We are CJathered in New York this week to work towards two revitalizations - the revitalization of the economic qrowth and development of developinq countries and, secondarily, the revitalization of the international economic debate at the United Nations, so that it will have an impact on the policies needed for that first priority. The cause could not be more urqent. In the words of the Secretary-General, "The increase in the number of people livinq in absolute or extreme poverty in the 1980s stands as an indictment of policy-makers everywhere". (A/AC.233/5, p. 26) We deal at this session with the issue of the first and qreatest importance to the rna j ori ty of people for whom the United Nat ions is intended to work. JP/ASW A/S-18/PV.6 107 (Mr;, Wilensk i;. ·Australia l The world economy is marked by sharp contrasts. The qap between ridl and poor countries has always been our preoccuoation here -and riqhtly so, for averaqe incomes in the West are now 50 times those in the low-inca~ countries. But now another divide amonq develooinq countries has emerqed, between reqions that move ahead and regions that are fallinq behind. Most people in the develoPinq world 1 ive in countries that have made some, or siqnificant, economic and social proqress in the past 10 years. All but a few even of these, however, still have deep problems of ooverty, distribution, debt, trade access and the environment, and indeed these countries number amonq their populations most of the world's ooor. They are, however, at least able to offer their oooulations small annual imPrO\Tements in their 1 ivinq standards and, perhaps, that most valuable comnndi tv, hope for the future. A great many other people live in develooinq countries whose economies are staqnatinq or reelinq from successive economic crises. Their situations have 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic development of developing countries, highlighting the contrasts between rich and poor countries, and the need for international action to address poverty, debt, trade access, and environmental issues. It also touches on the issue of stagnant or declining economies in some developing countries. The text does not mention natural resources, agriculture, forestry, fishing, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade