UN General Assembly
1996

can effectively narrow the growing gap between developed countries — ever more prosperous and stable — and a developing world faced with poverty and disorder of every sort. Such observations emphasize that a real awareness on the part of the international community as a whole, and of the developed countries in particular, is slow in coming. They also confirm that piecemeal measures, taken on an urgent basis, are not enough to compensate for the lack of an overall approach to the global problems of our times. 22 Also quite clear in this regard is the marginalization of the mechanisms established to foster, channel and develop cooperation, solidarity and joint efforts among nations. It is significant to note that on the heels of an anniversary session at which the commitment of States to strengthen the authority of the United Nations was forcefully reaffirmed, the Organization is experiencing one of its greatest crises, notably due to restrictions on the resources it needs to accomplish its missions — and this at a time when the demands on it have increased and when