; ... A/C.5/38/SR.43 English Page 5 12. Mr. 'IU1MO MON'IHE (United Republic of Cameroon) said that, while the Committee should certainly welcome the Secretariat's intention to spell out more clearly the mandate of the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development, review its structure and streamline its operational procedures, that was not the main issue. The level of resources which the Department had so far been given to carry out its tasks had declined substantially. It should be noted, moreover, that the real problem did not lie in the decrease in resources but in the extent of the decrease. The question arose as to what extent the recommendations of the Joint Inspection Uhit could actually be implemented. The root cause which had to be faced was not the Department's organizational structure but its very serious financial difficulties, which might lead to its being merged with other departments, and that would be highly regrettable. 13. Mr. FORAN (Controller), replying to the representative of Egypt, said that the difficulties facing the Department stemmed from the decline in real terms of contributions to UNDP. In the case of most executing agencies, that decline had resulted in a decrease in the delivery rate for technical co-operation programmes and projects. The table in paragraph 3 of the Advisory Committee's report showed a marked increase in the delivery rate for technical co-operation programmes between 1979 and 1981, and a corresponding increase in programme support reimbursements. Since that time, income from reimbursements had decreased, while expenses had risen substantially. That was why the Department had been forced during the two previous years to pursue a policy of restraint. It had had to undergo "surgery" beginning in 1981, which, it was hoped, would be completed in 1983. In short, the Department 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the financial difficulties and operational challenges faced by the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development, which suggests a connection to economic development and international cooperation. The mention of UNDP and the decline in real terms of contributions to UNDP also supports this hypothesis.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade