IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMME OF WORK AND BUDGET OUTPUTS

66. The 1998-99 PWB identified outputs for implementation under the technical and economic programmes, anticipating the effect of the zero nominal growth (ZNG) budget level approved by the Conference. During programme implementation, it was necessary for modifications to be made in some outputs while others had to be postponed or cancelled. A number of new outputs were introduced to meet changing circumstances and specific requests. An overview of the implementation of the various types of outputs is provided in Table 2.12.

TABLE 2.12: IMPLEMENTATION OF OUTPUTS, 1998-99

67. In interpreting the number of outputs, it should be borne in mind that quantitative assessment, whether in terms of cost or output value, is not homogeneous. Hence although the number of outputs has been shown, they must be seen as indicative. A total of 1 542 outputs were included in the 1998-99 PWB, of which 58 (4 percent) were identified for elimination under the ZNG budget and another 152 (10 percent) were marked for reduction.

68. During programme implementation, 275 outputs (18 percent) were cancelled or postponed, of which 66 (25 percent) had been identified for elimination or reduction under ZNG. Similarly, 275 outputs were modified during programme implementation, of which 48 (17 percent) were identified for elimination or reduction under ZNG. The introduction of 357 new outputs during programme implementation more than counterbalanced outputs cancelled or postponed and resulted in a total of 1 624 outputs being delivered, about 5 percent more than the original number included in the PWB.

69. Major Programme 2.1: Agricultural Production and Support Systems had the largest delivery of outputs - 35 percent of the total, as shown in Chart 2.12. It accounted for 86 percent of outputs related to international undertakings and agreements, 54 percent of methodologies and guidelines, 47 percent of training and 42 percent of coordination and information exchange. Major Programme 2.2: Food and Agricultural Policy and Development had 18 percent of all outputs, followed by Major Programme 2.3: Fisheries with 16 percent. Major Programmes 2.4: Forestry and 2.5: Contribution to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts each account for 13 percent.

70. The distribution of outputs delivered by type is shown in Chart 2.13. Support to member countries and the field accounted for 26 percent of total outputs, with methodologies and guidelines at 22 percent. Other types of outputs ranged from 16 percent for publications to 2 percent for international undertakings and agreements.

Methodologies and Guidelines

71. This was the main area in which delivery was below the level planned in the PWB, with nearly a quarter of the outputs being cancelled or postponed during the biennium. The total number delivered was nearly 18 percent less than the number planned, a trend that was also evident in 1996-97. Of the methodologies and guidelines delivered, 73 percent were implemented as planned. These outputs often involve initial formulation followed by expert panel review and pilot testing before they are disseminated. The low rate of delivery may indicate a need for more attention being given during the preparation of the Programme of Work and Budget to ensuring that managers are more realistic in identifying the timeframes for these types of work. The application of the new programme model to the Medium-Term Plan may assist as it extends the plan period from the biennial perspective to projects of up to six years in duration.

Coordination and Information Exchange

72. Networks, expert consultations, task forces and working groups were generally the main means by which coordination and information exchange is carried out. Nearly all cooperation and collaboration with other UN organizations is included under this type of output. Of the coordination and information exchange outputs delivered, 92 percent were implemented as planned. Major Programme 2.1: Agricultural Production and Support Systems and 2.5: Contribution to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts made the most frequent use of this type of output.

Information Systems and Databases

73. Information systems and databases were increasingly made available through CD-ROM and over the Internet as an integral part of all major programmes. Of the outputs delivered, 86 percent were implemented as planned. Major Programme 2.2: Food and Agricultural Policy and Development, which included WAICENT, accounted for the largest proportion of outputs of this type, with over 37 percent of the total.

International Undertakings and Agreements

74. This type of output made up only 2 percent of the total during 1998-99. However, they constitute an important component of FAO's work, focusing on areas such as plant protection, the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, plant and animal genetic resources, control of desert locusts, phytosanitary measures and the Codex Alimentarius. Of the total international undertakings and agreements outputs delivered, 79 percent were implemented as planned. Outputs of this type were mainly concentrated under Major Programme 2.1: Agricultural Production and Support Systems and 2.2: Food and Agricultural Policy and Development.

Meetings

75. Delivery of meetings outputs exceeded the level planned in the PWB by over 30 percent, more than any other type of output. Most of the additions were related to expert consultations called to address issues that arose during the biennium or to committee and commission sessions anticipated in the planning process but not explicitly identified. Of total meeting outputs delivered, 94 percent were implemented as planned. Meetings were important components of most programmes, particularly Major Programmes 2.3: Fisheries and 2.4: Forestry, each of which accounted for over 25 percent of meetings outputs.

76. The distribution of meetings by location is shown in Chart 2.14. FAO Headquarters is often the preferred location for meetings, as it simplifies logistics and assures effective secretariat support. During 1998-99, over 35 percent of the meetings were held at Headquarters. The Asia and the Pacific Region was the venue for 21 percent of the meetings, followed by Europe with 17 percent and Africa with 10 percent.

Publications

77. Changes were made in a large number of planned publications during 1998-99, in order to respond to changing priorities and circumstances. Over 90 unplanned publications were prepared and about 65 planned publication outputs were cancelled or postponed. Of the total publication outputs delivered, 83 percent were implemented as planned. Publications outputs were an important component of all programmes, but particularly in Major Programmes 2.3: Fisheries and 2.4: Forestry, each of which accounted for more than 25 percent of the total publications outputs delivered.

Training

78. Training outputs, which may consist of several courses, made up 7 percent of the total. In 1998-99, the actual number of training courses held is estimated to have been about 200, twice the number of training outputs listed in the Programme of Work and Budget. Of the total training outputs delivered, 69 percent were implemented as planned, making this the type of output most often modified during implementation.

79. As shown in Chart 2.15, Africa was the largest recipient of training assistance during 1998-99, with 30 percent. Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific were recipients of 25 percent and 20 percent of training activities respectively, while the Near East and North Africa and Europe had about 12 percent and 13 percent of the total.

Support to Member Countries and the Field

80. Many of the unplanned outputs introduced during programme implementation related to support to member countries and the field. These outputs often depend on requests from member countries, making it difficult to identify them during preparation of the programme of work and budget. While support to member countries and the field was an important component of all major programmes, accounting for 20 percent or more of the total outputs in each, it was particularly significant in Major Programme 3.1: Policy Assistance, where over 70 percent of the outputs were of this type. Of the total support to member countries and the field outputs delivered, 86 percent were implemented as planned.