In regard to the latter, permit me to express my Government's sincerest appreciation to the Government and people of Canada. Several weeks aqo Canada's Prime Minister announced a debt-forgiveness programme of 160 million Canadian dollars which will benefit 13 nations of the CARICOM region. The trade agreements between Canada, the United States of America and the European Community, from which economic benefits were anticipated, have so far yielded disapPOinting results. Problems of inadequate economies of scale, limited productive capacity imoosed by our small size, and declining prices for our commodities and manufactured goods are ,/ factors which have served to diminish the benefits that are so crucial to our economic development. As we struggle with these difficulties we must at the same time imJX>rt massive quantities of goods from the developed countries at prices which necessitate the large transfer of financial resources from our ailing economies to the economies of the developed world. As we contemplate the future of our economic development, we welcome the unfolding political events in Eastern Europe and aPPlaud the democratization of many of its States. We anticipate that these developments will contribute much to the economic and oolitical evolution takinq Place in the world today, not the least of which is the easinq of tensions amonq the super-Powers. In this connection we await with eager and cautious optimism the transfer of funds originally earmarked for armaments build-up to be allocated for improvement of the human condition globally. Perhaps the efforts to eliminate JX)vertv, illiteracy and destitution RH/22 A/S-18/PV.6 102 (Mr. Joseph, Antigua and Barbuda) will now be further intensified. We also hope that a special programme will be launched to arrest the rapid deterioration of our environment, and here again we wish to reiterate that this special session can contribute nuch to the restoration 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a statement from a government or leader of a developing country, discussing the challenges faced by their economy and the potential benefits of changes in the global political landscape. The text touches on topics such as economic development, international trade, and environmental concerns, but does not delve deeply into any one area.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade