numberofextrabudgetary postsestimated for1986-1987 totals29,adecrease of 3posts(1P-2/land2General Service). Asexplained bytheSecretarY-General in paragraph 15.6oftheproposed programme budget, theelimination oftheseposts relatestothereduction inthelevelofresources foropera1:ionalactivities. 15.3Inparagraph 15.1oftheestimates, theSecretary-General statesthatthe proposals for1986-1987 continue "toreflect theorientations established bythe decisions takenbytheUnitedNations Conference onTradeandDevelopment atits sixthsession". However, thedetails oftheproposed workplanreflect changes in thepriorities indicated bythoseorientations asaresultofsubsequent deliberations intheTradeDevelopment Boardanditsmaincommittees. The Committee wasinformed thatanynewintergovernmental decisions orchanges in priorities arising in1986-1987 mightalsonecessitate shiftsinthedistribution ofstaffresources withinprogrammes. 15.4Inthisconnection, theCommittee recalls thatareviewofboththework programme andthestructure oftheUNCTAD secretaria~ iscurrently being undertaken. TheCommittee wasinformed thatthereviawofthesecretariat was aimedatstreamlining itsstructure sothatitwouldbebetteradapted toits tasks. Initsreviewoftheworkprogramme, thesecretariat intended tofocuson areasofmajoremphasis. TheAdvisory Committee wasfur.ther informed thatthe resultsofthereviewwouldnotnecessarily leadtoreductions inthe Secretary-General's estimate; rather, theobjective wastoensurethatUNCTAD's resources wouldbeusedmoreefficiently. 15.5Theestimate forUNCTAUisdivided intofoursubsections asshownin table15.3:policy-making organs ($376,500), executive direction andmanagement ($5,149,800), programmes ofactivity ($36,687,400) andprogramme support ($9,732,200). -95-," 15.6Theestimate forpolicy-making organs ($376,500) relates tothenon-conference-servicing requirements oftheseventh session oftheConference,scheduled tobeheldin1987(table15.7). Asstatedinparagraph 15.8oftheproposed programme budget, theestimate, whichistreated asnon-recurrent, isbasedontheassumptions thattheConference willbeheldatGenevaandwillbestructured inthesamemannerasprevious sessions. TheAdvisory Committee hasno objection totheestimate underthissubsection. 15.7Theestimate of$5,149,800 forexecutive direction andmanagement(table15.8)relates tothesevenorganizational unitsdescribed inparagraph 15.10oftheproposed programme bUdget, including aproposed evaluation unit.Asexplained inparagraph 15.12oftheproposed programme budget, thisunitistobeestablished bythetransfer oftwopostswithintheprogramme. Theestimate alsocoverstherequirements ofanexternal relations unitwhichisresponsible,interalia,forco-ordinating andplanning meetings. Inthisconnection, theCommittee wasinformed that,inviewoftheunit'sfunctions, consideration isbeinggiventore-attaching ittoConference Service Affairs. TheAdvisoryCommittee hasnoobjection totheestimate forexecutive direction andmanagement. 15.8Theestimate of$36,687,400 forprogrammes ofactivity relates to10programmes, theoverall requirements ofwhicharesummarized intable15.3.Detailed breakdowns ofeachprogramme's resource andpostrequirements areprovidedintables15.10to15.29. 15.9TheAdvisory Committee notesthateachprogramme includes aproviSion forconsultants, accompanied byadescription ofthetasksundereachconsultancy andanestimate ofitsduration andcost.However, thesedescriptions are,often lessthanprecise. Intheopinion oftheCommittee, thenatureofthedescriptionsaffords theSecretary-General ofUNCTADconsiderable flexibility intheimplementation oftheconsultancy programme. 15.10Inthecircumstances, theCommittee believes thatthe1986-1987 provisionforconsultancy services shQuldbeadequate tocoverboththeconsultanciesoutlined inthepresent submission and any unanticipated requirements. 15.11Subject totheforegoing, theAdvisory Committee recommends acceptance oftheestimate forprogrammes ofactivity. 15.12Theestimate of$9,732,200 forprogramme support comprises $167,300 formanagement oftechnical co-operation activities, $4,306,400 forconference affairs,and$5,258,500 foradministration andcommonservices (table15.3).
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the budget and organizational structure of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which suggests a focus on international trade and economic development. The text mentions specific programs and activities, such as policy-making organs, executive direction and management, and programme support, which are all related to the work of UNCTAD.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development