text: and joint efforts, have survived. The newly industrialized economies of Asia and the members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations have clearly emerged as major new actors in the world economy. But in turning to the rest of the world, we see many developing countries still suffering from weak growth, trade deficits, ao::umulated debt, and in many cases worsening poverty. Moreover, in recent years, new problems of global dimensions, such as environmental degradation, drug abuse, and the population explosion, have grown rrore serious, making the challenges facing developing countries increasingly complex. It is indeed most meaningful that all the countries of the world have gathered together for a high-level discussion of world economic problems, particularly the development problems of developing countries, precisely at a time when the world economy is facing tremendous changes and new challenges. I believe that human resource development, grCMth, and sustainable development are the three most important issues for both developing and developed countries to consider when addressing the question of world economic development in the 1990s. In considering the problems facing developing countries, it is, needless to say, essential that they achieve self-reliance. And the possibility of their achieving self-reliance depends upon human resource development. Accordingly, for the past 10 years or more, Japan has constantly stressed the importance of co-operation in huma.n resource development. It has done its utmost in this field, for example, by increasing fivefold the amount of its technical co-operation in direct terms in the past decade. The first step in the promotion of human resource development in developing countries is to spread primary education and to improve the literacy rate. I hope there will be active discussion on this matter in the various forums of the United Nations this year, which has been designated International Literacy Year. JB/10 A/S-18/PV. 2 43-45 
analysis: The text discusses the global economic situation, highlighting the challenges faced by developing countries, such as weak growth, trade deficits, and poverty. It also emphasizes the importance of human resource development, sustainable development, and cooperation in achieving self-reliance. The text specifically mentions education, literacy, and technical cooperation, which suggests that it is focused on economic development and human development.