)r59.Onedelegate speaking onbehalfofagroupofcountries wasinfavourofthe continued useofIPFresources forTCDCactivities toprovide supplementary and catalytic support. Hestated, however, thatUNDPSpecial Programme Resources were notanappropriate sourceoffinancing forTCDC. TomakeTCDCreliant onthat exceptional sourceoffinancing woulddotheconcept ofTCDCagreatdisservice. 60.Several oftheorganizations oftheUnitedNatioils systemalsoreferred tothe sUbject offinancing ofTCDC,andmentioned thattheyfrequently provided financial andorganizational assistance toGovernments. Therepresentative oftheWorld HealthOrganization (WHO)pointed outthatitwasessential torealize thatthe international roleandlimited budgetofWHOmademajorfunding ofTCDCactivities difficult. However, WHOandseveral otherUnitedNations agencies stressed that theywouldcollaborate withtheGovernments inobtaining resources fromother sources, forinstance, bilateral andmultilateral development agencies. A representative oftheUnitedNations International Research andTrslining Institute fortheAdvancement ofWomensuggested thatinnovative waysoffir~ncing TCDC activities should befoundsuchascombined financing frommultiple sources and establishment offinancial consortia. 7.Information systems 61.Mostdelegations agreedthattheimportance ofinformation forTCDCcouldnot beover-emphasized andstressed theimportance offinding systematized waysof matching needsandcapacities. Inthisconnection, several delegations mentioned theestablishment ofnational information systems intheircountries tomeetthis need. 62.Anumberofdelegations e,:pressed theirappreciation fortheenlargement of theInformation Referral System (INRES) andthelaunching oftheTCDC/INRES Inquiry Service. Theseactions wereseenaspositive andimportant stepsintheglobal promotion ofTCDC. 63.Several delegations, innotingtheprogress madebyINRESandtheneedto overcome anumberofconstraints, expressed hopethatthesystem wouldcontinue to expand, bemorepopularized andupdated onaregular basis. Inaddition, itwas hopedthatlinkages wouldbeestablished withotherinformation systems inthe UnitedNations development system. Onedelegate saidthattheutilization ofINRES wouldfurther improve aftertheestablishment ofinformation networks being designed bydeveloping countries. TheGroupof77wasengaged intheestablishment ofthemulti-sectoral information network (MSIN)andtheNon-Aligned Movement had madeconsiderable progre~s inthedevelopment ofitsresearch andinformation system. 64.Intheviewofsomedelegations, thequestionnaire requesting information on current TCDCactivities should besimplified inordertoensure morereplies from institutions andGovernments. 8.Practical recommendations 65.Several delegations ofdeveloping countries, citingsuccessful experiences of bilateral andmultilateral consultations onspecific TCDCactivities indifferent economic andsocialsectors (withcatalytic support fromtheUnitedNations -17-development system), recommended tbismethodology forwiderapplication. One delegation suggested thatsuchconsultations should, preferably, bespecific in theirareaorsectorwithrespect torequests andoffers, andshould be multilateral innature. 66.Somedelegations advocated theneedforstrengthening thenational focalpoint mechanism forTCDCwhosecontinued administrative andsubstantive weaknesses in somecountries posedamajorimpediment totheinjection ofTCDCmodalities in development processes andhindered alsotheeffective utilization bythose countries ofbilateral andmultilateral consultative modalities. TheUnited Nations development systemcouldplayanimportant supportive roleinthe strengthening oftheTCDCfocalpointsespecially through theprovision oftraining andfacilitation ofconsultations between developing countries. 67.Anumberofdelegations recommended thestrengthening oftheUNDPSpecial Unit forTCDCsoastoenableittodischarge allitsmandated functions, especially, as onedelegation emphasized,. thedevelopment ofnewideas,concepts andprojects for
**Analysis**
The text discusses the topic of Technology Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) and its financing, information systems, and practical recommendations. The language used is formal and technical, indicating a focus on international cooperation and development. The topics covered, such as information systems, financing, and national focal points, suggest that the category should be related to economic development or international cooperation.

**Category**
Economic development, International cooperation