proposed programme budgetfor1986-1987, aproposal thatwassupported byanother delegation. Inconnection withthatproposal, onedelegation questioned the usefulness ofcontinuing theprogramme element. (c)Industrial development 284.Another delegation statedthatalloftheoutputs scheduled underthis programme for1986-1987 weretechnical publications orreports tointergovernmental bodiesWhen,infact,memberStatesintheregionwereindireneedofconcrete technical assistance. Therepresentative ofECWAexplained thatsomeofthe proposed publications represented interim pUblications onconcrete actionthat mightbetakenonidentified inter-country projects andwouldtherefore beof practical usetomemberStates. -53-(d)Natural resources 285.Onedelegation askedwhyprogramme element 1.4intheprogramme budgetfor 1984-1985 ontheprovision oftechnical support andadvisory services tomember Statesforwaterresources hadnotbeenincluded intheproposed programme budget for1986-1987. Therepresentative ofECWAexplained thattheCommission had decided todeletethatactivity frombothsections 14and24oftheproposed programme budget, sincememberStates hadnotrequested theshort-term missions foreseen underthesubprogramme inthecurrent biennium. Reservations 286.Several delegations, notingthetermination of15programme elements inthe programme budgetforthebiennium 1984-1985, hadreservations withregardtothe elimination ofactivities thathadbeenmandated byintergovernmental bodiesbut thathadsubsequently beenterminated without recourse tothosebodies. Afew delegations expressed strongobjection tothatprocedure, especially whereth& programme elements hadbeenterminated bytheSectetariat precisely during thesame biennium forwhichtheactivity hadbeenmandated. Anumberofthedelegations stressed thatitwastherightofmemberStates, through theirintergovernmental bodies, toapprove givenactivities and,ifsubsequently required intheirview,to terminate them. 287.Inthisconnection, theDirector oftheProgramme Planning andEvaluation Branch, OfficeofProgramme Planning andCo-ordination, explained that rule105.2(b)oftheRegulations andRulesGoverning Programme PlanQing, the Programme Aspects oftheBudget, theMonitoring ofImplementation andtheMethods ofEvaluation permitted theheadsofdepartments oroffices tomodifytheapproved programme budgetattheirdiscretion by,interalia,terminating programme elements oroutputs. Several delegations considered thattotally unacceptable, sinceit tendedtonegatethedecisions andauthority oflegislative bodies, particularly thoseoftheGeneral Assembly. 288.Onedelegation madeastrongreservation withregardtotheelimination of activities approved bytheGeneral Assembly intheprogramme bUdgetforthe biennium 1984-1985. Itreiterated thatactivities mandated bytheAssembly could onlybeeliminated bythatbody,especially inviewoftheexplanation provided by therepresentative oftheSecretary-General thatthereasor.fortheelimination was thelackofpersonnel. 289.Onedelegation* statedthat,inaccordance withitsopposition toanet increase intotalpostsintheregular budget,itdidnotagreewiththe establishment ofanewpostintheElectronic DataProcessing andInformation SystemSection ofECWA. 290.Onedelegation considered itunreasonable thattherecommendation contained in paragraph 651belowshould beadopted before ECWAhadexpressed itsviewsonthe question. *UnitedStatesofAmerica. -54-r, ....-.jgetfor )member nmebudget 1had ?osed nissions tsinthe rdtothe :>diesbut Afew erethe ingthesame egations ernmental eirview,to luation g,the heMethods heapproved mmeelements sinceit ticularly ationof the mblycould provided by mination was anet e mation contained in wsonther fSection 15.UnitedNations Conference onTradeandDevelopment 1.Introduction 291.TheCommittee considered section 15oftheproposed programme budgetforthe biennium 1986-1987 atits31stto33rdmeetings, on17and18May.Forthe conclusions andrecommendations oftheCommittee, seeparagraphs 656-665 below. 292.TheDeputySecretary-General andOfficer-in-Charge ofUNCTAD, inintroducing
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the proposed budget for the United Nations Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) for the biennium 1986-1987, with specific focus on program elements related to industrial development, natural resources, and international trade. The text mentions technical publications, reports, and advisory services, which suggests a focus on knowledge-sharing and capacity-building.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade