text: YorkandGeneva andotherinternational agencies willbecompleted andthiswill -27- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Libraryhelprevitalize thein-house statistical servicing aspects ofthesecretariat's work. 31.112 Inpublicsectorcomputerization, workwillbetargeted towards the realization ofthepotential ofinformation technology andtheintensification of itsusethroughout government, particularly atthesubnational level. SUBPROGRAMME 14.tRANSPORt ANDCOMMUNICAtIONS (a)Objectives 31.113 Thelegislative authority forthissubprogramme derives fromGeneral Assembly resolutions 35/56and39/227; theSubstantial NewProgramme ofActionfor the1980sfortheLeastDeveloped Countires asitapplies totheimprovement ofthe transport andcommunications infrastructure; Commission resolution 236(XL); Economic andSocialCouncil resolution 1984/78; andtheDeclaration onthe Launching ofthetransport andCommunications DecadebytheMinisters Responsible forTransport andCommunications. 31.114 Therearegreatdifferences inthecurrent development statusofthe transport andcommunications sectors oftheESCAPdeveloping membercountries. Thisismainly duetothecomplexities ofgeography andlocation, especially in leastdeveloped, archipe1agic andland-locked countries, andthedifferent levels ofeconomic development, including thecountries' development perspective and policyorientations. However, somecommonfactors haveprevented developing member countries fromacquiring amodern andefficient transport andcommunications system. Amongthosefactors areinsufficient investment, deficiencies in management, lackofintegrated planning andco-ordination amongdifferent modesof transport, slowpaceoftechnological improvement, inadequate manpower development, outdated legislative andcommercial framework, lackofstatistics, andlowprivate sectorinvolvement. 31.115 Theprovision ofanadequate transport andcommunications infrastructure is essential tosupport theeconomic andsocialdevelopment ofthecountries ofthe region, whichisproceeding atafasterratethaninotherregions. Inadequacies oftheinfrastructure areapparent and,unlessrectified, willhinderfuture economic andsocialdevelopment. 31.116 Theobjectives ofthesubprogramme arethefollowing: (a)Toimprove thetransport andcommunications services andinfrastructura1 facilities ofthedeveloping membercountries toalevelcommensurate withtheir development objectives andpriorities through thedevelopment ofappropriate, well-balanced, co-ordinated andefficient transport andcommunications systems; (b)Topromote interregional, regional andsubregional co-operation and co-ordination toachieve collective self-reliance intransport andcommunications; (c)toreviewandidentify majorregional problems intransport and communications andtoassistintheimplementation ofapproaches toovercome those problems; (d)Toassistintheimprovement ofoperational efficiency oftransport and transport networks; -28- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(e)Toevaluate andpromote technology transfer forefficient operation and maintenance oftransport andcommunications withspecial reference tolow-cost technology. (b)Courseofactionofthesecretariat 31.117 ThegoaloftheTransport andCommunications DecadeforAsiaandthe Pacific, 1985-1994, istocreategreater awareness oftheimportance oftransport andcommunications andtheneedtoensurethattheinfrastructural facility isin placetosupport economic growth. Thesecretariat willcontinue toperformits catalytic roleincreating greater public awareness oftheimportance oftransport andcommunications inthedevelopment process, inidentifying systematically andin acomprehensive mannertheproblems oftransport andcommunications intheregion, andinformulating andpromoting appropriate solutions toregional problems. 31.118 Thetransport andcommunications development oftheregionwillbe reviewed; intermodal andmultimodal transport attheinterregional, intraregional andnational levelswillbepromoted; international transport willbepromoted, including theexpansion andpromotion oftheAsianHighway network andthe
analysis: This text appears to be focused on the development of infrastructure and services in the transport and communication sector in the Asia-Pacific region, with the goal of promoting economic growth and social development. It mentions the need for investment, management, planning, and technology transfer to achieve this goal. The text also highlights the importance of international cooperation and coordination in addressing regional problems.