targetforofficial development assistance, thisassistance. hasstagnated inracent yearsatlessthanhalfthetargetsetintheStrategy. Inaddition, thetermsof international tradehavedeteriorated andprotectionist practices indeveloped countries haveincreased. Allthosefactors combined havecreated aserious situation theconsequences ofwhichcannotbelimited toaparticular international groupbutwillinevitably affecttheinternational systemasawhole. Either we tacklethisdilemma through arealistic, comprehensive formula thatdealswiththe situation inalldueseriousness orweshallallbesubjected tomoredeterioration andloss. Thepictureisallthemoregrimwhenwelookatthesituation insub-Saharan Africa, whereproblems resulting fromdrought, desertification andfoodshortages areworsening andhavebeencompounded bythedeterioration inAfrica's termsof tradeandthefallinitscommodity prices. Thissituation posesaserious threat tothelivesofmillions ofAfricans, undermines thesocialfabricoftheir countries andshatters theirlegitimate aspirations tostableandcontinued development atatimewhentheirmainpreoccupation istosecurethebasicmeansof subsistence. WeshouldallrealizethattheAfrican continent suffered foralongtimefrom colonization, exploitation anddomination andthatoverthecenturies itwas deprived ofafairchancetodevelopitsmaterial andhumanresources ortoutilize itsenergies intheinterest ofitspeoples. Theforeign Powerswhichruladat thattimeregarded thecontinent asasourceofrawmaterials andthusdidnot allowittosharethefruitsoftheresultant industrial andtechnological wealth. -----~-------MLG/gmr A/40/PV~8 8 (President Mubarak) Forailthosereasonsitisincumbent uponustoapproach thesituation ina newspiritthatdoesnotcountprofitandlossinrigidarithmetical termsorstem fromnarrowindividual interests. SuchanewspiritshouldtakeintoaCCQunt the factthattheinterests ofallofusareinterrelated andthattherecanbeno victororvanquished inthisstruggle. Therefore wevoiceourfullsupport fromthisrostrum forthecallmadebythe 21stsummitmeeting oftheOrganization ofAfrican Unity(OAU)fortheconvening of aspecial General Assembly sessionattheministerial leveltodiscuss theeconomic problems ofAfrica, andtheappealtotheinternational community totakethe necessary measures tosupport theefforts madebytheAfrican countries towards undertaking economic reform, implementing devel~pment projects andstavingoffthe threatofdisasters. Ontheotherhand,weappealtotheGovernments ofcreditor countries, financing institutions andinternational bankstoco-operate withdebtorcountries withintheframework ofanenlightened political dialogue, freefrompressure, with aviewtoleaching alasting solution totheproblem ofindebtedness thatwill preserve therightsofdeveloping countries, safeguard theiraspirations inregard tofood,basichealthandeducational services, andensuretheirsocialand political stability. ThesecondpointIpropose totouchuponbrieflyistheneedtoseekagenuine andradicalsolution totheproblem ofthelackofeffectiveness oftheUnited Nations incopingwiththecriseswhichthreaten international peaceandsecurity. TOourmind,suchineffectiveness isnotduetoanyshortage ofr~solutions adopted bytheOrganization anditsvarious bodiesincritical times. Onthecontrary, a hostofresolutions havebeenadopted onallproblems, despite rec~urse totheveto bysomepermament members oftheSecurity Council tobartheadoption ofcertainMLG/gar A/40/PV.8 9-10 (President Mubarak) resolutions onspecific issues, forreasons thatarenosecrettoanyone. However, theresolutions adopted reaafnadeadletter fvoidofl~fe,ineffective and useless. Tbisunderaines thetruevalueoftheOrganiZAtion and·weakensits position vis-a-vis thepeoplesdirectly involved intheissues.. Moreover, it encourages thQiSeStateswhichviolate theprovisions oftheCharter topersist In theiraggression anddefiance ofthecollective willoftheinternational co.uni ty"-~--------------movement andpolitical, economic andcultural activities. Collective punitive hesitate toviolate basichumannormsandprovisions oflaw,relying ratheronA/40!PV.8 11 (President Mubarak) Allowmeinthiscontext torefertolthreeissues bywayofexample, inthe shouldcontinue tobesubjected totheatrocities ofthisracistregime, whichisconceivable nor,indeed, acceptable thattheAfrican majority ofthepopulationtheclearresolutions ofthesecurity Council inthisregard. Itisneither escalating itspractices ofviolence, suppression andterrorism andwhichdoeGnotThefirstissueIshouldliketoputbeforetheAssembly isthePalestinian
**Analysis**
The text is a speech by President Mubarak, discussing the challenges faced by Africa, particularly in terms of economic development, international trade, and humanitarian aid. The speech highlights the continent's struggles with poverty, drought, and food shortages, and calls for international cooperation to address these issues. The text also touches on the ineffectiveness of the United Nations in addressing crises and the need for a genuine and radical solution to this problem.

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