text: consultations. Theproposed reviewofrecognition agreements waswelcomed by several delegations. Onedelegation notedwithsatisfaction UNICEF involvement withparliamentarians andurgedUNICEFtopursuefurther efforts inthisarea. The secretariat notedthatthiscollaboration wouldbeevaluated. 62.Anumberofdelegations welcomed therevitalization oftheExternal Relations Committee, notingwithinterest theintention toinviteNational Committees to participate incertain meetings. Although itwasfeltthattherevival ofthe -63-External Relations Committee wouldnotinitself solvealloftheshortcomings, therewascautious optimism thatitwouldprovide forimproved management, strategic thinking andco-ordination. Itwasnoted, however, thattheroleand activities oftheCommittee hadnotbeenclarified. 63.Several delegations discussed theroleoftheGreeting CardOperation (GCO). Onedelegation stressed thattheimportance ofacontinued entrepreneurial spirit should notbeunderestimated. Another delegation wished toseefurther action takeninaccordance withthemajorfindings oftheevaluation andGCObrought into closer contact withUNICEF. Referring tothemoveofexternal relations programmes andstafftoGCO,onedelegation remarked thatwhencost-effectiveness wasin question, afurther shiftofstaffpositions toareasnotspecifically subject to Boardapproval appeared questionable. Inresponse, thesecretariat saidthatGCO hadspecial rulesandwassubject torigorous control through mechanisms suchas theGreeting CardCommittee andtheannual submission totheBoardofadetailed budget. (Seechap.IV,decision 1990/14 fortherecommendation oftheCommittee as adopted bytheExecutive Board.) VII. THEBAMAKO INITIATIVE 64.Indiscussing theBamakoInitiative, aspresented indocument E/ICEF/1990/L.3, manydelegations considered thereport tobefrank, candid andreassuring. The cautious andpragmatic approach thatwasbeingfollowed byUNICEF wasappreciated bysomedelegations. However, somedelegations observed thatfurther clarifications ofsomeofthebasicissues werestillneeded, andonedelegation requested asystematic analysis oflessons drawnfromexperiences todate. 65.Theacceptance oftheInitiative asalong-term strategy innational· capacity-building forPHCwaswidespread, withonedelegation citingitasthebest possible meansofimplementing andsustaining theaction required toreachthe health goalsofthe1990s. Theprogress already madebysomeAfrican countries in implementing thepreparatory phasewasacknowledged. Community involvement and control wereconsidered byseveral delegations tobekeycomponents ofthe Initiative. However, anumber ofdelegations stressed thatgoingtoscaleina general waywouldbepremature sinceexperience hadtobegainedinasmallnumber ofcountries before otherefforts wereundertaken. 66.Theneedforcareful operations research andmonitoring andevaluation mechanisms wasraised. Continued caution onthespeedofimplementation was suggested byseveral delegations. Otherconcerns wereexpressed onissues of community control offinances, equity, thepossibility ofdecreasing utilization of services withtheintroduction ofcost-recovery mechanisms andtherational useand overall management ofessential drugs. Several delegations requested forfurther information regarding problems suchaslocalcommunity administration andforeign exchange fortherepurchase ofdrugs. 67.Somedelegations stressed theneedforclosecollaboration between UNICEF and WHO,giventhemandate ofthelatterinthisarea. Ofparticular importance were theneedtoestablish national drugpolicies, thelogistics ofessential drug supplies andtherational useofdrugs, including thewidespread useoftreatment schedules andthedissemination ofpopular knowledge. Itwasrequested thatthese concerns beaddressed intheyearly progress report presented totheExecutive Board. Onedelegation notedthatUNICEF andWHOwereattimesstillgiving the
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the activities and decisions made by UNICEF, a United Nations agency focused on improving the lives of children and mothers. The text mentions various initiatives and programs related to health, including the Bamako Initiative, which aims to strengthen national capacity for primary health care. The text also touches on issues such as the role of Greeting Card Operation, community involvement, and the need for careful operations research and monitoring. Given the focus on health-related initiatives and programs, it is likely that the text falls under the category of health.