alone. Even the developed countries face similar problems of huqe debts. risinq inflation and unemployment at the same time, protectionism of a different kind, unstable comnodi ty prices, adverse financial flows, and so on. The decay and the decline of standards of living of very large sections of the world population are stark realities facing all mankind. That decay and that decline are prevalent in developed as well as developing countries. Indeed, some of the developed countries are the largest debtors on the international market. more indebted than the develoPing countries. We cannot successfully launch developing countries on the path to sustainable growth and development without aPproPriately and adequately addressing the serious environmental problems our countries face. The continued destruction and JB/19 A/S-18/PV.S 84 (Mr ~ · Shamuyar ira; Zimbabwe) degradation of the environment through desertification, deforestation and soil erosion impinges upon the development prospects of developinq countries in a nnst pernio ious way. Our hoP=! fer salvation 1 i es in global co-oper a tion on the environment that expresses itself in nore practical terms. In this context, the relationship between envirooment and development must be concretized in such key areas as enerqv, i~dustry and transpOrtation, and at the level of projects and operations. We are lendinq the full support of our Governments in third-world countries to the projected international conference co the environment in 1992, in the fervent hope that concrete and practical proposals will be adopted there, followed by global actioo to redress the situation. The question of environment is indeed one subject in which all mankind has a common (Estiny and a common concern. The meeting rose at l•lO·p~m. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges faced by both developed and developing countries, including debt, inflation, unemployment, and environmental degradation. It emphasizes the need for global cooperation to address these issues and highlights the importance of addressing environmental problems to achieve sustainable growth and development.

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