UN General Assembly
2001

statistics of economic and social conditions in the countries of that region is enough to reveal the urgent need to develop a front that, acting concertedly and collectively, can fight to eradicate their absolute poverty. Faced with this scenario — rich countries on the one hand and poor countries on the other — one might wonder whether the political will exists to reverse this situation, which is dominated by selfishness and the interests of individuals, groups and States. Only thus can one explain the lack of cooperation, indifference and, indeed, the lack of sensitivity shown by the industries of developed countries in the face of real scourges that devastate thousands of people, making the countries of the South even more vulnerable. For example, I am thinking of the HIV/AIDS pandemic as well as other epidemics, such as hepatitis B and malaria. The efforts of international organizations — notably the United Nations and its system, as well as certain non-governmental organizations — to help mankind cope with this painful situation must be visible. Moreover, beyond the economic data reflecting