text: 329.Inthecourseofthediscussion several delegations expressed theviewthat theprogramme wasclearandwellpresented. Onedelegation, however, statedthat theactivities described, inparticular thoseinsubprogrammes 6to8,didnotshow aclearrelationship tothemedium-term planfortheperiod1984-1989 sincethey concentrated onpilotprojects andpublications, inthemedium-term plan,the provision ofassistance tcGovernments andappropriate institutions for implementing strategies andguidelines elaborated bytheCentrewasemphasized. 330.TheCommittee discussed atlengththeneedforatemporary posttocarryout evaluation activities (seepara.19.15ofsect.19)andraisedseveral questions regarding therequests forresources. Somedelegations askedwhyconSUltancy services wererequested formoreoftheprogramme elements inthe1986-1987 programme thaninthe1984-1985 programme eventhoughthetotalwork-months of consultancies remained constant. Onedelegation considered thatthedistribution ofthesamenumberofwork-months asinthebiennium 1984-1985 amongagreater numberofprogramme elements indicated increased efficiency inprogramme implementation. Otherdelegations expressed theirconcern aboutthe -65-332.Several delegations expressed theirconcern aboutthevenueforsessions oftheCOmmission onHumanSettlements andrequested further information onthedecisions oftheCOmmission concerning abiennial cycleofsessions -andonthejointmeetings ofitsbureauandthebureauoftheGoverning Council ofUNEP. 333.Onedelegation statedthatfundswereprovided intheprogramme forattendanceofliberation movements atsessions oftheCOmmission andtooktheposition that suchexpenditure wasnot.justified. Another delegation statedthatthatprovisionhadbeenmandated bytheGeneral Assembly andthatitwasnotwithinthepurview of theCommittee tomakearecommendation onthematter. 'aboutthe ,,_/: ::'..-;.·,.1-66-331.Inthecourseofthediscussion ofsubprogrammes 5(Low-cost infrastructureforhumansettlements) and6(Land), onedelegation questioned thereasons forreferring specifically tolow-cost andlow-technology infrastructur~, sincelowquality standards oftenledtoproblems relating totheearlybreakdown ofequipment andexpensive maintenance. Another delegation proposed thedeletion ofprogramme element 5.3(Standards andtechnologies inthefieldoftransportation),sinceithadbeenassigned lowestpriority intheproposed programme budget'forboththe1984-1985 and1986-1987 bienniums. 335.Onthequestion ofconSUltancies, therepresentative ofthecentrestatedthatconsultants wereneededforthecollection ofdataandpreparation ofthenationalcasestudies proposed intheprogramme ofwork.Mostconsultancies wereawarded toexperts whowerenationals ofthecountries concerned withthecasestUdies, sinceithadbeenfoundthatitwaslessexpensive andoftenfasterandeasierfornationals tocollect information thanforthestaffofthecentretodoso.334.Inreplytoquestions raised, theDirector oftheProgramme Planning andEvaluation BranchoftheOfficeforProgramme Planning andCO-ordinatio~ oftheDepartment ofInternational Economic andSocialAffairs explained that prov~sionwasbeingmadefortemporary funding ofevaluation experts underseveralprogrammes, soastoestablish aself-evaluation capability insubstantivedepartments oftheSecretariat. Heinformed theCOll!mittee that'thosepostscouldbeneededforaslongasfouryearstoensurethataworkable systemwasputinplaceandbecamearoutine partofsubstantive activities. Heexplained thatdepartments located awayfromHeadquarters couldmakeonlyverylimited useof internal printing facilities, sothatflexibility wasneededtoenableexternalprinting oftheirpublished outputS) heexplained thatallexternal printing wasapproved andcontrolled bythePublications Board. 336.Inreplytoquestions regarding subprogrammes 5and6,therepresentative oftheCentreexplained that"lowtechnology" wasnotsynonymous with"lowquality",andthatrolow-cost" wasmeasured intermsofbothcapital andoperating expenses,notmerelyinexpensive firstcosts. Theobjective wastooptimizecost-effectiveness andtoidentify technologies whichwereappropriate toeachdeveloping country. Heinformed theCommittee thattheCentreandILOwerecollaborating onseveral publications dealing withappropriate technologies fornon-motorized andsimplemotorized vehicles forruraltransportation. Heexplainedthatthecentrewaslookingatalltechnological aspects ofhuman'settlementsinfrastructure asawhole,andthatprogramme element 5.3wasimportant sinceitf:,--c~-:i:::oportionate growtbofadministrative costsrelative totbegrowtbin! substantive programme areas(8percentand1percent,respectively) andI" increase intheresources forexternal printing. \:1 II ! " '.1 ;1 "~aboutthe 'ucture ifor :elow ,tionof tation), t'for onsof he onthe EP. ttendance ntha't rovision urviewof and fthe iTi'sion
analysis: The text appears to be discussing a UN program focused on human settlements, with a focus on infrastructure, transportation, and technology. The language used is technical and bureaucratic, suggesting that the text is related to international development and cooperation.