CCP: HF 03/6-JU 03/6

Table of Contents

ANNEX A

I. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

1. Following the dissolution of the International Jute Organisation (IJO), the new International Jute Study Group (IJSG) was established in the course of 2002. The IGG on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres enjoyed a cooperative relationship with the former IJO, and it would no doubt wish to establish a similar relationship with the new body.

2. The relationship between the IJO and the FAO in the past was underwritten by an agreement of July 1984 between the two bodies. This agreement was intended to ensure that the two bodies worked together to make the best use of the limited resources available, cooperating together where appropriate in order to maximise their effectiveness and to make efforts to avoid any wasteful duplication of activities.

3. The Terms of Reference provided to each of the IJSG and the IGG would seem to intend that they should cooperate in such a way.

4. Chapter 9 of the Terms of Reference of the Intergovernmental Group on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres, which predated the establishment of the IJO and which therefore do not refer explicitly to it, requires that: “The Group shall make arrangements through the Director-General for close liaison in its activities with regional and other organizations interested in jute, kenaf and allied fibres. In particular, it shall establish arrangements for close collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far east and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development”

5. The Agreement Establishing the Terms of Reference of the International Jute Study Group, 2001 states, inter alia, as follows:

• 3 (g): to improve market intelligence with a view to ensuring greater transparency in the international jute market in collaboration with other organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO);
• 4 (d): to provide and improve statistics and market intelligence on jute and jute-based products in consultation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other appropriate bodies;
• 4 end note: in implementing its functions above, the Group shall take into account the activities of other relevant international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO);
• 14 (a): the Group may make arrangements for consultations and cooperation with the United Nations, its organs or specialized agencies, and with other intergovernmental organizations and institutions, as appropriate;
• 18 (a): the Group shall analyse and process jute trade information and statistics collected from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the united Nations (FAO), other international and national institutions and the private sector. The Group shall provide and make available to members, associate members and other interested parties the market outlooks and intelligence, including information on stocks and consumption by specific markets and end-use industries. The Group shall also encourage national institutions in producing member countries to improve data collection in the jute sector and to disseminate the results to all interested parties. In so doing, every effort shall be made, as far as practicable, to minimize duplication.

6. The draft agreement, which is closely based on a June 1984 exchange of letters with the former International Jute Organisation, the predecessor of the IJSG, is reproduced in Annex A. It was endorsed in principle by the International Jute Council at its meeting in Dhaka 18 to 20 December 2002, which authorised the Secretary General of the IJSG to finalise the draft with FAO and place it on the agenda of the next Council Session in June 2003.

7. The exact wording and format of the agreement would require finalisation in the light of legal advice to each of FAO and the IJSG. However, the Joint Meeting might wish to express a view on the appropriateness of such an agreement, in its broad thrust, and to offer any comments on its contents.

ANNEX A

DRAFT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE INTERNATIONAL JUTE STUDY GROUP (IJSG)
AND
THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
(FAO)

WHEREAS the International Jute Study Group (hereinafter referred to as IJSG) has been established on 27 April 2002, with its headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh to administer the provisions and supervise the operations of the Agreement Establishing the Terms of Reference of the International Jute Study Group 2001;

WHEREAS paragraph 3, 4, 14 and 18 of the Agreement Establishing the Terms of Reference of the International Jute Study Group 2001 provide for cooperation with the Food And Agriculture Organization of The United Nations (FAO); and

WHEREAS the IJSG and FAO have agreed to work together for the benefit of the member countries of both the organizations.

It is agreed that cooperation between FAO & IJSG shall be on the following:

1. Specific areas mentioned in the Agreement Establishing the Terms of Reference of the International Jute Study Group 2001, viz, paragraphs 3(g), 4 and 18;
2. Exchange of information and documentation on matters of common interest;
3. Participation, in an observer capacity and on invitation, in conferences and meetings convened by either organization on matters of mutual concern;
4. Consultation on the planning and execution of programs of interest to both organisations so as to avoid duplication and to increase efficiency;
5. Carrying out of joint studies, where desirable and mutually agreeable, to investigate and report on matters of common interest;
6. Consultation on the development and implementation of projects in the fields of agriculture and primary processing to improve structural conditions in the jute market;
7. Any other activity specifically agreed to by both the parties.

I. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

8. Any amendment to this Agreement shall require the consent of both parties, each of which shall give the fullest consideration to any amendment proposal put forward by one of the other parties.

9. This Agreement may be terminated by mutual consent among the parties hereto.

____________________________ _______________________________
For International Jute Study Group For Food and Agricultural Organisation
of the United Nations

Date: Date: