In the context of world economic growth which has been nore or less sustained for seven years now, some of the developing countries, it is true, have demonstrated rates of growth higher than those of developed market economy countries. Nevertheless, as the Secretary-General pointed out in March 1990, the great majority of countries of the South have experienced stagnation and, in many cases, recession. The primary reason is that the commendable efforts at recovery they have undertaken on the national level within the framework of structural adjustment programmes continue to be thwarted by an unfavourable international environment. In fact, it has been established that the economies of the developinq countries have been, particularly throughout the 1980s, seriously rocked by the combined effects of external factors, including major variations in international prices, the erosion of the fundamental principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the parallel rise of protectionism, the disturbances caused by currency fluctuations and the erratic flows of capital, high interest rates and the burden of debt and its servicing. The development crisis which resulted has been reflected, in particular, by a certain falling behind of the developing countries as compared to their developed partners. In this respect, the situation of the African continent is of ever-greater concern. BHS/dl A/S-18/PV. 2 117 (Mr. Sy, Seneqal) In that context, the imperative need for the revitalization of economic growth and development of the developing countries requires that their efforts at restructuring, internal improvement and subregional and regional integration be answered by a substantive net contribution of capital toqether with an adequate transfer of technology and the consequent full use of human resources within the framework of an in-depth readjustment of the current mechanisms of the world economy. The industrialized countries, which alone are responsible for most production 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic growth and development of developing countries, highlighting the challenges they face due to external factors, such as international prices, protectionism, and debt. It also emphasizes the need for revitalization of economic growth and development through restructuring, internal improvement, and regional integration, as well as the importance of capital transfer and technology sharing. The text does not mention specific industries, natural resources, or environmental concerns.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade