in the fruit of this process. It has also succeeded over the vears to mobilize billions of dollars for this aim and helped co-ordinate the flow of many more billions. The aggregate results of this action a~e no doubt positive. However, one cannot -and should not -make abstraction of the flaws inherent in the system: duplication of work, 1ack of sense of Priorities, heavy bureaucracy, extensive paperwork, high overheads and higher costs, complicated and time-consuming procedures, lack of co-ordination and sometimes even inefficiency. In any future strategy of stepped-up development, and especially in all that concerns the developing countries, the United Nations system will be a central and leading player as the planning, co-ordinating, financing and often executinq agency. The world community has no better instrument. That, however, is no reason not to strive to improve existinq multilateral mechanisms and make them better able to respond to the enormous challenges of the 1990s. It is absolutely imperative that we do not fail. The stakes are too high. J'B/9 A/S-18/PV. 7 36 Mr~ ·JOHNSON (Liberia): On behalf of the delegation of Liberia, and in liP{ own name, I congratulate Mr. r~rba on his electioo to the Presidency of the General Asserrbly at its eighteenth special session devoted to international economic co-operation, in particular to the revitalization of economic qrowth and develof.lment of developinq countries. His efficient management of the forty-fourth regular session of the General Assembly, as well as of the sixteenth and seventeenth special sessions, ;ustifies our continuinq confidence in his abilitY and reassures us that this special session will, under his leadership, successfullY achieve the objectives set for it. I should also like to extend to the Secretary-General our thanks and hiqhest commendation for his continuinq personal commitment to the search foe world peace, understandinq and development. Namibia has at last achieved independence and taken its rightful place in our 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the United Nations system and its role in international economic cooperation, development, and coordination. It highlights the organization's efforts to mobilize funds and coordinate activities to achieve development goals, while also acknowledging the flaws in the system. The text also congratulates the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General for their commitment to world peace, understanding, and development. This suggests that the text is focused on economic development and international cooperation.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade