CHAIRMAN: Before we proceed with our work this afternoon I would like to congratulate the Commission on the excellent work done on the last item on the agenda. The manner in which the Conference handled the Report it submitted to them was testimony of the good work you have done, and I hope you will continue to work like that.
We had yesterday afternoon introductions to the Resolution before the Commission, and you will recall that this Resolution has already been through ECOSOC and through the FAO Council. The Member Nations, of course, are here to give words of support and guidance to the Organization, and I would like to request that we confine our remarks mainly to the Resolution in front of us, and if the words are, as I expect, then I would request that we should be brief and to the point, because we are nearly running behind schedule, and would like to keep up with our schedule.
We have a list of speakers, about 15 now, and I would once more request to you please be brief, unless there are very controversial points you want to raise.
M. FAIZUR RAZZAQUE (Bangladesh): First let me clarify a point which may have arisen because of a comment from the Chair last night. My delegation had requested for the floor at an early stage last night, not to raise any objection to the Resolution, on the contrary, Mr Chairman, and furthest from any such objection, we had asked for the floor to be one of the first ones to support the Resolution, and place on record a few constructive and positive points on the subject. Before I get to these points my delegation wants to congratulate the Director-General for his very helpful introduction to the subject, and to Mr Régnier, for a fine presentation. My delegation also wishes to place on record our appreciation to the Executive Director of WFP, for a precise and thoughtful presentation.
World Food Programme is universal in its operations and participation. It has projects in all the three developing regions, Asia, Africa and Latin America, with emphasis on Africa for good reasons. The Programme's priorities of over 40 percent of new commitments going to Africa, and about 80 percent of its total assistance going to low-income food deficit countries, are understandable in the present context. My delegation notes with appreciation that WFP's 37 percent of commitments go to LDC's, to which category my country belongs.
WFP is primarily a development programme. The emergency assistance is important and necessary, but its primary goal rightly is development. It is noted with satisfaction that about 80 percent of its project assistance is in support of projects for agricultural and rural development. In Bangladesh most of WFP's assistance is used for food for work activities, which has a tremendous development input, besides employing hundreds and thousands of the rural unemployed. Bangladesh is a large receiver of multilateral food aid from the WFP. Since 1975 this food aid has been utilized primarily in the Food-for-Work Programme and the vulnerable group feeding. There are other bilateral donors to our Food-for-Work Programme. However, with WFP contributing about 40 percent of the annual resources to the Food-for-Work Programme in Bangladesh, it has so far been the largest contributor to the Programme. In this capacity its resources have been utilized to create seasonal jobs during the lean season for employment in a year for nearly one million people or, in other words, approximately one hundred million man-days of work. Because of receipt of resources through WFP we in Bangladesh have been able to commit some of our own and other donor resources to a pilot project slanted to create jobs for thousands of women only. The fact that we in the developing countries are committing our own resources is a vital factor justifying continuance of food aid.
With regard to vulnerable group feeding WFP resources in Bangladesh have covered nearly 2.4 million under-nourished people. It is not only that these people have been provided with nourishment for a given period, but also that in this period many of them have been imparted with training to earn a livelihood. The resources development in this regard has, indeed, been impressive.
Coming back to Food-for-Work, this aims at reaching food to the poorest section of the population. That this direct targeting has been a success is proved by the fact that over 51 percent of the Food-for-Work workers in Bangladesh have either no homestead or own no land at all. Again the other, and probably the most important aim, is to achieve economic development through use of these resources. That this is also being achieved is evidenced by construction, reconstruction of nearly 62 thousand miles of roads, or one hundred thousand kilometers, and embankments and canals in the
rural areas in Bangladesh. Such a massive construction work, particularly in road-' communication in rural Bangladesh, has greatly assisted agricultural production and the marketing of the produce. In addition building of embankments and excavation of canals have also assisted particularly development in agriculture, through flood control on the one hand, and storage of water for irrigation purposes on the other.
In this light, Bangladesh notes with satisfaction that in 1982 and 1983 the IEFR target of 500 000 tons of food grains has been achieved, thanks to the donors. This is indeed commendable but unfortunately the emergency needs are also on the increase. Natural disasters are as unpredictable as they are frequent. There is an element of unpredictability and a situation beyond control involved here. Hence we believe that the IEFR target should be further raised substantially with a view to ensuring that WFP's regular resources are wholly devoted to development activities. In this light we wish to recommend raising this target to 2" million tons.
Mr Chairman, I have taken some of your time and I know you have asked me to be brief, but I have taken this only to place on record the exceedingly good work done with the WFP resources in Bangladesh with a significant improvement in the organization and management of the Food for Work and Feeding programmes. In Bangladesh we are looking forward to an even better performance of these and a very high level of effective resources and utilization.
Bangladesh also contributes to WFP resources as a token of its strong support and faith in the Programme, like many other developing recipient countries who also contribute to the Programme. In the future Bangladesh will certainly maintain its support, but while appreciating the present state of resources for 1983 and 84, we urge the donors who have so generously supported WFP to fully achieve the target 1.2 billion dollars for 1983-84. In this context it is necessary to make greater cash contributions to the Programme which should be at least one-third of the total pledges in order to allow flexibility in the Programme's activities, including the purchase of commodities from developing countries to carry out its activities in the country concerned or in the neighbouring countries.
The target of 1.35 billion proposed for 1985-86, although adequate to ensure growth in the Programme would be in our opinion inadequate to meet the growing needs of the developing countries, particularly in view of the present food situation in Africa. It is necessary to keep in mind the estimates of about 20 million tons of food aid by 1985 in the developing countries, and the import of over 90 million tons by them as at present. In that context Bangladesh would have been happier to see a higher target, but considering the present world situation we would support a target of 1.35 billion and the draft resolution presented, with a strong plea to fully achieve and even surpass this target in 1985-86.
J.R. LOPEZ-PORTILLO ROMANO (México): Señor Presidente, le agradezco en primer lugar el que me haya dado el uso de la palabra en este momento. Usted ha indicado que debemos hacer una intervención breve; en mi caso voy a intentarlo, sin embargo deseo de-jar constancia en acta algunas cuestiones que consideramos importantes.
En primer lugar agradecemos al señor Director General así como al señor Régnier su presentación y comentarios en torno a este tema y al señor Ingram, Director Ejecutivo del PMA por los esfuerzos que ha hecho.
También deseamos transmitir que la ayuda es sin duda esencial para la sobrevivencia de muchos seres humanos en el mundo y el gobierno de México transmite al Director General de la FAO y al Director Ejecutivo del PMA su agradecimiento por la prontitud y eficiencia con que fue aprobado el Programa de Urgencia para refugiados en la frontera sur de nuestro país. Dicha ayuda sin duda es esencial, como decía al principio, para la sobrevivencia en este caso de 45 000 refugiados cuyas precarias condiciones han cobrado ya innumerables víctimas. Ojalá que la misma eficiencia que permitió la elaboración y aprobación de dicho programa se constate en su ejecución.
Queremos recordar que el PMA fue creado para hacer frente a las hambrunas provocadas por catástrofes naturales o creadas por el hombre y que, por lo tanto, se trata del organismo especializado con que contamos para la organización de la distribución de alimentos en situaciones de emergencia.
Nuestro país confía plenamente en el oportuno apoyo de tipo logistico que brindará el Programa a la distribución de los alimentos que han sido donados.
Afortunadamente el reciente apoyo que ha recibido el Programa y que se ha concretado en un incremento sustancial de las aportaciones de los países donadores ha permitido aumentar la proporción de recursos destinados a programas de desarrollo.
El presupuesto aprobado por el CPA recientemente, que significa un aumento de 3,8 por ciento sobre el bienio anterior, merece también nuestro apoyo explícito.
El PMA ha quedado así dotado de un esencial instrumento para promover la creación de infraestructura economica y social, unica forma de dejar un beneficio perdurable en los países en desarrollo.
Lamentamos, eso sí, y nos llama profundamente la atención, es más, diría yo que nos indigna la facilidad e insistencia con que ciertos países, particularmente desarrollados, han apoyado sin mayores miramientos y cuestionamientos de fondo y de detalle todos los presupuestos del PMA frente a la forma de cuentagotas y minuciosidad con que han actuado en otros organismos, particularmente en la FAO. No implica esto, señor Presidente, que pensemos que sea inconveniente de ninguna manera el aumento presupuestal al PMA, sino que la conducta de ciertos países resulta muy curiosa, así como el retraso en sus contribuciones.
La ayuda alimentaria debe contribuir a estimular la producción y el desarrollo nacional y, por tanto, apuntar hacia su propia eliminación en el mediano plazo.
Queremos instar al PMA a que incremente la proporción de recursos destinados a tal tipo de proyectos, único apegado a lograr el objetivo de la seguridad alimentaria a nivel nacional.
Por otro lado deseamos que el PMA establezca una clara y neta definición del marco conceptual y estratégico que rige sus operaciones pues sólo mediante una definición explícita de los objetivos a lograr tendremos plena seguridad de que los recursos serán utilizados de manera más segura y eficaz.
La visión pragmática del hambre es sin duda importante en los programas de emergencia, pero resulta, así lo consideramos y lo hemos manifestado, totalmente insuficiente cuando se trata de estimular el desarrollo rural.
Aquí encontramos un fenomeno complejo con vías múltiples para hacerle frente y con innumerables efectos colaterales que no se pueden limitar a acciones pragmáticas y conexas.
Deseamos también insistir en el carácter multilateral que debe prevalecer en las operaciones del PMA y consideramos que de proseguir la tendencia a incrementar la proporción de recursos destinados a operaciones bilaterales el Programa correrá el riesgo y el peligro de convertirse en una agencia de colocación de los excedentes de producción cerealera de los países donadores. Esta es una tendencia que debemos frenar y revertir para enmarcar al PMA dentro de la idea del multilateralisme con que fue concebido originariamente.
A fin de no repetir lo que nuestra Delegación ha dicho anteriormente en las reuniones del CPA, deseamos recordar, tan sólo para que conste en acta, Sr. Presidente, algunas recomendaciones que formuló el Consejo de la FAO sobre el Programa Mundial de Alimentos en su 83° período de sesiones en junio de este año y que resulta pertinente citar.
En primer lugar, la ayuda alimentaria no debe utilizarse como instrumento de presión política y el prestigio del PMA depende del criterio equilibrado y no sólo político que adopte en sus actividades y en atender la solicitud de ayuda.
Segundo, el CPA al formular su política y programa debe tener en cuenta el concepto ampliado y los criterios indicados en el informe del Director General de FAO sobre la Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial.
Tercero, reiteramos asimismo el carácter complementario de las funciones del PMA y de la FAO que logra su mayor expresión en los recursos crecientes que el PMA asigna a los sectores que la FAO ha definido como prioritarios, como son el desarrollo agrícola rural, la mejora en los niveles de instrucción y la creación de infraestructura para la seguridad alimentaria.
Deseamos que la FAO siga dando al PMA todo el apoyo técnico y administrativo necesario para sumar los esfuerzos y el uso eficiente de los recursos de ambas Organizaciones en el combate del hambre y la desnutrición.
Sr. Presidente, nuestra Delegación desea manifestar su preocupación y total rechazo al uso subrepticio de presiones de cualquier tipo encaminadas a modificar las pos-clones de las delegaciones que actúan en Roma en el Tornite de Políticas y Programas de Ayuda Alimentaria.
Delegaciones como la nuestra son meros vehículos de comunicación de posiciones seriamente meditadas y por lo mismo exentas de cualquier subjetivismo.
Antes de terminar, queremos recordar que próximamente se celebrará el 20 aniversario del Programa Mundial de Alimentos de las Naciones Unidas y la FAO, cuya celebración está preparando diligentemente la FAO, a la que debemos la iniciativa para celebrarlo.
El PMA es actualmente la mayor fuente de ayuda multilateral, aparte del BIRF que es un abanderado importante en la campaña mundial contra el hambre y la malnutrición. Hacemos aquí un amplio recono‐cimiento por la labor del Programa en los últimos veinte años y ofrecemos el apoyo de nuestro país para que siga actuando con éxito en el futuro.
Finalmente, queremos apoyar el proyecto de resolución que se presenta a nuestra consideración en el documento C 83/LIM/5 que ya fue aprobado en el 83° período de sesiones de nuestro Consejo.
Destacamos nuestro agradecimiento a los países donadores por haber acordado una cifra de 1 350 millones de dolares de contribuciones voluntarias al PMA de las cuales no menos de un tercio deberá ser en dinero y/o servicios en su conjunto.
P. GOSSELIN (Canada): I welcome this opportunity to say a few words on this important item of the agenda. I would like to follow your admonition, Mr Chairman, that we keep to the subject at hand, i.e. the discussion of the resolution, rather than raising all sorts of extraneous issues of policy with regard to the WFP, as this is not really the appropriate forum for such a discussion. This kind of discussion is more properly conducted in the governing body of the World Food Programme. However, we would like to reserve our position and our right to intervene at a later time if that type of discussion does take place.
We were pleased yesterday to hear that the level of WFP resources is at a high, an unprecendented level of somewhat more than $960 million for the 1983-84 pledging period. We have reached about 81 percent of the target, and that is one year before the end of the pledging period. We are not saying this to pat ourselves on the back but on the other hand it is no reason to hang crepe. We, as a member of this Committee that contributed to the WFP, have, however, to be proud of the fact that this fund - and this is in these economically difficult times - has continued to grow and is still growing. And, as we were told yesterday, it is second only in resources to the World Bank.
We can also take some quiet comfort that the IEFR has once again achieved its objectives. We, in Canada, have long been strong advocates of the value of this programme and have backed our words with concrete action. We have constantly participated in the CFA and have tried to make some helpful inputs into the improvement of food aid as an agent of development. We have also shown our commitment to this fund by increasing our contribution in 1983 from Can.$190 million to Can.$250 million of which Can.$40 million are in cash. We have also increased our contribution to the IEFR from Can.$6.5 million to 7 million and have tried to announce those contributions as early as possible to assist the WFP and the recipients in their planning.
As regards the pledging target we were fortunate enough to participate in the Contact Group that arrived at the figure of $1.35 billion for the 1985-86 pledging period. We can certainly testify that that was not an easy decision to reach. All in that room last Spring were fully aware of the immensity of the task with which they were being presented, of deciding on a target when the needs are manifestly so great. To the credit of all concerned, that balance was struck at what we believe is a realistic and perhaps, above all a realizable level of $1.35 billion.
The task before us now is to agree on this resolution and then demonstrate our commitment at pledging time. Canada continues to be concerned that the donor base of this Programme be as broad as possible, regardless of the size of the contribution, and in this context we would certainly like to point out wonderful examples such as Bangladesh who have so little to contribute and yet do make that extra effort.
We believe this Programme is not a programme of donors and recipients but one where all members, regardless of their financial situation, are deeply committed to the objectives of the WFP and the use of food not only as a temporary solution to emergencies but, perhaps more importantly, as an engine of development that will eventually make the use of food aid redundant. Accordingly, we would urge all to review the needs, the achievements of this programme and its objectives and come to the pledging conference and help, through their pledges, translate their words and high ideals into reality.
CHAIRMAN: I thank the delegate of Canada for his intervention and especially for his opening remarks.
P. PONGPAET (Thailand): Thailand is an active member of the Committee of Food Aid Poli .ies and Programmes and also a beneficiary of WFP assistance, particularly for emergency food aid. These are good reasons, among other considerations, for my delegation to support the WFP Target for pledging for the period 1985-86.
As this Commission is well aware, Thailand is not a direct beneficiary of food aid, and for long the country has not received any kind of project assistance from WFP. We are defined as a middle income, food-exporting country. Perhaps it should he changed to a lower middle income country.
Emergency food aid to Thailand goes directly to the displaced persons along the Thai Kampuchea border, as already confirmed by the Executive Director in his statement yesterday. The country takes the burden of feeding the hungry and giving first refuge to those displaced persons. They are at present around 135,000 in various centres in the country, not to mention another almost 300,000 Kampuchean people waiting for food, clothes and medicine along the Kampuchea-Thai border.
We are grateful to WFP, FAO and various United Nations agencies, and particularly to the donor countries for their assistance to these unfortunate people. The Royal Thai Government continues to give humanitarian assistance to the refugees and displaced persons as long as our capability allows us to do so.
Thailand is no concerned not only with the slow pace of resettlement of those displaced persons in Third World countries but also the decline of food aid assistance to them.
My delegation noted with interest that food aid will now be channelled more to development purposes. We can go along with this proposal, but it is also important to streás here that our problem is merely a part of the problems existing in the world. There are also the same kinds of problems in Africa and the Middle East and other regions. We would therefore remind the Commission that we should not lose sight of emergency food aid.
My delegation, therefore, reiterates its support for the pledging target of WFP and urges that the draft resolution be adopted by the Conference.
Thailand will also participate in the pledging Conference to be held early next year to state our modest contribution to the WFP resources.
J. GLISTRUP (Denmark): We would certainly comply with your ruling concerning this discussion and in this connection we would also like to support very much the remarks made by our colleague from Canada.
My Government has been a strong supporter of the World Food Programme since it was established twenty years ago. The Programme has over the years grown to be the largest development programme in the United Nations system outside the World Bank group. WFP continues to work as an action-oriented development programme with enough flexibility to adapt itself to changing circumstances. As an example, the World Food Programme has met the sub-Saharan African challenge with growing emphasis on development projects in Africa. Furthermore, the Programme has managed to administer large quantities of food aid very efficiently with a minimum of administration costs.
My delegation, which is also a member of the CFA, participated in the approval of the new administrative budget for 1984/85 and the programme which was discussed and agreed to only a few weeks ago. We feel that the Executive Director has now received a vote of confidence from all the CFA members.
My delegation has examined the document C 83/7 and finds the report of the Director-General and of the External Auditor satisfactory. We are following the development of the WFP Information System closely and look forward to seeing the results when the System has been fully implemented.
With regard to the resource situation of the Programme, we are of the opinion that certain difficulties have been experienced in this biennium in managing the food commodities pledged. We hope that the strengthening of the Secretariat which has been made possible by the new administrative budget will prevent recurrences in the future.
My Government is supporting the new pledging target for 1985/86 of US$1.35 billion. In this connexion we would hope that new and potential donors will join the Programme and that new, as well as traditional donors, will contribute not less than one-third of their pledges in cash and/or in services.
Finally I would like to endorse the adoption of the resolution C 83/LIM/18 and I can confirm my Government's willingness to participate in the Pledging Confere' ce for the period 1985/86 where hope that pledges will be announced both for the regular resources and for the Emergency Food Reserve, i.e. IFAD.
XIANG ZHONGYANG (China) (original language Chinese): Yesterday we heard the Director-General, Mr Saouma's speech read by Mr Regnier and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme Mr Ingram's presentation on WFP's work. This helps us to understand WFP's work and its progress.
The Chinese delegation thinks that over the past 20 years WFP has made remarkable achievements in making the food aid an effective means of the development of agricultural production. For example, the resources for 1981-82 biennium was ten times as much as the resources when WFP was just set up and the number of developmental projects and the emergency operations has also been increased accordingly. As Mr Ingram said in his presentation yesterday that WFP is one of the few multilateral-aid agencies that has not reduced its resources in recent years. All these are very conducive to the economic and social development in low-income and food-deficit countries. Moreover, WFP has been improving the structure and methods of planning which will put emphasis of food aid on the increase of basic food production, the development of human resources and the strengthening of social and economic infrastructures in the developing countries. This is indeed inspiring and by doing this, it will greatly help the recipients achieve self-sufficiency in food step by step and enhance the self-reliance capability.
In recent years China has carried out a series of new policies and guidelines and also adopted a number of effective measures to speed up the improvement of agricultural productivity and the people's life in rural China. In doing this, we have received active support and assistance from WFP and this good cooperation has already brought about noticeble results in China. For this, we highly appreciate the working spirit of WFP.
After extensive consultation at the Fifteenth Session of CFA, it was decided that the target of voluntary contribution for 1985-86 biennium would be 1.35 billion US dollars and we agree to it. There is a slight increase in this target over the previous biennium. However this increase is still insufficient when compared with the actual need in the developing countries. We hope that the donor countries will, from the point of view of promoting the world economic development and the international cooperation, make every effort to ensure an over-all fulfilment of the pledging target for food aid in 1985-86. The Chinese delegation would like to take this opportunity to express that the Chinese Government will make its contribution in accordance with its present economic capacity.
L. GRUNDBERG (Sweden): The active support of the Swedish Government in favour of the World Food Programme is well known and it is not necessary to repeat it here and now. But not least because of the fact that my country in its capacity of member of the governing body of the WFP, the CFA, we are following the activities of the WFP very closely and we wish to take this opportunity to comment on the actual situation of the WFP. First I would like to thank the Executive Director for his lucid introduction yesterday. It gave a clear and pedagogic picture of what WFP is and what it does and I believe that his introduction constitutes a helpful clarification of many of the main issues regarding the Programme and the way in which it uses food aid.
Now to the current dramatic situation in Africa. WFP will be playing a major role in assisting an Africa so badly hurt by climatological conditions and other difficulties in food production and food distribution. We noted with satisfaction the decision by the Executive Director to establish a special WFP operational task force dealing with the African food problems.
Speaking on emergencies, my delegation has also noted with satisfaction both at the donors meeting on 10 November and yesterday that the whole of the International Emergency Food Reserve and the WFP resources set aside for emergency operations are likely to be utilized in 1983.
Still on emergencies, we also are extremely pleased that the work of establishing criteria for emergency allocations is under way and we are looking forward to the paper being under preparation for the next CFA. We hope that this work will result also in new light on the complicated relationship between emergency operations and development efforts in general.
My delegation is also pleased that the new administrative budget of the WFP has been adopted and that some bottlenecks in the Secretariat will be removed giving the Programme better working conditions and some breathing space.
My country will certainly take part in the joint Pledging Conference on 6 March next year. In this respect I want to underline the importance that the IEFR pledges be separate and additional to the ordinary pledges to the Programme thus avoiding double counting and similar confusion. Permit me also, Mr Chairman, through you, to ask fellow donors to make multi-year pledges to food aid to the extent possible. I think that recent development in Africa has shown more than ever the urgent need for sufficient time to forward plan the effective use of the resources that are made available.
With these words I commend the adoption of the resolution before us.
R. MORBACH (Germany, Federal Republic of) (original language German): To begin with I would like to thank the Secretariat for the introduction to this item of the agenda and also the Executive Director of the WFP, for his very comprehensive statement. My Government welcomes the draft resolution we have before us and supports the target for the period 1985-86. This pledging target appears to be a well-balanced compromise between the large requirements and the possibilities of the donors.
As in the past we are going to continue to give our active support to the WFP within the framework of our possibilities and we are going to make our contribution to achieve this target, because we believe that the work of the WFP is efficient, transparent, and looking back at the last 20 years, successful.
I would like to point out the attitude of my Government on this item of the agenda by referring briefly to the deliberations of the Sixteenth session of the CFA which was held in October of this year. This Sixteenth session had three main results, first the approval of the administrative budget estimates for 1984-85, secondly the approval of 18 project proposals of a total volume of $ 256.5 million and thirdly reactivation of the discussion on the conception and orientation of project-related food aid following the statements by the Executive Director of the WFP and the Director-General of FAO.' What seemed first to be a rather routine-like working session turned out to be a very intensive debate on the location, importance and perspective of the World Food Programme. As far as the proposals of the Executive Director of the WFP on the administrative budget estimates for 1984-85 were concerned, very intensive discussions were held as was expected. The fact that the proposals -following the recommendations of the ACABQ and the Finance Committee of FAO - were finally adopted by the CFA, was due to the fact that it was realized that continued effectiveness and the necessary further increase in efficiency required a marked strengthening of the WFP Secretariat. Let me remark that effectiveness in this connection must also and above all be seen in the complete, useful and effective utilisation of the resources available.
It was not easy for my Government to agree to an increase in the WFP Secretariat staff at a time when national budgets as well as those of international organizations are affected by necessary and sometimes hard saving measures. But our approval was given because of the exceptional circumstances for the World Food Programme, characterised by an increasing volume and a growing complexity of the tasks of the Programme and a slow increase in staff in the last few years; secondly because of the performance so far of the WFP and its importance in view of the world food problem, and thirdly because of the fact that also in future only a small part of the solely voluntary contributions is to be used to meet administrative costs and the costs of project implementation.
We will continue to follow with great attention the development of the work of WFP and we will see to it that aspects of an economical use of the additional funds will be taken into consideration.
My Government is of the view - like the whole CFA - that duplication between WFP and FAO should be avoided. The basic documents for the WFP provide for the largest possible utilisation of FAO's services and the responsibility of the Executive Director of the WFP for a cost efficient administration. My Government hopes that WFP and FAO, as already proposed by ACABQ, will as soon as possible review together the basis for cost calculations and will arrive at a solution which is satisfactory to both parties.
During the Sixteenth session the CFA approved 18 project proposals of a total volume of $ 256.5 million. We welcome the fact that 12 of these projects are accounted for by agricultural development and represent in volume terms a high proportion, i.e. 78 per cent. Highest priority is to be given to contributions to investments and projects which have a productive orientation in that field. The Executive Director of WFP spoke to the CFA about the twenty years' activity of the CFA and availed himself of this opportunity to put forward "fresh ideas" with regard to the controversially discussed food aid and its further development. Together with the statement made by the Director-General of FAO with regard to the location and tasks of the WFP in the framework of the world food situation these ideas accompanied the discussions of the 16th Session of CFA, also in the sub-committees established to deal with budgetary matters and project work.
The proposals and reports which have been indicated for future meetings on the further development of the programme and project work in the WFP are expected by us with great interest.
R.E. STENSHOLT (Australia): We have before us the resolution on the Target for WFP Pledges to the Regular Programme for 1985-86. We have also heard the introductory message from the Director-General of FAO and the address of the Executive Director of the World Food Programme. I must admit I am not exactly sure what I should be talking about, but I take your ruling, Mr Chairman, that we should concentrate on the resolution. Hence I will confine my remarks in that direction, and I presume that our Report will also be so concentrated.
Let me say that Australia unreservedly supports the new target. We recognize that it is a product of a compromise achieved in the best traditions of cooperation between countries at the first Session of the CFA this year. In fact I must admit that this compromise was very much achieved without any Secretariats being present, and this shows the degree of cooperation which characterised the handling of this particular organization. In so doing Australia recognizes the importance of the Programme and the fact that it is proving to be a relatively well run and efficient multilateral organization. We trust that it will continue to operate in this manner in the future.
The resolution covered the pledging for 1985-86. We have a target for the coming biennium and we note with appreciation that it has now reached 81 percent. It has not reached 100 percent. There is still room to go, and of course there is a little more than a year to go. So that represents both an achievement and a remaining challenge to us all.
With regard to the pledging Conference we urge additional donors to come forward and continue or increase their support for the programme. We also urge that new donors come forward, or even old ones who no longer contribute, be they from the north or the south, the east or the west, developed or developing, OPEC or non-OPEC. This sort of organization of the welfare programmes attracts support from all directions. It is not a United Nations Organization where you see the Group of 77 versus WEOG or any of those confrontations. It is basically an organization of cooperation, and this spirit should continue into the pledging Conference next year.
We hope that countries can support the target in terms of grain and non-grain food, cash or services, or non-food items to the best of their abilities.
In March there will be a second pledging Conference to the IEFR which will be held jointly with the pledging Conference for the Regular Programme. I admit this is not mentioned in the resolution. It makes me wonder why we have not got a resolution on this. It seems to be something we have missed out on, and perhaps we can rectify this next time. We note that the last pledging Conference for the IEFR was successful in spite of having only a few days' notice. Anyway, Australia pledged at last Conference on a multi-year basis over and above our regular contribution through the FAO in terms of grain. I repeat the same call that I made for the pledging Conference for the Regular Programme and hope that donors will come forward next March also for the IEFR pledging Conference.
C.A. HARTMAN (Finland): My delegation listened with interest to the introduction of the Director-General and the Executive Director to this Agenda item. My country has the privilege to be a member of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, the governing body of the World Food Programme up till the end of next year. It is therefore with particular pleasure that I take the opportunity to comment briefly on the activities of the programme at this Conference of its parent Organization, the FAO.
The WFP is celebrating this year its Twentieth anniversary. During these 20 years, from modest beginnings, the programme has grown to become, next to the World Bank group, the biggest development assistance agency of the entire United Nations system. This rapid development, apart from sharing the trust that the programme has enjoyed from the international community, has also placed great strains on its management and programming capacity. The programme has in fact been approaching a bottleneck situation, where it has had growing difficulties in making efficient use of the food resources put at its disposal so as to direct them to the main target groups in recipient countries.
The focus of the programme has been, and is, on the least developed food-deficit countries. That orientation has from the outset had the full support of my Government because it corresponds to our own thinking and the orientation of Finnish development assistance. At the same time, precisely that orientation has added to the strain on the management and planning resources of the programme.
It was therefore necessary to strengthen those functions in order to forestall a situation where either the resources of the WFP could not be allocated to their full extent and would thus pile up, or were being allocated in a haphazard manner without the reassurance that the target groups aimed at were actually reached. Therefore my Government fully supported the staff increases proposed by the Executive Director of the WFP at the recent Session of the CFA, and which were then subsequently approved. Like other members, we saw them as necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the programme along the policy guidelines established by the CFA.
My Government has taken note of the funding of the Seminar on food aid matters arranged in the Hague
to commemorate the Twentieth anniversary of the WFP. Of those several conclusions, one is maybe particularly interesting. It is that food aid as a development resource is unsurpassed when it comes to reaching the most needy segments among the population of a developing country. That is a finding that should be thoroughly reflected on by donor and recipient countries alike.
Lastly, the draft resolution concerning the pledging Conference for 1984-85 causes no problems for my delegation and we are ready to approve it and to participate in the Conference as a donor.
A. BOTHNER (Norway): A number of statements have been made on this important issue. I would also on behalf of the delegation of Norway add my voice in this respect.
With regard to the matter which is directly the issue in this connection, namely the target for the WFP pledges for the period 1985-86, we have no difficulties with the target of $ 1 350 million and we support the draft resolution as contained in document C 83/LIM/18. The target has been carefully reviewed and discussed and it seems to us reasonable and realistic. My country has supported the WFP since its inception and we will continue to do so. We channel practically all our food aid through the WFP, including our contribution to the Food Aid Convention.
On the basis of this, and in view of the fact that we are one of the larger contributors, we would naturally see that other donors also would channel an increasing part of their food aid through the WFP.
This is not the time or the place to elaborate on policies. I will therefore in this connection only lend my support to the Executive Director's statement to the effect that food aid should increasingly be coordinated and combined with other types of aid, be it bilateral or multilateral. We also support the priority given to food-deficit low-income countries and the concentration on Africa south of the Sahara.
H. REDL (Austria) (original language German): First I would like to thank the Director-General of FAO and the Executive Director of WFP for their introductory statement. The Austrian delegation has studied with a great deal of interest document C 83/LIM/18. We have also followed the work of the World Food Programme over the last 20 years.
First I would like to make some basic comments on food aid. In his introductory statement Mr Ingram referred to the development of WFP. A great deal has changed since 1963. In our industrialised countries there is the problem of increasing agricultural production for which there is no market. There is very strong competition for market shares in the international market, using extra budgetary funds. There is an agricultural trade policy of the industrialised countries which certainly endangers the development aid of the donor countries. And there is hunger and malnutrition in the developing countries. There is lack of food, without purchasing power, without the necessary capital. Food aid to the developing countries has often been queried. The Brandt Report emphatically stated it is in favour of food aid but it is certainly true investments, and hence the development of a country, are more important than the supply of food. Criticism of food aid states that it might lead the beneficiary countries to rely on such supplies, and that they might neglect the development of their own agriculture. Food aid should not compete with domestic agricultural production. We will need to see whether we are dealing with a beneficiary country in which the population is in danger of dying of hunger, and food is simply lacking, and then, of course, there is still the question of distribution, or whether food aid is tantamount to an indirect transfer of capital, and in the last analysis might lead to projects for development aid through a revolving fund after the food has been sold at low cut market conditions. We are in full agreement with the recommendations of the North-South Commission, which indicates that food aid should be increased and should be related to the creation of employment and agrarian programmes. Food aid should, of course, also be regular. It should not be endangered every year again.
It is well known that Austria has always given its active support to the activities of the World Food Programme ever since its inception. I can assure you that future activities of the Programme will also have our active support. Therefore we are in agreement with the points made in document LIM/5, and in particular the pledging target for 1985-86.
AMIDJONO MARTOSUWIRYO (Indonesia): The delegation of Indonesia would like to compliment the Executive Director for his excellent introductory statement delivered yesterday, which gave us a clear picture on the progress made by the Programme, the resource position, its policy in channeling food aid, and the special role played in rendering assistance to the member countries of FAO.
Mr Chairman, to follow your advice I would like to limit my intervention to the very crucial issues which merit our full consideration. We have witnessed the very encouraging achievement of the Programme since its inception 20 years ago. Nonetheless, further efforts should be made, taking into account the food situation in developing countries, particularly in the least developed countries. Their state and level of food and agricultural development, and the number of hungry and poorest people in the Third World, which, according to the FAO information, are growing, Indonesia wishes to place on record its readiness to intensify its participation in the forthcoming deliberation of the problems, which we believe could make a valuable contribution to the activities of the Programme.
With regard to the direction of food aid, Indonesia wishes to reiterate its strong support to the policy of the Programme, namely to place the highest priority to the poorest people in the Third World, and channeling food aid to development projects, with a view to increasing food and agricultural production. Bearing in mind that increasing food and agricultural production will be one of the most important means to overcome food problems in the years to come, this policy should be continuously pursued by the Programme.
We are fully aware that in order to improve and to expand further the Programme's activities and operations, adequate resources are required. The governing body of the Programme had discussed in depth the target for 1985-86, and approved unanimously its level to the amount of US$ 1.35 billion.
Indonesia is convinced that there will be no other option but to strongly endorse the proposal made by the governing body of the Programme. In the light of the aforementioned consideration Indonesia earnestly hopes that the Conference will be able to approve the draft resolution on the target for WFP pledges for the period 1985-86 unanimously.
D.E. DANG MEKOULA (Cameroun): La delegation du Cameroun a suivi hier, avec un vif intérêt, l'introduction du Directeur général de la FAO, présentée par M. Regnier, et l'exposé de M. Ingram, Directeur exécutif du PAM.
Ces deux exposés font ressortir toute l'ampleur des interventions du PAM tant dans le cadre du programme régulier que dans le domaine tout aussi complexe et prioritaire de l'aide d'urgence au profit des réfugiés et des personnes déplacées.
De ces deux déclarations, il ressort que les besoins à satisfaire dans les pays en développement pour soutenir l'exécution des projets sont immenses; que le PAM dispose actuellement d'une capacité de gestion confirmée; que pour permettre au PAM de répondre sans difficultés aux demandes croissantes d'assistance des pays en développement des ressources adéquates sont nécessaires, et que, pour la période 1985-86, le niveau des ressources requises à cet effet, qui s'élève à 1 350 millions de dollars, a déjà été accueilli favorablement par le Conseil de la FAO et au sein de l'ECOSOC.
Le Directeur exécutif a souligné que l'aide alimentaire dispensée dans le cadre du PAM doit s'inté_grer autant que possible dans le processus d'exécution des plans nationaux de développement.Le Gouvernement camerounais partage entièrement cette orientation des interventions du PAM.
Face à l'ampleur des besoins d'aide en perspective, notamment la situation alimentaire préoccupante des pays africains, l'étendue des domaines d'intervention possible du PAM dans les pays bénéficiaires, notre délégation ne peut que souhaiter que tous les moyens logistiques et administratifs nécessaires à la gestion de ce vaste programme soient mis à la disposition des organes opérationnels de cette institution, tant au niveau du Siège que sur le terrain.
Dans cette optique, ma délégation appuie le projet de résolution soumis à la Conférence relatif à l'Objectif des contributions aux ressources du PAM pour la période 1985-86.
J. HEIDSMA (Netherlands) : Since this meeting should only address itself to the target, while policy matters are dealt with by the CFA, I shall limit myself to the first issue.
The Netherlands has had the privilege to be actively involved in the discussion and negotiations in the CFA leading to the unanimously agreed target now before us. In the opinion of my delegation, the process through which the target was set by the CFA stands out as a shining example of productive cooperation between the donor and recipient countries and of an earnest willingness to compromise in order to reach a consensus decision.
My delegation supports the target of $ 1.35 billion wholeheartedly, Mr Chairman. We think, moreover, the target can be reached, and should be reached. But this can only be achieved if more countries would be prepared to contribute to the programme. We would urge all countries to do so.
Finally, I should like to express my country's continuous support to the Programme, and to its Executive Director. With the increased administrative and financial resources available for the management of the Programme, we have every confidence that it will develop in an even more efficient and effective way than is now already the case.
H. BENATTALLAH (Algérie): Nous avons écoute très attentivement les exposés introductifs du Directeur général de la FAO présenté par M. Régnier, et celui de M. Ingram au nom du PAM, et nous les en remercions.
Sensibles à votre appel, nous écourterons notre intervention. Brièvement, deux centres d'intérêt retiennent notre attention: au niveau des ressources sur lesquelles nous avons des obervations, et au niveau des infléchissements des politiques et programmes sur lesquels nous avons quelque préoccupation.
Au niveau des ressources, le PAM a dressé un bilan honorable. Nous en sommés satisfaits. Il a émergé comme la plus importante source reconnue d'aide de la famille des Nations Unies engageant 5,3 milliards de dollars pour plus de 1 100 projets dans 114 pays. Il a représenté un facteur de croissance, un soutien à la balance des paiements et au budget permettant de libérer pour d'autres utilisations les ressources en devises des pays en voie de développement. Il a notre plein appui sur ce point.'
Mais les ressources affichent une tendance à la régression. L'objectif de un milliard de dollars pour la période de contribution 1981-82 a été réalisé à concurrence de 84%; celui de 1983-84 pourrait être inférieur à celui de 1981-82 et pour le biennum 1984-85, le Comité des politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire est parvenu, après de laborieuses tractations, à un consensus sur 1.350 millions de dollars.
II est déjà établi que ce niveau ne fournit pas un répondant suffisant aux besoins estimés selon les différentes méthodes à 20 millions de tonnes pour 1985. Néanmoins, nous appuyons sans réserve le projet de résolution qui nous est présenté parce qu'il représente malgré tout un progrès dans la prise en charge des besoins alimentaires dans un contexte très difficile.
C'est cependant au niveau des politiques et programmes que nous avons quelques préoccupations, parce qu'ils ont affiché quelques infléchissements. Les contributions en espèces ont chuté de 30 pour cent en 1977-78, à 23/24 pour cent pour 1984-85. Le pourcentage des projets productifs est tombé de 61 pour cent en 1981 à 50 pour cent en 1983, et celui destiné à renforcer l'infrastructure économique et sociale de 19 pour cent à 5 pour cent alors que la part des ressources destinée à des programmes de distribution de vivres, essentiellement à certains groupes vulnérables de la population, s'est accru de 20 à 40 pour cent. Concomítamment, le PAM n'a acheté en 1982 que pour 11 millions de dollars, tandis que 7 millions de dollars seulement sont prévus en 1983.
La dégradation des termes de l'aide alimentaire qui déjà n'aide pas à atteindre l’autosuffisance alimentaire ni à favoriser son dépassement induit aussi une dépendance plus étroite à l'égard des surplus des pays donateurs.
On invoque souvent le danger d'une réduction des importations alimentaires venant de l'accroissement de l'aide alimentaire. Les arguments selon lesquels un volume croissant de l'aide alimentaire tend à affecter les importations commerciales normales et à freiner l'accroissement de la production locale, ne sont pas convaincants. L'expérience menée en Ethiopie l'a montré.
En fait, le phénomène contraire s'est produit. Depuis 1974, l'accroissement des importations correspond en totalité à des achats commerciaux importants car l'aide alimentaire, malgré une certaine variation, n'a pas augmenté. Dans les pays à faible revenu et à déficit alimentaire, où l'accroissement des importations cêréalières a été en totalité de type commercial, l'aide alimentaire reçue en céréales en 1980 est de 8,8 millions de tonnes, volume identique à celui de 1974.
Alors que les livraisons de céréales au titre de t'aide alimentaire ont diminué pour la deuxième année consécutive, les pays à faible revenu et à déficit alimentaire ont eu davantage recours aux importations commerciales amenant le niveau de déficit global des balances commerciales pour les produits vivriers à 4 milliards de dollars.
De surcroît, bien que le recours aux "ventes liées" aille à l’encontre des principes de la FAO en matière d'écoulement des excédents, 36 pour cent des fonds fournis par des donateurs bilatéraux ont été utilisés dans les pays développés parce que ces contributions étaient assorties de l'obligation d'acheter dans les pays donateurs eux-mêmes. Soixante-sept pour cent des fonds de la Convention sur l'aide alimentaire sont retournés dans les pays développés sous forme d'achats.
Enfin, régression de l'aide et infléchissement de l'orientation n'encouragent pas les efforts tendant à stimuler les transactions triangulaires. Nous estimons que deux actes essentiels devraient être: la production vivrière davantage que les urgences et la circulation des excédents entre pays en voie de développement devrait être privilégiés. Cela induit naturellement un effort plus important d'investissements en vue d'améliorer la production et les infrastructures et davantage de ressources en espèces pour faciliter les opérations triangulaires.
Nous approuvons enfin l'aide à l'élargissement des bases de contribution.
M. B. SY (Sénégal): Ma délégation va également s'efforcer de se limiter au contexte du projet de résolution soumis à notre Commission. Cela dit, je voudrais me joindre aux orateurs qui m'ont précédé pour adresser les félicitations les plus sincères de la délégation sénégalaise au Directeur général de la FAO pour son introduction ainsi qu'au Directeur exécutif du PAM pour sa déclaration fort pertinente et claire.
Cela dit, la résolution en question tend en fait à demander l'appui de tous les pays pour qué les objectifs fixés au PAM soient atteints.
Les objectifs du PAM visent essentiellement à trouver les meilleurs voies et moyens pour réaliser une aide alimentaire efficace et intéressante pour les pays qui en ont besoin. C'est une question qui a été stigmatisée par la délégation de l'Autriche qui a formulé une suggestion pour que l'aide alimentaire soit davantage accrue en ce qui concerne les pays en voie de développement.
En effet, le problème de l'aide alimentaire est assez complexe et les pays bénéficiaires doivent d'abord réfléchir parce que, si l'on n'y prend garde et si on ne prend pas certaines dispositions, un résultat contraire à celui recherché peut être atteint. Autrement dit, l'aide peut amener les pays bénéficiaires à prendre des habitudes de consommation de denrées alimentaires qu'ils ne peuvent pas produire, et on arriverait ainsi à insuffler un système permanent d'aide alors que l'objectif de l'aide devrait être une situation transitoire allant vers le renforcement d'une politique de développement en vue d'assurer aux pays nécessiteux l’autosuffisance alimentaire.
Il convient donc de veiller à la conjonction et à la coordination efficace entre le PAM et un organisme comme la FAO qui oeuvre dans le sens du développement agricole d'une manière fort heureuse. Et cela devrait également nous amener à souhaiter que la gestion du PAM déjà satisfaisante et que ses objectifs déjà importants soient encore améliorés et qu'on élabore à l'avenir des statistiques beaucoup plus précises et beaucoup plus claires permettant de voir l'importance et les orientations précises de l'aide en faveur des pays qui en ont besoin.
Il serait ensuite souhaitable que les activités du PAM s'orientent davantage et d'une manière beaucoup plus significative (elles le sont déjà dans le domaine du développement rural) vers l'appui des projets susceptibles d'aider les populations qui reçoivent l'aide à concevoir un développement en vue de parvenir progressivement à leur autosuffisance alimentaire. Cela déchargerait ainsi les pays donateurs très généreux d'une assistance qui dure depuis 20 ans. Et l'on se rend compte de plus en plus que la situation se dégrade.
En terminant, je tiens à dire que la délégation sénégalaise, comme celles qui l'ont précédée, appuie sans réserve la résolution qui nous est présentée et souhaite que le tiers des contributions soit versé en espèces compte tenu du fait que certaines dépenses notamment de transport, de mise en place ne peuvent pas être assurées par certains pays.
G. FRADIN (France): Ma délégation souhaite tout d'abord remercier à son tour le Directeur général de la FAO ainsi que le Directeur exécutif du Programme alimentaire mondial pour leur très intéressante introduction à nos débats.
Le Ministre français de l'agriculture, dans le discours qu'il a proroncé la semaine dernière en séance plénière, a rappelé que, pour la première fois, en 1983, la France allait apporter une contribution en nature au Programme alimentaire mondial. Cette contribution de 17 000 tonnes de céréales est fournie en plus de notre contribution financière et de notre contribution à la réserve alimentaire internationale d'urgence. Elle représente un quasi-doublement de notre aide au PAM pour l'année 1983, mais je tiens à signaler que, comme l'a demandé instamment le Directeur général appuyé par de nombreuses délégations, la part de notre apport financier reste nettement au-dessus du tiers de notre contribution globale. Je rappellerai simplement que déjà l'année 1982 avait vu notre assistance au PAM se multiplier par deux. Cela suffit, je pense, à montrer l'intérêt et l'attachement que nous portons aux activités de cette institution qui se traduit par notre participation active aux travaux du Comité des politiques alimentaires.
Cependant, la situation économique mondiale dont le caractère préoccupant a été maintes fois souligné rend nécessaire, comme cela a été déjà dit plusieurs fois, une participation active et élargie aux activités du Programme.
Nous demandons donc instamment à ceux qui n'y participent pas encore d'apporter une contribution au budget du PAM et à la RAIU. Nous souhaitons à cet égard que la Conférence leur lance un appel pressant afin d'obtenir leur participation en leur rappelant leurs responsabilités dans l'établissement d'une véritable sécurité alimentaire mondiale.
Ma délégation approuve l'objectif de contribution du biennium 1984-86 de 1 350 millions de dollars, tel qu'il a été approuvé à la dernière session du CPA et tel qu'il est soumis à notre Conférence dans le projet de résolution. Cet objectif est en augmentation de 11,5 % par rapport au précédent biennium. Ce chiffre représente, en tout état de cause, un volume d'assistance très important.
Dans son intervention, le Directeur exécutif du PAM a rappelé que 80 pour cent des ressources du Programme avaient été utilisés en 1982 pour des projets de développement dont les trois quarts intéressent le développement agricole .et rural et,en particulier, dans les pays les moins avancés. Ma délégation s'en félicite et souhaite que cette tendance se poursuive.
TESEMA NEGASH (Ethiopia): In the interests of time I shall limit my intervention to the draft resolution before us. Ever since the representative of Algeria mentioned Ethiopia in his intervention I feel duty bound to bring to the attention of the Commission that the WFP operation in Ethiopia has been more successful and is in complete accord with the directions and expectations of the governing body of the Programme, i.e. the CFA.
The Committee thoroughly examined WFP's project in Ethiopia and gave its unanimous support during its April session. With this, Mr Chairman, I shall come back to the main thrust of my intervention.
It is gratifying to hear the success story of the WFP and the impact demonstrated by the Programme as an UN agency which uses food aid as a development agent. It is even more gratifying to hear of the ever-growing resources of the Programme which is a clear demonstration of the confidence placed upon WFP and its leadership.
Mr Chairman, from the Report by the Executive Director, we understand that the target for the IEFR of the 500 000 tons for 1983 has been met, and the Pledging Conference for the regular resources and the IEFR for the next biennium is set for March 1984. My delegation therefore takes this opportunity to request to this Commission and the Conference to urge traditional as well as new donors to be generous enough once again in their forthcoming pledge, so that the Programme can effectively meet the duties entrusted to it by the world community.
With respect to the target for WFP pledges for the period 1985-86, the 1.35 billion dollars - the figure placed before us - has been endorsed by the CFA and subsequently by the June meeting of the FAO Council. It is a pleasure for my delegation to endorse once again this target and the resolution thereon. The pledge, though modest, can be considered a great success, particularly taking into account the global economic situation which is clearly unfavourable to the developed nations, as it is to the developing ones.
We therefore strongly commend the CFA, with a very special tribute to the donor nations for their continued commitment to the ideals of the Programme and to the Executive Director and his staff for their untiring efforts in helping the neediest sector of the world community.
W.E. ADERO (Kenya): Since we are members of the Council we had a chance to discuss the CFA Report that was presented there. We have made our views on the usefulness of the activities of the WFC known and as such I see no need to go over them again, except to say once more that, given the magnitude of problems experienced by recipients of food aid - problems that are brought about by occurrences such as drought, floods and other calamities which are beyond their control - we felt that the pledging target could have been set at a higher rate of $1.5 billion. However, in view of the unfavourable world economic situation, we compromise on the figure of $1.35 billion as contained in the draft resolution, of which not less than one third should be in cash and/or services.
With these few remarks my delegation supports the draft resolution as contained in document C 83/LIM/18.
F. LARBI (Tunisie): Ma délégation voudrait remercier le Directeur exécutif du PAM pour la présentation très instructive et claire des activités du PAM qu'il nous a faite hier.
M. le Président, le soutien de mon gouvernement au Programme alimentaire mondial a été clairement présenté par le chef de la délégation tunisienne lors de la seizième session du PAM.
Ma délégation voudrait apporter son appui sans réserve au projet de résolution qui nous est soumis, et souhaiterait que tous les pays membres, tant donateurs que bénéficiaires, n'épargnent aucun effort pour que l'objectif des contributions du PAM, fixé pour la période 1985-86, puisse être pleinement atteint.
R.C. GUPTA (India): I would very much like to be brief. I did not have the privilege of being present here yesterday to hear the introduction of the Director-General and the presentation of the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, but I am quite sure that the introduction of the Director-General must have been characterized by his usual depth of insight and invasiveness and the presentation of Mr Ingram must have been, as usual, lucid and convincing.
My country has a very long association with the Programme, both as beneficiary and as a member of the governing body of the Programme. We have seen it grow from a modest beginning to" its present size when it is the second largest multilateral assistance programme in the United Nations system. The success of the Programme and the extent of confidence placed upon it is a testimony of the success and the useful results it has achieved. In our experience we have found the Programme to be cost-effective and helpful; we regard food aid as a valuable and unique development resource capable of reaching the poorest people in the poorest and most disadvantaged areas of the developing countries.
We had the privilege of being associated with food aid for a long time and particularly during the last session of the CFA, we heard with happiness the introduction of certain improvements in the management information system which the Executive Director proposes to introduce. We are certain that the Programme will continuously see to it to refine project delivery, to optimize the use of aid so as to ensure that the necessity of aid is phased out as soon as possible.
The need and necessity of increasing contributions to the WFP has never been greater than it is now, when a major portion of a neighbouring continent, Africa, is reeling under the effects of a crippling drought and certain other natural calamities; when man-made disasters are increasing every day and when world hunger and malnutrition are on the increase. We would have very much wished that the pledging target or the contribution target were much higher than what it is if the modest increase was the outcome of mutual consultation, a spirit of compromise and of mutual confidence between the donors and recipients. We honour this target of contribution which has been arrived at in the 15th session of the CFA. However, we would like to urge that at least one third of this contribution be in the shape of cash so as to enable the programme to enter into more triangular transactions to enable the Programme to purchase food and other commodities in developing countries which are in a position to do so.
We deeply appreciate the comment of our colleagues from Canada and Australia when they said that this is a programme where we are all partners, it is a joint venture of donors and recipients and each one according to his capacities must come forward and contribute to the resources of the Programme. My country with the smallest resources - I must remind we are still a food-deficit low-income country -we have been endeavouring, according to our capacity, to contribute to the resources and we are confident and sure that our support to the Programme will be unstinted in times to come.
I would, however, like to take this opportunity of reiterating what we had stated in the resolution of the non-aligned Conference which met in New Delhi last month, that there is an urgent need for increasing the low levels of IEFR and food aid convention because the needs of the world are increasing; and freezing these floor levels is completely unrealistic.
With these words we fully support the contribution level of $1 350 million for the biennium 1985-86 and we fully support the resolution namely C 83/LIM/5 and commend it for adoption by the Conference.
M. SALAMEH (Syria) (original language Arabic): We would like to thank the FAO Secretariat and the governing body of WFP for their information on the WFP's activity. My delegation supports the various activities of the Programme which are based on high performance, and productive structures which will improve the food situation of the least well off. We think it is extremely important that at this particularly critical time, that donor countries are aware of the task of the Programme. Beneficiary countries should consider its services as a palliative and not as its predestined course, although it is a sustained effort which is being followed by the international community as a whole.
H.P. STRONG (United States of America): Responding to your desire to be brief, Mr. Chairman, I will take just a few moments. The United States delegation associates itself with those delegations which have congratulated the Executive Director and staff of the World Food Programme on its continuing efforts to meet the growing need for food aid and its continuing efforts to participate in the collaborative efforts, with others, in seeking solutions to increased food production in-the low-income food-deficit countries.
The United States delegation would like to associate itself with the remarks of the delegates of Canada and the Federal Republic of Germany regarding the determination of the pledge target by the CFA. It would also like to associate itself with the remarks of the delegates of Australia, the Netherlands and India on the process enjoyed in the CFA in reaching the pledging target. We also wish to associate ourselves with the delegate of France and others in encouraging .wider participation in achieving the proposed target.
The United States delegation strongly supports the efforts of the World Food Programme to continually strengthen its management systems as it is called upon to program and implement food aid projects of increasing numbers and scale, particularly as may be associated with pledging targets of 1985-86. The United States delegation supports the draft resolution which is before us.
G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): El curso de este debate confirma que el PMA viene trabajando bien, que tiene un sólido prestigio, y en esta Conferencia de la FAO es forzoso reconocer que esos buenos éxitos del PMA se deben en buena parte a la estrecha y eficaz cooperación que el Programa ha mantenido con la FAO. Particularmente en materia de asistencia de emergencia, esa cooperación ha demostrado ser funcional y efectiva y, por lo tanto, deberá no sólo mantenerse, sino reformarse.
En relación con el objetivo, la delegación de Colombia ya ha estado en favor de la propuesta inicial de 1 500 millones de dólares; sin embargo nos sumamos al consenso que se logró en el PMA en relación con los 1 350 millones de dólares para 1985-86 y compartimos plenamente las expresiones de aquellos colegas que han dicho que el PMA representa una común empresa solidaria en la que estamos comprometidos todos los países.
Hemos apreciado muchísimo los conceptos valiosos y las explicaciones de otros colegas, como las delegaciones de Canadá, República Federal de Alemania, Francia y Estados Unidos de América, Estados Unidos, un importante país que ha tenido una función esencial y decisiva desde los comienzos del PMA, y el apoyo de todos estos países a este objetivo nos hace ser optimistas para el futuro, porque todos sabemos que en los últimos bienios nunca se ha cumplido el objetivo que se ha establecido aquí, ni tampoco se ha cumplido el compromiso de suministrar por lo menos un tercio de esas contribuciones en efectivo. De ahí que sumemos nuestra voz a la llamada que hicieron, entre otros, los Países Bajos y Etiopía, para que se alcance esta meta y para que todos los países participen con ánimo positivo en la próxima Conferencia de Promesas de Contribución que va a celebrarse a principios de 1984.
Nuestros colegas de Senegal y de la India, particularmente, hicieron referencia al problema de la contribución en efectivo, que ha causado liquidez en el PMA. Nosotros lo apoyamos, así como apoyamos a nuestro colega de la India, país que es Presidente del Grupo de no Alineados, al que pertenece nuestro país, Colombia, en relación con la necesidad de reforzar el PTIE.
Señor Presidente: acogemos su indicación de que no estamos aquí ahora para tratar de las actividades del PMA, sino para referirnos al Proyecto de Resolución. Por eso vamos a limitar nuestra intervención a expresar unas ideas, muy breves y concretas, que tal vez puedan convertirse, si esto fuera pertinente, en orientaciones y directrices acerca de cómo deben utilizarse los recursos que se le van a conceder al PMA a través del Proyecto de Resolución, que sin duda vamos a aprobar.
En nuestra opinión, como han dicho otros colegas, el PMA debe rectificar su tendencia y dedicar más recursos a los proyectos de desarrollo.
En el seno del PMA se debe confirmar el criterio de que no se deben utilizar los alimentos como instrumentos de presión política. Debe seguirse intensificando la flexibilidad en materia de compra de alimentos y, dentro de las condiciones pertinentes, aumentar las compras en los países en desarrollo, eficientes productores; repetir e intensificar las llamadas operaciones triangulares, que son de doble beneficio para los países en- desarrollo. La delegación de Colombia piensa que los alimentos del PMA deben asignarse a los países beneficiarios, sólo a la luz de los criterios vigentes, sin que jamás deba aplicarse ninguna discriminación de ningún tipo y menos discriminaciones de carácter político. El PMA debe atender todas las solicitudes que le hagan los países, enviar misiones a conocer la situación alimentaria en esos países, y, sobre el terreno, juzgar si esos países siguen siendo merecedores de ayuda en el caso de que hayan tenido un proyecto y en el caso de que merezcan ser asistidos por el PMA. En ese marco, naturalmente, y dentro de las posibilidades y limitaciones del PMA, deben identificarse y aprobarse los proyectos, pero repetimos, sin discriminación de ninguna clase.
El Gobierno de Colombia aprovecha esta oportunidad para reiterar su más pleno apoyo al PMA.
J. LADAN (Nigeria): My delegation would like to congratulate the Secretariat, the Director-General and the Executive Director of the WFP Programme on their presentation of the document on the subject matter placed before us. We fully support the target of US$ 1.35 billion for the period 1985/86. We all remember that this amount is in fact a compromise amount. In the past it was argued that targets set by international organizations have never been met. Nevertheless it is our hope that this target will be met and even be surpassed. We therefore call on all the traditional donors and the new donors to come forward with more donations.
We in Nigeria fully support the noble objectives of the World Food Programme. We all recognize that food aid is an effective tool of national development if integrated in the national development plan. It should not be seen to replace the national effort towards self-sufficiency. It is also our hope that food aid should be expanded to reach the needy and the displaced persons wherever they are. Food aid should never be used as a political weapon.
We would like to make another point, for the next target point, we all recognize that World Food Programme receives a lot of food aid and this needs to reach the target groups who need this aid. We therefore appeal to the donor countries to increase their cash and services donated. Those countries should try to increase their cash contributions to a minimum target of one-third of their total contributions. In this way the World Food Programme will be able to reach the target groups, it will also provide the necessary funds to implement the triangular transactions which we all support and also encourage. This triangular transaction will encourage the people in their locality to consume the food which they grow and thereby reduce their dependency upon the imported food which they are not used to.
Finally my delegation would like to stress the importance of the coordination between all donor countries whether bilateral or multilateral to channel their aid so that the beneficiaries can be helped more effectively.
B.H. DJIBRIL (Bénin): Ma délégation a suivi avec attention l’introduction du Directeur général de notre Organisation ainsi que celle du Directeur exécutif du PAM.
Le Bénin apprécie particulièrement le domaine d'intervention du PAM, surtout l'aspect d'aide au service du développement socio-économique ainsi que l'aide d'urgence. Le PAM est une organisation bien adaptée d'aide multilatérale qui a fait ses preuves tant du point de vue de son efficacité que du point de vue de sa gestion. C'est pour cette raison que mon pays appuie l'objectif de 1 350 millions de dollars, souhaite que les pays donateurs augmentent leurs contributions, et que de nouveaux pays donateurs se joignent aux premiers afin que le niveau global d'un milliard 350 millions soit atteint, eu égard au besoin malheureusement grandissant d'aide alimentaire, en particulier en faveur des populations les plus démunies d'Afrique.
Mon pays soutient et appuie sans réserve le projet de résolution qui nous est soumis et recommande son adoption.
M.E. JIMENEZ ZEPEDA (El Salvador): Atendiendo su solicitud, señor Presidente, seré sumamente breve y me referiré únicamente al tema que nos ocupa.
Mi delegación desea manifestar su apoyo al proyecto de Resolución que nos ha sido presentado. Ciertamente, hubiéramos preferido un objetivo de promesas más alto como el presentado inicialmente, sin embargo, somos conscientes de la difícil situación economica que nos rodea y conocemos los esfuerzos realizados para llegar al establecimiento de esta cifra.
Sin embargo, lo fundamental a nuestro juicio no es el establecimiento de una cifra, sino el cumplimiento efectivo de la palabra empeñada. Consideramos imprescindible, por lo tanto, que se realice un esfuerzo más y se cumplan las cantidades prometidas para el presente bienio incrementándose los aportes en efectivo.
Agradecemos a los países donantes su generosidad, pero estimamos que este incumplimiento incide negativamente en las actividades del Programa Mundial de Alimentos cuya efectividad está ampliamente comprobada y se ratifica cada día más. Dicha efectividad nuestra delegación puede afirmarla con un completo conocimiento ya que nuestro país ha recibido siempre del PMA una ayuda oportuna y amplia. En estos momentos en que el drama que vive El Salvador aumenta nuestras necesidades, el Programa ha acudido con mayor esmero a socorrernos tomando en cuenta la eficiencia con la cual nuestros técnicos llevan a la práctica los proyectos y la entrega de los alimentos que hace el gobierno a todos los que los necesitan, sin discriminación de ninguna especie.
Por ello apoyamos el Proyecto de Resolución y hacemos votos por que la Conferencia de Promesas de Contribuciones que se realizará a principios del próximo año sea todo un éxito y que se cumpla este objetivo de 1 350 millones de dólares, y principalmente que se incrementen sustancialmente los aportes en efectivo.
Para concluir ratificamos nuestro apoyo y satisfacción por la forma en que viene trabajando el Programa, así como también manifestamos nuestra felicitación al Director Ejecutivo y a su personal por su eficiencia y eficacia.
M. MOMBOULI (Congo): M. le Président, avant toute chose, permettez-nous d'adresser nos remerciements à M. Régnier, ainsi qu'à M. Ingram, pour leurs exposés préliminaires au projet de résolution qui nous est soumis.
Membre du PCA et du Conseil de la FAO, nous avons déjà eu l'occasion d'exprimer notre position concernant les activités du PAM. Notre délégation est satisfaite de la manière dont le PAM gère les ressources mises à sa disposition et saisit cette occasion pour féliciter le Directeur exécutif du PAM et ses collaborateurs et leur renouveler sa confiance.
Compte tenu des nombreuses demandes reçues, tout en restant objectif, le secrétariat du PAM a présenté une demande de 1,5 milliard de dollars sur la base de laquelle un consensus a été obtenu pour 1 350 millions pour le biennium 1984-85.
Nous venons d'entendre les délégués de quelques pays donateurs, ainsi que ceux de quelques pays bénéficiaires et nous nous réjouissons de la volonté manifeste des uns et des autres d'assurer la survie du PAM.
Au cours de la dernière session du CPA, nous avons aàopté 18 projets sélectionnés par le secrétariat du PAM parmi de nombreux autres.
Ainsi que nous avons déjà eu l'occasion de le dire, comme la FAO et le FIDA, le PAM figure parmi les institutions qui oeuvrent pour lutter contre la faim qui sévit dans de nombreux pays, à côté d'autres pays qui courent à l'armement et y consacrent d'importantes sommes en même temps qu'ils se résignent à acquitter leurs contributions, au sein d'institutions telles que le PAM, au nom d'un soi-disant principe de croissance zéro.
Nous aussi souhaitons que de plus en plus de ressources soient allouées au PAM sous forme multilatérale, plus que sous forme bilatérale, compte tenu des risques de pression auxquels cette dernière forme expose ses bénéficiaires. Nous souhaitons qu'au moins 30 pour cent des contributions soient versées sous forme liquide, pour permettre le financement des coûts annexes et la distribution des vivres ainsi que les opérations triangulaires.
Nous soutenons aussi que l'aide doit être allouée davantage aux projets de développement dans lesquels elle doit être intégrée comme une composante au financement desdits projets.
Les besoins du PAM sont immenses, et, à cette occasion, nous lançons un appel à tous ceux qui peuvent le faire pour qu'ils s'acquittent de leurs contributions sans se réserver d'y apporter des contributions supplémentaires.
C'est dans cette perspective que nous soutenons le budget 1984-85 du PAM ainsi que le projet de résolution qui nous est soumis.
Nous souhaitons un plein succès à la prochaine rencontre pour les contributions qui aura lieu en 1984.
G.E. GONZALEZ (Argentina): Quisiera dejar constancia de nuestro agradecimiento a las presentaciones realizadas en nombre del Director General y por la clara y sincera exposición que nos hiciera el señor Ingram en la tarde de ayer.
Asimismo deseo felicitar a todos los colaboradores del señor Ingram que hace posible que el Programa Mundial de Alimentos continúe realizando un buen trabajo.
Mi delegación ha dado siempre su apoyo irrestricfj a las labores del Programa Mundial de Alimentos y ruestra confianza en el Organismo se ha reflejí do en un incremento constante de nuestra participación a través de contribuciones en alimentos. Es así como en el ultimo año hemos triplicado nuestra contribución al Programa Mundial de Alimentos, y por otra parte quiero señalar que en más del 40 por ciento del total de la ayuda alimentaria argentina se realiza a través de canales multilaterales.
Por otra parte, y esto es la primera vez que.lo hacemos, la Argentina ha contribuido a la reserva alimentaria internacional de emergencia.
Mi país, señor Presidente, continuará prestando su cooperación al Programa Mundial de Alimentos en la medida de sus posibilidades y, consecuentemente, damos nuestro total apoyo a las metas sugeridas en el Proyecto de Resolución puesto a nuestra consideración.
Entendemos, sí, como lo han señalado varias otras delegaciones, que este es un esfuerzo común de la comunidad internacional y que todos los países miembros deberíamos participar en este esfuerzo común en la máxima medida que permitan las posibilidades de cada Estado.
Por último, quisiéramos sumarnos también a aquellas delegaciones que han señalado la importancia que se asigna a los proyectos para el desarrollo, aunque reconocemos el dramatismo y la importancia que a veces tienen las operaciones de emergencia.
Quisiéramos señalar, al igual que lo hizo la distinguida representación de Colombia y creo que algunas otras más, que para la Argentina, y esto es una constante de su política exterior, los alimentos no pueden ni deben ser utilizados bajo ningún concepto como un arma de presión política o económica.
O. BILBEISI (Jordan) (original language Arabic): First allow me to say that WFP has been, and still is,undoubtedly,one of the most efficient international aid channels, especially in Jordan. The assistance received in Jordan has enabled us to settle thousands of rural families in their villages at a time when other sources of income are more attractive like trade and services.
Thousands of hectares of olive trees were planted thereby increasing income levels in rural areas and attaining self-sufficiency in olive oil at the national level. Even more trees were planted increasing the green spaces with the accruing benefits at economic, touristic and aesthetic levels.
We would like to thank the Executive Director and his collaborators for the valuable and efficient assistance received from WFP. Hence we support the draft resolution contained in document C 83/LIM/18 and we support the 1.35 billion dollar pledging target for 1984-1985. We thank all donor countries for their contributions and urge them to maintain or even increase them given the development needs of the Third World countries. Food assistance cannot be a one-time assistance, it should be linked to agricultural development. Cash contributions are bound to increase the efficiency and flexibility of the programme.
A. EL SARKY (Egypt) (original language Arabic): In the name of Allah the Merciful and the Compassionate: my delegation would like at the outset to express its deep appreciation for the re-election of Egypt as a member of the CFA. Moreover, after listening to the speeches of the Director-General and the Executive Director and leafing through documents C 83/LIM/5 and C 83/LIM/18 we would like to express satisfaction for achieving both a surplus in funds and 81 percent of our target. IEFR has achieved its goals and WFP has increased its operations, with particular attention being given to Africa.
Allow me to make the following comments. Firstly, cash contributions have not attained the target, whilst we agree to enable WFP to buy some foodstuffs and implement certain activities. We thereby launch an appeal to states to honour their pledges.
Secondly, food aid is a challenge to agricultural development projects to the detriment of infrastructure projects. We believe both kinds of projects contribute to development, hence a balance should be struck in the volume of asistance.
Thirdly, we countenance increasing the reserves of the IEFR in view of the vital role it plays in emergency situations.
We have always commended WFP, which has helped us implement numerous projects. We hope to obtain more food aid in the framework of our new projects in keeping with CFA's guidelines linking assistance to specific projects. Egypt has seriously implemented WEP assistance projects and achieved undeniably positive results.
Finally, we hope that the discussions on the utilisation of contributions in kind will be crowned with success. We also support the Draft Resolution before us. We hore that the pledging Conference next year will also be successful.
L. MOHAPELOA (Lesotho): My delegation wishes, like other delegates who have spoken before it today to extend its congratulations to the Director-General and to the Executive Director of the WFP and their staff on their clear presentation on the matter before us.
We have noted the increase over the years in the resources of the WFP and we see this as a positive indication of the concern of the international community over the plight of the destitute and displaced persons.
We welcome the proposal as it stands and in supporting it would like particularly to draw attention to and emphasise the role that will be played by food aid in this period, as the resources available on a multilateral basis appear to be very scarce.
We have had occasion before today to support this in Council and we take the floor here only to underline the strong support that we give to the proposal.
P. OLMOS MORALES (Uruguay): Mi delegación desea expresar su complacencia por el informe presentado a través del Sr. Régnier por parte del Director General de FAO y al detallado informe presentado por el Director Ejecutivo del PMA, Sr. Ingram. En ese sentido ha sido una cabal demostración de la efectividad de este Programa que como se ha señalado, constituye el segundo programa por su monto dentro del sistema de Naciones Unidas.
Mi delegación desea expresar su apoyo al proyecto de resolución presentado tanto en lo que concierne a las metas propuestas como a los aspectos institucionales señalados. Los fundamentos de nuestro apoyo están basados en los lineamientos por los cuales se ha seguido el funcionamiento del Programa.
En primer lugar, nuestro apoyo a la ayuda multilateral. Consideramos que ese es uno de los elementos esenciales del funcionamiento del Programa y particularmente en todo lo que tiene que ver con los Programas de Ayuda Alimentaria para el Desarrollo. Creemos que es esa una de las maneras de instrumentar los objetivos y estrategias planteadas por parte de la Organización.
Esto no significa que dejemos de lado las necesarias ayudas de emergencia sobre todo frente a situa‐ciones de catástrofes o de emergencias provocadas en los distintos lugares del mundo.
Por otra parte, nuestro punto de vista en cuanto a que uno de los factores como se ha señalado por parte de otras delegaciones del funcionamiento tan efectivo del Programa ha sido fruto de una adecuada coordinación en el apoyo técnico y administrativo otorgado al PMA por parte de la FAO, y en ese sentido nuestro apoyo a que esa alternativa se siga desarrollando en esa forma.
Nuestro país también desea reiterar su posición tradicional de que la ayuda alimentaria no sea un instrumento de fusión política. En ese sentido a través de los distintos órganos de Naciones Unidas así lo hemos obtenido y estimamos oportuno volverlo a hacer en este momento.
Finalmente deseo expresar, Sr. Presidente, que si bien nuestro país no ha participado hasta este momento como donante dentro del Programa, estamos estudiando dentro de nuestras posibilidades nuestra futura participación como donantes tanto en alimentos como en efectivo, y, además, nuestra disposi‐ción dentro de las posibilidades y las perspectivas futuras a participar en mecanismos de operaciones triangulares dentro del Programa Mundial de Alimentos.
MOHO. YASIN bin MOHD. SALLEH (Malaysia): The delegation of Malaysia wishes to join previous delegations in commending Mr Régnier and Mr Ingrani for the introduction yesterday. We would also like to express our satisfaction for the work being done by WFP since its inception.
On the draft resolution on the target for WFP pledges for the period 1985-86, as contained in document C 83/LIM/5 and document C 83/LIM/18, my delegation wishes to give our support to the target of $1 350 million, of which not less than one third should be in cash and/or services.
R.F.J. NETO (Angola): Ma délégation a suivi avec attention l'introduction faite par le Directeur général et dont M. Régnier nous a donné lecture. Elle félicite le Directeur exécutif du PAM pour l'excellent exposé qu'il a fait hier. C'est avec intérêt que ma délégation a examiné le projet de résolution présenté sur les objectifs des contributions au PAM pour la période 1985-86. Le PAM a démontré, ces dernières années, de quoi il était capable pour contribuer au développement économique de certains pays membres et interveni. dans les cas d'urgence.
Comme chacun le sait, l'aide alimentaire dans les pays en développement est un facteur déterminant pour la réussite de certains projets. Nous sommes défenseurs de cet argument, car nous sommes nous-mêmes bénéficiaires de l'aide du PAM fournie au titre de l'assistance aux projets socio-économiques dans notre secteur du café et de l'industrie laitière.
Le PAM a affirme sa détermination à aider les pays en développement à faible revenu pour n'avoir pas réduit ses ressources. Cela étant, nous approuvons ces objectifs pour 1985-86 estimés à un milliard 350 mill ions de dollars. Mais étant donné le nombre toujours croissant de besoins, nous demandons aux pays donateurs qu'ils fassent des contributions supplémentaires parce que l'assistance du PAM a réellement un impact positif tant du point de vue économique que du point de vue de l'amélioration de la diète alimentaire. Des milliers de réfugiés et de personnes déplacées existent aujourd'hui dans le monde en général et dans mon pays en particulier, et comme vous le savez, nous sommes également bénéficiaires de l'assistance d'urgence du PAM en raison de la présence sur notre territoire des réfugiés des pays voisins et des populations déplacées, qui sont pour la plupart victimes d'actes barbares perpétrés contre notre peuple et contre les peuples opprimés de la Namibie et de l'Afrique du Sud avec l'aval de Préetoria.
En terminant, au nom de la délégation de la République populaire d'Angola, je remercie très sincèrement le Directeur général d'avoir sensibilisé l'opinion sur les problèmes des pays africains, d'un certain nombre de pays africains confrontés à de graves problèmes sur le plan alimentaire et, M. Ingram, de la disposition qu'il a toujours montrée d'aller au secours de nos populations frappées soit par les guerres, soit par la misère ou par une calamité naturelle.
A.R. PIRES (Cap-Vert): Ma"délégation a vivement apprécié le message du Directeur général de la FAO dont M. Régnier nous a donné lecture. Nous voulons aussi adresser nos félicitations au Directeur exécutif du PAM, M. Ingram, pour la très bonne présentation qu'il a faite hier.
Ma délégation joint sa voix à celles des délégués qui m'ont précédé pour souligner l'importance de l'accroissement des ressources du PAM. Nous nous félicitons qu'une importance particulière soit attachée au projet de développement et également que la contribution en espèces soit stimulée en vue de permettre une coopération triangulaire entre les pays en voie de développement en matière d'auto-suffisance alimentaire.
Nous appuyons sans réserve la résolution C 83/LIM/5 et demandons son adoption par la Conférence.
Nous exprimons également notre satisfaction quant au rôle dynamique joué par la FAO en ce qui concerne la procédure des requêtes alimentaires d'urgence en coopération étroite avec le PAM.
Pour terminer, peut-on suggérer que pour notre information soit entreprise une évaluation de l'impact des activités du PAM quant au soutien des projets et programmes de développement.
G.J. BOXÁLL (New Zealand): We would like to thank, firstly, the Executive Director and his staff for their efforts in their work of the Programme to make it as effective as it is. As Council members we have made our voice known on the Programme on many occasions, and here we would like to add our voice to the general support already expressed in this debate.
New Zealand views the Programme as an effective and responsible provider of food aid which pays due attention not only to the difficulties inherent in.aid of this sort, but making sure it reaches the people who need it most.
New Zealand has also joined calls for donors to channel more of their food aid through multilateral channels. In recent years we have provided very little food aid on a bilateral basis. Our contributions to the World Food Programme and to agriculture, through bilateral aid and the multilateral agencies, have been the main ways in which we have tried to assist, in efforts to relieve hunger in the world.
Apart from our regular and occasional ad hoc contributions, New Zealand had earlier contributed to the World Food Programme non-food items account, which provides tools and other equipment for use in association with food aid projects. In 1982-83 an extra 45 thousand dollars was given to finalize cooperation in this area.
We commend the work done by the non-food unit of the Programme and we see this as a vital aspect of the overall work programme of the Organization.
Finally, New Zealand would like to add its voice to those who have supported the Programme's budget, and the Resolution before the Commission today. We also hope that the targets set are met at the Pledging Conference next year.
M. NIETO Y LARA (Cuba): Deseo en primer lugar agradecer al Director General y al Director Ejecutivo el Sr. Ingram por la presentación del tema y por la ayuda que ha brindado el PMA.
Nuestra delegación se suma al resto de las Delegaciones que han expresado y elogiado la importancia y el impacto altamente positivo en los países más pobres de la ayuda del Programa Mundial de Alimentos tanto en lo que se refiere a la ayuda de emergencia como a la del desarrollo.
Por últino, nuestra delegación desea expresar su apoyo al proyecto de Resolución.
L. AL-ANSI (Yemen Arab Republic) (original language Arabic): My delegation would like to avail itself of this opportunity to welcome the efforts of the Director-General of FAO, and of the Executive Director of WFP, and also the efforts made by the Secretariat, in preparing these excellent documents. We should also like to pay tribute to the effort made by the Director-General of FAO, and by the Executive Director of WFP, in order that ensured the success of the Programme's activities and we hope that the WFP will carry on on these lines.
We had some comments to make, but since most delegations who spoke before us have already fully dwelt on this matter; the priorities which WFP has to meet, that is to say to give priority to agricultural and to rural development, my comments can be very brief.
I would like to say that ray delegation gives its full support to the draft resolution in document C 83/LIM/5, and also to the content of document C 83/LIM/18.
T. AHMAD (Pakistan): May I, first of all, join other delegates in extending my delegation's congratulations to the Director-General on his message, and to the Executive Director for his introduction of this subject.
We feel that WFP has been, and continues to be, a very efficient and effective channel of multilateral aid to the developing countries. It is, indeed, heartening to note that WFP enjoys the enthusiastic support of both developed and developing countries, and has acquired a unique status in the UN system, both for its volume of delivery, and efficiency, and effectiveness of this delivery.
In the last CFA, Mr Chairman, the CFA examined in detail two cases of recipient countries, and reached the conclusion that food aid in the form of project food aid; programme food aid, and emergency food aid, is and can be a very useful and meaningful intervention to help developing countries in their efforts at development. In view of the efficacy of food aid and efficiency of WFP, we were happier with the target originally proposed by the Executive Director, that is of 1.5 billion dollars. However, in view of the fact that even 1.35 billion dollars target still gives some increase to the WFP resources over the previous target of 1.2 billion, we are very happy to join in supporting the resolution, and we urge the donors not only to meet this target, but to exceed it if possible.
We also wish to emphasize that one third of the contribution should be in cash or services, to enable the WFP to acquire the necessary flexibility which only cash resources can give.
F.H. JAWHAR HAYAT (Kuwait) (Original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, my delegation, after having listened to the statement by the Director-General of FAO and the Executive Director of WFP and after having studied documents C83/LIM/5 and C83/LIM/18, would like to give its full support to the draft resolution. We hope that the pledging target for 1985-86 will be reached because the requests for projects are tremendous and resources are therefore urgently needed.
In Kuwait, we feel that our contribution to WFP is a very modest one. We do not benefit from WFP activities but we do try to give our support to the different activities of the Programme carried out jointly with the Kuwaiti Economic Development Fund, and we hope that our participation in the activity of WFP will increase in the future. However, I cannot make any promises of a more concrete nature. Nevertheless the activities of my Government in agriculture, rural development and fisheries are increasing, and we therefjre hope tnat our participation in WFP will also increase.
S. SIDIBE (Mali): Après bien d'autres delegations, la délégation du Mali, membre du CPA jusqu'en 1984, se doit de féliciter le PAM pour l'efficacité de l'assistance qu'il apporte à nos pays du Sahel frappés par la sécheresse depuis près de 10 ans.
L'exposé fait hier au nom du Directeur général par M. Régnier et celui de M. Ingram rencontrent l'appui de mon pays parce qu'ils reflètent son point de vue. Par conséquent, nous soutenons sans réserve les projets de résolution C83/LIM/5 et C83/LIM/18 qui nous sont proposés. Nous souhaitons profiter de cette occasion pour remercier tous les donateurs qui apportent au PAM une contribution généreuse.
J.C. INGRAM (Executive Director, World Food Programme): Mr Chairman, I thought yesterday afternoon when I finished my presentation and there seemed to be a hesitation on the part of some to speak, that perhaps it was a good thing because we spent so much time listening to speeches, but after hearing today's speeches I think, it is very good indeed that so many delegations did participate, because what it means, I think, is that we can be even more confident than we were when the target itself was first proposed by the CFA that it will not only be reached but hopefully also surpassed. I think it is on the basis of such arousing support for the target that one can in fact feel rather confident on this occasion.
I think also I should urge once again that the greatest number of countries should contribute. It has been pointed out by several that the smallest contributions, whether in kind or in money, are always welcome, and many of those quite small contributions from developing countries do in fact play a very useful role in this Programme. I have just written, in fact, letters to the governments of all the countries, members of the United Nations and-the FAO, and urged upon them the importance of their contributions.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the delegations who have expressed their strong support to WFP and for what we are doing. I want to tell you that that does not make us complacent at all. On the contrary it is a spur to new endeavours, new efforts, to make our impact even greater, especially in the poorest countries, and I think I can also say that the greater the trust placed in us the greater is our sense of responsibility for carrying out that trust.
Finally, Mr Chairman, there are just one or two small points that I think I would like to mention. One of them relates to the Resolution and the fact that it does not make any reference to the IEFR target. I think it would be a useful idea for future resolutions of this kind to refer specifically to the IEFR. I think it is an excellent suggestion, and the next time this issue arises in the CFA I think we should proceed on that basis.
I think I should perhaps explain, however, that the IEFR target was laid down in - I think it is 1975 – by the United Nations General Assembly. That target has not of course been revised; it is a fixed target and was laid down by the General Assembly. The target for the WFP's regular resources is something which under the terms of the basic document of WFP must be fixed each two years, so that fundamentally is the reason why this particular resolution does not refer to the EFR, but as I .say I agree it would be useful for consideration to be given to an appropriate reference in future years.
Mr Chairman, when I was a student we used to hear about the use and abuse of statistics, lies, damned lies and statistics, and to the extent that quite often it was said you can prove anything from statistics. Well, I do not propose to prove anything because I would not dare to prove anything from statistics, but I simply would like to say a word or two about project trends. The fact of the matter is that in an Organization such as WFP where the size of average, or the average size of projects is large -namely 10 million dollars is the average size of projects- it is inevitable that there will be variations from year to year. Variations from year to year simply are not statistically significant. What counts is overall trends, and if you look at the overall trends for the last five years - I think that is a reasonable period to take - for example for agriculture and rural development the average share of total commitments taken by that sector has been 60 percent. In this current year we expect it to be 63.5 percent, so it still exceeds the average for the past five years. That average itself was affected by a very high figure in 1982. Similarly for social and economic infrastructure the figure for 1983 is in excess of the average five-year figure.
I would also like to say that of course the balance that is struck reflects by and large the priorities that individual governments themselves assign, and many governments believe that the emphasis on human- resources development should enjoy high priority, and indeed many of the countries that spoke today from the developing countries, their governments do in fact place a very high priority on human resources development. So in effect the trend is very positive in relation to agriculture and rural development, but one should not forget that the other sectors which all relate to human resources development do also enjoy a high priority among many recipient governments.
Finally about purchases, Mr Chairman, in developing countries and triangular transactions- The member delegations will be pleased to know that at the present time the Programme is making a very sustained effort to make purchases in Africa itself for helping with the current drought situation, and we are investigating very actively in some countries, a few countries of West Africa, which are relatively well placed. Unfortunately at the present time the only substantial source of white maize, which is very important in many countries in Africa, is in Kenya, and there the Programme expects to purchase any moment 100 000 tons of white maize worth 20 million dollars. In fact that is all the white maize that can be bought in Kenya. We need more than that and we are pressing in fact to get more, but the outlook is not particularly optimistic. I say all that, Mr Chairman, because I would not want delegates to leave feeling that there was some slackening in the Programme's efforts and endeavours to purchase food from the developing countries themselves.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Mr Chairman, very briefly, I aw very glad to note the unanimous support for the Director-General's statement, and in regard to that I will not enter into any arguments with delegates. I shall simply say that in view of what the Executive Director has just said we can look forward, or we will look forward, to positive moves in the next biennium on the question of diversion of resources to productive projects and on local purchases, subject of course to the availability of suitable foods.
The Director-General I am sure will be very pleased for the support given to the resolution, and in that context to the general support given by many delegates to the need to make cash contributions of at least one-third. He will also be gratified by the support for the IEFR and for adequate pledges to be made at the Pledging Conference.
In this connection I should mention that in a resolution on food security under discussion in Commission I, there is a reference to the need to reach or even exceed the target of the IEFR, so it has not been altogether forgotten on this occasion.
With that, Mr Chairman, let me say once again thank you to all the delegates and yourself on behalf of the Director-General.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much, and in summary all the 43 delegations that spoke gave full support to the draft resolution and advocated its unanimous adoption as reflected in document C 83/LIM/18. Delegates saw the target of $1 350 million as a happy compromise arrived at in the spirit of cooperation and consensus among partners. The deliberations leading to the formulation of the Resolution by the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes were appreciated. The need for the World Food Programme to sustain its momentum of delivery and the development reorientation was underlined, and in that connection the appeal was made to all donors, traditional and new, to attend the Pledging Conference to be held in 1984 and to contribute to reaching its target. It was noted that in this Conference pledges will be made both for the regular resources of the World Food Programme and for the International Emergency Reserve Fund. Satisfaction was expressed that the IEFR had in the past two years reached its minimum target of 500 000 tons of cereal. However, tills was largely insufficient to meet growing needs and the strong hope was expressed that a greater percentage of total food aid could be put through multilateral channels. The Commission stressed that cash and services components of pledges should amount to at least one third of total contributions.
On this note we shall pass the draft resolution on to Conference for adoption. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
The meeting rose at 17.45 hours
La séance est levée à 17 h 45
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.45 horas
