developed would be qiven soecial treatment, thus Providi nq us with a qood bas is for the forthcominq Paris Conference on Least Developed Countries. Situated as it is in the Sahel ian area where desertification is proceedi nq at alarming speed, Cape Verde has undertaken a reforestation campaiqn that has had a widely recoqnized success but that requires oonsiderable effort and sustained in temational support if our country is to cope with its own development problems and participate in the world effort to Preserve and improve the ecoloqical balance of our planet. In that context we welcome the conveninq of a Conference on Environment and Development, which is to take place in Brazil in 1992. Of all the least developed countries in Africa, CaPe Verde is no doubt the one with fewest natural resources. Nevertheless, thanks to strinqent manaqement of its available resources our country has had a positive economic qrowth rate and a clear improvement in social indicators. RM/35 A/S-18/PV. 6 168 (Mr. Santos, Cape Verde) However, our countrv 's economy remains heavily dependent on the outside world, since it has not vet reached a level sufficient for it to be self-supportinq. Thus, the situation is still fraqile, and with a view to brinqinq the country Qradually to a situation of overall, lonq-term self-sufficiency Cape Verde has just set up institutional and leqal machinery b:> foster and attract direct foreiqn investment, takinq advantaqe of the qeostrateqic situation, political stability and human resources. At the same time, a Process of political chanqe has been set in motion aimed at strenqtheninq the countrv's institutions and political stability and at providinq for qrea ter responsibility and participation by our citizens in socio-economic and political life, includinq measures to foster private initiative. It is certain, however, that for a relatively long transitional period Cape 
**Analysis**
The text discusses Cape Verde's development challenges, its efforts to achieve self-sufficiency, and its plans for institutional and legal frameworks to attract foreign investment and promote private initiative. The text highlights the country's success in reforestation and its vulnerability to desertification, suggesting a connection to environmental issues. However, the primary focus is on the country's economic development and its efforts to overcome its dependence on the outside world.

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