defend themselves against such threats. Their economies are too fragile to allow NR/csm A/45/PV.10 9-10 (President Gayoom) them to divert funds to build up their military capability. Self-help cannot be the only answer. Efforts have to be undertaken by the international community as a whole under the aegis of the United Nations and other international and regional organixations. The United Nations Charter envisages some mechanisms for the protection of the territorial integrity and political' independence of States from external threats, but those mechanisms are far from adequate. United Nations resolution 44/51 on "Protection and security of small States", submitted by the Maldives and adopted at the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly, is indeed a vital step taken in the right direction to remedy the situation. The Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries provides an even greater opportunity to challenge the acts of terrorism and mercenarism. The economic issues that plague the third-world countries today demand urgent attention. Developing countries are caught in a vicious circle of poverty, stagnation, an overpowering debt burden and other negative trends that perpetuate their underdevelopment. Structural handicaps such as poorly diversified economies weighted by a narrow resource ba,se are not the only explanation for the dismal performance of these countries during the past decade. The reduction of the aid flow from the developed countries, which has marred their development efforts, has caused them much disappointment. FMEV5 A1451PV.10 11 (President Gavoom) The Substantial New Programme of Action for the 198Os, adopted by the first United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in 1981, called upon the I developed countries to contribute 0.15 per cent of their gross national product for I official donor assistance to the least developed countries. However, only eight of the rich nations reached the target and the average contribution for official 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges faced by small states, including the threat of terrorism, mercenarism, and poverty. It highlights the need for international cooperation and the role of the United Nations in addressing these issues. The text also touches on the topic of economic development, specifically the need for developed countries to provide aid to least developed countries. However, the primary focus is on the international community's response to threats and challenges faced by small states, rather than a specific sector or industry.

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