73.TheUnitconsidered itimportant toanalyse theDecade's conception and operation. Thereport atten~ts toassessasobjectively aspossible theexecution ofthefirstphaseoftheDecade andthepr~parations forthesecondphaseinorder toexamine theeffectiveness ofthestrategy andmethods adopted andtodraw lessons rromitthatmightbeofusetotheUnitedNations systeminlaunching similar operations inthefuture. 74.Accordingly, thereportdescribes theoperation oftheDecade andofthe machinery setupbyECA,thespecialized agencies andAfrican regional organizations concerned andStates. Thereportthenexamines theresults aChieved duringthefirstphasebothfromanoverall pointofviewandintermsofthe individual objectives oftheDecade, takingintoaccount boththeconstraints' ofa financial naturethatresulted inashortfall ofresources fortransport and communications projects andtheorganizational andotherdifficulties thathave hampered theexecution oftheDecade programme (e.g.,lackofprecision inthe -21-~ndate giventoECA,difficulties inobtaining reliable information onthestate offinancing andexecution ofthemyriadnational projects comprising theDecade programme). 75.Intheabsence ofc3nyin-depth evaluation studies ontheexecution andimpact ofitsconstituent projl~cts, anyoverall assessment oftheDecadewouldbe approximate. TheInspector, however, concludes thattheimplementation of first-phase projects showedthattheresults achieved fellfarshortofthehopes raisedbytheDecade. Obviously, theproblems encountered werepartlytheresult oftheinternational economic situation, whichmadeitimpossible tomobilize the financial resources anticipated. However, therelative lackofsuccess ofthe firstphaseisalsoduetodeficiencies ofanorganizational natureresulting from lackofexperience, particularly asfarastheroleanddynamism ofECAare concerned. Thesedeficiencies werepartlycorrected towards theendofthefirst phase,andthepreparation ofthesecondphaseprogramme wasundertaken undermore favourable circumstances. However, intermsoftheinternal organization inECA, serious inadequacies stillremainand,aboveall,theinevitable conclusion from thescantsuccess achieved sofarinlarge-scale regional andsub-regional projects, whicharetheraisond'etreoftheDecade,isthatthevarious actors­ Governments, organizations oftheUnitedNations systemandlenders -havenotyet beeninaposition toputforward thenecessary resources fortherealization of theambitious objectives oftheDecade. 76.TheInspector feelsthatanapproach different fromtheonesofaradopted couldbeconsidered, namely: (a)TofocustheDecadetoagreater extentonincreasing globalawareness of Africa's needsintransport andcommunications andtoseektodefinethoseneeds clearly, ratherthanfocusing onthefinancing ofacompletely heterogeneous collection ofindividual projects; (b)Toconcentrate theco-ordination roleofECAontheidentification and execution ofregional andsub-regional projects, totheexclusion ofprojects which aresolelynational (regardless ofthemeansoffinancing). 77.Intherecommendations appearing attheendofthereport, theInspector proposes anumberofmeasures directed atreorienting theconception and aethodology fortheimplementation oftheDecadeprogramme andatincreasing the effectiveness oftheactivities oftheECAsecretariat inthefieldoftransport andcommunications inthecomingyears. Theserecommendations coversuchaspects as: (a)Theneedtoredefine theco-ordination roleoftheECAsecretariat within theframework ofamoreclearly defined mandate; (b)Thesearchfornewsolutions tothedifficulties encountered sofarin fundraising andimplementing regional andsub-regional projects; (c)Thepreparation ofamedium- andlong-term planthatwouldclearly define theroleofECAandtheactivities tobeundertaken bythevarious actorsconcerned aftertheendoftheDecade, (d)Theadvisability ofatwo-year periodofreflection attheendofthe Decadeduringwhichanin-depth evaluation oftheimplementation oftheDecadeand -22-( Trans 79.T Nation herita headqu (inter andsp restor' nation (liter flora 80.T arethe cultur howeveI personr system countr' 81.T implem econom proble recomm morer 82.T archa mosti mosts mankin system increa
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a report on the execution of a decade-long program focused on transport and communication in Africa. It discusses the challenges faced, the results achieved, and proposes recommendations for improving the program's effectiveness. The text highlights the importance of defining the coordination role of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the need for a more focused approach to achieving the program's objectives.

**Category**
Transport and communication