TheGover~Ment andpeopleoftheBahamas arecommitted totheachievement of independence forNamiba. Weknowthatthisisinevitable, because the intern;Jti0nal community cannotandwillnolongertolerate thedenialof self-determination tothepeopleofNamibia. TheBahamasalsoreiterates itssupport forSWAPO,therecognized representative oftheNamibian people.IIJVMj6 A/40/PV.l5 16 (Mr.Maynard, Bahamas) Itakethisopportunity tocongratulate theUnitedltations anditsrelevant bodiesontheworkundertaken todateinthefightagainst theinternational traffic indrugs. Nevertheless, illicit traffic indrugsanddrugabusecontinue tobean extremely graveproblem inoursocieties. Itwilltakethemassive resolve and commitment oftheentireinternational community todefeatthisillicitactivity andthereby thedestructive influe~ce ithasonthemoralandsocialfabricofour societies. TheBahamas isintheunenviable position ofbeingsquarely located between themajorproducer andconsumer countries andthe~eographical configuration ofthe Bahamas itselfmakesitahavenfordrugtraffickers. Ashasbeenpointed outin pastGeneral Assemblies andotherbodiesoftheUnitedNations, theBahamasisnot andhasneverbeenaproducer ofdrugsnoramajorconsumer. However, consumption hasincreased directly inproportion totrafficking. Conversely, adirectand systematic campaign forthereduction ofconsumption woulddiminish production and trafficking. The~~veloped consumer countries, withtheirsuperior resources and scientific expertise, canplayanespecially catalytic rol~incombating drug trafficking andabuse. TheBahamas isayoungsociety. Wearealsoasmallresource-poor developing country dependent onacontinuous influxofvisitors whofeelsafeandrelaxed in ourislands. Wecannotaffordtohavedrugtrafficking gainandretainan influential position in~ursociety. TheGovernment oftheBahamas remains fullycommitted totheeradication of international drugtrafficking anddrugabuse. Weareworking andwillcontinue to work,forhowever longisnecessary, withtherelevant bodiesoftheUnitedNations andlike-minded Statesincombating thisproblem.international concern. alwayspaidparticular attention topromoting theinterests ofwomen.commitment ofallnations toworkactively towards thatend.TheBahamas has(Hr 0Maynard, Bahamas)A/40/PV~15 17 Giventhesefactors, theBahamas haspaidconsiderable attention totheitsyouth.theunitedNations suchahistoric document hasbeenadopted by157nations oftheInthisregardwewelcome theproposal forthedrafting ofanewconvention Iampleased tonotethattheUnitedNations DecadeforWOmenwasbrought toa Ouringthenext15years,toensurethatthegoalssetforthinthe Itissaidthattoday's youthisprobably thebest-schooled generation inItisparticularly noteworthy thatduringthis fo~tieth anniversary yearof people. Itisalsosaidthatoneofthemostvaluable resources ofanycountry is15and24.Bytheyear2000itisexpected thattherewillbe1billion youngideasnotonlyonissuesaffecting womenbutalsoonmanymattersofover-all isourviewthatitisavitalnecessity, andnotmereidealistic fantasizing, tothemintoallaspects ofdevelopment, butalsoseekstoensurethatduringthenext history andthatover850million oftheworld's population arebetween theagesof15yearstheinternational community strives asmuchaspossible forworldpeace. development ofitsyoungpeople. Theaverage ageintheBahamasis25,andsoitworld. Thisdisplay ofsolidarity showsourefforts tointegrate andcementourStrategies totheyear2000"bytheConference recently heldinNairobi, Kenya.against drug ~rafftcking andtheproposal bytheSecretary-General foraconference "Forward-looking Strategies" arerealized willrequire thegoodwillanddedicatedatministerial leveltoaddress andfindviablesolutions tothisproblem. culmination withtheconsensus adoption ofthedocument entitled "Forward-lookingJVM/6 Thisdocument isnotonlydesigned toimprove thestatusofwomenandtointegrateFrom16to22October, theBahamas willhavethehonourtohostthecontributors tosociety andtheworld.AstheInternational YouthYeardrawstoacloseIshouldliketocommend the(Mr.Maynard, Bahamas)A/40/PV.15 18 Thehosting oftheCommonwealth HeadsofGovernment involves fortheBahamas ainternational environment today.cross-fertilization ofideas ~ndpolicies onthemajorissuesthatcharacterize the reaffirmation ofourstrongsupport forinternational organizations asawhole,thissession oftheGeneral Assembly, asIamsurethatthemeeting willhaveapopulaHon. positive impactonthisAssembly's deliberations andwillresultinahealthybytheleaders of49States whichrepresent overaquarter oftheworld'sidentifying thecontribution theycanandmustmakeinshaping thefutureof TheBahamas willcontinue toworkactively intheinterest ofyouthandto Itisahappyconvergence ofeventsthatthemeetingwilltakeplaceduringhumanity. Inthisregardparticular noteistakenoftheimportant roleofthebutalsotowards working alongwithyoungpeopleinseeking solutions tothose problems. eventswhichhavebeenorganized duringtheyear.Iamalsopleased tonotethe
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on international cooperation, drug trafficking, and the empowerment of youth and women, with a nod to the Bahamas' economic and social development. It seems to be a speech or statement from the Bahamas' representative to the United Nations, highlighting the country's commitment to eradicating drug trafficking, promoting youth and women's interests, and supporting international organizations.

**Category**
International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief