facilities. It would therefore vote against the amount of $400,000 requested under section 32. 16. The recommendation of the Advisory Committee for the inclusion of a provision of $400,000 in section 32 to defray the cost of a preliminary architectural and engineering study for new construction at ESCAP was approved by 74 votes to 12, with 4 abstentions. 17. Mrs. de HEDERVARY (Belgium) said that her delegation was not opposed to the expansion of ESCAP conference facilities at Bangkok but that it would not be able to vote for the appropriation of funds for such a purpose as long as there were resolutions of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly authorizing the regional commissions to hold their meetings away from headquarters. She therefore hoped that those resolutions would be rescinded. 18. Mrs. DEREGIBUS (Argentina) explained that she had cast an affirmative vote but that the green light of the electronic voting machine had failed to come on. 19. Mr. MERIEUX (France) said that his delegation was in favour of expanding the ESCAP premises but had abstained from voting because the cost estimate for the architectural and engineering study was too high. ; ... A/C.S/38/SR.46 English Page 6 20. Mr. PEDERSEN (Canada) said that his delegation had cast an affirmative vote on the understanding, first, that the provisions authorizing the regional economic commissions to hold their annual sessions away from headquarters would be reconsidered before the decision on the actual construction of the facilities was taken and, second, that, if the expansion was decided on, the host country would be required to finance the cost of all ESCAP meetings held away from headquarters. 21. Mr. TAKASU (Japan) stressed that his delegation attached the greatest importance to the sound functioning of ESCAP and that, after reading the relevant 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the expansion of facilities for the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), specifically a preliminary architectural and engineering study for new construction. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it may be related to international organizations or United Nations agencies. The discussion revolves around the allocation of funds and the implications of the expansion, which suggests that it may be related to economic development or international cooperation.

**Category**
Economic development, International cooperation