Wereiterate oursteadfast position infavourofthedenuclearization of Africaandthemaintenance oftheIndianOceanasazoneofpeaceaspartofthe disarmament process ingeneral andthecontrol ofthespreadofnuclear weapons in particular. Inthisrespect andinlinewiththelong-standing decisions ofthe UnitedNations andtheMovement ofNon-Aligned Countries, aswellasthoseofthe Organization ofAfrican Unity, weca~lonceagainfortheelaboration ofatreaty onthedenuclearization ofAfricaandforthespeedyconvening oftheconference on theIndianOCean. Ishouldlikenowtoturntotheveryserious economic andsocialsituation facingmuchofhumanity. Itisafactofcontemporary international lifethatthe worldeconomyisbecoming moreandmoreinterdependent, requiring the intensification ofco-operation amongnations onamutually beneficial basis. At thepresent time,however, worldeconomic relations areunfortunately characterized byinequalities andimbalances tothedisadvantage ofthedeveloping nations. TheMLG/mh A/40/PV.22 14..15 (Mr.Wolde,Ethiopia) incessant andjustcallofthedeveloping countries fortheestablishment ofanew international economic orderhassofarbeenneglected andtheirefforts havebeen frustrated byfewnations whichbenefit fLomtheexisting lopeided relations. Despite suchresistance, theworldcommunity shouldnonethelessstriveto bringaboutinternational co-operation inestablishing ajustandequitable international economic order. Co-operation implies asenseofshared responsibility forhumanwelfare andanunswerving commitment tohumansolidarity. Failure toachieve globalco-operation forthebetterment ofmankindwill undoubtedly resultinagrimalternative, thealternative of~rerigid,fragmented andpower-dominated international economic relations. Inthiscontext, itisdisturbing tonotethatthesituation oftheleast developed countries, farfrombeingameliorated, hasfurther deteriorated, largely owingtothedevastating impactsoftheinternational economic crisisandrecurrent naturaldisasters. Although somedonorcountries haveincreased theirassistance sincetheadoption ofthe.Substantial NewProgramme ofAction,itsvolumehasbeen soinSUfficient anditsdistribution souneventhatithasfailedtoenablethe leastdeveloped countries toachieve aminimum degreeofperformance ineconomic andsocialdevelopment asenvisaged intheProgramme. Theaccelerated, effective andfullimplementation oftheProgramme duringthe remaining partofthedecade, Isubmit,isacommitment thattheinternational community hasentered intoandfromwhichitcannotshyaway.AP/rd A/40/PV.22 16 (Mr.Wolde,Ethiopia) Asiswell-known, mostoftheleastdeveloped countries areintheAfrican continent/whose alreadycritical economic condition hasbeenfurther exacerbated by theunfavourable worldeconomic environment, characterized bythecollapse of commodity prices, thespreadofprotectionism, thedecline inofficial development assistance andtheincreasing burdenofexternal indebtedness. Moreover, the fragile economies ofAfrican countries havealsobeenhardhitbytheprolonged drought andothernatural calamities aswellasbythealarming paceof desertification. Whilethiseconomic andsocialcrisisofAfricahasfortunately drawnthe attention oftheinternational community, Africaitselfhassetoutlong-term, medium-term, andshort-term strategies atthenational, sub-regional andregional levels, notonlytocopewiththeemergency needsbutalsotolaythefoundation foraninternally-generated andself-reliant processofdevelopment. MuchofAfrica's efforts andresources havetobecomplemented bythatofthe international community, however, andthetwenty-first Assembly ofHeadsofState andGovernment oftheOrganization ofAfrican Unity(OAU)hascalledforthe convening ofaspecial session oftheUnitedNations General Assembly, bothto sensitize further theworldcommunity andtomobililize additional resources. African leaders havealsocalledfor.theconvening ofaninternational conference tosearchforwaysandmeanstoalleviate theheavydebtburdenshouldered bymany African States. Wehaveeveryconfidence thatthosecallswillreceive the favourable response theysorightly deserve fromtheinternational community. Whilereferring totheeconomic crisesinAfrica, Icannotbutmakesomebrief remarks aboutthesituation inmyowncountry. Ihave,ofcourse, topreface my remarks byexpressing thedeepandheartfelt gratitude. oftheEthiopian peopleand Government, toallthoseGovernments, totheUnitedNations system, to intergovernmental andnon-governmental organizations, tothereliefworkers, the •)AP/rd A/40/PV.22 17 (Mr.Wolde,Ethiopia)
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement focused on the economic and social situation of Africa, with a particular emphasis on the need for international cooperation and aid to address the continent's development challenges. The speaker references the importance of disarmament, the need for a new international economic order, and the devastating impact of natural disasters and debt burdens on African countries.

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