UN General Assembly
1964

96. In this connexion, I should like to follow the example of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Mr. Bhutto, and inform the Assembly of a recent initiative inspired by the same concern, aimed at ensuring the accelerated economic development of the countries of the Middle East. Following a meeting in July of the Heads of State of Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan at Istanbul, a plan of common action known as "Regional Co-operation for Development" was adopted, which takes into consideration the opportunities offered by the closest possible economic, social and cultural co-operation. Our countries have thus agreed to unite their efforts at the regional level in order to develop their common resources. A regional planning committee has been instructed to examine our respective development plans with a view to making recommendations for the preparation of joint projects and the co-ordination of production.