will create the required institutional support internationally to complement and encourage sound and efficient national policies. The new climate in international relations and the awareness of environmental degradation offer new opportunities and a new impetus for international economic co-operation. History has demonstrated in recent years that our efforts will be successful if their centre-piece is paramount respect for the dignity and well-beinq of the human person and development of the full potential of the individual. Now that a,n era of sterile and unproductive debate is oominq to an end, it is possible to address the major challenges of the 1990s and beyond, which so many speakers befQr'e me have so eloquently described. JB/31 A/S-18/PV. 8 150 (Mr• Borg Olivier, Malta) My Pritte Minister had occasicn to recall at an international conference convened at Bologna, Italy on 9 March 1990, concerning the North-South problem, that the geographic position of Malta at the crossroads between East and West (a division which has begun to fade) and between North and South (which unfortunately is becoming more Pronounced) makes us particularly sensitive to the widening gaP between the develoPed and the developing countries. It is true that, economically speaking, Malta falls somewhere between the developed and the developing countries. We have heard a lot thi's week from the developed countries about the need for developing countries to establish sound domestic policies. ~ Government has been doing just that durinq the past few years, consolidating and strengthening our democratic institutions, emPhasizing individual initiative, and creating approPriate incentives for private-secto.r involvement. As a result, Malta's economy has made considerable progress. Ironically, as a result of the efficient way in which we have handled our very limited resources, we are approaching the point where are in danger of becoming ineligible for small amounts of multilateral financial assistance on which we have 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of international cooperation, institutional support, and sound policies for economic development and environmental protection. It also touches on the North-South divide and the need for developing countries to establish efficient domestic policies. The text does not specifically mention agriculture, forestry, fishing, or humanitarian aid and relief. It seems to focus more on the economic and environmental aspects, with a hint of international relations and development.

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