Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and the Conference on Population in 1994. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from French): In accordance with the decision taken by the General Assembly at its first plenary meeting, held on 23 April 1990, I now call on the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade of Switzerland. Mr. BLANKART (Switzerland) (interpretation from French): I should like first to associate my heartfelt congratulations with all those that have been extended to Namibia on its accession to independence. During the transition period leading up to that independence, Switzerland had been closely involved with the international peace .... keeping effort, an ambitious operation that was comPleted, thanks to the skill of the United Nations and the diplomacy of its Secretary .... General. Namibia has enriched the international community with a unique political, economic and cultural contribution. JVM/32 A/S-18/PV. 4 151 (Mr. Blankart, Switzerland) Its accession to independence shows not only heightened confidence in the United Nations for the peaceful settlement of conflicts but also the fundamental changes that have t.aken place on the international political and economic chessboard. In this connection I would highlight the emergence of new East-West relations and the decline in the influence of ideologies, the changes that we are now perceiving in Central and Eastern Europe, aimed at the establishment of pluralistic political and economic structures, the implementation by a number of developing countries of profound political reforms aimed at taking account of economic realities and of the wealth of human potential, the movement towards the establishment of a single market in Europe, heightened co-operation among the countries of the North American continent and more generally the spread of regional economic co-operation throughout the world, lastly, the impact made on the human environment and the structures of production by scientific and technological 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech given at the United Nations, discussing various global developments and their impact on the international community. The speaker mentions the independence of Namibia, changes in East-West relations, and the emergence of new economic and political structures. The speech also touches on the importance of the United Nations and the impact of scientific and technological advancements on the human environment and structures of production.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Science and technology