A Long Way to Go
In this context, it should be mentioned that there is considerable scope for expanding technical and economic co-operation among the developing countries themselves. Technological skills are available in some developing countries and financial resources in others. We hope that the U.N. and international organisations will give increasing attention to the prospects and possibilities in this area.
Transfer of technology is another area where U.N. action would be particularly useful. We also hope that the proposed re-organisation of the economic and social sectors of the U.N. will strengthen the process of development and international economic co-operation.
The U.N. has yet to go a long way before it can be said that it has met the aspirations of non-aligned and developing countries in any significant measure. In the ultimate analysis, the U.N.'s effectiveness is related to the collective national wills of its Members. Non-aligned and developing countries have played a significant role in changing the political climate at the U.N. into one in which developed countries are beginning to take a serious look at a question that they had in the past preferred to avoid, and are beginning to accept their responsibilities in this context.
The organisation of two special sessions of the General Assembly, devoted exclusively to problems of development, the convening of the world conference on food, population, environment, industrial development, role of women, and employment are welcome evidence of the new priorities in the U.N. system. We hope that this process will gather momentum in the years to come. The non-aligned and developing countries have to remain united in continuing to endeavour in that direction.
Here, I cannot but refer to the misleading talk in some circles that the U.N. is being divided into two blocs. The poor countries do not constitute a bloc. Developing countries have stressed the co-operative, not the confrontationist approach. Otherwise the resolution at the seventh special session could not have been adopted unanimously. They have expressed, and with moderation, their urges and hoped with the legitimate expectation that countries more fortunately placed would recognise it as their duty and obligation to help their less fortunate brethren.
We have to get away from the talk of confrontation and deadlock, move into new fields of co-operative endeavour, and continue our efforts to achieve a new world order based on justice and equality. Let us not confront each other but let us together confront the problems facing us.
