26 July 1991

31st plenary meeting

1991/52. Trade and development

The Economic and Social Council,

Taking note of the report of the Trade and Development Board on the second part of its thirty-seventh session,

Expressing satisfaction with the contribution of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to the final assessment of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990 and to the follow-up of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s,

Noting with appreciation the economic declaration from the Summit of the seven major industrialized nations, held in London in July 1991, in which it is stated that no issue has more far-reaching implications for the future prospects of the world economy than the successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations,

Reaffirming the importance of an early, successful and balanced conclusion to the Uruguay Round,

1. Urges all Governments to fulfil their commitments undertaken in the Ministerial Declaration of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations and the Mid-Term Review Agreements, to halt and reverse protectionism;

2. Expresses concern about the persistence of protectionist measures which adversely affect trade and development, in particular that of developing countries, and, in this respect, emphasizes the importance of an early, comprehensive and balanced outcome of the Uruguay Round, with the widest possible participation, resulting in the liberalization and expansion of world trade to the benefit of all countries, especially developing countries, in terms of both exports and substantially increased market access, taking into account the need to strengthen the economies and contribute to the growth and development of developing countries;

3. Notes with appreciation the extensive unilateral trade liberalization measures implemented in particular by an increasing number of developing countries, and emphasizes the need for the international community to support those measures through an improved and conducive external economic environment;

4. Emphasizes the importance of the eighth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to be held at Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, in February 1992, as an opportunity to address crucial issues in the field of trade and development in an action-oriented manner, with a view to revitalizing growth and development, in particular of developing countries, and contributing to the strengthening of multilateral cooperation.