envisaged, mostofthemundersubprogramme 2(Export marketdevelopment) ofthe programme ofactivity (Tradepromotion andexportdevelopment), someeconomies couldperhaps beachieved bycombining missions tothesamecountry. 318.Inaddition toreplying tospecific questions askedbydelegations, the representative ofITCrecalled thattheroleofthecentrehadbeenreaffirmed by theEconomic andSocialCouncil inresolution 1819(LV)of9August1973andthat research wasessential tothetechnical assistance activities oftheCentre. Section 18.UnitedNations Environment Programme 1.Introduction 319.Atits51stmeeting, on28May,theCommittee considered section 18ofthe proposed programme budgetforthebiennium 1986-1987. Fortherecommendations of theCommittee, seeparagraphs 667-668 below. 2.Discussion 320.Onedelegation observed thatasaresultofthewithdrawal byUNEPofsupport totheregional commissions intheformofProfessional postsfortheirenvironment programmes, replacement postshadbeenproposed fromtheregular budget. The question wasthenraisedwhether thereleased resources wouldbeusedbyUNEPfor otheractivities. Thesamedelegation alsoaskedforfurtherdetails onthe justification forthetransfer ofonep-spostfordesertification activities from theEnvironment Fundtotheregular budget(seepara.18.47ofsect.18)and expressed itsopposition tothetransfer. 321.Another delegation askedforaclarification oftherelationship between the priorities indicated intheprogramme narratives ofsection 18oftheproposed programme budgetfor1986-1987 andpriorities IandIIindicated indocument UNEP/GC.13/8 presented totheGoverning Council ofUNEPatitsthirteenth session. 322.Athirddelegation expressed particular interest inthereasonforprogramme element 2.2(Health ofthepeopleandtheenvironment) undersubprogramme 2(Human settlements andhumanwelfare) ofprogramme 2(Environment) beingdesignated lowest priority. Another delegation askedforanexplanation whythatprogramme element wasbeingproposed intheprogramme budgetwhenitssubject-matter appeared tobe moreclosely related totheactivities ofWHO.Asimilar question wasraised regarding theinclusion ofprogramme element 2.3(Working environment) andthe activities oftheInternational LabourOrganisation (ILO). Inarelated inquiry, inconnection withprogramme element 7.1(Natural disasters), involving atechnical -63-publication onearlywarning systems, another delegation requested anexplanation whytherehadbeennoproposal tocarryouttheworkjointly withtheOfficeofthe UnitedNations Disaster ReliefCo-ordinator (UNDRO); thedelegation raisedthe question whether theremightnotbeduplication ofactivities between UNEPand UNDRO. Thesamedelegation, inregardtoprogramme element 8.1(Environmental education) expressed theviewthattheUNEP/United Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization (UNESCO) strategy inthatareashouldinvolve close collaboration. 323.Oneofthedelegates questioned theneedforconsultants underprogramme elements 1.1,2.1,3.4,3.7and10.1(seepara.18.42ofsect.18)andexpressed doubtabouttheneed,underprogramme element 2.1(Environmental aspects ofhuman settlements planning), foran adhocexpertgroupmeeting todiscuss theUNEPinput totheInternational YearofShelter fortheHomeless (1987)(seepara.18.43), whentheengagement ofaconsultant wasalsoproposed toprepare thosesame inputs. 324.Replying tothequestions raised, theAssistant Executive Director ofthe OfficeoftheEnvironment Programme, representing UNEP,statedthatUNEPsupport fortheregional commissions hadbeenfinanced fromextrabudgetary resources; those postshadbeenorwouldbediscontinued andwerenot,therefore, released forother activities. Hesaidthatithadbeenadecision oftheGoverning Council ofUNEP, someeightyearsago,tosupport theenvironment programmes intheregional commissions through theprovision oftwoProfessional postsineachcommission. UNEPhadtakentheposition thatthesupport wouldbeprovided forfour y~arsand that,asafirststep,support wouldbereduced toonepostineachcommission. As regards theproposed transfer oftheP-5postfromtheEnvironment Fundto'the regular bUdget, heexplained thattherecommendations oftheUnitedNations Conference onDesertification couldnotbecompletely implemented owingto financial constraints. 325.Regarding thedifferences inpriority designations between thosecontained in
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its budget, as well as the activities and priorities of the programme. The text mentions topics such as environmental education, desertification, and the relationship between UNEP and other organizations. These topics suggest that the text is related to natural resources and environment, but also touches on issues of economic development and international cooperation.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Economic development