text: step in that direction, namely, the medium-term recruitment plan. It also intended to establish a career development system. 9. The medium-term recruitment plan was based on General Assembly resolution 37/235 and the Secretary-General's commitment in 1982 to bring unrepresented and under-represented countries within their desirable ranges by the end of 1985 at the latest. The plan was a set of targets and priorities aimed primarily at remedying an unsatisfactory situation with regard to geographical and sex distribution in the Secretariat. Tb achieve those goals, various methods would be used: recruitment missions and publicity campaigns directed at unrepresented and under-represented countries, modernization of the roster and, above all, systematic recourse to competitive examinations in recruiting for P-1/P-2 posts, as prescribed by the annex to resolution 35/210. The aim should be to hold competitive examinations in 10 countries every year, provided that the necessary funds were available. The medium-term plan would be carried out in accordance with an operational timetable, which set implementation stages so that difficulties and constraints could be recognized in time and corrective measures could be taken. 10. The Secretary-General had also promised to submit a career development plan to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session. Because there was no coherent career development system, surprising as that might seem, it was commonly believed by staff members that advancement depended more on ability to manoeuvre or the availability of a post than on merit and performance, a situation which undermined staff morale and the efficiency of the Organization. It would be too ambitious to adopt a plan whose object was to predict the career prospects of each staff member ; ... A/C.5/38/SR.41 English Page 4 in time and space. Instead, the aim would be more modest: to reduce uncertainty by offering all staff members equitable career prospects. At a future date, as yet 
analysis: The text appears to be discussing organizational matters within the United Nations, specifically related to recruitment and career development. It mentions goals, plans, and targets, which suggests a focus on management and administration rather than a specific field like economic development or natural resources.