PROGRAMME AND BUDGETARY MATTERS

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION REPORT 2002-200315

73. The Conference expressed satisfaction with the improved format of the Programme Implementation Report (PIR), which reflected the application of results-based principles to the Organization’s technical programmes, and the quantitative information on achievements in the biennium 2002-03. It noted that the PIR was complemented by the Programme Evaluation Report (PER), which provided information on impacts through more qualitative and selective evaluations.

74. The Conference looked forward to further progress being made on the results-based format of the PIR, which would focus reporting of programme implementation on key achievements against indicators; emphasize success stories and lessons learned, including from auto-evaluation of programme entities; provide selected reporting on achievement of outcomes and extend results-based reporting to non-technical programmes, including reporting information on financial aspects, efficiencies and productivity gains. The Conference requested that future reporting on regional dimensions provide more quantitative information on activities, including the Field Programme, TCP, South-South Cooperation and investment.

75. The Conference was pleased that delivery under the Regular Programme had utilized fully the budgeted resources and implemented the programme of work according to plan. Members highlighted several positive trends in delivery, including the continued expansion of the Special Programme for Food Security as well as the Field Programme, the increase in interdisciplinary activities through the Priority Areas for Interdisciplinary Action (PAIAs), and the application of the FAO Language Policy.

76. The Conference appreciated the detailed reporting on geographic representation and gender balance of Professional staff, which was reviewed on a regular basis by the Finance Committee. It welcomed the progress made in increasing the number of female Professional staff and urged efforts to increase the number of female staff at senior levels. Some Members expressed concern over the low representation of Professional staff from the Asia Region and urged the Secretariat to take initiatives to improve the low representation.

PROGRAMME EVALUATION REPORT 200516

77. The Conference welcomed the 2005 Programme Evaluation Report in its new format and noted that the report and its various sections, including the Evaluation Briefs, were available separately on the FAO Evaluation Website. It appreciated the comprehensive yet succinct description of the institutional arrangements and policies for evaluation in FAO. It welcomed the Evaluation Briefs as a particularly useful innovation, bringing together in an easy-to-read format the findings and recommendations of evaluations, the response of FAO management to the evaluation and the comments of the Programme Committee.

78. The Conference welcomed the initiation of work on evaluations of FAO work at country level. It also noted the improved independence and rigour of the evaluations and urged the Evaluation Service to further strengthen these aspects and its attention to assessment of impacts.

PROGRAMME OF WORK AND BUDGET 2006-200717

PWB Documentation

79. The Conference considered the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) proposals for the 2006-2007 biennium, bearing in mind the views expressed at the Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session of the Council in the preceding week.

80. The Conference recognized that the PWB documentation comprised:

81. The Conference noted that the main PWB document covered three scenarios of Real Growth (RG) at 2.5 percent, Zero Real Growth (ZRG) and Zero Nominal Growth (ZNG). Some Members noted that ZNG should have been presented at the programme entity level in the PWB as well. The Conference endorsed the much reduced size of the document, compared to previous versions.

82. The Conference further recognized that the Supplement was entirely devoted to substantial reform proposals from the Director-General, within two resource envelopes: the same RG of 2.5% per annum, and a Higher Real Growth (HRG) scenario of 9.25% for the biennium stemming from a specific request made by the Council at its Hundred and Twenty-eighth Session (Rome, 20–24 June 2005).

83. The Conference noted that the Addendum provided clarifications on specific areas to facilitate understanding of the proposed reforms, while the information document “FAO Reform: A Vision for the Twenty-first Century” presented the reforms in a less technical fashion, also placing them in a historical perspective.

Main Decisions Required

84. Accordingly, the Conference underscored that it had to take important decisions on both the budget level and the proposed reforms.

85. The Conference also addressed two specific proposals in the main PWB document not directly linked to the reforms: the Security Expenditure Facility and the treatment of Miscellaneous Income. The Conference supported the establishment of a Security Expenditure Facility in the form of Chapter 9 of the PWB and the concurrent need to amend the Financial Regulations. Hence, it adopted the following Resolution:


RESOLUTION 5/2005

Amendment to Financial Regulation VI (Security Expenditure Facility)

THE CONFERENCE,

Recalling the Director-General's proposal to establish a Security Expenditure Facility grouping in a new Chapter of the Programme of Work and Budget expenditures directly related to Headquarters and Field security in FAO, as a means of strengthening the existing financial framework for planning, monitoring and accountability for improved security of staff and assets of the Organization;

Noting in particular that the Finance Committee, at its Hundred and Ninth Session (Rome, 9-13 May 2005), recognised the need for consolidated and comprehensive coverage for security costs within a single budgetary provision and for financial flexibility through a funding mechanism which could be supplemented by voluntary contributions, and supported the Director-General's proposal to establish a Security Expenditure Facility as a means of grouping all staff and non-staff costs directly related to Headquarters and Field security in a new Chapter 9 of the Programme of Work and Budget;

Noting further the deliberations of the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees of 11 May 2005 concerning the proposal for the creation of an additional Chapter 9 to the Programme of Work and Budget and the establishment of a Security Expenditure Facility;

Recalling that the Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-eighth Session (Rome, 20-25 June 2005), concurred with the creation of an additional Chapter 9 to the Programme of Work and Budget and the establishment of a Security Expenditure Facility;

Considering that the Finance Committee, at its Hundred and Tenth Session (Rome, 19-23 September 2005) and Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters, at its Seventy-ninth Session (Rome, 11-12 October 2005), reviewed the proposed amendments to Financial Regulation VI;

Noting that the Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session (Rome, 16-18 November 2005), agreed to transmit to the Conference, for approval, the proposed amendments to Financial Regulation VI;

Decides:

    1. to establish a Security Expenditure Facility consisting of a separate budgetary Chapter and a Security Account;
    2. to designate Chapter 9 of the Programme of Work and Budget for the purposes of defining and authorising security expenditures, including staff and non-staff security provisions and expenditures at Headquarters and in the Field to ensure the Organization's compliance with United Nations security policies;
    3. to establish a Security Account through the following addition of Financial Regulation 6.12 to the Financial Regulations of the Organization:
    6.12. There shall be established:
    1. a Security Account, which shall be used for the purpose of managing activities which involve security expenditure defined as being:
      1. expenditures on Headquarters security provisions;
      2. expenditures on Field security provisions to ensure in particular the Organization's participation in the UN security management system and compliance with its provisions for field security;
    2. the sources of funds shall be:
      1. Regular Programme Appropriations approved by the Conference;
      2. voluntary contributions;
    3. expenditures of a capital nature, defined as expenditures with a useful life in excess of FAO's financial period of two years that also meet the definition of security expenditures as per sub-paragraph (a) above, shall be funded from the Security Account;
    4. the balance of funds in Chapter 9 of the budget at the end of each financial period shall be transferred to the Security Account for use in a subsequent financial period.

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)

86. While appreciating the intent to improve the cash flow situation of the Organization, different positions were expressed on the proposal to require Members to pay their contributions without deduction of forecast of Miscellaneous Income.

Views on the Reforms

87. The Conference recalled that the Director-General had emphasized that reforms were necessary and urgent, and should be implemented regardless of the budget level, and that he intended to seek extrabudgetary support to meet part of the transition costs.

88. The Conference echoed the general reactions to the proposals, as expressed at the preceding Council. Therefore, it agreed with the Director-General’s assessment of the need to enhance the Organization’s ability to fulfil its mandate through its normative and operational activities. This should include concrete contributions to well-recognized challenges such as assisting Members in implementing the MDGs. The Conference also underlined the need to respond to renewed commitments to rural investment by interested partners, and the opportunities for harnessing knowledge for agriculture.

89. The Conference welcomed the initiative of the Director-General to submit reform proposals regarding the programmes, structures and ways of work of the Organization, which were also consistent with ongoing reform efforts across the entire UN System.

90. The Conference concurred with the Council’s general support for the rationale and guiding principles underlying the reforms as a basis for further discussion and implementation of reforms in the Organization.

91. The Conference recognized the necessarily dynamic nature of a process of adaptation to changing contexts and new demands, and reiterated the expectation that the Independent External Evaluation of FAO and the reform proposals should be mutually supportive.

Preferences on the Budget Level

92. Many Members underlined their support for Real Growth (RG), recalling in particular the needs for assistance in countries for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and the central role of FAO thereof as part of concerted UN System action, and the extensive and varied requirements for capacity building. In this light, they considered the proposed RG at 2.5 percent as a minimum, while some underscored the desirability of RG at a higher percentage.

93. Other Members favoured ZRG, or expressed their readiness for considering some increase in resources for the Organization.

94. While recognizing the key contributions of FAO to the development of regulatory frameworks and to the reduction of hunger and poverty, other Members stated their position for a ZNG budget or below ZNG budget emphasizing the difficulties of a number of Member Nations to make full payment of their Assessed Contributions.

95. Yet other Members reserved their positions on the issue until the vote on the Appropriations Resolution.

Other Comments

96. Some Members stressed the desirability of wider sharing of information and more openness in the governance process, for instance by allowing the presence of Observers at sessions of Programme and Finance Committees.

97. In connection with the extrabudgetary resources entrusted to FAO and their interaction with the Regular Programme, the desirability of adequate policies and fully transparent information was recalled.

98. In view of the wide range of opinions on both issues, a Working Group dealing with the Reform Proposals and a Group of the “Friends of the Chair” dealing with the budget level were established to assist in bridging differences. A majority of the latter Group supported a total net budgetary appropriation of US$ 765,700,000, while two countries in the Group supported a total net budgetary appropriation of US$ 751,900,000.

99. The Conference, underlining the importance of taking into account the expression of priorities of Council and Conference, requested that in adjusting the Programme of Work, the Technical Cooperation Programme be funded at the level of US$ 103,550,000 in the 2006-07 biennium.

100. The Conference adopted the following Resolutions:


RESOLUTION 6/2005

Reforms in the Organization

THE CONFERENCE

Welcoming the initiative of the Director-General to submit to the Conference reform proposals regarding the programmes, structures and ways of work of the Organization,

Noting that the Director-General had emphasized that reforms were necessary and urgent, and that they should be implemented regardless of the budget level, and that he intended to seek extra-budgetary support to meet part of the transition costs,

Sharing the Director-General’s assessment of the need to enhance the Organization’s ability to fulfil its mandate through its normative and operational activities including through concrete contributions to the well-recognized challenges such as assisting Members and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and assisting developing countries’ implementation of international agricultural and food standards,

Recognizing the need to respond to the renewed commitment to rural investment by all interested partners, and ever growing opportunities for harnessing knowledge for agriculture,

Taking into account the ongoing reform across the entire UN System, mindful of the necessarily dynamic nature of a process of adaptation to changing contexts and new demands,

Looking forward to the results of the Independent External Evaluation (IEE) of FAO as a guide to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Organization; and stressing that the IEE and the reform proposals should be mutually supportive. Also looking forward to the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Evaluation of Decentralization and the management response,

  1. Requests the Committee of the Council to make available the findings of the IEE.
  2. Expresses general support for the rationale and guiding principles underlying the Director-General’s reform proposals as a basis for further deliberation and implementation of the reform of the FAO.
  3. Supports streamlining of administrative and financial processes aimed at achieving further efficiency gains and enhanced human resources policy and management; and authorizes the establishment of the Shared Services Centre.
  4. Endorses the new chapter structure as reflected in general terms in document C 2005/3 Supp.1 and its Addendum as a basis for further elaboration of the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) 2006-07 at the programme entity level for consideration by the Programme and Finance Committees in May 2006.
  5. Acknowledges the need for strengthened decentralization of the Organization, and requests that as a first step the Director-General’s proposals be implemented in one Region and one other Subregional office. It mandates the Council to decide on further implementation of the Director-General’s proposals as soon as possible and appropriate.
  6. Authorizes the Director-General to start progressive implementation of his proposals on changes to the organizational structure of Headquarters, without an increase in the number of Departments, by implementing a first stage (see Annex), in addition to those reform proposals that fall under his own authority.
  7. The Director-General will consult with Members and Governing Bodies regarding the possible need for an Extraordinary Session of the Council at the end of June - early July.

ANNEX

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)


RESOLUTION 7/2005

Budgetary Appropriations 2006-07

THE CONFERENCE,

Having considered the Director-General's Programme of Work and Budget in the light of Conference Resolution 6/2005:

  1. Approves a total net Appropriation of US$ 765,700,000 for the financial period 2006-07 and subject to paragraph 2 approves the Programme of Work proposed by the Director-General for 2006-07 as follows:
    1. Appropriations are voted for the following purposes:

  US$  

Chapter 1: Corporate Governance

17,489,000

Chapter 2: Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems

203,926,000

Chapter 3: Knowledge Exchange, Policy and Advocacy

189,929,000

Chapter 4: Decentralization, UN Cooperation and Programme Delivery

213,114,000

Chapter 5: Management and Supervision Services

115,474,000

Chapter 6: Contingencies

600,000

Chapter 8: Capital Expenditure

4,724,000

Chapter 9: Security Expenditure 20,444,000

Total Appropriation (Net)

765,700,000

Chapter 10: Transfer to Tax Equalization Fund 86,043,000

Total Appropriation (Gross)

851,743,000


b. The appropriations (net) voted in paragraph (a) above, plus an amount of US$ 14,100,000 to fund the amortization of After-service Medical Coverage (ASMC), minus estimated Miscellaneous Income in the amount of US$ 6,000,000, shall be financed by assessed contributions from Member Nations of US$ 773,800,000.
c. The contributions shall be established in US dollars and euro and shall consist of US$ 353,062,000 and € 353,561,000. This takes into account a split of 46% US dollars and 54% euro for the appropriations (net) and a split of 40% US dollars and 60% euro for the ASMC. Such contributions due from Member Nations in 2006 and 2007 shall be paid in accordance with the scale of contributions adopted by the Conference at its Thirty-third Session.
d. The foregoing contributions are calculated at the rate of € 1 = US$ 1.19.
e. In establishing the actual amounts of contributions to be paid by individual Member Nations, a further amount shall be charged through the Tax Equalization Fund for any Member Nation that levies taxes on the salaries, emoluments and indemnities received by staff members from FAO and which are reimbursed to the staff members by the Organization. An estimate of US$ 5,900,000 has been foreseen for this purpose.

2. Requests the Director-General to make proposals to adjust the Programme of Work, bearing in mind the expression of priorities by Council and Conference as well as the criteria for priority setting originally established by the Council at its 110th Session and as reviewed by the Programme Committee at its 89th Session, to the next meetings of the Programme and Finance Committees and to their Joint Meeting for their approval, noting that both within Chapter transfers and transfers from one Chapter to another required to implement the proposals will be handled in accordance with Financial Regulation 4.5.

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)


PERFORMANCE OF THE SPLIT ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENT18

101. The Conference reviewed the report prepared at its request by the Secretariat on the performance of the Split Assessment Arrangement during the 2004-05 biennium and, as recommended by the Hundred and Twenty-eighth Session the Council, agreed to the proposal made by the Finance Committee at its Hundred and Tenth Session to exclude charges to the Special Reserve Account due to variances on Headquarters staff costs arising from differences between the budget rate and UN operational rates of exchange, with effect from the 2004-05 biennium.

INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF FAO19

102. The Conference fully endorsed the decisions of the Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session of the Council as contained in its report and in Conference document C 2005/17 on the Independent External Evaluation (IEE) of FAO. As decided by the Council, the IEE should be initiated as soon as possible with an indicative budget of US$ 4.3 million funded entirely from extra-budgetary contributions. It noted that the Inception Report could provide the Council Committee with a road map for the evaluation in light of any further refinements that may be necessary in the range of issues and in the indicative budget. The Conference recognised that the IEE would provide useful evidence for reforms, and thus emphasised that it should be complementary with the Director-General’s reform proposals. The Conference also joined the Council in urging all Members to make the Evaluation a product of the Membership and contribute to the IEE Multilateral Trust Fund.


LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO) AND THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (WIPO)20

103. The Conference noted that the Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session in November 2005, had approved the proposed Agreement. The Conference confirmed the Agreement as set out in Appendix E to this report.

AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTES OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION21

104. The Conference noted that the Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session in November 2005, had endorsed the amendments proposed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Conference approved the amendments to the Statutes of the Codex Alimentarius Commission as set out in Appendix F to this report. The Conference noted that the World Health Assembly would be considering the proposed amendments at its session of Spring 2006.

RESTRICTION OF ATTENDANCE BY THE “GENERAL PUBLIC” TO MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION22

105. In considering this item, the Conference noted that, in line with a long-standing tradition of the United Nations System, meetings of the main Governing Bodies of FAO were held in public, as reflected in a number of provisions of the Basic Texts of the Organization. However, some recent developments called for an approach which would better reconcile the principles of transparency, openness and access by the public to the main bodies of the Organization with the responsibilities of the Director-General, as the official primarily responsible for security in consultation with the authorities of the Host Country, both at Headquarters and in countries where meetings of the Organization may be held. The Conference noted that the proposed amendments were without prejudice to the principle that Plenary Meetings of the Conference and Council would continue to be held in public and that this would continue to be clearly stated in the General Rules of the Organization. In addition, the Conference noted that the regime of access by representatives of the press and other information agencies would remain unchanged.

106. The Conference noted that the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters, at its Seventy-ninth Session (Rome, 11-12 October 2005), had reviewed a draft Conference Resolution and found it to be in order from a legal point of view. The Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session (Rome, 16-18 November 2005, agreed to transmit the draft Conference Resolution to the Conference for approval.

107. The Conference adopted, by a nominal vote, the following resolution:


RESOLUTION 8/2005

Amendment to Rule V, paragraph 3 and Rule XXV, paragraph 9(a)
of the General Rules of the Organization

THE CONFERENCE,

Having taken note of the views of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters, at its Seventy-ninth Session (Rome, 11-12 October 2005) on the proposed amendments to Rule V, paragraph 3 and Rule XXV, paragraph 9(a) of the General Rules of the Organization;

Considering that the Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session (Rome, 16-18 November), agreed to transmit to the Conference, for approval, the proposed amendments to the General Rules of the Organization;

Having noted further that the overarching principle that Plenary Meetings of the Conference and the Council shall continue to be held in public and that the proposed amendments are intended to clarify the extent of the responsibilities of the Director-General on security matters in connection with exceptional situations which might arise;

Noting its deliberations in connection with the establishment of a Security Expenditure Facility and the related amendment to the Financial Regulations.

Noting also that implementation of the revised provisions of Rule V and Rule XXV of the General Rules of the Organization with respect to bodies established under Article VI and Article XIV of the Constitution shall be carried out in a progressive and differentiated manner having regard to all pertinent considerations, including the mandate of the concerned bodies;

Decides:

(a) to amend Rule V, paragraph 3 of the General Rules of the Organization as follows:

“Subject to any decision of the Conference, the Director-General shall, taking into account all relevant security concerns, make appropriate arrangements for the admission of the public to Plenary Meetings of the Conference. Subject to any decision of the Conference, the Director-General shall also make arrangements for the admission of representatives of the press and other information agencies to Plenary Meetings of the Conference.

  1. (b) to amend Rule XXV, paragraph 9(a) as follows:

“Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (b) and (c ) below, meetings of the Council and of such of its Committees as are open to all of its Members shall be public. Rule V, paragraph 3 applies mutatis mutandis to the meetings of the Council and of such of its Committees as are open to all its Members”.

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)


SECURITY EXPENDITURE FACILITY – AMENDMENTS TO THE
FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
23

108. The Conference noted that the Finance Commmitee and the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees, in May 2005, had recognized the need for consolidated and comprehensive coverage for security costs, through a new Chapter of the Programme of Work and Budget, showing all expenditures, both staff and non-staff, directly related to Headquarters and Field security in FAO, which could be supplemented by voluntary contributions. This would also allow for any balance of funds in Chapter 9 of the budget at the end of each financial period to be transferred to the security account for use in a subsequent financial period. The Conference noted further that the Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-eighth Session (Rome, 20-25 June 2005), had endorsed this proposal. Subsequently, the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters, at its Seventy-ninth Session (Rome, 11-12 October 2005), reviewed a proposed draft Conference Resolution providing for an amendment of Financial Regulation VI and found it to be in proper legal form. The Council, at its Hundred and Twenty-ninth Session (Rome, 16-18 October 2005), endorsed the draft Conference Resolution and forwarded it to the Conference for approval.

109. The Conference approved, by a nominal vote Resolution 5/2005 in paragraph 85 of this report.

AUDITED ACCOUNTS 2002-200324

110. The Conference took note of the Audited Accounts 2002-2003 and the Report of the External Auditor, as reviewed by the Finance Committee at its Hundred and Eighth Session and by the Council at its Hundred and Twenty-seventh Session, and adopted the following Resolution:


RESOLUTION 9/2005

FAO Audited Accounts 2002-2003

THE CONFERENCE,

Having considered the Report of the Hundred and Twenty-seventh Session of the Council, and

Having examined the 2002-2003 FAO Audited Accounts and the External Auditor's Report thereon,

Invites the Secretariat to further implement the recommendations of the External Auditors, and

Adopts the Audited Accounts.

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)


SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS 2006-200725

111. The Conference noted that at its Hundred and Twenty-eighth Session the Council had recommended that the FAO proposed Scale of Contributions for 2006-2007 be derived from the UN Scale of Assessments in force during 2005.

112. The Conference then adopted the following Resolution:


RESOLUTION 10/2005

Scale of Contributions 2006-2007

THE CONFERENCE,

Having noted the recommendations of the Hundred and Twenty-eighth Session of the Council;

Confirming that as in the past, FAO should follow the United Nations Scale of Assessments subject to adaptation for the different membership of FAO;

  1. Decides that the FAO Scale of Contributions for 2006-2007 should be derived directly from the United Nations Scale of Assessments in force during 2005,
  2. Adopts for use in 2006 and 2007 the Scale as set out in Appendix G of this report.

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)


Payment by the European Community to cover Administrative and Other Expenses Arising Out of its Membership in the Organization26

113. Article XVIII, paragraph 6 of the Constitution provides that:

“A Member Organization shall not be required to contribute to the budget as specified in paragraph 2 of this Article, but shall pay to the Organization a sum to be determined by the Conference to cover administrative and other expenses arising out of its membership in the Organization (...)”.

114. At its Twenty-sixth Session, in 1991, the Conference fixed the sum to be paid by the European Community for the 1992-93 biennium at US$ 500 000. At its Twenty-seventh Session, in 1993, the Conference again set the amount of the payment due by the European Community for the 1994-95 biennium at US$ 500 000. This sum was arrived at by taking the lump-sum payment set by the Conference in 1991, increasing it in line with the standard cost increase coefficient adopted for the 1994-95 budget and adjusting it in line with the comparative movement of the US and Italian currencies. The Conference further decided that the sums paid by the EC in respect of administrative and other expenses should be paid into a Trust or Special Fund to be established by the Director-General under Regulation 6.7 of the Financial Regulations.

115. At the request of the Conference, the Finance Committee, at its Seventy-eighth Session in April 1994, considered further the methodology for the calculation of the sum to be paid by Member Organizations to cover administrative and other expenses arising out their Membership in the Organization. The Committee:

“(...) recommended that, in future, the Conference should continue to set the payment due for administrative and other expenses arising out of the Membership in the Organization at a lump-sum, calculated on the basis of the lump-sum set for the preceding biennium, adjusted to take into account cost increases in line with the rest of the budget, and the setting of the US Dollar/Italian Lire “budget rate”. This would of course be without prejudice to the reimbursement of expenses incurred in respect of services not normally granted to FAO Members without special payment”.

116. Since then, on the basis of the methodology recommended by the Finance Committee, the various sessions of the Conference had established the level of payment for the respective biennia. The Conference, at its Thirty-second Session in 2003, fixed the sum to be paid for the 2004-05 biennium in Euro (Euros 577 835).

117. At its Hundred-and-eighth Session, in September 2004, and at its Hundred and ninth Session in April 2005, the Finance Committee had examined a proposal to revise the methodology to take due account of the present number of FAO Members and insofar as cost increases were concerned. Under this proposal, the biennial adjustment to the European Community’s contribution would reflect the official cost of living increases in the Euro area or in the Host Country. The Finance Committee was informed that the revised methodology would bring the adjustment formula in line with the system of Split Assessment and would not have a material impact on the biennial adjustment to the contribution of the European Community to the Organization. The Finance Committee agreed with the proposed revision to the methodology, providing that the higher rate of the official cost of living increase in the Euro area or in the Host Country would be used to adjust the European Community’s contribution for any given biennium. The report of the Finance Committee was endorsed by the Council.

118. In view of the above, the lump-sum had been adjusted to take due account of the increase in FAO Members from 160 in 1991, to 187 in 2005, and on the basis of the higher rate of cost of living increases, being 4.6% for the biennium to date in the Host Country using the Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICPs). The lump sum payment due by the EC to cover administrative and other expenses, would therefore be set at €517 145 for the biennium 2006-07.

119. In view of the above, Conference agreed that it should set the lump-sum payment due by the European Community to cover administrative and other expenditures arising out of its Membership in the Organization at €517 145 for the 2006-07 biennium.

120. As for previous biennia, the Conference proposed that the sums paid by the European Community in respect of administrative and other expenses should be paid into a Trust or Special Fund established by the Director-General under Financial Regulation 6.7.

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS27

121. The General Secretary of the Union of General Service Staff (UGSS) spoke on behalf of the three Staff Representative Bodies focusing her intervention on the FAO Reform proposal. She indicated that staff shared the view that it was important to have a more effective, responsive and efficient Organization. She stressed the need for staff participation in the reform process and emphasized that adequate funding would be required to implement any reform in an effective and meaningful manner.


APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION28

122. The Conference had before it an Application for Membership from the following country:

This Application was supplemented by the formal instrument required under Article II of the Constitution, and was thus found to be in order.

123. The Application from the Republic of Belarus had been submitted within the time limit prescribed by Rule XIX GRO. The Conference proceeded to a secret ballot on the Application from the Republic of Belarus at its second Plenary Meeting on Saturday 19 November 2005, in accordance with Article II-2 of the Constitution and Rule XII-9 GRO. The results were as follows:

Admission of Belarus

1. Number of ballots deposited 164
2. Defective ballots 0
3. Abstentions 1
4. Number of votes cast 163
5. Majority required 109
6. Votes for 161
7. Votes against 2

124. The Conference accordingly admitted the afore-mentioned Applicant Country to Membership of the Organization.

125. The Conference decided that, according to established principles and customs, the contribution due for the last quarter of 2005 and the advance to be made to the Working Capital Fund was as follows:


Nation

Contribution
Last Quarter 2005

Working Capital Fund
Advance

EURO

US $

US $

Republic of Belarus

8,325.89

8,084.64

4,772.50



APPOINTMENT OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL29

126. The Conference had before it one nomination for the Office of Director-General. After a secret ballot, the Conference appointed Mr Jacques Diouf (Senegal) to the Office of Director-General for a period of six years, from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2011.

127. Pursuant to Rule XXXVI-1(c) GRO, on the recommendation of the General Committee, the Conference adopted the following Resolution:

RESOLUTION 11/2005

Appointment of the Director-General

THE CONFERENCE,

Acting in accordance with Article VII of the Constitution,

Having proceeded to a secret ballot as laid down in Rule XII of the General Rules of the Organization,

  1. Declares that Jacques Diouf is appointed to the office of Director-General for a period of six years from 1 January 2006, the term of office expiring on 31 December 2011; and

Having considered the recommendations regarding the conditions of appointment of the Director-General submitted by the General Committee in accordance with Rules X-2(j) and XXXVI-1(c) of the General Rules of the Organization,

  2. Resolves that the Director-General shall receive a gross annual salary of US$233 006 corresponding to a net base annual salary of US$154 664 at the dependency rate, or US$137 543 at the single rate and an annual post adjustment corresponding to US$1 547 for each multiplier point at the dependency rate, or US$1 375 at the single rate, payable in accordance with the provisions of the Organization governing the salary to staff members; that he shall receive a representation allowance at the rate of US$50 000 net per annum; that in addition the Organization will directly rent appropriate housing accommodation to be assigned as the official residence of the Director-General and pay related expenses; and that he shall be entitled to all other allowances and benefits accruing to staff members of the Organization in the Professional and Higher Categories; and,
  3. Further resolves that the Director-General shall not be a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and that, in lieu thereof, he shall be entitled to receive, in monthly instalments, the equivalent of the Organization’s contribution to the Fund that would have been payable had he been a participant, as a supplement to his monthly remuneration; and
  4. Further resolves that the terms and conditions of appointment of the Director-General shall be governed by the relevant provisions of the Staff Regulations subject, however, to the provisions of the contract to be signed by the Chairperson of the Conference on behalf of the Organization and by the Director-General elect, in accordance with Rule XXXVI-1(c).

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)


ELECTION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS30

128. The Conference elected Cameroon to the Council seat for the Africa Region for the outstanding period November 2005 to November 2007.

129. The Conference then elected the following Member Nations as Members of the Council:

REGION (SEATS)

MEMBERS

Africa (4)

1.Côte d’Ivoire
2.Madagascar
3.Nigeria
4.Zambia

Asia (3)

1.India
2.Indonesia
3.Pakistan

Europe (4)

1.France
2.Italy
3.Sweden
4.United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean (1)

1.El Salvador

Near East (3)

1.Egypt
2.Lebanon
3.Saudi Arabia

North America (0)

None

South West Pacific (1)

1.Australia



Period 1 January 2007 to November 2009

REGION (SEATS)

MEMBERS

Africa (3)

1.Ethiopia
2.Gabon
3.South Africa

Asia (6)

1.Bangladesh
2.China
3.Japan
4.Malaysia
5.Republic of Korea
6.Thailand

Europe (3)

1.Germany
2.Republic of Moldova
3.Ukraine

Latin America and the Caribbean (3)

1.Chile
2.Panama
3.Uruguay

Near East (1)

1.Iran (Islamic Republic of)

North America (0)

None

Southwest Pacific (0)

None



APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL31

130. The Conference had before it two nominations for the office of Independent Chairperson of the Council.

131. The Conference, after a secret ballot, appointed Mohammad Saeid Noori Naeini (Iran, Islamic Republic of) to the office of Independent Chairperson of the Council and adopted the following Resolution:


RESOLUTION 12/2005

Appointment of the Independent Chairperson of the Council


THE CONFERENCE,

Having proceeded to a secret ballot, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XII of the General Rules of the Organization:

  1. Declares that Mohammad Saeid NOORI NAEINI is appointed Independent Chairperson of the Council for a period of two years, that is, until the end of the regular session of the Conference to be held in 2007;
  2. Decides that the conditions of appointment, including the allowances attached to the office of the Independent Chairperson of the Council, shall be as follows:

(Adopted on 26 November 2005)


APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAO CONFERENCE TO THE STAFF PENSION COMMITTEE32

132. In accordance with Article 6(C) of the Regulations of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the Conference appointed two members and three alternate members to the Staff Pension Committee as follows and for the periods specified below:

For the period 1 January 2006 – 31 December 2008

Member Mr Saulo Ceolin
Alternate Permanent Representative of Brazil to FAO
Alternate Mr Hassane Abi Akar,
Counsellor
Alternate Permanent Representative of Lebanon to FAO

For the period of 1 January 2007 – 31 December 2009

Member Mr Kabelo Gilbert Mafura,
Counsellor
Alternate Permanent Representative of Lesotho to FAO
Alternate Ms Nasrin Akhter,
Counsellor
Alternate Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to FAO

For the period 1 January 2006 – 31 December 2006

Alternate Mr Yasser Abdel Rahman Sorour
Alternate Permanent Representative of Egypt to FAO

 

OTHER MATTERS

DATE AND PLACE OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH CONFERENCE SESSION33

133. The Conference decided that its Thirty-fourth Session should be held in Rome from
17 to 24 November 2007.

ANY OTHER MATTERS34

134. The Conference adopted the following Resolution:

RESOLUTION 13/2005

Implementation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 59/250 on the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System

THE CONFERENCE,

Welcoming the 2005 World Summit Outcome and mindful of the call by Heads of State and Government for improved system-wide coherence made in the outcome document;

Mindful of the crucial importance of the United Nations reform process related, inter alia, to operational activities for development launched by the United Nations Secretary-General and aimed at both ensuring a better coordination of field-level activities and delivering services in a coherent and effective way;

Further recognising the need for better coherence and coordination of the operational activities of the UN System, and in this respect recognising the importance of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework in supporting national development efforts;

Recalling the adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 59/250 on the Triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations System;

Reaffirming its commitment to the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey Consensus and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation;

Reaffirming that each country has primary responsibility for its own development and that the role of national policies and development strategies cannot be overemphasized in the achievement of sustainable development, and recognizing that national efforts should be complemented by supportive global programmes, measures and policies aimed at expanding the development opportunities of developing countries, while taking into account national conditions and ensuring respect for national ownership, strategies and sovereignty.

Welcoming recent efforts and initiatives to enhance the quality of aid and to increase its impact, including the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, and reaffirms its resolve to take concrete, effective and timely action in implementing all agreed commitments on aid effectiveness, with clear monitoring and deadlines, including through further aligning assistance with countries’ strategies, building institutional capacities, reducing transaction costs and eliminating bureaucratic procedures, making progress on untying aid, enhancing the absorptive capacity and financial management of recipient countries and strengthening the focus on development results;

Reaffirming the commitment of FAO Members to support system-wide coherence by implementing current reforms aimed at more effective, efficient, coherent, coordinated and better-performing UN country presence with a strengthened role for the senior resident official, whether special representative, resident coordinator or humanitarian coordinator, including appropriate authority, resources and accountability, and a common management, programming and monitoring framework.

Welcoming FAO’s contribution to the achievement of the MDGs, as presented in paper “FAO and the Challenge of the MDGs: The Road Ahead”;

Recognizing the vital contribution of FAO to the operational activities of the UN System at country level, and acknowledging FAO’s active participation in the work of the United Nations Development Group;

Recognizing the importance of the operational and normative work of FAO and of strengthening the linkages between them (M+5 169):

  1. Reaffirms the commitment of FAO Members to the work of the Organisation, in accordance with and in full compliance with its mandate, as expressed n the Preamble and Article 1 of the FAO Constitution;
  2. Requests the Director General of FAO to take appropriate actions for the full implementation of General Assembly Resolution 59/250 (59/250 is annexed to this Resolution). In particular its chapter II on funding for operational activities for development of the UN System; III on capacitybuilding; IV on transaction costs and efficiency; chapter V on coherence, effectiveness and relevance of operational activities for development; VI on country level capacity of the United Nations System; VII on evaluation of operational activities for development; VIII on regional dimensions; IX on South-South Cooperation and development of national capacities; X on gender; XI on transition from relief to development and XII on follow-up;
  3. Requests FAO Secretariat to submit to the Thirty-fourth Session of the Conference an interim report on the implementation of the present Resolution.

(Adopted on 25 November 2005)


USE OF PORTUGUESE AT THE FAO REGIONAL CONFERENCE
FOR AFRICA
35

135. Having considered the recommendation made by the Twenty-third Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (Johannesburg, South Africa, 1-5 March 2004), as well as the estimated cost related thereto, the Conference approved the provision of simultaneous Portuguese interpretation in future FAO Regional Conferences for Africa.

136. The Conference noted that this would allow Portuguese-speaking countries to be able to participate effectively in Regional Conferences for Africa. The Conference noted further that this would not involve translation of documents, which would continue to be issued in the pertinent languages of the Organization.

THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF
THE UNITED NATIONS
A DECLARATION ON ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY (17 OCTOBER 2005)
36

137. The Conference unanimously adopted a Declaration on its 60th Anniversary “Ensuring Humanity’s Freedom from Hunger”, the text of which is found in Appendix H to this Report.


15 C 2005/8; C 2005/8 Corr.1; C 2005/II/PV/2; C 2005/II/PV/4; C 2005/PV/12.

16 C 2005/4; C 2005/II/PV/2; C 2005/II/PV/4; C 2005/PV/12.

17 C 2005/3; C 2005/3-Corr.1; C 2005/3-Sup.1; C 2005/3-Sup.1-Add.1; C 2005/INF/19; C 2005/II/PV/3;
C 2005/II/PV/5; C 2005/PV/12.

18 C 2005/16; CL 129/4; C 2005/II/PV/2; C 2005/II/PV/4; C 2005/PV/12.

19 C 2005/17; C 2005/II/PV/2; C 2005/II/PV/4; C 2005/PV/12.

20 C 2005/LIM/6, C 2005/PV/8; C 2005/PV/12.

21 C 2005/LIM/16, C 2005/PV/8; C 2005/PV/12.

22 C 2005/LIM/18; C 2005/PV/11; C 2005/PV/12.

23 C 2005/LIM/17; C 2005/PV/11; C 2005/PV/12.

24 CL 127/15; CL 127/PV/6; C 2005/5A; C 2005/5B; C 2005/LIM/3; C 2005/PV/9; C 2005/PV/12.

25 C 2005/INF/12; C 2OO5/LIM/5; C 2005/LIM/5-CORR.1; C 2005/PV/8; C 2005/PV/12.

26 C 2005/LIM/13; C 2005/PV/12.

27 C 2005/PV/10; C 2005/PV/12.

28 C 2005/PV/2; C 2005/PV/12.

29 C 2005/18; C 2005/PV/2; C 2005/PV/2.

30 C 2005/11; C 2005/PV/7; C 2005/PV/12.

31 C 2005/9; C 2005/LIM/14; C 2005/PV/12; C 2005/PV/12.

32 C 2005/14; C 2005/PV/9; C 2005/PV/12.

33 C 2005/1; C 2005/PV/9; C 2005/PV/12.

34 C 2005/LIM/22; C 2005/PV/12.

35 C 2005/LIM/10; C 2005/PV/9; C 2005/PV/12.

36 C 2005/LIM/20; C 2005/PV/2; C 2005/PV/12.


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