F.G. POULIDES (Cyprus): After the statements of my colleagues there is very little that I can add to their comments. I would like however to say a few words and first express the congratulations of my delegation to the Executive Director, Mr. Ingram, for his comprehensive and clear statement and for the most impressive development of the World Food Programme in its twenty years of existence. There is no doubt that the World Food Programme has become a valuable multilateral development assistance organization. The target for the biennium 1985/86 of $1.35 billion unanimously accepted by the CFA is the most positive proof of the importance and confidence that the donor countries attribute to the future activities of the World Food Programme. I think the best and most appreciable birthday present for its twenty years would be for the Coundil to endorse the target adopted by the CFA. On this point I would like to express our hope and wish that this target can be attained and even surpassed. Although Cyprus unfortunately is not a member of the CFA, nevertheless we follow its activities with all the attention that they merit and we appreciate particularly the assistance given to the developing countries and the priority to the poorest people in the most needy countries.
I wish also to avail myself of this opportunity in order to thank Mr. Ingram warmly for the assistance given to my country.
A. PINOARGOTE (Ecuador): La Delegación del Ecuador considera clara y ampliamente satisfactoria la información presentada por el Señor Director Ejecutivo del PMA. En consecuencia, expresa su apoyo irrestricto a la brillante labor que viene realizando el PMA bajo su acertada dirección.
De manera especial quiero hacer llegar el agradecimiento del pueblo y el Gobierno ecuatorianos por el socorro prestado durante la grave situación que nos afecto, que nos continua afectando y que, desgraciadamente, proseguirá durante los próximos meses.
La Delegación de la República del Ecuador considera que con motivo de su vigésimo aniversario, y en base a la felicitación prácticamente unánime que se ha expresado por los miembros de este Consejo, se haga constar en el informe un especial homenaje de reconocimiento al PMA, al Dr. Ingram y a sus colaboradores.
Queremos agregar, finalmente, que para nosotros la instancia del Director Ejecutivo del PMA es más que suficiente para tomar decisiones respecto a ayudas alimentarias de emergencia. En éste aspecto específico pensamos que la relación adecuada con el Director General de la FAO debería ser solamente de carácter informativo urgente. Este criterio lo manifestamos con espíritu constructivo y basado en la observación efectuada sobre el procedimiento que actualmente se practica. Deseamos quede bien establecido nuestro respeto, respaldo y aplauso a la labor del Dr. Sapuma como Director General de la FAO, pero desde el punto de vista de la racionalización administrativa, consideramos que su intervención en la aprobación de esta ayuda es un mero rito burocrático que bien puede ser eliminado. Pienso que el Director General, con una información inmediata y urgente del Director Ejecutivo del PMA, puede, si lo considera oportuno, hacer, solicitar o sugerir modificaciones a la ayuda que se preste, ya que pienso, que cuando esto llega a sus manos está ya definido.
Este criterio lo pongo a la consideración del Consejo.
R. SALLERY (Canada): I would like to express my delegation's sincere appreciation to Mr. Ingram and to the World Food Programme's Secretariat for the very informative and constructive information base given this morning in the introduction to the report of the CFA. My delegation at this time would like only to highlight a few points.
My delegation fully supports the aims and objectives of the World Food Programme. We have been and we are conscious of the manifold difficulties involved in effectively programming food aid for development assistance. Yet in spite of these difficulties our own assessment confirms that of Mr. Ingram, that the World Food Programme has been and is indeed a valuable multilateral development assistance organization.
We strongly support Mr. Ingram's call for increasing the donor base of contributors, and we all recognize the formidable development problems faced by all developing countries, and especially those of the low-income food-deficit countries. Yet often even a small contribution from these countries is critically important for demonstrating to larger donor governments like my own that yes indeed the World Food Programme is truly a multilateral organization and its members, including the developing countries, in spite of the difficult circumstances, support it to the best of their ability. Mr. Ingram has rightly pointed out that these are not tokens, they are symbolic and indicative of the support of the developing countries themselves and the importance that they attach to the World Food Programme. Indeed, as India, Pakistan, Brazil and others have pointed out, there are amongst the developing countries large, meaningful, consistent and rapid donors. Some of them are even more rapid than the major donors, and this is very important to the Programme. My Gobernment certainly appreciates this. My delegation supports the target of $1.35 billion as reached by consensus in the CFA. We believe it is realistic, and hopefully will be attained. If all of us do our part there is a good chance that it will. We support Mr. Ingram's efforts to review the criteria and allocation procedure for the IEFR, and, we might add, even the regular programme. We have appreciated greatly the candour with which the Secretariat of the WFP presents to CFA members its evaluations of its own on-going projects, and we expect that there are and that there will be problems with the effective utilization of food aid, or any aid for that matter, and our job in the CFA and in this Council, if you wish, is to assist the WFP with ecouragement and support and with ideas in order to make it more effective. New ideas were already expressed in this meeting this morning by Congo, Mexico, India, Cuba and many others. My delegation looks forward to the opportunity of discussing some of these ideas further with those delegations and others on the Secretariat.
If we were being told that, as we are in some institutions, there are no problems, that everything is running on time everywhere, then I think that the members of the CFA would have a right to be somewhat suspicious that perhaps the institution was trying to hide something; for problems are in the nature of development and we certainly are not afraid to face these, so we would encourage the review of the emergency procedure, not to make it more bureaucratic, as some members have feared, but to increase its viability and its utility to the develping countries.
Another point I would like to make just for the record : at the last session of the CFA, the final report of the Committee - let me read from the verbatim that I have: "The Committee drew attention to the broader and revised concept of food security adopted by the Committee on Food Security of the FAO. Many delegates stressed the importance that they attach to that revised concept as a basis for food aid. Other delegations stressed that assistance for that purpose should form a part of a well-defined programme and should be considered on a case-by-case basis". I add that because my delegation feels that at no time in our history do we necessarily arrive at the ultimate definition of what this Group would consider food security to be; rather we see it as an on-going process, and that is what that statement reflects, I believe.
I will come back at a later point to talk about the Twentieth Anniversary of the WFP, but at this time my Government would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Ingram for his courageous and humane efforts to assist the developing countries. His task over the past year has not been any easy one, but we are pleased indeed to give him our full and sincere support. I should add that this appreciation extends to his staff also. Mexico, Germany, a few others have already made this point. Many.of the Secretariat have been with this Programme since its inception. They have given to us twenty years of their lives and we should not be ungrateful to them for this. I personally deal with the WFP on a weekly basis, and I have always been impressed with the professional quality, objectivity, the courtesy, dedication and hard work of the staff at all levels. These are the ones who execute our wishes. Once in a while we believe it is important to say "thank you" to them, and perhaps on this Twentieth Anniversary this is what we should do.
The WFP as an institution also deserves our congratulations on their Twentieth Anniversary, it has, as I have said, become a very effective development institution. It has, as Pakistan has already said, achieved the highest status in the UN system. We have, however, viewed over the past two years growing food aid targets as a matter of serious concern, for it in reality represents our collective failure, nationally and internationally, to produce enough. No one wants to be dependent on food aid, either on a bilateral or a multilateral basis, nor on any kind of aid in general, and to the extant
that in the years or the decades to come, to the extent that we can reduce the demand for food aid, then we will truly have cause for celebration, and I was happy to see that Kenya, India and Lesotho and others have already stressed this point this morning. We therefore support WFP's efforts to utilize food aid as a development tool, either in single-purpose or in multi-purpose projects but especially when its focus is on assisted agricultural production. I take pleasure in supporting the report.
B.N. SEQUEIRA (Angola): After the previous speakers who have shown their support to the Executive Director of WFP and his colleagues, there is little that I can add. Therefore, my delegation wishes to compliment and thank the Executive Director, Mr. Ingram, and his colleagues for the comprehensive and excellent presentation of the report. I also wish to congratulate WFP on its Twentieth Anniversary and look forward to continuing cooperation.
To be brief, I have analyzed the Eighth Annual Report of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, which is supported by my delegation. However, with respect to the pledging target for the period 1985-86, my delegation would have liked the attainment of the proposed target of $1,5 billion, but taking into account the consensus reached in the CFA, my delegation wishes also to endorse this consensus and express the view that both traditional and new donors may join their efforts to reach the proposed modest target of $1.35 billion.
My delegation cherishes the principles of multilateralism as one of the best features of international cooperation. Therefore, it is vital that multilateral food aid should continue to grow and the bulk of it ought and must go to the low-income food-deficit countries.
My delegation wishes to record its appreciation for the emphasis given by the WFP to countries in sub-Saharan Africa which have lately been suffering from an acute and distressing food shortage stemming from natural and manmade disasters - and here I do not want to go into detail on the question of manmade disasters in the context of Southern Africa.
Finally, my country has benefited from the practice of triangular trade and wishes to commend the Executive Director of WFP and his hardworking colleagues for this practice and looks forward to its continuation and increase. Mr. Chairman, I take pleasure and honour in supporting the report.
F. BREWSTER (Barbados): My delegation wishes to congratulate the Executive Director for his impressive presentation of this item. We note with appreciation the steady growth of the WFP over a period of twenty years from an Organization of an experimental nature to one which has committed about $5.3 billion of assistance to over 1,100 developmental projects in 114 developing countries. It is also important to note that WFP has been directing its efforts in a balanced manner to meet the priority needs in projects which directly contribute to food and agricultural production, in meeting the emergency situation and in projects for the development of human resources. My delegation supports the efforts of WFP in its fund-raising programmes and would join the call of other delegations for more voluntary contributors to come forward with pledges to the Programme.
I just wish to make one comment on the presentation of the Eighth Annual Report of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes. This Report undoubtedly provides the Council with much useful information. However, it appears to my delegation that the Council's discussion on this item in the future could be further stimulated if the information presented is more updated, as mentioned by India. It also would seem worthwhile if the Report could give the Council some indicators of its views which could not be agreed upon or for that matter which were deferred for further consideration so that the Council may be in a position to make an input in such matters. My delegation feels that this would be helpful to the CFA, to WFP and the Executive Director. We believe that updating and improving the annual report, as suggested, would provide the Council with an on-going awareness of the issues influencing the course of the Programme and facilitate the CFA's search for solution for the problems encountered.
Finally, my delegation wishes to place on record its gratitude for the assistance which the WFP has been giving to Barbados in the area of its school feeding programme. This programme makes an important contribution to our national development. We therefore wish to put our full support behind the work being done by the WFP.
AMIDYONO MARTOSUWIRJO (Indonesia): I will follow your advice to be brief. To start with I wish to restate that at the very outset the Government of Indonesia gives full support to this Programme.
Mr. Chairman, it is heartening to know the very significant achievement of the Committee in chanelling food aid to needy countries during the period under review. The report also reflects the impressive progress made so far since the inception of the Programme more than two decades ago.
The delegation of Indonesia takes note of its development with high appreciation. It is significant to note that a major part of the food aid is to stand to be utilized in development projects in low-income, food-deficit countries.
Realizing the merits of such policy my delegation would like to suggest that this policy be pursued in the future.
The operation in the framework of WFP will be preferable to those developing countries which fortunately have been able to boost food and agricultural production by way of expanding triangular operations. I believe that the reasons underlying such operations and the aims are justified so that there is no need for it to be repeated over and over again. In the light of the foregoing my delegation would suggest that the Programme should develop further triangular operations insofar as the cash resources permit it to do so.
Also the reduction in triangular action in 1981 should be regretted although it reflected a lower rice requirement for Kampuchean food aid operations. Mr. Chairman, from the valuable information we note that assistance to fisheries development is less than that given to food crops. Furthermore we also note that fishermen are less fortunate in economic terms than farmers who grow food and other agricultural commodities. Hence there would be advantages if the Programme would consider further the use of marine and fresh water fish products which could be obtained from efficient producing developing countries through triangular connections.
As regards emergency food aid, my delegation notes with some concern that more than half of the aforementioned aid has been sent to refugees in manmade disaster areas. It is true that such operations are based on humanitarian considerations which cannot be ignored. However we wonder whether such high aid would not lead to the emergence of a situation in which many more innocent and hapless people are driven out of their villages and out of their countries.
Mr. Chairman, in conclusion my delegation would like to endorse the Annual Report of the Committee while expressing its hope that the WFP operations in the future will achieve more progress and contribute more substantially to the economic and social development of countries of the Third World.
Finally my delegation would like to congratulate Mr. Ingram, the Executive Director, and the staff for its excellent job in chanelling food aid to the Third World.
J. GORMLEY (United States of America): My delegation was very impressed by the cogent and thoughtful report given by the Executive Director to preface this agenda item.
As to the question of the target, my delegation was pleased to go along with the target formulated at the meetitig of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes. We had some hesitation about the higher figure and I would concur with the remark made by the distinguished delegate of Norway that if indeed the $1.35 billion target is to be met it will require contributions by new donors, or by contributions of a much larger size by donors who in the past have not been large donors.
In the course of the discussion this morning and this afternoon there have been various references to the revised concept of food security as formulated by the Committee on Food Security. The Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes did take into account this formulation of the Committee on World Food Security. In the course of one intervention this morning which was not made in English and therefore I cannot exactly interpret the remarks of the original, but in English we were told that the decisions of the CFS should govern activities of the World Food Programme. If indeed that was what was said, and again I am not sure that that was exactly what was said, but if indeed that was what was said we do not believe that that is the case. The Committee on Food Security.is a technical committee of limited competence and its decisions do not govern another agency. The only governing body that governs the World Food Programme is the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes.
There has been much said on emergency procedures and the general conduct of how emergency operations are carried out. This again has been a subject for a number of sessions of the CFA in which the United States delegation has had an active part. There was almost an implication in some of the statements today that the emergency procedures are perfect. We would not like the Council to be seen as pre-empting decisions which rightly belong to the CFA.
K. A. BABIKER (Sudan) (Original language Arabic): First of all the delegation of Sudan would like to congratulate the Executive Director, Mr. Ingram, and his colleagues of WFP, which has made, and is still making, substantial contributions to development over the last twenty years. This Programme has participated very efficiently in supporting development and social projects and has helped in particular in reducing the effects of natural and manmade disasters. We would also like to stress the importance of WFP on the economic, social and humanitarian levels in the developing countries, and in particular the least developed.
In Sudan we attach particular importance to WFP because we need its assistance for our economic and social development, and in order to have its assistance at difficult times. I would also like to mention here that WFP carried out its first project in Sudan, which is a resettlement project, in the valley of Haifa in the northern part of the country. We also wish to thank the donor countries for the very appreciable aid they have given to the Programme. There is no doubt that without this considerable assistance from the donor countries and the competence of the WFP staff we would not have been able to achieve what we have attained so far. We support the figure for the 1984-85 budget amounting to $1,350 million, and I invite the donor countries to increase their support to this important Programme.
Mr. Chairman, the Sudanese delegation would like to express its agreement with the points referred to by the distinguished delegate of India. The delegation of Sudan also wishes to pay tribute to the annual report and the efforts which have been made in order to prepare it and the information contained therein and the activities mentioned. However we would be very glad if future reports were to reflect, by way of example, the philosophy of the programme, and the guidelines to be followed in order to improve its strategy, so that it will become compatible with the changes that occur every year in the needs of the developing countries, and if these needs were scientifically assessed.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, we would like to reiterate our congratulations to the Executive Director and his staff on the twentieth anniversary of WFP.
M. FRANCISCI DI BASCHI (Italie): Pour suivre votre conseil et être très bref et en même temps très clair, je dirai que la délégation italienne partage entièrement les considérations et appréciations faites par mon collègue canadien à l'adresse de M. Ingram et des activités du PAM. Nous pensons que l'objectif fixé est réaliste, pas suffisant mais réaliste. Nous souhaitons que les pays donateurs, parmi lesquels se trouve l'Italie, fassent un double effort pour atteindre cet objectif.
M. L. BALUCHZADAH (Afghanistan): Mr. Chairman, my delegation read the WFP's excellent document very keenly, and I wish to congratulate Mr. Ingram and his staff.
Mr. Chairman, my delegation supports WFP's humanity and assistance for developing countries, and particularly its role in emergency assistance. Indeed, emergency assistance is very important and my delegation strongly supports it. But my delegation does not support the emergency assistance under the name, so-called, of Afghan refugees in Pakistan as is mentioned in some document of WFP.
Mr. Chairman, please allow me to make a statement in this particular case. While the question of so-called Afghan refugees has been raised for no particular reason, everybody suspects that perhaps it is right, but, Mr. Chairman, it is not quite right and my delegation rejects it. The fact is this. I wish to point out that the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan has two and a half million or even three million nomads. They have been accustomed to travelling to and from Afghanistan, previously to India and at present to Pakistan. Afghan nomads from ancient times cross the borders of the two countries with their livestock during winter and spring, when the climatic conditions are favourable. These 2.5 million or 3 million Afghan nomads are, most of them, livestock owners. In order to graze their sheep and cattle they cross the two borders every year.
Therefore my delegation appeals to the WFP to delete the words, the so-called "Afghan refugees" from its documents.
D.C.W. KANBAUWA (Malawi): We shall be as brief as possible. We wish to associate ourselves with those who have already spoken on this item in thanking the Executive Director of the WFP for his excellent introduction and summary of the 8th Report of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, and also in congratulating the World Food Programme on its commendable achievements in the period it has been in existence. Both the Director and the Committee could not have done a better job.
We also wish to indicate that we are in full agreement with the general thrust of the report before us. We fully endorse, for example, the view that food aid should be a temporary, short-term measure and that its main objective, apart from providing immediate relief in times of emergencies, should be to release resources for utilization in development activities.
We also endorse the view that, in order that the Programme's operations and activities be as effective as possible, managerial and logistical problems encountered so far should be tackled speedily and possible solutions found. As one of the countries that are both a donor to and recipient of aid from WFP, Malawi is heartened to see the encouraging trend in the pledging of resources to the Programme. We do hope, however, that pledges at the earliest possible opportunity will materialise into actual resources and that still more pledges will be forthcoming. It is only with adequate resources that the commendable work of the Programme among disadvantaged groups can be maintained.
In conclusion, permit me, Mr. Chairman, to say that the proposal to hold a seminar on food aid policies has our full support: new ideas could only be of benefit to the efficient activities of the World Food Programme.
G. DESESQUELLES (Observateur pour la Communauté économique européenne): La Communauté économique européenne intervient en qualité d'observateur mais aussi au nom des Etats Membres qui la composent. La Communauté économique européenne et ses Etats Membres marquent leur accord sur le huitième rapport annuel du Comité des politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire, session à laquelle ils ont participé activement. De ce fait, nous approuvons notamment et pleinement le nouvel objectif de 1,35 milliard, de dollars pour les ressources ordinaires du Programme pour l'exercice 1985-86 visé au paragraphe 42 du rapport.
Par ailleurs, d'une façon générale et compte tenu des débats qui se sont instaurés depuis le début du Conseil, la Communauté économique européenne et ses Etats Membres tiennent plus particulièrement à rappeler que plutôt que d'envisager d'augmenter les objectifs de l'aide alimentaire, notamment dans le cadre de la Convention d'aide alimentaire et de la Réserve internationale d'urgence, il est indispensable que les objectifs actuellement en vigueur soient atteints. Avant de regarder le futur, réalisons le présent. A cet égard, la Communauté économique européenne et ses Etats Membres espèrent notamment que le nombre des donateurs à la RAIU, qui est en diminution, augmentera; de même dans les domaines de la Convention d'aide alimentaire nous espérons aussi qu'il y aura d'autres donateurs.
Srta. R. LIEBERS (Observador de Bolivia): Señor Presidente, quiero pedir disculpas a todos los aquí presentes por, tal vez, tratar un tema que está fuera de las deliberaciones de esta sesión, pero me permito hacer un paréntesis para referirme en forma muy breve a un problema que afecta gravemente a centenares de comunidades campesinas en Bolivia.
Considero que el 83 período de sesiones de esta Organización constituye el foro más adecuado para plantear la situación actual de mi país, súbitamente confrontado a dos consecutivas tragedias: graves inundaciones en la zona oriental y una sequía sin precedentes en este siglo en el sudeste del país. El Gobierno constitucional de Bolivia ha informado oportunamente a la FAO y al PMA acerca de la magnitud de ambos fenómenos y su dramático impacto social. Al proporcionar los datos y estadísticas que ilustran por sí solos esta situación, mi Gobierno formulo también a los organismos internacionales y a los países que se encuentran en condiciones de contribuir con alimentos, medicinas y ayuda técnica, a fin de tratar de mitigar las vicisitudes de los sobrevivientes y las víctimas de esta catástrofe. Lo hizo porque es consciente de que la solidaridad entre las Naciones constituye un pilar fundamental de las relaciones internacionales, y el instrumento más útil para actuar con celeridad en situaciones como la presente. Las perspectivas de producción agrícola en vastas regiones rurales de Bolivia se perfilan desoladoras después de que lluvias torrenciales en la región de Santa Cruz anegaron más de 50 000 hectáreas de terrenos cultivables, mientras que cosechas enteras de productos básicos se perdieron bajo el azote de la sequía. El problema gravita sobre el futuro de un millón y medio de campesinos, y ha comenzado a dar señales de una crítica escasez de alimentos. Según cálculos conservadores, la sequía ha convertido fértiles zonas de cultivo en inmensas zonas improductivas que cubren decenas de miles de hectáreas. Al margen del elevado costo humano, más de 200 muertos sólo en los primeros meses del desastre, las inundaciones han causado la destrucción de cerca de 60 000 viviendas. Los daños en términos económicos no conocen antecedente alguno en la historia . reciente de Bolivia. En zonas económicamente deprimidas como la vasta planicie, zona montañosa de Potosí y otros centros mineros, la falta de agua ha causado estragos en una región que el campesino cultiva para subsistir en un medio en el que la desnutrición ha catapultado el índice de mortalidad infantil en más del 30 por ciento.
Asimismo, las inundaciones y la sequía se desencadenaron en el peor momento para mi país. Bolivia, como todos ustedes señores delegados bien saben, atraviesa una de las peores crisis económicas de su historia. Fuertemente endeudada, producto de políticas cerradas que el Gobierno constitucional está tratando de corregir en el más breve plazo posible, la economía boliviana se ha convertido al mismo tiempo en, quizá, la más dura prueba para el reordenamiento democrático que todos los bolivianos, trabajosamente, procuramos consolidar después de casi 20 años de regímenes militares de facto.
No quiero dejar pasar esta oportunidad para expresar el reconocimiento del Gobierno de Bolivia a aquellas naciones y organismos internacionales, la FAO, el PMA, que están manifestando diligentemente su solidaridad con la situación de las familias afectadas. Hemos encontrado una prueba que valoramos y agradecemos, pero hoy deseo llamar la atención de esta sala para invocar nuevamente esa solidaridad con la esperanza de que se traduzca en una pronta ayuda para aliviar la situación de los hombres, mujeres y niños del agro boliviano que viven diariamente el drama del hambre, las enfermedades y la incertidumbre.
Como dije anteriormente, se trata de una situación humanamente sensible en momentos cruciales para asegurar un proceso de desarrollo estable y armónico. El apoyo internacional que Bolivia puede encontrar, para superar sus más inmediatos problemas, jugará un importante papel en alcanzar esa meta.
CHAIRMAN: Our sympathies go to the affected people and I hope your appeal will get some response.
J. GAZZO FERNANDEZ (Observador de Perú): Habiendo leído el informe anual del CPA al ECOSOC, tengo que declarar que quedé gratamente impresionado por el dinamismo y la acción de este Programa Mundial de Alimentos. Estoy seguro de que bajo la mano experta, dinámica y capaz del Dr. Ingram este Programa Mundial de Alimentos ha tenido unas sorpresas extraordinarias. He podido observar, y digo que he podido observar que, por mi doble función de Embajador, por un lado, y Miembro del Comité de Finanzas, por otro, tengo acceso a algunos datos y he podido observar que este Programa Mundial de Alimentos está tomando acciones novedosas, acciones creativas. He visto, por ejemplo, que no obstante el crecimiento de su actividad, ha tenido un crecimiento en sus gastos del orden del 1,4 por ciento; igualmente, el estudio meticuloso que han podido hacer de los gastos de transporte, ha podido racionalizar el uso de los transportes más apropiados y ha tenido una meta bastante difícil de alcanzar én una reducción global del 26 por ciento en el gasto de esta actividad tan importante en el Programa Mundial de Alimentos.
Es importante notar que además han sido creativos porque esa operación: Maíz-Zimbabwe, para destinarlo a otros países africanos, ha sido una operación novedosa, eficiente, y que justamente usa en los dos casos países en vías de desarrollo, tanto como centro de obtención de la materia alimenticia, tanto como centro de distribución. Nos interesa saber el desarrollo que puede dar y veo que ya han comenzado el mayor uso de productos pesqueros, puesto que una de las grandes deficiencias, aparte de ser la deficiencia calórica de los países malnutridos, es la deficiencia proteica y los productos pesqueros llevan a la dieta proteica una serie de aminoácidos que no llevan otros productos proteicos de origen vegetal. Luego podemos mencionar también que el Programa Mundial de Alimentos no sólo está llevando a la ayuda de emergencia o la ayuda de urgencia cuando hay casos de desastres, sino también está, a través de su programa de alimentos por trabajo, fomentando el desarrollo rural porque muchas veces algunas obras de infraestructura no pueden hacerlas nuestros países por falta de medios, y este sistema que se llama Alimentos por Trabajo ha dado excelentes resultados en mi país, en Perú.
Quiero aprovechar esta oportunidad para agradecer acá, en esta Plenaria, la valiosa ayuda del Programa Mundial de Alimentos y de la FAO a un problema que ha surgido con carácter de gravedad en el Perú. Hemos tenido por primera vez cuantiosas lluvias en la zona costera norte que a veces llegaban a 100 mililitros en un día. Se ha estimado que la destrucción de las cosechas es del orden de mil millones de dólares; igualmente, hemos recibido, con toda celeridad, la ayuda en la zona del altiplano, la zona de Puno, donde hemos tenido una de las sequías más fuertes y menos conocidas en los últimos 50 años.
Yo creo que el Programa Mundial de Alimentos requiere más ayuda, si bien la meta para 1985-86 de 1 350 millones, en realidad, creo que es un poco escasa. Si los donantes se dieran cuenta de que el Programa Mundial de Alimentos es el programa que llega directamente, que llega casi sin intermediarios, sin ninguna intermediación de carácter burocrático al usuario, es una de las formas más eficientes de apoyar a los países en vías de desarrollo.
Quiero con toda hidalguía reconocer el dinamismo que he encontrado en la jefatura del Departamento Latinoamericano, en donde uno asiste diariamente con alegría a hacer sus peticiones porque encuentra un eco amistoso, un eco técnico y un eco ejecutivo en el Subdirector responsable.
Por consiguiente, felicitamos vivamente al Programa Mundial de Alimentos por el éxito que está teniendo, que significa hacer mayores cosas con menores gastos. Quiero invocar a la sensibilidad de los grandes donantes de este Programa para que hagan un esfuerzo, aún mayor del que hacen, porque toda la donación que den al Programa Mundial de Alimentos llegue eficiente y oportunamente a nuestros países y creo que el Consejo debe apoyar, en toda su plenitud, a este Programa e, inclusive apoyando la solicitud del señor Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, en cooperación con el Director General de la FAO, convoque una conferencia de promesas de contribución en la Sede de las Naciones Unidas, como se propone a principios del año 1984, porque este tipo de reuniones son muy fructíferas y en ellas, verdaderamente, con elementos de juicio apropiados, se pueden tomar acciones que signifiquen tranquilidad y sosiego a los grandes problemas que tenemos los países en vías de desarrollo.
H. BENATTALLAH (Observateur pour l'Algérie): Après de laborieuses tractations le CPA était parvenu à un accord sur l'objectif de un milliard 350 millions de dollars pour les ressources ordinaires du PAM pour l'exercice 1985-86 et ce bien que ne correspondant pas aux besoins évalués. La cause étant entendue, il peut paraître superflu de gloser sur la question. C'est pourquoi la délégation algérienne s'en tiendra à des commentaires de deux ordres. Considérant que dans le concept actuel des rapports nord-sud les raisons commerciales ont tendance à prévaloir sur les exigences nouvelles de stratégie alimentaire, les exigences de l'approche d'aide alimentaire développées par le PAM sont induites des besoins évalués selon les différentes méthodes qui s'accordent sur l'étendue des besoins en 1985. Elles résultent aussi de la volonté traduite en principe de l'intégration de l'aide alimentaire dans les programmes nationaux de développement.
Faut-il rappeler que cette transition s'est opérée sur les instances des principaux pays donateurs qui, après coup, limitent les moyens de cette politique, ce qui signifie que cette approche spécifique évoluera au rythme que ces initiateurs originels lui imprimeront. Il faut néanmoins tenir pour contradictoire la fixation d'un profil de ressources assez bas par rapport aux ambitions proclamées. Ce niveau de ressources ne permet pas non plus de corriger des incidences résultant du rôle déterminant d'un nombre limité de donateurs et de bénéficiaires. En dépit du fait que la majeure partie de l'aide alimentaire continue d'aller dans les pays à faible revenu et à déficit alimentaire, ceux-ci perçoivent une part peu importante de l'aide allant à des programmes et il est même probable, comme cela a été souligné, que la part qu'ils reçoivent n'atteint pas les groupes les plus déshérités. Enfin il décourage les efforts tendant à encourager les transactions triangulaires concernant des excédents lorsque des excédents sont dégagés dans un pays en voie de développement et ceci au motif que l'aide alimentaire doit essentiellement provenir de la production des principaux pays donateurs et s'intégrer à leur condition politique spécifique.
Il n'ouvre pas davantage de perspectives au développement des pêches ni à l'utilisation des produits de la pêche dans l'aide alimentaire par le biais d'opérations triangulaires.
Il semble au contraire que la dégradation des termes généraux de l'aide alimentaire coexiste avec des préoccupations commerciales qui paraissent moins souffrir du contexte général de crise des ressources.
A ce sujet, nous formulerons trois observations: alors que les livraisons de céréales au titre de l'aide alimentaire ont diminué pour la deuxième année consécutive, les pays à faible revenu et à déficit alimentaire ont eu davantage recours aux importations commerciales amenant le niveau de déficit global des balances commerciales pour les produits vivriers à quatre milliards de dollars. Les engagements d'aide à l'agriculture se situant à 7,5 milliards de dollars, il y a ainsi une ponction au travers des échanges commerciaux de l'ordre de 60 pour cent des engagements de l'aide publique à l'agriculture en 1981. Il nous faut alors admettre que le principe selon lequel les pays bénéficiaires de l'aide prennent l'engagement de maintenir le niveau de leurs échanges commerciaux reçoit une application très vigilante. Bien que le recours aux ventes liées va à l'encontre des principes de la FAO en matière d'écoulement des excédents, 36 pour cent des seuls fonds fournis par des pays donateurs bilatéraux ont été utilisés dans les pays développés parce que ces contributions étaient assorties de l'obligation d'acheter dans les pays donateurs eux-mêmes. En outre, 67 pour cent des fonds de la CAA sont retournés dans les pays développés sous forme d'achats.
Enfin les contributions à la RAIU et à la CAA et les sacrifices consentis au titre des ressources ordinaires devraient être selon nous relativisés si on les rapporte à certaines retombées commerciales, connexes bien sûr mais significatives, tirées des activités du PAM. Si l'on considère très sommairement le seul paramètre des frais de transport du PAM pour 1982, toutes activités confondues elles se sont élevées à 144 millions de dollars dans lesquels le fret maritime a absorbé 65 586 000 dollars dont près de 53 millions de dollars ont été encaissés par les pays développés et 11 171 000 dollars par les pays en voie de développement.
Le montant encaissé au titre du fret maritime représente plus que le double du montant en espèces versé à la CAA en 1982 par les principaux pays donateurs et environ 34 pour cent des contributions à la RAIU en 1982. Le deuxième pays développé, par exemple, bénéficiaire des expéditions par fret maritime a encaissé près de 7 300 000 dollars en 1982 pour une contribution à la RAIU équivalent à 1 869 000 dollars. Le troisième pays bénéficiaire a retiré 4 079 000 dollars de ces affrètements pour une contribution à la RAIU en 1982 équivalent à 2 394 000 dollars et une contribution en espèces à la CAA, en 1982 toujours, de 1 800 000 dollars. Un autre pays développé ayant contribué à raison de 1 408 000 dollars à la RAIU et 3 305 000 dollars à la CAA a encaissé du PAM près de 4 millions de dollars au titre du fret maritime.
Nous sommes convaincus que la mise de 1 350 000 millions de dollars représente un effort assez relatif. Nous sommes persuadés aussi, à la décharge du PAM, que vingt années d'expérience offraient effectivement l'opportunité d'un bilan qui ne s'en tienne pas aux seules quantifications des performances ou à la mise en valeur de certains faits saillants, mais davantage à une évaluation des politiques et programmes du PAM depuis vingt ans.
Srta. M.E. JIMENEZ ZEPEDA (Observador de El Salvador): Atendiendo a lo solicitado seremos suinamente breves.
Nuestra Delegación desea ratificar nuevamente en esta oportunidad el total apoyo del Gobierno de El Salvador al Programa Mundial de Alimentos como instrumento eficaz que ayuda a los países en desarrollo a lograr mejores niveles de vida. Sobre la validez y eficacia del Programa Mundial de Alimentos existen pruebas abundantes y no podríamos hacer aquí referencia a todas ellas; pero creemos que hay dos de primer orden. En primer lugar, demostración clara de esta validez y eficacia son los veinte años de funcionamiento del Programa que estamos celebrando, por lo cual expresamos a sus personeros nuestras más sinceras felicitaciones. Evidencia clara, igualmente, son los datos que se nos proporcionan en los párrafos 3 y 4 del Documento que estamos analizando, sobre los cuales ya se ha opinado en extensión en esta Sala. La confianza que los países donantes tienen en el PMA es evidente, pero creemos que en honor a la misma es necesario hacer un esfuerzo más y lograr el 100 por 100 de los objetivos fijados. Tenemos puesta nuestra esperanza en los acuerdos logrados durante el desarrollo del 15° período de sesiones del Comité de Políticas y Programas de Ayuda Alimentaria, y no dudamos que el objetivo mínimo, y recalco mínimo, de 1.350 millones de dólares, fijado para el bienio 1985-1986, será alcanzado plenamente: las poblaciones de nuestros países se lo agradecerán.
A este punto valdría la pena poner de relieve una idea que todos conocemos pero sobre la cual no se insistirá nunca suficientemente. Es ésta: el hambre la provocan actos humanos como guerras internas o internacionales, sobre las cuales unos pensarán que son justas y otros pensarán que son injustas. 0 las generan hechos de la naturaleza sobre los cuales no caben los juicios de valor. Pues bien, cualesquiera que sean sus causas no le interesan a quienes sufren el hambre, los dolores que ésta provoca no distinguen entre orígenes ideológicos o naturales, ni si la víctima es independiente y desde cuanto tiempo. Ahí está la grandeza del PMA que no hace ningún tipo de diferencia para "dar de comer al hambriento", como nos lo pidió un gran Maestro. Por eso, todos los gobiernos que puedan hacerlo están obligados a dar su aporte al PMA.
Para concluir, Señor Presidente, queremos expresar nuestro agradecimiento al Señor Ingram y a sus colaboradores, especialmente los que tienen a su cargo la región de América Latina, por la ayuda que han proporcionado a nuestro país. Los programas que lleva adelante el PMA en El Salvador son de un valor inestimable para ayudarnos a salir adelante de la difícil situación por la que estamos atravesando, y estamos seguros, Señor Presidente, que seguiremos contando con ese aporte y agradecemos desde ya al Programa y a los países donantes que hacen posible que este instrumento de desarrollo funcione y lo haga en manera tan eficiente.
M. ABDELHADI (Observateur pour la Tunisie): Je suis peut-être le dernier orateur à intervenir sur le document CL 83/6. Je vais en conséquence être bref, d'autant plus que plusieurs délégations telles que celle du Maroc, du Congo, du Pakistan, et tout à l'heure celle d'Algérie, ont déjà développé certains aspects du sujet soumie à l'examen du Conseil, et ont exprimé des opinions auxquelles ma délégation adhère entièrement, en ce qui concerne notamment les opérations d'urgence, les opérations triangulaires, l'aide au développement, etc.
Nous voudrions exprimer le même souhait que celui exprimé par l'Observateur de la CEE, à savoir que le nombre des donateurs à la RAIU augmentera, ainsi que les contributeurs dans le cadre de la Convention de l'aide alimentaire.
La Tunisie a toujours prêté une attention particulière, en dépit de son statut d'Observateur aussi bien au Conseil de la FAO qu'au CPA, à tout ce qui touche de près ou de loin le Programme alimentaire mondial, que nous considérons comme étant un instrument de développement efficace au service des pays en voie de développement.
Ma délégation se réjouit des résultats considérables obtenus par le PAM, grâce notamment à la contribution substantielle des pays donateurs et aux efforts louables déployés par le Directeur exécutif et ses collaborateurs au PAM, et également grâce à l'assistance efficace de la FAO.
Ma délégation a déjà exprimé ses vues en ce qui concerne les orientations et les objectifs du PAM, et a souligné l'importance de la liaison des projets du PAM avec les objectifs des stratégies de développement des pays concernés. En ce qui concerne les objectifs du PAM pour 19 85-86, ma délégation aurait souhaité un objectif fixé à un milliard et demi de dollars comme proposé initialement par le Directeur exécutif du PAM. Toutefois, nous appuyons le chiffre proposé par le CPA, soit 1,35 milliard de dollars pour le biennium 1985-86, que nous considérons comme un minimum.
La Tunisie entretient depuis plusieurs années des relations étroites et fructueuses avec le PAM, qui a contribué pour une bonne part à la réalisation de nos objectifs de développement en matière de développement de la production agricole et de développement rural. Le Directeur exécutif a pu se rendre compte sur place lors de sa dernière visite en Tunisie en mars dernier de la manière dont la Tunisie tire le plus grand profit de l'aide alimentaire consentie par le PAM, et notamment de l'impact de cette aide sur la population rurale des régions déshéritées.
Je ne voudrais par terminer mon intervention sans exprimer la vive satisfaction de la Tunisie premièrement pour la qualité de l'aide que reçoit mon pays dans le cadre du PAM, deuxièmement de l'aide efficace que le PAM consent aux pays à faible revenu, et notamment aux pays africains.
C'est pour toutes ces raisons que mon pays appuie sans reserve les objectifs du PAM et recommande que ses moyens soient à l'avenir davantage renforcés afin qu'il puisse répondre aux différentes demandes d'aide émanant des pays qui en ont besoin, dans le cadre de la solidarité nationale.
A.G. NGONGI NAMANGA (Observer for Cameroon): I am sorry to take the time of the Council at this late hour, but this being a very important programme my delegation would like to associate itself with some of the points raised by Council members.
First, the Cameroon delegation appreciates very much the work being done by WFP. We are happy to note that the Programme has gone from very humble beginnings twenty years ago to become a very major assistance organization in the 1980s. It has reached a capacity of handling commitments of almost $ 1 billion per annum.
We are confident that the Programme will not only consolidate the achievements which have been made during the last twenty years but that under the competent leadership that it has now and with the guidance of the CFA if will carry on with greater energies and emphasis so as to contain the spread of hunger and malnutrition, if not banish it from this planed, altogether.
Secondly, we agree with the emphasis placed on agriculture and rural developement and we hope that more of the resources of the Programme will be devoted specifically to those programmes aimed at boosting food production. We realize that a high percentage has already been given to agricultural development but we hope that the complement of food production will be increased.
We appreciate also the emphasis which has been placed on the African region south of the Sahara as indicated in paragraph 17. This is an area which is facing great difficulties at the moment and we agree that this concentration is justified owing to the great difficulties which are being faced and the great problems faced caused by drought and displaced persons. We hope that this high emphasis will not be interpreted otherwise.
Thirdly, on emergencies, my delegation regrets that the international community has to spend its resources on emergencies, especially those caused by human factors. But we do realize that it is a fact of life and we appreciate the great efforts being made by WFP in conjunction with FAO in handling emergencies. But we hope that the resources of IEFR will be put on a more predictable basis so that the scarce resources of WFP will not have to be diverted to handle emergencies.
On resources, we appreciate the efforts of the international community, especially the principal donors, the efforts they are making to meet their pledges and commitments so that the Programme can meet its objectives. We hope that existing donors will make additional efforts so that the $1.2 billion target for the 1983/84 biennium will be met. We hope also that the Council will approve the objective of $1.35 billion for the 1985/86 biennium and that new donors will also join so that this objective will not only be met but that it can be surpassed. We hope that existing donors will assist WFP in attracting new donors.
CHAIRMAN: That brings us to the close of the interventions of Council members and observers. If no other speakers want to take the floor, may I request Mr. Sonneveld, the Chairman of CFA, to make a few brief remarks.
J. SONNEVELD (Chairman, Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes) : With document CL 83/6 the Council got also a draft resolution on the target for the World Food Programme pledges for the period 1985/86. I think all delegates who have spoken so far have addressed themselves to this item. I noted with great satisfaction that the consensus which occurred in the last session of the CFA on the target figure $1 350 million also exists in this Council. Some delegates referred specifically to the informal contact group I had composed to try to work out a decision. As I am the one who was responsible for that working method in the last CFA session I would appreciate having an opportunity to make some remarks on those events.
In the Plenary the Executive Director had introduced his recommendation to the CFA to agree on a target of $1 500 million, a target which has been endorsed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and by the Director-General of FAO. It was pointed out to the CFA that it was highly desirable that the CFA would take a decision on the target in its 15th session. Otherwise the ECOSOC would not be able to approve the CFA recommendation before the pledging conference at the beginning of 1984. There would be only one session of ECOSOC in between and more precisely in July of this year. Both the Executive Director and myself have urged the CFA to respect this time schedule. When it appeared in the first round in the Plenary that no agreement existed on the proposed target of $1 500 million, I decided to suspend the discussion in Plenary and to consult informally by means of a Contact Group consisting of five recipients and five donor countries. On his request, the Executive Director gave in the first meeting of the Contact Group his views on the
necessity of the proposed target and its endorsement by the Secretary-General and the Director-General. The Contact Group continued its deliberations without the participation of the Executive Director. Although we tried hard to come to an agreement, it appeared impossible to get a consensus on $1 500 million. On the other hand I noticed a strong desire of the Group to come to a decision in order not to allow for any doubts about the strong support to the Programme and its continuity. Many members were constantly in contact with their capitals. There was a genuine wish to cooperate and to work for a compromise. Finally, we all agreed on $1 350 million. The members of the Group would inform the members of the CFA so that the decision could be taken over by the Plenary. When the Executive Director got to know that the agreement on the $1 500 million would not be possible, of course he regretted that his recommendation was not followed, and he said so in Plenary but he was most satisfied with the fact that a decision was taken by consensus and that the new figure constituted the aspiration of the whole Committee and that it could be expected to be reached. That would allow the Programme to continue with increased resources.
He observed that it was his responsibility to make proposals, it was the CFA's to make decisions. He applauded the spirit of give and take and the democratic process by which the Committee reached decision. The Committee on the other hand expressed understanding for the recommendation on the target in view of the undeniable need to increase food aid for developing countries, in particular to low-income, food-deficit countries.
I found it appropriate to give this detailed account of how the CFA came to its decision and how this decision was taken with great care and caution. I hope and trust that the spirit of cooperation with which the decision was taken in the CFA will be appreciated both by the FAO Council and the ECOSOC and that they will decide accordingly, and as far as the Council is concerned, I know now that this hope in fact has already been fulfilled.
J.C. INGRAM (World Food Programme): Mr. Chairman, through you I would like to thank the delegates for a most informative and instructive debate. Some very useful new ideas have been produced. As several delegates said it is new ideas we need in relation to food aid, and I think we got some from this debate, so I thank you for that. I also thank you for the strong continuing support for the Programme which virtually every delegate who spoke has expressed. That indeed is extremely gratifying. I think, in fact, if I may revert to something Pakistan said, that WFP enjoys the highest status in the United Nations system. It would not be for me to say that, I am glad that he said that, because the truth of the matter is that wherever one goes, one finds that the Programme does stand in very high esteem, but of course I would like to say straight away that that esteem is in no way due to my own personal efforts. It is of course entirely due to the staff of the Programme who support me. I have been with the Programme now for a little more than one year, and I must say that I have been tremendously impressed by the sense of dedication and by the professionalism that the entire very small staff of WFP shows - indeed, so much so that I am really very pleased indeed to be able to number myself as a colleague among them.
We also had in the discussion this morning and again this afternoon many useful suggestions that were made by delegations about the format and content of the report before you. So many suggestions have been made that I do not think there would be much to be gained by seeking to comment on them at this point of time, nor indeed would it necessarily be appropriate to do so. I shall, however, give very careful consideration to all the suggestions that have been advanced so that when the next report is prepared it may better reflect the desires of governments.
But there are some constraints in this matter which I think I should set before you, and the first of them, of course, is that the report is not a report by the Executive Director, it is not a Secretariat report, it is a report by the Governing Body of the World Food Programme, the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes.
The second constraint is that in terms of the basic context of the Programme, the report is indeed an annual report. It is by its very nature necessarily historical, relates to the previous year. If any additional factual information is supplied, it really has to be supplied by the Executive Director, and indeed we did submit for your information on this occasion an information note which showed the status of resources for the 1983-84 biennium. This being so, it is not really possible for the Executive Director to update a report which relates to a particular year and reflects the work of a particular Committee. If additional information is to be given, as is being given on this occasion, it must necessarily be of a factual nature.
The third constraint is that this report is a report to three bodies. It is not a report merely to the FAO Council, it is also a report to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and to the World Food Council. So what it really seeks to do is to essentially summarize for the needs of each of those deliberative bodies the main highlights of the Committee's work during the previous year.
As a brief summary, it is prepared always with the thought in mind that delegations have available to them the full reports of the Committee itself which do of course go into detail in relation to the substance of the debates and policy issues. It is also prepared against a background that there is in fact a very voluminous documentation before the CFA which it would not be appropriate to reproduce again.
For example, one delegation referred to the desirability of WFP evaluating its performance in terms of development criteria. But of course each session of the CFA has before it very complete evaluation reports doing precisely that, and indeed, again if I can introduce another note of congratulation to WFP, these evaluation reports which increasingly stress developmental objectives have been commended by the body within the United Nations which looks at things of this kind, the JIU, as being in fact models of their kind for the whole United Nations system.
So given the very important need for economy, the need to produce a report that will go to three bodies, there is in fact a very real practical limitation on how much can be included, and then of course finally, and this is very much related to what I have said, the staff available to WFP for preparing reports of this kind is also extremely limited. The more reports are expanded, the greater the requirement for a staff.
I do not think there is any need for me to say any more about the target. As the Chairman of the CFA has just said, I too have also noted with great pleasure that there is a consensus here in this Council for the target of $1.35 billion. As I said this morning, it is regrettable that the original proposal was not acceded to, but on the other hand, the fact that this figure, which does allow a measured advance in the work of WFP, was agreed on holds out very good prospects that the target will be reached and possibly even surpassed.
There was this morning one mention about the possibility of adding a new dimension, so to speak, to the pledging conference. The concept of including fertilizer was mentioned. Again, the Basic Texts of the World Food Programme provide for contributions to be in the form of food, in the form of services and in the form of money, and much as I would like to see WFP expanding into new fields, I think that the restraints are very real in this regard. We would be expected to stick to our last, which is the provision of food aid.
Again, I do not think I need to say very much more over and above what I said this morning about how WFP projects fit into concepts of food security, in particular the concept advanced by the Committee on World Food Security. It is nothing new, in fact, for WFP to be seeking to integrate its projects into national development strategies nor to ensure that overall they make a maximum contribution to increased food production.
I gave some concrete examples of that this morning. I also drew very much attention to the intimate relationship that necessarily exists between Programme and the specialized agencies, particularly FAO. There is in fact a day-to-day working relationship going on all the time in relation to the appraisal of projects. It would in fact be hard to envisage a more intimate relation.
I think I should add though that food aid does present special problems as a development tool. If we are going to use it positively and while avoiding the negative effects that can arise from it, we need in fact the particular sort of expertise which resides only in WFP. While food aid can be used in some ways as money is used, because it is something in kind it poses very special problems in its use; it is not always suitable for every kind of development situation and certainly not every kind of agricultural development situation.
Mr. Chairman, the issue of fisheries has been raised by several delegations. I would like to say that while the impetus for further consideration of this matter which is alluded to in the report came from the main fish producers, the aspect of greatest interest to WFP has been the one that was also alluded to this morning; the possibility of using food aid to stimulate the development of fisheries in developing countries.
In relation to the provision of fish itself, it has never amounted to more than 6 to 7 percent of the total value of commodities pledged, and in terms of tonnage it is less than 2 percent. Now this seems rather paradoxical really because it is obvious that in many developing countries where fish is often the principal source of protein, it seems a pity that the use of fish cannot be expanded. It seems natural that one should be able to use a great deal more fish. I personally am committed in fact to finding ways of using more fish for this very reason. It seems a very appropriate form of supplementary food in many developing countries and we have in fact been making a new effort beyond what is referred to in the report before you to make a greater use of fish, but I must say that my own enthusiasm has been somewhat tempered by my much more experienced and wiser staff. They have told me some of the problems and they relate to, for example, the relatively short life in the tropics of some forms of fish, the unacceptability taste-wise of some of the more abundant species, and of course the problem of cost, which inevitably arises when one seeks to overcome some of those problems of short shelf life and so on. So what I am really saying is that we certainly agree that we should try to include more fish within the Programme but there are real constraints in that regard.
As regards the stimulation of fisheries in developing countries, that is the production of fish for their own use, a very real constraint is the fact that very few developing countries ever request support for fisheries development. The figures will no doubt astound you but I assure you they are correct. As of the beginning of last year,out of 1106 requests only 26 were for the development of fisheries. One of the reasons for this relative lack of interest on the part of developing countries is that fishery development is not usually very labour-intensive, so it does not lend itself very readily to fit-for-work projects which are the basis of the developmental activities of the Programme. Mr. Chairman, again the concept of triangular transactions was raised, a very important subject and one in which the World Food Programme has in a very practical way done a great deal to promote cooperation, north/south or south/south cooperation, cooperation between developing countries, but of course the limit - and this was stated by at least one delegation this morning - the limit of what we can do in relation to triangular transactions is the available cash resources. Within that limit it is certainly our policy to increase triangular transactions to the maximum.
In this regard it was also mentioned that perhaps the Programme should purchase more, not only in developing countries, not only by way of triangular transactions but for use in the developing country where the purchase was made. Well I am very pleased to say that in some limited emergency type situations we are already doing that and expect to do more.
I would also say that in situations where freight costs are very high in relation to local production costs, we are looking more and more at the purchase of food from within the country itself.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I am sure you will be glad to hear me say "finally", another step that has come up one way or another in the past - no doubt many times but in the short time that I have been with the Programme - is this issue of relative shares, particularly geographical regions, and it comes up of course because the data that is before you relates to one year, but in practice the share of any one region varies from one year to another. What really counts is the share over time, not the fluctuation from one year to another, the reason of course being a programme with very large projects such as WFP has and some of which are $80 million or more, you inevitably get lumpiness from one year to another. So while it is perfectly true that the share of the Latin American and Caribbean regions has reached the level of 5.5 percent in 1982, that should be looked at in terms of the twenty year history of the Programme. The average share of the Latin American and Caribbean region has been 10 percent throughout the twenty years, but during that time it has fluctuated from a low of 1 percent in 1979, to a high of 17.7 percent in 1980, and again while it was 5.5 percent in 1982, if the CFA approves all the projects in relation to that region that will be coming before it in 1983, the percentage will in fact rise to 12 Dercent. The same applies to every other region. There is a natural fluctuation but one should not see in the annual fluctuation some sort of policy decision.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much, Mr. Ingram. I would also like to join the chorus of well deserved appreciation expressed by nearly 36 members and seven observers for the valuable and dedicated work being done by the Executive Director and Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed, his Deputy, and all the other staff members of WFP. I think we should also record our thanks both to the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Director-General of FAO for their strong support to this Programme, and of course this Programme would not be there but for the donors to whom we are exceedingly grateful, and we hope additional donors will join.
I want to make a few comments after we have had the next presentation by Mr. West on 8.2, the Twentieth Anniversary of the UN/FAO World Food Programme, but at this stage I would like to get our business part out of the way, and I take it there is unanimity in the Council with reference to our support for the Draft Resolution, Annex II of document CL 83/6, the Draft Resolution for the Economic and Social Council and the FAO Council on the Target for WFP Pledges for the period 1985-86. Have I your approval that we unanimously concur with this Draft Resolution so that the Drafting Committee can then put it in an appropriate way in our report? Well I see nods around and I thank you. So we auprove this Draft Resolution and the Drafting Committee can incorporate it in the report.
T. AHMAD (Pakistan): I take the floor with great apology and I do not wish to interrupt the proceedings, but we believe Mr. Chairman that our distinguished friend from Afghanistan raised the issue of Afghan refugees, and it was pointed out that instead of being refugees they are nomads and therefore do not deserve the aid and assistance they are getting from multilateral agencies. Mr. Chairman, we assure you we do not wish to enter into any kind of political debate. We feel sure it is almost basically a semantic problem because, as we understand, nomads are people who move from place to place in order to search for grazing ground or are seeking outlets for production, and in our area, Mr. Chairman, they come down in the harsh winters and go back in the summers, but we have had these nomads from Afghanistan for four years or more than four years and they now number two million.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to reassure our friend from Afghanistan and other members of the Council that throughout the international fora, the UN bodies and everywhere, we are seeking that those friends that have sought shelter with us and to whom we have given shelter on purely humanitarian grounds, should be in a position to go back to their own land and live there with security and dignity.
M.L. BALUCHZADAH (Afghanistan): It is true, Mr. Chairman, that the Afghan nomads are there in Pakistan for about three or four years but may I ask a question to my frend, the distinguished delegate of Pakistan? Who closed the border so that they could not return to Afghanistan? I suggest this stems from the Pakistan Government, and I want the members of the Council to try to solve these things, and the Pakistan Government to give permission for these Afghan nomads to go securely, and return to Afghanistan as their own country and their own home.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: On behalf of the Director-General I should like to say that we too are glad that in your debate just finished you have expressed support for the World Food Programme and, incidentally, for the cooperation between the World Food Programme and FAO, in ensuring its efficient functioning and satisfactory projects. Also, I should like to note with satisfaction the unanimous adoption of a target which, while it was not the one recommended by the Executive Director and supported by the Secretary General and the Director-General, was nevertheless the result of extensive and careful discussions and agreements between Member governments. This makes it all the more fitting that the Council now turns to give its attention to the question of FAO's celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the World Food Programme, because the Council is one of the two parent bodies, along with the Economic and Social Council, of the World Food Programme.
Moreover, as noted by the Executive Director in his opening statement, FAO is involved in one way or another in virtually all WFP projects and, as indicated in the document, has special responsibilities for the functioning of the Programme. As many of you will already know, the World Food Programme owes a.great deal for its existence to the initiative of the former Director-General of FAO, Dr. B.R. Sen, an initiative which he took in 1960. Then there was a significant General Assembly Resolution of October 1960 asking FAO to study the feasibility of arrangements for the provision of food surpluses to food deficient peoples, including multilateral arrangements under the auspices of FAO. A decisive contribution was then made by the representative of the United States. The document makes particular reference to Mr. George McGovern who went on to become a United States senator and a presidential candidate. But of course others were involved too.
As you will see from paragraph 5 of the document, the Committee on Commodity Problems as well as the FAO Council played a further important part in the formal creation of the World Food Programme and its establishment in 1963. Then in 1965 came the decisions of the FAO Conference and the General Assembly to extend the Programme on a continuing basis, so long as food aid was required.
As already indicated, the creation of the Programme was a joint effort between the United Nations and the FAO governing bodies. The basic regulations and procedures of the Programme are, in fact, unique in the UN system. They reflect the joint responsibility and also the singular special responsibilities of the Director-General, particularly for the financial and administrative aspects of the functioning of the Programme as well as for making decisions on the provision of resources for meeting emergency needs which now include the resources of the IEFR.
As one delegation said, nothing is perfect; and I suppose he would also say that no-one is perfect on this earth. But I am glad to take this opportunity of noting that there has not, in fact, been any difference of substance so far between the Executive Director and the Director-General on emergency allocations. The Executive Director makes the recommendations and the Director-General has been able to agree with them.
The Programme has, of course, greatly developed in ways other than the creation of the IEFR, as indicated in paragraph 8 which describes the transition from the old Intergovernmental Committee. The Intergovernmental Committee was in fact the first body in these buildings that I attended when I began my contacts with FAO and WFP, more years ago than I now care to remember. After the World Food Conference the existing Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes was established in place of the Intergovernmental Committee and, as noted a few moments ago, the Committee on Food Aid still reports annually to ECOSOC and the FAO Council as well as submitting reports to the World Food Council.
In this connection I was glad to note that the Executive Director just said that he would carefully consider the suggestions made in the Council for improving the annual report which - like other things - cannot be perfect. Despite his reference to various constraints, I am sure that he will in fact help the CFA find some ways of improving ito
The complementarity of the functions of the World Food Programme and of its FAO parent are referred to in paragraphs 9 and 10 of the document. Paragraph 10, incidentally, includes a reference to the FAO Principles on Surplus Disposal and the machinery established concerning this, which do not often receive notice in discussions. In connection with these paragraphs I should also note that there is a mutual reinforcement between FAO's Regular and Field Programmes, and WFP projects for which FAO provides backstopping after examining them for economic feasibility, technical soundness and conformity with various requirements, including the just mentioned FAO Principles on Surplus Disposal.
As you will see, however, from paragraph 19, there is no complacency about past performance and achievements. Indeed, it is planned to review the orientation of FAO's policies and programmes in the light of the CFS discussion and adoption of the revised concept of World Food Security, and it is suggested in paragraph 20 that the Committee on Food Aid might review policies, criteria and modalities governing food aid, as an essential component of the revised concept.
It is also suggested in paragraph 21 that we should look further ahead to:
"Mutual reinforcement of its projects in agricultural and rural sectors with those of FAO, broadening and increasing its resource-base, enhancing its multilateral character by evolving procedures to maximise the quantum of untied aid and estabishing linkages for increased flow of resources from the Food Aid Convention through the Programme, and refining the criteria and modalities, especially of emergency aid and the International Emergency Food Reserve to reflect changing circumstances, are but a few of the issues that suggest themselves in this context."
Finally, I would draw attention to paragraphs 22 and 23 of the document. As regards paragraph 22 I can mention that there will also be a joint message between the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Director-General.
As regards paragraph 23, I am confident that the Council will have no problem in endorsing the suggestions made therein.
To sum up: the document reflects FAO's pride in the performance and achievements of the WFP and its abiding faith in the Programme's future as the pre-eminent instrument for the use of food aid to stimulate agricultural and rural development, to improve nutritional levels and to provide infrastructure for food security as also for the humanitarian purpose of alleviating human distress in times of emergencies.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much, Mr. West. I think most delegates have already given their endorsement to the proporsals for commemorating in an appropriate manner the 20th Anniversary of the World Food Programme.
G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): La excelente presentación que de este tema ha hecho nuestro Director General Adjunto, el Sr. West, confirma la satisfactoria relación de cooperación que existe entre la FAO y el PMA.
En el párrafo 1 de este documento se hace referencia a la experiencia que ha consolidado el prestigio y el buen nombre del PMA a través de sus primeros veinte años de existencia, todo lo cual.nos complace muy de veras.
En los párrafos 3 y 4, aparece claramente delineada la función importante, positiva y constructiva, que a través de todo ese largo período el Director General de la FAO ha mantenido en la orientación política y programática del Programa.
En los párrafos 9 y 10 se detallan claramente la manera como se complementa la labor de la FAO y del PMA. De los párrafos 11 a 14, las cifras por sí solas confirman esta importancia. Respecto a esas cifras, la delegación de Colombia quiere apoyar una vez más la necesidad de que los recursos del PMA se destinen preferencialmente a los países africanos, tal como se dice en el párrafo 14, particularmente.
En el párrafo 16 hay dos principios, Señor Presidente, sobre los cuales se ha basado esencialmente la vida del Programa. Nosotros queremos apoyar estos dos principios, pero agregar otro también. Los dos principios actuales son sobre que se debe evitar la discriminación del aumento de la producción en los países en desarrollo y de que la asistencia alimentaria debe suministrarse de la manera más
eficaz. El mejor homenaje que podemos hacer a los veinte años del PMA es consagrar también en esta ocasión un tercer principio que ya ha sido aceptado en todos los Organismos Internacionales, y que es el de condenar el uso de los alimentos como arma política; de tal manera que la asistencia alimentaria del PMA se ofrezca en atención a las reales necesidades humanas y sociales sin discriminación política.
A este respecto, la delegación de Colombia desearía expresar la esperanza de que no se repita el proceso lamentable que precedió al apoyo de la ayuda alimentaria al país del Viet Nam y que se siga ayudando a ese país y a todos aquellos que lo necesiten sin discriminación política.
En los párrafos 19. y 20 hay una referencia muy importante y la delegación de Colombia piensa que el excelente informe del Director General sobre la seguridad alimentaria mundial que fue acogido por el CSA y refrendado por el Consejo, contiene aspectos muy interesantes que esten llamados a causar impacto igualmente en las actividades del Programa Mundial de Alimentos. Creemos que en nuestro Informe deberemos decir que esas recomendaciones del CSA y del Consejo sobre el Informe del Director General, en materia de seguridad alimentaria, deben ser tenidas muy en cuenta por la Secretaría del PMA.
Estamos muy satisfechos y agradecidos a la FAO por esta iniciativa de celebrar los veinte años del PMA. La FAO, como todos sabemos, es uno de los padres del PMA, y es justo que nuestra Organización esté orgullosa de los logros obtenidos por este Programa.
Apoyamos plenamente los párrafos 22 y 23, y estamos seguros de que el Director General y el Sr. West tienen imaginación fértil y constructiva y seguramente va a hacer realidad la frase final del párrafo 23, en la cual se dice que la Conferencia debe poner de relieve la importancia de la ocasión. Nosotros quisiéramos complementar ese principio general de destacar la importancia de esa ocasión, tal vez proponiendo que durante la Conferencia, en el debate general, cuando estén presentes los Ministros, se lleva a cabo una celebración especial a través de la cual el Presidente de la Conferencia y el Director General de la FAO pronuncien sendas alocuciones sobre esta celebración. La próxima Conferencia nos ofrece una coyuntura favorable, sabemos que va a ser presidida por el Sr. John Block, Secretario de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, país que como se demuestra en este documento, y como sabemos todos, ha tenido gran importancia, y sigue teniendo, en la vida del Programa Mundial de Alimentos; de manera que, ojalá, si el Consejo estuviera de acuerdo, pudiéramos hacer esta recomendación para que esa celebración en el seno de la Conferencia, tenga una importancia específica y destacada.
Finalmente, la delegación de Colombia desea reafirmar lo que manifestamos esta mañana al final de nuestra intervención sobre el tema anterior. Creemos que el prestigio que se ha ganado el PMA en estos veinte años está basado en la forma seria, ordenada y equilibrada como ha trabajado la Secretaría del PMA, y todos cuantos han pasado por su Secretaría.
Por esto, a la delegación de Colombia le preocuparía que particularmente en este último año se vaya a deteriorar esa posición de prestigio y seriedad de que goza el PMA. Creemos que es necesario que en la Secretaría del PMA se comprenda y se ponga en práctica la natural relación que debe existir entre una Secretaría y los Representantes de los Gobiernos, que somos los mandantes de la burocracia internacional a cualquier nivel. Si cualquier representante de Gobierno de cualquier país presenta una queja, hace una observación o solicita una información, creemos que la Secretaría de ese organismo tiene el deber y la obligación de dar explicaciones del caso y no de asumir actitudes arrogantes en reuniones públicas manifestando que esas quejas son inexactas, sin serlas, porque, naturalmente, esa actitud de irrespeto no podríamos aceptarla.
C.R. BENJAMIN (United States of America): We would like to make a few remarks. We did not say very much this morning so I fear there may be a little duplication but I hope not too much.
As the performance of the World Food Programme over the past 20 years is reviewed the United States is proud of its participation since its inception. From the modest beginning as an experiment which arose, as Mr. West said, from the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 1960 the World Food Programme has developed and grown to become the largest source of development assistance in the United Nations system, apart from the World Bank. The encouragement and support that the United Nations Secretary General has provided WFP over the years in the areas of economic and social development is commended. Efforts of the Director-General of FAO in maintaining the accounts of the World Food Programme fund and in support of those technical aspects, the important technical aspects which include securing nutrition improvements, and efficiencies, of food production and distribution, are equally commended.
WFP's experience has shown that integrating food aid international plans and programmes of developing countries is most beneficial, promoting development efforts and availing disincentives and continued dependence on food aid. In particular the WFP policy which gives highest consideration within its priorities to requests for assistance for national food reserves, when it clearly demonstrates that such reserves could have a positive effect on food security, production and supplies within the recipient country, reiterates WFP's support of the efforts of others in food security.
The US delegation would like to reiterate what the governing body of the World Food Programme said in its Fifteenth Session a statement with which we fully concur, "The Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes congratulated WFP on 20 years of distinguished service to humanity. It expressed its pride in the impressive record of achievements attained by the Programme in carrying out its mandate which was testimony to a well-functioning organization and a hardworking and dedicated staff. WFP is one of the success stories of the United Nations system. The Programme has nurtured and strengthened international cooperation for development through its activities. The Committee recognized that the considerable achievements of 1982 accrued from the dynamic leadership that the Executive Director had given to the Programme since taking up his post one year ago."
My delegation encourages those efforts that are being undertaken to acknowledge WFP's successful 20 years and launch it full speed into its next decades of assistance to development. The United States stands ready to participate appropriately in these efforts of acknowledgement.
As a footnote I hope that the statement by the delegate of Colombia is not taken as implying that WFP uses its resources as a political weapon.
A. ACUÑA HUMPHRIES (Panamá): Sobre el tema en discusión, el 20° aniversario del Programa Mundial de Alimentos Naciones Unidas/FAO, la delegación de Panamá desea hacer las siguientes tres puntualiza-ciones:
Primera, consideramos que el PMA se ha esforzado y se esforzará porque, aparte de los dos principios esenciales que ha observado en sus actividades, indicados en el párrafo 16, está también el principio básico de no dejar que sus actividades estén influidas por consideraciones eminentemente políticas que conlleve a la utilización de los alimentos como arma política.
Segunda, apoyamos lo expuesto en el párrafo 23 del documento CL 83/19 en el sentido de que este Consejo concluya formulando un llamamiento a los donantes tradicionales, así como a otros posibles nuevos donantes, invitándoles a cumplir los objetivos ordinarios del PMA y la reserva alimentaria internacional de emergencia.
Y tercera, tal y como lo expresó esta delegación en su intervención anterior, somos partidarios de que este 83° Consejo de la FAO debe dejar sentado su reconocimiento por la labor que ha realizado el PMA desde su creación, el primero de enero de 1963, y ofrecerle su apoyo para que siga logrando éxitos en el futuro, por lo que bien se debe proponer a la Conferencia que destaque este 20° aniversario del PMA.
Esta delegación destaca el carácter de complementariedad de las funciones del PMA y la FAO y destacamos igualmente este hecho por los frutos positivos que ha dado y que todos hemos estado de acuerdo en reconocer.
Finalmente, Panamá, como miembro de este Consejo de la FAO, se solidariza y pide amplío apoyo concreto con lo expuesto por la distinguida Observadora de la hermana República de Bolivia, así como por lo expuesto igualmente por el distinguido Embajador de Perú en su calidad de Observador.
F.G. POULIDES (Chypre): Je voudrais féliciter le Directeur général de la FAO d'avoir inscrit le point 8.2 à notre ordre du jour "Vingtième anniversaire du Programme Alimentaire Mondial ONU/FAO".
Nous avons lu avec intérêt la genèse et l'historique de ce Programme lancé à la suite d'une initiative conjointe du Directeur général de la FAO et du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies.
Le Programme Alimentaire Mondial pendant ces 20 ans a amplement montré sa vitalité et apporté une aide incontestable à des dizaines de millions de personnes de par le monde. Il est devenu un instrument indispensable pour l'utilisation de l'aide alimentaire à des fins de développement agricole et rural, stimuler la production, améliorer les niveaux nutritionnels, fournir une infrastructure pour la sécurité alimentaire et intervenir promptement en cas d'urgence.
Le document souligne justement que le PAM n'a pas seulement apporté une dimension nouvelle à l'aide alimentaire en élargissant sa portée et son champ d'action, mais qu'il a représenté une étape importante dans la campagne mondiale contre la faim et la malnutrition lancée auparavant par la FAO.
Il était donc naturel que le PAM relève de la FAO et des Nations Unies qui en assurent la responsabilité conjointe.
Le document a d'ailleurs le mérite de détailler certains domaines dans lesquels le Secrétaire général et le Directeur général sont conjointement responsables du bon fonctionnement du Programme.
Il mentionne aussi la responsabilité particulière du Directeur gênerai dans un certain nombre de secteurs administratifs et financiers ainsi que dans le domaine des aides alimentaires d'urgence.
Ces détails ne sont généralement pas connus et méritaient d'être cités. Ces dispositions sont la base solide et bien fondée sur laquelle le PAM peut et doit travailler et se décharger du mandat qui lui a été donné par les Nations Unies et la FAO.
Nous considérons donc comme très naturel que des liens étroits et harmonieux existent entre la FAO et le PAM qui ne font que renforcer leur prestige.
Nous apprécions donc l'occasion qui nous est donnée d'associer la FAO - l'un des deux parents du PAM - à cette commémoration et nous pouvons marquer notre accord sur les arrangements qui sont suggérés aux paragraphes 22 et 23.
En particulier, nous avons pris note avec intérêt et appuyons l'intention du Directeur général de diffuser un message et d'organiser une exposition au moment de la Conférence. Tout ce qui peut mettre en lumière la façon dont le Programme contribue aux objectifs de la FAO est le bienvenu.
C'est certes un plaisir, même un devoir, pour le Conseil et plus tard pour la Conférence, d'exprimer son appréciation pour le travail accompli.
Mais, Monsieur le Président, il n'y aurait pas de meilleur moyen d'exprimer sa confiance et sa reconnaissance au PAM que de lui donner les ressources nécessaires pour atteindre les objectifs fixés, tant pour les contributions ordinaires que pour la Réserve alimentaire internationale d'urgence.
Dans cette perspective nous approuvons l'idée que le Conseil et la Conférence fassent appel aux donateurs traditionnels et potentiels pour que les objectifs du Programme soient atteints et si possible, dépassés.
M. BENNIS (Maroc): Mon intervention ne traitera que de la célébration proprement dite du 20ème anniversaire du PAM.
En effet, la délégation du Maroc ne voudrait pas laisser passer l'occasion de cet anniversaire sans adresser au PAM, en tant qu'institution, un message de bon anniversaire, et sans présenter à son personnel, à travers son Directeur exécutif, ses chaleureuses félicitations.
Ma délégation voudrait que l'accent soit suffisamment mis sur le bilan largement positif des activités du PAM depuis sa naissance et pendant les vingt années écoulées. Les chiffres sont très significatifs et parlent d'eux-mêmes. Je ne veux pas y revenir. Je rappellerai brièvement que plus de cinq milliards de dollars ont été engagés, 1 100 projets de développement ont été mis en oeuvre, 114 pays en ont bénéficié, un milliard et plus de dollars d'aide alimentaire d'urgence, 600 opérations de secours dont 103 pays ont été le théâtre.
Monsieur le Président, ceci se passe de tout commentaire et nous nous en réjouissons.
C'est pourquoi, et concernant la préparation de l'anniversaire du PAM à la FAO, ma délégation voudrait appuyer les propositions du paragraphe 23 du document CL 83/19 pour que le Conseil formule une appréciation à l'endroit du PAM. Cette appréciation ne devrait être qu'un sentiment de satisfaction et d'éloge et une expression d'encouragement et de fierté.
Ma délégation voudrait également que le Conseil adresse une recommandation dans le même sens à la prochaine session de la Conférence de la FAO.
S.A. MAHMOOD (Bangladesh): My delegation compliments and congratulates FAO on its initiative in the observance of the 20th anniversary of the WFP. The WFP in the 20 years of its existence has not only helped alleviate the distress of millions all over the world by providing food and relief and supplementary nutrition to disadvantaged groups, but also equally, if not more importantly, opened up a new horizon in national development strategy by providing food as an input resource, market windows for agro-based developing economies, encouraging triangular transactions, and assisting and supporting the establishment of grain reserves and price stabilization.
It is regretted that in spite of its eminently outstanding performance, a fact obviously recognized by the world community, the WFP continues to fail in achieving its resource targets against a backdrop of increasing demands on the Programme from all corners of the world.
My delegation fervently hopes that in the days ahead response to the requirements of the Programme would be more encouraging and that the WFP would find itself better equipped to carry forward the excellent work which has distinguished its first 20 years.
