text: 476.Manydelegations acknOWledged thattheUnited Nations Narcotics Laboratory had fulfilled ausefulfunction inthepast,butthatthetimehadcometoreviewits roleandtoreassess itsworkprogramme. Mostdelegations agreedthata feasibility studyshould beundertaken byindependent experts todetermine whether certain functions should bedecentralized toregional andnational laboratories. Onedelegation, however, feltthatafeasibility studywasnotnecessary andthat, ifsuchastudyweretobecarried out,itshould beundertaken bythe Secretariat. Otherdelegations stressed theneedtoensurethatanychangeinthe roleoftheLaboratory shouldcontinue toprovide forthevitalsupport services fornational Governments, especially ofthedeveloping countries. Manydelegations alsounderlined theimportant roleplayed bytheLaboratory withregardtothe needsoftheircountries, inparticUlar inthefieldofapplied research, and expressed the~iewthatsuchneedsshould befUllytakenintoaccount wh~nthe reviewoftheroleoftheLaboratory wasundertaken. -101-! I.r L.477.Several delegations expressed reservations abouttheneedforanew,updated edition ofthemUltilingual dictionary ofnarcotic drugsandpsychotropic substances, asthepresent edition hadnotbeeninuseforalongenoughperiodfor itsusefulness tobedetermined. Inordertoeconomize limited resources andto ensuretheusefulness andlonglifeofthedictionary, theysuggested thatitmight bemoreefficient andlessexpensive toissueamendments toitthantoproduce a newedition. 478.Manydelegations agreed, inprinciple, ontheneedforinternational protocols fortracing, freezing andseizingillicitassets, butfeltthatthatwouldbe bettertakenupbypolitical.or expertbodies, suchastheCommission onNarcotic Drugs. Theystatedthatagreatdealofpreparatory workwouldhavehadtobedone byexperts intheformulation ofsuchprotocols. 479.Manydelegations agreedthatthetechnical capacity oftheDivision of Narcotic Drugsshouldbestrengthened andafewstatedthatthatshouldberealized through redeployment ofresources. Astrengthened Division ofNarcotic Drugswould bebetterequipped tofulfilitsmandate asadviser toUNFDACandwouldbeina betterposition topropose measures tocounter thenewproblems thatconstantly arose. Inthatconnection, itwasagreedthatthesubprogramme onsupplyand demandreduction shouldbegiventoppriority forpurposes ofstrengthening and thatincreased emphasis shouldbeplacedondemandreduction, particularly inits preventive aspects. 480.With reg~rdtotheearmarking ofcontributions toUNFDACforspecific purposes, several delegations statedthatthepractice wasinevitable, Other delegations notedthatearmarking couldcircumvent orprevent theapplication of criteria fortechnical assistance established bytheCommission onNarcotic Drugs andresultininequalities inthedistribution ofaid.Manydelegations agreed thatcountries receiving UNFDACassistance shouldshowgenuine willingness and ability toimplement thechanges sought, andthatanother appealtomajordonorsto increase theirgeneral, unearmarked contributions shouldbemadebytheGeneral Assembly. Itwasonlythrough suchcontributions thatmanyworthwhile butunfunded projects couldreceive assistance. 481.Anumberofdelegations emphasized thatthecrucial natureoftheissueof drugabusecontrol warranted greater participation ofthespecialized agencies, and statedthatimproved co-operation andco-ordination amongthethreeUnitedNations entities responsible fordrugcontrol wasvitalbutthatthemagnitude ofthe problem necessitated asystem-wide enhanced co-operative effort. 482.Withregardtotheproposal tosetupasmalltechnical committee toadvise theExecutive Director ofUNFDAConthetypeofprojects tobefunded, the determination ofpriorities, andproject execution, anumberofdelegations stated thattheywerenotopposed tothecommittee aslongasitwasinformal, butthey didnotseetheneedforaformalbodysinceasimilar consultative mechanism already existed through majordonors. Intheirview,closercollaboration withthe specialized agencies wasmoreuseful i~settingpriorities andhelping todefine eachagency's areaofparticipation. 483.ItwasfUllyagreedthatworking arrangements amongthreedrugcontrol units should bedevised toeliminate duplication ofefforts, ensureteamworkandimprove collaboration. ItwasnotedthattheSecretary-General's reporthighlighted the needforbetterco-ordination, andthataclearer definition ofthedivision of -102-"updated .C Iperiodfor !sandto latitmight )roduce a 11protocols Ildbe 1Narcotic tobedone Iof berealized
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the United Nations and its efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the text is a report or resolution from a UN conference or meeting. The topics discussed include the role of the UN Narcotics Laboratory, the need for international protocols, and the strengthening of the Division of Narcotic Drugs. These topics are all related to health and international cooperation, which suggests that the category should be Health, International trade, or Humanitarian aid and relief.