UN Sixth Special Session opens on development

Delegates from Africa, Asia and Latin America met to coordinate solidarity among liberation struggles against colonialism and imperialism.

The Organization of Solidarity with the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America established its executive secretariat to sustain cross-continental support after the Havana conference.

G77 ministers set out a common agenda for development, trade and solidarity, strengthening the group’s continuing institutional role.

The Algiers political declaration raised the demand for a New International Economic Order to change unequal patterns of trade, finance and control over resources.

The General Assembly decided to hold a special session on development and international economic cooperation, bringing demands from non-aligned countries onto the UN agenda.

Algerian president Houari Boumediene addressed the special session, calling attention to unequal exchange and the right of countries to control their natural resources.

Resolution 3201 (S-VI) asserted sovereign equality, control over natural resources and a fairer international economic order.

Resolution 3202 (S-VI) set out measures on trade, industrialization, technology and financing to put the New International Economic Order agenda into action.

The charter affirmed states’ sovereignty over economic activities and natural resources and presented principles for international economic relations.

UNIDO’s Lima conference adopted a declaration and plan of action pressing for a larger share of world industrial production for developing countries.