text: commissions. TheExecutive Director replied thatthatmatterwasbeingclosely reviewed andthatadetailed workprogramme hadbeendrawnuptofacilitate the integration ofthejointunitsintotheoverall workprogramme. 203.Several delegations expressed doubtsabouttheneedfortheextensive resources proposed undertheprogramme forconsultants andrequested amoreprecise definition ofthetaskstobeentrusted toconsultants. Thosedelegations emphasized that consu~tant resources couldnotbeshifted between programme elements andthattheresources proposed inparagraphs 9.8and9.19shouldnotbe regarded asapoolofresources whichcouldbereallocated bytheSecretariat asit pleased tootherconsultancy tasksnotmentioned intheprogramme budget. Sucha reallocation shouldbemadeonlywiththeconcurrence oftheappropriate intergover,mental body.Therepresentative oftheSecretariat statedthatthe regulations andrulesonprogramme planning andtheprogramme aspects ofthebudget allowed fortheuseofdiscretion byprogramme managers intheallocation of resources withinthemandated programme. Theconcerned delegations pointed out thatthisstatement responded toaquestion theyhadnotasked,theprinciple at issuewasthattheresources allocated toconsultancies shouldbeutilized for thoseconSUltancies mandated inthebudget. Somedelegations requested thata breakdown byprogramme element andbyactivity oftheresources proposed for consultants undersubprogramme 4beprovided inaccordance withstandard practice. TheCommittee notedthattheCentrehadundertaken todoso. Reservation 204.Onedelegation* saidthatitsacceptance oftherecommendation madebythe Committee thattheGeneral Assembly shouldapprove theprogramme narrative of section 9(seepara.640below)wascontingent uponthesatisfactory resolution by theCommission onTransnational Corporations, atitsreconvened special session to beheldinJune1985,ofthequestion ofthedefinition ofatransnational corporation. *UnitedStatesofAmerica. -41-I"~ .~. J ·1 i I ~:~Section 10.Economic Commission forEurope 1.Introduction 205.Atits44thmeeting, on24May,theCommittee considered section 10ofthe proposed programme bUdgetforthebienniurn 1986-1987. Fortheconclusions and recommendations oftheCommittee, seeparagraphs 641-643 below. 2.Discussion 206.Somedelegations expressed' satisfaction thattheuseofconsultants byECEhad beenreduced andthatspecific descriptions oftheconsultants' taskswereincluded intheproposed programme budget. Onedelegation suggested thatoverall resources forconsultants shouldbefurther reduced, butanother delegation arguedthatwhile specific proposals forconsultants couldbecurtailed oreliminated itwasnotfor theCommittee toenvisage anoverall reduction. Another delegation statedthat sincetheregularstaffofECEcouldnotpossibly handleallhighlyspecialized assignments, engaging consultants wasthemostcost-effective methodofresponding tointergovernmental mandates. Therepresentative ofECEconfirmed that consultants wereengaged ferverylimited periods andforhighlyspecialized tasks andthatintheabsence ofconsultants theSecretariat wouldbeobliged torequest additional regular posts. 207.Somedelegations expressed reservations concerning theproposal toestablish a newP-3posttoimplement activities onthetransport ofdangerous goods, (para.10.55). Theynotedthatinparagraph 3(d)ofitsresolution 1983/7of 26May1983,theEconomic andSocialCouncil hadrequested theSecretary-General to makeavailable, withinexisting resources, theimproved staffing requested bythe Committee ofExperts ontheTransport ofDangerous GoodsfortheSecretariat unit servicing ECEandtheCouncil intheirworkonthetransport ofdangerous goods. Theyfurther notedthatasstatedinparagraph 10.55oftheproposed programme budget, thepostrequired toimplement themandated programme hadbeenfundedfor thebienniurn 1984-1985 fromsavings inresources appropriated undertheprogramme budgetforthatbienniurn, whereas theCouncil hadintended thattheSecretariat wouldmakemorepermanent staffing arrangements bywayofredeployment or decentralization fromthecentral Secretariat unit. 208.Therepresentative oftheOfficeforProgramme Planning andCo-ordination
analysis: The text appears to be a discussion about the budget and programming of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), with a focus on the use of consultants, resources allocation, and programming aspects of the budget. The text also touches on the implementation of activities related to the transport of dangerous goods and the staffing requirements for the ECE. The topics discussed are likely related to the administration and management of economic and social development programs.