UNITED NATIONS: The 12-point special programme, including emergency measures, to mitigate the difficulties of developing countries most seriously affected by the economic crisis, has been adopted by an overwhelming majority of the UN members. However, the United States has expressed reservations, while Western European countries have accepted it. East European countries have … [said] that they did not have instructions on it.

The US delegates are reportedly awaiting some proposals from their Government, but ... have not specified any suggestions. … A UN spokesman told newsmen … there was “now remote chance” of [the] General Assembly holding its closing session tomorrow [April 30]. The spokesman … said the three-week session was estimated to cost 300,000 dollars.

An earlier report said the deadlock on certain provisions of three main documents, now before the UN members, is still continuing and there appears no sign of an agreement between the developing and developed nations to resolve the dispute. … The negotiating group appointed by non-aligned and “Group of 77” developing countries held separate informal meetings with groups of major Powers … but they reached no agreement. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2024