Council

DECISION

IMPLEMENTATION

HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL
(Rome, 23-28 June 2003)

ACTIVITIES OF FAO AND WFP

REPORT OF THE 25^TH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
(ROME, 24-28 FEBRUARY 2003)

Implement the strategy, and include illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing on the Agenda of the Thirty-second Session of the Conference
(para. 6)

The Strategy for Improving the Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries is being printed, and will be disseminated before the end of 2003. IUU fishing will be discussed during the Thirty-second Session of the Conference under Agenda item 9.

Enter into consultation with the Secretary-General of the United Nations to define practical modalities in implementing the trust fund (Part VII) that supports developing States Parties in their efforts to implement the 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement
(para. 6)

Consultations to define practical modalities in implementing the Trust Fund are ongoing.

Pay special attention to aquaculture to increase fish production in generating income, increasing food security and providing for the diversification of employment
(para. 7)

The Second Session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture (Tröndheim, Norway, 7-11 August 2003) made a number of important recommendations and identified specific activities to be addressed to promote the responsible development of aquaculture in both developed and developing countries.

Devote appropriate resources to the Aquaculture sub-sector within the Fisheries Department budgetary allocation
(para. 7)

Approximately one-third of the US$ 600.000 additional resources made to the Fisheries Department was devoted to the Aquaculture sub-sector.

Increase emphasis within the Fisheries Programme on the management of small-scale fisheries, trade in fisheries products and related aspects, including eco-labelling, fish quality and safety considerations, monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) and vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Secretariats of FAO and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
(para. 8)

Small-scale fisheries are receiving increased importance within the Fisheries Department’s work and are on the agenda of Sessions of FAO regional fishery bodies. Along the same lines, an Expert Consultation on Eco-labelling (Rome, 14-17 October 2003) and a Regional Workshop on MCS/VMS (Seychelles, 29 September - 4 October 2003), for countries in the South-West Indian Ocean were held. Finally, the MoU between the Secretariats of FAO and CITES will be further discussed at the Ninth Session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (Bremen, 10-14 February 2004).

Secure balanced regional representation at Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) meetings and ensure a more equitable allocation of resources among regions
(para. 9)

Action is underway.

Refer the maintenance of restrictions on trade and use of fishmeal for animal feed to the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade for review at its Ninth Session
(para. 10)

This subject is on the draft Agenda of the Ninth Session of the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (Bremen, 10-14 February 2004).

REPORT OF THE 64^TH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY PROBLEMS (ROME, 18-21 MARCH 2003)

Continue analysis of the impact of trade policies on the market access for products from developing countries and, in particular, on food security
(para. 12)

Action is being taken. Analytical studies are ongoing.

Continue to assist countries to develop capacity to effectively participate in world trade negotiations, and to effectively respond to the evolving trade policy environment
(para. 15)

The Umbrella Training Programme for assistance to developing countries on WTO agricultural trading negotiations has been extended, and extra-budgetary funding is being sought for this purpose.

Assist countries in capacity-building to analyze the potential impact of new biotechnologies
(para. 15)

A database of patents on biotechnology covering basic food commodities is being maintained and monitored to enable countries to determine the market-competitiveness of commodities concerned.

Examine alternate means to stimulate participation and increase effectiveness of CCP sessions, possibly by holding joint or back-to-back meetings of the CCP and COAG
(para. 16)

A document on this item was discussed by the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committee in September 2003. That meeting requested that more detailed proposals be developed for its next session in 2004. See document CL 125/2.

REPORT OF THE 16^TH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY
(ROME, 10-14 MARCH 2003)

Establish a specific role for the National Forest Programme Facility
(para. 18)

The National Forest Programme Facility has been successfully launched by a group of partners including FAO, with a charter established and agreed by the Facility Steering Committee.

Continue to support international forest processes, including the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)
(para. 20)

FAO actively participated in the Third Session of the UNFF (Geneva, May – June 2003), and continues to chair the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. It also supports the UNFF Secretariat through the secondment of a senior officer.

Continue to play a leading role within the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), which is an innovative approach to promoting cooperation among major international organizations working on forest issues
(para. 20)

The Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department, continues to chair the CPF. Under FAO leadership, the CPF meets on a regular basis (3-4 times annually) and now includes 14 organizations including several major international NGOs. Several initiatives have also been launched, including the CPF Network, the CPF Sourcebook, and the CPF Task Force on Streamlining Forest-Related Reporting which is chaired by FAO.

Continue to collaborate with the secretariats of international conventions related to forests, especially the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)
(para. 20)

FAO continues its active participation in the work of the three key conventions related to forests. FAO is collaborating with the UNFCCC Secretariat to hold a series of regional workshops on forests and climate change before the next Conference of Parties (Milan, December 2003). FAO also participated in a workshop organized by the CBD Secretariat on Forest Biodiversity in July 2003 and in the CCD Conference of Parties (Cuba, September 2003).

Provide support to countries in follow-up activities regarding the International Year of Mountains, especially through the Partnership on Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions, in the framework of current plans and programmes and in harmony with FAO’s role and responsibility contained in Chapter 13 of Agenda 21
(para. 20)

FAO has established a Secretariat to support the Partnership of Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions, and is an active participant in a series of intergovernmental meetings with NGOs that promote the partnership. This work is fully integrated with the FAO Regular Programme under Programme 241: Forest Resources.

Strengthen the FAO Regional Forestry Commissions to support efforts by Member Nations to implement sustainable forest management, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) proposals for action, by facilitating exchange of experiences, by building networks and by enhancing cooperation at all levels
(para. 21)

Efforts are underway to improve the planning and coordination of the Regional Forestry Commission meetings planned for 2004. Regional initiatives to support the implementation of the IPF and IFF proposals for action have been launched in Africa and in Asia and the Pacific, and are planned for Latin America and the Caribbean and for the Near East.

Play an important role in the interface between forest management and watershed management
(para. 22)

A new programme entity, Forests and Water, has been established in the Medium-Term Plan (MTP) 2004-09. FAO has carried out regional workshops on this issue in four regions in 2003 in collaboration with a number of partners.

Provide technical support to low forest cover countries for the sustainable management of forests and trees outside of forests in contributing to efforts exerted to combat desertification
(para. 22)

FAO is supporting the Tehran Process, a coalition of low-forest cover countries, to develop common criteria and indicators and to develop and implement improved practices for managing forest and tree resources. A new Forestry Officer is also proposed for RNE under the Zero Real Growth budget scenario, with a specific mandate to support low-forest cover countries.

REPORT OF THE 17^TH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE (ROME, 31 MARCH - 4 APRIL 2003)

Provide full funding to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and Codex Alimentarius for their identified needs under the Regular Programme
(para. 26)

Full funding is provided for the IPPC through the budgeting of an additional US$ 500,000 in the Programme of Work and Budget 2004-05, and through the allocation of resources from arrears to cover the one-time costs for the development of, and access to, the International Phytosanitary Portal, as well as for accelerating standard-setting.

Increase capacity-building in the application of, and compliance with, standards in modern technology for food and agriculture, as well as in multilateral negotiations
(para. 26)

Increased capacity-building be will partly met from the additional allocations provided for the International Plant Protection Commission (IPPC). This will cover regional meetings to discuss draft standards relating particularly to import restrictions, evaluation of national capacity and support to TCPs, as well as means of improving information exchanges. An additional extra-budgetary fund is also being established for the participation of developing countries in the standard-setting process. Finally, A strong linkage has been established with the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) hosted by WTO.

Encourage extra-budgetary resources to support preparations for the International Year of Rice in 2004
(para. 27)

FAO has approached potential donors such as Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and the United States of America for their possible support.

Provide a revised document on FAO’s preliminary work to address a food chain approach to food safety, and further review at the next COAG session the work on a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) approach
(para. 28)

The Secretariat will prepare papers on these subjects for consideration at the next regular session of COAG scheduled for the year 2005. The Field Programme Cooperation (NORAD) Agreement between Norway and FAO is also expected to provide some support for this.

Propagate and share successful experiences on the food chain approach to food safety and Good Agricultural Practices approach in developed and developing countries, and build capacity for implementation
(para. 28)

Sharing of experiences and capacity-building is carried out through synergies between ongoing and planned Regular Programme activities and the Field Programme. Programme entity 210A1 and the Priority Area for Interdisciplinary Actions (PAIAs) on Integrated Production Systems serve to assess the application of a Good Agricultural Practices approach for sustainable agriculture and rural development in various regions. Programme entity 214A9 will focus on food quality and safety in the handling, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and marketing chains.

Propagation and experience-sharing regarding a food chain strategy is also one of the objectives of the Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators and of Regional Conferences on Food Safety, scheduled for 2004.

Continue work on the International Portal on Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health in cooperation with relevant international organizations
(para. 30)

The work on the Portal is making good progress. Funding and staff are made available through arrears and by the United States of America. FAO will continue to contribute to the construction and operation of the Portal in cooperation with the Office International des Epizooties (OIE). Close cooperation is also being established with the World Trade Organization (WTO) in this endeavour.

Convene a special session of COAG in early 2004 to review the Report together with FAO’s proposal for follow-up of the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases
(para. 31)

A Special Session of COAG to consider this matter will be convened by the Director-General, in consultation with the Chairman of COAG, for two days during the week of 2-6 February 2004.

Examine the possibility of combining meetings of COAG and CCP in order to achieve efficiency savings and improved participation, and prepare detailed proposals for consideration by the Programme and Finance Committees in September 2003
(para. 32)

A paper on this subject was prepared and presented to the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees in September 2003 (see document CL 125/2). The Committees considered that the analyses and proposals provided in the Secretariat’s document required further elaboration and review before a recommendation could be made to Council. The Committees provided guidance on a follow-up paper to be prepared by the Secretariat for consideration at their next Joint Meeting in May 2004.

REPORT OF THE 29^TH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY (CFS)
(ROME, 12-16 MAY 2003)

Focus future discussion on trade-related issues impacting significantly on the food security of developing countries under the item dealing with strategic determinants of food security
(para. 33)

Future food security assessment documents will focus on this issue.

Utilize CFS Side Events for presentation of country case studies and pay special attention to international aspects while reviewing national cases
(para. 33)

Arrangements will be made at future sessions to accommodate this recommendation.

The Reporting Format of the World Food Summit Follow-up

Improve country reporting on identifying concrete and effective actions which might accelerate the reduction of hunger
(para. 40)

A revised draft reporting format has been prepared in consultation with the CFS Bureau for consideration by the Hundred and Twenty-fifth Session of the Council. See document
CL 125/6.

Analyze, in close collaboration with the Bureau, the difficulties and the underlying reasons in the current reporting process; identify and examine ways of improving the existing reporting system; identify a set of appropriate qualitative and quantitative indicators based on experience with FIVIMS and previous reporting mechanisms, including the impact of HIV/AIDS on food security; and, supplement the Report with case studies of successful country experiences from which lessons learned can be extracted
(para. 41)

Action is being taken. See document
CL 125/6.

Develop the draft revised format in consultation with the CFS Bureau, and submit it to the forthcoming session of the FAO Council
(para. 42)

Action has been taken. See document
CL 125/6.

CONVENING OF THE SECOND GLOBAL FORUM ON FOOD SAFETY REGULATORS

Convene the Second Joint FAO/WHO Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators during the second half of 2004 on the main theme “Building effective food safety systems”
(para. 45)

Preparations for this Global Forum are underway. A preparatory meeting with the participation of Member Nations was convened in July 2003. It provided guidance to the Secretariat on themes to be covered, as well as on practical issues.

Accept the offer of the Government of Thailand to host GF-2 and invite the donor community to provide financial support to cover the cost of the meeting and to contribute in facilitating the participation of the maximum number of countries
(para. 45)

The offer of the Government of Thailand has been confirmed and accepted. Letters to donors requesting their support have also been sent by Technical Cooperation Department.

Convene the FAO/WHO Regional Conference on Food Safety for Asia and the Pacific (Kuala Lumpur, May 2004) to focus on practical actions in promoting food safety in the region
(para. 47)

Intensive preparation is underway, including a Preparatory Meeting with the Member Nations of the region, and a site visit from the Secretariat to address practical organizational issues.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Annual Report of the WFP Executive Board on its Activities in 2002

Encourage WFP to continue innovative efforts to increase the level of resources provided by non-traditional donors, particularly in the private sector
(para. 50)

Action is being taken.

Increase WFP-FAO cooperation efforts in the field, particularly in the transition from relief to development activities
(para. 54)

Discussions are being held between FAO and WFP on joint programming that extends activities beyond traditional areas of cooperation, such as school feeding/gardening, and rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructure.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE 32^ND SESSION OF THE FAO CONFERENCE

Arrangements for the Session and Provisional Timetable

Submit to the Conference for approval the Provisional Agenda, the tentative Timetable and the Arrangements outlined in document CL 124/12
(para. 56)

Action taken. See documents C 2003/1 and C 2003/12.

Establish two Commissions to examine, respectively, Parts I and II of the Agenda
(para 56)

Action taken. See document C 2003/12.

Set the deadline for the receipt of nominations for election to the Council at 12.00 hours on Saturday, 29 November 2003
(para. 56)

Action taken. See documents C 2003/11 and C 2003/12.

Schedule for Friday, 5 December 2003 the vote to elect Members of the Council, the Appointment of the Independent Chairman of the Council and the Adoption of the Resolution on Budgetary Appropriations 2004-2005
(para. 56)

Action taken. See documents C 2003/12.

Contact the Regional Groups regarding logistical aspects and the themes to be discussed for the three Ministerial Round Tables
(para. 57)

Action taken. See document
C 2003/12-Sup.1.

Deadline for Nominations for the Post of Independent Chairman of the Council

Establish the deadline for the receipt of nominations for the Independent Chairman of the Council at 12.00 hours on Friday, 5 September 2003
(para. 58)

Action taken. Nominations despatched on 12 September 2003.

Nomination of the Chairperson of the Conference, and of the Chairpersons of Commission I and Commission II

Make the necessary arrangements regarding the availability of the designated Chairperson of the Conference (New Zealand) and of the Chairpersons of Commission I (Austria) and Commission II (Iran, Islamic Republic of) so that the Hundred and Twenty-fifth Session of the Council can make definitive nominations to the Conference for these posts
(para. 59)

Action taken. See document C 2003/12.

Nomination of Nine Members of the Credentials Committee (Countries)

Make the necessary arrangements for the designations to the Credentials Committee for the Thirty-second Session of the FAO Conference (Armenia, Bangladesh, Canada, El Salvador, Greece, New Zealand, Uganda, Slovenia and Sudan)
(para. 60)

Action taken. See document C 2003/12.

PROGRAMME, BUDGETARY, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

PROGRAMME EVALUATION REPORT 2003

Continue the systematic use of external peer review panels and appropriate inputs of external expertise
(para. 62)

Use of peer reviewers and external experts is increasingly sought in evaluation activities, although certain costs are involved.

Continue with good management responses to each evaluation, and maintain the level of seriousness given by management to evaluation, institutionalize feedback from evaluation into programming, and introduce systematic annual assessment and auto-evaluation by the responsible managers
(para. 63)

Feedback from evaluation into programming is greatly facilitated by current organizational arrangements. A Trust Fund project is presently assisting with annual assessments and auto-evaluation.

Transmit the Programme Evaluation Report to the Conference
(para. 65)

Action taken. See document C 2003/4.

SUMMARY PROGRAMME OF WORK AND BUDGET 2004-2005

Prepare an additional ZNG scenario in order for Members to fully understand the implications of possible budget decisions
(para. 68)

An additional document for the Hundred and Twenty-fifth Session of the Council (CL 125/10) outlines a possible ZNG scenario.

Continue to identify efficiency savings, inherent to management responsibilities, irrespective of the prevailing budgetary climate
(para. 70)

The search for efficiency savings is an ongoing management concern, in keeping with the imperatives of maintaining adequate quality standards and timeliness in output delivery and services.

Encourage Members to pursue dialogue so as to reconcile diverging positions, in light of the full Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) proposals
(para. 75)

The Secretariat is at the disposal of Members (singly or through regional groups) to explain the scope of proposals.

REPORT OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
(ROME, 5-9 MAY 2003)

Savings and Efficiencies in Governance

Inform the FAO Members of the topics selected for discussion during the Round Tables in sufficient time to have them adequately prepare for their Ministers’ participation
(para. 78)

Action taken. See document
C 2003/12-Sup.1.

Explore alternative scheduling options for Round Tables during the forthcoming Session of the Conference and inform Member Nations as soon as possible of theme(s) for the Round Tables
(para. 79)

Action taken. See document
C 2003/12-Sup.1.

Independence and Location of the Evaluation Service

Ensure full impartiality of evaluation studies in reaching conclusions and recommendations, while preserving the trust and confidence of programme managers in the evaluation function, and substantive feedback of evaluation recommendations into future programmes
(para. 80)

This is a permanent concern of management. Evaluation teams seeks pertinent information from programme or project managers and stakeholders to reach independent conclusions. Feedback is facilitated through the use of a computerized database.

Prepare another document on the independence of the evaluation service for further discussion by the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees in September 2003
(para. 81)

Action has been taken. See document
CL 125/2.

Return to the JIU Report on “Management and Administration in FAO” at the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees in September 2003, with the benefit of detailed timebound action plans for follow-up activities, and focus on JIU recommendations of direct interest to the respective Committees
(para. 82)

Action has been taken. See document
CL 125/2.

REPORT OF THE 89^TH SESSION OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE (ROME, 5-9 MAY 2003)

Continue with the approach of including recourse to external experts and constructive management responses when performing evaluations
(para. 84)

Use of external experts and peer reviewers is becoming entrenched practice, subject to resource limitations. Preparation of Management responses is also standard practice for major programme evaluations.

Set out more focused priorities and play a more active role in assisting the membership in priority-setting
(para. 85)

The Medium-Term Plan (MTP) and the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) proposals essentially reflect the expressed priorities of the Membership.

Further discuss priority-setting at the September 2003 Session of the Programme Committee
(para. 86)

Action has been taken. See documents
CL 125/2 and CL 125/3.

REPORTS OF THE 102^ND AND 103^RD SESSIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (ROME, 5-9 MAY AND
19-20 MAY 2003)

Status of Contributions and Arrears

Urge Member Nations to pay their contributions in full in order to enable the Organization to continue to fulfil its mandate
(para. 90)

Statements as at 31 August 2003 were sent to all countries with outstanding amounts. Letters for the signature of the Director-General to Heads of State are in preparation.

Split Assessments

Protect the Programme of Work to the maximum extent from the possible effects of fluctuating exchange rates
(para. 93)

The proposed Split Assessments arrangement is precisely meant to protect the Programme of Work both across biennia and during implementation, from exchange rate risks. See document CL 125/2.

Prepare a further paper comparing methodologies, examine costs and benefits, and generally clarify the impact of the proposal for split assessments both on the Secretariat and on the Membership for discussion by the Finance Committee in September 2003, and the Council in November 2003
(para. 96)

Action has been taken. See documents
CL 125/2 and CL 125/4.

Scale of Contributions 2004-2005

Forward a draft resolution on Scale of Contributions 2004-05 to the Conference for adoption
(para. 98)

Action taken. See document See document C 2003/LIM/8 to be discussed under Agenda item 17 of the Conference.

Methodology for the Determination of Equitable Geographic Distribution

Have the Finance Committee conduct a further analysis of the options for the methodology in September 2003, prior to submitting a recommendation to the Council at its next session
(para. 103)

A document to this effect was reviewed by the 104^th Session of the Finance Committee (15-19 September 2003). The views and recommendations of the Committee are found in document CL 125/4.

Capital Budgeting

Provide further details regarding the proposal on Capital Budgeting for consideration by the Finance Committee in September 2003
(para. 107)

Action has been taken. See document
CL 125/4.

CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

INVITATIONS TO NON-MEMBER NATIONS TO ATTEND FAO SESSIONS

Have the Russian Federation attend the Hundred and Twenty-fourth Session of the Council as an observer
(para. 109)

Action has been taken. Invitation was despatched on 6 June 2003.

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION

Invite applicant country Republic of Tuvalu, to participate in an observer capacity in Council sessions, as well as in regional and technical meetings of the Organization of interest to it
(para. 113)

Action has been taken.

THE NUMBER AND LENGTH OF TERMS OF OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ARTICLE VII.1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF FAO)

Transmit the proposed amendment to Article VII.1 of the Constitution that the Director-General should be appointed for a term of six years, renewable only once for a further term of four years to the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters at its Seventy-fifth Session in October 2003, along with document CL/124/INF/22, before being submitted to the Thirty-second Session of the Conference for adoption
(para. 114)

See document C 2003/LIM/14.

Despatch notice for the proposed amendment to the Members of the Organization at least 120 days prior to the opening of the Thirty-second Session of the Conference
(para. 114)

Circular State Letter (G/LE-68) was sent to FAO Members on 30 July 2003.

AMENDMENTS OF THE STATUTES OF THE FISHERY COMMITTEE FOR THE EASTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC

Implement and promulgate the revised Terms of Reference of the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)
(para. 119)

Action has been taken.

OTHER MATTERS

REVISED CALENDAR OF FAO GOVERNING BODIES AND OTHER MAIN SESSIONS 2003-2004

Convene the Hundred and Twenty-fifth Session of the Council in Rome from 26-28 November 2003
(para. 123)

Action has been taken. Invitations were despatched on 24 September 2003.

MARGARITA LIZÁRRAGA MEDAL

Present the Medal to the representative of the non-governmental organization, the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), as part of the proceedings of the Thirty-second Session of the Conference
(para. 124)

The recipient, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), has been invited to participate at the Presentation Ceremonies to be held as part of the proceedings of the Thirty-second Session of the Conference on Saturday, 29 November 2003. See also document C 2003/12.

Introduce improvements regarding the Medal, especially with regard to the establishment of deadlines for the presentation of candidacies, the composition of the Selection Committee and its broader dissemination
(para. 125)

Action has been taken.

APPOINTMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FAO CONFERENCE TO THE STAFF PENSION COMMITTEE

Appoint Mr Bruce Burton, Alternate Permanent Representative for the United States of America to FAO, as member of the Staff Pension Committee for the period ending 31 December 2004, to replace and complete the term of office of Mr Chris Richard, First Secretary, Alternate Permanent Representative of the United States of America to FAO, who had been appointed by the Conference in its Thirty-first Session for the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004
(para. 128)

The letter to Mr Bruce Burton (Alternate Permanent Representative of USA to FAO) to advise him formally that he had been appointed to complete the term of Mr. Richard was signed by the Director-General on 19 August 2003 and transmitted to him.