CFS:2004/5-Sup.1-Rev.1

GRULAC PROPOSAL

Agenda Item IV.b - “Arrangements for the special forum foreseen in the World Food Summit Plan of Action”

1. To convene, as foreseen in Objective 7.3 of the Plan of Action of the World Food Summit (1996), a Special Forum, within the 32^nd Session of the Committee on Food Security, in 2006, to undertake a major broad-based progress assessment of the implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action and a mid-term review of achieving the target of reducing by half the number of undernourished people no later than 2015. This Special Forum should involve active participation from governments, relevant international organizations and actors of civil society.

2. On the discussion of this theme during the 31^st Period of Sessions (2005), the CFS will act as a preparatory forum and will assess the agenda, the method of work, the criteria for participation, the goals and the follow-up to the Special Forum of 2006, including the possibility of establishing a future forum of dialogue, consultation and understanding. The representatives of civil society will be invited to the afore-mentioned discussion, in accordance with criteria established by the CFS.¹ They will be able to participate by presenting initiatives or suggestions and making interventions, on an exceptional basis, at any time during the debate. In accordance with governing methods, only State Members will be able to take decisions.

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¹ Non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, parliamentarians, academic institutions and foundations and the private sector will be invited to participate in the discussion of this theme, in accordance with the criteria governing the issuance of invitations to NGOs for sessions of the CFS. According to these criteria, non-governmental organizations can register as observers, provided that their work is related to the food security mandate of the Committee, is international in character, and demonstrates this through a network of affiliated branches in different countries, or an international board of directors, or both. For the work of CFS, the term NGO is understood to cover all forms of civil society or private sector organizations. (Language adapted from paragraph 4 of Appendix D of the Report of the 123^rd Session of the FAO Council, which established the IGWG on the Right to Food).