Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)'Instrengthening theexisting institutional machinery forco-operation andconsultation andinincreasing theexchange ofinformation ondevelopment financing andinvestment; (c)Intheestablishment ofsubregional andregional monetary andfinancial institutions, whereappropriate, inparticular, theAfrican Monetary Fundandthe African Payments Union. (b)Course ofactionoftheSecretariat 30.90 Duringtheperiod 1992-1997, theECAsecretariat willfocusonmeasures to beelaborated forhaltini orreversing thedownward trendsinresource inflows, especially onconcessional terms. Newpractical andmoreimaginative solutions willbesoughttodealwiththemounting external debtoftheAfrican countries and theproblems ofinadequacy offinancing, including lowdomestic savings. Through workshops, studies andanalyses ofdevelopments andtrends i~thatsectorofthe African economy, measures willbedevised for: (a)Assessing theimpactofexternal development ontheAfrican economies, particularly thenewmonetary arrangements withintheEuropean Monetary System; (b)Strengthening ofexisting institutions forregional monetary and financial co-operation andtheestablishment andoperationalization ofanAfrican Monetary Fund; (c)Elaborating moreintensive programmes andpolicies forresources management withemphasis placed ontheexternal debtproblems; (d)Reversing theflightofcapital andattracting directforeign investments, especially insubregional andregional projects andprogrammes; (e)Fostering increased self-reliance infinancing development through more intensive programmes fordomestic savings and,resources mobilization. SUBPROGRAMME 13.NATURAL RESOURCES (a)Objectives 30.91 Thelegislative authority ofthesubprogramme derives fromGeneral Assembly, Economic andSocialCouncil andEconomic Commission forAfricaresolutions, the mostrecent andpertinent ofwhichareAssembly resolutions S-13/2, 40/171, 42/186 and44/225; Council resolutions 1989/7, 1989/8and1989/12; andCommission resolutions 602(XXII). 30.92 TheAfrican mineral sectorhasexperienced anumberofadverse yearsduring the1980s. Thesector, whichdepends heavily onexport demands, hasbeenseriously affected bythedecline ininternational demandformineral commodities produced in theregion. Atthesametime,accesstofinance continues tobeamajorobstacle inviewofthefactthatmineral exploration isahigh-risk activity and construction ofmajorminesandprocessing facilities requires largesumsof investment inmineral exploration anddevelopment ofthesector. 30.93 Asregards waterresources, muchmoreremains tobedonetoensureits efficient development anduse.Theactivities beingimplemented undertheLagos -22- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryPlanofActionfortheImplementation oftheMonrovia Strategy fortheEconomic Development ofAfricain1980havebeenseverely affected bytheeconomic crisis andthenatural disasters duringthe1980s. Progress withtheuseofirrigation for.foodandagriculture hasbeendisappointing withfoodproduction stilllagging beh~ndtherateofpopulation growth andwiththree-quarters oftherural population stillhaving noaccesstosafedrinking waterorsanitation facilities. 30.94Whilethereis~nincreasing awareness ofthepotentials ofcartography and remotesensing astoolsfornatural resources planning, development andmanagement, detection ofhazards andenvironmental monitoring, including combating drought and desertification, theoverall capabilities ofmostcountries inthatfieldremain inadequate fortheirneedsinnatural resources development, planning and monitoring. 30.95 Theobjectives ofthesubprogramme aretoassistcountries oftheregionin: (a)Improving theirefficiency inmetalandmineral production andmachinery; (b)Improving national capabilities forexploration andutilization of surface andground-water resources; (c)Promoting regional andsubregional co-operation intheuseofshared waterresources. 30.96Inthefieldofcartography, theobjectives ofthesubprogr~e areto assist memberStates:
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the economic development of African countries, with a specific emphasis on natural resources, infrastructure, and institutional strengthening. It discusses the challenges faced by the region, including declining resource inflows, external debt, and inadequate financing. The text also touches on the importance of cartography and remote sensing in natural resources planning and management.

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