* Mr. Lohia (Papua New Guinea), Vice-President, took the Chair. JP/td A/S-18/PV. 6 28 (Mr. Abdulle, Somalia} as natural disasters, are forcing large numbers of Africans to leave their homes and fields, creating an enormous refugee JX>pulation. The trend is clearly towards a concentration of poverty. A similar stark outlook also emerqes for many parts of Asia and Latin America. Modern communications and advances in technoloqy have made it POssible for millions all over 1:he world to see the vivid imaqes of poverty and death. Now we must utilize technoloqy to ameliorate those problems. What are the factors that darken the economic prospects of most of the developing countries? In his statement the Secretary-General stressed the importance of sound domestic policies in developinq countries, but he also POinted out that they could not succeed in the absence of a favourable international environment. The task of this special sessic:n is to evolve a new qlobal consensus not only on the central issues but also on how to resolve them. This session should aqree en measures to create an international environment conducive to enhancing multilateral development. Such conditions nust include a liberalization of the international tradinq system, improvements in the terms of trade, commodity-price stabilization, a solution to the crushinq debt crisis and, most important, an increased financial flo,., to developinq countries. Allow me to qo into some details concerninq the economic situation in Somalia. The aqricultural sector continues to be the dominant onet it has to provide most of the country • s exPOrt earninqs. However, natural di. sasters, adverse external conditions, depressed export markets and insufficient aid flows have combined to make the past few years exceedinqly difficult. As a result, our balance-of-payments deficit has reached well over $400 mill ion, while our public debt has increased to $1.8 billion. JP/td A/S-18/PV. 6 29-30 (Mr. Abdulle, Somalia) 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic situation of developing countries, specifically mentioning poverty, refugee populations, and the importance of international cooperation to address these issues. It highlights the challenges faced by countries such as Somalia, including natural disasters, debt crises, and trade deficits. The text also touches on the role of technology in addressing these problems.

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