115.Withregardtopublications, theExecutive Director notedthateachofthe salespublications servedaspecific purpose andtherewasnooverlap between them.Updatewasageneral information newsletter~ theATASBulletin focused on -21-1lI i 'I " 'Ij __-__II I.C t" t; fIIspecific newtechnologies, inaccordance withthemandate giventotheCentreby theIntergovernmental Committee onScience andTechnology forDevelopment atits fifthsession; thepublications related totheactivities oftheAdvisory Committee onScience andTechnology forDevelopment wereheavily basedontheworkofthat Committee's adhocpanelsofspecialists. Section SC.Regional Commissions Liaison Office 1.Introduction 116.AtitsS3rdmeeting, on29May,theCommittee considered section SCofthe proposed programme budgetforthebiennium 1986-1987. Fortherecommendations of theCommittee, seeparagraphs 624-626 below. 2.Discussion 117.Several delegations stressed theimportant roleoftheRegional Commissions Liaison Officeinco-ordination andrepresentation. Somedelegations thought that theco-ordination oftheregional commissions atpresent wasnotsufficient and therefore thattheLiaison Officeshouldbestrengthened. Theviewwasalso expressed thatastrengthened Liaison Officecouldbetterrepresent theregional commissions atintergovernmental andinter-agency meetings, whichwouldobviate the needforrepresentatives oftheregional commissions toattendthosemeetings and thereby saveontravelcosts. Inthesamecontext, thequestion wasralsedwhether itwasnecessary forarepresentative oftheLiaison Officetotraveltome~tings oftheExecutive Secretaries forthepurpose ofservicing thosemeetings whenthis function couldbeperformed byarepresentative ofaregional commission secretariat hosting themeeting. 118.Onedelegation expressed itsdoubtaboutthenecessity tomaintain liaison between theregional commissions andpermanent missions totheUnitedNations and suggested thedeletion ofprogramme element 1.3fromtheprogramme narrative. Otherdelegations, however, citedexamples toillustrate theutility ofthis function andemphasized itsimportance fortheirdelegations. 119.Inresponse tothequestions raised, therepresentative oftheRegional Commissions Liaison OfficedrewtheCommittee's attention todocument ST/SGB/20S, describing there-orientation oftheOffice's workprogramme. Heexplained thaton manyoccasions, theLiaison Officehadbeenthesolerepresentative ofthe commissions atmeetings whereregional issues·constituted themainitemsonthe agenda. Inthisconnection, hepointed outthatalthough staffmembers fromthe secretariats oftheregional commissions attended themeetings oftheEconomic and SocialCouncil, theirattendance wasalwaysforaverylimited periOd, whileissues ofconcern tothemwereoftendiscussed throughout sessions. Insuchsituations, whether theyoccurred atGenevaorinNewYork,itwastheLiaison Officewhich provided thecontinuity ofrepresentation. 120.Referring tothequeryconcerning theservicing ofmeetings oftheexecutive secretaries, therepresentative oftheLiaison Officenotedthatthechiefofthe Officewasdesignated asthesecretary ofthosemeetings. Healsoobserved that, forreasons related tocontinuity andfamiliarity withsubject-matter, itwouldbe bothinconvenient andinefficient toappoint anewsecretary eachtimefromstaff locally available. -22- .L. ...1121. cons For 122. Afb' incl poli part' impo anal impo espe and Uti!' and Xtat int impl Popu cent coun spec provi censu main progr 123. intro numbe incl poli the rela only look clea did. Plan inte emph mate andDepartment ofInternational Economic andSocialAffairs ':)¥ :5 ittee itSection 6. 1.IntroductionI I. of IS :hat i 11 !the
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the activities and budget of a committee focused on science and technology for development, with a specific mention of the Regional Commissions Liaison Office. The language used is formal and bureaucratic, suggesting a focus on governance and international cooperation. The content also touches on the importance of coordination and representation, which may imply a connection to international relations or diplomacy. Based on these hints, it seems likely that the text falls under a category related to international cooperation or development.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations