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72. In reviewing the Programme Evaluation Report 1998-99, the Council stressed the importance of evaluation in improving the relevance and cost-effectiveness of the Organization's programmes and operations. In particular, it highlighted the need for the integrated use of evaluation in programme planning and the budgetary process so that evaluation assessments provide feedback to management for improving programmes and also for deciding on their future.
73. The Council welcomed the Programme Evaluation Report 1998-99 as informative and useful, and agreed with the views of the Programme Committee on the several improvements made in this version, particularly in enhancing the interaction between the evaluators and programme managers and senior management as well as a greater use of external expertise, including through external peer reviews. It also endorsed the Programme Committee's observation, nonetheless, that individual programme reviews and evaluations in the report tended to be too long and descriptive, with insufficient systematic analysis of effects and impact of the programmes. The Council encouraged further efforts by the Secretariat to enhance the analytical quality of various evaluations towards this end, including a more systematic approach in the use of the assessment criteria and in the coverage of the Organization's thematic priorities, such as gender concerns.
74. The Council recognized that the introduction of strategic planning and the new programme model was expected to provide a more conducive environment for result-oriented evaluation, and noted that the Programme Committee was to review proposals for enhancing FAO's evaluation system at its September session this year. In this regard, some Members requested that the Secretariat make recommendations regarding the continuation or discontinuation of programmes based upon defined criteria.
75. The Council generally appreciated the implementation performance under the programmes covered in the Report, and endorsed the Programme Committee's views on the main conclusions and recommendations for these individual programmes.
76. On this basis, the Council agreed to transmit the Programme Evaluation Report 1998-99 to the Conference for its approval.
77. The Council welcomed the introduction of the new programming framework, which had been applied to all activities under Chapter 2: Technical and Economic Programmes and Major Programme 3.1: Policy Assistance. While encouraging further refinement in the full Programme of Work and Budget, it agreed that the new approach would take added significance with the development in 2000 of the Medium-Term Plan based on the Strategic Framework.
78. The Council recognized that three scenarios were addressed in the documentation. In the first instance, the main Summary Programme of Work and Budget proposals had been framed with a Zero Real Growth (ZRG) assumption. The document also included a Real Growth option, with activities involving US$22.6 million beyond ZRG. In addition, a Zero Nominal Growth (ZNG) scenario was outlined in a Supplementary document19, taking account of recent developments affecting cost increases for the next biennium and the impact of current Italian Lira/US$ exchange rates, as recommended by the Programme and Finance Committees at their May session. The details of this scenario would be provided in the full Programme of Work and Budget.
79. The Council noted the favourable impact of the rate of 1800 Lire to 1 US$, which had been assumed in the Supplementary document, compared to the budget rate for the present biennium of Lire 1690. This contributed to a reduction of the initial cost increase estimate of US$34.7 million to a lower figure in the range of US$10 to 15 million.
80. The Council recognized that the Director-General's proposals to accelerate the implementation of adjustments to organizational structures in the administrative and operational areas were driven by the request to present a ZNG scenario. While noting the risks associated with these proposals, it agreed that such an approach was warranted in order to protect the technical programmes of the Organization. In this regard, it welcomed the stated intention to minimize the abolition of professional posts in technical areas, as well as the idea that some of the related savings could also be applied to meet the still unmet requirements of the Council irrespective of the budget level approved by the Conference, for instance to ensure in particular, a more adequate language balance in the substantive work of FAO. Several Members requested that the Secretariat carry out an evaluation of the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS).
81. The Council recognized that the eventual staffing implications, in particular the need to abolish posts, would lead to incremental separation and redeployment costs which could be funded by arrears payments, as was done in the present biennium. An objection was raised to a repetition of this formula for the next biennium.
82. Many Members emphasized their concern with the continued erosion in real terms of the resources put at the disposal of FAO. This was having, inter alia, a deleterious impact on FAO's image, on its capacity to act as a Centre of Excellence and on staff morale. They drew attention to the significant efficiency gains achieved in the recent past despite overall resource constraints. They felt that resumption of real growth would be fully warranted and would, moreover, constitute an appropriate and timely signal in the light of the continuing problems of hunger and malnutrition experienced in various regions, the extensive requirements of the Membership and the demands placed on the Organization, particularly in the wake of the World Food Summit. Consequently, several Members said they could only consider the ZRG option as the strict minimum while others expressed a preference for the ZRG option.
83. Several Members supported the ZNG scenario, as pursued by their Governments as a general policy throughout the UN System. They stated that further savings were possible by seeking maximum efficiency and by setting priorities according to the criteria previously established by the Council, including demonstrated expertise and comparative advantage. They observed that, the minimal difference between ZRG and ZNG due to favourable exchange rate developments and new and continuing cost saving reforms in FAO made the latter option achievable without undue stress. Some Members also mentioned the persistent problem of arrears.
84. In this connection, the Council exhorted all Members in arrears to honour their commitments.
85. In addressing the substance of proposals, many Members highlighted specific activities or programmes to which they attached particular importance. The following areas in particular were stressed as meriting priority attention: assistance to countries in the context of forthcoming trade negotiations; Codex Alimentarius and the IPPC; Fisheries (in particular the Code of Conduct on Responsible Fisheries) and Forestry; FIVIMS and the GIEWS, assistance to Small Island Developing States, IPM, the SPFS, TCP, compilation and dissemination of statistics, and the role of women and gender mainstreaming.
86. The Council recognized that the above differing positions precluded at the present time a consensus recommendation on a budget level for the 2000-2001 biennium. Based on the more detailed information which would be available in the full Programme of Work and Budget as regarded the various scenarios, the Council invited further efforts to seek a possible consensus at the September sessions of the Programme and Finance Committees and its own next session, prior to final consideration of the Programme of Work and Budget by the Conference.
87. The Council endorsed the Director-General's proposal to bring forward the planned consolidation and integration of administrative structures within the constraint of available resources with a view to full implementation in early 2000.
88. In the development of the full Programme of Work and Budget, the Council stressed the importance of reflecting to the maximum extent possible the recommendations made and priorities identified by the Committees of the Council in their respective sectors, as well as by the Ministerial Sessions. Other paramount aspects were to maintain an appropriate balance between normative and operational activities and redress, to the extent possible, present imbalances in the use of FAO languages. It was also essential to continue to ensure full complementarity of action with all FAO partners, within and outside the UN System, in particular taking account of the ongoing stream of reforms throughout the System.
89. The Council welcomed the progress made in developing the Strategic Framework since the examination of Version 1.0 at its last session. It took note in particular of the contributions made by its Technical Committees (CCP, COFI, COFO and COAG) at their sessions earlier in the year, as part of the extensive consultation process foreseen for this exercise. The Council was also informed that comments received from FAO partners so far had been taken into account.
90. With the benefit of the views of the Programme and Finance Committees, the Council addressed the structure and contents of Version 3.0. It considered that Part I - Overall Strategic Framework defined guiding principles for shaping the Corporate Strategies and Strategic Objectives proposed in Part II, and while agreeing that some of the historical references could be abridged, stressed the importance of the basic mandate, as well as the results and conclusions of relevant international conferences, particularly the World Food Summit, as a foundation for guiding FAO's work in the coming fifteen years. The Council welcomed the statements of Global Goals, Values, Mission and Vision for FAO, and looked forward to their further refinement in Version 4.0, taking into account the views expressed by Council Members. Some Members expressed the need for a clearer vision statement to be included in Version 4.0.
91. The Council considered Part II the heart of the document, and supported both the Strategies to Address Members' Needs and those to Address Cross-Organizational Issues. While differing opinions were expressed on the order of presentation, the Council generally accepted the present sequence of the Strategies to Address Members' Needs. It recommended that for Version 4.0 greater focus and coherence be introduced in the presentation of the Strategies, through a consolidation of elements and clarification of comparative advantages. Some Members also supported a reduction in the number of Strategy elements. It was noted that each Strategy would involve recourse both to normative and to field activities as appropriate and feasible. In this connection, many Members emphasized the importance to developing countries of the Organization's technical cooperation activities. Stress was also placed on the need for further clarification of the role FAO would play in each Strategy, including the nature of the partnerships envisaged, both with other UN Organizations and with non-UN and non-governmental partners. Some Members stressed the necessity for the programme-planning framework to focus on results and outcomes, and requested that a monitoring system be developed.
92. The Council welcomed the inclusion of Part III - Implementation Programme for the Strategic Framework, which had the merit inter alia of enlightening readers about the place of the Strategic Framework in the new programme-planning arrangements and related documentation. The Council requested that further attention be given to defining criteria for priority-setting considering FAO's comparative advantages. In this regard, some Members suggested that clearer links should be established between the criteria in Part III and the Strategies outlined in Part II of the document. The Council invited further refinement of these concepts in the next version of the document. These concepts should be applied within the context of the new programming approach to be used for the next Medium-Term Plan, together with successive biennial Programmes of Work and Budget.
93. In connection with the Annexes, the Council noted the list of priorities by region contained in Annex IV, Regional Perspectives, and it called to the attention of FAO Members and Regional Groups that, if Members or Groups wished to make comments and amendments, they should submit them to the Secretariat as a matter of urgency, in order to facilitate further elaboration of the Annex. As regarded the information on partnerships as given in Annex III, the Council requested that the relative role of FAO vis-�-vis its partners in the various areas for which cooperative links were envisaged, be rigorously assessed and more precisely specified.
94. In the course of discussion of this agenda item, some Members expressed interest in the proposal for an "alliance for agricultural development" in order to promote greater cooperation among the Rome-based agricultural organizations, in particular FAO, WFP and IFAD.
95. The Council stated that the process underway should be led by Members, demonstrating a high-level of political commitment. To this effect, it was considered fundamental that Members play a decisive role in the final stage of this process.
96. The Council fully endorsed the recommendation of the Programme and Finance Committees to make Version 4.0 as concise as possible, with supporting material to be included in a supplement to the document itself.
97. The Council stressed the need for Members to have the possibility to study the next version well ahead of the Conference, thereby enhancing the nature of the Strategic Framework as the policy document to guide the action of FAO over the longer term.
98. The Council agreed that an Executive Summary should be developed. Some Members, however, requested that a summary be available with Version 4.0.
99. The Council appreciated the review by the Committees of the issue of a reduced quota distribution system for FAO's publications, aiming at a more economical and better targeted approach, which would still meet the requirements of the Membership in an equitable manner. After discussion of various options, the Council agreed with the introduction henceforth of the following arrangements: Members would receive free of charge five copies of each publication subject to quota, unless countries specifically requested that the number be increased to ten copies. Additional copies would be available at a discount of 20 percent for developed countries and 60 percent for developing countries.
100. The Council was informed that these arrangements would not affect free distribution of publications through specialized mailing lists of various FAO units or copies made available to FAO repository libraries. In welcoming the potential savings to be achieved through these measures, the Council urged that efforts continue to be made to rationalize the distribution of documentation and publications, in the search for further economies.
101. The Council welcomed the consideration of this item by the Committees, in view of the importance of the enhanced decentralization policy undertaken at the behest of its Hundred and Sixth Session (Rome, 30 May - 1 June 1994). The Council noted that the Committees had been able to discuss the respective roles of the various components of FAO decentralized structure, and endorsed the conclusions as set out in the report of the Joint Meeting.
102. The Council agreed that periodic assessments of the implementation of the above policy were warranted, given its widespread impact on the work of the Organization. It, therefore, looked forward to further consideration of the matter within the framework of the Committees, as well as in the context of its own future sessions.
103. The Council noted with satisfaction that, under their standing item on Savings and Efficiencies in Governance, the Committees had been able to consider and endorse a Final Report on the Implementation on Conference Resolution 13/97: Review of FAO Statutory Bodies and Panels of Experts. The Council agreed to consider the comments and recommendations of the Committees on the Implications of Scheduling Separate Meetings for Ministers during Conference, in the context of its consideration of Item 11 of its Agenda (see paras 58 to 62 above).
104. The Council welcomed the thorough consideration of this issue by the Programme Committee, following its own directives and the strong interest of Members at its last session. It noted that the Finance Committee had reached similar conclusions and welcomed the analytical document which had been submitted to both Committees.
105. The Council unanimously reaffirmed the principle of equality of FAO languages as prescribed in General Rule XLVII and its importance in ensuring the widest possible access to FAO information and the fullest participation of Member Nations in the work of FAO. While appreciating the efforts made to protect the application of this principle despite the resource constraints experienced in the recent past, the Council expressed concern at the clear signs of imbalance in the use of all FAO languages. Priority should be given to this matter in FAO so as to facilitate communication and understanding of the issues raised.
106. The Council emphasized that appropriate resources should be allocated in the Programme of Work and Budget 2000-2001 under each budget option in order to reduce the present imbalance in the use of languages of the Organization. In addition to maintaining adequate qualitative standards, quantitative improvements to equitable translation and publication of documents was also an important factor to bear in mind within the budgetary limits of the Organization.
107. The Council requested the Secretariat to submit to the Programme and Finance Committees supplementary information concerning resource allocations in support of language policy in FAO in previous biennial budgets, in the proposed PWB for 2000-2001 and in the long term to demonstrate the progressive improvement sought by the Council.
108. Among the areas specifically singled out for improvement were: essential normative activities such as Codex Alimentarius and phytosanitary standards; animal and plant genetic resources; the Sub-committee on Fish Trade of the Committee on Fisheries; WAICENT and the Organization's Website on the Internet; and activities of self-evident geographical interest, where the use of FAO languages of the most directly concerned countries was imperative to ensure their full participation.
109. The Council reaffirmed that multilingualism was one of the Organization's major assets and one that was particularly relevant to its function of disseminator of information. A key aspect was that FAO staff be required to take a more proactive attitude to ensuring more balanced use of FAO languages, which should be supported by adequate training programmes and attention to linguistic skills at the recruitment stage.
110. The Council recognized that ensuring adequate language balance was also dependent on working arrangements within the Secretariat, the appropriateness of rules to reach the objectives and suitable systems for monitoring. The importance of the linguistic capabilities of senior staff in FAO's languages and their effective use within the Secretariat was emphasized.
111. The Council noted that the Committee had carried out its usual examination of JIU reports and documents, and took note of the items foreseen for discussion at its next and future sessions.
112. The Council considered the financial position of the Organization at 16 June 1999 which compared favourably with that of recent years at the same date. Fifty Member Nations had paid their current assessments in full, while a further 22 Members had made partial payment and 103 Members had made no payment towards their 1999 assessment. The Council expressed concern over the high level of arrears outstanding and while appreciating the often difficult financial situations of some countries, emphasis was nonetheless placed on the importance of all Member Nations, irrespective of size, to honour their financial obligations towards the Organization. All Member Nations were, therefore, urged to pay their contributions in full and on time in order to enable the Organization to continue to fulfil its mandate.
113. The Council noted that, as per established practice, the Finance Committee had considered and endorsed the annual report on 1998 budgetary performance including the projected budgetary transfers between Chapters. While regretting that these transfers would negatively affect available resources under Chapter 2 of the Programme of Work and Budget, the Council appreciated the reasons for them and accordingly endorsed the report.
114. The Council noted that in accordance with the decision of the Eighth Session of the Conference (1955), the FAO Scale of Contributions for the years 2000-01 (Appendix E) had been derived directly from the United Nations Scale of Assessments, in this case the one in force for the year 2000, as established by General Assembly Resolution 52/215 adopted on 22 December 1997.
115. The Council accordingly discussed the following draft Resolution for adoption by the Conference:
Draft Resolution for the Conference
Scale of Contributions 2000-2001
THE CONFERENCE,
Having noted the recommendations of the Hundred and Sixteenth Session of the Council,
Confirming that as in the past, FAO should follow the United Nations Scale of Assessments subject to adaptation for the different membership of FAO,
1. Decides that the FAO Scale of Contributions for 2000-01 should be derived directly from the United Nations Scale of Assessments in force during 1999;
2. Adopts for use in 2000 and 2001 the Scale as set out in Appendix E of this Report.
116. The Council noted that the Scale of Contributions as set out in Appendix E was provisional, and would be modified at the time of the forthcoming Session of the Conference in the event of new Members being admitted to the Organization.
117. The Council noted that the largest contributor intended to negotiate the reduction of the "ceiling rate", (the maximum rate of contribution) with the UN Committee on Contributions in New York, from the current twenty-five percent to twenty-two percent. The largest contributor informed the Council that, since the UN Scale for the period 2001-2003 would not be adopted until after the FAO Conference, it would request that the Conference Resolution be amended to allow for the modification of the Scale for the year 2001. The Council noted that a similar amendment had been adopted by the Conference in 1997.
118. Concern was expressed over the possible effects of the reduction of the "ceiling rate". The Secretariat advised that a document showing a revised Scale, taking into account this change, would be presented to the Finance Committee at its September 1999 Session.
119. The Council recommended to continue the discussion at the next Session of the Council based on the outcome of deliberations to take place at the next Finance Committee.
120. The Council considered and adopted the Report of the Sixty-ninth Session of the CCLM.
121. The Council considered the Report of the CCLM on this question and, bearing in mind the following considerations:
recommended that the Credentials Committee adopt the following approach:
- letters signed by an ambassador, chief of mission, or charg� d'affaires, which contain a phrase confirming that they are acting upon instruction from their governments;
- "Ordres de Mission" if specific mention is made of the current session of the Conference and if they are signed by the Minister concerned;
- Notes Verbales; and
- faxes when they are copies of the original credentials;
122. In view of the above, the Council concurred with the CCLM recommendation that the present provisions of the General Rules of the Organization regarding credentials should not be amended.
123. The Council endorsed the draft amendments to the General Rules of the Organization recommended by the CCLM and agreed to forward the following draft Resolution to the Conference for adoption:
Draft Resolution for the Conference
Amendments to the General Rules of the Organization
THE CONFERENCE,
Recalling that the Council, at its Hundred and Fourteenth Session in November 1997, requested the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees to review the procedures and methods of work for Conference sessions, including voting and relevant General Rules of the Organization, in order to ensure that those procedures are efficient and time effective whilst protecting the rights of individual members,
Recalling further that the Council, at its Hundred and Fifteenth Session in November 1998, in reviewing the procedures and methods of work for Conference Sessions in the light of the proposals of the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees and the comments of the CCLM, requested the CCLM to continue its examination of the Basic Texts and to submit to the June 1999 Council draft amendments to the General Rules of the Organization to permit:
Noting the recommendation of the Council, at its Hundred and Sixteenth Session in June 1999, that the General Rules of the Organization should be amended as proposed by the CCLM, at its Sixty-ninth Session in April 1999,
Adopts the following amendments to the General Rules of the Organization:
Rule VII
Nominations
The Chairman of the Conference, the Chairmen of the Commissions of the Conference, the three Vice-Chairmen of the Conference, the members of the Credentials Committee and the elected members of the General Committee, provided for by Rule X, paragraph 1 shall be nominated by the Council.
Rule VIII
Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Conference and of the members of the Credentials and General Committees
The Conference shall, after consideration of the Report of the Council, elect:
(a) from the delegations, a Chairman and three Vice-Chairmen;
(b) from the Member Nations:
(i) the Credentials Committee, as provided in Rule III, Paragraph 3;
(ii) the seven members of the General Committee to be elected as provided in Rule X, paragraph 1.
Rule XII
Quorum and voting arrangements at meetings of Conference and Council
4 ...
(c) Abstentions shall be recorded:
(i) in a vote by show of hands, only for those delegates or representatives who raise their hands in response to the Chairman's request for abstentions;
(ii) in a roll call vote, only for those delegates or representatives who reply "Abstention";
(iii) in a secret ballot, only for such ballot papers deposited in the ballot box as are either blank or marked "Abstention".
(iii bis) in a vote by electronic means, only for those delegates or representatives who indicate "abstention".
...
6. Voting shall be by show of hands, roll call or secret ballot.
7. (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 9 of this Rule, a vote by roll call shall be taken either upon request of a delegate or representative, or if a majority of two thirds is required by the Constitution or these Rules. Voting by roll call shall be conducted by calling in English alphabetical order the names of all Member Nations entitled to vote. The name of the first nation to be called shall be designated by lot drawn by the Chairman. The delegate or representative of each Member Nation shall reply "Yes", "No", or "Abstention". At the conclusion of any roll call, the name of any Member Nation whose delegate or representative failed to answer shall be called again. The vote of each Member Nation participating in any vote by roll call shall be inserted in the record of the meeting.
(b) The count and recording of votes by show of hands or by roll call shall be conducted by or under the supervision of the Conference or Council elections officer, appointed by the Director-General in accordance with the terms of paragraph 16 below.
(c) If for two successive ballots by roll call the name of the same nation is drawn, the name of another nation shall be designed by lot or lots drawn by the Chairman.
7bis. When the Conference or Council votes by electronic means, a vote without recording names shall replace a vote by show of hands and a nominal vote shall replace a roll-call. In the case of a nominal vote, the procedure of calling out the names of the members shall not be applicable unless the Conference or Council otherwise decides. The vote of each member participating in a nominal vote shall be inserted in the record.
...
9. (a) The appointment of the Chairman of the Council and of the Director-General, and the admission of additional Member Nations and Associate Members shall be decided by secret ballot. Other elections shall likewise be decided by secret ballot, except that in the case of an election in which there are not more candidates than vacancies the Chairman may submit to the Conference or Council that the appointment be decided by clear general consent.
(b) Any other matter shall be decided by secret ballot if the Conference or Council so determines.
...
Rule XV
Other committees of the Conference
1. The Conference may appoint, or authorize the appointment of, any temporary or special committee which it deems necessary. Delegates of Associate Members shall have the right to participate in the deliberations of any such committee, but shall not hold office nor have the right to vote.
2. The chairman of any committee set up under this Rule shall be elected by such committee. He shall have, in relation to meetings of the committee, the same power and duties as the Chairman of the Conference has in relation to meetings of the Conference. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. Decisions in the committee shall be taken by a majority of the votes cast. No member shall have more than one vote. A member of the committee who is unable to be present at any meeting may be represented by another member of his delegation. Meetings of the committee shall be held in private, unless otherwise determined by the Conference.
Rule XXIV
Functions of the Council
...
5. General
The Council shall:
...
(b) propose candidates for the office of Chairman of the Conference, the Chairmen of the Commissions of the Conference, the three Vice-Chairmen of the Conference, the members of the Credentials Committee and the elected members of the General Committee ;
Rule XLII
Arrangements for the Conference
...
2. Member Organizations shall not participate in the Credentials Committee or the General Committee or any other body of the Conference dealing with the internal working of the Conference as the Conference may decide.
124. The Council considered the Report of the CCLM on this question and adopted the following Resolution:
Resolution 1/116
Abolition of the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission and its Subsidiary Bodies
Approval of the Merger of the Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal with the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission
THE COUNCIL,
Recalling that the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC) was established under Article VI.1 of the FAO Constitution by Resolution 2/48 adopted by the Council at its Forty-eighth Session;
Noting that the Committee on Fisheries, at its Twenty-second Session in 1997 agreed that FAO regional fishery bodies "should be reviewed and evaluated in depth by their members on a case by case basis, taking full account of regional and membership differences in determining what measures might be taken to facilitate the strengthening of each body as appropriate";
Noting that at its Hundred and Twelfth Session in June 1997, the Council, in adopting the report of the Twenty-second Session of the Committee on Fisheries, stressed the need for effective regional fishery organizations and arrangements and agreed that FAO regional fishery bodies should be reviewed and evaluated with a view to strengthening them;
Noting the recommendation by IOFC, at its Eleventh Session, in February 1999, that IOFC be abolished;
Noting further the wishes expressed by IOFC, at its Eleventh Session, that the Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal be merged with the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission and that the Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries Resources of the Gulfs and the Committee of the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Southwest Indian Ocean be established as Article XIV bodies under the FAO Constitution;
1. Hereby abolishes the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission together with all its subsidiary bodies;
2. Approves that the functions of the former Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal be absorbed by the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission;
3. Authorizes the Director-General to convene ad hoc meetings of the members of the former Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries Resources of the Gulfs and the former Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Southwest Indian Ocean, as required, in order to complete the process of establishment of the new bodies envisaged and to take such interim action as may be required regarding the management of the fisheries resources of the areas covered by those former committees pending the formal establishment of the new bodies during the period preceding their formal conversion into Article XIV bodies.
125. In accordance with paragraphs B-1 and B-2 of the "Statement of Principles relating to the Granting of Observer Status to Nations"31, the Council agreed that the Russian Federation attend as an observer to the Hundred and Sixteenth Session of the FAO Council.
126. The Council also noted that since its Hundred and Fifteenth Session (Rome, 23 to 28 November 1998), the Director-General, on so being requested, had extended invitations to the Russian Federation to attend as an observer to the following FAO Sessions: Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems, Rome, 12 to 15 January 1999 (ESC-701); Fifteenth Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), Rome, 25 to 29 January 1999 (COAG-701); Twenty-third Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), Rome, 15 to 19 February 1999 (FI-701); Fourteenth Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), Rome, 1 to 5 March 1999 (FO-701); Ministerial Meeting on Sustainability Issues in Forestry: the National and International Challenges, Rome, 8 to 9 March 1999 (DG-54(FO)); Ministerial Meeting on the Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Rome, 10 to 11 March 1999 (DG-54(FI)); Thirty-third Session of the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EUFMD), Rome, 7 to 9 April 1999 (AGA-701).
127. The Council was informed of the application for membership received from the Government of Niue.
128. Pending a decision by the Conference on this application and pursuant to Rule XXV.11 of the General Rules of the Organization and paragraphs B-1, B-2 and B-5 of the "Statement of Principles relating to the Granting of Observer Status to Nations", the Council authorized the Director-General to invite Niue to participate, in an observer capacity, in appropriate Council meetings as well as regional and technical meetings of the Organization of interest to them.
129. The Council approved the Revised Calendar of FAO Governing Bodies and Other Main Sessions 1998-99, as given in Appendix F to this Report, and agreed that its Hundred and Seventeenth Session be convened from 9 to 11 November 1999 at FAO Headquarters.
130. In accordance with Staff Regulation 301.111, the Council appointed H.E. Sim�on Ak�, Ambassador of the Republic of C�te d’Ivoire to the Holy See, as the Chairperson of the Appeals Committee.
131. The Council also appointed H.E. Felipe H. Paolillo, Ambassador of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay to the Holy See and Permanent Representative to FAO, as First Alternate Chairperson of the Appeals Committee, and H.E. Francis Montanaro Mifsud, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to FAO, as Second Alternate Chairperson of the Appeals Committee.
132. The Council paid tribute to the memory of His Excellency Jai Kumar Atal, formerly Ambassador of the Republic of India and Chairman of the Appeals Committee, who passed away on 31 May 1999.
133. The Council also paid tribute to the memory of Mr C.H. Murray, former Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department, who had passed away on 11 June 1999.
_______________________________
17 C 99/4; CL 116/14; CL 116/PV/4; CL 116/PV/9.
18 CL 116/3; CL 116/3-Sup.1; CL 116/4 (paras 14 to 21); CL 116/14 (paras 27 to 65); CL 116/16 (paras 11 to 16); CL 116/PV/2; CL 116/PV/9.
20 CL 116/4 (paras 6 to 13); CL 116/12; CL 116/14 (paras 7 to 17); CL 116/16 (paras 4 to 10); CL 116/PV/1; CL 116/PV/2; CL 116/PV/9.
21 CL 116/4 (paras 24-25); CL 116/16 (paras 45-46); CL 116/LIM/3; CL 116/PV/5; CL 116/PV/9.
22 CL 116/4 (paras 22-23); CL 116/PV/5; CL 116/PV/9.
24 CL 116/14 (paras 66-72); CL 116/16 (paras 47-52); CL 116/INF/4; CL 116/PV/5; CL 116/PV/9.
26 CL 116/LIM/1; CL 116/PV/6; CL 116/PV/9.
27 CL 116/16 (paras 17-22); CL 116/PV/6; CL 116/PV/9.
28 CL 116/16 (paras 29-33); CL 116/16-Sup.1; CL 116/PV/6; CL 116/PV/9.
30 CL 116/LIM/2; CL 116/PV/1; CL 116/PV/9.
31 See FAO Basic Texts, volume II, Section L (Appendix).
32 CL 116/20; CL 116/PV/8; CL 116/PV/9.
33 CL 116/19; CL 116/PV/8; CL 116/PV/9.
34 CL 116/LIM/4; CL 116/PV/8; CL 116/PV/9.
1. Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable
2. Election of Three Vice-Chairmen, and Designation of the Chairman and Members of the Drafting Committee
3. Current World Food Situation
4. Report of the 25th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (Rome, 31 May - 4 June 1999)
5. Report of the 62nd Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999)
6. Report of the 15th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (Rome, 25-29 January 1999)
7. Report of the 23rd Session of the Committee on Fisheries (Rome, 15-19 February 1999)
8. Report of the 14th Session of the Committee on Forestry (Rome, 1-5 March 1999)
8.1 Venue of the Twelfth World Forestry Congress
9. Negotiations on the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources
10. World Food Programme
10.1 Annual Report of the WFP Executive Board on its Activities in 1998
10.2 Amendments to the General Regulations and Rules of WFP
11. Preparations for the 30th Session of the FAO Conference
11.1 Arrangements for the Session and Provisional Timetable
11.2 Deadline for Nominations for Independent Chairman of the Council
11.3 Nomination of the Chairman of the Conference, and of the Chairmen of the Commissions
12. Preparations for the Conference on the Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land (Maastricht, Netherlands, September 1999)
13. Draft Plan of Action on Agriculture in Small Island Developing States
14. Programme Evaluation Report 1998-99
15. Summary Programme of Work and Budget 2000-2001
16. FAO Strategic Framework 2000-2015 (Version 3.0)
17. Report of the Joint Meeting of the Programme Committee and the Finance Committee (Rome, 5 May 1999)
17.1 Change in the Quota Distribution System of Information Products
17.2 Report on Decentralization
17.3 Other Matters Arising Out of the Report
18. Report of the 81st Session of the Programme Committee (Rome, 3-7 May 1999)
18.1 Review of FAO Language Policy
18.2 Other Matters Arising Out of the Report
19. Report of the 91st (Rome, 11 January 1999) and 92nd (Rome, 3-7 May 1999) Sessions of the Finance Committee
19.1 Financial Position of the Organization
19.2 Budgetary Performance 1998
19.3 Scale of Contributions 2000-2001
20. Report of the 69th Session of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (Rome, 26-27 April 1999)
21. Other Constitutional and Legal Matters
21.1 Invitations to Non-Member Nations to Attend FAO Sessions
21.2 Application for Membership in the Organization
22. Revised Calendar of FAO Governing Bodies and Other Main Sessions 1998-99
23. Any Other Matters
23.1 Appointment of the Chairperson and Alternate Chairpersons of the Appeals Committee
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