the continent. The documents before the Conference indicated that if the measures advocated in the Lagos Plan of Action had been implemented at the national, regional and international levels and integrated into the pro­ grammes and activities being conducted in various African countries, rehabilitating such an important sector as food and agriculture would never have become an issue. 2". 5. To date, the only method used to alleviate the burden of Africa's external debt had been rescheduling. A proper remedy would have to include the total or partial conversion of debts contracted under official develop­ ment assistance into grants. In order to initiate such measures, the most appropriate framework under the current circumstances would be to hold an international conference at which lenders and African debtor countries could discuss the problems involved. 214. The negative attitude of certain developed countries could pnra lyse ••• certain organizations in the United Nations system if it could not actually call their objectives into question. It was indispensable, he said, for African countries to assist and support those organizations so as to prevent selfish considerations from relegating to the background the problems of development and the role that those organizations could play in coping with them. - 55 7.15. The representative of Egypt emphasized the need for action to stabilize African export earnings through fair and remunerative prices. He recommended increased efforts to negotiate commodity agreements within the framework of the Integrated Programme of Commodities. His country accorded high priority to food and agriculture and appreciated the role of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in financing food security projects in Africa. /;16. Major lenders had in the past excluded Africa from the debt renegotia­ tion mechanism established for Latin America and the international community 
**Analysis**
The text discusses issues related to African economic development, debt, and international cooperation. It highlights the need for African countries to take action to stabilize their export earnings, negotiate commodity agreements, and receive fair and remunerative prices for their products. The text also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and assistance to alleviate the burden of Africa's external debt.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade