Arkell D. WEYGANDT (United States of America): May I begin by expressing the appreciation of my delegation to Mr Shah for his presentation, which was both lucid and comprehensive. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Chairmen of the Programme and Finance Committee for their comments.
We also appreciate the action by the Director-General in reducing the Summary Programme of Work and Budget. We are confident the reductions made will not affect programme delivery. We believe that further reductions can be made which also would not impair programme delivery. Such reductions would result in a programme of zero real growth which is a goal my Government has been actively seeking, given the budgetary restraints other members have been experiencing.
Although my Government appreciates the additional reductions in programme growth proposed by the Director-General, particularly the US $2 million reduction in the provision for cost increases, we cannot accept the proposed programme growth of 1. 1 percent. We have expressed this position at the Programme Committee meeting and continue to hold to it.
The United States is encouraged by the direction that FAO programmes increasingly are taking, especially programmes for small farmers and the priority given to Africa. There should be no question about US support for FAO, especially in this 40th Anniversary year. Nevertheless we cannot support the level of growth in this budget. In the interests of brevity I will spare the Council more detailed comments which we will certainly raise in the Conference.
R. Mohammad BAHRAM (Afghanistan): The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan fully supports and endorses the strategies, priorities and programmes given by the Director-General for 1986-87.
The Afghan delegation supports the principle of zero net programme growth for the assessed budget of the FAO. We appreciate the reductions proposed by the Director-General in the Programme of Work and Budget.
The Afghan delegation proposes further reductions aimed at achieving zero net programme growth. We welcome the initiative of reduction in administrative and support costs.
Concerning the Programme of Work for 1986-87, we completely support and endorse this. This programme reflects very clearly the needs of the developing countries. We believe that the realization of this programme will achieve best results in increasing agricultural production.
Irrigation water in many countries, including my country, is the most limiting factor in agriculture. We believe that it is necessary to pay more attention to the proper and economical use of water and therefore a considerable amount of assistance should be given to the developing countries in the framework of water management activities. At the same time there is also a greater need for the extension of new land areas to the establishment of new irrigation projects. We hope that this issue will also be considered in the programme.
Soil erosion, desertification and depleted wildlife resources are common problems of many countries which need corrective measures to be undertaken. For the appropriate and rapid solution to these problems we believe that it is necessary to undertake overall comprehensive and integrated programmes of forestry, water management, rangeland agro-forestry, prevention of desertification, soil conservation and wildlife preservation.
The successful implementation of such programmes necessitates trained personnel and expertise. We believe that additional attention to these issues will achieve greater success.
José Ramón LOPEZ PORTILLO ROMANO (Mexico): Voy a hacer una intervención breve. En primer lugar, deseamos agradecer al Sr. Shah por la magnífica presentación de este tema.
Deseamos expresar nuestro rechazo a la política de crecimiento cero en tanto que simboliza un ataque al multilatéralisme y congela posibilidades de desarrollo que en momentos de crisis económica en el mundo afectan sobremanera las perspectivas principalmente del mundo en desarrollo.
Reconocemos el esfuerzo hecho por el Director General para limitar al máximo el crecimiento del presupuesto con el objeto de que pueda ser aceptable para todos los Estados Miembros de la FAO, pero insistimos que las necesidades son también mucho mayores.
Apoyamos en su totalidad las seis prioridades de la Organización, a saber: fomentar la producción de alimentos y mejorar la seguridad alimentaria, consolidar los sistemas de información, dar máxima importancia a la capacitación, promover la cooperación económica y técnica entre los países en desarrollo y conseguir resultados sobre el terreno.
Apoyamos también en su totalidad la adecuada repartición regional de las actividades de la FAO, reconociendo que se debe hacer especial énfasis en la situación del Africa Subsahariana.
Apoyamos las actividades de las Oficinas Regionales, tomando nota de que no se propone aumento de recursos en este renglón.
Apoyamos los programas prioritarios, producción de alimentos y seguridad alimentaria. Apoyamos las prioridades en los medios de acción, bases de datos y capacitación. Apoyamos la disminución de gastos en los puestos de plantilla sin que esto signifique que se afectará a la eficiencia de la Organización. Apoyamos en forma total y expresa la prioridad que merece la cooperación económica y técnica entre países en desarrollo en todas las actividades de la FAO. Dada la crisis económica mundial, esta cooperación se hace cada vez más necesaria para impulsar el crecimiento económico entre los países en desarrollo.
Las actividades de la FAP en esta esfera deben encaminarse hacia la ejecución del Programa de Acción de Caracas, pero en función de las prioridades que aquí digamos.
MANIRUZZAMAN CHOUDHURY (Bangladesh): The Summary Programme of Work and Budget 1986/87 and the medium-term objectives as presented by the Director-General have all along been supported by the Bangladesh delegation. We appreciate the programme of work which has already been approved by the concerned committees after being deliberated in various sub-committees and also upheld in various regional conferences.
The Bangladesh delegation notes with concern some proposals which have been put forward by a few developed countries aimed at the reduction of the FAO budget for the 1986-87 biennium. As we have already observed, such proposals if accepted and approved will definitely put constraints and limitations on FAO's role as the leading agency in the food and agriculture field.
As the African crisis has demonstrated and the recent tragedy of cyclone in Bangladesh has underlined, the need to meet such emergency situations calls for not only immediate responses by all concerned, but there is also a felt need to formulate and work out long term studies. Therefore the proposal by some fellow delegates for reducing the budget is not perhaps based on pragmatic considerations. The only way to enable the world to handle such a crisis, which has most unfortunately the habit of repeating itself without warning or notice, is to help the developing countries quickly to attain self-sufficiency in the food sector. However, it is gratifying to note from document C 85/3 that the budget has reflected, through a reduction, the real rock bottom position and we cannot perhaps think of going to a lower position than that.
Factors like currency fluctuations and others are so uncertain that this should not be a permanent factor or one which is really worth consideration in making a budget for an organization like FAO. However, since this budget is mainly affecting the developing countries it will be appreciated if the developed countries which continue to enjoy economic growth, despite a little difficult time, now would not like to press on and instead perhaps would like to withdraw their
objections to the proposal for a marginal increase between 1. 1 percent and 1. 4 percent in the spirit of accommodation and consensus which they have demonstrated in the past, instead of insisting on the present context of zero growth only.
We wish to put on record once more our deep appreciation of the good work done by the Chairmen of the Finance and Programme Committees as reflected in their very useful reports. My delegation also wishes to extend its warm appreciation for the frank and lucid introduction of the budget proposals made by the Director-General. We endorse wholeheartedly the proposed strategies and priorities spelled out therein in attaining the four principle objectives of which we are all aware, namely, promotion of food production, increases in food security, achievement of impact at the field level, and enhancement of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries.
In this context, I would like to make an appeal, once again, for the fellow delegates of those developed countries who suggested a zero growth approach on budgetary proposals kindly to withdraw, in the same spirit of accommodation and moderation which they have always shown in the past, so that it may be possible to get this budget approved, as before, through a consensus. This will be in keeping with the spirit in which, as we have seen in the past, the developed countries have extended their attention and helped their less fortunate fellow citizens of the world. This nice gesture should not be missed in this session either.
Robert SEVCOVIC (Czechoslovakia): I am not going to repeat the point concerning the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for the next two-year period which was in a generally positive sense already expressed in our speech yesterday during the discussion on budgetary programme and administrative matters. We are ready to agree with the proposed level and structure of the budget.
We welcome the fact that the Director-General of FAO, Mr Saouma, has succeeded through a reduction of non-productive costs, in maintaining and even somewhat increasing the real part of the budget to keep and enhance the technical and economic activity of our Organization, particularly in developing countries. We are glad that in the last period some savings have been made in the management of FAO finance and we believe that the saved money will be used for good purposes.
Concerning the volume of funds for member countries' original programmes, I would like, as a representative of a European country, to say a few words on that part of the draft budget that covers our region. If we compare the volume of funds now proposed in the FAO draft budget for Europe to the two-year period in the past, there is an evident trend toward their systematic reduction. I would like to point out in this connection that we are fully aware of the preferential orientation of these funds in favour of other regions. If, however, the region of Europe is to play a role in the interest of assistance to developing countries, then successive cuts in the budgetary allocations for the implementation of programmes in the region of Europe are a little problematic.
We are afraid that should there be no extra-budgetary funds available in the future, then such a situation might amount to the potential danger of stagnation of the European programmes. We believe it is in the interest of universality to FAO and in the interest of the developing countries in our continents that development of technology in Europe, especially technology applied to research, should again be recognized.
Hiroshi NAKAGAWA (Japan): As there will be ample opportunity during the Conference to review and comment on the details of the Programme of Work and Budget, I will restrict myself here to a few general comments. Firstly, the Programme of Work and Budget now presented to us shows a net programme decrease of $1. 2 million as compared with the Summary Programme of Work and Budget submitted at the last Council. My delegation has duly taken note of the fact that it was the first time for the Director-General since he took office ten years ago to revise his original budget proposal by taking into consideration the views and suggestions expressed by many delegates regarding the principle of zero growth.
Apart from the magnitude of the reduced amount itself, my delegation highly appreciates the positive attitude of the Director-General for having improved the budget and for trying to reach a consensus.
Secondly, despite this positive element, my delegation still cannot but express our concern about some elements of the proposed Programme of Work and Budget. The most important one is TCP. My delegation has already expressed its concern about the nature of TCP as well as its sharp increase in the allocated resources on various occasions, and has no intention of repeating them at this point in time. Here, we would only like to manifest our disappointment in seeing that TCP has not been touched upon at all in the course of the revising of the budget. The real programme increase of TCP for the next biennium is, in fact, amounting to 4. 2 percent and ranks the highest among the seven chapters.
Another important point is the level of the net programme increase of 1. 14 percent. My delegation, while fully appreciating the Director-General's efforts so far in reducing the cost of the less priority areas, would like to see him take another courageous step in seeking zero net growth.
The third point is the very recent development of the dollar/lire exchange rate which has a significant effect on the level of assessed contributions of each Member Government. My delegation will express its final position on the proposed Programme of Work and Budget at the Conference, taking into account the above mentioned factors.
K. N. ARDHANAREESWARAN (India): At the outset we would like to compliment Mr Shah and the Chairmen of the Programme Committee and the Finance Committee for their lucid exposition of their Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1986-87. We would like to compliment the Director-General for presenting a balanced budget, a budget which is development-oriented. We are happy to note that even though the budget represents a net increase of only 1. 1 percent, the technical programmes are increased to the extent of 3. 8 percent. This increase has been possible because of reductions in administration and support programme budgets. We are happy to note that the priority areas would be the promotion of food production, the increase in food security and the creation of impact at field level and promotion of economic and technical co-operation among developing countries.
We are also happy to note that in the next biennium agriculture, forestry and fisheries and research have been provided with higher allocations in the agricultural sector. We would like that greater attention be paid to dry land farming systems. This is field which requires high priority especially in areas where irrigation is highly limited. It is necessary to promote and stabilize production in areas allocated for dry land farming.
We would also emphasize the need for proper soil and water management. It is necessary to provide training facilities so that the transfer of technology is feasible. In this connection my delegation would like that crop insurance be taken out as a supporting function to dry land farming systems.
With regard to the forestry sector we would like national and regional institutions to be set up for the training of forestry officials and also for changing their attitudes towards forestry activities. We feel they should take a dynamic view in the administration of forests and their attitude should also change from a regulatory one to one of development approach.
With regard to fisheries we would like to suggest that there be assistance for proper assessment of the potential in the exclusive economic zones and also in the preservation and management of fishery resources.
My delegation would reject the proposals put forward by certain countries with regard to zero net programme growth. All of us know that the needs are growing. The Director-General has mentioned in his introductory remarks that poverty and wretchedness have been spreading. It is necessary to alleviate this trend and this would be possible only through a bigger programme, through a bigger intervention in the development activities of the countries that are struggling to establish themselves. In this context we would suggest that activities be set up and that necessary support be provided to the developing countries in their attempts to increase food production, and also in stabilizing agricultural activities at a reasonable level. With these remarks my delegation would support the Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium.
ZHU PEIRONG (China) (Original language Chinese): My speech will be very brief.
At the Eighty-seventh Session of the Council held in June this year, the Summary Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium was discussed. Now, the finalized Programme of Work and Budget is submitted to the Council and then to the Conference. We have taken note of some new alterations in the document, especially in the budget level. This is the result of the Director-General's effort to coordinate different views in light of the recommendations by the June Council session. We appreciate such adjustment which has brought divergent positions closer to each other. In September this year, the Programme Committee and the Finance Committee examined the final text of the Programme of Work and Budget. Likewise, we have noticed the proposals of the two Committees in their report submitted to this Council. We agree to submit the finalized Programme of Work and Budget to the Conference for consideration. The Chinese delegation will further elaborate its views at Commission II of the Conference and wishes to express its readiness to contribute, together with other delegations, to the adoption of the Programme of Work and Budget at the Conference.
Ajmal Mahmood QURESHI (Pakistan): You referred this morning to the three-page agenda which has been presented to us. It only reminds me of the lines from Robert Frost “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have a promise to keep and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep “. I hope we can finish the agenda before we all fall asleep this evening.
Allow me first of all to thank Mr Shah and the Chairmen of the Programme and Finance Committees for introducing the subject. We have already discussed it in great depth in the September session of the Programme Committee and this item is going to figure very prominently on the agenda of the Conference, therefore we limit ourselves to only a few general comments.
As we have done in the Programme Committee and the last session of the Council, we endorse the strategies, priorities, and the programmes set out in the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1986-87. We would like to commend the Director-General for his continuing search to present a budget acceptable to all Member Nations of the Organization. We hope that the divisions and overall budgetary outlay brought about by him will pave the way for its universal acceptance. But we would like to caution the Director-General against any further reductions, lest the effective delivery of FAO's programmes is adversely affected.
We fully endorse the Director-General's budget proposals and the modest increase proposed in document C 85/3. My delegation is of the view the the so-called doctrine of zero net programme growth cannot be applied indiscriminately in the United Nations System. We have to take into account the specialized nature of FAO and the unique character of its functions. The fact that the Organization has in its mandate the eradication of poverty, malnutrition and hunger from the present world, and in view of the critical food shortages in Africa and acute poverty in other parts of the world, it is indeed inconceivable to try to apply this doctrine of zero growth to the programmes of FAO, which are of immense value to the poorer countries.
My delegation therefore urges the Council to recommend to the Conference unanimous endorsement of the Director-General's proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87.
Almir Franco de SA BARBUDA (Brazil): The document before us on the Programme of Work and Budget is the result of intensive discussion held in different FAO committees and in the last session of the Council. These discussions, and comments on the issue addressed by the Director-General and his staff on many occasions, gave us sufficient familiarity with all of the relevant elements of the Programme of Work and Budget, and opportunities to express ourselves on the strategies, the priorities and programmes contained in this document. The Brazilian Government has already offered its view and has supported the Summary Programme of Work and Budget as presented last June to the Council. On this occasion we shall limit ourselves to a few comments on some topics of the revisions made by the Director-General to his initial proposals.
In regard to the agricultural programme, we particularly appreciated the emphasis given, especially in the natural resources, crops and rural development programmes, to the needs of small farmers, improvements in productivity of minor crops, and the development of agro-industries. We also noted with satisfaction the activities related in the crop sub-programme with the Code of Conduct on the Use and Distribution of Pesticides. My delegation also offers its support to the allocation of resources for the nutrition sub-programme, which is of great importance to Latin America, and to the recommendation of the Programme Committee that adequate attention be given through the Livestock Sub-Committee to the foot-and-mouth disease problems in the Latin American region. As far as the fisheries programme is concerned, we feel that support must be given to the proposed increase of resources for the Sub-Programme Fisheries Data and Statistics, which will enable the development of fisheries data collection and analysis in coastal states.
My delegation asks the Secretariat once again to avoid in all FAO documents the expression “shared stock “ when referring to stocks occurring within the Exclusive Economic Zones of two or more coastal states. The correct wording of the Convention on the Law of the Sea has been adequately referred to in paragraph 14 on page 131 of document C 85/3, but not in paragraph 2. 36 on page 12 of the same document. At the last Conference session the same procedure was followed in the Summary Programme of Work and Budget, and my delegation hopes that it will not be further repeated.
We strongly support maintenance in the revised proposals of 3. 8 percent of net growth for the technical and economic programmes, the additional cuts in non-technical and support areas of the food programme, and the new estimates of cost increase. We feel that on this point the net increase of $5 million is minimal, and therefore should need the unanimous approval of the Committee.
We reiterate our support to increase resources for the Technical Cooperation Programme, which is of vital importance to developing countries, especially now that multilateral cooperation is being systematically questioned and levels of national resources are declining. We also deeply appreciate the relevant initiative related to the ECDC and TCDC area, which can be highly developed and does not face much controversy.
In the same line, the activities of the Divisional Office in the overall priority given to Africa deserves our full support. We must however express our concern at the relatively lesser attention that seems to be given to the Latin American and Caribbean region with respect both to the Regular Programme and to the trust funds. The international community seems to be paying little attention to the Latin American and Caribbean region, which are plagued with economic and financial problems and with severe problems of food deficit and attrition. These comments should be taken into due consideration for timely correction. Finally, we wish to confirm that notwithstanding our economic difficulties and the disproportionate share of our contribution to FAO, an item on which we are going to intervene during the Conference, Brazil supports the 1986-87 Programme of Work and Budget proposal and recommends it to the approval of the Council.
John GLISTRUP (Denmark): My delegation would like to place on record its appreciation of the efforts made by the Secretariat in preparing the full Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 now before us. We note with particular satisfaction that the net programme increase has now been reduced to US$5 million, or 1. 1 percent on the present recosted basis. It is our belief that this reduction will be instrumental in allaying the concern expressed by a number of member countries at the last Council meeting and in securing the broadest acceptance possible for the proposed Programme of Work and Budget at the Conference. My Government has never adopted a firm policy of principle concerning budget increases in multilateral organizations, and we continue to believe that the proposed increases should be judged on their own merit, taking into consideration the demands placed on the organizations by member governments. We do however feel that such increases should be carefully reviewed on the basis of full and transparent information in order to establish their justification and appropriateness. In this regard we commend the Director-General for his continuing efforts to reduce specifically the administrative costs in the proposed budget.
Let me stress however that we feel confident that further reductions could be obtained by rationalization and better targeting of the existing programmes and activities. We would like to encourage FAO's further efforts in this direction. In this connection we feel it might be appropriate to undertake an analysis of the present administrative set-up of the Organization for the purpose of making recommendations for the future streamlining of its activities, by taking advantage of the latest technology.
Turning to the strategies and priorities of the Proposed Programme of Work and Budget, I shall limit myself to stressing a few important points.
First of all, we note with appreciation the increased regional focus on Africa, which we find fully justified in light of the tremendous problems facing that continent.
Secondly, we find ourselves in full agreement with the stated priority of increased decentralization at the country level in order to achieve greater responsiveness to local needs and priorities. The Programme of Work and Budget does, however, contain little information on how this further decentralization is to be accomplished. Since we attach great importance to this point we would be grateful if the Secretariat could clarify this.
Let me add a general observation that the programme is trying in our opinion to embrace too many aspects, and thereby the limited resources available are spread in such a way that the results which might be achieved may be limited. We know it is difficult to focus on priorities with the numerous requests and wishes indicated by member governments. However, efforts towards reducing the vast number of areas in which FAO is engaged should, in our opinion, be made. The administration of scarce resources is always a difficult task. However, it is also a challenge to make the most effective use of such resources. There is no doubt that the current financial situation facing most countries today will have impacts on the resources available in the future. This is a fact of which we should be aware, and that is why the time may have come to take a look not only at the 1986-87 biennium but also further ahead. The Programme of Work and Budget determines, as it says in the preamble, the pulse of the Organization, and sets the framework for FAO's work during the next biennium. As we are celebrating the completion of FAO's fourth decade, we can certainly express appreciation for the progress achieved during those years. However, the future is full of new challenges and in our opinion the landmark of 40 years could also provide an excellent opportunity to stop and think how our Organization could become better-equipped to more effectively meet the tasks that lie ahead.
My delegation will therefore conclude by generally supporting the new Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium, and at the same time by indicating our desire to start considering how we would like to see FAO function during the next 10 to 15 years. The purpose of such a discussion on the future role of our Organization would be to determine how the limited resources available could be utilized to the maximum benefit of all Member Nations.
Adel EL SARKY (Egypt) (original language Arabic): The delegation of my country would like to express its full satisfaction with the quality of the documentation of the items under consideration. We also commend the efforts of the Organization in the preparation of the Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium. This bears witness to the efforts of the Organization in serving developing countries develop their agricultural activities within the framework of limited financial resources and on the basis of technical cooperation.
It is with satisfaction that we witness the stress on the economic and technical programmes, their receiving the necessary allocations and the reduction of their operational costs. However, we hope this reduction will not be taken to extremes so as not to affect the efficiency of operations. The delegation of my country welcomes the proposed level of budget for the next biennium.
David R. GREGORY (Australia): Australia recognizes the numerous calls being made internationally in trading through the United Nations System for additional resources to meet identified needs. We believe that UN agencies should each identify which areas of high priority are central to their basic mandates, and seek to identify and reduce expenditure on areas which are peripheral to their basic mandate or of lower priority. We believe the principal recipients of assistance provided by the UN agencies, mainly the developing countries, have most to gain both from efficiency in the use of scarco resources, as well as from ensuring that such resources are used with maximum, effectiveness.
We reaffirm that we do not support any increase in the proposed 1986-87 budget. In this context we totally reject any suggestion that this position in any way represents a reduction of our support for the multilateral system. We look forward to elaborating our views on this matter at the forthcoming Conference.
J. D. AITKEN (United Kingdom): I would like to begin by welcoming the clear explanation of the complicated paper which was given to us by Mr Shah and the Committee Chairman. The United King dom appreciates the efforts made by the Director-General and his staff to contain the overall size of the budget and the positive results of their labours.
Although the reductions that have been achieved are welcome, we remain convinced that further reductions in the proposed budget can be made without damage to the operational capacity of the agency. This can, in our view, be achieved by cutting overheads, by realistically linking levels of expenditure to priorities, and by generally tightening up management control. We will discuss these points further in Commission II at the Conference.
Our position remains the same as it did at the last Council meeting. To allow my Government to be associated with a consensus agreement on the budget we must ask for proposals to be put before the Conference which will ensure that there is no real growth in the budget for the next biennium. We look for proposals for any increase in the truly operational programmes-and here I would distinguish between some of the more general, almost academic work undertaken in some Headquarters programmes, and operational programmes which have an impact in the field. It is increases in these operational programmes which, we stress, we believe are possible within a budget that does not have any real growth, but that these increases are offset by management and administrative savings and, if necessary, by a switch in resources from low-priority programmes.
In calling for this we wish to reiterate our support for FAO's activities and our support for the International Community's efforts to improve global agriculture and banish hunger. In saying this we also wish to underline the importance of maintaining public confidence by ensuring that FAO is seen to be aware of the need to exercise its stewardship in a cost-effective manner.
Finally, we have heard with interest the suggestions made by the distinguised delegate of Denmark, and we hope that at some point it will be possible for us all to have an opportunity to discuss these ideas for the future.
