into account the great variety of national situations. It was necessary to go beyond statistical reporting to focus on the effectiveness of ways and means used to achieve the goals of the Decade in order to provide models for emulation. Co-operation and co-ordination within the United Nations system on the implementation of the reporting system were also necessary in order to avoid duplication. 74. Several representatives reaffirmed the importance of a five-year cycle for world conferences in order to strengthen monitoring and review and appraisal. 75. There was general agreement that monitoring was an essential component of the reporting system. One representative stressed that the reporting system should cover the implementation of the Strategies as a whole and not just the priority themes. Another representative stated that new ways should be found to interact with Governments in order to improve monitoring, while several others suggested that developing countries might need assistance in that area. Several representatives pointed out that most of the relevant data and indicators necessary for monitoring were already available within the United Nations system. They also indicated that further research was necessary on economic aspects and the informal sector. 76. At the international level, a biennial cycle of monitoring of the United Nations system should ensure complementarity of the work of United Nations bodies; -67-the importance of co-ordination through the cross-organizational programme analysis, the system-wide mediwn-term plan and the medium-term plans were considered essential by some countries. In that connection, several representatives underlined the role of focal points in the United Nations system and the need for their strengthening. In view of the immensity of that task, the Commission should oversee their functioning to avoid fragmentation and ensure progress within the United Nations system. 11. On the review and appraisal aspect of the reporting system, several representatives reaffirmed that a quinquennial cycle should be observed and that 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the implementation and monitoring of a global development program, focusing on the reporting system and the role of the United Nations system. It mentions the importance of coordination, data, and indicators, as well as the need for research and assistance. This suggests that the text is related to the broader field of international development, which encompasses multiple areas.

**Category**
International development, Education