A. REGNIER (Directeur, Bureau des affaires interinstitutions): Comme vous venez de l'indiquer, pour traiter de ce point de l'ordre du jour, le Conseil dispose en ordre principal du document C/81/19 qui reproduit le matériel à disposition déjà du Conseil en juin dernier, le document C 81/19 supplément 1 qui met à jour les informations disponibles à octobre de cette année et le rapport du Comité du Programme et des Finances. Comme vous le voyez, ces deux documents portent la cote des documents de la Conférence.
En effet, ces documents feront l'objet d'une discussion approfondie à la Conférence de la semaine prochaine. Aussi, je crois qu'il n'est pas nécessaire pour moi de m'étendre sur leur contenu dans la présentation. Je crois au contraire pouvoir me borner à épingler seulement les événements majeurs intervenus dans le système des Nations Unies depuis votre dernière réunion en juin et je souhaite en particulier mentionner les points suivants:
Premièrement, la Conférence des Nations Unies sur les sources d'énergie nouvelles et renouvelables tenue à Nairobi en août 1981; un document spécifique pour la Conférence (C/81/25 supplément 1) fait rapport en détail à ce sujet. Comme vous le savez, la FAO a été très active dans la préparation de cette conférence et sa contribution a été très appréciée.
Le Programme d'action approuvé à Nairobi a d'ailleurs retenu comme prioritaires des domaines d'importance capitale pour la FAO et où celle-ci est déjà très active comme (et je cite seulement quelques-uns d'entre eux) le bois de feu et le charbon de bois, la revalorisation de la biomasse ou la traction animale.
Le deuxième événement important depuis votre Conseil, auquel je voudrais m'adresser pour un très court moment, est la Conférence de Paris sur les pays les moins avancés tenue en septembre dernier. Comme vous le savez, la Conférence a adopté un nouveau programme substantiel d'action pour les années 1980 où l'importance du secteur agricole est nettement mise en relief. L'accent a été mis sur l'augmentation de la production agricole et le Programme se réfère en particulier au programme d'action adopté par la Conférence mondiale sur la réforme agraire et le développement rural.
Une grande importance a aussi été attachée à la sécurité alimentaire mondiale et mention est faite à cet égard en particulier du plan d'action de la FAO sur la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. En fait, le nouveau programme reprend d'une manière ou d'une autre nombre des lignes principales du Programme global minimum pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture que le Directeur général avait présenté a Paris durant son intervention en séance plénière.
Je voudrais maintenant très brièvement mentionner un dernier événement fort important qui s'est tenu en dehors du système des Nations Unies mais qui aura son influence sur le système, je veux dire la réunion à Cancun du sommet des 22 chefs d Etats et de gouvernements qui a eu lieu les 22 et 23 octobre dernier. Comme vous le savez, il n'y a pas eu de conclusions officielles de cette réunion, mais, sur la base de ce que l'on sait, je voudrais mentionner deux points seulement:
Le premier point est l'accord de principe intervenu pour rechercher au sein du système des Nations Unies un consensus pour lancer des négociations globales sur une base mutuelle acceptable. La procédure de mise en route n'a cependant pas été définie et cette tâche reviendra donc maintenant à l'Assemblée générale qui, au cours de sa session actuelle, devra en discuter.
Le deuxième point que je souhaite mentionner est qu'au cours de cette réunion au sommet une importance majeure a été accordée au secteur agricole et l'on peut donc supposer et espérer que cette question sçra un des sujets principaux des négociations globales si celles-ci, comme nous l'espérons tous, démarrent d'ici peu.
Je ne voudrais pas allonger mon intervention avec des éléments dont vous retrouvez l essentiel dans le document disponible. Je crois que ces quelques mots suffisent en guise d introduction à un sujet dont la Conférence, de toute façon, débattra dès la semaine prochaine plus en détail.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much, Mr. Regnier, for this brief but complete introduction. As pointed out, this matter is going to Conference, it is a Conference document, and you will have the opportunity to discuss it in greater detail and depth than you can do during this very brief session of the Council. Now the subject is open for discussion.
G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): El documento CL 81/19 fue publicado hace 8 meses. Nos ocupamos ya de él en la pasada sesión del Consejo, de manera que ahora vamos a limitar nuestras observaciones al suplemento 1. Ya en junio pasado habíamos manifestado el apoyo que ahora deseamos reiterar, a la participación de la FAO en los preparativos sobre conferencias y reuniones en general, porque todas son de beneficio a la comunidad internacional; en orden de tiempo la ultima de esas conferencias y sin duda la más importante fue la de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Países Menos Adelantados celebrada en septiembre pasado, en París. Creo que en nuestro informe debemos destacar la participación de la FAO, la asistencia que nuestra Organización ofreció a los países para que prepararan documentos y participaran en esa reunión, así como la presentación del programa global mínimo, que fue hecho por el Director General de la FAO.
En resumen, creemos que la FAO debe seguir haciendo todo cuanto pueda en favor de esos países menos adelantados con los cuales el Gobierno de Colombia es plenamente solidario.
Sobre el párrafo 2 del Suplemento 1, Negociaciones Globales, deberíamos lamentar que no se haya podido alcanzar aún ningún acuerdo sobre los procedimientos para las negociaciones, ni para el programa de esas negociaciones. Está muy bien que en el párrafo 3, como ya lo dijo el amigo Regnier, se mencionen las reuniones cumbres de Otawa y Cancün, porque si bien esas dos cumbres no se realizaron en el marco de las Naciones Unidas, es evidente que la implementación de sus importantes recomendaciones tendrán impacto en el sistema de las Naciones Unidas y en sus agencias. Esperamos que la Declaración de Otawa por los siete países más industrializados del mundo, sobre estar listos a participar en las negociaciones globales se haga pronto una realidad. Igualmente celebramos otras partes de la Declaración de Otawa, especialmente la relativa a la necesidad que tienen los países en desarrollo de lograr unas políticas agrícolas y alimentarias coherentes y la promesa de examinar los recursos para ese fin.
Ha venido siendo muy positiva la acción del Gobierno italiano en la Conferencia de los Países Menos Adelantados, en el seno de la Comunidad Económica Europea y también como actitud nacional italiana. Hemos tomado nota con satisfacción del anuncio que ha hecho el Sr. Emilio Colombo, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Italia sobre las reuniones en Roma, junto con los otros países miembros de la CEE y algunos donantes, y en estrecha relación con la FAO, lo cual nos complace; reunión en la cual se tratarían propuestas relativas a la producción de alimentos y a la seguridad alimentaria mundial. Como el Gobierno italiano ha manifestado que esa reunión se llevará a cabo lo antes posible, así se expresa en el párrafo 6, muy respetuosamente podríamos preguntar a los distinguidos colegas representantes de Italia en este Consejo, si bien ahora o más tarde en la Conferencia pudieran hacernos las primeras indicaciones acerca del programa, las características o los objetivos, la forma como ellos han concebido esa importante reunión. Naturalmente sabemos que todo ello requiere tiempo para una adecuada preparación. De manera que rogamos a los distinguidos representantes de Italia que tomen esta parte de la intervención sólo como una inquietud, muy respetuosamente hecha por la importancia que .atribuimos a esa reunión.
Creemos que de todas maneras, el hecho importante que debemos registrar en nuestro informe es que, tanto en Otawa como en Cancún se ha concedido importancia fundamental a la alimentación y a la agricultura.
Sobre la Estrategia Internacional del Desarollo nos ocuparemos a fondo en la próxima Conferencia. En cuanto a la FAO, a la activa participación de nuestra Organización en la elaboración de esa estrategia, se ha asegurado ya el hecho conveniente de que los objetivos de la FAO se adecuen a los principios contenidos en la EID. Sin embargo, podríamos afirmar que la acción de la FAO deberá ser flexible para ir adaptándose a nuevos hechos si éstos se presentasen en el curso del decenio. En el párrafo 11 se habla del tema de los recursos, que fue tratado en la reunión conjunta del CPC y del CAC. En realidad los recursos son importantes. En ese párrafo se dice que con recursos suficientes se espera que el Tercer Decenio tenga más éxito que el Segundo Decenio. Yo diría que el Tercer Decenio sea menor fracaso que el Segundo. Creemos también que otra declaración importante que debemos recoger en nuestro Informe, fue la que se produjo en el ECOSOC cuando el ECOSOC estudió el informe conjunto del EID; reitero la necesidad de reforzar la cooperación económica internacional para el desarrollo dentro del marco multilateral del sistema de las Naciones Unidas.
En los párrafos 26 a 33 se habla de la Reunión Ministerial del Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación, de la Séptima sesión Ministerial. Nos parece que fue interesante. Esperamos que se implementen las recomendaciones, las principales conclusiones que aparecen en el Apéndice B del documento. Sin embargo, la delegación de Colombia considera que en el seno del CMA es igualmente o aún más importante el futuro del CMA. Dentro de este tema queremos destacar el hecho de que el Presidente del CMA, Ingeniero Francisco Merino Rábago, Secretario de Agricultura y Recursos Naturales de México ha iniciado actividades y gestiones que el Gobierno de Colombia considera muy valiosas. Bajo ese enfoque realista, esperamos que el CMA vaya encontrando su verdadero cauce de mecanismo de coordinación, tal como se le definió en la Resolución de la Conferencia Mundial de Alimentación, que recomendó la creación del CMA. La semana pasada, Colombia fue reelegida en la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas como Miembro del CMA y estamos ahora en las afortunadas condiciones de ofrecer el más pleno apoyo, el Gobierno colombiano, al Presidente y a los demás miembros de ese importante órgano con el propósito de fortalecer el carácter único de nivel ministerial que tiene el CMA en el seno de las Naciones Unidas. Esperamos que el Director Ejecutivo del CMA y sus colaboradores, en forma realista y seria, se adecuarán a estos cambios benéficos.
Y finalmente, sabemos todos que el FIDA es una agencia de las Naciones Unidas. Nada aparece sobre el FIDA en este documento. Nos interesa mucho más lo que ocurre en el FIDA que la Asamblea Mundial sobre el Envejecimiento que tendrá lugar en 1982, o el Año Internacional de los Impedidos, 1981. A quienes actuamos en el seno de la FAO, debe interesarnos el FIDA, al menos por tres razones. Primero porque el FIDA es el único organismo internacional de crédito dedicado exclusivamente a la agricultura. Segundo, porque el Centro de Inversiones de la FAO ha participado en la identificación y preparación de más de la mitad de los proyectos aprobados hasta ahora por el FIDA. Y tercero, porque son preocupantes las tendencias negativas de los recursos para la agricultura en el futuro, principalmente en el PNUD y en el Banco Mundial, dos de las principales fuentes multinacionales de financiación. Esperamos que en los próximos documentos sobre este tema de lo que está pasando en Naciones Unidas en relación con FAO, se incluya el FIDA. Tenemos sólo esporádicos contactos con los mandos medios del FIDA, ninguno a nivel político, ningún contacto a alto nivel; los amigos que actúan en la Junta Ejecutiva nos han informado que van mal las cosas en el FIDA; no se avanza hacia la reposición de los recursos; la EID ha pedido que se produzca esa reposición a fines del ochenta. Estamos ya a fines del 81 y no hay nada concreto sobre el particular. Algo más; las informaciones que tenemos parecerían indicar que si se logra esa reposición, sólo alcanzaría el nivel de 1 050 millones de dólares; 1 050 millones de dólares en términos reales serían 1 000 menos de la mitad de los 1 000 millones de dólares con que el FIDA inició sus actividades hace cuatro años; y si siguiéramos a ese mismo paso, nuestros recursos del FIDA desaparecerían por inanición. Cordial y respetuosamente pedimos a usted, que solicite al Representante del FIDA, a quien nos parece haber visto sentado en su sitio, al fondo a la derecha de la sala, para que diga cómo va ese proceso de reposición de los fondos del FIDA, que informe a este Consejo si siempre se llevó a cabo en Washington, en septiembre pasado, la reunión prevista entre el Presidente del FIDA y seis Ministros de Finanzas de las Categorías I y II, qué resultados hubo en esa reunión, cuál es el estado actual de esas negociaciones, cuáles son las posibilidades que vamos a tener en el seno del FIDA. Naturalmente que si no fuera posible que lo hiciera hoy el Representante del FIDA, lo hiciera mañana, o particularmente cuando discutamos el tema 30: "Examen de las actividades de campo referidas a la ayuda alimentaria y desarrollo agrícola".
Mme G. ROSSI PEROTTI (Italie): Je remercie le délégué de la Colombie de ses expressions d'estime pour l'initiative que l'Italie a prise dans le domaine de la lutte contre la faim qui a été annoncée à Ottawa, et qui a été reprise à Paris au mois de septembre.
Je voudrais le rassurer. Nous sommes actuellement dans une phase avancée, également dans le domaine de la collaboration avec la Communauté.
Nous espérons vivement pouvoir donner plus de détails lors de la Conférence générale de la FAO au cours des prochaines semaines.
CHAIRMAN: Are there any more speakers? If not, I take it that you are saving your comments for the Conference, and that this concludes the discussion on the activities of UN bodies of interest to FAO. I think there is nothing for Mr. Regnier to reply to and we will now close the discussion and go on to the next item.
- Assistance by the United Nations System to Regional Inter-Country Technical Cooperation Institutions
- Assistance fournie par le système des Nations Unies aux institutions multinationales régionales de coopération technique
- Asistencia del sistema de las Naciones Unidas a las instituciones multinacionales regionales de cooperación técnica
C. BERINGER (Director, Field Programme Development Division): The Joint Inspection Unit, of course, needs no introduction but the report does. It is a report which is reproduced and available to the members of the Council under the code number CL 80/9 and it is entitled Assistance by the United Nations System to Regional Inter-country Technical Cooperation Institutions. Both the Programme and Finance Committees have considered this report and their conclusions on it are reported in the report to these Committees.
Now as the title says, the report deals with institutions which are established at the initiative of a group of governments with part of their resources contributed temporarily by at least one organization of the United Nations system. Regional and global institutions which are the entire responsibility of the United Nations system are not covered in this report. As a general comment I should say that the report provides overall policy guidelines on how the United Nations systems assistance to such institutions should be conceived. The background information was gathered by the Joint Inspection Unit through questionnaires, in interviews, as well as by researching previous reports which wholly or partially dealt with this subject.
Now, as far as the conclusions are concerned, they can be summarized as follows: No. 1, the effectiveness of inter-regional country technical cooperation should be increased through full government management of projects. Regional technical cooperation activities are striking examples of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries provided they are, in fact, managed by the participating countries. No. 2, United Nations assistance to regional inter-country institutions should be formulated with Technical Cooperation between Developing Countries in mind. No. 3, to qualify for assistance from the United Nations system, regional inter-country institutions should meet the test of self-reliance, and in being created and managed by the governments concerned, which should provide adequate resources for their operation. No. 4, a network structure linking national institutions with common interests appears to offer the most effective way of disseminating the benefits of a regional centre and of promoting TCDC. Finally, a large number of regional institutions set up in the past have been totally dependent on the United Nations system for resources. The original expectation that these contributions would just represent "seed money" and these institutions would eventually become self-sustaining has not been borne out by experience. This situation is at variance with the purposes of the United Nations system of Technical Cooperation for Development and also drains resources away from support of new regional institutions.
So far as the conclusions of the Joint Inspection Unit, the ACC has provided its comments on these conclusions. They are summarized in the paper which I have cited in the beginning under a number of headings such as the Scope of Regional Technical Cooperation Institutions, the Legal Framework, the Source of Financing, the Management and Staffing of these Institutions and Regional Networks. I am not going to read out all of these comments by the ACC but I would like to say that in general they do agree with the conclusions of the Joint Inspection Unit but at the same time they raise a word of caution about these conclusions in the sense that one has to be flexible in their application. In other words, if while it is true that certain regional institutions have to prove that they have the full support of their Member Governments in that region, it is also admitted throughout the ACC comments that particularly in the initial phases and for some period of time, support by the system, is indeed required. FAO itself, of course, supports a large number of regional institutions which fall under the classification used in this report. I could give examples, a few examples of these which are supported by FAO. Of course the largest number of them are in Africa, such as ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States; WARDA, West African Rice Development Association; CILSS, the Interstate Permanent Committee for Drought Control in the Sahelian Zone; OCLALAV, the Joint Anti-Locust and Anti-Aviarian Organization. Also in the Pacific, in Latin America and in the Near East and North Africa, there are a number of sub-institutions which FAO through its resources at its disposal supports directly or indirectly.
CHAIRMAN: Both the Programme and Finance Committees have dealt with this, as mentioned by Mr. Beringer but I do not think I will call on the Chairmen of these two Committees to say anything unless points are raised which concern the comments of their Committees. The subject is therefore open for discussion.
M. TRKULJA (Yugoslavia): I think at least one point of the JIU reports really requires a certain comment. I will wish to draw the attention of the Council to the view of the Programme Committee with regard to para. 133 of the JIU report. On page 26 of the English text, under the general heading of "Evaluation", the last paragraph of that portion expresses a personal view of the inspector that "early and close attention should be given to the questions of strengthening UNDP field offices, to enable them to play a more active and creative central role" and so on and so forth. Well, the Programme Committee made only this one reservation, which is, in my mind, quite a serious one, as we were actually unable to see any clear connexion between the previous text and the very personal conclusion of the inspector. Now, speaking on behalf of my delegation I would merely say that we fully share that concern and the reservation of the Programme Committee and we feel that it needs to be recorded in the Council report as well.
G. STREEB (United States of America): Just by way of an enquiry, since there seems to be some confusion on this point; was the concern of the Committee that this statement did not appear to be substantiated by the preceding discussion or did it disagree with the conclusion? I gather that the problem was the former and not the latter, that the Committee did not take a substantive position on the role of UNDP field offices. It only felt that this conclusion in paragraph 133, so to speak, appeared out of the blue, and did not have enough supporting evidence preceding it. I would just like to have that clarified.
M. TRKULJA (Chairman of the Programme Committee): I think it becomes quite clear from our report that we were concerned with both, the fact that it was not enough substantiated and secondly, that in this particular moment we said it was at least inadvisable to add to the overhead costs issue. We considered the whole matter at our previous session. I will not take too much of vour precious time. I am just trying to say that we were concerned with the way in which the idea of strengthening was presented and we are even more concerned with the particular point in time, and we think that having in mind the overall problem of overhead costs and more or less having completed the exercise of restructing at country level, that it would not be advisable to expect to go along with the suggestion of JIU, of the inspector. That was our view.
CHAIRMAN: Any more comments? If not, I think I will ask Mr. Beringer if perhaps he can add anything to what was said.
C. BERINGER (Director, Field Programme Development Division): I would only like to confirm what the delegate of Yugoslavia has said about his own Committee's report. It is indeed worded in this way and we will have it reflected in the report. In general, I should say that the sentiment in the Finance Committee also was that the report to be useful is perhaps a good starting point for further analysis and its recommendations are very broad and general, two surveys, a direct tool for implementation.
CHAIRMAN: The next item that you can see in the Order of the Day is item 17.
- World Food Programme: Proposed Pledging Target for 1983-84
- Programme alimentaire mondial: objectifs de contributions pour la période 1983-84
- Programa Mundial de Alimentos: Objetivos de promesas para 1983-84
The meeting was suspended from 15.25 to 15.35 hours
La seance est suspendue de 15 h 25 à 15 h 35
Se suspende la sesión de las 15.25 a 15.35 horas
CHAIRMAN: We resume the meeting now. I call on Mr. Brito to introduce the subject.
B. de AZEVEDO BRITO (WFP): I am particularly happy and honoured to have this opportunity to present to the Council the pledging target of $1.2 billion for the World Food Programme in the biennium 1983-84. This pledging target, which I very much hope the Council will endorse and recommend for adoption by the FAO Conference, has just been approved by consensus, after extensive and careful deliberation, by the Twelfth Session of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes which finished its work just last week in Rome. Seldom in the past has the setting of a pledging target for contributions to the World Food Programme raised so much interest, with such careful analysis of the facts and figures. Seldom in the past also has it been possible to ensure in the end such a convergence of views. The sense of give-and-take reflected very well the strong support that the Programme enjoys both from those who benefit from its humanitarian and development assistance and from those who make such assistance possible through their generous contributions.
Perhaps before I continue I should inform the Council that yesterday by midday the Economic and Social Council already took action on this pledging target approving from the side of the United Nations, our other parent body.
I could provide you, Mr. Chairman, with many facts which would substantiate the fast increasing requirements for project food aid which the Programme must meet, and many figures which would confirm why - given WFP's resources position - it is critically important that the target of contributions of $1.2 billion for the biennium 1983-84 be approved and achieved if those requirements, which relate to the most basic and urgent needs of some of the poorest people of the world, are to be met. It should suffice, however, to say that the proposed target represents the absolute minimum needed, if current levels of WFP food deliveries and projects are to be maintained after 1983. In all frankness I must say also that the target the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes is recommending for your endorsement, on my proposal, represents at the same time the maximum which could be reasonably considered in the hard reality of present economic circumstances. I firmly believe, therefore, that the new target of $1.2 billion is essentially a balanced one. It has been carefully determined with regard to the needs of those the Programme is expected to assist, and with regard also to the need to be realistic in our pledging goal.
Mr. Chairman, a draft resolution on the proposed pledging target for the biennium 1983-84 has been prepared by the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes for your approval. That draft resolution is now before the Council, together with the relevant extract from the report of the Twelfth Session of the CFA. I would be most happy to give you any additional clarification you might require on the detailed calculations and facts which guided the CFA's decision. Consistent with its broad policy perspective, however, the Council might well find it more useful to assess the validity and justification of the proposed target on the basis of a more general picture of the current status of the Programme, and an indication of policies and priorities which illustrate the direction in which the Programme is moving.
Last year, beyond supplies channelled through WFP by bilateral donors, the Programmes delivered close to 1.3 million tons of food supplies - approximately 66 percent for development projects, and about 34 percent for emergency operations. Of the total deliveries, some 300, 000 tons came from the International Emergency Food Reserve (IEFR), while the balance - close to 1 million tons - was supplied from the Programme's own resources, composed of the regular pledges plus additional FAO contributions, as you all know.
The target which is being proposed for your approval does not include the IEFR, however, either in terms of resources or deliveries. Taking into account inflation - and the inflation factor, as you know, has been calculated on the basis of roughly 10 percent - and also a minimum level of 300 000 tons of grain to be channelled through WFP under the Food Aid Convention, the target of $1.2 billion is expected to permit us to continue to deliver approximately the same level of food supplies WFP is presently providing out of its own resources. It is a modest target, therefore, which makes it all the more important to have the proposed figure not only approved, but also fully reached and, if possible, surpassed.
There are other aspects, however, which are equally important for your decision. I am sure you will be interested to know that in the current year new commitments for development projects in the priority group of low-income, food-deficit countries have reached approximately 85 percent. Equally interesting is that the proportion of resources to projects in support of agricultural production and rural development is increasing rapidly.
In the current year, '81 we are setting a record by channelling to such projects of agricultural and rural development about 80 percent of total new commitments for development projects. This is a record, I might say we are proud of that record, because we firmly believe food aid should be used to help the developing countries become self-sufficient in their food supplies. More is being provided, therefore, to the poorest of the poor, and, equally important, more is being provided to ensure self-sufficiency in food supplies in the future.
The target for the current biennium 1981-82, was set at the $1 billion level. By the end of October 1981, contributions reached approximately 75 percent of the target. More resources are expected to come in, however, since we are still not halfway through the biennium. The new target represents an increase of 20 percent in dollar terms, and additional efforts will certainly be needed by all those whose generosity has made WFP's activities throughout the world a model of inspired international cooperation to help accelerate development and to help alleviate human suffering. Of equal importance is the need for new donors to come forward, and here I would like also members of the CFA to know, but I think the Council will also register it, the fact that roughly two weeks ago we got the first contribution from the OPEC Fund for Development, a contribution which is extremely important for our future and represents precisely the kind of support we need so much at this point in developing our activities.
With the resources at our disposal we are constantly trying to ensure greater impact. We are engaged in a continuous search for new project designs, improved delivery systems and more accurate monitoring and evaluation arrangements. We are applying, in full measure, our past encouraging experiences in the search for innovative application of our resources. We are making every effort to ensure that our assistance has the greatest development impact. We are concentrating on development for food production in the poorest rural areas. We have intensified our effort to associate food aid with other types of assistance wherever possible, and particularly where a multiplier effect is anticipated.
We are increasing our emphasis on Africa. In 1981 approximately 45 percent of the Programme's new commitments for development projects will go to the African countries south of the Sahara. We are increasing our purchases in developing countries, to stimulate development where such purchases are made, to foster cooperation among developing countries, and to save on transportion costs. WFP purchases of Zimbabwean maize is a case in point. I am quite sure that many if not all of you are fully familiar with this particular operation. In many other ways we are diversifying our project designs to ensure greater compatibility with the specific conditions of countries and regions. In these various ways, we are making strong efforts to ensure that WFP food aid for development responds to the requirements of today's world.
We take equal pride in the fact that the proportion of our administrative costs, including reimbursement for the technical services provided by the cooperating agencies, is presently barely over 5 percent of the value of our deliveries. This compares very well with other development agencies. We seek more resources but the Council can also be assured that no effort is being spared to get the greatest possible "mileage" from what is put in our hands.
Last June I reported in more detail on the activities of the Programme to the Council. The few issues I have dealt with in this brief presentation were for the sole purpose of setting a proper framework for your decision on the proposed target of $1.2 billion for the biennium 1983-84. I strongly urge the Council to consider favourably the recommended new target. Your endorsement of the target as proposed in the draft resolution prepared by the CFA will be a gesture of solidarity with those millions of people the Programme is helping, a gesture of confidence in the activities WFP is developing in favour of the poorest of the poor, and a gesture of faith in the validity of international cooperation for a better world.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much, Mr. Brito, for this very full introduction. We know you have just arrived from New York and are suffering from jet-lag and sleepless nights and so on, but I am sure that your subject will be discussed fully and you will reply to any questions that might be raised.
G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Al discutir este tema, nuestro Consejo se apresta a incurrir en el rito tradicional que celebramos cada dos años, y que como se nos informo, fue cumplido ayer por el ECOSOC al apoyar la meta propuesta de 1 200 millones de dolares para 1983/84. Como es natural, la delegación de Colombia va a apoyar esa meta, y lo hacemos con una mezcla de sentimientos encontrados y opuestos. Lo hacemos con simpatía, con sinceridad y con convicciones, pero al mismo tiempo con mucho desaliento, con profundo desconcierto; porque para 1979/80 sólo se logro el 85 por ciento del objetivo previsto. Para 1981/82 solo se obtuvo el 73 por ciento de los objetivos previstos. Conviene preguntarnos ¿va a seguir cumpliéndose esa disminución progresiva?
Por eso, yo creo que el Consejo, al apoyar este objetivo, debe reiterar la solicitud que ha hecho el Sr. Director Ejecutivo ad interim en el sentido de hacer un llamado firme y serio a los donantes para que contribuyan a alcanzar este objetivo, para que este rito, esta tradición de nuestro Consejo no sea vana como en anteriores oportunidades.
Y sin duda, puede contribuir a que se obtenga el alcance de ese objetivo el hecho que propone nuestra delegación de destacar en nuestro informe el aporte constructivo, por ejemplo, del Fondo de la OPEP que ha contribuido con 25 millones de dólares, lo cual es un buen ejemplo. El dinero va a dedicarse a reforzar la reserva de emergencia y también a proyectos de desarrollo urgentes.
Debemos igualmente reconocer los últimos aportes de países como España, Austria, Italia bien sea al presupuesto ordinario del PMA o a la reserva de emergencia, y Francia, país que según se nos ha informado, en 1982 va a duplicar sus contribuciones al Programa ordinario del PMA y a la reserva de emergencia, y ojalá que en 1983 Francia triplique esas contribuciones a la marcha del avance progresista del Gobierno francés.
Igualmente debemos registrar con complacencia el hecho de la Comunidad Económica Europea que va a contribuir con 100 000 toneladas más de cereales para la ayuda alimentaria. Pero igualmente, debiéramos hacer constar en nuestro informe que confiamos en que todas esas contribuciones sean sin condiciones, que sean a través del Programa Mundial de Alimentos, como dicen las reglas vigentes. Y decimos esto porque es lamentable que cerca del 50 por ciento de las contribuciones que en 1981 se han hecho a la RAIE han sido destinadas por los donantes a proyectos concretos. Esto desvirtúa el carácter multilateral de la ayuda, y tiende a perpetuar la asistencia bilateral condicionada que nosotros rechazamos, porque generalmente persigue dividendos políticos.
Finalmente, la delegación de Colombia apoya el objetivo propuesto y pide al Consejo que envíe a la Conferencia para su aprobación, el proyecto de Resolución. Tomamos esta actitud porque seguimos considerando que el PMA es un válido instrumento para el desarrollo. La reciente reunión del PMA demostró la eficacia del Programa y también la capacidad y la seriedad con que el Sr. de Brito y sus colaboradores lo están dirigiendo. Aprovechamos esta ocasión para reiterar la esperanza y el deseo del Gobierno colombiano en el sentido de que ojalá muy pronto, el Sr. Bernardo de Azevedo Brito sea confirmado en propiedad, Director Ejecutivo del Programa Mundial de Alimentos, posición que comparten todos los países de América Latina y del Caribe, y creo que muchísimos otros países de todo el mundo.
KONG CAN. DONG (China): (original language Chinese): The Chinese delegation first of all would like to express its appreciation of Mr. Brito's presentation of this subject.
The World Food Programme, through its activities in the past, has been making valuable, contributions towards helping developing countries, particularly low-income, food-deficit countries, tide over their food difficulties caused by various disasters in the development of their food production.
In the current situation where the World Food Security is still precarious this active role of the World Food Programme becomes ever more important. It is evident that the WFP resources should be got onto an appropriate level, therefore the Chinese delegation supports the proposal which has been made on the results of the matter put forward at the 12th Session of the CFA, and endorses the present target of $ 1.2 billion for the current biennium 1983.-34.
T. AHMAD (Pakistan): May I first convey my delegation's appreciation to the Executive Director and Mr. Brito for the very articulate and eloquent introduction he made to the subject before us.
May I also convey the appreciation of our country again to Mr. Brito for the untiring work he did during the recent CFA and achieving a consensus on the present target of $1.2 million, which we think was a great achievement.
I also wish here to convey my country's appreciation to all major donors who in spirit of cooperation and helpfulness agreed to the pledging target of $1.2 million, although they started with reservations to begin with.
My country is a member of the CFA, and during the recent CFA deliberations strongly supported this pledging target, as all along we have been of the opinion that the WFP is of vital and crucial interest to the developing countries.
We have a tradition as contributors of a small magnitude to the Programme, but we have been greatly benefited from the Programme only recently through development projects - and more recently now through its emergency operations and looking after the 2.5 million Afghan refugees we have in our country. I also wish to record my delegation's appreciation to FAO and WFP for all the aid and sustenance we have been receiving in our efforts which are purely humanitarian to look after these 2.5 million refugees.
We also wish to record our appreciation to all the other major donors who have helped us in looking after these Afghan refugees.
My delegation is of the opinion that the pledging target is the minimum required, and we hope and urge all the major donors to exceed the target as soon as possible and also to contribute, as is contained in the document, one-third of the pledges in cash resources so that the WFP can continue with its activities in assisting the millions of hungry in the world.
Mile F. JAIDI (Maroc): Il est toujours très difficile de parler après les délégations de la Colombie et du Pakistan parce qu'on ne nous laisse rien à dire, mais comme c'est la première fois que notre délégation prend la parole, je voudrais compenser par des félicitations pour les délégués de Cuba, de l'Australie et de la Suède pour leur élection en tant que vice-présidents et des félicitations également pour l'introduction brillante et détaillée de M. de Brito. Nous avons eu l'occasion, lors des deux dernières semaines de discuter en long et en large de ce Programme de travail et budget et ma délégation voudrait renouveler ce qu'elle avait dit alors, à savoir l'appui total qu'elle accordait à ce budget et nous sommes satisfaits que sur ce point le consensus ait pu être atteint et que le budget ait été approuvé par tous.
Nous sommes également satisfaits d'apprendre que l'ECOSOC ait approuvé cet objectif de 1, 2 milliard de dollars et nous recommandons ce projet à l'approbation de la Conférence.
A. CONTE MAROTTA (Italy): It is very difficult to talk after the delegates of Colombia and Pakistan as they said everything there is to say, but first of all I would like to point out that the Italian Government strongly supports the target of 1.2 million over the next biennium.
This is connected with the information that WFP has accomplished the best possibilities in trying to reach this goal. That is why the Italian Government has given in the last year a multiplication of each contribution, which has risen from more than Lit. 300 million in 1978 to Lit. 13.1 billion in 1981. I think this is a record amount.
My government recognizes thes keenness and capacity for work shown by the late Dr. Vogel and by Mr. Bernardo Azevedo de Brito.
The very positive position of my government is also due to the fact Italy hopes to follow the same constructive attitude of other countries in either making efforts to increase their participation or by joining as a new donor, as has recently been decided by other colleagues of mine, and as the Colombian representative has already underlined.
K. CHOUERI (Liban) (langue originale arabe): Tout d'abord, je tiens à remercier M. de Brito, Directeur executif ad interim du PAM pour la presentation brillante qu'il nous a faite du document que nous discutons actuellement. L'objectif de contributions pour le biennium 1983-84, qui représente une assistance volontaire de la part des pays membres est une proposition logique, équilibrée si on la compare au niveau de 1981-82. Par ailleurs, l'augmentation prévue est un minimum car en valeur réelle les ressources du PAM ne seront pas acrues.
Nous souhaitons également appuyer la décision du CPA tendant à adopter ou recommandant l'adoption de cet objectif de contributions car nous pensons que le PAM est l'un des programmes de la famille des Nations Unies qui obtient le plus grand succès dans les opérations en faveur des pays en développement en particulier.
Mon pays, dans les crises qu'il a traversées, a pu apprécier son action.
Par conséquent, nous voudrions demander instamment aux donateurs actuels et potentiels qu'ils remplissent leur devoir et qu'ils soient un exemple digne d'être suivi par d'autres pays.
Nous appuyons donc totalement le projet de résolution qui nous est soumis afin que le Directeur général général de la FAO et le Secrétaire des NU puissent convoquer une Conférence de contributions pour l'année prochaine.
E. TIZOL MARTINEZ (Cuba): Permítame ante todo señor Presidente, agradecer las palabras del Sr. Brito que, como siempre, han servido para ilustrar de forma objetiva los intereses de nuestros pueblos en materia de ayuda alimentaria. Nuestra delegación ya ha manifestado en ocasiones anteriores su apoyo a la meta de 1 200 millones y desearía ratificarla en el contexto de esta reunion.
Consideramos que esta meta de 1 200 millones es el objetivo mínimo necesario para hacer frente a las crecientes necesidades de los países en vías de desarrollo. Cuba es un país en vías de desarrollo que sufre las consecuencias de la inflación mundial y que depende de las fluctuaciones de los precios del mercado mundial, las cuales afectan negativamente, y de modo considerable, la comercialización de nuestros productos de exportación, el azúcar de caña, que constituye parte de nuestra economía. No obstante señor Presidente, podemos ratificarle que nuestro país mantendrá su compromiso de contribución al PMA como lo ha hecho hasta ahora. Por lo tanto, y para finalizar, queremos reiterar nuestro total apoyo a la meta establecida de 1 200 millones como contribución voluntaria al Programa Mundial de Alimentos.
H.L. CLAVERIE RODRIGUEZ (Venezuela): Antes de nada quisiera agradecer sinceramente al Sr. Brito por el celo que ha demostrado en estar presente hoy con nosotros para presentar este tema tan importante y tan caro a nuestro país. El PMA es un instrumento de Naciones Unidas, es un programa al cual Venezuela ha concedido un especial cariño y una muy directa simpatía. A lo largo de su historia hemos contribuido a él siempre con verdadera amplitud en la medida de nuestras posibilidades, qué no son ciertamente las-de un país rico, aunque tiene recursos naturales, pero no por ello calificado, con justicia, como un país rico.
Estamos totalmente satisfechos de nuestra contribución al PMA tanto directa, como aquellas otras que en actuales circunstancias viene concediendo a través del Fondo Especial.
Vemos con simpatía la presentación que el Sr. Brito ha hecho del tema y que nos ha hecho llegar en la tarde de hoy. Sus razones las consideramos nuestras, son válidas y apoyamos la promesa de 1 200 millones para el bienio 1983-84, en el entendido de que nuestra delegación comparte en este sentido el juicio expresado por el mismo Director Ejecutivo. La propuesta que se presenta nos parece equilibrada y es el mejor compromiso entre aquello que se puede desear y aquello que es posible alcanzar. Somo testigos de la buena administración con que vienen desarrollándose los negocios del PMA en los últimos años; por ello, felicitamos al PMA y nos felicitamos nosotros mismos por dejar en tan buenas manos la administración del PMA en estos últimos tiempos.
M. ZJALIC (Yugoslavia): My delegation supports the CFA proposal for WFP pledging targets of $1.2 billion for the biennium 1983/84, and we support it as a real minimum required. Besides, we speak about an increase; it may happen that this will be an increase only in a nominal way, but not in real terms. We also note with satisfaction that this decision of the CFA, this proposal for an increase in the World Food Programme target, was adopted by consensus and in a spirit of understanding and
cooperation. We appreciate the substantial new pledges from the OPEC fund, from Australia and from Italy. We hope that other donors will do their best to ensure that this target is fully met or surpassed. We also hope that this new target will not be met by simple reallocation of resources and by decreasing resources in other forms of aid.
We support the draft resolution submitted for adoption by the Council and also the draft resolution for the FAO Conference.
Sra. Dña. M. IVANKOVICH de AROSEMENA (Panama): Mi delegación desea felicitar al Sr. Brito por la brillante y completa exposición que acaba de hacer sobre este tema.
La delegación de Panamá apoya el objetivo de promesas con contribuciones voluntarias a los recursos ordinarios del Programa para el bienio 1983-84, en la cifra de 1 200 millones de dolares, como objetivo mínimo del Programa. Asimismo apoyamos el proyecto de resolución que se nos presenta en el Anexo del documento para su presentación a la Conferencia.
Para finalizar, señor Presidente, deseamos manifestar al Sr. Brito el apoyo del Gobierno de Panamá alentándolo para que siga trabajando con ahínco con las masas más necesitadas.
H. L. CHAWLA (India): First of all, the Indian delegation would like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation for the brilliant exposition which Mr. Brito has given on the subject. The document itself has brought out that this target of 1.2 billion dollars is a compromise between what was desirable and what was possible. It has also brought out that in due time the proposed target would not permit any growth in WFP assistance and it would barely maintain, even after 1983, programme deliveries at their current level. I think this is something we have to accept because it looks as though much painstaking effort has been made to arrive at this figure under the present situation. We felt, among other things, that the original objective of the WFP was to put emphasis on development, although in recent years more and more funds had to be used for emergencies. Nobody can deny that the emergencies do have first claims and should get priority.
I hope the emphasis which Mr. Brito has now brought out, that development will get higher priority, will be fulfilled and there will be continuous monitoring in this direction.
As some of my friends from other countries have brought out, there should be a growing proportion of multilateral aid earmarked through WFP. That is something which many of the developing countries wish, and I hope this objective will be achieved.
Then, I endorse the suggestion made by one of the delegates here that since the target is admittedly modest, our objective should be not only to achieve it but to exceed it. In the explanation which Mr. Brito has given one can notice the transparent sincerity with which he is trying to approach this problem, and one would hope that this WFP aid will be put to maximum use, to the best advantage of those deserving help most.
With this I thank you and Mr. Brito once again.
M. SHAFI ZAFAR (Afghanistan): Je tiens tout d'abord à féliciter M. Brito pour l'excellent exposé qu'il nous a présenté tout à l'heure. Je ne voulais pas intervenir sur ce point 19, mais je tiens à répondre à notre ami pakistanais qui nous a exposé son point de vue.
Vous savez, Monsieur le Président, que l'Afghanistan est un pays en voie de développement qui, depuis la révolution d'avril, a connu des moments bien difficiles. Ces difficultés ont été créées par les éléments contrerévolutionnaires du pays, aidés par les régimes des pays voisins qui n'étaient pas en accord avec nous …
CHAIRMAN: Would the delegate of Afghanistan please keep to the subject and not discuss politics.
M. SHAFI ZAFAR (Afghanistan): Je reviens au sujet qui vous intéresse. En Afghanistan, nous sommes 15 millions d'habitants, et sur ces 15 millions d'habitants il y a 3 millions de nomades. Ces nomades traditionnellement tournent autour du pays et traversent les frontières pour trouver un peu d'herbe pour leur bétail. C'est une tradition très ancienne que vous pouvez trouver dans les archives de notre pays.
Je voudrais simplement faire comprendre que si on demande de l'aide pour les réfugiés afghans - et je ne veux pas me placer sur le plan politique - c'est parce que ces 3 millions de paysans qui ont été entraînés dans des camps militaires doivent travailler sur leur propre sol. Je ne sais pas au juste s'il s'agit de 2 millions et demi ou de 3 millions, mais je sais qu'il y a un certain nombre de nomades qui doivent travailler sur le sol de leur pays, au lieu d'être entraînés dans des camps militaires.
Vous avez dit, Monsieur le Président, de ne pas mêler les problèmes politiques aux problèmes agricoles, mais quand ici certains d'entre nous au lieu de lire PAM - Programme alimentaire mondial, lisent: Programme armement mondial, je suis obligé de leur répondre.
M. DE LOS SANTOS (México): Como ya han hecho otras delegaciones, la nuestra desea felicitar a la Dirección del PMA a cargo del Sr. Brito, por la labor realizada y apoyar el objetivo de promesas de 1 200 millones para el bienio 83-84, y la correspondiente Resolución que ha de proponerse a la próxima Conferencia.
Consideramos que esta Resolución comporta una especial importancia en la actual situación alimentaria mundial caracterizada por crecientes dificultades para los países más pobres del planeta.
P. ELMANOWSKY (France): Tout d'abord, laissez-moi féliciter M. Brito pour l'exposé très clair qu'il nous a présenté tout à l'heure.
Je voudrais dire simplement quelques mots sur l'objectif des contributions. Ma délégation a précédemment, lors de la réunion du Comité des politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire, indiqué qu'elle était favorable à l'augmentation de l'objectif, car cela correspond non seulement aux besoins mais aussi à une réévaluation des coûts de l'objectif en fonction de l'inflation. Mais nous avons également, comme a bien voulu le souligner tout à l'heure notre collègue de la Colombie, annoncé que nous allions doubler notre contribution. Ce n'est pas parce que c'était en 1982, c'est tout simplement parce que nous devions le faire, car si j'ai bien compris l'appel du pied, si j'ose dire de notre collègue de Colombie, en 1983 nous devrions la tripler. Je lui dirais alors: qu'est-ce qui se passera les années se terminant par zéro? N'établissons pas trop de liens …
Pour en revenir à des choses sérieuses, il y a, dans le projet de résolution qui nous est soumis, et auquel nous apportons tout notre appui, un appel: "… invite instamment les Etats Membres de l'Organisation des Nations Unies, ainsi que les Etats Membres associés de l'Organisation pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture, à prendre les dispositions nécessaires pour annoncer leur contribution à la dixième conférence." Autrement dit, ceci s'adresse à tous les pays sans exception, car je crois qu'il y en a fort peu qui ne soient pas encore; membre des Nations Unies.
L'appel que je voudrais lancer est le même, mais je voudrais qu'il soit entendu de tous, des pays développés à économie de marché, des pays développés à économie planifiée, et même des pays en développement, car j'ai eu la curiosité de reprendre le rapport sur l'état financier 1980 du Programme alimentaire mondial où on donne la liste par biennium des contributions des uns et des autres.
J'ai parcouru cette liste rapidement et je me suis aperçu qu'il y a certains grands pays à économie planifiée qui ne figurent pas dans ce document. Il y en a de moins grands qui y figurent, j'en ai noté deux pour l'Europe, mais il y en a d'autres en Europe qui sont sous ce système économique. Parmi les pays en développement eux-mêmes, j'ai vu qu'il y avait de petits pays qui contribuent faiblement, mais proportionnellement leurs ressources, et même des pays qui peuvent être amenés parfois à avoir besoin du Programme alimentaire mondial pour les aider. Sans faire de personnalisation, je voudrais dire par exemple que deux grands pays d'Amérique latine sont étrangement absents. Il y en a d'autres également en Afrique qui ne sont pas présents et qui pourraient avoir des possibilités de participation. Mon appel s'adresse donc à tout le monde: aux pays développés et aux pays en développement. Il ne faut pas se contenter de réclamer toujours de l'argent aux mêmes payeurs.
K.R. HIGHAM (Canada): This question was, of course, fully discussed at the CFA where my delegation joined the full consensus of members which agreed to send this new food programme pledging target forward for Council approval. At that meeting we exercised one point in particular and I have heard it mentioned with great eloquence several times this afternoon, it is the request for more countries to join the community of donors which now support this most successful of the United Nations voluntarily funded programmes. It is with these people in mind that we endorse the target for Council approval and we would encourage other potential donors or groups of countries to follow the recent example of the OPEC Development Fund whose recently announced contribution has been so widely welcome. In joining those who welcome the OPEC Fund to our ranks we note the already well established role of one OPEC country in particular as an independent WFP donor in that scarcest of all commodities, cash.
Finally, we think that the achievement of the broadest possible base of donors to the Programme would be the best assurance of maintaining the long tradition of complete universality of the Programme's activities and of the deliberations of its body, the CFA.
T.J. KELLY (Australia): Australia has always been and remains a strong and practical supporter of the World Food Programme. Consequently this delegation intervenes this afternoon for two reasons, first to support in the firmest possible way the target of $1.2 billion for the 1983-84 biennium and second, to join with those who express the hope that this target can be achieved, not simply by an increase in contributions from those who are already donors, but to express the hope of those who have not so far felt able to join this particular area of support for the activity of those who wish to diminish world hunger will feel able to come forward now, not only to help reach the target for the 1983-84 biennium but also to make a contribution, if at all possible, during the current biennium so that those who hunger are not waiting for another 12 or 18 months before those with the capacity to help are able to weigh in with additional support.
Australia for itself has recently increased its own contribution for the current biennium by some 20 percent in the form of an untied cash grant, as well as providing an additional 10 000 tonnes of cereal under its Food Aid Convention, and that leads me to the final point in which Australia joins those members of the Council who have suggested that where possible there is much to be said for providing the contribution to the Programme in an untied fashion.
S. AIDARA (Senegal): Je voudrais tout d'abord rendre hommage à M. Brito, Directeur exécutif par intérim du PAM pour la clairvoyance et l'objectivité avec lesquelles il a introduit les discussions sur cette question.
Le Sénégal n'est pas actuellement membre du Comité de l'aide alimentaire où cette question a été débattue et où elle a obtenu le consensus général. Le Sénégal est un observateur attentif, comme j'aime à le dire, et à ce titre il a exprimé sa position en ce qui concerne l'objectif de contributions du PAM de 1, 2 milliard de dollars pour le biennium 1983-84.
Je disais tout-à-l'heure qu'il s'était dégagé au cours de la dernière session du CPA un consensus autour de cette question. Si je prends la parole c'est moins pour réitérer la position de ma délégation en faveur de l'objectif proposé que pour exhorter tous les pays donateurs tant traditionnels que potentiels pour que cet objectif du biennium 1983-84 soit atteint. Il ne faudrait pas que, bien que modeste mais à notre avis réaliste et réalisable, il reste un voeu pieux; il faudrait qu'un effort soutenu soit engagé pour le réaliser et effectivement il me plait ici de dire la satisfaction de ma délégation pour les initiatives louables et concrètes prises par certains pays comme la France, l'Espagne, l'Italie, l'Autriche et le Fonds spécial de l'OPEP. S'agissant de ces nouveaux contri-buteurs au PAM j'ose espérer que la coopération qui s'amorce ainsi entre le Programme alimentaire mondial et l'OPEP ira en se renforçant. Il est malheureux de constater que l'aide alimentaire, et notamment l'aide alimentaire d'urgence est encore nécessaire dans les pays en développement. Notre voeu le plus cher c'est que cette aide n'existe plus, car cela voudrait dire que l'autosuffisance alimentaire a été atteinte dans les pays en voie de développement, car cela voudrait dire que le cauchemar de la disette est fini dans notre pays et que des milliers d'enfants pourront enfin aller au lit rassasiés étant sûrs que le lendemain ils pourront manger à leur faim. Malheureusement, tel n'est pas le cas et force nous est de reconnaître qu'actuellement il existe 9 millions de réfugiés dans le monde. Les affamés et les mal nourris sont 60 millions dans le monde. C'est la raison pour laquelle nous lançons un appel à tous les donateurs pour que cet objectif soit atteint pour le biennium, non seulement pour les pays en développement mais surtout pour le bien de l'ensemble de la communauté internationale.
F. BREWSTER (Barbados): My delegation wishes to join in the appreciation expressed to Mr. Brito for his sound and moving presentation of this item. The delegation of the Barbados supports the target of $1.2 billion for the biennium of 1933-84. We feel it is a minimum and we would support the resolution before us.
A. RACHMAN (Indonesia): Allow me first to use this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Brito for his comprehensive presentation. My delegation is very impressed by the kind of programmes carried out by WFP at present, especially looking at the well/balanced proportion between development projects as compared to emergency operations.
My delegation also shares the concern of previous speakers because of the low performance and the achievement of the present target. So in fact the problem faced by WFP in the past is not only getting the target approved and table out sound programmes but it also faces the problem of mobilizing contributions actually to reach the target. It is in this connexion that my delegation emphasizes the importance of all countries to work together and step up contributions to achieve the target as agreed upon.
With respect to the new target of U.S. $1.2 billion for the coming biennium as discussed and recommended during the recent CFA meeting, and since my country is not a member of CFA I would like to use this opportunity also to support the target as proposed.
P. KANGA (Angola): Je serai très bref. Tout d'abord je saisis cette occasion pour féliciter M. Brito pour la présentation claire et brillante du document en discussion. Je voudrais exprimer, au nom de mon pays, la reconnaissance de mon gouvernement vis-à-vis du PAM et en particulier à M. Brito pour l'aide et pour l'appui qu'ils nous donnent en ce moment difficile. Je voudrais réitérer l'appui de ma délégation sur l'objectif de 1, 2 milliard de dollars, aide qui me semble indispensable. Nous appuyons le projet de résolution présenté à l'Annexe au sujet de l'objectif de contributions du PAM pour la période 1983-84.
D. NILAWEERA (Sri Lanka): The Sri Lanka delegation, too, joins with the other delegates in congratulating the Executive Director, Mr. Brito, for the excellent manner in which his Programme has been managed. We also wish to recall with appreciation the contributions made by the former Director, Dr. Vogel in making this Programme very satisfactory.
We are fully aware that this Programme has been extremely beneficial to most of the developing countries, particularly to our country. We have had very good relations with the WFP and we will continue to have a cordial relationship with the present management. We urge that complete support from all Member Nations be given to this pledging target of $1.2 billion and we hope that this resolution will receive complete support of the Conference.
J.J. PEREIRA REIS (Portugal): Premièrement j'aimerais, au nom de la délégation portugaise, présenter nos félicitations à M. Brito pour son brillant exposé et nous nous associons à M. Bula Hoyos en ce qui concerne sa nomination définitive en tant que Directeur exécutif du PAM. En ce qui concerne la proposition de contributions pour le biennium 1983-84, nous considérons que le PAM est digne de tous les appuis pour faire face à ses objectifs car l'action du programme du PAM est très importante.
T.C. RAJAONA (Madagascar): Ma délégation tient tout d'abord à féliciter M. Brito pour avoir présenté d'une façon complète et satisfaisante l'objectif du Programme. Elle voudrait aussi exprimer sa gratitude au PAM ainsi qu'aux donateurs traditionnels qui ont permis d'accorder une aide appréciable dans deux de nos projets de développement lors de la situation d'urgence consécutive à la sécheresse qui a frappé le sud du pays.
Ma délégation adresse aussi ses félicitations et ses encouragements aux nouveaux donateurs et aux pays qui ont annoncé des augmentations sensibles de leur contribution au Programme. Enfin, je terminerai en assurant le PAM de notre appui total à l'objectif de 1, 2 milliard de dollars pour le biennium 1983-84 bien que celui-ci nous apparaisse comme étant un minimum acceptable.
A.Y. BUKHARI (Saudi Arabia) (original language Arabic): I am grateful to have this opportunity of taking the floor considering that my country has been and is still among those who have always agreed to and supported the Programme either on an individual footing or more recently through the intervention of the OPEC Fund.
We are pleased to announce to Council that the government of my country formally fully approves the pledging target of the WFP for 1983/84. This we feel represents $1.2 billion and as such is a target to be given our support. We wish to ask the WFP to keep a constant eye on the possibilities of obtaining additional contributions, additional pledges, from new donor countries or from other international regional institutions and agencies.
The success of the World Food Programme in arousing interest in the humanitarian objectives of the Programme has surely been the best possible proof. This does not mean that the traditional donor countries should freeze their contribution levels indefinitely. We wish to appeal to the food producing countries which so far have only made humble contributions, contributions which are not at the level that they ought to be in the interests of the countries of the Third World, we appeal to those countries in particular, we ask them to join the ranks of the other countries if they have not done so. We invite them to increase their contributions, increase their pledges, in order to arrive at a level which would enable the .Programme to achieve the target of $1.2 billion.
There is another very important issue as we see it. I refer to the possibility of the large donor countries, and others too, to arrange for their financial contributions to be not less than 30 and 40 percent. This will I am sure give a further boost to the Programme. This will enable aid to be given to needy impoverished countries. The cash contributions for internal transport or for maritime freight or storage possibilities, all these are of great importance. We wish to repeat our support for the pledging target as explained.
G. STREEB (United States of America): It has been over a year since I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Brito. I can see from today's presentation that he has not lost any of his capacity for succinct analysis in his command of the issues. We certainly welcome the report which he has given to us and the way in which he has been managing the Programme during the interim period.
I would like to endorse the comments that some other delegates have made regarding the broadening of support for the Programme. Some individual Member Nations of OPEC have already been making significant contributions. Nevertheless we still welcome very much the contribution by the OPEC Fund and would like to encourage, along with other delegations, the support that can be given to this Fund from other potential contributors.
I think the delegate of Senegal probably put his finger on the most important issue, however, which is that if we were doing our job right we could phase the fund out rather than expand it over time. I think it is worthwhile to bear in mind that our major emphasis needs to be on programmes of the kind which would help hopefully in the long run to make it unnecessary for us to have such a programme as the World Food Programme. In any case I did want to say as one of the major contributors to this Programme that we join in the consensus on this resolution and look forward to a significant level of contributions over the next two years and trust that indeed Mr. Brito's hopes for achieving this objective are attained.
ABU BAKAR bin MAHMUD (Malaysia): First let me join the previous speakers in complimenting Dr. Brito for his convincing presentation of WFP efforts.
My delegation has followed with interest and satisfaction the activities of the WFP in making food available through various food aid programmes, especially to food-deficit countries.
We support a pledging target of $1.2 billion for the 1983-84 biennium and at the same time we wish to render support to the draft resolutions to Council and Conference.
J. TCHICAYA (Congo): Je voudrais tout d'abord remercier M. Brito, Directeur exécutif du PAM, pour la présentation qu'il nous a faite du document soumis à notre examen et le féliciter de la manière dont il assure la gestion du Programme.
Ma délégation qui a suivi avec beaucoup d'attention les travaux du dernier Comité des politiques et programme d'aide alimentaire comme observateur, ne peut qu'apporter son appui au projet de résolution ainsi proposé. En effet, cet objectif, qui est un compromis entre ce qui est souhaitable et ce qui est possible, ne peut que rencontrer notre assentiment. Le souhait de ma délégation est de voir ce modeste objectif réellement atteint. C'est pourquoi en même temps que nous saluons les annonces de contributions accrues faites par l'Italie et la France et d'autres encore, comme les fonds de l'OPEP nous souhaitons que d'autres donateurs se joindront aux premiers pour contribuer à réaliser l'objectif réaliste de 1, 2 milliard de dollars. Nous exprimons l'espoir que cette contribution serve réellement à résoudre les difficultés du type rencontré par les pays en voie de développement.
F. PETRELLA (Argentina): Deseo asociar a mi delegación con las manifestaciones formuladas respecto del Sr. Bernardo de Azevedo Brito por la manera brillante y emotiva con que presento su informe. Mi delegación respalda el proyecto de resolución que aparece en el documento bajo examen, así como el objetivo de promesas propuesto.
CHAIRMAN: This exhausts the list I have. Twenty-eight delegates have spoken and each one has supported the objective, the work and the targets of the WFP and paid tribute to Mr. Brito. This speaks volumes really for the usefulness of this particular programme. If there are no more speakers I will call on Mr. Brito to sum up if there is anything for him to reply to.
B. de AZEVEDO BRITO (WFP): As you mentioned before, Mr. Chairman, in the last 24 hours I have been moving between planes and airports. I will try to be as precise as I can be at this point without sleep.
I must say that the debate we just had right now is a strong encouragement for the Programme and a strong support for all those whom the Programme is trying to help all over the world, and indeed we are speaking about the poorest of the poor.
Roughly 20 years ago this Programme was established and I think that the debate we had simply confirms that the decision of twenty years ago was a right one. Project food aid has proved to be, which is the basic delivery which we have, apart from emergencies, has proved to be an effective development tool.
I myself indicated and I fully share that conviction that food self-sufficiency is the ultimate goal.
However, in the interim period, food aid is useful, and more than that, food aid can be particularly useful precisely to bring about that self-sufficiency in food which is the ultimate goal of all recipient countries of this Programme.
The past twenty years have also confirmed how important our work is in emergencies, and I might also say that this particular aspect of our operation at present is, as you in the Council know, under scrutiny, so that we can improve our effectiveness in deliveries on the emergency side.
The resource position of the Programme has been referred to, and I am happy to see that there is a full understanding of this target. It could not be more, it could not be less. This target, as I indicated in my statement, will permit the Programme to deliver out of its own resources the same level of deliveries which we do right now. However, the hope is that additional contributions will continue to come from the Food Aid Convention so that there will be an element of growth. This is our strong hope. It has happened in the past few years and I hope it is a trend that will continue. Therefore, while we are presenting a target which will permit us barely to continue at the same level, the hone for increased deliveries in real terms should be there, and I must say that it will depend essentially on additional contributions through the Food Aid Convention apart from new donors, of course.
Many references have been made to recent increased contributions. I must say that those additional contributions for the current biennium have been most encouraging. I mention one specifically, the contribution of the OPEC Food Fund for Development of $25 million. Other donors have joined us.
Some traditional donors have found it possible to substantially increase their contribution. I do not want to mention all; I might miss one or two and that would not be too proper, but a number of additional contributions of very great importance have come in in the past few months, and that is an encouragement for us in the Programme.
Many of you refer to new donors. I fully agree that we should constantly search for additional contributions and new donors. This is our daily business, in fact, what we are trying to do every day, but may I tell you something also, Mr. Chairman, that I firmly believe that by improving our deliveries, by making our projects more effective, our projects designed better and attuned to the requirements of the recipient countries, we are doing the. most to prove that we deserve the resources we are asking for, and therefore I am also very confident that the efforts of the Programme to bring food aid closer to the actual requirements of today's world should also be a very real incentive for new and additional contributions. This is a strong personal feeling I have, because I feel that in a world of scarce resources you have after all to prove that you are indeed using most effectively the resources at your disposal.
Reference was made by one or two speakers at least to the need for cash resources. I am very grateful that this point has been raised, because we are a food programme, but we need cash; we need cash to move food; we need cash to help the least developed countries with internal movements of food within their own territories according to our regulations; we need cash for purchases. In many cases, a judicious application of purchases can prove extremely effective not only as a development support but also extremely effective in terms of economy of cost, reducing costs of deliveries.
I made reference to our purchases of Zimbabwean maize. And there is much to say in favour of this approach, and I think this Council might well support this kind of approach. We are supporting developments both in the countries we are helping and the countries where purchases are made. We are supporting the developed complementarities in the regions, which is a very important aspect of development, and we are reducing and cutting costs.
Now the future: I very much hope that the decision of the Council and of the FAO Conference will be in support of the pledging target. I understand it will be. Now, in the months to come, my colleagues and I will surely not spare efforts to make this pledging target a successful one. Obviously we will need the help of all of you.
I would like to conclude by saying that the Programme you are supporting by the decision which I hope you will take in a few moments is a Programme which is really helping the poorest of the poor in the world. We recognize that we are not in easy times in many aspects of development assistance due to overall conditions in the world, but we also must recognize that we are here speaking of the people who really need to be assisted and that is why I placed emphasis in my statement on how we are trying to make sure that the greatest development impact is assured, and in the case of emergencies, that our operations are as effective as possible within the environment which prevails in those emergency situations.
To conclude, I would like to say once again how grateful I am for the strong support I heard in the debate which took place just now and how honoured I am to address this Council.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. Brito. Now, I take it that the resolution at the end of document is unanimously adopted; so it is, and I hope we do the same thing tomorrow when we come to the level of the budget.
Now we still have some minutes, and Colombia has asked if the Observer from IFAD can answer some questions. I do not know if the Observer from IFAD is here and is willing to answer the questions. No, nobody there; maybe tomorrow.
Now, this brings us to the end of our deliberations today, but before we close I will give the microphone to the Secretary-General.
Le SECRETAIRE GENERAL: Nous avons reçu la composition du Comité de rédaction. Des consultations sont toujours en cours pour la désignation du Président. Je voudrais cependant d'ores et déjà vous donner le nom des membres de ce Comité de rédaction:
- Pour le Groupe africain: le Sénégal et le Kenya
- Pour l'Asie: la Malaysie et le Sri Lanka
- Pour l'Europe: la République fédérale d'Allemagne et l'Italie
- Pour le Proche-Orient: le Liban
- Pour l'Amérique latine: le Venezuela, le Mexique
- Pour le Pacifique du sud-ouest: l'Australie
- Pour l'Amérique du Nord: les Etats-Unis d'Amérique
Le nom du Président, comme je l'ai dit, sera communiqué demain matin après consultation entre les différents groupes.
CHAIRMAN: Tomorrow we have a very heavy agenda and we will start at 9 o'clock promptly. The meeting is adjourned until 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
The meeting rose at 17.10 hours
La séance est levée à 17 h 10
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.10 horas
