Rodrigo BOTELLO (Panamá): Sr. Presidente, su Excelencia John Kerin, Ministro de Industrias Primarias y Energía de Australia, en nombre de la delegación de Panamá deseo expresarle nuestras más sinceras felicitaciones por su merecida elección, que estamos seguros ha puesto en manos capaces la delicada responsabilidad de dirigir los debates de este 25o periodo de sesiones de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación.
Al manifestarle el apoyo y colaboración con que podrá contar por parte de la delegación panameña, hago propicia la ocasión para extender tales seguridades, al igual que nuestras felicitaciones a los señores vicepresidentes que le acompañarán durante el desempeño de tan importantes funciones.
De la misma manera, complace a mi Delegación manifestar al Dr. Edouard Saouma, Director General de la FAO, su satisfacción por la forma atinada, capaz y valiente con que viene dirigiendo los destinos de esta Organización en lo concerniente a los problemas de primera magnitud contra el hambre, la pobreza y la malnutrición, y de manera especial, en las actuales circunstancias, de grave coyuntura financiera, provocada por las políticas de la destabilización de quienes anteponen sus intereses hegemónicos a los de la colectividad internacional.
Sr. Presidente, está universalmente reconocido que la principal causa del hambre es la pobreza. Resulta entonces evidente que no puede emprenderse ningún programa, ni ejecutarse campañas u operaciones que tengan como objetivo combatir el hambre de manera eficaz y permanente si no se consideran en ellos los elementos y acciones necesarias para lograr el desarrollo de los pueblos. Todo lo demás, por cuanto imprescindible y apreciado, dadas las circunstancias, son apenas paleativos para mitigar una grave situación que, de persistir, pueden provocar el fin de las sociedades más débiles.
En efecto, el hambre, además de ser causa de desnutrición, conlleva como consecuencia una acentuada disminución de la capacidad intelectual y de rendimiento del individuo y, por ende, a todos los niveles de productividad, provocando una de las muertes más trágicas que existen. Resulta lógico, por tanto, que cualquier argumento que se esgrima o acción que se emprenda, así como todo pretexto que se utilice para impedir el desarrollo y no combatir, o lo que es peor aún, fomentar el hambre y la malnutrición es flagrante crimen de lesa humanidad, que debe ser tenazmente combatido y denunciado, so pena de complicidad.
En este contexto, la Delegación panameña reitera, ante el más importante foro de la actividad agrícola mundial, su reconocimiento y firme apoyo al rol fundamental que, en consonancia con sus objetivos, desempeña la FAO, para - y cito - "... fomentar el bienestar general... a los fines de elevar
los niveles de nutrición y de vida de los pueblos... mejorar el rendimiento de la producción y la eficacia de la distribución de todos los alimentos y productos alimenticios y agrícolas... y contribuir así a la expansión de la economía mundial y de liberar del hambre a la humanidad" - fin de la cita -, tal como se expresa en el preámbulo de su Carta constitutiva y como fuese unánimamente reconocido y afirmado tanto por los comités del programa y de finanzas, cuanto por los grupos de expertos que examinaron algunos de los aspectos de los objetivos y operaciones de la FAO, en cumplimiento de la resolución 6/87 de la anterior Conferencia.
Estas consideraciones nos llevan a reafirmar nuestra plena identificación con los objetivos, funciones, estrategias y prioridades de la FAO, así como de sus operaciones de campo, en el convencimiento de que ésta, nuestra Organización, principal órgano de la ayuda multilateral en el campo de la agricultura y la alimentación, responde a las aspiraciones y exigencias del conjunto de países miembros, particularmente de los más necesitados, constituyendo una garantía para el desarrollo y bienestar de la comunidad internacional.
De igual manera, consideramos imprescindible expresar que, aun reconociendo el necesario equilibrio que debe existir entre las tres funciones principales de la Organización, la prestación de asistencia técnica es un eslabón fundamental, que posee, a nuestro juicio y a la luz de la realidad del estado actual de la situación mundial de la agricultura en los países en desarrollo, un papel determinante en el logro de nuestras necesidades más urgentes. Todo intento para debilitar esa función o de negarle los recursos suficientes para su ejecución, en particular en lo que respecta al programa de Cooperación Técnica, debe ser enérgicamente rechazado por esta Asamblea.
Para nuestra delegación es ineludible apoyar la función de la FAO en los esfuerzos por la implantación del nuevo orden internacional, particularmente en que la Organización debe reforzar aquellas actividades relacionadas con la cooperación técnica entre los países en desarrollo, los problemas de la mujer en el desarrollo rural, el desarrolllo sostenible y el comercio internacional.
En base a las consideraciones anunciadas, abrigamos la esperanza de que los Estados miembros aquí representados concentraremos nuestros esfuerzos en conseguir resultados positivos para nuestra Organización, que reviertan de manera efectiva en el desarrollo de nuestros pueblos; sobre todo en el momento en que es marcada la reducción de las corrientes de capital hacia los países en desarrollo, en que disminuye drásticamente la ayuda internacional en el campo agrícola y para la cooperación y el desarrollo y en los cuales se acrecientan las necesidades de los países emergentes.
Antes de abordar los aspectos relacionados con los Programas de Labores y Presupuesto, deseamos, sin embargo, referirnos a un concepto que durante los últimos años se nos ha tratado de imponer y que, a nuestro juicio, debe ser eliminado de forma definitiva del léxico del sistema de las Naciones Unidas. Se trata de la denominada "teoría del crecimiento cero". Para nuestra delegación, en base al desequilibrio que objetivamente tal política generalizada está causando en los organismos de las Naciones Unidas, esto se acrecienta frente a un alarmante decrecimiento real en el nivel presupuestario y programático aprobado para esta Organización. En este mismo sentido, el mal llamado concepto, conocido como de "ahorros y ajustes" o de "absorción de costos", que además resulta difícil dudar que las mismas no
tengan, en la mayoría de los casos, fundamentalmente motivaciones políticas tendentes a desastibilizar a la Organización por parte de algunos de los principales contribuyentes, y en especial del mayor de ellos, hoy convertido también en su mayor deudor.
Dentro de este marco de referencia, la delegación que me honro en presidir estima conveniente efectuar algunas consideraciones relacionadas con el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para el bienio 1990-92.
Sr. Presidente, sobre este programa, sometido a nuestra consideración, el Gobierno de Panamá manifiesta su apoyo, reconociendo el esfuerzo que ha hecho el Director General por conciliar las necesidades crecientes de los países y la limitación de los recursos disponibles. Sin embargo, es justo que esta Asamblea reconozca que un aumento real de apenas el 0,5%, como el que se nos propone, es meramente simbólico y está muy por debajo de las necesidades de la Organización. Por todas estas consideraciones, y en aras del consenso, invitamos a la totalidad de los miembros de la Conferencia a brindarle el apoyo consecuente.
En este orden de ideas, es oportuno señalar que mi país está atravesando por la más grave crisis socioeconómica de su historia, crisis que ha sido provocada por factores externos.
Dentro de este contexto la presencia de la República de Panamá en este foro obedece, además de los conceptos ya expresados, al derecho soberano que le asiste a participar en la búsqueda de soluciones a los graves problemas de la agricultura y la alimentación de nuestro país.
En consecuencia con lo que expresáramos al inicio de nuestra intervención, para Panamá es necesario denunciar, en este foro mundial de la agricultura y la alimentación, las causas externas que han determinado un crecimiento negativo durante sus dos últimas campañas agrícolas. Este decrecimiento es producto de medidas que catalogamos como lesivas, arbitrarias e ilegales. Las mismas han provocado una alteración en nuestro desenvolvimiento económico, social y político, que algunos economistas denominan una "crisis artificial importada".
Este marco conceptual ha sido confirmado en el Informe anual del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, correspondiente al año 1988, el cual concluye que el producto interno bruto tuvo una contracción aproximada del 20%, situación ésta que produce un empeoramiento de los niveles de vida del pueblo panameño, si lo comparamos con la década de los 70.
Por otra parte, según cifras oficiales, estas restricciones produjeron al fisco una caída en sus ingresos corrientes del orden del 45% respecto a 1987 y la reducción drástica del flujo de su comercio exterior. A este respecto, se aumentó la tasa de desempleo de su población económicamente activa a casi el 20%, señalando además en ese informe que la proyección a corto plazo del efecto de la aplicación de estas medidas contra Panamá indican que el pueblo panameño tendrá que tolerar una caída adicional de su nivel de bienestar, en 1989, del orden del 5% de su ingreso nacional.
En el sector agropecuario, todas estas medidas se traducen objetivamente en un serio problema para la seguridad alimenticia de más de dos millones de habitantes, lo cual podría interpretarse como el uso de los alimentos como arma de presión política.
La incidencia de los factores externos anteriormente expuestos, que afectan al desarrollo socioeconómico de nuestro pais, particularmente en el medio rural, han contribuido a agravar aún más los tradicionales problemas estructurales que presentan los países tercermundistas en la producción de alimentos. Nuestro país no escapa entonces a los embates del hambre y la malnutrición, sobre todo en los bolsones de máxima pobreza del medio rural y en la áreas suburbanas de la región metropolitana.
En este sentido, tenemos una clara conciencia de la dimensión del problema alimenticio nacional y de los esfuerzos sostenidos que debemos realizar todos los sectores de la sociedad panamefta para apoyar el aumento de la producción de alimentos, especialmente a través de la agricultura.
Se debe destacar que en Panamá el sector agropecuario aporta el 80% de los alimentos que consume la población. A este propósito, cabe señalar que es necesario incrementar los esfuerzos para obtener el total autoabastecimiento de la canasta básica de alimentos.
Por tanto, considerando el papel protagonista que ha jugado el sector primario de la economía del país en el enfrentamiento a la agresión económica, al garantizar la producción y el abastecimiento de los alimentos a la población panameña, se ha tenido que desarrollar una clara estrategia para la reactivación del sector agropecuario en el marco de áreas claves en las que deberán concentrarse las acciones inherentes a la seguridad alimentaria, la diversificación del comercio exterior, el desarrollo agroindustrial, la reforma agraria y el desarrollo rural, la tecnología apropiada, las inversiones requeridas, el manejo de los recursos naturales y la nueva adecuación del desarrollo institucional.
Sin embargo, reconocemos que la reactivación económica de Panamá tendrá que realizarse en el marco de la estrategia diseñada para la región controamericana en particular y de la América Latina en general.
En consecuencia, aspiramos a que todos los gobiernos y organismos internacionales, representados en este importante cónclave internacional, puedan reflexionar y reconocer las necesidades de apoyo solidario hacia Panamá, en el entendimiento de que la seguridad en la alimentación de los pueblos es la única garantía de obtener la paz que todos los países anhelamos.
Para terminar, ante un panorama similar, que afecta a millones de habitantes del tercer mundo, que padecen de hambre y malnutrición, por su carencia de recursos productivos o su falta de acceso a los productos alimenticios, se impone una nueva relación económica y política mundial, para que se garantice el uso pleno y soberano de los recursos naturales de los países pobres y se posibilite una real solución a la adquisición de alimentos y mejoras en la calidad de vida de todos los habitantes del mundo.
Sheikh Ibrahim D. AL-SABAH (Kuwait) (original language Arabic): In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Mr Chairman, Distinguished Members of Delegations, I greet you in the name of the State of Kuwait and convey to you the sincere appreciation of my country for the efforts you deploy for the world's progress and prosperity.
It gives me great pleasure to express to you personally my heartfelt congratulations on your election to chair this Session of Conference. The challenges are surely huge, however, we are confident that you will measure up to these challenges. It pleases me also at this juncture to commend the Organization for its endeavours and valuable achievements under the leadership of the Director-General who spares no effort in guiding the Organization toward the achievement of its objectives. A living testimony of this is the assessment of the Experts, after having concluded the Review of the Programmes of the Organization, in which they affirmed the strength and dynamism of the Organization and gave the Organization a certificate of good health.
Here, I would like to confirm my country's support for the proposals of the Director-General, and the views expressed by the Programme and Finance Committees, regarding the Review. We request the Organization to implement such views and we believe that its management is well qualified to shoulder the responsibility of achieving the lofty objectives for which it is established. We fully support the contents of the "Programme of Work and Budget", in particular increasing urgent assistance to needy countries. At this juncture, I have the honour to recall what has been stated by His Royal Highness the Emir of Kuwait, the Chairman of the Fifth Session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly during its 43rd Session, and the Non-Aligned Conference held recently in Belgrade, wherein His Royal Highness stressed the need for countries in a position to assist to lend support to the needy countries in order to create, adjust, balance and strengthen relations. An important obstacle in the way of achieving such relations is the question of debts and their increased interest, and the relationships between rich and poor countries.
His Royal Highness put forward the following proposals and I quote, "First, we call upon creditor countries to hold a technical meeting among themselves in order to consider the cancellation of interest due by debtor countries together with forgiving part of the principle for debts due by the poorest countries. Kuwait, as a creditor country, stands ready to attend such a meeting, and commits itself to the decisions emanating from there. We deem that this is much better than leaving the matter for the demands of the creditors on the one hand, and the divergent positions taken by debtors on the other. The implementation of such a proposal will assist debtor countries in undertaking development projects, which will be reflected in their economic and social conditions which, in turn, will have a positive impact on creditors and debtors alike.
"Second, we call upon the IMF to reconsider the tough conditionality it imposes on countries requesting its assistance to improve their conditions. It is hoped that these conditions will become more flexible and humane, taking into account differences among countries which should be suited to the conditions prevailing in the country concerned and conducive to the promotion of development therein."
As for the environment and the conservation of natural resources, I am honoured once again to quote from the address of His Royal Highness where he said: "There is a common danger threatening all the human race, the rich and the poor, the developed and the underdeveloped, namely, the continuing deterioration of the natural environment, the place in which we live, where our fathers lived, and where our sons are to live. Scientific progress and backwardness together threaten the ecological balance and natural elements on land, in the sea and in the air. The destiny of man is threatened by
excessive industrialization in developed countries and excessive exploitation of the environment in the form of range lands and forests. Pollution is on the increase on land, in the sea and in the air. Toxic clouds move from one country to another over land and water in the North, while drought, hunger and famine spread in the South, to the extent that in Central Africa, together with parts of Asia and Latin America, the rivers are threatened and rains are becoming fewer.
This danger is no less serious than that of wars. There are sincere protagonists of conservation and the environment, and a need to take positive steps in this regard, together with the control of desertification and drought, in order to combat the spectre of hunger and death. The Summit between the Super Powers constitutes a high-level forum for undertaking positive steps in this area."
It pleases me to refer to the progress and achievements secured by Kuwait in various spheres of agriculture. The agricultural sector assumes a major role in the framework of overall development upon a gracious wish expressed by His Royal Highness the Emir for giving due attention to agricultural production so as to ensure food security through expanded experiments for the cultivation of strategic crops such as wheat, and continual growth in the production of white meat, eggs and vegetables in addition to the conservation of marine resources and their development.
In the area of the assessment of natural resources and their conservation, the State of Kuwait undertook soil surveys and classifications together with other surveys of water resources all over the country. The Government is active in the control of desertification through afforestation. This year, we distributed and planted hundreds of thousands of trees all over Kuwait. This falls within the framework of an immediate plan to be followed by medium- and long-term plans for further afforestation and the improvement of the environment.
In conclusion, Kuwait calls for due attention to be given to coordination and cooperation among countries in the sphere of agriculture, together with the exchange of expertise. This will have a great impact on the food security situation, which we all seek. We wish you all success, and Allah's blessing be upon you.
The meeting was suspended at 15.15 to 15.30 hours
La séance est suspendue de 15 h 15 à 15 h 30
Se suspende la sesión de las 15.15 a las 15.30 horas
Le Directeur général: Monsieur le Président, Excellences, Mesdames, Messieurs, depuis la création, en 1973, du Comité Permanent inter-Etats de lutte contre la sécheresse dans le Sahel - le CILSS - la FAO entretient avec lui des liens privilégiés.
Les tragédies qui ont si souvent éprouvé cette zone vulnérable au cours des quinze dernières années n'ont fait que resserrer notre coopération et la rendre plus fructueuse et plus cordiale encore.
A diverses reprises, j'ai eu l'honneur de prendre la parole devant le Sommet des Chefs d'Etats et de gouvernement du CILSS; à plusieurs reprises également, nous avons eu l'honneur et la joie d'accueillir à la FAO le Président en exercice du Comité.
Ainsi donc, notre réunion d'aujourd'hui s'inscrit dans une longue tradition.
Pourtant, c'est la première fois que le Président en exercice du CILSS vient prendre la parole devant notre Conférence plénière.
Je vois là une manifestation de l'intérêt et de l'importance toujours croissants que chacune des deux organisations accorde aux problèmes et aux activités de l'autre.
Nous sommes particulièrement heureux qu'en cette occasion solennelle le Chef d'Etat que nous recevons en sa qualité de Président en exercice du CILSS ne soit autre que Son Excellence Hissène Habré, Président de la République du Tchad.
Il préside aux destinées d'un pays démuni enclavé, où les pluies sont mal réparties et les sols fragiles, exposé à toutes les menaces de la sécheresse, de la désertification, des invasions acridiennes, et qui de plus émerge à peine d'une période particulièrement cruelle et destructive qui aura duré près de 25 ans.
Pour guider son peuple en face de tels défis, le Président Habré y met toute sa jeunesse, sa brillante intelligence, son réalisme, son autorité naturelle.
