29 July 1988

41st plenary meeting

Early identification of world economic developments

The Economic and Social Council,

Emphasizing the common interest in a more balanced and sustained growth and development of the world economy,

Recognizing the importance of short-term and medium-term analysis of the most acute problems in the world economy,

Convinced that the United Nations provides an appropriate framework for the early identification and analysis of emerging problems in the world economy and international economic relations,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 32/197 of 20 December 1977, by which the United Nations Secretariat was requested to concentrate, inter alia, on identifying and bringing to the attention of Governments emerging economic and social issues of international concern,

1. Acknowledges that the economic research and analysis activities of the United Nations should continue to be carried out within existing resources and on a co-ordinated basis and should include:

(a) The continuous gathering, updating and analysis of the necessary data from a wide range of sources, including national and international sources;

(b) The provision of timely and reliable information to Governments;

(c) Applied research;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a survey of the mechanisms and means currently available within the United Nations system for the early identification, analysis and monitoring of world economic developments and to include it in the World Economic Survey 1989 as an annex.