This briefing paper reviews the findings of the on-going Conference on International Economic Co-operation (more widely known as the North-South Conference). The paper argues that the findings of this conference cannot be understood in isolation. Much of the ground covered parallels and duplicates the work of UNCTAD (UN Conference on Trade and Development), GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and other international bodies, and its performance can ultimately be judged only in this broader context.