H.L. CHAWLA (India): The Indian delegation has already extended its support to the priorities and Programme of Work and Budget for 1984-85. Today I will give comments on some specific programmes.
In our view Technical and Economic Programmes in Chapter 2 are the most important. We strongly endorse the observation made therein that, "progress in agriculture is still an essential prerequisite to sustain long-term development in most low and middle income countries". This sector needs to receive even more attention in these times of economic difficulties. As regards the presentation of programmes in Chapter 2 there seems to be some scope for revising the grouping of activities at least in the future. For example, activities bearing on post-harvest operations are covered at different places. Prevention of post-harvest food losses comes under the sub-heading Crops. Improved methods of handling, storage and processing figure under Nutrition. Marketing is counted among activities under Rural Development and so also is credit, although it is a vital ingredient for crop production. FAO's Secretariat may like to give thought to this aspect.
We endorse the high priority given to establishment and improvement of national and international food security systems. The emphasis placed on effective price and incentive policies for food production is timely. This is a factor of key importance in motivating millions of farmers, particularly small and medium farmers in developing countries, for raising production. FAO's studies on agricultural price policies and incentives and of analysis of global agricultural policy issues would also in our view be of immense value to various countries.
The importance given to livestock, fisheries, forestry and rural development in our view reflects the current need of food security, nutrition, conservation and ecology, etc. The growing value of TCP in supplementing the efforts made under UNDP has been appreciated by many countries and we also endorse this move.
Lastly, we would agree with the proposals made under major programme 3.4 regarding FAO Representatives at country levels. The principle of double-accreditation obviously represents a practical approach in the present circumstances. There has been a suggestion from a developed country in Western Europe that in view of the setting up of country offices the role of Regional Offices should be reviewed with the object of making reduced allocations.
Our delegation is strongly opposed to this suggestion. In our view the role of the Regional Offices of FAO should not be diluted. Actually the Country Offices are basically a small outfit and increasingly look to Regional Offices as a first point of reference for technical backstopping. Being nearer to the countries, technical backstopping by Regional Offices is neccesarily more cost-effective.
In view of the universal support presently given to the objectives of TCDC, ECDC and collective self-reliance for food security in developing countries, the Regional Offices assume added importance. These offices are in a unique position to assess the needs of developing countries and to identify the common problems of a group of neighbouring countries and suggest areas of desirable common action. For instance, in the Asia and the Pacific region the Regional Office is servicing special bodies which undertake TCDC activities in sectors such as agricultural credit and food marketing. It also provides technical support to regional technical commissions in sectors such as food security, agricultural statistics, animal production, fisheries, forestry etc.
Another factor highlighting the importance of Regional Offices is the need for inter-agency cooperation within the United Nations system at the regional level.
Even though many of the problems in this field of food and agriculture are country-specific, there are several aspects which are peculiar to the entire region. For instance, Asia and the Pacific region accounts for more than 90 percent of the paddy production. Therefore the problems of paddy production, transport and marketing are an important concern of the whole region. Regional meetings and consultations arranged by Regional Offices provide highly useful fora for meaningful discussions on common problems and in-depth studies by expert groups from neighbouring countries. In view of this India would strongly urge that the role of Regional Offices should continue to be important.
E.J. STONYER (New Zealand): We stated in our first intervention that we have no real difficulties with the detail of the Programme of Work and Budget as set out for the forthcoming biennium. There are just one or two specific comments we might make which would tend to support some of the other comments that have been made during this session.
We would wholeheartedly support the COAG recommendation for the establishment of a new division to coordinate research and development activities. It is very tempting in times of financial constraint for an agency such as FAO to curtail projects with longer term benefits in favour of some short-term expedient.
In the area of livestock development we would like to join the delegate of the United Kingdom in sounding a caution. Our experience has been that many such efforts in tropical livestock areas can be excessively expensive if the scale of development is overly ambitious or if the schemes are not carefully integrated into existing farming schemes.
Finally just a word or two about the Technical Cooperation Programme. We feel that it is vital in an organization like FAO that we have programmes of this nature which enable quick and flexible assistance to be given in emergency situations. The programme is very well supported by this Organization and by this Commission in particular. But it must be regarded by some members with some unease. I think this is probably understandable. This unease may in fact be associated with the suggestion we made earlier to the Conference that there is insufficient quantitative evaluation.
We would like to suggest that the perceived problem needs attention. This is an area in which the returns could be very high and it could well be that more funds could be justified in this particular area.
We would like to support the Australian and the Japanese delegations in their plea for more external auditing of these activities. I have a feeling that some may see evaluation in a negative sense and as a way of cutting down expenditure generally. I would see proper evaluation in a very positive sense. I see it as a way of focusing attention on areas of high priority and a way of ensuring that these areas get the resources that they deserve. We have heard the Secretariat about the prospects for internal audit activities. These are very commendable and must be part of any internal management system. But like the delegate of Australia we do not think that this goes far enough. Evaluation should be a continuing process and it should be seen to be independent of a funding agency. It is our feeling that this would engender confidence and ensure that adequate funding for these activities was made available.
N.K. BASNYAT (Nepal): As suggested by you Mr Chairman, I would like to comment in general terms and will try to be brief. In my previous statement I did not touch much upon the topics themselves, apart from just thanking you. So I would like to touch briefly on that also.
In the Director-General's introduction of the Programme of Work and Budget he has very clearly explained the situation prevailing in the world and the need that has to be addressed and the strategies and policies that FAO should follow. The Director-General has very rightly pointed out: "A satisfactory flow of assistance will not by itself solve the production problems of these nations, but without adequate aid they have little hope of setting food production on a dynamic upward course." So there are times when developing countries do need assistance so far as improved technology in increasing food production is concerned.
The Programme priorities fixed do consider the most pressing requirements of the developing nations. However, we are a bit worried about the insistence on zero growth even at a time when the needs are ever increasing. This is where we think that the donor countries will come forward to save the plight of the poor.
Priority on research and technology development is a welcome one. The follow-up of WCARRD is of great relevance and it is gratifying to note that the greatest part of the additional resources will be channelled to the sub-programmes like agricultural education, extension and training, agrarian reform, rural institutions, etc., which we support.
The emphasis on agricultural and other rural development programmes, which is included in the regional programme, is well received. However, training should focus more on giving training to local people so that they should be able to take up managerial responsibility.
Promotion and development of small and marginal farmers'cooperatives to constitute the core of increasing agricultural production should receive managerial and other technical support.
The approach of an integrated system of management should be strengthened so that it will help increase the income of these small and marginal farmers.
The usefulness of the TCP programme is already felt and this should be further increased. Similarly, the TCDC and the ECDC approach should be continued at an increased rate.
Talking about the regional programmes, since women are a very important segment of the development programme and they are a partner not only in real life but also a major contributor in agricultural operations, special programmes for women in agriculture are highly commendable. Income generating activities for rural women we feel should receive a substantive support in the developing countries.
The approach of decentralization is a welcome one. The office of country representative of FAO has its own importance which does facilitate direct linkages between FAO and the respective government.
The Regional Office also has its own importance. I feel that the Regional Office provides very good linkages between the regional and sub-regional conferences, since they have a cadre of technicians who are regularly available for regional and sub-regional programmes.
Finally, the reduction of personnel may be one of the various factors that reduces the cost of the Organization on a temporary basis, but this should not be a permanent feature.
F. ROHNER (Suisse) : M. le Président, étant donné que ma délégation intervient pour la première fois dans ce débat, je tiens tout d'abord à joindre mes félicitations à celles qui vous ont été adressées par mes collègues pour votre élection à la présidence de la Commission II.
Mes observations seront plus d'ordre général que celles d'autres délégations et je serai bref.
J'aimerais réitérer nos remerciements au Secrétariat pour l'excellent document qu'il nous a préparé pour présenter les programmes d'activité des deux prochaines années. Aussi, souhaitons-nous féliciter le Directeur général et ses collaborateurs des efforts qu'ils ont faits lors de la préparation du budget pour répondre, entre autres, aux inquiétudes exprimées par bien des Etats Membres lors de la dernière Conférence générale en vue de mettre un frein aux dépenses budgétaires. Nous constatons également avec satisfaction l'accent mis sur les programmes techniques et économiques aux dépens du secteur administratif.
Pour ce qui est des activités de terrain, nous soutenons tous les efforts faits en vue d'arriver à une approche encore plus intégrée du développement rural, tenant notamment compte des aspects de 1 environnement. Nous appuyons également sans réserve la priorité donnée aux pays les moins avancés et au continent africain en général.
Nous soutenons par ailleurs les efforts qui sont faits en vue dedécentraliser la gestion etla supervision des activités de terrain. Nous estimons toutefois très important que cette décentra‐ lisation aille de pair avec un renforcement de la collaboration et de la coordination entre agences des Nations Unies, oeuvrant sur le terrain,et ceci dans un souci d'éviter tout risque de double emploi et en vue de profiter au maximum des structures déjà existantes.
Le renforcement du contrôle financier et de gestion des activités de terrain a notre plein soutien. Je m'empresserai cependant d'ajouter que nous attachons une importance tout aussi grande aux efforts faits en vue de renforcer et de systématiser l'évaluation des résultats et des impacts des programmes et projets.
Permettez-moi de dire encore un mot sur le financement des activités opérationnelles.
Nous savons tous que le PNUD passe par une phase difficile. Nous en connaissons les principales raisons. Nous espérons pour notre part que les travaux du Comité intersessions et les résolutions passées par le Conseil d'administration du PNUD en juin dernier porteront leurs fruits et que la Caisse centrale du système des Nations Unies pour les activités de coopération technique - au maintien et au renforcement de laquelle nous devrions tous avoir un très grand intérêt - pourra progressivement reprendre sa place sur une base que nous souhaitons plus sûre, continue et si possible accrue.
C'est ainsi que nous considérons notre appui financier bilatéral à des projets spécifiques de la FAO dans les domaines notamment de la sécurité alimentaire, de la production de semences et de la formation agricole comme clairement complémentaire de l'effort que nous faisons vis-à-vis du PNUD et à travers lui.
F. J. CORTES SIMOES (Portugal) : Plusieurs délégations ont fait référence au Programme de coopération technique et au Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement.
Je pense avoir bien compris les explications données par M. West sur les difficultés qui empêchent d'augmenter le volume de l'aide sollicitée. Actuellement, je désire parler de l'efficacité de ces programmes en dépit des difficultés présentes.
La coopération technique entre la FAO et le Portugal pour la période 1981-1982 a été développée surtout par le Programme de coopération technique et le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement.
Dans le cadre du premier programme, ont été établis les projets suivants : renforcement des activités d'éducation en matière d'alimentation et de nutrition; consolidation des activités d'éducation en matière d'alimentation et de nutrition; étude pour la restructuration et la mise à jour des plans de cours à caractère agricole de l'université technique de Lisbonne.
Le montant reçu pour ces projets de la part de la FAO a été de 150 000 dollars. Il a été utilisé presque intégralement pour couvrir les frais de voyages au Portugal des spécialistes en ces matières.
Dans le cadre du PNUD, mon pays a bénéficié de deux projets : un projet de drainage et de conservation du sol dans l'Alantejo, et un projet de renforcement du service d'extension rurale. Ces deux projets font suite à des travaux précédemment commencés.
Pour ces projets qui sont actuellement en cours, la participation du PNUD a été de 610 000 dollars et mon pays a participé avec environ 60 millions d'écus portugais.
Les actions développées par les projets cités ont été d'une grande utilité et nous regrettons quenotre agriculture n'ait pas reçu du secteur agricole du PNUD un traitement meilleur, de façonàpermettre d'autres actions également importantes pour notre pays, comme cela d'ailleurs a étéproposé par la FAO et par notre Comité national.
Durant la période biennale 1981-1982, le Portugal a coopéré avec la FAO en recevant un certain nombre de boursiers de pays membres auxquels ont été données des facilités dans leur domaine de spécialisation agraire et dans le secteur de l'enseignement agricole.
A.J. BINAMUNGU (Tanzania): My delegation supported the proposals on the Programme of Work and Budget during the introductory part of this Commission's discussions.
Nevertheless, we wish to make some comments on specific areas. In Chapter 2, which explains the technical and economic programmes, we appreciate the efforts which have been suggested in the programme to assist fisheries, forestry and agriculture.
On Fisheries in Exclusive Economic Zones, we feel the anticipated four workshops in 1983-84 (as per section 2.57 on page 25) are adequate, but we suggest further support should be extended to them for following up deliberations from these workshops. We also hope that the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development to be held in 1984 will deliberate more on this issue.
On the issue of Forestry for Local Community Development Programmes, we find wood as the source of energy has been a big area of concern to most of the developing countries which face the problem of fuel shortages. Due to increased population and agricultural activities, and hazards of bush fires, natural forests are diminishing at a more and more alarming rate than their growth. Under such circumstances we feel some efforts to carry out reafforestation should be given emphasis mainly by establishment of wood loss, plantations and controlled clearing of natural forests for agricultural purposes. FAO, in cooperation with the donor agencies, should increase assistance toward this issue.
In Chapter 3, on Development Support Programmes, specifically item 3.2, "Investments", we appreciate the emphasis that has been laid on carrying out investment in production. We feel the question of production should go shoulder to shoulder with marketing. I would not like to go into details concerning the scientific definition of marketing, but would like to emphasize that a good product should find its way to the mouth of the final consumer at the right time and at a reasonable price. With this, Mr Chairman, I would like to recommend the marketing projects under the FAO, such as the Marketing Development Bureau in Tanzania, should be strengthened.
The Marketing Development Bureau, which is the FAO project in Tanzania, has done a recommendable job in carrying out price reviews for both food and cash crops, and this has, as of recent, resulted into giving incentives to the farmers in Tanzania. Such structures we feel, Mr Chairman, should receive more attention, and we thank the FAO for supporting such projects.
A. BERGQUIST (Sweden): Mr Chairman, much has already been said on the work programme for 1984-85, so I will not go into greater detail, but give some of our comments on the main chapters. To start with Agriculture, my delegation particularly would like to support activities aimed at rural development. Also we want to underline the importance of activities and programmes to adapt production techniques to different economic and soil conditions prevailing in different countries. Furthermore, we want to stress the importance of those activities that intend to improve the basic prerequisites for production, such as soil conservation and soil improvement, water management, seed supply, fertilizer use, plant protection, etc. Another priority area of ours is food preservation, and distribution. Women in many countries are the main producers of food. We particularly want their role as producers strengthened, and support activities to this end. We also support the view expressed by the Danish delegation yesterday on the need to strengthen agricultural research institutions in developing countries. The regional cooperation in this field could be of great importance, as well as the strengthening of relations and exchange of views between institutions in different parts of the world. We support nutrition activities, but feel that there is a need for somewhat strengthening of these activities. As to Fisheries, my delegation finds the programme well-balanced and founded on recommendations from relevant fora. From our point of view it could perhaps have stressed even more the complex problems of small-scale fisheries ; problems that cannot be solved within the sector alone, but need action at other levels, and within other sectors.
The World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development, that is to be held next year, could look at these aspects more in detail. We strongly support the conveying of this Conference. The recent meeting with the Committee on Fisheries, COFI, has to our mind laid a good foundation for a successful conference.
As to forestry, in his speech in Plenary the Swedish Minister of Agriculture voiced his concern for the meagre resources allocated to forestry. Within the priority sectors of the FAO budget 35.5 percent is allocated to agriculture, 6 percent to fisheries, and 4 percent to forestry. The relative budget increase compared with the current budget is greatest for agriculture and smallest for forestry. In real terms these differences are even more noticeable. We feel that the forest sector compared with the agriculture and fisheries has a long-term developmental potential that is considerably greater than its present share of the budget allocation. However, activities and imputs in the forest sector do not give the same rapid results as inputs in other sectors. There is consequently a risk that the potential of forestry to contribute to development permanently is being undervalued and underutilized. The proposed changes in the new budget compared to the present, seems to verify this thesis. Forests have great importance for the ecological balance and as a supplier of energy. The delegation of Tanzania so rightly pointed this out. The importance of the tropical forests, and our concern for the rapid depletion of forests was underlined by our Minister, as well as our concern for the rapid depletion of forests in Europe, where we now witness forest death in larger and larger areas. The sector on forest resources and environment deals with various environmental aspects. In this section we would have liked to see more stress on the ecological importance of the tropical forests. We strongly support, for example, sub-programme 2.3.1.1. on development and management of forest resources, and we are pleased to note the fruitful cooperation between FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
We are pleased to note that a number of activities are in accordance with the UN System-Wide Medium-Term Environmental Programme which has the strong support of the Swedish Government. Cooperation on environmental problems we should like to see even further strengthened and enhanced.
It is now the shared perception by many governments today that the wise use of resources and enlightened conservation strategies are consistent with the economic growth imperative, and should be considered as prerequisites for sustainable growth. This insight on the relationship between environment and development must form a basis for all activities in the FAO.
P. GOSSELIN (Canada): My delegation has participated in all the sectoral committees and Councils that have provided the raw material for the preparation of the Programme of Work and Budget. As such we have had ample opportunity to pronounce ourselves on the detail of these programmes and this will limit our intervention to a few specific points that we believe need to be emphasized.
As regards agriculture we are pleased to note the restraint exercised in allocating resources to the agricultural policy area, an area of work that deals with issues such as commodity policy that are perhaps more properly dealt with in UNCTAD or in the GATT, while intensifying the efforts in such areas as soil conservation, water development and management and the programmes for seed development and fertilizer use.
In the fisheries area the recent meeting of the Committee on Fisheries that was combined extraordinarily with the technical phase of the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development laid the ground work for the elaboration of five action programmes. These action plans if they are to be truly effective of the wishes and the collective wisdom of the membership will require much work and consultation prior to the policy phase of the World Conference next sprir. Accordingly, we are pleased to note that a meeting of selected technical experts will be held to review the proposals early in the new year.
As regards the Fisheries Programme in the Programme of Work we welcome the increased resources being allocated to the sector, but would have hoped that the understandable emphasis being placed on production will be balanced with attention to conservation and management. The text of the documents in future we believe should communicate somewhat more clearly to the reader the relative priorities attached to specific strategies, and which sub-activities are linked to those particular strategies. We should also be given a clear indication of the rationale for the major resource decisions.
In forestry, as we stated at the meeting of the Council in June when we were reviewing the Summary Programme of Work and Budget, given the importance of forestry from the point of soil conservation, watershed management, use of marginal lands, erosion control and the requirements of fuel, we would have liked to have a larger share of resources being allocated to this programme of activities.
In this context Mr Chairman, we would fully support the statements that have been made today and previously by our Scandanavian colleague.
Turning to Chapter 4, Canada has for many years held that technical cooperation should be funded through voluntary programmes or agencies, and thus we continue to be concerned about the growth of FAO's programmes in this area. The percentage growth in the TCP programme is one of the largest in the budget we are reviewing.
As pointed out by several delegations these are difficult times both for donors and the recepients. These are times when the government's budgets and expenditures receive more and more scrutiny, and every expenditure at the domestic level certainly requires full justification. Otherwise, in some subsequent periods credits become more difficult to obtain. It is against this background that we would echo the comments of our colleagues from the Federal Republic of Germany and others calling for more transparency in this programme.
In this context I would like to support the statements that were made this morning by our New Zealand colleague who made some very valid points about the need to deal with the perceived problem. We also believe there is a need to deal with the questions of confidence. We would urge the Secretariat to pause at this point in the evolution of this programme and have some cost effectiveness studies carried out, even perhaps by an external source. Further we believe that the membership of the FAO should have an opportunity to review periodically the activities of this programme beyond the rather sketchy or cumulative information that we are provided with. We should at least have some idea of where the money is being spent and on what. Some rudimentary breakdown would be bery helpful such as how much is being spent on consulting services, equipment, travel, personnel costs etc.
We are further concerned that given the emergency nature of the programme that so much of the assets of the programme seem to be being spent on items such as training that could be encompassed within the activities of the Regular Programme.
I would like to say now a few words on the question about the Regional and the country offices. We would like to lend our support to the comments that were made yesterday by our UK colleague and others who, while fully supporting the concept of decentralization, believe that the time has come in the rapid growth of this programme to review the allocation of resources to Regional Offices with a view to determining whether these could not be spent more effectively on programme delivery through the existing network of country offices. This is not to say that we are looking for economies or a reduction of expenses in this area; we are only interested in seeing whether or not the expenditure of these funds would be more effectively channelled through the country offices rather than through the Regional Offices.
We naturally recognise that there will still be some need for regional cooperation and coordination but perhaps this could be more effectively handled in an ad hoc manner on a project basis, or alternatively in some instances though headquaters operations.
Finally we would like to touch on the question of support for Trust Fund activities. By this we are referring to the continuing and large support that is given for Trust Fund activities which are funded through the Regular Programme. Without prejudice to the value of the undertaken activities we believe that each of these activities should be fully costed and not subsidized by the Regular Programme. We have made a similar statement when the issue was raised in respect of the World Food Programme. It is only in this way that donors and recipients alike will have a clear idea of the cost of individual projects and be able to make some informed judgement on the value of those projects.
Mr Chairman, the above comments, as I said earlier, are those which we felt needed to be re-emphasized. Obviously at this stage in the evolution of the Programme of Work and Budget we can only hope that they will find some reflection in future programmes.
P. PONGPAET (Thailand): May I ask your indulgence for the following statement which my delegation submits for your consideration. Mr Chairman the development and evolution of the Regional Office began as early as the creation of FAO. The establishment of the Regional Office came from a feeling among the FAO Member Nations at that time that if they were to obtain many benefits from the Organization they would have to have an office nearby. This same feeling later led to the establishment of a United Nations Agency such as UNDP. Perhaps this old story might not have been necessarily repeated. However it is pertinent to refer to this matter once again, that there were some strong feelings before to prevent the Regional Office from becoming little FAO; and from duplicating work which could best be done by the headquarters.
There was also a strong recommendation made by a review team to abolish the Regional Office, but it was later rejected by the proven performances of important functions by the Regional Office. It is clear that FAO policy of decentralisation has been fully supported by FAO governing bodies and its Member Nations. The Conference at its Twenty-first session strongly supported the policy of organization decentralisation. The important role played by FAO representatives is well recognized. It is to ensure the full participation of the Member Nations in the Regular Programme activities of the Organization and to develop its field programmes.
This mandate as an outpost of a strong FAO headquarters is still valid and its technical programme in each region is still under the responsibility of the Director-General. While the concept of regional cooperation is gaining wider support, FAO has made a major step in incorporating TCDC, ECDC and new dimensions into its proposed Programme of Work and Budget for the coming biennium. This initiative should be commended when there is a downward trend in the multilateral assistances. It is believed that FAO Regional Offices would play a major role in executing this directive. Perhaps the establishment of the Commission for Food Security for Asia and the Pacific will be an example of this kind of cooperation. The first meeting of the sixteen initial members under the aegis of FAO through the Regional Office in Bangkok came out with the recommendations aiming at improving food security in the region. The first accomplishment responds directly to the Director-General's concept on world food security. This should be noted and appreciated.
Moreover this year the assignment of the B.R. Sen Award for outstanding work in the field went to a Malaysian expert in the Thai rubber replanting project, which attests to the useful service we receive from FAO through its Regional Office.
Turning to the country office, it is quite clear that the functions of the FAO Regional and country offices should be complementary. This idea was strongly supported by the Conference at its last Session. It is true that the addition of the country representative would help to strengthen the Regional Office activity in my opinion but not vice versa.
We would welcome a recommendation to improve FAO office efficiency, but to go so far as to abolish the Regional Office would depart from the objective of their establishment. Mr Chairman, may I add some points to remember also that the recommendations of the Regional Conference and the various Regional technical bodies are not only valid for the region itself but also useful globally as a whole.
Moreover advisory and technical assistance can be provided from the Regional Office more expeditiously and at lower cost.
In conclusion my delegation strongly believes in the usefulness of the Regional Office and strongly urges the Director-General to give even stronger support to further strengthen the role of such Office for the benefit of the members in the region.
A. BOTHNER (Norway): I would like to make some comments on specific items on the Programme of Work and Budget; first, on pages 25 and 121 where the very important question of advice for national agricultural planning is dealt with. In as much as this subject is, in our view, of basic importance, we are somewhat disappointed that a larger amount has not been devoted to Programme 2.1.8.5. Let me in this connection take up the somewhat tricky question of coordination, in this case, coordination of the various types of planning advice being offered to governments of developing countries. I have in mind such valid advice as follow-up of WCARRD advice on nutritional policies, policy advice under Programme 2.1.8.1. and the food sector strategies allocated by the World Food Council. I realize that this is a difficult problem but I would like to ask the Secretariat: how are these various types of aids coordinated at the national level?
My next point concerns page 107 on women in agriculture. My delegation of course supports this Programme and would like to see it strengthened. We feel that the various activities summarized in paragraph 30 and their inter-relationship should be re-examined, aiming at a flexible implementation of the Programme.
My delegation also supports paragraph 33 on cooperation between FAO and ILO in this field.
I would also like to comment briefly on the twj programmes concerning Fisheries. It is our opinion that FAO in the future will play a very important role as advisor to governments having an Economic Zone. The programme on Fisheries Policies therefore has our full support. We also agree to the main priorities in the Programme concerning fisheries exploitation and utilization. It is our expectation that the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development which is to take place next year will, among other things, concentrate on fish as a tool to alleviate undernutrition. If the World Conference should recommend an action programme in this or other related fields, I hope that the present budget is flexible enough to allow such action plans to be financed. A major part of the net budget increase in nutrition is allocated to the preparation of a fifth world food survey. We are happy to note that this will not be a simple updating of the previous world food survey. The basic principles for energy and protein requirements will have to be thoroughly and critically revised in the light of the most recent advances acknowledged in this field.
My final point is on forestry. As indicated in the long-term policy considerations on page 102, the situation is indeed alarming, particularly with regard to fuel-wood and shifting cultivation. In our view, therefore, the entire field deserves particular attention.
K.M. EJAZUL HUQ (Bangladesh): In view of the shortage of time the Bangladesh delegation will restrict its comments to some of the Programme chapters only. We shall address only those which we feel should be particularly underlined, while we generally approve the Programme priorities set out in the other chapters.
With little land left to be brought under the plough, particularly in the developing countries, it is only logical that use of natural resources be optimized. It is important that water resources be fully utilized, that fertilizer efficiency be progressively increased to reduce wastage and cost; that soil be conserved and land reclaimed wherever and whenever possible; that farming be integrated as much as possible and overall farming management be improved. In short, endeavours should be concentratedly directed at putting natural and other resources to the fullest productive use. We wish to record our approval of Programme 2.1.1., Natural Resources.
Many countries are trying to move from the cropping system approach to a farming system approach. It is important that small farm-holders be progressively developed into farming systems so as to increase their productivity and income and optimization of resource use. It is therefore gratifying to note the increase of allocation in this area.
It is rightly believed that a real stride will be made in ensuring food security if the small and marginal farmers can be raised above their subsistence level. It is therefore crucial that improved technology be transferred to them for production of staple food crops, horticultural crops and cash crops. Therefore, referring to Programme 2.1.2, Crops, we endorse the priorities set forth in this Programme.
We are happy to note that the Livestock Programme 2.1.3. gives adequate attention to the question of control of foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest and African swinefever. In the context of the depleting draught power and growing demand for livestock products it is vitally important that FAO activities directed at animal health should be of a higher order than reflected in the relevant sub-programme of the chapter on livestock.
We welcome the creation of a new Research and Technology Development Division. Many developing countries facing technological limits find it a priority to increase investments in agricultural research so as to be able to make desirable progress. The obstacles these countries face can be surmounted to a large extent by developing appropriate technologies and proper research and extension linkages. It is our hope that greater attention by FAO to research and techonology development would benefit Member Nations in this vital area.
Lastly, we refer to the Technical Cooperation Programme, the TCP. The small-scale projects under TCP are indeed of great value to the recipient countries. The quick responsiveness of TCP projects in times of urgent need and their bridging quality reassures developing Member Nations that in times of emergency they will have a sure source of help to turn to.
As a country which has benefitted from TCP, Bangladesh would like to place on record its appreciation of the Programme. We do consider that the 12.7 percent allocation to TCP is by no means too much. In many countries timely formulation of investment projects is not taking place, causing project pipelines to dry up. TCP is an important source of assistance in the area of investment project formulation. Therefore TCP investment promotion projects are important to the developing Member Nations.
We believe that TCP is so designed as to complement other sources of assistance and not to compete with them. We trust that this quality of TCP will not be compromised. We do not see any ground for fear on this account. We expect the peculiar qualities of TCP to remain intact.
Finally, it is becoming increasingly obvious that ECDC and TCDC activities will have to be rapidly intensified in response to certain particular needs of some developing countries. Resource constraints often hinder the desired level of TCDC activities between countries. We particularly welcome TCP assistance in fostering TCDC.
M. LENSTRA (Netherlands): First, my delegation would like to thank the Deputy Director-General, Mr West and the Director of the Office of Progamme, Budget and Evaluation, Mr Shah, for their brief and useful clarifications on the questions which have been raised. I would like briefly to draw your attention to three items: Medium-Term Planning, TCP and the Budget.
First, Mediurn-Term Planning. In my earlier intervention my delegation made some critical remarks concerning medium-term planning and expressed the wish for further improvement. Some other delegations did so too. In that context my delegation, supported by our Norwegian colleagues, considered General Assembly Resolution 37/234 to be a good basis for such an improvement. It is true that, as Mr Shah told us yesterday, UN agencies are not bound to resolutions of the General Assembly. My delegation attaches much importance to programme planning and budgeting and believes that harmonisation in that field within the UN organizations is necessary.
Therefore my delegation would like to recommend that the Finance and Programme Committees examine the applicability of General Assembly Resolution 37/234 to FAO programme planning and that they report thereon to the Twenty-third Conference.
It is proposed to increase the Technical Cooperation Programme's share of the total budget base from 12.0 percent to 13.5 percent. My delegation can support that proposal. I would at the same time like to stress, that TCP projects by their very nature cannot and should not replace UNDP and Trust Fund financed projects, and I am glad that Mr West assured us yesterday that this will be the FAO policy. The relatively simple and direct way through which TCP projects are approved can only be justified, in our view, because of the specific objectives which the TCP programme aims for. Furthermore, my delegation would like to insist on a transparent planning and review procedure of TCP projects, as well as a regular assessment of their effectiveness and efficiency. In our opinion, the FAO Representative could perform a prominent role in the identification and assessment of TCP projects. This would facilitate coordination of project activities at the country level with other UN agencies as well as bilateral donors.
Finally, a few words about the Budget. My delegation would like to express its appreciation for the responsible approach taken by the Director-General and his staff and the very real efforts that have been made to curtail expenditure and maintain operational programmes.
In view of the limited real budgetary growth in comparison with the 1982-83 Budget, the Budget proposal for the coming biennium, 1984-85, can be considered a fair compromise and has the full support of my delegation.
The meeting rose at 11.00 hours
La seance est levée à 11 heures
Se levanta la sesión a las 11.00 horas
