13. The Council endorsed the Report of the Thirteenth Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) and the conclusions and recommendations contained therein, highlighting the following points.
14. The Council agreed with the importance attached to animal genetic resources for food and agriculture, supported the Global Strategy on Animal Genetic Resources and advised FAO to continue to seek donor support to complement Regular Programme resources for this important activity.
15. The Council recommended that the Conference agree, at its Twenty-eighth Session, to broaden the mandate of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources to that of a Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It agreed that a broadened Commission should be assisted by sectoral working groups, with appropriate geographical balance, for plant, animal, forestry and fishery genetic resources and advised that the whole process should be carried out through a step-by-step approach, beginning with animal genetic resources. Although there was support by many Members for intergovernmental instead of expert groups, to prepare the work for the broadened Commission, in the absence of a consensus on the nature and composition of the working groups and due to the budgetary implications associated thereto, the Council referred the matter to the Conference. In this context, the Council welcomed the offer to provide extra-budgetary support.
16. The Council recommended that the revised international standards "Guidelines for Pest Risk Analysis" (PRA) and "Code of Conduct for the Import and Release of Exotic Biological Control Agents" be submitted to Conference for adoption. The Council recognized the relationship of the former to the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations concerning the application of provisional regulations in the absence of full pest risk analysis.
17. The Council recommended that, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the review by Members of the revised text for the proposed standard "Requirements for Establishment of Pest Free Areas", it be passed to the Hundred and Ninth Session of Council for endorsement and transmission to Conference for adoption.
18. The Council agreed that the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) be updated to bring it into line with the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreements of the Uruguay Round and with the recent establishment of the Standard-setting procedure. It requested that a progress report, including estimated costs, possible sources of funding and time schedule, be made to the Conference through the Hundred and Ninth Session of Council.
19. The Council reconfirmed the importance of the Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides. It welcomed the decision of the Eighteenth Session of UNEP's Governing Council to convene an intergovernmental negotiating committee, together with FAO, to prepare an internationally legally-binding instrument for the application of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for certain hazardous chemicals in international trade, provided that the necessary financial and technical resources become available.
20. The Council encouraged FAO to continue to assist countries in their ICN follow-up activities including the completion of follow-up meetings for all regions. It decided that the standing item on nutrition be shifted to the next session of the Committee on World Food Security in 1997, on a trial basis. However, it recommended that programming aspects of nutrition would continue to be discussed at COAG and that the links between nutrition and the range of food and agricultural activities be fully explored in both committees, as appropriate.
21. The Council commended the Report of the Twenty-first Session of the Committee on Fisheries and endorsed the conclusions and recommendations contained therein.
22. The Council noted with concern that many of the world's fishery resources continued to be depleted and concurred that an improvement in fisheries conservation and management was essential for long-term sustainable fisheries development. The Council was advised that regional and sub-regional fishery bodies needed to be strengthened in order to address this problem. The Council was also informed that a comprehensive fisheries programme was being elaborated for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which was seen as an important means of providing assistance to these States.
23. The Council established an open-ended Technical Committee (which met from 5 to 9 June 1995) to continue elaboration of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries with a view to ensuring finalization of the draft Code for its submission to and approval by the Twenty-eighth Session of the Conference.
24. The Council noted that the Technical Committee had undertaken a thorough review of Articles 1 to 5 including the Introduction, and had also examined, enhanced and approved Articles to 11, which had already been revised previously, thus endorsing all of them. It noted also that finalization of Articles 6 and 7 was still outstanding.
25. In the light of progress achieved, the Council commended and approved the work carried out by the Technical Committee and agreed that it hold a further meeting from 25 to 29 September 1995 to complete the full revision of the Code, once the Secretariat had harmonized the texts linguistically and juridically, while taking into account the outcome of the UN Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. It also agreed that, if necessary, another meeting could be held prior to the Hundred and Ninth Session of the Council.
26. The Council noted that some countries had expressed their preference for a global review o all the paragraphs and had stressed the need to achieve a consensus in finalizing the Code in time for its adoption by the Twenty-eighth Session of the Conference.
27. The Council endorsed the report of the Twelfth Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO). It commended the Director-General for calling the first Meeting of Ministers responsible for forestry in conjunction with this session of COFO, and welcomed his initiative to launch a process of broader consultation on forestry matters, including with representatives of the private sector and NGOs.
28. The Council agreed with the continued need to strengthen partnerships through cooperation and joint initiatives with other agencies and organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and others.
29. The Council endorsed the concern expressed by COFO that, while the budget allocation to the Forestry Department had been increased by the Hundred and Sixth Session of the Council (Rome, 30 May - 1 June 1994), there was a need for continued increase of resources within the 1996-97 Regular Programme to face the complex and important responsibilities of FAO in forestry. It drew attention to the importance of non-wood forest products, and the linkages between forestry and other sectors.
30. The Council requested FAO to continue its role as Task Manager for Chapter 11 of Agenda 21, within the United Nations System and, as requested by the CSD, to participate fully in the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests including support to the Secretariat in its substantive tasks.
31. The Council recognized the importance of the criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and of the initiatives which had been taken in their respect. It requested FAO to continue to support and facilitate them. It also called for FAO to give continued priority to support for National Forestry Action Plans within the framework of UNCED agreements, and the enhanced role of the Regional Forestry Commissions.
32. The Council was informed that out of the five countries which had offered to host the Eleventh World Forestry Congress, i.e. Bolivia, Myanmar, Portugal, Togo and Turkey, only Portugal and Turkey were maintaining their offer.
33. As a majority of Members had expressed their preference for Turkey, particularly in view of the need to secure the principle of rotation of Congress venue among regions, Portugal expressed full support for Turkey and the Council decided to accept the offer of Turkey to host the Eleventh World Forestry Congress.
34. The Council commended and endorsed the Report of the Sixtieth Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP). It expressed appreciation for the valuable work being undertaken by the CCP and agreed to the programme of work contained in its Report. In particular the Council:
a) decided that the CCP continue to monitor developments in commodity prices and trends in protectionism in agriculture in accordance with FAO Conference Resolution 279, as well as the other areas of work identified in paragraph 12 of the CCP Report;
b) urged that every effort should be made in cooperation with other appropriate bodies to work out the modalities of the Decision incorporated in the Final Act on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least-Developed and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries;
c) agreed with the main areas identified by the CCP where national policies might need to be examined, (paragraph 33) and the recommended list of high priority actions (paragraph 34) for the Organization's post-Uruguay Round programmes;
d) agreed with the decision of the CCP to strengthen and streamline the role and functioning of the Intergovernmental Commodity Groups (IGGs);
e) supported the recommendation in the CCP report calling for the Consultative Sub-Committee on Surplus Disposal to undertake a review of the Principles of Surplus Disposal and Consultative Obligations, including the "grey area" transactions, in association with developments in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Committee on Agriculture;
f) supported FAO's work programme on the links between trade, environment and sustainable agricultural development, including the need for collaboration with other international organizations working on the issues as identified by the CCP (paragraph 42).
35. The Council also took note of Malaysia's offer to convene an International Forum on Tropical Fruit in early 1996 with technical input from FAO.
36. The Council approved the Twentieth Report of the CFA to the ECOSOC and FAO Council and endorsed the WFP pledging target for the period 1997-98, amounting to US$1 300 million.
37. The Council also endorsed the WFP pledging target for the period 1997-98, amounting to US$1 300 million, and adopted the following resolution, to which was attached a draft resolution on the same question for approval by the Conference:
Target for WFP pledges for the period 1997-98
THE COUNCIL,
Noting the comments of the CFA concerning the minimum target for voluntary contributions to the Programme for the period 1997-98,
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,
1. Submits for consideration and approval of the Conference of the FAO the attached draft resolution;
2. Urges States Members of the United Nations and Members and Associate Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization to undertake the necessary preparation for the announcement of pledges at the Seventeenth Pledging Conference of the World Food Programme.
Target for WFP pledges for the period 1997-98
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-seventh Session and by the FAO Council at its Hundred and Seventh Session,
Having considered Resolution 1108 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:
1. Establishes for the two years 1997 and 1998 a target for voluntary contributions of US$1 300 million;
2. Urges States Members of the United Nations and Members and Associate Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and appropriate donor organizations to make every effort to ensure the full attainment of the target;
3. Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with the Director-General of FAO, to convene a pledging conference for this purpose at the United Nations Headquarters in 1996.
38.The Council agreed to forward the following resolution on the 1992-93 WFP biennial accounts to the Conference for adoption:
WFP audited accounts 1992-93
THE CONFERENCE,
Having considered the report of the Hundred and Eighth Session of the Council;
Having examined the World Food Programme 1992-93 audited accounts (C 95/7) and the External Auditor's Report thereon;
Adopts the above audited accounts.
39. The Council endorsed the draft revised General Regulations of the WFP. The Council also decided to transmit to the Twenty-eighth Session of the FAO Conference for adoption the following draft Conference Resolution on the Transformation of the CFA into an Executive Board, which was revised to take into account the amendments agreed upon in ECOSOC, during approval of a draft parallel resolution for the UN General Assembly.
Revision of the General Regulations of the World Food Programme and reconstitution of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes as the Executive Board of the World Food Programme
THE CONFERENCE,
Recalling its Resolutions 161, 4/65 and 2275 concerning the establishment and continuation of the United Nations/FAO World Food Programme and its Resolution 9/91 concerning the revision of the General Regulations of the World Food Programme and membership of the WFP Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes,
Noting Resolution 48/162 adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20 December 1993, on further measures for the restructuring and revitalization of the United
Having considered the decision of the Hundred and Eighth Session of the Council, adopted on the recommendation of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes of the World Food Programme, concerning the governance of the Programme, the revision of the General Regulations of the World Food Programme, and the reconstitution of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes as the Executive Board of the World Food Programme:
1. Decides, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly of the United Nations, that the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes shall be reconstituted as the Executive Board of the World Food Programme, with 36 Members elected from among the Members of the United Nations or the Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and that the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations shall elect 18 members each, as noted in paragraph 2 below;
2. Also decides that the members of the Executive Board of the World Food Programme shall be elected, on an interim basis for four (4) years, in accordance with the following distribution of seats:
a) nine Members from the States included in List A set out in the Basic Texts of the World Food Programme, five members to be elected by the Economic and Social Council and four by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;
b) seven Members from the States included in List B, four Members to be elected by the Economic and Social Council and three by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;
c) five Members from the States included in List C, two Members to be elected by the Economic and Social Council and three by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;
d) twelve Members from the States included in List D, six Members to be elected by the Economic and Social Council and six by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;
e) two Members from the States included in List E, one Member to be elected by the Economic and Social Council and one by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;
f) one additional Member alternating between the States included in Lists B and C starting with List C, to be elected by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization;
and takes note that this allocation of seats creates no precedent for the composition of other United Nations bodies of a limited membership;
3. Decides further that the above distribution of seats should be reviewed within two years after the establishment of the Executive Board with a view to achieving its final outcome in accordance with paragraphs 25 and 30 and other relevant provisions of General Assembly Resolution 48/162. This review shall be conducted in parallel by UNGA and FAO Conference, taking into account the relevant inputs of ECOSOC and FAO Council and its results shall enter into force on 1 January 2000;
4. Requests the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, at its Hundred and Tenth Session in 1995, to elect 18 Members of the Executive Board commencing 1 January 1996 in accordance with the following distribution and terms of office:
a) four Members from the States in List A, two for a term of three years, one for a term of two years and one for a term of one year;
b) three Members from the States in List B, one for a term of three years, one for a term of two years and one for a term of one year;
c) four Members from the States in List C, one for a term of three years, two for a term of two years and one for a term of one year;
d) six Members from the States in List D, two for a term of three years, two for a term of two years and two for a term of one year;
e) one Member from the States in List E for a term of one year;
5. Decides that thereafter all members of the Executive Board shall be elected for a term of three years and requests the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to make such provisions as to ensure that the terms of office of six Members elected by each of the two Councils shall expire in each calendar year;
6. Decides to approve the revised General Regulations of the World Food Programme contained in Appendix E. as endorsed by the FAO Council at the twelfth meeting of its Hundred and Eighth Session on 12 June 1995 and by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations at its resumed Organizational Session for 1995, on 6 June 1995;
7. Decides further, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly of the United Nations, that the revised General Regulations shall enter into force on 1 January 1996.
