text: conclusion drawn in paragraph 66, some confusion persisted with regard to the division of labour between the Population Division and the Statistical Office, both of the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), the Popu­ lation Branch of the Department of Technical Co­ operation for Development, the World Health Organization and other executing agencies. At a time of major financial constraint, all possibilities for savings and streamlining should be accorded due consideration. It remained important to maintain a distinction between research, funding and executing functions, and UNFPA and the Governing Council 54 Economic and Social Council-First Regular Session, 1986 of the United Nations Development Programme regretted, as was the non-availability of the current (UNDP) had a particular responsibility to ensure the in-depth evaluation of the United Nations popula- avoidance of overlapping and duplication of work. tion programme. It was very difficult to consider the The Economic and Social Council had an important question of change, or even of co-ordination, without role to play in co-ordination and the guidance of an assessment of the compatibility between current policy, and should give vigorous and detailed consid- activities and the needs of donors and recipients. Co- eration to the separation of research, funding and ordination, meanwhile, should be seen as a means of execution functions in order to ensure a co-ordinated improving programme implementation and of elimi- approach to the problems. nating wasteful duplication, in such a way as to 3. The Nordic countries fully endorsed the proposal benefit all members of the United Nations system. that the Council should consider population ques- There was a need to formalize co-ordination in tions at its second regular session so that it could institutional structures. There must be consultation 
analysis: The text discusses the organization and coordination of population-related activities within the United Nations system, highlighting the need for distinction between research, funding, and execution functions, as well as the importance of avoiding overlapping and duplication of work. The text also mentions the role of the Economic and Social Council and the need for formalized coordination in institutional structures. These themes suggest that the text is primarily concerned with the management and coordination of population-related programs and activities.