Dans l'énorme effort de normalisation et de reconstruction qu'il anime, il a su faire une place de premier plan à l'agriculture, insuffler son propre courage aux paysans tchadiens qui travaillent sans relâche une terre souvent ingrate, recommencent les semailles autant de fois qu'il le faut, affrontent à mains nues tous les aléas de l'agriculture en milieu difficile.
Sa grande ambition est de mener son pays à l'autosuffisance alimentaire.
La FAO est heureuse d'apporter au Tchad toute l'assistance possible dans cet effort de progrès mené avec une ténacité incomparable.
Monsieur le Président de la République, je ne veux pas, devant vous, parler longuement de la situation alimentaire et agricole du Sahel.
Vous la connaissez mieux que quiconque.
C'est plutôt à nous d'écouter avec attention et modestie ce que vous aurez à nous en dire.
Ainsi, dans sa difficile et courageuse marche vers le développement agricole et la sécurité alimentaire, le Sahel peut compter sur la solidarité de la FAO, qui continuera de lui apporter sans réserve tout l'appui que ses ressources lui permettront de fournir.
Nous partageons d'un coeur fraternel les angoisses et les espoirs de votre pays et de votre région.
C'est pourquoi nous attendons avec impatience d'entendre le message que vous allez maintenant nous adresser.
Hissène HABRE (Président en exercice du CILSS): Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Directeur général de la FAO, Messieurs les Ministres, Messieurs les Responsables des institutions de développement, Mesdames, Messieurs,
Ma présence à Rome, au siège de notre prestigieuse organisation mondiale, l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO), traduit entre autres sentiments, celui d'une conviction profonde en notre commune volonté de faire face aux défis de la faim, de la malnutrition et, d'une manière générale, aux défis de la misère.
Il est vrai pourtant que notre monde, dans ses grandes tendances, demeure un monde d'intérêts souvent contradictoires où richesses et abondance côtoient pauvreté et rareté, un monde où l'humanité continue à gaspiller des ressources immenses dans la production à grande échelle des moyens de destruction, un monde où la vaste famille des déshérités ne cesse de s'élargir, de croître.
S'il est vrai que, depuis l'aube de l'humanité, le monde a toujours été confronté à la faim, aujourd'hui, le problème de la faim ou de la malnutrition est intolérable, car l'humanité tient à sa disposition des atouts remarquables, fruits du progrès de la science, de la technique et de la technologie, pouvant lui permettre de dominer cette problématique de l'alimentation qui perdure et interpelle gravement la conscience universelle.
Oui, Mesdames, Messieurs, il faut relativement peu de moyens, mais beaucoup de volonté pour élever l'idéal de la coopération internationale à la hauteur des aspirations de notre temps. Et, au Sahel, les pays membres du Comité permanent inter-Etats de lutte contre la sécheresse dans le Sahel (CILSS) croient en cet idéal et permettez-moi de vous adresser le salut amical des trente-sept millions de Sahéliens au nom desquels j'interviens ici en ma qualité de Président en exercice du CILSS.
Les pays du Sahel, victimes de la longue sécheresse des années 1968-1973, en décidant de créer le CILSS en septembre 1973, voulaient traduire concrètement leur volonté politique d'infléchir, autant que faire se peut, le cours d'un environnement devenu insoutenable, privilégiant ainsi les ressources de la solidarité entre partenaires, confrontés aux mêmes périls, et aussi exprimer leur foi en la coopération internationale.
Le dialogue du CILSS avec ses partenaires de la Communauté internationale constitue aujourd'hui, pour le Sahel, une incontestable réussite. Ainsi, la création trois ans après la naissance du CILSS, du Club des amis du Sahel, cadre informel de réflexion et de concertation entre partenaires de la Communauté internationale et responsables sahéliens, témoignait déjà de notre volonté de partenariat qui ne s'est jamais démentie depuis lors. Aussi souvent que possible, nous avons partagé avec nos partenaires nos craintes et nos raisons d'espérer. Avec eux, nous avons analysé les distorsions qui frappent notre région. Avec eux, nous avons recherché des réponses aux interpellations du temps. Cette concertation approfondie, permanente, avec ses avantages multiples vaut aujourd'hui pour les Sahéliens un soutien de plus en plus adapté de la Communauté internationale dans la lutte de nos peuples contre le phénomène de la sécheresse.
A cet égard, la FAO a été et demeure naturellement parmi les partenaires privilégiés du CILSS et partie prenante dans tous les grands projets de développement du Sahel, également dans les opérations de sauvegarde et de survie. Il est vrai que le défi de la faim et de la malnutrition qui interpelle le Sahel est aussi la raison d'être principale de la FAO. La présence du Directeur général, Monsieur Edouard Saouma, aux hautes instances du CILSS, comme celle des Présidents en exercice de notre institution aux conférences de la FAO, témoignent bien des préoccupations partagées et de la communauté de vues entre la FAO et le CILSS. Mais le Sahel n'est pas seulement le théâtre d'une expérience exaltante de coopération internationale. Il est aussi le terreau d'une solidarité entre nations; une réalité, non seulement physique, géographique, historique, mais aussi et surtout une conscience. De Praia à N'Djamena, la conscience est la même d'une communauté de destin, de la nécessité de pouvoir compter les uns sur les autres, de réfléchir et d'agir ensemble afin de mieux gérer et rendre viable un espace aux variations climatiques incontrôlables et soumis aux assauts destructeurs des criquets pèlerins et autres prédateurs. Mesdames et Messieurs, le drame du Sahel est d'abord celui de millions de nos paysans qui continuent inlassablement à confier à la terre leurs espérances avec leurs semences; des millions de paysans qui voient fréquemment leurs efforts annihilés du fait de la sécheresse qui, non seulement les expose à la merci de la famine, mais également bouleverse leur mode de vie, leurs valeurs et les atteint dans leur dignité et dans leur liberté. En effet, y aurait-il plus terrible que d'observer, impuissants, nos dignes paysans, nos fiers éleveurs transplantés malgré eux à la périphérie des villes, devenus une nouvelle race du lumpenproletariat et réduits à la mendicité, voire à la grande délinquance? Face à cette situation les pays du CILSS, avec le concours de la Communauté internationale, ont initié un certain nombre d'actions tendant à amoindrir les effets de la sécheresse. C'est ainsi que, sur la base d'études appropriées, un programme dit de première génération, composé de plus de six cents projets à travers les pays membres, a été mené à bien de 1976 à 1982. Mais la sécheresse inattendue de 1984 est venue brutalement montrer que malgré les projets réalisés ça et là, la caractéristique majeure du Sahel demeure sa précarité face aux aléas de son climat et de son environnement.
C'est alors que s'est imposée la nécessité de l'évaluation critique du programme de première génération, examen qui a permis d'identifier de graves lacunes, entre autres, celle qui tenait à l'absence d'une stratégie globale basée sur une connaissance approfondie des réalités sahéliennes. Mesdames et Messieurs, c'est chose désormais faite, avec la stratégie révisée de lutte contre la désertification et pour le développement approuvée par la 7ème Conférence des Chefs d'Etats du CILSS qui s'est tenue en janvier 1986 à Dakar au Sénégal.
Et, la continuelle évaluation critique de notre action s'est poursuivie. Elle nous a permis d'affiner encore plus notre stratégie. Les réflexions menées au cours de ces dernières années par le CILSS dans la concertation avec nos partenaires du Nord nous ont permis d'aller encore plus au fond des problèmes de développement rural dans notre région.
Devant le phénomène de la sécheresse et son corollaire, l'avancée du désert, notre conviction est faite que l'on ne peut se contenter ni de projets de développement isolés, ni de mesures partielles. C'est l'ensemble des rapports entre l'Etat et nos sociétés rurales qui doit être révisé.
Les Communautés villageoises dans le Sahel avaient autrefois leurs propres organisations: leur chef de terre, leur conseil des anciens, des organisations qui répondaient efficacement aux problèmes qui se posaient alors. Mais, vous en conviendrez, les temps ont changé; ces institutions traditionnelles n'ont pas suffisamment évolué pour faire face à des problèmes nouveaux et les Etats, qui ont voulu y répondre à leur place, n'ont pas été, finalement, en mesure de le faire efficacement.
Cependant, il est réconfortant de relever que des forces vives nouvelles émergent aujourd'hui de nos villages; des hommes, des femmes plus que jamais conscients des problèmes nouveaux et des menaces terribles qui pèsent sur leur terroir sont désormais résolus à prendre en mains leur destinée. Il importe de leur donner la possibilité d'y faire face eux-mêmes. A cet effet, nos Etats s'efforcent de mettre en place le cadre politique et juridique dans lequel ces hommes et ces femmes prendront la responsabilité de leur terroir, la responsabilité du capital déjà sérieusement entamé dont ils disposent, à savoir des terres usées à force d'être surexploitées, des eaux que la sécheresse a rendues de plus en plus rares, des forêts qui disparaissent à un rythme accéléré. Toutefois, il faut reconnaître que quelle que soit leur bonne volonté, quel que soit leur enthousiasme, nos communautés rurales sont, au demeurant, fort mal outillées pour dominer la situation avec leurs seuls moyens. Les Etats sahéliens eux-mêmes, classés parmi les plus pauvres de la planète, soumis comme l'ensemble des pays du tiers monde aux lois implacables de l'économie et du commerce international, deux fois, hélas, pris dans l'engrenage de conflits aussi inutiles que ruineux, sont bien incapables eux aussi de répondre avec l'efficacité voulue aux défis de l'environnement. Aujourd'hui, seule l'aide technique et financière conséquente de la Communauté internationale pourrait leur permettre de redresser les tendances effrayantes de la nature. Et il est indispensable, je dirai vital, que cet appui ne leur soit pas chichement mesuré, car c'est avec cet appui irremplaçable de la Communauté internationale que les Etats du Sahel entendent construire le cadre nouveau de la vie dans le Sahel, assurer l'adéquation des programmes et des interventions à la stratégie révisée de lutte afin de permettre à nos populations rurales de sortir du cercle étroit, trop étroit, de la survie tout court.
Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Directeur général, Mesdames, Messieurs,
Le Sahel ne peut être laissé à lui-même. Certes, son combat est d'abord le sien propre, mais le Sahel n'est au bout du compte que la ligne de front du défi de l'environnement qui interpelle toute la planète. Les récents développements à propos de la couche d'ozone ou de l'effet de serre rappellent fort justement l'interdépendance entre les différentes parties de la terre. En d'autres termes, la lutte contre la sécheresse et l'avancée du désert dans le Sahel relèvent de la responsabilité générale des Nations et des Peuples face à la dégradation de l'environnement humain.
Sur notre planète terre, l'homme a, depuis la nuit des temps, accompli d'immenses progrès, remporté d'immenses victoires. Les frontières du possible n'ont jamais cessé de reculer. Pourtant, ces progrès, tout comme leurs résultats très mal répartis, donnent au monde d'aujourd'hui le visage le plus inégalitaire, le plus injuste, le plus brutal dans l'usage des lois qui régissent ses relations. Jamais richesse et abondance aussi démesurées n'ont coexisté avec pauvreté et misère aussi troublantes et chaque jour trente cinq mille enfants meurent de faim ou de malnutrition. Le plus intolérable est qu'à travers les règles iniques et injustes du système économique international, notamment la chute continue des cours des matières
premières, les riches continuent de profiter de la façon la plus cynique des faiblesses des pauvres tout en entretenant à leur avantage une structure d'endettement aggravant encore plus le sort misérable des peuples du Sud. Je n'en dirai pas plus sur ce sujet qui occupe une bonne place dans tous les discours. Je souhaiterais simplement, à ce propos, que riches et pauvres, conscients du mal et de ses dangereux développements, agissent de concert, en apportant des remèdes sérieux au moins autant qu'ils en parlent et autant qu'ils en décrivent les mécanismes.
Certes, l'espoir est permis à considérer l'élan de solidarité qui semble prendre essor non seulement au niveau des Etats, des Organisations Internationales, mais également au niveau des peuples.
Dans cet effort en vue de l'éradication de la faim et de la malnutrition dans le monde, dans cette lutte pour l'autosuffisance et la sécurité alimentaire pour tous, qu'il me soit permis de saluer la FAO et son Directeur général, Monsieur Edouard Saouma, dont les initiatives et les actions contribuent, de façon précieuse, à l'accomplissement de la gigantesque oeuvre de solidarité internationale. Nous leur exprimons notre soutien et c'est du reste l'une des raisons de ma présence ici.
Puissent les hommes, dépassant leurs égoïsmes, considérant judicieusement leur interdépendance et dans un sursaut salutaire de solidarité redynamisée, puissent les hommes d'aujourd'hui apporter les réponses adéquates aux grands défis qui interpellent la conscience humaine. Cela est possible, cela est réalisable pourvu bien évidemment que les hommes le veuillent et s'engagent avec l'immense capital de savoir, de connaissances et de moyens accumulés.
Plein succès à vos travaux !
Mesdames, Messieurs, je vous remercie!
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
CHAIRMAN: Mr President, I am sure that every delegate joins with me in thanking you very much for your very penetrating and totally apt speech. I would ask Minister Mukando from Zambia to join me in thanking you.
Justin J. MURANDO (Zambia): Mr Chairman, I wish to thank you for allowing me to say a few words on behalf of the African Group, by way of a vote of thanks, following the inspiring speech made by His Excellency Hissene Habre, President of the Republic of Chad.
His speech has clearly illustrated the problems faced by Sahelian countries and the commendable efforts that these countries are making in trying to resolve them. These efforts are exemplified by the presence of His Excellency Hissene Habre at this forum.
Allow me to pay tribute to His Excellency the President of Chad, for bringing unity to his great country after many years of conflicts, and for his personal efforts in trying to resolve the problems of the Sahelian region in particular and those of Africa in general.
The problems of desertification, drought and consequent food shortages are problems which should not be left to the Sahelian countries alone to solve.
Food deficits which are caused by drought and the encroachment of the desert require the full support of the international community to arrest the situation.
Efforts by the Regional Grouping (CILSS) aimed at alleviating hunger and promoting sustainable agricultural development in the region should be commended by all of us.
In a nutshell therefore, we cannot sit by when 35 000 people are dying of hunger every day. We must together fight whether we are in the North or South. The scientific advancements we have achieved so far should help mankind to fight these evils even better.
Mohamed Saleem KHAN (Pakistan): The Republic of Chad and its partners in CILSS have been illustrious members of the Group of 77 from the very beginning, and it is a great privilege for my delegation, and for me personally in the capacity of the position which Pakistan occupies in the Group of 77, to express our gratitude to His Excellency Hissene Habre for the honour he has done both FAO and us by his presence amongst us today. We are all indeed the wiser for having been here.
Since its creation in 1973, CILSS have provided to the world at large a truly remarkable demonstration of what countries determined to survive can achieve, whatever the odds. The Saheli confronts practically all known problems of the developing world. In addition, it has grappled with climatic adversities perhaps unequalled anywhere else in their severity and unpredictability. In the face of all this, Sahelian countries, individually or collectively through CILSS, are holding their ground - not high perhaps, but firm. Primary credit for this goes naturally to the people of the Saheli itself and their leaders, but FAO can also rightly congratulate itself for the support it has given to the governments of the region, as mentioned by the President in his statement. We are all proud to be associated with this heroic experience. As we all know, however, despite all the efforts so honourably expended up to now, the Saheli remains one of the regions of the world that most need and deserve the support of the international community. It remains a test case of world solidarity.
I could not add meaningfully to the eloquent plea which His Excellency the President has just made in this regard, and I shall not be tempted to try. Permit me only to stress that the essential nature of the development problem in the Saheli on the one hand, and FAO's mandate on the other, clearly requires this Organization to be in the vanguard of any international engagement on behalf of that region. It is the inescapable duty of all of us to enable our Organization to play that role effectively.
I am anxious to assure His Excellency Hissene Habre, and through him the members and governments of CILSS and the people of the Saheli, that the Group on whose behalf I am addressing you will always be on their side.
Reishi TESHIMA (Japan): On behalf of the member companies of the OACD Group, which I chair, I would like to express our thanks and tribute to His Excellency Hissene Habre, President of the Republic of Chad, for his very impressive statement. His statement has clearly illustrated problems which are facing us, especially that of drought, in the Saheli. We have learned a great deal about the efforts by his country and the Sahelian countries, as well as international organizations, to fight against serious drought, and the importance of continuing international cooperation in this field. We hope that by overcoming drought and other serious problems, the agriculture in his country and the Sahelian countries will be developing further.
CHAIRMAN: Ministers, Distinguished Delegates, we will resume the Plenary and I call on His Excellency Mr Warwick Franklin, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries of Barbados.
Warwick FRANKLIN (Barbados): Mr Chairman, Director-General, Distinguished Heads of Delegations, Representatives of the various Bodies and Observers attending this Twenty-fifth Session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization.
When I had the honour to make my statement to the Twenty-fourth Session of Conference two years ago, one of the major concerns of FAO at that time, was the very fragile financial situation which impinged upon the policies and programmes necessary to promote the common welfare of nations around the world. Today, the financial outlook is no less threatening. The whole world economy now, as it was then, continues to undergo severe strain. Small States in particular are locked into the economic crisis. They continue to wrestle with many variables which impact adversely on their economies, making it vital to find survival mechanisms capable of withstanding the pressure of the times.
Depressingly low commodity prices, dwindling foreign reserves, high unemployment levels, the adoption of strong protectionist measures which either bar or severely limit access to traditional markets, tariffs and non-tariff barriers, large subsidies by developed countries to their farmers, are but a few of the problems facing developing states; especially small island states such as my own country. Notwithstanding the myriad pressures alluded to, I am confident that we can all take solace in the very profound - if not philosophical - expression of hope averted to by the Director-General in his introduction to the Programme of Work for the coming biennium wherein he states that "problems are challenges".
There is little doubt that the 1990-91 period, and indeed the next Development Decade, will be confronted by problems. For example, the delicate balance between maximum production and environmental enhancement, growing world population, man's inhumanity to man, but by the same token, we must view as challenges to stimulate our minds and actions in the direction of an even greater determination and commitment to a common purpose, that is, the betterment of all mankind. Toward this goal, we must unflinchingly admonish each other to be strengthened by the thought that with divine guidance, sage planning, an element of flexibility, and resilience, our world will not only meet the challenges with fortitude, but will overcome the difficulties.
My delegation has come to this Conference imbued with that desire and that hope. Moreover, it is against that background that we are convinced that the fight against the ravages of poverty and hunger should be tackled.
How can we attack poverty? We welcome the grants and other forms of assistance, but most of all we need equal access to economic activities -that is trade not aid, and an all out attack at every possible level to alleviate the scourge of poverty. For it is only in this way that the Social and Economic fabric of the Third World can be reinforced.
FAO, in underaking a comprehensive review of its roles, objectives, and priorities, demonstrates the sort of consciousness so essential to a successful operation. This review I am pleased to note has confirmed my opinion, that this great Organization is well managed and exhibits a flexibility that allows it to meet its diverse demands in most cases. The findings of this review deserve our unanimous agreement. My delegation applauds the foresight and determination at the heart of the programme priorities, so clearly enunciated by the Director-General and which now form the pulse of our deliberations.
I refer here to priorities in which he seeks to meet such challenges inter alia, sustainable development, crop monitoring and protection, biotechnology, agriculture, the distribution and use of pesticides and also the transfer of technology.
The Plan of Action for the Integration of Women into Agriculture and Rural Development is another plan of the Organization's programme. This clearly is a focal point for socio-economic growth and survival. After all, women exert great influence in all societies and by their resourcefulness make a substantial contribution to the development of their society.
As I come from a small island nation, I am rather sensitive to the severity of financial crises and the strain which such crises impose on our citizens. Hence, as we look toward the year 2000 the critical importance of maintaining the ratio, mix and balance of priorities cannot be overstated.
It is equally fitting that the adoption of policies and programmes, which are both compatible with the FAO mission and the specific development needs of its members, must by itself be a priority and at the centre of our deliberations at this Twenty-fifth session of Conference. To go one step further, I would venture to say we should concentrate on waste minimization.
In this undertaking there can be no room for complacency or selfishness. The whole world is ours and together we have a duty to steer a course to see us through the turbulence on the horizons of the 21st century. Indeed, the real economic order demands of us a united spirit, uniformity of action and unity of purpose.
As we look to the future, let us bear in mind that any long term and sustained achievement will hinge upon responsiveness to the situation and concerted action in international fora such as this Conference. The measure of goodwill, so visible that it has permeated the atmosphere ever since the session started, is an indicator that ultimately the success of the United Nations system, and FAO in particular, in meeting the challenges of our times is assured.
My delegation has given serious thought to those challenges (financial and otherwise) especially those that threaten world food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry. We are concerned about the impact of man-made chemicals on the environment. We are equally concerned about the destructive effects of CFCs on the ozone layer, the warming of the earth's atmosphere and general implications of new phenomena and full production cannot be overlooked.
It is reported that more than 2.5 million people around the world die annually from the effect of tobacco. It is reported that another 10 000 people worldwide also die from the use of illicit drugs. There can be no better way to support the global fight against the scourge of drugs than to examine the need for substitute and marketable crops. I mention this to elaborate the range of difficulties confronting our nation.
I crave your indulgence to share with you some of the policies and development strategies enunciated in the current development plan of my country. The plan is founded on two simple but very basic principles. First, that there can be no development before growth. Secondly, that development is essentially about peoples' hopes and aspirations for improvement of the quality of their life and a share in the fruits of the development process. The agriculture sector plan anticipates with confidence that both the traditonal sugar sector and non-traditional agriculture will act constantly to stimulate national growth. In the words of our own Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Erskine Sandeford, the Plan projects a vision of hope for Barbados while not overlooking the many known hurdles and many imponderables to be overcome.
Therefore it will be seen, that we most certainly share the serious concern of the Director-General that problems are challenges. We also recognize the similar inescapable pressures which bear upon small economies, particularly those which depend heavily upon the sugar sector for foreign exchange earnings, but at what cost? The returns are way below the level of production costs. More importantly, we remain ever mindful of the fact that such economies are by there very nature small, lacking in material, as well as technical, involvement. Consequently, they are rendered vulnerable to international forces including constant currency fluctuation, and in the case of the sugar sector the elements of strong competition from cheaper sugar as well as alternative sweeteners. To combat these difficulties we have embarked on a policy of agricultural diversification basing optimum size sugar production on a mix with other crops especially those crops with proven marketing potentials and for which good prices are obtained. At the same time through the diversification effort, we hope to enhance our capabilities to feed ourselves with less reliance on imported commodities. Another expected benefit of the programme of diversified production is the prospect of the creation of a stimulus for sustained economic growth and development. This transition presents problems, but again problems are challenges.
Barbados welcomes the assistance both in cash and kind made possible from close ties and associations with the Food and Agriculture Organization and other international organizations, many of which are represented at this Conference. In part, all of the pressures would be overpowering. The level of development we have obtained so far could not easily be realized and maintained.
In the area of fisheries we have even greater optimism. We hope to exploit the unexplored fishery resources in the eastern part of our exclusive economic zone. At the Caribbean community level action has also proceeded toward a policy for trade access to the exclusive economic zones of the Caribbean region.
At the global level the worsening food situation calls for a world policy on food, and as such cannot escape the attention of FAO. It is in this context that the matter of world food security must be addressed. It must also be realized that the poor developing nations, whose richest resources are their people, are under constant strain to feed their population and to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. Basically, the underlying problem is one of finance and hence the virtual dependence on assistance in whatever form.
The task is a huge on-going one. In the accustomed fashion, we are undertaking the business of Conference in various Committees where fundamental issues of the moment are being addressed in greater detail. For what it is worth, I share with you the following philosophy of Prof. Dr Borsch - "Committees are by nature timid. They are based on the premise of safety in numbers and are content to survive inconspicuously rather than take risks and move independently ahead." Before independence, if we did not have the freedom for new ideas to be tried, to fail, and to ultimately succeed, the world would not move ahead, but would live in fear of its own potential. Like Dr Borsch, I believe that if we view roles as limits to follow obediently along before taking risks, we will inherently become like anyone else. We owe it to the world to try new ideas. The importance of continued action at international level to assist the developing countries in coping with their various dilemmas cannot be over-emphasized. The difficulties would hardly be surmounted before the careful planning and action by the more fortunate could bring to bear a fully cooperative approach. We are all familiar with the issues, of which the Director-General so aptly reminded us, on the preparation of funds proposed under the programme priorities outlined. He is hopeful that the Organization will experience new vigour. We value the commitment and enhanced promise of fulfilment. We readily express our entire confidence in FAO and the reassurance which the Programme of Work for the 1990-91 biennium offers. Let us work together, though with independence, as we seek to move the world ahead.
Henri NALLET (France): Pour la deuxième fois en un mois, je prends donc devant vous la parole à cette tribune. Certes, notre rencontre d'aujourd'hui est beaucoup plus formelle, plus institutionnelle que les débats que nous avons eus ici même à l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation. Mais au fond le problème qui nous préoccupe aujourd'hui est toujours le même: comment faire pour que nos agricultures assurent à tous les hommes la sécurité de leur approvisionnement alimentaire. Et une fois encore, c'est la FAO qui nous donne l'occasion, à nous responsables de l'agriculture venus de toutes les parties du monde, de nous rencontrer pour faire ensemble le point de la situation, pour confronter nos expériences et nos idées. Elle remplit ainsi l'une de ses missions essentielles, qu'elle a su depuis longtemps compléter par un ensemble de rencontres régionales, qui permettent à des pays appartenant à une même zone, à un même groupe, de débattre de leurs intérêts communs, au sein de la communauté internationale.
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Mais je crois que le moment que nous vivons tous exige une nouvelle réflexion et de nouveaux projets. La situation politique dans une grande partie du monde évolue de façon presque inespérée en faveur des valeurs qui nous sont les plus chères: la paix, la liberté, la coopération librement consentie entre les peuples. On peut même envisager que s'ouvre bientôt une ère historique nouvelle où l'ensemble de la communauté internationale se fixera pour tâche commune la lutte contre la pauvreté et la faim, ainsi que la gestion raisonnée des ressources de la nature qui sont notre patrimoine commun.
La situation présente de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation dans le monde, à partir de laquelle nous devons les uns et les autres travailler, est à la fois je le crois encourageante et préoccupante.
Encourageante, parce que la situation alimentaire s'est depuis quelques années globalement améliorée. Les crises et les famines ont été moins nombreuses, même si de mombreuses régions continuent à souffrir du fait de catastrophes naturelles ou de conflits militaires persistants.
Parallèlement à cette situation, les marchés agricoles mondiaux, et en particulier ceux des céréales, ont été assainis ou rééquilibrés du moins en partie. L'offre de céréales est aujourd'hui mieux contrôlée, le volume des stocks est redevenu plus normal et les prix ont pu remonter à un niveau plus rémunérateur pour les producteurs. Ce rééquilibrage, notons-le, est favorable aux pays développés, mais aussi aux pays en développement dans leur ensemble, dans la mesure où il peut permettre une renaissance de leurs cultures vivrières.
Mais à côté de ces aspects positifs que nous devons souligner, la situation reste préoccupante encore dans trop de pays en développement, parce que la production alimentaire ne suit toujours pas le rythme de la croissance démographique. C'est ainsi que la production alimentaire par habitant continue à régresser en Afrique.
Dans le même temps, les recettes provenant des exportations agricoles des pays en développement, elles aussi, stagnent ou bien même régressent.
C'est pourquoi le poids de la dette pèse encore très lourdement sur les économies de ces pays.
Ces deux derniers éléments me conduisent à l'un des points cruciaux, centraux, de nos réflexions et de nos préoccupations, celui des responsabilités de la communauté internationale, et particulièrement celles des pays développés, dans l'origine, dans la genèse de ces problèmes et dans l'élaboration des solutions que l'on peut apporter.
Nous devons avoir conscience de ce que la situation exige de nous des réactions rapides si nous voulons éviter une évolution dramatique. C'est évident je le crois pour ce qui concerne l'endettement d'un grand nombre de pays: la France, comme certains autres grands pays industrialisés, a déjà apporté sa contribution à un effort de réduction de ce fardeau.
Mais il m'apparaît, malgré tout, qu'en matière de développement agricole et d'alimentation nos idées sont devenues plus claires qu'elles n'étaient il y a dix ou vingt ans dans cette même enceinte.
D'abord nous avons vaincu, me semble-t-il, cette espèce de terreur millénariste qui s'était emparée de nous, de voir peut-être l'humanité tout entière en proie à une croissance démographique incontrôlable et qui donnait le sentiment que nous nous acheminions progressivement mais inexorablement vers une famine généralisée.
Nous savons aujourd'hui que la terre est capable de nourrir toute sa population, dont la multiplication à l'infini n'est d'ailleurs plus considérée comme une fatalité.
Bien plus, après bien des erreurs de toutes sortes, nous pouvons dire que nous connaissons bien les mesures techniques à prendre pour conduire un développement agricole "durable", tel que l'a défini la résolution récemment adoptée par les Nations Unies. Un développement qui assure une production agricole équilibrée et contrôlée, respectueuse du milieu et préoccupée de ne pas dilapider les ressources naturelles, et qui garantit également une juste rémunération du travail des agriculteurs, ainsi qu'une évolution harmonieuse du milieu social et humain.
Cet ensemble de connaissances, cet ensemble de savoirs techniques, qui va de la maîtrise des eaux à la maîtrise des structures institutionnelles et juridiques, a été constitué par un long travail dans lequel la FAO a joué un rôle irremplaçable, auquel nous devons rendre hommage. Partout dans le monde, la FAO fournit un appui technique aux pays en développement, particulièrement aux plus démunis. Elle les aide à préparer leurs programmes de développement et à mettre en oeuvre les mesures politiques à appliquer.
Mais il est aussi parfaitement clair que la mise en application de ces techniques, de ces programmes, de ces projets ne dépend pas seulement de la volonté des intéressés et je crois qu'il y a quelquefois un peu d'hypocrisie à le laisser croire. La mise en oeuvre de ces techniques, de ces programmes, de ces projets dépend tout autant, et peut-être plus encore, de l'ordre international dans lequel chacun des pays doit agir.
C'est sur cet ordre international que nous devons à nouveau, que nous devons encore, réfléchir ensemble et la FAO nous fournit, je le répète, une excellente structure pour en débattre entre responsables des politiques agricoles des pays membres. C'est pour cette raison que la France souhaite vivement qu'aboutissent les pourparlers visant à admettre la Communauté économique européenne en qualité de membre à part entière de la FAO. Etant donné la part que la CEE prend à la formulation et à la mise en oeuvre de la politique agricole commune qui constitue qu'on le veuille ou non un des plus importants "centres de décision" agricoles du monde, il apparaît normal qu'elle puisse s'exprimer à la FAO avec l'autorité voulue, sur les sujets qui bien entendu relèvent de sa compétence.
Sur quoi repose cet ordre international dans lequel se situe aujourd'hui notre action? Pour une bonne part, nous le savons tous, d'abord sur les échanges commerciaux qui font que toutes les agricultures du monde communiquent entre elles, et partagent le même destin pour le meilleur mais aussi pour le pire, car ces échanges n'ont pas toujours lieu sur un pied d'égalité entre les différents partenaires: il faut même avouer qu'en règle générale le commerce international a surtout permis aux pays développés de se débarrasser de leurs problèmes agricoles aux dépens des pays en développement.
Voilà pourquoi les négociations commerciales multilatérales qui se sont engagées depuis Punta del Este dans le cadre du GATT revêtent une importance vitale pour tous les pays, qu'ils soient développés ou qu'ils soient en développement. Les résultats de ces négociations vont en effet orienter pour de nombreuses années leurs politiques agricoles respectives.
Nous devons donc tous conduire ces négociations avec beaucoup de clarté, beaucoup de détermination, mais aussi avec une volonté de compromis, en évitant par-dessus tout des positions rigides inspirées plutôt par des a priori dogmatiques que par la volonté de négocier.
La France et les autres pays de la CEE sont pleinement convaincus qu'il est de l'intérêt de tous que les marchés mondiaux de produits agricoles aient un fonctionnement clair et équilibré, sans protectionnisme systématique, sans mesure introduisant de manière directe ou détournée des distorsions de concurrence. La CEE l'a d'ailleurs prouvé dès l'origine en gardant ses frontières largement ouvertes à toutes sortes de produits agricoles venus des cinq continents et je crois que nous le prouvons encore aujourd'hui en conduisant de notre propre mouvement depuis maintenant 5 ans une politique de réduction du niveau de nos aides à toutes les formes d'agriculture. Nous le prouverons demain en participant à un effort supplémentaire de réduction pourvu qu'il soit concerté et équitablement réparti entre nos partenaires et nous. Je crois d'ailleurs que M. le Commissaire Mc Sharry donnera tout à l'heure de plus amples explications sur cette démarche de la Communauté économique.
Mais pour autant, nous ne pouvons pas compter, pour régler tous les problèmes de l'économie alimentaire, sur un marché entièrement abandonné à lui-même.
Au-delà des querelles académiques, au-delà des discussions parfois bien théoriques, les marchés agricoles ne peuvent fonctionner de manière satisfaisante que moyennant un accord général entre tous les compétiteurs sur un ensemble de règles de fonctionnement et de principes d'organisation minimum.
Cela est nécessaire par exemple si nous voulons lutter de manière efficace contre les grandes pollutions. Cette lutte si nécessaire à la conservation des ressources naturelles pourra-t-elle être menée à bien si chacun n'accepte pas de voir au-delà des perspectives d'avantages immédiats? La dernière Journée mondiale de l'alimentation a, je crois, dégagé une réponse claire sur ce point.
De même en septembre 1991, aura lieu à Paris le Congrès forestier mondial organisé conjointement par la FAO et la France, qui se propose de relancer la réflexion en matière de recherche, d'intervention et d'exploitation dans le secteur des forêts. Je ne doute pas que ce congrès ne nous recommande une telle politique de concertation à long terme excluant toute pratique d'exploitation "sauvage".
Mais nous ne pouvons non plus nous fier exclusivement au marché si nous voulons assurer une certaine sécurité alimentaire aux pays en développement.
Si nous voulons sérieusement que ces pays parviennent un jour à vaincre la pauvreté et la malnutrition, il est indispensable que la communauté internationale leur reconnaisse une sorte de "droit à produire", un droit à assurer leur propre approvisionnement alimentaire, et il est indispensable que la communauté internationale accepte que ces pays prennent à cet effet des mesures de protection sélectives appropriées pour défendre leurs propres productions.
Bien plus, il serait bon que nous offrions aux pays en voie de développement des moyens de compenser leurs handicaps à l'égard des pays industrialisés. Par exemple en leur permettant un accès amélioré à nos marchés. La France souhaite que tous les grands producteurs se concertent pour élaborer des mesures concrètes d'aide au développement. J'ai pour ma part exposé, lors de la dernière Journée mondiale de l'alimentation, la proposition que j'ai faite à mes collègues de la Communauté de consacrer une partie des fonds que nous allons économiser par la baisse des dépenses de soutien des marchés agricoles, à aider les pays en développement à renforcer leurs propres agricultures. Je réitère devant vous cette proposition à l'ensemble de la Communauté internationale. Mais il est évident qu'une telle proposition n'a de sens que si elle suscite un effort de même nature de la part des autres grands pays agricoles, et si les fonds ainsi réunis sont contrôlés dans un cadre multilatéral.
La FAO n'est-elle pas, après tout, par nature l'enceinte où un débat devrait s'engager sur une telle idée?
Mais le rôle de première importance qu'a joué et continue de jouer la FAO dans notre lutte commune contre la faim et la pauvreté, nous rend tous exigeants à son égard. C'est pourquoi je voudrais dire ici quelques mots des résultats de l'"Examen des buts et opérations" de la FAO qui nous sont présentés au cours de cette session. La délégation française, certes, aura l'occasion de développer en détail ses observations lors des débats de la présente Conférence. Je me contenterai donc de vous présenter une appréciation d'ensemble. La France a, dès l'origine soutenu cette entreprise, désireuse qu'elle est de voir la FAO s'adapter à l'évolution de la situation mondiale, pour améliorer continuellement l'efficacité de son action.
Il est clair, et nous nous en félicitons, qu'un travail ample et approfondi a été réalisé par l'ensemble des partenaires concernés: la FAO elle-même, ainsi que ses organes directeurs, les partenaires extérieurs, et les experts. Disons tout de suite que la France se félicite de voir que les grandes missions de la FAO comme organe de coopération technique, comme créatrice d'information sur l'agriculture et l'alimentation dans le monde, comme lieu de rencontre et tribune internationale, ne sont à aucun moment remises en cause. Mais il est un des aspects de ces résultats qui nous laisse dans l'expectative. En effet, les propositions avancées se traduiraient par des besoins supplémentaires de financement. Il y a là, je dois le dire, une démarche qui me semble sortir de l'hypothèse de travail du budget constant qui était dès le départ celle de nombre d'Etats Membres. C'est pourquoi nous considérons qu'il faudrait donner une sélectivité plus grande aux programmes proposés. Cela dit, je comprends évidemment que la difficulté dans laquelle semble se trouver l'Organisation de proposer des redéploiements de ses moyens, tient pour beaucoup à l'embarras où la met le non-versement par certains Etats Membres de leurs contributions. La France attend au cours de cette Conférence des explications précises de la part des
contributeurs défaillants, et en particulier du plus important d'entre eux: ils doivent en effet être conscients de ce que leur attitude a conduit la FAO à s'imposer des restrictions considérables et la prive pratiquement aujourd'hui de toute marge de manoeuvre dans ses activités.
Or la France souhaite que la FAO dispose des moyens d'assurer ses missions. C'est pour cela qu'elle soutient le Programme de travail pour le prochain biennium et le budget courant qui lui correspond.
Monsieur le Président, Mesdames, Messieurs les délégués, en terminant je voudrais redire que mon pays reste attaché au rôle que joue la FAO dans le contexte international au profit du développement agricole de ses Etats Membres. Nous sommes loin encore d'avoir vaincu la pauvreté. Or, beaucoup plus que par le passé, nous savons que nous avons les moyens techniques de la vaincre. La F.A.O. a une tâche éminente à accomplir dans cette perspective et je crois qu'elle le fera chaque jour davantage plus efficacement en cherchant à s'adapter à l'évolution du monde. C'est notre rôle de responsable politique que d'affirmer ici une volonté qui permettra à l'Organisation de mieux remplir ses tâches contre la pauvreté et la faim. Je vous remercie.
RAY MACSHARRY (EEC): It is indeed a great honour and pleasure for me to speak to you today at this most prestigious international forum.
Since its foundation the FAO has made a major contribution to agricultural development, resource management and the improvement of living standards throughout the world. While much remains to be done, the FAO, and particularly Mr Saouma and his staff, have to be congratulated for the major contribution they made over the years toward improving the plight of the peoples of the underdeveloped world. There are many points on your agenda that are of great interest to the Community. As the Commissioner responsible for agriculture and rural development in the EEC, the subject of the world food and agriculture situation holds a special interest for me, and I would like to make some brief remarks on that point.
The agriculture policy of the Community has been subject to reform for some time now, particularly during the last six years. The underlying philosophy of our reforms has been one of gearing production to market requirements in terms of both quantity and quality. Through a combination of measures, including the introduction of quotas on production, reductions in market support, more restricted access to public purchasing of produce, and a ceiling on agricultural-related expenditure, agriculture has been reorientated toward the market-place. For example, public buying-in prices for cereals, beef and wine have been reduced in real terms by 19 percent, 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively, since 1984. In the case of milk, were it not for the introduction of quotas on production in 1984, production would be about 25 percent higher today than is the actual case. Indeed, when account is taken of all the measures applied, market support as measured by the Support Measurement Unit has been reduced by 10 percent for the arable sector and by 15 percent for the livestock sector since 1986.
A major step toward achieving a market-based agricultural policy has been the removal of the massive stocks of food which had a price-depressing effect on both the Community and world markets. Stocks of a number of products have been virtually eliminated or reduced to manageable levels. More important is the fact that measures have been introduced to ensure that they do not build up again in the future.
Given the diversity and structure of the Community's agricultural sector, adjusting to policy reform as significant as that which we have undertaken is painful and takes time. There is, however, evidence that the reforms are having the desired effect. Considering the importance of the Community food production in global terms, quite clearly policy adjustments affecting this sector have implications for non-EEC countries also, not least, developing countries. A fact seldom appreciated is that the Community continues to be the world's largest importer of agricultural products with imports of over US$52 million per annum. Developing countries provide 51 percent of these imports, and the Community market accounts for 43 percent of agricultural exports from developing countries as a whole. A significant proportion of these imports enter at very low levels of custom duties, and in the case of the poorer countries concessions have been granted on many products which amount to unrestricted duty-free access.
The 66 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries have been granted preferential access to the Community market under the Lomé Convention, including tariff exceptions on most products exported. I should point out that many products benefiting from preferential access to the Community's market are themselves or are substitutes for products in which the Community has a high degree of self-sufficiency. For example, we import 1.3 million tonnes of sugar from ACP countries and 7.5 million tonnes of manloc on an annual basis. Given the access to the Community market that has been granted to developing countries, a market which is more stable and lucrative than the world market, clearly the ACP has been of some benefit to these countries.
However, the Community is fully aware of the necessity of helping developing countries to expand their export trade further and will address this issue, which we view as a global one in the context of the Uruguay Round. That is a subject to which I will return.
A certain number of factors, including the reform of the CAP, have led to substantial price increases for many stable commodities in the world market. While this has been a benefit to food-exporting countries, both developed and developing, it has contributed to a deterioration of the situation of the food-importing countries. This has been further compounded by the decline in export prices of commodities important to some developing countries, such as cocoa and coffee. Indeed, the price fluctuations which these basic commodities have been experiencing over the years is a point of concern to the Community. We have attempted to alleviate the economic impact of these fluctuations for the Lomé countries through the Stabex instrument.
Despite the encouraging signs regarding the increase in food production in a number of developing countries, import needs in the medium term remain high. Food aid will continue, therefore, to play an important role, especially for low-income developing countries. The Community's policy on food aid is that, apart from emergency situations, it should be integrated with other instruments of development cooperation. The two main approaches toward this integration are, firstly, the use of counterpart funds arising from the sale
of food aid imports for specific projects or programmes, especially benefiting rural areas. Secondly, the distribution of food directly to vulnerable population groups or its use as a wage in food-for-work projects. Notwithstanding the increase in budgetary outlays in food aid arising from the increase in world market prices, the Community has endeavoured to maintain its level of food aid. We have also introduced further flexibility into our food aid operations by the use of triangular transactions where justified and through the substitution of financial and technical assistance for food aid in countries where the food supply situation has improved significantly. Food aid has never been seen by the Community as a long-term solution to the problems of the poorer food-importing countries, but rather as an important transitional instrument easing the food deficit situation of these countries while indigenous production is expanded.
Agricultural and rural development has always been a priority feature of Community development cooperation policy, and the situation is likely to continue for some time. However, the agricultural sector cannot be considered in isolation from the overall economic situation. The economic crisis and the debt problems being experienced by many developing countries pose a serious obstacle to development in all productive sectors. Furthermore, given that growth in agricultural production in developing countries often depends on area expansion rather than intensification, environmental constraints place an increasing restriction on agricultural growth. The scope of Community development cooperation policy will in future be widened to address this issue by focusing its actions on long-term sustainable agricultural and rural development rather than on the drought desertification aspect of the environment alone, as was the case in the past. Our policy will also lay greater emphasis on alleviating the negative social consequences that often arise in the short term from economic adjustment projects. This orientation of our development and cooperation policy will be an important aspect of the new convention which is at present in negotiation between the ACP countries and the Community.
At this stage I believe I should make a specific reference to reforms taking place in Poland and Hungary today. These reforms, being both political and economic and being on such a dramatic scale, will require much outside support to ensure their success. The Community is playing a central role in coordinating the international assistance to help the reforms. Furthermore, on our own part we have already organized the supply of agricultural products to Poland, and many other measures in the technical, financial and trade areas are under active consideration. Both Poland and Hungary have a high potential for agricultural production. The realization of this potential, together with the improvement of their marketing and distribution structure, will warrant a great degree of assistance of a technical nature. Given the wide experience and knowledge FAO has accumulated over the years, the Organization has an important contribution to make in these areas. Furthermore, I believe that useful opportunities should present themselves in this area for cooperation between FAO and the Community in the future.
I would now like to make a brief reference to an issue which has consequences for economic growth and development in developing and developed countries alike. That is the present round of GATT negotiations. This round of negotiations is the most comprehensive undertaken to date. It presents us with a unique opportunity to give world trade, and hence economic growth and development, an impetus. Agriculture constitutes one of the most important areas under discussion. The mid-term agreement in April 1989 goes a long way toward agreement, but a difficult and perilous road lies ahead. The diverging views of the Community and some of their major partners in
negotiations in terms of the ultimate objective continue to pose serious problems for the negotiations. Indeed, the proposals submitted by the US in October on long term agricultural reform are not, in the Community's view, in keeping with the mid-term agreement and actually constitute a step backwards from this point. The Community has always emphasized its willingness and desire to liberalize markets and substantially reduce support, but insists on maintaining the basic principles of the common agricultural policy. We cannot countenance the total abolition of market support or protection. Far from stabilizing world markets, I believe that this approach would, in fact, lead to greater instability in both production and prices. Neither is the Community prepared to take any further unilateral action in this area as long as our trading partners do not put into action the philosophy of support reduction, production control and market liberalization some of them so often expound. We believe, however, that a successful conclusion to the negotiations can be obtained which will achieve the objectives set out in the Punta del Este Declaration while at the same time recognizing the special characteristics and diversity of agriculture throughout the world. The Community will put forward its proposals on how this can be realized in the near future.
Stable markets have a major role to play in stimulating agricultural production in developing countries in the longer term. Therefore, the participation by these countries in the negotiations and their conclusions are important. The Community is, however, fully aware of the special needs of the poorer developing countries and is prepared to address this issue in the negotiations.
Finally, I would like to say a few words about Community participation in the FAO. Over the years, there has been much cooperation between FAO and the Community on developmental projects and programmes throughout the Third World, particularly in the area of crop production and disease eradication. Considering that the Community manages a budget of over two thousand million ecu for cooperation with developing countries, including ACP countries, and with the important work FAO carries out in these countries, it is only logical that we should have closer and more constructive contacts than in the past. The Community would like more involvement in FAO policy formulation in areas of its competence. The status of Observer held by the Community in FAO does not, in our view, take account of the evolution of the Community over the years and that competence, in many areas of interest to the FAO, has been transferred by the Member States to the Community. This presents certain difficulties on the part of the Community and its Member States in terms of effective participation at FAO meetings on subjects which are of Community competence. Equally, it presents problems for FAO when a body as important as the Community cannot fully participate in activities in these areas. It was for this reason that the President of the EEC Council of Ministers requested in April that a mandate be given to the competent bodies of FAO to discuss with the Commission the possibility of the Community being granted the status of membership corresponding to its competence which would allow it to participate effectively in the work of the FAO.
I would like to thank Mr Saouma and the Council Members for their detailed attention given to this subject in June and particularly for their positive and constructive comments. The technical discussions between the two institutions have already commenced, and we look forward to an early conclusion. The Community has much in common with and to offer to the FAO, including in the area of development work. Greater participation by the Community in the work of FAO can only help capitalize on that common interest to the benefit of all the underprivileged in the world.
I would like to say again what a great honour and pleasure it has been for me to speak to you, and I wish your Conference every success.
P. DE KEERSMAEKER (Belgique): Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, Mesdames, Messieurs, je voudrais, présentant ce bref exposé, tout d'abord remercier sincèrement et féliciter cordialement le Directeur général, Edouard Saouma, qui durant ces deux années, a mené la FAO avec courage, enthousiasme et opiniâtreté, nonobstant les différents obstacles qu'il a dû franchir. La situation financière de notre Organisation est restée difficile et, malgré les grands défis qu'il faudrait relever dans les années qui viennent, l'espoir que nous avions tous en 1987 de voir les contributeurs importants assumer leur responsabilité, ne s'est pas encore réalisé.
Mon pays a, ces dernières années, fourni un effort particulier pour le paiement de ses contributions dès le début de chaque exercice. Il poursuivra, bien sûr, cet effort dans l'avenir. Mon pays est par ailleurs un membre fidèle de la Communauté économique européenne qui représente le tiers des contributions de notre Organisation.
Le budget qui nous est soumis pour le biennium 1990-91 de 545 millions de dollars traduit une volonté de maîtrise des dépenses administratives au profit d'une ouverture réelle vers les véritables objectifs de la FAO: la conception, l'échange de vues, d'expertise et d'expérience et les opérations de terrain. Le budget du biennium est important car il sert de catalyseur pour une masse importante de fonds, provenant de sources diverses, multilatérales et bilatérales.
Cela dit, il est indispensable de rendre à la FAO son rôle central en matière de développement agricole et les études qui ont été entreprises depuis deux ans, dans le cadre de ce qu'on a appelé "La Réforme", ont démontré que les objectifs, tels qu'ils furent définis il y a plus de 40 ans dans l'Acte constitutif de l'Organisation, non seulement restent encore d'actualité, mais sont devenus, peut-être plus que jamais, des impératifs absolument prioritaires. Je ne crois pas inutile de les rappeler:
- élever le niveau de nutrition et les conditions de vie des populations,
- améliorer le rendement de la production et l'efficacité de la répartition de tous les produits alimentaires et agricoles,
- améliorer les conditions dès populations rurales, et contribuer ainsi à l'expansion de l'économie mondiale, et libérer l'humanité de la famine.
Le programme de travail que le Secrétariat général soumet à la Conférence et dont je tiens à le féliciter de la qualité, nous montre l'ampleur de la tâche de la FAO.
L'agriculture, - et quand je dis agriculture, c'est au sens large du terme, la culture de la terre - doit, en effet, rester la première préoccupation de la Communauté internationale et je souscris sans réserve à la conclusion du groupe d'experts chargés d'examiner les objectifs, le rôle, les priorités et les stratégies de la FAO quand il est écrit: "C'est de l'agriculture que peut dépendre l'équilibre à long terme ou la détérioration des ressources naturelles, la stabilité ou le désordre politique". Les succès ou les échecs de l'agriculture sont déterminants pour la prospérité mondiale, et donc pour les chances de bien-être de nos populations.
La sécurité alimentaire à cet égard est un souci primaire et majeur. Or je constate que si les approvisionnements alimentaires mondiaux ont été en progrès réels, bien que de distribution inégale jusqu'au milieu des années 80, un coup d'arrêt s'est produit au cours des deux dernières années. En effet, le taux annuel de croissance de la production agricole a été de 2,4 pour cent pendant la décennie septante et 2,5 pour cent de 1980 à 1986; et il est tombé à 1 pour cent seulement en 1988 ! Ceci est sans aucun doute inquiétant.
Pour ce qui concerne plus particulièrement le secteur céréalier, il faut noter que malgré un redressement notable de la production mondiale des céréales en 1989 par rapport à l'an dernier, la consommation devrait, pour la troisième année consécutive, être supérieure à la production. Cette situation entraînera, indubitablement, un nouvel amenuisement des stocks céréaliers. Or ceux-ci sont déjà tombés actuellement à 305 millions de tonnes, soit 7 pour cent de la consommation mondiale. Nous avons donc atteint le minimum de sécurité souhaité par la FAO. Qui plus est, une analyse plus détaillée démontre une faiblesse particulière des stocks publics qui sont tombés à 8 millions de tonnes dans la Communauté européenne et qui, aux Etats-Unis, approchent le seuil minimum de 2 millions de tonnes prévu par le food bill.
Ces chiffres donnent une mesure précise de la précarité de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale dans les années présentes et probablement à venir si les données ne changent pas. Dans les produits du secteur animal la situation est pratiquement la même; le secteur animal n'échappe pas non plus à cette tendance et leur croissance se ralentit elle aussi. Cette dernière donnée confirme que la situation alimentaire est en équilibre instable. C'est pourquoi l'agriculture doit essayer de se préserver autant que faire se peut d'éléments exogènes qui hypothèquent ce secteur capital pour le devenir de l'humanité. Des exemples récents ne font que conforter mon opinion: je veux parler des conditions climatiques dont l'influence a été non négligeable, ces dernières années, sur les productions agricoles et dont les conséquences néfastes se traduisent aujourd'hui par une sécurité alimentaire aléatoire. Toutefois, il n'est de l'intérêt ni des pays en développement ni des pays développés que se perpétue le déséquilibre au niveau des marchés internationaux. C'est d'ailleurs en vue de restaurer l'adéquation entre l'offre et la demande que la Communauté économique européenne a pris de difficiles mesures dont les effets bénéfiques ne pourront être pleinement appréciés qu'à terme, car il est évident que si la stabilisation des marchés internationaux doit permettre aux producteurs et plus particulièrement aux producteurs dans les pays en voie de développement, de développer leur production sur des bases plus saines, il convient d'autre part d'éviter de pénaliser les consommateurs, en particulier dans les régions du monde à faible pouvoir d'achat dont les revenus sont encore insuffisants. En ce qui concerne ce dernier domaine, l'agriculture ne peut être traitée, quant aux futures règles internationales à établir, sur un plan similaire aux autres secteurs socio-économiques. Dès lors, au sein des négociations multilatérales de l'Uruguay Round, la Belgique dans le cadre de la CEE est en faveur d'une libéralisation raisonnée et raisonnable du commerce des produits agricoles, tenant compte de la spécificité de l'agriculture. Elle soutient également l'idée d'un traitement spécial et différencié à accorder aux pays en voie de développement.
Mais il reste bien sûr vrai que des solutions d'ordre macro-économique ne pourront produire pleinement leurs effets que si les structures si diverses de l'agriculture à travers le monde sont renforcées pour permettre aux producteurs de tirer le maximum de profit des conditions du marché, La FAO et les autres institutions de financement chargées de promouvoir l'agriculture ont à cet égard un rôle crucial à remplir.
Je tiens dès lors à souligner l'importance particulière que nous attachons au Programme de coopération technique, et à tout le large secteur des programmes de terrain. C'est sur la base de l'expérience du terrain que les services de l'Administration centrale doivent évoluer et s'adapter de façon permanente. La FAO ne peut être un centre d'étude désincarné ni un forum éloigné des réalités mais elle doit être une organisation en contact permanent avec les problèmes que posent l'évolution de l'environnement économique et sociologique, et celle de l'environnement tout court.
A cet égard, je me félicite du débat qui aura lieu sur la réforme et mon pays y participera d'une manière active. Mais il faut aussi qu'après cette discussion, la page soit tournée et qu'on permette aux fonctionnaires de se consacrer efficacement à leurs tâches et à la mission qu'ils doivent poursuivre.
Il a été dit, Monsieur le Président, que la décennie qui se termine fut, pour beaucoup de pays du tiers monde, une décennie perdue. Le monde de demain sera confronté beaucoup plus que celui d'hier, à des défis difficiles à relever. Difficiles peut-être mais certes pas impossibles si tous ensemble nous voulons un monde plus juste.
La détente que l'on constate dans les relations internationales permet d'espérer que plus de ressources soient, dans un avenir que nous espérons proche, consacrées au développement économique de l'ensemble de la planète, développement économique dont notre Organisation a été, reste et restera demain davantage qu'hier une des principales pierres angulaires.
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
Charoen KANTHAWONGS (Thailand): I wish at the outset, on behalf of my delegation and myself, to offer to you my warm congratulations on your election as the Chairman of this Conference. I would also like to express my congratulations to the two other Vice-chairmen, and lastly but not least to thank all distinguished delegates for most graciously giving me the honour to serve you as Vice-Chairman.
It has been over forty years that FAO has existed in serving mankind. During this time it has become known to all nations, rich and poor. To me, it is opportune now as it always will be to reflect and take stock of its achievement and of things yet to be achieved. Factually but unfortunately there still exist large discrepancies amongst nations. Poverty, hunger and malnutrition yet abound. Coming from a developing country myself, I have not only read and heard about these dismal and appalling conditions man is facing, but I have myself felt the sufferings and pains associated with them. Significantly, well-to-do nations are by no means immune: just the degree of severity differs. That is to say we all still face the spectre of what this honourable Organization set out to abolish at its conception.
It is my belief that the programme of action adopted by a sister organization, the World Food Council, at its 15th Ministerial Level Session in Cairo in May 1989 provides a way by which FAO can assist in the implementation of technical, economic and social measures toward the eradication of poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
It is gratifying to know that global output has been expanding at a fairly satisfactory rate of over 4 percent. Needless to say, deliberate policies and measures must be adopted and implemented, and I might add, effectively, so that the benefits may trickle down and be shared by the less fortunate. On this point I feel somewhat anxious and troubled that there should exist at this time some conflict between certain Member Nations and this Organization which will unavoidably constrain its effectiveness. The delegation of Thailand whilst recognizing the other major roles which FAO is assigned under its constitution, is in accordance with the Group of 77's recommendation that at least 17 percent of the total budget be allocated to the Technical Cooperation Programme.
At this juncture, I would like to share my observation, with some concern, that the proportion of TCP in the total budget has been in continuous decline from 14.1 percent, 12.8 percent down to 11.8 percent during 1986 to 1990. This trend, if continued is rather concerning because much must be done with haste to alleviate man's sufferings.
During this period of relatively high economic growth, we feel that it is the opportunity for better-off nations to assist less well-to-do nations and the proportion of TCP allocation should reflect this.
I am hopeful that an early understanding and amiable solution may be reached so that we can progress together in harmony and with the determination and haste required.
Thailand, over the years, has been a recipient of international aid programmes including FAO's for which she is very grateful. Over the time she has accumulated experience and know-how which may prove to be of particular relevance to other developing countries.
We are now ready to share the stock of experience we have accumulated and to offer technical assistance to other developing nations within the limit of our capabilities. We must hasten to add with most humbleness that we are by no means financially well to do. However, we are willing to perform our share of the responsibilities and contribute to global well-being as a member of this distinguished Organization.
Again, it has been expounded that the proper mode of assistance is to help one to help oneself. One of the means by which this principle may be implemented is through trade. Unfortunately a few developed countries have adopted measures which inhibit the export of lower priced goods, the price of which is so because of prevailing low wages, salaries and cost of inputs; a reflection of relative poverty and lower living standards.
Also of concern is the subsidization, in absolute terms, of agricultural goods by more well-to-do countries to retain competitiveness with those from developing countries. Whereas the mere provision of credit with lower interest rates to enable the temporary storage of goods by poor farmers is
vehemently condemned by those well-to-do countries. If developing countries are obstructed in their struggle to earn income based on their relative comparative advantage, then how are they to survive, not to mention upgrading their standard of living and quality of life?
For this reason, I support the suggestion that FAO give added attention to trade, economic and social issues which are closely related to food and agricultural production,
A moment ago I made some reference to "the quality of life". I support the added significance being given to environmental issues which is closely related to the quality of life. In our haste and narrow-mindedness to increase material production, the quality of life has diminished in many instances.
I would like to share an unfortunate experience with other distinguished delegates. On 25 November of last year, a torrent of mud and boulders thundered down a mountain side in the south of Thailand and completely engulfed and "swallowed up" an entire village. Hundreds of families were lost. Those, a little more fortunate to survive, are still recovering from the trauma of being forever separated from their loved ones. The cause was due to deforestation. Henceforth, Thailand ceased all logging concession rights whilst studying ways and means to effectively manage our environment so that man and nature can co-exist.
I would be most negligent were I not to mention the importance of women in agricultural and social development. Economic well-being and good health of the household are very significantly dependent upon women. Thailand has been relatively fortunate in this respect as women have through history shared equal importance and roles in society. Yet because we are acutely aware of the extreme importance of women, many agencies, both government and non-government, have been implementing many activities in support of women. For example, a business enterprise has initiated a project in which unmarried women are trained and provided with credit and all the necessary inputs to set up a proper farm to raise animals such as chickens and hogs efficiently. The rationale behind this is because when marriage takes place, it is most often the man who moves in to live with the wife. In this way the woman gains an additional "hand" and the business is not disrupted.
It is my wish that Thailand's forthcoming 7th National Economic and Social Development Plan include in greater detail and explicitness a plan to further promote the role of women.
I should also mention that Her Majesty, the Queen of Thailand herself, because of her devotion to the uplifting of the quality of life of the rural poor, the handicapped and parentless children as well as Her Majesty's efforts to promote the status of women, was awarded the Ceres Medal by this distinguished Organization.
Should any distinguished delegate feel that our experience may be relevant and useful, this is another field in which we will be pleased to share our experience to the best of our ability.
I feel compelled to express my appreciation to you and all distinguished delegates for their patience and kind attention to my statement. Thailand strongly re-affirms its support in the principles and objectives of FAO and is ever ready to perform its responsibilities in good faith and to the best of its ability however limited it may be.
I would like to take this last opportunity to inform all distinguished delegates that Thailand is planning to host the next ministerial session of the World Food Council in Bangkok in May 1990 and will be most honoured if distinguished delegates attending this Conference will consider attending this session of the WFC.
I thank you all again for your kind attention. May FAO proceed to execute its mission with effectiveness and harmony amongst all Members Nations.
Jorge DE LA VEGA DOMÍNGUEZ (México): Señor Presidente, señores Ministros, señor Director General de la FAO, señores Embajadores, señores Delegados. La delegación de México se congratula de asistir a esta Conferencia que se efectúa para revisar y fortalecer nuestros compromisos en el ámbito de la agricultura y de la alimentación.
Como nunca, desde la fundación de las Naciones Unidas un renovado espíritu de acercamiento y respeto entre pueblos e ideologías diferentes es el signo común de un proceso de cambio pacífico y profundo que emerge con fuerza creciente en todos los confines del planeta. Hoy los problemas mundiales se analizan y resuelven en un marco de interdependencia y concertación, que permite a los Estados Nacionales reencauzar sus esfuerzos, sus riquezas y su interés hacia asuntos vitales para la supervivencia y desarrollo de los pueblos. Este es el caso de la producción alimentaria y el desarrollo rural que, durante décadas, ha sido motivo de preocupaciones y declaraciones más que de acciones concretas productivas, suficientes y oportunas.
Es ineludible señalar que ha llegado el momento de librar la batalla crucial contra el hambre, la malnutrición y la poca productividad de la agricultura mundial, principalmente en los países más pobres. Con esta disposición y frente al reto de una población mundial en continuo crecimiento, México asume una actitud de responsabilidad y cooperación.
Reiteramos que resulta intolerable la existencia de 550 millones de hambrientos en vastas regiones de América Latina, Asia y Africa y que esta situación se traduzca en injusticia e inestabilidad social y política.
En este contexto debemos insistir en la relación directa entre la deuda externa y la escasez de alimentos en los países menos desarrollados.
La transferencia neta de recursos hacia el exterior constituye el principal obstáculo para los programas de reactivación y modernización agrícola de nuestros pueblos, en los que el denominador común es la descapitalización y el empobrecimiento del campo.
Ante esta realidad desalentadora, México propone la redefinición de las políticas globales que hasta hoy se aplican más a los efectos que a las causas del deterioro de la producción de alimentos.
México tiene un nuevo gobierno que preside Carlos Salinas de Gortari. En pocos meses ha habido grandes cambios basados en la concertación democrática de los esfuerzos sociales para avanzar hacia la eficiencia y la modernización. Una de las grandes áreas del cambio es el campo que se ha rezagado en comparación con otros sectores de la economía y con el aumento de la población. Con base en la renegociación de la deuda externa que logramos con éxito, a partir del próximo año, el Gobierno de mi país
invertirá más en el campo, en un nuevo sistema que se caracteriza por la creciente libertad y autonomía de gestión de los productores rurales. Este proceso involucra la decisión de transferirles funciones y recursos que en efecto venían siendo controlados por entidades gubernamentales. Sabemos, sin embargo, que nuestra tarea implica superar rezagos crónicos y problemas coyunturales que se oponen al éxito de una empresa de tales proporciones, que involucra a más de 25 millones de campesinos, de una población total de 287 millones de mexicanos. De aquí la importancia de promover, con la cooperación de la FAO, la modernización de la agricultura de los países menos desarrollados con apoyos concretos que conduzcan a una mayor producción de alimentos y eleve los niveles de bienestar de la población.
La labor de la FAO es digna de reconocimiento. Sin embargo, ante el crecimiento demográfico y el avance de la pobreza y desnutrición, es mucho más lo que se espera de ella, y deberá hacer en el futuro.
Reconocemos que el objetivo de lograr la seguridad alimentaria del mundo es muy difícil en condiciones de falta de cooperación, desorden de los mercados internacionales y relaciones económicas asimétricas. Por ello es necesario renovar y fortalecer el sistema de trabajo de la FAO, concertar nuevas relaciones de cooperación y corresponsabilidad para el desarrollo de la agricultura y de la alimentación; es la necesidad ineludible de nuestro tiempo, es la obligación solidaria de todos los Estados Miembros.
México sostiene que debe disminuirse sustancialmente la transferencia de recursos financieros por pago de la deuda externa para que parte de ellos se inviertan en los programas agropecuarios nacionales. De otra parte, postula que es necesario brindar apoyos reales a los países en desarrollo que se enfrentan a un proteccionismo abierto disfrazado que cierra los mercados de los países ricos a sus productos agrícolas y los condena a mantener una relación desfavorable en sus intercambios comerciales.
Otro aspecto importante es el de la transferencia de tecnología avanzada que el campesino requiere para hacer rentable el trabajo rural. Su aplicación se reduce por la existencia de grupos de interés que monopolizan el conocimiento científico. Esta realidad hace indispensable un nuevo código de conducta para la difusión mundial de los avances en la biotecnología agrícola y en la ingeniería genética.
Para alcanzar estos propósitos se requiere una cooperación franca y solidaria de los Estados aquí representados en apoyo de una estrategia global que acometa la empresa inaplazable de diversificar la producción agropecuaria, tecnificar el campo y fortalecer las comunidades rurales. Apoyos adicionales deben ser instituidos con el fin de aumentar las reservas internacionales de emergencia y alimentaria, acrecentar los recursos del Fondo Internacional de Desarrollo Agrícola (FIDA) y aumentar de manera preventiva el programa de acción para la erradicación del hambre y la malnutrición. Ello implica una ofensiva conjunta que amplíe y otorgue la máxima autoridad al Programa Mundial de Alimentos.
Señores Ministros, señores Delegados, no hay soluciones mágicas que proponer para resolver un problema central que a todos atañe, pero en estos momentos es un cambio de la actitud de la Comunidad Internacional para afrontar con mayor decisión y recursos el gran problema de cuya solución todos somos responsables.
La atención de las necesidades alimentarias requiere un alto grado de solidaridad y corresponsabilidad. Quienes más han avanzado en este camino, las naciones desarrolladas, están más comprometidas en apoyar los esfuerzos que, en condiciones tan difíciles, estamos realizando para superar los problemas del atraso en el medio rural.
Reiteramos nuestra convicción de que los principales objetivos y funciones de la FAO sigan vigentes. Los cambios necesarios para avanzar en su eficiencia deben ser resultado de la concertación y el diálogo democrático de la comunidad de naciones.
México siempre se ha opuesto a que se utilice el cumplimiento de los compromisos financieros como una forma de presión politica. La fuerza económica jamás podrá ser el sustituto de la cooperación internacional. En contrapartida, los países que eventualmente reciban apoyos principalmente financieros y los organismos que los canalicen deben comprometerse a hacer un uso eficiente y transparente de los mismos. La búsqueda de una cooperación más efectiva para el desarrollo agropecuario en el contexto internacional tiene que sustentar relaciones dignas y respetuosas que superen esquemas de interdependencia desigual.
No esperamos que desde el exterior se resuelvan los problemas de nuestras naciones en vias de desarrollo, pero si demandamos que cada pais asuma la responsabilidad proporcional y los costos que les corresponden, dentro de un esfuerzo global de cooperación solidaria e interesada porque será reciprocamente productiva. En este sentido la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación debe revitalizar su papel protagónico y su vinculación con otros órganos nacionales y mundiales. Corresponde a nuestra iniciativa y voluntad politica la reactivación acelerada de todos los programas y acciones dirigidos a la agricultura para garantizar la alimentación y el desarrollo de los pueblos endeudados y empobrecidos por las injustas relaciones económicas que los agobian.
México lucha por la soberanía, la democracia, el desarrollo y la justicia. Por eso hoy renueva su voluntad para impulsar a la FAO, a fin de que pueda cumplir mejor su gran responsabilidad con el desarrollo de la agricultura y la alimentación de todos los pueblos del mundo.
Toivo T. POHJALA (Finland): World food security has shown its vulnerability since our last Conference. In 1988 very important production areas in North America were savaged by a serious drought. Food production, especially grains production, in these areas declined which produced sharp price rises on the world market. As a result the import bill of the food-deficit poor countries increased and international food aid declined. FAO's estimate of food aid shipments in cereals declined by almost 30 percent from last year. World cereal stocks are expected to fall to dangerously low levels, not reaching what FAO regards as world food security requirements.
A number of developing countries continue to be faced with decreasing food production in relation to rapid population growth coupled with environmental degradation. At the same time the severe debt problem remains an obstacle to sustainable growth and development as well. Consequently, such countries are not able to utilize their human resources potential for economic and social progress. In my view, human resources development is a key ingredient in all lasting development efforts. As to agricultural production and rural development in general, the FAO experience reaffirms this point.
The Conference of FAO is a forum where the member countries take stock of the developments and trends of the past and try to look into the future. When we review the global economic events of the past two or three years from the viewpoint of the developing world, where the majority of the human race live, we have no reason for complacency. Unfortunately, the present global economic trends are unlikely to provide Third World agriculture with the stimulus to increase output, exports and consumption. The debt problem remains a very serious unresolved threat to growth and stability in many developing countries. Oppressive external debt remains the main obstacle to satisfactory economic growth particularly in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. High debt-servicing payments have resulted in growing net transfers of resources from the poor nations to the rich. These net transfers were, according to the World Bank's estimate, 43 billion US dollars for 1988, a record amount.
FAO is the lead UN agency on food and agriculture. In the 45 years of its existence it has done a remarkable job in alleviating hunger and malnutrition in the world. But a good organization can always be better. Finland has been actively involved in efforts and discussions aimed at the strengthening of FAO. The review process of the Organization is coming to an end at this Conference. We have now the opportunity to look at the reports of the Committees and expert groups and to decide in which way we can improve FAO and make it more effective. It goes without saying that the outcome of our deliberations, to be really meaningful, must be based on a true consensus.
Finland has given her preliminary views of the review and reform of FAO at the Council here last week. We will elaborate our views further at the discussions in Commission II later at the Conference. It suffices for me to say that the recommendations of the Committees do not create any great problems for us as such, and we could generally accept them. What we find missing is the framework and guidance for the implementation of these recommendations. Therefore, while we have been pursuing and developing our ideas in the Nordic context, the emphasis has been concentrated on two issues, priority-setting and medium-term planning. We sincerely hope that the decision of the Conference can be built on this basis.
We note with concern the financial difficulties FAO has faced during the last few years. We strongly appeal to all those countries with arrears in their payments to settle their legal obligations to the Organization as expeditiously as possible. For my part, I can promise you that Finland will pay her assessed contribution for the coming year, as usual in January.
Turning to the proposed budget for the next biennium 1990-91, I recognize some substantial improvements both in presentation and in content. While we can accept the level of the budget in general, we will reserve our right to discuss some points more in detail later at the Conference. Here I restrict myself to two comments: firstly we have been stressing the point that certain prioritized issues should be considered and reflected in all aspects of FAO's work. We appreciate the fact that the cross-sectoral nature of these issues, namely policy advice, women in development, sustainable development, as well as biotechnology and agricultural data development, is appropriately clarified in the budget document. Secondly, forestry and forestry-related activities of FAO are being followed in Finland with particular interest. We would welcome further strengthening of the forestry sector in FAO's work which, keeping in mind its multisectoral character, should be better and clearly reflected in the budget.
Deforestation, desertification and degradation of existing cultivated land are serious threats to the human environment and the use of renewable natural resources. Solutions to these complex problems can be found only through international cooperation. At the national level, governments should pay sufficient attention to the comprehensive land-use policy taking into account its social, agricultural and other implications as well. Sustainability must be the starting point in all the programmes in these areas. As an example we can note how the planting of trees serves multiple purposes, which range from preventing erosion and slowing down the so-called greenhouse effect to fulfilling the everyday household needs for fuelwood and building material. In FAO, the Tropical Forestry Action Plan already promotes such objectives.
In conclusion, let me recall two issues from FAO's constitution, which are of topical importance today: the conservation of natural resources and the adoption of improved methods of agricultural production. It is gratifying to realize that these two basic objectives have guided the work of the Organization during the past 45 years and have become an integral part of all its programmes. Today they are included in the concept of sustainable and environmentally sound development, which enjoys universal support.
João PEREIRA SILVA (Cap-Vert) (langue originale Portugais) Monsieur le Président, alors que je prends la parole à cette XXVème session de la Conférence de notre Organisation, il m'est particulièrement agréable de vous adresser, à vous, Monsieur le Président, et aux autres membres du Bureau, mes félicitations les plus chaleureuses pour votre succès et votre brillante élection.
Nous sommes convaincus que vos qualités de fin diplomate, de profond connaisseur des thèmes que nous avons à traiter et de négociateur persévérant, constituent une garantie de succès de nos travaux.
Nous ne pourrions pas laisser échapper une telle occasion d'adresser à M. le Directeur général, Dr Edouard Saouma, nos salutations pour la manière sûre, habile et efficace avec laquelle il s'acquitte de son troisième mandat à la tête de l'Organisation, dans une conjoncture de grandes difficultés, provoquées tant par la crise financière qui s'est abattue sur le système des Nations Unies, que par la contestation du multilatéralisme qui a gagné certains cercles responsables d'un certain nombre de pays, plus précisément ceux qui représentent la plus grande part des contributions.
Il est juste de souligner ici les efforts déployés par notre Organisation et les succès auxquels elle a pu aboutir dans cette période difficile, sous la direction éclairée du Dr Edouard Saouma.
C'est avec une grande joie que nous constatons que les perspectives de paix universelle, d'entendement et de coopération entre les peuples, s'ouvrent à la fin de cette décennie des années quatre-vingt. Malheureusement, on ne peut pas en dire autant des perspectives alimentaires et agricoles au niveau mondial. L'examen, même bref, de la situation mondiale en matière d'alimentation et d'agriculture, nous conduit à des conclusions et constatations frustrantes de la permanence du paradoxe d'un monde globalement excédentaire en matière de production d'aliments et un monde dans lequel des êtres humains souffrent de la faim et de la malnutrition. Leur nombre ne cesse de s'accroître.
En effet, en dépit des progrès atteints par l'humanité en matière de technologie agricole et de croissance de la production, les problèmes structurels qui sont à la base de ces phénomènes et de leur permanence sont caractéristiques de la pauvreté. Ils existent et se sont aggravés dans une série de pays et de régions.
Dans ce contexte, la préparation d'une stratégie internationale pour le développement de la IVème Décennie des Nations Unies a une grande importance. Nous espérons que toute stratégie que nous approuverons tirera profit des leçons des résultats atteints au cours des années passées. Si, d'un côté, il ne subsiste pas de doute que le développement (donc l'élimination de la pauvreté) est, avant toute chose une responsabilité nationale, et s'il est vrai que les pays dits sous-développés doivent revoir leurs politiques en vue de promouvoir les réformes indispensables pour tirer un meilleur parti de leurs ressources propres, nous ne pouvons pas méconnaître que la raison fondamentale de l'inefficacité des plans et stratégies de développement approuvés jusqu'ici est le fait d'avoir été conçus et mis en oeuvre dans un contexte d'inégalité, où l'égoïsme est plus fort que la solidarité, dans un contexte où le plus fort impose ses conditions à ceux qui sont privés de pouvoir.
"Paix, stabilité et prévisibilité dans les relations internationales sont des conditions indispensables pour un développement, pour la création d'un monde juste, libre, et pour la réalisation matérielle et spirituelle de l'être humain". Le succès de toute stratégie de développement que nous puissions adopter dépendra de la mise en oeuvre effective de ce principe, mais devra aussi prendre en considération des solutions réalistes au problème de la dette extérieure et à la question de la protection de l'environnement, entre autres.
C'est compte tenu de la nécessité de trouver des solutions urgentes aux problèmes de développement dans lesquels se trouvent la grande majorité des Etats que nous exprimons ici notre accord et notre appui aux propositions avancées par le Directeur général relatives aux priorités de base de la FAO. En ce qui concerne le budget, encore que nous reconnaissions la nécessité de poursuivre l'effort de bonne gestion qui a caractérisé le travail de cette organisation, nous ne voyons pas comment on pourra atteindre les objectifs définis avec une augmentation aussi modeste et avec l'actuel niveau d'arriérés et de contributions en retard.
En ce qui concerne le Programme de coopération technique, nous regrettons profondément la diminution de ses ressources. Il s'agit d'un instrument important de coopération dont l'efficacité est unanimement reconnue par les pays bénéficiaires et nous sommes d'avis qu'il faut le renforcer de plus en plus compte tenu de notre expérience très vaste dans la mise en oeuvre de ce programme.
J'aimerais associer ma voix à celle de ceux qui ont reconnu la qualité du document sur les objectifs, le rôle, les priorités et les stratégies de la FAO, document qui témoigne d'une atmosphère de dialogue franc et ouvert dans laquelle se sont déroulés les travaux au cours des dernières années. L'appui donné aux trois grandes lignes d'action de la FAO fait que nous acceptons la conclusion du Conseil, de ne pas poursuivre le processus d'examen.
Si nous prenons cet ensemble de positions c'est parce que depuis son indépendance, le Cap-Vert, mon pays, constitue la preuve vivante de combien est bénéfique la coopération dans le cadre de la FAO.
Un des points les plus importants de l'ordre du jour de la présente session de la Conférence est sans doute ce qu'on a appelé la "réforme de la FAO". Les documents qui nous ont été présentés constituent une bonne synthèse du travail réalisé en exécution de la résolution N. 6/87 de la XXIVème session de la Conférence. La conclusion qui s'impose est que la FAO fonctionne bien mais qu'elle peut fonctionner et travailler encore mieux. Pour autant, elle a besoin de ressources additionnelles importantes, notamment pour mettre en oeuvre les réformes proposées. Les pays qui, dans le passé, ont le plus insisté sur la nécessité d'introduire des réformes dans le fonctionnement de la FAO, ont eu l'occasion de participer pleinement aux travaux des organes compétents qui nous ont conduit aux résultats qui nous sont présentés aujourd'hui. Nous pensons donc qu'il faut parvenir rapidement à un consensus constructif qui puisse renforcer notre organisation.
Les autorités de la République du Cap-Vert soutiendront et défendront toutes les mesures qui pourront renforcer le rôle de la FAO dans la lutte contre la faim et la malnutrition dans le monde. Nous serons contre toutes les propositions qui viseront à enlever aux organes de la FAO leur capacité de décision et d'action, leur dynamisme, leur rapidité et leur indépendance. Nous défendrons toutes les propositions qui pourront contribuer au renforcement de l'universalité de l'Organisation et nous soutiendrons toutes celles qui renforceront la pleine égalité entre tous les Etats Membres, indépendamment de leur dimension ou de l'importance de leurs contributions.
Mon pays, la République du Cap-Vert, est un petit pays, archipélagique et qui, en plus, appartient au groupe des pays qualifiés les "moins développés". Je veux, ainsi, saisir cette occasion pour aborder ici l'ensemble des problèmes qui se posent aux micro-Etats, en particulier à ceux dont les territoires sont constitués par de petites îles ou des archipels.
L'existence de micro-Etats, actifs politiquement sur la scène mondiale, constitue une caractéristique des relations internationales contemporaines. Il faut également signaler que la plupart de ces Etats sont apparus sur la scène internationale dans les 20 dernières années, résultat d'un processus de décolonisation conduit, avec succès, sous les auspices des Nations Unies. Les micro-Etats, dans la plupart des cas insulaires, sont normalement caractérisés par une population réduite, par un territoire limité et par des ressources restreintes. Historiquement, ils ont été manipulés, en particulier dans le cadre des stratégies militaires des puissances grandes et moyennes. Dans un nouveau scénario international de détente et de réduction des risques de confrontation, les micro-Etats trouvent maintenant les conditions pour pouvoir être considérés pour eux-même. Il est urgent d'attirer l'attention de la Communauté internationale sur leurs problèmes spécifiques et sur la nécessité d'envisager des mesures bien adaptées d'aide destinées à trouver des solutions appropriées à leurs problèmes de développement, en particulier les problèmes ayant trait à l'agriculture et l'alimentation.
Nous partageons les points de vue de ceux qui estiment qu'il existe une obligation fondamentale de la part de la Communauté internationale par rapport aux petits Etats, dont l'utilité dans le concertées nations est quelque chose qui se passe de tout commentaire. Les coûts élevés du développement des micro-Etats, en particulier des archipels situés au milieu de l'océan, à des distances considérables des marchés continentaux, justifient que ces Etats puissent bénéficier ou être affranchis de certaines limites imposées à l'aide publique et à des conditions de facteurs. Il n'y a
pas de sens à dire, par exemple, que mon pays, parce que son PIB est passé de moins de 400 dollars E.-U., à plus de 400 dollars E. -U., doit faire face immédiatement à la réduction de l'aide publique au développement ou avoir un accès plus difficile aux ressources des organisations internationales.
Compte tenu des limites de temps auxquelles nous sommes soumis, je ne pourrai pas m'étendre davantage. Ma délégation aura l'occasion de s'exprimer sur tous les points de l'ordre du jour au cours des débats qui auront lieu au sein des commissions.
Je termine donc en réaffirmant nos meilleurs voeux de succès pour l'accomplissement de votre tâche et notre totale disponibilité à coopérer pour le succès de la présente Conférence.
Qu'elle soit un plein succès. Je vous remercie.
Laurits TORNAES (Denmark): Mr Chairman, may I congratulate you and the other Members of the Bureau on your election. We sincerely hope that your task will be easy. I can assure you that the Danish delegation will contribute positively and I hope this Conference will be a real milestone in the history of FAO.
In general the agricultural situation looks fairly good. However, the variations in harvest yields from one year to another and from one region of the world to another, remind us how dependent we are on the climatic conditions. Even in technologically advanced countries, the climate often causes drastic changes in the yields.
The global agricultural situation is displaying an apparent paradox: many industrialized countries are faced with the need to curtail production. In the EEC we have certainly come a long way toward a more market-oriented price policy.
At the same time, developing countries must step up their efforts to increase food production. Such problems can only be solved by increased national efforts and by joint international action. My country will continue to participate actively in this process.
In Denmark farmers are presently benefiting from a good harvest and increased prices, particularly in the animal sector. This improvement in income is welcome after an extended period of crisis in our farming community.
The present GATT negotiations are making progress on the agricultural issues. We find that FAO can provide a valuable contribution to these issues, both on the questions of harmonization of international sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and in increasing activities in the field of Codex Alimentarius.
The economic climate in the industrialized countries has improved. Even so we have to meet new challenges where resources have to be used more efficiently. Thus efficiency will be the key word.
Technological advances help to increase production. This is also the case in many developing countries. The transfer and use of technology in the developing world must, however, be accelerated. Denmark is actively participating in this process.
In addition to technological achievements improved efficiency is required. We are all - in agriculture and elsewhere in our communities - under pressure to produce more with less resources.
This need is also passed on to our national administrations, and from there the demand goes to our UN organizations, including FAO.
Since the last Conference FAO has been in a financial crisis due to the lack of payments from a number of member countries.
We commend the Director-General and his staff for having managed to maintain a reasonable level of programmes in spite of a substantial lack of resources. We realize the reductions made in meetings, publications and the freezing of posts have not been easy decisions. Such a situation can hardly avoid affecting the Organization. Therefore, we have followed and will follow this difficult process with concern.
In examining the proposed Programme of Work and Budget 1990-91 we consider that the content of the Programmes is more important than the level of the Budget. In further discussions we, therefore, intend to participate actively in the debate of individual elements of the programme in Commission II.
This brings me to the subject of Review process and Reform.
My Government, together with the other Nordic countries, was in the forefront in suggesting the review of FAO.
This stems from a desire that FAO - our Organization - should be equipped in the best possible way, to meet the challenges which the next decade will present in the field of agriculture, forestry and in fisheries, especially for the developing countries.
What I underline now should be seen as a follow-up to my comments at the 1987 conference.
My Government has not been entirely satisfied with the review process. We are particularly worried about the linking together of reform and the request for additional funds. In my view the issue is clearly one of optimizing the use of funds available, whatever their size.
The Danish delegation will participate actively in the discussions on this subject in Commission II. We look for consensus in formulating priorities for FAO's work and securing government influence in medium-term planning.
I do not want to deal with the reform issue in any detail. But I should like to single out some of the aspects which are of special importance to us.
First I should like to emphasize that the point of departure should be to strike the right balance among FAO's three main tasks: Data collection and information, formulation of food and agricultural policies, and technical assistance. The three are obviously closely interrelated. For example, FAO should have a comparative advantage in providing technical assistance for data collection and information and for the formulation of food and agricultural policies.
More specifically, with regard to technical assistance there is a need for a closer coordination of all FAO field activities, irrespective of the source of funding. The best solution to this problem seems to be the establishment of a field programming committee, which should ensure coherence between the Regular Programme, including TCP, and the various components of the field programme.
The establishment of a medium-term planning process could contribute significantly to improve technical assistance, where activities today tend to be too short term, too scattered and not based on well-defined policy objectives.
My Government is strongly committed to multilateral cooperation and to the strengthning of the UN system. Therefore, a positive outcome of the review and reform process in FAO is very important to us.
I would now like to turn to the World Food Programme. This Programme has grown to become the largest development programme in the UN system, outside the World Bank Group. It has managed to administer food aid very efficiently with a minimum of administrative costs. The Programme continues to work as an action-oriented development programme with enough flexibility to adapt itself to changing circumstances.
I would hope that new and potential donors will suport the Programme in order that the pledge target for 1991-92 of US dollars 1.5 billion can be achieved.
We realize that there are today certain problems of an administrative nature between WFP and FAO. I wish to stress the need for solving these problems between the organizations concerned, including the UN itself.
I have noted with interest that FAO and WHO intend to co-sponsor an International Conference on Nutrition. My delegation has always felt that the nutrition issue should be a main concern for FAO activities. Therefore, we will follow the preparation of the Conference with great interest.
Finally, may I conclude by referring to the main subject selected for World Food Day in 1989: "Food and the Environment". The environmental issue in agriculture, forestry and fisheries is a problem which concerns not only single nations. It is an international issue which does not respect national boundaries. The fight to ensure freedom from hunger cannot be won unless the planet's natural resources and environment are safeguarded. This is a matter we must solve together through international action. We look to the UN system, including FAO, for creating the best possible framework for such cooperation and action.
John MCGOWAN (Canada): Mr Chairman, Director-General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I begin by joining my fellow colleagues in expressing our congratulations to the Chairman, on his election and our confidence that his conduct of this meeting will contribute to our success.
I would also congratulate the Chairman, the Director-General and the Independent Chairman of Council on the breadth of the vision of global challenges and prospects articulated in your addresses to this body.
The Canadian Government is responding to these global challenges in its domestic and international agricultural policies. At home, Minister Mazankowski and Minister Mayer who would otherwise have been with us today, have just launched a major review of agricultural policy. An intense process of consultation with client groups across the country has begun. It would of course be premature for me to comment on particular changes that will result from these consultations.
The basic principles of our strategy are nonetheless very clear. Our basic commitment to agriculture in the 1990s is to foster a productive self-reliant industry in a stable and predictable policy environment, which does not impede innovations, risk-taking and diversification. The farm sector will be encouraged to respond to new market opportunities. Policies and programmes that insulate farmers from market signals will be thoroughly examined. Our policies will foster environmentally-sustainable development, consistent wih the safety and health of Canadians and the long-term conservation of Canada's soil and water base.
This comprehensive review of domestic agricultural policy complements the reorientation of Canadian development assistance policy introduced last year. The new Canadian aid strategy has six thematic objectives, all of which correspond to the agriculture and rural development strategy of the FAO. Our basic objectives in development cooperation are poverty alleviation, structural adjustment, increased participation of women in development, sustainability of the environment, energy availability and food security. We will pursue these objectives through several channels, including multilateral institutions such as the FAO and the WFP.
Agriculture has been at the heart of Canadian aid since the early days of the Colombo Plan. Over the years, our bilateral commitment to projects of a specifically agricultural character has grown to an annual level of roughly 170 million dollars. The total Canadian commitment is of course far greater when related programmes in rural development and multilateral contributions in these fields are taken into account.
Against this background, Chairman, I would like briefly to address four agriculture issues prominent on our Agenda.
Canada continues to support major agricultural trade reform in the Uruguay Round of the GATT to reduce both tariff and other barriers to trade, including such impediments as inconsistent zoo-sanitary phyto-sanitary and food standards. FAO's assistance in rationalizing phyto-sanitary and food
standards is in this respect critical. Equally important is a global secretariat for the international plant protection convention, to coordinate the work of the regional organizations in standard setting. All this will strengthen the dispute settlement mechanism under the GATT.
Agriculturalists are among the best placed to recognize the imperative of new, much deeper respect for our threatened environment. In both ecological and economic terms, individually and collectively, we all now recognize the need to end the environmental degradation menacing our agriculture, fisheries and forests. This organization has a vital role to play - in screening its programmes and projects for environmental compatibility and sustainability and in promoting integrated resource management. The FAO will have much to contribute to the 1992 conference on the environment and development now being considered by the General Assembly.
Environmental issues in the fisheries sector have been of special interest to Canada as we are a major fishing nation.
As already expressed in Committee 2 of the United Nations General Assembly, Canadians are deeply concerned about the threat to the environment of high seas drift-net fishing. We are seeking a halt to further expansion of this practice and prompt transition to non-destructive fishing technology in the North Pacific. Canada, in cooperation with several other like-minded nations, is sponsoring a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly to seek a moratorium on high-seas drift-net fishing by mid-1992, unless or until it is agreed that the unacceptable impacts of such practices can be prevented and that the conservation of the world's living marine resources can be assured.
The gathering, analysis and dissemination of agricultural information is recognized as the backbone of the technical work of the FAO as well as a valuable component of its field work. In Canadian agriculture, we find highly valuable many of the products of FAO's worldwide data collection. We encourage the FAO to continue to modernize its procedures and management in this important field.
The Director-General began his address yesterday by drawing attention to the phenomenal growth of 178 million in world population since our last General Conference and the profound implications of this growth for our Organization. We believe that prospects for increased agricultural production to meet the needs of a growing population depend fundamentally on equality for women and their full participation in development. We are therefore pleased to note the progress that this Organization has made since our last Conference in implementing "The Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies" and the recommendations of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development. The plan of action for the integration of women in FAO's programmes and the progress report on the plan prepared by the Secretariat -which set out the framework and provided a detailed, costed approach for the FAO - have been expertly prepared and are highly commendable.
Much nonetheless remains to be done by all international agencies, multilateral and bilateral, to integrate women fully into agricultural development and to recognize the unique role they must play in each country to maximize national development efforts.
Canada trusts that FAO's current plans relating to women in development will continue to receive the attention and support needed for their implementation. We look forward to sharing of experience in this vital undertaking.
For the last two years, we have been engaged in an unprecedented, comprehensive review of the FAO's role, priorities and objectives, field operations and management procedures. This review provided for input from several sources: from experts in the fields of agriculture, development, finance and administration, from the Programme and Finance Committees, from the Secretariat and from the Council.
All these various participants have done admirable work analysing the challenges before us and the capacity of our Organization to contend with them. We have appreciated and tried to take full advantage of our opportunities to contribute to this analysis. We have been encouraged by progress to date. Fundamental issues cited in Resolution 6/87 have been subject to painstaking review. Broad consensus has already been achieved on some major issues and significant change is already in train. There is already, for example, greater clarity in priority-setting, thanks to the intensified process of consultation and review through which this year's Programme of Work and Budget has been developed. Committees of Member States are already playing enhanced roles - the Programme and Finance Committees have performed with unprecedented intensity and effectiveness in their conduct of the review exercise. This encouraging progress must be sustained. There is still much to be done, as the governing body of the FAO, we must now take up where the SJS and the Council left off and strive for consensus commitment to a series of measures responding comprehensively to our 1987 Resolution.
In respect of the Programme of Work and Budget for 1990-91, my delegation recognizes the acute dilemma faced by the Secretariat trying to reconcile increased demand for service with continuing, sharp restraints on resources. We recognize as well that the FAO's human resources and reservoir of technical expertise are its most valuable assets and thus that the attractiveness of employment at the FAO must be maintained. Unfortunately, it appears that prospects are not promising for significantly increased resources from Member States for the coming biennium. It also appears that reform activities, therefore, will have to be financed by redeployments within existing budget ceilings. We view this as an inevitable policy at a time when many Members' domestic government programmes are being cut to reduce unsustainable deficits and when many of our Members are already having difficulty paying their current assessments.
Despite the painful lack of growth in resources, Mr Chairman, the progress already achieved in fulfilling Resolution 6/87 must be sustained. On such continued progress depends hope for increased resources in the future - whether through full payment by Members, through increased voluntary contributions, or through any possible future increases in assessments.
I conclude by endorsing the Director-General’s call for harmony, for relief of the tension which has resulted from our diverse sensitivities and conceptions and for a broadly-based commitment to action to provide the services so urgently needed by our Members, particularly the poorest amongst us. To the achievement of these fundamentally important ends, be assured of Canada’s enduring commitment.
Abdullah A. AL MOAMMAR (Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of) (original language Arabic): In the name of God, the Compassionate and Merciful: It is a great pleasure for the delegate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to congratulate you, Mr President, and your Vice-Presidents for the confidence bestowed upon you by the Conference. We would like to assure you of our full support in order to reach positive conclusions and decisions which will contribute to the development of agriculture and the consolidation of world food security,
A review of the 1980s, which will come to their end next year, would reveal that it was a lost decade for most developing countries. Indeed, that decade was characterized by negative effects in many Third World countries as a result of economic crises as well as natural and man-made disasters. This has led to low emphasis on production and development of necessary services. However, we look forward to full achievement in the coming decade, the 1990s, which we hope will witness better security, stability and prosperity, as well as the alleviation of the threat of hunger.
The economies of developing countries have not witnessed any substantial improvement since our last meeting. Some of them have even registered deterioration, or negative growth, while some of us have only achieved modest growth. These economic changes and developments have led to an increase in inflation rates, unemployment, and the cost of living, to levels with which a large proportion of the population of these countries cannot cope. Lower demand for developing countries' exports of agricultural produce, and the shortage of foreign currency in most of these countries, have led to a limitation of the capacity of developing countries to import raw materials and spare parts for their industrial and agricultural production requirements. This has led to lower production, and economies have got into a vicious circle which jeopardises the results expected from economic reforms within the structural adjustment policies. The results of unfair terms of trade for developing countries, as well as their obligation to repay their debts, not only hinders the implementation of their development programmes, but also jeopardises their stability and threatens their economic systems.
The Saudi delegation has already appealed from this forum to the international family - and we reiterate this appeal today - to cooperate in an effort to reform the economic situation and give stimulus, backing and support to free trade. Moreover, efforts should be made to facilitate the transfer of technologies related to agricultural produce development, and to intensify the flow of financial resources needed for development programmes in the developing countries, through all types of channels and institutions in the field.
Although cereal production has been reasonable in certain countries, the world still faces serious shortages in cereal stocks as a result of very low production rates in some developed countries for climatic reasons, or in order to balance supply and demand.
This has obliged countries to draw upon their cereal stocks over the last three years to attain a level below the minimum world food security level required. Low production levels have also led to a rise in prices, rendering the situation even more difficult for food-deficit countries and increasing the deficit in their balance of trade. The Saudi delegation pointed out at the meeting of the last session of the Conference that the food aid by donor countries would not provide a radical solution for the problems of developing countries. Moreover, these could be no guarantee that such aid would continue at the level of 12.5 million tons attained in 1984/85 as the
policies in most donor countries might lead to the reduction of their surpluses. The realities at present, show that what we pointed out and drew to your attention two years ago is confirmed. Indeed, world food aid is expected to fall from 12.5 million tons of cereals down to less than 10 million tons. Such a decrease will have a negative effect on emergency food resources.
Therefore, the Saudi delegation would like to affirm once more that the radical and lasting solution lies in the economic policies and development plans adopted by the Governments of developing countries themselves in order to boost their food production and provide remunerative job opportunities for their citizens will enable them to raise their purchasing power to buy their own food if they cannot produce it.
The Saudi delegation's view concerning this issue was not unfounded, in fact, it emanated from the successful experience of the Kingdom in the development of its agricultural sector in spite of the limited basis of its natural resources, mainly soil and water resources. However, the Kingdom, with the help of the gracious God, managed in a few years, relatively speaking, not only to obtain self-sufficiency, but to have a surplus of food commodities for export, and to constitute an important stock for its food security.
As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was going through its successful experience with its own resources, in order to develop its agricultural sector and ensure its food security, the Kingdom never ceased to play its humanitarian role in providing food aid in its own production to alleviate the burden of poverty whether through direct aid or through the World Food Programme. Indeed, the value of the Kingdom's contributions to WFP attained more than US$300 million including 124 000 tons of high quality dates.
Furthermore, the Kingdom's contribution to IFAD has attained so far US$364 million. The Kingdom also contributed, and continues to contribute, to the development of agriculture in many developing countries within the framework of bilateral cooperation through the Saudi Development Fund, and its participation in the regional Development Funds, and the Islamic Bank, as well as through international financial institutions and UN specialist agencies. The Saudi delegation appreciates the efforts made by FAO with a view to developing and increasing the world agricultural production, while at the same time, trying to preserve world resources and disseminating modern technologies through the organization of training seminars and granting scholarships to several members in the agricultural sector of Member States. This is in order to enable them to pursue their higher studies and attain higher scientific qualifications which would enable them to contribute to the improvement of agriculture in their countries.
We also appreciate FAO's efforts to provide information and statistical data which enables researchers to carry out their research work and develop their capacities in the different fields of agriculture. The Saudi delegation has studied the Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1990-91 and would like to express our appreciation for the efforts exerted in its preparation. We consider it acceptable in the present circumstances.
The Director-General and his colleagues, aware of their responsibilities, have undoubtedly elaborated on a good programme which meets the aspirations of member countries for the present and the future. Our delegation hopes that the Conference will adopt by consensus the positive recommendations
concerning the conclusions of the reports of the Committees which have reviewed certain aspects related to the Organization's objectives and management to the benefit of the Member States in general, and the developing countries in particular.
I reiterate my thanks to you and express the hope that our deliberations will be crowned with a successful conclusion and sound decisions. May God's mercy, peace and blessings be upon you.
Justin J. MUKANDO (Zambia): Let me begin by extending to you and your bureau my delegation's sincere and warm congratulations on your unanimous election. Your election is a clear reflection not only of the valuable contribution your great country, Australia, has made in the field of agriculture but is also a tribute to the part which you personally have played in fashioning a highly developed agricultural industry in your country. My delegation is therefore confident that you will steer the deliberations of our Conference to a very successful conclusion.
May I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Director-General of our Organization, Dr Edouard Saouma, for the tireless efforts he has made to further the cause and objectives of FAO. We wish him well in the heavy task ahead.
Mr Chairman, we are meeting at a time when the global food outlook still remains unsatisfactory. While a number of developing countries registered significant improvements in their agricultural performance, mainly due to favourable weather conditions, there are still a number of Third World countries where people are actually dying from hunger and malnutrition.
The reasons for the poor agricultural performance in such countries are many and varied. They range from unfavourable weather conditions, lack of financial resources and technical know-how to internal strife. What is more worrying is that the excess cereal stocks in the developed countries are now on the verge of depletion. This will naturally lead to a reduction in food aid for the needy.
Needless to add that the recent spate of natural calamities such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods have no doubt increased demand, among other relief measures, for food aid. Let me at this juncture express my country's appreciation to donor countries, FAO and the World Food Programme for the timely assistance they have rendered when such tragic situations have arisen.
I maintain that low food production is not the only cause of hunger and malnutrition. There are some countries which are in fact self-sufficient in food production and yet some of their areas still face food shortage. The problem is largely one of poor food distribution. To overcome this anomaly there is need to improve food distribution and marketing systems.
With reference to food aid, I would like to clarify Zambia's stand which appears to have been misunderstood in certain quarters.
Zambia, Mr Chairman, welcomes Food Aid in times of need. But we are of the opinion that no country should, other things being equal, be permanently dependent on food aid. All well-meaning donor countries and agencies should work out appropriate programmes which will ultimately enable food-deficit countries to attain self-sufficiency.
In other words what we suggest, is for developed countries and donor agencies to give opportunities to the developing countries to establish a viable agricultural base which is the most important prerequisite for genuine economic recovery. Indeed, we all know that even the economies of the most industrialized nations have relied quite heavily on agriculture, not only as a source of food but also for raw materials in their industries.
I do not want to politicize this professional meeting. However, coming, as I do, from Southern Africa, I cannot talk of food security without mentioning that the ongoing acts of aggression and destabilization by the racist South African regime have adversely affected agricultural production in a number of countries in our sub-region. Some people are forced by circumstances to move away from their established homes and gardens to other parts of the country while some flee to neighbouring countries. Some farmers stay away from their fields for fear of attacks by rebels. There is an old saying that the darkest hour comes just before dawn.
We in Southern Africa are therefore following with great interest the current political developments in our sub-region in the hope that they will usher in an era of peace so that our farmers can go about their daily lives normally like their colleagues elsewhere.
In my introductory remarks, I clearly stated that a number of developing countries have made significant progress in the field of agriculture. Regrettably, the current unfavourable terms of trade for our exportable agricultural produce has seriously frustrated these efforts. The large fiscal and trade imbalances of some of the major economies have created considerable strains in the global trading system. Protectionist tendencies have been mounting thereby seriously restricting access of developing countries' exports to markets in the industrialized countries.
It is my delegation's view therefore that the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations must lead, inter alia, to the removal of both tariff and non-tariff barriers so as to restore free trade to its proper place in the international trading system.
In 1988, global trade recorded a remarkable growth rate of 8.3 percent. However, we are concerned that the benefits of this strong growth in world trade and output were not evenly shared. Except for meatals, the prices of agricultural products either fell or remained static. It is therefore Zambia's hope that a way will be found to bring about stability to commodity markets and ensure prices which are fair to both producer and consumer alike.
In short, what I am saying Mr Chairman, is that if developing countries cannot find markets for their exportable agricultural produce due to protectionism and/or low returns realized from any saleable surpluses, further investments in the areas of agriculture with export potential will be discouraged at the time when most developing countries need foreign exchange.
It is obvious, therefore, that unless developed countries become more accommodating, miseries of poverty and hunger will continue in developing countries, particularly in Africa.
It is for this reason Mr Chairman, that we feel grateful to FAO and other donor agencies like IFAD for the assistance they give to developing countries in form of technical programmes and projects which are aimed at improving agricultural production. It is however saddening to note that this effort by FAO is being frustrated deliberately by non-payment of contributions by some Member Nations, even when those nations have the capacity to pay. This act obviously limits the capacity of FAO to cope with the demands for assistance from some of its members. We wish to appeal to those countries with the ability to pay but are deliberately holding back to reconsider their position.
About seven years ago, the international community expressed concern over the external debt of developing countries. Despite several meetings and seminars, we are not nearer to resolving the debt crisis. If anything, the crisis has deepened. Globally, the debt service ratio has increased from a few million dollars to about US$1.3 trillion today. Rescheduling payment including accrued interest have only postponed the problem. Ironically, the world is now faced with stark reality whereby multilateral financial institutions, which were created to meet the short- and long-term resource needs of developing countries, have now become net recipients of resources even from the debt-distressed developing countries. What we see therefore is a net transfer of huge resources from developing countries to developed countries because of the former's determination to meet some of their debt obligations. At this juncture may I take this opportunity to pay well-deserved tribute to those developed countries which have taken welcome measures to write off or reduce loans for certain developing countries.
In the meantime, it is my delegation's hope that the idea of convening an international conference on debt will, sooner rather than later, materialize.
In case of sponsored adjustment programmes, developing countries would like these programmes to take into account the existing local economic and social structures. Developing countries are against such programmes when their attendant conditions are such that they only perpetuate the sufferings of the people thereby creating a recipe for political unrest.
I now wish to refer to another important issue of the participation of women in development. Zambia does not only support FAO's plan of action for the integration of women in development. It has in fact already taken practical steps to facilitate the implementation of this programme. We recognize that unless women are given the chance to make their own decisions, especially at farm level, there can be no real participation by them. The challenge for FAO in this programme of action is immense, particularly in the field of research for appropriate technology. Women spend more time in the kitchen and fields using laborious methods of cooking or cultivating, thereby spending much of their lifetime away from other economically attractive occupations.
Much has been said about sustainable growth in agriculture vis-à-vis environmental degradation.
We need a form of agricultural development which is capable of achieving high yields for the present and future generations without degrading the environment. It is in this connection that no country today can afford to remain indifferent to the concern expressed worldwide over environmental degradation and the likely negative effects on the climate. The ministerial meeting of the Group of 77 held in Caracas this year acknowledged the importance of this issue and stressed the close relationship between poverty and environmental degradation.
One cannot over-emphasize the importance of land, forests, water and air to the life of man. The poor methods used in land cultivation, irrigation or application of pesticides and dumping of chemical industrial wastes, will surely lead to man's self destruction. The big challenge is, therefore, to find ways of redressing this destructive trend of development by researching into methods of production which will strike a balance between the two requirements of food and fuelwood on one hand and preservation of natural resources on the other.
In Zambia we are seriously considering the development of water resources for irrigation purposes, both at smallholder and large-scale levels. This is as a result of our past experience with drought which reduced food production in many parts of the country. However, these plans have been affected by lack of adequate financial resources.
As a land-locked country, we in Zambia are also seriously engaged in the development of inland fishing. A few projects that have been established with the help of FAO and other donor agencies show very encouraging results.
Zambia also welcomes FAO's tropical forestry action plan whose main objective is the development and rational utilization of tropical forests through local and global efforts. Furthermore, we are, in conjunction with FAO, finalizing a community forestry project on people's participation in forestry. To implement this strategy, Zambia will need the support of the international community.
I wish to add that while we are all geared to promoting increased agricultural production, we should not overlook the concept of comprehensive rural development which includes the development of various infrastructures such as roads, bridges, storage, clinics and many other facilities. We are aware that FAO's mandate is limited to agricultural development issues. We however believe that an integrated approach can maximize the utilization of resources.
Given Zambia's limited financial resources, it will be extremely difficult to meet the above-mentioned goals without external assistance. It is for this reason that Zambia is inviting international investors to participate alongside our nationals in agricultural development. Major reforms in our agricultural policies have already taken place and indeed further refinements are under way to facilitate this development. This is one area, among many other areas of change, where we do not hesitate to invite FAO to give expert advice because we value the Organization's experience in this field.
The ultimate goal for all these efforts is to attain food self-sufficiency. My country has also instituted food security programmes so as to reduce vulnerability to drops in output resulting from unfavourable weather conditions and related natural calamities. Based on a plan of action developed with technical assistance from the FAO, an early warning system
was established in the Ministry of Agriculture and cooperatives together with a project to strengthen food security through assistance to the department of marketing. Zambia has also committed itself to a reserve stock policy which calls for holding of up to twenty-four months' supply of maize with a preferred minimum of twelve months. Such a policy will require that additional investment be made in storage in preparation for increased requirements when surpluses become available to initiate the stock.
Let me conclude by stating that, as we enter the last decade of the 20th century, there are still a number of challenges ahead of us in the area of food and agriculture. Food security still eludes us especially in the developing world while food surpluses for possible food aid from developed countries are getting depleted. Environmental degradation is seriously threatening agricultural production. As if this is not enough, the already debt-distressed developing countries do not fetch fair prices for their exportable agricultural produce. It is therefore my delegation's hope that, through frank and constructive dialogue at this and other fora, lasting solutions will be found to all these problems.
Carlos G. DOMÍNGUEZ (Philippines): As head of the Philippine Delegation to the Twenty-fifth FAO Conference, I have the honour to convey to you the warmest greetings of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Her Excellency Corazón C. Aquino. On her behalf and on behalf of the Filipino people, I thank the FAO for the support it has given to my country and for strengthening world cooperation in agricultural and rural development, particularly among the member countries of the Asia Pacific region.
Excellencies, it is in this spirit of cooperation and solidarity that we have assembled here to unite our efforts to address the urgent problems that confront our nations.
At the outset, therefore, allow me to commend the FAO for coming up with a comprehensive agenda that encompasses the main concerns of developing countries like the Philippines.
I cannot over-emphasize the urgent need for us to explore all possible means to spur each country's economic and agricultural growth, reduce rural poverty and social inequity, and ensure the sustainability of the world's natural resources.
In close coordination with the FAO, we in the Philippines have been striving to address these concerns. Today, therefore, allow me to share with you the Philippines' rural development thrusts as we approach the decade of the '90s.
In my country, two thirds of the population who live in the rural areas depend on agriculture, fisheries and forestry as main sources of livelihood. The rural sector produces one third of the gross national product, employs half of the country's labour force and earns 36.7 percent of the country's total export revenue.
Despite these contributions, however, poverty is still widespread in the rural areas. Equally alarming are the threats in our environment spawned by the pressure that an ever-increasing population exerts on our agricultural, fishery, and forest resources.
It is obvious that any programme for economic recovery and long-term stability hinges on inducing increased incomes and employment in the rural areas and ensuring the sustainability of the resource base from which these incomes are derived.
The basic aim of the Aquino administration is to lay the foundation for equitable and sustainable growth in the rural sector, and in so doing, foster a healthy and vibrant rural economy.
Thus, the three overriding concerns which guide the Philippine Government's medium-term development plan are: the alleviation of poverty, the generation of productive employment, and the promotion of equity and social justice.
This priority laid on agriculture and rural development recognizes two imperatives: first, that placing the well-being of the farmers and the rural populace at the centre of development concerns is the sound and logical path to stable growth; and second, that the farmer's productive potential can be unleashed only if he can work in a policy environment that is hospitable to his interests, and if he is provided with equitable access to land and the services he needs to make his land productive.
In the last three years, the Aquino Government has scored substantial achievements in addressing these concerns: To evolve a policy environment more conducive to agricultural productivity, we have rectified many of the biases that cramped profitability in agriculture and foiled the farmer's incentive to produce. First of all, we took steps to free the market by dismantling monopolies and monopsonies. To "keep government in government and business in business", we have withdrawn government participation in the trading of wheat, flour, and soybean meal, and transferred the management of grain and fish processing and storage facilities to the private sector.
We continue to restructure a tax and tariff system that generally served as a disincentive to farmers. We abolished all agricultural export taxes, exempted agricultural products from the value added tax and reduced duties on fertilizer and other agricultural inputs.
At the same time, we realize the need to "empower" our farmers and fishermen so that they can gain the economic and political leverage to obtain access to vital resources and support services.
We have therefore implemented a comprehensive agrarian reform programme that will ensure our farmer's access not only to land, but other agricultural requisites as well.
To provide them with greater access to technology, we have aligned our agricultural research and extension efforts to locating specific priorities identified by farming communities which seek to ensure not only agricultural productivity, but the sustainability of resources as well.
One important feature of our technology-transfer efforts, for example, has been the FAO-assisted integrated pest management programme. As of the first quarter of 1989, a total of 148 473 farmers have been trained in IPM. Rice farmers applying IPM techniques were able to save about P200 per hectare, or
a total sum of P84 million annually due to the use of less pesticides. Likewise, the mass rearing and use of trichogramma to control the corn stalk borer has gained wide acceptance among farmers as a cost-effective and biological pest control method.
Recently, with FAO's support, we launched a campaign to use the IPM in combatting the "golden snail" menace which is affecting rice farms in many parts of my country.
To further protect the resource base, a nationwide network of crop and fishery nurseries as well as animal breeding stations have been revitalized, thus providing farmers and fishermen with high quality genetic material and breeding stock.
The country's fishing grounds are being rejuvenated through the establishment of artificial reefs in coastal areas. To date we have constructed more than 12 000 functional artificial reef modules. Water and soil conservation activities focus on the construction of small water impounding units and the planting of fruit tree seedlings in denuded watersheds.
To ensure our farmers and fishermen access to credit, we have evolved a guarantee scheme that encourages private banks to increase agricultural lending. To assure farmers of infrastructure support and access to markets, we continue to improve our market information services, facilitate link-ups between farmers and buyers, improve post-harvest and storage facilities, and push for the installation of better transport and communications systems in the rural areas.
On top of these, we encourage farmers and fishermen to organize themselves, so that they can better articulate and address their needs through joint efforts.
Farmers and the economy in general are now reaping the gains from these reforms. For instance, with free competition in the fertilizer trade, domestic prices of fertilizer are today closer to the border prices than they had ever been before we liberalized the fertilizer trade.
Corn policies implemented since 1986 have induced greater local production of this vital feed ingredient. Production in 1989 is 30 percent over levels achieved 5 years earlier, saving our country at least sixty million US dollars per year in imports. Since 1986, we have tipped the rural-urban terms of trade in favour of our farmers.
Average farm-gate prices of principal aggregate commodities have been rising steadily last year; price increases gained for the farmers additional gross revenue of 8.86 billion pesos. For the first half of 1989, price increases for major commodities imply additional gross national revenues of roughly 7.42 billion.
These price increases have resulted in increased incomes for our farmers. Initial survey results from the National Statistics Office reveal that the average income of families in the rural sector rose by 27.2 percent between 1985 and 1988.
Such increases in farm incomes have enabled the rural populace to purchase more of the output of our domestic industries, as shown by the upsurge in the purchase of household appliances, motorcycles, construction materials and beverages in the last two years.
With increases in farm incomes, coupled with the promotion of appropriate technologies, major production gains have also been achieved in agriculture.
For the first semester of this year, total agricultural output recorded a positive growth of 4.3 percent over the 1988 level.
Crop production went up by 4.2 percent over the first semester production of 1988. Due to expansion of the area cultivated and improved yields, corn production grew by 8.7 percent and palay by 7.4 percent.
Livestock production recorded a very impressive performance that exceeded last year's performance by around 10 percent. The poultry subsector output moved up by 9 percent, while fisheries posted a 3 percent production growth.
These gains in production, accompanied by stronger farm prices pushed up the gross value of agricultural output for the first half of this year by 5 percent at constant prices over the recorded level during the same period last year.
Notwithstanding these achievements, the Philippine Government recognized the need to address the remaining constraints that continue to hamper the full growth of our rural sector. Towards this goal, the following principal thrusts have emerged as the basic elements of our rural development strategy for the coming decade.
One, we seek to remove the remaining economic policy and public investment biases that work against agriculturet proper resource utilization and the rural sector
Despite the liberalization of our country's tariff and non-tariff policies, we found out that the current trade protection structure continues to restrict the flow of private investment into the agricultural sector. To remove the injurious effects of these trade policies on agriculture, we shall continue to push for lower tariff rates on industrial products used as inputs in agriculture, such as capital goods, feed ingredients, livestock vaccines, pesticides and fishing gear.
We are likewise pushing for reforms in our taxation policy, particularly the value-added-tax system, or VAT, which raises the tax rate on processed agricultural products by making the agricultural processor pay an effective tax instead of the VAT.
To speed up the movement of agricultural products, we are pushing for the deregulation of our shipping and port services.
Because past government spending on agriculture and the rural sector has been inadequate, averaging only 10 percent of the total ratio of the share of agriculture to gross domestic product, the Philippine Government has resolved to increase spending for the economic and social rural infrastructure. Rural facilities in support of increased agricultural productivity and incomes are top priority: irrigation, farm-to-market roads,
ports, inter-island shipping, electrification, communications, public markets and abbatoirs. Social infrastructure - schools, health centres and local civic facilities - will also contribute greatly to the development of our country's human resources and result in greater productivity.
To discourage degradation of critical ecosystems, we are increasing fees and charges on timber and mineral resources.
To facilitate the availability of credit in the rural areas, we are working toward banking and credit reforms that will reduce rural lending costs and risks.
Two, we are accelerating the pace of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme (CARP) to achieve equity in the distribution of wealth and boost producer incentives
Because land is fast becoming a scarce resource and land ownership is closely linked with access to credit and production inputs, redistribution of land ownership in my country is acknowledged as a critical component of our agriculture-led and employment-oriented development strategy.
To hasten the implementation of the CARP, several steps must be taken. Specifically, for the land transfer component selected or lead provinces have been identified where the ability to methodically transfer land wholesale can be demonstrated. Likewise, we are focusing on wholesale transfer of land to large groups of farmers who can take care of their own individual subdivision and titling. We also see the need to build the social infrastructure, particularly farmers' organizations, and adopt an efficient field operating system for land acquisition and distribution and provision of support services.
Three, we are adopting policies and programmes that grant the underprivileged in the rural sector equitable access to the benefits derived from natural resource exploitation
Because for so long only a privileged few have had access and control over the Philippines’ natural resources, we are implementing property rights reform in the public domain. We are evolving innovative approaches toward the implementation of agrarian reform in public lands, recognition of vested rights of indigenous cultural communities, and ensuring security of tenure for smallholder farmers and forest occupants over primary resources on government lands.
Four, we seek to improve support services and infrastructure which increase rural productivity and expand markets: specifically research and extension services, irrigation and drainage systems and transport and communication structures
Five, we are strictly enforcing environmentally sound policies that protect the country's land, water and marine resources in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource base
Rural development entails the effective enforcement of conservation laws and the promotion of cultivation methods that ensure the judicious use of land, forest and marine resources. These are essential if we are to sustain the viability and productivity of the natural resource base over the long term.
The Philippine Government will continue to promote a community-based forest management system that will encourage the private sector, especially the forest dwellers, to be the vanguard of the country's reforestation projects. Programmes to rehabilitate coastal fisheries through the establishment of artificial reef, restoration of seagrass bed, and rehabilitation of mangrove and polluted river systems will be intensified. Special attention is also being given to the provision of alternative livelihood opportunities for landless shifting cultivators in the uplands, illegal occupants of forest and pasture areas, and subsistence fishermen in overfished coastal waters.
Six, we are adopting a population programme and strengthening social services such as education, health and nutrition services to enrich and 'sustain our human resources
We have decided to implement a population programme to mitigate the pressure of a rapidly expanding population on the fixed supply of land and other natural resources. This is critical in sustaining the productive capacity of our resource base and increasing farmers’ access to the benefits of economic and social development.
Along with a population programme, increased provision of education, health, and nutrition services will enhance human capital. These services will improve the productivity of the poor's prime asset - their own labour and consequently, their contribution to economic development.
Lastly, we seek to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government agencies that provide rural development services and further encourage people participation in the decision-making processes
Rural development requires that government improve its delivery of services to the rural sector. This means: (a) unclogging the project funding pipeline; (b) decentralizing authority down to the provincial and municipal levels; (c) engaging the full participation of the rural populace in the decision-making and development processes and (d) strengthening coordination within and among government agencies whose activities bear directly on the welfare of the rural sector.
This blueprint for rural development would lead to industrialization and stable economic growth in at least four ways.
One, higher farm productivity and incomes will expand the demand and market for manufactured goods and agricultural products.
Two, it will encourage agro-industrial activities and increase rural employment.
Three, as it increases agricultural productivity, it will shore up the supply of locally produced raw materials for industry.
Four, with higher farm incomes, this strategy will generate additional savings to finance investments in industry and help meet our foreign debt obligations.
I believe that this rural development strategy is congruent to this meeting's agenda and the concerns that FAO seeks to address in the coming decade.
With our unified support I am confident that the FAO will continue its partnership with us as we pursue the implementation of this plan.
As a global agent of technical transfer, FAO plays an important role in enabling developing countries like the Philippines to attain continued development and growth. Indeed, world cooperation is vital in confronting the challenge of economic growth and rural development, poverty alleviation and people empowerment, and ensuring the sustainability of our remaining resources for the sake of future generations.
Together with the FAO, I therefore look forward to further strengthening our unity and solidarity as we face up to the challenges of the 1990s and beyond.
The meeting rose at 19.00 hours.
La séance est levée à 19 heures.
Se levanta la sesión a las 19.00 horas.
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1 Statement inserted in the Verbatim Records on request.
