growth and development of developing countries, which has been very useful to us in preparations for this session. This special session of the General Assembly devoted to international economic co-operation, in particular to the revitalization of economic growth and development of the developing countries is for us of the greatest importance. At a time when we are entering the last decade of the century, it is imperative for us to take stock of the general situation and lay down a global strategy for the new per iod. We think that all the profound changes taking place in the world and the consequent changes in international relations will inevitably cause upsets on the economic and social level. Hence the need to provide for new economic co-operation for the benefit of all JP/bq A/S-18/PV.9 21 (Mr. Ravix, Haiti ) Despite declarations of good intentions and programmes established to promote development throughout the world, the Third United Nations Development Decade ended on a note of extreme disappointment. The problem of development, which has been on the agenda for several decades, continues to be a burning issue for the countries of the third world, which have been marginalized for too long, lb give an idea of their tragic situation, it is sufficient to recall a few relevant facts. Apart from a few Asian countries whose economies were given massive injections of capital, the developing countries as a whole have over the past 10 years seen their economies stagnate, if not regress. In sub-Saharan Africa the per capita gross national product has suffered a record decline of more than 10 per cent from its level in 1980. The situation in Latin America and the Caribbean is no better. A much bigger percentage of the population of the third world is now marginalized, 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic development of developing countries, highlighting the stagnation of their economies and the need for international cooperation to address this issue. It also mentions the decline of per capita gross national product in sub-Saharan Africa and the marginalization of a bigger percentage of the population in the third world.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade