The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital Interface between global policies in the economic, social and environment spheres and national action.

The Department works In three main Interlinked areas: (l) It compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and information on which Member States of the united Nations raw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options; (II) It facilitates the negotiations of Member States In many Intergovernmental bodies on Joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges; and (Ill) It advises Interested governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks developed in united Nations conferences and summits Into programmers at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national opacities.NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The designations "developed" and "developing" economies are intended for statistical nonviolence and do not necessarily imply a Judgment about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process. The term "country as used in the text of this publication also refers, as appropriate, to territories or areas. The term "dollar" normally refers to the United States dollar (S).

The views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not imply any expression of opinion on the part of the United Nations.