Report of the Eleventh Session of the Committee on Agriculture
(Rome, 22-30 April 1991)1
36. The Council expressed appreciation for the Report and endorsed the recommendations contained therein. It noted that the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) had structured its discussion under three main themes: (i) FAO's Programme of Work in the Food and Agriculture Sector, including the Field Programme and Medium-Term Perspectives; (ii) Food and Nutrition; (iii) Selected Development Issues.
-Review of FAO's Programme of Work in the Food and Agriculture Sector
37. The Council welcomed the analysis and endorsed the recommendations made by COAG in its review of the Implementation of the Programme of Work 1988-90, the Review of the Field Programme, the Medium-Term Perspectives and Programme Priorities in Food and Agriculture, and of the extract of the Summary Programme of Work and Budget 1992-93 concerned with the Major Programme 2.1 Agriculture.
38. The Council noted that COAG had supported the overall objectives and priorities of the Major Programme, and had welcomed the strengthening of cooperative arrangements with other institutions, particularly with the International Agricultural Research Centres and relevant organizations of the UK System.
39. The Council supported COAG's appreciation of the increased attention given to environment and sustainable development in FAO programmes, and shared COAG's concern over the decline in several technical sub-programmes, in particular training courses, workshops, and expert consultations, and activities concerning livestock.
40. The introduction of the review of the Field Programme by COAG was welcomed by the Council. It noted that COAG had examined the size, composition and trends of the Organization's Agricultural Field Programmes, as well as links with the Regular Programme. The Council stressed the value of the Field Programmes in providing technical assistance and in facilitating the transfer of new technologies to developing countries.
41. The Council agreed in general with COAG's concern over the generally stagnant trend in the overall levels of the agricultural Field Programme and the decline in the allocation of resources from the Technical Cooperation Programme for the agricultural sector during 1988/89.
42. The Council welcomed the acceleration in the process of national execution, and agreed with COAG that national execution should be introduced progressively, selectively, and in an orderly manner, taking into account the capacity and/or interest of the country.
43. The Council warmly commended the inclusion of Medium-Term Perspectives and Programme Priorities in Food and Agriculture in the COAG discussions. It recognized that this was a first, but significant, step forward in the process of preparing FAO's Medium-Term Plan, and recommended that this become a regular agenda item. The Council endorsed the six priority cross-sectoral tasks proposed for the medium-term; namely, improving information systems; promoting productivity increases to raise food production or food purchasing power; improving support services for small farmers; widening people's participation; promoting SARD; and assisting in the development of a more liberal agricultural trade regime. It noted that these tasks were not ranked in any order of priority.
44. The Council endorsed COAG's view that one of FAO's main objectives in the medium-term perspective should be that of fostering growth with equity, in order to eradicate rural poverty and ensure food security. This would require broadly-based participation of rural people, as well as strengthened efforts by governments themselves and by the international community.
45. The Council noted that in COAG's discussion of Summary Programme of Work and Budget 1992-93, many members had expressed their deep regret at the lack of net programme increases at a time of ever-pressing demands placed on the Organization and expectations for greater assistance from FAO. The Council noted COAG's view that the proposals for Major Programme 2.1, Agriculture, were generally in consonance with the earlier guidance of FAO Governing Bodies and responsive to new concerns, while safeguarding the most essential priorities, despite the overall net reduction.
46. The Council shared COAG's concern at the net decrease for the Natural Resources Programme, reiterated its support for the special action programme on conservation and rehabilitation of African lands and hoped that a similar programme could be considered for Asia. The Secretariat confirmed that inter alia changes in the allocations for water-logging, salinity control and reclamation of degraded lands were being made in light of the views expressed in COAG.
47. The Council endorsed the plans for the preservation and improvement of animal genetic resources, and supported the COAG's recommendation to hold an Expert Consultation to consider an action programme to protect animal biodiversity.
48. The Council agreed that the increased resources included in the Programme of Work and Budget for environment, energy and sustainable development were an appropriate response to the call from the FAO Conference for enhancing interdisciplinary work, ensuring integration of environmental considerations and monitoring in relevant FAO activities, strengthening cooperation with other organizations, and participating effectively in the preparation of, and follow up to, the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
49. The Council agreed with COAG that, in the light of the overriding importance of poverty alleviation, there should be emphasis on upgrading human resources and, therefore, regretted the reduction in resources for the relevant Programme. Similarly, it agreed with the importance of providing assistance to member countries on policy and strategy formulation regarding agrarian issues, as well as on the effects of structural adjustment programmes and practical actions for increased access to land and other scarce resources.
50. The Council agreed with COAG's support for the increased role of FAO in policy analysis and advice and stressed that it was one of the areas in which FAO had a comparative advantage. The Council also stressed that one of the important roles of FAO was the provision of information and objective assessments of agricultural commodity market and trade developments, and encouraged the efforts to successfully implement the World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT). The Council reiterated its support for the continued high priority accorded to the work of the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS).
51. The Council agreed with the increased cross-sectorial responses in areas such as environment and sustainable development, policy analysis, planning, structural adjustment and the involvement of women in development.
52. The Council noted the disappointment of Member Nations of the Asia and Pacific region that the regional study for their region could not be carried out during the 1990-91 biennium and their call for its inclusion in the Programme of Works and Budget 1992-93.
53. The Council noted that COAG had reviewed the document "Towards Better Nutrition for Alls Preparing for the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN)", which outlined the broad linkages between agriculture, nutrition, health, and social and economic development, and reported on the progress being made towards preparations for the ICN. The Council's review of the Preparations for the ICN, which took into account the views of the COAG, are reported under Item 14 of the Agenda {see paras 144 to 150 below) of the Report.
-Biodiversity - Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
54. The Council noted that COAG had recognized the pioneering and long- standing work of FAO in different fields of biological diversity. It agreed with COAG that FAO, in accordance with its mandate, should continue to contribute to the conservation and sustainable utilization of biological diversity of current and potential interest to agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
55. The Council commended FAO's active cooperation with the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in its preparatory process, and in a number of important initiatives taken in the field of biodiversity.
56. The Council endorsed COAG's view that, while recognizing that there were clear links between a possible legal instrument on biodiversity and the activities performed within the framework of the International Undertaking on PGR, it was premature to change the nature of the International Undertaking at this time.
57. The Council appreciated FAO's efforts to develop a Special Action Programme on Biological Diversity encompassing different elements of biodiversity for food and agriculture.
58. The Council noted that following the request it made at its Ninety-eighth Session. COAG had examined the question of widening the mandate on the Commission of Plant. Genetic Resources (CPGR) to include inter alia animal genetic resources, but did not agree to broaden the mandate at this times: it recommended calling an Expert Consultation to assist in making a more informed judgement about the desirability of establishing a separate forum for animal genetic resources. The Expert Consultation would also assess the proposed programme on animal genetic resources. The Council was informed that such a Consultation would most likely be held prior to the June 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development.
-Integration of Women in Agriculture and Rural Development
59. The Council noted that COAG had discussed the subject of integration of Women in Agriculture and Rural Development in response to the request made by the Council at. its Ninety-fourth Session in November 1988 and by the Conference at its Twenty-fifth Session in November 1989. The Council noted with satisfaction the increasing recognition of women's crucial contributions to agriculture and rural development and their important role in the sustainable development of agriculture.
60. The Council agreed with COAG's view on the need for the collection of gender-disaggregated data on agricultural work, land tenure and access to rural services, to identify better women's productive roles, contributions and needs. It further supported the development of data bases and analyses leading to the formulation of policies, programmes and projects which would specifically address constraints on women farmers.
61. The Council emphasized the need to remove the major constraints faced by farm women, and called for greater efforts to integrate the issues of women's access to resources into national mainstream development policies, as well as in FAO's mainstream programmes.
62. In considering the Agenda for the Twelfth Session of COAG, the Council supported, with one amendment, the list of selected development issues which the Committee had recommended, namely:-
- The Role of Livestock, Rangelands, Improvement of Pasture, Feed and Forage and Combatting Desertification
- Sustainable Agricultural Development, Rainfed Agriculture and Water Management
- Agricultural Credit, Cooperatives and Savings in Agriculture
- The Role of Education and Extension in Agricultural Development
- The Impact of Liberalization of Trade on Sustainable Agricultural Development
63. The Council considered the comments of COAG regarding the importance of the participation of technical experts in the deliberations of technical committees, such as the Committee on Agriculture. It noted that, at. present, Regular Programme funding of attendance of government representatives was limited to the Council and the Programme and Finance Committees, in accordance with the General Rules of the Organization. Accordingly, any change in this practice would require amendment of the General Rules by the Conference.
64. In this connection, the Council was pleased to note the readiness of one Member Nation to fund the attendance of some technical experts at deliberations of the Committee on Agriculture. It felt that this offer might also be made by other Member Nations to facilitate expert participation not only at the Committee on Agriculture but also at other technical committees of the Council. A number of members expressed interest in the Secretariat pursuing these suggestions.
65. The Council accordingly requested the Director-General to pursue the above suggestions, regarding the establishment of a Trust Fund for facilitating the participation of technical experts in the delegations of developing countries to the technical committees of the Council. It was suggested that such arrangements could be multilateral or bilateral. The Council noted that the Secretariat would make every effort to examine these suggestions with all their implications, including estimates of possible costs and, if possible, report to it on the outcome at its next Session.
66. The Council considered the "Plan of Action for People's Participation in Rural Development", which had been prepared in response to the recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture at its Tenth Session3 and the request of the FAO Council at its Ninety-fifth and Ninety-eighth Sessions.4
67. The Council recognized that the policy decision and responsibility for formulating and implementing participatory development policies and approaches rested with the governments of individual member countries. It therefore stressed that the policies and programmes for people's participation envisaged in the Plan of Action should fully recognize and respect the sovereignty of Member Governments.
68. The Council recognized that the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (WCARRD) had placed special emphasis on promoting people's participation through appropriate national policies aiming at growth and equity. It recognized that active participation could be promoted through voluntary, self-reliant and democratic organizations of the rural people. It stressed that an essential step in fostering effective participation would be to create conditions favouring the establishment of such organizations. The Council underlined the importance of people's participation as an essential component of sustainable agricultural development. The importance of people's participation for fostering democracy and promoting the common good of all people was stressed.
69. The Council noted the information provided by many members regarding their national policies for promoting people's participation that were in broad agreement with the objectives and the recommendations of the Plan of Action.
70. The Council recognized that FAO had introduced participatory approaches in many of its projects and had gained considerable experience in promoting "bottom-up" development. It appreciated FAO's activities to assist governments in the promotion of local self-help groups and in strengthening the capacity of people's organizations, such as cooperatives, to serve the interests of their members. The Council recognized that FAO would need to play an important role in the implementation of the Plan of Action, by acting as a catalyst and an advocate, as well as by providing technical assistance to governments in promoting participatory activities.
71. The Council welcomed FAO's cooperation with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other international organizations in the field of people's participation, and encouraged the Organization to pursue its efforts in developing collaborative activities in this field, including collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with food and agriculture.
72. The Council recognized that the promotion of participatory principles of development was a long-term process and hence would require consistent policies and programmes aimed at involving rural people in the design and implementation of development activities of direct concern to them. The Council stressed that people's participation went beyond projects and programmes, extended to all spheres of life and required most of all an approach to involve rural people more actively.
73. The Council noted the importance of availability of adequate domestic and supportive resources for promoting people's participation along the lines envisaged in the Plan of Action. Many members urged donor countries and agencies to provide technical and financial support for encouraging people's participation in rural development. In this connection, they stressed that growing international debts, trade barriers and protectionism had considerably weakened their financial position and had reduced their capacity to finance participatory rural development. Some delegations pointed out, however, that in the case of people's participation, attitudes were much more important than amounts of financial resources available.
74. The Council expressed general satisfaction with the Plan of Action and broadly endorsed its objectives and the areas of action identified in it. The Council agreed that, in general, the Plan of Action constituted a suitable framework for future action and provided useful guidelines for interested governments to facilitate the process of people's participation. In reviewing the detailed recommendations contained in the Plan of Action, some members expressed the view that the sovereignty of individual governments should be more clearly recognized in the Plan. The view was expressed that the Plan of Action should be further elaborated and translated into concrete activities. Some members requested additional information on the budgetary implications of the Plan of Action and assurance that sufficient resources would be allocated to enable FAO to play its role in the execution of the Plan of Action. A number of more detailed comments were made on different points of the Plan. The Council therefore agreed that the Plan of Action should be revised, taking into account the views expressed during the Council discussion, and be submitted to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Conference for consideration and adoption.
75. The Council expressed its appreciation to the Government of the Netherlands for hosting and funding the Den Bosch Conference. It congratulated the Dutch authorities and FAO for the efficient organization of the Conference. This Conference was considered as a historic landmark in the crucial and urgent process of developing a consensus for international and national action towards sustainable agriculture and rural development, particularly within the context of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, Brazil, June 1992). The open and constructive dialogue among a large number of senior experts from both developing and developed countries and other participants from international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was recognized with appreciation by the Council as an important factor in the success of the Conference and one that should be continued.
76. The Council welcomed the report of the FAO/Netherlands Conference on Agriculture and the Environment, which included the Den Bosch Declaration and Agenda for Action for Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (SARD), as well as regional working group reports, and references to background papers and recommended that it should be used as a good basis for the further elaboration of strategies and action proposals in this field, in particular as a major input for the UNCED preparatory process concerning the agricultural sector.. To this end, the Council requested that the following points be taken into account in the FAO contributions to UNCED and in the submission of a fuller report to the Twenty-sixth Session of the FAO Conference.
77, The Council agreed that the follow-up of the FAO/Netherlands Conference would require vigorous action both within FAO and within the framework of UNCED. The Council requested FAO to bring the appropriate contents of the report of the Conference to the attention of the Preparatory Committee of UNCED, together with the above observations and recommendations. The Council further invited UNCED to devote full attention to SARD as a key topic in order to mobilize all possible support for this vital sector in meeting basic human needs sustainably while protecting the environment.
78. The Council fully endorsed the Den Bosch Conference recommendation that FAO develop, with the support of, in close cooperation and in full association with, other specialized international organizations, including in particular the competent" Rome-based organizations of the UN system taking into consideration their respective mandates, an overall international cooperative programme framework (ICPF) to assist in meeting the needs for SARD at national and international levels. It gave broad support to a preliminary outline of this programme framework6 and requested that it be further developed, including its operational, financial and organizational implications, for submission to the Twenty- sixth Session of the FAO Conference for its consideration. The Council agreed that FAO had an important comparative advantage in providing policy advice to countries in this field and in the implementation of the ICPF /SARD.
79. The Council considered the document prepared on the actions taken by FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to implement Prior Informed Consent (PIC). It was recalled that PIC had been incorporated into the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides through Resolution 6/89 of the Twenty-fifth Session of the FAO Conferences, which amemded Articles 2 and 9 of the Code and authorized the Director-General to establish a programme jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme for the implementation of the PIC procedures.
80. The Council noted the progress which had been achieved in a joint programme between FAO and UNEP since the Twenty-fifth Session of the Conference., A number of initiatives had been taken to implement the Conference decision, including the convening of three meetings of a joint FAO/UNEP expert group to advise on and assist in the development of the programme. Wide response had been obtained to the request for designation of national authorities, while progress had been made on the establishment of a joint data base, and the preparation of documentation to start the full-scale implementation of PIC.
81. The Council also noted that a Memorandum of Understanding was being developed between FAO and UNEP to formalize their cooperation on PIC and that the preparatory work was being finalized. The Council was further informed that an initial phase of implementation of PIC might start in August 1991. In that phase, pesticides that had already been banned or severely restricted in five or more countries would be notified to governments. Full implementation was foreseen for January 1992. From then on each pesticide that was newly-banned or severely restricted in any country for reasons of human health or the environment would enter directly in the PIC procedure.
82. The Council commended FAO and UNEP on their close collaboration on the implementation of PIC. It noted the work of the Joint Expert Group on the establishment of criteria for the inclusion of pesticides in the PIC procedure, in particular as regarded the inclusion of pesticides that were acutely toxic. The Council stressed the importance of an early implementation of PIC and several members offered technical assistance to accelerate its implementation.
83. The Council noted the various activities underway to implement the Code of Conduct and commended the Secretariat on the wide range of activities that had been undertaken to assist member countries. The Council expressed its appreciation to the donors who supported the programme technically and financially, the Council recommended that the activities on the implementation of the Code should be accompanied by programmes for proper pest management, including reduced reliance on hazardous pesticides, in particular as regarded the implementation of Integrated Pest Management.
84. The Council concurred with the recommendation of the joint FAO/UNEP Expert Panel that it was premature to consider the conversion of the Code of Conduct into a binding legal instrument.
85. The Council considered the Report of the Fourth Session of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) and endorsed its conclusions and recommendations. It noted with satisfaction that the Session had been marked by a spirit of cooperation and that consensus had been reached on a number of major issues. The Council agreed that the various institutional elements of the FAO Global System for the Conservation and Utilization of PGR were in place, and that legal and other difficulties had been overcome. The Council expressed satisfaction with the increasing acceptance of the Global System on PGR and noted that by the end of the Session of the Commission, 128 countries were part of this System, of which 111 were members of the Commission and 102 had adhered to the International Undertaking.
86. The Council considered that the time was ripe for the Commission to exercise the coordinating and monitoring role provided for in its mandate in order to ensure the full efficiency of the global system. It considered that much progress had been made, but much remained to be done, and agreed with the Commission that consideration should be given to the strengthening of its Secretariat, possibly through internal reallocation of resources.
87. The Council agreed that the best way to implement Farmers; Rights could be through an international fund to finance a PGR Global Plan of Action. It also agreed that as conservation and sustainable use of PGR was a continuing need, the international fund should be sustainable and transparent.
88. The Council agreed that countries had sovereignty over their plant genetic resources. It further agreed that breeders lines and farmers' breeding material should only be available at the discretion of their developers during the period of development. The Council supported the Commission's views that a paper be prepared for its next session to further clarify the conditions of access to PGR.
89. In order to arrive to an agreeable text of the Draft Resolution submitted by the Commission, as an annex to the Undertaking, the Council agreed to the establishment of a Contact Group composed of the following delegations: Argentina,, Canada, Egypt, Germany, India, Mexico, Morocco, Sweden, and Venezuela. The Council, following further discussions, agreed with the Chairman's proposed procedure to submit the text as developed by the Contact Group to the next session of the Conference for its consideration and possible adoption. The text is as follows s
ANNEX 3 TO THE INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKING ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES
THE CONFERENCE
Recognizing that:
- the concept of mankind heritage, as applied in the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, is subject to the sovereignty of the states over their plant genetic resources;
- the availability of plant genetic resources and the information, technologies and funds necessary to conserve and utilize them, are complementary and of equal importance;
- all nations can be contributors and beneficiaries of plant genetic resources, information, technologies and funds;
- conditions of access to plant genetic resources need further clarification.
Considering that :
- the best way to guarantee the maintenance of plant genetic resources is to ensure their effective and beneficial utilization in all countries;
- the farmers of the world have, over the millennia, domesticated, conserved, nurtured, improved and made available plant genetic resources, and continue to do so today;
- advanced technologies and local rural technologies are both important and complementary in the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources;
- in situ and ex situ conservation are important and complementary strategies for maintaining genetic diversity.
Endorses the following points:
90. The Council strongly supported the convening of a Fourth International Technical Conference on PGR, to be financed through extra- budgetary funds. During the preparatory process for such a Conference, both the first State of the World's PGR and PGR Global Plan of Action would be prepared. The technical conference could be scheduled for the end of 1993 or early 1994, and organized in cooperation with other relevant organizations, in particular the IBPGR and other CGIAR centres.
91. The Council stressed that the major parties to be involved in the implementation of the Plan, should be involved in its preparation, thereby ensuring effective coordination, and avoiding duplication of activities and waste of resources. The Council recognized the importance of regional participation in the preparation of the PGR Global Plan of Action and the State of the World's PGR, and recommended that advantage be taken of the FAO Regional Conferences as from 1992 to ensure this cooperation. The Council noted that the cost of the International Technical Conference, including the technical meeting for the preparation of the first State of the World's PGR and the PGR and Plan of Action was estimated at about USS three million. During the meeting, a number of countries expressed their willingness to explore supporting the costs of, and providing technical assistance for the Conference,, and the Council joined the Commission in requesting the Director-General to initiate consultations with potential donor countries, so as to secure the necessary extra- budgetary funds.
92. The Council agreed that the State of the World's PGR should be an authorative document that would guide international discussions regarding PGR. It should identify existing gaps, emergency situations and priorities for action, and provide the basis for the preparation of the PGR Global Plan of Action. The Council considered that the document should concentrate on plant genetic resources of interest to agriculture and forestry, and agreed that a small group of experts, with balanced regional representation, be established to assist in its preparation.
93. The Council agreed that the PGR Global Plan of action should include priority programmes and projects for local, national, regional and international activities.
94. The Council noted the Commission's discussions on "mechanisms to facilitate the exchange of germplasm information and technology", including the establishment of in situ and ex situ conservation networks and a Global Information and Early Warning System on PGR. In this context, it endorsed the Commission's recommendation to reorganize the FAO Seed Laboratory as the Plant Information and Exchange Unit, and to expand the Seed Information System into the Global Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources.
95. The Council recognized the complementarity of the in situ and ex situ strategies for the conservation of plant genetic resources. It noted the discussion of the Commission on the possible establishment of a network of in situ conservation areas and recognized the main responsibility of FAO in in situ conservation of wild relatives of cultivated plants, as well as in promoting "on-farm" conservation and utilization of land races while recognizing the importance of cooperation with other relevant organizations. With respect to ex situ conservation, the Council noted that progress had been made towards the establishment of the international network of base collections in gene banks under the auspices and/or jurisdiction of FAO requested in the International Undertaking. It welcomed the offers made by a number of governments and institutions to contribute with their base collections or with space in their gene banks to the establishment of these networks, and in particular the offer of Indonesia and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the establishment of well-focused pilot-scale activities on in situ conservation and the offer of the Government of Norway to establish an international seed bank in Svalbard under permafrost conditions. The Council supported the Commission's request that the Director-General initiate or continue negotiations with these governments and institutions.
96. The Council noted with satisfaction that the cooperation agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding on Programme Cooperation between FAO and IBPGR included aspects related to the preparation of the State of the World's PGR, the development of the Global Information and Early Warning System, and the merging, to the extent possible, of the "FAO network of base collection and the IBPGR registry of base collection". The Council expressed its appreciation to the IBPGR for reporting its activities to the Commission. The Council welcomed the request of the Commission to invite other relevant organizations to report to the Commission on their programmes and activities related to PGR.
97. The Council noted that the Commission had examined the provisions contained in the Draft International Code of Conduct for Plant Germplasm Collecting and Transfer. It agreed that the Code should be of a voluntary nature, and that some re-drafting following the suggestions made by the Commission was necessary before it was presented to the Council and Conference for endorsement.
98. The Council agreed that the Draft Code of Conduct on Biotechnology, as it affected the conservation and utilization of PGR, should also be prepared in a step-by-step manner, in close collaboration with the appropriate organizations. The Council considered that particular emphasis should be put on training scientists and technicians of the developing countries in the use of appropriate biotechnologies, so as to ensure the effective transfer and utilization of such knowledge.
99. The Council emphasized the role of FAO on the conservation and sustainable use of biological and genetic diversity of interest to agriculture, forestry and fishery. It recognized the importance of FAO's cooperation in this area with UNEP and UNCED, and requested that an information paper on the current situation and development of the FAO Global System on PGR be presented to the appropriate meetings of UNCED and UNEP. The Council welcomed, with satisfaction, the invitation of UNEP to include an FAO staff member in the Secretariat that would serve the next meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts on Biological Diversity, and expressed the hope that similar arrangements could be made for future sessions of the Working Group.
100. The Council agreed that it was still premature to transform the nature of the International Undertaking on PGR into a binding legal agreement. It also agreed to review the matter further at a later date.
101. The Council noted that the Commission had examined the advantages and disadvantages of widening its mandate to include animal genetic resources and other aspects of biodiversity. The Council noted the Commission's conclusions that the introduction of new elements might make the Commission's task more complex, and dilute its effectiveness. Therefore, at this stage, it did not support the widening of .Its mandate. The Council therefore agreed with the commission's conclusion not to widen the mandate at this time.
102. The Council noted that the changes in Central and Eastern Europe might be affecting the safety of the area's plant genetic resources, and agreed that an urgent study should be undertaken by FAO to identify any possible danger to the stored germplasm and proposed solutions.
103. The Council expressed appreciation for the work done by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), especially its periodic review of the FAO programmes in fisheries and assessment of fisheries issues and problems of a global character and their possible solutions with a view to achieving concerted action by member countries, by FAO and by other international organizations. It endorsed the views and recommendations as contained in the Report of the Nineteenth Session of COFI, especially the objectives and areas of high priority over the medium term identified by COFI.
104. The Council noted with satisfaction that considerable progress had been achieved in implementing the 1984 FAO World Fisheries Conference's Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development, and that member countries had renewed their commitments to continue to promote their national fisheries development policies and plans on the basis of the Strategy, whose principles and guidelines were still found to be pertinent and relevant. It reiterated the importance it attached to training and transfer of knowledge, skills and technology in order to assist developing countries to achieve self-reliance in the management and sustainable development of their fisheries.
105. While confirming the continued validity of the Strategy, the Council considered that environment and sustainability in fisheries, appropriate management systems, removal of trade barriers and strengthening of national research capacity would require increased emphasis. In this respect, it endorsed the COFI recommendation that FAO should prepare a special publication summarizing all national reports and relevant debates, and highlighting the benefits derived from, as well as proposals for a more rapid and efficient implementation of, the Strategy, particularly by developing member countries.
106. The Council emphasized the key role of FAO in promoting environmental protection in relation to sustainable development of fisheries. It supported the COFI recommendation that, in order to ensure the sustainability of inland and marine fishery resources, continued efforts be made to maintain or reduce fishing intensities at optimal levels. The development of more selective fishing gear and techniques employed especially in marine fisheries should receive greater attention in order to reduce discards and the threat to endangered non-targeted species. The Council supported the high priority assigned to the promotion of the concept of integrated coastal area management and development. The need for improved information, data and methodologies employed was stressed. In this connection, the Council recognized the usefulness of the Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques.
107. The Council reaffirmed the importance it attached to aquaculture and inland fisheries development, and urged FAO to strengthen its support to this sector particularly regarding the provision to member countries of advice, technical assistance and training in the formulation of policies and plans for aquaculture development. In this respect, the provision of guidelines for use in controlling the environmental impact of and on aquaculture and to combat diseases and limit their spread in wild populations was suggested.
108. The Council welcomed the efforts made by FAO to ensure that fisheries interests were well represented in the preparations for and participation in the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development. It noted in particular that the Fisheries Department had prepared two documents on living marine resources and on integrated development of coastal areas for the Conference.
109. The Council noted with appreciation FAO's efforts to enhance the role of women in fisheries development, especially the efforts made to remove some of the elements on gender constraints through extension and training programmes for women in fishing communities. It suggested that these endeavours should continue, especially in identifying appropriate data and socio-economic indicators and in integrating women's activities in field projects. It supported a proposal to establish a professional post in the Fisheries Department to strengthen its capacity in promoting the role of women, subject to the availability of funds.
110. The Council welcomed the action taken by the Director-General in response to the recommendations of the Twenty-fifth Session of the FAO Conference on the large-scale pelagic driftnet fishing issue, and stressed that FAO should continue its active role in implementing General Assembly (UNGA) Resolutions 44/225 and 45/197 on this subject.
111. The Council agreed that FAO had an important role to play in promoting international understanding about the responsible conduct of fishing operations. Technical work in this field could result in the elaboration of guidelines which would lead to a code of conduct on adequate fishing practices, thus contributing to the rational utilization and management of living resources, including those of the high seas. A majority of members supported the proposals that FAO in consultation with Member Nations on the agenda convene in the 1992-93 biennium an Expert Consultation, followed by an Intergovernmental Consultation, to review the various issues related to the rational management of these high seas resources. The Council also suggested that FAO continue to collaborate closely with the UN Office for Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea (UNOALOS) and concerned international fisheries organizations, and consult with interested countries. It was emphasized that the activities concerning high-seas fisheries should not be at the expense of assistance to developing member countries in the development and management of living resources in their exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
112. The Council noted that as a consequence to the recommendations of the First Fisheries Development Donor Consultation, held in Paris in 1986, a study on international fisheries research needs of developing countries had been carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the European Economic Community (EEC) and FAO on behalf of 17 donors, and that the recommendations arising from this study would be considered by the Second Fisheries Development Donor Consultation in Paris in October 1991. It concurred with the view of COB'I that the priority in providing support to research in developing member countries should be to strengthen the capacity of national institutions, specifically within the context of applied research of direct relevance to national needs and in accordance with national development policies, and that FAO should continue to play a leading role in this regard.
113. The Council noted with satisfaction the development by FAO of a new Fisheries Project Information System (FIPIS), which was regarded as a very useful instrument for exchange of information, particularly on the status of development assistance projects.
114. The Council commended the work accomplished by the Third Session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade held in September 1990 and endorsed its recommendations. It noted with appreciation that in response to the Director-General's request the Common Fund for Commodities had designated the Sub-Committee as the International Commodity Body for fishery products. The Council agreed that in promoting international trade in fish and fishery products, FAO should collaborate closely with GATT in identifying trade barriers and in striving for their eventual elimination, as well as in elaborating criteria for fair trade.
115. In reviewing the Field Programme in fisheries, the Council expressed its appreciation for the progress achieved in implementing the World Fisheries Conference's Programmes of Action, both within and outside the framework of FAO. It agreed that these Programmes of Action would continue to provide a valid international framework for technical cooperation in fisheries management and development. The Council appealed to all donors to increase their contributions to these Programmes of Action.
116. The Council recognized the importance of intercountry cooperation in fisheries research, management and development, including trade-related matters, and underlined the important role of FAO regional fishery bodies in this regard. It noted with appreciation that FAO had maintained close liaison and cooperation with the United Nations and UN specialized agencies and had provided assistance to other international organizations concerned with fisheries and marine affairs, including the Caribbean Economic Community and the Ministerial Conference for Fisheries Cooperation among African Countries Bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It also noted that the Organization had been instrumental in the preparation of a new Indian Ocean tuna management body, and stressed the need for its timely establishment, with the full participation of EEC, under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution.
117. The Council concurred with the views and recommendations of the Nineteenth Session of COFI concerning the funding level of Major Programme 2.2: Fisheries. In view of the fisheries sector's significant contribution to national economic, social and nutritional goals, many members requested the Director-General to reconsider the allocation for the Major Programme, at least to reach the level of the current biennium.
Sixteenth Annual Report of_ the WFP Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes10
118. In presenting the sixteenth Annual Report of the WFP Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes (CFA), the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) noted that 1990 had been a year of achievement for the Programme. Total multilateral resources made available to WFP for the 1989-90 biennium reached a record of nearly USS1 750 million including 4.5 million tons of food, and annual turnover in 1990 remained in excess of one thousand million dollars. The most significant WFP statistic of 1990, however, was that the value of WFP commitments for refugees and displaced persons and for emergency operations was almost as high as the level of commitments to development projects. Deliveries to development projects in 1990 had accounted for only just over half of total WFP food aid shipments, whereas ten years previously more than three quarters of WFP deliveries had been for development projects. He expected that this emphasis on food for victims of natural and man-made calamities would continue, and that while deliveries of food aid in 1991 would probably be the highest in the Programme's history, deliveries for development activities would probably account for no more than 40 percent.
119. The Executive Director drew attention to the fact that the Report of the CFA included a draft resolution for the Council to approve that would maintain WFP's pledging target for regular resources for the 1993-94 biennium at the same level of USS1 500 million as for the current biennium. This pledging target had been recommended by the CFA at its May session. Account had been taken of the actual level of pledges made in the past; on average about 85 percent of each pledging target had been reached in recent years and traditionally only 24 percent of contributions had been in cash, well under the one third called for in WFP's General Regulations. He stressed that it would be essential for the future well- being of WFP and the beneficiaries it served that the target for the 1993- 94 biennium be met in full.
120. All projections showed that the need for food aid would continue to increase during the 1990s, and all the indications were that surplus food in the main donor countries would be available for Borne years to come. Currently available figures indicated that total food aid deliveries to developing countries this year would reach a record 15.6 million tons, in part reflecting donors' response to emergency needs in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Bangladesh. This showed that there remained a capacity by donors to increase food aid availability. Noting that he had just returned from leading a high-level United Nations mission to the Horn of Africa on behalf of the Secretary-General to assess the impact of the change of government in Ethiopia on the humanitarian response to the region's need, he stressed that in such a fluid situation the problems of quick delivery of relief food aid to the needy were immense, and he implored donors to put more food and cash through WFP while giving it the flexibility to respond as necessary to quickly changing situations.
121. The Executive Director pointed out that in the first six months of 1991, WFP had already committed nearly twice as much emergency food aid as it had committed in the whole of 1990, and that commitments had already exceeded the minimum target of 500 000 tons for the International Emergency Food Reserve. Staff workloads had risen exponentially. The Executive Director paid tribute to the many selfless people in the service of the United Nations involved in the often dangerous provision of relief in emergency situations.
122. The Executive Director noted that the call on WFP to help meet the burgeoning, world-wide need for emergency food aid was imposing a tremendous strain on the Programme's cash resources. The cost of delivering emergency food aid was substantially higher than the cost of delivering food aid for development projects, particularly when the costs for internal transport, storage and handling were taken into account, and these extra transport costs were too often paid for out of the regular resources of the Programme which are primarily used for development. WFP faced a situation where the total cash needs of the Programme could not be met unless total contributions to the regular programme, including one third in cash, were at the target level.
123. The Council noted that this was the last Council session at which Mr James Ingram would appear as Executive Director of WFP and commended his leadership of the Programme during a difficult and important period of its history, as well as the valuable contributions he had made to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Programme. The Council congratulated the staff of WFP on their efforts in 1990 and the results obtained. The Council appreciated the successful efforts of the Programme in overcoming the difficulties in getting food to people affected by civil unrest and conflict, in particular in getting the Ethiopian port of Massawa reopened for shipment of relief food. The Council paid special tribute to the dedication of WFP staff working in developing countries, often under conditions of hardship and danger.
124. The Council noted with concern that commitments to development projects in 1990 had reached their lowest level since 1980, while the incidence of large-scale emergencies had obliged WFP to make very high commitments of food aid for victims of natural and man-made emergencies and for the feeding of long-term refugees and displaced persons. It was particularly concerned with the Executive Director's statement that drew attention to the serious effects of that trend upon the Programme's financial circumstances and its capacity to both support development projects and respond to requests for emergency food aid. The Council expressed the hope that in the future, efforts would be deployed so that the WFP would be in a position to allocate more resources to development projects.
125. The Council welcomed the substantive discussion on food aid policy and the role of WFP in the 1990s that had taken place at the Thirty-first Session of the CFA, and looked forward to the continuation of that discussion at forthcoming sessions of the Committee.
126. The Council appreciated WFP's collaboration with the United Nations, its specialized agencies, notably FAO, and other development agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
127. Some concern was expressed that the proportion of shipments by developing country vessels appeared to have declined in 1990. WFP was asked to further increase efforts in this regard. The Executive Director stated that inevitably there would be fluctuations from year to year, but that WFP's use of developing country flag vessels was considerable, amounting to roughly S50 million per year. If purchases of food in developing countries and the payments WFP made to cover local costs for internal transport, storage and handling were included, then in 1990 WFP had used S157 million worth of services from developing countries. He expected that in 1991 the figure would probably be in excess of USS200 million, largely because of the needs of sub-Saharan Africa for emergency food aid. In Sudan alone WFP expected to spend more than USS50 million on transport services.
128. The Council appreciated the use of triangular transactions and the continued high level of WFP's food purchases in developing countries. In reply to a question on whether donors imposed conditions on the use of their funds for purchases of food, the Executive Director replied that only in the case of purchases on behalf of bilateral donors, where WFP was performing a service for them, were conditions imposed. Otherwise WFP purchased commodities in developing countries whenever possible. The Council reiterated its support for the advisability, when possible, to intensify triangular transactions.
129. The Council expressed appreciation for WFP's training programmes for national staff and urged them to be continued and reinforced. In reply to a concern that WFP's zero growth budget might mean a decline in such activities, the Executive Director stated that notwithstanding resource constraints WFP's training programme for national staff was expected to continue as envisaged. He further stated that WFP's use of consultants and institutions from developing countries for project work was increasing.
130. Several members voiced concern over the zero growth of the pledging target for the 1993-94 biennium in view of the increased need for food aid. However, on balance it was accepted that the proposed pledging target was realistic. The Council underlined the extreme importance for donors to meet the target and to make available one third of their total pledge in cash.
131. The Council unanimously supported the pledging target for the regular resources of WFP for the 1993-94 biennium at USS1 500 million. The Council expressed gratitude to donors for their contributions which allowed WFP to carry out its important activities and urged donors to fully meet this target, including the one third contribution in cash, called for in the WFP General Regulations.
