adopted theBuenosAiresPlanofActionforPromoting andImplementin~ Technical Co-operation amongDeveloping Countries. 15/ThisPlanofAction, whichwas subsequently endorsed bytheGeneral Assembly initsresolution 33/134of 19December 1978,aswellasbyvirtually allotherorqanizations oftheUnited Nations system, placesgreatemphasis ontheutilization oftheincreasing technical capabilities ofdeveloping countries toadvance theirsocialandeconomic development. ThePlanofActionrecognizes thatdeveloping countries themselves bearprimary responsibility forpromoting andimplementing TCDC,butit nevertheless confers important catalytic functions andresponsibilities on organizations oftheUnitedNations system, moreparticularly onUNDP. Thereport discusses whathasbeendonebyorqanizations ofthesystemtodischarge theirTCDC responsibilities underthePlanofAction. 63.Thereporthighlights, inthefirstplace, somelegislative andconceptual issuesrelating totechnical andeconomic co-operation amongdeveloping countries (TCDC/ECDC). Bothformsofco-operation havebeenthesubject ofsome 250resolutions adopted byintergovernmental bodiesoftheUnitedNations system sincethePlanofAction waslaunched in1978.Analysis ofthisstreamof leQislative mandates suggests thatthevdonotfocusonprioritv objectives tobe pursued bytheorganizations ofthesystemintheirsupport ofTCDC/ECDC ingeneral andthePlanofActioninparticular. Thelackofaprogressively articulated orderofpriorities inthenumerous intergovernmental directives onthesubject, andtheincreasinq blurring ofthedistinction between TCDCandECDC,whichtoo ~ftenresults invagueandineffectual legislative guidance, havedefinitely not contributed togalvanizing UnitedNations systemorganizations insupport o~the PlanofAction. 64.Thereisalso,throughout thesystem, aninsufficient graspoftheTCDC concept andofwhatmakesitdistinct from"traditional" technical co-operation. Formanv,thereisverylittleornodifference, andthegeneral tendency istomix thetwoindiscriminately. Equallylittleunderstood isthedistinction between, on theonehand,promotional TCDCactivities, whichaimatstrengthening the capacities ofLveloping countries toinitiate, organize andmanage TCDCprojects, and,ontheother,operational TCDCactivities, whichinvolve theactualsharing andexchange oftechnical resources andskills between twoormoredeveloping countries. Further, "thebasicguidelines ofTCDC"contained intheUNDPPolicies andFrocedures Manualproperly emphasize theprimary roleofGovernments of -19-developing countries withrespect toTCDCprojects, butomittospelloutthesupportive catalytic roleexpected fromorganizations oftheUnitedNations systeminaccordance withrecommendations ofthePlanofAction. 65.Thoseshortcomings havegivenrisetodifferent interpretations ofTCDCandof theroleoforganizations oftheUnitedNations systeminapplying theconcept atthefieldlevel. Asaresult, veryfeworganizations havetakenstepstomeettheirTCDCresponsibilities asprovided inthePlanofAction. 66.Areviewoftheinstitutional measures takenbytheorganizations pursuant to pertinent recommendations ofthePlanofActionleadstothefollowing conclusion.UNDPhasinstituted somesignificant internal adjustments topromote theobjectivesofthePlanofAction, notwithstanding thereduction ofthestaffing strength ofitsSpecial unitforTCDCanddelaysinthedevelopment oftheInformation ReferralSystem. Manyofthemeasures wereadopted onlyveryrecently, however, followingseveral vearsofhesitation andfewconcrete results. Withrespect totherestof theUnitedNations system, onlythreeorganizations (FAO,ryNIDOandESCAP) haveestablished full-time TCDCfocalpointswithclearauthority topromote greaterawareness oftheTCDCprinciple andtoensurethatitpervades theirsubstantiveprogrammes. 67.Although thetechnical co-operation programming exercises oftheorganizationsofthesystem maybeconsidered idealvehicles fortranslating theTCDCprincipleintooperational terms,thereportfindsthatthatishardlythecase. TCDChasnotyetfoundfullexpression intheUNDPprogramming systematthecountry,regional, interregional andgloballevels andisveryrarelyreflected inthework plansandprogramme budgets ofotherorganizations. Support forTCDCisexpressedindeclaratory andvagueterms,without corresponding budgetary allocations.Throughout thesystem, empcasis isplacedonpromotional TCDCactivities, suchasworkshops, stddytours,seminars andinter-country training institutions, closelyinterwoven withthetraditional modality oftechnical co-operation. Assuch,operational TCDCactivities havesofarreceived onlyverylimited support.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the concept of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) and its implementation by organizations within the United Nations system. It highlights the importance of utilizing the increasing technical capabilities of developing countries to advance their social and economic development. The report also identifies legislative and conceptual issues, institutional measures, and programming exercises that hinder the effective implementation of TCDC. The text does not specifically focus on a particular sector, but rather on the concept of cooperation and its application across various fields.

**Category**
Economic development, Education