terms of trade, difficulties of access to markets, and export earnings instability, were of particular concern to UNCTAD, Step being taken by UNCTAD to mitigate the disastrous effects of these factors included efforts to negotiate price-stabilizing agreements, proposals for increased parti­ cipation by developing countries in the processing, marketing and dis­ tribution of primary products as well as a new proposal on a commodity- specific compensatory financing facility which would be discussed by the Trade and Development Board in June 1985. He appealed to the 13 African countries which had not ratified the Agreement establishing the Common Fund for Commodities to do so urgently, since its benefits were not limited to buffer stock financing for international commodity agreements but also covered the provision of finance under its Second Account for schemes for improving productivity, marketing and distribution from which African countries would benefit, 259. He called for increased financial flows, particularly of official development assistance (ODA), to LDCs. In that regard, he referred to the various proposals by UNCTAD for substantial volumes of assistance and debt relief on concessionary terms from both bilateral and multilateral sources as contained in the secretariat's submission to the Development Committee of the World Bank and IMF. In particular, he urged quick action to double overall ODA flows to LDCs by 1985 according to the targets incorporated in SNPA. He also called on ministers to urge donor countries and institutions at the forthcoming Mid-term filobal Review of SNPA to evince the necessary political will to avoid further deterioration in the condition of LDCs. 260. other UNCTAD activities of importance to ECA member countries included work in the areas of protectionism, structural adjustment and the services. The Trade and Development Board had recently requested studies on these issues. In the case of protectionism and structural adjustment, particular 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the challenges faced by developing countries in international trade, particularly in terms of access to markets, export earnings instability, and commodity pricing. It also touches on the need for increased financial flows and debt relief to support their economic development. Given the focus on international trade, economic development, and commodity pricing, it is likely that the text falls under the category of economic development and international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade