text: activity. While present and future qenerations in those c:nuntries may enjoy correspondingly higher living standards the legacy of accumulated costs is distributed world-wide. Such threats to the environment as desertification and deforestation are primarily to be found in developing countries, and their underlying cause is proverty rather than affluence. During this prolonged period of declining economic fortunes in particular poor people and poor countries are preoccupied with the immediate and overr idinq problems of subsistence. But we have only one environment. There is need for greater co-operation and involvement of all in efforts to save the environment. In developing countries the RM/10 A/S-18/PV .6 45 (Mr. Obure, Kenya) elimination of poverty and the strengthening of capabilities for efficient activities in production would enhance the environment. The revitalization of economic growth and development in developing countries is a sine qua non for maintaining the physical environment and possibly reversing the deterioration caused by earlier generations. We live in a world that has become increasingly interdependent. The global dimension added to national activities imposes additional constraints and some opportunities. Governments have responded by adjusting their domestic macro-economic policies with the objectives of increasing efficiency. Solutions to the world economic problems, however, need a strengthened international co-operation based en longer-term perspectives then at present. The problems facing African countries and the situation in Africa as a whole are particularly disturbing. The unyielding economic crisis facing the continent has been summed up by the President of the World Bank, who stated that: "Africa's continuing economic crisis presents an extraordinaiV challenge to the development community, to both intellectuals and p:>l icy makers." On the ~fforts being undertaken by the African countries, he noted that: "Most African countries are now embarked on comprehensive programmes of economic adjustment. The nature of these programmes has evolved significantly 
analysis: The text primarily discusses the impact of economic development on the environment, particularly in developing countries. It highlights the need for cooperation and involvement of all nations to address environmental issues, and emphasizes the importance of economic growth and development in developing countries to maintain the physical environment.