distressing decllne in 1982 and 1983. the overalL receipts of oDA a! constanlprices and exchange rates have onl.y recently recovered to the level of 1980. In 1984' flor{s to developing countries and multilateral agencles rose, as an increased floyr from a number of developed countries more than offset a conlinued decline in floirs from otber donor countries. 28. Mean\thile, actions have been taken !o enhance the developmental effectiveness of oDA by means o€ intensified co-ordination and policy dialogue among the Government.s of donors and developing count.ries. UNDP has taken steps to improve the effectiveness of lhe I'round-table" process in least developed countries, and the World Bank has recently reinforced its arrangements for consultative groups. In the fiel-d of emergency aid and operational activilies for develoPftent, there have been a nunber of United Nations initiatives. For example, besides the esCablishment of OEOA by the Secr eta ry-cenera I, the Di rector -Genera I forA/ 40 /597 English Page l0 Development and fnternational Econooic Co-operation and UNDP have stepped upefforts to enhance the co-ordlnating funclions of the United Nations resident co-ordina tor s . 29. These efforts wiII make an important contribution to building donor countries'confidence in ODA as a development co-op€ration instrunent. It does not follor,r, however. that Che trend in total florrs of ODA idill increase thereby. As ODA isgenerally a small share of donor country budgets, more is involved in holding back oDA increases tban overall budget stringency. A nunber of donor countries have been reassessing the role of ODA in their foreign economic polic?. In thiscontext. united liLations institutionE continue to argue for ODA, to answer unfoundedcriticisns of ODA and to foster appropriate reforms in response to valid criticismsot ODA, as j.s being done in the area of co-ordination. The Task Force on Concessional Flows of the vtor ld Bsnk/IMF. (Internatlonal Monetary Fund) Development
**Analysis**
The text discusses the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and its trends, highlighting the decline in ODA receipts in the early 1980s, followed by a recovery and increased flows to developing countries in 1984. The text also mentions efforts to enhance the effectiveness of ODA, coordination among donors and developing countries, and the role of the United Nations and international institutions. Given the focus on development assistance, international cooperation, and economic issues, it is likely that the text falls under the category of economic development or international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade