text: 55.Manydelegations stressed theimportance ofevaluation, notingthatitshould beanessential aspect ofeachinitiative andproject andthatitwasa prerequisite forprogramme sustainability. Several delegations saidthattheywere pleased withtheincreasing number andimproved quality oftheevaluations currently beingcarried out,andtheynotedwithsatisfaction efforts bythe secretariat toenhance theevaluation skillsofUNICEFstaff.Itwassuggested thatallproposals beingsubmitted forBoardapproval shouldindicate howprevious evaluation studies wereusedinthepreparation ofnewcountry programme recommendations (seechap.IV,decision 1990/4). Central andEastern Europe 56.Therapidly evolving situation inCentral andEastern Europe, aswellasits negative impact onchildren, wasvividly portrayed byseveral delegations, andthe Executive Boardwasrequested toclarifyitsthinking withregard toitsresponse, through UNICEF, tothechanging needsthere. Delegations whospokeonthesubject agreedthatUNICEF couldnotignore thespecial needsofchildren anywhere when events ledtoarapiddeterioration intheirsituation. Itwasalsonotedthat although therewasnojustification forrestructuring globalassistance programmes infavourofCentral andEastern Europe because ofitsdelicate geo-strategic position, itwasinthebestinterests oftherestoftheworldtoprovide assistance totheregion. 57.Astheinternational community hadonlylimited resources, itwas understandable thatdeveloping countries wereconcerned aboutthepossible deflection ofresources orattention fromtheirserious situation. However, -14-delegations assured thatthisnecessary intervention inamoredeveloped region wouldnotinvolve areduction ofactivities forchildren inthethirdworld, particularly Africa, norwouldithaveanadverse impact onthelevelofUNICEF resources available. Moreover, itwaspossible toassistCentral andEastern Europeindifferent ways. Thespecial assistance should gobasically tothose areaswheretheexperience ofothercountries mightbeimportant and,in exceptional cases, towards meeting certain childhealth needsonatemporary basis. Onedelegation suggested thatassistance mightalsobeneededto restructure National Committees forUNICEF sothattheywouldbeabletocontribute totheeffort. Itwasalsosuggested thattheGenevaOfficemightneedtobe strengthened andthatNational Committees andNGOsbasedinEuropeshould assume responsibility foradvocacy, socialmobilization andfund-raising. 58.Delegations differed onwhether thelimited resources thatthesecretariat was proposing forco-operation withCentral andEastern European countries should come fromgeneral resources cashreserves orfromsupplementary contributions. One delegation saidthatthisdilemma wasdifficult toresolve sincethesecretariat's proposal indocument E/ICEF/1990/CRP.4 didnotgiveaclearindication ofhowthe fundsweretobespent. (Seechap.IV,decision 1990/5 andannexI,para.46.) UNICEF andtheoperational activities oftheUnitedNations system 59.Inacknowledging thattheinterdependence ofproblems affecting children required increased co-ordination andinteraction between UNICEF andother development agencies, onedelegation recalled theneedforUNICEFtoco-operate fullywiththeDirector-General forDevelopment andInternational Economic Co-operation intheimplementation ofGeneral Assembly resolution 44/211 onthe comprehensive triennial policyreviewofoperational activities fordevelopment of theUnitedNations system. Thiswouldleadtocloseco-operation amongthefield representatives ofUnitedNations agencies atthecountry levelandbetter co-ordinated andintegrated development assistance programming. Thedevelopment of goalsindifferent international forumswithout aclearunderstanding ofthe commitments suchdecisions wouldentail wasdeplored byonedelegation, whichalso commented thattheUnitedNations system lackedidentifiable goalsandstrategies capable ofmobilizing international support initsworkinthefield. 60.Achieving abalance between UNICEFactivities andthoseofotherdevelopment agencies inthefieldatbothoperational andpolicy-making levels wasconsidered a
analysis: The text primarily focuses on the discussion of international aid and relief efforts, specifically regarding the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its activities in Central and Eastern Europe. The text also touches on the importance of evaluation, sustainability, and coordination among development agencies. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a focus on international cooperation and policy-making.