community heighten yet further its awareness of this problem, and that the results of the session be fully reflected in the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade. In considering the question of sustainable development, we should not forget the problem of natural disasters. During the past 20 years, natural disasters are estimated to have killed three million people, afflicted another 800 million and caused damage valued at more than $23 billion. To cope with these natural disasters, adequate emergency relief assistance and reconstruction assistance are important. F.qually important, however, are efforts for disaster prevention that will reduce the impact of natural disasters. In co-operation with Morocco, Japan took the initiativ_e in proposing the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, as a way of emphasizing the importance of this concept, which has not yet received adequate attention from the international community. The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction starts this year. In preparation for the Decade, the Government of Japan last year established the National Headquarters for the Decade, headed by the Prime Minister, and this year it plans to hold in Japan a major international symposium to mark the commencement of the decade. In addition, my Government is considering a financial contribution for the activities of the United Nations in this field. I have here addressed the three elements which, I believe, are most important for the steady development of the world economy in the 1990s: Human resources BHS/JK A/S-18/PV.2 49-50 (Mr. Ishii, Japan) development, growth and sustainable development. The point I should like to make most emphatically is that, to attain any of these three goals, closer and more effective co-operation between developed and developing countries is essential. I hope that this special session and our work in formulting the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade which follows 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the importance of disaster prevention and sustainable development, highlighting the impact of natural disasters on human resources, development, and economic growth. The speaker emphasizes the need for international cooperation between developed and developing countries to achieve these goals.

**Category**
Economic development, Natural resources and environment, Humanitarian aid and relief