40. The Council endorsed the importance given by the Director-General to the expansion of partnerships with other organizations within and outside the United Nations system and urged that further efforts be undertaken to ensure that human and financial resources are used efficiently and wasteful duplication avoided.
41. The Council recommended that collaboration between FAO, World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) be strengthened further, including at country, sub-regional and regional levels, and requested to be informed of progress achieved in this respect.
42. The Council requested that future reports on this item also include cooperation with regional organizations, as well as with NGOs.
43. The Council agreed that priority should be assigned to Africa within UN System development initiatives and welcomed FAO's increased contribution to them, including work on diversification of Africa's commodities.
44. The Council supported FAO's efforts to obtain observer status in the bodies of the World Trade Organization (WTO) relevant to FAO's work. It complimented FAO for its involvement in preparations for and follow-up to recent international conferences and supported the concrete initiatives taken by FAO in the preparatory work for the forthcoming fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, September 1995) to ensure that the concerns and conditions of women in rural areas are taken into account.
45. The Council agreed that, in formulating and implementing emergencies and humanitarian assistance, stress should be placed on the continuum of relief - rehabilitation - development.
46. The Council agreed that food security and agricultural development must be given full consideration in the Agenda for Development.
47. The Council agreed to submit to the Conference for approval the provisional agenda, the tentative timetable and the arrangements outlined in the Council document CL 108/11, and in particular recommended that:
a) three Commissions be established to examine Parts I, II and III of the Agenda;
b) the deadline for the receipt of nominations for election to the Council be at 12.00 hours on Saturday 21 October;
c) the statements of Heads of Delegation be limited to a maximum of ten minutes each;
d) votes to elect Members of the Council, to appoint the Independent Chairman of the Council and to decide on the budget level, be scheduled for Friday 27 October;
e) informal meetings of Permanent Representatives be convened in the week 18-22 September to examine those draft decisions which would not otherwise be subject to prior scrutiny by the Council, a ministerial or a governmental meeting.
48. The Council decided to establish the deadline for the receipt of nominations for Independent Chairman of the Council at 12.00 hours on Friday 18 August 1995, and that such nominations be circulated by the Secretary-General on 25 August 1995.
49. The Council noted that consultations had taken place among Heads of Delegation represented at the Council in order to designate the candidates who would be approached to serve as Chairman of the Conference and Chairmen of Commissions I, II and III.
1 CL 108/9; CL 108/9-Sup. 1 ; CL 108/9-Sup.2; CL 108/INF/19; CL 108/PV/5; CL 108/PV/14.
2 CL 108/7; CL 108/PV/5: CL 108/PV/14.
3 CL 108/20; CL 108/LIM/5; CL 108/PV/l; CL 108/PV/13; CL 108/PV/14.
4 CL 108/8; CL 108/PV/6;CL 108/PV/14.
5 CL 108/19; CL 108/LIM/2; CL 108/PV/11; CL 108/PV 14.
6 CL 108/6; CL 108/PV/4; CL IO8IPV/5; CL 108/PV/14.
7 CL 108/13; CL 108/13-Sup.1:CL 108/PV/12;CL 108/PV/14.
8 C 95/7; CL 108/14; CL 108/PV/12; CL 108/PV/14.
9 CL 108/16; CL 108/16-Corr.l: CL 108/16-Sup.l; CL 108/PV/12; CL 108/PV/14.
10 CL 108/16; CL 108/16-Corr.l: CL 108/16-Sup.l; CL 108/PV/12; CL 108/PV/14.
