we again exPress all our gratitude -most of the industrialized countries have not been able to carry out the oommi tment they made two decades aqo to devote 0. 7 per cent of their gross national Product to official development assistance. ,;,~ -...• 9CT/ga A/S-18/PV. 8 123 {Mr • Monqbe; ·Benin) The regress ion of the economies of the poor countries is becominq a lonq-term phenomenon, which a larqe number of those countries are facinQ courageously and responsibly. For instance, mv country, Benin, while pursuinq the imPlementation of the Structural Adjustment Proqramme has undertaken some siQnificant political chanqes in the direction of democratization and the real participation of the people in the country's development process and the choice of its kind of societv. Thus, once the adjustment machinery had been put into oPeration, we enqaqed in a process -which is continuing -desiqned to democratize political life by the institution of a multi-party system, the creation of conditions for the Pronotion and respect of human riqhts and fundamental freedoms -in a word, the advent of a State based on the rule of law, in which the deep asPirations of the people will be met. The Government of Benin thanks the friendly countries that have understood the importance of the changes under way and intend to lend their support and increase their contributions with a view to meetinq the immediate and urqent needs, consolidatinq the democratic experience and pronotinq real, self-sustained development. When we soeak of meetinq the immediate needs, we have in mind a whole set of relief mechanisroo to deal with the present disturbing situation in the main social sectors - a situation caused by the requirements of the Structural Adjustment Programme: national education, public health, employment. nutrition, assistance to the most vulnerable social qroups. The review of political and economic action with a view to readaptinq it to 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic development of a country, specifically Benin, and its efforts to implement structural adjustment programs and democratization. It also mentions the immediate needs of the country, including relief mechanisms for social sectors such as education, health, and employment. The text does not mention natural resources, agriculture, forestry, fishing, or culture, and while it touches on international relations, it does not specifically focus on international trade or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development, Humanitarian aid and relief