*Mr. Nieto (Costa Rica), Vice-President, took the Chair.One thing evident in the statements being nade here is the appearance of a new climate in international relations which is creating favourable conditions for the relaunching of a true North-South dialogue. Indeed, for reasons related in Particular to ideological antagonisms and egoism, the economic order produced by Bretton Woods has led to the present impasse. It is therefore hardly surprising BHS/PLJ A/S-18/PV.9 33 (Mr. Nqoubeyou, Cameroon ) that international economic co-operation and multilateralism in accordance with the Charter have experienced restraints, if not failures, leading to denial of the idea of the interdependence of peoples. This has been true for the first three of the United Nations Decades for Development, the Final Act of the seventh session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Programme of Action for Economic Recovery and the Development of Africa and the integral programme of commodities, which have long remained unfulfilled, though the recent entry into force of the Common Fund does allow us to hope for some beneficial results. The present international economic situation is also marked by macro-economic imbalances, and their negative effects are leaving a lasting mark on the economies of the developing countries, both concerning the instability of the rates of exchange and rising interest rates. The new economic situation emerging on our planet with the appearance of new large groupings, the integration of countries of Eastern Europe into the world economy and the uncoupling of North and South is also a sign of the times as well as a source of concern for small countries, which are increasingly left on the sidelines. It emphasizes unequivocally the inequality of the international economic order and the urgent need for measures by the community of nations. This is the challenge this special session nust meet.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the current state of international economic relations, highlighting issues such as macro-economic imbalances, unequal international economic order, and the need for cooperation to address these challenges. It also touches on the idea of a "North-South" dialogue, suggesting a focus on the relationship between developed and developing countries. These themes suggest that the text is primarily concerned with economic development and international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade