of life, the creation of opportunities. Those and other people-centred goals must be brought to the fore as we redefine development and link it to the urges of the peoples of the developing world. The widening gap in technology is now assuming even more importance than the long-recognized foreign-exchange gap and the savings-investment gap. In the years ahead, the gains of development on other fronts could be easily eroded by technological changes as many countries, particularly those with small economies, face the real prospect of marginalization. The revitalization of economic growth and sustained development needs an appropriate response, one that is comprehensive and practical and is firm in its proposals on the financing of technological flows. The need for the resumption of the transfer of technology to the South is also an important component in the evolving strategy to address the global environmental crisis. We must continue to view sustainable development as a process of change in which the orientation of technological development and institutional changes are made consistent with future as well as present needs. While the 1992 Conference on Environment and Development will address those issues, the special session must demonstrate that a global political will exists to restore a long-term approach to the development of all countries within a sustainable framework that would allow the problems of developing countries to be JB/13 A/S-18/PV. 3 58 (Mr. Dookeran, Trinidad and Tobago) addressed in the short term. The environmental crisis has also added the new element of a sea-level rise to the special problems of island developing countries. There is a resurgence of protectionism and non-tariff trade barriers in developed market economies. This is taking place at a time when many countries, faced with structural adjustment programmes, are urged to open their markets to international competition. The multilateral trading system has had to contend with 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of addressing the widening gap in technology between developed and developing countries, as well as the need to redefine development and link it to the needs of the people. It also touches on the global environmental crisis, protectionism, and the need for a long-term approach to sustainable development. These themes suggest that the text is primarily focused on economic development and the interconnectedness of economic, environmental, and social issues.

**Category**
Economic development, Natural resources and environment, International trade