- STATEMENTS BY HEADS OF DELEGATIONS
- DECLARATIONS DES CHEFS DE DELEGATION
- MANIFESTACIONES DE LOS JEFES DE LAS DELEGACIONES
CHAIRMAN: May I open this session of the Conference and wish you all a successful day.
Johan SISAL (Suriname): Madame Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I would like to start by congratulating you on your election to the Chair of this meeting. I am convinced that under your skilful leadership we will have fruitful discussions. I also congratulate the Director-General on the inspiring way he has led FAO during the past two years.
Fifty years ago representatives of 44 countries from all parts of the world decided in Canada to establish FAO, and now 171 countries are members. The increase from 44 to 171 reflects the importance these countries give to the excellent work of FAO.
In establishing the Organization, the primary goal was to eliminate poverty and hunger for all people. After two world wars, hunger and poverty are the biggest threats to world peace. Thanks to the global effort of FAO during the past 50 years, great progress has been achieved in eliminating hunger and poverty. With respect to this, I would like to mention the results of the "Green Revolution" in increasing food production, especially in the densely populated parts of Southeast Asia.
The development and introduction of new technology, rational and more efficient use of soil and water, sustainable exploitation of fishing grounds and forests have all led to a significant increase in food production in nearly every country of the world.
Therefore we have all the more reason to be happy with FAO. On behalf of the Government of Suriname, it is a great honour for me to congratulate the world community and the Director-General on 50 years of FAO.
Suriname has also received important assistance from FAO, in developing the agricultural, livestock, fishery and forestry sectors. We are very grateful to FAO and the donor countries for their support, and we do hope that in the future under your skilful leadership, Mr Director-General, FAO will keep on supporting us in the further development of the agricultural sector.
Fifty years of FAO gives us the opportunity to reconsider the main goals of the Organization. I have mentioned the great successes achieved during the past 50 years in the fight against hunger and poverty. Sadly, however, large groups of the world's population are still suffering from hunger.
I call your attention to the fact that, while in the rich industrialized countries many people are suffering from diseases due to overeating and there is an irresponsible waste of food, children in other parts of the world are still starving daily. According to recent figures, 800 million people are hungry and malnourished; of those, 192 million are children younger than five years of age, suffering from acute and chronic protein and energy deficiencies.
Fifty years is a short period in the history of mankind, maybe too short to solve completely the complex problems of hunger and poverty. We should, however, try to consider how to increase our support in eliminating hunger and poverty. Having analysed the Programme of Work and Budget, we strongly support the activities of the World Food Summit and urge everyone to give their maximum support to FAO in order that we can eliminate hunger from our world.
If we look at the world agricultural sector, we can see that the rich industrialized countries subsidize certain agricultural products, while the developing countries are often forced by international financing agencies to stop subsidies to the agricultural sector abruptly. This has a negative effect on the developing countries' competitive position in the world market and thus decreases the urge to produce.
A frequently heard statement lately is that governments should limit their involvement in the agricultural sector and leave its development to private investors. I am pleased with this confidence in our private sector and we should give full support to their efforts. I believe, however, that government institutions in developing countries still have an important role to play in providing extended services in terms of crop protection, the introduction of better-adapted cropping systems, the efficient use of soil and water and facilities for upgrading the management level of our farmers. This is necessary because innovations are adopted by farmers in developing countries more slowly than by those in industrialized countries, and this relates to differences in education.
This takes me to the next item I would like to mention: the educational system. We are still not fully conscious of the fact that the basis for development and progress in developing countries is a more efficient use of livestock, fisheries and forestry. Young people in our countries still have limited opportunities to be educated as modern farmers. We may have enough universities and graduate training, but we lack schools for practical agricultural training.
One aspect of agriculture that is usually neglected in developing countries is agricultural research. We often fail to realize that agricultural research is indispensable for an increase in production. We should therefore increase the efficiency of research by means of national and regional collaboration between institutions.
In closing my presentation, on behalf of my Government I congratulate FAO again on its 50th anniversary and I hope that together we will be able successfully to eliminate hunger and poverty.
Yaacov TSUR (Israel): On behalf of the Government of Israel, allow me to congratulate the elected Chairman and wish him success in his distinguished position.
Many changes have taken place in FAO since the last Conference. Under the leadership of the new FAO Director-General, comprehensive reforms have been implemented in a much-needed effort to further the activity of FAO in high-priority areas, such as Eastern and Central Europe and Africa. Israel supports those changes already introduced and will be a party to all future efforts in these fields.
The last two years have signalled a breakthrough in the Middle East peace progress. Within this time-frame a peace treaty was signed with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and headway has been made in the process of implementing comprehensive peace with the Palestinians.
We are aware of the fact that the problem of food availability is a central issue in the activities of FAO, and this emphasizes the need constantly to step up efforts to solve the problems of malnutrition and hunger in various parts of the world.
At this Conference we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of FAO. The challenge facing the founders still exists. The goal of no more hunger and the objective of no more starvation or malnutrition have yet to be achieved. The gap in our world between those who have and those who have not is widening. We have to carry out our commitment to a better and more just world. Let God protect us from paying only lip service to those values and let us together dedicate all our efforts and all we have in order to implement those values for a better world.
Allow me to emphasize Israel's commitment to an active contribution to these efforts by sharing its know-how and experience in the field of agriculture. We are expanding our activities in providing instruction and advanced training to experts from developing countries within the framework of dozens of professional courses held in Israel and in more than 60 developing countries. At the same time Israel is working on the establishment of a model farm for the application of advanced agricultural technologies.
Israel is willing to make available to developing countries the extensive know-how that it has acquired in agriculture particularly in the development of arid regions. This is also the best proof of the aspirations for peace in our region.
Another recent development has been to expand the involvement of agricultural research institutes in Israel in programmes for scientific-agricultural joint ventures with other assisting countries, based on joint financing. The emphasis in these programmes is on applied research for increasing yields and selecting plant varieties adapted to the special conditions of the recipient country. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the high level of agricultural experts from developing countries and their important contribution to this research.
It is noteworthy that, as a result of a number of seminars held in Israel, a new concept has developed both in Israel and in developing countries of the need to integrate private enterprise in the production system. One way to achieve this is by organizing cooperatives of small farmers. Interesting patterns have emerged in creating a satellite farming system, and Israel can also contribute its experience in this area.
I would like to underline Israel's support of the Quebec Declaration, approved only a few days ago by all FAO members. We are full partners in this aspiration to solve the problems of food shortage and hunger prevailing in various countries throughout the globe, problems which are closely connected with the level of income of rural populations. In this era agriculture alone cannot supply sufficient income to advance the rural areas. Israel is making extensive efforts to develop supplemental employment in addition to agriculture. The Government of Israel recently decided to lend greater momentum to this trend, and the Ministry of Agriculture has also assumed responsibility for rural development. The development of industry and tourism has proved especially beneficial in diversifying sources of employment in rural areas. Within the framework of FAO, Israel is ready and willing to contribute its experience and know-how to all countries interested in this type of development.
Far-reaching changes are about to take place in the system of trade in agricultural products. Israel has joined the new GATT agreement and supports the competitive trend which it embodies. Nonetheless, the exposure of agricultural products to free trade must be done in a regulated manner, to enable agricultural production to adapt to the new situation. The Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working on the changes stemming from the new international trade agreements while encouraging increased efficiency in the agricultural sector.
Since the previous FAO Conference, the peace process in our region has become a new reality. After years of peace between Israel and Egypt, we have reached a peace treaty with Jordan and with the Palestinians. These peace processes create a good chance for a peaceful Middle East and hope for cooperation. We must be aware that striving for real and comprehensive peace starts the day after the signature of the political agreements. The task is then imposed upon our leaders to translate the peace agreements into a way of life of cooperation between nations and peoples.
A leading role is designated for agriculture in the peace process, since it has the potential to raise the standard of living and guarantee the well-being of the nations and inhabitants of the region.
The road that we must choose therefore, is agricultural cooperation in research, know-how, technology and the proper use of water resources. We are striding on this path of cooperation together with our neighbours in Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians. This is blessed and welcome cooperation which will guarantee a new Middle East for us and future generations; a Middle East in which animosity and hatred will be replaced by cooperation and in which the researcher, farmer and artist will take the place of the soldier and fighter. Together, let us cooperate and help to make this dream of generations a reality.
I will conclude with our traditional prayer, "May God in Heaven bring peace to us, to Israel and to the entire world".
Augustin IYAMURENYE (Rwanda): Madame le Président, permettez-moi tout d'abord d'exprimer au nom de mon pays, nos condoléances à la délégation de l'Iraq pour la perte de son Ministre.
Je voudrais aussi présenter mes félicitations au Président et aux Vice-Présidents pour leur élection à la tête des travaux de notre Conférence.
Madame le Président, Monsieur le Directeur Général de la FAO, Messieurs les Ministres, distingués délégués, Mesdames et Messieurs, c'est pour moi un grand honneur de prendre la parole devant cette auguste assemblée tout d'abord pour apprécier les efforts déployés par la FAO et ses Etats Membres qui se sont engagés depuis bientôt 50 ans à supprimer la faim et la malnutrition et à assurer la sécurité alimentaire pour tous. En second lieu, je ne peux laisser passer une si excellente occasion de féliciter et d'encourager notre Organisation, la FAO, qui n'a cessé d'appuyer les actions de lutte contre la famine et les déséquilibres nutritionnels en dispensant des conseils ainsi que des soutiens matériels et financiers aux pays qui en ont besoin.
Mais, malgré les efforts et la grande détermination de la FAO et des différents pays membres dans la défense des intérêts de l'agriculture, force est de constater que l'insécurité alimentaire cause encore de grands dommages partout dans le monde et tout particulièrement dans les pays à faible revenu. En effet, comme cela a été rappelé à plusieurs reprises sur une population mondiale de 5,7 milliards, 800 millions de personnes souffrent aujourd'hui de sous-alimentation chronique et 192 millions d'enfants de moins de 5 ans sont atteints de carences protéino-énergétiques.
En Afrique et dans la région des Grands Lacs, où se trouve mon pays, le Rwanda, les carences et les pénuries alimentaires persistent malgré le concours des pays qui ne cessent de nous apporter des aides alimentaires. Cette situation est due à plusieurs causes dont les plus saillantes sont principalement: les crises socio-politiques et économiques qui entravent l'exécution des actions de production agricole; la détérioration des cours des matières premières; l'évolution de la dette; la persistance du cercle vicieux de la pauvreté qui est à la base du faible pouvoir d'achat des agriculteurs; la destruction des ressources naturelles; la diminution de la superficie arable par personne suite à la démographie galopante et à la dégradation de l'environnement, qui rend certaines zones impropres à l'agriculture.
Avec un peu de recul, nous remarquons aussi que sur le plan mondial, les pays les moins avancés sont toujours défavorisés par l'effondrement des cours des matières premières et que ces Pays n'ont cessé d'analyser les faiblesses des clauses économiques. Aujourd'hui, nous pouvons affirmer que ces insuffisances sont bien cernées et que les politiques et les stratégies nécessaires pour les surmonter sont connues. Il reste seulement à les appliquer.
Tout en appréciant la politique, les stratégies et les mesures définies par la FAO pour lutter contre la faim et la malnutrition dans le monde, je voudrais vous annoncer que le Gouvernement rwandais est prêt à participer activement à la préparation du Sommet mondial de l'alimentation et à mettre en oeuvre les politiques et les stratégies qui seront adoptées par ce sommet en vue de contribuer à la réalisation de la sécurité alimentaire pour tous. Dans ce cadre, permettez-moi d'anticiper et d'évoquer certains aspects jugés prioritaires et indispensables pour donner une solution aux problèmes d'insécurité alimentaire que connaissent les pays à faibles revenus.
Certes, les approches de solution à ces problèmes varient en fonction des pays concernés, néanmoins, il existe quelques solutions communes qui passent principalement dans nos pays par la création d'un cadre de sécurité permettant un développement global, qui tient en compte la valorisation durable des ressources naturelles et le respect de l'environnement. Nous voudrions, par conséquent, lancer un appel pour que chacun de nous concourt au rétablissement de la paix dans les zones qui connaissent des conflits et qu'il s'attelle aussi à la recherche d'une stabilité politique indispensable à l'augmentation de la production.
Mais, comme nous le savons tous, la paix et la sécurité à elles seules ne suffisent pas pour développer l'agriculture, c'est pourquoi il faut créer un cadre commercial mondial qui permet le développement des économies des pays pauvres et qui donne la valeur réelle aux productions des pays du tiers monde.
La lutte contre la pauvreté, la malnutrition et la famine, implique aussi une solidarité et une adaptation aux mutations perpétuelles du monde. Cette solidarité doit d'abord se faire jour sur le plan économique où la stabilité est menacée par l'incohérence des décisions prises séparément par les institutions financières, la libéralisation anarchique du commerce et la mauvaise redistribution des ressources financières qui ne sont pas régis par les règles de surveillance, de transparence et de partenariat pour un développement solidaire.
Aussi, pour mieux faire face à la faim et aux déséquilibres nutritionnels; l'aide accordée à l'agriculture des pays pauvres devrait augmenter au lieu de diminuer comme cela a été malheureusement le cas durant ces 13 dernières années au cours desquelles cette aide a chuté de 10 à 7,2 milliards de dollars américains. L'augmentation de cette aide irait de pair avec l'allégement et le rééchelonnement de la dette sans toutefois recourir à une assistance exclusive qui constitue souvent un obstacle à une prise en charge par les populations de leur propre développement.
Dans le cadre d'application de politiques et de mesures mises en oeuvre par les pays membres de la FAO en vue d'augmenter et d'améliorer la production alimentaire, j'aimerais mettre en exergue le cas particulier que vit mon pays.
Classé dans le groupe des pays les moins avancés à forte concentration de ruraux, le Rwanda accuse un déficit vivrier prononcé. Avec une production inférieure à 1800 Kcal, 38 gr. de protéines et 6 gr. de lipides par personne et par jour, l'agriculture rwandaise qui occupe plus de 90 pour cent de la population n'est pas actuellement en mesure d'assurer la sécurité alimentaire du pays. Les causes de cette situation sont nombreuses, les principales d'entre elles sont: la dégradation de l'appareil de production caractérisée par une diminution progressive de la fertilité des sols due à l'érosion, à la surexploitation des terres et à la faible utilisation des fertilisants; une forte concentration de la population dans le milieu rural avec un taux de croissance démographique très élevé (3,1 pour cent); la faible diversification des produits agricoles d'exportation qui sont essentiellement le café et le thé; le faible niveau de formation professionnelle de la population.
Cette situation provoquée, dès 1980, a été aggravée par les malheureux événements survenus dans notre pays en 1994. En effet, dans le sous-secteur des productions vivrières et des cultures d'exportation, les pertes de production dues aux malheureux événements survenus dans notre pays ont entraîné une chute jusqu'à 37 pour cent par rapport aux productions des années 1990. Le sous-secteur forestier a également fortement souffert avec la destruction de plus de 21 000 hectares de boisement, la dégradation d'une partie des forêts naturelles et des savanes du pays et l'anéantissement des peuplements semenciers.
De ce constat amer, il est clair que l'activité économique, sociale et surtout la production agricole ont fortement souffert de la guerre et le pays traverse actuellement une situation de pénurie alimentaire sans précédent dans l'histoire du Rwanda. Pour sortir de cet état problématique, un programme d'action d'urgences pour la réconciliation, la réhabilitation, la reconstitution, et la relance socio-économique du pays a été élaboré et contient plusieurs actions de réhabilitation et de relance du secteur agricole.
Ces actions sont déjà amorcées et le Gouvernement rwandais n'a d'autre choix que celui de réussir et nous comptons sur l'assistance de la FAO pour apporter au Rwanda et au peuple rwandais les secours pour sortir de cet état.
Permettez-moi, avant de terminer mon allocution de témoigner une fois de plus ma gratitude envers la communauté internationale, envers les agences des Nations Unies pour le concours massif qu'ils nous ont apporté lors des accidents survenus dans mon pays et de renouveler les félicitations au Président de la Conférence pour son élection et au Directeur général de la FAO pour la sagesse, le dévouement et la compétence avec lesquels il dirige notre Organisation.
Ryszaard KOLODZIEJ (Poland) (Original language Polish): Madam Chairman, Mr Director-General, ladies and gentlemen. I should like from the very outset to congratulate you, Madam Chairman, on your election since this session of the FAO Conference is of very special significance.
The Quebec Ministerial Conference convened on the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of FAO has reaffirmed our commitment to the principles and basic goals of the Organization now that it looks ahead approaching the 21st century. And yet the FAO Conference session began in an atmosphere of uncertainty as to the capacity of the Organization to implement its mandate in conformity with the needs and expectations of Member States.
Paradoxically, the Organization officially commended for positive change initiated by the Director-General is presently confronted with the prospect of a major financial setback which might seriously undercut the resource base of the Organization.
Poland belongs to the mainstream of countries convinced that FAO has a definite mission to perform and it is our joint duty to help make it possible. While we are prepared to support the budget, we also see, like the European community, the need to engage in a dialogue in search of further savings in order to achieve a consensus on the budget. We entirely agree that greater efforts to overcome the constraint of dues in arrears should be made, particularly in times of scarcity, and we ourselves are taking steps in this same direction.
Our positions at this Conference reflect varying perceptions of how countries should act when facing the often divergent goals involved in the global political economy of food. We are convinced that the growing demand for food, tighter connections among markets, greater reliance on new production technologies, as well as the uncontested imperative of sustainable development, have increased the importance of international adjustments and concerted action by nations. Poland strongly believes that international organizations, and first and foremost FAO, have an important role to play in the international system of agricultural production, distribution and consumption of food which is referred to as a global food regime, and in particular a role to play in the quest for world food security.
Our case for multilateralism and a strong, viable, effective and well targeted FAO stems from the recognition of both undeniable successes in boosting world agricultural production in the post-war era as well as from a realistic assessment of the entrenched problems and the gravity of the future challenge of adequate food production for the steeply increasing world population that we have before us.
With this aim Poland resolutely supports the idea of convening the World Food Summit in November 1996. The Summit should offer both a global vision of universal food security and a down-to-earth approach to concrete issues. In our view, this well prepared Summit and its follow-up should be action-oriented, be integrated with regular FAO activities, consolidate a universal dimension of food security and focus ultimately on regional and sub-regional levels of cooperation.
We believe that a broad approach to world food security going beyond just supply side factors and selected groups of countries will be the most effective way of dealing with these problems. To look at food security in terms of standard economic categories alone is to treat them superficially. Broader and deeper questions have to be posed as to why backwardness and poverty often perpetuate themselves, how to break the vicious circle of poverty as well as, in the words of His Holiness John Paul II two days ago, "to find ways to guarantee food for the whole world, through sharing the fruits of the earth in a rational way". We share the view that access to food, poverty and food security are strongly intertwined.
Therefore the wide spectrum of social, economic and political factors should be carefully looked at to work out effective long-term food security policies at national, regional and international levels. These policies should aim at greater stability and increased effective demand as well as strengthening regional production in relation to food aid.
When we speak about the main thrust of FAO activities, we should not overlook the fact that Poland consistently argues, as it already did at the 27th Session of the FAO Conference, in favour of greater involvement of the Organization in macro-economic adjustment and policy advice for Member Nations, rather than purely technical matters. I have the pleasure to point out that FAO technical assistance to Poland, in keeping with this approach, has been found most useful.
We are pleased to note that new approaches are more visibly reflected in the Medium-Term Plan 1996-2001, although the key issues related to world trade have not been in our view sufficiently covered in this document. Generally speaking, we support all high-priority areas, especially the emphasis placed on plant and animal genetic resource activities, as well as increased support for forestries and fisheries.
Poland belongs to those countries that have an equally strong interest in all areas of the FAO mandate, including fisheries and forestry. We have been most active participants in negotiations on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which I sincerely hope will be endorsed by this Conference. We also attach great importance to the forthcoming International Conference on the topic of "The Contribution of Sustainable Fisheries to Food Security".
Generally speaking, every effort should be made to consolidate FAO's comparative advantage in relation to other organizations active in the same domains, and one should make efforts, too, to avoid as much as possible overlap and duplication which are the main drawbacks of the UN System. FAO should indeed be, and act as, a universal agency but not necessarily as an all-purpose organization.
As regards new challenges, in our continent FAO has not yet offered an orchestrated, coherent response to the specific needs of its more and more numerous member countries from Central and Eastern Europe. Without belittling the value of the assistance rendered to these countries, Poland included, there has been no attempt to enhance the scope of this assistance, nor to identify clearly FAO's role and involvement in the transition process, with due account to be taken of the activities of other international organizations and financial institutions. I think we are entitled to make this remark since Poland has been making considerable efforts to assist FAO in elaborating an FAO subregional policy for countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and it is because of these considerations that Poland convened in September 1994 a Conference of Ministers of Agriculture from these countries in Warsaw.
We sincerely hope that the establishment of the FAO subregional office for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will lead to greater involvement of FAO in this area which in no way should divert FAO's attention or funds from its global commitments and the priority needs of the developing countries and in particular low-income, food-deficit countries.
Laleshwar K.N. SINGH (Guyana): Madam Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is both an honour and a pleasure to address this 28th Session of the FAO Conference. At the inception, I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the Director-General for the impressive start he has made since his appointment, and to assure him of my Government's support for the World Food Summit in 1996. We would also like to register our support for the proposals for a zero real growth budget.
Guyana takes note of the developments in international trade and pricing of agricultural commodities, particularly the steep increases in the prices of grains, consequent upon the tightening of supplies, and the reduction in food aid in cereals. We also take note of the possible impact of the Agreement on Agriculture which calls for phased reductions in domestic supports for agriculture.
Guyana, although being a low-income country with a massive debt burden is, nevertheless, in the fortunate position of being a net exporter of food. Our sugar and rice industries remain the backbone of our economy and this is expected to continue for some time. It is recognized, however, that these industries are dependent on preferential prices paid for the two commodities mentioned. The challenge which faces countries such as ours is to develop our agriculture to enable it to compete on the rapidly changing world market. The current buoyancy of the international market for grains is of course favourable to us, and our rice farmers have been responding remarkably well to these added incentives. In addition to the effect of global price changes, our agriculture has benefitted from the removal of many restrictions which had previously been placed on it, particularly in terms of the administration of producer prices. Added to this, the economy-wide liberalizations which have taken place - in particular the decontrol of the foreign exchange market and the trade regime -have all rebounded to the benefit of the agricultural sector. Our rice production and exports are the highest they have ever been, while sugar production has recovered to levels exceeding those achieved in the 1970s.
This is not to say that Guyana is unconcerned about the possible negative impacts of increased grain prices on the economies of food-deficit countries. Further, our own dependence on wheat imports is a factor which must concern us since our urban populations (as well as some rural groups) will be faced with higher prices for both commodities - domestically produced rice and wheat imports. Our economic regime does not allow us to depend on general subsidies; neither are we desirous of doing so, since we have seen the disturbing effects of such subsidies in the past. Rather, we aim at targeting disadvantaged groups, in terms of providing supplementary feeding programmes, food-for-work activities and community development measures. Our Social Impact Amelioration Programme as well as programmes implemented by non-governmental organizations are concrete manifestations of this approach.
Previous policies in the agricultural sector (as well as macro-economic policies) brought about much damage to our productive capacity. The Government of Guyana has therefore taken the view that it is necessary to concentrate on the provision of support services, such as the rehabilitation of our extensive drainage and irrigation network, if the benefits from trade are to be fully captured. The Government has therefore withdrawn almost completely from involvement in direct production and trading activities in favour of building up the institutional capacity for the provision of key services. In addition to drainage and irrigation, major efforts are now being focused on the rehabilitation of the country's sea defences (particularly crucial since the main production areas are coastal and subject to flooding); the improvement of the rural road network; the enhancement of research and extension facilities; the improvements of land tenure; land markets and administration of public land, and the identification of new lands of settlement.
An important tenet of the Government's policies is the improvement in the level of participation of the farming and rural communities in the conceptualization and implementation of development projects. Our experiences have shown that projects conceived and implemented without the full participation of the ultimate clients - however well these projects may meet the standards of financial and economic analysis - are doomed to failure or, at best, gross under-achievement of their stated goals.
In the important area of land reform, the Government has taken the position that all legitimate holders of agricultural land should be assured full legal rights to such lands. We have also committed ourselves to improving access to land by all those who have the need and the capacity to use such lands. Thirdly, we have been moving towards the improvement of the market for all lands, whether these are owned by the state or by private interests. We very much value the current involvement of FAO in the formulation of our land policies and we wish that role to continue, particularly because FAO's role as a neutral technical body is extremely important in helping us to clarify a range of controversial issues.
We recognize that, despite the gains made in the production of our two major commodities, the remainder of the sector is not progressing at a fast rate. Other crops and livestock constitute a significant percentage of our total output and is derived mainly from small farms. Small farmers are efficient producers, within the context of their resource constraints, but they need appropriate infrastructure and technology if they are to capture wider markets. Thus, there is a need to address the basic needs of the sub-sector if we are to be guaranteed balanced development and if we are to maintain a degree of diversification which would serve to hedge against any future downturns in the major commodities.
For this reason, we have taken a decision to completely reorganize the institutional structures which support the producers of horticultural crops and livestock. We are of the view that these support services should be firmly based in the communities and should, in addition, be highly integrated. Thus, the new institutional framework will integrate research, extension, marketing services and agro-processing support. Again, this calls for a participatory approach to service delivery. It also calls for institutions which are flexible enough to become responsive to the needs of the communities in which they work and thus to structure their programmes in ways which bring about sustainable community-based development. In this, FAO can be of great assistance since, with its worldwide experience, it can bring to bear the lessons which have been gathered from many such efforts, both successful and unsuccessful.
For our fisheries we definitely have to improve our knowledge of the resources, the quality of our management and the welfare of those involved in the industry. FAO will soon be involved with us in the review of our fisheries legislation. We have produced a draft fisheries plan and intend to implement several investment projects and institutional reforms. Fisheries, we believe, can become the country's second largest industry but, for this to become a reality we must move quickly in conjunction with our neighbours, to implement a workable management regime.
While we recognize the importance of rationalizing the role of the public sector vis-à-vis the private sector, it still remains true that there are essential services which only the public sector can or is willing to provide. The implementation of development projects must be facilitated by the public sector, even if implementation is passed on to non-governmental agencies. There is therefore a need to ensure that the public sector is adequately equipped to carry out its essential tasks. The need to implement strict budgetary controls as part of our structural adjustment programme has resulted in the compression of services traditionally delivered by the public sector.
The role of FAO in this regard is to advise countries on the ways in which they can bring about much needed reform of the public support institution, reducing the burden on the public purse while at the same time providing an environment in which maximum benefits are derived from public expenditure. We therefore call on FAO to become more fully involved in the strategic planning of member countries. FAO's participation in this regard is particularly welcome, since it would serve to provide impartial advice and propose strategies which would place governments in a better position in their negotiations with multilateral and other financing institutions.
Finally, I would like to record in this forum Guayana's deep appreciation for the recent visit by the distinguished Director-General, Dr Jacques Diouf. That visit, in itself, assisted in strengthening the ties between Guyana and FAO. It also provided us and the Director-General with the opportunity to discuss our development needs as well as our view of the future role of FAO in our development.
Ms Maria LAZAROVA (Bulgaria): Allow me to congratulate you on your appointment to this responsible post and to wish you useful work to the Conference.
The Bulgarian delegation considers that the 28th Session of the Conference is held at a remarkable time - a week ago the 50th Anniversary of the Organization was solemnly celebrated in Quebec, Canada. The assessments and recommendations made by the ministers in Quebec and the documents elaborated by FAO bodies for the Conference are in unison with the useful initiatives of the Director-General, Mr Jacques Diouf, for increasing the efficiency of FAO. We think these will help the Organization to play its responsible role even more efficiently.
As you may be aware, Bulgarian agriculture is in a condition of profound restructuring. After the demonopolization, the liberalization of prices and the opening of possibilities for free initiative of companies in the productional and business spheres of activity, we are at present in the process of the restitution of land and the privatization of state enterprises. By the end of 1995, there will be restitution of 61.6 percent of farm land, i.e., more than 2.5 million owners or their heirs will receive their own land.
The Government will have handed back, by the end of 1996, 94 percent of the land to its owners. It is also expected that about 60 agro- and industrial enterprises will be privatized in 1995 until now. More than 300 enterprises have been offered for mass privatization. The recently adopted Law for Farmers Protection will assure, through its fund, incentives for the rehabilitation and the development of this sector.
The strict observance of the embargo on Yugoslavia causes great damage to the Bulgarian economy and to the agricultural sector in particular, amounting to more than 25 percent of the GDP of the country. Bulgaria is the most hard hit of all countries, suffering indirectly from the sanctions. Our country expects to be compensated for the losses through its direct involvement in the so-called mini-plan Marshal for the post-war reconstruction of the economies of the countries of former Yugoslavia. The Bulgarian side will insist on being treated as a country-donor for participation in regional reconstruction projects.
At the present stage, Bulgaria must find a way out of the economic crisis in order to achieve long-term economic growth. In the agricultural sector the Government overcomes these difficulties through targeted financial support for the agricultural producers, by stimulating the establishment of voluntary unions, by setting up associations of mutual funds by building-up of new structures for sale of agricultural products and flexible import-export regimes in compliance with the agreed international commitments. This results in the revival of production.
Apparently the overriding of the increased mix of production will be influenced by the mix of products, producers' prices, governmental support, functioning of the information system, and of the unions of the producers and processors of raw materials. Of particular importance are the 2 700 groups of land producers who are members of this new association.
The Bulgarian delegation considers that the support of FAO for the elaboration and implementation of national and regional programmes for institutional construction, stabilization of production and establishment of just, equitable and mutually beneficial relations in international trade should be the basis of the activity of the Organization.
The possible recommendations and actions for the solution of these issues, however, should take into account the specific conditions in different countries or groups of countries, the necessity for closer contacts with other international organizations as well as the elaboration of concrete measures and proposals in the sphere of technology, resources, ecological agriculture, investments and credit.
We appreciate the inclusion of the issue of the world situation of food and agriculture for discussion at the Plenary Session. The problem of the balance of production, consumption and trade, the influence of the prices, food security, producers' income, trade regimes, the rational nutrition of the population, the increase of production are and should be the subject of utmost concern by the governments and the Organization. The tasks are numerous, complicated and often contradictory.
The FAO executive bodies and Secretariat cannot provide ready-made prescriptions for the solution of these problems. These problems become more difficult due to the differences in the production levels, the present infrastructure, the economic situation and the budget possibilities, the differences between the international and domestic prices, the product distribution and the scale of institutional building.
The assessment of the world food and agriculture situation is related to the World Food Summit in 1996. It would be appropriate to refrain from adopting documents of a general nature, which as recommendations of action may be useful but would actually have no practical value.
We therefore consider that, together with the message to the governments and the commitments that are expected from them, the task of FAO and other international organizations and institutions should be clearly defined. The most important of these could be broader development of the possibilities for international trade, measures for stimulating both national and foreign investment, new technologies, etc.
In this sense, we would welcome all initiatives of the Organization for direct support to countries and regions, including the countries from Central and Eastern Europe in order to solve the problems in this sector and to foster integration with the other European countries and the world.
Ghulam Mustafa JAWAD (Afghanistan) (Original language Dari): In the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I am pleased to offer the sincere compliments of the leadership, the people of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and of myself to you and all the distinguished delegates. May I also congratulate you, Madam Chairman, upon your election as Chairman of the 28th Session of FAO Conference, and to the other members on their election. I am fully confident that under your Chairmanship the deliberations of this Conference will be crowned with success.
I am very glad to convey our thanks to the Director-General and the staff of FAO for providing this opportunity to exchange experiences and views with regard to agricultural development strategies and policies that are applicable all over the world. Such gatherings are important, particularly for the developing countries, in discussing ways and means to raise the standard of living for people in general and small farmers in particular. Allow me to state briefly the problems we face in the Islamic State of Afghanistan concerning food and agriculture.
As you are well aware, Afghanistan is an agricultural country, and a large proportion of its population, directly or indirectly, is involved in this noble vocation. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, and more than 60 percent of the Gross National Product comes from this sector. Agricultural and livestock production supports the agro-industry of the country. In the 1970s production capacities were high and met not only domestic requirements but allowed for some exports as well. Particularly in wheat and rice, self-sufficiency was almost reached.
Later, due to the invasion of the Red Army, the situation changed completely. Production levels dropped and the country had to rely on foreign products. The destructive and brutal war caused the loss of 1.5 million lives; 200 000 people were disabled, and 5 million more emigrated to neighbouring countries.
More than 80 percent of assets such as schools, bridges, roads, highways, buildings, irrigation schemes and agricultural and livestock projects in both the public and private sectors were destroyed.
Due to continuous destruction, forests were reduced from 1.9 million to 1.7 million hectares. Since most of these forests were commercial, such as pistachio trees, income levels and foreign exchange earnings were affected. In the meantime, loss of vegetative cover brought about an imbalance to the ecosystem. To a certain extent due to mismanagement, pasture lands changed to cultivated lands causing damage to livestock production.
Many farmers, livestock owners and other producers were killed or emigrated. Destruction of agricultural infrastructures, such as farm implements, machinery, tractors, draught animals and so on caused a great decline in production. Wheat and cotton production was reduced from 2.8 million to 1.7 million tonnes respectively. Livestock was reduced from 30 million to 20 million and the production of Urea fertilizer dropped from 108 000 to 22 800 tonnes. Due to bombing and planting of anti-personnel mines in the villages and agricultural regions, the annual cultivated area reduced by almost half, from 3.9 to 1.9 million hectares, from among which the oil crop area was reduced from 170 000 to 51 000 hectares.
Apart from the above, the rapid increase in prices has affected not only our country, but most others, particularly developing countries like ours which are suffering from severe economic hardship. The rise in the cost of food products and unfavourable climatic conditions have caused a reduction in agricultural production at world level. Our country, as one of the developing countries of the world, has been severely affected by the rise in the international price of food and means of production, such as chemical fertilizers, oil, pesticides, agricultural machinery, improved seeds, and improved cattle breeds. To keep the country's economic situation in balance, we have had to impose subsidies, which are unwelcome in the weak economic condition of the country.
It is our belief that a prosperous and just society, with abundant supplies of foodstuffs, a clean and a secure living environment is not a Utopia, but something achieved by humanitarian efforts utilizing the abilities of and moral and material investment by the developed nations.
If we had been able to start rehabilitation of our agriculture at the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, with assistance from fellow countries, the situation would have been much better now. It is regretted that interference from some other countries has delayed the reconstruction process and added to our difficulties. We are confident that day by day, with the help of Almighty God and with the assistance of our friends, enemies will fail and our lives will go forward in security, peace and prosperity.
It is worth mentioning that the Islamic State of Afghanistan has devoted a lot of time to the formulation and implementation of agricultural rehabilitation programmes. Many proposals have already been presented to the international organizations of the world and to friendly countries.
Our policy in agriculture is to increase productivity both intensively and extensively in order to reach self-sufficiency in a short space of time. Meanwhile the Islamic State of Afghanistan, in accordance with the prevailing rules and regulations, allows private investment to bring about the establishment of mechanized agricultural and livestock farms, large irrigation schemes, import-export and marketing of improved seeds, chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals. Of course, all this requires the assistance and cooperation of international organizations and friendly countries.
Our farmlands are planted with millions of anti-personnel mines. Houses and stables have been destroyed. Farmers are unable to acquire what they need: draught animals, tools and implements, fertilizers, improved seeds, agrochemicals, etc. Irrigation systems require reconstruction to allow farmers to cultivate their fields. Now that the autumn sowing season has started in most parts of our country, to date only 10 percent of the material needs of our farmers have been acquired. However, it is hoped that such conditions will not prevail in the spring sowing season, when cotton, sugarbeet, vegetables, etc., are cultivated and orchards and vineyards are replanted. At this stage, it is not only difficult but impossible for the Islamic State to bear such a heavy burden imposed by the war.
Due to the war, Afghanistan has been almost destroyed, the population massacred, its agriculture wrecked and its infrastructures broken down. It is therefore the duty and responsibility of the international community, the United Nations System in particular and all friendly countries, to help the people of Afghanistan in the process of rehabilitation.
Today our people require food more than anything else. Therefore, the rehabilitation of our agriculture and its related infrastructure is of prime importance. We believe that to a certain extent some possibilities exist to promote agriculture, since we have vast cultivatable lands, wide deserts, unutilized water resources, a favourable climate for high qualitative and quantitative productivity and much genetic resource which could help world breeds. For instance, there are about 900 different local varieties of wheat with 9 to 16 percent protein content.
The previous regime allowed large areas of high quality land to be used for the growing of narcotic-producing plants. The Islamic State has begun the fight against cultivation, production, storage, utilization and traffic in narcotics and their derivatives. There again, it is necessary for other countries, as well as the United Nations, to help us because the narcotics would not remain within our boundaries, but would necessarily cross the borders. Assistance from the United Nations and friendly countries would enable us not only to prevent the cultivation of these illicit crops, but also to replace their cultivation by other essential and high-value crops. Obviously certain programmes are underway, the implementation of which will, we hope, considerably help in preventing the cultivation, production and storage of illicit crops and their derivatives.
The Islamic State of Afghanistan much appreciates the kind assistance of the United Nations, especially the sincere efforts of FAO towards our agricultural development and the extension of technical and other possible assistance to us. We hope that FAO, with the help of other donor countries and funding institutions, will help us in the formulation of a firm and sustainable agricultural programme so as to revitalize our agricultural sector on both a short- and long-term basis.
My delegation would like to take the opportunity once again to offer its compliments to you, Madam Chairman. We are sure this Session will come to valuable decisions under your Chairmanship.
The Islamic State of Afghanistan pursues humanistic policies and desires friendly relations with all member countries. We wish for mutual understanding, without prejudice, among all nations. We would like to develop good relations with all nations on the basis of the brotherhood of humankind. We request that the developed countries, in realizing the needs of our farmers, will come to our aid so that we may align ourselves with the other members of the international community. We are ready to put our resources and know-how together to bring about cooperative efforts, together with help from abroad, in order to achieve this desirable aim.
If I may, Madam Chairman, I would like to add a few more words in connection with the need to improve and develop food production. I must stress again -1 have said it before - that this is the most paramount problem before Afghanistan at the present time, and we hope that appropriate programmes can be developed as soon as possible in the best possible way so that our country may gradually recover from the burdens of the recent past. Thus we aim to develop further friendly relations with all Member Nations. We aim to move forward hand in hand to achieve a better life for all in future, not only in our own country but in all those around the world which need help.
We have the greatest hopes for the success of this Conference. We hope that this Organization will be given the means to carry out its appointed task as agreed when we approved the Programme of Work and Budget now being discussed in Commission II and that a consensus will be achieved satisfactorily for the greater good of all Member Nations.
As I have said before, we very much appreciate the assistance extended to us already not only by FAO, but by other United Nations organizations. In particular we are very much concerned to formulate a development programme for agriculture which will ensure its sustainability and its continuing success in increasing productivity.
We have a great deal to contribute in these matters because in the country we have genetic diversity, the availability of good land and good water. With the help of all, therefore, and with the blessing of the Almighty, we shall be able to move out of our present state of misery, hunger, malnutrition and from infrastructures that lie in ruins about us, and build up our country once more. In this way our people will have the life that they all desire and that they certainly all deserve.
The Islamic State of Afghanistan very much appreciates the efforts of the international community. We are doing our best to reciprocate and, with the help of the Almighty, to make our own contribution.
Costas Petrides, Chairman of the Conference, took the chair Costas Petrides, Président de la Conférence, assume la présidence Ocupa la presidencia Costas Petrides, Presidente de la Conferencia
Péter SZERDAHELYI (Hungary): It is my great pleasure to greet, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Hungary, the ministers, delegates and guests attending the FAO Conference. I would like you, Mr Chairman, to accept our heartfelt congratulations on your election. The Hungarian delegation firmly believes that with you in the Chair this important meeting will be a success. The importance of our meeting lies not only in the weight carried by the biannual session of the highest governing body and its resolutions, but also in the half-century which has elapsed since the foundation of FAO. Just a week ago the ministers and plenipotentiaries of FAO member countries launched the Quebec Declaration, reaffirming a commitment to implement the original objectives of FAO.
Hungary has always agreed and continues to agree with the objectives and activities laid down 50 years ago in FAO's Constitution and fully concurs with the Declaration. Hungary also reaffirms its willingness to assist in the development of world agriculture, in gathering and spreading information and in offering technical assistance to member countries under the appropriate conditions. My country's determination is firm. The Hungarian Government is also convinced that the long-term management and solution of global food, agricultural, forestry and fishery issues should be kept within FAO, as the specialized agency of the United Nations.
A number of interesting documents have been tabled by the Director-General. The Secretariat is to be commended on the quality of those documents and the concise presentation of the problems. My delegation appreciates the publication of the Summary of the State of Food and Agriculture.
The FAO Secretariat and the great majority of the distinguished delegates are aware that before 1990, i.e. the era dominated by central planning and state property in Central and Eastern Europe, Hungarian agriculture was a success. One reason for that was its independence and profit motivation - greater than that of the economy's average - as well as a certain amalgamation of state, cooperative and private property.
In the years 1989 and 1990 international political and economic conditions changed and we wanted to put the Hungarian economy, agriculture included, on a private property and market economy basis.
At the end of 1994 the first stage of transformation was virtually completed. Ninety percent of agricultural land, more than 60 percent of state farms and forests, became private property. The updating of the Hungarian agriculture and food industries has also started. All this will result in my country's agro-economy becoming competitive, export-oriented, quality-minded, and a modestly subsidized economic sector relying heavily on the distribution of labour between small-, medium- and large-scale farms.
Like other countries with an economy in transition, Hungary has been paying a stiff price for agro-economic transformation and for its preparation for international integration.
In recent years the output of agriculture in its broader sense has continued to decrease and in five years it has dropped by approximately a quarter. Many causes may be cited but I shall only mention the most important ones: the difficulties in change of ownership, the loss of markets, deteriorating terms of trade, dwindling incomes and the long-lasting drought.
I could go on listing the negative factors, but I am pleased to inform you that, though in 1993 Hungarian agriculture reached rock bottom, in 1994 and, most likely this year, agricultural GDP will show a percentage increase; investments are increasing and more fertilizer and quality seeds have been used. The decrease in livestock numbers has also stopped.
The Hungarian Government has, many times and on many occasions, made perfectly clear its interest in full EU membership, which in no way contradicts the significance we attach to CEFTA. A number of important components of the forthcoming integration have accelerated since the Association Agreement came into force, such as: legal harmonization, the free flow of information, capital, labour and services. The integration of agro-economies may bring some disadvantages to both parties, but the mutual benefits will be overwhelming. The Veterinary and Plant Protection Equivalency Agreement will be signed in the near future, which should result in the improved quality of Hungarian products. It also fits the Director-General's concept, made public in the Medium-Term Plan, which points to the enhancement and coordination of veterinary and plant protection as one of the pillars of FAO activities between 1996 and 2001.
Encouraged by the documents prepared by the Secretariat, I would like to deal with the further development of relations between Hungary and FAO, and reiterate my earlier statement regarding the endeavours of the Hungarian Government to continue supporting the noble efforts of FAO and, at one and the same time, to be donor and recipient of this cooperation.
My delegation is gratified to find that the importance of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) is maintained by the Programme of Work and Budget recommended by the Director-General. Although the share of approximately US$100 million of the TCP utilized in countries with so-called economies in transition does not exceed 5 percent, the seven already implemented and 13 small pipeline projects in Hungary have greatly contributed to the development of a number of quality aspects in, for instance, animal and plant health, EU conformity quality control, development of biotechnology, etc.
We were very pleased that the Director-General, supported by the Governing Bodies of FAO, has farther developed decentralization of the Organization as an essential element of its efficiency. As is well-known, five Sub-regional Offices will have the role of rendering FAO assistance more practicable, bringing it closer to the field. Making use of a democratic polling procedure, the Director-General also marked out Budapest to host a Sub-regional Office. We were happy to hear that announcement and I give you an assurance that my Government will do everything possible to secure the successful operation of the Sub-regional Office.
Ms Angela Thoko DIDIZA (South Africa): Mr Chairman, as I was coming up, I realized that when they switched from a Chairperson, they put up a board saying "Chairman"; so I am not sure, when it's women, it's "Chairperson", and when it's men, it's "Chairman". Nonetheless, I will continue with my intervention.
Mr Chairman, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we join other governments in expressing our condolences to the Iraqi Delegation and Government on the loss of their Minister of Agriculture.
South Africa has undergone a major political change and is now translating that political change into economic change and broad-based development. Now that we have rejoined the FAO, we are looking forward to benefitting from its expertise and making a contribution towards its development.
Given the importance of international experience when undertaking such fundamental change, South Africa sees its involvement with the FAO as critical to the development of the agricultural sector. We are thus participating in FAO technical committees and have established an Agricultural Office in Rome, which has strengthened our capacity to deal with FAO matters.
We believe there are certain parallels between our experience and the restructuring process the FAO has undertaken. These parallels manifest themselves clearly in the areas of redefining the social and economic role of agriculture, financial restructuring including zero-budgeting, and the decentralization of the administration.
Restructuring in South African agriculture is located within a national development agenda, namely the Reconstruction and Development Programme, which aims to generate economic growth, eradicate poverty, build a free and democratic society, and create national unity. In agriculture this has meant the formulation of new policies, institutional restructuring, and zero-budgeting, all of which require attitudinal change.
South Africa, in its Constitution, declared its commitment to equality, not only along the lines of race, but also in terms of gender. Our new governing system allows for the establishment of a Gender Commission, whose responsibility it will be to ensure that legislation and policy do not perpetuate discrimination against women.
