qreenhouse effect, desertification and toxic wastes pollution -all require the most immediate attention of the entire international community, in view of their destructive effect on the ecosystem. It is true that poverty is as harmful a PDllutant as carelessly operated industries, a fact that is quite evident in areas denuded of trees and animals by people in dire need of firewood and food. However, since the developed countries are the prime source of environmental deqradation, they do have at least a moral obligation to assume a greater share of the responsibility for qlobal environmental protection, including the provision of adequate resources for that purpose. In this connection, official development assistance to, and investment proqrammes in, third world countries should now be designed to ensure sustainable development on a much grander scale than obtained before. BHS/jl A/S-18/PV. 7 43 CMr• Johnson, Liberia) A fourth important area of focus for international co-operation is human resourqes development• It is qenerallv accepted that the peoPle of any countrv constitute its most important economic asset. Development must, therefore, be human-centred. Sustained qrowth and development cannot be achieved without due attention beinq paid to the reduction and eventual eradication of povertv or, what is the same thing, to the development of human resources. This necessary attention to the human dimension of development requires new approaches, concrete actions and international co-operation in health and nutrition. housing, and in the development of new and appropriate technoloqies. Moreover, international co-operation must be stimulated to encouraqe developinq countries to pursue sound population policies and family Planninq programmes, amonq other thinqs, to curb the hiqh rate of population qrowth and put within their reach the goal of safe nntherhood. Women, who comprise about one half of the human resource of developinq 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the global environmental issues, such as greenhouse effect, desertification, and toxic wastes pollution, and their impact on the ecosystem. It also touches upon the importance of human resources development, poverty reduction, and population policies. The text highlights the need for international cooperation and the responsibility of developed countries to take the lead in addressing these issues.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Economic development, Health, Humanitarian aid and relief