bienniums 1980-1981 and 1982-1983, even though UNEP had requested a number of transfers. In formulating the current budget proposals, special attention had been paid to General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII}, which provided that a small secretariat should be established in the United Nations to serve as a focal point for environmental action and co-ordination and that the costs of that secretariat and of the servicing of the Governing Council should be borne by the regular budget. There had been a delay of four years in attempting to resolve the problem of apportioning expenses between the Environment Fund and the regular budget, and a concerted effort should be made at the current session to resolve the matter once and for all. 41. Mr. EL-SAFTY (Egypt) said that, at previous sessions, representatives of the organizational units had been present at the meetings of the Fifth Committee when the estimates for their units were discussed. It seemed that that practice had been discontinued, and he inquired into the reasons why. An earlier speaker had criticized UNEP for certain shortcomings and mismanagement, and it would have been proper for a representative of UNEP to be present at the meeting in order to reply. 42. The CHAIRMAN said that, as he saw it, there was no obstacle to the presence of officials responsible for the various programmes under consideration. However, it had been felt that delegations' questions could be answered satisfactorily by the Secretary-General's representatives. 4 3. Mr. EL-SAFTY (Egypt) said that, while recogn1 z1ng the competence of the Secretary-General's representatives, he felt it important that the officials actually responsible for the programmes should be present. Moreover, charges of mismanagement had been implied in regard to certain questions, it was only right, therefore, that the persons directly responsible should be given a chance to 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the budget proposals and financial management of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which suggests a strong connection to environmental issues. The mention of a "small secretariat" and the "servicing of the Governing Council" also implies a focus on international cooperation and coordination.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, International relations