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III. ACTIVITIES OF FAO AND WFP (continued)
III. ACTIVITES DE LA FAO ET DU PAM (suite)
III. ACTIVIDADES DE LA FAO Y DEL PMA (continuación)

11. Progress Report on World Food Day Activities (continued)
11. Rapport intérimaire sur les activités de la Journée mondiale de l’alimentation (suite)
11. Informe provisional sobre las actividades del Día Mundial de la Alimentación (continuación)

S.P. MUKERJI (India): The Director-General of FAO, Dr. Saouma, is to be congratulated on the initative that he has taken in launching the World Food Day as an annual function all over the world. The first World Food Day was celebrated last year, and this year India, along with other countries , celebrated the second World Food Day with great gusto both on the part of the government as well as non-government organizations and the public. Last year, a message was sent by the Prime Minister herself, and commemorative stamps and coins were issued. The theme was Production of More Food Grains.

This year also the government of India observed the World Food Day with great enthusiasm. The President himself sent a message for this occasion, and the theme was Save Food Grains, both cooked as well as uncooked. Posters were issued by the Government of India, and commemorative coins were issued in a function at the Krishi Bharan, New Delhi, the Headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture at the national level. Instructions were issued to the various provincial governments to observe the World Food Day, and as far as the information received, the State Governments at various levels observed the World Food Day with great enthusiasm. An essay contest was also held.

A seminar on World Food Day and production and saving of food was also held in New Delhi on that occasion. Audio-visual publicity was given at various levels.

I am very happy to say that the message which the Director-General of FAO wanted to be propagated throughout the length and breadth of the world, in India also went right up to the village level and to the village councils level, and at the village "panchayt" as we call them, the World Food Day was celebrated. Various organizations were involved, and they also participated.

We would like to keep alive throughout the year the tempo that was created so that the message registers in terms of actual implementation by production and saving of cooked and uncooked food throughout the year.

CHAIRMAN: I may mention that the country reports are sent to FAO on the whole observance, which are compiled and distributed. Members could mention any highlights or suggestions of additional improvement they would like to offer to make the programmes even more effective.

F. PAJENK (Yugoslavia): The World Food Day in 1981 was an opportunity for our heads of state to commu­nicate information about the principles of our policy in the sector of food and agriculture, particu­larly in the region of national cooperation in this sector.

In the message of FAO which was broadcast by the mass media, the President of the Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia emphazised our responsibility and task in supporting the efforts of the developing countries and eradicating hunger and malnutrition, and in increasing the nutritional level of their population.

The need for the universal detente and disarmement was recalled as one of the paramount conditions for the creating of an international environment which would facilitate the achievements of inter­nationally-agreed targets for the eradication of hunger. The establishment of an economic coope­ration on the principles of an equal footing for the new economic order would recommend a substantial contribution to economic and social development of the developing countries.

The second World Food Day was used as an opportunity to undertake in-depth analysis of national priorities in the process of agricultural development. The central manifestation was a consultative meeting of the Association of Agrarian Economists of Yugoslavia which started on 16th November. The main topic was agriculture and agrarian policy of Yugoslavian target for 1983. In his statement, the President of the Federal Committee for Agriculture said: "the 16th October, World Food Day gives our domestic plans an important meaning and is an encouragement to keep our own food pro­duction in the focus of social attention. The increased production of food represents a strong basis and decisive level in the policy of economic stabilization in the country especially because of its reputation and prestige as a socialist non-aligned country in the contemporary development of the world."

We are very happy to note these successful world-wide activities which took place on the occasion of the World Food Day. The second World Food Day will be marked in history as the date when "Rome Declaration on Hunger" was adopted by the WFD colloquium held at the FAO Headquarters. We are convinced that the message contained in this Declaration will serve as an important benchmark orien­tation for our future work in our organization, as well as a. guideline for our governments in ela­borating their political objectives at national and international levels. We would like to express our appreciation to the Director-General for this initiative as well as our thanks to outstanding personalities who participated in the World Food Day Colloquium.

A.H. EL SARKI (Egypt) (original language Arabic): The delegation of my country would like to pay tribute to the efforts made by Mr. Moreno concerning World Food Day and the rhythm that he has kept up since 1981. The FAO resolution passed at its 20th session concerning the celebration of World Food Day provided an opportunity for all the institutions of all Member countries to bring their pro­grammes for food and nutrition to the knowledge of their public so as to harmonize the solution to problems at an international as well as a national level. Ever since that resolution was adopted, my country has been keen to put it into practice. Consequently we have put into practice a number of activities in order to observe that day, but unfortunately in October 1981 a very unhappy event occurred and prevented us from celebrating the activities that year as we would have liked.

This year, our Minister of Agriculture held a national symposium attended by other Ministers concerned with Food Production, Food Policy, and Food Security, namely Ministers of Health, Irrigation, Land Reclamation, Education, Supply and National Development. This symposium was transmitted by the Egyptian T.V. Prizes were distributed among farmers who had achieved conside­rable crops and harvests. A special issue of our bulletin series published for farmers came out to celebrate World Food Day. A poster has been drawn. The Egyptian T.V. also showed programmes about FAO celebrations at FAO Headquarters and other features on agriculture throughout the world.

A. PINOARGOTE (Ecuador): Si bien es cierto que la palabra más utilizada en este período de sesiones , la palabra "felicitación", podría sugerir la idea de que todo anda tan bien en la FAO que el Consejo a lo mejor no es necesario; sin embargo, debo señalar que los logros alcanzados durante estos tres años para ejecutar el mandato contenido en la resolución 1/79 son realmente notables. No obstante, es menester indicar que lo hecho hasta ahora sólo constituye el comienzo, es decir las bases de lo que en el futuro debe ser una gran estructura, un gran edificio, un auténtico rascacielos, de modo que' se cree una corriente, a lo largo y ancho del planeta, de opinión pública que verdaderamente hinque las alturas del poder mundial cuyo tiempo parece estar preponderantemente dedicado a otros objetivos.

Para este propósito, la delegación del Ecuador se permite insinuar un redoblamiento de esfuerzos es­pecialmente en lo que dice relación con "una mayor difusión permanente por los medios de comunica­ción social". Al respecto, la colaboración de los diferentes Gobiernos puede ser determinante, par­ticularmente a través de los medios electrónicos de comunicación instantánea,cuyas ondas son de pro­piedad estatal, las cuales poseen una cobertura prácticamente total.

El Gobierno Ecuatoriano, que ha utilizado estos canales para estos objetivos, ofrece para una perma­nente difusión del material informativo pertinente una mayor utilización de estos canales, en una es­cala mucho más amplia que la que hasta ahora se ha venido observando, pues sólo creando una gran co­rriente mundial de opinión pública en torno a este tema medular, no solo podremos combatir mejor al hambre y fortalecer a la FAO, sino que también podremos desplazar hacia el sitio que le corresponde a otros temas, como, por ejemplo, el de las armas que tantos recursos consume para, en definitiva, destruir la especie humana.

Debemos propender, por tanto, a anegar la esponja de la conciencia social con un mensaje permanente y sostenido, de tal modo que la erradicación del hambre se erija en objetivo fundamental de los di­ferentes Gobiernos.

Ms. J. S. WALLACE (United States of America): The United States joins with other members of the Council in noting the success of World Food Day activities. We also compliment the Director-General and the Secretariat on their efforts in helping to achieve an appropriate commemoration of the Day. We particularly note our appreciation of the extensive and able support of United States activities provided by Dr. Rimmel and his staff of the Liaison Office of North America.

Millions of people were involved in World Food Day activities throughout the United States. Public awareness and activities were facilitated by the Non-Governmental National Committee for World Food Day which included representatives of 262 organizations and by the United States Governmental Steering Committee for World Food Day. As noted in President Reagan's message to the Director-General, thousands of elementary, high school, colleges and universities, civic and fraternity organ­izations i and local and state governmental bodies implemented programmes of a diverse nature to fulfil the objectives of FAO in establishing World Food Day. The United States Congress passed a joint resolution on World Food Day again this year. The President issued a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and the governors of all 50 of the United States issued proclamations.

Post offices imprinted millions of pieces of mail over a 2 month period with a special cancellation message "World Food Day USA October 16".

Information packages were developed and distributed by thousands of individuals and organizations. USDA - the Department of Agriculture - distributed more than 5,000 pieces and packets of information. Our Agricultural Secretary Block taped interviews and public service announcements which were distributed to hundreds of radio and television stations. Many speakers from the Department of Agriculture, the Agency for International Development and the Department of State went throughout the country speaking on the subject. The major United States governmental observance programme was held in the Department of Agriculture's patio area on October 15 and World Food Day exhibits were provided by a number of governmental agencies and were on display for the whole week.

In our view, World Food Day has been and should continue to be an important and effective means of increasing public awareness and focussing attention on world hunger problems.

Sra. Doña M. I. CASELLAS (Venezuela): Nuestra delegación siempre considero una valiosa iniciativa la creación del Día Mundial de la Alimentación, y por ello se hizo eco para trasmitirlo al país, teniendo una importante acogida y alcance. El Congreso le dio relevancia y declaró el año 1984 el Año de la Agricultura y Seguridad Alimentaria basado en los postulados del Día Mundial de la Ali­mentación.

Nos complace ver que sobre la base de la experiencia de 1981 y mitad de 1982, muchos Gobiernos han reconocido que el Día Mundial de la Alimentación proporciona una oportunidad anual valiosa, logran­do entre otras cosas, movilizar los recursos nacionales e internacionales destinados al desarro­llo agrícola y rural. Asimismo, mi delegación quiere hacer constar los esfuerzos llevados a cabo por el Director General y el eficiente equipo de la FAO al cual se le ha confiado esta trascenden­te tarea para celebrar este Día, y con la esperanza de que cada año se realice con mayor entusias­mo.

Concedemos especial importancia en cuanto a exaltar los logros alcanzados por los organismos ya que de esta manera, dentro de la Comunidad de las Naciones los países donantes no se sientan defrau^ dados de que los esfuerzos hechos hasta ahora no han sido inútiles, y no se debe interrumpir la intensidad de la lucha hasta que no se erradique el hambre en el mundo.

LI ZHENHUAN (China) (Original language Chinese): I would like to thank Mr. Moreno Rojas for his introduction yesterday afternoon which gives us information on the commemorating activities in 1982 in various countries. We think the commemorating activities conducted in 1981 and 1982 have been successful. Now the question is how to continue such activities in the future, in the light of the resolution adopted by the 20th Session of FAO Conference.

Paragraph 15 of document 19 points out that FAO does not seek to put forward a package of activi­ties. Therefore each country can choose the most suitable forms of activities, in accordance with the concrete conditions and the prospects of its food and agriculture issues. In our view, the success of the miscellaneous and interesting activities carried out in these two years is due to this guideline which encourages countries to bring forth their initiatives and creativeness into play; and only by so doing will such activities be a solid foundation. In this connexion we hope that such an approach will continue to form one of the guidelines for future World Food Day acti­vities.

J. TCHICAYA (Congo) : M. le Président, ma délégation souhaite s'associer aux félicitations que nombre de délégations ont adressées au Directeur général pour toutes les initiatives prises en vue d'assurer, à travers le monde, le succès de la Journée mondiale de l’alimentation. Nous lui sommes reconnaissants notamment pour le succès qu'a connu la célébration de la deuxième journée mondiale, telle qu'elle s'est déroulée à Rome, avec les innovations qui ont été apportées. Ma délégation salue tout particulièrement l'organisation d'un colloque composé de personnalités indépendantes qui, au terme d'une réflexion approfondie sur les questions alimentaires, ont abouti à la Déclaration de Rome dont les conclusions constitueront, nous l'espérons, un puissant détonateur dans l'opinion internationale qui pourra contribuer à" promouvoir la production agricole et alimentaire là où elle fait défaut.

Certes, d'aucuns pourraient faire remarquer que c'est là une déclaration de plus, qui vient s'ajouter au lot de celles qui existent déjà. Néanmoins, nous pensons que celle-ci s'inscrit parfaitement dans le combat que mène notre Organisation contre la faim, sous l'impulsion de son Directeur général.

Notre délégation pour sa part appuie de telles initiatives qui ont pour but de contribuer à attirer un peu plus l'attention de l'opinion publique internationale sur un fléau qui frappe une bonne partie de l'humanité. La presse internationale devrait y faire largement écho.

M. le Président, mon pays, qui depuis l'an dernier s'est associé à cet effort international visant à vulgariser les problèmes alimentaires et à mettre en lumière les difficultés que rencontrent les responsables de cette activité pour enrayer la faim et la malnutrition, mon pays dis-je, a parti­cipé activement à la célébration de la seconde journée mondiale pour l'alimentation. L'occasion a été ainsi donnée aux responsables de l'agriculture du Congo de s'adresser, par la voie des ondes et à la télévision, à l'opinion nationale sur la gravité du problème alimentaire et faire connaître les solutions actuellement mises en oeuvre pour épargner à notre peuple les souffrances engendrées par la faim.

La Journée mondiale de l'alimentation revêt donc pour nous une importance particulière, en tant que pays à déficit alimentaire et à faible revenu. Des débats organisés au cours de cette journée à travers notre pays ont révélé la nécessité de développer le dialogue entre producteurs et consom­mateurs, afin de garantir les intérêts des uns et des autres. Enfin, mon gouvernement, qui a fait du problème agricole et alimentaire de notre pays la priorité des priorités, ne pouvait laisser passer la belle occasion qu'offre la célébration de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation pour lui permettre d'inviter les producteurs à plus d'efforts dans l'amélioration de la productivité.

Nous renouvelons en conséquence notre attachement à cette journée, qui connaît un succès croissant, à en juger par le compte rendu fait hier par M. Moreno auquel nous rendons hommage pour les efforts qu'il ne cesse de déployer depuis l'an dernier afin de faire de cette journée un succès pour la FAO.

P. PONGPAET (Thailand): The Thai Delegation would like to inform the Council that the Government of Thailand has attached great importance and given full support for the observation of the World Food Day. On October 16th the Government launched a programme inviting all the governmental and nongovernmental agencies and people from all walks of life to participate in the promotion of nutritional intake in the country. The improvement of nutritional levels had been emphasized in the field of production distribution processing. In Bangkok the Prime Minister delivered a speech emphazing a better share in food distribution for those poorer people in the remote rural areas. An activity which is worth mentioning here is a joint arrangement between the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to hold a seminar on the topic of food comfort at Kasetsart University. Such a seminar was able to draw a large audience and the important interest of the people on the importance of food.

Though Thailand is a food-producing country a large number of people mostly in the remote rural areas are still facing malnutrition and under-nutrition. This fact is already stated in the food mission and economic and social development plan which has been launched early this year. More than two hundred villages have been declared the poorest area that need highest priority for development in the national plan.

To observe the World Food Day the Ministry of Agriculture and the authority concerned introduced it to the people in the rural areas where it was sought to improve the nutrient in food preparation so that people would change their habits of food consumption.

To mark the World Food Day, millions of fish of various species were distributed to farmers with the hope that they would give some nourishment to the poor people. It is the intention of the Thai Government to carry on this campaign on every World Food Day and to increase our activities throughout each year.

M. NAANANI (Maroc) : C'est avec intérêt et enthousiasme que le Maroc célèbre depuis l'année dernière la grande Journée mondiale de l'alimentation. Nous considérons que cette journée constitue une occasion pour le monde entier, pour tous les pays développés ou en voie de l'être, de marquer une pause de quelques heures pour méditer sur le problème de l'alimentation et sur le problème de la faim qui détruit quotidiennement des vies humaines et qui menace la population de toute la planète.

La Journée mondiale de l'alimentation constitue également une occasion pour mettre en exergue les programmes et les plans qui doivent être mis en oeuvre pour accroître le niveau de la production agricole et réaliser l’autosuffisance alimentaire.

La Journée du 16 octobre 1982 fut commémorée chez nous par un ensemble d'activités, telles les tables rondes sur les problèmes de l'agriculture, les émissions spéciales à la radio et à la télé­vision, la publication d'un dépliant sur l'alimentation et l'agriculture, l'émission de timbres, etc. Mais le grand événement qui a marqué cette journée est l'inauguration du siège de la repré­sentation de la FAO nouvellement installée à Rabat. C'est à partir de ce siège que l'appel du Directeur général de la FAO fut lancé.

Puis-je à cette occasion, M. le Président, transmettre à M. Edouard Saouma et à ses collaborateurs, les remerciements chaleureux de mon gouvernement pour l'intérêt qu'ils accordent au Maroc et qui s'est concrétisé par l'ouverture du bureau de la FAO à Rabat.

Enfin, M. le Président, pour ne pas allonger mon intervention, je voudrais insister sur l'appui total et sans réserve de mon pays au principe de la célébration de la Journée mondiale de l'alimen­tation, et je lance un appel à tous les Etats pour qu'ils continuent d'oeuvrer pour que cette journée acquière le haut niveau que lui confère son noble objectif,

W.A.F. GRABISCH (Germany, Federal Republic of): In order to help you catch up with our time schedule I will refrain from giving an account about the celebrations which took place in the Federal Republic of Germany on the second World Food Day and just concentrate on a few points.

First, as expressed already by us, before the celebration of the first World Food Day, we are still of the opinion that in order to make a great impact for each World Food Day one topic should be chosen from the overall problems of the world food and agricultural areas, including fisheries and forestry. At the Eighty-First Session of the Council the delegate of India made a similar proposal. Such a topic could, for example, be prevention of food losses, drinking water, consumption of more locally produced food, maintaining ecologic balance, soil conservation, forestry and food, just to name a few. As a sort of hammering message, such a selected topic and the corresponding most striking points should be sent around the globe.

Secondly, a short paper of not more than four pages carrying headnotes and a few figures should illustrate the actual world food situation. The press and other media are, in our experience, more open-minded to such a rather short paper than to a long text.

Thirdly, certain criticism was raised in our country in connexion with the beautiful, but probably quite expensive, publication Food Comes First. I feel it is justified to ask whether this type of presentation is really necessary or whether the same aim cannot be achieved with a more modest form.

Fourthly, thought should be given to the idea as to whether a general hammering message for the World Food Day could be brought to the attention of the world population through television, as for example practiced by Unesco and also through schools. The television spot would have to be short and to the point of the selected topic. Once it was launched in one or few television chains, also in developed countries, others would most probably follow. Specific information material would have to be prepared for schools to make pupils aware of the problems involved if this idea were to be pursued. We note with satisfaction that also the Programme Committee in its action about the implementation activities of the organizations referred to both issues.

Fifthly and finally, the time factor plays a decisive role. Concept and details must be available in time, updated figures on the current world food situation can be given at the last moment.

S. AHMED (Bangladesh): We have read with interest the progress report on the World Food Day activities in document CL 82/19, that was introduced by the Director of Human Resources, Institutions and Agrarian Reform Division yesterday.

It was also a pleasure listening to other delegates from many other countries about the activities of World Food Day in various countries. It was particularly heartening to note that countries rich and poor have all taken an adequate interest in the programmes of the World Food Day activities.

As far as Bangladesh is concerned, with a population of over 90 million in an area of hardly 55 000 square miles, the importance of the mottoes like 'Food for All' and 'Food comes first' do not require any new explanation to our people.

We are very happy to state here that on World Food Day, both in 1981 and in 1982, we drew up extension programmes at the national and local levels, at district level, at divisional level and at village level. In fact the World Food Day programmes in Bangladesh started a few days before 16 October and many organizations, cooperatives and social cultural organizations continued their seminars, symposia and discussions even after 16 October 1982.

At the national level we organized a seminar at which we had a message from the Head of the Government. It was attended by the Ministers of Food and Agriculture. It was attended by government organizations, non-government organizations, private voluntary agencies, representatives of the donors, representa­tives of the World Bank, the Agency for International Development, and many private research and socio-cultural organizations. Papers were read out on food security issues, on agricultural problems. We also organized essay contests for schoolchildren and also in colleges and universities and arranged for distribution of prizes. Farmers' rallies were organized throughout the length and breadth of the country. Special supplements were put out in the newspapers. Special programmes were arranged on television, radio, on the national hook-up. In organizing this programme in Bangladesh I must mention the contribution made by the dedicated band of staff in local FAO mission there. It was with active collaboration with them and their assistance that this programme was a success.

We wholeheartedly agree with the statement of the Director-General made on the first day at the opening of this Council that the World Food Day activities do not end at midnight on 16 October. Rather it marks the beginning and it sets the pace and the background for a new series of activities which will start from the next dawn.

We have been celebrating World Food Day for the last two years, and let us hope that successive world food days in future will enable us to have in our credit account a lot of achievements and a lot of success stories of which we can be legitimately proud.

CHAIRMAN: I now give the floor to Afghanistan, but first I would like to welcome the Afghan delegate because he has reached Rome with a great deal of difficulty due to travel problems.

M.H. PAIMAN (Afghanistan): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My delegation congratulates the respected Director-General for the successful activity and inauguration of World Food Day at Member countries. The World Food Day is celebrated worldwide on 16 October every year in Member countries. It now has the higher attention of world opinion about the food problems.

Besides other factors affecting the food status, such as food losses at the time of harvesting, processing, canning, transportation, storage, insect pest infestation, or unnecessary consumption and other wastage, the main factor is unjust distribution of the food. So the countries should collect the concrete data of food consumption and analyse it carefully. Specially' the food assessments must be used carefully and in productive ways, and it should have a creative effect on the socio-economic life of the people. For example, it can be considered for the programmes like constructions for agricultural development, water management, watershed, pastures, forestry, cooperative activities for rural development, land reforms, agrarian reforms, and land settlement for new land recipients, especially for nomads, and so on.

As far as nomads are concerned, especially in my country, we have approximately 2.5 million Afghan, nomads and most of them are livestock owners. For grazing their sheep and cattle they cross the border of the country every year. Especially it is customary for the Afghan nomads from ancient times to cross the border of the country along with their livestock during winter and return during the spring season when the climatic conditions are favourable. Therefore the above-mentioned nomads, which the Pakistani delegation presented as so-called Afghan refugees in the previous mission of the Council, under this title unfortunately received emergency aid from WFP. Anyway, for clarity I repeat that they are normal nomads and not refugees and the government has the plan of distribut­ing the first-grade lands to them, like other peasants in our country, and according to the official announcement of the Afghan government they want to return to their native country, and I hope that they will get the opportunity to do so. Whenever these nomads receive their lands according to the land reform programme, inmediately they need food constructions and settlement facilities on their lands besides other agricultural foods and technical and financial materials, especially in my country according to the second phase of the land reform programme which is going on right now. I hope that in future the Council and the WFP organization will consider a programme to help my country too besides other developing countries.

For this purpose in order to increase the agricultural production and do battle against hunger and malnutrition the modern agricultural technology must be utilized on the land. A concrete decision should be taken on food security and the developed countries should help the poor and developing countries and continue their full cooperation in future too, and mostly the farmers must be aided with different productive credits in the easiest way in order to increase the agricultural commod­ities.

The national food committee if it is formed of the member countries must be very active and through these committees many activities, such as the press, radio, television films, film projectors, meetings in rural areas of the farmers at village level must be done. Moreover, these committees must have regular meetings and the activity should not be limited to only one day; it should have a distinct programme to collect the concrete data and do a survey on different types of food losses or food wastage and should have the statistics of food consumption throughout the country.

The government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan has been one of the first countries prepared to mark World Food Day on 16 October last year and this year too. The national committee composed of authorized representatives of various governmental agencies has met several times so far for the above-mentioned purpose. The committee produced and minted memorial coins ranging from Afs 5 to Afs 500 last year and printed memorial stamps. It organized agricultural shows, press, television, radio, meetings, agricultural films, and many other activities this year. I hope that these activities will increase much in the future.

F.BREWSTER (Barbados): The Barbados delegation wishes to associate with the previous speakers to congratulate the FAO for its splendid work for World Food Day, 1982. Barbados was happy to be among the member states that made special arrangements for the staging of World Food Day on October 16. The day has now passed, but its impact on Barbadians will remain for many months. The Ministry of Agriculture in close collaboration with the Country Office of the FAO, the National Organization OfWomen, the Ministry of Education, farmers' organizations, the business community and other service clubs used the occasion to give added thrust to the governments efforts to promote local food production.

In order to sensitize the public to the meaning and the significance of the World Food Day observance, we focussed on a public relations programme giving much advance publicity to the special programmes that were planned for. This was initiated in September by the Minister of Agriculture for Food, Hon. Doctor Richard Cheltenham, who also delivered a special message on World Food Day. One of the major themes in this message was that the ability of a country to produce food should be treated as a national resource to be maintained, improved upon and protected at all costs.

I would mention the three major events included in the Barbados programme of World Food Day activities. We staged a great harvest; on that occasion over 6 000 persons attended and participated in an open market which brought together all those persons and organizations involved in food production, marketing, storage and consumption. This great harvest proved such a success that it has triggered off a call for it to be repeated in subsequent years.

We held a one-day seminar and an awards ceremony for workers in food production at our Labeur Club. This event was important because it allowed a large number of a cross-section of workers in food production, the farmer, the fisherman, the supermarket proprietor, the street vendor, among others, to come together for one day to express their views on how they saw food production and agriculture developing in the country. This seminar made a number of recommendations for implementation by the Ministry of Agriculture. Again, this aspect of World Food Day proved popular and will be continued in future programmes.

We also organized a livestock show at Greenland, one of the most rural districts in Barbados. This was important also because it afforded participation by community groups in one of the remote places in Barbados.

In addition to the three major events of World Food Day, the committee organized the distribution of thousands of vegetable seedlings and fruit seedlings of improved varieties to farmers and householders. It organized a number of fruit treeplanting ceremonies and presented numerous mass media events over a period of 10 weeks.

We feel that the member countries should continue to use World Food Day as an engine to carry their national plans for agricultural development forward. This we feel would help FAO to realize its goal of seeing national food security shared on a worldwide basis.

A. RODRIGUES PIRES (Cap Vert): Nous voulons, comme l'a dit notre Président, dans son discours d'ouverture ici au Conseil, féliciter la FAO pour l'excellent travail accompli pour l'organisation de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation et également pour l'initiative du Directeur général consis­tant dans l'organisation d'un séminaire auquel participaient beaucoup de pays afin de faire un bilan des réflexions suscitées par cette Journée mondiale de l'alimentation.

Notre gouvernement appuie sans réserve cette initiative et nous souhaitons qu'au plan national la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation soit organisée à tous les niveaux.

CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Cape Verde. It was a very brief but very important message.

M. TATIETA (Haute Volta): La delegation de la Haute Volta félicite le Directeur général de la FAO pour cette heureuse initiative qu'est la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation. Cette journée a été célébrée cette année avec beaucoup plus d'éclat que l'année dernière en Haute Volta. Quelques semaines auparavant une campagne de sensibilisation et d'information du public sur les objectifs de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation a été menée par l'intermédiaire de la radiodiffusion. L'organisation d'un concours de développement centré sur des thèmes de production, de reboisement, de protection de l'environnement a été réalisée et a vu la participation de plusieurs associations d'agriculteurs au niveau individuel et collectif.

Pendant les trois jours qui ont précédé la manifestation de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation des émissions télévisées ont été organisées; ces tables rondes ont vu la participation des services des ministères du Développement rural, de la Santé, de l'Environnement et du Tourisme. Les manifestations officielles ont débuté le 15 octobre par un discours radiodiffusé du Ministre du développement rural invitant toute la population à participer à la lutte contre la faim qui reste une réalité vivante dans notre pays et pour laquelle le gouvernement a déjà entrepris plusieurs mesures tendant à faire diminuer ce spectre au sein des populations.

La journée du 16 a été essentiellement consacrée à la visite d'une exposition présidée par le Ministre du développement rural. L'exposition a été organisée conjointement par les ministères du Développement rural, de la Santé, de l’Environnement et du Tourisme ainsi que du Service de l'Information des Nations Unies. L'exposition a attiré un grand nombre de citadins et nous espérons que l'objectif a été atteint. La Journée s'est terminée par la distribution des prix aux lauréats du concours du développement. Ces prix en nature étaient constitués de divers matériel de production,

essentiellement de charrues, de charrettes et d'engrais.

Le Ministre du développement rural a clôturé la manifestation en félicitant les participants et les donateurs pour les sacrifices consentis quant à la réussite de la journée. En dépit de cette réussite de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation cette année, des efforts plus accrus seront déployés dans les années à venir pour décentraliser l'organisation de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation. Cela permettra à cette manifestation d'avoir un impact plus important sur les population.

D. AWOYEMI (Nigeria): A lot has already been said about the World Food Day activities here in Rome and in many other countries of the world. I only want to say that the occasion is serving as a very effective means of informing the mass media and the public at large of the activities of the Government of Nigeria with regard to agricultural development and to food production in particular. This year it was a week-long series of activities in which radio and television discussions, radio broadcasts, symposia, a nation-wide essay competition and an agricultural exhibition were staged. This concerted effort covering a whole week of activities is bringing the people closer to the government, and I believe the FAO should do everything possible to keep it alive. Any funds reasonably expended on World Food Day activities is money well spent.

Following on the observation made by Kenya yesterday, that the day falls on Sunday next year, it might be necessary for the FAO Secretariat to advise governments to stage mass World Food Day activities before that day, leaving only radio broadcasts or some other events that would not require mass activities to be staged on the actual day that falls on Sunday.

Sra. G. SOTO CARRERO (Cuba): Quisiéramos agradecer, señor Presidente, por su amable conducto al doctor Rafael Moreno por la magnífica presentación de este tema.

En Cuba, igual que el primer día que se celebro el Día Mundial de la Alimentación, se dio gran importancia este año a esta conmemoración. Se efectuaron varias reuniones de coordinación para determinar las actividades efectuadas por el Comité organizador, que está presidido por el Ministro Presidente del Comité Estatal de Colaboración Económica. De estas reuniones surgió el cumplimiento de las actividades siguientes, entre otras: un seminario sobre los aspectos fundamentales del hambre en el mundo organizado por la Unión de Periodistas de Cuba; una exposición efectuada en el Ministerio de la Agricultura titulada "Productos del Agro en manos del pueblo". Esta producción fue cultivada en el centro de semillas mejoradas de ese Ministerio; se efectuaron programas radiales de la tele­visión también sobre la significación del día; se hicieron comunicados especiales alegóricos al día en las revistas técnicas del Ministerio de Agricultura y Ministerio de la Alimentación; se celebra­ron conferencias técnicas acerca de sistemas avanzados de producción y alimentos efectuadas en el Ministerio de la Alimentación; se convocó a concurso de pintura cuya convocatoria abarca hasta el mes de diciembre sobre el tema de cómo ven los niños el hambre y la alimentación en el mundo. Este concurso se convocó por el Ministerio de Educación. Se escribieron artículos especiales en los principales diarios que se circulan en nuestro país y uno muy específico sobre la significación del día 16 de octubre publicado en esa misma fecha; se efectuaron entrevistas con representantes de la FAO en nuestro país en la revista de Asociación Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños sobre la importan­cia y significación del Día Mundial de la Alimentación; se celebró un acto central en un proyecto de riego y drenaje que es ejecutado por la FAO y del cual es beneficiario el Ministerio de la Agricul­tura, participando en el mismo técnicos, trabajadores y dirigentes de varios organismos nacionales así como representantes de la FAO. Finalmente, se envió un mensaje al señor Edouard Saouma por el Presidente del Consejo de Estado y Ministros de Cuba y Presidentes del Movimiento de Países no Alineados, Comandante Fidel Castro, con motivo de la conmemoración de ese día.

En realidad, nuestro país seguirá dando el calor apropiado a la conmemoración del Día Mundial de la Alimentación. Desgraciadamente, esta difusión mundial no puede ser aún portadora de un mensaje optimista sobre la situación de la agricultura y la alimentación en el mundo. Creemos, sin embargo, que nos trae un llamado de alarma por la suerte de la creciente marcha de seres humanos que sufren hambre y desnutrición, especialmente en los países subdesarrollados donde según distintas informa­ciones la cifra pasa de los 800 millones.

Siguiendo la idea expresada por el distinguido delegado del Ecuador, consideramos que nunca jamás se ha evidenciado con tal fuerza la íntima conexión que existe entre la lucha por la paz y el esfuer­zo en aras del desarrollo, en la lucha contra el hambre y por salvar a centenares de millones de personas de las condiciones de vida infrahumana, de las enfermedades evitables, el analfabetismo y la muerte prematura. En ese sentido mi delegación considera que todas las personas sensibles y preocupadas por el futuro debemos reconocer a la FAO, al Director General y al personal de la Dirección de Recursos e Instituciones y Reforma Agraria por los esfuerzos que realizan en esta cruzada contra el hambre, el atraso y el subdesarrollo.

Nuestro país se solidariza plenamente con estos objetivos y estará siempre dispuesta a contribuir al logro de ellos mediante su modesto concurso y el esfuerzo de nuestro pueblo trabajador.

B.N. SEQUEIRA (Angola): Since we still have plenty of work to do, I shall be very brief indeed. In commenting on this year's activities of World Food Day, an earthquake has shaken public opinion to increase awareness of national and international food problems, thus mobilizing world food reserves for agriculture and rural development. In accordance with the possibility of our means, Angola has also observed World Food Day, and messages were broadcast on TV and radio, and although not on the same day due to the engagements of the relative Ministers, I am pleased to announce that a multistorey building has been given in Luanda, the capital city of Angola, to the international organization of the UN so that they can carry out their work there.

For some countries which have been independent for many years, the observance of World Food Day may not have the same significance as in the case of Angola, which has been independent for only seven years, and more than 80 percent of its inhabitants live in the countryside. Therefore, this year's celebration of World Food Day has helped us not only to identify but also has taught us how to go about resolving some of the most acute problems which our country is facing in rural areas. Therefore, taking into account the success of this year and its positive impact on the world's public opinion, my delegation is pleased to congratulate Dr. Saouma, the Director-General of FAO, and all officers who contributed to this successful event, and wishes to give its support and cooperation towards

further commemoration of World Food Day until hunger is successfully eradicated from the surface of the earth.

G. KELLEY SALINAS (México): México considera que un elemento fundamental para crear conciencia sobre el hambre y la malnutrición es la difusión intensa y generalizada sobre la natural implicación de ese gravísimo problema.

En este espíritu mi país ha empeñado importantes esfuerzos para difundir las actividades conmemora­tivas del Día Mundial de la Alimentación. Estas van desde el uso de los medios masivos de comunica­ción hasta acciones concretas de puesta en marcha de programas en contra del hambre.

Mi delegación se felicita por la forma tan entusiasta como la comunidad internacional se ha identi­ ficado con los esfuerzos de la FAO y de su Director General por poner a la alimentación y a la agri­cultura en el primerísimo plano de las preocupaciones del mundo entero. México se solidariza plena­mente con esta tarea.

Ms. G. LAPOINTE (Canada): The World Food Day activities held throughout the country led by the federal and provincial governments, NGCs and schools, involved thousands of Canadians. The main objective of the celebration was to increase Canadians' awareness of the world food situation, of the efforts being made to help solve the food problem.

At the federal level an open house was held at agriculture planners' headquarters which highlighted the sights and sounds of the Third World. The open house was officially opened by Eugene Whelan, the Canadian Minister of Agriculture. A contest was held nationally inviting students who prepared an essay on the theme Solution to World Hunger. Agriculture Canada Research Stations participated by organizing open houses and distributing pamphlets and information.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank FAO for the excellent brochures provided for the occasion.

To give just a very few examples of what was done at the provincial level, in the province of Ontario, World Food Day material was included in the Ministry of Education's curriculum, Tips for Teachers. The University of Guelph held a special talk on the Potential for Bio-Technology in the Expansion of the World Food Supply.

In Alberta, World Food Day brochures were circulated to all elementary schools, and promotional kits were distributed to chapters of the Alberta Women's Institute.

In British Columbia, 350 schools, 50 churches, and 3 universities participated in various activities. A seminar was held at the YMCA which included the Director-General of the Canadian International Development Agency's NGO Division and the former head of FAO's Freedom from Hunger campaign.

In Newfoundland, the Commonwealth Youth Association held a mock-parliament featuring Food Conditions in Developing Countries. In Nova Scotia, a workshop was held on World Food Policy. In Quebec, the Union des Producteurs Agricoles et la Cooperative Fédérée de Québec published background material on World Hunger for inclusion in their publications. Finally, in Quebec also, McDonald College and Laval University held a series of programmes and lectures and debates on World Food Problems.

T. AHMAD (Pakistan): We are lagging so far behind that I am tempted to restrict my intervention to my brief I have received, which says "for reporters: information only".

World Food Day was celebrated in Pakistan in a most fitting manner. However, I have a distinct temptation to associate myself with other members of the Council who have given their wholehearted support to the celebration of the activities of World Food Day, and we wish to convey our apprecia­tion to the Director-General, Professor Islam, and Mr. Moreno, and also to the Italian Government who have hosted the two World Food Days in 1981 and 1982 and the Headquarters where we had the opportunity of participating, and we found that very stimulating.

In this context we may make a very small suggestion -that the Headquarters celebration of the World Food Day perhaps could involve a little more activity from the whole staff of FAO, and they could get if nothing else, a little motivation and re-thinking on the subject.

On the same lines the delegate from Germany in the morning suggested that the World Food Day should be referred to a specific subject, and the delegate was echoing the solution from the Indian dele­gation. We tend to differ on this, as we think the World Food Day should try to reach as many people as possible on that particular day, and not be restricted to a particular target. If you pick a specific subject for World Food Day such as Soil Conservation or Food Losses, you will presumably reach only a specific target group in mostly developing countries. We suggest World Food Day activi­ties should increase awareness not only in developing countries but also in developed countries where you have the policy makers, and need their assistance for all the activities which are being undertaken by FAO and other organizations.

We therefore feel, that although there should be a balance, there should at the same time be a little more effort by the policy makers and other groups within the developed countries where this awareness should be generated. In this context, we are very happy to learn the details of the acti­vities which the delegate of Canada enumerated. We feel these would really go a long way to helping the FAO and other organizations.

Before I conclude, I would also, with your indulgence, like to take this opportunity to respond very briefly to the delegate of Afghanistan on a subject on which I do not wish to enter into a controversy. However, I do appreciate the kind remark that one minister made, about what he calls "nomads" and we call "refugees", perhaps it is a semantic discussion but he suggests they could go back to their homeland. We agree wholeheartedly and we also hope the same thing. We have given them shelter on purely humanitarian grounds; we cannot push them back with their brothers, but we do hope and wish they will go back to their homelands and lead a life of honour and dignity.

In this context, I would also take the opportunity to invite the distinguished Minister to come to Pakistan at any time he wishes on a short visit.

ADANG HARTAWAN (Indonesia): I might be the last speaker on this item, therefore I would like to restrain myself in order to be brief. On behalf of the Indonesia delegation on this particular occasion, allow me to associate myself with the other delegates in extending my highest appreciation to Dr. Saouma, the Director-General of the FAO, on initiating the World Food Day activities throughout the world. It has been crowned with success.

My delegation fully believes that the commemoration of the World Food Day each year is an extremely important event in order to increase public awareness for the sake of activating the people nation­ally or internationally to eradicate hunger, malnutrition and poverty in the world today. My

Government as a member of FAO, has committed itself to observe the World Food Day every year. For the past two years successively Indonesia has commemorated World Food Day activities in a very extensive manner. Also in the future we shall always celebrate that particular event, like many countries in the world. As an example, our 1982 celebration of World Food Day activities a couple of months ago, among others, had a message with the theme of Increasing Food Production through the aim of post-harvest technology. During a television interview our Minister of Agriculture and the representative of FAO in Indonesia held a Discussion Panel among the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the experts on agriculture throughout Indonesia with the main topic of How to Improve Food Production and Quality through the Development of Post-Harvest Technology.

Publishing of folders, posters, speakers, multi-performances, and last but not least, holding a special Agricultural Fair -all the above activities have been implemented simultaneously through Indonesia.

Sra.Doña . D. SANCHEZ (Colombia): En la Conferencia de 1979, Colombia, junto con Hungría y otros países, fue copatrocinadora de la Resolución 1/79 que estableció el Día Mundial de la Alimentación. El pasado 16 de octubre, el nuevo Presidente de Colombia envió un mensaje al Director General desta­cando la importancia de estas actividades y el papel fundamental de la FAO. Por lo tanto, Colombia es partidaria del Día Mundial de la Alimentación.

Despue's de escuchar todas las declaraciones de los países que nos han precedido en el uso de la pala­bra, hemos observado con complacencia que, en todos ellos, en una forma u otra, se ha celebrado el Día Mundial de la Alimentación, motivo de gran satisfacción para la FAO y para su Director General, quien ha sido el ideólogo. Pero, pensamos que esas celebraciones pueden cumplirse de manera más racional, positiva y económica. Después de largo debate sobre este tema, la delegación de Colombia ha decidido exponerle algunas ideas que esperamos serán bien acogidas por el espíritu pragmático y comprensivo de la Dirección General de la FAO.

Hemos oído que se han emitido estampillas, que se han elaborado paquetes de cigarrillos, de fósforos; que los congresos han aprobado declaraciones especiales que se han hecho por concientizar a la gente sobre el problema del hambre. Pero, en cambio, no se ha oído que en algún país se haya dado de comer en este día a tal número de niños, o que se haya promovido una acción en favor de alimentar a un grupo de niños hambrientos o malnutridos. En fin, esto es lo que queríamos decir para que en adelante se aplique un criterio más práctico en la celebración de este Día.

S. CADENASSO FERROGGIARO (Observador por Chile): Primero de todo, deseo felicitar al señor Rafael Moreno, quien, bajo las orientaciones del Director General ha sido el impulsor de la celebración del Día Mundial de la Alimentación, desplegando toda clase de iniciativas para que los Gobiernos le dieran la verdadera importancia que tiene.

En mi país se celebró el día 16 de Octubre en conjunto con la Oficina Regional de FAO para América Latina y el Caribe, cuya Sede se encuentra en Santiago de Chile, y con asistencia del Ministro de Agricultura y otras personalidades.

El Ministro tuvo la responsabilidad de hacer uso de la palabra sobre este acontecimiento por Red Nacional de Radio y Televisión para que fuera escuchado y visto por todos los niños de los colegios y escuelas, y por toda la población en general. Además, se emitió una serie de sellos alusivos al Día Mundial de la Alimentación, como asimismo se realizaron concursos de pinturas escolares referi­das al tema, y se premiaron a pequeños agricultores rurales en las diferentes provincias que habían obtenido un mayor rendimiento en la producción agrícola.

El contenido del coloquio expuesto y elaborado por distinguidas personalidades mundiales, creo lla­mará la atención de todos los Gobiernos sobre el flagelo del hambre. Espero que cada año tenga mayor relieve a nivel mundial la celebración del Día Mundial de la Alimentación para beneficio de toda la humanidad. Y termino felicitando, de nuevo, al Director General por haber implantado este Día Mundial.

P. VANDOR (Observer for Hungary): The two-year short history of World Food Day shows that this event has become a very important instrument in the formulation of public opinion throughout the world on agricultural and food issues. The national and regional ceremonies and special meetings here in Rome and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York are indeed a new network of global fora at our disposal. We are very happy to note that in the framework of World Food Day ceremonies here in Rome, FAO convened a special consultation of high-level personalities from all the regions of the world. The Rome Declaration on Hunger helped FAO greatly on focussing attention of all concerned to the alarming problem of food production.

We hope that this idea can become a successful tradition for the future and we offer to think over, together with the senior officials to FAO concerned, as to what can be done during the coming years in order that World Food Day celebrations can maintain this very high effectiveness and impact which we had this year.

The delegate of Colombia dwelled in particular on a practical approach and as an example mentioned that food could be given on this Day to children. I think the aim of World Day and of our entire activity should not be aimed at giving food for children on one day, but that our aim should be to give food for children throughout the whole year, all 365 days of it.

Ms. V.E. BETTON (Observer for Jamaica): The observer delegation of Jamaica would like to associate itself with previous speakers in congratulating FAO on having initiated activities to celebrate World Food Day. Jamaica fully supports the celebration of this event and is convinced that it has made a significant impact both internationally and at the national level to increase awareness of the need to give priority to agricultural development, in particular to stimulate efforts to increase food production.

In Jamaica appropriate activities were also staged to celebrate this day. We would like to support the continuation of this important event.

M.P. CRACKNELL (Observer for International Federation of Agricultural Producers): We in IFAP are also very impressed by the success that the World Food Day has had after only two years. IFAP is now giving its support on an international level to World Food Day and also by circulating to our membership throughout the world to try to get them active also in World Food Day celebrations. We have had some difficulty with certain of our developed countries farm organization members in taking an active interest, and we think this is a pity because more and more people tend to think that food comes from the grocery store, and we think this is an opportunity for them to tell peolpe that food comes, in fact, from farmers.

The North American Representative, Mr. Frank Shefrin, whom some of you have known in the past here, was in fact Chairman of the Canadian National Committee for World Food Day. We believe that World Food Day should continue to be observed and that progress is very welcome in the coming years; but could I say we believe you should not let World Food Day take control. The success of World Food Day is the fact that it concentrates on a single day, and we believe that this should continue to be the objective.

If I might remind you in closing, the Freedom from Hunger Campaign's original objective was almost exactly that of World Food Day when it was founded 20 years ago under the direction of my predecessor, Mr. R. Savary; in fact he was the first coordinator of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign. We would find it a pity if World Food Day began to expand on either side of the 16th of October to build up, as the Freedom from Hunger campaign did, into something more than what was originally intended. We do not mean to say that the Freedom from Hunger Campaign is not an excellent progremme but we think we should continue to focus World Food Day on the 16th of October.

T.E.C. PALMER (Observer for Sierra Leone): We could not resist the temptation to throw in our voice to this lively debate on this important topic, especially when we have had a cross section of views of the members. Even though we are here in an observer capacity, we feel that we could at least add our own contribution also towards the discussion. We agree with the previous speakers who have recognized the importance of World Food Day. We also agree that the objective should not merely be limited to production of food in developing countries: we believe that there should be some further thought in the direction of the policy and even the approaches to be considered, particularly in developing countries but also in developed countries, under the World Food Day activities programme. We agree with this particular approach because we believe that World Food Day is primarily of a promotional nature. That is why we would like to see a wide spectrum of activities both from the developed and developing world.

We have received reports of successes from the developing countries and we have seen how they could react to incentives, particularly if they are given the necessary assistance and guidance in the direction and approaches. Consequently we would like to throw our weight behind the contribution of Pakistan, that at least the coverage should be given also to the audience from the developed countries to be aware of the problems encountered in the developing countries; and World Food Day is a very good medium to propound such an exercise.

We wish to observe that Council members should at least raise the point of creating different or new approaches by which they can assist FAO in drawing up new programmes or even to concentrate or sharpen focus on successful projects or programmes in previous activities.

R. MORENO ROJAS (Director, Dirección de Recursos Humanos, Instituciones y Reforma Agraria): En primer término, Sr. Presidente, quisiera agradecer en nombre del Sr. Director General las palabras de apoyo y aprecio que se han expresado por la unanimidad de las delegaciones que han hecho uso de la palabra al reconocer los esfuerzos que el Sr. Director General ha venido colocando en la cele­bración de este Día.

Como muy bien ha sido mencionado por varios distinguidos oradores, la forma en la cual el Día Mundial de la Alimentación se realiza radica, principalmente, en la responsabilidad de los Gobiernos Miembros; son ellos quienes orientan, deciden, organizan y difunden las actividades que en cada país se llevan a efecto. La labor de la FAO en un esquema muy reducido y modesto con una Secretaría com­puesta prácticamente por dos personas de modo alguno puede promover ni incentivar más allá de lo que el interés nacional diga, lo que en cada país pudiera ser realizado. Por lo tanto, lo que aquí los delegados nos han entregado como información, que agradecemos, será recogida en el informe que se preparará y posteriormente será circulado a todos los países miembros para difundir la labor que se ha realizado como experiencia en 1982. Esta labor será gran mérito de los países mismos y no mérito de una Secretaría que solamente ha hecho de difusor de algunas ideas principales.

Se recogen con interés y aprecio las sugerencias que se han formulado por los distinguidos delega­dos en el sentido de dar énfasis al material y al trabajo con los sectores estudiantiles: escuelas, liceos, universidades, niveles educacionales. Compartimos plenamente la inquietud expresada por los señores delegados en el sentido de que éste es el segmento que en mayores condiciones se está en posibilidad de recibir y a su vez de difundir al interior de cada comunidad y los valores del problema de la alimentación y la preservación de los recursos naturales en los cuales ellos deberán desarrollarse.

Igualmente tomamos con interés la sugerencia para expandir aun más la participación de los funciona­rios de la FAO, tanto a nivel de la Sede como a nivel de los proyectos de campo y ya se han iniciado en el curso del presente año interesantes iniciativas en conjunto con ello, las cuales esperamos expandir aún más. Recogemos con especial interés las sugerencias para realizar a nivel nacional mayores esfuerzos de descentralización de la celebración, sin ánimo de disminuir el significativo impacto que tiene, el que el Gobierno central, los Estados, realicen actividades en torno al Día Mundial de la Alimentación, difundan sus objetivos los Jefes de Estado y autoridades máximas del país, utilicen los medios de televisión, de radio o de prensa escrita. Creemos que un impacto cada vez más creciente de este Día se lograría simultáneamente en la medida que sean incorporadas en forma más activa la mayor parte de las organizaciones no gubernamentales, culturales, religiosas y de otra índole que existan a nivel nacional y, al mismo tiempo, que estas actividades sean llevadas cada vez con mayor energía al nivel mismo de la base donde se encuentra la comunidad campe­sina y la comunidad productiva en el medio rural.

Quisiéramos terminar nuestras palabras manifestando que hemos discutido largamente a nivel de la Secretaría la posibilidad de individualizar un tema, un tópico cada año, y hemos llegado a la conclusión de que existen pros y contras para ello. El delegado de Hungría ha señalado alguno de ellos porque, en general para la organización y temática del Día Mundial de la Alimentación, tenemos que tomar en consideración la existencia de realidades muy diversas. Una realidad para hacer un esfuerzo simple de síntesis sería la del mundo desarrollado y la del mundo en desarrollo. Estas percepciones no siempre se encuentran de la misma forma en los distintos países, no obstante ello hemos iniciado la selección de algunos tópicos centrales, y esperamos poder avanzar aun más sobre ello, manteniendo este criterio de flexibilidad que es el que naturalmente los países deben inter­pretar en su propia realidad.

Agradecemos los comentarios de los jefes y representantes que han usado de la palabra y tendremos también en cuenta las sugerencias para minimizar los gastos y los costos de algunos de los elemen­tos que pudieran ser empleados en esta actividad.

CHAIRMAN: I want to thank the thirty Members of the Council, four Observer countries, and one nongovernmental organization, making altogether thirty-five delegations who have participated in this discussion. As Mr. Moreno has stated, a number of valuable ideas have been given, but I would also like to add my words of admiration and congratulation to the Director-General and his very dedicated staff for making within such a short span of time, within two years, World Food Day one of a great deal of importance around the world. I think it has certainly caught the imagination of the political leaders and people alike and I do not know of any comparable observance which has attracted such a wide-spread interest. It is natural, food is such an important item. I feel this occasion should be utilized for articulating the political will in particular. I agree with those who said the day is particularly important to channel the political will and the political commitment to resolving problems of hunger and malnutrition. In fact President Marcos of the Philippines, when he addressed the World Food Day convocation in the Philippines, mentioned this particularly, drawing examples from countries which had made progress in agri­culture, and he said three things are important: political will is number one. Without it, whatever may be the other possibilities, they will not be realized. The professional skill or technology and the people's participation are the other two essential ingredients. When all these three are married, namely, political will,the professional skill or technology and people's participation, then we see the desired degree of progress. Therefore, I think the World Food Day is a timely initiative in achieving this.

I would particularly commend those who mentioned about children and schools. The delegate from Italy made a mention that in Italy they have channelled all the schools in the participation and I would commend this to the developing country representatives because more than in developed countries, in developing countries the vast majority are youth. In India, for example, over 50 percent of the population is below the age of 21. It is ultimately these people who ought to be made aware of the potentials and problems of food production and hence this emphasis on youth is one which is very important, in addition to the political leadership.

I would like to conclude my observations by reading out a particular paragraph from the Rome Declaration on Hunger adopted during this World Food Day, to which the Director-General made a reference and many delegations have made reference: "We believe that it is now possible to end world hunger by the year 2000. More than ever before humanity possesses the resources, capital, technology and knowledge to promote development and to feed poor people, both now and in the foreseeable future. By the year 2000 all the world's people and all its children can be fed and nourished." This is an important statement coming from very distinguished people with practical experience but it reminds me very much of what the late President Kennedy said while opening the first World Food Congress in Washington in the 1960's. He said very much the same thing. "We have the technological capability and we have the resources to obtain freedom from hunger by the end of the decade". That was the early 1960's. Similarly I quoted the 1974 World Food Congress Resolution . but I would like to suggest to the FAO Administration, taking the clue from one of the delegates, let this be a sort of milestone chart. If we adopt 2000 now as a sort of implementable strategy there must be a countdown every year. It is like a spaceship launching where you have a countdown, so many days, but here it is a number of years. So the milestone chart issued on the occasion of the World Food Day by FAO, and I think we recommend to every country that they have a similar countdown. If there are a 100 million people malnourished in that country every October 16th let it be a stocktaking day so that these do not remain pieces of rhetoric there. The fact remains that unless there are instruments of making the rhetoric into reality they will always remain rhetoric and this is what we should avoid. The late President Kennedy made two statements at almost the same time. At the World Food Conference in Washington he said: "We have the resources and the capital to end hunger". Soon afterwards he also said the United States should put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. The man on the moon was realized but the problem of the hunger has been postponed to 2000 A.D.

So let this be an occasion then for stocktaking, for generation of political will and education awareness and at the same time a kind of a strategy of a political will to organize a countdown country by country and we need this awareness from the people, this is what we have achieved, this is the goal, and from there we go on.

I want to thank again all the speakers for your cooperation because a large number of delegates have spoken within a couple of hours, that only shows how delegates can communicate very briefly and precisely.

IV. PROGRAMME, BUDGETARY, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS - REPORTS OF THE PROGRAMME AND FINANCE COMMITTEES
IV. QUESTIONS CONCERNANT LE PROGRAMME, LE BUDGET, LES FINANCES ET L'ADMINISTRATION - RAPPORTS DU COMITE DU PROGRAMME ET DU COMITE FINANCIER
IV. ASUNTOS DEL PROGRAMA Y ASUNTOS PRESUPUESTARIOS, FINANCIEROS Y ADMINISTRATIVOS - INFORMES DE LOS COMITES DEL PROGRAMA Y DE FINANZAS

16. First Report on Unscheduled and Cancelled Sessions in the 1982-83 Biennium
16. Premier rapport sur les réunions hors programme et les réunions annulées pendant l’exercice 1982-83
16. Primer informe sobre reuniones no previstas y anuladas en el bienio 1982-83

V.J. SHAH (Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation) : The document before us on this item is document CL 82/20 entitled The First Report on Unscheduled and Cancelled Sessions in the 1982/83 biennium. This is a periodic report which is always submitted to the Council at the autumn session. I believe it is self-explanatory. It reports firstly on thirteen unscheduled sessions giving details of the title, estimated costs, the attendance and the category of meeting. It reports on sixteen sessions which were cancelled for various reasons and gives the reasons for the cancellations and it finally reports on three changes in attendance at meetings since the beginning of this year. Here again the explanation I hope is clear, as well as the cost implications.

CHAIRMAN : I think it is a very clear document. Mr. Shah has further clarified the position and unless some delegate wants to ask any question I would like to proceed to item 12.

12. Format of Medium-Term Objectives and Programme of Work and Budget
12. Présentation des objectifs à moyen terme et du Programme de travail et budget
12. Modo de presentación de los Objetivos a Plazo Medio y del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto

CHAIRMAN : We will take up now item 12, Format of Medium-Term Objectives and Programme of Work and Budget, CL 82/11, paras 1.74 to 1.84. and 2.17 to 2.97.

M. TRKULJA (Chairman of the Programme Committee) : I agreed with my colleague and friend, Mr. Abeyagoonasekera, Chairman of the Finance Committee, not to repeat each other because our position in both Committees was virtually the same, so I will start the ball rolling and he will continue.

The Programme Committee in May at its Forty-Second Session had a brief preliminary debate on the Medium-Term Objectives format and though it might have been very easy for the Programme Committee to arrive at a full agreement on what to advise the Council on the issue, yet we decided to postpone our final position until September so as not to pre-judge the position of the Finance Committee and take up the same issue with another one which is very closely related, that is the changes in the format of Programme of Work and Budget document.

I will not go into a fairly long history of the medium-term objectives in FAO. I think it is enough to say that the Council and the Conference already indicated their basic preference and wanted only the committees to go into detail and refer back to the Council what they actually want to recommend.

On the medium-term objectives, we had no difficulties in arriving at full agreement in my Committee. To be frank, we did not discuss the whole matter. The decision was arrived at in this way: I asked my colleagues only to indicate (following, as it were, a roll-call procedure) without any elaboration one of the four options. All of my colleagues in a record time of a couple of minutes all indicated their preference for (iv). So then we spent some time to see how it was to be done; and we found that the model suggested, which is now incorporated as Annex B to the Programme Committee report, page 32, and subsequent pages in the English text, should be recommended to the Council.

Regarding the next issue, the Format of the Programme of Work and Budget; we welcome very much the proposals of the Director-General who has suggested to the committees some improvements in the programme of work and budget document following the suggestions and general stand of both Council and the Conference to take necessary steps in reference to the permutations related to the debate on the Programme of Work and Budget. I think the position in the Finance Committee was the same; in fact no major radical changes were necessary, but we agreed that some improvements were possible and desirable. I will very briefly indeed refer to the improvements that we agreed on in both committees. We first decided to retain the table showing the breakdown of funds at the programme level by regional sources of finance and organizational units. Secondly, we fully concurred with the Director-General that the table at the beginning of the programme narrative and the main table showing estimates by sub-programmes, including draft approximation of extra-budgetary resources should be consolidated in a new so-called synoptic table. After really considerable debate we agreed that the synoptic table should be structured in the way shown in Annex C to the Programme Committee's report which starts at page 27 of the English text. Since it was physically impossible to insert another column showing the cost increases, we decided that the structure account should be as shown in the Annex and we felt that the cost increases could be worked out quite easily from the table. Our advice was also to retain the changes in resources, so-called changes in the resource base at the sub-programme levels. I will stop now and my colleague will continue.

D.H.J. ABEYAGOONASEKERA (Chairman of the Finance Committee): As the Chairman of the Programme Committee has mentioned, both our committees were requested by the Conference and Council to consider whether the Medium-Term Objectives document should or should not be incorporated into the Programme of Work and Budget document for 1984/85. The Chairman of the Programme Committee has just conveyed to you the views, proposals and recommendations of his committee regarding this proposal. We considered the options presented to us during our deliberations and agreed with the Programme Committee's recommendations that we should incorporate sections dealing with the medium-term context in the Programme of Work and Budget by presenting the long-term goals and strategies at the beginning of the major programmes on agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and also by including a statement on Medium-Term Objectives at the programme level when relevant and useful.

We were informed that on the basis of current standard costs of documents and staff time the corresponding savings would be approximately $30 000. An example of the narrative prepared on this basis is attached to the report of the 43rd Session of the Programme Committee.

At our 50th Session we were also presented with proposals for streamlining the contents of the Programme of Work and Budget. Three standard tables operate for each programme. One table placed at the beginning of the narrative gives the budget summary. Two larger tables appear at the end of the narrative providing (1) financial estimates by sub-programmes with estimates of regular programme staff resources in man years and (2) breakdowns of total estimated resources by region, fund and unit. As some of the information given in these two tables is already available in the table which is given at the beginning of the narrative, the standard table estimates by region, fund and unit could be eliminated. This would result in reducing the number of pages of the Programme of Work and Budget by 30, or 10 percent of its present size. In terms of savings in costs it amounts to approximately $40 000. Similarly, the budget summary and estimates by sub-programme could be incorporated into one table. This table would give for each individual programme and sub-programme the full information by having separate columns showing (1) previously approved allocation; (2) net programme changes and cost increases; (3) total allocation for the biennium; and (4) the breakdown of corresponding staff resources in man years. The estimated saving on account of this change would amount to approximately $10 000.

Since the Chairman of the Programme Committee has left it to me to deal with the other important item regarding information on the posts, and in deference to the views expressed by the delegate of Germany to inform about the actual field post situation which would allow them to discuss this when the budget position is being discussed, I would like to speak on this item at this stage. At our last two sessions we also looked into the feasibility of presenting to the Council and Conference a more simple and a clearer picture of the various categories of staff employed at FAO headquarters and in other locations under the Regular Programme as well as other funds. It was felt that the present highly detailed tables giving information on individual posts by organization, unit, grade, and their qualification in tables A, B, C and D of Appendix C of the Programme of Work and Budget could be presented in the form of aggregated information.

Then, Mr. Chairman, at this stage I have to give you a little of the background information because it will enable you to understand the rest of what I have to say. According to information given to us at the 49th Session, until 1972 staff in both Professional and General Service categories occupying Regular Programme posts were given permanent appointments after the satisfactory completion of the probationary period of service. From 1972 it altered radically. Only Professionals with seven years' service and General Service categories with three years' service were eligible for permanency. The Council at its 64th Session wanted the Director-General to develop a system of codifying posts to distinguish those which were of a continuing nature and those which were fixed term, short and temporary. On the basis of information provided to the Committee by the Director-General, the Finance Committee at.its 34th Session recommended classifi­cation of posts under three categories: firstly, posts which could be classified as continuing; secondly, continuing but filled on a fixed term basis; and thirdly, posts which were non-continuing. The Council at its 64th Session while accepting the recommendations also warned the Director-General that he should not build up a large core of continuing staff, to ensure that there could be a reasonable turnover of staff, and at the 66th Council Session they further wanted the subject kept under regular review.

At the 49th Session of our Committee we observed that there were diverse types of posts presently in FAO's cadre, varying types, grades, personnel services, which were loosely referred to as posts although they differed considerably in character, particularly as regards established posts or short assignments of different types. Under the provision of personnel services in the chapter 'Appropriations and Programme Narratives' it covers not only established posts but also short-term temporary employment, for example experts and consultants. Therefore the Committee felt that although the various statistics appear in different documents, they could give misleading impressions. Therefore a suitable statistical method had to be used. The Committee stressed the need to present information on posts on the basis of the analysis of the different forms and lengths of employment under the Regular Programme, posts funded from support costs and other extra-budgetary funds, posts provided from the field project budget's financed from extra-budgetary funds and the Technical Cooperative Programme and temporary contracts of less than one year in all locations. We were presented for the first time with statistics for Regular Programme posts as at 1 January 1982, and the Committee requested the Organization to furnish the Committee with similar information with regard to other posts and contracts financed from other sources. In accordance with this request the Secretariat furnished further information for the period 1 January to 30 June 1982 during our 50th Session.

For the Committee's views and recommendations your attention is drawn to paragraphs 62 to 77 of our report of the 49th Session and tables 1 - 5 at the end of paragraph 77 and to the statistics of personnel services appearing in tables 1 - 5 at the end of paragraph 2.72 of our 50th report.

CHAIRMAN: I thank the Chairmen of the Programme and Finance Committees for indicating the recommendations of the two committees. The first relates to the development of an integrated document by a proper merger of the Medium-Term Objectives document with the Programme of Work and Budget document. The second is about the streamlining of the contents of the Programme of Work and Budget document. The advantages, including the financial savings, have also been indicated by the Chairman of the Finance Committee.

C.R. BENJAMIN (United States of America): The United States can accept the recommendations of the Programme and Finance Committees as reflected in document CL 82/11 regarding the incorporation of the Medium-Term Objectives document into the Programme of Work and Budget document and the proposed streamlining of the latter document. We have only one real point or reservation on this. While we support the incorporation of the Medium-Term Objectives document into the Programme of Work and Budget document, we would point out that the United States continues to support the principle of medium-term planning as approved by the Conference in Resolution 9/69 at its 15th Session. The separate document that we have had until now for Medium-Term Objectives not only provided a useful comprehensive overview of FAO's medium-term plans and objectives but also constituted in our view tangible evidence of adherence to Conference Resolution 9/69. In the absence of a separate document, if the Council so decides, we would propose that the Council's report include a reaffirmation of its continuing support of FAO's use of medium-term planning.

A. FEQUANT (France): En ce qui concerne le mode de présentation des objectifs à moyen terme, la délégation française appuie le choix du Comité du Programme qui recommande d'incorporer le document sur les objectifs à moyen terme dans le Programme de travail et budget. Ainsi les objectifs à moyen terme apparaîtront beaucoup plus clairement lorsque la Conférence analysera le Programme de travail et les propositions budgétaires correspondantes. Cette option permettra une économie de 30 000 dollars environ sur le coût de la documentation et regroupera pour chaque programme l'ordre de priorité entre les activités qui figure actuellement dans le document sur les objectifs à moyen terme ainsi que les variations budgétaires par sous-programmes qui sont données dans le Programme de travail et budget.

Toutefois, il serait souhaitable de modifier parallèlement la présentation de l'ordre de priorité entre les activités de chaque programme, afin d'accroître la cohérence du nouveau document et de faciliter son examen par les délégations. Serait-il possible de présenter cet ordre de priorité par

sous-programmes plutôt que par groupes d'éléments de programmes comme c'est actuellement le cas ? En effet, les variations budgétaires sont données par sous-programmes dans les tableaux du Programme de travail et budget. Il serait donc nettement plus utile de pouvoir également disposer d'un ordre de priorité établi au niveau des sous-programmes pour l’examen des propositions budgétaires corres­pondantes.

En ce qui concerne le mode de présentation des tableaux du Programme de travail et budget, la délé­gation française apporte son soutien aux propositions du Comité du Programme. Elle appuie tout particulièrement l'introduction, dans les tableaux budgétaires de chaque programme, des variations de budgets par sous-programmes qui n'étaient pas fournies auparavant. Enfin elle souhaite, comme le Comité du Programme, que les tableaux normalisés des descriptifs du budget-programme ventilés par régions, fonds et unités, soient conservés car ils sont indispensables pour comparer les prévisions budgétaires par programmes qui figurent dans le budget-programme et les tableaux budgétaires par unités organisationnelles qui sont donnés en annexe 2 au Programme de travail et budget.

S. AHMED (Bangladesh): My delegation has gone through the proposal for changing the format of the Medium-term Objectives and the Programme of Work and Budget, as contained in the Secretariat document CL 82/11, with special reference to four main options and the example narrative as Appendix B of the document. My delegation would like to congratulate the Chairman and the Members of the two Committees on their hard work and valuable recommendations.

My delegation agrees in principle with the recommendation of the Programme Committee and the Finance Committee that the Medium-term Objectives document be emerged with the Programme of Work and Budget Committee, including the relative order of priorities among activities and on the basis of the example narrative given in Appendix B of the document. This will eliminate unnecessary duplication of standard statements and information, retaining main information required for taking decisions, and at the same time result in savings of documentation cost and time.

Similarly, my delegation also agrees in principle with the recommendation of the changing of the format of the Programme of Work and Budget document in the manner stated by the Committee. This will also reduce the size of the document and eliminate unnecessary duplication, resulting in savings in costs.

P.M. AMUKOA (Kenya): Members of the Programme and Finance Committees did a commendable job, and I wish to thank them for that. We support most of the recommendations. The merging of the Medium-term Objectives into the Programme of Work and Budget does not only reduce the amount of documentation we have had in this forum but also saves the Conference and Council time when the agenda comes up for discussion. I remember we used to discuss them separately. We feel that these changes should not be at the expense of our getting adequate information on the matters brought for discussion. The example given seems to indicate this will not be the case and I hope this will be so.

W.A.F. GRABISCH (Germany, Federal Republic of): My delegation takes note of the proposal of the Programme and Finance Committees to merge the Medium-term Objectives document with the Programme of Work and Budget document. Our preference was to maintain the Medium-term Objectives as a separate document, but my delegation could for the time being go along with the proposal if the majority of the Council Members wish to follow it. But we would like to know how then the Organization will present its Medium-term Objectives in the context of the United Nations system. Other international organizations still maintain their Medium-term Objective plans, and we think that a certain exchange of views on Medium-term Planning and Objectives between agencies within the United Nations system is necessary.

With regard to establishing a clear order of priorities, I would just echo what was voiced by France.

With regard to streamlining the Programme of Work and Budget document, my delegation welcomes the incorporation of the aggregate figures on personnel given in documents CL 82/4 and CL 82/11, which allow a general overview and are as such an improvement. But it is the opinion of my government that these figures cannot replace, as suggested by the two committees, the detailed figures about staffing given in Table C of the Programme of Work and Budget document, where those figures are given in complete form. Such tables on four pages only are, in our view, absolutely necessary for assessing personnel staffing. Such an assessment basis is needed at national and international levels. We would therefore like to appeal for Table C to be maintained. . Once the fully reliable computerized system of personnel services is in operation and new statistics are at hand, this issue could then be ,reconsidered.

A.F. BOTHNER (Norway): I would like to address briefly the question of the format of the Medium-term Objectives and the Programme of Work and Budget, and again I have the pleasure of speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. In the deliberations leading to the approval of the FAO Programme of Work and Budget, the Nordic countries have long been of the opinion that in order to give consideration to the global food and agricultural situation in the medium- and longer-term, the document Medium-term Objectives would assist Member governments in evaluating the immediate priorities in a wider perspective. The document has in past years indeed also served that purpose. It has, however, become evident that the total documentation for the Programme of Work and Budget has grown considerably and that cross-references and overlapping have made it more difficult to study the documentation with the aforementioned perspective and overview in mind.

The Nordic countries have taken note of the discussions which have taken place on this subject in both the Finance and Programme Committees and the new proposals set out in their report.

Having given due consideration to the proposal of merging the two documents by incorporating the sections on Medium-Term Objectives in narrative sections of the Programme of Work and Budget under each programme as shown in the example narrative included in document CL 82/11, the Nordic countries agree to the change proposed. According to the example narrative, we noted that the separate table including estimates by region, funds and unit, as found in the present Programme of Work and Budget of each programme, has not been included in the example narrative. As we find this table useful from the point of view of cross-references, we propose that it be retained. In this connexion, may I share with you and other Members of this Council the concern of the Nordic countries that in the process of merging these two documents, the special aspects of cross-organizational objectives and means of action might be lost, and we would request the Secretariat to find a way of preserving the helpful cross-references and overview.

CHAIRMAN: I would also like to take a minute to recognize the presence of Minister Arturo Tanco, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines. We are happy that he is here, and he has informed me that he will speak in the afternoon.

You are most welcome to the Council. Thank you for coming.

O. AWOYEMI (Nigeria): The Nigerian delegation supports the proposal of the Programme Committee on the merger on the Medium-term Objectives with the Programme of Work and Budget.

With regard to the example narrative for the Programme of Work and Budget contained in Appendix B, my delegation is quite happy with the format but would like to suggest that sub-programme 2.1.1 be extended to include assessment of changes in resource use with particular reference to expansion of area under cultivation, irrigation and afforestation. If developing countries are assisted to the extent by which such changes could be measured, it will enable planners as well as policy-makers to measure the success of their programmes in more precise terms. Fortunately, the FAO has very advanced facilities in remote sensing which could be adapted to this area of need. This may be a matter of detail, but I think it is of concern to my delegation.

P. GOSSELIN (Canada): It has always been our conviction that the documentation presented, particu­larly with respect to the Programme of Work and Budget of FAO, should be comprehensive, clear and concise, allowing all member nations to fully understand and monitor the budgetary process. Medium-Term Objectives should be viewed as a means of setting out specific priorities for FAO and ones which Member States may assume will ultimately be translated into budgetary and programme proposals. Canada agrees with the recommendation of the Programme and Finance Committees that the former separate Medium-Term Objectives document be merged with the Programme of Work and Budget 1983-84.

With regard to the proposal to streamline the tables in the Programme of Work and Budget by combining the two tables, budget summary and estimates by sub-programme into one synoptic table, we are in full agreement so long as it is clearly spelled out how cost increases can be quickly calculated.

The proposal by the Secretariat to replace Tables A, B, C and D in Appendix C in document C 81/3 by more aggregated information such as that in the September 1982 Report of the Finance Committee will, in our view, not only save some staff time but also present a clearer picture of the distribution of posts within the FAO,

I would like to ask a question of the Secretariat with respect to the table on page 46 of document CL 82/11 where at the bottom of the page it indicates temporary contracts of less than 12 months. It seems to me that if we are trying to measure the amount of staff time expended in this area, a somewhat finer measurement could be arrived at than plus or minus one year.

J.C. AJMANI (India): My delegation has noted that the Programme and Finance Committees have reviewed the question of the format of Medium-Term Objectives and supports its recommendations that the document on the Medium-Term Objectives be merged with that of the Programme of Work and Budget.

My delegation also feels that the Medium-Term Planning Profile need not be scrapped, as it is a useful monitor. It can and should feature in the proposed integrated document. This should meet the point raised by the United States, as well as fulfill the need for clarity, simplicity and economy stressed by the Chairman of the Programme and Finance Committee.

A.H. EL SARKI (Egypt) (original language Arabic): My delegation has carefully studied the paragraphs concerning medium-term objectives in our document and would like to say that we are pleased with the general presentation especially as regards the programmes' organization, so we have no specific comments on this, but we would like to reserve the right to try to come back on document CL 82/3 when it comes before us. We agree specifically with the paragraphs 1.74 and 1.78 of this document-in other words, the merger of the two documents, the medium-term objectives and the Programme of Work and Budget, so as to avoid duplication and make savings.

T. SATONE (Japan): Concerning the merging of the Medium-Term Objectives and the Programme of Work and Budget', my delegation would like to support the interventions of the USA and the Federal Republic of Germany.

J.M. SCOULAR (United Kingdom): First of all, we are grateful for the work carried out by the Secretariat and the Programme and Finance Committees in reviewing this difficult question of the format of the paper formerly presented on Medium-Term Objectives, and its relationship to the Programme of Work and Budget. We speak as people who were originally very much in favour of the separate Medium-Term Objectives paper. I think we spoke on this subject in the 1979 Conference. With the development of the format of the Programme of Work and Budget, the role of the separate paper, Medium-Term Objectives, has become more ditticuit to find, and it is perhaps significant that the debate at the last Conference on Medium-Term Objectives was combined with the Programme of Work and Budget debate.

In principle, however, and subject to examination of the result of the new format when looking at the 1984-85 Programme of Work and Budget, we think a case has been made for the amalgamation of the work, and welcome the saving in costs which will result. We believe that the proposed format, as given in Appendix B in the report of the Programme Committee meets all the requirements.

We also support the proposed revision of the PWB, especially the new tables.

T. AHMAD (Pakistan): I will indeed be very brief, since we are members of the Programme Committee and we have studied this question during the Programme Committee, so we just want to record, for the record, that we think the merging of the Medium-Term Objectives as suggested by the Programme Committee should meet all the concerns, including the concerns expressed during today's debate.

Since the Medium-Term Objectives subsequently retained in the new format should not form any problem at all, we once again wish to endorse the new format of the Programme of Work and Budget.

. Sra.Doña O. SOTO CARRERO (Cuba): Seremos sumamente breves. La delegación de Cuba apoya la recomendación de fundir los documentos de los Objetivos a Plazo Medio y el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto. En realidad, ésta fue una solicitud de la pasada Conferencia que mi país apoyo. Sin embargo, nos preocupó en aquella ocasión y nuevamente lo planteamos, el que no queden lo suficien­temente explícitos los diferentes objetivos de trabajo de la Organización. Llamamos la atención a los respectivos Comités, especialmente al Comité de Programa, a fin de que se tenga debidamente en cuenta este aspecto.

En cuanto a las revisiones intermedias planteadas, nuestra delegación quisiera plantear su preocupación en el sentido de que, tal vez, estas revisiones pudieran quitar en parte nuestra confianza a los comités que hemos elegido, y que, en realidad, entendemos no es la intención del Consejo.

M. TRKULJA (Chairman of the Programme Committee) : I will really be very brief. First of all, I want to express our sincere thanks on behalf of the Committee and on my own behalf, for the support given to the views of the Programme and Finance Committees. Of course, we are fully aware that certain delegations to the Conference were obviously in favour of the separate Medium-Term Objectives document but we thought it would be very valuable, and even desirable, to incorporate whatever is relevant from the Medium-Term Objectives document into the Programme of Work and Budget itself, thus avoiding a certain over-lapping. What is important is how the new arrangement would relate to the rest of the UN system. Of course, the principle of Medium-Term Planning is agreed in the UN system, and I do not really see any risk and I do not think it would do any harm to the rest of the system, since the whole UN family has access to the documentation and from the Programme of Work and Budget they would realise quite clearly FAO’s Medium-Term Objectives.

The issue was raised that perhaps priorities should also be shown at a sub-programme level. I think that budgetary allocations themselves quite clearly point to the priorities given to the FAO, especially as one compares the proposed Programme of Work and Budget with the Programmes of Work and Eudget in the past biennia. The budgetary allocations quite clearly indicate the priorities at that level, so we studied the whole matter, and this aspect also, and found that the priorities should be given as in the past at the level of major programmes.

All questions related to posts I will leave to my colleague, Mr. Abeyagoonasekera, and only reassure the delegate of Norway that the Committee suggested that although we were aware that some obligations would be attained, we suggested a table showing the breakdown by regions, sources of funds and units to be retained so as to make easier the task of all delegations, especially those within the FAO Conference.

These are only a couple of comments that I wanted to make.

D.H.J. ABEYAGOONASEKERA (Chairman of the Finance Committee): First of all, I wish to thank the many distinguished delegates who expressed appreciation for the work done by the Finance Committee, and I am most grateful to them. I only want to pick up one point resulting from the remark made by the delegate of Germany - the appendix he referred to within the Programme of Work and Budget. The Committee felt that though this information was provided, it was not a very clear presentation of all the posts. An attempt was being made for the first time during the 50th Session to give us this information. We feel this information could be developed later on. Personally I have no objection to this table being retained. However, the Committee wanted to take note that an attempt was being made for the first time to give this information in a more suitable shape for us, which was not available earlier. Besides this, I do not have any points to make on the question raised by the Delegate of Canada, regarding the use of consultants. I think this question could be left to the Secretariat.

V.J. SHAH (Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation) : I am most grateful for the very clear debate which has resulted in our getting all the guidance and instruction we sought from the Council, and I am thankful to the Chairmen of the Programme and Finance Committees for not only having presented their proposals, but for having dealt with some of the questions which were raised in the debate.

There are a few points, however, which still remain to be answered, and I will address myself to them.

The delegate of the United States and the delegate of the Federal Republic of Germany both emphasised that the concept of Medium-Term Planning should not be forgotten and should not be lost on the wayside. Here I can be very clear. All that has been under consideration and discussed was the merger of one document, the Medium-Term Objectives document, into another document on Programme of Work and Budget. The fact that the Council sees its way to agreeing to the merger of those two documents does not, of course, mean that the concept of Medium-Term Planning and the concept of a Medium-Term approach is neglected or will be neglected. I do not believe the Director General would think of this Organization, or think of directing it, in terms of only one biennium to another. Of course he will have, and will give the necessary direction to the Secretariat, a medium-term concept in all its activities, but this I believe need not be a cause of concern to the Council.

A related question was also raised about how FAO would maintain its dialogue with other organizations in the United Nations system on the system of medium-term planning. Here again, there is an esta­blished procedure among the Organizations to circulate their Programmes of Work and Budget. As our Programme of Work and Budget will include sections of Medium-Term Objectives, this provides all the opportunities required for consultation. In addition, under the machinery of the Administrative Committee on Coordination, theACC, there is a consultative committee on substantive questions of programme matters, and this committee carries out in-depth reviews, cross-organizational programme analyses,by sector, not only for the biennium but also for the Medium-Term. I believe that this established practice which we follow with our sister organizations should satisfy the requirements of the Council.

The Delegate of Norway referred to, for example, the "narrative" of the Medium-Term Objectives incorporated in the narrative of a programme on natural resources, and reminded us that of course the tables which would normally go in this narrative have not been reproduced in the document. I would like to reassure the Council that the narrative excluded the tables for reasons of economy only, and the Council's decision on the tables it precisely wants in each narrative will of course be included in the final document.

The Delegate of Canada finally raised the question of the table of personnel statistics on page 46 of document CL 82/11, and he asked for a breakdown of temporary contracts of less than 12 months. This breakdown is given in the preceding table on page 45, but if he should require any further information of course we should be happy to provide that to him.

I hope I have dealt with all the questions, and I am at your disposal.

CHAIRMAN : Thank you very much, Mr. Shah. I would like to compliment you on the clarity of your explanations. Shall we then adopt the recommendations of the Programme and Finance Committee in connection with the Medium-Term Objectives, and any other points raised by Members.

W.A.F. GRABISCH (Germany, Federal Republic of): I merely wish to voice that my delegation has not stated that the Director-General would lose sight of medium-term objectives of the Organization -not at all. What we were rather concerned about is, if this document does not exist any longer as a separate document, how FAO would present its medium-term objective within the context of the UN family. But we need not pursue this and perhaps I can get an answer eventually.

C.R.BENJAMIN (United States of America): I really was not prepared to say anything but now that I have the floor I might reiterate that I do not think it would be a bad idea still to have some Council reaffirmation of the principle of medium-term planning in our report.

CHAIRMAN: I think everyone will concur with the united States Delegate and I hope the Drafting Committee will take note of it, with the whole exercise of medium-term objectives, and Mr. Shah has reassured us that the Director-General will not in any way dilute efforts. After all, the current objectives will have to be in terms of medium-term objectives, it is a presentational matter. So with this I thank all the Council members. We thank the Programme and Finance Committees for going into this in great detail in two meetings and giving us their recommendations in such specific terms. I also thank Mr. West and his colleagues and all those responsible for preparing such valuable material.

15. Reports of the Forty-second and Forty-third Sessions of the Programme Committee, and Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Sessions of the Finance Committee
15. Rapports des quarante-deuxième et quarante-troisième sessions du Comité du programme, et des quarante-neuvième et cinquantième sessions du Comité financier
15. Informes de los periodos de sesiones 42° y 43° del Comité del Programa, y de los periodos de sesiones 49o y 50° del Comité de Finanzas

M. TRKULJA (Chairman of the Programme Committee): I wish to highlight only the main issues that we considered in addition to those that the Council had already studied. First of all comes the introduction on the review of current FAO programmes which actually occupies most of both our reports from the 42nd and 43rd session. I think it is quite natural, and it has always happened, that a newly-elected programme committee, a couple of months after the Conference spends some time to clarify its own understanding of its mandate and the method to be pursued; and indeed this time we really spent in May a considerable time on that issue. We reached a general agreement that the basic thrust of our review of current programmes should be on FAO methods of work and approaches, making sure to what extent FAO methods are in compliance with the priorities and objectives approved by the Conference.

However, as a secondary objective, at least, we also agree that the Committee would go into alloca­tions of certain programmes and sub-programmes and whenever the Committee is in full unanimity, we then express our view which would be basically addressed to the Director-General but also to the Council, with regard to allocations in the future. Of course we also agree - I have always felt it was the most natural procedure - that whenever a member of the Committee felt strongly about allocations, this should be recorded in our report. Of course we agreed on the language, and how to do it. We also discussed a number of general points, especially adequacy of information. We agreed that all basic information was available, performance, support and review of programmes. Issues were raised for example with regard to the adequacy of information on regional offices, then field support programme management and so on; but these were actually the main issues.

You will find our comments in the report of the Programme Committee from our 32nd session. I could not go into any details, of course. We considered a number of programmes. I might only add a word of my personal satisfaction; and I really am very much satisfied that the Programme Committee members expressed a very keen interest in programme reviewing, as never before, at least as far as I am able to remember. We were struggling for time; we usually extended our scheduled work for one hour to complete our debate. Literally speaking thousands of questions were raised, additional information sought and we had a very detailed debate indeed on all programmes and sub-programmes.

I am equally pleased to say that some programmes that had not received enough attention in the past, this time received full attention. I am referring in particular to the library and I also wish to refer to the documentation and publication programme.

One final phrase: in May we considered the core technical programme of FAO, that means natural resources, crops, livestock, research support and rural development. At our last session we studied Conference and Council services, policy direction and planning, inter-agency affairs, liaison and protocol, library, documentation systems and publications.

May I draw the attention of the Council to one fact only: on page two of our last report from our September session there is a list of items to be covered by the next performance report. Perhaps the Council may wish to make certain comments on it.

On separate issues, I do not think I need to introduce the World Conference on Fisheries Management. I realize that Mr. Carroz will cover that point together with other information he will then provide to the Council. If necessary in the course of the debate, I might be asked to explain the position of the Programme Committee. We generally supported the proposal of the Director-General to postpone the technical and the political phases of the Conference so as to make sufficient time for very careful consultations and preparations for the Conference.

On the issue of the use of consultants 1980—81 you will find references in paragraphs 1.65 — 1,73 and also information in appendix A to our programme, because we felt the documents were prepared for the committees, so we asked the Secretariat to reproduce the substantive parts of documents so as to make clear to the Council on what basis we work. We very much agreed with the document; we especially welcomed the work of the Interdepartmental Working Group on use of consultants and short-term personnel services. We were in agreement with the new categories and new definitions of experts and we specially underlined and we actually concentrated on the expertise from various parts of the world. We found that further progress had been made with regard to the experts from developing countries as well as national institutions. I shall not make a reference to the figures, but we also, while commending the Director-General for the progress made, very much want to encourage him to pursue vigorously the same line in the future.

We expressed some concern with regard to the imbalance between different groups of countries and we felt that gradually in the future a much more proper balance should be established. We once more reiterated our preference for the positive discrimination principle and I need not go into it because the Council took a very clear cut decision on this principle some two years ago.

CHAIRMAN: I would like to add my word of appreciation to the members of the Programme Committee, since I was present part of the time: they went with great thoroughness into all the items put before them.

The meeting rose at 12.30 hours
La séance est levée à 12 h 30
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.30 horas

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