Industrial countries' return to growth above 3.5 % has now removed what many in the early and middle 1980s saw as an absolute constraint on improved prospects for the developing world.

Even then, however, it could be seen that while this would encourage the Asian countries and perhaps permit development in Latin America, it would not be sufficient on its own to develop the low income African countries.

Most of the reports follow three themes: further improving aggregate performance, explaining and reducing the disadvantages of the poorest and improving the external financial position.