25.Thetechnological advances, especially therevolution incommunications andin meansofproduction, thathavetakenplaceoverthepastfewdecades cangreatly benefit theprocess ofglobalization oftheinternational economy aswellas development efforts. TheUnitedNations willneedtosupport efforts towards enhancing andwidening thecapacity oftheglobal community asawhole (particularly thedeveloping countries) toassimilate andutilize thenew technologies. 26.Another areaofconcern istheprofoundly difficult situation oftheleast developed countries. Itisclearthatconcerted efforts arerequired totransform theeconomies ofthosecountries andtoestablish asoundbasisfortheprovision ofacceptable levelsofnutrition, health, transport andcommunications, housing andeducation, aswellasemployment opportunities, particularly fortheruraland urbanpoor,inordertolaythefoundation forself-sustained development. The decisions oftheSecondUnitedNations Conference ontheLeastDeveloped Countries, scheduled totakeplacelaterthisyear,willguidethefutureactivities ofthe Organization inthisregard. 27.Thecritical situation inAfrica, whichencompasses themajority oftheleast developed countries, willcontinue tobeofmajorconcern totheUnitedNations and totheorganizations oftheUnitedNations systemintheplanperiod. Decisions relating totheUnited Nations Programme ofActionforAfrican Economic Recovery andDevelopment 1986-1990 (General Assembly resolution 8-13/2) shouldserveto reinforce themutual commitment ofAfrican countries toprovide thenecessary framework tolaunchlong-term programmes forself-sustaining socio-economic development andgrowth, andoftheinternational community toassistAfricain achieving thisobjective. -7- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library28.Theinternational community hasnowrecognized thatenvironmental degradation posesaserious threattoourplanet. Almost twodecades afterthefirstUnited Nations Conference ontheHumanEnvironment, thereisnotonlyasenseofurgency ontheneedtoaddress thisquestion butalsoanacknowledgement thatenvironmental problems cannotberesolved inisolation andmustbeaddressed intheoverall context ofeconomic andsocialdevelopment. Underdevelopment andpoverty combined withrapidincreases inpopulation havedamaged theenvironment asmuchasthe profligate production andconsumption bytheaffluent. Itisclearthatabetter balance willneedtobemaintained between population growth, resource utilization andpatterns ofconsumption ifwearetosaveourplanetforfuturegenerations. TheEnvironmental Perspective totheYear2000andBeyondprovides the international community withacomprehensive framework forcombating environmental degradation andachieving sustainable development. Inaddition, thepreparatory process forthe1992UnitedNations Conference onEnvironment andDevelopment has already beensetinmotion. ThisConference isexpected toaddress the multifarious dimensions oftheproblem inanintegrated manner anditsdecisions willprovide astrong impetus forthefutureactivities oftheUnited Nations in thisarea. 29.TheUnitedNations anditsorganizations willneedtocontinue theirefforts toensurethatmultilateral technical co-operation iseffective andrelevant tothe needsofthedeveloping countries andleadstoagenuine building oftheirnational capacities. Thisisparticularly important atatimeofsevereresource constraints. 30.Theactivities attheregional level, whichinclude research andanalysis as wellastechnical co-operation, willcontinue tobeanimportant partofthe international efforts tofacilitate theprocess ofgrowth anddevelopment. Effective co-ordination, particularly exchange ofinformation andexperience, will playacentral roleintheefforts oftheUnitedNations inthisregard. 31.TheCharter oftheUnitedNations places aspecial responsibility onthe Organization topromote andencourage respect forhumanrights. Itrequires a consistent endeavour uninfluenced byconsiderations ofshort-term expediency. The Organization hasbeenattheforefront ofefforts inthisregard andmuchhasbeen achieved. Itwillcontinue thoseefforts byimplementing and,wherenecessary, developing instruments toensurethefullenjoyment ofhumanrightsbyallthe
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges and efforts of the United Nations in promoting global development, sustainable development, and human rights. It highlights the importance of technological advancements, environmental conservation, and multilateral cooperation in achieving these goals. The text also touches on the specific concerns of developing countries, particularly those in Africa, and the need to address their unique challenges.

**Category**
Economic development, Natural resources and environment, International relations, Human rights