debtorcountries arecuttingtheirimports, theirlivingstand~ ardsandtheirdevelopment programmes tothepointwhere social,andevenpolitical, consequences havebecome ex­ tremely serious. Furthermore, thelossofmarkets weakens thefragilerecovery intheindustrial countries. Thereisastrongmutualinterestinresolving thedebtcrisis. However, thedebtproblem illustrates theinconsistencies whichshort-circuit attempts tomoveinapositive direction. Whileeffortsarebeingmadetoreschedule debtsoverlonger periods toalleviate theburdens, elsewhere protectionist measures arebeingtakenwhichnullifythoseefforts.Isee astrongneedforajoint,comprehensive andspeedyexamina­ tionofallaspectsofthissituation, including thepoliticalones. Thepromotion ofbetterunderstanding ofworldeconomic andsocialproblems isanessential taskoftheUnited Nationsandotherinternational agencies. Therearesomeen­ couraging experiences inthisfield.Theseriesofconferences onglobalproblems sponsored bytheUnitedNations over thepast15yearshascertainly beenaninnovation inraising kDowledge andconsciousness ofproblems andtryingto developaconcerted approach tothem.Current international effortstocometogripswiththeproblems ofAfricaalsoshow awillingness toapplytheskillandresources oftheinterna­ tionalcommunity toaparticular seriesofproblems. Intheeconomic asinthepolitical sphere,wearefaced withthenecessity ofmakingourinstitutions relevant andef­ fectiveintherealitiesofourtime.Wehavetolearntomanage ourincreasing economic interdependence. Thisisanenor­ mousanddaunting task.:ijutthefailuretofaceuptoitcan haveresultsintermsofeconomic andsocialdeclineand chaos,which,intheirownwayandinthecircumstances of *** ***ReportoftheSecretary-General ontheworkoftheOrganization 5 ourtime,canbejustasseriousanddebilitating' asafailure Theresponsibilities anddutieswhichareinherent inthe toevolveacollective systemofinternational peaceandsecuri- functions oftheSecretary-General oraredelegated tohim tyinanuclearage. represent ahighchallenge. Thefunctions oftheSecretary- General andtheSecretariat haveevolvedtoanotableextent inthefirst40yearsoftheOrganization. Botharebasedon theconceptofindependent andobjective international service. Iwishonlytomakeoneobservation abouttheevolution oftheSecretary-Generalship anditsrelation totheoverall development ofinternational institutions. Whilegreatly appreciative oftheco-operation andunderstanding extended totheSecretary-General andthetrustbestowed onhim,Iam sometimes concerned thatthedelegation ofresponsibility to theSecretary-General may,incertaininstances, havethe effectofdiminishing theeffortthatisexpected ofMember StatesundertheCharter. Thiswillnotservetheeffective development oftheUnitedNations asapolitical institution. Thatbeingsaid,Inevertheless believethatitwouldbein theinterests oftheOrganization asawholeiftheSecretary­ General's capacity toserveasartobjective thirdpartywere tobefurtherdeveloped. Thereismuch,ofcourse,tobesaid forquietdiplomacy, butsometimes'more isrequired. Iam thinking inparticular ofawiderandearlieruseoffact-finding andobservation. Iamalsothinking oftheneedtosurveymore regularly andsystematically theworld-wide stateofinterna­ tionalpeaceandsecurity-a taskinwhichtheSecurity Coun­ cilandtheSecretary-General shouldbejointlyinvolved. The bestradarintheworldisnotreliableoreffective unlessit makessystematic surveysofthesurrounding space.Thesame applies, itseemstome,tothetaskofmaintaining international peace. Thebasicelements oftheinternational civilservice­ independence fromnationalpressures, efficiency, competence andintegrity-must remain theguiding tenetsofthe Secretariat. Theirvalidityhasbeenprovenovertheyears, especially incritical andcontroversial situations. The Secretariat mustcontinually strivetobethedependable arm required toimplement theevolving needsoftheOrganization. Iam,however, concerned withthequestion ofwhatpolicies andmethods canbestachievethestandards ofefficiency and integrity whicharerequired fortheinternational civilserv­ ice.Thedevelopment ofsuchaserviceusingpersonnel from wellover100Member Statesisnoeasytask.Iamcertainly notsatisfied thatwehaveinallcasesfoundtherightsolu­ tions,therightrulesorthemosteffective organization for theSecretariat. Iaminfavourofpursuing oureffortstoim­ provetheexisting administrative, personnel andbudgetary practices oftheUnitedNations. However, Ibelievethatthe bestresultscan,andshould, beachieved withinthe framework oftheSecretary-General's authority under Chapter XVoftheCharter. Thisisessential bothforproper management andintheinterests oftheOrganization asa whole. Ihaverepeatedly emphasized theneedfortheSecretariat toexploreallavenuesforutilizingtheOrganization's resources inthemostefficient manner, andtoprovideanequitable role forwomenintheSecretariat. Ihaveinitiated aseriesof management-improving measures, andthisisaprocessthat willbepursuedonacontinuing basis.Itisparticularly essen­ tial,intimesofchange, constantly toevaluate andreassess programmes andstructures andtoinstitute suchreforms as
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a report by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, discussing the debt crisis, its impact on the global economy, and the need for international cooperation to address it. The report also touches on the importance of the United Nations and its institutions, as well as the role of the Secretary-General in promoting international peace and security.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade