UN General Assembly
1964

27. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was, of course, unable to fulfil these splendid ideals; nor could it be expected to adopt any convention incorporating new concepts of international trade, thus breaking with an age-old, selfish tradition. However, the great importance attached to the Conference, in view of the change of thinking that has been observed, is largely due to the solidarity and receptivity shown by the seventy-seven developing nations. They gave a very clear picture of the enormous handicap under which they labour in their trade with the economically developed countries, a handicap that will become increasingly greater if an immediate solution is not sought; and while they have realized the gravity of the problem, they are not in complete agreement as regards the remedy. It is encouraging to think that 120 States should have held a discussion and reached conclusions of far-reaching consequence for the life and development of society; it is gratifying, too, that so many countries, differing from each other in their political, social and economic structures and in their stages of development, should have arrived at a meeting of minds and should be well on the way towards achieving genuine progress in the unfortunate under-developed areas of this world of ours, all this thanks to the efforts of our Organization.