27
Political will and mechanism for process of change

It way barely eighteen months ago when the historic sixth special session was called to meet an emergency situation that confronted the international community in the economic field. At that time, the U.N. General Assembly had by consensus agreed to work for a new international economic order, recognizing the interdependence of all States, and the fact that the world could no longer be ruled from centres of power and affluence.

Since the end of that session, unfortunately, there has been reluctance on the part of some States to implement the agreement reached — a drifting away from the concept of interdependence towards traditional colonialist attitudes that reflect the usurpation by a small minority of countries of the right to own wealth and wield power. There has been a sharp reaction from some developed States to the inevitable assertion of equality by developing countries and their right to a legitimate and fair share in the world's resources. If, the sixth special session was called to deal with a crisis situation, the seventh special session is faced with the failure of nations to deal adequately with that crisis, and the consequent responsibility for making a new attempt to resolve their problems.

In our view, the establishment of a new international economic order depends on global recognition and acceptance of the following fundamental principles. First, in a world of inter­dependence, the growth or decline of one nation or group of nations can have immediate and direct consequences on the fact of other nations or group of nations. Secondly, interdependence should inevitably mean collective responsibility, for only then can inequality and injustice be removed. Thirdly, decision-making on the pattern of necessary change should be shared equally by all countries. Fourthly, national and global endeavours for development must be based on a recognition of sectoral inter­dependence.

It is axiomatic that, while the main burden of responsibility for national development rests on national governments, responsibility for changes in global structures chiefly rests with those who control the overwhelming percentage of international trade, investment, industry and technology. Briefly, the developing countries want to eliminate the economic disparities between developed and developing countries and to obtain their due share of the growth of the world economy. Therefore, institutions and structures which perpetuate or aggravate present injustices and inequalities must be dismantled and new ones created.

Having said this, I cannot but note that while no commen­surate action has been taken to redress the injustices of the past, there has been a growing awareness on the part of most of the developed world that it is in their own interest to accept a new re-ordering of the world's economy, and that a new diffusion of power has to come into being which does not allow for domination by any nation or bloc. The fact that a series of intergovernmental conferences have been, and are being, held to deal with different aspects of development within and outside the United Nations is a refreshing sign of this awareness.