transfer to the regular budget was requested in paragraph 18.47. such action would be in line with the emphasis placed by the General Assembly on the urgent need to combat desertification in all the affected countries. 2. For those reasons, and notwithstanding his delegation's respect for the recommendations of 'ACABQ, he urged the Fifth Committee to agree that resources for a P-5 post in connection with desertification should be transferred to the regular budget and appropriate action taken to make the necessary resources available. 3. His request for the postponement of the vote on section 18 had been in connection with the request of the Secretary-General that the post of the Chief of the UNEP Liaison Office in New York should be reclassified to the D-2 level. The comparisons made at the previous meeting between that Office and other Liaison Offices had, in his delegation's view, been incomplete. The UNEP Office had to carry out liaison functions covering a wide range of issues, since environment cut across so many areas of United Nations activities. It also served as the Regional Office for North America, which brought it into close contact with united States and Canadian officials. The North American region was particularly important from the point of view of environment, not only for the problems it present ed as a highly industrialized area but also because of its many scientific and technical advances which were very helpful to UNEP. In addition, the Liaison Office was constantly exploring possibilities of obtaining financial assistance with the non-governmental community in North America and with other agencies and organizations in the field of environment. / ... A/C.S/40/SR.36 English Page 3 (Mr. Mudho, Kenya) 4. The Liaison Office thus served as a Regional Office and prograwme support 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the allocation of resources and budget for a post related to combating desertification, as well as the reclassification of a post at the UNEP Liaison Office in New York. The mention of environment, industrialized areas, and scientific and technical advances suggests that the text is primarily concerned with environmental issues.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment