text: (c) Excerpts from the programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991, from the report of the Committee on Programme and Co-ordination on its twenty-ninth session and from the draft medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997 (E/AC.57/1990/CRP.2). 2. The Director of the Social Development Division of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Office at Vienna, introduced the agenda item. After highlighting the most important results o^ the United Nations programme in crime prevention and control, including the development of criminal justice data bases and the United Nations crime and justice information network, he stressed the importance of technical co-operation activities. He also emphasized the crucial role that the regional and interregional institutes had played in contributing to the successful implementation of the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme. That role had increased in recent years, and its fulfilment was greatly facilitated by the annual Joint Meeting on Programme Co-ordination, which had been held at the Arab Security Studies and Training Centre. However, more voluntary funds were needed to face the growing threat of crime. 3. The participants welcomed the Secretary-General's report (E/AC.57/1990/2), noting with appreciation the number and diversity of tasks performed by the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch in spite of the inadequate level of its resources and the increasing burden posed by the demanding and multiple activities involved in the preparations for the Eighth Congress. Although the performance of the Branch was certainly outstanding, the financial constraints could not but limit the impact of the programme on efforts to fight national and transnational criminality, which was becoming steadily more sophisticated and widespread. Unfortunately, the repeated recommendations of the Committee, which had been endorsed by the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly, calling for the allocation of resources to the Branch commensurate with the range and
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the United Nations' efforts in crime prevention and control, which is a broad topic that encompasses multiple aspects of international cooperation. The mention of "technical co-operation activities", "criminal justice data bases", and "United Nations crime and justice information network" suggests a focus on international cooperation and information sharing in the field of law enforcement. The text also highlights the importance of regional and interregional institutes and the need for more voluntary funds to combat the growing threat of crime.