CL 124/10

Council

Table of Contents

MATTERS REQUIRING ATTENTION BY THE COUNCIL

I. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

II. FAO DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON FOOD SECURITY

III. ASSESSMENT OF THE WORLD FOOD SECURITY SITUATION

A. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
B. RECOMMENDATIONS

IV. REPORT ON THE FIRST SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP (IGWG) FOR THE ELABORATION OF A SET OF VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY  (IGWG-RTFGs)

V. RECENT FAO INITIATIVES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER

A. INTRODUCTION
B. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

VI. THE ROLE OF AQUACULTURE IN IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

A. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
B. RECOMMENDATIONS

VII. THEMATIC ISSUE: “THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS ON LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION – POLICY IMPLICATIONS”

A. IMPLICATIONS
B. recommendations

VIII. OTHER MATTERS

A. arrangements for the thirtieth session
B. any other business

APPENDIX A -	AGENDA
APPENDIX B -	MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE
APPENDIX C -	COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED AT THE SESSION
APPENDIX D -	LIST OF DOCUMENTS

MATTERS REQUIRING ATTENTION
BY THE COUNCIL

I. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

1. The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) held its Twenty-ninth Session from 12 to 16 May 2003 at FAO Headquarters in Rome. The session was attended by delegates from 111 out of 122 Members of the Committee, by observers from 2 other Member Nations of FAO, by one observer from United Nations Member States, the Holy See, by representatives from 5 United Nations Agencies and Programmes; and by observers from 5 intergovernmental and 27 international non-governmental organizations. The report contains the following annexes: Appendix A – Agenda; Appendix B - Membership of the Committee; Appendix C - Countries and organizations represented at the Session; Appendix D - List of documents. The full list of participants is available from the CFS Secretariat.

2. The Session was opened by Mr Adisak Sreesunpagit (Thailand), Chairperson of the Committee, who highlighted the close working relations between the CFS Bureau and the Secretariat. He reminded the Committee that, for the 2002-2003 biennium the Bureau consists of himself as Chairperson, Mr Nehad Abdel Latif (Egypt), Mr Michel Thibier (France), Mr Kyeong Kyu Kim (Republic of Korea), and Mr Masiphula Mbongwa (South Africa) as Vice-chairpersons. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Secretariat in strengthening the workings of the CFS through the initiation of the FAO Distinguished Lecture Series as well as through various other side events.

3. On behalf of His Excellency, Mr Hipólito Mejía, President of the Dominican Republic, Mr Eligio Jaquez Cruz, Secretary of State for Agriculture of the Dominican Republic delivered the statement on food security matters (available on the internet at www.fao.org/es/ESA/fsecur_cfs_en.htm)¹.

4. This was followed by a statement by Mr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of FAO. The Director-General reminded the Committee that the World Food Summit (WFS) Plan of Action provided a roadmap for reducing and eventually eradicating hunger in the world. Though the problems impeding the achievement of the WFS objective may seem daunting, they could still be overcome. Political commitment was most needed especially at national level, to give the problem the priority it deserves.

5. The Committee appointed a Drafting Committee composed of the delegations of Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Guatemala, India, New Zealand, Romania, Slovakia, Syria and United States of America, under the Chairmanship of Greece.

II. FAO DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON FOOD SECURITY

6. The first FAO Distinguished Lecture on Food Security was delivered by Mr Michel Camdessus, former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and presently Honorary Governor of the Bank of France. While highlighting the critical issues related to food security, he underscored the crucial need to provide safe water and sanitation to millions in developing regions. The Committee welcomed the introduction of the lecture series and expressed its appreciation to the distinguished lecturer.

III. ASSESSMENT OF THE WORLD FOOD SECURITY SITUATION

A. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

7. The Committee welcomed the assessment of the world food security situation provided in document CFS:2003/3. It expressed concern about the insufficient progress in the reduction of the number of hungry persons and the grave food insecurity situation particularly in Africa. The Committee reaffirmed that strategies aimed at poverty and hunger reduction have to be considered in the broader context of development. The Committee drew attention to the serious food insecurity situation in the Near East Region. It also expressed its appreciation for the briefing by the Secretariat on its on-going and planned activities in Iraq and the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and requested that such information be regularly provided in the future.

8. Several members referred to the recent launch by FAO and World Health Organization (WHO) of a joint WHO/FAO Expert Report on “Diet, Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease” and welcomed the announcement by the FAO Director-General that the Report, together with the Secretariat’s proposed follow-up, would be reviewed by a special session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) as soon as possible. It was also requested that the discussion of this report be included on the agenda of the subsequent session of the FAO Council.

B. RECOMMENDATIONS

9. The Committee made the following recommendations:

For Governments

• mobilize adequate resources to implement policies and programmes that have the greatest impact on reducing poverty and the number of hungry in the world, and promoting development;
• directly and urgently combat hunger through national initiatives, such as Brazil’s Zero Hunger Programme, designed to promote food security within the comprehensive framework of macro-economic stability and socio-economic development; and
• buttress political will at the national level with strong Alliances Against Hunger, involving international organizations, bilateral donors, civil society, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector.

For FAO

With regard to the assessment of the food security situation

• broaden the scope of assessment to include socio-economic factors, conflicts, and resource and environmental degradation considerations in future reports of the World Food Security Assessment;
• pay particular attention to drought and drought-related issues and the growing scarcity of water;
• pay particular attention to the gender perspective;
• report on the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on food security in a holistic manner and incorporate HIV/AIDS related key data in FIVIMS;
• indicate countries which are on track, lagging behind, or off-track in relation to the achievement of the World Food Summit and Millennium Development hunger goals;
• continue to use the concept of stocks-to-use ratio as one measure of the global supply and demand changes for cereals from one year to the next, supplemented by further analyses of changing international prices of the commodities concerned;
• document and analyse ways in which trade, including trade distortions, have affected food security in countries and how the potential of trade liberalization can serve as an instrument to promote development;
• examine and identify the reasons for success in countries that have achieved significant reductions in the number of undernourished; and
• give more emphasis to the analysis of the causes of food insecurity, including the impact of macro-economic policies.

With regard to agricultural trade matters

• continue to seek extra-budgetary resources for expeditious implementation of the new programme (Umbrella II), that assists developing member countries in their multilateral negotiations through training, analyses and capacity building of institutions and human resources, so that they can take advantage of trading opportunities in agriculture, fisheries and forestry;
• analyse the effect of developed countries’ support to agriculture on developing and least developed countries; and
• estimate the total amount of tariff revenues collected on developed countries’ imports of agriculture, fishery and forestry products from developing and least developed countries.

With regard to food safety and food standards

• promote the participation of developing countries in CODEX meetings through the recently established FAO/WHO Trust Fund for Participation in CODEX so that they can participate equally and effectively in food standard setting processes; and
• support capacity building in developing member countries, especially with regard to the scientific, administrative and infrastructure capabilities to deal with food safety, plant and animal health as essential aspects of food security.

For all concerned parties

• take concerted action to accelerate the pace of implementation of the WFS Plan of Action;
• build capacity of developing countries for their more effective participation in multi-lateral trade negotiations on agriculture in the World Trade Organization (WTO);
• identify and enhance measures to increase export opportunities for developing countries for all types of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, including processed ones;
• ensure that domestic agricultural, trade and aid policies of all countries, particularly developed countries, are coherent and conducive to sustainable development and poverty reduction in other countries;
• mainstream climate change considerations into poverty reduction strategies and planning processes;
• take steps to create and support sound domestic and international enabling policy environments, conducive to development, including governing justly and investing in people for the elimination of food insecurity;
• translate the commitments expressed at Monterrey into higher allocations for agriculture and rural development, including adequate resources for FAO;
• support and improve the effectiveness of FAO’s field programmes, such as the Special Programme on Food Security (SPFS), Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) and Programmes for South to South Cooperation, which contribute to eliminating food insecurity in developing countries, especially Low Income Food Deficit Countries (LIFDCs); and
• support capacity building to increase agricultural productivity and product quality in developing countries.

IV. REPORT ON THE FIRST SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP (IGWG) FOR THE ELABORATION OF A SET OF VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY
(IGWG-RTFGs)

10. The Chair of the IGWG-RTFGs introduced the Report of its First Session held 24 -26 March 2003 at FAO headquarters (CFS 2003/4). He recalled that the IGWG-RTFGs had been established as a subsidiary body of the CFS by the 123^rd Session of Council, and that it would report to the CFS at its regular Sessions in May 2003 and September 2004.

11. The Chair highlighted the main outcomes of the First Session of the IGWG-RTFGs, in which Members and stakeholders had participated actively. He informed the Committee that the Bureau had proposed intersessional activities which would support the preparation of the Guidelines. The first draft of the Guidelines would be available by August 2003 for Members and stakeholders to examine before the Second Session of the IGWG-RTFGs in September 2003.

12. The Chair acknowledged Germany and Norway’s extra-budgetary funding in support of the work of the IGWG-RTFGs, and appealed for additional funding for intersessional activities including broad and active participation of Members and stakeholders.

13. Members made a number of suggestions for the preparation of the first draft of the Guidelines. They recalled that, as stated in the Declaration of the World Food Summit five years later (WFS:fyl), the Guidelines would be voluntary in nature and placed within the context of national food security strategies. They also emphasized that the Guidelines should be of practical and operational use. Some Members mentioned that those elements pertaining to the international dimensions of the right to food be considered in as much as they affect national food security.

14. The Committee took note of the report of the IGWG-RTFGs and commended the work of the Bureau.

V. RECENT FAO INITIATIVES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER

A. INTRODUCTION

15. The first such initiative was the preparation of a paper entitled “Anti-Hunger Programme,” (AHP) (CFS: 2003/5 Sup.1). The first draft was discussed at a side event during the WFS: fyl in 2002 and a second draft was presented at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. The AHP paper by the Secretariat proposes, inter alia, a twin-track approach that combines (i) resource mobilization for agricultural and rural development to create opportunities for the poor and hungry to improve their livelihoods, with (ii) measures to meet the immediate food and nutrition needs of the seriously undernourished. The Secretariat had presented the paper in order to call attention to the urgency of and to facilitate the implementation of the Plan of Action of the World Food Summit. It was also presented as a contribution in support of the internationally agreed development goals contained in the Millennium Declaration.

16. The second initiative was the International Alliance Against Hunger (IAAH)
(CFS: 2003/5 Sup. 2), issued in line with the Declaration of the WFS: fyl, which called upon “all parties (governments, international organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector) to reinforce their efforts so as to act as international alliance against hunger to achieve the WFS targets no later than 2015.”

17. The objective of Agenda Item V was subject to the proposals for review by the Committee.

B. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

18. The substantive contents of the AHP were widely supported. Especially, the twin-track approach found widespread acceptance as a sound conceptual basis for policies on hunger reduction. On the relationship of the AHP with the WFS 1996 Plan of Action, it was emphasised that the starting point for the AHP is the WFS Plan of Action. The AHP should be seen as an attempt to operationalize it. Suggestions for changes before finalization by the time of the next FAO Conference in 2003 included, inter alia:

• On the cost estimates, it was clarified that their conceptual basis is not a simple financing gap approach, since the paper stresses also the importance of policy reforms which were seen as inseparable from and a precondition to the investment proposals. The final version would contain more clarification of the underlying assumption.
• On the financing modalities of the AHP, it was pointed out that the arrangement presented in the AHP was only one of many. It was agreed that this section would be reformulated to clarify this point and that cost-sharing options in the document should be more transparent. It was also emphasised that, in proposing the financing modalities, the Secretariat did not intend to call for additional resources for FAO.
• There was widespread agreement that national governments bear the principal responsibility for resource mobilisation and policy reform to ensure food security. However, the view was expressed that the final version of the AHP should also stress the constraints on national policies arising from the international environment.
• The need to highlight the importance of trade and market access for food security in the final version of AHP was emphasized.

19. Support was also widespread for the IAAH. Several delegates expressed the view that the Alliance should be closely linked to the CFS. It was agreed that the CFS could serve as a reporting forum for the IAAH. It was stressed that the IAAH should take into consideration good examples of national alliances and should give energy and leadership to those alliances that already exist. Hence the IAAH and national alliances should be promoted together.

VI. THE ROLE OF AQUACULTURE IN IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

A. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

20. The Committee noted the potential of aquaculture for making a significant contribution to food security and nutrition by increasing the availability of low-cost fish and aquatic products, securing livelihoods, raising employment opportunities and incomes, and increasing fish consumption, as stated in document CFS:2003/6. The Committee provided guidance on ways by which the sub-sector can assist in accelerating the pace by which the goals set at the WFS for reducing hunger and malnutrition, and similarly the related Millennium Development Goals, may be achieved. This includes giving more focus to community-centred participatory approaches that facilitate the more equitable access of poor fisherfolk to the resources and opportunities aquaculture presents for achieving these goals.

B. RECOMMENDATIONS

21. The Committee made the following recommendations:

For Governments

• support sustainable development of aquaculture where possible to increase national fish production;
• enhance appropriate national aquaculture policies using participatory approaches, programmes and extension services, especially directed to and involving the poor; and
• promote sustainable production with minimal environmental impacts of aquaculture by adopting advanced technologies, including biotechnology, environmentally sound practices, improved marketing and distribution mechanisms that ensure quality and safety of aquaculture products.

For FAO

• strengthen activities of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture;
• make best use of the rich experience of many member countries in the development of sustainable aquaculture to support other nations, including increased south-south co-operation and Technical Cooperation between Developing Countries (TCDC) mechanisms; and
• provide technical assistance and guidance to improve the benefits of aquaculture to the poor.

For all concerned parties

• raise awareness on the role of aquaculture in rural development and for alleviating poverty, improving food security and nutrition, while involving stakeholders in policy decisions and programme design;
• develop rural aquaculture as an entrepreneurial activity that is financially viable, even for small-scale operations and minimize any potential adverse impacts on the poor;
• encourage and promote the production of aquaculture products as a source of nutrition for human consumption with the help of targeted nutrition education programmes;
• improve the extension and development approaches used for rural aquaculture, including a participatory, needs-based approach that takes full account of the capacity of the poor, especially of women, the resources available to them, and the risks and difficulties they face;
• increase institutional capacities and mobilize resources to enhance the role of aquaculture in improving food security and nutrition and alleviating poverty;
• incorporate aquaculture programmes into Poverty Reduction Strategies; and
• establish monitoring systems with better indicators.

VII. THEMATIC ISSUE: “THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS ON LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION – POLICY IMPLICATIONS”

A. IMPLICATIONS

22. The Committee considered the document CFS: 2003/7 and observed that disasters have been increasing in frequency as well as in terms of the number of affected people and the magnitude of material losses. Natural disasters affect all countries and all people but their consequences tend to be more severe in developing countries, particularly small-island states. Moreover, they affect the poor most since they are most vulnerable and have minimal capacity to cope. The Committee noted that FAO has established a Rapid Response Fund of US $ 2 million.

B. RECOMMENDATIONS

23. The Committee made the following recommendations:

For Governments

• mainstream disaster-related issues and concerns in the activities of public institutions at national and local levels;
• develop short and long-term strategies to reduce vulnerability to disasters;
• integrate disaster prevention/mitigation strategies into overall national development strategies; and
• strengthen existing regional and international disaster management schemes to complement national efforts.

For FAO

• review standard indicators and methods for assessing vulnerability to disasters;
• continue to support and strengthen early warning, risk assessment and preparedness programmes for member countries;
• ensure, in close partnership with UN and other agencies, utmost coordination in its emergency relief and rehabilitation programmes with an emphasis on disaster management that is development oriented;
• promote and integrate holistic disaster management strategies at the national and international levels, that combine long-term development planning with short-term action;
• analyse the impact of climate change on poverty, natural resources degradation, food production systems and food security; and
• analyse man-made disasters and their effects on food security, bearing in mind that civil strife and wars can be a leading cause of food insecurity.

For all concerned parties

• enhance resources for emergency assistance;
• render financial and technical assistance to developing countries for implementation of their long-term disaster mitigation strategies;
• strengthen FAO’s capacity, to respond to developing countries’ request for technical assistance for disaster management;
• pay attention to the particular vulnerability of HIV/AIDS affected people to the impact of natural disasters; and
• give proper attention to climate change issues and support initiatives related to understanding and combating it, as appropriate.

VIII. OTHER MATTERS

A. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE THIRTIETH SESSION

24. There was general support for “Best Practices in Reducing Poverty and Food Insecurity in Marginal Lands - Lessons from Successful Experiences in Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Economic Policies in Selected Countries,” as the thematic issue for consideration at its Thirtieth Session. This theme was selected with the understanding that the term “marginal lands” would be interpreted to include a wide range of disadvantaged lands. The Secretariat was requested to include an assessment of the costs of hunger in the overall Assessment of the World Food Security Situation for the next Session of the Committee.

25. The Committee agreed to hold its Thirtieth Session at FAO Headquarters in Rome at a time to be determined by the Director-General in consultation with the Chair.

B. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

26. The Committee expressed its appreciation for the five side events that had been organized in conjunction with the Session. The side events were: The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Food and Nutrition Security in Southern Africa; An Update on Hunger Hot Spots; US Food and Nutrition Programmes - A Statement of Commitment; Brazil’s Zero Hunger Programme (Fome Zero); and the Informal Panel Discussion on “The Impact of Access to Land on Improving Food Security and Alleviating Rural Poverty – A Review of Successful cases of Land Reform in Selected Countries.”

27. The Committee approved the document CFS:2003/LIM/1- Implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action: Report of the Committee on World Food Security through the FAO Council to ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council of the United Nations) which is presented as Council document CL 124/LIM/2 .

28. Some members informed the Committee of their intention to request the Council to discuss the reporting format on World Food Summit Follow-Up with the objective of putting into place a more meaningful system of reporting. The Committee decided to include this topic on the Agenda for its next session.

APPENDIX A

I. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

a. Adoption of Agenda and Timetable
b. Statement by the Director-General or his Representative
c. Membership of the Committee

II. FAO DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON FOOD SECURITY

III. ASSESSMENT OF THE WORLD FOOD SECURITY SITUATION

IV. REPORT ON THE FIRST SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP (IGWG) FOR THE ELABORATION OF A SET OF VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY

V.     RECENT FAO INITIATIVES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER

a. Anti-Hunger Programme
b. International Alliance Against Hunger (IAAH)

VI.     STANDING ITEM ON NUTRITION:
THE ROLE OF AQUACULTURE IN IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL - A REVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE CASES

VII.     THEMATIC ISSUE: THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS ON LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION - POLICY IMPLICATIONS

VIII.     OTHER MATTERS

a. Arrangements for the Thirtieth Session
b. Any Other Business
c. Report of the Session

APPENDIX B

APPENDIX C

COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED AT THE SESSION

UNITED NATIONS AND SPECIALIZED AGENCIES

INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

 OBSERVERS FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

ARAB LEAGUE

ARAB ORGANIZATION FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

OBESERVERS FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

ACTIONAID

ASSOCIATED COUNTRY WOMEN OF THE WORLD

ASSOCIATION OF WORLD CHURCHES RELATED DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION IN EUROPE

CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS

FÉDÉRATION DES FEMMES DES CARRIÈRES JURIDIQUES

INTERMEDIATE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT GROUP

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION IUS PRIMI VIRI

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION FOR HOME ECONOMICS

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE MOVEMENTS

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES

INTERNATIONAL JURIDICAL ORGANIZATION FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

INTERNATIONAL NGO/CSO PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR
WORLD FOOD SUMMIT: FYL

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

SOCIETY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

VIA CAMPESINA

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM

WORLD ASSOCIATION OF GIRL GUIDES AND GIRL SCOUTS

WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS

WORLD SUGAR ORGANIZATION

WORLD UNION OF CATHOLIC WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION

APPENDIX D

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

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¹ Original version in Spanish.