waldron@newport.rutgers.edu (James Waldron) (10/28/89)
people of the United States particularly in California, for the loss of life and tremendous damage caused by the earthquake that shook the San Francisco area on 17 October. He asked the United States representative to extend to the Government and people the sincere condolences of the Committee. Mr. Ghezal also expressed the Committee's deep sympathy to the Government and people of China following the series of earthquakes yesterday that resulted in loss of life and great destruction in the north of China. WANG BAOLIU (China) said he was grateful to the Chairman for the sympathy expressed to China and would transmit those sentiments to his Government. Draft Resolutions Introduced HUSSEIN HANIFF (Malaysia), introducing the draft resolution on the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, said its main thrust was to establish economic rights in developing countries. Since that Charter had been adopted in 1974, the economic situation of the developing countries had worsened, and the implementation of the Charter could assist in restructuring international economic relations. KIRSTI WESTPHALEN (Finland), introducing the draft resolution on the role of women in development, said it recognized that economic and social developments in the 1980s, particularly in developing countries, had not improved the situation of women. The process should seek to increase the participation of women in all areas of the economy. The economic role and potential of women should be fully taken into account in the International Development Strategy for the fourth United Nations Development Decade. The 1989 Survey's fundamental conclusion of the lack of progress made by women should be the basis for the international conference envisaged by the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies. Statements Made PAUL LEMERLE (France), speaking on behalf of the 12 member States of the European Community, said several resolutions adopted at the summer session of the Economic and Social Council reflected the desire of delegations to live in a world environment more conducive to economic growth. It had stressed the importance of the work leading up to the special session of the General Assembly in 1990 and the preparation of the International Development Strategy. The Council had dealt with environmental questions, including drought and desertification. He hoped the Committee would take decisions regarding the United Nations Conference on Development and Environment. On the question of emergency relief in the case of natural disasters, he stressed the need to improve the co-ordination of efforts within the United Nations system, in a field where international co-operation was much needed. Regarding the Council's resolution on the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), he said the problem required urgent action, and the United Nations had a very important role to play in it. Concerning revitalization of the Council and its subsidiary bodies, he hoped the resolutions on that subject would be implemented, and practical measures concerning the documentation and work would not be neglected. WANG BAOLIU (China) said there had been some improvement in the general debate at the second regular session of the Economic and Social Council, and it had been necessary to choose as its main theme the structural imbalances of the world economy. Adequate attention should have been paid to issues of regional co-operation such as the African alternative framework for structural adjustment. The Economic and Social Council had considered the 1992 Conference on Environment and Development, he said, but the delayed distribution of documents had forced it to postpone action on that Conference until the present session of the General Assembly. Concerning revitalization of the Council, he said there had been some improvement in its work, but the delay in documents had held up its work. Council resolution 1989/114 had set very clear time-limits for distribution of documents and should be implemented in earnest. He hoped all members would adopt a more realistic attitude towards the tasks of the Council in 1990, including the establishment of a multi-year work programme and the identification of major policy themes. RADMILA PERKOVIC (Yugoslavia) reviewed the work of the Economic and Social Council this year. She stressed that the general discussion of international economic and social policy at the summer session, which focused on structural changes and imbalances in the world economy and their impact on international economic co-operation, had been useful in emphasizing the need for international economic co-operation in the search for a solution to structural imbalances in the world economy. She stated that increased attention must be paid to the provision * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | United Nations | Screen Gems in patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | misc.headlines.unitex patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-