a global moratorium on large-scale driftnet fishing by December 31, 1992. The resolution was adopted by consensus, following delicate and sensitive negotiations. Entrepreneurship This U.S. initiative drew its success from the recent dynamic changes taking place around the world in favor of free markets and private sector development. In 1990 General Assembly resolution 45/188 was the first articulation of the aspirations of many developing countries and economies in transition (notably Eastern European) toward economic liberalization, and it promoted principles of free enterprise, entrepreneurial development, and the necessary economic, legal, and financial enabling environments. The Cuban Delegation was alone in voting no, spoiling consensus. In 1991 General Assembly resolution 46/166 built upon the momentum, supporting various UN system programs promoting entrepreneurship, especially those of a technical assistance nature. More significantly, it broke with a longheld developing world and UN system bias favoring the public sector and ignoring the private sector by essentially concluding that the UN system's terms of reference on development must take into account the private sector as an engine for growth for the development of the world economy. The result is that the UN system's entire development agenda involve the private sector locally in its programs. Cuba joined in the consensus text. International Debt Problems of Developing On December 18, for the second time, the United States was able to join in consensus on a General Assembly resolution on the international debt crisis and development. (Resolution 46/148.) Achieving consensus on this resolution reflected the evolving nature of international debt strategy and the willingness of debtor countries to acknowledge the need for market-oriented reforms and sound fiscal and monetary policies. Resolution 46/148 again addressed the U.S. concern of emphasizing the need for structural reform and other economic policies conducive to growth in developing countries. Prior to its adoption, the United States stated that debt problems are only one aspect of the economic dilemma faced by many developing countries, which must undertake market-oriented and other economic reforms if they wish to resume economic growth. The U.S. Delegation also stressed that the United States could not support initiatives aimed at forgiveness of debt owed to multilateral financial institutions, and that UN agencies should not interfere with the independent mandates of those organizations. Least Developed Countries The Second UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Paris in September 1990, adopted a "Program of Action for the 1990s" to address special problems. The Program of Action adopted at the 1990 Paris Conference was finely balanced between often conflicting views of how the problems of the least developed countries should be addressed. The U.S. Delegation joined consensus in adopting the new Program of Action. On December 19 the United States joined the consensus in adoption of UN General Assembly resolution 46/156, stressing the need for successful implementation of the Program of Action and the need for the United Nations to review its implementation. The Critical Economic Situation in Africa In May 1986 the General Assembly, at the request of the African Group, convened in New York the 13th special session of the General Assembly on "The Critical Economic Situation in Africa." The special session issued a declaration in which the African states affirmed their commitment to economic reform and the international community gave a political commitment to support their efforts. Declaration language on major financial and assistance issues closely paralleled stated U.S. policy. The special session also adopted resolution S-13/2 by consensus, which contained the UN Program of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development (UNPAAERD) 1986–1990. In 1990 the General Assembly established an Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole to prepare the final review and appraisal of the implementation of the UN Program of Action for African Economic Recovery. This Committee, which met in September, agreed upon a successor program entitled the New Agenda for Africa, a new blueprint for sustained and sustainable growth and development in Africa beyond 1991. The UN General Assembly plenary adopted the New Agenda by consensus. (Resolution 46/151.) In joining the consensus, the United States supported consideration of special measures to help the poorest countries, given the severity of their situation, but stipulated that such a program should recognize each country's responsibility for its own development, the need for economic and political reforms, and the need for domestic resources to be mobilized alongside international ones. The United States also reemphasized that independent mandates of the multilateral financial institutions should not be tampered with in any declarations on measures to resolve the debt crisis. International Assistance for the Economic The General Assembly agreed on November 13 to include on its agenda an item on international assistance for Angola's economic rehabilitation. The draft resolution, submitted by a group of G-77 countries, expressed concern for the serious economic situation in Angola resulting from drought conditions. It also noted the progress of the Angolan Government in signing peace accords paving the way for economic and social rehabilitation. The resolution expressed gratitude for assistance already rendered by the international community, and requested it to increase material, technical and financial assistance to Angola. Resolution 46/142 on this issue was adopted without a vote by the General Assembly on December 17. The United States was able to join consensus after references to reparations for past acts of destabilization by South Africa were excluded from the resolution, and after including acknowledgment of all parties' efforts to effect national reconciliation from the conflict in Angola. Regional Economic Commissions Economic Commission for Europe The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), established in 1947 and located in Geneva, has 40 members-the 37 European members plus Canada, the United States and Israel. Other UN member countries take part, in a consultative capacity, when matters of particular concern to them are considered. Composed largely of developed countries, the ECE focuses on problems confronting modern industrialized societies. The ECE's terms of reference are broad. The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) has specifically accorded the ECE a number of responsibilities for multilateral activity in economics, transportation, science, technology and the environment, and its role as a forum for implementing CSCE "Basket II" provisions relating to energy, trade, air pollution and transport has been reaffirmed. Areas of particular interest to the United States are the Commission's work in the five priority areas of trade facilitation, environment, statistics, economic analysis and transport. The ECE carries out its activities primarily through 10 principal subsidiary bodies and 4 working parties. Principal subsidiary bodies include the five U.S. priority sectors plus committees on housing, agriculture, timber, energy and the Senior Advisors on Science and Technology. The four working parties comprise chemicals, steel, engineering and automation, and standardization. Additional subjects of interest to the Commission are dealt with by ad hoc groups. The Commission held its 46th session April 9-17 in Geneva against the backdrop of sweeping historic changes in the ECE region. Developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union made it possible to pursue significant reform of Commission activities through creation of a special working group responsible for making recommendations on reform. The Commission was also charged with carrying out the mandate for structural reform of subsidiary bodies as agreed to in the 1990 reform package. The United States strongly supported this reform package, which was based on zero real budgetary growth and provided rules for redeployment of resources from nonpriority to priority sectors. Other resolutions adopted at the 46th session approved work program for 1992-1993 and applauded the restructuring decision as a turning point in the future work of the Commission. The latter resolution charged the Commission with fully and expeditiously implementing all provisions of the decision and reminded each body of its obligation to rank-order its work program. The session applauded the adoption of the convention on Environmental Impact Assessment by 26 countries and charged the Commission with adopting still other solutions to environmental and water problems. It urged additional resources for speedy implementation of the UN Rules for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT) so that its use may become generalized by 1993. Each body was asked to support accelerated integration of the economies in transition into the global economy through its work program, especially by holding workshops and seminars on transition problems. A major development at the 46th session was the U.S.-led effort to gain membership for Israel in the ECE. For many years, Israel was the only UN member without membership in a regional economic commission. In view of Israel's close economic ties to the region and its prior participation as an observer, ECE members recommended to ECOSOC that the ECE terms of reference be changed, paving the way for Israeli membership at the summer ECOSOC. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific The United States is one of the original 10 members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), established in 1947. There are now 44 members and 10 associate members, representing an area from Mongolia south to New Zealand, and from Iran east to the island nations in the Pacific. ESCAP headquarters are in Bangkok, although some subsidiary bodies and other activities are located in other Asian cities. ESCAP's primary functions are to identify problems of social and economic development, provide a forum for discussion on development issues, provide technical assistance and advisory services, and help members attract outside assistance. ESCAP itself does not provide capital resources, but helps to attract funds for regional and subregional institutions which, in turn, supply development assistance for specific projects. The ESCAP Commission meets annually. ESCAP is funded primarily by the UN regular budget, but it also receives funding from other UN agencies, most notably UNDP, to which the United States is a major contributor. The United States has from time to time participated in individual ESCAP programs of special interest by providing extra-budgetary contributions. ESCAP is just completing a major institutional reform. Traditional committees will be disbanded, and in their place three thematic committees with over-arching responsibilities will be established: for regional economic cooperation, for poverty alleviation and economic growth, and for the environment and economic development. The 47th Commission session was held in Seoul in April. The Commission adopted 13 resolutions dealing with international trade, integration of environment and development, remote sensing, and the Seoul Declaration on Regional Cooperation. Members reviewed a wide range of programs designed to promote economic and social development including agriculture and rural development, energy, the environment, human resource development, human settlements, industrial and technological development, international trade and development finance, natural resources, population, transport and communication, and women in development. Besides charting a new work program, ESCAP members devoted considerable attention |