132. The Council adopted the following resolution, to which is attached a. draft resolution for approval by the Conferences
THE COUNCIL,
Noting the comments of the CFA concerning the minimum target for voluntary contributions to the Programme for the period 1993-94,
Recalling Resolutions 2462 (XXIII) and 2682 (XXV) of the General Assembly, which recognized the experience gained by WFP in the field of multilateral food aid,
THE CONFERENCE,
Recalling the provisions of Resolution 4/65 that the World Food Programme is to be reviewed before each pledging conference,
Noting that the review of the Programme was undertaken by the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes of the World Food Programme at its Thirty-first Session and by the FAO Council at its Ninety-ninth Session,
Having considered Resolution 1/99 of the FAO Council as well as the recommendations of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes,
Recognizing the value of multilateral food aid as implemented by WFP since its inception and the necessity for continuing its action both as a form of capital investment and for meeting emergency food needs,
133. The Council noted with interest the information contained in document CL 99/6, and updated orally by the Secretariat, which provided an overview of FAO's cooperation and coordination with the other organizations of the United Nations system in various fields of relevance to the Organization. It noted that the document had to be selective in covering the wide range of activities within the United Nations system in which FAO took an active interest. The document also did not report on a number of matters which were already covered by other items on the agenda of the Council. The Council noted with satisfaction FAO's cooperation and coordination of its activities with the relevant sister organizations of the system which reduced duplicative efforts and maximized the utilization of increasingly scarce resources. The activities reported on in the document illustrated the fact that coordination was most effective when carried out in the context of specific subjects, sectoral issues or at the field level.
134. The Council noted that consultations were currently underway at the GATT Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations (MTN) and that formal meetings of the Negotiating Groups covering agriculture, tropical products and natural resource-based products, at which FAO was represented as an Observer, had resumed in early June 1991. The Council welcomed the assistance that FAO had been providing to individual countries and groups of countries with regard to the MTN and urged that such support be continued in the future. The Council stressed the importance of an early and successful conclusion to the Uruguay Round.
135. The Council also appreciated FAO's contribution to the MTN with regard to sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The Council took note of the summary report, contained in document CL 99/INF/17, on the FAO/WHO Conference on Food Standards, Chemicals in Food and Food Trade, held in Rome from 18 to 27 March 1991. In this connection, stress was placed on the importance of providing increased technical assistance to the developing countries and of seeking ways to increase the participation of developing countries in the sessions of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Council was informed of the deliberations and the outcome of the Seventeenth Ministerial Session of the World Food Council, including the adoption of a message to be transmitted to the GATT, linking a speedy and successful outcome of the Uruguay Round to the capacity to fight hunger and poverty of developing countries.
136. The Council noted that the Common Fund for Commodities, whose general objective was to enhance the stability and growth of commodity export earnings of developing countries, had now become fully operational. It further noted with satisfaction that the Executive Board of the Fund, meeting in February 1991, had designated nine FAO Intergovernmental Commodity Groups as International Commodity Bodies (ICBs) responsible for identifying and sponsoring research and development projects for possible funding by the Second Account of the Fund and for monitoring the implementation of approved projects. The bodies concerned were the Intergovernmental Groups on Bananas, Citrus Fruit, Hard Fibres, Meat, Oilseeds, Oils and Fats, Rice, Tea, the Sub-Group on Hides and Skins and the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade.
137. The Council noted that a considerable amount of work had been carried out in the concerned Intergovernmental Groups on formulation of project profiles and urged that every effort be made to finalize and prioritize project proposals in the form requested by the Fund so that they could be submitted to the Fund for consideration as soon as practicable. It was suggested that, bearing in mind the Fund's limited resources particularly in its establishment phase, submissions might be restricted to a small number of proposals for each commodity group. The Council was informed that project proposals had to be submitted through the ICBs to the Executive Board of the Fund which would itself evaluate project proposals and advise the ICB concerned whether a project was approved, rejected or required amendment.
138. The Council took note of FAO's contribution to the preparatory work for the International Development Strategy for the Fourth UN Development Decade (IDS), as well as for the Eighteenth Special Session of the UN General Assembly which adopted the Declaration on International Economic Cooperation. It stressed the importance of pursuing implementation of both the IDS and the commitments and policies agreed upon in the Declaration. In this connection, the Council noted the arrangements put in place in the United Nations system for follow-up activities, and considered that the Organization's activities contributing to the implementation of the IDS were an integral part of the steps taken by FAO to fulfil the commitments and policies contained in the Declaration.
139. The Council welcomed FAO's commitment to take into account the goals, strategies and recommendations of the Declaration and the Plan of Action, adopted by the World Summit for Children, in carrying out its programmes and in the formulation of the FAO Medium-term Plan. The Council noted in this connection that FAO would play an active role in the Montreal conference in October 1991 on "Ending Hidden Hunger", with a focus on micro-nutrient problems, to ensure that full attention would be given to food and agricultural concerns. While the Summit's goals and recommendations would find expression in the preparatory process of the International Conference on Nutrition, on which FAO and WHO were cooperating closely with United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNCEF), the Council also recognized that FAO's response to the Summit would be broad-based and involve a number of different programme activities. It was informed that FAO's follow-up to the Summit Declaration and the Plan of Action would be reported to the FAO Conference in November 1991.
140. Referring to the creation of the UN International Drug Control Programme, the Council emphasized the importance of coordinated work in the area of drug abuse control. It expressed its satisfaction with the continued active participation of FAO in the inter-agency and system-wide mechanisms in this field. In this connection, the Council underlined the close links between agricultural development and drug crop production/substitution, and noted FAO's potential contribution in the areas of crop substitution, use of remote-sensing in the collection and assessment of information, in the environmentally safe application of herbicides for the eradication of drug crops, and in the redevelopment of areas formerly under drug crops. The Council encouraged FAO to continue to monitor developments and participate in relevant programmes in this field.
141. Observing that many of FAO's activities contributed to disaster prevention, preparedness, relief and rehabilitation, the Council expressed its appreciation for the effective and timely action taken by FAO, in conjunction with IFAD, in dealing with the problem of the screwworm infestation, and in dealing with the locust and grasshopper infestation in Africa. It also welcomed FAO's close cooperation with the Office of the UN Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO), and such organizations as the European Space Agency on disaster-related early warning and prevention activities. The Council attached particular importance to the FAO Early Warning System (GIEWS) and expressed its satisfaction with the continued active participation of FAO in the fulfilment of the goals and objectives of the IDNDR.
142. The Council underlined the importance of the International Conference on Water and the Environment, to be held in Dublin in January 1992, in view of the key role of water resources in sustainable development, particularly for the agriculture sector. It welcomed FAO support for the Conference and the development and implementation by the Organization of an International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development (IAP-WASAD). The Council recognized that the Programme would constitute a major contribution to the implementation of the Mar del Plata Action Plan in the 1990s and to the preparatory process and follow-up of the UN Conference on Environment and Development. It was informed that the World Bank International Programme for Technology Research in Irrigation and Drainage would be complementary to the IAP-WASAD, and that the World Bank and FAO had numerous opportunities for consultation on the subject of water resources to ensure such complimentarity of effort.
143. The Council noted the information provided on findings and proposals contained in the study recently completed by the Nordic Project entitled, "The United Nations in Development-Reform Issues in the Economic and Social Fields".
Preparations, for the International Conference on nutrition12
144. The Council reviewed the document on Preparations for the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) which reported on the progress of the ICN preparations as requested by it at its Ninety-eighth Session. In this context, the Council noted the discussions regarding the ICN during the Eleventh Session of the Committee on Agriculture (Rome, 22-30 April 1991). The Council also noted a report on actions taken since the document was prepared.
145. The Council strongly supported the approach now being followed, including the general themes and technical content as described in the paper. It welcomed this opportunity to integrate health and agricultural sector efforts in improving nutrition at the national, regional and global level.
146. The Council stressed the importance of the country-level and regional activities in preparing for the ICN, emphasizing the need to ensure that the ICN would lead to improvements in nutrition in all countries, developed and developing. It agreed that the issues relevant to developing countries should be given priority attention.
147. Within this framework, it requested FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that all issues contributing to nutritional well-being be comprehensively addressed. In this context, particular reference was made to nutrition education; the crucial role of women in all aspects of nutrition; Codex Alimentariua and food quality, safety and standards; food aid and trade policies; nutrition problems related to age, sex and ethnic status; developing a research agenda for nutrition- related issues; and improved environmental conditions and health care.
148. The Council also emphasized its agreement that the ICN should not be seen as an end in itself, but as part of a continuing process to improve nutrition. It stressed the need for active involvement of all relevant government, and private sector entities, including non-governmental organizations, in preparatory activities, especially in the preparation of country reports reflecting up to date information. The Council urged countries that had not done so already to designate country focal points as quickly as possible. The Council emphasized that because of the complex and multisectoral nature of the ICN, many Member Nations would need assistance in their preparatory activities. It expressed its appreciation to those donor countries which had announced their willingness to provide technical and financial assistance for ICN preparations, especially for the country- and regional-level preparatory activities, as well as for financing the attendance of delegates from developing countries, in particular from thr least-developed countries. The Council also urged the ICN organizers to continue their collaboration with other UN organizations, Member Governments, and NGOs to ensure the success of the ICN. In this regard, the need to maintain national high- level policy commitment to the objectives of the ICN was stressed.
149. Some members felt that the resources allocated to ICN in the Programme of Work and Budget for the 1992-93 biennium should not be used in their entirety for Headquarters' activities and that, as far as possible, part of these resources should be used for assisting developing countries.
150. Many members of the Council expressed serious concern over the short time available for country and regional preparations and for mobilizing the technical and financial resources necessary for these, and felt that consideration should be given to postponement of the Conference without any loss of momentum in Conference preparations. Attention was also drawn to the fact that the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) would be held in mid-1992, which would make it difficult for many countries to devote adequate time and resources to preparations for the ICN, if held in 1992. A few members expressed the view that the suggested date for this conference should be maintained and that progress in the preparation of the ICN be monitored by FAO and WHO. The Secretariat informed the Council that the question of postponing the ICM was raised at the May 1991 World Health Assembly of the WHO but that no recommendation was made to that effect by this meeting. The Council requested the ICN organizers to monitor progress in the preparation of the ICN carefully. It also requested the FAO Secretariat to bring to the attention of the WHO Secretariat the concerns expressed by the Council and agreed to review the situation at the next Council session. The Council requested that a further progress report be made available for this purpose.
151. The Council took note of the results of the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on revamping the TFAP and of more recent developments concerning the clarification of TFAP goals and objectives, the proposals for new institutional arrangements and the evolving role of FAO in the renewed TFAP context. It also welcomed the opportunity to examine current efforts to revamp the TFAP.
152. The Council welcomed the initiatives taken by the TFAP co-founders since its Ninety-eighth Session and emphasized the importance of the efforts being made to renew TFAP. It constituted an important cooperative undertaking of the developing countries and the international community and efforts should continue to improve its effectiveness.
153. The Council noted with regret that the World Resources Institute would not in future be a co-sponsor, although it would continue to provide advice. The Council welcomed the interest expressed by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and by UNEP in becoming TFAP co- sponsors. At the same time, it was stressed that co-sponsorship supposes an effective commitment to the TFAP, particularly through technical and financial support for its implementation.
154. The Council stressed that the future formulation of the goals and objectives of the TFAP, should be based on a balanced approach to conservation and development. It welcomed the shift from donor-driven to country-led initiatives. The Council underlined the importance of adopting an inter-disciplinary and participatory approach and of strengthening national capacities.
155. The Council recognized that the renewed TFAP would be a shared responsibility among ail the partners and that it would be country- coordinated. It stressed the need for a central liaison, information, as well as monitoring, mechanism in support of international cooperation and requested FAO to strengthen this function. The Council emphasized the need for the Organization to intensify efforts to mobilize its accumulated experience for providing interdisciplinary expertise to the TFAP process. Furthermore, the Council acknowledged FAO's key role in providing policy advice and technical assistance, particularly in support of the preparation and execution of TFAP country capacity projects. The forthcoming tripartite review of the TFAP multidonor trust fund would provide the opportunity to examine the current activities and the future requirements of TFAP support by FAO.
156. The Council noted the significant redeployment of resources for increased support to TFAP in FAO. Some members requested an increase of Regular Programme resources for the Forestry Programme in further support of TFAP and increased inputs from other FAO departments for multidisciplinary support to TFAP. Others stated that further redeployments within the Regular Programme in support of the TFAP and the Forestry Department should not adversely affect other critical programmes. They underlined that the additional financial requirements in this regard should be met from extra-budgetary resources.
157. The Council considered the proposals, advanced by the Geneva and New York Meetings, for the creation of an international consultative group on tropical forests to be co-sponsored by FAO, UNDP and the World Bank. These proposals are still under review.
158. Some members of the Council felt that creation of the proposed group would help to build up public confidence in the TFAP, and thus better channel and increase the funding for TFAP. They believed that by fostering a dialogue between developing countries, donors, NGOs and inter- governmental organizations, it would promote a balanced approach to the conservation and development of tropical forests. Furthermore, they felt that there should be no danger of duplicating the functions of FAO or other organizations, since the new body would be a forum and not an operational entity. Other members of the Council felt that they could not reach a final view before knowing the exact terms of reference and composition of the new body. They wished, in particular, to be sure that the functions of the group would not impinge on national sovereignty. Furthermore, it was not clear how the new arrangements would overcome the difficulties experienced in mobilizing funds for national forestry action plans. Finally they felt that a judgement by the Council could not be made regarding the danger of overlapping with the responsibilities of FAO until the functions and mode of operation of the consultative group had been finalized.
159. The Council noted that the proposed consultative group could be a useful forum for providing broad strategic guidance, but considered that the proposal needed to be reviewed in greater detail and for this purpose suggested the setting up of a contact group. The Council requested the Secretariat to participate vigorously in the preparation and conduct of the contact group, bearing in mind the views expressed in the course of the Council debate, and to report to the Council at its Hundredth Session.
160. The Council noted with satisfaction that FAO had made a substantial contribution to the comprehensive report on forests for the Preparatory Committee of the Second United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). It also recognized the usefulness of a comprehensive international consensus on the management, conservation and development of all forests, which took a holistic view of the environment and acknowledged that national sovereignty was paramount.
161. The Council reaffirmed FAO's leadership in matters related to the wise use and conservation of forests within the UN system. It approved the continuation of FAO's technical and supportive roles in this field, to the UNCED process, in its search for a global consensus. A view was expressed that a two-stage approach could emerge; the adoption of principles and guidelines at UNCED in 1992, and a timetable for the evolution of a global consensus. The Council fully recognized that a decision on any eventual approach would be taken in the UNCED process.
162. The Council requested the Director-General to keep it informed on further progress under the revised title "Report on FAO's Contribution to the Preparatory Process of UNCED".
Preparations for the Twenty-sixth Session of the Conference15
163. The Council examined the draft Conference document prepared by the Director-General on arrangements for the Twenty-sixth Session of the Conference.
164. The Council noted the wish expressed by some members that every effort be made to respect the timetable of Commission meetings so that arrangements for the attendance of technical experts, which was based on the timetable, would be cost effective.
165. Some members indicated that informal consultations had been held on possible changes in the organization of Conference sessions with a view to ensuring the fuller participation of ministers and delegation heads in their work. These consultations would be continuing bearing in mind earlier reviews and discussions of the matter which had led to the present organization and arrangements for Conference sessions.
- Nomination of the Chairman and other Officers of the Conference
166. The Council noted that consultations had taken place among the Heads of Delegation represented at the Council in order to designate the candidate who would be approached to serve as Chairman of the Conference. The Council also noted that the Heads of Delegation had agreed that contacts between the regional groups would be continued to seek agreement on the candidates who would be nominated by the Council, at its Hundredth Session, to serve as Chairmen of Commissions I, II and III.
- Deadline for Nominations for Independent Chairman of the Council
16
167. The Council noted that the Conference at its Twenty-sixth Session would be required to appoint the Independent Chairman of the Council, the term of the present incumbent expiring in November 1991.
168. The Council also noted that with regard to nominations for this office, Rule XXIII-1 (b) of the General Rules of the Organization laid down that the Council determines the date for such nominations which must be submitted by Member Nations and addressed to the Secretary-General of the Conference. The Council accordingly established the deadline for the receipt of such nominations at 17.00 hours on Friday 6 September 1991. Nominations would be circulated by the Secretary-General to all Member Nations by Friday, 13 September 1991.
Operational Activities for Development
17
169. The Council expressed its appreciation for the clarity and conciseness of the documents' and for the supplementary oral reports given at the Session. The Council recalled that, at its Ninety-eighth Session in November, it had requested the Director-General to collaborate fully with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and participate actively in the consultative process with the other agencies, and noted that this request had been amply fulfilled. The Council appreciated the contribution and role of FAO in these consultations which had included; the Special Session of the UNDP Governing Council in Geneva (20-22 February 1991); the Spring Session of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC) in Paris (17-19 April 1991); the ACABQ meeting in Vienna (April 1991), and the Thirty-eighth Session of the UNDP Governing Council in New York (June 1991). The Council expressed general satisfaction with the progress achieved in these consultations within the framework of UN General Assembly resolution 44/211 and UNDP Governing Council decision 90/26.
170. The Council felt that there was need for clarification of some points related to the adoption of feasible, practical and appropriate measures. As noted at its Ninety-eighth Session, this was due to the open- endedness of UNDP Governing Council decision 90/26 which, while describing the objectives of the decision, had left the practical arrangements for its implementation to be determined between UNDP and the agencies. The decision lent itself to a variety of interpretations, and had thus given cause to different positions on certain matters of detail based on different understandings. The Council expressed the hope that a resolution of this issue would occur during the current UNDP Governing Council.
171. The Council reiterated its endorsement of the concept of national execution and the related activities that would lead to its attainment. It recognized national execution as the ultimate means for the implementation of the development programmes in recipient countries. It was considered that the goal of national execution should initially be the gradual transition of responsibilities for project implementation to governments, but that, eventually, it should also include the transition of responsibility for project formulation and appraisal. This shift of responsibilities should be accommodated and should become an integral part of the development machinery of the countries involved. In this connection, the governments should not only accept reponsibility for the development of national plans, but also for building national capacity to implement and sustain such development to which end appropriate assistance should be granted. The UN system, and in particular the specialized agencies such as FAO, had an indisputable and critical role to play in building up national capacity. The Council believed that this objective should, however, be pursued through carefully planned, gradually introduced and balanced approaches. Implementation should be on a country- by-country basis, compatible with their different existing capabilities in the technical, administrative, and human resources areas.
172. The Council felt that decentralization was one of the important areas where agencies should play a substantial role, in order that project implementation in particular as well as appraisal and approval could be gradually shifted from Headquarters to country offices in an appropriate and non-disruptive manner and bearing in mind resource limitations. Strengthening of field offices could provide FAO with the means to play this role and could bring the benefits of its experience and technical know-how closer to the country level. The Council requested analytical information on the steps that FAO was planning to take in the follow-up to UN General Assembly resolution 44/211.
173. The Council emphasized that in the introduction of the new support cost arrangements, the tripartite relationship between recipient countries, UNDP and specialized agencies should be maintained, as this relationship represented a significant and valuable element in the UN development assistance programmes. The recipient countries should have, through the continuation of this principle, full and direct access to FAO's services and expertise.
174. Many members expressed concern with the possible disruptive effects that the proposed new system of support cost reimbursement could have on current development activities. The Council was informed of the concern of agency secretariats on the level of resources that UNDP proposed to make available, and some members emphasized that the level of these resources should not have an adverse effect on the significant and valuable experience and expertise assets accumulated by FAO over the years. FAO should, however, adapt its role within the framework of the new arrangements to emphasize its comparative advantages in the areas of its mandate, particularly in the provision of technical advisory services. The Council also noted that the new measures being proposed would apply only to UNDP-funded projects and would be handled separately from the trust fund programmes in FAO.
175. The Council took note of the separate regime being proposed for the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), whereby this agency would directly finance some field related posts, and hoped to receive more information on future development in this connection at its Hundredth Session.
176. Some members questioned the increasing volume of UNDP resources being channelled to the UNDP Office for Project Services which, over the last few years, had increased considerably its share in the implementation of UNDP-funded projects, which could result in OPS and UNDP Resident Representatives' offices eventually substituting themselves for the agencies at the country level.
177. The Council strongly emphasized the need for appropriate transitional arrangements that would give the agencies sufficient time for the adjustment of resources, structures and operational modalities. While the present system and relationships governing the implementation of UNDP- funded assistance were well-known to all concerned, the future arrangements were not yet clear. The need for a transitional period was equally important for recipient governments, in order that they could mobilize internal resources to meet the increased responsibilities they would have to assume in the implementation of externally-funded national programmes.
178. The Council noted with satisfaction FAO's continued commitment to its Field Programme and the valuable assistance it provided to its Member Nations and reiterated the close relationship between the Field Programme and the Regular Programme. Some members expressed concern about any potential weakening of the Organization's capacity to deliver Field Programme services of appropriate quality, that could arise from the proposed measures for UNDP-funded projects. The Council urged that the new measures should not result in increasing demands being made on the Regular Programme to support field activities.
1CL 99/9; CL 99/PV/4; CL 99/PV/5; CL 99/PV/19.
2CL 99/15; CL 99/PV/6; CL 99/PV/19.
3CL 95/9, para. 157,
4CL 95/REP, para. 64 and CL 98/REP, para. 44.
5CL 99/23; CL 99/PV/6; CL 99/PV/7; CL 99/PV/19,
6CL 99/3 Sup.1.
7CL 99/20; CL 99/PV/8; CL 99/PV/19.
8CL 99/16; CL 99/PV/8; CL 99/PV/19.
9CL 99/7; CL 99/PV/11; CL 99/PV/19.
10CL 99/13; CL 99/PV/17; CL 99/PV/19.
11CL 99/6; CL 99/INF/17; CL 99/PV/11; CL 99/PV/12; CL 99/PV/19.
12CL 99/9; CL 99/17; CL 99/PV/5; CL 99/PV/6; CL 99/PV/19.
13CL 99/22; CL 99/PV/12; CL 99/PV/13; CL 99/PV/19.
14CL 99/18; CL 99/PV/13; CL 99/PV/14; CL 99/PV/19.
15CL 99/11, CL 99/11-Corr.1, CL 99/PV/17, CL 99/PV/19.
16CL 99/12, CL 99/PV/17, CL 99/PV/19.
17CL 99/19; CL 99/19-Sup. 1; CL 99/PV/16; CL 99/PV/19.
