Major Programme |
Global |
Inter-Regional |
Africa |
Asia and Pacific |
Near East |
Europe |
Latin America / Caribbean |
Total | ||
2.1 |
Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
46,795 |
14,303 |
74,693 |
62,406 |
170,711 |
28,185 |
18,564 |
415,657 | |
2.2 |
Food and Agriculture Policy and Development |
59,094 |
9,177 |
14,603 |
11,394 |
17,132 |
4,933 |
7,535 |
123,868 | |
2.3 |
Fisheries |
26,325 |
27,542 |
7,932 |
13,513 |
4,922 |
3,427 |
6,560 |
90,221 | |
2.4 |
Forestry |
12,151 |
9,610 |
7,016 |
9,523 |
5,350 |
3,824 |
6,421 |
53,895 | |
2.5 |
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts |
26,005 |
5,971 |
22,689 |
17,966 |
11,722 |
2,734 |
40,129 |
127,216 | |
3.1 |
Policy Assistance |
6,153 |
4,312 |
8,082 |
10,910 |
7,695 |
3,378 |
7,255 |
47,785 | |
Total |
176,524 |
70,916 |
135,014 |
125,712 |
217,531 |
46,481 |
86,464 |
858,642 |
732. The Programme of Work is presented in a "unified" manner in the PWB document. The constituent entities under the established programme structure are designed to address the problems and issues faced by Members, while at the same time being directly related to the strategic objectives reflected in the Strategic Framework. Substantive programmes are in most cases jointly executed by Headquarters departments and the corresponding outposted teams in Regional or Sub-regional Offices. Many activities involve, therefore, participation of both Headquarters staff and that of outlying offices.
733. While references may be made to region-specific requirements and outputs in the narratives, the latter seriously understate what will be accomplished in each region. As was done in the PWB 2002-03, this section provides cross-cutting views of activities in the Programme of Work of particular interest to individual regions. It covers substantive activities within Chapter 2, Technical and Economic Programmes and Major Programme 3.1, Policy Assistance, irrespective of locations, i.e. whether inputs originate from Headquarters or decentralized offices.
734. For the sake of brevity and to avoid unnecessary duplication, these regional overviews are deliberately selective. In effect, many programmes or activities are of obvious interest to all regions. Therefore, repetitive references have been avoided, unless there is some aspect which could be worth highlighting in the regional context.
735. At the beginning of each narrative, a summary table indicates the breakdown, by major programmes, of the resources estimated to relate to the respective region, under both the Programme of Work and extra-budgetary resources. It should be noted that while the allocations shown under the "Decentralized Offices" columns reflect the amounts allocated to Regional and Sub-regional Offices, the amounts under the "Headquarters" column are statistically derived. As most of the budgetary provision for country offices is under Major Programme 3.4, FAO Representatives, it is not reflected in the following tables.
Regular Programme |
Trust |
||||||
Programme |
Headquarters |
Decentralized Offices |
Total |
Fund Activities |
Total | ||
2.1 |
Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
9,589 |
6,809 |
16,398 |
58,295 |
74,693 | |
2.2 |
Food and Agriculture Policy and Development |
8,905 |
2,791 |
11,696 |
2,907 |
14,603 | |
2.3 |
Fisheries |
3,893 |
2,666 |
6,559 |
1,373 |
7,932 | |
2.4 |
Forestry |
4,124 |
2,273 |
6,397 |
619 |
7,016 | |
2.5 |
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts |
8,487 |
2,432 |
10,919 |
11,770 |
22,689 | |
3.1 |
Policy Assistance |
1,834 |
6,248 |
8,082 |
0 |
8,082 | |
Total |
36,831 |
23,219 |
60,050 |
74,964 |
135,014 |
736. The main priorities in the region are to enhance the present generally low levels of productivity and make national systems less vulnerable to climate and pest induced losses; to improve management of natural resources, water and soil fertility; to move from primary to secondary agricultural products by value addition and transformation; and to support capacity building for the application of, and compliance with, sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
737. Planned activities include:
738. The region requires substantial assistance to use food-based approaches to improve household food security and reduce malnutrition in urban and rural areas, including to alleviate food insecurity in HIV/AIDS affected households. Work on food and nutrition assessment and country-level nutrition policies and programmes will take account of NEPAD objectives. Country support will also seek to develop food composition databases (AFROFOODS) and to improve efficiency of national food safety systems, including the harmonization of national food standards with the Codex Alimentarius.
739. The enhancement of national statistical information systems towards improved relevance, quality and reliability as well as attendant capacity building and methodological research will fully benefit from the on-going Initiative for Agricultural Statistics in Africa with the World Bank and USDA, and the Inter-Agency Partnership for Strengthening Agriculture and Rural Statistics in Africa.
740. FAO will also support systems for accurate and timely information on the incidence, nature and causes of food insecurity and vulnerability, such as the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS).
741. In the area of commodities and trade, support to governments will focus on capacity building for World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations as well as trade policy formulation.
742. The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) will be promoted as the framework for improving resource use efficiency and increasing fisheries and aquaculture production systems, including capacity building at national level. Assessment of the environmental impact of fisheries and aquaculture operations, while promoting responsible fisheries, will feature in disseminating the CCRF. Assistance to improve statistical data services to generate up-to-date information for monitoring stocks will also be important.
743. Countries in the region will also require substantial assistance in planning fisheries and aquaculture development, reduction of post-harvest losses through improved techniques and improving livelihoods in artisanal fisheries communities, in particular under the auspice of the Sustainable Fisheries Livelihoods programme, which operates in 25 West African countries.
744. The Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF), the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) and their subsidiary bodies and working groups will continue to be supported, in collaboration with other non-FAO regional fisheries bodies and arrangements.
745. Regional priorities will include: the conservation and evaluation of forest genetic resources in Central Africa, the implementation of Criteria & Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in dry zone Africa and support to strengthened national capacities in West and Central Africa to undertake Forest Resources Assessment.
746. Directly related to poverty alleviation in Eastern and Southern Africa, emphasis will be placed on processing and marketing of indigenous fruits and nuts, on opportunities arising from forest mushroom production and the development of the bamboo and rattan industry. Improved collaboration between the forest and energy sectors should facilitate wood energy planning.
747. Towards food security, FAO will seek to ensure the sustainable utilization of forest foods as a source of protein and income generation, especially in the context of the impending bush meat crisis. This will involve working with governments and Non-governmental Organization (NGO) partners to improve forest-food statistics, develop safety standards, encourage domestication and sustainably manage dwindling natural supplies.
748. Building on the International Year of Mountains and the International Year of Freshwater, the CAADP and NEPAD Environment Initiatives will be assisted, e.g. to protect upstream watershed catchment functions through maintenance of forest cover and the use of agro-forestry and associated soil conservation practices.
749. In follow-up to the recently completed Forestry Outlook Study for Africa, several activities will aim at improving capacity for forest strategic planning at sub-regional and national levels. There will also be continuous support to the formulation, updating and implementation of national forest programmes, supported in part by the National Forest Programme Facility.
750. The African Forestry & Wildlife Commission will be enhanced, especially through its Executive Committee, expanding regional collaboration on forestry and wildlife priorities and the implementation of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) process, follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and building strategic partnerships with regional and sub-regional organizations. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of forestry in the context of NEPAD initiatives.
751. Main planned activities include:
752. Within the NEPAD context, policy assistance to Members will focus on reviewing and updating strategic and policy frameworks at national and sub-regional level. Countries interested in the preparation of national NEPAD agricultural and food security programmes will be supported, including in the preparation of bankable projects. Other policy assistance services will cover advice and capacity building in the formulation and implementation of policies, strategies and programmes for sustainable agricultural and rural development and food security (including national poverty reduction strategies and assistance in the formulation of common country assessments [CCAs] and United Nations Development Assistance Framework [UNDAF] documents).
753. At sub-regional level, FAO will assist the concerned regional economic organizations in the implementation of respective Regional Food Security Programmes. The latter are typically addressing agricultural trade, harmonization of policies, food safety issues and regional support to national food security and agricultural development initiatives. Due attention will be paid to institutional reforms, the implications of international trade issues, capacity building in policy development and preparation of plans and strategies for post-emergency rehabilitation and development.
754. At the regional level, prominence is to be given to the African Union’s NEPAD Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme and, in particular, to the NEPAD Implementation and Steering Committees. Support will be provided in close cooperation with other development partners, like the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, other concerned United Nations entities and representatives from the private sector and farmers’ organizations.
Regular Programme |
Trust |
||||||
Programme |
Headquarters |
Decentralized Offices |
Total |
Fund Activities |
Total | ||
2.1 |
Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
7,364 |
6,097 |
13,461 |
48,945 |
62,406 | |
2.2 |
Food and Agriculture Policy and Development |
7,317 |
1,968 |
9,285 |
2,109 |
11,394 | |
2.3 |
Fisheries |
3,525 |
1,627 |
5,152 |
8,361 |
13,513 | |
2.4 |
Forestry |
3,327 |
1,813 |
5,140 |
4,383 |
9,523 | |
2.5 |
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts |
4,490 |
1,427 |
5,917 |
12,049 |
17,966 | |
3.1 |
Policy Assistance |
1,196 |
3,198 |
4,394 |
6,516 |
10,910 | |
Total |
27,219 |
16,130 |
43,349 |
82,363 |
125,712 |
755. The region needs to foster more integrated approaches, combining the regulatory, protection, information and decision-support dimensions of agricultural development. To that end, planned activities of direct interest are highlighted:
756. The following activities may be highlighted:
757. In a context of fisheries playing an important role in the economies and for food security in most countries in the region, FAO will need to address continuing weaknesses in fisheries and aquaculture systems and foster inter-country cooperation through:
758. Further progress in achieving sustainable forest management will be dependent on improving livelihoods in rural communities, increasing the participation of multiple stakeholders in all aspects of forest management, effective conservation of forest resources, developing equitable institutional arrangements and sound policies and strengthened national capacities, calling for integrated technical cooperation efforts with member countries.
759. In this context, follow-up will be ensured to the recommendations of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission, including:
760. The following activities may be highlighted:
761. Policy assistance work in this region will benefit countries interested in reviewing and updating their respective strategic and policy frameworks, taking into consideration the WFS:fyl commitments and recommendations. Key aspects will be institutional reforms, the implications of international trade issues, capacity building in policy development and preparation of plans and strategies for post-emergency rehabilitation and development. Whenever applicable, FAO will emphasize agriculture and rural development within the context of national poverty reduction strategies, as well as assistance in the formulation of CCA and UNDAF documents.
762. At the sub-regional level, policy assistance will continue to be provided to regional economic organizations like the Association of Southeast-Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), in follow-up to respective Regional Programmes for Food Security.
Regular Programme |
Trust |
||||||
Programme |
Headquarters |
Decentralized Offices |
Total |
Fund Activities |
Total | ||
2.1 |
Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
1,708 |
1,445 |
3,153 |
25,032 |
28,185 | |
2.2 |
Food and Agriculture Policy and Development |
3,220 |
1,250 |
4,470 |
463 |
4,933 | |
2.3 |
Fisheries |
1,403 |
0 |
1,403 |
2,024 |
3,427 | |
2.4 |
Forestry |
2,505 |
839 |
3,344 |
480 |
3,824 | |
2.5 |
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts |
1,357 |
1,321 |
2,678 |
56 |
2,734 | |
3.1 |
Policy Assistance |
761 |
1,897 |
2,658 |
720 |
3,378 | |
Total |
10,954 |
6,752 |
17,706 |
28,775 |
46,481 |
763. In the light of major regional priorities of ensuring sustainable livelihoods and management of natural resources as well as successful transition to market economies, in particular in the Balkan and Caucasian countries, attention will be given to:
764. Analytical work will concentrate mainly on two sub-regions, the Balkans and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, in view of their greater need for assistance, compared with the European Union (EU) accession countries. This work will address the formulation of rural development policies and strategies for increasing farm incomes in cooperatives and for rehabilitation in countries affected by war or natural disasters.
765. In the area of nutrition, food quality and safety, support is to be provided for the harmonization of food safety and quality standards and regulations with the Codex Alimentarius and on understanding and complying with WTO requirements, with a view to trade facilitation and product acceptance in international trade. Capacity building in food and agricultural statistics in the Balkans and the CIS countries will seek to improve national systems to meet new data needs as a result of economic liberalization. The same countries will also be assisted to adapt the World Agricultural Information Centre’s (WAICENT) applications and tools to meet specific national needs.
766. In addition to several important field projects – e.g. Scientific Cooperation to Support Responsible Fisheries in the Adriatic Sea (ADRIAMED), Cooperation Networks to Facilitate Coordination to Support Fisheries Management in the Western and Central Mediterranean (COPEMED) and Assessment and Monitoring of the Fishery Resources and Ecosystems in the Strait of Sicily (MedSudMed) – Regular Programme activities will aim at the active implementation of the CCRF, the modernization of aquaculture and fisheries (in particular in Eastern Europe) and improvements in ecosystem-based fisheries management.
767. As relates to inter-country cooperation, attention will be given to bring into effect the Agreement of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). The work undertaken by the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) to enhance aquaculture and inland fisheries – through interactive and flexible arrangements among institutions in the region – will continue. Ad hoc consultations between FAO and the European Commission on fishery policies and management and other issues are also expected to continue, as well as support to fisheries activities of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
768. In conjunction with the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), FAO will continue to coordinate the assessment and monitoring of a wide range of forest resources and values, as well as production, consumption and trade in forest products. In addition, assistance will be provided for the conservation of forests and fragile ecosystems (e.g. in relation to sustainable mountain development including action resulting from the observance of the International Year of Mountains and for the implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification); institutional capacity building for sustainable management of mountain watersheds and upland resources; training in participatory processes and approaches; and assistance in the definition and development of the legal framework for public and private forestry management to ensure sustainable utilization of resources.
769. FAO will continue to support capacity building for research, extension, communication and information exchange according to the specific needs of the region, including those resulting from the transition to market economies. Special attention will be given to specialized and value-added agricultural production, food safety and quality and sustainable management of natural resources.
770. In addition, FAO will continue to strive for recognition of rural women’s contributions to development and for their empowerment in the public and political spheres, promoting gender-responsive approaches to agriculture and rural development and disseminating them to potential users, thereby ensuring gender mainstreaming at all levels through normative as well as field development activities.
771. Other planned activities will include:
772. In this region, policy assistance will focus on institutional and capacity building in the rural sector, to help the process of transition to a market economy. In particular, it will aim at improving production support services in the Central Eastern European (CEE) and CIS countries, particularly in the Balkans. In countries affected by natural and man-made disasters, support will be directed to the establishment of appropriate legal, policy and institutional frameworks for the rehabilitation and sustainable development of the agricultural and rural sector.
773. At the sub-regional level, FAO will concentrate efforts on the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization, in follow-up to the Regional Programme of Food Security, addressing in particular food safety issues and private sector initiatives for agricultural and rural development, and in close cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Regular Programme |
Trust |
||||||
Programme |
Headquarters |
Decentralized Offices |
Total |
Fund Activities |
Total | ||
2.1 |
Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
4,292 |
4,194 |
8,486 |
10,078 |
18,564 | |
2.2 |
Food and Agriculture Policy and Development |
4,940 |
2,595 |
7,535 |
0 |
7,535 | |
2.3 |
Fisheries |
3,393 |
1,809 |
5,202 |
1,358 |
6,560 | |
2.4 |
Forestry |
3,646 |
2,159 |
5,805 |
616 |
6,421 | |
2.5 |
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts |
2,375 |
1,908 |
4,283 |
35,846 |
40,129 | |
3.1 |
Policy Assistance |
1,285 |
4,232 |
5,517 |
1,738 |
7,255 | |
Total |
19,931 |
16,897 |
36,828 |
49,636 |
86,464 |
774. Main activities to address core regional priorities are:
775. Capacity building will aim at improving national food control systems, including quality assurance for food analysis laboratories; strengthening national structures involved in the work of Codex; and enhancing consumers’ information and education. Analytical support to agricultural trade negotiations in the WTO as well as regional fora, such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), will also be of major interest to the region.
776. Three major sub-regional FIVIMS initiatives will provide a platform for national level food security information systems in the sub-regions of Central America, the Caribbean and the Andes.
777. As regards outreach of WAICENT, emphasis will be put on information and knowledge which is locally relevant and important for the agricultural and economic sectors, following two distinct but inter-related pathways: i) at the community level – support to rural knowledge systems using a series of basic models for virtual extension, research and farmers communications; and ii) at the institutional level – providing advisory and training services to support decision-support systems of governments.
778. As regards industrial fisheries and aquaculture, priority activities will address:
779. As regards small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, FAO assistance will focus on:
780. In a more general context, FAO will seek to:
781. Attention will be given to strengthening the Latin America and Caribbean Forestry Commission (COFLAC) and supporting national forest programmes as mechanisms to promote partnerships for achieving sustainable forest management. Countries will also need assistance for implementing the proposed actions and recommendations of the United Nations Forum on Forests and international conventions related to forests, including the conventions on climate change, biodiversity and combating desertification.
782. Also of direct relevance to the region is improving forestry institutions by revising and supporting the enforcement of policies and legislation, strengthening forest information systems and capacities and promoting participatory and market-oriented approaches in the forest sector.
783. As follow-up to the International Year of Mountains and the International Year of Freshwater, FAO is to support integrated efforts to manage the forestry resources of mountain regions and conserve soil and biodiversity. Sustainable management of the biodiversity of fauna and flora will be promoted through more effective national and regional conservation units, and active information exchange through the Regional Network of National Parks and Protected Areas.
784. Many countries in the region require assistance for improved access to land through agrarian reform, effective land markets and leasing; and for improved tenure security through land registration and improved capacity to finance decentralization of rural services through land taxation. In the context of decentralization, ownership of land, water and forest resources remains a key issue, requiring the clarification and security of not just property but also resource rights. FAO will address specific aspects such as land markets, contract agriculture, protection of biodiversity and ethnic rights to eco-knowledge systems.
785. The intensifying migration rates, both within and outside national borders of many countries in the region, also demand a wide array of new responses. These will depend on understanding of the gender impact, the role of remittances, the complexity of rural family economic strategies and the implications for natural resource management policies. In this context, FAO will develop and validate policy instruments in collaboration with local institutions.
786. Assistance to countries on gender-responsive national legislation and policies will include:
787. In this region, policy analysis and assistance work will follow-up to the Initiatives for Food Security and Rural Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, in close partnership with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), Comunidad Andina de Naciones, Consejo Agropecuario Centroamericano and the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM)/Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Important dimensions are: promotion of agricultural trade and competitiveness; information systems; policy frameworks with adequate incentives encouraging investment and the development of strategic alliances; integrated approaches to agriculture, health and food safety systems; and rural education and human resource development. Cooperation with the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and other concerned development partners will be emphasized, as recommended in recent regional meetings.
Regular Programme |
Trust |
||||||
Programme |
Headquarters |
Decentralized Offices |
Total |
Fund Activities |
Total | ||
2.1 |
Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
4,404 |
5,317 |
9,721 |
160,990 |
170,711 | |
2.2 |
Food and Agriculture Policy and Development |
3,653 |
1,514 |
5,167 |
11,965 |
17,132 | |
2.3 |
Fisheries |
1,850 |
557 |
2,407 |
2,515 |
4,922 | |
2.4 |
Forestry |
3,139 |
920 |
4,059 |
1,291 |
5,350 | |
2.5 |
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts |
1,748 |
1,689 |
3,437 |
8,285 |
11,722 | |
3.1 |
Policy Assistance |
1,240 |
3,869 |
5,109 |
2,586 |
7,695 | |
Total |
16,033 |
13,866 |
29,899 |
187,632 |
217,531 |
788. Countries in the region need to address conservation and rational management of land, water and other natural resources towards sustainable increases in food production and productivity while ensuring drought mitigation. They also seek active technical and economic cooperation among themselves, including expansion of intra-regional trade in agricultural products.
789. Planned activities in this context are:
790. FAO’s assistance will focus on the improvement of nutritional status, including implementation of National Plans of Action for Nutrition (NPAN), assessing food needs of populations and food consumption studies.
791. High priority will also be given to regular monitoring of food security, covering conditions at household, national and regional levels, including the establishment and improvement of FIVIMS at national level. The dissemination of emergency and disaster preparedness methodologies and the development of national programmes of action will also be sought.
792. Regional information dissemination and management will be ensured through advisory services to countries on the basis of the global WAICENT Outreach initiative, as well as capacity building in establishing and developing WebAGRIS and relating to the Virtual Extension, Research and Communication Network (VERCON). Trade policy support will focus on capacity building for WTO negotiations, as well as trade policy formulation.
793. FAO’s assistance to countries in the region in developing their fisheries resources and aquaculture on a sustainable basis will focus more particularly on:
794. The predominantly arid nature of the region and relatively low forest cover will require continued priority to the expansion and sustainable management of forests and trees. This will include:
795. FAO will continue to promote research and application of suitable technologies for perishable food products, biotechnology application and awareness of genetically modified organism (GMO) biosafety issues.
796. Work on extension and education will include assistance to countries to review and assess performance of their extension systems and study options for reform. Specific attention will be given to the development and facilitation of effective research, extension, education linkages and interactions at national and regional level, including the use of VERCON at national and regional levels.
797. In the promotion of gender and population policies, FAO will adapt the Socio-Economic and Gender Analysis Programme (SEAGA) to the context of the Near East countries. Training courses will be organized to benefit specific target groups, and gender approaches in the formulation of agricultural policies and programmes will be ensured.
798. Also of direct relevance to the Near East region will be capacity building for improved pastoral livelihoods, management of common property resources and tenure security for pastoralists. Support will also be given to farmers’ organizations and public institutions to facilitate the consolidation of small, fragmented agricultural parcels and for disaster preparedness.
799. Besides the other typical outputs provided by the FAO decentralized policy assistance staff, such as enhanced country focus, field programme development, and assistance in the formulation of CCA and UNDAF documents, policy assistance work in this region will particularly address international trade issues and the sustainable use of natural resources, especially water. Countries will also be supported in reviewing and updating respective strategic and policy frameworks.
800. Regional Programmes of Food Security prepared by the regional economic organizations active in the region, will receive further assistance, in close cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank and other development partners. Economic integration, promotion of inter-regional agricultural trade and regional-based support to national agricultural development and food security efforts will continue to be addressed, in line with the importance assigned by countries to these issues.