THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS THE WORLD”S LARGEST SOURCE OF MULTILATERAL PRE-INVESTMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. ESTABLISHED IN 1965, THROUGH THE MERGER OF THE UN SPECIAL FUND AND THE EXPANDED PROGRAMME OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, UNDP SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES TO DEVELOP THEIR NATURAL RESOURCES AND HUMAN CAPABILITIES, AND TO ATTRACT THE CAPITAL NEEDED FOR FINANCING BOTH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS. AS OF MID-1973, THE PROGRAMME WAS SUPPORTING MORE THAN 6,000 PROJECTS IN 135 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES. THESE PROJECTS, VALUED AT $3.7 BILLION, PROVIDE INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS, EQUIPMENT AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP MEET SUCH BASIC DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AS: -SURVEYING AND EVALUATING NATURAL RESOURCES AND OTHER ECONOMIC ASSETS FOR USE IN AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY, POWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORT, TRADE AND OTHER KEY SECTORS; -TRAINING TEACHERS, VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTORS, MANAGERS, ENGINEERS, TECHNICIANS, SKILLED CRAFTSMEN AND OTHER ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL; -STRENGTHENING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING CAPABILITIES; -COMBATTING DISEASE AND DEVELOPING PERMANENT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES; ADAPTING AND APPLYING MODERN PRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES; -STIMULATING THE FLOW OF INVESTMENT CAPITAL; -ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AMONG NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
