requirements ofthemarkets ofdeveloped countries, otherdeveloping countries and theregional market: (d)Identification oftheimpediments totradeexpansion anddiversification whichareinherent indomestic tradepromotion policies andananalysis oftheir effectiveness, aswellastheidentification ofinstitutional support peedswith particular reference totradefinancing; (e)Identification 'ofthewaysandmeansofstrengthening theroleplayed by theprivate sectorinpromoting export andimporttradeandenhancing regional co-operation; (f)Identification ofwaysandmeansofstrengthening tradeinformation and improving theefficiency oftradefacilitation measures. SUBPROGRAMME 7.NATURAL RESOURCES (a)Objectives 34.70 Thelegislative authority ofsubprogramme 7derives fromEconomic andSocial Council resolutions 1985/157, paragraphs 2,3and5;1987/7; 1985/49; 1985/52, paragraph 1;1987/9; 1987/10, paragraph 4;and1983/54; andCommission resolution 155(XV),paragraph 2. -18- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library• j j34.71 Theproblems addressed inthesUbprogramme areasfollows: (a)Lackofthorough, quantitative andqualitative assessment ofthe available andpotential waterresources intheregionwhichisaprerequisite for optimum utilization andefficient allocation oftheseresources; (b)Absence ofadequate waterplanning andpolicies thatwouldbringabout thedevelopment andconservation ofavailable waterresources; (c)Inadequate watersecurity intheregion, owingtoinsufficient rational development, management, utilization andconservation ofwaterresources atthe regional, subregional andnational lev~ls; (d)Inadequate basichydrological, hydrogeological andhydrometeorological dataatnational andregional levels owingtotheirscantiness andwide distribution inspaceandtime; (e)Manpower availability andadequacy inthewatersectors arestill critical forallskilled andexpertlevelsintheESCWAregion; .(f)Lackofregional co-operation andco-ordination ofminingactivities: (g)Difficulty encountered bymostofthenon-oil-producing countries in obtaining sophisticated technology onexploration andexploitation ofmineral resources coupled withanabsence oftechnical capabilities andashortage of skilled andwell-trained manpower; (h)Ashortage offinancial resources, whichcontinues tobefallvital mineral projects insomecountries oftheregion, especially thetwoleast developed countries oftheregion. 34.72 Theobjectives ofsubprogramme 7areasfollows: Inthewaterresources sector: (a)Toincrease awareness oftheinterrelationship between thephenomenon of waterscarcity ontheonehand,andpopulation, urbanization andtheprocess of sustainable development ontheother; (b)Toassistintheenhancement ofwaterquality andtheimprovement of waterresources; (c)Topromote regional andsubregional co-operation inordertoensure security intheregion byestablishing principles fortheoptimum utilization available waterresources, particularly inthecaseofsharedwaterbasins;water of (d)Toenhance awareness andknowledge onground-water pollution andits causes, namely, leaking septictanks,wasteandtoxicchemical dumpsandrun-off fromfertilized fields. Inthemineral resources sector: (a)Tocontribute totheassessment ofmineral resources andthedevelopment oftheirexploration andmanagement; -19- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)-Toconcentrate ontheintroduction ofnewandappropriate techniques in theassessment, development andplanning ofmineral resources intheregion; (c)Topromote regional andsubregional co-operation inthedevelopment of mineral resources, withemphasis onsea-bed mineral resources andnon-metallic minerals; (d)Tofacilitate theestablishment ofaregional databankformineral resources; (e)Topromote effective management inthedevelopment ofmineral resources andstrengthen manpower training activities intheregion. (b)Course ofaction ofthesecretariat 34.73 Themeansofaction envisaged bythesecretariat underthissubprogramme are asfollows:
**Analysis**
This text appears to focus on the economic development of a region, specifically in the areas of natural resources and international trade. The objectives and means of action outlined in the text aim to improve the management and utilization of natural resources, promote regional cooperation, and enhance trade information and facilitation measures.

**Category**
Economic development, Natural resources and environment