SECRETARY-GENERAL: The General Committee examined the Provisional Conference Agenda set forth in document C 95/1.
The Committee was informed that the Government of Algeria had requested in the name of the Maghreb countries and Chad, in accordance with Rule II-5 of the General Rules of the Organization, that an additional item entitled "Desert Locust Situation and Actions Required" be added to the Provisional Agenda, and that this request had been circulated to all Members of the Organization on 25 September 1995.
The Committee was also informed that the Director-General had submitted document C 95/24 "Draft Revised Agreement between OAU and FAO" including a Draft Resolution for discussion under item 18 "Other Constitutional and Legal Matters".
The Committee recommends that the Conference adopt the Provisional Agenda with the additional item "Desert Locust Situation and Actions Required" inserted in Part I as a new item after item 13, and that document C 95/24 be examined under item 18 "Other Constitutional and Legal Matters".
Having noted that at the request of the Hundred and Eighth Council Session, the Provisional Agenda printed in document C 95/1 was followed by a list on which information documents were tabled, the Committee also recommends that delegates wishing to comment on these documents be given an opportunity to do so under item 27: Any Other Matters, and that in the light of the new working methods of the Conference consideration be also given to deciding on the need for continuing to have progress and other reports tabled at future Conference sessions.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted. We proceed to the second section.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Establishment of Commissions and Tentative Timetable of the Session
At its Hundred and Eighth Session the Council formulated proposals concerning the organization and timetable for the Twenty-eighth Session of the Conference - proposals which were communicated to all Member Nations in document C 95/12. The Committee recommends that the Conference establish three commissions to consider and report on Paras I, II and III of the Agenda.
The attention of the Conference is called to the fact that, in order to accommodate requests for speaking time by Ministers who will be in Rome only during the first days of the Conference, it may be necessary to prolong the General Discussion during those dates to 13:00 hours in the morning and 18:30 hours in the afternoon. However, the morning and the afternoon meetings must start on time to obtain any benefit from prolonging the meetings. It is hoped that in this way all the speakers wishing to speak on Saturday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 October will be able to do so. Should this prove impossible, an additional meeting could be planned for one evening. The duration of each intervention should not exceed ten minutes.
With respect to the timetable, the Committee was informed that the additional item on the desert locust situation might be added to the timetable of Commission I at its 8th meeting on the afternoon of Thursday 26 October and that the sub-item "Draft Revised Agreement between OAU and FAO" be considered by Commission III on Friday 27 October. The Committee also noted that since His Holiness Pope John Paul II had graciously offered to grant a Papal Audience on Monday 23 October to all delegates and observers attending the Conference Session to mark the 50th Anniversary of FAO, the meetings timetabled for the morning of 23 October would have to end earlier to facilitate those delegation members going to the Vatican City.
The Committee recommends that the Conference approve the tentative timetable proposed by the Council with the variations indicated in paras 7 and 8 above. It is also understood that this timetable may be subject to modifications in the light of progress made in the Plenary and in the commissions.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare this section which has just been read adopted. We proceed to the next section.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Appointment of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Three Commissions
In accordance with Rules VII-I and XXIV-5(b) of the General Rules of the Organization (GRO) and as indicated in document C 95/LIM/l, the Council at its Hundred and Ninth Session proposed the following candidates for chairmanship of the Commissions:
| - | Commission I: Thomas YANGA (Cameroon) | |
| - | Commission II: Jacques LAUREAU (France) | |
| - | Commission III: Thomas FORBORD (USA) |
The Committee recommends that the Conference adopt the Council's proposal.
In accordance with Rule X-2(c) GRO the Committee recommends that the Vice-Chairmanship of the Commissions be distributed as follows:
| - | Commission I: Mohamed HARBY (Sudan) Jan BIELAWSKI (Poland) | |
| - | Commission II: Shahid RASHID (Pakistan) Kenji SHIMIZU (Japan) | |
| - | Commission III: Carlos DI MOTTOLA (Costa Rica) Ernst ZIMMERL (Austria) |
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? Since there are none, I declare this section adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Resolutions Committee
The Council at its Hundred and Eighth Session recommended the establishment of a Resolution Committee of the Conference consisting of seven members, one from each FAO region. Its terms of reference are described in document C 95/12, Appendix D, as are the criteria which should govern the formulation of resolutions.
The Committee recommends that the Conference adopt the Council's proposal, and that the following Member Nations, identified by the region to which they belong, sit on the Resolutions Committee.
| - | Africa | MOROCCO | |
| - | Asia | MALAYSIA | |
| - | Europe | MALTA | |
| - | Latin America and the Caribbean | CHILE | |
| - | Near East | KUWAIT | |
| - | North America | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | |
| - | Southwest Pacific | NEW ZEALAND |
Delegations of the countries concerned are requested to communicate to the Chairman of the Conference, as early as possible, the name of their representatives on the Resolutions Committee.
The Committee also recommends that the Resolutions Committee be chaired by Francis Mifsud (Malta) the Representative of the Europe Region.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? Since there are none, I declare this section adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Admission of Observers from Applicants for Membership
As is customary, the Director-General has provisionally invited the applicants for membership to be represented by observers until a decision has been taken on their application. The Conference will no doubt wish to confirm the invitations in respect of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
CHAIRMAN: Are there comments on this section? If there are none, I declare this section which has just been read adopted and we can proceed to the next section.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Admission of Observers from Belarus. Russian Federation and Ukraine
The Director-General has received from Belarus, Russian Federation and Ukraine letters expressing the interest of the Government in attending the Twenty-eighth Session of the FAO Conference. Invitations to attend the Conference as observers were sent to the Government concerned, pointing out, however, that they were subject to confirmation by the Conference, in accordance with the Principles relating to the granting of Observer Status to Nations (Basic Texts, Section L, para. B-l) which specify that Non-Member States of FAO may on request be invited "by the Conference ... to be represented by an observer at a session of the Conference". The Committee recommends that the Conference confirm the invitations.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare this section which has just been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS
NOMINATIONS ET ELECTIONS
NOMBRAMIENTOS Y ELECCIONES
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Admission of new Member Nations
In conformity with the provisions of Rule XIX of the General Rules of the Organization, the following applications for membership had been received by the deadline of 20 September 1995:
- Azerbaijan
- Georgia
- Moldova
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
Under Article II-2 of the Constitution, the Conference decides on the admission of additional Member Nations by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast provided that a majority of the Member Nations of the Organization is present. "Votes cast" means votes for and against, and does not include abstentions or defective ballots (Rule XII-4(a) GRO). Membership becomes effective on the date upon which the Conference approves the application.
The Committee recommends that the Conference hold the vote for the admission of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan at the plenary meeting on the afternoon of Friday 20 October. The result of the vote will be announced later in the same meeting, followed by the ceremony for installing the new Members. As is customary, the Chairman will welcome the new Members and each of them may make a brief statement.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? Since there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Contributions of New Member Nations
In accordance with Regulation 5.8 of the Financial Regulations, the Conference determines the amount of the contribution to be paid by newly admitted Member Nations, beginning with the quarter in which the application is approved.
According to the established principles and customs, the minimum contribution due from these new members for the last quarter of 1995 and the advance to be made to the Working Capital Fund are provisionally: Azerbaijan, contribution for the last quarter, US$100 880, working capital fund advance US$32 500; Georgia, contribution for the last quarter, US$100 880, working capital fund advance US$32 500; Moldova, contribution for last quarter US$69 840, working capital fund advance US$22 500; Tajikistan, contribution for last quarter US$15 520, working capital fund advance US$5 000; Turkmenistan contribution for the last quarter, US$23 280, working capital fund advance US$7 500.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none I declare this section which has been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
OTHER MATTERS
AUTRES QUESTIONS
OTROS ASUNTOS
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Appointment of the Independent Chairman of the Council
By the date determined by the Council, i.e. 18 August 1995, one nomination had been received for the office of Independent Chairman of the Council, that of Jose Ramon Lopez Portillo (Mexico). This nomination was notified to all Member Nations by Circular Letter GCF-4/3 of 25 August 1995.
Under the terms of Rule XXIII-1(b) General Rules of the Organization, the General Committee determines and announces the date of the election. The Committee recommends that a secret ballot for this appointment take place in the afternoon of Friday 27 October 1995.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? Since there are none I declare this section which has just been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY GENERAL: Election of Members of the Council
Rule XXII-10(a) GRO provides that the Conference, on the recommendation of the General Committee, shall, not later than the end of the third day of the Conference Session, decide the date of election of members of the Council and the date by which nominations must be submitted.
The Committee accordingly recommends:
(a) that the election begin on the morning of Friday 27 October; and
(b) that nominations for the Council seats to be filled at the present session be communicated to the Secretary-General at the Conference (B-202) by 12.00 hours on Saturday 21 October at the latest, to permit the General Committee to communicate to the Conference the valid nominations received at least three working days before the date selected for the election in accordance with Rule XXII-l0(d) GRO.
In this connection, the Conference will note in particular the following provisions of paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Rule XXII of the General Rules of the Organization:
"3. In selecting Members of the Council, the Conference shall give due consideration to the desirability of:
(a) including in its membership a balanced geographical representation of nations interested in the production, distribution and consumption of food and agricultural products;
(b) ensuring the participation in the work of the Council of such Member nations as contribute in a large measure toward the success of the Organization;
(c) giving to the greatest possible number of Member Nations an opportunity, by rotation of membership, to serve on the Council."
"4. Member Nations shall be eligible for re-election."
"5. No Member Nation shall be eligible for election to the Council if it is in arrears in payment of its financial contributions to the Organization in an amount equal to or exceeding the contributions due from it for the two preceding calendar years."
"7. A Member of the Council shall be considered to have resigned if it is in arrears in payment of its financial contributions to the Organization in an amount equal to or exceeding the contributions due from it for the two preceding calendar years, or if it has not been represented at two consecutive sessions of the Council."
All relevant information concerning the seats for which nominations must be submitted, and forms for submitting nominations, will be found in document C 95/11.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare this section which has just been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL:
Right to Vote
The General Committee notes that the following Member Nations have not paid sufficient amounts of their assessed contributions to retain their vote in the Conference. Mr Chairman, the countries in question are as follows with the amount in arrears in US$:
| Afghanistan | 94 396.00 |
| Bolivia | 123 078.29 |
| Burundi | 117 287.63 |
| Cambodia | 308 960.00 |
Chad 196 938.44
Comoros 145 314.50
Cook Islands 62 718.00
Djibouti 102 607.00
Dominican Republic 730 480.00
Gabon 491 695.91
Gambia 121 845.22
Grenada 122 235.00
Guatemala 244 460.55
Guinea 62 718.00
Guinea-Bissau 94 396.00
Iraq 2 132 104.00
Jamaica 99 435.00
Liberia 185 653.60
Mali 70 599.97Niger 150 076.00
Peru 560 565.00
Qatar 376 308.00
Rwanda 88 695.51
Sao Tome and Principe 122 236.00
Seychelles 124 804.54
Sierra Leone 174 050.14
Solomon Islands 94 396.00
Somalia 198 140.00
Suriname 178 734.00
Togo 98 618.01Yemen 108 330.03
Yugoslavia 6 811 144.00
Member Nations with Conference Authorized Instalment Plans
Antigua and Barbuda 231 194.90
Equatorial Guinea 147 662.60
Article III.4 of the Constitution states: "A Member Nation which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contribution to the Organization shall have no vote in the Conference if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the two preceding calendar years. The Conference may, nevertheless, permit such a Member Nation to vote if it is satisfied that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the Member Nation."
The Committee noted the recommendations of the Council at its Hundred and Seventh Session that the approach to the restoration of voting rights for Members in arrears envisaged in Article III.4 of the Constitution, should be more restrictive than that taken in previous sessions of the Conference. The Committee will take up this matter at a subsequent meeting of the General Committee, in connection with its consideration of application for the restoration of voting rights.
In the meantime, however, the Committee recommends to the Conference, in accordance with the past practice, that all Member Nations in attendance be authorized to vote on Friday 20 October on Item 23 of the Agenda (Applications for Membership in the Organization) on the understanding that contacts with them shall be continued with a view to regularizing their arrears situation.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY GENERAL: Right of Reply
At its fourteen previous sessions, the Conference had decided that, if a delegate wished to reply to criticisms of his Governments' policy, he should preferably do so on the day on which such criticisms had been voiced after all those wishing to participate in the discussion had had an opportunity to speak. The Committee recommends that these same arrangements be followed at the present session.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY GENERAL: Verbatim Records
Rule XVIII-1 GRO lays down that verbatim records shall be kept for all Conference plenary and commission meetings. The right of delegates to check the accuracy of the record of their interventions is expressly recognised in Rule XVIII-2 GRO.
The accuracy of the records may be maintained by either correcting typing and other errors, or by amending a word or phrase actually used. In practice such corrections or amendments to statements are accepted only from the delegation which made the statement, and should be submitted within 48 hours of circulation of the draft verbatim record concerned.
In 1961 a procedure was formally adopted by the Conference whereby speakers who so desire may have their statements inserted in the record without delivering them in Plenary. This procedure is still followed and is recommended in the interests of saving time.
While the Committee sees no objection in principle to the insertion of statements in the records when time does not permit them to be delivered, it recognizes the difficulties which might arise if no occasion is given to delegates to exercise the "right of reply" to any criticism of their government's policy made in the inserted statement.
The Committee therefore recommends that the Conference continue to permit the insertion of such statements on condition that:
(a) the Plenary, or the Commission concerned, is informed by its Chairman that a statement not actually delivered, or a substantive addition to a statement that has been delivered, is being inserted in the record;
(b) the text handed over to the Chairman for insertion is in English, French or Spanish, the languages used in the verbatim records;
(c) the provisional verbatim record containing the additional statement is circulated at least three days before the close of the Session; and
(d) delegations attending the Session are able to avail themselves of the right of reply by having an opportunity to make, prior to the close of the Session, a written statement relating to the additional statement.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted now.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Statements by Heads of Delegations. Paragraph 38. The Committee recommends that a list of speakers be published daily in the journal of the Conference, in the order in which they will be called upon by the Chairman, and further recommends that statements be limited to a maximum of 10 minutes.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted now.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Admission of Observers from Intergovernmental and International Non-Governmental Organizations. Paragraph 39. The list of Intergovernmental and International Non-Governmental Organizations which have been invited by the Director-General to be represented in an observer capacity at this session of the Conference is given in document C 95/13. The invitations sent to Intergovernmental Organizations with which FAO does not have a formal agreement and to International Non-Governmental Organizations which do not have consultative status with FAO are extended on a provisional basis and are subject to approval by the Conference.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted now.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Paragraph 40. After having reviewed this list, the Committee recommends that the Conference confirm the said provisional invitations.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted now.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Statements in Plenary Meetings of the Conference by International Non-Governmental Organizations having consultative status. Paragraph 41. The General Committee was apprised of requests from the following International Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative status with FAO, to address the Plenary of the Conference:
- International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
- International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP)
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted now.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Paragraph 42. Having examined this request, the Committee, in accordance with Rule X-2(g) of the General Rules of the Organization, is now reporting to the Conference, and recommends that the Conference grant speaking time to the above mentioned organizations on the understanding that a maximum time limit of five minutes will be observed and that in no case will such organizations be given priority in speaking over representatives of Member Nations.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted now.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Informal Meeting of Observers from Non-Governmental Organizations. Paragraph 43. The Council recommended that, as at previous sessions of the Conference, observers from Non-Governmental Organizations be invited to attend an informal meeting, so that their advice and suggestions on the Organization's activities and programmes may be communicated to the Conference. It is suggested that this meeting take place on the morning and afternoon of Saturday, 21 October. The Committee recommends that the Conference accept this proposal.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted now.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Attendance by liberation movements. Paragraph 44. In conformity with the suggestion made by the Council at its Hundred and Eighth Session, the Palestine Liberation Organization has been invited to attend the Conference in an observer capacity. The Committee recommends that the Conference confirm this invitation.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? Since there are none, I declare this section which has just been read adopted now and we proceed to the conclusion.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Conclusion. Paragraph 45. Lastly, the Committee recommends that the Conference conform all the detailed arrangements for the session and that, except for the cases mentioned in 7 above, the normal working hours for both Plenary and Commissions be 09.30 to 12.30 hours, and 14.30 to 17.30 hours. Night meetings may also be convened from immediately after the Plenary, that is, 18.00 hours to 21.00 hours if required. The Committee also invites all delegations to observe all working hours with maximum punctuality.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any comments on this section? If there are none, I declare the section which has just been read adopted.
Adopted
Adopté
Adoptado
APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS (continued)
NOMINATIONS ET ELECTIONS (suite)
NOMBRAMIENTOS Y ELECCIONES (continuación)
Ladies and gentlemen, the Conference will now vote on the admission as Members of the Organization of the following five countries: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This vote is governed by Article II.2 of the FAO Constitution, which reads: "The Conference may by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided that a majority of the Member Nations of the Organization is present, decide to admit as an additional Member of the Organization any nation which has submitted an application for membership and a declaration made in a formal instrument that it will accept the obligations of the Constitution as in force at the time of admission." The documents giving details of these applications are C 95/10 and C 95/10-Sup.l. I shall now call on the Secretary-General to give details of the voting procedures.
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Delegates will receive five ballot papers, one for each of the countries applying for membership in the Organization. Each ballot paper has boxes with "yes", "no", and "abstention" written on them. The delegate will vote by marking one of those three choices with an X. Please note that, in accordance with Rule XII.4(c) of the General Rules of the Organization, blank ballot papers will be treated as abstentions. Please also note that, according to paragraph 4(d) of the same rule, ballot papers must carry no other notation or mark than those required for the purpose in indicating the vote.
CHAIRMAN: In accordance with Article II.2 of the FAO Constitution, and indeed, the provisions of Rule XII of the General Rules of the Organization, the quorum required for this election is a majority of the Member Nations of the Organization. This means that at least 85 Member Nations must be represented as present in the hall at this time. I have requested the offices in charge of the election to carry out a count and I am told that at this moment there are over 123 delegations of Member Nations present in the hall. We may therefore proceed with the vote.
May I remind you that, in accordance with paragraph 14 of Rule XII of the General Rules of the Organization, once voting has commenced, no delegate or representative may interrupt the voting except to raise a point of order in connection with that vote. In accordance with paragraph 9(c) of Rule XII of the General Rules of the Organization, the Chairman of the Conference appoints two tellers from among the delegates or representatives or their alternates. In order to speed up the counting process, I should like to suggest that we appoint four tellers, as has been done on past occasion. If there is no objection, I will request the delegates of Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago to serve as tellers for this election. Will these four delegates please proceed to the voting area. I now call the Assistant Secretary-General to proceed to the voting area.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL: (Vote). Voting continuing.
CHAIRMAN: The voting has now been completed. The tellers will leave the room and, with the assistance of the officers in charge of the election, will count the votes.
While counting is taking place, we will proceed with the presentation of the B.R. Sen Awards, the A.H. Boerma Award and the Edouard Saouma Award for 1994 and 1995.
27.3 Presentation of B.R. Sen Awards
27.3 Remise des Prix B.R. Sen
27.3 Entrega de los premios B.R. Sen
It is time to present the B.R. Sen Awards for 1994 and 1995. This Award was established by the Conference in honour of Mr B.R. Sen, who was Director-General of FAO from 1956 to 1967. Annually the Award is made to a field officer who has made a special contribution to the country or countries to which he or she was assigned. The prize consists of a medal, a scroll, a cash prize of US$5 000 and a round trip for the winner and the spouse to the Conference Session in Rome when the Awards are distributed.
I will now ask the Director-General to introduce the winners and to present the B.R. Sen Awards.
EL DIRECTOR GENERAL: Este prestigioso premio se estableció en honor del difunto señor B.R. Sen, que fue Director General de la FAO de 1956 a 1967. El premio se concede cada año al oficial de campo que haya hecho la contribución más importante al desarrollo del país o de los países en que haya estado destinado. Vamos ahora a proceder a la entrega de los premios correspondientes a 1994 y 1995. El premio correspondiente a 1994 se ha concedido al señor Seiichi Etoh, de nacionalidad japonesa, como reconocimiento a su importante contribución al desarrollo de la pesca en Eritrea. Gracias a su esfuerzo personal, a su profesionalidad y sus dotes directivas, el señor Etoh ha desarrollado la capacidad institucional y técnica del Gobierno para llevar a cabo su programa general destinado a la rehabilitación sostenible del sector pesquero, introduciendo también innovaciones técnicas en la mayoría de los aspectos relativos al desarrollo pesquero.
El Gobierno de Eritrea, al aprobar la selección del señor Etoh, ha reconocido su diligencia, su ejemplar sentido de responsabilidad y su enorme eficacia en un período difícil de la historia del país dedicado a la ardua tarea de reactivar su economía.
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
CHAIRMAN: I now invite Mr Seiichi Etoh to take the floor.
Seiichi ETOH (Japan): Mr Director-General, honourable representatives, distinguished guests, colleagues and ladies and gentlemen: it is clearly my highest honour to receive the B.R. Sen Award. I was so surprised to hear the news that I was nominated. At that time I was in Japan on home leave.
I have been working for FAO for the last 23 years and, of course, I have been well aware of the existence of this special award but I thought it would be beyond my dreams - just like twinkling stars in the sky. I also know one of the previous winners who had achieved many outstanding tasks which are too high for me to reach. Therefore I thought it would belong to a world where I could not go.
I started working with Technical Assistance in developing countries in 1966 and since then I have been helping continuously in various countries in Africa and Asia. Throughout twenty-eight years of service I have tried to maintain the principle as much as possible that a technical expert should work in one developing country at least for five years in order to produce a tangible output. The first year of assignment involves simply a familiarization of the situation of the country, including learning local languages. I believe this is essential not only as a means of communication but also as a matter of courtesy and creating personal contact networks. In the following couple of years one is able to focus on preparation for the next stage, which includes construction of necessary infrastructure and facilities and training national counterparts. The subsequent years represent the implementation stage, where the real substantial activities can be deployed and realized. As such, the development process needs a tenacious approach and I believe that little significant impact can be expected from the approach which means that technical experts move from one country to another on short-term assignments.
Mr Director-General, this award is very honourable for me and acknowledges my effort towards an achievement of the current project on which I have been assigned. Given this situation, I would have requested that it be awarded not to me alone but to be shared with all the project staff in the field. We are equally dedicated towards the same goals as an integrated team. I used to talk to my colleague on the project saying that although we are not regarded as volunteers, we should not forget the volunteer spirit when carrying out our duties in the field, which means that experts are expected to sacrifice and give up something of their own normal lives to some extent. Bearing in mind this motto, each staff member on the project has been dedicating himself to the assigned work, and I believe it is this which has resulted in this outstanding achievement.
The country where I am now working is newly-developed Eritrea. Just after independence, the project started from scratch and has been undertaking many activities towards the goals with full leadership of the Government and support from several donors such as UNDP and UNCDF, which I highly appreciate.
Furthermore, more credit for these achievements should be given to the national staff involved in the project activities. Most of them have been undertaking their duties in an industrious manner with minimal salaries. You may be surprised to hear that until April of this year most of the project staff were working without any salary. We just provided some provisions and accommodation, which is beyond my comprehension but it is a fact. In addition, they are willing to work even weekends and overtime without any remuneration. Their dedication to rebuilding the country in such a manner is highly commendable and respectable. I would say that I am happy to have been given a chance in such a country and with such staff. All the honour given by this award therefore reflects also on all the staff of the project.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those outside Eritrea who have supported and assisted me as well as the project, and would ask for this favour to continue in the same way in the future.
Also, let me take this opportunity to express particular appreciation to my wife and sons who have accepted the obligation to live apart from me for the last eight years because of the constraints prohibiting us from living together at my duty stations. They have, in a sense, also volunteered and sacrificed their normal lives to assist developing countries.
Thank you very much again. This is an inspiration and encouragement to me.
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
EL DIRECTOR GENERAL: El premio correspondiente a 1995 ha sido concedido al señor Roberto Samanez-Mercado, de nacionalidad brasileña, por su extraordinaria contribución a los trabajos de la Secretaría Pro Tempore del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica en Colombia, Ecuador y Perú.
Bajo su supervisión se ha proporcionado apoyo técnico a la Secretaría en materia de conservación, utilización racional y desarrollo sostenible de los recursos naturales renovables y protección del medio ambiente de la Amazonia.
La selección del señor Samanez-Mercado para la concesión del premio B.R. Sen ha sido apoyada por los Gobiernos de Colombia, Ecuador y Perú, que han reconocido así su extraordinaria labor, dedicación y compromiso con la tarea de los países del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica en el desarrollo de la región del Amazonas, una de las más importantes del mundo como fuente de nuevos alimentos y oportunidades tanto para los países de la Región como para todo el género humano.
DIRECTOR-GENERAL: I will now present the award to Dr Roberto Samanez-Mercado.
Applause
Applaudissements
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I now call on Dr Roberto Samanez-Mercado to take the floor.
Roberto SAMANEZ-MERCADO (Brasil): Excelentísimo señor Director General, señores delegados, colegas de la FAO, señoras y señores. En estos días tan especiales para la Organización y en un momento que es, sin duda, el más importante y emotivo de mi vida profesional, no puedo sino evocar a los hombres y mujeres que a lo largo y ancho del planeta, desde el nacimiento de la FAO hasta hoy, han dado y dan todo de sí, incluyendo en algunos casos sus vidas, por hacer del nuestro un mundo mejor.
Cincuenta años de los que debemos estar orgullosos como expertos de la FAO, por todo lo que se ha realizado. En cada una de sus áreas de acción nuestra Organización ha logrado niveles de excelencia. Y eso se ha debido a la dedicación, el esfuerzo, la mística permanentes, puestos de manifiesto por los expertos de la FAO en todas las latitudes, incluyendo por cierto a los funcionarios de la Sede, de las Oficinas Regionales y de las Representaciones en los países, que son la base firme, garantía del conocimiento y la continuidad, sin los cuales no podríamos actuar en el campo con esos niveles de excelencia.
Respondiendo a su convocatoria, señor Director General, he cruzado el Atlántico proveniente de la Amazonia, una región sinónimo de ríos, selvas, de una naturaleza exuberante, sin igual en la Tierra. Una región de la que, sin embargo, hay quienes olvidan que es también, y antes que nada, una región de hombres y mujeres viviendo en una pobreza tan grande como lo es de sorprendente la inmensidad y el potencial de su territorio.
Luchando por un futuro mejor para esos habitantes, y con ellos para promover el desarrollo armónico con respecto al medio ambiente, están los firmantes del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica: Bolivia, Brasil,
Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Perú, Suriname y Venezuela, los ocho países en los que se extiende la Amazonia.
La FAO está cooperando con la Secretaría Pro Tempore de ese Tratado, en sus esfuerzos en pro del desarrollo sostenible de la Región. Para quien les habla ha sido un grande y noble desafío el estar participando como uno de los actores en ese esfuerzo.
Tenga la seguridad, señor Director General, de que habremos de seguir dando todo de nuestra parte por cumplir con el sagrado compromiso que significa el ser funcionario de la FAO.
Tengo el deber de agradecer a mis compañeros en todos los países amazónicos por el esfuerzo en hacer realidad el objetivo del Tratado, cual es el promover el desarrollo en la Amazonia con respeto al medio ambiente.
Muchas gracias por este premio que, reitero, acepto como un homenaje a todos los hombres y mujeres de nuestra Organización que durante medio siglo y en estos mismos instantes, están ofreciendo lo más precioso de sus vidas por una existencia más justa para sus semejantes.
Finalmente tengo que reconocer la dedicación de tres hombres, los Secretarios Pro Tempore del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica con los cuales tuve el honor de trabajar en Colombia, Ecuador y Perú. Sus esfuerzos, dedicación, profesionalismo y amistad han sido inigualables.
A mi familia, Marisa, Gabriela y Patricia por su amor y apoyo durante todos estos años tan estimulantes como recompensadores.
De nuevo, gracias.
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CHAIRMAN: Now we proceed to the A.H. Boerma Award, which is a biannual award given to a writer or journalist whose writing or production on radio or television is likely to have increased international awareness of the world food problem and measures leading to its solution. It consists of a scroll, a cash prize of US$10 000 and a round trip to Rome for the winner and the spouse. I invite the Director-General to introduce the winner and to present the A.H. Boerma Award.
27.4 Presentation of A.H. Boerma Award
27.4 Remise du Prix A.H. Boerma
27.4 Entrega del premio A.H. Boerma
LE DIRECTEUR GENERAL: Il y a 20 ans, à sa dix-huitième session, la Conférence a intitulé le prix A.H. Boerma pour rendre hommage à M. Boerma et à son action en tant que Directeur général de la FAO. Le prix est décerné tous les deux ans à un ou plusieurs journalistes dont les travaux sur le développement ont amené le public à prendre conscience d'aspects importants des problèmes alimentaires mondiaux, contribuant ainsi à mobiliser l'opinion en faveur des mesures prises pour les résoudre.
Pour cette neuvième cérémonie, le prix est décerné à deux éminents journalistes: Mme Fawzia El-Moualled, célèbre journaliste de la radio égyptienne, et M. Michael Pickstock, homme de radio et écrivain anglais bien connu, ancien réalisateur de l'émission de la BBC "The Farming World" et fondateur de la "World Radio for Environment and Natural Resources "WREN"".
Le prix a été décerné à Mme Fawzia El-Moualled pour son engagement et la remarquable contribution qu'elle apporte depuis 40 ans, que ce soit à la radio ou dans ses oeuvres écrites, aux questions de développement, en particulier en ce qui concerne les populations rurales. Pendant sa longue carrière à la radiodiffusion égyptienne, elle a présenté quelque 34 000 émissions, entretiens, interviews et reportages radiophoniques consacrés au développement agricole. Elle a publié 15 ouvrages et 70 études sur le rôle des médias dans la promotion de la production agricole et vivrière, la planification familiale, la lutte contre la sécheresse, l'alphabétisation et le développement au niveau des communautés villageoises etc.
Les présidents El Saddat et Mubarak lui ont rendu hommage pour l'excellence de ses travaux. Il me plaît donc de remettre le prix A.H. Boerma à Mme Fawzia El-Moualled.
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CHAIRMAN: I now call upon Ms Fawzia El-Moualled to take the floor.
Ms Fawzia EL-MOUALLED (Original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, Director-General of FAO, Excellencies, Ministers, Heads of Delegations, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a great honour for me to be here at this very pleasant meeting and to receive the Boerma Award, especially as I believe I am the first Arab journalist to receive this honour, which honours my own country which educated me and enabled me to shoulder important responsibilities in information over the last half century. This great honour extends to my country and to all who are working in the mass media. I have been a broadcaster, but before that I received a Diploma from the Faculty of Agriculture in 1950 before joining the Egyptian Radio network. I come from a family with links in agriculture. I concentrated my work on agriculture and development and the services to be rendered to village peoples. I launched a number of information activities which were crowned with success.
By good fortune the beginning of my career coincided with the youth of your organization. They ran parallel. From the very outset I have followed the developments of the organization and I realised the importance of its tasks: everything concerning agriculture: increased production, making food security available to the people, improving agricultural productivity and living conditions. I was therefore convinced that agriculture was the keystone to development. I was also convinced that knowledge was vital for development, so I did my best in my work with the Egyptian Broadcasting Service to increase the awareness of the public and their interest in development issues. I was not just in contact with the Arab world. I was in contact with other African countries, and I can assure you I am extemely grateful to all who have encouraged me throughout my professional career, beginning with my own country, Egypt, which has enabled me to work in this area and devote myself to development. I am grateful to the Ministry of Information of Egypt and I should not forget my own family which has always provided the necessary moral support I needed, especially in view of the difficulties I had to face.
I am also particularly grateful to my colleagues in the Egyptian Radio and Television Networks who have contributed to arousing public opinion and making the public in Arab countries aware of the questions of development.
I am also grateful to FAO and the Director-General Mr Jacques Diouf for having instituted this international award. I am very grateful to the Information Department officers who have always done their best to provide the information I needed and in this way have considerably facilitated my task.
I would also like to express special thanks to all who are working in the Near East office. I have collaborated with them for more than 20 years now. They have always done their best to enhance the lofty image of FAO in our area. At the time of its 50th Anniversary I wish FAO every success and I also wish Dr Jacques Diouf and his staff all the best on this great occasion. Thank you.
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LE DIRECTEUR GENERAL: Ce prix est décerné à M. Michael Pickstock pour avoir consacré toute sa carrière aux problèmes de l'agriculture dans les pays en développement, tant dans ses émissions que dans ses articles, et pour avoir contribué de manière remarquable à sensibiliser et à informer le public.
Pendant plus de 30 ans il a été successivement producteur, rédacteur et collaborateur habituel de l'émission de la BBC "The Farming World", donnant régulièrement des nouvelles de première ligne sur la bataille menée pour accroître la production vivrière grâce à un développement agricole durable. Depuis la fondation de la "World Radio for Environment and Natural Resources (WREN)" en 1986, il a produit du matériel radiophonique pour de nombreuses organisations internationales et non gouvernementales s'occupant d'agriculture et de développement rural. M. Pickstock prépare également un bulletin bimensuel d'informations techniques et scientifiques sur le développement rural et agricole, le bulletin SPORE du Centre technique de coopération agricole et rurale - CTA.
Je voudrais maintenant présenter à M. Pickstock le prix Boerma.
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Michael PICKSTOCK: Mr Director-General, Mr Chairman, honourable delegates, ladies and gentlemen, you would expect me to say it is a great honour to receive the Boerma Award from FAO and so it is. But you do not realize I think just how significant this occasion is to me and there is no reason why you should because while this is the 50th Anniversary of FAO, this happens also to be almost to the day the 30th Anniversary of the first occasion when I entered this Plenary Hall to report for the BBC World Service on my first FAO Conference.
During these 30 years I have had the honour to report on and report for FAO during the terms of four of its Directors-General including Dr Boerma, of course, and it was Dr Boerma whose personal interest in and commitment to communication with the public is demonstrated by FAO setting up this particular award to honour a journalist or journalists working in this field.
If I may, Dr Diouf, I would like to share a memory I have of Dr Boerma with you all. They say we are all immortal while we are remembered. It was during a biennial conference such as this that I phoned Dr Boerma's office to request an interview for the BBC World Service. His secretary connected me directly through to Dr Boerma who pointed very quickly that this was a very busy week for him. Before I could express my disappointment, however, he asked "Mr Pickstock, how early do you start work in the morning?" I replied "As early as I have to, Sir". "Then be in my office at seven tomorrow", he said.
When I arrived there was nobody in the corridor; indeed there was nobody in the outer office. There was just Dr Boerma preparing coffee for both of us. We talked, I recorded my interview and within 30 minutes I was on my way to file my report. For a journalist, such accessibility, I do assure you, is greatly appreciated and is remembered. I remember Dr Boerma, as I hope others do, with great respect.
Mr Chairman, the citation from my award mentions WREN, World Radio for Environment and Natural Resources, which we started seven years ago because, although I had come to believe, as many others have, that radio is a priority medium in communicating development to and between rural people, it is very clear that radio is not actually getting and has not got the recognition and support that it needs to deliver its full potential. There is no mistaking the fact that in the majority of countries rural radio is not living up to its potential as a mass medium for information and, dare I say, motivation of the populus at large. WREN attempts to address, as far as it is in its capacity to do so, some of the deficiencies that prevent rural broadcasters from achieving what they could and should achieve. Lack of training is a major deficiency and when we undertake training we focus on how to make programmes more attractive to listeners as well as more informative. Also, we have been able to offer policy-makers advice on how to provide the environment and resources that broadcasters so badly need in order for them to function effectively.
Mr Chairman, in physical terms this award comprises this beautifully handcrafted scroll, which will be a lasting reminder of this occasion, and also a very generous cash sum. This too will become a lasting reflection of Dr Boerma's and FAO's commitment to communication. Increasingly at WREN we are networking with national correspondence in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, and this will allow us to upgrade our studio facilities at WREN in order to improve our networking and recording capacity. The Boerma Award this year is presented to two of us in recognition of our activities in the field of communication. In my own case, I cannot claim all the credit for whatever may have been achieved. I owe a great deal to the highly motivated and talented people who comprise our small team at WREN.
One of them happens to be my wife and I owe her a great deal also to make up for all of my many absences over these years. Finally, Mr Chairman, I would like to acknowledge and thank all the organizations and governments, and the people in those organizations and governments who over the years have provided me and my team with the privilege and opportunity to visit and work with so many projects in so many countries. I do hope that all of these people can share this proud moment with me.
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CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr Pickstock. Is there anybody who wants to take the floor?
27.5 Presentation of Edouard Saouma Award
27.5 Remise du Prix Edouard Saouma
27.5 Entrega del premio Edouard Saouma
We preceed to item 27.5, which is the presentation of the Edouard Saouma Award 1994-95. The Edouard Saouma Award was instituted in 1993 and is to be given every biennium to an institution which has implemented with particular efficiency a project funded by the Technical Cooperation Programme and consists of a medal inscribed with the name of the recipient institution and a cash prize in the amount of US$25 000. I invite the Director-General to introduce the co-winners and to present the Edouard Saouma Award.
DIRECTOR-GENERAL: The Edouard Saouma Award was established by the Conference at its Twenty-seventh Session as a permanent feature to honour my predecessor, Mr Edouard Saouma. It is to be awarded to a national or regional institution that has implemented a Technical Cooperation Programme project with particular efficiency and demonstrated the outstanding results that can be achieved with very little means.
As you know, the TCP is a valuable instrument for implementing FAO's practical work in the service of its member countries. The Programme was created to fill critical gaps in technical fields, and to solve urgent and unforeseen problems in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.
Of the many nominations received for the Award from all regions and all sectors, a shortlist of the three nominations was drawn up. After considerable discussion and deliberation, the Selection Committee decided that the achievements of each of the three national institutions on the short list were equally remarkable and that it would be unfair to give preference to any one of them, not only because their achievements were in completely diverse fields, all of which were FAO priorities, but also because each had succeeded as a result of the enthusiasm, motivation and commitment of all concerned.
Accordingly, we have invited one representative from each of the national institutions. These representatives have been the driving force behind their respective TCP projects. We are, however, aware that the three outstanding individuals whom we have the honour and pleasure to welcome today represent larger teams in their home countries.
Dr Gerding from the Chilean Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) succeeded in convincing his Government that the threat of the Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) could best be removed by means of a biological control programme. As a result of timely action and cooperation with Washington State University, it was possible, with a small TCP project, to avoid damage to the Chilean wheat crop estimated at the time at US$100 million per year. This achievement was made possible only by the ability of INIA to communicate with researchers, extensionists, non-governmental agencies and farmers, and to develop a cooperative effort to control this major threat. As a by-product of this success, biological control activities were extended to other pests in Chile. I believe this project is a fine example of what can be achieved with the Technical Cooperation Programme.
CHAIRMAN: I give the floor to Dr Marco Gerding from the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias of Chile.
Marcos GERDING P. (Chile): Señor Director General de la FAO, señor Presidente de la Conferencia, señores delegados, señoras y señores, en nombre de las autoridades del Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias INIA-Chile, de mi colega y coinvestigador Hernán Norambuena, del equipo de trabajo de entomología y en el mío propio, deseo agradecer a la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación se distinga a nuestra Institución con el Premio Edouard Saouma, en reconocimiento al Proyecto de "Control Biológico del Pulgón Ruso del Trigo" ejecutado en Chile durante los años 1991/1992. En una ocasión tan especial como ésta, deseo hacer una mención especial a los funcionarios de la Oficina Regional de la FAO para América Latina y el Caribe, por su excelente disposición a colaborar en el desarrollo del proyecto.
Los orígenes del Proyecto se remontan a fines de 1989, cuando se detectó la plaga denominada "Pulgón ruso del trigo" (Diuraphis noxia). Los antecedentes internacionales de esta plaga pronosticaban un grave problema para la agricultura chilena y del cono sur de América Latina, pues el trigo es la principal fuente alimenticia de la población.
En base a los antecedentes obtenidos en el programa de control biológico de los pulgones del trigo que fue exitosamente realizado por INIA y FAO en 1977, se elaboró un proyecto de Control Biológico del pulgón ruso. De esta forma, en lugar de optar por una solución fácil y aparentemente efectiva, como es el uso de insecticidas, se eligió un método más seguro, permanente y amistoso con el medioambiente, como es el uso de enemigos naturales ya adaptados a nuestro agroecosistema para lograr un equilibrio natural.
La ejecución del proyecto de Control Biológico ha permitido mantener al pulgón ruso a niveles suficientemente bajos, como para no causar daño en las sementeras ni a otros enemigos naturales, que por más de 25 años han mantenido el control de otros insectos del trigo. Con esto se ha reducido el uso de agroquímicos en forma significativa y se han ahorrado más de 15 millones de dólares anuales en la adquisición y aplicación de los mismos.
La experiencia adquirida permitió realizar un taller internacional denominado "Control Biológico del Pulgón Ruso" en que participaron países del cono sur americano como Argentina, Brasil, Bolivia y Uruguay. Estos países no contaban en esa fecha con la presencia de la plaga, y sus condiciones climáticas hacían prever una futura colonización del pulgón, como realmente ocurrió en Argentina en 1992. Además, se reforzó la relación entre los investigadores de los países del cono sur, al establecer relaciones de intercambio del conocimiento obtenido sobre enemigos naturales, para ésta y otras plagas.
Como consecuencia de estas experiencias positivas, Chile ha podido continuar con proyectos de control biológico del Bruco de la arveja, polilla del brote del pino, polilla del tomate, de babosas, de malezas perennes, etc.
Es importante destacar que la investigación realizada en los Institutos Nacionales de Investigación de los países de América Latina, ha permitido reaccionar rápidamente ante situaciones como ésta, en que la presencia de una plaga de importancia mundial es enfrentada con prontitud gracias a los contactos internacionales, con proyectos multidisciplinarios, preocupados por la contaminación y que tienden a reforzar la sustentabilidad de los recursos.
Finalmente, quiero decir que con mucho agrado recibo esta distinción que se le otorga al Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias de Chile, y que constituye un reconocimiento para el equipo humano que trabajó en el proyecto, en los Centros Regionales de Investigación ubicados en Chillán y Temuco. Pero más que eso, creo que es un homenaje a los investigadores agrícolas de todo el mundo que, con una profunda vocación de servicio hacia la humanidad, buscan mejores opciones para enfrentar la alimentación mundial en el siglo XXI.
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DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Mr Muemba, Deputy-Director of Agriculture from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing in Kenya has been invited to represent the many national institutions involved in the reintroduction of Asian Vegetables in Kenya, which has not only created income opportunities for many indigenous farmers, but has also laid the foundations of a thriving export sector. TCP assistance was requested to demonstrate the technologies for successful cultivation of crops such as Bottle Gourd, Ridge Gourd, and Okra. But the project's achievement was conditioned by the ability of the Kenyan institutions to use the momentum created to involve researchers, extensionists, farmers, housewives and school children in the production and promotion of these crops. As a result of this project, Kenyan farmers have discovered a remunerative activity which has greatly contributed to improving their standard of living.
Philip MUEMBA: FAO, Director-General, Honourable Government Ministers present here today, honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is with much pleasure that I accept this great honour on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing of the Government of Kenya.
Asian or Oriental type of vegetables for those who may not know what they are, include such crops namely in Southeast Asia, like bitter gourd, commonly called Karelia, ridged gourd, commonly called Turia, bottle gourd, commonly called Dudhi, eggplant, okra, drumstick, commonly called Saragwa, ivy gourd commonly called Tindori, just to mention a few. These are mainly consumed by the populations in the Asian subcontinent, and have become more and more popular in Europe in the recent years.
These crops were introduced to Kenya by Asian migrants in the early part of this century and the local people started growing them in the 1970s.
However, indigenous Kenyan farmers who were not very familiar with these crops and were trying to take over the production of these new crops, aimed at the lucrative export market in Europe.
Production was low and of a poor quality before the project due to lack of skills on these crops, poor husbandry, low quality seeds, pest and disease infestations.
These crops are grown in the arid and semi-arid zones of Kenya and the farmers were not treating them as food, but only growing them for export. Any non-exportable surpluses and grain products were not consumed by families but were fed to livestock or just thrown away, although the families in these dry areas may not have sufficient food.
The project was addressed to solving those problems to reverse the situation and at the end of the project the farmers were trained on the cultivation technology for these crops through demonstrations and field days. Reference collection and maintenance were established for the various species and varieties. A programme for Pest Management and Control that reduced the use of pesticides on the major crops was designed. Extension staff and farmers, especially housewives and school children were trained on the nutritional advantages of these crops and taught how to cook dishes that incorporate these crops and local foods. This led to many farmers starting to consume these crops and treat them as food, and not just grow them for export. Several technical handbooks on their production and field demonstration and cooking guidelines were produced and are now used as training material for extension staff and farmers. As a result of this project through the support of the technical expert assigned by FAO, Mr Pandey, the officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development, my colleagues and the officers of the National Horticultural Research Centre, were glad to have realized the expected outputs of the project.
Kenyans now view these crops as their food and not just for export.
We are also thankful for the invaluable assistance of FAO, especially the Kenya Country FAO Representative, Mr Norton, who worked at the base and in the field to look at these programmes and whose assistance we highly value.
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DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Professor Chakravarty, of the All-India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, whose personal drive has without doubt been the key factor in the successful introduction of food control standards for street foods in Calcutta, has come to represent also the other institutions without whom very little could have been achieved: the Calcutta police, the municipality and the Community Services Organization, and above all the street food vendors themselves. With the methodologies introduced by the TCP project, the All-India Institute not only assessed the degree of contamination of street food, but initiated public media campaigns and training sessions to create public awareness and to train street food vendors in improved food preservation techniques and technologies. The project improved not only the quality of street food but also the income of street food vendors. Its outstanding success has led other cities in India to take similar initiatives.
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Dr Indira CHAKRAVARTY (India): Mr Chairman, Mr Director-General, Distinguished Delegates, ladies and gentlemen. I accept this great honour on behalf of my organization the Institute of Hygiene and Public Health of the Government of India which is located in the city of Calcutta with the greatest pride and humility. We are a medium institution in India responsible for training in public health for all categories of in-service professionals for conducting various research programmes related to public health and also for implementing different public health-related programmes on behalf of the Government.
Street food, as we all know, are not only a source of nutrition but also provide work and income to millions of people throughout the world. The impact on agricultural production of street foods is also tremendous. The population living within the area of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation is about 4 million but the greater Calcutta covers about 10 million of the population. The number of vending stores is about 100 000 with over 260 000 people being employed in these various stores. The number of consumers who eat from street food stores every day is about 6.5 million people in Calcutta.
Mr Director-General the TCP project that has been conducted in Calcutta was initially conceived to assess and evaluate the existing street food situation in the city, but as time went by it slowly became by process a movement even before we realized it. We mobilized all resources not only for us to comprehend the distinct situation but also to initiate a programme of action that would improve the quality, safety and nutritional aspects of street foods without enhancing the costs, but most important was to improve the rural life style in the city of Calcutta. We developed a close interaction with the Calcutta Municipal Corporation and the Calcutta police that was coordinated with the head of the Chief Secretary of the State who is the Chief of Administration. We worked together to plan how the existing street food quality could be improved. The project had a strange totality effect of bringing the very top the bureaucrats, the policy leaders, the political leaders and the grass root level vendors, vendor unions and consumers in close contact with each other. The street food vendors were very important in the whole process and were extremely responsive and supportive. The political leaders lent us their essential backing and consumers helped us with their participation and ideas. It was very exciting for us because it went much beyond our initially conceived regimented ideas. As an increasing support of all concerned the definite strategies could be established by the State administration for the improvement of the street foods in the city.
Mr Director-General I would like to record my deepest appreciation to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and in particular to the Food and Nutrition Division and office of Food Preservation in India for giving us all the necessary technical and administrative assistance for undertaking the project and of course to my government for entrusting this responsibility to me. This has been a unique experience for both myself as a National Project Director and my institution and I will always remember how wonderful it is to have worked with FAO.
From here onwards we do pledge to continue the efforts that have been initiated with the support of FAO of the United Nations for improving the street food quality and the life style of the people of Calcutta.
The Government of India has already recognized the importance of this project and the Director-General of Health Services to the Government of India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already formed a national committee on street foods to see how this unique experience in the city of Calcutta can be replicated in other cities of the country which have similar problems. We continue sincerely to plead close cooperation with FAO of the United Nations to carry on these efforts at a national level.
We would indeed feel deeply privileged and honoured Sir if you, Mr Director-General, could please visit us in Calcutta and see for yourself what is being met by the project. This is our most humble and most honest request to you Sir.
Thank you for your attention.
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CHAIRMAN: Thank you Mrs Chakravarty. We proceed then to Item 23 which is the applications for membership and the counting of the votes on applications for memberships has ended and I shall ask the Secretary General to read the results.
APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS (continued)
NOMINATIONS ET ELECTIONS (suite)
NOMBRAMIENTOS Y ELECCIONES (continuación)
SECRETARY GENERAL: I now wish to declare the results of the vote:
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CHAIRMAN: May I ask the new Members to come forward.
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It is an honour for me to extend a warm welcome to these new Members as they enter the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
LE DIRECTEUR GENERAL: Monsieur le Président, je voudrais à mon tour souhaiter la bienvenue aux cinq nouveaux pays membres et les féliciter très chaleureusement. Je suis certain que leur appartenance, maintenant, à la famille de la FAO non seulement apportera du bien à leur population mais aussi fortifiera l'Organisation.
CHAIRMAN: I will now give the floor to the representative of Georgia.
Bakur D. GULUA (Georgia): Director-General, Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour for our delegation to participate in the Conference when one more important decision aimed at the survival and revival of our country has been taken.
On behalf of the Head of State and the President of the Parliament Mr Shevardnadze and all the Georgian people, I would like to express gratitude for your thoughtfulness and effective support to our country.
It is my pleasure to assure you that these efforts directed at the democratic development of Georgia will not be in vain. The Georgian people will greatly appreciate today's decision, as the future of our country is dependent upon agriculture and on the agro-industry in general.
We hope that, despite the great material and moral losses caused by war in Georgia, FAO, by taking this decision, will gain a qualified partner which will be able to utilize completely its own potential and in the near future be a donor country and, with its long-standing agricultural traditions, will share the interests of FAO.
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Thank you for your attention.
Valérie BULGARI (Moldova): Director-General, Chairman, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, with your approval today, the Republic of Moldova has taken a further step along the road to international recognition.
Participation in FAO activities and closer contacts with all countries of the world will provide us with the possibility of finding solutions to the agricultural problems being faced by all the economies in transition. With your support, we hope to receive more information about world markets and to contribute to cooperation with different states in the sphere of agriculture.
Agriculture is the dominant sector of our economy and the future of our country is dependent upon agriculture and on agro-industry in general. Moldova is prepared to make every effort not only to supply high quality products but also to contribute comprehensively to a global solution of the food problems. I believe that, with the support of FAO Member States, the Republic of Moldova will overcome all difficulties and in the future it will become an equal and reliable partner.
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Aplausos
CHAIRMAN: This concludes Item 23 of the Agenda which brings our Organization's membership up to 174 Member Nations, one Member Organization and one associate member.
We will have the traditional flag raising ceremony at the site of this building, where the flags of all Member Nations are flown, tomorrow at 9 o'clock. The meeting is adjourned.
The meeting rose at 17.30 hours.
La séance est levée à 17 h 30.
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.30 horas.
