that the present Meeting was of crucial importance to their cause. He noted that LDCs, of which nine were islands, felt a constant real threat of being marginalized in the world economy. He concluded by saying that IDCs with some special support measures could be mobilized to contribute significantly to the global economy. D. Statements by United Nations bodies and intergovernmental organizations 30. The representative of the Commonwealth Secretariat noted that the issues concerning IDCs were of particular importance because more than half of the Commonwealth membership consisted of States of a population of around one million or less and that most of them were also IDCs. He referred to the report of the Commonwealth Consultative Group which was prepared in 1985 and which contributed to the analysis of the development problems of small States. He noted that the report underlined an important issue related to the eligibility criteria for international assistance based on per capita income. He said that in that connection the per capita income criterion did not take into account the fragile economic structure of small States and noted therefore that such a criterion should not be a basis for graduation from multilateral financial assistance to those countries. The Commonwealth A/CONF.147/5 TD/B/AC.46/4 page 12 special programme of assistance had, on the basis of the recommendations of the Commonwealth Consultative Group, been reshaped to reflect the priorities of small States. Referring to that programme of assistance, he noted that the areas covered included macro-economic management, debt and financial management, trade negotiations, industrial development, management development and control of commercial crime. He added that as a result of the Consultative Group's report, the programme in support of small States had expanded and had set a benchmark for the Commonwealth programme on behalf of such countries during the 1990s. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of special support measures for small island developing countries (SIDs) to contribute to the global economy, highlighting the challenges they face due to their small size and fragile economic structure. The focus is on economic development, international trade, and cooperation between organizations to provide assistance. The text does not mention natural resources, environment, agriculture, forestry, fishing, transport, communication, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, or culture, but rather concentrates on the economic and development aspects.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade