budget estimates, which indicated that a certain percentage of resources was unprogrammed because the funds had been received in non-convertible currencies. The estimated dollar amount had been based on the scale of assessments, and the contributions in question would be utilized as far as possible. He wished to know whether that procedure was in accordance with the Financial Regulations, and how much of the unprogrammed amount shown for 1982-1983 had been disbursed. 35. Mr. OKEYO (Kenya) said that the financial constraints of the United Nations had been felt to an undue extent in the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development, in which there had been an unusually large proportion of requests for early retirement or transfer to other branches of the Secretariat because of the climate of uncertainty resulting from the Department's financial difficulties. The developing countries attached a great deal of importance to the Department's work, particularly in institution-building and training, and regretted its decline. He hoped that more resources could be found for it in the next biennium; meanwhile he would of course support the appropriation of the amount requested. I ... A/C.5/38/SR.29 English Page 8 36. Mr. EL SAFTY (Egypt) joined with the Kenyan representative in deploring the fact that a department which was of such importance to developing countries was stagnating. 37. He noted from footnote~ to table 24.7 in the budget estimates that a sum of $2,664,900 represented primarily amounts expected to be received in non-convertible currencies, which would be utilized to the extent possible. He asked whether that was in accordance with the General Assembly resolution which permitted the use of non-convertible currencies and, if not, why they had been accepted. 38. Mr. LAHLOU (Morocco) said that the activities to be supported under section 24 were for him the embodiment of the Third Development Decade, and it was an 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the budget and financial constraints of the United Nations, specifically the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development, which focuses on institution-building and training in developing countries. The representatives are expressing concerns about the financial difficulties and the impact on the department's work. The mention of non-convertible currencies and the use of funds suggests that the discussion is related to economic development and international cooperation.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade