progress reports, one in 1983 and one in 1984. In my capacity as Chairman of the Group of Experts, I have been reauested to transmit to you this final report which has been unanimously adopted by the Group. Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. (Signed) Hans Christian CARS Chairman of the Group of Experts on the Reduction of Military Budgets / ..* A/4 O/4 2 1 English Page 7 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Historical background 1. The United Nations has long been concerned with the question of the reduction of military budgets, both as an approach to disarmament and as a step leading to the allocation of greater resources for the purposes of economic and social development, in particular for the benefit of the developing countries. The specific item of reduction of military budgets was first included in the agenda of the General Assembly at its twenty-eighth session in 1973, on the basis of the initiative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which led to the adoption of General Assembly resolution 3093 A (XXVIII) on 7 December 1973. That resolution called for a 10 per cent reduction of the military budgets of the five permanent members of the Security Council and the allocation of part of the funds thus saved to provide development assistance. 2. In response to the above-mentioned proposal, some Member States pointed to the difficulties involved in comparing and verifying national military budgets in the form in which they are customarily published. Subsequently, another resolution adopted at the initiative of Mexico, General Assembly resolution 3093 B (XXVIII), requested the Secretary-General to prepare, with the assistance of a group of aualif ied experts, a report on this auestion, which was also to cover other States 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the reduction of military budgets and their allocation to economic and social development, particularly for developing countries. This suggests a focus on economic development and international cooperation, with implications for various sectors such as education, employment, and humanitarian aid.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief