Changes in global economy reviewed in Economic and Social Council.

The 54-member Council, which beginning in 1992 will meet once a year in a four- to five-week session, also held an informal exchange of views on the report of the South Commission, set up in 1987 to suggest solutions to the economic and social problems of developing countries in the southern hemisphere.

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, in the discussion of "The Challenge to the South: The Report of the South Commission", stated that for the past 10 years, the world had witnessed the "continued marginalization of the developing countries", most of whose economies had either stagnated or declined.

The economic, social and environmental consequences of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait were the subject of another exchange of views. Multilateral cooperation and the developmental needs of Africa were also the focus of debate.

Delegates noted the Secretary-General's proposal to convene an international conference on development financing. The decision echoed concerns voiced by the Secretary-General that in order to avoid a monumental human tragedy in Africa and help indebted countries of Asia and Latin America solve resource problem, it was time to consider how the essential needs of the future would be met.

The Council reaffirmed the importance of an early, successful conclusion to the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations and expressed concern over the persistence of protectionist measures adversely affecting the trade of developing countries.

By a vote of 32 to 13, with a abstentions, Israel was granted membership in the Economic Commission for Europe.

In all, a total 48 resolutions and 43 decisions were adopted by the body on a wide variety of economic and social matters, including trade, regional cooperation, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic, population, the environment and natural disaster, among others.

Building self-reliance

Julius K. Nyerere, South Commission Chairman and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, noted that although responsibility for development of the South lay with the South, the report was also addressed to the North, as the South was affected by what the North did or did not do.

Mr. Nyerere told the Council that the Commission had urged southern nations to direct their economic and social policies towards building both national self-reliance, and, through increased South-South cooperation, collective self-reliance.

The South, viewing the integrated economies of the North...