bilateral agencies to increase their financial contributions to strengthen their capabilities to co-operate with Governments, give greater emphasis to social benefits and recognise the need for higher levels of grants and low interest-bearing loans, and shoulder a higher proportion of local costs. The Plan of Action also called for co-operation to be extended, at the request of Governments, to the formulation and implementation of high priority projects and programmes for community water supply and sanitation, for high priority to be given to collaborating with Governments in carrying out human resources surveys and in the establishment of training programmes, for the establishment of an effective clearing-house mechanism for the communication of information on all aspects of community water supply and sanitation, and for the improvement of co-ordination within the United Nations system and with the international scientific community and relevant non-qovernmental organisations at the country level in order to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to community water supply and sanitation, 8. In its resolution 35/18 of 10 November 1980, the General Assembly proclaimed the period 1981-1990 as the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, called upon Governments to implement the provisions of the Mar de1 Plata Action Plan, and called upon external support agencies to provide the necessary assistance, /. . .A/05/327 English Page 4 9. A report on progress in the attainment of the goals of the Decade was submitted, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its fortieth session in 1985 (A/40/108-E/1985/49). In its resolution 401171, the Assembly encouraged Governments to strengthen their efforts to implement the Mar de1 Plata Action Plan. C. m Dec@.$e in its economic and social cOntQx!i 10. The situation of the world economy during the course of the Decade was painfully disappointing to many developing countries despite optimistic expectation
**Analysis**
The text discusses the implementation of the Mar de1 Plata Action Plan, which focuses on improving community water supply and sanitation. The plan aims to strengthen the capabilities of bilateral agencies, governments, and other stakeholders to work together to achieve this goal. The text also mentions the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, which was proclaimed by the General Assembly to promote the implementation of the plan. The Decade's goals include increasing financial contributions, extending co-operation to high-priority projects and programs, and improving coordination within the United Nations system.

**Category**
Health, Natural resources and environment