77. Several representatives stated that the Division, acting in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1989/13 of 22 May 1989 and General Assembly resolution 44/140 of 15 December 1989, should provide States with legal advice on the interpretation of the Convention and further develop its legal and technical assistance for the early ratification and provisional application of the Convention. In order to perform those tasks, the Division should be allotted additional financial and human resources. One representative informed the Commission of the initiative taken by his Government to support the Division with extrabudgetary financial and human resources. In his view, sending national experts to expert group meetings or workshops was also a useful way of contributing to the work of the Division. - 20 - Several representatives, taking note of the reports of the expert group meetings and workshops, regarded such activities as being extremely useful. 78. Some representatives, referring to the forthcoming seventeenth special session of the General Assembly, stated that the Convention constituted a fundamental basis for international co-operation against illicit traffic in drugs and that it should be fully taken into account in the global programme of action against narcotic drugs to be drawn up by the Assembly at its special session. 79. Most speakers reaffirmed their confidence in the Convention as an effective instrument enabling States to make decisive progress in the fight against drug trafficking and called for the early entry into force and implementation of the Convention. 80. Many speakers reported that the process of ratification had been initiated in their countries. Several speakers announced that ratification would be achieved by their Governments before the end of 1990. Several others indicated that the process of ratification would be completed in the not-too-distant future. The observer for the Commission of the European 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the implementation and ratification of a international convention related to drug trafficking, and the provision of legal and technical assistance to countries to support their efforts to combat drug trafficking. This suggests that the topic is related to health, crime, and international cooperation.

**Category**
Health, International trade