political change. Some of the changes are propitious, but much of what has been achieved will oome to naught is success is wanting in the sPhere of development. lrt is a categorical imperative of our times that development should become a central political ooncern. The special session llllst stress this without reserve. It must forge a common understanding, so essential for us to move forward. The nature of the challenges we oonfrant are oomplex. Our problems are compounded by the fact that we shall need to care for another 850 million people by RH/4 A/S-18/PV. 8 12 (Mr. Ahsan; ·Bangladesh} the turn of the century. These are forbidding prospects. The growing asvmme trv in the development patterns of the developed and developing countries is also cause for serious wor rv. It is true that Previous decades witnessed an uninterrupted sPell of steadv growth in the developed countries. It is equally true that it has left behind a painful legacy of burgeoning problems for the developing countries. Their pavertv remains all pervasive. Their economies are in the midst of profound crisis. Over a billion - a staggering figure -live in absolute poverty. Their countries are tied down by such formidable handicaps as widespread unemployment, scarcity of resources, an acute dearth of investments, the crippling debt burden, and secular decline in terms of trade of mounting tariff barriers. Ours is an interdependent world. We cannot allow its bifurcation into areas of dynamic growth and areas of perpetual stagnation. That dichotomy is unacceptable, if onlv because such a world would soon be unlivable. Isolated enclaves of prosperi tv cannot coexist for long with ever enlarging areas of deprivation and squalor. The perpetuation of such a situation would sooner rather than later endanger the edifice of stabili tv we are trving so hard to erect. There 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of development as a central political concern, highlighting the complex challenges faced by developing countries, including poverty, unemployment, and debt. It emphasizes the need for a common understanding to address these issues and prevent a dichotomy between areas of growth and stagnation. The focus is on the economic and social development of countries, rather than specific sectors or industries.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade