E.Patrick ALLEYNE (Trinidad and Tobago): Since this is my first intervention, I wish to congratulate you warmly at seeing you in situ on the job.
Mr Shah reminded us this morning that the Review is the main mechanism for keeping us informed of the work of this Organization.
In this regard I endorse the views already expressed on the work of the Secretariat in the preparation of this document. The question which first comes to mind is how can this Organization accomplish so much with a continuity of dwindling resources. I can only confess that any reasonable comprehension of this report enables us to understand the shower of praises given to the talent and dedication of the Director-General and his Secretariat, indeed the Organization as a whole, by the distinguished Secretary of State for Agriculture of the United States this morning in the Plenary Session.
The Director-General, Mr Shah, Mr Crowther, Mr Dutia have explained to us, in all possible ways over the past few days in Council, the financial problems of this institution, and against this background, a matter which this delegation, like others, will coment upon at an appropriate time, the document before us, C 89/8, is simply further testimony to the dynamism, the relevance, the global signifiance of the FAD.
Some brief comments on a few items, especially on the Major Programme - Agriculture, in the first instance. It is difficult to single out to any great extent specific areas of activity; perhaps what anyone can ask of the Organization is, within the limits of your resources, to facilitate, to expedite the transfer of your findings, your field performance packages, to the various countries.
The activities on farming systems development, fertilizer, water conservation and management and reclamation have tremendous potential for increased food production and are especially relevant to the on-going concerns with the impact of agriculture and the environment. The work on "block demonstrations" among groups of farmers with appropriate agricultural inputs is of special significance.
With reference to the programmes on irrigation technology, the work on manuals is endorsed. However, my delegation wishes to suggest that the programiing of resources for the training of frontline field staff, para-professionals, will greatly facilitate the application of the technologies.
In this regard, with limited resources available, FAO may wish to consider a well-structured programme on the training for trainees, including para-professionals on a regional or sub-regional level.
The work on pesticides control including integrated pest management is of particular importance to developing countries and again in the context of environmental concerns. I must inevitably make reference to the endorsement of work in this area in the particular context of the fragile ecology of small island states.
The quality, the range of activity on livestock production, agricultural extension, including special attention to women involved in a variety of activities on the farm, cannot be over-emphasized.
It is very difficult to ask FAO to consider additional special conferences, but except it is already planned, a conference or a series of regional conferences on the nature and effectiveness of programmes and projects for women in agriculture, nutrition, and forestry could perhaps be co-hosted by governments and appropriate organizations.
The work on fisheries and forestry is fully endorsed. In the area of fisheries there may be a need to look more at national institutional infrastructure for fisheries development and management.
The effects of financial constraint on the nutrition programme, page 44, fisheries programme, page 59, and again on forestry, page 73, leave us with disappointment. At this time when the world - developed and developing countries - is getting increasingly close to Red Alert on the environment we are seriously concerned with the curtailment of activity on FAO's vital work on the management of forest plantations, forest fires, upland conservation, and mangroves which are particularly relevant to fisheries development and coastal stability.
This delegation has already clearly indicated its support for the TCP programme. The Review simply highlights its importance and significance to countries which I lead.
I have noticed the comments on page 96 of the document C 89/8 at paragraph 5.9 on TCDC. Given the real stringent financial difficulties which many countries face, the question arises as to whether it may be possible to relax the requirements somewhat with respect to local costs in those instances where it is clear that the programme requirement is beyond the capacity of the host country. In such difficult circumstances every effort ought to be made to facilitate the TCDC process with a reduced level of input on the part of the host country.
I have a final comment. I refer to technological improvement and adaptation to new technologies. We endorse the R and D activities of the programme and consider that in some instances it is the result of this programme, properly applied, which can push growth and development in the agricultural sector beyond the stage of a good production base. The relevance of this activity in integrating local and indigenous products into the stream of semi-processed and processed convenience foods cannot be over-emphasized. The alternative is an expanding clamour for imported foods by a rising urban and sub-urban middle class at the expense of the local agricultural sector.
This delegation wishes to indicate its broad satisfaction with the outcome of the Review of the field programme.
Muhammad Saleen KHAN (Pakistan) : Let rae also congratulate you on your election to chair this very important Commission of the Conference both in ray capacity as the delegate of Pakistan and also as Chairman of the Group of 77. We have seen you working in so many instances and we are sure that your presence in the chair will facilitate our work and take us to a happy conclusion.
We welcome the Review Report on the Regular Programme 1988-89 and would like to commend the Secretariat on the comprehensiveness of its coverage and the clarity of its descriptions. The improvements over the years and the improvement of thermatic topics, the addition of a new chapter containing quantitative information on selected aspects of programme implementation, help to widen our perspectives and help us in lining up our thoughts for future course of action.
We note with concern the effects on programme implementation of the cuts of US$ 45 million in 1987 to 1988, which resulted in the decline under the Major Programme of Activities by 20 percent, trainees by 34 percent, meetings by 3 percent, publications by 4 percent, and work months for technical backstopping by 15 percent. The adverse impacts of these cuts on activities, like the establishment of computer link-up to enable continuous immediate access to the Global Information and Early Warning System, support to countries in developing fisheries information centres, development of new remote sensing technologies and productivity zoning for forest resources, suspension of UNASYLVA, are regrettable.
However, despite the adverse repercussions of the cuts, we note with satisfaction a number of commendable successes. The role of the Emergency Centre for Locust Operation, in containing the locust menace in Africa, is noteworthy as are the efforts made in the preparations for the establishment of the World Agricultural Information Centre. In fisheries, amongst others, the support to development of aquaculture in the least developed countries of Asia and the Pacific, and in forestry the extensive support to countries in implementation of TFAP, are satisfying examples.
Wë note from paragraph 1.175 under Chapter One (Agriculture) the collaborative arrangements initiated to offset the impact of the budgetary cuts and welcome these measures. We agree with suggestions in paragraph 1.176 in relation to more efficient framework and joint planning and harmonization of procedures. Likewise under Chapter II on Fisheries, we endorse the need for closer integration within FAO units in promoting coastal fisheries.
The performance of TCP, despite constraints of resources and closure of ARPA, is satisfactory although we would like to see a larger share for the Asia and Pacific region than the present 21.7 percent. We endorse the emphasis on TCP allocation for investment support and for Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries.
We note the key role of the Investment Centre in Technical Programmes but would like to underline the need for an increased role for the Centre in sector and sub-sector studies to provide a framework for launching strategies and policy discussions between the financial institutions and the member countries. The important role of the FAO representations in providing specialist advice to countries is well-recognized and we would stress on an expanding role for the country representatives and for efforts to strengthen their offices.
Turning to Part Two and the in-depth reviews under Chapter Seven, we note the contribution of the sub-programme to rural development by expanding marketable products and income earning activities, improving the value of farm produce and promoting appropriate technologies and would call for increased assistance to developing countries in planning and programming investments and projects preparation in the field of agro-industries.
On Chapter Eight, Situation and Outlook, we would like to express our satisfaction on the improvements in the quality and coverage of both SOFA and the Commodity Review and Outlook. FAO's work on commodity intelligence has made a major contribution to the member countries and UN agencies within the framework of the ongoing multilateral trade negotiations, which merit our commendation.
In Chaper Nine, from paragraphs 9.44 and 9.45, we note the progress and difficulties in attaching more importance to fisheries management and the dangers of overfishing. We hope that the next meeting of COFI will be able to reach sane conclusions in this respect.
Chapter Ten, Forestry Training and Institutions, brings to our notice key efforts under this sub-programme in the context of the compilation of information and data collection on forestry manpower development institutions at the regional and national level through various surveys and studies. We also note the useful technical guidelines prepared and disseminated in the field of training curricula from a range of technical personnel, extension workers and policy makers. We feel that assistance to developing countries in reviewing and revising national forestry policies and related legislation is of high importance and needs to be further strengthened.
In the context of Part Three - thematic reviews of special topics - we have already spoken on the usefulness of these reviews. In terms of Chapter Eleven, on Policy Planning and Support, we note with satisfaction the allocation of thirteen percent Regular Programme resources between 1984 and 1987. In terms of outputs, we also note the several important global level efforts, particularly the ones on International Agricultural Adjustment Guidelines, Agriculture: Toward 2000, WCARRD and TFAP, etc. We endorse the need expressed to ensure greater harmonization of the institutional framework for policy planning both at national and international levels.
Finally, on Chapter Twelve on Conservation and Amelioration of Natural Resources, we commend the FAO on the work it has already done, particularly on promoting international agreements such as the International undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, Fisheries Management and Development, Code of Conduct on the Use of Pesticides and the TFAP. We also commend FAO on the introduction of procedures for environmental impact assessment of planned FAO projects.
Horacio Daniel FIGUEIRAS (Argentina): La delegación de Argentina desea expresarle su felicitación como Presidente de este Comité con la certeza de que su conducción llevará esta tarea a feliz realización. Felicitación que extendemos a los señores Vicepresidentes. Estamos también satisfechos por la excelente labor que llevó a cabo el equipo redactor del documento 89/8 en análisis hoy por la claridad y concisión que supo resumir la gran diversidad de temas del examen. Cabe destacar y apoyar la acción de FAO en la continuidad de los planes de trabajo a pesar de las reducciones presupuestarias de negativa incidencia en algunos programas. Nuestra
delegación encuentra algo artificial o quizá forzada esta discriminación analítica entre el programa ordinario y el de campo puesto que ambos son francamente complementarios y carecería de sentido un desbalance entre ellos. Por otra parte existirá una reiteración conceptual entre los diversos documentos que analizaremos en el transcurso de la Conferencia dada la superposición temática existente entre algunos de ellos. Nos limitaremos a expresar apoyo a los temas que nuestra delegación considera de interés más mirando al futuro que desde una posición crítica respecto del informe. Especial y favorable mención meritan las realizaciones de los tres programas principales técnicos sobre agricultura, pesca y montes así como el de apoyo al desarrollo y los PCT. Nos parece importante reforzar el criterio de apoyo directo que tiene el programa a las actividades de campo bajo la forma de asesoramiento y apoyo técnico a los Estados Miembros. En general a nuestro parecer la evaluación del programa en su vinculación con el de campo debería tener en consideración ya como un seguimiento sistematizado sus efectos en el impacto económico y/o de mejora en la calidad de vida local. Una suerte de antes y después en la comunidad.
Nos alarma por otra parte, la baja asignación de recursos para Latino América que suponemos altamente correlacionada con el valor que representa el PCT en su actividad de campo para la región. No obstante es interesante observar una tendencia a mejor en los aportes del PNUD y fiduciarios para proyectos de política y planificación para el programa ordinario en la región.
El programa agrícola, programa principal 2.1, nos parece fundamental en todos sus aspectos aunque alguno de sus componentes muestran dinámicas diferentes. Expresamos especial apoyo a las gestiones para la Convención Internacional sobre Protección Fitosanitaria y el Código de Conducta para la Distribución y Utilización de Plaguicidas.
La acción en ganadería debería promover más los sistemas silvopastoriles quizá como complemento permanente de las acciones del plan de acción forestal en los trópicos y los sistemas de pastoreo en zonas semiáridas. Algunos temas de biotecnología son alentadores en especial los de apoyo a la erradicación de antropozonosis o de sus vectores, brucelosis, garrapatas, etc. y los de estandardización de vacunas y métodos de diagnóstico, especialmente de aquellas enfermedades consideradas excluyentes por algunos bloques comerciales, caso de la fiebre aftosa, etc. Excelente nos parece la adecuación temática de la división conjunta FAO/OIEA. El plan de acción forestal en los trópicos ha demostrado su viabilidad y como modelo operativo y debería ser reforzado y no limitarlo solamente a los trópicos sino a todas las regiones boscosas y forestales. El programa principal 2.3 Montes y el subprograma 2.3.3.1 es uno de los más promisorios para generar mano de obra y asentamientos rurales puesto que la demanda de sus productos tiene una tendencia firme en el futuro. La actividad también avanza sobre la conservación y aprovechamiento de un recurso cien por cien ecológico. Especial apoyo nos merece el subprograma 2.1.2.6 Industrias alimentarias y agrícolas como intento de agregar valor local a diversas producciones primarias, así como el 2.1.7.2 Informador de commodities agrícolas y alimentarias mundial especialmente por medio del SOFA y situaciones perspectivas, publicaciones que intentan evidenciar con claridad el efecto de las políticas comerciales macroeconómicas sobre la producción y el desarrollo rurales.
Para terminar, señor Presidente, con esta exposición donde tratamos de seguir el orden del informe C 89/8, nos complace el firme y prudente ecologismo de los programas y que la FAO continúe hablando cada vez con mayor soltura de políticas si bien con el respeto expreso por las voluntades nacionales de sus
Estados Miembros. Apoyamos calurosamente los cuatro aspectos que tana en esta área: el normativo general, el de planificación zonal o regional como organizador de foros y servicios y la asistencia directa a solicitud de los Estados Miembros. Enfatizamos nuestra solicitud de que se institucionalicen lo más sólidamente posible las relaciones de la FAO con organismos reguladores del comercio mundial como el GATT, la IJNCTAD, etc. con otros componentes de Naciones Unidas relacionados, el PNUD, el ONUDI y otros, regionales como la OEA, el AIADI, el I ICA y financieros multilaterales u otros como el Banco Mundial, el Fondo Monetario Internacional, etc. a efectos de racionalizar recursos humanos y financieros que hagan a los fines y objetivos de la Organización.
Una reflexión final sobre la dinámica de la captación y distribución de recursos. Los programas de información, planificación mundial y regional, de apoyo, etc., deberían aún más enlazarse operativamente con estructuras funcionales de los países que cuentan con ellas (por ejemplo, universidades, institutos de investigación, organizaciones no gubernamentales de todo tipo, etc.), lo cual aliviaría a la FAO de algunos costos en estos programas.
En lo que hace a los países en desarrollo, es necesario un esfuerzo diferenciador entre aquellos de mayor capacidad de respuesta a la propuesta de FAO y los que la tienen menor. En este último caso, no sólo se trata de asignar mayor cantidad de recursos, sino también de interpretar en profundidad las causas del atraso y revaluar la acción del Organismo para adecuarlo a las necesidades y a la dinámica de esas comunidades.
Cornelius B. HOUTMAN (Netherlands): Allow me first of all to congratulate you on your election as Chairman. May I extend the same congratulations to the Vice-Chairmen of this Cormission.
Agenda item 12 reads "Review of the Regular Programme 1988-89". unfortunately, in the last biennium the Programme has not always been that regular as a consequence of the financial problems FAO faced in the period under review. Therefore, in discussing and commenting on the implementation of the Regular Programme we should realize that the Programme has been executed based on somewhat different financial assumptions.
My country is of the opinion that, given these financial circumstances, FAO has really done a good job. We do understand that parts of the Programme have not been implemented through lack of financial means, and we are convinced that the need for choice finds its origin in these financial problems. This is very topical for the whole Review process, and we shall certainly come back to this matter in the next few days.
It has been stated during various committee meetings that the financial problems have been tackled through cuts across the board in the implementation of the Regular Programme, with the result that clear priorities and posteriorities are not always easily identified. The priority of FAO in the field of training is obvious, and here the developments - as another delegation has already mentioned - are of concern also. In virtually all Programme areas training activities were reduced. This led to a reduction of 36 percent in the number of trainees. In our country the importance of education and extension is very well known, and my Minister of Agriculture touched on this point this morning when he made his statement in Plenary.
Extension and education have been so well known over a long period, and frana our own experience we would urge FAO to restore these activities to the required level as soon as possible.
As perhaps is known, we consider it important for FAO to give policy advice. Therefore, we welcome the increase in requests for this advice. But can all the requests be honoured?
There are other priorities we would like to dwell upon. Pesticides need our special attention with regard to environmental aspects.
The progress in the field of Prior Informed Consent is encouraging and we hope to find it soon in the Code of Conduct. Related to this is integrated pest management, and that plays an effective role in sustainable development, and the support for it is appreciated. We see that more priority is needed here and this attention to integrated pest management should not suffer from financial constraints. Work in the field of residue tolerances has great value with regard to possible trade barriers, and must continue. Secondly, biotechnology is supported from our side but only when activities in this field are not at the expense of further agricultural research. Thirdly, we consider rural development to be an important area in the field of FAO's tasks. Here progress has been made in a number of activities. The attention to extension of cooperatives, people's participation projects and the related training activities of FAO staff are appreciated. However, cuts in the field programmes for agrarian reform and land settlement are of concern to us. Their activities are of direct importance for food security.
In the COAG meeting, my delegation strongly advocated the importance of Women in Development. Therefore, I once again express our opinion that this programme deserves more attention than it has received during the period under review. In this context the assistance for training programmes and curricula has been reduced by cuts in personnel. This needs special attention. Finally, as regards fisheries, we welcome the attention to acquaculture development during the last biennium.
V.K. SIBAL (India): We are pleased to see you in the chair and we are sure that your skills and experience will help to steer the deliberations in this Commission on productive and fruitful lines. Wë would like to offer our congratulations to you and to your able Vice-Chairman, on whom you can depend to give you effective assistance in the discharge of your responsibilities. We would also like to take this opportunity to compliment Mr Shah on his very precise presentation of this item.
As regards document 89/8, we had the privilege of looking at it in depth as a member of the Programme Committee and our views are fully reflected in the Report of the Committee given in document C 89/LIM/17. We therefore have no hesitation in reaffirming our view and expressing our satisfaction over a job competently done by the Organization in spite of severe financial restraints, and over its prudent and efficient management of its programme within its truncated resources. The Review constitutes a crucial component of FAO's evaluation mechanisms. Wë are satisfied to note the improvements in its content and presentation over the years.
We welcome the innovations in the 6th Review under discussion, in presenting consolidated, quantative information over the period 1982-89 of key implementation outputs under the three major technical programmes, as also the additional information on interdisciplinary activities. It is, however, with some disappointment and regret that we note the effects of financial constraints over the past two years on programme implementation given in the Review.
The sweep, extent and range of these evaluative reviews is clear from the fact that, over the last twelve years, 40 percent of all the technical sub-programmes, and also eleven special subjects, have been evaluated and comprehensiively studied. We also note with approval the efforts made to further integrate key achievements of field projects connected with programmes, sub-programmes, special programmes and special teams in the areas of concentration in that document.
The Review we have before us is rich in information and analytical insights. We would encourage further effort to increase the analytical content of the document. We recognize that the Performance Report in Part one of the Review is in the nature of a monitoring exercise. The evidence in the document of the regrettable effects of budgetary cuts of US$ 45 million in the Programme of Work and Budget makes somewhat sorry and disappointing reading. The freezing of 115 Professional posts and the reduction of 7.1 percent in non-staff costs compelled by the budgetary cuts are a story of opportunities lost, assistance mated, technical expertise weakened and development needs not met or inadequately responded to.
The effects of these cuts in the crucial areas of training to support women in rural development, in technical backstopping and in meetings point to how and why the Organization was forced to reduce or eliminate certain essential activities in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. The pursuit of zero growth has hurt growth where it hurts most, though that may not have been persisted in. It has also made it difficult for FAO to effectuate orderly and coherent programming and implementation of the Regular Programme activities.
In the long term, the likelihood of the adverse effects of budgetary cuts on the technical capacity of FAO, as also the regrettable drop in quality material which may be available for publication in the future, is a source of worry and concern. However, we would like to compliment the Organization on its significant achievements, despite the stress of the financial situation.
In this context we recall with satisfaction that work on the comprehensive regional study on the Asia Region will be initiated in the next biennium. In response to the point made in paragraph 2.14 of document C/89/LIM/17, the evaluation in Part Two of the document give useful, frank and detailed comments. They identify the areas that need further improvement. Under sub-programme 2.1.2.6 on food and agriculture industries, we agree with the analysis pointing to the need for closer coordination both in-house and with other UN agencies, particularly UNDP.
On sub-programme 2.7.2 we welcome the progress in the improvement of SOFA and the Commodity Review and Outlook, the merger of the World Food Report into SOFA. We appreciate the work done under this programme in respect to the ongoing GATT negotiations. Sub-programme 2.3.1, regarding fisheries policy and planning, has allowed FAO to give valuable assistance to all relevant countries, strengthening self-reliance in planning and the management of fisheries. We appreciate the work done under the programme.
Sub-programme 2.3.3.1 forestry training and institutions: the programme has complemented effectively the work of the DFAB. However, the decline in the resources for the sub-programme, especially in respect of extra budgetary resources, is a matter of concern which we fully share.
Part Three gives an analysis of policy support and the environment, showing that these activities are major concerns of FAD. FAO has a long history of policy analysis and substantial resources have been devoted to such activities over the years. In this context 13 percent of the Regular Programme resources, representing US$ 82 000 000 which have been applied to support policy and planning activities over the last three biennia, show the priority which has been accorded to these activities, particularly when we keep in mind that an additional four hundred field projects with a total value of US$ 270 000 000 have been backstopped into this area. In this context it needs to be borne in mind that 40 percent of the field projects have received funding from TCP. We hope this will enhance and give a further edge to the acceptability of TCP towards those who are not such warm supporters of its growth as we are, considering the emphatic support for the work of FAO on policy advice which they endorse.
We find the contents of Chapter 5 on TCPs informative. Perhaps to a large extent, the number of pages devoted to the programme has a relationship with its non-programme nature and therefore the unsuitability of its relatively unstructured nature to the same system which is normal for the structured components of the Regular Programme. We agree on the need to adjust and adapt the findings of global and regional policy studies and strategies for specific problems, the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to planning and policy, and also the need for larger budgetary resources to support this programme. We are also in favour of the early involvement of FAO in structural adjustment work and for improving training on policy analysis by helping national institutions through FAO so as to increase national self-reliance in this field.
On the environment, we are impressed with the depth of information and analysis presented by FAO on institutional functions related to the conservation of national resources. FAO's activities in the environment span over nineteen programmes, and US$ 17 000 000 have been spent on this during the last three biennia. Although we are fully in favour of deepening FAO's role in this area, we also believe that FAO has a responsibility to build international awareness of the need for the provision of economic incentives, particularly in poor communities to support sustainable development measures. The need is seriously felt for the provision of external financial assistance for the support of global conservation to lower the financial impact of such conservation on developing countries, as also to offset the burden of integrating environmental concern with development projects. So far, the financial contributions in this area have been tardy as well as inadequate. In this context, the 1992 World Conference on the Environment is of special importance. We would encourage FAO to assume a key role commensurate with its extensive involvement in world sustainable development in the preparatory work of this Conference.
Srta. Mery HURTADO (Colombia): Permítame felicitarle en nombre de mi delegación. Conocemos sus calidades profesionales y su experiencia. Estamos seguros del éxito rotundo en la dirección de esta Comisión. Al Sr. Shah agradecemos su excelente presentación, pues ha servido para clarificar nuestros conceptos, para documentarnos y conocer más a fondo todos los temas que son de vital importancia en nuestra Organización. A la Secretaría, por los excelentes documentos, por su claridad y precisión.
Este sexto examen del Programa Ordinario confirma, en general, las valiosas realizaciones de la FAO y demuestra el cumplimiento de los Programas, dentro de los objetivos de nuestra Organización, e indica igualmente que toda esa importante tarea se ha llevado a cabo con gran eficacia.
Tal como dice el Director General en el prólogo, reconocemos que este examen ha ido mejorando a través de cada Conferencia, debido a que la Secretaría ha tenido en cuenta las observaciones y sugerencias de los órganos rectores.
Los representantes de Colombia lamentamos que todo ese esfuerzo del Director General y del personal de la FAO se haya visto considerablemente afectado por la crisis de liquidez que impuso drásticas reducciones en el Programa Ordinario en el bienio 88-89.
Es deplorable que esas desafortunadas reducciones en el Programa, hayan sido aplicadas notoriamente a la capacitación, que es uno de los aspectos más interesantes y útiles de la labor de la FAO.
Apoyamos plenamente el contenido del párrafo 79 sobre la función de la FAO en asesoramiento, en materia de políticas, a los Estados Miembros.
Si bien las decisiones políticas corresponden a la soberanía de los gobiernos, la FAO ha venido demostrando, con beneplácito de esos gobiernos y a su solicitud, que está en condiciones de asesorar muy válidamente a nuestros países para que adopten políticas y planifiquen adecuadamente sus actividades de desarrollo agropecuario.
Opinamos que deben continuar y potenciarse las misiones asesoras en materia de política y planificación, a que hace referencia el párrafo 82.
Los representantes de Colombia opinamos que este examen presenta, de manera muy adecuada, los resultados de las principales actividades del Programa Ordinario, sometidos a auto-evaluaciones por los directores de programas, las evaluaciones de programas especiales, la revisión de la Dependencia Común de Inspección y las evaluaciones por temas llevadas a cabo por misiones independientes.
En esa forma hemos podido analizar los logros del pasado, para hacer sugerencias útiles en cuanto al trabajo futuro de la Organización. Naturalmente, confiamos en que no sólo en el próximo bienio, sino en todo el porvenir de la FAO, no irá a repetirse la grave crisis financiera que, como se dice en la Introducción, "ha tenido efectos desfavorables generales que se observan a todo lo largo del examen".
La parte final de la Introducción, que habla de "cómo se ha afectado la capacidad global de la Organización que ha sufrido un grave revés, y la necesidad de tiempo considerable y esfuerzos intensivos para lograr la recuperación y ganar el terreno perdido", indica cómo han sido de funestas para la FAO esas reducciones y con cuanta preocupación se proyectan hacia el porvenir.
Esperamos que, durante la discusión del próximo tema en esta Comisión, se produzca una rectificación en el sentido de que se adopte un nivel de presupuesto aceptable, y cuyas contribuciones sean pagadas por todos los Estados Miembros, para evitar reducciones que afecten al Programa Ordinario.
Al concluir nuestra intervención sobre este examen, los representantes de Colombia deseamos reiterar una vez más nuestro reconocimiento a la FAQ por la forma eficaz, oportuna y valiosa cómo prestó su asistencia a Colombia dentro del Programa Ordinario, en el bienio que terminó, seguros de que también en el futuro la FAO continuará sirviendo muy adecuadamente a nuestro país.
Ibrahima KABA (Guinée): Je vous remercie et je vous félicite ainsi que vos deux Vice-Présidents pour votre élection à la tête de l' importante Commission II.
L'examen du document C 89/8 donne à notre délégation l'occasion d'adresser ses vives félicitations au Secrétariat pour l'élaboration d'un document bien présenté et fort riche en informations.
Nous sommes à prime abord, frappés par les répercussions très graves des contraintes financières sur la réalisation du Programme ordinaire 88-89.
Cette situation a provoqué une regrettable réduction budgétaire en particulier dans le programme de formation, dans celui du PCT, et a aussi compromis le renouvellement du personnel technique qualifié de notre Organisation.
Nous nous joignons aux précédents orateurs pour exprimer notre reconnaissance aux pays qui participent à la constitution des fonds fiduciaires. Le maintien de l'Afrique comme région prioritaire dans l'assistance de la FAO doit être fermement soutenu par une aide au développement plus conséquente de la part de la communauté internationale. Ainsi, sans ressources, la FAO est impuissante.
Pour revenir aux activités du Programme ordinaire, nous encourageons les travaux du groupe de travail sur la biotechnologie des végétaux. Ainsi, les travaux expérimentaux sur les méthodes d'amélioration de lutte contre la trypanozcmiase animale.
Le programme pour la prévention des pertes de produits alimentaires est une action dont le rôle est très important dans nos pays où il est indispensable de préserver et de rentabiliser le peu que le faible rendement des cultures permet d'obtenir avec les moyens du bord. Il faut donc renforcer le réseau subrégional pour la technologie d'après récolte du riz. Dans ce cadre, ma délégation remercie le Gouvernement italien dont le fonds fiduciaire permet la poursuite d'un tel programme en Guinée.
Concernant la représentation de la FAO dans les pays, il s'agit là d'une question d'importance capitale.
Le Guinéen en général connaît la FAO à travers la qualité du travail de son représentant.
Cela est certainement valable pour plusieurs pays de notre région. C'est pourquoi nous n'insisterons jamais assez sur les qualités professionnelles et sociales du représentant de la FAD.
Aussi nous adhérons parfaitement aux propositions et perspectives formulées à la page 120 quant à la diversification et la qualification des interventions des représentations FAO dans les pays.
En Guinée, le Gouvernement apprécie hautement la participation de la représentation qui se comporte en partenaire efficace.
Enfin nous espérons que l'examen des résultats du Programme ordinaire 1988-89 permettra à notre Conférence de tirer les leçons qui s'imposent en dotant la FAO des ressources nécessaires pour l'exécution intégrale du prochain programme de notre Organisation.
Carl THOMSEN (Denmark) : The Danish delegation would like to assure you of our full support and collaboration in your important task as Chairman of this Commission. We would also like to thank Mr Shah for his introduction to the document under discussion C 89/8 and the comments of the Programme and Finance Committees.
This introduction has indeed helped us get a better overview of the comprehensive and somewhat lengthy documentation which has been provided to us. We wish to express our appreciation to the Secretariat for the considerable and solid work which has gone into its preparation.
The Danish delegation shares the view that this is a very important background document which should form the basis of the following discussion of the Programme of Work and Budget in order that the lessons learned may influence the future Programme. At the same time it contains such a wealth of information that in some respects it will serve as a valuable reference document also.
In the interest of brevity and according to your wish, Mr Chairman, we will make only a few comments and suggestions of a more general nature. Firstly, as already expressed earlier in the Committee of Agriculture, my delegation accepts the fact that such reports on past activities tend to become very much quantitative in character. Nevertheless, we would like to urge that more and more qualitative aspects are introduced. The number of meetings, of courses and of trainees are not always a good measure of the results achieved. Secondly, as indicated in the foreword by the Director-General, the evaluations are especially important as a management tool to provide a feedback into future programmes and operations, as I have already referred to. We acknowledge that considerable efforts have gone into this already but would like to recommend that even more evaluations with external input be undertaken and reported upon similar to the separate evaluations of special action programmes which were put before the last Conference. Thirdly, like other delegations, we attach much importance to the interaction between the Regular Programme and the Field Programrme and consider that one of the important functions of the Regular Programme is to provide backstopping to the Field Programme. This may also be interpreted to mean that the size of the Field Programme should not be allowed to exceed the capacity of the Regular Programme for this backstopping. In our view, increased reporting on this type of interaction would be very desirable and should receive high priority in the future.
Lastly, as also stated in the foreword, there is obviously scope for further improvements in the implementation and presentation of the Review. In our view, a very important challenge would be to provide more information about how the lessons learned have been taken into account as a management tool in reorientating the work of the Organization and in the planning of its future programmes. As resources will always be limited compared to the demand for activities, the setting of priorities will inevitably lead to some activities being abandoned in order that other and new activities can gain support. In this normally very painful process the results of the Review can serve a most useful purpose.
Soumaila ISSAKA (Niger): Ma délégation se réjouit de vous présenter à son tour ses chaleureuses félicitations. Celles-ci s'adressent aussi aux deux Vice-Présidents.
Mon intervention sera brève. D'abord parce qu'il n'est nul besoin de reprendre les aspects positifs très nombreux des réalisations de la période 1987-89, en dépit des moyens relativement limités dont a bénéficié l'Organisation. Ensuite, parce que nous partageons beaucoup de commentaires qu'il nous a été donné d'entendre dans cette salle.
Nous allons nous livrer tout d'abord à une remarque d'ordre général. Beaucoup d'intervenants ont loué les améliorations apportées à la méthodologie du présent examen du Programme ordinaire. Nous nous reconnaissons dans cet avis. Cependant l'évaluation n'est évidenment point une fin en soi. Le Directeur général rappelle fort bien cela dans l'avant-propos consacré aux documents sous revue quand il indique que les éléments constituent des "instruments de gestion pour améliorer les prograrmmes et les opérations".
A cet égard, une attention accrue devrait être accordée à cet exercice de "feed-back". Nous considérons que la dynamique de suivi de l'application des enseignements de l'évaluation devrait être consolidée. Nous sommes persuadés qu'en tirant parti de toutes les améliorations possibles, basées sur le document C 89/8 et enrichies par les contributions pertinentes des délégations, on minimiserait les besoins fondés ou non, de recourir à des études spécifiques sur le fonctionnement de la FAO.
Ceci dit, nous voulons aussi formuler à grand trait quelques remarques particulières sur les volets PCT, Pêche et Protection des végétaux:
- le PCT: il nous semble que la volonté d'impliquer les ressources humaines des pays bénéficiaires n'est pas suffisamment probante. Il faudrait que les PCT soient mieux l'occasion de valoriser les compétences techniques dans les pays et aident à forger plus le potentiel d'expertise de ceux-ci.
- la pêche: nous soulignons l'insuffisance relative du programme en matière de pêche continentale et de pisciculture.
- la protection des végétaux: nous relevons que le programme présente quelques faiblesses sur le front de la lutte contre les sauteriaux. Or le binane prolifération des sauteriaux et conditions climatiques favorables ne serait pas une donnée nouvelle, car cette relation a toujours existé au Sahel de façon endémique. Par contre ce qui serait une réalité nouvelle, c'est la
pression exercée systématiquement et de plus en plus sur les cultures en raison de l'appauvrissement croissant du couvert végétal non agricole. Nous estimons que cette préoccupation devrait se refléter davantage dans la planification des programmes et opérations,
A.K.M. Fazley RABBI (Bangladesh) : First of all we congratulate you on your election to the chair. I take this opportunity to thank the members for the confidence placed in me by electing me to be the second Vice-Chairman of the Commission. I would like to assure you and the members of the Commission of my utmost cooperation in order to facilitate the smooth and successful functioning of the Commission.
Coming to the agenda item under discussion my delegation would like to thank the Secretariat for providing such an excellent comprehensive document, which is yet another example of the transparency of the management and the activities of the FAO. We also thank Mr Shah for his easy, lucid presentation of the subject. After an extensive discussion on the Review of the Regular Programme 1988-89 we would at this stage only like to put on record our appreciation for the format and structure, the content and the presentation of the Review, and also the innovations and successful implementation of the Programme. While doing so we express our disappointment about the Programme cuts and adjustments that had to be made during the biennium due to financial constraints. The budget cuts affected very important Programmes which I need not list again which have already been mentioned by several delegates, particularly in view of your warning for the night sessions, but we would like to mention about two specific points only; number one, FAO's support for food and agricultural industries which is of vital importance for developing countries, including Bangladesh, needs to be further extended. There is a need to cooperation with the Ministry of Industries to develop this area more. Secondly, it is gratifying that the FAO provides also policy and planning support to member countries; special projects like development of a policy framework for developing the seed sector could be an opportunity. Training programmes for those involved in policy analysis and planning could be another field where FAO could concentrate.
Since the Review should be an indicator and guidance for the future programme of work and as stated by the representative of Denmark, that we should utilize the lessons learnt from the Review, and what are the lessons learnt from the last Review, we think there is a need for fulfilment of Member Nations' commitment and so we would also like to urge upon all Member Nations to fulfil their commitments to the Organization and to the management to keep up and increase their vigilance in ensuring the relevance and cost effectiveness of FAO's programmes and operations.
Harmut STALB (Germany, Federal Republic of) (original language German): Mr Chairman I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election to the chair of this Commission. My delegation is convinced that lander your wise guidance we will be able to cope with the difficult tasks before this Commission in a spirit of tolerance and mutual confidence and our efforts will be crowned with success. My delegation would also like to congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen on their respective elections and we
would like to thank Mr Shah for the outstanding introduction of this document. Our delegation would like to thank the Secretariat altogether for this document on the Review of the Regular Programme biennium 1988-89, and I have now a few important points that I would like to highlight quickly.
We regret that the Programme has had to be cut in some important aspects because of the financial situation of FAO and that consequently the Programme of Work could not be implemented to the full extent that had been decided upon by the Twenty-fourth FAO Conference Session. Savings that have to be introduced after a decision has been taken can cause great damage to priority measures. This is particularly the case when, for instance, posts were frozen simply because they happenned to fall vacant.
In addition, we feel that the work load that has been performed by the professional staff responsible for backstopping of field projects has grown out of proportion. We feel that this is a trend that must be turned around. The Regular Programme is intended after all to fulfil the Organization's role as a leader in intellectual comprehension and analysis and this role will disappear if people are practically all the time busy backstopping field projects.
We have looked with particular interest at Part 3 of the Review which reports on FAO's policy advice and planning support of Member Nations and also the Organization's work on the conservation of the environment. The Report on these matters shows however that it is quite out of proportion to the priorities described in the Programme of Work and Budget 1988-89 which would seem to indicate that there is a trememdous need for information on these fields from Member Nations and information that has to be supplied by FAO.
You know well that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany attaches great priority to the preservation of tropical rain forests. We took part in the session of the CFDT in September 1989 and at that time we reported that the Federal Republic of Germany had made available in 1988 over US$ 145 million for this purpose. The Federal Government is maintaining the same level for the budget next year which means we will be in a position to enter into substantial financial commitment on a worldwide basis in this field. At the CFDT session our authorities also expressed the hope that there would be swift and effective implementation of the Tropical Forestry Action Plan under the leadership and coordination of FAO and in order to really stress the importance of this activity which is of vital importance for global climatic developments we have offered to the Secretariat of FAO trust fund resources. However, we feel that the coordinating work of FAO in the Tropical Forestry Action Plan is such an important part of the work of the Organization that in principle it should be the Organization itself which should be able to make available the necessary resources for the effective coordination, guidance and evaluation of these activities from the Regular Budget of the Organization, and we are also looking forward to having as soon as possible an up-to-date financial framework for the Plan of Action.
Andras SZABO (Hungary) : Having the floor for the first time let me associate myself with all the delegates who have congratulated you on your election.
Turning to our agenda item on behalf of the Hungarian delegation, first of all I would thank and congratulate the Secretariat for the preparation of the excellent document before us. The Review, due to its comprehensive and informative structure, enables us to evaluate the activities FAO performed during the last biennium and to draw some conclusions for future actions.
Having studied the document we are going to make the following few remarks : we welcome the innovative methods applied and the incorporation of new elements and data into the Report which not only improves the quality of the document, but also strengthens the integrated approach required for the right evaluation of FAO's activities. Within FAO's policy and strategy work on the global level Hungary gives high priority to the policy analysis and advice given if requested by FAO to the developing countries. Such assistance might take two forms. First, it may appear in the form of the elaboration of guiding principles for decision-makers in the developing countries and secondly, it may take the form of training planners or training the future planners in the field of planning.
In this context, the budgetary cuts for training purposes give rise to our deep concern. We are aware of the serious financial situation of FAO and the need for adjustments and new priority setting in its programme. Nevertheless, we consider that any further cuts in this area would bring about unforeseeable consequences. It would seriously impede the developing countries' efforts towards self-reliance based on sustainable development.
At the same time, we think that there is still much room left for FAO to make use of its experience from the lessons it gained in policy advice throughout its existence and to make this knowledge available for the developing countries in a more effective way.
The next issue I want to raise is environmental protection. It is needless to say how closely agriculture, forestry, fisheries or food production are connected with environmental issues. The Review reveals that FAO has taken up this challenge. However, we think that more interrelated actions are needed in all of its various programmes and subprogrammes with environmental implications. In our opinion, the developing countries, among them those in Europe, have gained lots of experience in the prevention, control and elimination of environmental damage in the field commensurate with FAO's activities. We would suggest FAO should study and summarize its experiences and make them available to the developing countries. It would be an excellent example how, among others, the results of East-West cooperation may have a positive impact on the processes in the developing countries, helping them to avoid the same mistakes we made before.
Last but not least, I want to stress Hungary's keen interest in FAO's active participation in the talks of the Uruguay Round of GATT. We are convinced that our Organization cannot be indifferent in the key issues of international trade in agricultural products. Its advice for the elimination of artificial barriers impeding trade in these commodities seems to us indispensable.
Mme Amina BOUDJELTI (Algérie): Il m'est tout particulièrement agréable de vous féliciter pour votre élection à la présidence de cette commission qui est connue pour ses débats délicats. Notre délégation est persuadée que, sous votre présidence, nos travaux seront couronnés de succès.
Permettez-moi également de féliciter et de remercier M. Shah pour la présentation claire et concise qu'il nous a faite ce matin.
Nos félicitations s'adressent enfin au Secrétariat qui nous a présenté un excellent document.
Tout comme bon nombre de délégations qui l'ont précédée, la délégation algérienne voudrait en premier lieu exprimer son souci de constater que le programme prévu n'ait pu être entièrement exécuté. Les réductions sur le programme, lorsqu'elles concernent notamment les activités de formation si utiles pour le développement durable et intégré de nos pays, sont particulièrement regrettables.
Il en est de même pour la suppression d'ateliers, notamment ceux prévus au Proche-Orient et en Afrique du Nord dans le cadre du développement et de l'amélioration des semences tel que relaté au paragraphe 1.54.
La délégation algérienne est toutefois consciente qu'en cette période si difficile en matière de ressources financières, le Secrétariat n'avait d'autre choix que de procéder à ces ajustements dans le programme; et ce, d'autant plus qu'en cette période de crise de l'économie mondiale qui les frappe de plein fouet, les pays du tiers monde ne peuvent apporter de contributions supplémentaires.
Dans ce contexte, la délégation algérienne félicite les Gouvernements italien, néerlandais et saoudien pour leurs généreuses contributions au Fonds fiduciaire, et a pris note au paragraphe 38 que la troisième d'entre ces contributions égale, avec 8 pour cent, l'apport de la Banque mondiale.
La délégation algérienne, qui s'est déjà exprimée récemment en faveur des PCT, tient à rappeler qu'elle souhaiterait voir augmenter leur niveau global. A ce propos, elle souhaiterait savoir s'il y a un lien de cause à effet entre le manque de liquidités que connaît l'Organisation et la baisse du nombre de projets exécutés dans le cadre du programme de coopération technique.
Mon pays tient à remercier le Centre ECLO qui, sous la direction de M. Pradel, a apporté un soutien efficace dans la lutte antiacridienne pendant la campagne de 1988. Certes, tout danger imminent paraît aujourd'hui écarté et la nécessité d'agir pourrait sembler moins pressante. Il n'en demeure pas moins que, compte tenu de l'expérience acquise en la matière, mon pays est en faveur du renforcement des activités à long terme prévu au paragraphe 1.48 afin de parer à la recrudescence des acridiens et autres ravageurs, notamment par la mise an place d'une station pour la surveillance et la prévision agrométéorologique à l'échelle régionale.
En outre, la délégation algérienne souhaite exprimer son intérêt pour le Grand Programme des forêts. Notre délégation encourage particulièrement le renforcement et le développement d'actions telles que celles décrites aux paragraphes 3.3 et 3.11 concernant respectivement l'intégration des arbres et des forêts en zone aride et dans les bassins versants de montagne, et la lutte contre les incendies de forêt.
A ce propos, notre délégation est très intéressée par le rôle du RNEA sous les auspices de Sylva Mediterranea tels que décrits au paragraphe 3.12.
Par ailleurs, la délégation algérienne encourage et approuve tout effort visant à l'intégration des femmes au développement. Et c'est avec satisfaction que nous avons relevé l'exécution d'un programme spécial dans le domaine des pêches en faveur des femmes au paragraphe 2.44.
Enfin, mon pays souhaite poser une question supplémentaire sur l'état d'avancement des études que la FAO devait entreprendre sur la situation d'une part des paysans palestiniens dans les territoires arabes occupés et, d'autre part, sur celle des populations d'Afrique australe conformément aux recommandations de la Conférence.
Notre délégation souhaite également obtenir des informations sur les actions réalisées en faveur de ces populations par la FAO.
David DRAKE (Canada): Permettez-moi de m'associer à toutes les délégations qui vous ont félicité ainsi que les deux Vice-Présidents du Comité.
My delegation welcomes the report prepared by the Secretariat on the Review of the Regular Programme for the Biennium 1988-89 and appreciates the scope and content of the Review. The Report points out that the Review of the Regular Programme forms an important part of FAO's evaluation system. We also welcome the continued efforts to improve the Organization's capacity for evaluation and monitoring as pointed out by the Director-General in his remarks contained in the Foreword section of the Report. Our views on evaluation are in line with those expressed earlier by the distinguished delegates of France and the United Kingdcm.
The Report, in our view, provides a good overview of FAO's major programmes in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Considerable attention has been focused on the impact of programme reductions. We regret that the budgetary cuts have affected, in particular, the key areas of training and the support to the enhanced role of women in development.
We are generally pleased, however, with the achievements in a number of areas related to three major programmes, despite the budgetary reductions. In the major programme of agriculture, my delegation would like to express its support for the work undertaken by the FAO/WHO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues in food and the environment. The efforts made to control the larger grain borer in Africa, the emphasis placed on the integrated approach to pest management and work carried out by the Emergency Centre for Locust Operations. In the livestock programme, my delegation notes the adoption of an integrated approach to the control of African trypanosomiasis, which may prove to be more cost-efficient. Importance is also attached to the work undertaken to the use of fodder trees in arid and semi-arid areas and the campaign for global eradication of rinderpest.
FAO's research and technology development activities deserve mention, including the installation of the Artemis Environmental Monitoring System, assistance provided to the Technical Advisory Committee of the CGIAR and the research undertaken on the application of nuclear techniques in agriculture.
FAO's work relating to rural development, along with nutrition, is also of significance, including the potential contribution of the use of CODEX standards as a point of reference in the context of GAIT negotiation on non-tariff barriers to trade. FAO's continued work in the area of agriculture information and analysis is of prime importance, including the progress made in strengthening the Global and Early Warning System and the World Agriculture Information Centre.
Implementation of FAO's fishery programme is in our view consistent with the objectives set in the World Conference on Fisheries Development and Management and in line with the objectives of the Canadian International Development Agency. We welcome in particular the priority given to environmental aspects related to marine pollution.
We join others in commending the FAO once again for the important role it has played in bringing the Tropical Forestry Action Plan to maturity. This Plan represented the primary focus of the Forestry Department's activities in the current biennium and we are pleased to note that this will continue to be the case in the coming biennium.
We agree with the point made by the delegate of the United Kingdom on the extent to which the Regular Programme Field Activities are clearly intertwined. We would also welcome a clearer picture in future documentation of the extent to which the activities undertaken are in direct support of the field programme.
Similarly, we associate ourselves with the concern raised by the delegation of Norway and Denmark on the limited information provided on the FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme activities, which account for a significant proportion of Regular Programme expenditures.
The in-depth review of four selected subprogrammes is once again a welcome component of the Review document. The role of agro-industry in promoting economic development is highlighted including activities undertaken in food processing and upgrading of food technologies and the efforts made toward the development of products from indigenous flour and composites. The need to strengthen coordination and cooperation with other UN agencies in this area is also noted. Under Situation and Outlook we are encouraged by the further steps taken to improve the quality and coverage of SOFA and the Commodity Review and outlook.
Last, but by no means least, the two subjects included in Part Three, FAO's Policy and Planning Support to Member Countries and FAO's Involvement in the Conservation and Amelioration of the Environment, along with introductions of environmental considerations in FAO projects and programmes, are timely, in that they relate to priority areas identified for the next Programme of Work and Budget as well as the Review of the FAD.
Increased emphasis on environmental impact assessment procedures, the intention to upgrade the Interdepartmental Working Group on Environment and the overall increased emphasis on environmental concerns are to be commended. As referred to by the distinguished delegate of France, we are fully supportive of the FAO's involvement in preparation for the Environment and Development Conference in 1992.
Issan Eldin MOHAMED EL SAYED (Sudan) (original language Arabic): First of all, may I congratulate you, Mr Chairman, on your election to the Chairmanship of this Commission. We would also like to congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen.
First, we would like to say how very satisfied we are concerning the content of the documents before us, and we would like to congratulate the Secretariat on the efforts they have made to improve the review through analysis, self-evaluation, which is characteristic of FAO's activities and which gives it the necessary dynamic approach.
We would also like to express our regret concerning the negative effects of the budgetary cuts which have been damaging to Programme implementation, particularly concerning the role of women in development and training activities. These cuts in programmes - in agriculture, fisheries and forestry - were also very damaging for those countries dependent on FAO's assistance in these matters.
I would also like to pay tribute to FAO on the efforts to develop natural resources. This has been done in full harmony with national and international efforts. This cooperation is extremely efficient because this is the basis of the improvement in the current situation, and it is the best method to put an end to desertification,
I would also like to welcome the increase which has been given to the Technical Cooperation Programme and to technical cooperation among developing countries. We hope that the budgetary allocations will remain at the levels they were in the past.
We would also like to express our satisfaction concerning FAO's support of policy and planning assistance.
Walid Abdel RABOH (Jordan) (original language Arabic): At the outset, Mr Chairman, I would like to congratulate you and the Vice-Chairmen on your election to chair this Commission. I would also like to thank Mr Shah for his clear and excellent presentation of the document under discussion.
Please permit me to support what was said previously by several of my colleagues as to the need to emphasize the training and research activities of the Organization. We also feel that there is a need to prepare a comprehensive regional study for the Near East region similar to those studies prepared for other regions, in view of the benefits that arise from them for the countries of the region.
The delegation of my country attaches special importance to the planning and policy analysis activities of the Organization, as well as the activities in the field of the conservation of the environment, especially under the present circumstances where agricultural policies and strategies are undergoing a re-evaluation and review process due to the economic adjustment process faced by a great many states. That is why we feel that increasing training courses and workshops in planning and policy analysis must be given high priority within the activities of the Food and Agriculture Organization. This is particularly important in order to develop and train national expertise in planning and policy analysis and in the field of agriculture, and in order to improve access to food.
The delegation of my country also sees a need to strengthen and expand the role of regional officers of FAO to enable them to carry out the tasks they are entrusted with in an appropriate manner.
Sra. Margarita LIZARRAGA SAUCEDO (México): Mi delegación se complace de verle presidir esta Comisión II. Estamos seguros que bajo su Presidencia podremos llevar a buen puerto nuestras importantes tareas. Mi delegación se empeñará con el mejor espíritu.
El tema que nos ocupa reviste gran importancia, ya que evalúa la ejecución del Programa Ordinario de nuestra Organización en el bienio que termina. Mi delegación se asocia a la constructiva declaración del distinguido Embajador de Francia, particularmente a las interacciones y papel del Progama Ordinario en relación con el Programa de Campo.
Felicitamos a la Secretaría por la presentación del documento C 89/8, cuya estructura e información contenida reflejan el progresivo mejoramiento. Consideramos muy importantes las evaluaciones en profundidad de algunos subprogramas contenidos en la Parte II y en los temas especiales de la Parte III, que han llegado al 40 por ciento de todos los subprogramas técnicos, además del estudio en detalle de 11 temas especiales.
Por lo que se refiere a la Parte I relativa al examen, la abordamos en un contexto en donde se mezlcan, por un lado, las expresiones de preocupación por la repercusión de la crisis financiera sobre la ejecución del Programa y, por otro, las felicitaciones por los numerosos logros en programas muy importantes.
Los documentos que analizamos nos permiten observar el impacto que los recortes presupuestarios por 45 millones de dólares han tenido sobre la ejecución del Programa, y que en 1988 habían provocado la congelación de 115 puestos de categoría profesional. Esta sangría necesariamente vulnera la capacidad de nuestro Organismo y contradice los pronunciamientos que hacemos por reforzarla.
La semana pasada, durante la celebración del Consejo, el Director General nos anunció que, dada la persistencia de la crisis, se había visto obligado a hacer recortes por 23 millones de dólares más, lo cual significa que, a estas fechas, el deterioro es mayor.
Haciendo una revisión rápida, en aras de la brevedad, expresamos nuestra preocupación en particular por los efectos de los recortes presupuestarios en la capacitación en los tres programas técnicos principales y en la premoción de la función de la mujer en el desarrollo rural. Así, también, en la reducción o eliminación de algunas actividades esenciales en los programas de Agricultura, Pesca y Montes. Coincidimos en la importancia del stoping técnico que nuestros países han tenido que sufrir durante este bienio. Coincidimos en la preocupación del Comité del Programa por el efecto negativo de los recortes, no sólo en este bienio sino en adelante, ya que esto debilita la capacidad del Programa Ordinario para responder pronta y eficazmente a las peticiones de los Estados Miembros que solicitan la ayuda de la FAO y que hacen imposible la continuación ordenada y coherente de la programación y ejecución del Programa Ordinario, y esto a su vez repercutirá en el apoyo a los proyectos de campo.
De otra parte, nos congratula que a pesar de las limitaciones de recursos experimentadas durante el bienio, se hayan conseguido importantes logros y que hayan surgido nuevas iniciativas en el ámbito de los tres programas principales técnicos.
En lo que respecta a la Parte II, concerniente al examen en profundidad de los cuatro programas, nos complacen los resultados alcanzados en el subprograma de industrias alimentarias y agrícolas, particularmente en el área de molienda de cereales indígenas, elaboración de frutas y hortalizas, especialmente porque se ha incluido la ayuda a varios países para planificar, programar y preparar proyectos de inversión para agroindustrias.
Respecto a su programa de situación y perspectivas, nos complace particularmente la contribución de la FAO en materia de información y análisis sobre productos básicos para las negociaciones en el ámbito del GATT.
Particular importancia reviste para México, ya que nos hemos beneficiado directamente, el subprograma sobre política y planificación pesquera, el cual ha centrado su atención en el reforzamiento de la capacidad nacional de planificación y ordenación de la pesca, así. como la inclusión de los aspectos socioeconómicos y ambientales de la pesca, la extensión acuìcola y el desarrollo de la acuicultura.
En lo que respecta al subprograma de capacitación a instituciones forestales, se ha prestado apoyo a unos 160 proyectos de campo, dando especial relevancia al subprograma sobre desarrollo forestal comunitario, que lamentablemente ha tenido que sufrir la reducción de recursos.
Nuestra delegación expresa su satisfacción por las evaluaciones en profundidad de los temas sobre asistencia en materia de política y planificación a los Estados Miembros, y por la mejora y conservación del medio ambiente natural e introducción de consideraciones ecológicas en los proyectos y programas de la FAO, donde se reconoció la importancia y complejidad que éstos entrañan.
Sra. Mercedes FERMÍN GOMEZ (Venezuela): Nunca como en este momento yo debo expresar mi satisfacción por verle a usted presidiendo esta Comisión, porque consideramos que su presencia al frente de la Comisión es una garantía de la efectividad y de la eficacia de los trabajos que podemos realizar en beneficio de la FAO y de quienes esperamos una mejor eficiencia en su trabajo.
Este examen que nos ocupa, con relación al desarrollo de los programas, es una nueva demostración de la eficacia de las labores de la Secretaría y de la capacidad administrativa del Director General que ha sabido, con una minúscula capacidad de presupuesto, hacer frente a todas o a la mayor parte de las necesidades que tienen los países que confían todavía en seguir adelante en las labores de la FAO. Sin embargo, podemos lamentar que tengamos que hacer frente a una disminución en estos recursos, y queremos llamar cordialmente a la buena voluntad de los países que han provocado esta disminución por no cumplir con sus cuotas para que lo hagan a la brevedad posible, porque son muchos los países que dependen de los recursos de la FAO para nutrir su presupuesto ordinario, a fin de que, en el futuro, podamos tener el cumplimiento de las aspiraciones de todos estos países.
Yo no voy a dedicarme a analizar punto por punto al programa, ya que los demás que me han precedido en el uso de la palabra lo han hecho perfectamente. Quiero sí puntualizar algunos asuntos que considero de la mayor importancia.
En primer lugar, quisiéramos hacer notar que los ajustes presupuestarios que están propuestos por el Banco Mundial y por el FMI no atienden verdaderamente al aspecto social, en el cual repercuten notablemente estos reajustes. Ellos, en el plano financiero, en el plano económico, no revelan los efectos que se producen en las comunidades que los sufren, y por esa razón sería de desear que en el futuro sean hechos con un criterio -lo digo con claridad- más humano.
La disminución de que hablamos en la participación del presupuesto de los programas de capacitación, especialmente en lo que se refiere al Programa de la Mujer, es otro de los aspectos negativos que nosotros podríamos anotar con relación a este examen que hacemos. Consideramos que es uno de los aspectos indispensables en el trabajo de la FAO, si es que aspiramos a hacer efectivo el desarrollo sostenido de que venimos hablando. Sin la participación de la mujer en el trabajo de sus comunidades, sin la capacidad de la mujer para que sea posible su integración al desarrollo en el medio rural, la FAO no podrá realizar a plenitud el trabajo a que está llamada, y que ha venido desempeñando tan eficientemente.
Otro punto, en el que queríamos hacer hincapié es en la posibilidad de que los reajustes que se han hecho en el Programa de Cooperación Técnica sean subsanados para el futuro, porque realmente éste es un programa que atiende las mayores necesidades de los Países Miembros y la cobertura que ha tenido ha sufrido, a consecuencia también de la disminución de los recursos que ha recibido la Organización.
Asimismo, hacemos notar las voces adversas al Programa de trabajo de campo. Nosotros consideramos que éste es un programa esencial para FAO, que el trabajo de campo es la base fundamental de todo el trabajo que puede realizar la FAO en beneficio de la asistencia técnica, puesto que es el primer paso para la obtención de la información directa in situ, a fin de que se puedan elaborar los programas de asistencia técnica. Uno de los oradores que me antecedió en el uso de la palabra hablaba de la posibilidad de revisar o de nombrar una especie de cuerpo externo que pudiera evaluar estos trabajos de campo. Yo pienso que tendría dos aspectos negativos: primero, contribuiría a aumentar los gastos de la Organización, que no puede cubrir ya los que tiene 2para el propio trabajo de campo. Un comité externo, tal como ha sido el Comité de Expertos que nos ha producido este examen costaría una cantidad agregada que disminuiría también los recursos de la FAO y, por otro lado, es muy difícil que las labores del trabajo de campo sean examinadas por elementos ajenos a la Organización, puesto que, de acuerdo con los datos de la FAO, son más o menos unos ciento cuarenta y cuatro programas los que actualmente tiene la FAO en trabajo de campo, lo que significaría un excesivo gasto en viajes, en traslados y además una multiplicidad en cuanto a la capacitación, porque cada uno de estos trabajos de campo implica una especialidad diferente. Por esa razón creo que no es viable la sugerencia que se hizo en esta discusión esta tarde con relación a este comité externo para estudiar los trabajos de campo.
El programa, en cuanto a la capacitación también de otros elementos, además de la mujer, para que puedan hacer más efectiva la labor de la FAO.
Y finalmente, quiero referirme a la necesidad de que todos los Miembros de la Organización puedan realmente cumplir con su deber de pagar oportunamente sus cuotas, a fin de que el inmediato presupuesto del bienio que se nos avecina pueda ser efectivo en mejores condiciones que el que actualmente examinamos,
Francisco ZAMARRIEGO CRESPO (España): Le felicito calurosamente por sus funciones así como a la Secretaría y al Sr. Shah por su presentación del tema.
A estas alturas del debate ya se han dicho muchas cosas y no es fácil no recaer en la redundancia.
El documento refleja mejoras sobre documentos anteriores similares y creemos que las agregaciones hechas en el Capítulo IV son muy oportunas.
Nuestra delegación lamenta que limitaciones financieras hayan obligado a reducir determinados programas, si bien estimamos que el trabajo realizado, en su conjunto, es plenamente satisfactorio. Hacemos votos, de todas formas, por que esas limitaciones financieras desaparezcan en el futuro y todos los países paguen regularmente sus cuotas. Entre las limitaciones, lamentamos especialmente la reducción en el Programa de Capacitación y en el apoyo para promover la función de la mujer en el desarrollo rural. A este respecto, nos remitimos a lo expresado en el documento C 89/LIM/17 en su punto 2.11 donde especifica las esferas más afectadas.
Esta tarde hemos oído al Presidente del Chad y del CILS su elocuente presentación sobre los problemas medioambientales.
La FAO ha desarrollado una valiosa contribución, especialmente desde mediados de 1970, pero creemos que este tipo de actividad debería ser incrementada en el futuro.
Muchos son los logros obtenidos, pero queremos resaltar especialmente lo avanzado en relación con los recursos fitogenéticos y la utilización de plaguicidas.
Existe un aspecto en el documento que creemos debería ser objeto de mayor análisis y clarificación en el futuro, y es en lo relacionado con las labores en apoyo al Programa de Campo y que se menciona en el documento. Es difícil cuantificar los recursos asignados a esta labor. La interrelación entre el Programa Ordinario y el Programa de Campo es evidente y por ello hay unas actividades que afectan a ambos y deben ser especialmente objeto de un mayor seguimiento.
El documento es rico como ya indicamos en la enumeración de objetivos cumplidos y cuyo cumplimiento no ha sido posible. Sin embargo, debería hacerse un esfuerzo suplementario en correlacionar esto con las asignaciones presupuestarias respectivas y el nivel de gastos efectuados.
Para terminar, deseamos expresar nuestro apoyo decidido al PCT y por ello nos alarma el descenso de proyectos aprobados en 1988 y el descenso de solicitudes, aunque en el párrafo 5.7 del documento, se atribuye al cierre del Programa ARPA.
Y.Y. AL-YOUSSFI (Kuwait) (original language Arabic): It is a pleasure for me to congratulate you and your assistants on chairing this important Commission. I should like to wish you luck in managing this work in order to finish all the items on our Agenda on time. As to the Review of the Regular Programme, my delegation has a few observations to make in order to air the view of my country.
First, we should pay particular interest to strengthening the Development Support Programme and the Technical Cooperation Programme because we have noticed a decrease in its resources of 12.8 percent, although it is particularly important to improve the skills of developing countries in agricultural production. Secondly, we should improve the interest in the conservation of natural resources and the Global Information and Early Warning System. Thirdly, the delegation of my country has noticed that there has been a decrease in the number of trainees by 36 percent, compared to the 1986/87 financial period. Training in the field of agriculture in developing countries is an important element in agricultural developments in general. We should also pay more attention to the Code of Conduct on the use and distribution of pesticides.
Fifthly, we should also give support to the fight against the desert locust, especially in emergency situations, and to the need to pay specific attention to a rapid information exchange and the provision of specialized technicians and also to focus on the need to carry out preventive measures for locust invasions and to continue prevention throughout the year. Sixthly, there is the need to pay attention to agricultural expansion and to the development of human resources, together with the marketing of agricultural produce, as an incentive for farmers to continue to work in agriculture and improve themselves, especially those in the developing world. Seventhly, we should pay attention particularly to the provision of technical support and information on fisheries, as well as paying more attention to aquaculture. We feel in Kuwait that this is particularly important. We should carry out development efforts for shrimp production. We were particularly pleased to find that interest has focused on the design of a small fishing boat.
Regarding forestry and the conservation of the environment and of natural resources, we feel that these activities should be strengthened either by increasing attention to them or by planting trees and forests and putting an end to those activities which lead to the destruction of forests and to desertification. As was said by the Representative of my own country in his statement last night, we pay particular attention to desertification due to the desert nature of Kuwait and because of the difficult climatic conditions there. Wë hope that all the countries will be able to pay their contributions in time.
Salim SARRAF (Liban) (langue originale Arabe): Je souhaite vous féliciter chaleureusement pour votre élection à la tête de cette commission. Je suis persuadé que votre compétence et que votre maîtrise du débat nous seront précieuses pour aboutir à l'accord général. J'aimerais également féliciter les deux Vice-Présidents à l'occasion de leur élection ce matin. Après avoir étudié le document qui nous est soumis, la délégation libanaise apporte au débat les points suivants.
Premièrement, nous ne prétendons pas commenter dans le détail les divers points contenus dans ce document qui sont aussi nombreux que primordiaux. Nous nous contenterons donc de marquer notre totale satisfaction et notre soutien à ce document ainsi que les propositions y figurant, dans le but d'améliorer l'action de l'Organisation. Il s'agit des améliorations du fond et de la présentation qui ont été qualifiées, je cite là une délégation, "d'uniques" dans leur portée, dans leur globalité et leur précision. Tout cela est tout à fait appréciable. Mous aussi, soit dit en passant, nous apprécions ces innovations et nous en félicitons le Secrétariat. Ce que nous estimons inopportun, ce sont les critiques persistantes, chroniques, dirais-je, dans la quête de je ne sais quelle perfection, ou de quête impossible. Ce sont des reproches tout à fait marginaux en comparaison des réalisations concrètes et de la portée de ces mêmes réalisations.
Deuxièmement, nous engageons donc tous les Etats Membres à s'acquitter de leur entier appui matériel et moral afin de rendre l'Organisation capable de s'acquitter des tâches qui sont les siennes, d'autant plus que nous avons remarqué des réductions nettes d'activités majeures traditionnelles de la FAQ telle la formation, entre autre.
Cette réduction a été imputée au retard de certains Etats Membres dans le versement de leurs contributions annuelles, ce qui s'est reflété négativement sur les activités primordiales de la FAO.
Troisièmement, nous estimons qu'il est nécessaire que l'Organisation participe à la mise au point de politiques et de planifications d'ajustement structurel en amont avec les agences financières pour que les prestations soient intégrées et, partant, plus efficaces. Je relève que la FAO est consciente de ce problème et je vous renvoie au paragraphe 87 du document.
J'en appelle aux autres organisations concernées par ce domaine d'être en phase avec cette approche.
Quatrièmement, il est bon d'insister sur les avantages que tirent les Etats Membres - et plus particulièrement les pays en voie de développement - des activités du PCT, qui d'ailleurs n'a plus à montrer son efficacité ni les avantages qu'il offre. Il n'en est nul besoin.
En effet, les pays en développement y trouvent un soutien véritable et disponible pour leur développement et leur modernisation. Aussi bénéficient-ils de la popularité qui est la sienne, ce qui nous incite à nous y attacher et nous efforcer de le promouvoir dans l'avenir.
ABU BAKAR MAHMUD (Malaysia) : Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this Commission. I will be very brief in deference to your instruction and I am confident through your wise guidance the Commission will be able to discharge its duties and responsibilities in a most efficient manner. May I also take the opportunity, Sir, of thanking the Secretariat for preparing a very comprehensive and informative Review document, C 89/8. The clear presentation given by Mr Shah of the Review provides for a complete understanding of the contents of the document.
My delegation has studied the document C 89/8 and found that the contents reflect a balanced picture of the Programme and activities prepared and undertaken for the biennium 1988-89 and I would like to compliment the FAO on having executed such a vast range of programmes for the benefit of Member
States, particularly developing ones. Despite the prevailing financial constraints the FAO has honoured its commitments in the interests of Member States which urgently require the Organization's expert advice and assistance.
Briefly, Sir, I would like to express my delegation's support for all FAO programmes, specifically FAO Regular Programme especially the following; the work on planned genetic resources, seed improvement and development programmes, or SIDP, plant protection, particularly that concerning the Code of Conduct on distribution and use of pesticides, biotechnology in the livestock sector, development of support communication and integration of women in development.
Lastly, Sir, I noticed the effects of Programme reduction are mentioned in respect of all programmes, presumably because of financial constraints and/or cancellation of vital FAO activities for the same reason. I think it is fair at this stage that Member States should honour their obligations to assist the FAO to correct this adverse financial situation.
Hideki ITO (Japan): Yesterday I noticed that the Chairman of the Conference asked us at the Plenary to refrain from congratulating him in the statements to save time. With high respect to you, Mr Chairman, I would like to obey Mr Kerin's advice since I believe this can be a step forward, though small, toward making the procedure of the Conference more efficient.
My delegation would like to present in this intervention our general view on this very well prepared document. FAO's Regular Programme activities range from technical assistance such as training, research, the collecting and disseminating of information and analysis, etc. In order to make such wide activities most effective in solving problems regarding the food and agricultural situation, it is vitally important to review their implementation and results periodically. This review process would also help in this Organization to implement its activities as effectively as possible within the limited resources available.
I would like to make comments on the first part of document C 89/8 which deals with the results of the FAO's main activities in general. I wish to congratulate the Organization on the improvement of contents and the useful information provided. However, regarding its publication activities I am concerned that they are not given enough financial priority. My delegation believes publication activities is one of the main aspects of FAO's role.
As to Chapter Three entitled Forestry, my delegation highly appreciates the accelerated formulation of the Tropical Forestry Action Plan. I would like to refer to my country's participation in TFAP. My Government has contributed US$ 390 000 a year to the national TFAP mission projects in 1988 and 1989 and actively participated in the missions to Cameroon, Panama and Tanzania, and in the round tables held in Honduras, Argentina and Peru. Furthermore, in 1988 a TFAP advisory meeting was held in Tokyo for the first time in Asia. My country is determined to continue to assist FAO in this programme.
With regard to Chapter Five entitled Technical Cooperation and Development Support, the issue of TCP is one of the topics most frequently raised by many delegations both in this Committee and also in the Plenary. It is really regrettable that the information provided in the Chapter on this important issue is rather scanty, as was pointed out by several delegations before me.
We would like to know, for example, what projects are being carried out through TCP and what are the achievements. Lacking this kind of basic information on the whole picture it is very hard to make any sound judgement on the issue. My delegation hopes that the Secretariat will provide us with sufficient information in its future documents.
With regard to Part Two of the document C 89/8, we would like to give our view on Chapters Seven and Eight briefly. With reference to Chapter Seven entitled Food and Agricultural Industries, my country stresses the importance of the promotion of agro-industries such as processing of crops in local areas and the introduction of biotechnology with a view to promoting employment, improving nutrition, improving trade balances of developing countries and ensuring food security. We fully support the FAQ's efforts made in this area and hope FAO will continue to play an important role and cooperate efficiently with other international organizations such as UNIDO.
At present, my Government is also carrying out economic cooperation for the agro-industry development in developing countries through bilateral channels such as technical cooperation and grants.
As for Chapter Eight entitled Situation and Outlook, in my country FAO publications such as The State of Food and Agriculture, The Commodity Review and Outlook and others are translated into Japanese and are utilized very widely. It would be more useful if these documents, covering a very wide range of agricultural crops, be published more promptly and timely. Finally, I would like to hope for the Secretariat's continued efforts in this Regular Programme Review and its further improvement.
Garry SOARES DE LIMA (Brazil): Let me first express the satisfaction of the Brazilian delegation to see you chairing this meeting. I would also like to congratulate Mr Shah for his clear and comprehensive presentation on introducing the subject under discussion.
Due to constraints of time, instead of making general remarks about document C 89/8 my delegation prefers to express its full support to the previous statements on this matter made by the delegations of Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Nevertheless, I would like to make some specific comments dealt with in Chapter Five of the document concerning the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme. Brazil attaches great importance to FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme as it has been mentioned on many occasions by my delegation and we think it must be strengthened and expanded.
We agree that these activities must be implemented at the request and in accordance with the Member Governments' priorities and in conjunction with those government authorities so as to avoid duplication with other cooperation programmes. In this sense we consider that strong coordination must exist between FAO's cooperation programmes and the ones implemented by other multilateral organizations. This coordination becomes even more important now that we, from the developing world, are facing difficulties resulting from budget constraints and the scarcity of resources for multilateral technical cooperation activities. Another coordination aiming at, among other things, a rational utilization of resources would benefit all parties involved in this process.
Although TCP was created as a mechanism to provide quick answers to specific and/or emergency situations, in my delegation's opinion this characteristic would not be affected if a kind of planning process could be established in order to give government authorities a more effective instrument in support of each country's developing needs. I believe that similar remarks were made this morning by the distinguished delegate of Norway supported by the United Kingdom and we would be glad if the Secretariat would give due attention to the concerns expressed on the matter. We think that a well planned TCP process, together with the standardization of the project procedures and documents, would give greater impact to a country's development efforts and could also encourage other countries to make additional voluntary contributions for its implementation.
We also think that the Field Office should be strengthened in order to expedite and provide more efficiency and effectiveness to a project's approval and implementation process. However, these processes should also be accompanied by the strengthening of the coordination that must exist within government authorities in this area. It will be of little use for governments to have a strong FAO Field Office acting in parallel to its directives and priorities for technical cooperation. If Field Offices are strengthened and cooperation with governments could be met, TCP and other FAO activities would benefit from it. It would also help the implementation of government executed projects since the conditions would have been settled for a smooth interaction between FAO and local governments. In this way the Organization could playf in a more efficient way, one of its major roles, that is, to provide technical assistance to member countries.
Dragol jub DIMITRIJEVIC (Yugoslavia): Allow me to express, on behalf of the Yugoslav delegation, our congratulations for your election to the chairmanship of the Commission.
The Yugoslav delegation supports the proposal of the Regular Programme 1988-89, aware of the fact that the implementation of the Programme of Work adopted at the previous Conference was greatly aggravated, primarily, due to the financial crisis which was the result of the delayed payment of contributions to FAO by the major contributors.
In spite of the financial crisis the realization of the Regular Programme was very successful. Although some activities were suspended or postponed by the austerity plan, although many vacated jobs remained so and the number of administrative workers was reduced to a level which seriously threatened the normal functioning of the Organization, the Regular Programme was successful in effectively implementing the set strategy, objectives and priorities arising from the needs of the member countries.
Giving careful consideration, before all, to the substantial programmes, the programmes on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it is evident that the selected priorities were consistently observed. Unfortunately, the effects of the financial crisis were left in a number of fields, for instance the training of agricultural personnel, where the number of those who attended training courses decreased by 36 percent as compared to the period 86-87. Similar effects were registered even in the implementation of the most important activities, such as the undertaking for plant genetic resources, assessment of economic losses due to the soil erosion, etc. Regardless of that, the fact that up to March 1989, 87 countries joined the International
Undertaking for Plant Genetic Resources and 24 countries are ready to put at the disposal of the international community collections of germ plasm is encouraging. I would like to point out that Yugoslavia has joined the International undertaking for Plant Genetic Resources this year.
Likewise, the development of the central geographical information system is continued, and guidelines have been issued on the planning of soil utilization, etc. In the field of animal husbandry, biotechnology is a new field of activity. In other fields as well, for example, in research and technological development, rural development, nutrition, much has been achieved. Of particular importance is the initiation of the concept of the World Agricultural Information System as well as the continued activities on the World Agricultural Census in 1990.
The situation is similar in the field of fisheries. Although activities on the follow-up and implementation of five action programmes have been continued, the financial crisis resulted in the cutting down of many activities. Accordingly, 24 sessions and meetings scheduled for 1987 were postponed for the period 88-89.
Programmes in forestry were in a similar position, although in spite of the crisis many programmes were successfully continued, before all the Tropical Forestry Action Plan, and programmes on forest resources, and the environment, forest industry and trade, investment and institutions in forestry, etc.
Although all these cuts did not result in substantial modifications of the Organization's programmes, the overall downward trend was evident in the decrease of the total number of activities.
At the same time a number of technical and organization innovations was introduced.
The Yugoslav delegation fully supports the establishment of the World Agricultural Information Centre, Tropical Forestry Action Plan, expansion of activities for the inclusion of environmental protection measures in agricultural policies and technologies, actions of direct technical and financial assistance to developing countries through programmes of technical cooperation and other FAO activities.
On behalf of the delegation I wish to underline the quality of two specially elaborated fields : firstly, Review of FAO policies and support to member countries and secondly, conservation and improvement of the environment and the inclusion of these issues into FAO programmes.
In conclusion, I should like to give credit once again to the Organization for the comprehensiveness and analytic quality of the prepared Review.
Alberto DE CATERINA (Italy): The Italian delegation hopes that you consider our congratulations to you and the Bureau as implicit. We wish also to assure you of our full cooperation for the successful completion of the work of this commiission. We are also grateful to Mr Shah for his brief but exhaustive presentation. Under Item 12 we have under our eyes the document prepared by the Secretariat for the sixth Review of FAO's Regular Progranme. It is now ten years since 1979, since this kind of document has been introduced and
obviously its format and context have steadily improved, gaining experience from their impact with both Council and Conference. We think that this year also the Secretariat has performed a good job, notwithstanding the difficulties that all of us know very well.
In Part One of the C 89/8 document my delegation was particularly interested in examining Chapter Four, which has been introduced this year to present together all the performance data base related to the activities of the three technical FAO Major Programmes. As it is well-known FAO is an animal with three legs: agriculture, fisheries, forestry. This chapter Which contains data referring to the last three biennia is and will be, I am sure, a very useful tool for member countries. It will render this document useful also in the years to come since it gives us a good point of reference.
Another chapter which attracted the attention of our delegation is number twelve in Part Three. We share the importance of the increasing role of FAO in supporting member countries for conservation and amelioration of the natural environment. We are also convinced that the introduction of environmental considerations into FAO projects and programmes is of utmost and paramount importance.
In view of the late hour I will limit myself to these two main observations for the sake of brevity and also not to repeat what many other delegations have already said in a very adequate manner.
Tommie SJOBERG (Sweden): I would like to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the Commission and I would like to congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen on their elections.
At the outset I would like to commend the Secretariat for document C 89/8. The document is descriptive and provides good information of on-going activities of the Regular Programme. The format and structure of the document deserves appreciation. The Summary is comprehensive with extensive references to the following chapters and paragraphs which make the document easy to read.
However, when reading the document I agree with the Director-General that there is scope for further improvement of the evaluation processes, including the Review of the Regular Programme, especially as to evaluation as a management tool for feedback into future programmes and operations and as a means for the Member States to consider future activities.
To attain this, the results of the Review now presented might, in the opinion of the Swedish delegation, have led to more clear-cut conclusions as to future policy. Likewise we would have liked to see more explicit accounts for the progress and achievements of the Major Programmes - Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This would have made it easier for us to make the correct assessment of the need for future actions.
As is said in the document, the Review highlights the effects of the financial crisis on programme implementation. The approved programme for 1988-89 has not been implemented fully due to a lack of resources. Many important activities have been cancelled or postponed during the biennium. Important and even unique publications have been deferred or suspended. The list of the results of budgetary shortfalls in executing the planned
activities is carprehehsive. Thus, some tough decisions have been made by the Secretariat. However, the Director-General has not informed the Member States according to which criteria or priorities these decisions have been made. There is a need for clarification on this.
In recent years, Sweden has advocated the need for FAO to strengthen the priority function of the Organization in collecting, analysing, interpreting and disseminating information on food and agriculture. FAO has an important role as an international centre of information in the field of its competence. Chapter Eight gives many examples of the effects and impact of the information disseminated by FAD. Swedish authorities attach great importance to this kind of information. Further elaborated, it might be useful in the international machinery.
The Swedish delegation has read Chapters Eleven and Twelve with great interest. In our opinion the lessons which have emerged from FAO experience in policy and planning, which are accounted for in paragraphs 11.123-11.124, might form the basis of further strengthening this priority function.
As to Chapter Twelve, we cannot see how and in what way environmental consideration has been integrated in different programmes as an overall objective. Furthermore, it is a weak explanation in paragraph 12.150 that the progress has been gradual due to the limited interest shown by donors in recipient countries. FAO has a control position as to environmental issues concerning agriculture and should therefore more accurately take initiatives and put forward proposals to decision-making bodies.
Finally, the Swedish delegation welcomes the proposed upgrading of the FAO Inter-Departmental Working Group which might enhance the inter-disciplinary approach and strengthen the coordination between the different FAO units as well as other UN agencies dealing with environmental activities.
Marcos NIETO LARA (Cuba): Permítame felicitarle, señor Presidente, por su elección, con la seguridad de que la conducción de estos debates nos van a traer momentos de trabajo muy útiles, pero también momentos de alegría por la contribución que todos sabemos que usted hará. Saludamos también a la Secretaría y, en particular al Sr. Shah, por la presentación excelente de este tema, cosa que es habitual.
El prólogo del Director General y el párrafo 1 del documento C 89/8 constituyen en sí una síntesis completamente válida para el análisis que nos proponemos en esta reunión. A pesar de los problemas de falta de liquidez y los problemas presupuestarios que viene acusando la Organización desde hace tres bienios, nos complace ver que la Secretaría ha introducido mejoras satisfactorias que merecen nuestro reconocimiento y apoyo, pero no vamos a extendernos en los asuntos financieros, que serán examinados en extenso en próximas sesiones de esta Comisión.
Nuestra delegación siempre ha venido apoyando y poniendo de relieve la importancia del Programa de Cooperación Técnica, y hoy, cuando examinamos este documento y los resultados concretos de este Programa, constatamos que las razones que tenía el Director General y todos aquellos países que de manera decisiva apoyaron firmemente la creación del PCT y su ulterior
reforzamiento se han visto coronadas con resultados satisfactorios. Nos complace mucho saber que el 75,9 por ciento se halla destinado a los programas principales y prioritarios y a la satisfacción de las necesidades de los Estados Miembros.
Por otra parte, observamos con satisfacción el apoyo que ha brindado el Programa Ordinario al Programa de Campo y cómo estos dos programas se van interrelacionando, contribuyendo a mejorar la eficacia de ambos, lo que se concreta en una mejor aplicación de la asistencia de la FAO a los Estados Miembros.
El examen particular del apoyo de la FAO en materia de política y planificación a los Estados Miembros y también el apoyo para la conservación y mejora del medio ambiente, constituyen una información extraordinariamente útil para todos ellos, y convendría que se ampliara en exámenes futuros. Merece destacarse el apoyo que brinda la FAO por intermedio del Plan de Acción Forestal en los Trópicos, y ello es una extraordinaria posibilidad para mejorar el medio ambiente mundial, con beneficio para todos sin excepción. Este Plan está siendo ya una realidad para poner remedio al deterioro creciente de nuestros recursos naturales y merece que su capacidad de gestión se aumente para cubrir las múltiples y diversas demandas y necesidades.
Es lamentable reconocer que la falta de liquidez afectó sensiblemente a todos los programas, pero más gravemente a la capacitación, según se consigna en el párrafo 3, y también en lo que hace al Programa de Incorporación de la Mujer al Desarrollo.
Señor Presidente, usted pidió brevedad y voy a concluir. Nuestra delegación apoya en toda su extensión el examen del Programa Ordinario, pero ciertamente es un examen del pasado. Creemos que el énfasis debemos ponerlo en el porvenir, cuando examinenos el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para el bienio 1990-91 y adoptar medidas para eliminar las lagunas y corregir las deficiencias ocurridas en 1988-89 por causas ajenas a la FAO.
Igor MARINCEK (Suisse): Je tiens d'abord à vous féliciter de votre élection à la présidence de cette commission, commission très importante pour le résultat de la 25ème Conférence. Mes félicitations vont aussi aux deux Vice-Présidents. Je remercie Monsieur Shah, de son introduction dans le document C 89/8. Celui-ci est riche en détails. Il est descriptif mais il ne peut pas encore nous satisfaire pleinement. Il ne nous donne pas une indication claire sur les activités qui ont été un succès et celles qui sont restées sans impact notable. C'est donc assez difficile pour nous de tirer des conclusions claires pour le programme de travail proposé pour le biennium 1990-1991 sur la base des informations présentées dans le document.
Cependant le nouveau Chapitre 4 nous donne quelques informations quantitatives, et c'est un progrès que nous saluons. Mais là aussi les informations restent très limitées et ne permettent que des conclusions partielles. Aussi nous souhaiterions trouver dans le document une appréciation qualitative des résultats obtenus pour les activités décrites.
Nous sommes contents de trouver dans le Tableau 4,1 les dépenses du Programme ordinaire en 1988 dans le programme 2. Nous aimerions trouver également ces chiffres, ainsi que des estimations correspondantes pour 1989, dans le document sur le Programme de travail et budget car ils nous permettraient de voir quelle est la base de programme effective.
Comme ma délégation l'a déjà remarqué à plusieurs reprises, nous constatons qu'il y a pléthore d'activités relativement peu inportantes et trop éparpillées. A notre avis nous devons trouver une meilleure concentration des activités. Je rappelle à ce sujet que les experts chargés des examens de la FAO ont fait des propositions qui vont dans le même sens. Nous trouvons dans le document dont la FAO dispose 73 bases de données informatisées. Nous les avons additionnées, on ne trouve pas le chiffre. Une certaine concentration de ces bases de données améliorerait la transparence dans ce domaine si vital de l'Organisation, et assurerait une meilleure comptabilité entre elles. Quand nous cherchons par exemple des chiffres de production dans différentes publications de la FAO nous trouvons souvent des chiffres contradictoires. Une meilleure concertation améliorerait la valeur de ces données pour l'utilisateur. J'aimerais également signaler qu'il existe encore des lacunes dans les statistiques socio-économiques au niveau des pays. Il est par exemple difficile de trouver le nombre des affamés par pays et leur part respective dans la population urbaine et rurale.
Nous espérons que le nouveau projet du centre mondial d'information agricole, appelé WAICENT en anglais, apportera des améliorations dans ce domaine. Nous considérons en effet que l'information est une base indispensable pour le travail d'analyse de la FAD.
Nous savons tous que la FAO a connu et connaît toujours une situation financière difficile. Elle a donc dû réduire certaines activités. Le document ne nous donne cependant pas une idée très claire de ce qu'ont été les critères pour ajuster tel programme plutôt qu'un autre.
Concernant la baisse des cours de formation, baisse qui est partiellement regrettable, nous constatons que la diminution du nombre des participants a été plus forte que celle du nombre des cours offerts, ce qui ne va pas dans le sens d'une utilisation plus efficace des ressources.
Finalement j'aimerais dire quelques mots au sujet des activités de soutien aux Etats Membres en matière de politique et de planification. Dans ces activités, l'élément qui nous intéresse le plus est l'assistance au niveau des pays. Nous en avons parlé dans notre déclaration générale et nous nous réjouissons que de nombreux pays en développement demandent un renforcement de ces activités. Nous aimerions encourager la FAO à augmenter massivement son action dans ce domaine. Il s'agit d'aider les pays à mieux se rendre compte dans quelle mesure leur politique favorise effectivement la réalisation des objectifs que nous nous sommes donnés tous dans le préambule de l'Acte constitutif de notre Organisation, à savoir l'élimination de la faim, de la malnutrition et de la pauvreté.
Je remercie en passant le Secrétariat d'avoir reproduit ces objectifs sur la page de couverture du document. Ce texte nous engage à porter un regard ouvert sur nos politiques et nos résultats en la matière. L'assistance aux pays dans l'analyse et les conseils en matière de politique agricole est une contribution très précieuse que la FAO est appelée à apporter aux décideurs politiques.
Dans ce contexte, nous considérons qu'il serait souhaitable de donner au PCT une orientation plus claire, par exemple en l'utilisant pour financer ce genre d'activités. Ceci permettrait aussi de renforcer les liens entre programme ordinaire et programme de terrain, et je me félicite des propositions très constructives du délégué du Brésil concernant une meilleure planification du PCT.
Finalement, comme le délégué de la France l'a rappelé ce matin, il faut que la FAO améliore nettement ses capacités dans le domaine de l'analyse et des conseils en matière de politique agricole si elle veut être à la hauteur de cette tâche si inportante. Il s'agit aussi de chercher une coopération étroite avec le PNUD. Merci M. le Président.
Taghii SHIRVANIAN (Iran, Islamic Republic of): On behalf of my delegation I express my profound congratulations at seeing you in the chair and also extend my congratulations to Mr Shah, who brought us a clear statement of the subject.
The document before us contains a view of all the activités which have taken place during the last biennium 1988/89. My delegation is completely satisfied with the arrangement of priorities and other aspects of the report.
I think the last biennium experience could be a useful criteria for the future programmes. Because of the financial problems for the current biennium the programme contains cuts in some very needed items. With the reports made in the Council sessions and decisions taken on the financial dilemma, we expect more sophisticated programmes and implementation for the next biennium.
I guess the TCP programmes, which play a crucial role in the promotion of developing countries, should be enhanced and strengthened to the highest possible degree. The developing countries are badly in need of training and professional education but regrettably this important item has not attained sufficient priority.
The forests are getting destroyed extensively but forest rehabilitation and reafforestation are not sufficient to compensate for 11 million hectares of deforestation yearly, as mentioned by His Excellency, Mr Saouma, yesterday.
The desertification of 6 million hectares of arable land in the last two years is alarming to those responsible for world food and agriculture.
When assessing regional outstandings, priority should be allocated more logically. Political matters and internal conflicts within the country should not have any effect on those priorities.
Finally, as one of our colleagues mentioned this morning, my proposal is that the activities carried out by FAO - particularly those with higher investment and importance - should be quantitatively evaluated and the results considered and used for further improvements in the forthcoming programmes.
LE PRESIDENT: Avec cette intervention nous venons d'achever la liste des intervenants. Je dois avouer que je suis moi-même surpris de la vitesse avec laquelle vous avez pu intervenir, et grâce à cette vitesse nous avons pu terminer le travail pour ce soir.
Il est 19 heures, l'Australie n'était pas inscrite, je crois que je me suis avancé trop tôt. L'Australie demande la parole, nous lui cédons la parole.
Paul Richard BRYDEN (Australia): I hope I can let you continue to rejoice by being very brief. You will understand that I feel somewhat constrained to heed the views of the Chairman of the Conference regarding the issue of congratulations which are, of course, implicit if not stated.
Further, in view of the hour, and in deference to your request for brevity, I would ask your permission to incorporate my delegation's full statement directly into the verbatim records. At this point I would simply state that my delegation associates itself with the thrust of the remarks made by a number of delegations, in particular the United Kingdom, noting the interrelationship of the Regular and Field Programmes; the importance of priority setting and the need for systematic selectivity; evaluation, vital to the proper functioning of the Programme; the value of multi-disciplinary approach based on geographical structure; the importance of country analysis; and, finally, the importance of maintaining the quality of TFAP activities.
LE PRESIDENT: Merci beaucoup pour la brièveté. En tous cas votre intervention sera portée à notre procès-verbal.
Paul Richard BRYDEN (Australia): The report C 89/8 is comprehensive and well prepared in terms of providing a description of the work undertaken by the Organization during the 1988/89 biennium (to about mid-1989 as the Review was published around September 1989):
- it demonstrates the diverse and often complex nature of the work carried out by FAO within its mandate
- but it does not in many cases provide a clear assessment of performance of Programmes against their objectives or effectiveness and efficiency in implementation
..for instance there were numerous training and policy workshops held but little is said about their value or results. Also, from our reading there is very little evidence of programmes that are completing or of major shifts in programmes to reflect changes in priorities or re-evaluation of activities.
We appreciate that it is a very difficult task to compile a report which adequately assesses all the various and different activities within the Regular Programme of the Organization and we recognize the improvements that have been made in presentation of the document since it was first produced.
- the new Chapter 4 which provides the statistics on the activities of the Technical and Economie Programmes is useful and Part 3 of the report which assesses work by FAO with regard to Policy Planning and Support and Environmental Issues is a valuable aid to help members in discussing future priorities and objectives for FAO in these areas.
We are concerned at the effects that the current financial constraints facing the Organization have had on the implementation of the Regular Programme
- we would again urge all members with outstanding contributions to pay their obligations promptly to the Organization
- while noting the specific effects that the funding shortfall has had on implementing individual programmes, the review document does not explain the reasoning for deciding on which areas to be cut back. There appears to have been a general cutback in some areas and presumably in others an assessment was made against the priorities and objectives for the Programme
..this should be set out clearly for members' information.
Part 2 of the report describes in-depth reviews of four subprogrammes. We welcome such reviews but feel that more in-depth studies need to be done if members are to be able to make adequate and timely judgements about FAO's work. FAO says that they have covered 25 subprogrammes in depth over the six editions of the Review, a period of ten years
- this does not seem adequate when you consider that there are, for example, over 100 subprogrammes within the Technical and Economic Programmes Chapter of the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 1990-91.
No doubt it could be argued that resource constraints prevent more reviews. It seems to us that where resources are limited the need for rigorous evaluations is that much more critical.
We would hope that the :recommendations of the SJS Report on the Review of FAO as they relate to the Regular Programme will be endorsed by the Conference and implemented promptly to strengthen the operation of the Regular Programme and thereby improve the effectiveness and efficiency of FAD. 1/
The meeting rose at 19.00 hours
La séance est levée à 19 heures 00
Se levanta la sesión a las 19.00 horas
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1 Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
