text: including Benin, Chad, Comoros and the Congo in Africa; Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam in Asia1 and Bolivia, Colombia and Panama in the Americas. /. . .A/45/327 English Page 18 64. There has been a significant increabc in the support provided to national authorities by external support agencies in the preparation of project proposals, the promotion of specific Decade approaches such as improved pump maintenance, and the promotion of water supply and sanitation at health centres as an element of primary health care. In Africa, external support agencies including the orgsnieations of the United Nations system hava participated in the evolution of rural water supply projects, and support h&k been provided to national authorities in improving project proposals to increase the possibilities of funding. The promotion of Decade programmes by the external community was also carried out through the convening of national and sub-regional Decade Consultative Meetings in Bolivia, Indonesia, Lesotho, Nepal, Niger, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand and Zambia1 the Portuguese-speaking countries of Africar the countries Ff southern and eastern Africa1 Central America and the Caribbean; the 6outh Pacific2 and the anglophone countries of the Caribbean. In addition, a regional meeting for the Americas was convened by the Inter-American Development Bank, and co-sponsored by WHO, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and GTZ. Tbeae meetings were intended to improve co-operation and co-ordination among external support agencies and national sector agencies, and to initiate intersectoral co-operation. They also aimed at identifying constraints to sector development and courses of action to alleviate them and to facilitate the mobilisation of resources. Such meetings brought together national sector agencies and the external support agencies with sector interests to review programmes with ths aim of identifying ar9Es of common interest and thus stimulating sector initiatives and co-ordination. The Decade
analysis: The text appears to be discussing international efforts and initiatives related to improving water supply and sanitation, particularly in developing countries. It mentions the involvement of various organizations, including the United Nations system, and the convening of meetings to promote cooperation and coordination among stakeholders. The text also highlights the significance of external support agencies in the preparation of project proposals and the promotion of specific approaches to improve water supply and sanitation.