EL PRESIDENTE: Buenas tardes, colegas y amigos. Vamos a empezar nuestra reunión de esta tarde. Gracias al Embajador Qadir, de Pakistán, por su valiosa colaboración.
Tenemos una larga lista de oradores. Es un tema muy importante y la Presidencia no va a tratar de ejercer presión sobre ustedes, pero sólo deseo recordarles que sería muy deseable concluir este tema al final de nuestra sesión de esta tarde, por lo que les rogaría que, dentro de lo posible, fueran breves y concretos.
Pekka ALHOJARVI (Finland): Mr Chairman this item which we are now discussing is a crucial and very challenging one. Here we should try to succeed in analyzing the role of FAO, its targets and means not only for the next biennium but also for the medium and long-term period, since the next biennium should be seen as just one step for the future in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in rural development.
The delegation of Finland highly appreciates these basic documents prepared by the staff of FAO. We consider that they fulfill the preconditions for a profound discussion. The Government of Finland has always highly appreciated the work of FAO during these four decades and we consider that FAO has played a vital role in rural development by developing the agriculture and forestry sectors all over the world. As we consider that these sectors will become even more important in the future in the socio-economic development of'societies, we see the future for FAÔ and its Member Nations becoming more and more demanding. Very often goals and aims vary to a great extent between long, medium and short-term. It is vital that they should be flexibly connected with each other and they would objectively reflect the crises and imbalances of the world. The Government of Finland considers that the targets and aims with priority selections in the Programme set by FAO and its Director-General do reflect our present global situation. That is why we would like to give our support to their implementation.
To a great extent the Finnish delegation is satisfied with the strategy as presented in the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87. The main trend, with cuts in administration and in allocation of additional resources to FAO's technical and economic programmes, deserves the support of our Government. In this way, reasonable growth in real activities has been made possible. Concerning administration, our Government supports the policy of decentralization, especially of putting more emphasis and importance on the country representations. We are sure that it would improve the management of the development programmes, hopefully without any increasing costs in administration.
Improving national food production remains the key element in improving food security. The increase in agricultural production is required in the areas where the gap between needs and supplies is largest. In this connection, we would like to express our satisfaction with the efficient Global Information and Early Warning System. We note that there are plans to further strengthen it in the future, hopefully by also establishing more national early warning systems.
Rural development includes many environmental questions which become more and more important in the long term. Food production with appropriate technology preserves nature and prevents soil erosion if the farmer has sufficient means for production inputs and organized markets for his products as well as possibilities to take care of his land in the long-term. A vital precondition for this is for the importance of agricultural research work to be highlighted in the work programmes and budgets by individual nations as well as by international organizations. It is also important to support TCDC through study tours by research workers to different advanced institutions within their region to promote exchanges of experiences and research results.
The importance of the rural women cannot be over-emphasized This is too often neglected in rural development programmes , also in those planned by FAO. The Finnish delegation considers that
women's role in food production, and especially their efforts to secure sufficient nutrition for their families, must be promoted. Also, the participation of women in training and extension, both as participants and as teachers, is crucial. Particular emphasis should also be given to encourage women's responsibilities in decision-making in agricultural and economic affairs.
As we know, forest cover is decreasing rapidly under the pressure of expanding populations and hunger for land on which to grow additional crops. Any devastation of forests is relatively more dangerous in drier tropical areas, where forests play a crucial conservation role in protecting the land resource base, now affected by desertification. In the minority of cases, one has to blame indiscriminate exploitation practices, although commercial cuttings are more and more commonly under control. In temperate forests, air pollution or acid rain, a result of industrial development, has become a subject of major concern. Significant and increasing parts of the forest are being threatened. With this problem, we have noticed again how essential it is that international organizations like FAO and ECE work together, study the causes and consequences of the phenomenon deeply, and effectively coordinate between each other and with Member Nations. The success of programmes is the result, to a great extent, of the close cooperation which has been valid and active in FAO's European region already for four decades.
In view of the problems mentioned, action programmes of various types are necessary. They are duly presented in these documents, and are based on recommendations and proposals made in the report of the Committee on Forestry and the Committee on Forest Development in the Tropics. High priority should be given to strengthening the contribution of forestry to rural development and to maintaining and expanding the support that forestry provides to food production. The Finnish delegation agrees to a large extent with the Plan of Action proposed and with its various sub-programmes - Community Forestry Development, Agro-Silvo-Pastoral Development, and Fuelwood.
Regarding the estimates of funds to be used for various programmes , forestry resources and environment need to be given priority. Within the range of action programmes, priority should be given to those which FAO is well qualified to conduct and for which there is no other comparable source of support. Emphasis should be given to providing the informational and analytical basis necessary in order to identify what needs to be done. In this respect inventory and monitoring of forestry resources, and planning based on them,is of particular importance. Attention must be paid to the critical role of forest research.
The implementation of efficient programmes requires financial and human resources. The previous 22nd FAO Conference expressed the hope that increased resources would be made available for forestry. The Finnish delegation considers that the present proposal for the Budget is not totally in accordance with a positive trend. The Government of Finland would like to see an increased share allocated for the forestry sector in the Budget.
When discussing development support programmes, we consider that the field programme planning should include a modest growth in its share of the Budget if we stress the importance of technical and economic programmes, as we do.
When speaking about investments, we would like to stress the importance of the Investment Support Programme which mainly works in the least developed countries and which most urgently needs increased capital investment and assistance in investment project formulation. We are satisfied with the fact that the number of financial institutions cooperating in the Investment Support Programme has steadily increased since 1979. In this context we would also like to stress the importance of IFAD, which has been acting in a very valuable way in the development of the least developed countries and which thus also deserves support from the Government of Finland, especially in the present situation. In this context, we also wish to stress the importance of FAO's capability to cooperate with other international organizations, both inside and outside the UN System. This is vital, particularly in the areas where support for development is most indispensable.
We would like to direct our last comments to the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 and to TCP - the Technical Cooperation Programme. The Finnish delegation considers
that this well-established, quick action programme, has proved to be successful. But, as we have been evaluating its structure and substance very carefully, we would like to stress two points in order to be able to continue to support it in the future. TCP should stick to its original purposes and functions, and its share of Budget funds should not be increased from the proposed level, otherwise it may alter its original purpose and negatively affect small, but important, sectors in the Programme of Work and Budget.
Finally, with these comments, we feel that the Director-General and the Secretariat should be given full support for the Programme of Work and Budget, and confidence in carrying it out.
Namgey NIDUP (Bhutan): First of all the Bhutanese delegation would like to congratulate you and the two Vice-Chairmen on your election in this very important Commission, and also to congratulate Mr Shah for his excellent introduction of the subject under discussion. My delegation would like to join previous speakers in stating that we are highly appreciative of the enormous efforts made by the Director-General of FAO in drawing up an active and action-filled Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87.
TheBhutanese delegation trusts that FAO, with its 40 years of outstanding experience, expertise, and dedication to the service of mankind, will effectively implement the programmes envisaged during 1986-87 successfully and to the mutual benefit of Member Nations. My delegation is pleased to note the priority given to Africa, as conditions in that region deserve it.
The Bhutanese delegation fully endorses and supports the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 as presented by the Director-General.
Carl THOMSEN (Denmark)(on behalf of the Nordic Countries): Thank you Mr Chairman for giving me the floor: and for giving it to me a second time. We have been authorized to make a statement about the Technical Cooperation Programme on behalf of the Nordic Countries, and, with your permission, we would like to also make a short statement on behalf of the Danish delegation. So, after the Nordic statement, I would like to pass the floor to my colleague sitting beside me.
The common Nordic statement about the TCP runs as follows:
The Nordic Countries have supported the basic concept of the TCP since its inception in 1976. We share the view that there was a need for a facility to enable the Organization to initiate small projects of short duration and of an un-programmed and flexible nature. The purpose of these projects should be to meet unforeseen requirements and unexpected needs. We were especially attracted by the idea that the projects should be-of a catalytic nature - in other words that they should initiate action which would and could be carried on by others, that they would stimulate the flow of resources from other sources, whether national or international. We also considered it important that the Programme projects form an integral part of the Regular Programme of the Organization, in order to prevent an undue dispersal of efforts. The Programme should complement and not substitute for other sources of finance, and it should not compete with other forms of assistance.
The Nordic Countries still hold the opinion that the TCP has an important function to fulfill, and we are anxious that it should maintain the original intentions and objectives. It is against this background, and from this point of view, that we would like to make the following comments and observations.
Firstly, it is our opinion that the Programme has reached an adequate level in fulfilling its task, when compared to the other parts of the Programme of Work. We are furthermore concerned that additional increases may have undesirable effects on the Programme itself. To illustrate this, we would - as indicated earlier - consider it appropriate, for a number of reasons, that a higher priority within the proposed overall budget level be given to forestry, which will only cover 4 percent of the total Budget for 1986-87, compared with the proposed 13.7
percent for the TCP. It seems to us that there is a risk that the TCP is becoming what one could call "a cuckoo in the nest" for the Organization - in other words, the TCP can only live up to expectations if the Departments of the Organization have the capacity to meet the ensuing demands in a proper way. Thus, it appears from the Report on the independent Evaluation that the present magnitude of the Programme is already putting undue pressure on some parts of the Organization - this is with reference to providing the necessary backstopping to individual projects, which is of course most essential.
It also appears from the Evaluation report that it proved very difficult to identify the follow-up to the projects implemented. Although such a task may not be an easy one, it would seem very important, in view of the intended catalytic nature, to be able to ascertain or ensure the necessary follow-up. The Evaluation Team has not, in fact, been able to form an opinion about the impact of the projects implemented, as the information needed was not available.
This would appear to be the weaker part of the evaluation report and a note of caution seems justified until more light has been thrown on this aspect. Although there appears to be need for more projects, due consideration must also be given to the results obtained. Out of the desire to maintain the original intentions and the intrinsic value of the programme, we are concerned about the proposal to broaden its scope. In our view, it is essential to maintain the catalytic nature, to limit the projects to initiating action, as I said earlier, which can be carried on under other auspices.
In this connection, we find it disturbing to note that the allocation for training has been as high as 32 percent. Training is indeed important, but it is generally of a long-term nature and should therefore only in very special circumstances be based on small projects of short duration which are the typical domain of the TCP.
Again, we are concerned that a higher ceiling for individual projects may have undesirable effects on the nature of the programme and we do not think that the need for such an increase has been clearly demonstrated.
On the other hand, we would favour more latitude for the FAO country representatives, as increased decentralization would appear to be especially appropriate where quick action is needed. We would therefore be in favour of larger increases in the ceilings for the country representatives than those proposed in the Council document, that is CL 88/8.
As regards the more technical and administrative proposals contained in that document, we would
limit our remarks to supporting the recommendations related to the need for all parties involved
to facilitate speedy implementation, as this is of crucial importance to a programme of this nature.
In conclusion, the Nordic countries consider the Technical Cooperation Programme to be a valuable element in the total Programme of Work of the Organization, for the reasons stated. We consider, however, that the Programme has reached a magnitude where a further increase may endanger its original nature. From the same point of view, we suggest that Member Countries should be provided with better information about the special nature of the Programme and the results of its implemen— tation. As pointed out by a number of other delegations, there is a need for more transparency, to assist both the Organization and its Member Countries in maintaining the nature of the Programme as originally intended.
Ms Sys THODEN (Denmark): In continuation of the general remarks, the Danish delegation wishes to make a few more specific comments related to the Programe of Work and Budget. We support the proposed policy of decentralization based on regional offices and the network of FAO country representatives now in 74 different countries. We continue to attach great importance to the process of decentralization because we believe that increased delegation of administrative and operational authority. from headquarters to the regional and country level to be of vital importance in order to ensure greater responsiveness to local needs and priorities.
Unfortunately, the Programme of Work and Budget only contains a little information on how the Organization will achieve further decentralization, and we would be grateful to receive further
clarification on this point. It appears to us that particularly the country offices have a great potential in terms of local knowledge which could be better utilized if they were drawn closer to the decision-making process concerning operational project activities funded through the field programme.
We also think that these offices should play a greater role in FAO's non-project related activities such as agricultural planning, food security and emergency programmes.
As far as the regional offices are concerned, we realize that these offices have an important role to play, particularly in the promotion of TCDC. We think, however, that the regional offices should increasingly focus their attention on a limited number of sectors which are vitally important to the region and supported by already existing economic and political organizations. Furthermore, we have noted with interest a long list of suggested activities in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and forestry. We would like to stress the importance of making priorities and linking the areas together to achieve development for the benefit of the local people.
The women, for example, had a heavy workload in all the three areas mentioned where FAO is involved. Therefore, the different FAO divisions must work closer together with the women and the NGOs in . project planning as a follow-up to the WCARRD decisions where the importance of people's participation in the creation and implementation of programmes was strongly stressed.
By closer contacts and collaboration with the NGOs, the programmes will get the necessary grassroots input which might win greater success in terms of fulfillment of the aims of the project.
That brings us to the important issues of the possibilities of women identifying themselves with females in the FAO systems at all levels. We would also mention the importance of making the women visible in the FAO project statistics and the statistics on agricultural production, where women are important contributors.
In conclusion, we stress the importance of nutrition programmes to prevent the development of handicaps, where, for example, the intake of vitamin A by children will prevent blindness. However, when a handicap has developed, the FAO programmes should take that aspect into consideration. This is another area where cooperation with the NGOs would be very valuable.
C.E. MAYNARD (Barbados): Mr Chairman, your election to preside over the work of this Committee is surely a recognition of the important role you and your country have played in the work of this Organization for many years. I did not have the pleasure of hearing Mr Shah's introduction of the Programme of Work and Budget but having heard him on several occasions during the last session of the Programme Committee, it is indeed my loss that I missed his introduction because my presence was required elsewhere.
As a member of the Programme Committee, my delegation has made its position known in detail under various components of the Programme of Work and Budget. We would therefore wish only to re-emphasize the main points of our position at this time.
The Programme of Work and Budget must be viewed in the context of the very uncertain prospects for the world economy, especially the grave food and agriculture situation of many countries, particularly pronounced in Africa. It is generally agreed that if many of our countries are to improve living standards and to move into a more dynamic economic environment, we must seek to realize the full potential of the agricultural sector. If this ideal is to be achieved, countries must look to external sources for support. Since no other organization in the UN System is better able to help than the FAO, we must support the programme and the Organization with its unresolved agenda for action at the national and multinational levels. This being so, it is an absolute necessity, to my way of thinking, that the Organization maintains its capacity to meet requests for assistance from Member States. It must also maintain and improve the performance of its assigned roles as a source of specialized information and inter-governmental consultation in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
My delegation, therefore, fully endorses the six principle aims which have guided the Director-General in the allocation of priorities in the Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1986-
87. We support the priority assigned particularly to Africa. Increased food production should not only be achieved through the utilization of our best irrigated lands, but the need to develop dry areas and marginal lands should not be overlooked.
We share the Director-General's concern for strengthening the Global Information and Early Warning System and support the proposed programmes which form the core of the proposed food security action programme.
We also support his emphasis on the fisheries programme and welcome his intention to give special consideration to the requirements of developing land-locked countries and small island states. Also, the conservation and rational utilization of fisheries, agricultural development and the promotion of the rural fisheries and nutrition.
There can be no argument with the direction of the programme for forestry development. The priority must be for conservation and rehabilitation of forests, of the forest resource base, as well as for the maintenance of sound environmental conditions, soil stability for agricultural development and the containment of soil erosion. Training must also continue to be an important component of FAO's work and we note the great success achieved through group training activities funded by the TC Programme, Trust Funds and UNDP. However, a new focus must now be given to training designed specifically for women,as well as to ensuring their greater participation in all such activities.
There can also be no argument with the Director-General's proposals for development support programmes covered by Chapter III, as well as the Technical Cooperation Programme in Chapter IV.
For us it is not easy to find fault with the very balanced approach which the Organization has adopted in its advice on the development of national agricultural research and the emphasis placed on training policy advice and institution building. It has correctly stressed two-way research connection linkages thus ensuring that the needs of farmers are fully assured and they reap the benefit of such research. I -cannot over-stress the need of the Organization to promote the transfer of research in countries and regions with regional offices centrally involved in this aspect of the work.
My delegation strongly supports the very clear emphasis given TCDC and TCP under this Programme. These activities can be an important part of the developmental process and the Secretariat. The interdepartmental working group-on science and technology for development and the new technology development division, which coordinated FAO activities and research, should be particularly congratulated for their efforts in assisting over one hundred of approximately 164 TCDC networks in the sectors of the Organization's competence, as well as 29 economic and other international groupings. For my country, the Technical Cooperation Programme has more than achieved the original objective. It should be continued and it should be strengthened to meet the expanding needs of member states in a variety of fields in food production, as well as those of small farmers as the principal beneficiaries. It has our strong support because of its unique ability to respond quickly to urgent small scale requirements in member countries, particularly during emergencies.
With a point of view such as ours, it is impossible to support the very narrow and restrictive notion of zero growth in budgeting. It is a notion which to my view ignores the realities of the real world in which we live. No entity such as this Organization can prosper in a setting in which planned growth and expansion are denied and stagnation substituted, for the Organization will surely wither if this dubious theory prevails.
My delegation unreservedly supports the Programme and Budget as it has been presented.
Stefan de MARE (Sweden): We have been listening carefully to the debate that has been going on yesterday and today on this important subject before us. It has been an interesting debate but also one, when it comes to the question of the budget increase, that in many respects is a repetition of earlier debates that have taken place on this subject. One almost gets the
impression, listening to some delegates, that there is no end to the problems that would arise if a very limited or zero real growth should be applied to the FAO Regular Budget. As has been stated on earlier occasions, Sweden does not accept zero real growth as a principle. We see it as a rather blunt implement without manifest impact, on efficiency or effectiveness. The programmes should be judged on their own merit. On the other hand, it does not follow that the greater the real growth in the real budget, the better it is for the FAO, for the international community and for the developing countries. Sweden welcomes the efforts made by the Director-General to come down from the initially proposed real budget increase to a level of 1.1 percent and the reduction of non-technical administrative and support costs in the proposed budget. We believe, however, that even further cuts could have been made without any harmful effects on the activities of FAO. In the view of the Swedish delegation, growth too can have its problems,and can be a limitation in a given situation. For one thing, we cannot entirely disregard the general economic and financial situation in the world. Another factor to consider is whether a saturation point for certain kinds of activities exists. It appears, for instance, that such a point has already been reached with respect to meetings of committees and working groups. There are surely other fields of activities where it would be legitimate to closely examine the phenomenon of diminishing returns before embarking or continuing on a road of expansion.
A third reason to caution against too much stress on growth in the regular budget at the present stage is the relationship between assessed and voluntary financing. A dogmatic insistence on growth in the regular budget might deflect attention from the efforts to mobilize voluntary funds aimed at alleviating the very severe agricultural situation in many developing countries.
In this assembly I do not have to stress the importance of the extra-budgetary funds for the work at FAO. The Swedish delegation believes that, by and large, the real budget in real terms has reached a level that permits the implementation of mandates given by member countries. New activities could,to an increasing extent, be financed from savings derived from programmes that have been successfully completed or are ineffective or are of marginal usefulness. Marginal changes up or down from this aggregate level of financial resources do not have a significant impact on activities. The efficiency with which the activities are carried out is far more important. Improved efficiency requires a combination of restrictive budgetary policies and measures aimed at rationalization of administration and management, as well as perfecting the planning, programming, budgeting and evaluation process. .Like the Danish delegation in the statement yesterday, we believe that the necessary adjustment of the role and function of FAO becomes particularly important in the longer term. Their views on this subject as presented yesterday are also ours.
Concerning the Programme of Work as presented in the document before us and the excellent introduction yesterday by Mr Shah, the Swedish delegation is in reasonable agreement with the stated aims and objectives. There are two areas of action in the FAO programme which we would like to comment briefly upon. One is forestry. Our Minister has taken up this issue in a statement and urged that within the budget a higher relative share should go to forestry. In addition to what he has said, we particularly appreciate the changed emphasis from forestry as an industrial resource to social forestry. This is exemplified, inter alia, in the Programme of Forestry for local community development which Sweden has been supporting for a long time. The Indian delegate, in one of the early statements yesterday, gave an eloquent and distinctive description of what forestry means and how important it is that social forestry be given increased intention in the development planning. In order to save time, I restrict myself by saying that we fully share the views he expressed.
One of the important elements of social forestry is its role in food security and particularly its role as a component of soil and water conservation activities. It is the view of my delegation that soil degradation coupled with the too rapid increase of the population is the real threat to survival in many parts of the world. FAO is already doing much in soil and water conservation. The activities in the Forestry Department are already referred to. Plant and Animal Divisions are similarly involved, but we feel that there is a need for more concerted action in cooperation between management in order to develop more comprehensive management and methodologies. This should be flexible enough to allow for adaptation to the different circumstances in different areas. What we have in mind is a programme with the same approach as the programme Forestry for Local Development. Unlike many other proposals, this proposal will not call for additional economic resources in the coming biennium . Moreover, given the global interest in this issue, it might also be possible to raise some extra-budgetarv resources.
Peter WIESMANN (Suisse): Monsieur le Président, j'aimerais tout d'abord vous féliciter très cordialement ainsi que les deux vice-présidents pour votre élection à ce poste très important. Laissez-moi aussi remercier et féliciter M. Shah pour son introduction si lucide et compétente.
La délégation suisse se félicite des stratégies, priorités et accents contenus dans le Programme qui ont été si clairement soulignés par le Directeur général dans sa présentation du Programme de travail et Budget et elle y souscrit entièrement.
Pour ne pas inutilement allonger le débat et répéter ce qui a été dit par un grand nombre de délégués qui m'ont précédé, je voudrais concentrer mes quelques remarques sur le programme concernant le développement rural, le programme forestier et le PCT.
La FAO, suite à la Conférence mondiale sur la réforme agraire et le développement rural, a été chargée d'un rôle plus étendu dans ce domaine. Cependant, comme l'observe la FAO, les progrès sont lents. Nous voulons ici mettre en garde contre un risque de découragement devant la lenteur des progrès. Soyons conscients du fait qu'il faut beaucoup de temps pour faire progresser méthodiquement une réforme agraire, pour faire évoluer le rôle de la femme rurale et pour mener les divers développements institutionnels nécessaires. Du reste, en matière de développement institutionnel, il ne faut pas viser de manière privilégiée ceux qui se situent au niveau des institutions étatiques ou paraétatiques. Nous pensons que le Programme de travail devrait faire une plus large place aux associations et groupements de base qui mobilisent en leur sein les ultimes bénéficiaires, ceux qui ont un intérêt immédiat à ce que le processus de changement réussisse. Ce sont ces associations qui sont, à notre avis, les plus sûrs agents d'un progrès durable.
Venons-en à une autre composante du développement rural: le crédit agricole. Récemment s'est tenue à Rome la troisième Consultation organisée dans le cadre du programme de crédit agricole, le SACRED. Nous considérons cette Consultation.comme un excellent exemple du rôle que doit jouer la FAO comme forum pour la diffusion des expériences positives enregistrées, par les organismes participants et pour l'organisation des relations entre ces organismes répartis travers le monde. Quant aux formes de crédit, nous voudrions ici rompre une lance en faveur du crédit groupé pour les petits agriculteurs grace auquel les petits agriculteurs, même lorsqu'ils n'offrent pas de garanties réelles, peuvent avoir accès au crédit à des taux d'intérêt convenables, cela grâce à leur solidarité dans le remboursement. Le FIDA est l'institution financière qui voue le plus d'attention à propager cette forme de crédit, et cela à juste titre. Nous désirons ici poser une question au Secrétariat: nous aimerions qu'il nous dise comment est organisée la collaboration entre la FAO et le FIDA en matière de crédit aux petits agriculteurs et, notamment, en matière de crédit aux petits agriculteurs groupés.
Le grand programme Forêts 1986-87 prévoit une augmentation dans les deux sous-programmes, "Ressources forestières et environnement" et "La forêt au service du développement rural". L'augmentation pour le sous-programme "Ressources forestières et environnement" de plus de 20 pour cent est particulièrement judicieuse; en effet, dans beaucoup de régions montagneuses, sous l'effet du surpâturage, de la culture en pente, du défrichement pour les cultures itinérantes, de l'approvisionnement en bois de feu, les forêts ont été décimées, ce qui provoque de graves problèmes d'érosion ainsi que des inondations dans les plaines. En plus d'une dizaine de projets bilatéraux, le Gouvernement suisse cofinance deux projets de la FAO dans ce domaine: l'un à Haïti, qui porte sur l'aménagement du bassin versant, l'autre au Yémen, qui a pour objectif le reboisement pour la production du bois de feu et, du même coup, pour la lutte contre l'érosion.
En matière de ressources forestières et d'environnement, ma délégation encourage spécialement les efforts de la FAO concernant la conservation des terres par l'aménagement intégré. Il nous semble primordial de choisir une approche intégrée qui englobe des mesures visant l'agriculture, l'élevage, l'aménagement des forêts, le reboisement et la création d'emplats non agricoles.
Nous recommandons à la FAO d'intensifier la diffusion des expériences enregistrées dans la mise en oeuvre de cette approche intégrée pour le bénéfice du plus grand nombre d'intéressés.
Ma délégation note avec satisfaction que le groupe d’évaluateurs externes qui a examiné le Programme de coopération technique, le PCT, a jugé ses résultats positifs dans l'ensemble. Nous avons pris connaissance du fait qu'une part croissante du PCT est consacrée à la promotion de la coopération technique entre pays en développement et que, dans ce domaine, le rôle catalyseur du Programme s'avère particulièrement efficace pour autant que ces projets soient limités à une sorte d'injection de démarrage et qu'ils soient poursuivis sous d'autres auspices.
Quant aux projets de formation, nous pensons qu'il s'agit généralement d'une oeuvre à long terme qui ne cadre pas, ou alors très exceptionnellement, avec les projets de courte durée qui caractérisent le PCT.
Nous savons que les projets du PCT, comme les autres projets, sont soumis au système interne d'évaluation de la-FAO, au sein duquel les représentants de l'Organisation dans les pays jouent un rôle important. Cela est bien, mais quelle que soit la qualité de l'évaluation interne, rien n'équivaut à des évaluations externes périodiques pour gagner la confiance des organes directeurs.
Quant au budget, nous appelons de nos voeux un dialogue constant et concret avec le Secrétariat qui permettra aux Etats Membres d'apporter leur contribution dans l'entreprise qui nous unit tous pour faire un usage optimal des ressources de la FAO. A cet égard, il convient de saluer les efforts du Directeur général qui nous a présenté un budget reflétant notre souci de rigueur et notre préférence pour un accent mis sur les activités tournées vers le terrain, plutôt que sur les dépenses administratives. Nous sommes confiants que cette évolution productive du budget de notre Organisation se confirmera dans le futur.
T.E. KITLELI (Lesotho): Bëfore I deliver my brief statement I wish to say how honoured I am because I am speaking with two caps on. One cap is for my delegation, the second cap as a Vice-Chairman of the African Group. So do not be astonished if I keep on saying 'my; -I shall be referring to the African continent.
Mr Chairman, my delegation wishes to associate itself with those who have congratulated you and your two Vice-Chairmen on being unanimously elected in your respective positions. There is no doubt that with your long experience and dynamic leadership skills this Commission will come up with constructive and purposeful conclusions.
Mr Chairman, we miss you already on the floor and I am sure you wish that you were down here with us; all that you know because of your qualities.
We wish to thank Mr Shah for his lucid presentation of the document before us. The item on the agenda is a delicate and thought-provoking one at the same time. It is delicate because this is the most critical period of the current recession for the last 50 years, as stated in document C 85/3 presented by the Director-General of FAO. Every member of this-Commission knows the effects of economic recession. My delegation cannot emphasize enough how essential it is to apply those measures that we all agree can improve the situation. Summaries and declarations have been encouraged. Some improvements have been noted in the industrialized and developed countries, but in the developing countries conditions are not at all encouraging.
Among the factors that have contributed to leaving the developing countries in a bleak situation, my delegation immediately recalls the high interest rates, volatile exchange rates, trade restrictions, protectionism and the rest. It follows therefore that developing countries, in particular Africa, will have high debt rates.
Allow me to quote a brief sentence from document C 85/3 which says: "We must simultaneously rehabilitate the Continent" - that is Africa - "which has shut out agriculture, and rebuild Africa's ability to feed itself."
All this needs vision, courage and compassion, as the Director-General of FAO has said in this document. This can be achieved. Countries like Japan, India, Zimbabwe and others have demonstrated that this is possible.
Turning briefly to TCP, my delegation sees this as a related strategy in its totality because it emphasizes training of the local people, providing inputs to short-term projects and other related areas. We have to start somewhere at the grassroot level, and my delegation feels that TCP is the correct approach.
My delegation commends the initiative of the Director-General to contact donor countries to support the proposed rehabilitation projects. It is the hope and wish of my delegation that this proposal will be highly considered.
The day before yesterday we witnessed a hearty and brief ceremony where some of our outstanding and capable colleagues received special awards for their distinct work in portraying and making the world aware of certain parts of the African continent which suffer from the effect of constant drought.
If we were to pause and ask ourselves this question, shall we continue to carry out this job and the proposed one with zero growth, my delegation would not like to attempt to answer it. My delegation asks this Commission to address this question seriously and come up with an answer, and my delegation is positive that before we conclude this item we shall be able to have suggested positive measures essential to overcome this problem.
My delegation has read the documents before us very closely and indeed it supports the areas of concern that are clearly tabulated, these being: (1) promotion of food production by supplying inputs at the right time to the small farmers; (2) increase of food security by strengthening the Global Information Early Warning System; (3) utilization of fisheries' resources; and (4) promotion of afforestation to eliminate degradation, training, and as we mentioned earlier, including womenfolk.
In conclusion, my delegation would like to see this document fully supported and once again we appreciate very much that you have given us the floor.
Milan TRKULJA (Yugoslavia): Mr Chairman, I do not need to tell you how happy I am to see you back in this House, this very room in which your spirit, and indeed your image, is constantly confined. Our congratulations to the Vice-Chairmen as well.
We listened with great interest to the introduction by the Director-General, as read out by Mr Shah, and indeed it will be evident very clearly from my statement that this has full approval.
I have some reason to believe that the views of the Yugoslav Government on this very important subject - that is the Programme of Work and Budget of FAO for the next biennium - are broadly known, and I have to respect the ambition of the chair to complete the debate on this subject in the course of the afternoon. Therefore I will try to be very brief. I will try to confine our comments to something that we really believe is important, and I will try to reflect some of the views that were mentioned in the debate. I believe it is in our common interest to establish a dialogue and to agree on as many subjects as we possibly can.
Briefly on format we believe, as almost all others, that the format and presentation of the document for the next biennium represents some improvement on similar attempts in the past in many respects. I have no time to reflect all the improvements that I believe are very important. It is enough to say that nothing is perfect and some additional improvements are surely possible.
We have listened to certain views calling for more transparency, better presentation, and perhaps more
information. We really deeply believe that though improvements are still possible, it would be very difficult to satisfy such requests. Our feeling is that the format and presentation are a fair balance between conciseness and information, and basically all relevant information is already contained.
On the Director-General's introduction, I have very little to say except to add a small word of caution. We are afraid that the world' economic situation as presented by the Director-General
could prove to be somewhat optimistic. In our view, recovery is almost fully confined to developed parts of the world. It is very weak and, very importantly, it is very uneven between this homogenous group of countries, even very uneven within the single economies, and it is very uncertain.
Let me indicate or just reiterate our full agreement with the proposed strategy and priorities. We cannot agree more on the increased concentration on Africa, given the situation in Africa south of Sahara. In our view, Mr Chairman, the strategy and priorities as reflected in the document represent yet another consistent, and we believe, very rational, step along the basic policy lines unanimously approved by the Council in 1976 and reaffirmed by the Conference in 1977. It is in our view very gratifying to note that the Director-General was able to propose quite a sizeable increase in the major technical and economic activities at the expense, of course, of some administrative and support services. We generally share, but very generally indeed, Mr Chairman, the word of caution by the Council and the bodies with regard to the continuation of this tendency. However, we are positive that the Director-General will always pay full attention - I am referring to the future of course - and will surely make sure that future cuts if any were made, will not be at the expense of the administrative and support services.
Let me just mention that we feel that the proposed increase in the costs are fully justified and that we would not like to see an FAO office in North America, as was generously offered by some of my friends from that region, given the enormous cut in some offices in thè previous biennium.
Mr Chairman, I cannot but offer some comments on TCP. TCP was obviously the subject of almost all interventions. As I am now going to address the TCP I feel I have to establish the credentials of my Government vis-a-vis the TCP. I would like to stress what Yugoslavia has contributed. We have used so little TCP that it could be safely neglected. I am trying to establish these credentials, as I said, just to counter some of the views expressed, some of the views that in fact, at least informally, implied that there is a rift in FAO membership vis-a-vis TCP on the´basis of contributor-beneficiary lines. We do not believe in that. My country does not belong to a group of beneficiary countries, but it will surely continue to lend its full support to TCP. We believe that TCP is very efficient if compared with its own nature and its objectives. Now we are even more sure in our belief, since we very carefully studied the evaluation report. May I also recall that in this very hall during the last two biennia we have listened to a whole chorus of voices all asking for the same thing, a so-called independent evaluation of TCP. In response to such calls, the Director-General initiated -a full external evaluation of TCP. We are aware of the evaluation report. Personally, I can speak with certain authority that I have never seen a better evaluation report because I was personally involved for many years in evaluation work - a very able team indeed. I am privileged to say that I know all three evaluators and it is difficult for me personally to see a better choice than the one made by the Director-General. The evaluation was, as I said, conducted independently, based òn a large sample covering many countries and, in all respects, was more than representative. Then the report itself contained full information on all aspects - and I am underlining all aspects - of TCP. I am insisting on all this, Mr Chairman, just to say that it is a bit strange to hear again words like "accountability of TCP” and, even stranger, a suggestion going as far as to ask the Programme and Finance Committees to be involved in a sort of ex-post monitoring. I do not know, I am not clear, what it would imply, but if it. really implies what I am afraid of, then with my experience in committee, which is fairly long, I would like to advise this Commission very strongly against any attempt to charge either the Programme or Finance Committee, or even jointly, to involve itself in such an exercise. I have no time to elaborate, but if we are going to discuss this matter in more detail I would feel free to present, to advance very numerous arguments which lead me to advise this body against any thought of that kind. Let me say finally, still on TCP, that after the evaluation report we strongly believe that TCP is very efficient, that it compares - and I am going to say something which is very modest - very well with similar activities in the UN System or elsewhere.
Finally a very brief reflection on the major issue, the one of the budget level. We also very much appreciate the additional efforts of the Director-General to reduce somewhat the level of resources originally required for the next biennium. I have, again, no time to go into detail. We are pleased that the reduction did not, in fact, affect economic and technical activities,
and that it is the result of further cuts in documentation and some maintenance work. While we appreciate very much the additional efforts of the Director-General, we are equally aware of the fact that many developing countries, especially the least developed countries, wanted the Director-General to propose a much more sizeable increase in the Budget given to cope with the enormous and, unfortunately, increasing needs of such countries. We feel, however, that the proposed level now is a fair balance between possibilities of the FAO membership at this very moment and increasing calls for FAO support. In that respect, we fully support and we do not believe that it is rational or meaningful to-ask the Director-General again to consider further cuts. His constitutional responsibility to this Conference is very clear. He is, of course, obliged to follow very closely and to be in constant touch and consultation with the FAO membership, to pay full attention to the Regional Conferences, to the various bodies of the FAO Council and to the Council itself. But it is a clear-cut constitutional responsibility of the Director-General to present his best judgment - with regard to all the features of the Budget including the Budget level - to the Conference; and in our view, he has already made an unprecedented effort to satisfy some of the concerns, and so it really does not seem right to call him again to consider the possibility of further cuts. We do not agree that further cuts are still possible without causing further harm to the very essence of FAO activities.
Mrs Jean GEORGE (Trinidad and Tobago): I thank you Mr Chairman. Allow me to join preceding speakers in congratulating you on your election as Chairman of this important Commission. Your long experience with FAO and your personal involvement with the matters entrusted to this Commission made your choice to guide our deliberations an ideal one. I would also like to thank Mr. Shah, Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation, for his lucid and thorough introduction of the Agenda item.
Trinidad and Tobago followed very carefully the debate on the Programme of Work and Budget at the Eighty-seventh and Eighty-eighth Council meetings and at this Commission, and we believe ourselves to be fully apprised of the issues. We wish to commend the Organization for its well-balanced budgetary presentation and its restrained approach in the preparation of the Budget, which has taken into consideration the international economic constraints under which Member States now operate. We accept the present Budget ceiling and appreciate the reduction made in the growth level from 1.4 percent to 1.1 percent. We also applaud the reduction in expenditure on administration and support services which has now been reduced to 5.5 percent. We wish to warn, however, against further erosion of administration staff and support services to a point where they fail the critical mass required to administer and satisfactorily implement requests for programmes from Member States.
Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the Latin American and Caribbean group and is geographically located among those small island states in the Caribbean Sea. We therefore feel that there is a need to develop and intensify our activities in the fisheries industry, as a result of the creation of the Exclusive Economic Zone, and in aquaculture,.. and solicit your support under this programme. Forestry is another activity of importance to us. We therefore feel the allocations in fisheries and forestry as essential for the further development of these sectors. In the Plan of Action for Latin America and the Caribbean, we wish to draw particular attention to the urgency and importance of activities in the following areas: concentration on the technologies of production of root and tuber crops in tropical and sub-tropical areas suitable for the small farmer sector; the identification of areas for germplasm production particularly for cocoa, coffee, bananas, vegetable seeds and legumes; the provision of secretariat services to the Caribbean Plant Protection Commission,and´ the prevention of losses for perishable foods such as fruits and vegetables in the areas of post harvest physiology and storage.
Under the livestock programme we support the following activities and view them as areas of priority: the search for low-cost fodder and the use of non-traditional feeding stuffs such as agricultural residues and agro-industrial byproducts in the formulation of livestock foods, and the prevention of exotic diseases, particularly Foot and Mouth Disease, from the Caribbean, through technical cooperation among the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean group and FAO and through the strengthening of cooperation in laboratory diagnostic capability. We welcome the support given by FAO to those countries where Foot and Mouth Disease exists.
With special reference to the TCP, my delegation wishes to restate in this forum what was indicated and supported at the last Council Session. We see the TCP as one of the most effective and efficient programmes organized by FAO for a rapid response to problems in Member Government States. We in Trinidad and Tobago have benefited from these programmes, and can commend our successes as ample reason for further support for this Programme. However, we lend our support for the increase in the maximum cost of TCP projects from US$ 250 000 to US$ 400 000, inviting the Administration once again to continue its efforts to ensure that some mechanism for improved financial accountability and for monitoring is put into place for projects which will be instituted. In addition, we re-emphasize our view that the Programme should not only address emergency problems, but should also seek to accommodate other deficiencies in agricultural development which require a catalytic action to propel them into action-oriented implementation programmes.
These are some of the programmes which the Trinidad and Tobago delegation has identified for priority action. By way of ensuring successful implementation, we feel that it is desirable for us to support the Budget presented to us, if the Director-General is to be given the opportunity to meet the six cardinal principles which have shaped. the proposals.
There is an additional aspect of the Budget that we wish to address. My delegation has taken account of the objective of the Sub-programme 5.2.4.2, "Recruitment Planning and Staff Development," in which attention has been given to the achievement of balanced recruitment of staff with emphasis on providing equal opportunity for women. This is in keeping with the resolution adopted at the United Nations World Conference for Women held in Nairobi in July this year. We welcome the FAO´s acknowledgement of the request addressed to heads of specialized agencies to establish new five-year targets at each level for the percentage of women in professional and higher posts, and the setting up of neceesary mechanisms to achieve those targets. My delegation trusts that running parallel to the new posts to be created as a result of the adoption of the Budget, a balanced view in the recruitment of women.to these posts will also be realized.
P.O. RYAN (Ireland): Ireland welcomes and fully supports the Budget and Programme of Work as proposed by the Director-General. We welcome in particular the reduction in administrative and other non-technical costs, and the corresponding increases in the technical and economic programmes and in the TCP.
Among the six principal priorities established by the Director-General, we commend his emphasis on training and on ensuring an impact at field level. These two means of action will together, we feel, help to ensure in the longer term the achievement of the two primary objectives of increasing food production and strengthening food security.
Dean R. LINDO (Belize): The congratulatory remarks that have been going in your direction bear full testimony to the high esteem in which you are held by this Commission. Belize concurs fully in these remarks. We would also ask you to direct our congratulations to the rest of your Commission on their recent election, as they take on the heavy burden of this Commission.
Belize is one of the new Members of FAO, and we very much appreciate your giving us audience in these hallowed halls. We thank you, Sir.
Having analyzed the Programme of Work and Budget, we say without hesitation that we support it, and we urge its adoption.
The TCP is of particular significance to the country of Belize.
Extension services are very important in the life of the farmer, who is in very great need of technical support and assistance - because in the final analysis it is the farmer who is important.
Irrigation and drainage have perhaps real meaning to those familiar with agriculture and who have had the benefit of irrigation - which, I understand, can make the difference between failure and success in agriculture. It is almost a foreign word to my particular area, for several reasons - not the least being the cost of irrigation, which is very high for us. There is also certainly the question of the capacity and technology to build irrigation systems.
Most of the produce, particularly grains, do not reach the tables of the people for whom it is intended. Indeed, sometimes as much as 30 percent is lost to rodents, who benefit almost as greatly as the people for whom it is intended.
Then, there is the question of marketing. The farmers will not produce if they cannot market the produce. There is great need for technical assistance, technical cooperation in the field of marketing, and that in itself creates some problems. At one time, there was difficulty in identifying the market. Now when the markets have been identified, other problems appear. One could not respond to the demand situation of the market, because one did not have the technology with which to produce the quantities which a meaningful market seemed to need.
Perhaps I should say a word on forestry. I am told that Belize is supposed to be a forest country. We are told by the World Bank that it has a capacity to produce some 200 million feet of lumber annually. It is producing 8 million. I need hardly say that the timber is there, but technology obviously is not.
Some financing would be needed, but in my opinion, technology is perhaps more important. The resources are there, available to be cut, but are being left in the forests. So you will appreciate that in our position, the TCP is very important - and we therefore support it.
I have listened to the zero growth arguments, and it does seem to me, in one sentence, that natural growth has to be reflected in the Budget. The incremental responsibility and expansion must be reflected in the budgetary position - and, as I understand it, that is exactly what has been .' done.
Finally, at the risk of being invidious, Belize commends Mr Shah for his brilliant elucidation of what is obviously a very complicated document. Our compliments also go to the Director-General for his imaginative presentation of the Programme of Work and Budget in which he has shown great competence and compassion.
Mrs Tassia ATHANASSIOU (Greece): On behalf of my delegation I wish to congratulate you and the other members of the bureau on your election to this high office, and to express our conviction that under your able guidance the work of the Commission will be successfully accomplished.
As far as the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 is concerned, I would like to point out that we are fully aware of the ever-increasing demands on, and needs of, the Organization to broaden its activities. As the Director-General has stated, FAO functions (1) as a collector and purveyor of information; (2) as a center for policy analysis; (3) as a forum for governmental discussion; and (4) as a provider of technical assistance at the field level and mobilizer of investment and aid. Thus, despite efforts to halt the expenses of the Organization, the target of zero growth is very hard to achieve, because of the role which FAO is called upon to play.
The Greek Government fully accords with the targets which the Director-General has set, obviously after consultation with the various parties, in a description of the priorities and activities of the Organization. The nature of these activities makes difficult any attempt to run them and it is not only because there is an absolute need for parallel progress in various fields of the activities of the Organization, but also because there might be doubt whether this assembly is the most appropriate forum for a dogmatic discussion on the subject.
In view of the above, and sharing the opinion expressed by Dr Saouma that FAO's capacity to fulfill its functions must be reinforced by simultaneously adjusting both the approach and the contents of the Organization's programmes in light of the present changing needs of the Member Nations, my delegation endorses the Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1986-87.
Antonio GAYOSO (United States of America): Mr Chairman, I would like to express my pleasure that you are chairing our deliberations. We all know of your extensive experience and commitment to agricultural development and are certain that you will help us seek harmonious conclusions, while permitting full expression and consideration of everyone's views.
My delegation wants also to express its thanks to Mr Shah for his excellent presentation. Because of the limited time, my delegation made only general brief remarks concerning the Programme of Work and Budget during the 88th Council Meeting. Here in Commission II we would like to share with you and our fellow members our thoughts on the Programme of Work and Budget in a more comprehensive way.
The United States Government has been and continues to be a strong supporter of FAO and its mission. We believe that the FAO is the primary technical agricultural agency in the UN and a very important source of information and knowledge for all its members. We are fully aware and appreciative of the tremendous positive impact FAO has had on agriculture in the world during the last 40 years. We recognize the continuous efforts that the Director-General and the Secretariat have made in improving programme content and delivery. We know how timely and how sound FAO's warnings were in 1983 about the nature of the African food crisis. It is because we value FAO so much that we feel it our duty to share with you some of my country's concerns about the proposed Programme of Work and Budget. We believe we are all at a crossroads where we need to determine which is the best way to proceed.
During the past several years, agricultural and rural development have faltered in many parts of the world, at a time when significant and real financial constraints exist, not only in developing countries but also in developed ones. That is a fact from which we cannot hide. It is a fact that demands that we use existing resources more wisely and more effectively. The United States position favouring zero real growth is simply a manifestation, not only of a real financial constraint , but also of our firm belief that simply throwing more money at problems will not solve them.
Thus, financial discipline is a management tool which can and should be used to sharpen priorities and increase effectiveness. We who have worked in the agricultural development field are all too well aware of the waste engendered by money that is not really needed. We are all too aware of the fact that when everything is given equal priority, nothing is achieved. Selectivity and ranking are vital but not always pursued.
Let no one question our dedication to and support for multilateralism. Our support for multilateral assistance has been growing at a faster rate in recent years than the growth of our bilateral assistance programme. The United States believes in multilateralism and we prove it, not only financially but also through our commitment, as members, to make UN institutions better ones and ones that pursue in earnest and. in purity the objectives for which we, the members, created them.
These are among the main reasons why the US continues to have serious reservations about the proposed budget level. We recognize and indeed commend the Director-General for his receptivity to our concern and his unusual action in reducing the level of growth in the budget proposal. However, we will believe that without any harm to the programme it is possible to achieve zero real growth. We earnestly hope that even now the FAO will find ways of making such adjustments so that all of us will be able to support this budget.
Now I would like to share with you, Mr Chairman, some comments about specific items in the budget very briefly. We believe that this budget strikes a much better balance than the one before. Among the three major programme areas in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, the trend is good. Nonetheless, we feel that it remains important to allocate more resources to forestry, a sub-sector that needs to play an increasingly important role in rural development. Increased funding in this budget for this sector still does not compensate for past reductions. It is a matter or priorities.
We also strongly support the Director-General's proposals to strengthen the Global Information and Early Warning System and we stand ready to cooperate fully in this endeavour. We are very pleased with the rapid response and increased emphasis FAO has accorded Africa. FAO has a major role to play in that region and we would like to see the willingness to do so.
On the review of the Programme of Work and Budget, we support the overall programme, although it is sometimes difficult to identify which items FAO believes are of the highest priority among them all. In some cases, such as the Technical Cooperation Programme, while the US believes the programme is sound, we do not see the need for more resources during this budget cycle, when difficulties remain
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in using monies already allocated to the programmes. The Nordic statement on the TCP recently made reflects most of our concerns and we support it. We also have serious reservations regarding budgetary increases under Item 2.1.2.3 for seeds, which will, to a large degree, support activities associated with the Commission on Planning Integrated Resources. We were assured that neither the undertaking nor the Commission would require additional resources. Therefore, we fail to understand the need for that allocation.
Finally, I would like to express my Government's appreciation for the excellent work of the Liaison Office for North America, and our support for it.
Mamoudou FASSASSI (Bénin): Monsieur le Président, permettez-moi de vous présenter, comme l'ont fait ceux qui m'ont précédé, nos vives félicitations pour votre élection à la tete de cette Commission qui a la difficile tache d'aborder le Programme de travail et Budget 1986-87. Nous félicitons M. Shah pour la présentation qu'il a faite avec une nette clarté du document C 85/3. Ledit document, qui a mis un accent tout particulier sur la production de la culture ouvrière, l'amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire, le renforcement des systèmes d'information, la promotion de la coopération entre pays en développement - bref, les préoccupations de pays aux revenus et aux possibilités limités -, mérite de retenir l'attention de la communauté internationale.
Toutes ces actions proposées par le Directeur général tiennent compte des suggestions et recommandations faites par les Etats Membres lors de la session du Conseil de 1985. C'est pourquoi la délégation béninoise appuie le programme de budget proposé et recommande son adoption par la Conférence.
La délégation de mon pays rejette le concept de croissance zéro et souhaite que la diminution opérée ne gêne pas les actions de la FAO dans les années à venir. Il est souhaitable et même urgent qu'un accent particulier soit mis sur la promotion des femmes, ce qui permettra d'accélérer l'éducation de la population de nos pays.
Pour terminer, le Gouvernement du Bénin soutient pleinement le document C 85/3 tel qu'il est présenté.
Miss C.AMARATUNGA (Sri Lanka): Mr Chairman, since we are taking the floor for the first time let me congratulate you on your election and the Vice-Chairmen on their election. We have listened with great interest to the comments made by the delegates on this most important item on our agenda. We wish to record our deep appreciation to the Director-General for presenting this very clear document on the Programme of Work and Budget, and also for the lucid introduction made on his behalf by the Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation, both of which have provided a useful background for our discussions.
We note that in the formulation of the programme for the next biennium, the Director-General has been guided by the prevailing food and economic situation in the world. He has taken note not only of the urgent agricultural and food production problems of the developing countries, but also of the problems facing the developed countries. He has maintained a continuous dialogue with Member Nations through the various regional conferences, through official visits to sovereign states and also through discussions with his own staff at headquarters and in the field; all of which he has taken into consideration before formulating these programmes.
We note that while there are limitless demands on FAO to provide technical backstopping to developing countries, limitations placed on him because of available resources have made him follow the lines he has indicated. We can only conclude that what is being offered at this Conference is a very reasonable compromise under the prevailing circumstances.
We would, however, wish to make some remarks on a few points, both in relation to the Programme of Work and to the Budget. We had originally the proposal from the Director-General which required a programme increase of 1.4 percent for the coming biennium which he has since reduced to 1.1 percent. As always, that attempt to reduce the programme has resulted in the axe falling on
administrative costs and, while this is a favourite method of all managers who are compelled to reduce costs, we would caution that this should not be overdone, since in the long run it is bound to affect the efficiency of the Organization in effectively implementing its programmes.
One cannot provide the appropriate economic and technical backstopping unless there is adequate staff. We have already had a feedback on this from the report of the external evaluation team on the Technical Cooperation Programme where they comment that insufficient staff at headquarters dealing with technical aspects has slowed down the technical backstopping needed to implement programmes under the Technical Cooperation Programme.
We also like to state, like most members of developing countries, that we agreed to a reduction in the budget level in the hope that there would be a consensus on the budget in response to our agreeing to a lower programme increase, although in fact we would have preferred a much higher programme increase.
We also note that the Director-General has made transfers within chapters, giving activities a higher priority with more funds and reducing those which do not require such a priority. This, we believe, is due to the continuing demand by the developed countries to do this whenever budget proposals are made. But we hope it is not the understanding by certain members that this has not been done by the Director-General. On the contrary, we have seen evidence of his awareness and close scrutiny of the programmes which have made him always appraise his programmes. As a result the scarce resources of the Organization are utilized in the most prudent manner.
We also wish to emphasize that the retention of the increase in the economic and technical programme at 3.8 is reasonable, given the need to apportion funds in the most careful manner.
A few members who spoke before me have touched on the Technical Cooperation Programme. We are aware of the controversy regarding this programme from its very inception in 1976. We would like to reaffirm our strong commitment to the usefulness of this programme. The vast majority of developing counties who are recipients of assistance under this programme have on' numerous occasions expressed their satisfaction with it, and we would firmly oppose any reduction in the resources allocated to it for the coming biennium.
The justification for the continuation of the programme has been amply demonstrated in its implementation in the recipient countries. The concepts, the criteria, the mode of operation and the impact among Member Nations have been fully discussed in previous committees which dealt with this subject. We would hope that there would be no further controversy on this issue.
Finally, on the allocation of resources to the regional offices, much as we would have liked to see an increase in the estimates, particularly in our own region, we would contend that the amounts set aside justify the Director-General's rationale for judicious allocation of resources at this stage.
The work done by the Regional Office is appreciated only by the Members of the Region. We on our part have had very close cooperation with the regional office and through the Country Representative. Their contributions to the work in the Ministries dealing with agriculture, fisheries and irrigation activities, have been both useful and relevant to the National Programmes. We do hope that this cooperation will continue and will be further strengthened.
In conclusion my delegation would repeat that we fully endorse the Director-General's proposals in the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 and the budget level proposed by him.
E. MARTENS (Belgium): The Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 as embodied by document C 85/3 is an invaluable exercise. The way in which it is presented calls for congratulations to all the staff that contributed in its preparation. When considering that the food and agricultural . situation still persists in many developing countries it is obvious that FAO still has an enormous task to perform. Taking into account that only limited resources are available, it is clear that choices have to be made in relation to the need. The way in which these strategies,
priorities and programmes have been defined deserves our full approval. Therefore, my delegation can agree on the choices being made and commends in particular the absolute priority that is given to Africa.
A very important statement has been made in the introduction by the Director-General when referring to the dramatical situation in Africa. I prefer to quote as it stands in the document. "We must simultaneously rehabilitate the continent's shattered agriculture and rebuild Africa's capacity to feed itself. The primary responsibility for doing so rests squarely on the shoulders of African governments. They recognized this in the Harare Declaration..." The Belgian delegation could not express more eloquently its own feelings on this topic, in particular on the reference made regarding the responsibility aspect because it is our conviction that no single priority can be effective unless it receives full endorsement of the Government concerned and irregardless of the efforts or budgetary resources it may receive.
Now I would like to refer to the 6 principal aims that were established in priority selection. We subscribe to them completely and fully agree on the Programme priorities that resulted from this this exercise. Promotion of food production and increases in food security àre indicated as the two basic programme priorities and may be considered, because of their very close inter-relationship, as one overall objective in the quest for improving living standards. We appreciate even more the focus that has been put on the small farmers as the principal target group and in particular the emphasis that is given to the women in their role as producers and marketers. The availability of essential inputs has been set as a primary objective and concurs with our own development aid strategy. I would like to take this opportuniy to stress the importance of the marketing aspect that is as crucial as the production itself.
In the context of increasing food security, we fully endorse the strengthening of the Global Information and Early Warning System in the understanding that it will be complemented by the food security assistance Scheme activities in a concrete manner.
As to the other programme priorities, I would like to insist that an even stronger support be given to forestry activities than what is provided for.
The Belgian delegation continues to be in favour of the zero growth policy and is convinced of the positive result it may generate when applied in the right way. Is it not commonly known that the most brilliant ideas are born at times of crisis and that many outstandings issues are worked out and solutions are found at times of crisis policy application? Moreover, limited resources do induce its users to be more imaginative on how to use them best and it may constitute positive real incentives for in-depth reflection before any expenditure. On the whole,it may lead to an even more efficient programme implementation and I think that especially on this occasion of the 40th anniversary of FAO, a profound examination of what has been achieved may help us in defining the most effective orientation to the role of FAO and also in selecting the priorities for its action. Therefore I would like to suggest that programme evaluation exercises be given the full weight of the important role that they have to play.
Before ending my delegation wishes to express its great appreciation for the Director-General's special efforts to keep the budget increase to a minimum level. We appreciate the fact that in particular the technical and economic programmes receive a preferential treatment in accordance with their priority place in the overall programme. Nevertheless we believe that even more reductions on budget provisions may be possible without adversely affecting the programme implementation. Therefore, I would like to refer to the sound recommendations made by several delegates and more specifically the suggestions made by the delegate of the United Kingdom.
Guillermo E. GONZALES (Argentina): Siendo esta la primera vez que mi delegación interviene en esta Comisión deseo, en primer término, felicitar a los miembros de la Mesa y en particular expresar mi satisfacción por verlo a usted, señor Presidente, presidiendo nuestras deliberaciones.
Al igual que otras delegaciones hemos tenido ocasión en el último Consejo de la FAO de expresar nuestr.a posición de apoyo al Programa de Labores y Presupuesto de la Organización para el bienio
1986-87. Por ello trataré de ser muy breve, destacando exclusivamente aquellos aspectos que mi Gobierno estima más importantes.
Creemos que el Director General ha realizado un buen trabajo, tanto en la presentación del documento como en el hecho de haber logrado una disminución adicional en los gastos de administración para traspasar esos gastos, esos recursos en beneficio directo de los países en desarrollo a través de programas técnicos y económicos. Estamos seguros que la Secretaría y el Director General continuarán en esta línea de conducta.
Dentro de este marco, que apoyamos, el incremento de 13,8 por ciento para los programas técnicos y económicos merece un especial apoyo el Programa de Cooperación Técnica (PCT), al que mi país le da gran prioridad ya que ha demostrado en múltiples ocasiones su utilidad.
Coincidimos, por otra parte, en las prioridades que la Organización ha fijado para el bienio, es decir fomentar la producción de alimentos, mejorar la seguridad alimentaria, conseguir resultados sobre el terreno y promover la cooperación económica y técnica entre los países en desarrollo.
La Argentina reitera, asimismo, su solidaridad con los países de Africa, particularmente aquellos más afectados desde un punto de vista agrícola y alimentario, es decir aquellos al sur del Sahara. Como lo señaló el jefe de mi delegación en la Plenaria, la Argentina está dispuesta a hacer un esfuerzo adicional para estudiar la forma en que podremos participar en el programa especial para el Africa.
Dicho esto no puedo dejar de señalar nuestra preocupación por una aparente tendencia a la disminución de los fondos asignados para América Latina y el Caribe.
Asimismo, y en este orden de cosas queremos dejar sentado nuestro reconocimiento a la labor realizada por la Oficina Regional para América Latina y el Caribe y solicitarles que continúen y amplíen de ser posible su apoyo para el funcionamiento de las redes de cooperación como un mecanismo efectivo de intercambio entre los países.
Dejamos también constancia de nuestro apoyo a todas las actividades de cooperación económica entre países en desarrollo, CTPD y CEPD, por el efecto multiplicador que éstas tienen en los países en desarrollo.
Brevemente quisiera referirme a un par de programas específicos. En lo que hace al Programa 2.1.3. Ganadería, en el apartado primero del documento se enfatiza a plazo medio un alto crecimiento de la producción ganadera de cada país para satisfacer sus propias necesidades sin recurrir, dice el informe, a costosas importaciones. La realidad parecería indicar otro camino más viable.
Para tratar de abreviar creo que nuestra experiencia, como ha sido demostrado en la última reunión del Comité de Problemas de Productos Básicos, nos lleva a considerar atinada la implementación indiscriminada de programas de desarrollo ganadero, la que sólo puede tener efectos positivos en aquellos países que tengan recursos naturales adecuados para dicho desarrollo; es decir, para ponerlo en términos más claros, que el factor costo debe adquirir una particular relevancia.
Por otra parte, en lo que hace al subprograma 2.1.5.1.2., Educación, Extensión y Capacitación Agrícola, en los programas, tanto formulados como en ejecución, las acciones de capacitación y organización de los productores y de investigación y de extensión apropiada son de central importancia.
La cooperación de la FAO, debido a su larga experiencia, puede ser muy útil para el desarrollo y capacitación de una tecnología apropiada a este tipo de productores con escaso capital y suficiente dotación de mano de obra.
En el Subprograma 2.1.5.1.2., para citar algunos de los subprogramas de los que mi Gobierno querría hacer algunos comentarios, me refiero al subprograma de comunicaciones de apoyo al desarrollo. La Argentina entiende que la participación de la FAO en la capacitación de los agentes de extensión en técnicas de comunicación interpersonal a fin de facilitar la transferencia de tecnología a los agricultores es de suma importancia ya que el personal entrenado en la utilización de técnicas
modernas orientadas al pequeño productor es muy escaso. Este grupo de productores sólo ha sido alcanzado con este tipo de tecnología de comunicación en escala muy reducida por la acción de algunos organismos no gubernamentales.
En aras de la brevedad deseo dejar constancia de nuestro apoyo a la labor que realizan los Departamentos de Pesca y Montes y reiterar una vez más nuestro respaldo al incremento presupuestario que la Secretaría nos ha propuesto.
Joachin WINKEL (Federal Republic of Germany)(original language German): Allow me at the outset to thank Mr Shah for his very clear and comprehensive presentation which greatly facilitates our tackling this very complex area. As I take the floor at this stage I have a great advantage. We simplified our statement so as not to repeat what has already been said, but I would nonetheless like to make a number of points.
The difficult world economic situation of the 1970s has been improved by the individual efforts of many developing countries and by the coordinated action of large industrialized nations. The economic recovery,however, has not yet been consolidated. In the Federal Republic of Germany, a rigorous discipline in spending was, and is still, necessary so as to consolidate our financial situation. For many citizens this entailed additional, and still entails, restrictions on social allowances. Discipline in spending continues to be the explicit will of my Government as is also reflected in our draft Federal budget for 1986. The budget's growth rate is below that of the expected gross domestic product. This is the basis on which the Federal Republic of Germany pursues its fiscal, budgetary and economic policy. This basis also determines our attitude towards the budgets in the UN system. Just for this reason we welcome the efforts by the Director-General which we have noticed, to take into account difficulties which could arise for all memeber countries if higher annual contributions were to be made. The Director-General has stated this quite clearly in his introduction to the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87.
During the Eighty-seventh Session of the Council, we appreciated that the Director-General undertook efforts, with his proposed Programme of Work and Budget, to focus the priorities in the work of the Organization still more on the technical programmes that would increase food and agricultural production as well as rural development. This was done by making cuts in overhead costs.
We also appreciate the fact that the Director-General has drawn conclusions from the discussions at the Eighty-seventh Session of the Council and has limited the real budget increase to 1.1% now by making additional cuts in the administrative sector, by updating increases in costs as well as by not increasing the budget item "Contingencies". In'agreement with the Programme Committee, we endorse the programme priorities envisaged in the Programme of Work, namely the promotion of food production, the strengthening of food security, the consolidation of information systems, the intensification of training, the promotion of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries, and the promotion of greater efficiency by FAO in the field.
Under the major programme of Agriculture, we welcome above all the objective of FAO to support the Member States effectively in the formulation of their national policies and strategies for the development of their agriculture. This applies particularly to increased training of skilled staff. Under this Agriculture programme, it is above all the promotion of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries which we approve.
Turning to the major programme of Fisheries, we particularly welcome FAO'S activities to counteract the loss of fish and thus food losses in an important field. We also welcome the aim of utilizing fish species which have not yet been used , or are used to a small extent only.
In the major programme of Forestry we are above all impressed by the thrust of FAO's work to contribute, through afforestation programmes, to the stabilization of the ecological balance by recognizing the contribution that forests make to land and water resources.
As regards the Technical Cooperation Programme, we repeat our attitude held at the last Conference Session that this programme should not exceed the level reached in 1982-83. Like Japan, and other previous speakers, we note that the funds earmarked for this programme have not been
exhausted to a substantial extent in the last budget years or were partly transferred from one biennium to the next. We assume that such transfers should also be possible for the biennium 1986-87. For that reason, a real increase would not be necessary.
Our attitude also takes into account the fact that the Director-General through the Finance Committee, has in addition been authorized to use a maximum of $15 million left over from other Chapters to finance projects in Africa within the framework of the TCP. The Technical Cooperation Programme has been assessed by external evaluation, following a request by us for many years. This evaluation confirmed that this programme is suitable in meeting its objectives. We would, however, have preferred it if such an evaluation had been undertaken by the Joint Inspection Unit which has been set up for such tasks within the UN system.
We also have misgivings as to the establishment of 14 new professional category posts, even if these additional costs are partly absorbed by abolishing 5 posts in the General Service. We believe that through inter-organization transfers,it would be possible not to set up these new posts, or at least to limit them to a large extent.
We are grateful that the budget document shows for the first time - according to our repeatedly expressed wish - the posts for country representatives by number and grade. This improves the transparency that is absolutely necessary for the personnel sector.
An undoubtedly positive factor is that the share of personnel costs in the overall budget has decreased continuously. Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that the number of all established posts has markedly increased in the process of decentralization, which has now been concluded. This also applies to the upgrading of posts. Our restraint towards new posts at Headquarters should thus be understood against this background.
We have highlighted these two areas in order to substantiate our claim that there are still possibilities for savings within the.budget, savings which could lead to a greater economy. We believe that the priority tasks of the Organization would not be impaired by so doing. A number of speakers of other delegations have expressed the same view and stated that further cuts in the proposal before us could facilitate the adoption of the Programme of Work by consensus. This would be welcomed by my delegation .
Sankung JANNEH (Gambia): On behālf of the Gambian delegation, I wish to join other speakers before me in congratulating you on your election in the position of Chairman of this important Commission. My congratulations also go to the Vice-Chairmen. I am sure that this Commission will benefit enormously from your vast experience and wise leadership.
My delegation wishes to commend the Director-General and his staff for the high quality work that they have put into the preparation of the basic document before us, C 85/3 - that is, the Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1986-87. I fully share and support the view of those previous speakers, mainly from the Third World, who see the Programme of Work and Budget of FAO as reflecting the true needs and priorities of its member states, particularly those of us. in the developing world.
I need hardly state that countries such as mine, which have been afflicted by drought, crop failures and famine, have benefited immensely from FAO's support and assistance in various aspects of agriculture and food production. Now more than ever before we need FAO in our greatest hour of need. We can therefore only advocate an increase in FAO's field activities and programmes, especially in the vital areas of food production, desertification control, soil and water conservation, fisheries and technical training. Sub-Saharan agriculture is in dire need of rehabilitation and modernization, and an organization like FAO patently has a leading role to play in this endeavour. For us, therefore, zero growth in the Organization's budget is somewhat unacceptable. At the very least, we believe the budgetary increase of 1.1 percent, amounting to US$5 million, which has been proposed by the Director-General for the biennium under consideration, should be approved without hesitation, especially when the proposed increase is to be met from cuts in overhead expenditures and from administrative and support services costs.
In conclusion, I wish to record my delegation's full approval and support for the Director-General's Programme of Work and Budget. I would also wish to join other delegates in calling for urgent action in support of the second replenishment for IFAD.
Sra. Doña María Isabel CASELLAS (Venezuela): Nuestra Delegación desea felicitarle por la acertada designación como Presidente de un Comité de tanta importancia, así como felicitar a los dos Vicepresidentes y al Sr. Shah por su acertada introducción del tema que estamos debatiendo.
Hemos estudiado el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87 presentado por el Director General el cual responde a las necesidades reiteradamente manifestadas por los países más pobres y que han sido reconocidas por los Estados Miembros. Apoyamos las estrategias, prioridades y actividades identificadas en los programas que se presentan para su aprobación, que aseguran un nivel de actividades de la FAO correspondiente a las necesidades antes mencionadas. Es por esto que consideramos satisfactorio el nivel del presupuesto establecido y rechazamos la tesis del crecimiento cero. Apoyamos los programas prioritarios tales como la producción de alimentos, aumento de la seguridad alimentaria, los programas de pesca y montes, la capacitación, el fomento de la cooperación económica y técnica entre países en desarrollo, las actividades a nivel de campo, así como la prioridad general concedida a Africa.
Como hemos repetidamente señalado en foros anteriores, concedemos especial atención al papel de la mujer en el medio rural y a los programas de cooperación técnica del PCT con la recuperación de los mal llamados cultivos de cereales secundarios, con los objetivos de llevarlos al nivel de importancia que les corresponde.
En resumen, la Delegación de Venezuela apoya plenamente tanto el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto como el nivel del presupuesto que se presenta, el cual es el mínimo necesario para lograr las finalidades de la FAO.
Rami Yahiaoui ABDELLATIF (Maroc)(langue originale arabe): Au nom de la délégation du Maroc, je voudrais tout d'abord vous féliciter pour votre élection à la présidence de cette commission, qui, certainement, verra aboutir heureusement ses travaux du fait que vous en êtes le Président.
Nous avons écouté avec beaucoup d'attention les interventions des autres délégués; à notre tour nous voudrions appuyer les stratégies et priorités qui figurent dans le document C 85/3. De même, nous sommes favorables à ce qu'a proposé le Directeur général, à savoir renforcer le rôle de l'Organisation en augmentant très modestement le budget.
Nous sommes d'accord également sur ce qui a été proposé pour le programme de coopération technique. Notre délégation donne sur ce point un appui sans réserve. Le PCT est d'une importance capitale si l'on veut faire face aux situations d'urgence dans les zones les plus gravement touchées. . N'oubliez pas que notre pays a déjà pu tirer parti dé ce PCT pour augmenter la production des produits de base. Nous sommes aussi favorables à la priorité accordée à la région Afrique. Tout le monde connaît la situation critique de cette partie du monde.
Notre délégation souhaiterait faire quelques remarques qui, à nos yeux, sont importantes et dont l'Organisation devrait, à notre avis, prendre conscience. Je ne vais pas entrer dans les détails bien sûr, vous nous avez invités à être brefs dans nos interventions. Je voudrais dire que nous sommes entièrement convaincus de l'utilité des crédits à accorder à tout ce qui porte sur l'augmentation de la production vivrière dans les pays en développement. Pour cette raison, il faut bien souligner combien il importe de préserver les communautés rurales, de les protéger, d'en permettre une restructuration, de faciliter l'octroi de crédits dont cette population rurale a besoin.
Autre chose maintenant: l'importance des programmes et projets intégrés pour la région au sud du Sahara. Dans le contexte de ces programmes intégrés, soulignons le rôle de la femme dans les campagnes. Soulignons qu'il faut aussi créer dans cette région rurale des emplois nouveaux.
Troisième élément important à nos yeux: encourager une production accrue grace à une politique bien claire et bien définie pour ce qui est des techniques agricoles.
Quatrième et dernier élément important à nos,yeux: il faut davantage insister sur les forêts; dans ces projets intégrés que nous visons, la foret joue un rôle important. L'élevage aussi est un élément important qui, si on l'organise convenablement, peut se développer sans nuire au secteur forestier.
Gustavo ALIAGA (Bolivia): La Delegación boliviana se siente complacida por el informe presentado ante esta Comisión por el Director de la Oficina de Programas y Presupuestos, Sr. Shah, el cual ha realizado un análisis del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87, documento que fue presentado por el Director General de la FAO a los miembros de esta Organización. Sin lugar a dudas, la intención del Director General al presentar ante esta 23a Conferencia un documento claro y detallado de los objetivos a plazo medio, con el fin de que la FAO cumpla y desempeñe su misión que le fue encomendada, demuestra la intención y la responsabilidad histórica que debe cumplir la Organización ante el grave flagelo del hambre y la desnutrición.
Nos encontramos ante hechos graves y dolorosos para muchas naciones hermanas que continúan sufriendo la miseria y el hambre. La dimensión de la crisis alimentaria en Africa y los problemas derivados de la pesada deuda externa de varios países nos presentan una realidad que debemos afrontar con todas nuestras fuerzas y capacidades. Esta situación requiere, igualmente, una decidida comprensión de los países desarrollados, los cuales deberán actuar con medidas profundas dentro del marco de cooperación internacional. Debemos tener en cuenta que el reforzamiento de las actividades de la FAO está ligado íntimamente a este Programa de Labores y Presupuesto. Negarle nuestro apoyo sería una actitud irracional que sería negar ayuda a miles de vidas humanas.
Bolivia observa con satisfacción los objetivos principales que guiaron la selección de prioridades, las cuales permitirán asegurar en este bienio un nivel de actividades a fin de cubrir las necesidades actuales.
No entraremos a detallar los capítulos del documento, creo que todos los participantes les han dedicado las observaciones pertinentes; simplemente mi Delegación ve complacida la labor realizada y manifiesta su apoyo al Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87.
Halim BENATTALLAH (Algérie): Nous vous adressons -nos félicitations pour votre brillante élection à la présidence de notre Commission. Nous savons que vos talents n'ont pas attendu la présente session de notre Commission pour être consacrés. Votre portrait dans cette salle illustre bien votre entrée dans la légion de la FAO depuis bien longtemps. Nous tenons aussi à remercier les vice-présidents, à les féliciter sans oublier M. Shah que nous remercions tout particulièrement pour la présentation du sujet.
Mon propos porte sur deux thèmes: le Programme de travail et Budget 1986-87 et le niveau du budget proposé d'une part, et sur les priorités requises dans ce programme de travail de l'autre.
La délégation algérienne appuie le Programme de travail et Budget 1986-87 et le niveau de budget proposé. La FAO a fait là un exercice très intelligent pour concilier des exigences contradictoires. D'un côté, un effort a été fait pour contenir la demande des ressources supplémentaires, de l'autre, pour réduire les coûts administratifs et de soutien. La résultante en est l'augmentation nette de 1,1 pour cent.
Nous apprécions également le réalisme du Directeur général qui a pu réaliser la synthèse des aspi rations des Etats Membres en contournant très habilement l'écueil de la croissance zéro, mais sans céder à la tentation d'un accroissement du prix des contributions des Etats Membres dans un contexte difficile, surtout pour les pays en développement.
Cependant, nous adhérons pleinement à la remarque du Comité du programme à sa 49ème session, dont certains membres ont regretté que le Directeur général se soit senti obligé de proposer un abais-
sèment du niveau du budget, cette réduction ne se justifiant que si elle devait permettre à la Conférence d'adopter à l'unanimité le Programme de travail et Budget, Nous estimons que cette attitude ne doit pas pour autant constituer un précédent à l'avenir.
Quant à l'argumentation concernant la croissance généralisée du budget soutenue par certains pays développés qui font valoir que cette attitude est le reflet de leur politique interne, elle mérite une réponse très brève en trois points.
D'abord nous récusons l'image que l'on essaie de faire accréditer implicitement présentant les pays en développement et les organisations internationales comme des agents des banquiers et que les pays développés voudraient ramener à la raison.
Beaucoup de pays en développement en effet ont engagé des réformes de structure qui n'ont pas, malgré tout, débouché sur une évolution négative de leur attitude envers des organisations internationales.
Ensuite, si ces politiques d'austérité sont perçues comme une sorte de fatalité de la conjoncture internationale actuelle, il faut faire observer, comme le signale le document 85/2 sur la situation mondiale de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture, que si la reprise est en cours dans certains pays développés, même si elle est inégale et fragile, elle demeure inexistante dans les pays en développement. Beaucoup de ces pays subissent de surcroît, dans des conditions très dures, le poids des ajustements imposés par les créanciers par les voies bilatérales ou multilatérales.
Malgré cela aussi l'attitude des pays en développement demeure très positive.
Cette notion de croissance zéro est enfin inconséquente parce que si les niveaux budgétaires de beaucoup de pays développés subissent en effet des coupes sombres en ce qui concerne le budget par exemple, ils enregistrent par contre une relance effrénée des programmes et des budgets militaires.
Concernant le deuxième thème, les priorités et les choix du Programme de travail et Budget, celui-ci rencontre aussi l'adhésion de notre délégation. Parmi les six critères retenus par le Directeur général dans le choix des priorités, nous accordons une attention particulière à l'impact sur le terrain et recommandons une plus grande transparence des paramètres permettant l'évaluation des actions par rapport aux objectifs retenus. ' Nous partageons aussi l'avis exprimé par le Directeur général dans son introduction au paragraphe 2.10 du chapitre IV du programme pour éviter de trop disperser les ressources de l'Organisation, l'optique régionale et la priorité générale accordée à l'Afrique, à laquelle on destine la majeure partie des augmentations nettes des ressources, soit 3,2 millions de dollars.
Nous approuvons aussi la décision de ne pas augmenter les crédits affectés aux Bureaux régionaux et aux représentants régionaux et d'opérer un rééquilibrage pour assurer une utilisation souple des ressources de fonctions et de besoins.
Concernant la priorité à la production vivrière, il est certes nécessaire d'engager des actions en direction des décideurs; ceci figure au paragraphe 2.26 de ce même chapitre. Il est également essentiel d'agir directement sur le terrain. Mais il ne faudrait pas hésiter à agir au niveau des exploitations comme on le laisse entendre dans ce même paragraphe.
Concernant les moyens d'action prioritaires, l'optique de la CEPD est traditionnelle à la FAO et nous l'apprécions. Au paragraphe 2.57, on cite la consultation CEPD dans le domaine des intrants agricoles, qui a eu lieu en juin 1985. Nous osons espérer que les recommandations de cette consultation sont prises en charge dans le Programme de travail et Budget car le rapport de cette consultation, malgré nos réclamations, n'a toujours pas été distribué aux Etats Membres. Concernant la liste des réunions présentée au document C 85/5, supplément 2, nous relevons que les quatre catégories de réunions, qui sont au nombre de 366, ont un coût de 9 035 000 dollars et nous apprécions le fait que, des 54 activités de formation, 24 se dérouleront en Afrique, conformément à la priorité générale qui lui est accordée. Cependant, nous regrettons que la liste de ces réunions ne soit pas accompagnée de commentaires illustrant leurs liens avec les priorités du programme de travail. Nous regrettons aussi qu'elle soit peu expressive dans la mesure où il n'est pas aisé de cerner le coût de chaque réunion. Nous sommes en effet hantés par le fait que la dernière consultation du
CQCJ - le comité juridique dont nous sommes membres - a coûté environ 13 000 dollars pour deux séances de 20 minutes chacune. Nous présumons que les réunions d'experts, qui sont au nombre de 83, invités à titre personnel par la FAO, ont un impact certain sur la stratégie du Programme de travail et Budget. Nous recommandons que, dans la mesure du possible, la description de ces réunions soit accompagnée du coût de chacune d'elles.
Nous relevons aussi que les activités de formation sont un parent pauvre dans cette liste et qu'elles ont bénéficié d'une faible allocation, soit,517 000 dollars, par rapport à la catégorie 3 qui, elle, draine 3 560 000 dollars. S'agit-il de dépenses incompressibles? Concernant le chapitre "Analyse" du projet de budget, ma délégation apprécie l'augmentation des allocations aux programmes techniques et économiques et au PCT et la baisse des allocations afférentes à la politique et à la direction générale, aux programmes de soutien et aux charges communes.
Nous appuyons aussi la poursuite de la politique du Directeur général (paragraphe 4.7 de ce chapitre), la politique de réduction des dépenses de personnel permettant à l'Organisation de gagner en souplesse, et notons que les augmentations de coûts obligatoires imputables à ce type de dépense représentent encore 24,28 pour cent.
Concernant la création de nouveaux postes pour l'exercice 1986-87, nous nous associons à l'avis du Comité du programme, à sa 49ème session, mais estimons que la politique générale de l'Organisation en la matière devrait, autant que possible, éviter d'être assortie d'exceptions qui constituent autant de précédents.
Concernant le PCT, nous nous réservons la faculté de nous exprimer sur ce point lors de l'examen du point pertinent de l'ordre du jour. Nous réaffirmons notre appui au Programme de travail et au niveau du budget proposé.
Pour terminer, je voulais soulever tout à l'heure une petite question de procédure et je le fais en qualité de membre du Comité de rédaction, pour la sérénité des débats qui auront lieu au sein du Comité de rédaction. Beaucoup de délégations se sont exprimées sur le PCT bien que cette question ne soit pas directement à l'ordre du jour. Nous souhaiterions, sur ce point, que les rédacteurs du projet de rapport de notre Commission fassent figurer cette question en un seul chapitre, c'est-à-dire que l'on ne fasse pas état des débats aussi bien sur le point 12 que sur le point 13 de l'ordre du jour.
Rolando Felicidades de JESUS NETO (Angola): Je vous remercie, M. le Président, de m'avoir donné la parole pour la deuxième fois et je m'excuse auprès de mes collègues qui n'ont pas encore pris la parole, pour ce dérangement.
Je voudrais, au nom de la délégation angolaise, manifester mon inquiétude quant à la position de certaines délégations sur le niveau du budget présenté à la Conférence par le Directeur général. Il est vraiment lamentable que le quarantième Anniversaire de la FAO ait coïncidé avec le désastre jamais connu dans l'histoire récente de l'Afrique, à savoir la sécheresse généralisée qui a décimé la population du continent. Le prix décerné au cameraman kényen est éloquent. Tous ces événements se sont passés au moment où l'on assistait à la reprise économique dans certains pays. Paradoxalement, les mimes pays, 'tout en remettant en question le niveau de 1,1 pour cent du budget que la majorité écrasante des délégations ont appuyé jusqu'ici, évoquent encore des restrictions imposées à leurs budgets nationaux respectifs.
Vous vous souviendrez qu'il y a deux ans nous avons accepté dans cette salle le principe de la croissance 0,5 pour cent qui nous avait été proposé parce qu'il y avait une réduction des dépenses nationales chez les principaux pays donateurs, et surtout parce que les péripéties de l'économie mondiale étaient pour nous l'argument de taille qui nous a obligés à accepter ce principe, tout en demandant au Directeur général d'augmenter substantiellement le niveau du budget au cours du prochain exercice. Cette augmentation est, à notre avis, mal vue par certaines délégations. Nous nous demandons alors ce qu'elles attendent de la FAO au cours du biennium 1986-87: l'échec ou le succès dans la lutte contre la faim dans le monde? Nous pensons que l'intervention du délégué de la Suède mérite toute notre attention.
J'aimerais aussi faire quelques commentaires sur le Programme de coopération technique. En effet, l'importance que mon pays attache au PCT nous a amenés à intervenir au Conseil en qualité d'observateurs pour appuyer l'augmentation du budget destiné au PCT et encourager le Directeur général à renforcer le programme par la création d'une nouvelle catégorie pour les projets destinés à catalyser la coopération entre pays, CTPD et CEPD. Nous nous réjouissons donc des efforts déployés par le Directeur général en vue d'améliorer le PCT et de garantir son efficacité. Les pays en développement qui bénéficient de projets PCT accordent beaucoup d'importance à ces projets grâce auxquels le Directeur général va au secours des pays avec plus de rapidité. Pour ce faire, la bonne compréhension des donateurs pourrait nous donner de l'espoir et aider la FAO à poursuivre son combat contre la faim dans le monde.
En ce qui concerne la CTPD, il est vrai que sa promotion dans nos pays ne dépend que de l'application de la résolution de l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies sur les nouvelles dimensions de la coopération technique (Résolution 3405 (XXX) de 1975).
L'introduction des éléments CTPD dans les projets PCT pourra aider nos pays à obtenir très rapidement les résultats escomptés. La promotion de la CTPD pourra également contribuer à la lutte contre l'exode des compétences africaines vers l'Europe et l'Amérique. Mon pays s'est engagé envers la CTPD et demande à la FAO son aide, sa collaboration et son encouragement.
José Ramón LOPEZ PORTILLO ROMANO (México): Siendo la primera ocasión en que nuestra delegación interviene, deseo expresar nuestra plena satisfacción porque usted se encuentre presidiendo los trabajos de nuestra Comisión. Usted ha constatado, como en otras ocasiones, su profesionalismo, su larga experiencia, su eficacia y también su efectividad.
Igualmente deseamos felicitar a los Vicepresidentes de nuestra Comisión, al Dr. Shah nuestro agradecimiento por la forma en que presentó nuestro tema, así como a la Secretaría de la FAO por la preparación de los documentos.
La delegación de México expresa su satisfacción plena por el texto presentado del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, ya que representa un esfuerzo del Director General por atender las demandas de los Estados Miembros y de los órganos internos de la FAO en la programación y presupuestación de las actividades de la Organización.
La delegación de México rechaza como cuestión de principio, y también de estrategia, el concepto de crecimiento cero en los organismos internacionales. Estamos dispuestos a examinar en su justo valor cualquier propuesta de análisis de los programas y su presupuestación, pero consideramos inaceptable que un grupo de países, por muy pequeño que sea, no esté en posibilidad de discutir abiertamente sobre las propuestas hechas si no se parte de la base del crecimiento- cero.
Nos parece esa una posición del todo irracional. Reconocemos y apreciamos el esfuerzo hecho por el Director General para limitar al máximo el crecimiento del presupuesto con el objeto -lo subrayo, con el objeto- de que pueda ser aceptable para todos los Estados Miembros de la FAO. Sin embargo, consideramos indispensable expresar que el mínimo crecimiento del presupuesto no está en consonancia con las necesidades reales de los países en desarrollo, que van en aumento, frente a una crisis que se agudiza.
En relación con el Programa, la delegación de México está de acuerdo con las seis prioridades de la Organización, a saber: fomentar la producción de alimentos, mejorar la seguridad alimentaria, consolidar los sistemas de información, dar máxima importancia a la capacitación, promover la cooperación económica y técnica entre los países en desarrollo y conseguir resultados sobre el terreno.
Debo advertir, y esta vez lo hago señor Presidente, si usted me lo permite en nombre del Grupo de los 77, que en lo que se refiere a la cooperación económica entre países en desarrollo y la cooperación técnica entre países en desarrollo, que los Ministros y Jefes de delegación de los países Miembros del Grupo decidieron presentar un proyecto de Resolución en ese sentido.
La CEPD y la CTPD es una prioridad. Dicho proyecto será transmitido al Comité de Resoluciones a través de usted, señor Presidente, con la lista de sus copatrocinadores que en el curso de la tarde de hoy le haremos saber.
Volviendo a la posición de la delegación de México, apoyamos el adecuado reparto regional de las actividades de la FAO y reconocemos que se debe hacer especial énfasis en la situación de Africa.
Mi delegación está de acuerdo también en el aumento del presupuesto a los programas prioritarios: producción de alimentos y seguridad alimentaria, y a las prioridades en los medios de acción; o sea que se estimule una mayor base de datos para la determinación de políticas, como el sistema de alerta rápida, y que se fomenten las actividades de capacitación técnica que lleva a cabo la Organización y que se desarrollan básicamente en los programas técnicos y económicos dentro de las grandes áreas de la agricultura, la silvicultura y la pesca.
Por tanto, es lógico que nos pronunciemos a favor de que el incremento del presupuesto se contemple mayormente en dichos programas y se haga gran énfasis en las cuestiones relativas a la pesca y a las actividades forestales.
En relación con las reducciones y aumentos en la plantilla de personal, notamos que permiten apreciar una política de readecuación de funciones que beneficia el trabajo de la Organización. Nos manifestamos, por tanto, en el sentido de aprobar la creación de nuevos puestos en la plantilla en la categoría profesional, y creemos que es un enfoque adecuado reducir plazas en los servicios generales. Sin embargo, debemos expresar la preocupación de la delegación de México de que las continuas reducciones y limitaciones de los servicios administrativos no afecten la eficacia de las labores de la FAO.
En lo que toca a las Oficinas Regionales hemos tomado nota de que no se proponen aumentos en recursos en este renglón. Por tanto, es pertinente enfatizar la importancia de la cooperación entre organismos para lograr una utilización óptima de los escasos recursos con que contamos. La validez de las Oficinas Regionales no puede ponerse en duda. Aun cuando reconocemos que en las actuales condiciones de crisis las actividades de cooperación económica y técnica entre países en desarrollo se tornan difíciles para llevar a buen término, es preciso incrementarlas en vista del contexto económico internacional negatiti.
Los organismos internacionales en general, y en particular la FAO, pueden ser catalizadores importantes de dicha cooperación. Por tanto, una vez más, reiteramos que deseamos ver que la prioridad concedida en el PCT no sea meramente declarativa, sino que se traduzca en acciones concretas.
Es para mi delegación un tanto difícil identificar a lo largo del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto las actividades, sin duda innumerables, en que la FAO puede promover la cooperación técnica y económica para hacer posible esa cooperación, la cual, debe seguir teniendo como base el Programa de Acción de Caracas y las prioridades que de él hemos distinguido.
Por otro lado, debo enfatizar nuestro pleno apoyo a las actividades y conclusiones de la Comisión de Recursos Fito.genéticos del Grupo creado por dicha Comisión y las consecuencias presupuestarias que se deriven del establecimiento del compromiso internacional de recursos fitogenéticos.
Concluiré mis breves comentarios generales expresando el apoyo total de la delegación de México al nivel del presupuesto. En virtud de que el punto relativo al programa de cooperación técnica forma parte de este tema, deseo enfatizar que estaría faltando a mi deber como Presidente del Grupo de los 77 si no expresara en este foro, en nombre del Grupo, el apoyo total y entusiasta que todos los miembros del Grupo de los 77 le otorgan, como seguramente lo habrá usted constatado durante el largo debate que hemos sostenido.
En efecto, el PCT es un instrumento de gran beneficio para los países en desarrollo, especialmente cuando otros recursos de asistencia al desarrollo han disminuido, como es el caso del PNUD y del FIDA, entre otros.
El PCT tiene un efecto multiplicador que nos ha permitido desatar acciones tanto en las agencias del sistema de las Naciones Unidas como en las relaciones bilaterales, y también hacia dentro de nuestros países.
Consideramos muy adecuado el porcentaje que el PCT ocupa en el total del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, es decir el 13,7 por ciento, y notamos que representa sólo un pequeño incremento, a pesar de la utilidad comprobada del Programa y su transparencia, que ha quedado demostrada en el Informe de Evaluación Externa que el Director General tuvo el acierto de solicitar. Esta iniciativa merece nuestro total apoyo y especial felicitación.
Apoyamos también, en nombre del Grupo de los 77, que se aumente el límite máximo por proyecto de 250 000 dólares a 400 000, y tenemos plena confianza al hacerlo de la utilización racional que se hará de esta aprobación, como ha sido también el caso con el nivel previo, o que esperamos sea previo de 250 000 dólares.
Finalmente, apoyamos la propuesta de que se establezca una tercera categoría de proyectos dedicados a promover y catalizar la cooperación económica y técnica entre países en desarrollo.
EL PRESIDENTE: Acerca del proyecto de resolución anunciado por México éste pasará al Comité de Resoluciones.
G. H. MUSGROVE (Canada): Mr Chairman, I asked for the floor to seek clarification from you as to how we are conducting ourselves. In particular, have we concluded the debate on this item? Secondly, is it your understanding - as it was mine when I intervened early in the debate - that the subject of the TCP would largely be discussed under the next item of our agenda, that is the review of the Regular Programme?
When we intervened earlier, we drew attention to the TCP in our desire to address ourselves to it, but contented ourselves with saying that because of our concerns and because we regarded the TCP as a mature programme, we felt that a period of consolidation was warranted and that for budgetary reasons this period should not be increased beyond that in the 1984-85. Butwe did not go on to explain the reasons for that concern, thinking that we would be addressing this item at a latèr point in the agenda. Is this correct?
EL PRESIDENTE: Sobre el PCT creo que la situación es clara, aparece en el Capítulo 4 del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, líneas, su plan de acción y el aumento presupuestario que se propone; entonces algunas de las declaraciones que se han hecho a ese respecto son conducentes, pero como lo ha dicho el colega del Canadá, sobre el PCT se tratará en el próximo tema de nuestra Comisión, la revisión del Programa Ordinario, y para esa ocasión la Comisión tendrá el extracto del informe del Consejo de la semana pasada sobre el informe de evaluación.
Octavio Rainho de SILVA NEVES (Brazil): Mr Chairman, I am sorry to intervene at this late hour, but I would like to be sure about my understanding of the procedure as far as the TCP is concerned. The TCP has proved itself to be an important item, at least in terms of the number of interventions at this point on the agenda. So I would like to know what we are going to do with the ideas and criticisms and everything that has been said about the TCP here.
It seems to me that we could have another solution to the TCP which would be to continue the debate on it in order to complete it at this point by giving an opportunity to those delegates who would like to talk on the TCP and to examine it in detail. This was mentioned by the delegate of Canada earlier on; it would give them this opportunity and would close the debate on this item. Or, as you have suggested, we would start all over again later on. I would like to be clear about the procedure.
EL PRESIDENTE: Como dije antes, las declaraciones que aquí se han hecho sobre el PCT creo que son procedentes y, naturalmente, es mi intención cuando presente el resumen tratar de que se refleje en nuestro informe. Naturalmente, la propuesta declarativa de Brasil es opcional, hemos convenido desde el principio que aquellas delegaciones que quieran intervenir por segunda vez podrán hacerlo, y hay algunas delegaciones que lo han hecho, hay otras que intervendrán por segunda vez y desde luego si Canadá y otros países quieren intervenir nuevamente dentro de este tema para el PCT podrán hacerlo también.
Michel MOMBOULI (Congo): Il y a longtemps que j'avais levé ma pancarte pour intervenir et je constate, en vous entendant donner la liste des orateurs, que vous avez inscrit les délégués qui ont levé leur pancarte après nous. J'ai donc protesté de ma place.
Je voulais simplement, comme l'a fait le délégué du Brésil, avoir les idées claires sur le PCT. Le représentant de l'Algérie a fait observer qu'au plan de la procédure, au Comité de rédaction, il y aurait quelques difficultés, parce que nous pensions qu'au point 12 nous parlerions uniquement du Programme de travail et Budget. Or, nous nous sommes rendu compte que l'on a glissé vers le PCT.
Vous venez d'éclaircir les choses et vous avez bien fait.
Nous aimerions nous inscrire pour intervenir spécifiquement sur le PCT.
EL PRESIDENTE: Esto lo veremos al final del debate sobre este tema. Creo que no hay inconveniente. ¿Noruega quiere intervenir ahora o en el sitio en que está en la lista?
Harald HØSTMARK (Norway): Just a point on the Speaker's List. Since I note that the representative of Congo was concerned about not being noticed for a list, I am happy to cede Norway's place to him on the list and I will speak instead at his place.
LI HYOK CHOL (Democratic People's Republic of Korea): Since this is the first time for our delegation to take the floor,let me join,first of all,other delegates,in congratulating you, Mr Chairman and the vice chairman on the election to the responsible posts of the Commission.
I thank Mr Shah for the excellent introduction to the Agenda Item. After 40 years of FAO, both the importance and the value of the Organization is much more strongly felt than ever before. We believe that this is logically related to the vital role which FAO can play in finding. the solution to the problem of food and agriculture. The critical situation of food and agriculture in the developing world, particularly in Africa, requires more assistance of the international community and FAO is shouldering the really heavy responsibility of promoting the global efforts of a hungry free world. On this understanding our delegation would like to make general remarks on the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986/87.
First we put on record our full support of the Programme framework and the detailed programme proposals. The Director-General based himself on the judicious analysis of the general situation faced by the international community and the problems arising therefrom in establishing the strategies, priorities and programmes,and we fully endorse them.
As for the budget level, my delegation highly appŗeciates the Director-General's exhaustive, hard effort in keeping the budget increase as low as possible and in maintaining the effective service of the Organization. With the hope that the Budget for the next biennium would be strong enough to give sound backing to the activities of FAO as expeŗcted in the Constitution, we regret the zero
growth concept which some developed countries would like to inject into the FAO budget. We deem that 1.1% net increase is indeed the minimal and indeed it should be acceptable to all Members. We highly appreciate the fact that the Director-General paid special attention to Africa and it is encouraging that the ECDC andthe TCDC is treated as a special aspect of FAO's activities. The Technical Cooperation Programme is highly valuable for developing countries. It makes FAO's cooperation with the Member Countries increasingly felt. We support the strengthening of TCP and endorse the Director-General's proposal of raising the ceiling on projects from $255 thousand to $400 thousand.
In conclusion may I appeal to all Members to cooperate with the unanimous approval of the Programme of Work and Budget as proposed by the Director-General in Document C 85/3.
Alex Louis TANIS (Haīti): Monsieur le Président, je voudrais tout d'abord vous présenter mes plus vives félicitations, ainsi qu’aux deux vice-présidents, pour votre élection. Mes félicitations s'adressent également à M. Shah qui a su présenter le programme de travail avec maîtrise et compétence.
La délégation d'Haïti apporte son appui le plus entier à la planification des activités par région telle qu'elle a été définie dans le document et approuve les six objectifs qui ont guidé le Directeur général dans le choix des priorités, à savoir la production vivrière, la sécurité alimentaire, l'intervention en matière d'information, la formation, le renforcement de la coopération entre les pays en développement et l'impact des activités -sur le terrain.
Il n'est pas dans mes intentions de reprendre dans le détail les différentes questions qui ont été traitées avec plus de brio par les différents orateurs qui se sont succédé au micro. Aussi, je me bornerai à formuler des commentaireś sur certains points, à savoir la production vivrière, la sécurité alimentaire et, en ce qui concerne le Programme et le Budget, la délégation d'Haïti a l'intention également de formuler certains commentaires sur des points qu'elle considère faibles.
En ce`qui concerne la production vivrière, l'objectif primordial qui a été adopté par la Conférence mondiale de l'alimentation en 1974, était d'abolir la malnutrition et la faim avant l'année 1995. Mais nous craignons que l'objectif plus modeste d'en diminuer les effets avant l'an 2000 ne puisse être atteint si les tendances actuelles de l'économie mondiale persistent, à savoir l'inflation galopante, l'instabilité persistante de la monnaie, les taux élevés d'intérêt. Tous ces facteurs ont contribué dans une très large mesure à aggraver la situation de l'alimentation et de la faim dans le monde.
Mais si cette situation est précaire pour nombre d'Etats développés, elle devient tragique pour les Etats en développement, compte tenu de la baisse des prix des produits agricoles, des termes de l'échange défavorables, du remboursement de la dette extérieure ainsi que de la diminution de l'aide extérieure qui se réduit de plus en plus.
La production vivrière, pour qu'elle arrive exactement à atteindre les objectifs fixés dans-le Programme de travail et Budget, devra prendre en considération un ensemble de facteurs socio-économiques et non des facteurs purement physiques.
Quant à la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, il s'agit de nous entendre sur ce terme, est-ce que cela signifie simplement une augmentation de la production ? Nous pensons qu'une simple augmentation de la production n'est pas de nature à procurer cette sécurité alimentaire si les groupes cibles n'ont pas un pouvoir d'achat qui leur permette d'accéder à ces aliments.
En ce qui concerne la formation, nous pensons que c'est un facteur essentiel du programme présenté par le Directeur général étant donné que l'amélioration de l'homme constitue le facteur primordial de tout développement économique de n'importe quel pays.
Quant au programme tel qu'il est présenté par le Directeur général, nous pensons qu'il représente un effort louable en ce qui concerne la planification et les objectifs à atteindre, mais nous ne pouvons nous empêcher de remarquer que certains facteurs n'y figurent pas ou figurent avec une
importance relativement faible, tels que la participation de la femme dans le développement rural, le nombre de paysans sans terre qui ne cesse d'augmenter. Cela signifie que l'élaboration de la planification et l'exécution des réformes précises des structures agraires et des structures de production n'ont pas été suivies selon les recommandations de la Conférence mondiale sur la réforme agraire et le développement rural. Ceci conduit à un chômage déguisé et à un exode rural qui s'accentuent, ce qui provoque et qui cause pour nombre de pays un problème d'émigration plutôt difficile à résoudre. En ce qui concerne l'irrigation et la conduite de programmes, nous voudrions dire que la plupart des programmes tendant à augmenter la productivité et portant sur la production régionale et nationale s'exécutent sur les terres irriguées, alors que les facteurs pouvant conduire à une agriculture dans les zones défavorisées n'y figurent que faiblement.
Je voudrais en dernier lieu mentionner que le processus consistant à stopper la dégradation de l'environnement par l'aménagement de bassins versants dans le cadre d'un système agro-sylvo-pastoral ne figure pas dans le document tel qu'il a été présenté par le Directeur général ou figure, disons, avec une importance amoindrie.
En définitive, compte tenu des commentaires que la délégation haïtienne vient de formuler, elle reconnaît que le travail tel qu'il a été présenté et surtout les modifications qui y ont été apportées en ce qui concerne les différentes activités et en particulier la réduction des dépenses administratives font de ce document un document acceptable et devraient permettre à la Commission ainsi qu'à la Conférence de l'adopter sans grande difficulté.
Nous reconnaissons aussi que le travail n'est pas parfait; d'ailleurs, il serait osé de rechercher la perfection dans un document aussi élaboré où figurent nombre de facteurs complexes interdépendants traitant de l'agriculture dans les pays en développement et dans les pays développés. En définitive, la délégation haïtienne exprime son adhésion aux stratégies, aux priorités et aux propositions de programmes définies dans le Programme de travail et Budget présenté par la Direction générale. Elle estime que la notion de croissance zéro est inacceptable alors que les besoins ne cessent de grandir dans les pays en développement; la délégation haïtienne estime que le programme de travail ainsi que le PCT représentent un complexe d'activités appelées à satisfaire les besoins exprimés et ressentis par les populations vivant dans les pays en développement. Au plus avant la fin du siècle, 2 milliards et demi d'hommes seront en proie à la famine et à la tentation de la colère. La délégation, une nouvelle fois, appuie le Programme de travail et Budget et le PCT tels que proposés par le Directeur général.
Moses MUKOLWE (Kenya): Mr Chairman, as this is the first time that we have taken the floor, my delegation would like.to join other Member Nations in congratulating you and your bureau. Your experience and ability is well known right there on the wall. We also commend the Director-General and his Secretariat and also Mr. Shah for his presentation of the Programme of Work and Budget.
It is encouraging so far to listen and note quite a number of areas of agreement which I am sure will lead to the consensus we are looking for in order to carry out those ideals and aims conceived by those far-sighted reknown thinkers who have gone before us. We commend them wherever they are and must not let them down.
Having said that, and in the spirit of the Conference depicting the 40th Anniversary of the Organization,collectively we should all focus our attention on the real constraints that face us now and in the future and devise new ideas and approaches to food production for the entire welfare of mankind.
As many delegations have stated since the debate commenced, we are all concerned about the state of food and the welfare of those who we represent here. What remains is the mobilization of the resources at our disposal and the continuation of support for the programme to be translated into action. Finding these programmes adequately and equitably to achieve the desired goals, I am pleased and I feel secure that Member Nations of FAO and the entire international community focus their attention and efforts on the sub-Saharan region of Africa. The goal is for ncbody to die of hunger and indoing so, need to reintensify efforts to fight poverty and to ensure lasting security. With that in mind
my delegation supports the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87. We also note the marginal increase in the budget despite the emphasis on zèro growth deliberated on at length during the last biennium. We commend the Director-General for tightening his belt in a very difficult and demanding period for mankind as regards food, especially in the African continent. We should note the importance of this issue since the magnitude of the programmes themselves demand funding. Cutting down on administrative costs is a must and can affect other programmes that should be implemented in order to achieve food for all.
Rehabilitation of agriculture in developing countries, and in Africa in particular, is a noble goal, but we cannot rule out the growth and the maintenance of such programmes in the face of increasing population growth and resource base depletion. Zero growth becomes redundant. However, we support the urge to focus attention on sound management and improvement in use of resources under the care of FAO, as is the case in other organizations. We therefore fully support the TCP programme because of its immediate results. Long-term development strategies are now being designed by many developing countries, especially mine, and FAO in this case has led the way by preparing the document on Agriculture in the Year 2000.
Already, as stated in our country statement, we will soon be publishing a strategy paper to guide development efforts for the next 15 to 20 years in order to break the vicious circle of hunger, malnutrition, underdevelopment, and poverty. I fully support the views expressed by the delegation of Sweden regarding the effect of population growth on environmental breakdown. It is a chain reaction that can be broken through effective use of increased resources. FAO should be in the forefront of these efforts.
Khalil Ibrahim DURAZI (Bahrain)(original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, may I convey to you the greetings of the delegation- and the Government of Baharain and congratulate you on your election to the chair of this meeting. I should also like to congratulate the Vice-Chairman who will work with you in order to make a success of the meetings.
The Programme of Work and Budget which is under discussion is a document that will be used as reference in laying down plans. My country attaches great importance to the strategy for food security, especially through the implementation of agricultural programmes. It has given priority to agriculture and to agricultural projects.
I should also like to- convey to you the support of Bahrain for the Programme of Work and Budget.We would like to greet the efforts of the Director - General and his staff in preparing this document by using this format, and would like to congratulate him on the contents and on his encouragement for research. We would also like to support the priority included in this document given to food security, training, agricultural and technological assistance and cooperation among developing countries. This requires the organization to transfer information and to enhance economic and technological assistance between developing countries.
I should like to mention the importance of encouraging small farmers to enhance their living standards by providing them with the necessary utensils and improved seeds, and by improving the soil through irrigation and improving their marketing infrastructure. Rural development programmes have to be given a major part, especially so far as women are concerned, because women shoulder the bulk of the work and they have to provide everything that is necessary to ensure rural development in the developing world. We should try to resolve the problems of food, especially in developing countries, by establishing a more dynamic working environment.
In conclusion I should like to support the Programme of Work and Budget on behalf of my delegation.
Humberto CARRION MCDONOUGH (Nicaragua): Deseamos hacer una breve intervención sobre este tema. Como es la primera vez que hacemos uso de la palabra deseamos felicitarle por haber sido electo como Presidente de esta importante Comisión, así cómo felicitamos a los Vicepresidentes que le deberán ayudar y asistir en los trabajos de llevar esta discusión a feliz conclusión en los temas que debemos tratar aquí. También debemos un reconocimiento al Sr. Shah por su presentación del documento C 85/3 y deseamos manifestar que Nicaragua apoya plenamente el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87, así como sus objetivos a plazo medio. También deseamos hacer un comentario relacionado con el crecimiento cero, pero probablemente no habrá necesidad de ampliar en mucho los conceptos que ya hemos manifestado, y es que somos contrarios a ese proyecto que se quiere establecer en los organismos multilaterales.
Deseo recordar también que en 1985 en el Consejo de la FAO del mes de junio.pasado, el Director General presentó un resumen de proyecto de presupuesto para el próximo bienio del cual se sacaron conclusiones útiles para poder hacer modificaciones para que en esta Conferencia se presentara un documento que pudiera ser aceptado por todos. Ya se ha mencionado que este aumento del 1,1 es mínimo relacionado con las necesidades del mundo para eliminar el problema del hambre y la desnutrición.
Queremos también reconocer el esfuerzo que ha hecho el Director General y el personal de la FAO para racionalizar los recursos presupuestarios de la Organización y porque han logrado, inclusive, un ahorro significativo que permitirá ampliar los programas técnicos.
Creemos que los principales países que contribuyen ,al presupuesto de la FAO deberán realizar que la' labor de potenciación es de una importancia estrat,égica para los países en desarrollo en su lucha para eliminar el hambre y la malnutrición, particula,mente en una región tan castigada como es la región de Africa.
Aprovecho el uso de la palabra y tomando en consideración que se decidió que hablar sobre el TCP es pertinente en este momento, quisiera simplemente reiterar que en el Consejo pasado, en su período de sesiones del 4 al 8 de noviembre, antes de comenzar la Conferencia, como observadores del Consejo aprobamos la propuesta deL Director General de hacer una evaluación independiente sobre el PCT. Apoyamos entonces la propuesta, repito, de que se eleve el nivel del proyecto de 250 000 a 400 000 dólares y también apoyamos la propuesta de que se creara una categoría del proyecto dentro del Programa. Desde el punto de vista de Nicaragua, son varias las razones que nos mueven a apoyar esta propuesta, y siendo conocidas por esta Comisión no deseamos redundar en el tema.
Harold HØSTMARK (Norway): Mr Chairman, permit me first to offer my sincere congratulations on your election to the chair. It is a responsibility that is not shouldered lightly in these difficult times, but I feel confident that your long experience, coupled with your special qualities, will give the guidance to our deliberations for which you are so well known. I must also express our satisfaction with the election of the two Vice-Chairmen, Mr Qadir and Mr Winkel, both well known for their vision and their integrity. I know that there will be great support for you in the weeks to come.
Turning to today's agenda point lucidly introduced by Mr Shah, unfortunately the documents themselves are somewhat less than lucid. A budget has a dual function. It is both a tool of managementin the execution of policy and an expression of the direction that a policy-deciding body has laid down for an institution. As the Director-General has expressed it, the Programme of Work and Budget determines the pulse of the Organization and it represents its life force. Just so Mr Chairman. But what are the directions to be read out of the Budget? Frankly they are difficult to find. Certainly the foreword contains statements of what the policies are and statements with which we to a large extent agree; to mention a few examples, the priority given to Africa, the role of the Organization as a purveyor of technical assistance, the continuous need for assessment of the Organization. But again Mr Chairman, to discern the policy directions from the Budget itself is extremely difficult. We know that Mr Shah is always ready to assist in explaining and elucidating. Unfortunately, the statement of policy to which the Conference is expected to give its imprimatur is the printed text, not the oral explanations. The Budget should convey a sense of established priorities for practical work to be carried out by the Organization, a feeling of concentration where efforts are tied into an analysis of the individual country's agricultural
development, and strategic planning designed in consultation between the governments of the countries concerned and the FAO with its background of stored knowledge. Isolated projects, no matter how valuable, become less relevant in the world of scarce resources if they are not closely woven into a stringent national policy framework.
The discussion here has to a certain extent focused on the percentage change of this Budget relative to the last one. To my delegation, this tends to obfuscate, and does not clarify the real issues. The expansions or contractions of the Budget will by far be more influenced by exchange rates and inflation factors than by an increase in an overall level of 1.1 percent. To be a useful analytical tool we must have different breakdowns. A significant part of the Organization's expenses are in lire and not in dollars, and a third are in different local currencies. Consequently, currency expenses must now be compared to their respective counterparts in the former budget. Only then can we give vent to informed opinions and to the overall budgetary effects of the present proposals.
Concerning the income side, the Director-General said that the burdens on the member countries may be less in dollar terms, but as most of us will have to pay more for the same dollars, this does not say much about the net effect. However, for my Government it is not how much we are to pay that is the central issue, but do we get the maximum development effect out of the resources we put in? This can of course only be finally determined by evaluation after the work is done, but we would like to have the assurance of clear policy directions and priorities, clearly readable in the figures before us, on which we can agree.
In brief, we question the transparency of the Budget and the assuredness that the Organization is working according to policies that we can support.
Permit me to take up some specific points: (i) We were disturbed to read in the introduction to the Budget that FAO has the highest lapsed deductions in the UN System for positions not filled. This we do not see as commendable. Either one needs the positions and then they should be filled or one does not need them and then they should be abolished. This actually makes us question the requests for new positions, particularly positions that are not directly linked to development work in the field.
My second specific point concerns the request for more proposed appropriations for forestry and fisheries. In the view of my delegation these are not sufficient in comparison with other sectors in the Budget.
Thirdly, I would stress the value of a policy of decentralization. But in a.caveat, back-up functions must not be impaired and the sense of central direction must not be lost.
Finally, there have been many calls for a consensus on the Budget. There is nothing my delegation would like more than to see this,but through the way they are doing this, by pronouncing on the level instead of by first examining the individual blocks on which the Budget is based, I can see how it becomes difficult for those delegations which may have specific queries regarding its directions or its particular aspects. If we had had more possibility to pronounce on the individual parts, it might have been easier to accept the final result.
C.K. KONU (Ghana): Mr Chairman, let me also congratulate you and your illustrious Vice-Chairmen on your election to steer the affairs of this important Committee. We wish to commend Mr Shah for his brilliant introduction of the subject under review. The Director-General and his team have worked untiringly to present a well balanced Programme that in the view of my delegation is a proper attempt to reduce the hardships of food production in many countries in Africa, which in this age of advanced technology still face the spectre of hunger and death. We are therefore fully satisfied with the major thrust of the Programme proposals contained in document C 85/3 and the various addenda and give them our support. While we are cognizant of the current global economic difficulties, we are convinced that a budget growth of 1.1 percent at this time is indeed no growth compared to the magnitude of the job at hand. My delegation, in joining hands with all the delegations that have spoken before us, congratulates the Director-General for his dynamism and fully endorses the Programme and level of Budget so judiciously proposed by him.
EL PRESIDENTE: La situación es la siguiente: faltan cuatro oradores, que van a intervenir por la segunda vez y, entonces, con un poco de optimismo, podríamos suponer que van a ser breves.
También tenemos todavía en la lista al representante del PNUD. Si ustedes están de acuerdo, podemos oir estas intervenciones y tratar de concluir esta tarde con este tema.
Sin embargo, como algunas delegaciones, sobre todo en relación con su posibilidad de intervenir una segunda vez, se han referido al PCT, deseo aclarar aún más la situación, esperando que mi explicación no sea controvertida.
En este tema 12 sobre el PCT es lógico y consecuente que se discuta su índole, su orientación y el aumento y recursos que se proponen para el PCT. En el próximo tema que considerará esta Comisión, o sea la revisión del Programa Ordinario, el PCT figura en el Capítulo 4, que comienza con las siguientes palabras: "Los resultados de un examen a fondo de este programa principal, ..." - o sea, el PCT - "... hecho por consultores independientes, se presentará por separado a la Conferencia".
A este documento sobre el programa ordinario, como dije antes, se agregará también el extracto del informe del Consejo de la semana pasada sobre la discusión del Informe de Evaluación. Entonces, está claro que también en el próximo tema podrán ser incluidos en sus intervenciones otros aspectos del PCT. Espero que esto esté claro.
Adel Hilmi EL-SARKY (Egypt)(original language Arabic): I would like to thank you for your patience and for giving me the floor a second time to comment on the Programme of Work and Budget and the Medium-Term Objectives. I would also like to apologize for arriving late to this meeting. In this context I would like to add my voice to all those who preceded me in expressing support to the strategies and priorities, to giving a high priority to Africa in the organization's programmes, to asserting the importance and efficiency of the economic and technical cooperation programme between the developing countries.
However, I would like to add some remarks on various technical and economic programmes.
My delegation would like to voice its total satisfaction with the sub-programme 2.1.1.2 on farming systems development because it concentrates on small farmers and it tries to give them all sorts of data and information that are indeed in conformity with my country's policy. We assist them because they are the backbone of production. We are in favour of extending the activities of the sub-programme 2.1.2.1 on genetic resources in order to include the germplasm collections of vegetables and fruits and the development of conservation methodology. Needless to say, the distribution of highly productive genetic resources (seeds) and the formulation of appropriate laws regulating their use and their protection from pests and parasites will lead to increasing agricultural production and will protect mankind and its environment.
In the drafting of Programme 2.1.3 livestock attention has been paid to a proper balance. We hope that all the ambitions will be achieved in eradicating rinderpest swine fever and trypanosomiasis.
There is no doubt that providing us with data will make it easier for us to forecast undersirable events and to take the necessary measures to avoid their negative effects. This is why we welcome any efforts aimed at improving the quality of the compiled data made available in the framework of the Global Information and Early Warning System. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the content of paragraph 54.2 of document 83/3 in Arabic, the reference to training and its importance to developing countries in preparing their managers for agricultural projects.
The objectives of programme 2.1.4 on research and technology development are very similar to the measures implemented by Egypt to develop and modernize its agriculture in choosing the right technology, in linking research with agricultural extension, and in distributing research documents in conformity with CARIS. We would like to pay tribute to the role played by the international and regional agricultural research networks in the exchange of experience and knowledge. Egypt was honoured to represent the Near East region twice in.the international consultative committee for agricultural research, and we are alos eager to do all the related follow-up work.
The programme 2.1.4.2 on agricultural applications of isotope research has been very useful to Egypt. We apply it in using azolla as a supplementary source of nitrogen for fertilizers.
The results of this project will be extremely rewarding. We also have to take into account all the assistance we received through the programme of remote sensing technology through consultative advice in the surveying and the classifying of lands with satellites and.in the training of experts in aerial photographic information processing. We would also like to commend the efforts of the organization in rural development and in the implementation of WCARRD recommendations.
We would like to stress the importance of the role of women in agricultural production. A seminar was held in Egypt on the role of women in rural development and in the increase of food production. It was chaired by one of our previous ministers of agriculture who is responsible for the followup on the recommendations.
We believe in the technical and economic programme. We hope that its objectives will lead to the achievement of a better agricultural production and to an increasing food security.
We commend the activities of the TCP for their efficiency, their flexibility and for their alacrity in providing assistance. We support the share allocated to the TCP in the programme of work and budget for the next biennium and we favour the increase of cash value maximum for projects financed through this programme. We also welcome the remarks made in paragraph 52 of document CL 88/8 about the allocation of part of the funds of this programme to the technical and economic cooperation. We sincerly hope that the debates of our commission with the adoption of a resolution calling for the promotion of the TCP and the reduction of administrative expenses, would not lead to less efficiency in the implementation of the organization's programmes.
Mustafa Ibrahim (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)(original language Arabic): In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful: Allow me, Mr Chairman, to congratulate you and to express the pleasure of my delegation on your election to the Chair of this Commission. We are confident that you will be able, through your capabilities and your wisdom, to lead us to success. We would also like to congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen.
The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia has spoken on this subject yesterday, but I would like to centre my comments on two points my delegation believes to be extremely important - and I shall speak very briefly.
The Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 coincides with the medium-term objectives, and we accept it as presented. We also support the Director-General's measures to enhance the Programme relating to Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries. We would also like to support the cutting-back of administrative expenses, as well as the priority given to our African brothers.
We also welcome the priority given to agricultural production through various means, especially through intensification of production and the best possible use to be made of soil, of water resources, and agricultural tools, as well as of seeds, fertilizers and vaccines to be provided to farmers. We hope that these last items may be produced locally in developing countries whenever possible. We fully agree with the saying that "there is no alternative for developing countries but self-reliance" therefore, a very high priority should be given to agricultural production, and we must work in order to achieve high levels of this production.Food should be produced in rations that exceed what is being produced now - that is, 3 percent· Despite the economic crisis that is being witnessed by all developing countries today, the highest priority has been given to this subject. However, I believe that the problem needs increased efforts on the part of international bodies.
We welcome and greet the continuation of efforts to assist the least developed countries, small farmers and agricultural workers, especially women. We welcome a solution to the problems that face developing countries today.
I would now like to move on to the Technical Cooperation Programme, which is an extremely important subject. However, after listening to your explanations, Mr Chairman, I shall respond to your appeal, and my delegation will reserve its right to take the floor on this subject when this subject is discussed later.
Joseph TCHICAYA (Congo): Dans notre première intervention d'hier au sein de cette Commission II,nous avons clairement appuyé les priorités, stratégies et programmes proposés par le Directeur général pour le prochain biennium de notre Organisation, ainsi que le niveau du budget présenté par lui pour la même période, tout en regrettant que le taux de croissance dudit budget ne soit que de 1,1 pour cent en raison de l'augmentation croissante des besoins des Etats Membres.
A dessein, nous n'avons pas expressément abordé le PCT ainsi que la question de la décentralisation, espérant pouvoir le faire au point 13, ce qui justifie notre présente intervention complémentaire à ce stade de notre réflexion.
L'acharnement de certains pays à défendre coûte que coûte le principe de croissance zéro ne nous surprend pas, d'autant plus que cette théorie dogmatique continue à nous être déversée par ces mêmes pays qui se sont particulièrement distingués à ce sujet au cours de la quatre-vingt-huitième session du Conseil. Nous n'avons ici qu'une occasion supplémentaire de constater que ces pays sont irréductibles.
Ce qui nous préoccupe sincèrement par contre, c'est la tendance prise au cours des présentes assises par certains pays, d'ordinaire constructifs, à vouloir suivre les pays industrialisés partisans de la croissance zéro. Ceux qui souhaitent que les plus pauvres continuent à sombrer dans la misère nous ont rappelé dans leurs interventions que la FAO ne doit pas être considérée comme une source de financement. Nous aimerions savoir quel mal a pu faire le FIDA, qui est une institution financière en bonne et due forme, pour mériter le sort dans lequel ils veulent le reléguer en retardant la deuxième reconstitution de ses ressources.
Ces mêmes pays nous ont dit que le PCT a été exagérément doté en ressources, qu'il est devenu le "coucou" de l'Organisation, ajoutant parallèlement qu'ils ne souhaitent pas voir l'Organisation affecter davantage de ressources à la formation et à la décentralisation. Qu'espèrent-ils au juste si ce n'est espérer nous voir continuer à demeurer dans notre statut d'éternels assistés sans formation. Peut-on penser que le transfert de technologie préconisé par ces mêmes pays pourra se faire? A notre avis, il n'y a pas saupoudrage des moyens de l'Organisation à travers les moyens du PCT. Nous tenons à affirmer notre soutien au PCT.
Nous réaffirmons également notre soutien à l'élévation du niveau plafond des projets du PCT qui doit passer de 250 000 dollars à 400 000 dollars. Nous appuyons l'idée que le financement des projets du PCT se fasse sur les ressources ordinaires et non pas, comme le préconisent les représentants de certains pays, par des ressources hasardeuses d'origine fiduciaire. Nous recommandons donc son renforcement ainsi que la décentralisation.
Nous espérons que d'ici le vote qui aura lieu sur le Programme de travail, chacun de nos pays saura faire son examen de conscience pour que les résultats soient réellement l'expression sincère et profonde de sa volonté de soulager les plus pauvres de notre monde.
G.H. MUSGROVE (Canada): I should like to express my appreciation for your clarification a few minutes ago, and in the light of that I shall not mention the TCP at this time.
The quality of debate has certainly been mixed, but has not lacked depth. We would like to say that we particularly appreciate many of the interventions, especially some made since six o'clock - there have been two or three extremely interesting and useful interventions. The thing that struck us was that some misunderstanding seemed to continue in relation to the concept of zero real growth, and perhaps we could briefly reiterate our views in that respect.
Quite a number of interventions have indicated that zero real growth represents some decline in assistance to agricultural development at a time when it is most greatly needed. It had
always been our impression that, as FAO is not a funding agency, those countries would be requesting greater and increasing levels of development assistance, and not an increase in the budgets of institutions. In that respect we feel that there has been some amount of cross-purpose in our dialogue on this particular subject.
Similarly, the concept of zero real growth does not imply stagnation, as a number of delegates have suggested. It is a dynamic policy. It suggests there should be new initiatives, new priorities, to address new problems; and, when there are new initiatives and new priorities, that these be examined in consort with existing activities to identify those which are not of the same priority and therefore can be reduced, or, ih some cases, dispensed with. I have noticed that great many delegates have suggested that the concept itself is a dubious one, held tenaciously by one or two countries, or at best a very few countries, who are trying to impose their views or their will. But in fact it is a very substantive number of countries who have taken this management approach - countries who, I believe, contribute about 80 percent of the budget of this Organization. It is not an isolated viewpoint held by one or two countries, in our view, but a substantive one and one which is offered with some thought. It is not in the interests of saving national money, but in the interests of a management policy.
When we spoke earlier, we indicated a number of areas where there may possibly still be yet more reductions in the budget. We feel, of course, that such budgetary adjustment is a matter for Management itself, which can best judge how to address the priorities. But if there be need to indicate some potential, we indicated our views with respect to the TCP. We have also suggested the prospects in the area of staffing, and that is my real reason for asking for the floor at this time.
I have mentioned that we felt that the proposal for 14 new positions, of which five were being offset by reallocation of existing positions, for a net growth of 9. There is one area where possibly a further look could be taken, and we mention that in the light of the suggestion that, due to the high vacancy rate, there were a good many positions that were vacant – and some had indeed been vacant for a considerable time. I believe that that number approaches 250, or is somewhere between 250 and 300 positions. It is in this context that we feel that the nine net new positions could be addressed by reallocation of some existing positions. We were not challenging the Programme Committee or others who had looked at the 14 proposals and we are not saying that those 14 were not needed insofar as their definition or job description were concerned. While we would have differing views on that, we would agree that these have been examined by the Organization and found to be positions that were of priority in terms of their description, but feel nevertheless that they can be addressed by reallocations.In that context, I made a somewhat unfortunate intervention by saying that in the view of our own country, we were reluctantly prepared to contribute to this if it meant that new positions in the North American office that were being proposed were not found to be filled. I did not wish to imply at that time that I was being critical of the North American office and would like to hasten to reassure Mr Sorensen and the Organization that it was not my intention to be critical of that office in particular or to single it out for a cut, but merely'to indicate that if ther-e had to be sacrifices made, we for one, who had no representation at this time, would, even at the extreme, be prepared to consider those positions if that were found necessary.
With that explanation, I will conclude my very brief intervention.
EL PRESIDENTE: Siempre hemos sostenido que la Organización debe servir cada vez con más eficacia a todos los Estados Miembros, particularmente a aquéllos en vías de desarrollo. Esperamos que la Oficina para América del Norte, que sirve dos países, esté a la altura de sus funciones como lo ha auspiciado el distinguido delegado del Canadá.
Por favor, ¿está en la sala el representante del PNUD? Si no está cedo la palabra al Sr. Shah.
V.J. SHAH (Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation): At the outset of this debate on Item 12, I said that I considered it an honour to have been asked by the Director-General to introduce the item on his behalf and to deliver this statement. Not only do I mean that, but I should like to assure you, Sir, that I consider it an honour, which I view with some trepidation,to respond to this very long and substantive debate in which the Commission has engaged over the last two days. I shall try to do justice, not only in presenting the views of the Director-General, but in responding to the debate itself.
It is easiest for me to reply to some very specific questions which were raised, and if I may say so, to get those out of the way before I turn to some comments which were of a more complex nature. There was one specific question that was raised by the delegate of New Zealand about FAO's collaboration with the OIE, the Office Internationale d'Epizooties, on the subject of the Animal Health Year Book. As the representative is not in the room, I will not go into great detail but will just recall that he had asked why there was duplication or possible duplication between the two organizations with regard to the questionnaire circulated. The answer, very briefly, is that firstly the responsibilities of the two organizations vary somewhat as regards the Member Nations and as regards the scope of work. OIE has only 107 member nations, whereas FAO's coverage, of course, is much larger.
Secondly, the OIE's interest is limited to animal health statistics, whereas FAO's interest is a more qualitative one in that it asks for qualitative information as well as information on diseases which are not covered by the OIE.
But I think that the key point which would satisfy the representative of New Zealand is that the collaboration between the two organizations had led to agreement, not to duplication of evidence. That is surely the key point, and a common questionnaire has been developed which will be used from the end of this year.
Another specific question was raised by the delegate of Switzerland. I do not see him here, but may I briefly reply to his point about the collaboration between FAO and IFAD in the field of agricultural credit? There are three aspects to the collaboration: firstly, in the context of the work of our Investment Centre, any work done in the Investment Centre for IFAD, whether it is in project identification, formulation or appraisal, covers, among other fields, agricultural credit.
Secondly, there is collaboration between our Agricultural Services Division, and with our colleagues in IFAD, for example, in the provision of assistance on small farmer credits through the regional credit organizations. One example I have been given by my colleagues is that of the Near East and North Africa Regional Agricultural Credit Association. IFAD, incidentally, has granted a loan of just under US$ 1 million to this Association with which we collaborate.
The third aspect is that, as the Commission may know, we work closely with IFAD in evaluation. Guidelines for the evaluation of rural development projects also covering agricultural credit are in fact jointly developed by us with our colleagues in IFAD and with other organizations concerned.
A specific question was also raised by the delegate of Japan, inquiring whether it would not be possible for the Secretariat to develop some methodology for forecasting exchange rates or for considering average exchange rates in determining what will be adopted for a biennium. Quite frankly,this is a formidable task which I would not consider very possible. Firstly, the fluctuations in exchange rates, as is well-known to the Commission, have been extremely dramatic in recent months and recent years. The average exchange rate from January to the end of September 1985 was 1844 lire to the US dollar. If we consider the variations in the month of October alone, they went from a low of 1763 lire to the dollar on 4 October, to 1810 lire to the dollar on 1 October, and the average for the month was 1752.
Aside from this, as the Commission is aware, if the Conference were to adopt the principle of taking an average exchange rate and applied it to the budget for the next biennium, there would be no guarantee that that average would be applicable for the next biennium. Thus, if the average were taken now and the rate were too low in relation to the trends in the next biennium, we would be no better off. We would be no better off if the average were higher.
Finally, on this point, this is a matter which we have referred to in our Investment Advisory Committee which consists of four distinguished advisers, including people from the IMF, the World Bank, the Banca d'Italia and the Bank of International Settlements. Their advice, which was based also on the practice of the IMF and the World Bank, is not to try and make any projections or to consider any average rates, but to apply the rate of the day or of the time when the budget is approved, in the full understanding that there will be or will likely be variations.
Member Nations are, of course, well covered for the effects of the variations through the Special Reserve Account. It may interest the Conference to note that the Special Reserve Account at the beginning of the biennium,representing 5 percent of the effective working budget, was just over US$ 21 million; because of the gains in currency through the exchange factor, by 30 September the Special Reserve Account was some US$ 31 million.
I estimate, with my colleagues in the Finance Division that, between September and December, at an average rate of 1770 lire to the dollar, the Special Reserve Account will increase by another US$ 1.8 million.
Whatever the effective budget level determined by Conference, 5 percent of that will be set aside as the base of the Special Reserve Account for the next biennium and the surplus will be distributed to Member Nations in the form of a cash surplus.
There were a number of comments made about new posts. As has been recalled, most recently in the last intervention of the representative of Canada, there is a net addition of 9 posts proposed for the next biennium. It has also been recalled that the justification for these posts was very carefully gone into, not only by the Secretariat but by the Programme Committee. As the Chairman of the Programme Committee mentioned earlier in the afternoon, each of these new posts was fully accepted as regards the justification.
One aspect is that it may interest the Commission to note that the requests for new posts as well as the possibilities of abolishing existing ones have been pursued by the Director-General with his characteristic vigour. The requests for new posts received from divisions amounted to about 80 and these were not requests based on fly-by-night imagination; they were requests which were soundly made by senior managers on the basis of the work programme that they proposed and the needs as they saw them. This reduction to the net addition of 9 posts indicates, I hope, how severely the process was observed. It has also been suggested that because of vacancies in existing posts, one should not consider the establishment of new posts. The logic escapes me somewhat. There are vacancies and there will always be vacancies in established posts because colleagues of mine have a tendency to grow older and resign, or retire, for whatever reason. These posts then remain vacant until their successors are recruited. I do not see how a post which is vacant for a few weeks or a few minutės can be substituted for a post in the field. The fact that a post of a fishing technologist may fall vacant does not help us if we are looking for a plant geneticist. What is important,though,is that the budgetary provision for posts takes into account the fact that there are vacancies and that is why the budgetary provision for posts is not based on 100 percent full-time coverage of every post. The lapse factor, that the delegate of Norway referred to, the lapse factor is precisely the factor which specifies that although you may have one hundred posts that may not be occupied 100 percent of the time, you make a reduced budgetary provision for them.
A number of delegates also referred to the importance of the forestry programmes and expressed their concern that the share of forestry has not risen to a greater extent in the next budget. This was indeed the kind of comment which was also made for the present biennium. Forestry is fortunate in having a programme increase of 4.17 percent, as compared to one of 3.6 percent for agriculture and one of 3.8 percent for fisheries. The dollar amount involved for forestry is US$ 690 000 in terms of programme change. To this,I would add that we have to bear in mind that assistance to Member Nations in the field of forestry is not only under the major Forestry programme, but it also form part of the assistance given by the TCP. Some .6 percent of the TCP programmes in the last year were for assistance in the field of forestry. In addition to the programme under the major provision there is also the addition under the TCP that goes to forestry. The third aspect is the part of the programme that relates to budgetary funds. The Commission may have noticed that Forestry, with a Regular Programme provision for the next biennium of some eighteen million dollars, is expected to have extra-budgetary field activities of over US$ 61 000 000, a ratio of more than three to one.
In the case of Fisheries, if we take an example, the Fisheries Regular Programme provision is proposed at just under US$ 27 000 000 and extra-budgetary funds of some US$ 57 000 000. And so the activities in the field of forestry have to be seen in the total of Regular Programme and extra budgetary funds, which amount to over US$ 80 000 000. This leads me to a point which the delegate of the United Kingdom raised about the sub-programme 2.1.8.3, Commodity Policies and Trade and why it is the recipient of the substantial fund of some US$ 7 000 000. If I recall his intervention, it implied that this was a pretty questionable programme with such significant resources and what was the use of so many studies, in relation to the importance of soil management, water development, fertilizers, programmes which really had a field impact and which had a more direct relation to increase in agricultural production and which were recipients of Regular Programme resources of 1.8 million, 2 million, thereabouts. There are several important clarifications which I would like to provide.
Firstly the sub-programme 2.1.8.3, Commodity Policies and Trade, does not deal only with studies. In fact studies are a very small part of the sub-programme. The bulk of this sub-programme is concerned with the Committee on Commodity Problems and the whole range of inter-governmental commodity groups. As the CCP only met recently and reported to the Council, and as the Council has reacted on the importance of the work done,I will not go further into this aspect. Let me, however, also mention that whereas the work on the Commodity Policies and Trade in this sub-programme has some US$ 7 000 000,it has no extra-budgetary funds related to it. Whereas the sort of sub-programmes which were referred to in Soil Conservation, Water Development and Fertilizers all have very substantial extra-budgetary funds which are related to them. For example, soil management and fertilizers, only has US$ 2 000 000 under the Regular Programme but almost US$ 20 000 000 under extra-budgetary funds. This is the kind of relationship which is taken into account by the Director-General in the distribution of resources. Which leads me immediately to the point about priorities and the priorities of programme selection, scrutiny, stringency, and limited availability of resources.
I will desist from commenting on the principle of zero growth, whether it is termed as zero programme growth or zero real growth or whatever terminology is used. As this is a matter among sovereign Member Nations and their debate is clear, the Secretariat does not need to respond to it, but what I would like to emphasize is that the pursuit of any such principle has nothing to do with careful budgetary preparations and the identification of careful bu getary priorities o No matter what the increase, whether it is half of one percent as it was last time or whether it it is 1.1 percent as is proposed now, the Director-General ensures the same rigid examination and a thorough examination of all Programme proposals starting from the present base, that is to say, using the principle of zero-based budgeting. The Conference has already noted that existing Programme activities have been reviewed to identify those which do not need to continue. This is the kind of principle which has been mentioned in the debate . We do not just accept a programme base for a biennium and just add on to it,but we first dissect it to see what is superfluous, to see what can be reducėd, what can be cut out, and we then proceed with additional programme proposals.
Mr Chairman, in view of the late hour, and your magisterial look, I will try to limit my intervention. I believe I have replied to most of the questions which were raised. May I, however, before concluding, appeal to you for a moment more of your time and that is to say in the name of the Director-General and on his behalf as I am responding to this debate, to express our very sincere gratitude for the debate which has taken place; in particular for the comments of appreciation which have been addressed to the Director-General for the manner in which he has prepared and presented this Programme of Work and Budget; for the way he has tried to take into account the views of all Member Nations in order to facilitate approval with as much consensus or unanimity as possible. As he said in his introduction, what he hopes this Conference will recall is that what unites the Member Nations in the proposed Programme of Work and Budget is incomparably greater than what may divide them on any aspect of it.
EL PRESIDENTE: Señores, como ustedes saben, el resumen del Presidente no es un texto obligatorio, que trata solamente de una vía, de una orientación muy respetuosa para el Presidente y los miembros del Comité de representación, de manera que espero que lo que voy a decir aquí no sea discutido en esta Sala pala-bra por palabra. Si esto es valido para cualquier resumen, con mayor razón para este tema 12 en cuya discusión intervinieron 88 delegaciones y, sinceramente, les confieso que no
me siento en condiciones de presentarles un resumen exhaustivo. Sin embargo, pienso que al concluir el tema 12 la Comisión apoyó las prioridades, la política y los programas de la Organización para 1986-87. Se reconoció que las prioridades habían sido fijadas por los gobiernos, particularmente a través de su participación en los órganos rectores: Comité del Programa, Comité de Finanzas, Consejo y Conferencias Regionales. En general, la Comisión apoyó las seis prioridades presentadas por el Director General en sus líneas generales del Programa. La Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en el fortalecimiento de los programas técnicos y económicos. En particular, la Comisión apoyó los siguientes aspectos principales del Programa que destaco rápidamente, aunque alguno de ellos está comprendido en las seis prioridades a que me refería anteriormente: apoyo a la prioridad para Africa y, sobre todo, al Programa de rehabilitación a la agricultura africana, cooperación económica y técnica entre países en desarrollo, fortalecimiento de las actividades de campo, seguridad alimentaria mundial y sistema de información y alerta, apoyo a las actividades de pesca y montes, apoyo a las actividades en favor de pequeños campesinos y de la mujer (lástima que no esté aquí la distinguida Embajadora de Venezuela), apoyo a la investigación y a la capacitación que debe ser extendida y aplicada particularmente en el campo.
Algunas delegaciones se refirieron a la reforma agraria y a la importancia que tiene la aplicación de sus principios en los cambios institucionales. Algunas delegaciones expresaron su preocupación por la reducción progresiva de los recursos destinados a la asistencia multilateral como los casos del PNUD y del Fondo Internacional de Desarrollo Agrícola (FIDA) con la recomendación de que se pida a los Estados Miembros que hagan todos esfuerzos adicionales por contribuir a que se logre cuanto antes la segunda reposición de los recursos del FIDA.
Algunos delegados manifestaron que la reducción de recursos para la cooperación multilateral no significaba falta de voluntad de sus países, que, por el contrario, estaban tratando de aumentar en sus presupuestos las asignaciones para la asistencia al desarrollo. Muchas delegaciones, la mayoría, expresaron su apoyo al Programa de Cooperación Técnica (PCT) por considerarlo un programa rápido y eficaz con efecto multiplicador, muy conveniente para los países beneficiarios y apoyaron plenamente el aumento propuesto para los fondos del PCT.
Unas pocas delegaciones manifestaron que el PCT debería limitarse a los casos de urgencia, que sus recursos no deberían crecer en el programa ordinario, que a veces se había constatado que parte de esas asignaciones no habían sido gastadas y que, por lo tanto, en vez de aumentar los recursos en el Programa Ordinario,podría tratarse de obtener recursos de fuentes extrapresupuestarias. Opinaron que el nivel alcanzado en el PCT había llegado a un punto satisfactorio y que éste no debía competir con otra forma de ayuda.
Consecuente con la explicación que di en materia de procedimiento les ruego observar que en esta parte del resumen sobre el PCT he limitado mis observaciones al contenido del Capítulo 4 del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, y les ruego que aquí en esta Sala no iniciemos el debate de cómo vamos a reflejar esto en el Informe para evitar duplicación. Esto creo que no es fácil que ustedes lo hagan ni yo tampoco, corresponderá al Comité de Redacción cuyo Presidente es el Sr. Jennings que está al fondo de nuestra sala y ellos serán los que podrán indicarnos cómo se podrá presentar en nuestro Informe de la manera más adecuada la referencia al PCT.
La Comisión reconoció los grandes esfuerzos realizados por el Director General para atender y seguir la recomendación de los órganos rectores al examinar el resumen del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto.
Unos pocos países, aun reconociendo los esfuerzos del Director General, opinaron que sería deseable hacer todavía más reducciones hasta lograr un crecimiento cero neto en los Programas.
Opinaron esas mismas delegaciones, hubo una opinión mixta, pero podría considerarse más o menos la misma, que al elaborar los programas y establecer las prioridades debería tenerse en cuenta, entre otros factores, la circunstancia cambiante de la situación en el mundo y las limitaciones de los recursos económicos.
Unos pocos delegados expresaron reservas sobre la utilidad y conveniencia de los nuevos puestos propuestos. La mayoría de los delegados estuvieron en favor de esos nuevos puestos. La gran mayoría de las delegaciones opinaron que si bien aceptaban esta reducción con espíritu pragmático de transacción, consideraban que en el futuro sería necesario que se procediera con mucha cautela para evitar que nuevas reducciones en el presupuesto afectaran la capacidad de acción y la eficacia de los trabajos de la Organización.
Al nivel del presupuesto, la gran mayoría de los delegados manifestaron que, aunque hubieran preferido un nivel más alto, acorde con la grave crisis alimentaria mundial y la importante labor de la FAO, apoyaban el nivel propuesto del presupuesto con la esperanza de que así pudiera lograrse un consenso.
Unas pocas delegaciones expresaron, con diversos argumentos, que aún no estaban en capacidad de apoyar el nivel propuesto y que deseaban que se propusiera un crecimiento cero neto en los programas.
A la luz de las diversas opiniones anteriores, la Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en recomendar a la Plenaria que adoptara el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, sobre el cual, como todos ustedes saben, habrá una votación y esa será la instancia final para que los Estados Miembros se pronuncien al respecto.
Si no hay ningún comentario por los miembros de la Sala, me resta sólo agradecerles su paciencia y cooperación. Lamento haberles retardado, pero era muy conveniente concluir este tema importante.
The meeting rose at 19.35 hours
La séance est levée à 19 h 35
Se levanta la sesión a las 19.35 horas
