Another important element is the adequacy of external financing, be it official or private. The growing diversity of developing countries calls for differentiated forms of economic co-operation, including the provision of non-debt-creating financing, especially for the poorest countries. At the same time there is an urgent need to improve the institutional framework for new investments, which have drastically declined as a percentage of the gross cbmestic RM/16 A/S-18/PV. 2 74-75 (Mr. Helenius, Finland) product, especially in Africa. The role of official development assistance continues to be of crucial importance, in particular for the debt-ridden countries undertaking structural adjustment measures. The donor community should take urgent action to reach the 0.7 per cent target of their gross d:>1nestic product as official development assistance, as soon as possible. At the same time the need to improve the quality of aid remains important. One of the lessons of the past is that lasting economic and social development cannot be achieved without proper attention to huma'l development in the broad sense. The full nt:>bilization of the productive energies necessary for growth can only take place when there is a healthy and well-educated population. The respect for human rights of the entire population and its participation in the economic and political process are crucial for any development strategy to be successful. The role of women, not only as a question of equality but also as an agent of economic growth, should be fully acknowledged. BCT/~ A/S-18/PV. 2 76 (Mr. Helenius, Finland) The m:,st decisive obstacle to development, and the crucial question facing mankind, is the present population-growth rates in nany developing countries. A number of Governments are undertaking population programmes and have thus succeeded, also with proper emphasis on education, in improving the living standards of their people -as shown by the improvement in vital indicators. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of external financing, institutional framework, and human development in achieving economic growth and development. It highlights the role of official development assistance, the need to improve aid quality, and the importance of education, human rights, and population growth control. These themes suggest that the text is primarily focused on economic development and its related aspects.

**Category**
Economic development, Education