theSecretariat forinformation andcontacts regarding non-governmental organizations. Tothoseends,thesubprogramme willincreasingly serveasafocal pointfortheactivities undertaken bythenon-governmental organizations in consultative status, interalia,byproviding guidance tothevarious substantive non-governmental organization committees andco~ordinating theactivities ofthese committees through appropriate mechanisms, continuing toactasthesubstantive secretariat oftheEconomic andSocial Council Committee onnon-governmental organizations andgiveincreased attention todeveloping consultations andcontacts through annual consultations andadhocmeetings between Member States and non-governmental organizations inconsultative status. Finally, thesubprogramme willalsocontinue toassist non-governmental organizations indeveloping collaborative relations withsubstantive andprogramme offices withtheviewto contributing totheimplementation oftherespective mandates oftheprogrammes. SUBPROGRAMME 9.INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ANDPOLICIES (a)Objectives 12.78 Thelegislative authority forsubprogramme 9derives fromGeneral Assembly resolutions 32/197, 43/199, 44/169, 44/211, 44/212, 44/220 and44/227. 12.79 Widespread international economic instability andtheforeign~debt and balance-of-payments problems ofdeveloping countries inrecent yearshaveincreased theimportance andurgency ofstrengthening thetechniCal andinstitutional capacity ofthosedeveloping countries forplanning theireconomic andsocial development inordertogainthegreatest benefits fromtheresources available to themfordevelopment. Through technical co-operation activities manydeveloping countries haveraisedsignificantly theirtechnical 'andinstitutional capacityfor development planning, andmanyarenowabletoapplyeffectively morespecialized andadvanced planning techniques. However, thecritical economic difficulties they stillface,manyofthemcaused orinfluenced byexternal factors totheireconomy, create aneedforcontinued international support inthisfield, emphasizing immediately applicable andusefulassistance. -18-Products WhoseConsumption and/or SalehasbeenBanned, Withdrawn, Severely Restricted ornotapproved byGovernments withaviewtoitsimprovement. This workwillbecarried outinclosecollaboration withUNEP,theWorldHealth Organization, theUnited Nations Centre onTransnational Corporations andother concerned bodies ofthesystem. 12.76 Theactivities related totheimplementation oftheUnited Nations guidelines onconsumer protection willbecontinued andexpanded. Inparticular, assistance willbegiventoGovernments, attheirrequest, fortheelaboration of national legislation andpolicies inthisfield; Thiswillbecarried out, interalia,through regional seminars andthematic workshops. Theneedfor consumer guidelines inspecific sectors willbeexamined inthiscontext. Activities willhefurther developed onthebasisofrecommendations of intergovernmental bodies. 12.77 Another areaofactivity isrelated toassisting non-governmental organizations. TheGeneral Assembly and'other intergovernmental bodies are continuously addressing tonon-governmental organizations anincreasing numberof requests inawidevariety offields. Thereisaneedtoassist those non-governmental organizations inresponding torequests fromintergovernmental bodies, co-ordinating theiractivities inordertoavoidduplication andto ensuring complementarity. Thereisalsoanincreased demand fromMember States and theSecretariat forinformation andcontacts regarding non-governmental organizations. Tothoseends,thesubprogramme willincreasingly serveasafocal pointfortheactivities undertaken bythenon-governmental organizations in consultative status, interalia,byproviding guidance tothevarious substantive non-governmental organization committees andco~ordinating theactivities ofthese committees through appropriate mechanisms, continuing toactasthesubstantive
**Analysis**
The text discusses the activities of the United Nations in relation to non-governmental organizations, economic development, and consumer protection. It highlights the importance of strengthening the technical and institutional capacity of developing countries for planning their economic and social development. The text also mentions the need to assist non-governmental organizations in responding to requests from intergovernmental bodies and to provide guidance and coordination to various committees. This suggests that the text is focused on development and cooperation, rather than specific sectors like agriculture or industry.

**Category**
Economic development, International cooperation