manyothersinLatinAmerica andelsewhere stillfacesuchproblems asstagnation ofthepricesfOI:their p~imary cOlllDOdities andaccuDlllated debtandmustcontinue theirefforts for~~~Qmic adjustment. Thereisthusaconsiderable political and socialburdenontham.Atthesametime,weshouldprovideallpossible assistance totheleast-developed countries andotherimpoverished countries ingeneral as theystruggle toachieve economic independence. Japanrealizes thatnoonecountry canpursuep&'osperity without regardtothe questbyothersforprusperity worlci-wide. Itisdetermined topli:eserve and strengthen thefreetradesystemandfulfiltheroleandresponsibilities accruing fromits.international position. Asamanifestation ofthispolicy, Japan,onits owninitiative, formulated theActionProgramme forFurther Improved MarketAccess basedontheprinciple offreetrade,permitting restrictions onlyinexceptional cases. Wearenowhardatworkonitsprom~~andfaithful implementation.AP/jh A/40/PV.7 39-40 (Hr.Abe,Japan) Likewise, Japanbelieves thatanewroundofmultilateral tradenegotiations isindispensable tocontain therisingtideofprotectionism andpromote freetrade inthetruesense,andhasbeencalling forthepromptstartofsuchanewround. Itismostgratifying thattheinternational momentum favoring thisnewroundhas increased andthattheContracting Parties oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs and Trade(GATT)willmeetshortlytodiscuss matters including thescopeofthe negotiations. Japanwillcontinue todoeverything itcantopromote the preparations forthisnewroundandtohelpthenegotiations startwiththe participation ofthegreatest possible numberofcountries, industrialized and developing alike. Japanviewsofficial-development assistance asanimportant international responsibility, andhastwiceformulated medium-term targ~ts inasustained effort toincrease andexpandsuchassistance. Japanintendstocontinue theseefforts, anditwaswiththisinmindthatthethirdmediumtermtargetforofficial development assistance wasjustrecently formulated. Theaimofthisambitious programme istobringthetotalofficial development assistance disbursement for theperiod1986through 1992tomorethan$40billion. Forthispurpose Japan, expanding bilateral grants,multilateral assistance andyenloans,willmake efforts todoubletheamountofOfficial development assistance in1992compared to thatin1985,andtoimprove asmuchaspossible thequality ofitsofficial development assistance. Thisthirdmediumtermtargetisarenewed expression of Japan's determination toplayitsrightfUl roleintheinternational community.BG/ll A/40/PV.7 41 (Mr.Abe,Japan) Thedevelopment ofhumanresources isfundamental toanation's overall development. Realizing this,Japanhaslongattached importance tohumanresources development andplacedpriority ontechnical co-operation ascentral tothis effort. Thistopicwasalsodiscussed withinthecontextofPacific co-operation atthePost-Ministerial Conference oftheAssociation ofSouth-East AsianNations (ASEAN)withthedialogue partne!:s, inwhichJapanactively participated. Iam pleased toreportthatagreement wasreachedatthisyear'smeeting onthe Immediate Actionprogramme forASEAN-Pacific Co-operation onHumanResources Development. Japanintends totakeanactiveroleintheimplementation ofthat ASEANprogramme. Along-time advocate oftheimportance ofhumanresources development through unitedNationsefforts, Japanwelcomes themovement withintheUnited Nation~ Development Programme (UNDP)andotherprogrammes towards placing ahigherpriority onthisarea. Inaddition tocontinuing toco-operate withthedevelopment efforts ofthe SouthPacific islandcountries, Japanintends tostepupitsfriendly and co-operative relations withthem. TheNorth-South problem remains animportant issuefortheinternational community. However, onehopeful signforthefutureistheglobaleffortin supportofAfricainwhichtheinternational community trulycametogether. I believe thatNorthandsouthmustco-operate anaco-ordinate theirefforts andthat concerted efforts between Governments andprivate sectors ofdonorcountries must beencouraged. Iamconvinced thatsuchefforts willcontribute substantially toa solution oftheNorth-south problem.BG/ll A/40/PV.7 42 (Mr.Abe,Japan) Atlastyear'ssessionoftheGeneral Assembly, IspokeofJapan's determination topursuecreative diplomacy inresponse totheinternational community's expectations. Looking backontheyearjustpast,Iamacutely aware oftheneedforustoredouble ourefforts inthisdirection. Thetimesare rapidly changing andthereisanincreased numberofsituations thatcannotbe
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement by a Japanese representative, discussing various topics related to international relations, economic development, and global cooperation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of free trade, official development assistance, and human resources development, while also mentioning the need for cooperation on the North-South problem.

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