74.Mention wasmadethatonepositive resultofthecurrent crisisinAfrica was theunprecedented movement ofsolidarity whichhadgivenrisetofruitful co-operation amongGovernments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs)and individuals. 75.ItwasnotedthattheExecutive Boardwasmeeting atatimeofrecession, whichhadhadaparticularly severe impactontheeconomies ofthedeveloping countries, characterized bylowornegative growthrates,balance-of-payment difficulties andunemployment andwhichhadresulted incutsinsocialdevelopment programmes. UNICEF hadthecapacity toevolve andimplement valuable. programmes -12- and,therefore, theinternational community shouldprovideitwiththefinancial support necessary tocontinue itswork.Itwassuggested, however, thatresources allocated toprogrammes mustbespentmoreprudently. Somedelegations feltthat regional directors neededtoensurethatallfundsallocated werespentwithout abandoning programm~' elements. 76.Thedevelopment efforts ofUNICEFhad,nevertheless, beensuccessful, andthat waswhysupport forUCI/1990 hadtobecontinued. UNICEF hadanobligation to contribute totheimplementation ofGeneral Assembly resolution 40/173on international economic security inordertoguarantee respect fortherightsofthe child. 77.Itwaspointed outthatforthefirsttimeinhistory UNICEF wasfacing a financial crisisobliging ittoreduceitsbudget. However, itwasfeltthattoo largeareduction mightaffectitsworkinthecountries thatneededitmost. Programme delivery capacity couldbeexpanded onlythrough anincrease involuntary contributions fromMemberStates andimproved management andefficiency withinthe organization itself. Theburdenofadjustment should besharedfairly bydeveloped anddeveloping countries alike. 78.Somedelegations .expressed thebeliefthattheeconomic crisis wasdueinpart; tocolonialist exploitation andtheactivities ofinternational banksand monopolies. Developing countries hadsuffered theconsequences ofthe internation~l economic crisis, whichinduced themtoacceptinternational bank loansonburdensome terms. Inorderforeconomic co-operation tobecome areality, itwasnecessary fortheNorth/South dialogue tobestepped up. 79.Inaddition, greatconcern wasalsoexpressed regarding thearmsrace,to whichalargenumberofdeveloping countries devoted considerable resources. It wasessential topromote international peaceandsecurity andtoreallocate to development thevastresources currently beingspentonarmaments. Inparticular, theelimination ofnuclear weapons wasconsidered central. Medium-term planfortheperiod1985-1989' 80.Asmentioned above(seepara.55above), therelevant recommendations relating. tothemedium-term planfortheperiod 1985-1989 (E/ICEF/1986/3) werediscussed in. boththeProgramme Committee (seeparas.147-152 belowandchap.VI,decision 1986/3) andtheCommittee onAdministration andFinance (seeparas. 171-177 below andchap.VI,decision 1986/6). Programme objectives andpriorities 81.Themajority oftheBoardmembers voicedstrongsupport forthegoalof reducing infantandchildmortality astheprimary concern ofUNICEFduringthe medium-term planperiod. Toachieve thatgoal,Boardmembers notedwith satisfaction thatthemajorprogramme thrusts wouldbeplaced onaccelerating child immunization inordertoreachthegoalofUCI/1990, accelerating theuseofORT, thepromotion andprotection ofbreast-feeding andsoundweaning practices, increased useofgrowthmonitoring andthecontrol ofmalaria inchildren and pregnant women. 82.Inaddition, continuous UNICEFsupport tobasiceducation, including literacy, especially forwomen, waswelcomed bymanydelegations whichexpressed theview -13- thateducation forwomenwasprobably the thesurvival andwell-being ofchildren. attention todevelopmental priorities for wasstressed.singlemostimportant factorinimproving Theimportance ofaccording more womenratherthantowelfare programmes 83.Somedelegations remarked thattheprogramme thrusts ofthemedium-term plan couldbeeffective andsustainable onlyiftheywereundertaken. withinthecontext ofstrengthening PHCandbasicservices. Inaddition, Governments wouldhaveto incorporate thepriority activities intotheirnational health programmes. UNICEF
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges faced by UNICEF in the context of an economic crisis in Africa, and the organization's efforts to continue its work despite financial constraints. The text also touches on the importance of international cooperation, the need to reduce infant and child mortality, and the role of education and healthcare in development. Based on this, it is likely that the text falls under the categories related to economic development, health, and education.

**Category**
Economic development, Health, Education