currently being made, which are commendable but inadequate; lastly, by access to new and emerging technologies and the development of research. Those related measures -and it is not an exhaustive list -will also be useless if they in turn are not co-ordinated with a systematic and accelerated. utilization of human resources in the developing countries through dynamic promotion of the social sector. In that connection, health, functional literacy, higher-level training and the improvement of employment coQditions require additional resources, more attention and greater energy. The same is true wit.h regard to the strengthening of social well-being and the reduction of poverty in those countries. In a number of developing countries, particularly in Africa, ecological balances have been disrupted on the one hand by human needs and on the other by the combined effects of drought and desertification. Those scourges have often totally negated the efforts being made by the countries that have been their victims. We cannot continue to remain indifferent in face of that phenomenon, which poses a real challenge to the international community not only at the technical and technological levels but also at the humanitarian level. As if that were not enough, Africa would have become the planet's refuse heap had it not taken timely and forceful measures against the dumping of toxic wastes on its soil. The apparent abatement of the shocking money-grubbing transactions that were going on in that area should not make us lose sight of the need for greater vigilance, for the stakes involved are enormous. Following upon the optimism created by the fragile consensus achieved at the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly, it is to be hoped that the 1992 Conference on Environment and Development will come up with satisfactory 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges and needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa, in areas such as economic development, environmental conservation, and social welfare. It highlights the importance of coordination, resource allocation, and international cooperation to address these issues. The text also touches on the need for sustainable development, humanitarian aid, and relief efforts.

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