reforms seemtobemixedandvaryfromcountry tocountry, depending ontheextent ofthereforms andthestructural characteristics ofcountries implementing them. Inmanycountries, economic andsocialconditions seemtohavedeteriorated. 173.TheCommittee decided tomakeacomprehensive assessment ofpolicy reforms undertaken, compare theexperience ofcountries indifferent regions andlookinto therelevance ofsuccessful experiences forothercountries. TheCommittee proposed toconsider theseandotherrelated issuesatitstwenty-eighth session, through aworking grouptobeformedatitstwenty-seventh session. 2.Poverty, environment anddevelopment 174.Massive ruralpoverty inmanypartsoftheworldisinflicting serious damage totheenvironment through over-grazing, over-cultivation oflandwithout replenishment ofsoilnutrients, anddeforestation. Inmanyareasoftheworld, desertification isspreading, andtheincreasing incidence andtheintensity of -49-floodsarehaving enormous adverse impacts onhumanbeings, livestock, cropsand infrastructure. Intheirstruggle forimmediate survival, theruralpoorare actually destroying thecapacity ofthenatural resource basetoprovide an adequate income forfuturegenerations. 175.Industrial development isaccompanied byairandwaterpollution inboththe developing andthedeveloped countries, through theemission ofpollutants and disposal ofhazard wastesinstreams, waterbodies andtheopenair.Air-borne emissions alsocontribute toglobal warming, acidrain,anddestruction ofthe ozonelayer. Intensification ofagricultural development through careless useof pesticides andherbicides andexcessive useoffertilizers iscontributing towater pollution inboththedeveloping andthedeveloped world. Mismanagement oflarge irrigation schemes hasledtowater-logging, salinization andalkalization ona largescaleinvarious partsoftheworld. Industrialization andagricultural development strategies designed tohaveagreater direct impact onpoverty alleviation mayofferscopefortheuseoftechnologies lessdamaging tothe environment thaninthepast. TheCommittee proposed tolookintoissues related topoverty, theenvironment anddevelopment intheframework oftheconcept of sustained andenvironmentally sounddevelopment atitstwenty-eighth session, through aworking grouptobeformedatitstwenty-seventh session. C.Aprovisional workprogramme forthetwentyninthsession (1993) 176.TheCommittee decided toconsider atitstwenty-ninth session theissueof population growth inrelationship tonatural resources, environment and development. Itagreedtopropose termsofreference foraworking grouponthis subject andtodecide onotherthemesatalaterdate. -50-VIII. ORGANIZATION OFTHESESSION 17:.Thet~enty-sixth session oftheCommittee forDevelopment Planning washeldat UnItedNatIons Headquarters from30Aprilto4May1990. Twenty-two members ofthe Committee attended: Abdlatif AL-HAMAD; EdmarBACHA; P.N.DHAR;KarelDYBA; JustFAALAND; Ricardo FFRENCH-DAVIS; Tchaboure GOGUE;KeithGRIFFIN; Patrick GUILLAUMONT; Mahbub ULHAQ;Ryokichi HIRONO; HelenHUGHES; Nicolai LIVENTSEV; Solita MONSOD; HenryNAU;Maureen O'NEIL; T.Ademola OYEJIDE; ShanPU;Akilagpa SAWYERR; UdoErnstSIMONIS; George SURANYI; Ferdinand VANDAM. 178.TheCommittee elected thefollowing officers forthetermending on 31December 1992: Chairman: Abd1atif Y.AL-HAMAD Vice-Chairmen: Edmar BACHA JustFAALAND T.Ademola OYEJIDE Rapporteur: KeithGRIFFIN. 179.Thesession wasopened bytheUnder-Secretary-General forInternational Economic andSocialAffairs, whowelcomed thenewmembers oftheCommittee and expressed hisappreciation toallthemembers fortheirwillingness toserveonthe Committee andparticularly toAbdlatif AL-HAMAD forhisexceptionally able chairmanship. Heextended thankstothosemembers whohadcompleted theirterms, andparticularly totheoutgoing members oftheBureau, JustFaaland, its rapporteur anditsvice-chairman, Mihaly Simai, andtoJozefPajestka whohadbeen ontheCommittee sinceitsinception. Hewentontomention thattheworkofthe
**Analysis**
The text discusses various topics related to economic development, natural resources, and the environment. It highlights the challenges faced by countries in implementing reforms, the impact of poverty and environmental degradation, and the need for sustainable development. The text also mentions industrial development, agriculture, and population growth, which are all interconnected with economic development and environmental concerns.

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