allowed to lag behind owing to lack of external support. Preserving the environment by repairing the cumulative damage to it is one of the major challenges of our time. The goal of environmental Protection is, however, best assured in the context of economic growth. The objectives of environmental protection and promotion of growth have to be pursued together through international co-operation. Nigeria believes that international solidarity should be made the hallmark of action bv Member States on the question of environment, as well as on the other major development challenges of the 1990s. But if there is one trend that deeoly troubles my Government, it is the tendency towards selective solidarity, the idea of singling out one issue for international co-operative endeavour to the exclusion or neglect of other major issues. Selective solidarity, which is the manifestation of a decline in political will on the part of so~ countries, continues to erode international co-operation by delaying action on a number of issues that are vital to the growth of the developing countries. That explains why, in the face of a worsening economic situation within developing countries, those nations that have the means to help have been either hesitant cc less supportive. That attitude, prevalent for much of the 1980s, stands in sharp contrast to the vision and statesmanship that was displayed at the end of the Second World War. It is true that the developing countries are not emerging from the ravages of a global war. But, for most of them, the dire economic situation they confront deserves the support and sympathy extended to economies ravaged by qlobal wars. JB/11 A/S-18/PV. 5 43 (Mr. Lukman, Nigeria) Fortunately, we are at a point in history when, perhaps for the first time this century, the prospects for beating swords into ploughshares abound. In this 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech by a government representative, likely the Minister of Environment or a similar position, discussing the importance of environmental protection and its relationship with economic growth. The speaker highlights the challenges of environmental protection and the need for international cooperation to address these challenges.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, International trade