Joseph TCHICAYA (Congo): La délégation congolaise tient à réitérer son opposition à la mise en oeuvre aveugle du concept de croissance zéro sans pour autant souscrire à une augmentation du budget qui ne tiendrait pas compte de la situation alimentaire et agricole dans les différentes régions du monde en développement. Voilà pourquoi nous nous félicitons que, dans la conception de son budget, le Directeur général ait proposé le niveau de ressources en tenant compte des objectifs poursuivis par l'Organisation et au regard de la situation économique mondiale. Mieux, il a remanié son projet original en prenant en compte des observations et suggestions raisonnables faites par certains membres de notre Conseil lors de sa dernière session. C'est un fait qui a été relevé ici et qui est tout à l'honneur de la FAO et de son Directeur général. Nous devons encourager ce qui marche et il s'agit là d'une phrase que j'emprunte à ma collègue des Etats-Unis, l'Ambassadeur Fenwick.
Je crois que cette phrase est très significative et nous voudrions qu'elle s'applique ici plus qu'ailleurs. Je voudrais qu'elle s'applique surtout au Programme de coopération technique dont chacun a su apprécier dans cette salle l'utilité et l'efficacité. On peut donc s'étonner des attaques faites ici et qui ont pour cible le PCT sur lequel tous les pays en développement fondent beaucoup d'espoirs. Nous estimons, pour notre part, que l'augmentation qui a été imprimée au niveau du Programme de coopération technique n'est pas à la hauteur de l'attente des pays en développement qui fondent, comme je l'ai dit, beaucoup d'espoirs sur ce Programme.
Nous apprécions le fait que le Directeur général, dans la version finale du Programme de travail et Budget, ait procédé à des réductions, sans que celles-ci concernent les programmes économiques et techniques qui ont reçu un appui unanime du Conseil à sa dernière session. Cependant, nous ne pouvons que nous inquiéter des réductions continues dont sont l'objet les dépenses administratives et de soutien depuis déjà quelques bienniums.
Nous voudrions donc ici exprimer nos craintes quant à la poursuite d'une telle politique qui pourrait aboutir à compromettre la capacité d'exécution de la FAO, malgré ce qu'a dit précédemment le délégué du Royaume-Uni. Nous pensons que cette réduction a désormais atteint un seuil au-delà duquel l'efficacité dans l'exécution des programmes de l'Organisation se trouverait dangereusement affectée.
Voilà les raisons pour lesquelles la délégation de mon pays tient à appuyer le Programme de travail et Budget tel qu'il est proposé.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Hasta donde llega nuestra memoria es la primera vez que el Director General transige, ha aceptado un compromiso en cuanto a sus responsabilidades constitucionales de presentar el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto a la Conferencia.
En acto de flexibilidad, con profundo sentido de cooperación, el Director General ha acogido las observaciones planteadas por los órganos rectores, pero hoy constatamos con decepción que nada de ello vale para modificar la actitud ciertamente negativa de unos pocos países desarrollados.
Nos duele, nos ofende, inquieta nuestra conciencia profundamente tercermundista el hecho de que el primer orador que intervino en este debate haya hecho referencia al 40 aniversario de la FAO para reiterar su actitud negativa. Hubiera sido más lógico y más consecuente si esa representación quería hablar de aniversarios que hubiera dicho que con la reiteración de esa actitud negativa, ese país quería celebrar el quinto aniversario, quinto aniversario repito, de la fecha en que su país inició la instigación de la conspiración contra la cooperación multilateral.
El aumento neto anterior de 1. 4 por ciento ha descendido al 1. 1 por ciento; los aumentos calculados del 14 por ciento han descendido al 5. 2 por ciento; estas son reducciones drásticas excepcionales; todo ello mientras se mantendrá el aumento del 3. 8 por ciento en los programas técnicos y económicos. Para los países desarrollados posiblemente habrá un crecimiento cero de las contribuciones en dólares, las monedas de esos países se han evaluado considerablemente en relación con el dólar de los Estados Unidos y así a ellos les costará menos sus contribuciones al Programa Ordinario de la Organización.
