The Poor Countries and the Rich—a Few Steps Forward

Three years ago, at its Sixth Special Session, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus two resolutions entitled “Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order” and “Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order.” Through’ these resolutions, the developing countries (DCs) have succeeded in giving development a priority status on the international agenda. Subsequently, a series of international conferences were held on this topic, which will remain high on the agenda for some time to come. The UN’s General Assembly will take it up again when preparing a “third development decade,” and various high-level international study groups are in the process of analyzing North-South problems with the purpose of recommending actions regarding development.

The DCs, it is clear, now have achieved one of their major goals—to broaden the purposes of the international ec...