on priorities and conflicts of interests that still exist between the industrialized countries of the North and the developing countries of the South can be overcome because they can be reconciled. We should add· that interdependence and the "globalization" of economic and development questions have made it necessary to seek appropriate machinery to manage the world economy in a spirit of partnership and solidarity. · Political detente which throughout the world is being reflected in the liberation of the creative spirit of man can and must be used ix>sitively to build that economic detente that is indispensable for the establishment of renewed international co-operation. Mr. GEENS (Belgium) (interpretation from French): On behalf of Belgium, I wish to congratulate Mr. Garba on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at this eiqhteenth special session. I have no doubt that under his leadership this session will take place in a constructive atmosphere to the qreat benefit of the developing countries. May I turn to the Prime Minister of Namibia and wish him a warm welcome in our midst. I am delighted that, after its long and painful struggle, Namibia has at last attained its independence. I also take this opportunity to associate myself with the comments made by the representative of Ireland as current President of the European Community. L I JVM/26 A/S-18/PV.2 123 (Mr. Geens, Belqium) A look back on 30 years of co-operation for development does not provide a very encouraging picture. The growth rate targets for the developing countries, as established in the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade, have not been met. The well-known objective of 0.7 per cent of qross national product, which the industrialized countries were to allocate towards assistance to the developing countries, has not even been rret half-way. 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the relationship between industrialized and developing countries, discussing the imbalance in economic cooperation, the need for international partnership, and the importance of reconciliation. The text also mentions specific economic goals, such as the 0.7% target for aid allocation, and the lack of progress in achieving these goals. These themes suggest that the text is primarily concerned with economic development, particularly in the context of international cooperation.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade