reflectinq the special conmitment of the inlernational conmunity to the long-term development of these countries. The SNPA called for a substantially increased Ievel of external assigtance to the least developed countries and inmediate neasures to meet thelr urgent needs, i.ncluding increased inports ot food, balance-of-paynents suppor! and debt reltef. 70. Vierded partlcuLarl-y against the background of a deteriorating situation since the SNPA tras adopted, the availability of external resources to meet lhe urgent neads of the least developed countries uhile still enablinq lhem to pursue their long-tern developnent obJectives has been far fron adeouate. ODA' rthich is by far the most important forn of external resource f,or these countries, renalned constant at around $7 billion during 1980-1983, after a significant increase during the I9?0s. This contrasts sharply, on the one hand. to Che SNPA target of ap.proximately doubllng ODA bV 1985 and, on the other hand. to the increased needs of these countries. The total net flor of IMF lending Eo these countries, rrhicll stood at around $.5 bilLion in 1980, declined to $.4 billion in 1983 and eas negative in 1984 (-$74 nillion) . 7L. Concerninq the developnent. activities of the United resource constrainls have blocked the necessary increase deueloped countries in recent years, Horrever, all majorN at 1on s sy s t em pj1l..j9ji ,in assistance to the least organizations and agenc iesA/ 40 /597 Eng lI sb Page 2I rriChin the systen recognize the sPeclal needs of lhese countrles and this recognition is reflected in their operational activitles. The share of expenditure ot the Ieast developed countrles ln the total operational activities of the United Natlons system increased from 33 per cent in 1979 to 41 per cent in 1984, although the absolute Lncrease ln expenditure in real terms has not been Larqe' p/
**Analysis**
The text discusses the development of least developed countries, focusing on the availability of external resources, specifically Official Development Assistance (ODA) and IMF lending. It highlights the need for increased assistance to meet the urgent needs of these countries, including food imports, balance-of-payments support, and debt relief. The text also mentions the development activities of the United Nations system, which recognize the special needs of these countries. Given the focus on economic development and international assistance, it is likely that the text falls under the category of economic development.

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