totheinternational trading system anditsfunctioning; -12- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)Enhancing theunderstanding oftheroleofservices inthedevelopment process; (c)Encouraging theefforts ofdeveloping countries todevise andimplement strategies fordeveloping andstrengthening theirservices sector. 13.30 Inlightoftheabove, theUNCTAD secretariat will: (a)Studyandresearch developments ininternational traderelations: (b)Studyindepththeroleofservices inthedevelopment process and continue specific studies onsectors ofpriority interest todeveloping countries, particularly withaviewtobuilding andimproving infrastructure andcapabilities, withtheobjective ofdeveloping efficient andcompetitive industries inthose countries andthereby strengthening theirexportpotential; (c)Strengthen andrefine thedatabaseinthatfield,atthenational, regional andinterregional levels; (d)Provide substantive support totechnical co-operation programmes and activities. Incarrying outitswork, UNCTAD should bearinmindtheresults oftheUruguay Round, whereappropriate. SUBPROGRAMME 4.TRANSFER OFTECHNOLOGY (a)Objectives 13.31 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme derives fromGeneral Assembly resolutions 38/151, 42/172 and42/175: UNCTAD resolutions 39(Ill), 87(IV), 101(V),112(V),143(VI);theFinalActoftheseventh session ofUNCTAD, paragraphs 105(3),(19)(ii)and(24);TradeandDevelopment Board resolution 308(XXX)anddecision 117(XIV); Committee onTransfer ofTechnology resolutions 17(IV),31(VI)and32(VII). 13.32 Theobjectives ofthesUbprogramme willbe: (a)Topromote growth inthetransfer oftechnology todeveloping countries underequitable termsandconditions, thereby contributing totheirdevelopment and tomeeting thecritical needsofthepopulation, takingintoaccount sustainable development concerns: (b)Tocontribute totheexpansion ofinternational tradeandco-operation in thefieldoftransfer oftechnology withaviewtoaccelerating economic growth and development; (c)Topromote thebuilding-up ofnational technological andinnovative capacities indeveloping countries, including theirability toacquire, absorb and generate technology; (d)Toenhance thecapacity tocopewiththerapidchanges intechnology that arehaving amajorimpact onthetradeanddevelopment ofdeveloping countries, giving increased andsystematic attention tothetradeanddevelopment -13- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Libraryopportunities andimplications ofnewtechnologies, whiletakingintoaccount the interrelationship between policies intheareasoftechnology andinternational trade. (b)Course ofaction ofthesecretariat 13.33 TheUNCTAD secretariat willcontribute: (a)Totheidentification anduseofopportunities forgreater international co-operation, including co-operation between enterprises, aimedatstrengthening thenational technological capacities ofdeveloping countries; (b)Totheestablishment ofpolicies andmeasures torevitalize andfurther accelerate theflowoftechnology, particularly todeveloping countries, under equitable termsandconditions, andtoincrease thenumber ofcountries that benefit fromthetransfer oftechnology; (c)Totheformulation andadoption ofnational technology-related policies andlegislation andofintergovernmental agreements, measures andinitiatives promoting technological innovation, transfer andabsorption oftechnology, including thepossibility ofaCodeofConduct ontheTransfer ofTechnology pending adecision bytheGeneral Assembly; (d)Toabetter awareness ofthechallenges andopportunities created by technological change, including advances innewtechnology, forthetradeand development prospects ofdeveloping countries; (e)Totheformulation ofpolicies andmeasures aimedatenhancing the benefits fromsuchchange. 13.34 Inthelightoftheabove,theUNCTADsecretariat will: (a)Undertake policy-oriented studies onthetransfer andabsorption of technology, innovation andresearch anddevelopment, andexamine thefactors that