of human beinqs live below the poverty line at the end of the decade than did at its beqinninq. Billions of people eke out an existence in qrindinq poverty, hunqer and iqnor ance. It is there fore incumbent upon the international communi tv to ensure that the dismal experience of the 1980s is not prolonqed. The experience of the last decade was also most instructive. The developinq world realized that the foster inq of qrowth and development is pr imar il v a national responsibili tv. Furthermore, the precept that the qrowth and ex Pans ion of the industrialized economies would have a trickle-down effect on the economies of the devel<~Pinq nations was invalidated. The lonqest uninterrupted period of cu:owth of the developed economies in the post-war era was accompanied by economic decline in JB/16 A/S-18/PV. 4 72 (Mr. Yaqub-Khan, Pakistan) Africa, Latin America and many parts of Asia. Today, the number of people living in absolute poverty exceeds one fifth of the global population. It was also clear that developing countries cannot, despite earnest and sincere endeavours, address the task of development all by themselves. The existence of a favourable international economic environment is an indispensable prerequisite for their growth and economic progress. The eighteenth special session of the General Assembly offers a unique opportunity for reaching a new global consensus on international co-operation for development. Such a consensus should draw upon the lessons of the past, be rooted in the realities of the present, and effectively address the challenges of the future. The declaration emerging from the special session should encompass national responsibilities and international obligations. The members of the Group of 77 ha~.re demonstrated a commendable awareness of their primary responsibility for growth and development. The proposals they have put forward recognize the responsibility of the developing countries to promote domestic savings and expand 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the issue of poverty and development, highlighting the need for international cooperation to address the challenges faced by developing countries. It emphasizes the importance of national responsibilities and international obligations in promoting economic growth and development. The text also touches on the lessons learned from the past, specifically the 1980s, and the need for a new global consensus on international cooperation for development.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade