appeared. Recently, separated families wereabletomeetagainforafewhours. I seeinthatreasonforhope. AtthispointIshouldliketomention thehopethatisemerging fromthe changes inanentirecontinent: IrefertoSouthAmerica. Happily, democracy continues tobeconsolidated there. Francewelcomes that,especially asa difficult economic situation andtheburdenofconsiderable foreign debthave imposeddifficult economic policies onGovernments. InCentral America, clearly theconflicts cannotberesolved bymilitary means. Thecountries ofthatregionshouldbeencouraged tofindquickly among themselves thepathtonegotiation. TheContadora grouptherefore hasoursupport andbacking. InowcometoFrance's thirdpriority inexternal policy-development. The overriding needforsolidarity between theindustrialized andthedeveloping countries derives fromtheconviction -whichhasbeenrepeated manytimesbythe FrenchHeadofState-thatthefutureoftheNorthandthesouthislinkedand thattherecanbenolasting growthforthedeveloped countries ifthedeveloping countries areexcluded. Forthepasttwoyearstheinternational community has accomplished agreatdealtowards helping thesecountries -firstofall,during crisissituations.00/17 A/40/PV.IO 77 (Mr.Dumas,France) WhocoulddenythatGovernments andpublicopinion responded rapidly and generously totheextreme hardships oftheAfrican countries? Ishouldliketo praisetheinitiatives taken~thesecretary-General, Mr.PerezdeCuellar, in particular theorganization lastMarchofadonors' conference inGenevaandthe creation oftheunitedNations OfficeforEmergency Operations inAfrica. Thisaiddriveiswithoutprecedent. Almost7million metrictonsofgrain havebeencollected forAfrica- aconsiderable figurecommensurate withthe tragedythatistakingplace. TheEuropean Community andFrancemadeasubstantial contribution tothateffort, astherepresentative ofthepresidency hasindicated fromthisrostrum. Butthemainproblemistoavoidarecurrence ofsucha situation, thereby ensuring aresumption ofthedevelopment process onapermanent basis. Itisessential tomaintain theflowofofficial development assistance. For itspart,Francewillcontribute morethan0.55percentofitsgrossnational product in1985,afigureclosetoit:S1988targetof0.7percent. Thepoorest countries deservepriority attention, forwithout anincreased flowoffinancial resources itwillbedifficult, ifnotimpossible, forthemto faceaparticularly unfavourable international economic climate. Theestablishment oftheSpecial FundforAfricaundertheauspices oftheWorldBank-towhich Francehasmadeadecisive contribution -constitutes animportant stepinthat direction. Itisalsowiththehopeoferadicating faminethatFrancehasproposed toour industrial partners a"planforAfrica", whichprovides amongotherthingsfor increased agricultural developmont gndaco-ordinated programme tocombat desertification. Wearepleased that that planhasbeenadopted andthatwork currently beingcarried outbyexperts willmakeitposssible toimplement itsoon. I00/17 A/40/PV.10 78 (Mr.Dumas,France) IFinally, Ishouldliketoconfirm heretheFrenchPresident'S intention to convene aninternational conference onforestprotection inParisnextPebruary. Thatconference could,inconjunction withotherinternational organizations concerned -primarily theFoodandAgriculture Organization oftheUnitedNations (FAO)andtheOrganization ofAfrican Unity(OAU)-propose concrete answers tothe concerns ofcountries whichseetheirforests disappearing andwiththemoftenall formsoflife. Thoseefforts werearesponse tothemostcritical situations. Fortherest, thispastyearhasseenarelative improvement inthesituation ofthethirdworld. ButIshouldliketomaketworemarks onthissubject. Firstofall,this progress isrelatedtotheeconomic improvement inthedeveloped countries. The relative decline inrealinterest ratesandthevalueofthedollarhave accentuated thistrend. Butthesephenomena, whilepositive, areprimarily and essentially cyclical andshort-term, andtherefore remainprecarious. Letushope thatthedecisions takenhereinNewY9rklastSundaybythefinance ministers of thefivemostindustrialized countries willhelptoconsolidate thistrend. Thesecondpointisthatwemustguardagainst excessive optimism. Admittedly, theproblem ofinterna~ional debthasbeen,brought undercontrol for thetimebeing,thankstothejointactionoftheParisClub,banksandthe International Monetary Fund(IMF)andespecially theextremely austere and courageous adjustment policies adopted bythedebtorcountries andtheirpeoples. Butletusbecareful. Theimprovement inexternal accounts hascomeaboutatthecostoflowered
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the international efforts to alleviate poverty and hunger in developing countries, specifically in Africa and South America. It highlights the importance of solidarity between industrialized and developing countries, the need for sustainable economic development, and the importance of international cooperation to address global issues. The text also touches on the need for concrete actions to combat desertification and protect forests.

**Category**
Economic development, Humanitarian aid and relief, Natural resources and environment