participation ofwomenindecision-making, andthestrengthening ofthedatabase andinformation networks fortheformulation ofpolicies andprogrammes forwomen. (b)Course Ofaction oftheSecretariat 30.65 TheSecretariat willundertake overall andsectoral analyses ofemerging secio-economic trends andtheirimpact onAfrican women,inparticular, by utilizing adata-bank information network. Promotion ofemployment opportunities ofwomeninagro-industries willbecontinued through theintroduction of experimental projects inselected countries intheagriculture sectorandthe improvement oftheposition ofwomenforthecontrol ofproduction anddistribution services willbesought through training andaccesstocredit. Through management training courses andseminars, efforts willbemadetoassist womentoattain decision-making levelsinbusiness andintheformulation ofagricultural and industrial policies. SUBPROGRAMME 8.ENVIRONMENT (a)Objectives 30.66 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme isderived fromvarious General Assembly andEconomic Commission forAfricaresolutions, themostrecent andpertinent ofwhichareAssembly resolutions 42/186, 42/187, 42/188, 42/189, -16- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryJI43/53,44/226 and44/227; andCommission resolutions 540(XX),578(XXI), 621(XXII), 635(XXIII), 641(XXIII), 645(XXIII) and651(XXIII). 30.67EventsoverthelastfiveyearsinAfrica, drought, desertification, and recently thedumping ofhazardous andtoxicwastes, aswellasthedepletion ofthe ozonelayerandglobal warming, havehighlighted theimportance ofenvironmental management forenvironmentally soundandsustai~able development. Whilethelevel ofenvironmental awareness hasincreased andenvironment activities havereceived greater attention through initiatives takenbymemberStatesandthesupport provided byECA,otheragencies oftheUnitedNations systemandother international organizations working onenvironmental matters inAfrica, theneed remains acuteforassistance indeveloping national, subregional andregional capabilities forimplementing programmes aimedatachieving sustained development through soundenvironmental management. 30.68 Theobjectives ofthesubprogramme aretoassisttheECAmembers in developing andstrengthening existing national, subregional andregional instruments neededforenvironmental management, assessment andconservation. Emphasis willbelaidonthedevelopment ofinstitutional andhumanresources capabilities, including policyguidelines, legislative andadministrative mechanisms fortheenvironmentally-sound exploitation andutilization ofnatural resources, pollution control andthepromotion ofenvironmental conservation and management bycreating andenhancing environmental awareness. (b)CourseofactionoftheSecretariat 30.69Advisory se~vices, workshops, seminars, fellowships andstudytourswillbe organized inordertohelpmemberStatesindeveloping and/orstrengthening existing andongoing national capabilities andprogrammes forenvironmental management, assessment andconservation forsustainable environmentally sound development. Inaddition, research studies onissuesofregional environment will becarried outbytheSecretariat tomakeavailable information toallconcerned on asystematic basis. Therelated findings willbedisseminated through publications andactivity reports inordertopromote environmental awareness atthegrassroot level. SUBPROGRAMME 9.HUMANSETTLEMENTS (a)Objectives 30.70 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme derives fromGeneral Assembly resolutions 42/186 and42/191. 30.71Integrated humansettlements planning hasreceived verylittleattention. Thecomplementarity between ruralandurbansectors hasnotbeenemphasized. The urbaneconomy isalmo.stentirely dependent onimported manufactured goodsand services, aswellasskills andfactorinputsforlocally produced consumer goods. Thereliance onforeign construction firmsandexpertise hasmaderural transformation andurbanrenewal prohibitive. 30.72 Thedearthofruralinfrastructure andservices andthepredominance ofthe
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) efforts to promote sustainable development in Africa, with a focus on strengthening institutions, promoting employment, and addressing environmental and human settlement issues. The language used is technical and policy-oriented, suggesting that the text is a document outlining a plan of action for the ECA.

**Category**
Economic development, Natural resources and environment, Employment, Human settlements