commonproblems related toenvironmental management, takingintoaccount the objectives ofsustainable development; (b)Harmonization ofenvironmental policies amongmembercountries in response toregional andglobalenvironmental priority issues; (c)Assessment ofmajorenvironmental concerns oftheregionwithaviewto building upaninformation baseforenvironmental andnatural resources management policies; (d)Identification andimplementation ofregional projects related to environmental quettions. -12- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)CQurse Qfactionofthesecretariat 34.51 Thesecretariat willconcentrate itsefforts onprQmoting regional and subregional initiatives tomakesustainable development theguiding principle in theinterrelated objectives ofeconomic growth, environmental prQtectiQn andsound development within theESCWAregion. 34.52Increased attentiQn wouldbegiventotheanalysis ofproblems thatmay arisefromtheexpected climatic change duetoprojected sealevelandtemperature changes. OptiQns forfacingthenegative consequences ofthesechanges WQuldbe prepared forconsideration bymembercountries. Efforts wouldbeintensified to provide decision makers, managers, scientists andthepublicatlargewith information ontheenvironmental problems oftheESCWAregion, asjointefforts are crucial tosafeguard thequality ofenvironment intheregion. Particular importance willbeattached tothedissemination oftheresults oftheCommission's activities onabiennial basis,including project implementatiQn intheareaof environment, through conferences, seminars, consultancy services, training and publications. 34.53Internal collaboration willbemaintained withothersubstantive divisions tQpr?mote wQrkonenvirQnment andsustainable development wherever relevant within theCommission's mainstream activities through undertaking specific conceptual studies, research activities, andjQintactivities withCQuntries, Qrganizations andQtherbQdies, including suchactivities astraining andadvisory cO-Qperation prQgrammes cQmprising anumberofwell-defined projects. SUBPROGRAMME 4.HUMANSETTLEMENTS (a)Objectiv§s 34.54 Thelegislative authority forsubprogramme 4derives fromGeneral Assembly resolutiQns 32/162, sections V,VIIandVIII;42/191, paragraph 6andsection 11; 42/187, paragraphs 8and15;42/184, paragraphs 14and15;and44/236, paragraphs 5 and8oftheannex. 34.55 Theproblems addressed bythesubprogramme relate tQ: (a)Settlement polarization caused byinappropriate approaches toplanning andmonitoring practice; (b)Institutional overlapping andwasteofresources generated byexisting settlements management procedures; (c)Lackofintegration between planning objectives andtheneedsQfthe populatiQn fromtheperspective ofattaining sustainable develQpment. 34.56 Thefollowing aretheQbjectives QfthesubprQgramme: (a)MQnitQring humansettlements development intheregionthrough thereview andappraisal ofplanning andimplementation policies andpromQting thedevelopment andadoptiQn ofsuitable planning andimplementation approaches; -13- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library----------------------<- .. (b)'Assisting Gove~nments oftheregioninformulating concrete proposals for balanced humansettlements development through improved co-ordination and management vis-a-vis planning andexecution; (c)Formulating andpromoting articulated legislative andadministrative frameworks, aswellastheinclusion ofmeasures toadaptspatial planning tothe needsofspecial groups ofpopulation, suchaswomen, theyouth, thedisabled and theelderly; (d)Proposing waysandmeansfortheinclusion ofthespecific social, cultural, economic andenvironmental characteristics oftheurbanareasofthe region intheplanning process inthecontext ofasustainable development strategy basedonenvironmentally soundhumansettlements practices. (b)Course ofactionofthesecretariat
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the objectives and strategies for sustainable development in the ESCWA region, focusing on environmental management, human settlements, and sustainable development. The text highlights the importance of addressing environmental concerns, such as climate change, and promoting sustainable development through harmonization of environmental policies, assessment of environmental concerns, and implementation of regional projects.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Economic development