prerequisite forprogramme sustainability. Therefore, thestrengthening of cohesion amongthevarious assistance programmes oftheUnitedNations system was vital, andUNICEF wasencouraged toplayitsfullroleinco-ordination efforts within thesystem. Inthisconnection, UNICEFparticipation intheJoint Consultative GrouponPolicy waswelcomed. 61.Onedelegation suggested thatsomethought should begiventothecreation of acountry-level framework forco-operation, whileanother delegation emphasized thatthestrengthening oftheresident co-ordinator system, theimprovement of programming processes, ortheharmonization ofprogramme cyclesusingtheplanning cycleoftheGovernment asareference point, wereinkeeping withthepolicies or aspirations ofUNICEF. Inresponding totheresolution, UNICEFcouldreport on suchpolicies aseffective fieldlinks,better programming processes, more extensive useofnational execution, orthesimplification ofprocedures. There wasagreement, however, thattheuniquestrengths ofUNICEF derived fromits -15-relative independence within theUnited Nations system andanylossofthis independence wouldbedamaging. 62.Because ofitsextensive experience withaflexible programme approach in development activities, onedelegation encouraged UNICEF to"shareitsexperience" withUNDPandspecialized agencies onthesubjects ofdecentralization, national project execution andtechnical co-operation. Another delegation pointed outthat because theUNICEF Executive BoardmeetsinApril,itwasthefirstgoverning body tobeginworking onGeneral Assembly resolutions, anditsdecisions setthe standards bywhichotherbodies examined theirobligations onjointUnited Nations action. TheBoardwasreminded thatathree-year planwastobeprepared onthe implementation ofresolution 44/211, anditwassuggested thattheBoardshould solicit volunteers, ledperhaps byamember oftheBureau, todraft areport on Executive Boardpolicies forimproving theeffectiveness oftheUnited Nations systemoperational activities fordevelopment. (Seechap.IV,decision 1990/21 and annexI,paras. 96-100.) Inter-agency co-operation 63.Appreciation wasexpressed forUNICEFefforts toco-operate closely withother agencies oftheUnited Nations suchasUNDP,UNESCO, WHO,UNFPAandUNIFEM toavoid overlapping activiti~s andtocomplement activities. Twodelegations underlined ·theneedforclosercollaboration withUNHCRandUNRWA. Onedelegation cited Interpol (which hadrecently emphasized action tocombat crimes whosevictims were minors) andILOasimportant partners forUNICEF initsassociation with organizations working fortheprotection andrehabilitation ofchildvictims of abuseandexploitation. International ChildDevelopment Centre 64.Several delegations expressed satisfaction withtheactivities ofthe International ChildDevelopment CentreinFlorence, Italy. TheCentre's workon thesituation ofchildren inindustralized countries anditsmajorfocuson national capacity-building weresingled outasparticularly relevant totheworkof UNICEF. 65.Onedelegation stressed theimportance ofcollaboration withother child-focused institutions, suchastheInternational Children's Centre inParis, sincetherewereimportant bodies ofresearch andexpertise thatcouldbemade available toUNICEF through theseagencies (seeannexI,paras. 107-109). External relations FutureroleofUNICEFexternal relations 66.Thebroadareaofexternal relations drewconsiderable comment from delegations. Theevaluation andanalysis ofpolicies andfunctions ofUNICEF external relations andthe1990policy review onthefutureroleofUNICEF external relations (E/ICEF/1990/L.4) werereferred toextensively during thegeneral debate, butdelegations reserved theirdetailed comments forthediscussion inthe Programme Committee (seeannexI,paras. 54-63). -16-67.Although thefullexternal relations evaluation report wasnotincluded inthe
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the role and activities of UNICEF, a United Nations agency focused on children's welfare and development. The text mentions various topics such as programme sustainability, coordination efforts, inter-agency cooperation, and external relations, which suggests that the category should be related to humanitarian aid and development.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education