session heldatSantiago, from27to28April1989,andendorsed bytheEconomic andSocial Council initsresolution 1989/114. 33.79Inthepast,Governments oftheregionhavetendedtomeetthedemands placed ontheirtransport systems through investment innewinfrastructure andin therehabilitation ofexisting facilities. However, international tradehas undergone profound changes thathavehadfar-reaching effects onthestructure of transport services. Moreover, changes intransport technologies arealsooccurring atanever-increasing pace. Thesechanges frequently favourvertical integration ofservices onascalethat-inthecaseofmaritime andlandtransport -maybe difficult tocarryoutwithout theco-operation ofneighbouring countries. 33.80 Atthestrictly national level, agreatnumberofcountries willneedto improve theefficiency ofexisting facilities inordertoincrease thecapacity of urbantransport services, problems whichneedtobedealtwiththrough co-operation andtheexchange ofexperience andtechnologies withothercitiesoftheregion. Inaddition, theexperiences ofothercountries maybeespecially relevant when theyincorporate technological solutions thatcanbeadapted toconditions thatare peculiar totheregion. 33.81 Moreover, thecrisisofthe1980shasmadeitapparent thattheGovernments oftheregionshouldreorient theirfocusinplanning andmanaging thetransport sectorinordertoemphasize improved organization andoperation ofthetransport function fromanoverall systems pointofview,andhenceshould adopt methodologies successfully usedbytheprivate sectortoaugment theproductivity oftransport enterprises. 33.82 Theobjectives ofthesUbprogramme are: (a)Tosupport thecountries oftheregionintheirefforts toincrease the overall efficiency oftheinfrastructure andproductivity oftheirtransport systems byimproving theirmanagement andstrengthening theirinstitutional infrastructure; (b)Tofosterlegislation andpolicies thatfavourtheintrOduction ofnew technologies andintermodal services, andtoseektoapplyinnovative techniques in policyformation andplanning; (c)Toprovide support totheregional andsubregiona1 integration schemes, byidentifying innovations andtrendsintransport markets, services, technologies andlegalenvironments -including international agreements -aimedatfacilitating intra-regional orsUbregional transport services; -22- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library;::a (d)Topromote co-operative efforts amongthecountries oftheregionin orderforthemtoobtain thegreatest possible benefits fromsuchtrends and innovations; (e)Topromote technical co-operation amongcitiesintheregionwithaview totheirapplying socially acceptable methods forregulating urbantransport demand, thereby minimizing theneedforlargeinvestments ininfrastructure. (b)Course ofaction oftheSecretariat 33.83 TheSecretariat willcarryoutthefollowing activities: (a)Studies ontrendsrelating tostructural changes intransport services, bothinternational andregional, whichwillbeusefulinmakingpolicy recommendations toGovernments andpublic andprivate enterprises thatprovide services aspartofthedistribution chain; (b)Technical assistance inthoseareas, withanemphasis onanapproach that considers theoverall efficiency oftransport infrastructure andservices for passengers andcargointhecontext ofthephysical distribution chainatthe national andinternational levels; (c)Promotion ofinternational agreements thatwillfacilitate theprovision ofsuchservices; (d)Investigation andanalysis ofcorridors ofintermodal transport inthe region, together withothermechanisms relating totransport, andofthe opportunities theyoffertopromote regional integration; (e)Support, through technical assistance missions, forthedissemination of measures toalleviate congestion inurbantransport without increasing investment ininfrastructure. SUBPROGRAMME 12.SUBREGIONAL ACTIVITIES INMEXICO ANDCENTRAL AMERICA (a)Objectives 33.84 Thelegislative authority forthepresent subprogramme derives fromGeneral
**Analysis**
The text discusses the need for Governments in the region to reorient their focus in planning and managing the transport sector, emphasizing improved organization and operation of the transport function from an overall systems point of view. It also mentions the importance of international cooperation, technological innovation, and the adoption of methodologies successfully used by the private sector. The text highlights the need for efficient infrastructure, improved management, and strengthened institutional infrastructure to increase the overall efficiency of the transport systems.

**Category**
Transport and communication, International trade