Namibia should serve as a further reminder of the challenqe ahead for all countries individually and collectively to persist in the noble fight for freedom, individual liberty and democracy fcc all. We take note of the situation in South Africa where, regrettably, the system of apartheid is still firmly entrenched. JVM/21 A/S-18/PV.6 99-100 (Mr. JosePh, Antiqua and Barbuda) When the Group of 77 proposed the holdinq of a special session almost two years aqo, ominous siqns were already PDintinq to a deterioration of the economies of the developinq countries. The debt crisis had accelerated the transfer of massive quanti ties of financial resources to the developed world from many developinq countries of the southern hemisphere; trade imbalances hiqhly favoured the developed countries, and deepeninq social crises further exacerbated tensions in many nations in the developinq world. The proqnosis for the final decade of the twentieth century ~~as qloomy. This special session devoted to international economic co-operation, in particular to the revitalization of economic qrowth and development of the developinq countries, could not have come at a more propitious moment. If the trend of the 1980s is to be reversed, the world community must pUrsue a well-thouqht-out and aqreed-upon aqenda that takes into account the concerns of all. 'rhis special session allows the concerns of every nation to be addressed and, one hopes, will lead to lonq-lastinq solutions to our economic woes. RH/22 A/S-18/PV. 6 101 (Mr. Joseph, Antigua and Barbuda) The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, eiqht years an independent country, has pursued development objectives that have led to an upward-sloping economic curve for the past eight years. Our economic machinery, fuelled almost exclusively by a single product, tour ism, has been duly assisted by a stable trade-union environment, by sensible borrowing for development and by several favourable trade and aid programmes. 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the economic challenges faced by developing countries, specifically the debt crisis, trade imbalances, and social crises. It also touches on the need for international economic cooperation and the importance of addressing the concerns of all nations. The mention of tourism as a driving force in the economy of Antigua and Barbuda suggests that the text may also relate to the economic development of individual countries.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade