proJects of Lhe Decade can reasonably be lnterpreted as an lnvltatlon to play an acllve role (negotlatj.on, arbitration, screenlng of proJects subnltLed by Afrlcan Governments), partlcularly rrlLh regard to the observance of the prlorltles set out ln the Clobal Sirabegy' The ECA secretarlat uas not ln a posltlon io perforu Lhis rol-e. It stressed repeatedly 9l thaE its rore Has no! to conment on Lhe coherence or lnlegratlon of proJects subni.tt,ea and that lt had no nandate to refuse projects submltted by Coverments. Consequently' ECArs co-ordlnating function lras ltmtted to a sonewhat passlve role; the progranne lor the firat phase of the Decade then becane, as was stated at the Paris Round-Table l0/ "a Seneral purpose pnogranmetr of hiahly dlsparate proJects' rather than a well- thowht out, co-ondlnated and lntegrated prograffle' as lnltlally intended' 11. There are perhaps many reasons for thls sltuatlon (optlmlsn on the launchlng of Lhe Decade, fack of experience of the EcA secreLariat for a vast and complex progranme callln8 for new types of actlon outslde Unlted !'laiions Poutlne acttvlLies, uncertainty aB to Lhe precise role lhat ECA Has expected to play resulting from the lack of preclsion In bhe nandate lt $as 8lven' lnabiugy of 8/ ttrls auihorization has now been given. 9l See, for exanple, documenl DEC/ TRANSCoM /CM/ M4 (ALT)' para. ,- IO/ see document E/ECA/TCD/I0, pata. 52.the secretarlat to relect projects not confornlng to the objectlves of the Decadeso aE not to oflend the sen8ibl1it1es of Governnents, lack of resources, etc.).Nevertheless, 1t is reassurj.ng to note that, forllo ing val.lous nee!1ngg at whlchlhe excesalve tlmldlty of the ECA secretariat vis-a-vis lhe Af.'lcan Covernnents
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the implementation of a program or project related to economic development in Africa, specifically the African Decade for Development. The language used suggests that the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is not playing an active role in the program, which is affecting its coordination and integration. The text mentions "projects submitted by African Governments" and "the observance of the principles set out in the Global Strategy", indicating that the program is focused on economic development in Africa.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade