Regular Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Programme of Work |
28,063 |
||
Adjustments to Programme of Work arising out of Budgetary Transfers |
(220) |
||
Final Programme of Work |
27,843 |
||
Expenditure against Final Programme of Work |
27,806 |
||
Variance of Expenditure (Over)/Under Final Programme of Work |
37 |
||
Budgetary Transfers as percent of Programme of Work |
(0.8%) |
||
Field Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Extrabudgetary TF and UNDP delivery |
43,900 |
||
Extrabudgetary emergency project delivery |
1,444 |
||
TCP delivery |
17,848 |
||
Total Field Programme delivery |
63,135 |
||
Ratio of Field to Regular Programme delivery |
2.3 |
||
Technical Support Services, professional staff cost |
14,834 |
506. The activities of this major programme have focused on the provision of policy advice to countries and capacity building in the formulation and implementation of policies, strategies and programmes aimed at sustainable agricultural and rural development and food security. The sector analyses and policy/strategy reviews, carried out at regional and country levels through decentralized units, have provided a basis for the development of the field programme. These activities have helped to identify key opportunities and thrusts for the field programme, while actual preparation of most projects and programmes has been done under substantive technical programmes, ensuring synergy between the normative work of technical departments at headquarters and policy assistance provided to countries.
507. The Programme is carried out by the Policy Assistance Division (TCA) and supports Policy Assistance Branches (PABs) and Units (PAUs). Policy assistance and field programme development are closely interlinked, with key opportunities for the field programme being identified in the course of sector reviews. The process of reviewing and updating policies and strategies for agricultural development and food security, and of preparing and updating regional programmes for food security, has been a basis for better targeting policy assistance and also for identifying key areas of opportunities for field programme development during the biennium. There has been greater cooperation with international financing institutions and with other funding sources for national and regional programmes
508. Development of On-line Training Capacity in Food, Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Planning. Support to online training courses has been given in member countries of Latin America in cooperation with the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. A pilot for the EASYPOL Web-based system for organizing training material has been developed in cooperation with WAICENT/FAOINFO.
509. Coordination of Policy Assistance. Work was initiated on reviewing and updating of National Strategies for Food Security and Agricultural Development - Horizon 2015 involving a workshop, preparation of a concept paper and guidelines (with the Agricultural and Development Economics Division - ESA) and preparation of Country Policy Profiles (CPP) in cooperation with FAORs. In Africa, the preparation of National Strategies for Food Security and Agricultural Development - Horizon 2015 was placed in the framework of the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). A major publication, "Agricultural Development Policy - concept and experiences", was published. TCA participated in the CUREMIS (Current and Emerging Issues for Economic Analysis and Policy Research) initiative led by ESA, carried out constraints analyses for the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS), and worked on regional integration, trade and food security in collaboration with the Economic and Social Department.
Coordination of Field Programme Development Activities
The Policy Assistance Branches and Units carried out various policy assistance and field programme development activities including sector review, programme formulation missions and country task force meetings, which contributed to formulating technical assistance programmes/projects consistent with member countries' needs. Project ideas were systematically monitored through approval and funding after appraisal for consistency with both government priorities and FAO's Strategic Framework. A lesson learned is that FAO’s best contribution to field programme development is to analyse the agricultural, rural development and food security issues fully at regional and national levels and to use such knowledge for identifying primary opportunities and needs for technical assistance interventions that are better targeted and dimensioned.
510. Development of Training Materials and Methods in Food and Agriculture and Rural Development Policy. A new publication series entitled "Capacity Development in Food and Agriculture Policies" (CAFAP) was launched to replace the existing series "Training Materials in Agriculture Planning" (TMAP). A case study on policy analysis for the agricultural and rural sector was prepared and published as the first of this new series. A publication on "Reform and decentralisation of agricultural services - a policy framework" was also finalised and published. Analytical material was prepared on poverty impact analysis, gender analysis in policies (in collaboration with the Gender and Development Service), commodity chain analysis and policy impact monitoring. Work was also initiated to develop a computerised database and tool box for policy analysis.
511. Coordination of Country Focus. Relevant information on the agricultural situation of FAO member countries as well as the priorities and programmes of major donors was systematically collected and processed. This set of information facilitated the dialogue between the Organization and its member countries on policy assistance and field programme development activities and resulted in country information notes and briefs for FAO's senior management. These activities were complemented by guidance to decentralized units in supporting various FAORs' contributions to country programme processes such as the common country assessment (CCA), the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). In addition, guidance was also provided on updating and managing a Country Information System and organizing Country Task Force meetings aimed at developing a coherent country programme framework.
512. Technical Support Services in Field Programme Development and Policy Assistance. More than 20 capacity development projects were supported covering 14 individual Member Nations, one region (through a regional project) and several Regional Economic Organizations. This has included assessment of capacity building needs of member countries and direct provision of advice, and institutional strengthening and training in food security, agriculture and rural development policies and planning.
513. Enhancement of Country Focus. Country profiles and issue papers were prepared to ensure that FAO's support at country-level was based on up-to-date, consistent and comprehensive information. In addition to reviewing the situation of the agricultural sector, country priorities and donor programmes and policies, some of the country profiles formulated technical assistance frameworks (including project profiles) which were discussed and agreed with the concerned government.
514. Field Programme Development. The upstream contribution to Field Programme Development involved analysing the agricultural, rural development and food security issues fully at regional and national levels and using such knowledge for identifying primary opportunities and needs for technical assistance interventions that are better targeted and dimensioned. In addition, downstream programme development was supported through multi-disciplinary exercises, including fielding of missions in all regions. Projects in agricultural policy analysis and planning were also formulated in full. This set of activities contributed to establishing a field programme which responds to the identified needs of the countries.
515. Advice and Capacity Building in Agricultural Policies. In line with country needs and requests, direct policy advice was provided by decentralized units to member countries. This policy advice covered among others institutional, agricultural, trade, public investment, and early rehabilitation policy issues. In a number of countries this assistance was complemented by the preparation of sector/sub-sector reviews, agricultural development strategies, and training workshops and seminars on specific policy issues. A regional network for agricultural policy was also established with relevant institutions in Latin America and in the Near East.
516. Technical Support to Field Programmes. The implementation of this programme entity involved providing technical support and backstopping to various policy projects in a number of countries assisted by the Organization in different regions. Among others these projects included assistance in the preparation of national poverty reduction strategies and sustainable food security; World Trade Organization (WTO) accession and policy reforms; water policies; preparation of regional programmes for food security; strengthening national capacities on agricultural trade negotiations; and agricultural sector review and formulation of agricultural development strategy.
517. Assistance on improving legal frameworks for food and agriculture was provided to over 70 countries under more than 90 projects - mostly through the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). Demand for legal assistance continued to grow, particularly in emerging areas of law such as genetic resources, biotechnology, trade and mountains. The FAOLEX database grew steadily, becoming the world's largest online database on food and agriculture legislation. Books on comparative law topics were produced, and the "FAO Legal Papers Online" series grew by 50%. FAOLEX is expected to further expand by 30%, but financial and personnel limitations may constrain FAO’s ability to support such growth.
Law and Sustainable Development
"Law and Sustainable Development Since Rio", a comprehensive survey of legal developments in all substantive areas of relevance to FAO over the past decade, was produced on the occasion of WSSD. This landmark book provides extensive guidance concerning the implications of international developments - such as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - for national legislation in each of the subject matters covered.
518. Support to the Development of a Regulatory Framework for Food and Agriculture. Work focused on methods and approaches for enhancing the harmonization of national regulatory frameworks with international agreements, plans of action and other instruments. Laws and regulations developed with assistance from the Development Law Service reflected obligations, standards and guidelines enshrined in such international instruments as the Codex Alimentarius, the International Plant Protection Convention, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, and relevant WTO agreements. Along with “Law and Sustainable Development Since Rio” (see Box), another significant publication was "Law and Gender - Women's Rights in Agriculture", which, in light of international norms, agreements and plans of action, analyses the gender dimension of agriculture-related legislation in selected countries around the world.
519. Collection and Dissemination of Legal Information. FAO continued to make a significant and growing contribution to the collection, generation and dissemination of information and lessons concerning legal aspects of agricultural and rural development. FAOLEX and associated legal databases (fisheries and water law databases) comprise the world's largest on-line database of national legislation and treaties concerning agriculture, food and natural resource management. FAOLEX grew steadily during the biennium, with the addition of more than 10,000 new records and nearly 9,000 full legislative texts, all of which users can access via Internet using a sophisticated search interface. With this extension, FAOLEX has become a unique information source, capacity building tool and legal drafting reference for governments, international organizations, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), legal practitioners, researchers, and others. Twelve books on comparative law topics were produced and targeted to new and emerging areas of law, such as biotechnology and mountains, and to recent developments in the areas of wildlife, forestry, water, fisheries, food and gender. A Web-based publication series, "FAO Legal Papers Online", a series of articles and reports on legal issues of contemporary interest in the areas of food policy, agriculture, rural development, biodiversity, environment and natural resource management, grew by almost 50% over the biennium and is widely cited.
520. Provision of Technical Advice. The Development Law Service (LEGN) of the FAO Legal Office provided technical assistance on improving legal frameworks for food and agriculture to over 70 countries in all regions of the world. An important focus of the assistance was on capacity building of legal professionals within government and civil society, and of the judiciary. Assistance was provided primarily through the formulation, implementation and backstopping of TCP and trust fund projects. During the biennium, LEGN operated 19 TCP projects, was the lead technical unit for 22 TCP projects, and was responsible for legal components under some 70 TCP projects operated by other divisions. Furthermore, legal advisory activities were carried out through the FAO/World Bank Cooperative Programme and in collaboration with other development banks, as well as through trust-fund projects.
Regular Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Programme of Work |
47,019 |
||
Adjustments to Programme of Work arising out of Budgetary Transfers |
1,300 |
||
Final Programme of Work |
48,319 |
||
Expenditure against Final Programme of Work |
48,297 |
||
Variance of Expenditure (Over)/Under Final Programme of Work |
22 |
||
Budgetary Transfers as percent of Programme of Work |
2.8% |
||
Field Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Extrabudgetary TF and UNDP delivery |
716 |
||
Extrabudgetary emergency project delivery |
0 |
||
TCP delivery |
2,762 |
||
Total Field Programme delivery |
3,478 |
||
Ratio of Field to Regular Programme delivery |
0.1 |
||
Technical Support Services, professional staff cost |
33 |
521. The Major Programme endeavours to increase the flow of external and domestic investment resources into agriculture and rural development in developing countries and countries in transition, by helping governments interact with the major international financing institutions (IFIs), UN collaborators and bilateral donors, and by providing IFIs with links to FAO’s technical and field expertise. Through its partnership activities and increased undertaking of pre-investment projects funded by FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), the Investment Centre Division (TCI) is active in some 100 countries a year, working to put agriculture and rural development firmly on the development agendas of governments and IFIs.
522. The increase in the Programme of Work was due to the high level of activity by the Centre. During the biennium, the Major Programme continued to provide a range of investment support services. Resources were concentrated on assistance in identifying and preparing investment projects aimed to attract financing, grants and credits from multilateral agencies providing support to agriculture, rural development and environmental interventions. Most field operations were carried out by the Centre under its cooperative work agreements with the principal international financing institutions:
523. The Centre has also increased efforts to attract additional funding from other sources for its investment promotional work. Examples of other significant contributors include the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), European Union (EU), Common Fund for Commodities, bilateral sources, UNDP, and special funds such as the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (GM/UNCCD).
524. Another long standing collaboration at UN level is investment support to the World Food Programme (WFP). During the biennium, the Centre provided technical assistance to WFP in the formulation, appraisal and evaluation of WFP country strategies, programmes and projects. The Centre also provided technical support to WFP in programming new initiatives to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on food security and rural poverty, as well as other innovative projects, including rural food banks.
525. A Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2002 between FAO and the Global Environment Facility expanded collaboration during the biennium, for which the Centre served as FAO focal point. The Centre prepared several investment projects approved for GEF support in Brazil, China, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Moldova, Peru and Slovenia, aimed at improving land and resource management, protected areas and rural services. It also helped to supervise the implementation of several GEF projects.
526. During 2003, the Centre’s five Services were restructured to align divisional activities along regional geographic lines so as to consolidate and streamline country operations. A business review of operations and processes was conducted which led to recommendations for implementation in 2004. Particular attention was given to better integration of TCI internal financial management processes with FAO's corporate administrative systems so as to enhance expenditure control and billing practices and, thus, strengthen overall accountability for performance. Other matters reviewed included rationalization of Investment Support Programme (ISP) agreements and pricing arrangements, decentralization of financial responsibilities to Services, and the costs of outposting Centre officers to major IFI and FAO Regional and Subregional Offices. The Centre additionally began to tailor its operations to meet the budget level for the 2004-05 biennium.
TABLE 3.2-1. INVESTMENT CENTRE ASSISTED PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS APPROVED FOR FINANCING
|
World Bank |
IFAD |
Regional development banks |
Other |
Total |
|
Number of projects | ||||||
1998-99 |
41 |
12 |
17 |
9 |
79 |
|
2000-01 |
36 |
13 |
17 |
24 |
90 |
|
2002-03 |
42 |
11 |
6 |
98 |
157 |
|
External finance, US$ '000 * | ||||||
1998-99 |
2,729,110 |
196,080 |
222,130 |
86,260 |
3,233,580 |
|
2000-01 |
1,666,380 |
317,250 |
342,440 |
198,820 |
2,524,890 |
|
2002-03 |
2,830,700 |
255,730 |
120,770 |
495,470 |
3,702,670 |
|
Government funds, US$ '000 | ||||||
1998-99 |
1,301,960 |
71,840 |
37,400 |
57,720 |
1,468,920 |
|
2000-01 |
626,560 |
180,270 |
115,780 |
275,870 |
1,198,480 |
|
2002-03 |
1,149,050 |
74,700 |
33,240 |
119,680 |
1,376,670 |
|
Total investment, US$ '000 | ||||||
1998-99 |
4,031,070 |
267,920 |
259,530 |
143,980 |
4,702,500 |
|
2000-01 |
2,292,940 |
497,520 |
458,220 |
474,690 |
3,723,370 |
|
2002-03 |
3,979,750 |
330,430 |
154,010 |
615,150 |
5,079,340 |
|
* includes co-financing, if any, from other financing sources | ||||||
527. Table 3.2-1 provides data on investment programmes and projects prepared with substantial Centre involvement that have recently been approved for financing. During 2002-03, the overall number of countries assisted by the Centre expanded to 143, with investment projects approved for the first time in Kazakhstan, Slovenia, South Africa and Turkmenistan. The total number of projects approved during the biennium rose to 157, including 72 TCPs (shown under "other") for US$ 11.21 million in support of investment activities and SPFS preparation work.
528. External financing commitments rose to over US$ 3.7 billion, compared to US$ 2.5 billion in 2000-01. The contribution of governments to projects also rose in 2002-03. These significant increases reflected collective efforts by partner agencies and governments to reverse the trend of declining official development assistance (ODA) in the agriculture and rural development sectors. Total investment (including both external and domestic financing resources) for 2002-03 was over US$ 5 billion, well above the amount for 2000-01 of US$ 3.7 billion.
529. With regard to external financing by source (Figure 3.2-1), the World Bank significantly increased its share of external commitment from 66% in 2000-01 to 77% in 2002-03. IFAD’s share of financing declined from 12% in the previous biennium to 7%, and the share of regional development bank commitments dropped from 14% in 2000-01 to 3% in 2002-03. The decline in regional bank lending was partly due to disruptions faced by the African Development Bank, which had to relocate its headquarters during the biennium, and partly influenced by restructuring within TCI during 2003 that temporarily limited operations with ISP partners, including the regional banks and IFAD. Other financing resources mobilized increased from 8% in 2000-01 to 13%. Sources contributing under “Other”, included WFP, EBRD, GEF, OFID, bilateral donors, and Banque ouest africaine de développement (BOAD), as well as co-financing provided by the European Commission, Organization of American States, GM/UNCCD, Italian Debt Swap Facility and UNDP.
530. Figure 3.2-2 provides a breakdown of total investments committed by major financing partners during the biennium. The World Bank almost doubled its investment support by providing some US$ 4.0 billion in 2002-03 compared to US$ 2.3 billion in 2000-01, and other financing source commitments significantly increased to US$ 615 million, compared to US$ 475 million in the last biennium.
TABLE 3.2-2. INVESTMENT CENTRE MISSIONS
|
Subsector analysis |
Project identification |
Project preparation |
Assessment of project results |
Appraisal and supervision |
Total |
|
Number of missions | |||||||
1998-99 |
69 |
109 |
361 |
67 |
453 |
1,059 |
|
2000-01 |
78 |
129 |
367 |
63 |
595 |
1,232 |
|
2002-03 |
137 |
137 |
420 |
58 |
583 |
1,335 |
|
Number of person days | |||||||
1998-99 |
2,761 |
4,738 |
22,053 |
2,530 |
12,121 |
44,203 |
|
2000-01 |
2,893 |
4,756 |
16,993 |
2,405 |
14,952 |
41,999 |
|
2002-03 |
4,112 |
5,108 |
17,508 |
3,567 |
15,742 |
46,037 |
|
531. The number of Investment Centre missions has steadily increased in recent biennia to take on more tasks with smaller teams, despatched more frequently and for shorter periods (Table 3.2-2). The Centre most often provides the requesting government or financing institution with specialized assistance at critical stages of preparation, from development of the project concept through to appraisal. Full participation of all stakeholders in the project design is emphasised to improve project impact and sustainability. Resources are increasingly being used to backstop and provide on-the-job training for national preparation teams. In 2002-03, 965 missions were for the World Bank, 58 for IFAD, 39 for regional development banks, 21 for EBRD and 252 were for other financing sources. The main demand for staff and consultant days during 2002-03 was from the World Bank (23,509 person days). Notable increases by activity performed during 2002-03, included sub-sector analysis, project identification and project preparation. Analysis missions, which nearly doubled from the previous biennium, included assistance to governments in reviewing their rural and agricultural sector institutions, and in preparing plans for decentralizing public services to the private sector.
532. During the biennium, the Division was closely involved in the launching of the World Bank’s Renewed Strategy for Rural Development at the World Food Summit: five years later, which brought together representatives of banks and development organizations to explore ways of strengthening their cooperation on investment in rural areas. The Centre also undertook a series of “off-the-top” activities to help implement the Strategy, including thematic studies to facilitate future investments, ad hoc support to reforms in rural areas, and design of implementation frameworks for countries to launch their sector development strategies. At the World Bank’s Rural Week in March 2003, there was broad agreement by the partners present to establish a Global Donor Platform for Rural Development, with the objective to improve the efficiency of donor contributions to rural development and food security. Coordination and management of the Platform is being jointly shared by FAO (TCI with CP resources) and the German Ministry of Cooperation. A first meeting of the Platform was held in Bonn in December 2003.
533. The Centre also played a key role in helping to organize several regional meetings, including an Agribusiness Forum in Budapest in 2002, co-hosted with EBRD (see Box), which followed the 2001 High-Level Panel on Resources Mobilization for Food Security and for Agricultural and Rural Development.
534. The Centre also contributed to several interdepartmental FAO programmes during the biennium, by providing investment-related support to emergency rehabilitation of Afghanistan and Iraq; Africa stockpiles programme; pastoral risk management; rural finance; rural telecentres and national poverty reduction strategies. Support to member countries in formulating SPFS investment-related activities was extended to the regional level, with regional programmes for food security prepared for African CEN-SAD (Community of Sahel-Saharan States) countries, Asia, and the Pacific Islands Forum Countries.
Assistance to transition countries - expansion of work with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
In 1991, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was formed to help the newly independent Eastern European and Central Asian countries reform their economies. In 1994, EBRD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FAO to enlist its technical and field skills in attracting agribusiness investment in the region. The Investment Centre's programme with EBRD continued to expand in 1997 with the establishment of a more structured Framework Agreement and in 2002, with the scaling-up of this Agreement. During 2002-03, the Centre assisted the EBRD in bringing three projects to signature. The projects, worth US$ 110.5 million, of which EBRD loans amount to US$ 84 million, cover water pollution control in Slovenia, seed markets financing in Poland and malt production in the Ukraine. In its work with EBRD to help promote private agriculture and agroindustry, the Centre is also carrying out project risk analysis and sector reviews, and is helping to foster public and private policy dialogue in favour of agribusiness investment. FAO is strongly committed to further contributing to the economic rehabilitation and growth of the region, and the Centre is now helping EBRD’s Agribusiness Team to become more active in seven early transition (less developed) countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, where investment conditions are more challenging. In Central Asia, preparation work began in 2003 on two projects in Uzbekistan (agribusiness/brewery sector). The FAO/EBRD cooperation programme also hosted two innovative meetings during the biennium that brought together multilateral banks, donors and some private banks to coordinate agro-financing interventions in transition countries in the region. These discussions have now turned into a more permanent forum through the establishment of Eastagri, an agribusiness network operated by FAO to promote best practices and new financial approaches for agricultural investment in the region, and to focus the international financing community and governments on sound investment policy options.
TABLE 3.2-3. NUMBER OF PROJECT FORMULATIONS COMPLETED
|
World Bank |
IFAD |
Regional development banks |
Other |
Total |
|
1998-99 |
23 |
10 |
28 |
5 |
66 |
|
2000-01 |
31 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
70 |
|
2002-03 |
21 |
10 |
13 |
29 |
73 |
|
535. The number of investment projects formulated (Table 3.2-3), for which the Centre completed its input during 2002-03, rose to 73. The shift in Centre work towards more project preparation for other financing and grant sources (WFP, EBRD, GEF), reflected a broadening outreach to smaller investment partners and to FAO financial resources.
TABLE 3.2-4. INVESTMENT CENTRE ASSISTED PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS APPROVED FOR FINANCING BY REGION
|
Sub-Saharan Africa |
Asia and the Pacific |
Near East and North Africa |
Latin America and Caribbean |
Europe |
Total |
|
Number of projects | |||||||
1998-99 |
30 |
11 |
8 |
14 |
13 |
76 |
|
2000-01 |
35 |
17 |
6 |
21 |
11 |
90 |
|
2002-03 |
81 |
23 |
23 |
20 |
10 |
157 |
|
External finance, US$ '000 | |||||||
1998-99 |
560,130 |
942,090 |
567,580 |
920,200 |
243,580 |
3,233,580 |
|
2000-01 |
972,380 |
670,640 |
186,320 |
384,870 |
310,680 |
2,524,890 |
|
2002-03 |
919,110 |
1,239,360 |
398,860 |
908,140 |
237,200 |
3,702,670 |
|
Government Funds, US$ '000 | |||||||
1998-99 |
301,390 |
404,640 |
317,080 |
358,980 |
86,830 |
1,468,920 |
|
2000-01 |
306,440 |
213,160 |
99,590 |
161,350 |
417,940 |
1,198,480 |
|
2002-03 |
184,680 |
471,300 |
127,700 |
536,350 |
56,640 |
1,376,670 |
|
Total Investment, US$ '000 | |||||||
1998-99 |
861,520 |
1,346,730 |
884,660 |
1,279,180 |
330,410 |
4,702,500 |
|
2000-01 |
1,278,820 |
883,800 |
285,910 |
546,220 |
728,620 |
3,723,370 |
|
2002-03 |
1,103,790 |
1,710,660 |
526,560 |
1,444,490 |
293,840 |
5,079,340 |
|
536. Regarding the distribution of programmes and projects approved worldwide (Table 3.2-4), the total number in Sub-Saharan Africa rose from 35 in 2000-01 to 81 in 2002-03, of which 50 were FAO-financed TCPs. Forty-four of these were approved in 2003 to help support the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The output of the TCP NEPAD support projects will be the National Medium-term Investment Programmes and associated bankable investment project profiles for financing by IFIs, bilateral donors and the governments themselves. In the Near East and North Africa, total projects approved jumped from 6 to 23, of which 9 were TCPs.
537. Dramatic increases were notable in lending to three regions. External financing for Asia and the Pacific doubled from some US$ 671 million to US$ 1.24 billion, and further increased for Latin America and the Caribbean (US$ 908 million, up from US$ 385 million). External financing also more than doubled for projects targeting the Near East and North Africa (US$ 399 million compared to US$ 186 million), including expanding assistance to Central Asia.
538. Other activities by region included support to Latin America and the Caribbean in food security, forestry, natural resources management, rural poverty alleviation, economic diversification, participatory water management, land administration and nature park development. In Asia and the Pacific, projects focused on rural development, resource management, agriculture sector development and poverty reduction. Projects in the Near East, North Africa and Central Asia regions addressed marginal land development, rural development, resource conservation and food security. In Europe, attention concentrated on fisheries and forestry management, agribusiness development (see EBRD box) and irrigation rehabilitation.
539. In considering the share of external financing allocated to Centre-assisted projects by region during 2002-03 (Figure 3.2-3), the largest share went to Asia and the Pacific (33%), followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (25%), Latin America and the Caribbean (25%), Near East and North Africa (11%) and Europe (6%). The higher percentages are the result of several large World Bank projects approved for financing in Brazil, China, India and Mexico.
540. External funding committed to least developed countries (LDCs) dropped from 35% in 2000-01 to 18% in 2002-03, even though the number of projects in LDCs dramatically increased from 30 to 65 (Figure 3.2-4). Of these 65 projects, 29 were financed by IFIs for total investments of over US$ 786 million with external loans of US$ 676 million, and 40 were TCPs. The majority of the TCPs will assist Sub-Saharan LDCs. The increase reflected a change from formulation of large projects in LDCs in the past to numerous smaller ones, with more financing mobilized from smaller partners, bilateral donors and TCP.
Regular Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Programme of Work |
12,180 |
||
Adjustments to Programme of Work arising out of Budgetary Transfers |
1,070 |
||
Final Programme of Work |
13,250 |
||
Expenditure against Final Programme of Work |
13,326 |
||
Variance of Expenditure (Over)/Under Final Programme of Work |
(76) |
||
Budgetary Transfers as percent of Programme of Work |
8.8% |
||
Field Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Extrabudgetary TF and UNDP delivery |
69 |
||
Extrabudgetary emergency project delivery |
0 |
||
TCP delivery |
0 |
||
Total Field Programme delivery |
69 |
||
Ratio of Field to Regular Programme delivery |
0.0 |
||
Technical Support Services, professional staff cost |
330 |
541. This Major Programme oversees all phases of the FAO technical assistance programme cycle, including project execution and implementation. It ensures feedback on management, operational and implementation issues regarding the field programme to the technical and administrative departments, and to management. The programme consolidates information flows on the complex field programme implementation structure for non-emergency projects, resulting from the decentralization of field operations. Responsibility for non-emergency project operations has been devolved to 79 FAO Representatives, as well as to Country Project Operations Officers and technical officers in the five Regional Offices and headquarters. This has required the creation of an effective, coherent, responsive and transparent operations system that delivers project services promptly and cost-effectively to member countries as prescribed in project agreements. The Field Operations Division (TCO) closely interacts with the Regional Operations Branches in field programme monitoring and coordination. The increase in the Programme of Work of 8.8% was due primarily to difficulties in reducing staff costs for operational support services in Regional Offices.
542. The programme contributed to the consolidation of field programme operations through a series of activities and initiatives, including:
543. These various tools and mechanisms now permit the Organization to rapidly identify issues and problems regarding individual projects or groups of projects, whether related to operators, countries or regions, or technical responsibility, and to design prompt solutions to support the budget holder concerned.
544. During 2002-2003, the various activities described above contributed to halting the decline in project delivery, particularly of non-emergency assistance projects, and totally reversing the difficulties the Organization had faced in recent biennia with the implementation of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP).
545. In addition, the Field Operations Division supported the corporate Project and Programme Review Committee (PPRC) with a Secretariat, as well as participating in other corporate working groups and committees dealing with field operations matters.
546. The Regional Offices were supported in their efforts to consolidate their reduced Operations Branches, following the transfer of operational responsibility to FAO Representatives and regional technical officers, mainly through the selection and appointment of three Senior Officers to lead these branches in three regions (Asia and the Pacific, Near East and Africa). The operational responsibility for technical cooperation is now shared between four main players throughout the Organization (see Box). This has required adjustment of procedures as well as the establishment of a monitoring system that provides the tools for oversight as well as for self-management.
FAO’s Field Operations Structure
Principles for Operating Non-Emergency Technical Cooperation Projects
FAORs operate national projects for their country of assignment provided they have access through the Internet to corporate databases. Technical Department Groups of the Regional Offices operate regional projects falling within their technical discipline (upon confirmation of a matching technical discipline in the Regional Office). Regional Operations Branches operate projects in countries without FAORs and in countries with double/multiple accreditations, as well as regional projects without a matching technical discipline in the Regional Office. They monitor and report on the field programme in their region and assist budget holders with operational advice and guidance. Technical divisions at headquarters operate normative, global and interregional projects.
547. Figure 3.3.1 illustrates the process of decentralization undertaken by FAO in the past two biennia which led to an increase of responsibility for the FAO Representatives in terms of programme and project implementation. In 2002-03, FAORs undertook 44% of the delivery of technical cooperation activities compared with 29% in 2000-01. Technical departments at headquarters also increased their share of delivery from 20% in 2000-01 to 29% in 2002-03. The role of the Regional Operations Branches in delivery declined to 18% in 2002-03 compared with 38% in 2000-01. There was also a decline in delivery by the Technical Cooperation Department from 7% in 2000-01 to 4% in 2002-03.
548. FAO’s field programme delivery (Table 3.3-1) reached US$ 712.3 million compared with US$ 687.2 million in 2000-01 and US$ 555.2 million in 1998-99. The increase of technical cooperation delivery since 1998-99 was largely the result of the rapid growth of the emergency programme. However, other important factors in halting and reversing the decline include revision of the organizational arrangements in support of the field programme, the re-establishment of the Field Programme Committee and other measures.
TABLE 3.3-1. FAO FIELD PROGRAMMES DELIVERY (US$ MILLION)
Description |
1998/99 |
2000/01 |
2002/03 |
|
FAO/UNDP | ||||
FAO Execution |
32.6 |
19.7 |
14.6 |
|
FAO Implementation |
17.2 |
7.8 |
7.9 |
|
SPPD/STS |
8.2 |
6.3 |
3.4 |
|
Total UNDP |
57.4 |
33.8 |
26.0 |
|
TRUST FUNDS | ||||
Trust Funds - Non-emergency | ||||
FAO/Government Cooperative Programme (GCP) |
161.3 |
157.9 |
155.0 |
|
Associate Professional Officer (APO) Programme |
22.5 |
19.4 |
15.9 |
|
Unilateral Trust Funds (UTF) |
39.3 |
48.1 |
53.3 |
|
FAO-Donors Partnership Programmes |
- |
- |
15.3 |
|
UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
5.8 |
5.0 |
2.6 |
|
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) |
1.0 |
0.8 |
2.0 |
|
Other UN Organizations |
8.5 |
8.7 |
9.2 |
|
TeleFood |
2.3 |
3.4 |
3.0 |
|
Miscellaneous Trust Funds |
5.1 |
7.5 |
9.6 |
|
Total - Non-emergency |
245.8 |
250.8 |
266.0 |
|
Trust Funds - emergency assistance | ||||
Oil for Food |
147.8 |
249.0 |
197.9 |
|
Other Special Relief Operations |
27.2 |
76.3 |
111.8 |
|
Total - emergency assistance |
175.0 |
325.3 |
309.7 |
|
Total Trust Funds |
420.8 |
576.1 |
575.7 |
|
Total External Funding |
478.2 |
609.9 |
601.6 |
|
Regular Programme | ||||
Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) |
70.0 |
68.5 |
101.9 |
|
Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) |
7.0 |
8.8 |
8.8 |
|
Total Regular Programme |
77.0 |
77.3 |
110.7 |
|
TOTAL FIELD PROGRAMMES |
555.2 |
687.2 |
712.3 |
|
549. The main area of decline in the delivery of technical cooperation was the marginalization of the UNDP as a funding source for FAO’s technical cooperation with member countries which dropped to US$ 26 million in 2002-03 or 3% of total delivery. GCP funded cooperation declined modestly, but was largely offset by the increase of the UTF funded programme. Within the GCP funded cooperation, programmes destined to country and regional activities were partially replaced by interregional programmes and projects of a more normative nature. Much of the increase in overall field programme delivery in 2002-03 can be attributed to the exceptionally high delivery of TCP and SPFS funded projects which reached US$ 110.7 compared with US$ 77.3 million in 2000-01.
550. Emergency assistance has expanded since 1998-99 due to the Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq and other special relief operations, mainly emergency activities in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and expanded emergency activities in Africa. In 2002-03 delivery on the Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq declined to US$ 197.9 million from a high of US$ 249.0 in 2000-01, but was partially offset by an increase in other emergencies to US$ 111.8 million compared with US$ 76.3 million in 2000-01.
551. Approximately two-thirds of the projects approved and operational in 2002-03 had budgets of less than US$ 250,000 and over 40% had budgets of less than US$ 100,000. Of the large projects with budgets above US$ 1 million, half were related to emergency activities. In 2002-03, TCP and SPFS accounted for about 40% of the new projects approved, with non-emergency Trust Funds accounting for a similar 40% and emergency-related Trust Funds for about 20%.
552. Table 3.3-2 below provides an analysis of field programme delivery by donor.
553. Attention is drawn to the significance of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs as the major donor in these two biennia, particularly as the Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme terminated in November 2003, as shown in Table 3.3-2. Similarly, the concentration of funding among a few donors certainly increases the risk of disruption to the field programme should there be a major policy change by any one of the top few donors.
TABLE 3.3-2. SOURCES OF EXTERNAL FUNDING FOR THE FIELD PROGRAMME, US$ '000
Donor Name |
2000-01 |
2002-03 |
|
UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs |
249,599 |
182,806 |
|
Netherlands |
66,893 |
62,371 |
|
Italy |
33,399 |
42,105 |
|
European Community |
17,569 |
36,061 |
|
UNDP |
33,972 |
25,974 |
|
United Kingdom |
10,763 |
20,373 |
|
Norway |
18,889 |
19,374 |
|
Japan |
11,086 |
19,348 |
|
USA |
9,751 |
19,145 |
|
Belgium |
15,140 |
15,591 |
|
Iraq |
5 |
15,553 |
|
Multi-donor contributions |
11,013 |
15,329 |
|
Brazil |
11,103 |
11,877 |
|
Sweden |
16,147 |
11,802 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
13,515 |
9,674 |
|
Spain |
5,426 |
7,709 |
|
Germany |
1,645 |
6,654 |
|
Nigeria |
18 |
5,364 |
|
UN Drug Control Programme |
4,135 |
5,316 |
|
Mexico |
2,929 |
4,948 |
|
China |
4,416 |
4,771 |
|
World Bank |
15,926 |
4,476 |
|
Canada |
925 |
2,925 |
|
UN Population Fund |
4,993 |
2,632 |
|
Mozambique |
1,151 |
2,561 |
|
Finland |
3,815 |
2,466 |
|
Australia |
4,375 |
2,381 |
|
France |
2,903 |
2,352 |
|
United Nations Fund for International Partnerships |
831 |
1,906 |
|
Honduras |
389 |
1,896 |
|
Global Environment Facility |
204 |
1,844 |
|
Common Fund for Commodities |
532 |
1,729 |
|
UNDP Administered Trust Fund |
0 |
1,683 |
|
Venezuela |
6 |
1,442 |
|
FAO Prevention of Food Losses Programme |
375 |
1,372 |
|
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees |
1,701 |
1,371 |
|
Namibia |
832 |
1,293 |
|
Colombia |
68 |
1,280 |
|
Union Economique et Monetaire Ouest-Africaine |
0 |
1,224 |
|
Denmark |
2,804 |
1,169 |
|
Luxembourg |
1,730 |
1,103 |
|
Global Environment Facility |
1,196 |
1,067 |
|
International Fund For Agricultural Development |
1,371 |
1,034 |
|
India |
6,407 |
1,032 |
|
Morocco |
845 |
1,006 |
|
Other Donors |
19,143 |
16,232 |
|
Total |
609,935 |
601,625 |
|
554. FAO field activities continued to be largely concentrated under Major Programme 2.1 Agricultural Production and Support Systems (Table 3.3-3), which accounted for nearly 63% of the total field programme delivery in 2002-03, with Programme 2.1.2 Crops accounting for 29% of total delivery and Programme 2.1.1 Natural Resources for a further 16%. Major Programme 2.2 Food and Agriculture Policy and Development with 8%, and Major Programme 2.5 Contribution to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts with 10% also had significant field programme delivery during 2002-03.
TABLE 3.3-3. FIELD PROGRAMME DELIVERY BY TECHNICAL PROGRAMMES, 2002-03 (IN PERCENTAGE)
|
Programme |
TF/UNDP |
Emergency |
TCP/SPFS |
Total |
|
2.1.0 |
Intra-departmental Programme Entities for Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
0.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
|
2.1.1 |
Natural Resources |
10.9 |
22.8 |
7.2 |
15.5 |
|
2.1.2 |
Crops |
17.0 |
40.7 |
29.7 |
29.3 |
|
2.1.3 |
Livestock |
5.2 |
18.5 |
12.0 |
12.0 |
|
2.1.4 |
Agricultural Support Systems |
1.8 |
7.2 |
3.7 |
4.5 |
|
2.1.5 |
Agricultural Applications of Isotopes and Biotechnology |
0.2 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
2.1 |
Agricultural Production and Support Systems |
35.4 |
92.2 |
53.6 |
62.9 |
|
2.2.1 |
Nutrition |
2.1 |
0.4 |
4.3 |
1.7 |
|
2.2.2 |
Food and Agricultural Information |
5.3 |
0.1 |
3.2 |
2.7 |
|
2.2.3 |
Food and Agricultural Monitoring, Assessments and Outlooks |
1.8 |
0.6 |
0.7 |
1.1 |
|
2.2.4 |
Agriculture, Food Security and Trade Policy |
4.2 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
2.4 |
|
2.2 |
Food and Agriculture Policy and Development |
13.4 |
2.1 |
9.8 |
7.9 |
|
2.3.1 |
Fisheries Information |
0.7 |
0.0 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
|
2.3.2 |
Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture |
4.5 |
0.2 |
1.9 |
2.2 |
|
2.3.3 |
Fisheries Exploitation and Utilisation |
0.5 |
0.3 |
1.8 |
0.6 |
|
2.3.4 |
Fisheries Policy |
3.1 |
0.0 |
1.1 |
1.5 |
|
2.3 |
Fisheries |
8.9 |
0.5 |
5.1 |
4.6 |
|
2.4.1 |
Forest Resources |
6.4 |
3.4 |
3.0 |
4.6 |
|
2.4.2 |
Forest Products |
2.2 |
0.0 |
0.2 |
0.9 |
|
2.4.3 |
Forestry Policy and Planning |
6.7 |
0.0 |
1.4 |
3.0 |
|
2.4.4 |
Forest Programmes Coordination and Information |
0.5 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
|
2.4 |
Forestry |
15.9 |
3.4 |
4.8 |
8.7 |
|
2.5.1 |
Research, Natural Resources Management and Technology Transfer |
5.2 |
1.6 |
3.7 |
3.4 |
|
2.5.2 |
Women and Population |
2.0 |
0.0 |
0.3 |
0.9 |
|
2.5.3 |
Rural Development |
4.5 |
0.0 |
3.3 |
2.3 |
|
2.5.6 |
Food Production in Support of Food Security in LIFDCs |
5.7 |
0.0 |
8.8 |
3.7 |
|
2.5 |
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts |
17.4 |
1.6 |
16.1 |
10.3 |
|
3.1.1 |
Coordination of Policy Assistance and Field Programme Development |
0.9 |
0.0 |
0.8 |
0.5 |
|
3.1.2 |
Policy Assistance to Various Regions |
6.3 |
0.2 |
5.9 |
3.6 |
|
3.1.3 |
Legal Assistance to Member Nations |
0.4 |
0.0 |
1.4 |
0.4 |
|
3.1 |
Policy Assistance |
7.5 |
0.2 |
8.1 |
4.4 |
|
|
Non Technical Programmes |
1.6 |
0.0 |
2.5 |
1.0 |
|
|
TOTAL |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
555. The main changes in regional distribution of the field programme (Figure 3.3-2 below) were:
556. Because of the significant effect of the Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme, the figure below shows the field programme delivery by region with this programme excluded.
557. Project delivery in least developed countries (LDCs) marked a significant increase as a percentage of total field activities (Table 3.3-4 below) and accounted for 27% of field programme delivery in 2002-03 compared with 20% in 2000-01. In terms of total delivery, funding to LDCs increased by 42% to US$ 190 million in 2002-03 from US$ 134 million in 2000-01.
TABLE 3.3-4. PROJECT DELIVERY IN LDCS (PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL DELIVERY)
Funding Source |
1998-99 |
2000-01 |
2002-03 |
|
Trust Fund (GCP and UTF) |
14.5 |
13.3 |
21.3 |
|
UNDP |
66.3 |
73.4 |
80.5 |
|
TCP/SPFS |
34.1 |
41.8 |
41.6 |
|
Total |
22.6 |
19.5 |
26.6 |
|
558. In terms of the distribution of project delivery in LDCs by funding source (Table 3.3-5), Trust Funds accounted for 65% in 2002-03 compared with 58% in 2000-01. The UNDP share continued to decline from 19% in 2000-01 to 11% in 2002-03.
TABLE 3.3-5. PROJECT DELIVERY IN LDCS BY FUNDING SOURCE (PERCENTAGE)
Funding Source |
1998-99 |
2000-01 |
2002-03 |
|
Trust Fund (GCP and UTF) |
48.7 |
57.3 |
64.7 |
|
UNDP |
30.3 |
18.6 |
11.0 |
|
TCP/SPFS |
20.9 |
24.1 |
24.3 |
|
Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
|
559. In early 2002, FAO set up a new Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division (TCE) in the Technical Cooperation Department in response to the expanded amount of funding available for its operations, the increased complexity of interventions, and to reinforce FAO’s capacity to support the preservation and rehabilitation of agricultural-based livelihoods in emergency contexts. The new Division has overall responsibility for emergency-related activities and leads the assessment of needs for agricultural relief and rehabilitation arising from natural or human-induced disasters. It also has a leadership role in the preparation and implementation of programmes and projects for urgent agricultural relief and early rehabilitation in disaster-struck countries.
560. This Division is composed of three entities: the Emergency Operations Service (TCEO), which plans, coordinates and supervises the execution of emergency response operations; the Special Emergency Programmes Service (TCES), which ensures coordination and supervision of all operational activities carried out in the field through special emergency programmes (including the defunct Oil-For-Food Programme in Iraq); and the Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Policies Unit (TCER), which is responsible for developing rehabilitation and humanitarian policies in close cooperation with the other two Services of the Division and the other divisions of the TC Department, as well as with the concerned technical departments/divisions of the Organization.
561. The volume of delivery of emergency and early rehabilitation programmes increased progressively from US$ 50.6 million in 1996-1997 to US$ 309.7 million in 2002-03. The largest individual operation was the Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme, which was terminated on 21 November 2003.
562. Emergency relief and early rehabilitation activities during 2002 and 2003 were in response to both natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods and droughts) and complex emergencies induced by conflict and compounded by other multiple shocks. The latter are often of long duration and FAO assists in the preservation of agricultural and rural livelihoods, contributes to the phasing out of food aid, and to the reconstruction of food and agricultural production systems, which are essential for providing the affected populations with opportunities for development.
563. FAO’s intervention in emergency situations ranges from needs assessments, provision of agricultural inputs, crop and livestock protection services to technical assistance for the coordination, planning and management of sustainable rehabilitation of rural production systems.
564. FAO’s work in the field is reinforced and backed up through regular participation in, and contribution to, UN inter-agency humanitarian policy-making mechanisms. In 2002 and 2003, FAO has continuously promoted integrated approaches and strategies with other UN agencies and partners. Collaboration with WFP has been reinforced in the spheres of policy, project implementation and programme support through the development of joint activities in 12 sectors, such as the twin-track strategy to food security, needs assessments, school feeding and gardening, emergencies and provision of agricultural inputs, protecting livelihoods, HIV/AIDS and sharing of information.
Major operations in the field of agricultural relief and rehabilitation
Afghanistan
In 2002 and 2003, FAO supported the Government of Afghanistan in agricultural relief, rehabilitation and development through interventions in a number of sectors. In consultation with the Government of Afghanistan, FAO's strategy was to expand its technical and programming assistance to key ministries: the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (MAAH), the Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and Environment (MIWRE) and the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Rural Development (MRRD).
In 2002, an Emergency Coordination Unit was established to coordinate the emergency programme in close collaboration with the MAAH and NGO partners. FAO's emergency programme focused on vulnerable farmers. During 2002 and 2003, FAO distributed about 9,000 tonnes of quality wheat seed and 13,000 tonnes of fertilizer to over 180,000 vulnerable farming families across the country. Efforts were made to target Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returning refugees, as well as women-headed households.
The Intermediate and Transitional Assistance Programme (ITAP) for 2002 and the Transitional Assistance Programme for Afghanistan (TAPA) for 2003 were the main funding mechanisms. With funds received amounting to US$ 30 million, FAO implemented projects identified within these two programmes in eight priority areas, i.e. emergency coordination and agricultural input distribution; capacity building for government and national institutions; rehabilitation of the horticulture sector; assistance to food security and nutrition; support to animal health and livestock production; rehabilitation of community-based irrigation infrastructure; alternative agricultural livelihoods; and assistance to emergency locust control.
Major operations in the field of agricultural relief and rehabilitation
Iraq
In Iraq, FAO embarked on planning beyond emergency response for the reconstruction of the agriculture sector. An assessment of the crop and food supply situation was carried out in June and July 2003 in partnership with WFP. Comprehensive needs assessments were undertaken and two longer-term studies were published, offering a strategy for the transition from relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction to sustainable agricultural development.
In 2002, FAO’s delivery under the Oil-For-Food Programme amounted to US$ 93 million. The 2003 delivery in Iraq, amounting to US$ 111 million, was reached following the implementation of: (i) projects under the Oil-for-Food Programme in the three northern Governorates; (ii) special projects under the new Humanitarian Programme; and (iii) other projects through traditional donor funding.
Assistance provided through these interventions in Iraq targeted a wide range of agricultural sub-sectors. In the northern Governorates, a broad range of field activities continued, such as the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, support to the diagnostic capacity of veterinary laboratories, backyard poultry vaccination campaigns for vulnerable communities in remote areas and artificial insemination campaigns. On 21 November 2003, FAO handed over to the Coalition Provisional Authority on-going contracts and purchase orders for a total value of US$ 139 million under the Oil-for-Food Programme.
In accordance with Security Council Resolutions, FAO managed the process of renegotiation and amendment of 196 contracts placed by the former Government of Iraq for an amount of US$ 711 million. These contracts allowed for the delivery of urgently needed inputs, supplies and equipment to support the agricultural sector in Iraq.
Regular Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Programme of Work |
76,434 |
||
Adjustments to Programme of Work arising out of Budgetary Transfers |
1,060 |
||
Final Programme of Work |
77,494 |
||
Expenditure against Final Programme of Work |
77,475 |
||
Variance of Expenditure (Over)/Under Final Programme of Work |
19 |
||
Budgetary Transfers as percent of Programme of Work |
1.4% |
||
Field Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Extrabudgetary TF and UNDP delivery |
8 |
||
Extrabudgetary emergency project delivery |
0 |
||
TCP delivery |
0 |
||
Total Field Programme delivery |
8 |
||
Ratio of Field to Regular Programme delivery |
0.0 |
||
Technical Support Services, professional staff cost |
0 |
565. FAO Representations (FAORs) continued their regular liaison work with the governments to which they are accredited, including the promotion of coordinated World Food Summit (WFS) follow-up and of the International Alliance Against Hunger. World Food Day (WFD) and TeleFood activities were undertaken in close collaboration with either a national WFD committee or a WFD focal point. Assistance was provided to country delegations in preparing for the FAO Conference, Council, Regional Conferences and other international and interagency events within the Organization’s mandate.
566. FAORs liaised on a regular basis with regional organizations based in their countries of accreditation. They continued to monitor the agricultural sector and food supplies in their countries, keeping headquarters informed of important events and impending problems. In countries hit by natural or human-induced disasters, FAORs provided vital liaison functions with the governments concerned and contributed to the needs assessment for emergency intervention in the agricultural sector.
567. Assistance by FAORs to technical programmes included logistical and administrative support for missions undertaken by staff members from headquarters, Regional and Subregional Offices; organization of meetings and training activities; and disbursement of funds at the request of technical units. Other areas of assistance were the identification of consultants; handling of data collection and questionnaires on behalf of technical units; advocacy on technical issues; assistance to dissemination of publications through the FAO Representation libraries; and provision of status reports on technical activities of the government.
568. In 2003 a special project was launched to strengthen the capacity of FAO stakeholders in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) to access and make use of FAO data and analyses by providing the beneficiary institutions in the recipient countries with Personal Computers and a package of CD-ROMs containing a compendium of FAO data/information. A total of 307 PCs were delivered to the local institutions together with a set of 22 CD-ROMs each. The total cost of US$ 600,000 was funded from arrears.
569. During the biennium, FAORs made active use of the Small-scale Facility (SSF) which was to create a minimal country-level capacity in the FAO Representations to respond to urgent short term needs for technical assistance. A total of US$ 460 000 was spent under the facility to deal with 200 requests for assistance.
570. FAORs collaborated with FAO’s Investment Centre, technical units and Regional Policy Assistance Branches and Subregional Policy Assistance Units in formulating national agricultural policies and programmes and development of the Field Programme at country level, including the identification, formulation and appraisal of projects. They performed key resource mobilization functions by liaising with local donor representatives and the funding liaison units at headquarters. Contact with local donors gained importance as their capitals increasingly delegated project approval authority to the country level.
571. As members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), FAO Representatives have participated in a variety of UN system initiatives, such as the preparation of Common Country Assessment (CCAs), United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs), National MDG Reports, the UN system Network on Rural Development and Food Security, and Joint Programmes with a view to ensuring that food security, agriculture and rural development issues were adequately addressed in these interagency processes. During the biennium, 12 CCAs and 32 UNDAFs were thus finalized with FAOR contributions. Additionally, 25 countries with FAO Representations launched a national MDG Report during the biennium.
572. FAORs provided general logistical and administrative support to Investment Centre missions. In particular, they assisted the Investment Centre by contacting governments, recruiting local consultants and liaising with local representatives of International Financial Institutions and donors for the initiation of the implementation of 49 TCPs for African countries in support of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) through the formulation of National Medium-Term Investment Programmes and bankable investment project profiles.
573. Emergency situations required significant additional response in a number of FAO Representations. The number of countries where the FAOR was assisted by a dedicated emergency coordination unit increased from 14 in 2000-01 to 23 in 2002-03.
574. FAORs continued to assume operational responsibility and budget holder responsibilities for FAO’s national non-emergency projects (see Major Programme 3.3). The number of projects under their charge increased by almost 50%, from 378 in 2001 to 564 in 2003, while delivery increased by 73% in the same period. To consolidate the operational capacity in the FAOR offices and to exchange information on lessons learned and best practices established in the FAOR network since the transfer of operational responsibility to FAORs, six regional workshops were organized for some 80 participants comprising FAORs and Assistant FAORs. In addition, the 4th General Briefing Session for 17 recently-appointed Assistant FAORs, which was combined with a one-week training course on Project Cycle Overview, was held in 2003.
575. During the 2002-03 biennium, the number of Member Nations increased to 187 from 183 in 2000-01, as shown in Table 3.4-1. The Organization maintained 72 fully fledged FAO Representations, excluding those combined with Regional or Subregional Offices and the two Country Offices which remained temporarily closed for security reasons. The number of countries covered by multiple accreditations remained stable at 32, and the number of National Correspondents in these countries remained unchanged at 19.
TABLE 3.4-1. COVERAGE OF FAO MEMBER NATIONS BY THE NETWORK OF FAO OFFICES
Description |
2000-01 |
2002-03 |
|
Countries hosting headquarters, Regional, Subregional or Liaison Offices |
14 |
14 |
|
Countries with fully fledged FAO Representations |
72 |
72 |
|
Countries with out-posted technical officers as FAORs |
1 |
8 |
|
Countries covered by multiple accreditation |
32 |
32 |
|
Countries without an accredited representative |
64 |
61 |
|
- of which developing countries |
38 |
41 |
|
Total |
183 |
187 |
|
576. The Council, at its 119th Session in November 2000, approved the establishment of additional FAO Representations through the assignment of Outposted Technical Officers (OTO/FAORs). Under this scheme, the bulk of the costs of the establishment and functioning of the FAO Representations are covered by the host country. Negotiations were initiated with 18 countries, and by the end of 2003, nine agreements had been signed and eight outposted technical officers had taken up their assignments as OTO/FAOR.
577. The number of developing countries remaining without an accredited FAOR increased to 41 in 2002-03, up from 38 during the previous biennium. FAO’s presence in these countries continued to be of an ad hoc nature, limiting the Organization’s potential contribution to their humanitarian and development challenges and their access to FAO services.
578. The FAOR staffing structure during 2002-03 was characterized by an increase in National Professional Officers (41%), a decrease in General Service staff (5%) and an increase in the number of staff provided by the host governments (25%) (see Table 3.4-2). The latter effort has permitted reinforcement of the administrative and logistic functions at country offices at a minimal cost, having an equivalent value of US$ 3.2 million per biennium as an in-kind contribution to the running costs.
TABLE 3.4-2. STAFF OF FAO REPRESENTATIONS
Description |
1996-97 |
1998-99 |
2000-01 |
2002-03 |
|
International professional officers |
94 |
92 |
92 |
92 |
|
National professional officers |
65 |
65 |
65 |
92 |
|
General Service staff |
620 |
606 |
606 |
577 |
|
Total FAO staff |
779 |
763 |
763 |
761 |
|
Government-provided staff |
136 |
152 |
148 |
185 |
|
Total staff in FAORs |
915 |
915 |
911 |
946 |
|
579. The installation of a Wide Area Network (WAN - see detail under Programme 5.2.2, Information Systems and Technology Services) has ensured basic e-mail services and access to the Intranet for almost all the FAO country offices. Due to resource restrictions, the goal of providing e-mail accounts for all the Representation staff could only be met in a small number of offices, hence constraining the functioning of many country offices.
580. The further development of the Country Offices Information Network (COIN), a comprehensive management information system for country offices, has facilitated:
581. The Field Accounting System (FAS) was further enhanced by the introduction of a bimonthly data transmission process thus ensuring a more frequent update of financial data available online. Newly recruited administrative staff in FAOR offices were trained together with a number of backup users. In addition, the network of administrative officers was utilized to provide training and ad hoc assistance to offices in neighbouring countries.
Regular Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Programme of Work |
9,539 |
||
Adjustments to Programme of Work arising out of Budgetary Transfers |
(100) |
||
Final Programme of Work |
9,439 |
||
Expenditure against Final Programme of Work |
9,436 |
||
Variance of Expenditure (Over)/Under Final Programme of Work |
3 |
||
Budgetary Transfers as percent of Programme of Work |
(1.0%) |
||
Field Programme |
|
US$000 |
|
Extrabudgetary TF and UNDP delivery |
2,948 |
||
Extrabudgetary emergency project delivery |
0 |
||
TCP delivery |
0 |
||
Total Field Programme delivery |
2,948 |
||
Ratio of Field to Regular Programme delivery |
0.3 |
||
Technical Support Services, professional staff cost |
393 |
582. This Major Programme promotes cooperation with multilateral and bilateral funding agencies, the private sector, decentralized entities, civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with the objective of mobilizing additional resources for the agricultural and rural sectors of developing countries. It supervises implementation of the partnership programmes introduced since 1994, World Food Day Events and TeleFood activities, and fosters economic and technical cooperation among developing countries.
583. This programme continued to focus on the mobilization of a substantial flow of extra-budgetary resources, primarily in support of the Field Programme but also of FAO’s normative activities. At country level, the Organization increasingly worked within relevant development frameworks and especially within Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) and United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs), with a view to enhancing complementarities and synergy among the various interventions, through a programme approach to development.
584. The approach to resource mobilization relied upon matching FAO's understanding of a recipient's requirements (taking into account in-country capacity), the interest of donors in terms of their geographic programme priorities and the appropriateness of involving FAO. In particular, the project or programme should support its corporate strategies, demonstrate linkage to existing normative programmes and utilize its comparative advantage in areas such as its country-level network supporting practical action at field level and its capacity and experience in "upstream" development services.
585. The combination of the increased emphasis on country-level development frameworks (PRSPs, UNDAFs, etc.) and the effort to ensure that programme proposals were well founded on country demand guaranteed that the projects developed were better anchored in national development strategies and plans.
586. The concept of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) was further developed with several bilateral partners, including Canada, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom as a flexible funding mechanism for inter-disciplinary action in the context of broader development initiatives at country level. A major cooperation agreement has been signed with the European Union which opens the way for a significant expansion and diversification of the EU-funded programme. Important developments took place in FAO’s collaboration with bilateral partners (e.g. Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and Switzerland) and with institutions such as the OPEC Fund, the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), IFAD, Regional Economic Organizations and the Global Environmental Facility, resulting in a notable increase in Trust Fund approvals. The shift in the Unilateral Trust Fund (UTF) programme from bank-funded to country-funded projects (e.g. Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Nigeria and South Africa, etc.) financing FAO technical assistance from their own public resources continued. The Global Trust Fund for Food Security and Food Safety received contributions from Italy, Libya and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
587. Projects and programmes are increasingly nationally executed, a modality which will be facilitated by the “NEX business models”, endorsed by the FAO Conference in December 2003. These were designed to accommodate emerging demands for FAO assistance wherein the traditional allocation of responsibilities between FAO and the government no longer apply.
588. The participation of the 15 donors actively supporting the Associate Professional Officers (APO) Programme remained stable. Contacts were also developed with new potential donors. The APO Programme provided active support to normative activities, mostly at FAO headquarters, while a substantial contribution to the field programme was also provided through assignments with Regional and Country Offices as well as field projects.
589. This programme addresses important components of the cross-organizational strategy on Broadening Partnerships and Alliances and has contributed to the strengthening and building of partnerships with Civil Society Organizations(CSOs), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), the private sector, the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and decentralized entities. The Resources and Strategic Partnerships Unit (TCDS) was specifically established in February 2002 to facilitate the strengthening and building of these types of partnerships.
590. An important area of work was the preparation of and follow-up to the World Food Summit: five years later (WFS:fyl) and parallel events such as the Forum for Food Sovereignty, organized by the International NGO/CSO Planning Committee (IPC), the Private Sector Forum, organized by the General Confederation of Italian Agriculture (Confagricoltura), and a Parliamentarians Day, organized by the Institute for Relations between Italy and the Countries of Africa, Latin America and the Middle East (IPALMO).
591. WFS:fyl follow-up included the organization of an official meeting between the FAO Director-General and the IPC and an informal meeting of International NGOs attending the FAO Conference in 2003. With regard to information sharing and analysis, a corporate NGO/CSO Web site and NGO/CSO database were developed; civil society panel discussions were organized in occasion of the celebration of the World Food Day (WFD) in 2002 and 2003; and the preliminary phase of a civil society campaign on “more and better aid for agriculture and rural development” was supported, including its launch on WFD 2003.
592. In order to facilitate policy dialogue with NGOs/CSOs, regional NGO/CSO consultations were organized in conjunction with the 2002 FAO Regional Conferences, while concrete steps were taken to streamline and enhance the impact of these consultations in future. TCDS also supported the secretariats of various technical committees to enhance the participation and role of NGOs/CSOs. As a result of this support, there has been a quantitative and qualitative increase in NGO/CSO participation in all technical committees, and innovative approaches were used to find better ways of enhancing NGO/CSO input to intergovernmental discussions. One example of this was the FAO-NGO/CSO programme to strengthen joint capacity for policy and technical guidance in agro-ecology that was launched at a side event of the Committee on Agriculture meetings of April 2003, and the joint FAO-IPC working group, which was established in this occasion.
593. FAO continued its dialogue with agribusiness actors and attended meetings such as the annual meetings of the IAFN (International AgriFood Network) and the Sustainable Agriculture Platform. Meetings were also held with the private sector to promote FAO’s programmes and initiatives, such as the SPFS, TeleFood, and the International Alliance Against Hunger. FAO, through its Sponsorship Committee (SC), has established an effective screening mechanism for private sector partners. Several agreements were signed with such partners supporting a variety of projects, publications and workshops and conferences in addition to the above mentioned programmes including, in particular, support to World Food Day and TeleFood (see Box). Trust Fund projects in support of FAO's programmes were established with Tetrapak and the Ford Foundation and new collaborative efforts between FAO and the UN Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP) resulted in the approval of three projects in the fields of World Heritage Initiatives and Women in Development in Mexico.
World Food Day and TeleFood
World Food Day celebrations and WFD Special Events/TeleFood activities, organized around the theme of "Water: source of food security" in 2002 and "International Alliance against Hunger" in 2003, heightened awareness of the fight against world hunger and helped promote “Food for All”. These occasions provided an opportunity for some countries to launch their National Alliance Against Hunger. National WFD and TeleFood committees or focal points in 150 member countries and the support of governments, civil society, NGOs and various celebrities were instrumental to the success of these activities.
Major TeleFood activities that were organized in 2002 and 2003 included a concert with African guest stars in Johannesburg in 2002 thanks to the support of the Government of South Africa and private sponsors; and a TeleFood concert in Monaco in October 2002 with opera star Luciano Pavarotti. Both events were then broadcast globally, conveying the TeleFood message of solidarity around the world. In Spain, RTVE again produced and broadcast its annual gala night dedicated to TeleFood. The 2003 edition proved particularly successful in terms of audience and funds collected. In accordance with Conference Resolution 3/97, TeleFood events are entirely funded from extra-budgetary resources thanks to the support of member countries, private sector partners and individuals.
The FAO Ambassadors were active at a variety of levels and visited FAO projects, recorded promotional messages, promoted FAO during public and media events, appealed to the public to support FAO's campaign against hunger, and gave interviews about FAO's programmes and mandates on major international networks. At the Round Table of FAO Ambassadors, convened in Rome on 15 October 2003, they renewed their individual commitments and reiterated their willingness to put their talents and professional competencies at the service of FAO in a concrete fashion.
594. After becoming a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) in 2001, FAO participated actively, during the biennium, in UNDG efforts to bring greater effectiveness and coherence to UN system development operations by contributing to the discussions in the UNDG policy and decision-making bodies (i.e. Support Group, Management Group and Programme Group).
595. In view of the increasing importance of local entities and sub-national government institutions at regional, provincial and municipal levels in development cooperation, FAO took some important initial steps to develop collaborative arrangements with these decentralized entities within the framework of the Decentralized Cooperation Programme (DCP). During the biennium, the Italy/FAO Decentralized Cooperation Programme (IFDPC) was developed and signed in September 2002 and implementation has started on a pilot basis. The French authorities have manifested a strong interest in direct collaboration with FAO on food security issues. Initial steps have also been taken to explore possibilities of cooperation with decentralized entities in Spain and Germany.
596. The implementation of partnership agreements involved the mobilization of expertise through a number of innovative arrangements which enhance the spirit of partnership with external partners while being mutually beneficial.
597. During the 2002-03 biennium, 1,763 assignments were arranged with external partners. Of these assignments, 1,134 were carried out by Retired Experts, 496 by Experts for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries and Countries in Transition (TCDC/TCCT Experts) and 93 by Visiting Experts from Academic and Research Institutions (Table 3.5-1). The Young Professionals Programme provided 40 on-the-job-training assignments to young professionals from developing countries, with a view to assisting these countries in strengthening their national capacities.
598. Under the cost-sharing feature of the partnerships, FAO contributed US$ 18 million for its share of the related assignment costs in the 2002-03 biennium. This investment represented an increase of 38% over the previous biennium.
599. Although the main objective of the arrangements is to enhance the spirit of partnership, FAO’s investment also provides efficiency-savings to the Organization. The savings are realized because expertise costs at international market rates are higher than FAO’s share of the costs under the partnership arrangements. The savings have assisted the Organization in implementing budget reductions and/or been ploughed back into the Organization’s normative and technical assistance programmes, in each case increasing the value to Member Nations.
TABLE 3.5-1. USE OF PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMMES
Description |
2000-01 |
2002-03 |
|
TCDC/TCCT experts |
546 |
296 |
|
Visiting experts from academic and research instituations |
168 |
93 |
|
Retired experts |
1,044 |
1134 |
|
Young professionals |
59 |
40 |
|
