that end, the Secretary-General would no doubt envisage a reduction of unnecessary expenditures for the sake of programmes. The Group hoped that the Secretary­ General would formulate recommendations along those Jines, taking into account the views expressed in the Committee, and that he would submit the recommendations to the thirty-ninth session so that Member States could take well-informed decisions. I ... A/C.S/38/SR.52 English Page 3 (Mr. Mufioz Ledo, Mexico) 5. In connection with administrative reform, the fate of the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development was of particular concern to the Group of 77 because of its importance to the developing countries: The Department served as a link with the operational activities of the United Nations system. If the Department failed to function optimally, the logical approach would be to improve its functioning, not to eliminate it, as some had suggested. To cut off funds for bodies whose effectiveness left something to be desired was not sound administrative practice and, if that method was applied to the Department, it would set an unfortunate precedent which might point the United Nations in the wrong direction. 6. Accordingly, the Group of 77 requested the Secretary-General to prepare a special report on the restructuring of the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development. The report could perhaps deal with the following points: available resources, programme implementation capacity, operational difficulties and proposals to improve its effectiveness. In any case, the Department's structure should be based on the tasks assigned to it. 7. Referring to programme planning, he stressed that the proposed programme budget being considered by the Committee at the current session was the first such budget prepared in the context of a medium-term plan. In that connection, the Group of 77 felt that it was essential for the General Assembly to establish methods governing the preparation of statements of programme implications and of 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the restructuring of the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development, which suggests a focus on international cooperation and development. The mention of programme planning and budget preparation implies a focus on organizational and administrative aspects. The Group of 77's concerns about the Department's effectiveness and potential elimination also point towards a category related to international development and cooperation.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade