went from $220 to $200 during the 1980s and that Prospects for the current decade are no better. This failure is the bitter result of a series of factors which can in effect be attributed to the current international economic environment in which the major Powers are the masters of the game and the developing countries are forced to remain powerless to improve their lot. The drop in price of a large number of commodities, the high level of interest rates in international capital markets, the debt crisis, which has led to a negative transfer of financial resources to the detriment of the developing countries, the strengthening of protectionist barriers and the decline in investments -that is the picture facing the world today, and those are the challenges that should be met by staunch and stead fast economic co-operation. The discussions that took place during the work of the Preparatory Committee have shown that some developed countries insist on placing responsibility on the JSM/jl A/S-18/PV. 8 22 (Mr. MbonimP1, Burundi) developing countries which supposedly had not set up adequate economic policies to revitalize their economic gr<:Mth. Similarly, thev gave pride of place to the kev I'ole of the developi~ States in the revitalization of their own economic growth and development. We recoqnize, of course, that each and everv State is responsible for its economic development policies and for the well-being of its citizens. But without rejecting such an approach outright -one which in fact is based on the exercise of saver ei gn rights by eve IV State -we should nevertheless bear in mind that the internati0nal economic environment has not always been favourable to our countries. More than one speaker has emPhasized -and the Secretary General's report on the state of international economic co-operation stresses it -that 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic challenges faced by developing countries, including the impact of international economic conditions, debt crisis, and protectionist barriers. It also touches on the role of developed countries in the economic development of developing countries. The text does not specifically mention natural resources, environment, agriculture, forestry, fishing, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade