text: andsocial developments andtheanalytical sophistication ofthesurveys and studies relating tothosedevelopments. Inviewoftheregion's diversity, more attention willbedirected towardtheadoption ofadifferentiated approach in analysing thedevelopments ofspecific groupsofcountries. In-depth studies of different groupsofcountries willbeundertaken aspartoftheSurveyor asa separate exercise. -7- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library31.21 Withregardtodevelopment planning methods andmodelling, ameasure of success hasbeenachieved inassisting theconstruction ofeconomy-wide econometric modelsformajor economie~ oftheESCAPregion andoflinking themtoprovide short-andmedium-term forecasts. Whilecontinuing itsworkonshort- and medium-term forecasting, thesecretariat intends togivemoreattention to long-term planning problems. Inaddition, greater emphasis willbeplaced on incorporating ineconomic models suchissuesashumanresources development, poverty andincomedistribution, demographic variables, environmental protection andpolicyissuesinforeign tradeandcapital flows,aswellastheproblems of fiscal andfinancial planning thatwillhavetoplayanincreasing roleinthe mobilization ofresources fordevelopment. 31.22 Theundertaking ofinvestigations andstudies oneconomic problems and developments, aswellasthecollecting, evaluating anddisseminating ofeconomic information, ismandated bythetermsofreference oftheCommission andformsan important partoftheworkofthesecretariat. SUBPROGRAMME 3.ENERGY (a)Objectives 31.23 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme derives fromthereports of theCommission onitsforty-fourth session, (E/1988/35-E/ESCAP/644, paras. 414-418) andonitsforty-fifth session (E/1989/33-E/ESCAP/693, paras.401-405). 31.24 Themajorproblems inthefieldofenergylieinthemanagement ofthe energysector. Demand-side management needstobebetterappreciated, energy conservation andtheefficient utilization ofenergyrequire muchmoreattention, andmitigation ofnegative environmental impactwarrants incorporation intoenergy plans. Theplightoftheruralandurbanpoor,intheirlackofaccesstoclean energy andhencetoahigherquality oflife,remains unresolved. Allthoseissues require thesolutions ofsuchproblems asinadequate energypolicies, lackof trained manpower inenergyandlackofinformation onenergy demand andenergy technology. Improved collaboration between developed anddeveloping countries in addressing thosespecific problems willgreatly contribute totheirsolution. 31.25 Theobjectives ofthesubprogramme arethefollowing: (a)Toformulate andimplement appropriate policies ofenergy development and energy management inordertoachieve efficient energyutilization, tofindenergy resources thatwillsubstitute foroiltoaslargeanextentaspossible, andto supplyequitable amounts ofenergy, whileprotecting theregional andglobal environment; (b)Topromote regionally co-ordinated national energyplansinthecontext ofoverall economic development planswithadequate consideration of environmentally soundandsustainable development strategies; (c)Toassistdeveloping countries oftheregioninstrengthening their national capability toconduct policyanalyses andtoprepare andcarryout comprehensive energy development andenergy management programmes. Tothisend, technical co-operation programmes willbedeveloped and'implemented, themainaim ofwhichistotrain, upgrade andkeepuptodatetheanalysts andplanners who assistdecision makersindeveloping membercountries. -8-4 Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)Courseofactionofthesecretariat 31.26 Thesecretariat willcontinue itsefforts toassist membercountries in improving energydataandtobuildupontheworkofdata-base development and sectoral energy demandstudies oftheRegional Energy Development Programme. The programme willexpandintoareassuchasscenario generation andforecasting, interactions ofthemacro-economy withenergy, domestic energypricing and conservation, electric powersystemplanning, long-run marginal costs, newand
analysis: The text discusses the development of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and its subprogrammes, with a focus on energy development, economic planning, and sustainable development. It highlights the importance of addressing energy management, poverty, and environmental protection, and mentions the need for technical cooperation and capacity building in developing countries.