text: international interdependence. In view of the current detente we hope that the coming decade will be one of peace, of combating poverty and famine and of growth and prosperity in the developing countries." Mr. THOMPSON (Fiji) : It is my pleasant privilege to congratulate Ambassador Garba on his election to preside over this important session. The qualities of leadership which he has already so ably demonstrated during the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly and the sixteenth and seventeenth special sessions assures us that this eighteenth special session will make a significant contribution to global economic growth and development. The admission of Namibia into the United Nations is historic for the Organization. No other Member has undergone such a Iona and difficult gestation under the aegis of the United Nations as has Namibia. So it is that its admission on Monday, like its independence only a month earlier, generates so much rejoicing and happiness in all of us. My country was privileged to have played a small part in the final steps towards independence through its participation in the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG). On behalf of the people and Government of Fiji, I extend a warm welcome to the people and Government of Namibia and wish them the very best for the future. The Third Development Decade is ending in disappointment without the high hopes offered by its beginning being achieved. While there has been noteworthy JVM/ 5 A/S-18/PV.9 13 (Mr. Thompson, Fiji ) progress in some countries and regions, overall the picture has not been bright. World annual growth during the decade dropped to less than 1 per cent, maintaining a steady downward trend and exacerbating the gap between the "have" nations and the "have-not" nations. Numerous statistical indicators show that in many parts of the 
analysis: The text discusses the current state of international affairs, highlighting the admission of Namibia to the United Nations and the Third Development Decade's disappointing outcome. It also mentions the importance of combating poverty and famine, and the need for growth and prosperity in developing countries. These themes suggest that the text is primarily focused on economic development and humanitarian issues.