international economic developments needstobestressed. Thefirstistherapid advances inthefieldoftechnology, particularly advanced technology, including micro-electronics, biotechnology andthedevelopment ofnewmaterials. Thesecond relates totheincreasing trendtowards theapplication bytheindustrialized countries ofprotectionist policies towarddeveloping countries, including thoseof theESCWAregion. Inthisconnection, theimpact onESCWAcountries ofthe measures envisaged bymembercountries oftheEuropean Economic Community for further consolidation oftheirmarkets andtheireconomic policies in1992willbe studied. -4- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library34.8Inthefieldofscience andtechnology, themainproblem continues toliein theweakness ofthescientific andtechnological base,particularly intermsof research anddevelopment, technology transfer andhigh-level manpower. 34.9Environmental concerns willplayanincreasing roleintheefforts ofthe regionforsustainable development. Issues suchasdesertification, industrial wastemanagement, surface andground-water pollution, urbanenvironmental considerations, humanecology, global warming andclimatic changewillhavetobe addressed. TheESCWAworkprogramme willbereviewed comprehensively withaview toidentifying environmental problems thatrequire attention andinitiating activities inareasrelated thereto. 34.10Efforts tofurther regional economic co-operation andintegration are currently increasing, atleastatthesUbregional level,withthecreation oftwo subregional groupings, namely theGulfCo-operation Council andtheArab Co-operation Council. Greater efforts are,however, neededtopromote regional co-operation inviewofthefuturechallenges facingtheregion. 34.11Inthelightoftheabove, andinaddition totheproblems already mentioned, someofthekeyissues andproblems tobeaddressed duringthe medium-term planperiodwillinclude employment, urbanization, population dynamics, ruralpoverty, housing, particularly low-cost housing, socialwelfare, particularly withregardtothehandicapped, thechanging roleofthefamily! womeninsociety, andthenewsocialstructure. Otherkeyissues andproblems withwhichtheregion mustcometogripsandwhichare,invarying degrees, directly andindirectly linkedwithongoing developments andchanges intheoilsector, arethefollowing: thereturn-migration ofworkers; external indebtedness andthebalance-of-payments deficit inanumberofthecountries concerned; andtheunevendistribution of income. 34.12 Theoverall responsibility fortheelaboration andimplementation ofthis programme isentrusted tothesecretariat ofESCWA. 2.Overall strategy 34.13 Inaccordance withthetermsofreference ofrelevant legislation andwith itsobjectives, ESCwAisamultidisciplinary bodyworking fortheachievement of thegreatest possible degreeofco-ordination amongtheplansandprogrammes ofits memberStatesinthevarious fieldsofeconomic andsocial development andforthe development ofregional co-operation amongtheStatesoftheregion. Mostofthe activities underthisprogramme willbeofaregional orsubregional character. 34.14 Inordertomeettheobjectives oftheprogramme, theSecretariat willcarry outthefollowing functions: (a)Provide substantive secretariat services anddocumentation forthe Commission anditssubsidiary bodies; (b)Giveassistance totheEconomic andSocialCouncil, atitsrequest, in discharging itsfunctions within theregioninconnection withanyeconomic and socialproblems, including problems inthefieldoftechnical assistance; -5- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(c)Undertake andsponsor research, studies, surveys, plansofaction and technical studies onsocio-economic problems anddevelopment oftheESCWAregion; (d)Establish anddevelop astatistical database,whichinvolves collecting, evaluating anddisseminating economic, social, technological andstatistical information, asappropriate; (e)Convene expert groupmeetings, adhocintergovernmental meetings, seminars andtraining workshops andconferences;
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a report on the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and its program for the region's development. It highlights the importance of technology, environmental concerns, regional economic cooperation, and social issues. The text also mentions the challenges facing the region, such as employment, urbanization, and population dynamics. Given the focus on economic development, environmental issues, and social concerns, it is likely that the text falls under the categories related to these themes.

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