States. The 1980s, it has been said by many of my predecessors, have been called the "lost decade", and largely with good reason. Its manifestations are well documented; although the picture is rather differentiated, on the whole we have witnessed environmental degradation, a crippling debt burden, a net transfer from South to North instead of the other way round, comnodity prices hitting record l01111s, trade protection in defiance of international rules and agreements, international monetary disorder and, most deplorable of all, an increasing number of people -now well over 1 billion -condenned to live in absolute poverty. There were also positive developments. A number of countries achieved high rates of economic grCMth. Some indicators, such as health and mortality, showed a pasi tive trend. Democratization got under way in many countries. But still, major negative develoPments prevailed. The basis for the creation of wealth became more fragile. The distribution of wealth became more unequal, nationally as well as internationally. JSM/jl A/S-18/PV. 4 19-20 (Mr. Prank, Netherlands) For many peoples in the third world, the autonomous capacity to create wealth was stifled by an international environment largely beyond their control. Sometimes that capacity was further impaired by domestic policies. Adjustment policies became a problem in themselves. They were short-term-oriented. They did not take into account the need for a sound ecological base. Human consequences were overlooked, forcing many people into deprivation or, at best, into a situation of day-to-day survival in the informal sector. The 1980s became a decade of adjustment, not of development. The result has been an increasing dualism in the global economy. Negative per capita growth rates have become widespread in Africa and Latin America. This is a development not towards one world but towards several. At the national level, similar processes are evident. All over the world 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic and social issues of the 1980s, highlighting the negative consequences of economic policies, environmental degradation, and poverty. It also touches on international trade and development, but in a broader economic context. The text does not specifically address natural resources, agriculture, forestry, fishing, transport, communication, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, or culture.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade