(Mr. Yoo, Republic of Korea) International relations can no longer be perceived and defined in terms of the past. The wave of political and economic reforms sweeping the Eastern European countries is indeed unprecedented in its nature and scope. At the same time, new and dynamic forces are rapidly replacing traditional economic structures. In the midst of what may eventually prove to be profound structural changes in international relations, the special session is charged with a historic mission: to develop a new modality of co-operation for the revitalization of developing economies. In the 1980s the world economy has continued to reveal such persistent features as debt problems, increasing protectionist trends on the part of developed countries, deteriorating terms of trade of the developing countries and erratic disturbances in international financial markets. Despite the pressing need and the substantial adjustment efforts of the developing countries for sustained growth, the economic achievements of the developing countries in the 1980s were far behind expectations. A United Nations report shows, for example, that per capita incone growth in developing countries came to a virtual standstill in the last decade at 0.1 per cent a year, a sharp decrease from 2.4 per cent in the 1970s and 3.3 per cent in the 1960s. Not surprisingly, the 1980s are referred to as a lost decade of development for many developing countries. Under the circumstances it is all the more incumbent upon all countries to redouble their concerted efforts to help developing countries escape from the vicious circle of low economic qrowth and the rising levels of external debt. The new modality of development for the 1990s should be based above all on shared responsibility in finding durable solutions to the economic problems faced by develoPing countries. RH/33 A/S-18/PV. 4 159-160 (Mr• Yoo;·Republic of·Korea) 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the current state of international relations and the economic challenges faced by developing countries, including debt problems, protectionism, and declining terms of trade. It emphasizes the need for a new modality of cooperation to help developing countries escape the vicious circle of low economic growth and rising external debt. The focus is on finding durable solutions to these economic problems, which suggests that the category should be related to economic development or international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade