nineteenth session of the Commission and tenth meeting of the Conference of Ministers. J - 62 - 252. The observer for the International Monetary Fund stated that his organization had endeavoured to respond to the difficult economic and financial situation in Africa during the past few years by increasing its financial assistance. In that connection gross drawings from the Fund by African member countries during the past few years had doubled. Drawings within the newly established Cereals Facility, which was intended to alleviate problems arising from inadequate food supplies had amounted to $US 400 million during the first 2 to 3 years of that facility. Similar use had been made of the Compensatory Financial Facility. In addition, technical assistance had been rendered in the areas of tax policy, external debt management and formulation and implementation of monetary policy. 253. He assured the Conference that within its prescribed limits, the Fund stood ready to continue to assist African member countries in the search for appropriate and effective solutions to the balance-of-payments problems. 254. The representative of the World Bank welcomed the close working relationships between ECA, OAU and the World Bank, in view of the high priority which the Bank had given to Africa in the allocation of resources within its technical assistance programme. The Bank had supported a number of pre-feasibility studies on domestic reforms to accelerate economic growth through better utilization of domestic resources, but further action was needed to alleviate Africa's increasing debt burden and combat the prevailing economic crisis. A conference between African and donor countries would provide a suitable forum for this purpose. The Conference of donor countries held in Paris earlier in 1985 had yielded pledges in excess of the target of $US 1 billion; the facility established as a result 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic situation in Africa, with a focus on financial assistance, debt management, and economic growth. The mention of food supplies and domestic reforms also suggests a connection to the agricultural sector. However, the text does not delve deeply into natural resources, environment, or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade