Infacttheattitude ofthosecountries canbeheldresponsible forthe mediocre results ofthethirdUnitedNations Development Strategy, thesidetracking oftheCharter ofEconomic RightsandDutiesofstates, adopted in1974byour Assembly, theimpasse intheglobalnegotiations, thedelayinimplementing the agreement toestablish acommonfundforbasiccommodities, andthedelaying tactics usedtoputofftheconvening ofaninternational conference oncurrency, financing anddevelopment. Although therehasbeensomemodestandunevengrowthintheindustrial countries, growthinthedeveloping countries hasbeenpractically non-existent and andhashadnoeffect. Sowecanaffirmthatwhilethethreattotheworldeconomy isserious, inthedeveloping countries thereisarealeconomic crisis. The threatischaracterized, interalia,bythegradual disintegration ofthetrade system, uncertainty andinstability intheinternational financial andmonetary system, thepersistent problem oftheexternal debt,thestagnation inpublicaid todevelopment andthecritical economic situation atpresent inAfricasouthof theSahara. WithregardtoAfrica, whichhasthelargest numberoftheleastdeveloped countries, wewelcome theadoption bytheAssembly lastyearoftheDeclaration on theCritical Economic Situation inAfrica. Thisrepresents theclearly defined political framework withinwhichtheinternational community intends todealwith thecrisisinAfrica. Sinceitsadoption, aslightimprovement hasgradually taken placeinsomepartsoftheregionJ thankstointernational assistance. However,MLG/td A!40/PV.3l . 19-20 (Hr.Mboumoua, Cameroon) theemergency needsarefarfrombeingmet.Inaddition, theshort-term and long-term needshavestillnotreceived alltheinternational attention requested intheDeclaration. TheAfrican countries areaware,andhavealwaysrecognized, thatthesolution oftheirproblems restsprimarily withthemselves. Inthisspirittheyhavemade commendable efforts tointegrate theirneedsintotheirnational development policies andprogrammes. TheLagosPlanofActionadopted in1980andbrought up todateatthetwentieth summitmeeting oftheOAUin1984inAddisAbaba,should beviewedasaneffortdirected totheintegrated development ofAfrica, inviewof theacutecrisisbeingexperienced bythecontinent. However, itisalsoclearthattheAfrican countries cannotconfront this seriouscrisisalone,without theassistance oftheinternational community. Such assistance requires acontinuing commitment, iftheprinciples oftheDeclaration aretobetranslated intopractical action. Inthiscontext, Cameroon supports theproposal fortheconvening ofaspecial session oftheGeneral Assembly oftheUnitedNations devoted totheeconomic crisisinAfrica. Thisyearonceagain,ourorganization hasplayedanactiveroleinthe implementation ofthesystemprovided forinthenewConvention ontheLawofthe Sea.AP/jcl A/40/PV.3l 21 (Mr.Mboumoua, Carnercon) Thepasttwosessions ofthePreparatory Commission fortheInternational Sea-bed AuthorityandfortheInternational Tribunal fortheLawoftheSea,held atKingston andatGeneva, havemadeencouraging progress. Theywerecharacterized byefforts todrawuprulesofprocedure fortheAssembly oftheAuthority, bythe determination ofmembers oftheCommission tupavethevayfortheeffective creation oftheEnterprise astheAuthority's organresponsible forthe exploitation ofthesea-bed through theexamination of·problems whichcouldaffect theland-based producer developing Statesasaresultoftheexploitation ofthe sea-bed and,lastly, bythepreparation oftherulesofpr..:.::edure forthe International Tribunal fortheLawoftheSea. unfortunately, despite general support forthedevelopment ofapeaceful systemgoverning theexploitation ofthesea-bed, thesearchformachinery which wouldmaketheEnterprise operational andviableremains unsuccessful. In addition, theimplementation ofresolution 11ontherights andobligations of pioneer investors priortotheentryintoforceoftheCon~ention hasbeenblocked untilthisproblem ofoverlapping zonesisresolved between theparties concerned. Atthesametimethedeveloped countries,whosefinancial andtechnological resources areneededfortheproperexploitation ofthesea-bed, continue toengage inblackmail bydemanding thattheCommission shouldgrantthemamining regime whichisfavourable tothem,butwhichwouldruncounter totherelevant prOVisions oftheConvention. WestJ'.:'ongly condemn thisaction, justaswejoinedwiththe Groupof77indeploring therecentdecision byoneStatetograntlicences toa fewofitsconsortiums fortheexplora tioDandexploitation ofcertain sectors of
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement from the representative of Cameroon at the United Nations, discussing the economic crisis in Africa, the lack of progress in implementing the United Nations Development Strategy, and the challenges faced by developing countries in general. The text also touches on the topic of natural resources, specifically the exploitation of the sea-bed, and the need for international cooperation and assistance.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Natural resources and environment