68. EcA hosted neecings ot otfrciala and er.ecutive secretaries of the regionalcommi.ssions on the pronotion of ECDC/tCDC at Addis Ababa in February/Uarch 19g5.The meetings approved specif i'c project proF.aars for the pronotion of interregr.onalECDC/TCDC activities. The r.ead role in the inprenencation of each of the proleccsis assigned to a particular connlaslon ln co-operation elth other cofliiEslona andUnited Nati,ons agencies and entitiea. 69' ECA orqanized a neeting for the Group of 7? on surveiltance and informatron onconmodity prices and rae materiarE tO help devel.ping countries to design nethodsof correcting the discorted infornation s.metines glven about the situatronprevailing in international coflnodity narkets. EcA assistear AfrLcan delegatronsParticipating in the neeting ot the Intergovernnenta I Follow-up and Ce-ordinationcomittee of the croup of Z7 helal at Cartagena, Colombia, in sepcenber I9g4. ECONOII{IC @UMISSION POR LATIN AITIERICA AND THE CAIIBBEAN 7o' EcLAc has identified trade as an area of cricical importance in its ',ork inecononic co-operation anong degeloplng counEries in recent yearg, because of Eheinpac! of the international econonic cEiatg and the rerated problen of the regr.on'sexternal debt burden. !,lore recenely, lts eork hag received guidance from theresults of the Latin Arnerican Econonlc conference at Qutto in 1984 and lhe basrcparameters of ics efforts, rrhich have eeolved j.nclude identlfication of obseacresto intraregionar tradei screngthening 0f aubregional and regionar co-operation andinteqration schenesi assistance in i nterg overn;entar traate negotlationi; and otherelements of trade promoclon, auch as trade infornatlon. Anocher focus ot actentionhas been the strengtheninq of co-operation anong Carlbbean countries and Decweenthen and the rest of Che regi.on. 1r' rn other areas, the evolution of activlties tends to start eith a pEerininarvrevie$, leading to identitication of opportunitiee for co-operation, toirnutation otspecific proposals and establishnen! ot a ceordination nechanisn. At this stage,ECLAC Aenerally reduces its role to technical backsEopping of, the co_ordinaEron A/ 40 /58L English Page 19 nechanisn. In the area of nlneral leEources, for exanple, EcLAc played an important role in the establishoent ot a ner regtonal association of national r,ining enterprises (oLAt'lI). In the lnaiuatrial sPhere, ECLAC actielties have
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on economic development, international trade, and regional cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is mentioned as an organization that plays a crucial role in promoting economic cooperation among developing countries. The text highlights ECLAC's efforts to identify opportunities for cooperation, strengthen regional integration, and provide technical assistance in areas such as trade promotion, trade negotiations, and trade information. Additionally, the text touches on the importance of trade and regional cooperation in the context of the international economic situation.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade