Priority Areas for Inter-disciplinary Action (PAIAs)

AN OVERVIEW

Introduction

66. As recalled above, a major dimension of the Medium Term Plan preparation process was in the first instance to foster the comprehensive application of the new programming approach endorsed by FAO Governing Bodies, to activities of the concerned technical units and associated regional teams. At the same time, it was imperative to give due attention to needed cooperation across departments, in order to respond adequately to the call in the Strategic Framework for enhanced multi-disciplinary approaches.

67. For this purpose, a two-pronged effort was launched to identify Priority Areas for Inter-disciplinary Action (PAIAs) over the medium-term, with the assistance of: a) the ad hoc working groups which had been active in the 1998-99 biennium in developing the five Corporate Strategies to address Members' needs, eventually included in the Strategic Framework 2000-2015; and b) existing inter-departmental working groups dealing with substantive areas of common interest.

68. The extensive discussions carried out have led to the proposal of 16 PAIAs which are presented under the corporate strategies on which they are largely focused, recognising that several also contribute to other strategies.

A - Contributing to the eradication of food insecurity and rural poverty

Two PAIAs have been developed to contribute to this corporate strategy:

Local Institution Building to Improve Capacity for Achieving Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, which directly addresses A1 Sustainable rural livelihoods and more equitable access to resources, in particular, its first strategy component.
Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness and Post-Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation, which examines the inter-disciplinary response to emergencies and hence to Strategic Objective A3 Preparedness for, and effective and sustainable response to, food and agricultural emergencies.

B - Promoting, developing and reinforcing policy and regulatory frameworks for food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry

Three PAIAs address this strategy bringing together several departments to work on:

Biosecurity for Agriculture and Food Production, which includes both standard setting under B1 (Regulatory Frameworks) and support to national implementation under B2 National policies, etc.
WTO Multi-lateral Trade Negotiations on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which aims at improving Members' capacities to participate actively in these negotiations and relates directly to B1 (Regulatory Frameworks).
Climate Change Issues in Agriculture, which deals with FAO's support to Members in connection with the Convention on Climate Change (CCC).

C - Creating sustainable increases in the supply and availability of food and other products from the crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors

Four PAIAs are targeted principally at this strategy:

Organic Agriculture, which responds to the demands of Members that FAO provide information, decision support and policy advice allowing them to meet the changing market demand for such products (C1).
Food for the Cities, which is primarily targeted towards the policy options and institutional measures needed to support peri-urban agriculture and the urban markets. It has, however, dimensions which address food security and the structural problems of the rural poor (A1 and A2) as well as D1 with regard to urban network resource planning.
Integrated Production Systems (SARD/SPFS), which is targeted at C2 and looks at bringing together integrated production techniques for the major agro-ecological zones.
Biotechnology Applications in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry which, while providing for the formulation of national biosafety regulations (B2), concentrates on biotechnology needs in developing countries and the development of appropriate technologies addressing the first strategy component of C2.

D - Supporting the conservation, improvement and sustainable use of natural resources for food and agriculture

Two important PAIAs aim at bringing inter-disciplinary efforts to address:

Integrated Management of Biological Diversity for Food and Agriculture, which targets the operationalisation of the ecosystem approach, recognising the importance of biodiversity in natural resource conservation.
Strengthening Capacity for Integrated Ecosystem Management, which concentrates on two ecosystems (i.e. drylands and mountains) with a view to producing inter-sectoral guidelines and policy advice on the management of these fragile ecosystems (D2).

E - Improving decision-making through the provision of information and assessments and fostering of knowledge management for food and agriculture

Three PAIAs are proposed to address this Corporate Strategy:

Definitions, Norms, Methodologies and Quality of Information, which is targeted at the core of Strategic Objective E1, and is necessary to ensure consistency and quality of the basic data.
Spatial Information Management and Decision Support Tools, which also contributes to E1, but in this relatively new area where FAO's infrastructure is still inadequate and fragmented.
Global Perspective Studies, which is the flagship long-term assessment and has historically relied on inter-disciplinary approaches for its success. This PAIA re-emphasises the need for inter-sectoral inputs recognising them more formally in the planning process.

Thematic PAIAs

Two further PAIAs of a rather different nature are also proposed. Both have in common the fact that they address all five Corporate Strategies in the context of a specific theme:

Gender Mainstreaming, which is particularly topical as the development of the first Medium Term Plan under the Strategic Framework coincides with the next Gender and Development Plan of Action which is to be submitted to the Governing Bodies in 2001. This Plan and the underlying processes require the proper attention to the gender issue in all Medium Term Plan entities and outputs.
Ethics in Food and Agriculture, which also pervades all of FAO's work. The PAIA makes use of a Panel of Eminent Experts to develop responses to the major ethical questions of direct relevance to food and agriculture.

69. The above list does not purport to comprise all areas which require cooperation across units, but those which warrant support from the central planning process and systems and where there is a felt need and, therefore, a firm intent to enhance inter-disciplinary approaches.

70. It may be noted that latitude was given to the above groups to define the scope of joint action under each of the themes, i.e. either in terms of full-fledged cross-sectoral programme entities (technical projects or continuing programme activities) or more simply by ensuring closer coordination. As conditions are not yet mature enough for the design of cross-sectoral entities, this option might be pursued at later stages, e.g. in connection with the Programme of Work and Budget 2002-2003, or in the next version of the Medium Term Plan.

71. Accordingly, for each PAIA, the rationale and scope for enhanced inter-disciplinary work is given below, together with the appropriate supervisory mechanism and (in tabular form) an overview of the relevant programme entities or component activities. Further details on each of the programme entities and their major outputs can be found in Part II.

Local Institution Building to Improve Capacity for
Achieving Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

Rationale

Technological options for improving rural livelihoods must go hand-in-hand with solidly established and representative institutions, in order to make a sustainable impact on improving livelihoods, especially for the poor. Indeed, experience proves that effective and inclusive organizations and institutions at local level significantly improve access to resources (social, physical, natural, financial and human) and enable households to adopt technologies and ultimately improve their livelihoods.
The range of institutions that impact on rural livelihoods and operate at central, state/district and local levels, is broad. They include elected bodies and sectoral agencies, the private commercial sector, civil society and non-governmental organizations, and informal networks reflecting common practices, cultural norms and beliefs. Some institutions are focused on a particular sector (e.g. line agencies, farmer associations, forest management groups), while others provide integrated services to their rural constituencies (community development committees, rural development NGOs, etc.).
A major problem is that local organizations and institutions in many countries are ill-prepared to respond effectively to the changing needs of increasingly heterogeneous and market-integrated communities. They do not perform well either in their roles of facilitation, information and advocacy, or in negotiations with external organizations and institutions. Countries require multi-sectoral advice to prepare local organizations and institutions to be demand-driven, flexible, solvent and adequately linked with the private sector.

Scope of joint work

To ensure that a coordinated sequential set of activities is carried out by all technical units involved in normative and/or operational work on local organization and institution building.
Joint work would cover in particular:

Collection of documentation from existing sources, including experiences to-date from field projects, as well as research on successful processes of organization and institution building at local level in support of sustainable livelihoods, and of enabling policy environments at higher levels.
Translating the lessons learned into practical guidance on multi-disciplinary approaches and methods for building capacities of local organizations and institutions to support sustainable livelihoods.
Training and dissemination activities on local organization and institution building, and enabling policy environments, taking advantage in particular of the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) to improve food security and sustainable livelihoods for all.

Supervisory mechanism: through various task groups cutting across sectors.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
212A3	Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems	AGP	Support to community-level seed multiplication enterprises which will also contribute to income generation through seed sales; strategies and technologies for natural, low-input grassland systems; and work on sustainable cropping systems for smallholders.
212P5	Support to Strategy Formulation and Promotion of Specific Action for Rice Development in Member Countries of the International Rice Commission (IRC)	AGP	Assistance in developing new rice production technologies, especially for smallholders.
213A3	Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation	AGA	The emphasis on small-scale animal product processing for sustainable rural livelihoods is relevant to this PAIA.
214A1	Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods	AGS	Most publications and field guides will address strengthening of local institutions.
214A3	Sustainable Commercial Provision of Input Supply, Mechanisation, Investment Support and Marketing Services	AGS	Policies to support the commercial provision of marketing, input supply and financial services.
214A4	Agribusiness Development	AGS	Work on farmer partnerships and contracting, as tools for strengthening local institutions and livelihoods.
221A4	Community Action for Improved Household Food Security and Nutrition	ESN	Entity entirely focused on this PAIA.
221A5	Food and Nutrition Education, Communications and Training	ESN	Institutional aspects of food and nutrition education, communications and training.
232A2	Increased Contribution of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries to Food Security	FI	Studies and analyses on integrated small-scale rural aquaculture development.
233A2	Sustainable Development of Small-scale Fisheries	FI	Analyses, guidelines, training materials for administrations and communities in development of small-scale fisheries; assistance in marketing.
234A1	Coordination and Monitoring of the Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries	FI	Pilot projects, organisation of workshops, policy briefs and inclusion of provisions of the Code into legislation, to enable local institutions to promote and achieve sustainable livelihoods in fishing communities.
234A4	Promotion of Coastal Fisheries Management	FI	Analysis, development of plans, dissemination of techniques and information to improve management of small-scale fisheries.
243P4	Participatory Forestry	FO	Work to support participatory approaches in forestry, conducive to sustainable rural livelihoods; improved natural resource management, especially in forest-dependent rural communities.
251A2	Youth in Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods	SDR	Entity fully relevant to this PAIA in building partnerships to strengthen local institutions which will result in the development of national networks; training for youth to organise and support local community-based organizations.
252A3	Gender and Natural Resources Management	SDW	Dissemination of information to give due prominence to institutional aspects.
252P1	Promotion of Gender and Population in Policies, Legislation and Civil Institutions	SDW	Entity fully relevant to this PAIA.
253A1	Access 21: Land Tenure Institution Building for Food Security and Sustainable Rural Development	SDA	Entity very relevant to this PAIA, given its focus on strengthening land tenure institutions regarding peri-urban areas and indigenous and common property resources; increasing security of land and natural resource rights; institutional support for market transactions to improve access to land.
253A2	Improved Rural Institutions and Services to Promote Sustainable Rural Livelihoods	SDA	Fully relevant entity, given its focus on strengthening institutional mechanisms for multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration; restructuring and decentralisation of rural institutions; and strengthening capacity of small farmer and rural producer organizations.
253A4	Participatory Approaches and Methods to Support Sustainable Livelihoods and Food Security	SDA	Work on participatory approaches for sustainable livelihoods and dissemination of information on indicators of participation in rural development and food security projects.
253P1	Management and Support to the ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security	SDA	Support to ACC network information development and exchange, and national Thematic Groups will be relevant to this PAIA.
311P3	Development of Training Materials and Methods in Food and Agriculture Policy Analysis	TCA	Training materials and methods in food and agriculture policy analysis, to take account of small farmers' livelihoods.
311S2	Technical Support to Capacity Building in Food, Agriculture and Rural Policy Development Planning and Policy Analysis	TCA	Technical support to capacity-building projects in food, agriculture and rural development planning and policy analysis.

Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness
and Post-Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation

Rationale

Over the last two decades, the number and scale of natural disasters and crises of the food and agricultural sectors due to conflicts has increased greatly. FAO has proven to be a most valuable partner of the affected countries and in international relief and rehabilitation assistance efforts, while being active in addressing early warning and preparedness aspects.
Notwithstanding the importance of further improving emergency responses, there is general agreement on ensuring that disaster risk management is an integral part of development, coupled with an increasing demand from donors and countries to work on prevention and preparedness of disasters.
Likewise, FAO's inputs to the complex phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction in the continuum from relief to development, requires strengthening. Food and agriculture recovery, particularly in post-conflict situations, requires fully coordinated interaction between domains such as institutional and capacity-building, restoration of productive assets and livelihood systems, and re-establishment of agriculture services, market infrastructures and trade networks.
Building on the large number of well-established "sectoral" activities contributing to the above, attention needs to be given to:

Enhanced multi-disciplinary support to post-emergency relief and rehabilitation of the food and agriculture sector, especially in countries affected by conflicts.
A more integrated approach to natural disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

Scope of joint work

For prevention and preparedness:

"Mainstreaming" of prevention and preparedness concerns into the mandate of all units.
Use of joint tools: database on disasters affecting the food and agriculture sector, covering systematic and quantitative description of causal factors; estimation of impact following standard methodology with minimum set of common variables; determination of long-term effects; integrated use of databases, GIS and remote sensing for vulnerability mapping to identify areas vulnerable to natural hazards and FAO actions to prevent occurrence; identification of "at-risk" groups, understanding of coping mechanisms and elaboration of strategies to mitigate negative impact.
Technical guidelines for use by field officers and countries on assessment and practical interventions to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on affected populations.
Increased participation in disaster preparedness programmes at country level.
Training programmes for disaster mitigation and preparedness strategies.

For post-emergency relief and rehabilitation:

Joint training programmes and training of technical officers in the Regional and Sub-regional Offices to enable them to fully participate in impact and needs assessment missions.
Increased involvement of technical officers (including from the Investment Centre) in multi-disciplinary missions mounted by the Special Relief Operations Service (TCOR) and project backstopping; and provisions to be made in technical officers' work plans to backstop FAO's emergency work.
"Lessons learned" exercises related to FAO's emergency and rehabilitation activities in selected countries.
Preparation, on a multi-disciplinary basis, of an updated field handbook on impact and needs assessment; as well as a set of technical guidelines for use by field officers and partner organizations in food and agriculture recovery and the promotion of food security following emergencies.
Expanded monitoring and information systems on agriculture recovery, food security and nutrition.

Supervisory mechanism: the existing Emergency Coordination Group (ECG) would remain the "stand-by" mechanism to coordinate the contributions of the concerned units to emergency preparedness and response, and to ensure a coherent response to demands for humanitarian assistance. It would be supplemented by a technical sub-committee or working group to discuss specifically preparedness and mitigation issues, provide guidance on identified activities and ensure technical exchange between the various divisions concerned.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211A3	Integrated Land, Water and Plant Nutrient Management	AGL	Role of land and water management in mitigating natural disasters.
212A4	EMPRES - Plant Pests Component	AGP	Strengthening of prevention control and early warning systems for migratory pests at national level.
212A5	"Mainstreaming IPM" by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes	AGP	Introduction of IPM strategies in emergency and recovery programmes.
212P2	Pesticide Management	AGP	Advice on pesticide choice and use in rehabilitation programmes; facilitation of pesticide disposal.
212P3	Migratory Pest Management	AGP	Provision of timely information on locust situation; inter-country cooperation on locust management.
212S1	Advice to Countries and Support to Field Programme	AGP	Technical support to emergency and relief operations projects.
213A7	EMPRES - Livestock	AGA	Preparedness and contingency planning against transboundary animal disease epidemics.
215A1	Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-Building	AGE	Methodologies, laboratory information systems, performance standards and capacity-building for strengthened early warning and reaction to infectious and vector-borne disease of livestock and crop insect pests.
215A2	Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building for Mitigation of Constraints and Risks	AGE	Methodologies, laboratory information systems, performance standards and capacity-building for strengthened early warning and reaction to infectious and vector-borne disease of livestock and crop insect pests.
221A6	Nutrition and Household Food Security in Emergencies	ESN	The entity contributes in full to this PAIA.
223P6	Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture	ESC	Entity fully involved, particularly through early warnings and special alerts on impending food shortages.
233A2	Sustainable Development of Small-scale Fisheries	FI	Studies on institutional plans and approaches to natural disaster preparedness in relation to fishing communities.
241A1	Sustainable Management of Natural Forests and Woodlands	FO	Work on forest fires and forest pests, as among the major causes of disasters, and the need for emergency response in the forest sector.
241A4	Environmental Conservation in Forests and Fragile Ecosystems	FO	Work on fragile ecosystems, including mountains and drylands, as among the most vulnerable to, and affected by, disasters.
241A5	Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests	FO	Improved tree planting practices to contribute to the rehabilitation of land areas that have been damaged by natural or other disasters.
251P1	Environmental Geo-Information Infrastructure and Services	SDR	Entity will give prominence to this PAIA.
253A1	Access 21: Land Tenure Institution Building for Food Security and Sustainable Rural Development	SDA	Information on land tenure conflict policies, in the perspective of preparedness or rehabilitation.
253P1	Management and Support to the ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security	SDA	ACC network information to give prominence to this PAIA.
311P1	Coordination of and Support to Policy Assistance and Advice	TCA	Coordination of FAO support in preparation of plans and strategies for rehabilitation and development following emergencies.
312P3	Advice, Support and Training in Agricultural Policies	TCA	Support in preparation of plans and strategies for rehabilitation and development, following emergencies.

Biosecurity for Agriculture and Food Production

Rationale

Biosecurity encompasses policy and regulatory frameworks to manage risks associated with agriculture and food production, e.g. in relation to food safety, the introduction and release of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and their products, and the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, alien genotypes and plant pests, animal pests and diseases and zoonoses.
In view of a number of developments, including globalisation, the rapid increase in transport and trade, and technological progress, Members require improved national and international frameworks and standards to regulate, manage and control biosecurity. In fact, countries are increasingly taking a holistic view and are combining these regulatory activities. This trend is expected to continue and should be matched by FAO, building on its already significant range of activities and outputs that address biosecurity, including international instruments, biosafety in relation to GMOs, biosecurity in relation to invasive alien species and closely associated concerns for food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

Scope of joint work

Enhanced cross-departmental collaboration should serve to create a profile of FAO as an active service provider for biosecurity as a whole, demonstrate progressive thinking and responsiveness to Members' current and future needs, and provide the opportunity to strengthen the (currently weak) view of agriculture as a steward of the environment and a partner rather than an antagonist of the environmental community.
This holistic approach is particularly relevant in connection with: participation in fora for negotiation and formulation of regional and global initiatives and policies; harmonisation of standard setting processes; development of methodologies and assistance with technical analyses (e.g. impact assessment, risk analysis); assistance with operational implementation (e.g. manuals, guidelines, equipment, facilities); and project formulation.

Supervisory mechanism: sub-group on biosecurity of the inter-departmental working group on biotechnology and biosafety.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
212A3	Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems	AGP	Advice and training on application of plant biotechnology.
212P1	Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)	AGP	Technical support to the national implementation of phytosanitary standards.
212P2	Pesticide Management	AGP	Work on pesticide and pesticide residues in food.
213A3	Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation	AGA	Safe processing of perishable products such as meat and milk.
213A6	Veterinary Public Health Management and Food and Feed Safety	AGA	Focus on veterinary public health and food safety is fully relevant to this PAIA.
215A1	Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-Building	AGE	Methodologies, standards, publications and capacity-building for diagnosis, monitoring, surveillance and control of trade-related livestock diseases and insect pests.
215A2	Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building for Mitigation of Constraints and Risks	AGE	Methodologies, standards, publications and capacity-building for diagnosis, monitoring, surveillance and control of trade-related livestock diseases and insect pests.
221P2	Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (Codex Alimentarius)	ESN	Codex Alimentarius scientific and technical reports to include biosecurity issues relating to food safety.
221P5	Food Quality Control and Consumer Protection	ESN	Dissemination of information to raise consumer awareness and promote food safety risk communication.
221P6	Food Safety Assessment and Rapid Alert System	ESN	Rapid alert and crisis management system for food-safety "accidents".
232A1	Promotion of Responsible Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture	FI	Guidelines and codes of practice on aquatic biosafety and genetic resource management.
241A5	Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests	FO	Technical guidelines for safe movement of forest germplasm.
251A3	Partnerships for Improving Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture	SDR	Development of national regulations for biosafety of GMOs.
251A6	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	SDR	Development of national regulations for biosafety of GMOs.
313P1	Collection and Dissemination of Legal Information	LEG	Publications directed toward relevant issues.

WTO Multi-lateral Trade Negotiations on
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Rationale

In the perspective of immediate and longer-term negotiations on agriculture under the aegis of the World Trade Organization (WTO), there is a substantial requirement for assistance from many Members in assessing the implications of the complex underlying issues.

Scope of joint work

Building on the broad range of FAO's trade-related activities, including the current umbrella training programme on Uruguay Round Follow-up, which will be updated to reflect newly emerging issues since Seattle³, an expanded multi-sectoral programme of assistance will ensure inter alia the full coverage of fisheries and forestry matters, according to requirements identified once the scope of future negotiations has been defined for these sectors.
This programme will cover components of: information and analysis (analysis of country proposals, assessment of experience, etc.); training and capacity-building; technical advice on investment in trade-related infrastructures and on legal frameworks; facilitation of developing country participation in the new WTO negotiations on agriculture.

Supervisory mechanism: inter-departmental task force on trade-related assistance.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
212P1	Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)	AGP	Support to the WTO sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) agreements in relation to plant health via the IPPC (technical assistance to countries in applying international standards).
212P2	Pesticide Management	AGP	Contributions to Codex standard setting through the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues.
213A6	Veterinary Public Health Management and Food and Feed Safety	AGA	Information on WTO SPS/TBT agreements in relation to livestock health, in cooperation with the International Office of Epizootics.
213A8	Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production	AGA	Information on WTO SPS/TBT agreements in relation to livestock health, in cooperation with the International Office of Epizootics.
214A1	Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods	AGS	Work on domestic and export marketing improvement programmes, including farmer-trader linkages.
214A3	Sustainable Commercial Provision of Input Supply, Mechanisation, Investment Support and Marketing Services	AGS	Work on domestic and export marketing improvement programmes, including farmer-trader linkages.
221P2	Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (Codex Alimentarius)	ESN	Support to WTO SPS/TBT agreements in relation to food quality for human health via the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
224A2	Commodity and Trade Policy Support to Developing Countries for Trade Negotiations	ESC	Analyses of trade issues under negotiation; formulation of commodity and trade development strategies.
224P5	Measures to Enhance Commodity and Trade Development	ESC	Follow-up assistance in implementing trade agreements, and supervision of projects to attract investment in specific commodities and product sectors.
233A5	Promotion of International Fish Trade	FI	Studies on the impact of the Uruguay Round agreements on fish exports and adaptation of markets to fish import regimes.
242A1	Environmental Aspects of Forests	FO	Studies and assistance on the impact of trade liberalisation on forest products, and the relationship between trade, sustainable forest management and environmental issues.
242P2	Appropriate Utilisation of Forest Products	FO	Studies and assistance on the impact of trade liberalisation on forest products, and the relationship between trade, sustainable forest management and environmental issues.
311S2	Technical Support to Capacity Building in Food, Agriculture and Rural Policy Development Planning and Policy Analysis	TCA	Management of the umbrella trade-related training programme.
312P3	Advice, Support and Training in Agricultural Policies	TCA	Interface of trade issues with food and agricultural policies, regional policy issues and training.

Climate Change Issues in Agriculture

Rationale

Global warning and growing climate variability are no longer in the realm of conjectures. Debates and international normative actions are likely to intensify, with considerable relevance to food security.
FAO must contribute to discussions on the impact of climate change and the identification of solutions, within its domain of competence.
While knowledgeable of various "sectoral" aspects (soils and forestry contribution to carbon sequestration, gas emissions, fertiliser use, etc.), FAO needs to adopt increasingly multi-disciplinary approaches.

Scope of joint work

Inter-departmental cooperation would aim particularly at providing consistent and comprehensive advice to Members, facilitating supportive analysis and the provision of technical inputs to negotiation processes, and strengthening information dissemination.
It should also enable FAO to support fully the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (CCC), and provide considerable technical inputs to mitigation and adaptation measures.

Supervisory mechanism: inter-departmental working group (IDWG) on climate change.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211A2	Land and Soil Productivity	AGL	Work on carbon sequestration through sustainable land management.
212P5	Support to Strategy Formulation and Promotion of Specific Action for Rice Development in Member Countries of the International Rice Commission (IRC)	AGP	Implementation of modern technologies for integrated rice production.
213A7	EMPRES - Livestock	AGA	Surveillance, early warning and reactions to weather dependent epidemics; adaptation of insect pest management in response to climate change.
213A9	Environmental Management of Insect Borne Diseases	AGA	Surveillance, early warning and reactions to weather dependent epidemics; adaptation of insect pest management in response to climate change.
222P1	Agricultural Resources and Income Statistics	ESS	Coverage of statistical aspects.
224P3	Economics of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability	ESA	Technical reports on the valuation of environmental costs and benefits, including inter alia those arising from climate change.
242A1	Environmental Aspects of Forests	FO	Study on the role of forests in carbon storage and climate stabilisation.
251A6	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	SDR	Impact on national policies; preparation of FAO position papers related to climate change.
313P1	Collection and Dissemination of Legal Information	LEG	Publications directed toward relevant issues.

Organic Agriculture

Rationale

There is a growing demand for organically produced foods in all regions, while in least developed countries (LDCs) organic agriculture can build on low-input, subsistence systems to evolve into enhanced income-earning opportunities.
This has led to strong interest on the subject in the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) and Council (1999 sessions) and to attendant expectations of FAO's active involvement.
As Members need assistance in setting policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as in technology transfer and information-sharing, organic agriculture development calls for inter-disciplinary approaches and inputs.

Scope of joint work

Inter-disciplinary coordination is expected to lead to:

Comprehensive information dissemination systems and networking arrangements (for processing, labelling, marketing).
Effective decision-support tools for productive and efficient organic agriculture systems.
Topical studies and policy advice on production and trade of certified organic agriculture products.

Supervisory mechanism: inter-departmental working group (IDWG) on organic agriculture.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211A2	Land and Soil Productivity	AGL	Studies on the use of organic waste.
212A5	"Mainstreaming IPM" by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes	AGP	Models of transition from Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to organic agriculture.
214A1	Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods	AGS	Assessment of organic agriculture as an income opportunity for small farmers.
221A4	Community Action for Improved Household Food Security and Nutrition	ESN	Forum on Household Food Security and Community Nutrition will inter alia promote food-based nutrition, including organic farming.
221P5	Food Quality Control and Consumer Protection	ESS	Capacity-building in nutrition education and communication will inter alia promote food-based nutrition including organic farming.
222P1	Agricultural Resources and Income Statistics	ESS	Methodology for systematic collection and analysis of information and statistics on organic agriculture.
222P6	WAICENT Corporate Information Management and Dissemination Systems	GIL	Technical support and guidance to thematic information systems.
223P5	Market Assessments and Food Security Reports for Tropical, Horticultural and Raw Material Commodities	ESC	Regular assessments of market development and short-term outlook for various commodities including organic horticultural products.
251A5	National Agricultural Research System (NARS) Secretariat of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)	SDR	Information products expected to contribute to this PAIA.
251A6	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	SDR	Guidance on contribution of organic farming to sustainable agriculture (case studies, documentation).
313A1	Support to the Development of a Regulatory Framework for Food and Agriculture	LEG	Conceptual support to the PAIA.

Food for the Cities

Rationale

Producing and distributing adequate food to urban areas is a growing challenge to farmers, traders and municipal authorities.
In this context, small farms in urban and peri-urban areas have an increasingly important role to play in urban food security.
As emphasised by the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), FAO needs to respond to extensive demands for assistance, to be buttressed by an appropriate normative framework.

Scope of joint work

This is to provide Members with a consistent package of technical guidance and decision support systems to assist them in producing and distributing adequate food to urban areas. The following aspects would be addressed in particular: urban natural resource planning; links between urban, peri-urban and rural markets; policies for urban food insecure; improved understanding of the urban informal economy; urban food safety facilities; interaction with, and role of the private sector.

Supervisory mechanism: inter-departmental working group to coordinate and monitor activities of concerned technical units, provide a focal point for internal and external information dissemination, and shape FAO responses to initiatives of government and partners in this area.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211A1	Agricultural Water Use Efficiency and Conservation	AGL	Work on peri-urban irrigation.
211A2	Land and Soil Productivity	AGL	Availability of urban and agro-industrial organic waste for peri-urban agriculture.
211A3	Integrated Land, Water and Plant Nutrient Management	AGL	Safe use of waste water in peri-urban agriculture.
212A1	Alternative Crops and Cultivars for New Opportunities	AGP	Technologies for integrated greenhouse crop production.
213A6	Veterinary Public Health Management and Food and Feed Safety	AGA	Quality control work for food safety and consumer protection; veterinary public health structures and functions for the protection of the population against zoonotic diseases.
214A2	Meeting Urban Food Needs	AGS	Entity fully related to the PAIA, covering: technologies and strategies for urban and peri-urban agriculture; planning and implementation of enhanced rural-urban linkages; improved provision of, and access to, fresh and processed food; improved urban marketing systems and infrastructures to cater for rapidly expanding urban populations.
221A2	Nutrition Improvement for Sustainable Development	ESN	Work on food security and nutritional problems of the urban poor.
221P5	Food Quality Control and Consumer Protection	ESN	Management of effective national food control programmes.
222P6	WAICENT Corporate Information Management and Dissemination Systems	GIL	Technical support and guidance to thematic information systems.
241A5	Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests	FO	Role of trees in liveability and environmental sustainability of cities, and reduced cost of energy for heating and other services.
251A2	Youth in Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods	SDR	Information and educational materials aimed at developing skills for income-generation and enterprise development in youth.
251A6	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	SDR	Work on environmental considerations, including guidelines.
253A1	Access 21: Land Tenure Institution Building for Food Security and Sustainable Rural Development	SDA	Information on informal tenure in food production areas surrounding cities.
253A2	Improved Rural Institutions and Services to Promote Sustainable Rural Livelihoods	SDA	Institutional mechanisms for fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue; training manuals aimed at strengthening capacities of rural and peri-urban producer organizations.
313A1	Support to the Development of a Regulatory Framework for Food and Agriculture	LEG	Conceptual contributions to the PAIA.
313P1	Collection and Dissemination of Legal Information	LEG	Publications directed toward relevant issues under this PAIA.

Integrated Production Systems (SARD/SPFS)

Rationale

Particularly in relation to Strategic Objective C2, the FAO Strategic Framework 2000-2015 stresses the importance of "effective intensification of production systems" and the transformation of production "especially at the level of small-scale producers," with a need "to promote holistic systems approaches, and to recognise the economic and social ... dimensions related to transfer and adoption of appropriate technology."
This calls first for integration in the "horizontal" sense (i.e. seeking improved management across components of the farming systems) and for "vertical" integration (i.e. seeking improved management of a commodity through the production, processing, distribution and marketing stages); therefore, policies are needed that require inter-disciplinary thinking and action.
This integrated system approach is, in fact, already espoused by the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS), and underpins the concept of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) so that this PAIA is closely relevant to SPFS and SARD activities.

Scope of joint work

Maintained common information base on promising integrated production techniques for major agro-ecological zones, by collecting, analysing and disseminating information (data, summary reports) on best practices in relevant geographical contexts.
Pilot projects to verify the conditions of application of selected promising techniques in systems that have potential for sustainable production increases.
Decision-support systems promoted in countries based on knowledge accumulated through the above activities.

Supervisory mechanism: the desired degree of inter-divisional collaboration should be attained through sub-groups to deal with specific outputs.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
210A1	Sustainable Intensification of Integrated Production Systems	AG	Entity fully relevant to the PAIA, covering in particular pilot field activities, workshops, publications and information system on oncho-freed zones; guidelines, training, models on rice-wheat systems; and work on integrated crop-livestock systems in semi-arid areas.
210A2	Promotion of Conservation Agriculture	AGS	Also highly relevant entity, covering technologies in conservation agriculture.
211A1	Agricultural Water Use Efficiency and Conservation	AGL	Support to farmers groups and water user associations in efficient and low-cost water management; improved technologies and planning/design procedures for precise water management for optimal water supply and crop production; irrigation systems improvement and modernisation; and improvement and expansion of small-scale irrigation.
211A2	Land and Soil Productivity	AGL	Integrated approach to land planning and management.
212A1	Alternative Crops and Cultivars for New Opportunities	AGP	Assessment and adaptation of high-value crops in favourable environments; technologies for integrated greenhouse crop production and protection.
212A3	Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems	AGP	Improved knowledge base and technologies for intensive forage production and conservation; work on sustainable cropping technologies and systems within Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
212A5	"Mainstreaming IPM" by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes	AGP	Farmer field school methodologies for integrated production and pest management.
212A7	Strengthening National Seed Production and Security Systems	AGP	Work on informal seed supply systems to ensure secure access to good quality seeds and planting materials for use in traditional crop production systems.
212P2	Pesticide Management	AGP	Technologies for integrated rice production.
213A8	Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production	AGA	Technical support and publications on livestock production and product processing; programmes and strategies for the development and rational delivery of livestock extension and veterinary services within practical farming systems; policy work linking livestock and environment issues and technical guidelines including area-wide integration.
213P1	Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework	AGA	Integrated set of information systems on animal production, environment and health as a basis for the rational planning of sustainable resource management.
214A1	Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods	AGS	Work on relevant financial and economic information on farm enterprises; guidance on appropriate tools, equipment and mechanisation.
214A3	Sustainable Commercial Provision of Input Supply, Mechanisation, Investment Support and Marketing Services	AGS	Guidelines, bulletins, training materials, software systems to support provision of commercial support services to farmers.
214A4	Agribusiness Development	AGS	Management tools for agribusiness.
215A1	Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-Building	AGE	Improved techniques, products and practices for constraint and risk assessment, prevention and mitigation, developed for sustainable intensification of crop production.
215A2	Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building for Mitigation of Constraints and Risks	AGE	Integrated resource use and risk management in livestock systems.
232A2	Increased Contribution of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries to Food Security	FI	Studies on integration of small-scale rural aquaculture as part of farming systems within rural polycultures.
241A5	Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests	FO	Improved land use planning and agroforestry techniques.
251A5	National Agricultural Research System (NARS) Secretariat of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)	SDR	Work on on-farm systems research, in close interaction with farmers.
252P1	Promotion of Gender and Population in Policies, Legislation and Civil Institutions	SDW	The PAIA will benefit from the results of planned case studies and documentation activities.
311P1	Coordination of and Support to Policy Assistance and Advice	TCA	Coordinated policy advice to countries as relates to this PAIA.
312P3	Advice, Support and Training in Agricultural Policies	TCA	Policy advice to countries and support to policy analysis and planning.

Biotechnology Applications in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Rationale

The kind of genetic modifications long used to enhance microorganisms, plants and animals for food and other agricultural products, have become more refined, giving rise to what is now called modern biotechnology.
The subject is receiving increasing attention at international fora and in national debates, e.g. in relation to:

The potential value of modern biotechnology as a tool for solving problems of hunger and enhancing nutritional quality.
The benefits and potential risks for agriculture, forestry and fisheries; regulatory aspects and ethical dimensions (cloning in animals, as well as genetic engineering in plants and animals).
The role of private sector and the relative importance of biotechnology to national and regional economic growth.
Capacity- and institutional-building requirements in developing countries.

In this context, FAO Governing Bodies have consistently requested that the Organization develop a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach, and engage actively in current debates on biotechnology and genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), through science-based contributions.

Scope of joint work

Increased inter-departmental cooperation to support:

The comprehensive assessment of biotechnology needs in developing countries, followed by the development of appropriate techniques and protocols.
A section of FAO Internet Website on biotechnology.
The formulation of national biosafety regulations for GMOs, as an interface with the work mentioned above on biosecurity.
Capacity-building in developing countries and policy advice and guidelines to Members.
Comprehensive databases on biotechnology and related issues.

Supervisory mechanism: working group on biotechnology.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211A1	Agricultural Water Use Efficiency and Conservation	AGL	Work on biotechnology and cropwater use productivity.
211A2	Land and Soil Productivity	AGL	Work on biotechnology related to plant nutrient use.
212A3	Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems	AGP	Support to countries on plant biotechnology.
212P1	Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)	AGP	Environmental standards for phytosanitary measures for GMOs.
213A3	Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation	AGA	Promotion of biotechnology in the safe preservation of milk and meat.
213A5	Developing the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources	AGA	State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) reports and priorities to address biotechnology.
213A7	EMPRES - Livestock	AGA	Application of biotechnology to diagnostics and vaccines.
213A8	Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production	AGA	Decision support systems and training on related matters.
214A4	Agribusiness Development	AGS	Application and promotion of appropriate technologies (including biotechnologies) for processing and transformation of agro-based food and non-food products.
215A1	Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-Building	AGE	Entity fully involved with biotechnologies relating to crop production and protection and animal health aspects, through methodologies, publications, capacity-building and databases.
215A2	Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building for Mitigation of Constraints and Risks	AGE	Entity fully involved with biotechnologies relating to crop production and protection and animal health aspects, through methodologies, publications, capacity-building and databases.
221P2	Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (Codex Alimentarius)	ESN	Standards, guidelines and other instruments for consumer protection and fair food trade practices relevant to biotechnology.
221P6	Food Safety Assessment and Rapid Alert System	ESN	Technical reports on the assessment of food additives, etc. including foods derived from biotechnology as the basis for international standards setting.
222P6	WAICENT Corporate Information Management and Dissemination Systems	GIL	Technical support and guidance to thematic information systems.
224P4	International Action on Commodity and Trade Issues	ESC	Assessment of the impact that new technologies have on trade, eco-labelling, fair trade and competitiveness of agricultural commodities.
241A1	Sustainable Management of Natural Forests and Woodlands	FO	Work on management and conservation of forest genetic resources.
241A5	Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests	FO	Advice to countries on new biotechnologies in forestry.
251A3	Partnerships for Improving Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture	SDR	Dissemination of information and international cooperation in research as relates to biotechnology.
251A6	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	SDR	Guidance on environmental considerations related to biotechnology applications.
313P1	Collection and Dissemination of Legal Information	LEG	Publications directed toward relevant issues.

Integrated Management of Biological Diversity for Food and Agriculture

Rationale

FAO is already active in the implementation of several biological diversity-related instruments of relevance to food and agriculture. In this context, it needs to put its multi-disciplinary expertise to bear on addressing biodiversity issues globally and at the ecosystems levels.
Therefore, collaboration across departments must be further enhanced so that FAO can pursue a holistic approach, establish a coordinated position on biological diversity, and assist Members in appreciating the value of biological diversity for food and agriculture development and natural resources conservation and in its application to specific ecosystems.

Scope of joint work

Case studies and support in the operationalisation of the ecosystem approach concept, including support to countries in the integrated management of biological diversity in production systems.
Improved basis for joint activities on biological diversity with other partners (especially the secretariats of various conventions).
Awareness of the importance of biological diversity through integrated information dissemination and communication efforts.

Supervisory mechanism: existing inter-departmental working group.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
210P1	Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA)	AGD	Entity fully related to this PAIA.
211A2	Land and Soil Productivity	AGL	Work on soil biodiversity.
212A1	Alternative Crops and Cultivars for New Opportunities	AGP	Assessment and adaptation of high-value crops in favourable environments.
212A3	Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems	AGP	Studies and publications linked to biodiversity.
212A5	"Mainstreaming IPM" by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes	AGP	Agro-ecosystem services studies, in particular pollination, and training on agro-ecosystem analysis.
212A7	Strengthening National Seed Production and Security Systems	AGP	Work on seed security programmes and mechanisms which guard against genetic erosion and possible loss of crop genetic diversity in disaster-prone regions.
212A8	Facilitating Plant Production and Protection Decision Making	AGP	Information exchange related to biodiversity.
212P4	Support to the FAO Global System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA)	AGP	Continuing programme activity which fully contributes to this PAIA.
213A5	Developing the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources	AGA	Detailing strategic framework for domestic animal diversity, State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) - reports and priorities, decision support and training.
213P1	Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework	AGA	Inter-linking data and information on AnGR.
215A1	Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-Building	AGE	Methodologies, publications and capacity-building for enhancing, protecting and characterising crop and insect biodiversity.
215A2	Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building for Mitigation of Constraints and Risks	AGE	Methodologies, publications and capacity-building for enhancing, protecting and characterising crop and insect biodiversity.
222P6	WAICENT Corporate Information Management and Dissemination Systems	GIL	Technical support and guidance to thematic information systems.
224P3	Economics of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability	ESA	Conceptual inputs through work on the economics of natural resource use and sustainability, particularly methods of valuation of costs and benefits.
232A4	Monitoring and Reporting on Global Marine Resources and Relevant Environmental and Ecological Changes	FI	Regular and more accurate assessment of environmental impacts.
232P1	Global Monitoring and Strategic Analysis of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture	FI	Specialised information systems concerning aquatic biodiversity and genetics.
241A4	Environmental Conservation in Forests and Fragile Ecosystems	FO	Coverage of biological diversity as an issue in forestry.
251A6	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	SDR	Guidance, case studies, documentation and training on biodiversity-related issues, especially with regard to sustainable agro-ecosystems.
251P3	Information and Communication Technologies in Support of Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Systems	SDR	Information systems contributing to this PAIA.
252A3	Gender and Natural Resources Management	SDW	Dissemination of information and training in gender and biodiversity issues.
313A1	Support to the Development of a Regulatory Framework for Food and Agriculture	LEG	Conceptual contributions to the PAIA.
313P1	Collection and Dissemination of Legal Information	LEG	Publications directed toward relevant issues.

Strengthening Capacity for Integrated Ecosystem Management

Rationale

The sustainable management of fragile ecosystems in various regions requires policies and programmes which take into account complex interactions and processes at ecosystem level, and ensure an appropriate balance between conservation and development.
This implies a need for inter-sectoral approaches and the assessment of trade-offs. Also, institutional measures are needed in order to improve planning and the resolution of conflicts among sectors and stakeholders.
Adequate monitoring of fragile ecosystems and identification of trends and threats to these systems also need to be addressed.

Scope of joint work

Areas targeted for improved inter-disciplinary collaboration are as follows:

Monitoring and assessing the state of fragile ecosystems, jointly with other institutions, and providing strategic data on, and analysis of trends and major issues.
Case studies, particularly when relating to cross-sectoral linkages.
Policy analytical frameworks and support tools for use at ecosystem level.
Methods for local stakeholder participation in co-management regimes.
The implementation of pilot action projects.

Particular attention will be given to:

Drylands, given Members' interest and FAO's active role in the implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD).
Mountain development and conservation, as FAO is the assigned task manager for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) Agenda 21, Chapter 13 (Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development) as well as being the lead agency for the International Year of Mountains (2002).

Supervisory mechanism: inter-departmental working groups on desertification and mountains.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
210A2	Promotion of Conservation Agriculture	AGS	Crop production techniques in conservation agriculture relating to specific eco-systems.
211A2	Land and Soil Productivity	AGL	Integrated land resources management and planning.
211A3	Integrated Land, Water and Plant Nutrient Management	AGL	Impacts of land management in watersheds on downstream water users and sustainable mountain development^**.
212A3	Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems	AGP	Related studies and publications^*.
212A5	"Mainstreaming IPM" by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes	AGP	Studies on agro-ecosystem services.
213A3	Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation	AGA	Entity focus on integration of livestock into low-input agricultural production systems is of close relevance to this PAIA^*.
213A8	Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production	AGA	Focus on livestock environment interactions and related decision support systems, also of direct relevance to this PAIA.
215A2	Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building for Mitigation of Constraints and Risks	AGE	Technologies, standards and strategies for area-wide tsetse management.
224P3	Economics of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability	ESA	Conceptual work on the economics and sustainability of natural resources use, particularly, the methods of valuation of costs and benefits.
241A4	Environmental Conservation in Forests and Fragile Ecosystems	FO	Improved knowledge of, and technologies for, fragile ecosystems; coordination of FAO's work on several key post-UNCED agreements, including those related to mountains, biodiversity and deserts; work as lead agency for the International Year of Mountains^**.
251A1	Integrated Use of Information for Sustainable Development	SDR	Use of ground and satellite-based observing systems data and information^*.
251A5	National Agricultural Research System (NARS) Secretariat of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)	SDR	Information systems and international cooperation in research, as relates to this PAIA.
251A6	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	SDR	Guidance on mitigation of land degradation and desertification^*.
252A3	Gender and Natural Resources Management	SDW	Dissemination of information to give due prominence to ecosystem management.
253A1	Access 21: Land Tenure Institution Building for Food Security and Sustainable Rural Development	SDA	Dissemination of information on indigenous land rights and common property resources.
313P1	Collection and Dissemination of Legal Information	LEG	Publications directed toward relevant issues under this PAIA.
313S1	Provision of Technical Advice	LEG	Technical assistance on legal aspects of natural resources management.