It has been very correctly observed in document CL 83/19 that what has been accomplished is but a beginning compared with the tasks and opportunities ahead.
We fully agree with the Brandt Commission's observation that it is not food aid that should be objected to, but poorly used food aid. In fact, objecting to food aid is tantamount to the denial of the most basic human right.
What is required is that the paramount necessity of the proper utilization of food aid is recognized, especially by the national governments, as also by the international organizations and agencies, and such recognition is reflected in the national, regional and global programmes and their proper implementation and management.
In conclusion I would again like to re-emphasize the necessity that we in Bangladesh feel for the further strengthening of the WFP, both resourcewise and managementwise, so that it can meet the mounting demands and accomplish the tasks ahead with the same high degree of performance par excellence that has been the WFP's hallmark in the past two decades.
N.S. COOK (Canada): Paragraph 18 of document CL 83/19 refers to a recent estimate of food aid requirements at 20 million metric tons of cereals. We do not want this Council to be caught up in a misunderstanding in accepting or adopting document CL 83/19 that we implicitly accept 20 million metric tons as the agreed established food aid target for even that amount is needed. This amount of 20 million metric tons is only one of many estimates. The governing body of the World Food Programme is the CFA, not the FAO Council or the CFS. We wonder if Mr. Ingram or Mr. West can assure us that this document has been discussed by the CFA. We should not want to be seen as only trying to offer constructive suggestions to the World Food Programme, not issuing directives to it, or its governing body for that matter.
In response to another intervention, delegations, rather like the Secretariat, in the view of Canada should not be seen as arrogant. I can only repeat the observation made by another colleague, that the World Food Programme has shown great courtesy, and indeed patience, with various member governments, including our own.
My government would like to take this occasion, like many other governments, to congratulate both the executive and the staff of the World Food Programme on twenty years of outstanding humanitarian service, but remains conscious nonetheless that celebration is somewhat premature. It is our belief that when we no longer need to provide food aid, then indeed it is time to celebrate. Food aid targets of course represent a continuing collective failure.
Finally, my government plans to pay homage to the World Food Programme in a forthcoming publication describing the cooperation between Canada and the World Food Programme over twenty years, and that publication will be made available here in Rome.
LI CHENHUAN (China) (original language Chinese): I would not like to repeat what other delegations have already said before me, but the Chinese delegation would like to say we give our full support to the recommendations contained in paragraphs 22 and 23 focument CL 83/19 and in particular to three proDosals contained in paragraph 23 - that is to say, first that the Council should appeal to donors to fulfil the target, secondly that it should express its appreciation of the work of the Programme, and thirdly that the Council might propose to the Conference that special note should be taken of the 20th anniversary of the World Food Programme.
L. ARIZO HIDALGO (Cuba): Queremos felicitar al Director General y al Dr. West por su presentación; creemos que es un documento muy ilustrativo y para nosotros, en lo personal, significa una ayuda muy importante para conocer su realización y actuación futura. Por nuestra condición de ser realmente nuevos aquí, en Roma, creemos que en la mañana y parte de la tarde se expuso con bastante amplitud y claridad la importancia del Programa, su significación, su trabajo, sus logros y lo que significa realmente para la comunidad que necesita la ayuda alimentaria. Esto merece una celebración digna de su responsabilidad y logros.
En ese contexto apoyamos el documento en toda su extensión, específicamente en los párrafos 22 y 23, pero queremos también apoyar la proposición de la delegación de Colombia en un sentido: en el sentido de que, realmente, incluyéndolo exaltaría el verdadero sentido del PMA. No creo que restaría al PMA, puesto que la situación lamentable, que todos recordamos, del Proyecto Viet Nam realmente no se pudo aplicar un bloqueo como arma política, realmente no se pudo, pero sí se le mantuvo durante un año sin podérsele aprobar, a pesar de que las veces que se le discutió, la Secretaría, con versiones técnicas, consideradas como perfectas, probaba la idoneidad del proyecto; luego entonces, realmente creemos que la celebración de este Programa se tiene que garantizar sin condicionar las concepciones políticas y se puede incluir lo que ha planteado la delegación de Colombia, y de esta forma exaltar el verdadero sentido de este Programa.
T. AHMAD (Pakistan): I wish to begin by complimenting Mr. West on the introduction to the document. We find the document itself very lucid and very informative. We wish to place on record our appreciation of the WFP work in the last twenty years and want to be associated with the 20th anniversary of WFP. I may point out here that my government is also actively participating in this 20th anniversary by issuing a commemorative postage stamp for the WFP.
Some parts of the document we find very informative and we find that they warrant our wholehearted support. I am particularly referring to paragraphs 17 and 18. We feel that what has been stated in paragraph 18 is true and depicts the effectual picture as far as the food aid requirements of developing countries are concerned. We also feel that the 20 million target, although it is only an estimate, is an indication of the direction in which WFP should be moving so that the needs of the developing countries can be fulfilled.
We also endorse paragraph 22 and particularly paragraph 23 and we feel that the Council should place on record its appreciation of the work of the World Food Programme and the Conference should be recommended to do the same.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: I am very grateful for all the remarks that have been made and the support which has been given, and on that basis the Director-General will be able to go ahead and I believe formulate the detailed arrangements for use in the Conference. The suggestions made in this regard will have very careful attention. There was only one delegation that raised a question, criticized the document or criticized the idea of the celebration and in fact, as I said, asked a question. I therefore am obliged by the question to give an answer, which I shall endeavour to do with all patience and courtesy even though I have to single out one delegation.
I do not think I can see anything in paragraph 18 which amounts to a directive to anyone, and if I remember right, although it is not mentioned here, the Committee on Food Security did discuss this figure of 20 million tons in cereals and said something to the effect that it found it a useful indicator; it did not say it was a target, this does not say it was a target, it is just a useful indicator, and of course, it is up to the responsible organs to decide what targets it wants to establish at any time, but in this regard I must add that the responsible organs are not solely the CFA, as was suggested. The responsible organs, as shown by your debate today, are the FAO Council and ECOSOC, and the FAO Conference and the General Assembly; they will decide what to do about the Resolution concerning the resources of the World Food Programme.
Finally, I should hate to leave the impression, which is suggested might be the case, that we are celebrating the need to continue food aid. Of course we are not. What FAO wants to celebrate is two things. First is the performance and achievements of the World Food Programme over the years on which such satisfaction has been expressed today, and secondly, the generosity of the governments who have made it possible.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Ingram, would you like to say anything?
Well, I do not see anyone else. We will first get to the business part of our work and I shall then conclude with a few remarks of my own. I am going to adjourn this meeting after this item because we have to show some consideration to the Chairman and Members of the Drafting Committee. They have a lot of work to do. What we will do tomorrow is first take up items 14.2, that is the Scale of Contributions and then 15 and 18.1. For these three items I shall take the Chair, and I have requested my colleague the distinguished Vice-President, Dr. Hamdi, to assume the Chair from item 18.2, and hopefully, we would like to complete the entire agenda tomorrow, and then the Drafting Committee will continue its work.
Well, this will be the kind of programme we shall follow. I will request you to cooperate tomorrow in getting through our entire agenda. We will start promptly at 9.30 on the Scale of Contributions.
Fellow members of the Council and ladies and gentlemen: As one who has had contact with the World Food Programme from about 1965 or 1966, it is my duty to add my words of sincere appreciation for all those who conceived the Programme and who have built it over the years. I am happy that we all heard both Mr. Ingram and Mr. West outline various measures which are proposed for commemorating this Twentieth Anniversary in a suitable manner.
I believe that in our world which is beleaguered by a sense of negation and despair, WFP represents one of the most meaningful affirming flames we have alive. We are grateful that this truly multilateral development assistance effort has grown in magnitude, variety and relevance during the past twenty years. As many delegates said here, the World Food Programme is not only helping to alleviate human distress, both in normal times and during emergencies, but is also increasingly helping to prevent distress sales of food grains by small farmers by making purchases from its own resources in developing countries. I think we are all agreed that the WFP has become a powerful
instrument for alleviating human suffering arising either from the famine of food or from the famine of job, and in many instances the famine of job is really the mother of the famine of food. Therefore, the Twentieth Anniversary of the World Food Programme provides an opportunity for both looking back and looking forward.
As stated in the Eighth Annual Report presented by the Executive Director, during the last twenty years, 170 million people have been helped by WFP through both development and emergency assistance. Last week, Council Members may recall hearing when we discussed the Report of the Committee on Agriculture that at least 500 million, an estimated 500 million people, may be undernourished in the world today. To all such people, these 500 million or whatever the number is, God is Bread. That is what the leader in my country Mahatma Gandhi, once said: to those who are hungry, God is Bread.
It is thus clear that the World Food Programme and similar initiatives at the national, regional and global levels deserve rapid expansion. From my personal experience with food for work, rural employment and what we call the Employment Guarantee Scheme in the State of Maharashtra, I fully endorse the statements made by several delegations that a well-planned food for development programme is a very effective instrument for the elimination of hunger as well as for the development of rural infrastructure essential for accelerated agricultural advance.
I often observe that when mothers from poor families receive wages partly in the form of food grains, the children become the most immediate beneficiaries. In fact, an integrated Food for Development Programme catering to the needs of all able-bodied persons in search of work and of food and a Food for Nutrition Programme catering to the needs of children, pregnant and nursing mothers and old and infirm persons is the immediately feasible method of assisting the economically deprived sections of the population of any country. It is in this context that we welcome the extensive and appropriate steps taken to commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of the World Food Programme. We have just heard that the commemoration programme includes the issue of messages, medals, stamps, organization of seminars and exhibitions. I wonder whether if in addition to all these worthy steps the Executive Director and his competent staff can prepare with assistance from FAO a portfolio of Twentieth Anniversary Commemoration Action Plans for implementation by interested national governments and bilateral donors as their contribution to the commemoration of what I consider to be one of the most exciting adventures in recent human history.
Let me cite an example of innovative local initiatives. A project being prepared by the Society for the Promotion of Wastelands Development in India involves linking provision of mid-day meals to school children to promoting a school forestry programme designed to provide the fuel needed to cook the mid-day meal. Also in the school kitchen, low-cost smokeless stoves will be used, therefore demonstrating to mothers who bring the children to the school how to avoid harm to their eyes and health from smoke.
Council Members and Observers: Let us all try to do whatever we can individually and collectively to spread the World Food Programme message by deed in addition to words on the occasion of the Twentieth Anniversary.
I thank you very much and we adjourn until 9.30 tomorrow morning.
The meeting rose at 17.30 hours
La séance est Tevée à 17 h 30
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.30 horas
