§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development when the first biennial policy review of the operational activities of the United Nations system will begin; and what proposals or comments are the Government intending to make as a contribution to this review.
§ Mrs. HartThe first biennial policy review of the operational activities of the United Nations system is already in progress. We have received reports from the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Directors-General of several of the specialised agencies. The Economic and Social Council is debating this subject at its 57th Session which is currently being held in Geneva.
It is our concern that the operational activities of the United Nations system shall be as effective and efficient as possible in assisting development. We wish aid to be directed especially to the poorest of the developing countries and to schemes and projects which benefit the poorest people in all developing countries. We think it is important that the final decisions about priorities for development should be taken by the Governments of the developing countries themselves. The detailed proposals and comments made by our representatives in the Economic and Social Council, and in other United Nations bodies, are guided by our concern for these main objectives.