The lives, and means, of people.

• Position: General Assembly 51

Speakers called for implementation of commitments made at international conferences in recent yea, and for debt-relief to least developing countries (LDCs). Brazil felt the UN agenda must become more appealing and result-oriented to correct the tendency to convene meetings which only resulted in other meetings or the adoption of rhetorical resolutions. Iran supported international conferences to articulate and codify norms of behaviour for an orderly new system. Bahamas welcomed the debt-relief decision by the Group of Seven countries (G-7), while Gambia proposed a multilateral programme to write off third world debt by the end of the century. However, Uganda found current debt-relief initiatives grossly inadequate. Sudan emphasized that debt-servicing in most African countries exceeded their gross national product (GNP) and all export earnings. prevalent theme which wound its way through the human rights issues this year dealt with child abuse. Iceland wished to see a follow-up to recommendations of the Stockholm Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Children. Protection of children was also of main concern for Spain, France and Germany. Monaco and Andorra dedicated most of their statements to rights of the child and youth, and in particular the protection of children from sexual exploitation.

Economic development and trade

The United Kingdom identified steps that could be taken to lift the debt burden from the LDCs by increasing debt forgiveness by bilateral creditors and getting multilateral agencies to share more of the burden. The World Trade Organization (WTO) proposal that LDCs be granted tariff-free access to developed markets was welcomed by many States.

Some countries, including Nepal and Pakistan, noted that liberalization and globalization exacerbated the problems of land-locked developing countries, given high transportation costs and the difficulty of maintaining tight schedules demanded by the global market. St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda called for protection from MNCs (multinational companies).

Jordan suggested thought be given to holding a special General Assembly session at the level of Heads of State "to prepare for the new world order" in the next century.

International financial institutions

Malaysia criticised the Bretton Woods institutions, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the WTO and G-7 for unfair handling of international assistance programmes and incorrect interpretation of multilateral trade rules. It said that...