Assembly at its eighteenth special session, devoted to international economic co-operation and the revitalization of growth of developing countries. I am confident that given his diplomatic skills and experience he will successfully quide our deliberations. It is with a qreat sense o_f pride and satisfaction that Uqanda welcomes the RePublic of Namibia as the newest Member of the United Nations. It is onlv fi ttinq that Namibia should have taken its Place as the newest merrber in the General Assembly under Mr. Garba's presidency, as he Personally and his country have been dedicated to the struqqle for self-determination and the eradication of apartheid. We salute the people and the Government of Namibia for their heroic victory against Pretoria's illegal occupation. Our appreciation also qoes to the Secretary-General, his Special Representative and the United Nations Transition Assistance Group staff who carried out their work in the oourse of the transition period with dis tinct ion. Perhaps it is worth reminding ourselves that we are meeting here to oonsider and adopt measures foe strengthening international economic co-operation, especially how sustained gr.owth and develoPment in developing countries can be secured. The twentieth century has witnessed unprecedented progress in scientific and technological development. This has contributed greatly to the economic and BHS/jg A/S-18/PV.S 109-110 (Mr. Didi, Uganda) social well-being of a number of countries. However, the benefits flowing therefrom have not been equitably distributed. We enter the last decade of the century with manv countries still gripped in the trap of povertv, malnutrition and stunted growth, if any growth at all. Many speakers who have preceded me have ablv referred to the difficulties facing the world economy. These include: deterioration and collapse of commodity prices, ever-increasing debt burdens, with the attendant net outflow of resources to developed countries and multilateral financial institutions, upsurge in protectionist measures1 hiqh interest rates; 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on international economic cooperation and development, specifically discussing the challenges faced by developing countries and the need for measures to strengthen international economic cooperation. The text also mentions the importance of science and technology in driving economic growth, but does not delve deeper into the topic. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the text is from a UN meeting or conference.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade