23.Inaddition, theenormous debtover-hang hassubstantially reduced resources available foreconomic growth andsocial development programmes. Currently, developing countries aretransferring about$30billion annually tothedeveloped countries. Efforts toarrest andtoreverse thisnegative flowofresources need tobefullysupported through theactivities oftheOrganization. 24.TheUruguay Roundofmultilateral tradenegotiations areexpected toconclude attheendofthisyear. Theoutcome islikelytohavefar-reaching implications fortheinternational traderegime andparticularly forthetradeandthe development prospects ofthedeveloping countries. Theresults oftheUruguay Roundwillneedtobecarefully analysed andappropriately addressed inthework programme andactivities oftheOrganization inthecomingyears. 25.Thetechnological advances, especially therevolution incommunications andin meansofproduction, thathavetakenplaceoverthepastfewdecades cangreatly benefit theprocess ofglobalization oftheinternational economy aswellas development efforts. TheUnitedNations willneedtosupport efforts towards enhancing andwidening thecapacity oftheglobal community asawhole (particularly thedeveloping countries) toassimilate andutilize thenew technologies. 26.Another areaofconcern istheprofoundly difficult situation oftheleast developed countries. Itisclearthatconcerted efforts arerequired totransform theeconomies ofthosecountries andtoestablish asoundbasisfortheprovision ofacceptable levelsofnutrition, health, transport andcommunications, housing andeducation, aswellasemployment opportunities, particularly fortheruraland urbanpoor,inordertolaythefoundation forself-sustained development. The decisions oftheSecondUnitedNations Conference ontheLeastDeveloped Countries, scheduled totakeplacelaterthisyear,willguidethefutureactivities ofthe Organization inthisregard. 27.Thecritical situation inAfrica, whichencompasses themajority oftheleast developed countries, willcontinue tobeofmajorconcern totheUnitedNations and totheorganizations oftheUnitedNations systemintheplanperiod. Decisions relating totheUnited Nations Programme ofActionforAfrican Economic Recovery andDevelopment 1986-1990 (General Assembly resolution 8-13/2) shouldserveto reinforce themutual commitment ofAfrican countries toprovide thenecessary framework tolaunchlong-term programmes forself-sustaining socio-economic development andgrowth, andoftheinternational community toassistAfricain achieving thisobjective. *** -7-22.Thenature andextentofdebtcrisisisnowthreatening notonlytheeconomic andsocialbutalsothepolitical stability ofmanycountries. Attheendof1989, theoverall debtburdenofthedeveloping countries stoodat$1,200billion. Despite thefactthatthisquestion hasbeenamajoritemontheglobal agenda since1982,external indebtedness continues tocastalongshadowonthe international financial system, disturbing theresource flowandseriously impeding thedevelopment efforts oftheaffected countries. Thevarious ongoing efforts by Governments andbyprivate andinternational financial institutions havenotyet succeeded indefusing thecrisis. Itisrecognized thatefforts atalllevelsneed toberedoubled inordertoarriveatanequitable andlong-term solution. The United Nations hasadistinct responsibility toassisttheseefforts foranearly solution. 23.Inaddition, theenormous debtover-hang hassubstantially reduced resources available foreconomic growth andsocial development programmes. Currently, developing countries aretransferring about$30billion annually tothedeveloped countries. Efforts toarrest andtoreverse thisnegative flowofresources need tobefUllysupported through theactivities oftheOrganization. 24.TheUruguay Roundofmultilateral tradenegotiations areexpected toconclude attheendofthisyear. Theoutcomeislikelytohavefar-reaching implications fortheinternational traderegime andparticularly forthetradeandthe development prospects ofthedeveloping countries. Theresults oftheUruguay Roundwillneedtobecarefully analysed andappropriately addressed inthework programme andactivities oftheOrganization inthecomingyears.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges faced by developing countries in achieving economic growth and development, including the debt crisis, lack of resources, and the need for international cooperation. It also touches on the impact of technological advancements and the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations on the global economy. The text highlights the importance of supporting developing countries to achieve self-sustained development.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade