46. The Council reemphasized its support for the strategy for development endorsed by COFO at its Sixth Session. This strategy pursued the integration and harmonization of the protective, productive and social functions of the forestry system. It was stressed that if development decisions were to be effective, the population must be fully involved in the decision-making.
47. The Council emphasized that the development role of forestry was important to the environment, to agriculture, to the supply of fodder, wood and fuel, and the provision of jobs and income to the community. The importance of raising the level of education of local people to gain these benefits was stressed and particular concern was expressed for the development of the capability of women to contribute and to benefit. The Council recommended that FAQ give continued priority to studies of village level forestry as a basis for better understanding and the exchange of experience.
48. The Council endorsed the important role of FAO in raising awareness amongst the public at large and amongst policy makers of the vital linkages between forests and the life support system, such as energy, environment and rural development. The value of UNASYLVA as a vehicle for dissemination of ideas on the forestry sector was commended. The com- plementarity of forestry and agriculture was stressed, as was the importance of land evaluation leading to sound allocation of land to optimum long-term use.
49. The Council was concerned at the continuing rapid depletion of tropical forests reported in the findings of the FAO/UNEP Tropical Forest Resource Assessment. The recommendation of COFO that thisstudy be regularly updated, improved and expanded was endorsed.
50. It was recognized that the primary cause of forest destruction by the people who lived in the forest was their poverty, hunger and need for land to grow food and to collect wood for fuel. Shifting cultivation was recognized as a major form of degradation, though illmanaged commercial exploitation of timber contributed to destruction in some regions. The Council further recognized that reversal of these trends towards forest destruction would depend in the first instance on ability to alleviate the poverty and hunger of local people. The Council recommended that FAO should give support to research on methods of replacing shifting cultivation with more stable forms of agriculture, agrosilviculture and to methods of promoting the awareness and motivation of local communities to adopt practices which would conserve the forest. The Council stressed the value of World Food Programme support for forestry projects supporting investment in future production and providing immediate food and income.
51. High priority was attached to the development of sound management, research and training in tropical forestry. It was stressed that management decision-making was solely the responsibility of the countries within which the forests were found, and that priority should be given to the development of research and training capability within the countries themselves. There was also great value in exchange of knowledge and experience between countries; the Council emphasized FAO’s role in fostering this exchange.
52. The Council recommended that the problems of tropical forestry be given high priority in the programme of FAO Forestry Department. This work should be carried on in close collaboration with other UN Agencies, particularly UNEP and Unesco. The Council recommended that the Committee on Forest Development in the Tropics be reconstituted to assume responsibility for continuing review of international action on tropical forestry.
53. The Council noted the current concern for the effects of air pollution and particularly acid rain, especially in countries of Europe and North America , and supported and commended the continued examination of these problems by the European and North American Forestry Commissions. The large-scale infestation of coniferous forests in Poland by the nun moth, and the serious risk to forests in neighbouring countries, was noted with concern, and the collaboration between European countries and support from FAO in combating the epidemic was commended.
54. The Council commended the work of FAO in support of the UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, particularly its publication of the world fuelwood map, and its work on rural energy systems and on wood residues and biomass as renewable sources of energy for both rural households and industrial energy supplies. In view of the great potential importance of forests and trees, the Council strongly supported the priority given by COFO to FAO programmes in this area.
55. The Council welcomed the definition of a concept of appropriate forest industry which did not rely merely on size but which recognized the relevance of the local situation, economy and society. The potential importance of the forest industries to the economies of developing countries was stressed. The example was cited of the pulp and paper industry which, based on locally produced wood raw material, could contribute both to domestic paper supply, export earnings and employment. The Council supported continuing work of FAO in development and training in these areas. In particular the Council supported the recommendation of COFO that FAO hold symposia on appropriate industry and welcomed the offer by the Indonesian Government to host one of these.
56. The Council supported the priority given by COFO to research and strongly emphasized the priority of training and the development of local institutions, and the development and use of local expertise. The Council stressed particularly the value of close cooperation between countries and also commended consideration of links between forestry and other disciplines such as atmospheric science and biotechnology, and recommended that FAO, in collaboration with other international agencies, take the lead in developing these links.
57. The Council supported the priority areas for research and training identified by COFO but stressed particularly tropical, arid and semi-arid areas community forestry. The Council recommended that continuing attention be given to management, economics, price problems and marketing.
58. The Council recommended that the next meeting of COFO include athorough assessment of progress made on implementation of the new forestry development strategy. The Council endorsed the Committee’s views on the importance of selection of programme priorities and emphasized the high priority of the Forestry Programme in FAO’s overall programme.
59. The Council proposed additional possible themes which the Ninth World Forestry Congress could consider in Mexico:
60. With the above considerations, the Council endorsed the report of the Sixth Session of the Committee on Forestry.
61. The Executive Director presented the Report of the CFA adopted at its Thirteenth Session in April 1982, and recalled the major events for the Programme in 1981: the shipment of over 1.5 million tons of food; the commitment of development assistance of $543 million, which had further increased to $591 million in 1982; the commitment of about 80 percent to projects for agricultural and rural development; the commitment of over 80 percent of the resources to low-income food-deficit countries of which 35 percent to least-developed countries; the concentration of half of the annual commitment in countries in Africa; emergency assistance of $178 million (in 1982 it had reached $148 million); the contributions to the International Emergency Food Reserve (IEFR), exceeding its target for the first time, and reaching a record of 632 000 tons, though in 1982 the contribution so far was only 455 000 tons. He also recalled the purchase of 300 000 tons of maize from Zimbabwe with the support of 16 donor agencies and governments for use in WFP projects in 15 African countries.
62. Pledges for the 1981-82 biennium which were about 77 percent of the $1 000 million target at the end of 1981, had flow reached 83 percent of the target. However, pledges for the 1983-84 biennium already amounted to the same proportion - 83 percent - of the $1 200 million target, indicating the confidence of the international community in WFP. In this context the Executive Director mentioned the low level of WFP administrative overheads and the process of thorough appraisal and careful evaluation of projects supported by the Programme.
63. Looking forward, the Executive Director said that 1983 would mark the twentieth anniversary of which would give an opportunity for reflection and self-examination. The present global surplus could facilitate an increase of food aid, which was still well below the accepted target of 10 million tons annually, at a time when more and more low- income countries were faced with the problem of increased food imports in a situation of deteriorating balance of payments.
64. In conclusion, the Executive Director underlined that it was vital that food aid avoid creating disincentives to food production in the recipient countries. The WFP food- for-work project approach not only avoided disincentive effects but actually promoted food production, and provided employment opportunities.
65. The Council expressed unanimous and total support for WFP and its goals and achievement. The priorities of the Programme, particularly in respect of concentration of its resources in low-income food-deficit countries and for projects aimed at agricultural and rural development were also supported. The Council recognized the need of African countries where food production was actually in decline, and encouraged the Programme to continue its present level of commitments in that continent. The high proportion of assistance to the least-developed countries was also commended.
66. However, some delegates of the Latin American and Caribbean region expressed their concern at the declining level of assistance for that region and urged that per capita GNP should not be the only factor for allocation of WFP assistance. The pockets of poverty in that region as well as commitment of the Governments concerned to fruitful use of food aid should also be a determining factor. They strongly recommended a relatively higher level of assistance for that region in order to maintain the universal character of the Programme. Some members regretted the relative lack of representation of the region on the WFP staff and urged the appointment of more staff members from Latin America and the Caribbean.
67. While the Council expressed satisfaction at the present level of pledges of 83 per- cent of the target of $1 200 million for 1983-84, concern was also expressed at the non- fulfilment of the target for WFP’s pledges in 1981-82 biennium. The observer from the European Economic Community informed the Council that the EEC had decided to contribute an additional quantity of 73 000 tons of cereals for 1982 as food aid, which would increase the total pledged for the year under consideration to one million tons of cereals. Part of this additional contribution would go through multilateral channels, and of this, 20 000 tons through WFP. The Council expressed its appreciation of the announcement by the EEC as well as of other pledges made during the Pledging Conference and thereafter, including those of USA , Canada , France , Norway speaking for the Nordic countries, and Australia , whose representatives informed the Council of their increased levels of contribution either for 1983 or for the 1983-84 biennium. Hope was expressed that with the participation of traditional and new donors the $1 200 million target would not only be met but surpassed. The desirability of increased cash contributions was expressed, keeping in mind the Programme’s general regulation that cash and services components should aim at,in the aggregate, at least one third of the total contributions.
68. The Council highly commended the performance of the IEFR and expressed the hope that the 1981 level of contribution should be maintained. However, many members expressed concern that IEFR resources in 1982 had not reached the target of 500 000 tons. Many members thought that the arranging of a joint pledging conference for WFP and the IEFR had shown promise this year, although the decision to hold the joint pledging was taken at short notice. Others stated that this new procedure had not proved itself, and that there was a need to watch its effectiveness as a mechanism in the future, There was unanimous support for further strengthening of the IEFR with a view to making its resources more predictable and continuing. Some members recommended that the IEFR should be made available fully to WFP. One member stressed the need to associate government representatives in decision-making on emergency allocations while others, stating that the present procedures were adequate, opposed such a move because it could delay the approval process and might bring political elements to humanitarian assistance. While expressing general satisfaction on WFP’s emergency operations the Council encouraged the trend towards increased IEFR con- tributions, which enabled WFP resources to be made available for development activities. The Council requested and received an information document containing up-to-date information on the pledges made by individual countries for both WFP’s resources and the IEFR.
69. Expressing support for triangular transactions, the Council encouraged the Programme to repeat elsewhere its successful maize purchase operation in Zimbabwe. The increase in purchases in developing countries was commended. Such purchases encouraged production by ensuring remunerative prices to the producers. Some members expressed the need for a policy of self-reliance in developing countries, which would ultimately end the necessity of aid; the examples of triangular transactions and purchases in developing countries, including increased use of developing country ships, would contribute to the goal of self- reliance.
70. Regarding the sale of WFP commodities to pay for internal transportation, storage and handling costs, some members felt that the experiment should be kept to a limited number of countries, pending the conclusions of a study on the matter. In this connection some other members expressed the need for flexible policy on sales, which might improve project design and facilitate project implementation. The need for provision of non-food items in WFP projects was highlighted and some members expressed their willingness to continue to provide such assistance. Projects for involvement of women in development were encouraged by some members.
71. In his reply to members’ comments, the Executive Director expressed great satis- faction and appreciation of the Council’s encouraging words for the World Food Programme and gave assurance that all the valuable suggestions made would be given careful consider- ation by the Programme. On the question of the universality of WFP assistance, he pointed out that high priority for low-income food-deficit countries was given in compliance with a CFA decision, but that it did not mean that countries in the middle income category would not be assisted. Regional imbalance occurred because some regions had fewer low- income countries than others, but Latin America and the Caribbean received substantial assistance from WFP. He reminded the Council that CFA decisions and the Guidelines and Criteria for Food Aid did not provide for assistance on a regional basis; while per capita GNP was not the only criterion, universality was not interpreted as providing assistance to countries irrespective of their income level.
72. The Council elected the following five Member
Nations to the Committee on Food Aid
Policies and Programmes, for a term of office of three
years (1 January 1983 to 31 December
1985):
Cuba
,
73. The Council noted with disappointment that there was little progress towards the launching of the Global Negotiations and expressed the hope that the current Thirty- seventh session of the General Assembly would open up the road to a fruitful north/south dialogue, in order to contribute to the launching of Global Negotiations.
74. The Council reiterated the support that the Conference had given at its Twenty- first session in 1981 to the Director-General’s offer for FAO to assist and to play an active role in preliminary steps towards the Global Negotiations, and in the preparation and servicing of discussions in the food and agriculture sectors. The view was expressed that even if the Global Negotiations had not yet started there was sufficient impetus to go ahead in the food and agriculture sectors and, using the International Development Strategy which had been approved by the General Assembly and other appropriate documents as a basis, achieve substantial progress in matters such as food production, food and agricultural trade and world food security.
75. In connection with emergencies, the Council expressed pleasure at the fact that the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC) had adopted a decision on "The role of the lead entity and participating organizations and bodies of the United Nations system in exceptional or complex disaster situations". It noted that this decision had been found generally acceptable by the United Nations Economic and Social Council at its summer session in 1982. It expressed support for the measures proposed for the designation of a lead agency in such situations. The Council added that FAO had a leading role to play in case of emergencies in the field of food and agriculture and felt that the Director-General should have the flexibility and freedom of action needed to respond to requests for emergency aid rapidly and effectively when and where needed.
76. The Representative of the Administrator of UNDP gave information about the results of the recent Pledging Conference for UNOP as a result of which US$ 666 million was predi-cated for 1983. This was less in absolute terms than the figure of US$ 697 million in 1979 and less in real terms than the figure of US$ 307 million pledged nearly ten years earlier in 1973. The result was that UNDP was having to cut down the Indicative Planning Figure (IPF) delivery to 55 percent of the levels originally approved. The Council expressed great concern at the resource situation of the IJNDP, particularly as it would have inevitably damaging effect on the delivery of the FAO field programme.
77. The Council noted the invitation of the General Assembly to the organizations of the UN system to make greater use of the capacities of the developing countries themselves in procuring material and equipment, in training and services, in using local contractors and in recruiting local personnel. It commended the Director-General for the measures taken in this respect, encouraging him to intensify his activities in this field.78. In view of the resource situation, some delegations felt that the coordination of activities within the United Nations system was more important than ever before. Others drew attention to the need for governments themselves to coordinate their activities in such a way as to avoid further proliferation of international bodies dealing with the same subject, a situation which was inherently difficult to coordinate.
79. General support was expressed for the action taken by the Director-General in response to Resolutions 35/81 and 36/199 of the General Assembly, in particular by raising increased resources for operational activities and in taking various measures to achieve the greatest possible efficiency in the implementation of field programmes. However, one member expressed interest in receiving a report from the Secretariat on the progress made in complying with Resolutions 35/81 and 36/199. The view was expressed that FAO’s role as the lead entity in the field of food and agriculture should be strengthened.
80. Some members expressed the wish that in the future the document before the Council for this item should, whenever necessary, contain information about IFAD.
81. The Council noted with satisfaction that Mr E.M. West, Deputy Director-General of FAO had been designated as Chairman of the Consultative Committee on Substantive Questions (Operational Activities) for a term of one year.
82. Concerning the inter-agency aspects of rural development, the Council expressed pleasure at the progress reported and supported the continuance of FAO’s role as the lead agency of the ACC Task Force. The Council noted that the Task Force was at present preparing Guidelines for the design and use of monitoring and evaluation systems in managing rural development. The Council also took note of the fact that ACC at its recent session had adopted a statement on Development Support Communication which was intended to bring home to Member Governments of the United Nations system the importance of using modern mass communication media in developing countries in support of development efforts.
83. The Council was pleased to note that the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea had resulted in the adoption of a convention in April 1982. In this connection, the Council welcomed a decision recently adopted by ACC in which the members of the United Nations system had pledged their support to the Organization in preparing for the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development in 1984.
84. The Council expressed regret that the funding level for the follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development was very far from satisfactory. The Council underlined that FAO should have a larger share in the proposed project activities. The Council noted that the European Economic Community (EEC) was about to launch a new programme of research in particular for tropical agriculture, worth 40 million ECUs. The Council took note with interest of the fact that the EEC was going to invite FAO to participate in the consultative management committees for implementation of this programme.
85. The Council expressed the view that FAO should take an active part in the follow-up of the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and took note that the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Environment and Energy established by the Director- General coordinated FAO’s inputs into the follow-up of the Conference.
86. Referring to the United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in 1981, the Council hoped that FAO would continue to give priority attention to these countries, as requested in the Substantive New Programme of Action for the 1980s.
87. The Council took note of the results of the Special Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme to celebrate “Ten Years After Stockholm”, and of the many areas in which there was active cooperation between UNEP and FAO in those many aspects of the environment which relate to agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The Council was aware of the importance of protecting the environment to ensure a healthy agricultural sector and gave full support for continued cooperation between UNEP and FAO.
88. One member noted the particular relevance of the recent World Assembly on Ageing in countries where there was a growing population of ageing people in rural areas and expressed the view that countries should exchange views and experience on the matter.
89. The Council considered the eight Reports of the Joint Inspection Unit, listed in paragraphs 91 to 100 below, together with the views of the Programme and Finance Committees. The Council expressed its appreciation of the quality of the Reports and the relevance of the subjects to the Organization, as well as the thoroughness with which the Programme and Finance Committees had analysed the implications for FAO.
90. During the discussion a certain number of members expressed concern about the volume of JIU documentation, the ensuing cost of processing and distribution, as well as the demands made on the time of the Council as well as of the Programme and Finance Committees. These same members made various suggestions to alleviate the work of the Council and the two competent committees in this respect. In particular it was suggested that consideration be given to making available to the Council and the two committees summaries containing recommendations and extracts from each report of the JIU which were of direct concern to FAO, in addition to the full texts, with the Director-General’s comments. It was also suggested that periodic reports be submitted to the Council on the follow-up of recommendations. The Council requested the Programme and Finance Committees to consider this matter at their next sessions and submit their recommendations to the Council.
91. The Council took note of this report.
92. The Council generally endorsed the recommendations of the JIU and confirmed its agreement with the views of the Programme and Finance Committees. It expressed its satisfaction with the pratices and procedures of the Organization to control and limit documentation, with periodic reviews by the Programme and Finance Committees. The Council congratulated the Director-General on the effective measures he had implemented to limit the length of meeting documentation and to ensure its focus on the issues requiring attention.
93. The Council noted with satisfaction that the JIU Report had given high marks to FAO in strengthening its internal evaluation system and that most of the recommendations had long been implemented by FAO. It was particularly pleased about the progress made in auto-evaluation and the in-depth reviews of the Regular and Field Programme activities. While welcoming the progress made, the involvement of external expertise in the evaluation work of FAO was suggested. A number of members stressed the importance of feedback of the lessons from evaluation to programming, the training of staff in evaluation and the follow-up of evaluation results. The Council agreed that FAO should maintain and further improve its lead position, in the field of internal evaluation within the UN System, and use its resources for evaluation on a selective and judicious basis so as to ensure its continued cost-effectiveness.
94. The Council generally agreed with the comments of the Programme and Finance Committees. It recognized that FAO had well--established practices and procedures which fully respected the paramount needs of the governing bodies for information. Uniformity in procedures throughout the UN system had to be subordinate to the requirements of the different programmes of the specialized agencies and the varying needs of their governing bodies.
95. The Council endorsed the majority view in the Programme and Finance Committees that additional information on programme element costs and workload estimates was not required, the Conference at its Twenty-first Session having clearly expressed its appreciation of the presentation of the Programme of Work and Budget and endorsed its existing format. Some members however felt that further information, as recommended by the JIU Report, would be useful.
96. The Council agreed with the views expressed by the Programme and Finance Committees, commending the work of the Management Services Division, and noted that many of the JIU recommendations were already inherent in the functions of the Division and already being implemented.
97. The Council agreed with the views of the Programme and Finance Committees and particularly stressed the importance of coordination among the organizations of the UN family with respect to various water-related activities being undertaken, and the need for adequate coordination among national planning activities for the use of water resources.
98. The Council noted with satisfaction that FAO’s work in the field of water resources, from well before the UN Water Conference, had been fully endorsed by the Conference. It called attention to the need for sufficient resources to meet increasing demands for assistance to Member States and to enhance FAO’s important role in this area.
99. The Council noted the plans for 1982.
100. The Council expressed its general agreement with the views of the Programme and Finance Committees. It recognized that while coordination of public information activities in the UN system was desirable, it had to be pursued pragmatically, with due respect to the policies, programmes and needs of each agency. Accordingly, it endorsed the view of the ACC that “the common goal can perhaps best be achieved by a diversity of action”. Some members felt that the Director-General might consider a possible contribution to Development Forum. However, this should be done to the extent permitted by available resources and on condition that adequate attention was paid by Development Forum to food and agricultural issues and to the work of FAO.
101. The Council reviewed the progress made by FAO in the follow-up of WCARRD, on the basis of document CL 82/18. The Council stressed the importance of the WCARRD Programme of Action in providing a frame of reference within which all agricultural development programmes could be reviewed. It commended FAO for the considerable progress made in the implementation of the Programme of Action in the three years since the World Conference. It expressed strong support for the nature, content and direction of the programme as a whole, as well as for particular lines of programme activity as set out in CL 82/18.
