inordinately hiqh rates of interest, the sudden interruPtion of the flew of capital and the enormously increased cost of the foreiQn debt have contributed to creatinq the crisis of the developinq countries, which in the 1980s took the form of a net decline, worsened by macro-inflationary indices, a fall in the orices of their exports and a resurqence of Protectionism in the industrialized countries. Moreover, the international economy has frustrated most of the adjustment measures adopted. Therefore, we believe that there is a need for a favourable external environment with certain favourable conditions at the minimum on subjects such as those to which I have referred -finance, debt, commodi tv or ices, trade and the transfer of technoloqy. It is essential that the developed countries honour the obligation they free! y assumed more than a &cade aQO to dedicate at least 0.7 per cent of their national product to economic co-operation to benefit the develoPinQ countries. That goal is not only an economic requirement that can be called for from the point of view of solidari tv, but a symbol of the qenuineness of the commitments that are entered into. We believe that South-South co-operation should be promoted and strenQthened. In this context, regional and subreQ ional aqreemen ts on in teqra tion have qreat imrortance. Today the whole world recoqnizes the seriousness of environmental problems and the urqent need to take step:; to reverse the deterioration. Development and acute poverty are inseparably 1 inked with the Problems of the environment. Accardi nQl y, anv real oroqress requires a comprehensive view of these issues, their causes and JP/dl A/S-18/PV. 6 142 (Mr. Ayala Lasso, Ecuador) their results. Fighting the acute poverty of the South with population policies applicable to the developed North would be a big mistake. The policies of the 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges faced by developing countries, including the impact of external factors such as high interest rates, foreign debt, and protectionism on their economic development. It also touches on the importance of international cooperation, environmental issues, and the need for a comprehensive approach to development that addresses the interlinkages between economic, social, and environmental concerns. Given these themes, it is likely that the text falls under the categories of economic development, international trade, and natural resources and environment.

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