A/RES/57/236 Taking note with concern of the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on world commodity trends and prospects, 9 which examines the downward trend of most commodity prices, 10 Reiterating the importance of maximizing the contribution of the commodity sector to economic growth and sustainable development, while continuing with diversification efforts in developing countries, especially commodity-dependent countries, and bearing in mind paragraph 6 of resolution 55/183, Recognizing that commodity-dependent developing countries, in particular African countries and the least developed countries, as well as small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, are highly dependent on primary commodities as their principal source of export revenues, employment, income-generation and domestic savings, and as the driving force of investment, economic growth and social development, Recognizing also that structural changes in international commodity markets, particularly the increasing concentration in trade and distribution, constitute new challenges for commodity producers and exporters in developing countries, Recognizing further that agriculture plays a crucial role in addressing the needs of a growing global population and is inextricably linked to poverty eradication, especially in developing countries, and recognizing also that enhancing the role of women at all levels and in all aspects of rural development, agriculture, nutrition and food security is imperative and, furthermore, that sustainable agriculture and rural development are essential for the implementation of an integrated approach to increasing food production and enhancing food security and food safety in an environmentally sustainable way, Expressing deep concern about the negative effects of unfavourable weather conditions on the supply side of most commodity-dependent developing countries, the continuing depressed levels of most commodity prices and the dramatic falls in recent years in prices of commodities of particular interest to developing countries, which adversely affect the economic growth of commodity-dependent developing countries, especially countries in Africa and the least developed countries, as well as small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, Expressing its concern about the difficulties experienced by the developing countries in financing and implementing viable diversification programmes, which are essential for sustainable development and for attaining access to markets for their commodities, Emphasizing the need for a domestic industrial transformation of commodity production in the developing countries, in particular African countries and the least developed countries, with a view to enhancing productivity and stabilizing and increasing their export earnings, thus promoting the sustainable economic growth of developing countries and their integration into the global economy, Recognizing that commodity prices are an important element for heavily indebted poor countries that are commodity-dependent in maintaining long-term debt sustainability, _______________ 9 A/57/381, annex. Ibid., sect. I.B. 10 2