102. The Council stressed the importance of action at the country level. It approved of the lines of action pursued by FAO, both in regard to promoting country action, as well as in providing necessary technical and resource support.
103. The Council expressed support for the WCARRD Follow-up Missions which, through their policy dialogue with governments, provided inputs to governments’ own review of their policies and programmes in relation to the WCARRD Programme of Action. Such WCARRD missions had visited nine countries, with a further three to be visited in the next few months.
104. Some members considered that there should be a close relationship between the policy concerns of WCARRD, incorporating the production and distribution considerations which had constituted the cornerstone of the WCARRD Programme of Action, and national food strategies.
105. The Council stressed the importance of national coordinating mechanisms at appropriately high levels for implementation of agrarian reform and rural development. These were considered useful both for policy formulation as well as for coordination of the multi-disciplinary facets of rural development at national levels. They also provided a framework for coordination of UN system assistance in rural development at the country level. Many countries reported the establishment of such national coordinating committees.
106. In considering the various areas of WCARRD follow-up, the Council stressed the importance of agrarian reform, as a basis for rural development. Purely technological approaches were inadequate in the face of structural and institutional distortions which prevented the benefits of rural development from reaching the rural poor. Adequate access to land by the rural poor through agrarian reform was essential to ensure that the rural poor benefitted from rural development. Many members reported on agrarian reform measures taken by them for the distribution of land and non-land assets to the rural poor.
107. The Council strongly supported the emphasis on people’s participation and the content and direction of programmes being undertaken in this field. Emphasis was also placed on political and administrative •prerequisites for such participation, such as decentralization and the participation of the people in local decision-making. The role of people’s organiza- tions and cooperatives in bringing about such participation was emphasized.
108. The importance of NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) collaboration in WCARRD follow-up was stressed, especially in relation to peopic’s participation. The Council welcomed the involvement of NGOs at national and local levels, as well as national and international NGO involvement, in the identification and implementation of self-help projects, and hoped that such NGO involvement would be strengthened.
109. The participation and integration of women in development was given very high priority by the Council. The Council supported the major lines of proposed FAO programme activities. The Council considered the guidelines and checklists prepared as being extremely useful, in all stages of project formulation and monitoring, for ensuring that women’s concerns were really integrated in development activities. The importance of providing opportunities for training and employment of women at all levels was emphasized.
110. The importance of education, training and extension for farmers at all levels was also stressed. Support was given to the orientation and lines of activity as set out in CL 82/18. The Council called special attention to the need for assistance in improving higher level training in all aspects of rural development in Africa , in line with the specific recommendations of the FAQ Regional Conference for Africa ( Algiers , September 1982). The need to invOlve CIRDAFRICA (Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Africa ) in such a massive training effort was emphasized.
111. Special mention was made of the problems of shifting cultivation in Africa . The Council noted that FAO had already undertaken a number of studies and steps in regard to the land-use and conservation aspects of shifting cultivation, as well as institutional and socio-economic aspects. These studies would be distributed to governments for their consideration.
112. The Council attached great importance to the monitoring and evaluation of agrarian reform and rural development by the countries, involving the development of appropriate socio-economic indicators. Such indicators should be simple, reliable, flexible and feasible, In view of the scarcity and inaccuracy of existing data, it was felt that this work should proceed hand-in-hand with assistance to countries for systematic statistical development.
113. The work done to assist countries in preparing for reporting to the 1983 FAO Conference was welcomed, especially the distribution of a common annotated format for such reporting, the preparation of in-depth country studies, and the establishment of a socio-economic information system for future reporting. The Council invited all Member Governments to participate fully in the programme for monitoring and evaluation and urged developing countries in particular to prepare and submit national reports to enable the Organization to prepare a comprehensive and analytical report to the FAO Conference in 1983.
114. The Council supported the initiatives taken by FAO at the regional level. It supported especially the inter-country consultations in different regions, which provided guidance and priorities for country action and felt that they should be continued.
115. The Council welcomed the establishment of the Regional
Centres for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development and strongly supported FAO programmes
for assistance in their establishment and initial operation and further recommended
continuing FAO technical support to these Centres until they could stand on their own feet.
It urged the early establishment of the Regional Centres in Latin America and the
116. The Council noted that less than half the extra-budgetary resources intended in terms of Conference Resolution 7/79 had actually been provided. While expressing appreciation of the Nordic countries’ contributions, the Council urged all potential donors to contribute the additional extra-budgetary resources required to support this important programme.
117. The Council welcomed the efforts and means for inter-agency cooperation promoted by FAO as lead agency for agratian reform and rural development activities in the UN System. It noted that other UN agencies were being increasingly involved through the ACC Task Force on Rural Development, through the inter-agency meetings at the regional level, and through WCARRD missions at the country level.
118. The Council recalled that the Twenty-first Session of the FAQ Conference had unanimously adopted Resolution 7/81, which noted the outstanding response of Member Governments in implementing Resolution 1/79 which established World Food Day, and recommended that these activities be intensified in the future.
119. A wide range of activities had taken place in more
than 140 countries to mark the second World Food Day in 1982. It was noted with
satisfaction that these activities, as well as observances arranged at FAO Headquarters in
Rome
, UN Headquarters in
120. A high level of interest had been demonstrated by schools at primary and secondary levels, and by universities. In this connection, the view was expressed that World Food Day was an opportunity to bring the world food problem to the attention of youth, who would bear responsibility for its resolution in future years. It was therefore urged that importance be attached to forthcoming activities targeted to reach young audiences.
121. The Council recognized the efforts made bSr the Director-General to secure the involvement of non-governmental organizations. It welcomed the very broad participation of NGOs in the preparation and implementation of World Food Day activities. In order to further decentralize activities to the grass-roots level, the Council suggested that the participation of non-governmental organizations, especially at local and rural levels, be encouraged.
122. The Council took note of the Director-General’s initiative in convening a Colloquium of independent eminent personalities on the occasion of World Food Day 1982. The results of its discussions were contained in the Rome Declaration on Hunger, which was commended as an important document embodying the principles set forth by the FAO Conference and Council. The Council agreed that the Declaration was a useful means of indentifying the measures required, and recommended that it be disseminated through information channels available to World Food Day organizers.
123. The Council recognized that the impact of World Food Day observances was largely due to the initiative and creativity of Member Governments. It was also noted that the informational materials and assistance provided by FAO were an important contribution to the success achieved. The Director-General was requested to explore ways in which such support could be strengthened in the future within the resources available.
1 CL 82/8; CL 82/PV/7; CL 82/PV/17.
2 CL 82/15; CL 82/PV/6; CL 82/PV/7; CL 82/PV/17.
3 CL 82/16; CL 82/PV/lO; CL 82/PV/l7.
4 CL 82/7; CL 82/17 - Sup.l; CL 82/17 - Corr.l (English only); CL 82/PV/8; CL 82/PV/l8.
5 CL 82/PV/9; CL 82/PV/l7.
6 CL 82/6; CL 82/3, para. 119; CL 82/4, para. 95; CL 82/PV/l7.
7 CL 82/7; CL 82/3, paras. 120-122; CL 82/4, paras. 96-98; CL 82/PV/l7.
8 CL 82/13; CL 82/3, paras. 129-132; CL 82/4, paras. 99-102; CL 82/PV/l7.
9 CL 82/9; CL 82/3, paras. 123 and 124; CL 82/4, paras. 103-105; CL 82/PV/17.
10 CL 82/12; CL 82/3, paras. 125-128; CL 82/4, paras. 106-109; CL 82/PV/17.
11 CL 82/23; CL 82/3, paras. 133-135; CL 82/4, paras. 110-112; CL 82/PV/l7.
12 CL 82/26; CL 82/4, paras. 113 and 114; CL 82/PV/l7.
13 CL 82/27; CL 82/11, paras. 1.85-1.91 and 2.80-2.83; CL 82/PV/l7.
14 CL 82/18; CL 82/PV/lO; CL 82/PV/11; CL 82/PV/18.
15 CL 82/19; CL 82/PV/11; CL 82/PV/l2; CL 82/PV/18.
