text: UNITED NATIONS A ------- .._---------- GeneralAssembly i\.Distr. GENERAL A/45/6 (Prog. 21) 24AprillY90 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Forty-fifth session PROPOSED MEDIUM-TERM PLANFORTHEPERIOD 1992-1991* MAJOR PROGRAMME IV.INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION FORDEVELOPMENT Programme 21.Public administration andfinance CONTENTS A.Programme ..... 11•••• <I••••••••••••••••• 1111 11••••••••• 11•••••• 11.. 1.General orientation ......•...•............•....•.••... 2.Overall strategy . 3.Subprogramme structure andpriorities .•............... B.Subprogrammes ..........................•.................. 1.Monitoring trends anddevelopments inpublicsector management .....................................•...... 2.Effective structural andorganizational arrangements andmethods forpublic management andproductivity .... 3.Training anddevelopment ofhumanresources forpublic management............•...............................Paragraphs Pagg 21.1-21.14 3 21.1-21.9 3 21.10-21.12 5 21.13-21.14 5 21.15-21.426 21.15-21.18 6 21.19-21.247 21.25-21.308 *Thepresent document contains programme 21oftheproposed medium-term planfortheperiod 1992-1997. Thecomplete medium-term planwillsubsequently be issuedinfinalprinted formasOfficial Records oftheGeneral Assembly, Forty-fifth Session, Supplement No.6(A/45/6/Rev.1). 90-10832 13S9c (E) /... Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryCONTENTS (continued) Paragraphs 4.E~fective bUdgetary systems andresource mobilization fordevelopment....................................... 21.31-21.38 9 5.Improvi~ pUblic sectorfinancial management ..•••••••. 21.39-21.42 10 -2-f" ~. 'I I I Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryPROGRAMME 21.PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ANDFINANCE A.Programme 1.General orientation 21.1Thegeneral mandate forthepresent programme derives fromGeneral Assembly resolution S-13/2, paragraph 5;Economic andSocial Council resolution 1985/10, paragraphs 3and4;andEconomic andSocial Council decisions 1988/115, paragraph (a),and1989/114, paragraph (a). 21.2TheUnited Nations programme inpUblicadministration andfinance is essentially anoperational activity; itsmainobjective istorespond tothe changing needsofdeveloping countries instrengthening theiradministrative and financial systems fordevelopment. Inrecentyears, anumberofeconomic factors, suchasdeclining economic growth, risingexternal debtsandincreased government deficits, haveledtotheshrinkage ofresources available forpublicexpenditure anddoubts abouttheroleandscopeofgovernment andpublicadministration in development. Administrative systems werefrequently criticized asconsumers of scarceresources inanunproductive manner, inparticular, deficit-producing public enterprises. Theadministrative processes weresometimes foundasinefficient, wasteful andfrequently detrimental tonational development. Theinstitutional improvement necessary forsustained development wasfoundtobehindered bysuch systemic issues aslowsalaries andoverstaffing inthebasicpolicy environment of thepublicsector. Theweakinstitutional capacities ofGovernments toformulate andimplement appropriate macro-economic policies wasoftencitedasarootcause foreconomic deterioration inmanydeveloping countries. Theurgent needto examine thecritical issuesindevelopment administration andadoptapproaches and programmes forimproved management ofthepublicsector wasemphasized bynational Governments aswellasinternational development agencies. 21.3Underthosecircumstances, therehavebeendemands formajorchanges and improvements concerning publicadministration andfinance systems. Thosechanges haveincluded retrenchment andrationalization ofpublicadministration (both
analysis: The text appears to be focused on the development of administrative and financial systems in developing countries, with an emphasis on improving management and productivity in the public sector. It mentions economic factors such as declining economic growth, rising external debts, and increased government deficits, which suggests a connection to economic development. However, the text does not specifically mention natural resources, industry, transport, communication, international trade, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, or culture, which are all distinct categories.