafter40yearswehavenot lostthespiritofSanFrancisco, whichin1945represented hopewhentheglowof victory seemedtolightthewaytoanewdawnformankind. TheCHAIRMAN (interpretation fromSpanish): OnbehalfoftheGeneral Assembly, IwishtothanktheVic~President oftheRepublic ofBolivia forhis important address. Mr.JulioGarrett Aillon, Vice--President ofthe~epublic ofBolivia, was escorted fromtherostrum.BG/8 A/40/PV.27 21 Mr.HARDING (Jamaica): Onbehalfofthedelegation ofJamaica, Itake theopportunity toextendwarmcongratulations toyou,Sir,onyourelection tothe presidency ofthefortieth session oftheGeneral Assembly. Itisaltogether fittingthatinthisimportant anniversary yearoftheUnitedNations theGeneral Assembly shouldhavepresiding overitsdeliberations aveteran diplomat ofyour calibre whohasovermanyyearsgivensuchdistinguished serviceattheUnited Nations. Itaketheopportunity alsotoexpress ourgratitude toyourpredecessor, Ambassador PaulLusakaofZambia, forhisoutstanding presidency duringthe thirty-ninth session.
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the economic crisis in Bolivia during the 1980s, discussing the decline of GDP, inflation, and external debt. It also touches on the social and humanitarian aspects of the crisis, including poverty, hunger, and unemployment. The text highlights the government's efforts to address the crisis through austerity measures and economic policy changes.

**Category**
Economic development, Humanitarian aid and relief