Council

DECISION

IMPLEMENTATION

HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE COUNCIL
(Rome, 30 October-1 November 2001)

ACTIVITIES OF FAO

PREPARATIONS FOR THE THIRTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE FAO CONFERENCE

Nomination of the Chairperson of the Conference, and of the Chairpersons of the Commissions of the Conference (Recommendations to the Conference)

Put the following nominations before the Conference, in accordance with Rule VII (GRO): Chairperson of the Conference: Saeed Bin Mohammed Al Raqabani (United Arab Emirates); Chairperson of Commission I: Acisclo Valladares Molina (Guatemala); Chairperson of Commission II: Karl-Josef Weiers (Germany) (para. 5)

Action completed.

Nomination of three Vice-Chairpersons of the Conference

Put the following nominations before the Conference, in accordance with Rule VII (GRO): Francis Montanaro Mifsud (Malta); Majzoub Al-Kalifa Ahmad (Sudan) J.N.L. Srivastava (India) (para. 6)

Action completed.

Nomination of seven Members of the General Committee

Put the following nominations, provided for by Rule X-1 GRO and in accordance with Rule VII (GRO), before the Conference: Bulgaria, China, Congo (Republic of), Iran (Islamic Republic of), Sweden and United States of America (para. 7)

Action completed.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT: FIVE YEARS LATER

Ensure the best possible conditions for the full success of the WFS:fyl by maintaining the basic purpose and principles originally agreed, as well as the momentum generated by the preparatory process in 2001 so that the issue of food security remains high on the international agenda
(para. 12)

Completed as planned.

Convene the WFS:fyl from 10 to 13 June 2002, according to the arrangements outlined in CL 121/LIM/3. Reschedule the Twenty-eighth Session of the CFS to 6 to 8 June 2002, and consult with the Host Country of the Asia and Pacific Regional Conference to reconsider the timing of the Conference to a suitable date prior to the CFS (para. 16)

Completed as planned.

Have the Committee on World Food Security reconvene the Open-Ended Working Group on behalf of the Council, and receive and forward to the WFS:fyl its outcome (para. 17)

Completed as planned.

The Open-ended Working Group was convened and produced the draft final document for the WFS:fyl.

PROGRAMME, BUDGETARY, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

PROGRAMME EVALUATION REPORT 2001

Pursue the new set of topics the Programme Committee had suggested for coverage in the next two biennia (para. 18)

This will be done in the next PER 2003.

Further improve the analysis of programme results and impact and ensure the independence of the evaluation function, while ensuring effective integration of evaluation results into the programme management process (para. 19)

Enhanced evaluation practices have been the object of a recent Director-General’s Bulletin (DGB 2001/33).

Forward the Programme Evaluation Report 2001 to the Conference for its deliberation (para. 19)

The Report was on the agenda of the Conference.

PROGRAMME OF WORK AND BUDGET 2002-2003

General

Include the budgetary aspects of the Strategies to Address Cross-organizational Issues in the next version of the PWB (para. 23)

This will be taken into account in the PWB
2004-05, building on expanded coverage of these strategies in the Medium Term Plan 2004-09.

Substance

Promote a reinvigorated Field Programme, including the active involvement of the decentralized offices in the development of sound regional and country proposals worthy of support by the donor community to reverse the declines in the delivery of non-emergency field activities experienced in the recent past
(para. 27)

Acceptance by the Director-General of the Task Force's recommendations for instilling new vigour into the Field Programme resulted in several new initiatives which include: (i) reactivation of the Field Programme Committee and establishment of a Standing Working Group on Administrative and Operational Procedures and an Ad Hoc Working Group on Enhancing the Participation of Technical Departments in the Field Programme; (ii) adoption of new arrangements for the further decentralization of Field Programme operational responsibilities; and (iii) development of a Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS).

The Field Operations Division (TCO) has been reorganized, and now comprises three services: TCOM (Field Programme Monitoring and Coordination Service), TCOS (Special Programme Coordination and Monitoring Service) and TCOT (Technical Cooperation Programme Service). Through TCOM, TCO coordinates and monitors the implementation of the Field Programme, and reports to Senior Management on progress and issues. Achievements include the launching of the Web-based FPMIS, as well as the streamlining and updating of administrative and operational procedures as main tools towards improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in Field Programme delivery. Other major activities are the consolidation of operational procedures in a Web-based Field Programme Manual that is expected to be available in 2003.

The operational capacity of decentralized offices is being systematically monitored and will be subject to a series of reviews to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Field Programme operations and services to Member Nations.

Promotion and reinvigoration of the Field Programme also included assistance to Member Nations in the formulation and implementation of regional programmes of food security and national and sectorial strategies, programmes and policies to enhance food security and sustainable agriculture and rural development through the Policy Assistance Division (TCA), Policy Assistance Branches (PABs) and Policy Assistance Units (PAUs).

Also, intensification of the dialogue with national governments, international financial institutions and other donors, based on the results obtained from the implementation of the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) Phase 1 and South-South Cooperation, led to the upscaling of the SPFS and approval of projects under unilateral Trust Fund arrangements between recipient countries and FAO.

Maintain an appropriate balance between normative and operational activities (para. 27)

This is an ongoing concern of both Senior Management and Technical Departments.

Pursue more serious efforts in ensuring a more balanced use of FAO languages in the work of the Organization, including in relation to WAICENT and FAO’s Website (para. 28)

Action to this effect is being taken.

Arrears

Have the Conference consider an updated draft Resolution for the use of arrears for specific purposes in the event of a significant payment by the main contributor in the current biennium (para. 29)

Conference adopted Resolution 8/2001 for this purpose.

REPORT OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (ROME, SEPTEMBER 2001)

Concentrate the Field Programme in areas of comparative advantage with clear linkages to the Strategic Framework endorsed by the Conference; seek further competitiveness and increased efficiency; ensure an active dialogue with donors; and facilitate the effective participation of FAO Offices in system-wide, country-level programming exercises (para. 36)

This is an FAO-wide effort carried out under the aegis of the reinvigorated Field Programme Committee.

REPORT OF THE 97^TH SESSION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (ROME, SEPTEMBER 2001)

Financial Position of the Organization

Encourage all Member Nations to pay their contributions in full and on time in order to enable the Organisation to continue to fulfil its mandate (para. 39)

Third person notes were sent on 14 December 2001 calling for 2002 contributions and arrears. Subsequent follow-ups were sent in mid April 2002 and prior to the World Food Summit: fyl. Language recalling Member Nations’ obligations to pay contributions on time and in full will continue to be included in correspondence calling for contributions.

Scale of Contributions 2002-2003

Have the Conference adopt the Scale in document CL 120/15-Add.1 (para. 44)

Scale was adopted during the Thirty-first Session of the Conference. See Resolution 8/2001.

Forward a Draft Resolution on Scale of Contributions 2002-03 to the Conference for consideration (para. 45)

Scale was adopted during the Thirty-first Session of the Conference. See Resolution 8/2001.

Set up a Working Group to study ways of alleviating the burden on Members as a result of changes in the Scale of Contributions
(para. 46)

Action taken. See Resolution 9/2001 – Invitation to Make Voluntary Contributions – adopted during the Thirty-first Session of the Conference.

Liabilities for After-Service Medical Coverage

Forward a Draft Resolution on Liabilities for After-Service Medical Coverage to the Conference for adoption (para. 47)

Action taken. See Resolution 10/2001 adopted during the Thirty-first Session of the Conference.

General Service Salary Survey

Implement a Revised Salary Scale for General Service effective 1 November 2000
(paras 48 and 49)

The revised General Service Salary Scale, incorporating 4.25 per cent increase, was implemented in the November 2001 payroll with retroactive effect to November 2000.

Other Matters Arising out of the Report

Strengthening of FAO’s Response to Emergency

Implement the proposal to convert the Special Relief Operations Service (TCOR) into a new Division for Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation (TCE), including the establishment of a Division Director (D-2) and a Service Chief post (D-1) for programmes in Iraq (para. 54)

In accordance with the decision taken by the FAO Conference in November 2001, the Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division (TCE) was established in March 2002 and is lead by a Director (D-2). The Division is composed of the Emergency Operations Service (TCEO), led by a Service Chief (D-1), the Special Emergency Programmes Service (TCES) which includes the Iraq programme, under the leadership of a Service Chief (D-1) and the Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Policies Unit (TCER), led by a Coordinator.

CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

REPORT OF THE SEVENTY-SECOND SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS (ROME, 8-10 October 2001)

Amendments to the Agreement for the Establishment of a Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Eastern Region of its Distribution Area in South-West Asia

Implement the Amendments to the Agreement for the Establishment of a Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Eastern Region of its Distribution Area in South-West Asia (para. 57)

The amended text has been published in the FAO Website immediately after its approval by the Council. A Circular State Letter informing the membership is also being issued.

Agreement with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development

Transmit the Agreement with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development to the Conference for confirmation (para. 58)

Confirmed by the Thirty-first Session of the Conference in November 2001. No further action required.

Arrears of the Former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Have the question of the arrears of the Former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia be decided at a future Session of the Council in the light of the decision taken at the United Nations and upon advice of the CCLM and the Finance Committee (para. 59)

The matter will be submitted to the competent Governing Bodies as soon as a final decision is taken by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

Draft International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources

Have the Chairman of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Ambassador Gerbasi present his report and the text of the International Treaty and the associated Resolution to the Thirty-first Session of the Conference (para. 66)

The Chairman of the Commission, Ambassador Gerbasi, presented his report and the text of the International Treaty to the Thirty-first Session of the Conference. See Resolution 3/2001, Adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and Interim Arrangements for its Implementation.

Invitations to Non-Member Nations to Attend FAO Sessions

Have the Russian Federation attend as an observer the Hundred and Twenty-first Session of the FAO Council (para. 67)

Action taken.

Applications for Membership in the Organization

Invite the applicant countries of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Principality of Monaco to participate, in an observer capacity, in Council sessions, as well as in regional and technical meetings of the Organization of interest to them (para. 69)

Action taken.

OTHER MATTERS

REVISED CALENDAR OF FAO GOVERNING BODIES AND OTHER MAIN SESSIONS 2001-2002

Convene the Hundred and Twenty-second Session of the Council on 14 November 2001 at FAO Headquarters (para. 70)

Action taken. The Hundred and Twenty-second Session of the Council was convened on 14 November 2001.

REPORT ON REYKJAVIK CONFERENCE ON RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES IN THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM

Transmit the "Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem" to the Thirty-first Session of the Conference for further endorsement (para. 72)

In its consideration of the Reykjavik Declaration, the Conference, at its Thirty-first Session in November 2001, acknowledged the increasing contribution of fisheries to food security and noted that the FAO Council at its Hundred and Twenty-first Session in November 2001 had endorsed the Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem. The Conference endorsed the Reykjavik Declaration.

HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND SESSION OF THE COUNCIL
(Rome, 14 November 2001)

OTHER MATTERS

CALENDAR OF FAO GOVERNING BODIES AND OTHER MAIN SESSIONS 2002 AND PROVISIONAL CALENDAR 2003

Forward the Provisional Calendar 2003-2004 to the Hundred and Twenty-third Session of the Council in October 2002 to approve the Calendar for 2003 (para. 16)

Action taken. See document CL 123/6.

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Review the existing formulae for the representation of different regions on the Programme and Finance Committees (para. 17)

Action is being taken.

DATE AND PLACE OF THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD SESSION OF THE COUNCIL

Convene the Hundred and Twenty-third Session of the Council from 20 October to 2 November 2002, as indicated in the Calendar for 2002 reproduced in Appendix D to the Report of the Hundred and Twenty-second Session of the Council (para. 21)

Action taken. Invitations were despatched on 26 August 2002.