In the agricultural sector we have redefined "the farmer" to recognize the fact that many of our farmers are, indeed, women, and in many cases also part-time producers. This, naturally, has raised challenges for the structuring and delivery of agricultural support programmes.
Mr Chairman, important structural changes in the marketing of agricultural products and trade policy are currently taking place. The deregulation of agricultural marketing schemes is in an advanced stage, and a policy of tarification has replaced that of quantitative import control in an effort to move towards a more competitive, accessible, and free market. It is our belief that this approach is more conducive to the optimum utilization of our limited natural resources.
Trade liberalization that allows for the principle of comparative advantage to be employed in the production process will benefit food security through more efficient production and trade, not only in South Africa but in the southern African region as well.
While dealing with its own restructuring, the South African Government is deeply aware of the inter-relatedness of policies between countries at sub-regional level and regional level. The pursuit of better policies will thus be conducted within this context, and the FAO is a major international forum which can play a role in ensuring that countries' policies do not negatively affect other Member States.
Mr Chairman, our observation from our own experience is that during change in organizations there is a danger of the basic objective being clouded by efforts to rearrange the organization. This implies that we in the FAO must regularly revisit our stated vision; and, even if we change our strategies, we should ensure that the appropriate balance and sequence are achieved between the normative and operational actions. We believe that strong organizations are built and thrive on a clear common vision.
As we rejoin the FAO, we would hope that the vision agreed to 50 years ago at the Inaugural Meeting of the FAO, where South Africa was present, is still as evident today to all members, new and old, and that the basic objectives remain the same.
Having examined the FAO's Programme Implementation Report, Programme Evaluation Report, and Medium-term Plan as foundation documents for the Programme of Work and Budget, we would have no difficulty in supporting the main thrust of the proposed FAO projects for the next biennium and beyond that.
We support the proposal to broaden the mandate of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources. This may be a rather idealistic approach for one single body to administer and manage efficiently. However, we believe that if the Commission could be supported and advised by sectoral working groups with appropriate geographical balance for plant, animal, forestry and fishery genetic resources, the broadened mandate could be attained. An additional separate working group for microbiological organisms should, however, also be recognized. The broadening of the mandate should be a cautious, step-by-step process and not impede the current activities on plant genetic resources. Commission sessions should be dedicated to specific themes, and duplication of functions with the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity should be avoided.
We support, in principle, the establishment and maintenance of pest-free areas as a basis for phytosanitary certification of plants and plant products. However, once such areas are established, it is essential that their status be confirmed by regular inspections or surveys.
With respect to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, my colleague the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in South Africa has appointed a Fishery Policy Development Committee to formulate a draft fisheries policy for South Africa. It would therefore be premature for South Africa to express a position on the Draft Code of Conduct proposed by the FAO until we have completed our own transitional process.
Mr Chairman, we support the convening of the World Food Summit and would be reluctant to downgrade it to a mere symbolic exercise. It should have the status to draw all people's attention to the importance of achieving food security and also provide an opportunity for individual nations to agree on how this is to be achieved.
Finally, we support the zero-based budget approach and the level of budget proposed by the Director-General. We wish to congratulate him and his staff on the savings of approximately 11 percent achieved from last year's expenditure. Budgetary savings require a substantial effort, but we would like to caution against severe budgetary cuts in an organization whose functions are as inter-related as those of the FAO. In our experience the social dimensions of development which include programmes targeted at women, youth, capacity-building, and communication suffer disproportionately higher cuts than technical programmes. This results in unbalanced development. The FAO should therefore adopt a consistent approach to rationalization, redeployment, recruitment, retraining, and reorientation of personnel in its streamlining process.
It is our hope that this Conference and all members present here today will support the proposed Programme and budget. I thank you for your attention.
OTHER MATTERS
QUESTIONS DIVERSES
OTROS ASUNTOS
27.1 FAO Fifth Anniversary Declaration on Food and Agriculture
27.1 Déclaration sur l'alimentation et l'agriculture à l'occasion du cinquantième anniversaire de la FAO
27.1 Declaración sobre la agricultura y la alimentación con ocasión del Cincuentenario de la fundación de la FAO
CHAIRMAN: We now move to the item on our Agenda related to the FAO 50th Anniversary Declaration on Food and Agriculture, which is Item 27.1 on the Order of the Day. The text of this Declaration was examined and agreed upon by the ministers in Quebec City on 6 October 1995, FAO's 50th birthday. It is reproduced in document C 95/21-Rev.l. In addition, I should draw your attention to the Resolution which is meant to accompany the Declaration in the Final Conference Report. The Draft Resolution is in document C 95/20-Sup.l, and the documents of the Resolution Committee are in document C 95/LIM/23.
To start our discussion, I will give the floor to the delegation of Canada, which has asked to speak to the subject.
Lyle VANCLIEF (Canada): First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for the kind remarks which delegates have made about last week's ministerial meeting and related events in Quebec City. We Canadians were as delighted to welcome you there as it appears so many of your were pleased to come.
In addition to the important role the Quebec events played in launching the World Food Security Summit, the 50th Anniversary celebrations provided an important opportunity to take stock of the past and to look to the future.
We reflected on the basic purpose of our Organization, its achievements, and the progress it has made in many fields. We also noted that part of its mandate remains unfulfilled as long as world food security remains unattained.
We also looked to the future. To meet the rising expectations of Member States and their populations, FAO must continuously adapt and refine its mission. In a rapidly changing world all organizations must be prepared constantly to re-invent themselves if they are to survive. In this respect we appreciate the restructuring which the Director-General has already undertaken, and we look forward to similar exercises on management structures and governance over the next couple of years.
Canada has worked hard during the redrafting of the Declaration on Food and Agriculture - now to be called the Quebec Declaration - to provide a vibrant and dynamic vision for the future of our Organization.
We believe the carefully negotiated text which the ministers endorsed in Quebec City is a useful and inspiring statement of purpose to guide us in the years to come.
I reiterate, Mr Chairman, Minister Goodale's endorsement of this Declaration and urge the Conference to adopt it formally.
CHAIRMAN: Is there anybody else who wants to get the floor? We have concluded, then, our discussion on this item. I am pleased that there is unanimous acceptance by all Member Nations of the Quebec Declaration.
As regards the accompanying Draft Resolution, can I take it that the Conference is willing to adopt the Resolution? Well, then, the Resolution has been adopted.
At this point we have concluded our Agenda for this morning. The meeting stands adjourned, and we will resume at 2.30 this afternoon, starting with the statement by the head of the delegation of Lesotho.
The meeting rose at 11.30 hours.
La séance est levée à 11 h 30.
Se levanta la sesión a las 11.30 horas.