^* particularly relevant to drylands ^** particularly relevant to mountains

Definitions, Norms, Methodologies and Quality of Information

Rationale

The continuing evolution of data and information needs, and of related terminology, implies that FAO should ensure consistent and agreed definitions, norms, and methodologies for information collection and analysis, particularly with respect to thematic, inter-departmental issues, where there is also a need to improve information quality.

Scope of joint work

Norms and definitions for all major FAO databases, are to be monitored to ensure maximum consistency, including harmonisation among terms and definitions used by different departments; between the Secretariat and countries; and between FAO and other international organizations in their respective thematic areas.
This includes introducing new definitions and a wider range of technological reference frameworks.

Supervisory mechanism: ad hoc inter-departmental working group to keep under review thematic issues where there are apparent inconsistencies in definitions, norms and methodologies; to be buttressed by action by lead technical units for the relevant database or information system, and by participatory inter-departmental technical groups to develop norms and definitions for the respective database.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211P7	Land and Water Information Systems, Databases and Statistics	AGL	Land databases and statistics; land and water information systems.
212A8	Facilitating Plant Production and Protection Decision Making	AGP	Work on standardisation of terms and definitions.
213A5	Developing the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources	AGA	Framework for collecting, analysing and using information; issuance of State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) reports.
213A8	Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production	AGA	Work on decision-support systems and training.
213P1	Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework	AGA	Development of methodologies and standards for livestock information; country-based specialised AnGR information system.
214A5	Agricultural Services - Data and Information Systems	AGS	Definitions, methodologies and data quality for farm level data.
221A1	Human Nutrition Requirements	ESN	Definition of norms and standards for human energy, protein and vitamin requirements.
221P1	Food Composition (INFOODS)	ESN	Further development of regional and national food composition tables and databases that permit reliable and valid assessment of nutrient intake.
222A3	FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System	GIL	Platform for the development of an FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System.
222A4	Systematic Evaluation and Improvement of Statistical Data Quality	ESS	Given its scope, this entity will contribute in full to this PAIA.
222A5	World Agriculture Information Resource System (WAIR)	GIL	Entity is relevant, as the WAIR system is intended to improve access to authoritative information resources in Member Nations.
222P1	Agricultural Resources and Income Statistics	ESS	Work on agricultural resources and income statistics.
222P2	Agricultural Production, Trade Statistics and Food Balance Sheets	ESS	Work on production and trade statistics.
231A1	Development of the Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS)	FI	Promotion of data and information norms for enhanced information exchange.
231P1	Provision of Fisheries Information and Statistics	FI	Development of norms, standards, guidelines for fisheries information, statistics and library services.
232A1	Promotion of Responsible Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture	FI	Development of norms to enhance sustainable use and development, especially of aquatic and inland fisheries.
233A4	Consumption, Safety and Quality of Fish Products	FI	International databases on hazards, risks and standards for fish production.
241P1	Assessment and Monitoring of Forests and Woodland Resources	FO	Ongoing monitoring and assessment of forest and other woodland resources, to be coordinated with other assessment and monitoring work, including compatible definitions, norms, and quality standards for information.
242P1	Forest Products Information	FO	Development of information standards for the production, trade and consumption of forest products, including wood and non-wood products.
243A1	Forestry Sector Outlook Studies	FO	Work on norms, definitions and quality of forestry data.
251A1	Integrated Use of Information for Sustainable Development	SDR	Information standards developed by regional organizations, through the Regional Agricultural Information Systems (RAIS), are expected to contribute to this PAIA.
251A5	National Agricultural Research System (NARS) Secretariat of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)	SDR	Relevant entity, as it will give prominence to data quality.
251P1	Environmental Geo-Information Infrastructure and Services	SDR	Entity fully relevant to the PAIA.

Spatial Information Management and Decision Support Tools

Rationale

There is still inadequate infrastructure and uneven technical capacity within FAO to manage spatial information and to develop and use geographic information systems and modelling tools for multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral analysis.

Scope of joint work

Ensuring a more distributed capacity to use desktop geographic information systems in relevant technical units.
Maintenance of a comprehensive FAO electronic map library and catalogue, widely accessible internally and through the Internet.
Application of state-of-the-art Geographical Information System (GIS) and modelling tools to the widest possible range of issues of interest to the membership, including in particular reporting and monitoring through the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) of national, sub-regional and regional implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action, and developing targets, verifiable indicators and analyses to support the global monitoring process, as well as in support of FIVIMS.
Broadened collaboration with selected countries or regional institutions to strengthen capacity in the use of GIS and modelling tools.

Supervisory mechanism: a senior-level working group on GIS and modelling, to be assisted by ad hoc groups with specific terms of reference and limited time horizons to carry out various tasks required to strengthen FAO's capabilities.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211P7	Land and Water Information Systems, Databases and Statistics	AGL	Global agro-ecological information system and revised agro-ecological zone (AEZ) methodology; digitised reports on the state of land, water and plant nutrient resources; global geo-referenced information system and modelling capability on water; digitised databases on soil, terrain and climatic information; land use, degradation and management inventories including soil and water conservation technologies; digitised databases on state of water resources, use in agriculture and water management.
212A3	Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems	AGP	Dissemination of information to countries on major crops through crop databases.
212P4	Support to the FAO Global System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA)	AGP	Decision-support tools for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA.
212P5	Support to Strategy Formulation and Promotion of Specific Action for Rice Development in Member Countries of the International Rice Commission (IRC)	AGP	Collection, analysis and publication of innovative rice technologies, production factors, constraints and opportunities in different ecologies.
213A7	EMPRES - Livestock	AGA	Work on spatial disease modelling.
213A9	Environmental Management of Insect Borne Diseases	AGA	Work on agro-ecology of animal health and production issues, mainly insect borne diseases.
213B1	Livestock Sector Analysis and Strategy Development	AGA	Analysis of livestock-land use patterns and trends and development of related decision support tools.
213P1	Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework	AGA	GIS aspects of livestock information and information management.
214A5	Agricultural Services - Data and Information Systems	AGS	Policy decision support systems based on farm level data.
222A1	Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS)	ESD	Mapping tools which provide support to FIVIMS; development of FIVIMS portable software tools and the FAOMAP GIS Spatial Database.
222A3	FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System	GIL	Platform for the development of an FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System.
223P6	Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture	ESC	Workstation mapping tools of the GIEWS.
231A1	Development of the Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS)	FI	FIGIS Internet-based global databases of fisheries information and statistics and GIS use in inter-disciplinary and ecosystem-based fisheries management.
232P1	Global Monitoring and Strategic Analysis of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture	FI	GIS-based global, regional and national reviews of status and use of resources (linked to FIVIMS).
241P1	Assessment and Monitoring of Forests and Woodland Resources	FO	Spatial information management methodologies, including GIS and remote sensing, used in many aspects of forestry.
251A1	Integrated Use of Information for Sustainable Development	SDR	Work on land tenure data, gender and demographic factors, ground and satellite-based observing systems data and information.
251A5	National Agricultural Research System (NARS) Secretariat of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)	SDR	Application of information and communication technologies, including GIS being one of the main areas in which the Regional Agricultural Information Systems (RAIS) are working.
251P1	Environmental Geo-Information Infrastructure and Services	SDR	Work on spatial databases and decision support tools.
251P3	Information and Communication Technologies in Support of Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Systems	SDR	Application of information and communication, as relevant to this PAIA.

Global Perspective Studies

Rationale

FAO global perspective studies already embody a substantial degree of cross-departmental cooperation.
However, there is a need to redress an identified sub-optimal use of in-house expertise in the development of outlook scenarios and to better link the results to sector reviews and outlook studies.
The outlook sections of global sector studies (agriculture, fisheries, forestry, nutrition) need to make greater use of knowledge about likely effects upon the sector of developments external to it.

Scope of joint work

Improving assessments of the state of, trends in, and outlook for nutrition, food, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and related natural resources, basing them on diversified data sources and fully involving external partners.
Identifying and analysing current and emerging issues, including improved indicators to assess progress towards sustainable agricultural and rural development.
Facilitating participation of countries in these assessments, including through regional and global information networks, and providing them with technical support in carrying out their own strategic assessments.

Supervisory mechanism: existing cooperative channels.

The following list is representative, as the focus of Global Perspective Studies varies from period to period.

OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Code	Title	Unit	Relevant Activities
211P7	Land and Water Information Systems, Databases and Statistics	AGL	Contributions to AT 20XX and Food Outlook studies.
212P4	Support to the FAO Global System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA)	AGP	Worldwide review of current state of PGRFA as basis to identify gaps for action by stakeholders.
213B1	Livestock Sector Analysis and Strategy Development	AGA	Analysis of the "Livestock Revolution".
214A1	Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods	AGS	Information on trends and issues impacting on small farmers.
221P1	Food Composition (INFOODS)	ESN	Food composition data for global assessments.
222A1	Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS)	ESD	Estimates of number of undernourished persons for projection years.
222A3	FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System	GIL	Development and maintenance of corporate databases on standard information resources of the Organization.
222A3	FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System	GIL	Platform for the development of an FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System.
223A1	Global Perspective Studies	ESD	Core entity focused entirely on global perspective studies.
223P3	Market Assessments for Basic Food Commodities and Impact on Global Food Security	ESC	Technical papers on market intelligence and assessments of basic food commodities.
223P4	Projections and Global Commodity Analyses	ESC	Projections and global commodity market analysis.
223P5	Market Assessments and Food Security Reports for Tropical, Horticultural and Raw Material Commodities	ESC	Technical papers on market intelligence and assessments of tropical, horticultural and raw material commodities.
224P2	Contribution of Agriculture to Poverty Alleviation, Rural Development and Food Security	ESA	Contributions relating to agricultural and food security policy issues.
234A1	Coordination and Monitoring of the Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries	FI	Work on policies in the fisheries sector and improvements in national fishery management plans.
234A5	Promotion of Appropriate National/Regional Policies for Sustainable Aquaculture Development	FI	Identification of major constraints to development of sustainable aquaculture and adoption of production-increasing technologies.
234P2	Global Analysis of Economic and Social Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture	FI	Publication of "Projection of World Fish Consumption by Country in 2020".
243A1	Forestry Sector Outlook Studies	FO	Outlook studies for the forestry sector and contributions to AT 20XX.

Gender Mainstreaming

Rationale

Although women play significant, if not often dominant, roles in household food security and livelihoods in general, these roles and their priorities have often been overlooked. Based on past experience, it is now evident that development efforts in which women's roles and priorities are ignored or marginalised, do not achieve the desired results.
Both rural women and men must be active agents of development, in particular of agricultural development, ensuring that resources and opportunities are available to them on an equal basis. Therefore, gender has become an increasingly important policy issue, not only because of social concerns, but also from the perspective of economic efficiency and sustainability.
While FAO gave due emphasis in the past to Women in Development, which increased awareness of women's distinct priorities and needs, it is now moving towards a full-scale Gender Mainstreaming approach.

Scope of joint work

In line with the expectations of Governing Bodies and under guidance from senior management, gender mainstreaming is to be continuously and consistently applied to the broad spectrum of substantive work (including field programmes). It is recalled that the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations defines gender mainstreaming as "a strategy for making women's, as well as men's, concerns and experiences an integral dimension in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all political, economic and social spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality.⁴"
A detailed Plan of Action on gender and development, to be firmly rooted in the Medium Term Plan, will be submitted to the FAO Conference (at the latter's request) in November 2001. This Plan of Action will provide the basis for monitoring and evaluation of impact at periodic intervals throughout the period.
The gender-sensitive activities specified under all substantive programmes in this Plan of Action, will be implemented under Regular Programme resources in the budgets of respective units, to be supplemented by extra-budgetary funds.
Conceptual developments regarding gender mainstreaming, including the lessons learned, and attendant guidelines, will be addressed and updated, under the aegis of the SDW Division, which is the focal point for gender issues in FAO, and which will also ensure coordinated positions on such issues from the perspective of FAO's mandate in other UN system fora, and inputs to system-wide exercises.

Supervisory mechanism: in view of the pervasive nature of gender issues, progress will be kept under review through existing high-level consultative mechanisms, while at the initiative of the focal point division, smaller groups may address specific issues to ensure inter-sectoral coherence and needed cooperation.

Overview of relevant activities: programme entities and major outputs in all departments have gender considerations which are included in the design, and those with the most significant gender implications, will be defined in a comprehensive list to be given in the Plan of Action on Gender and Development covering the same period as the Medium Term Plan.

Ethics in Food and Agriculture

Rationale

A number of major economic, ecological and social developments (e.g. in the context of globalisation, urbanisation, natural resources erosion, rapid technological change) raise major ethical questions of direct relevance to food and agriculture.
There is a need to address these issues in a systematic way so that FAO is able to promote consideration by governments, civil society organizations and the general public of the ethical choices and duties involved in meeting food security and agricultural production objectives.

Scope of joint work

Close inter-departmental coordination is to:

Ensure a regular flow of publications on selected ethical issues.
Support biennial meetings of the Panel of Eminent Experts on Ethics in Food and Agriculture, advising the Organization.
Maintain a Web page on the subject.
Facilitate exchanges with other intergovernmental organizations dealing with the same issues.

Supervisory mechanism: Committee on Ethics in Food and Agriculture (with membership at senior level) assisted by a sub-committee (with representatives of all concerned units), both serviced by the Legal Office, which identify and develop the scope of ethical issues of relevance to food and agriculture and suggest ways of handling them.

Overview of relevant activities: ethical considerations can, and should, be applied to a great part of FAO's work. More obvious areas include genetic resources for food and agriculture, the application of biotechnology, biosafety issues in general and food safety in particular. Beyond this group, a broader range of ethical considerations need to be taken into account in policy for intensification and with regard to international trade.

3 Third WTO Ministerial Conference, December 1999

4 Agreed Conclusions 1997/2 of July 1997