Nos conforta que grandes países en desarrollo, por citar sólo a tres entre los más grandes, India, China y Brasil por ejemplo, estén dispuestos en cambio, a apoyar este pequeñísimo aumento porque nuestras monedas se han devaluado considerablemente, es decir, que ahora nos costará más el aporte de nuestras contribuciones en dólares de los Estados Unidos.
Tratamos a veces de contener nuestras reacciones, aunque actuamos con profunda convicción, pero ¿cómo podemos permanecer silenciosos ante el desconcierto que nos causa un párrafo del informe de la reunión conjunta de los Comités del Programa y de Finanzas, párrafo en el cual cuatro países bien conocidos dicen que aprecian en su justo valor la reducción propuesta por el Director General pero que esperan nuevos recortes para lograr un crecimiento neto cero del Programa y como justificación dicen que ello sería corolario de la limitación del gasto publico nacional en su país? Creemos que esta es una concepción injusta e inhumana, porque los presupuestos de esos países desarrollados están destinados a las sociedades de opulencia de esos estados, mientras que los escasos recursos de la FAO van a ser dedicados a millones y millones de seres humanos que padecen hambre y malnutrición.
Esta es una posición inaceptable para nosotros, Señor Presidente, ¿cómo es posible que se pretenda que una Organización tan importante y respetable como la nuestra, integrada por 156 Estados soberanos deba seguir las prácticas nacionales de unos pocos países porque son los que más contribuyen, y justamente aquellos Estados en los cuales la recuperación económica se está llevando a cabo de manera más notable?
Como lo dijo el colega de México, esta actitud es un nuevo golpe contra la cooperación multilateral, no obstante que altas personalidades de esos países y jefes de gobierno vienen manifestando su preocupación por la crisis del multilateralisme.
El Director General ha hecho recortes, ha reducido el aumento de los gastos, ha disminuido cantidades menos prioritarias, ha limitado los gastos administrativos, así ha logrado ahorros que dedicará a incrementar los programas técnicos y económicos que son el verdadero y real interés de los países en desarrollo. ¿Cómo es posible que aun así se insista en un crecimiento cero neto del Programa?
La Delegación de Colombia piensa que esa es una actitud egoísta.
Quisiéramos que esos colegas nos explicaran qué es lo que desean. ¿Que los ahorros logrados en vez de incrementar esos programas se tiren a la calle? ¿que se dediquen a financiar el viaje de algunos de ellos como astronautas camino a la luna?; ¿que se regalen?; ¿que se rifen?; ¿que organicemos paseos y excursiones con lindas señoritas a islas placenteras?; ¿que es lo que desean? ¿ Qué hará el Director General con los ahorros que logra a base de esfuerzos y de buena administración?
Sabemos que no vamos a convencer a ninguno de los representantes de gobiernos que van a asistir a estas sesiones, pero apoyamos lo que ha dicho nuestro colega de Bangladesh en el sentido de que este Consejo haga un nuevo esfuerzo en pro del acuerdo y del consenso y pida a esos pocos países, afortunadamente pocos, a que rectifiquen su actitud; creo que el mundo en desarrollo está ante un desafío.
El Director General ha dicho en su introducción que el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto marca el pulso de la Organización y representa su fuerza viva. Quienes en la Conferencia vamos a representar al Tercer Mundo tenemos la obligación indeclinable de lograr este mínimo aumento en el Presupuesto del Programa de Labores que será la Biblia para nuestros trabajos en los dos años futuros.
Vincent MOE (Trinidad and Tobago): In the interest of brevity I will make a few general comments on the budget and leave my more specific comments for the Conference.
A brief review of the budgetary increases permitted over the last decade shows clearly that they have been at best somewhat less than the international rate of inflation. Quite apart from this, we have seen where the Director-General has made a concerted effort to reduce the budget from a 1. 4 percent increase to a 1. 1 percent increase in growth. To me this appears to be a very realistic increase, and I would like to take the opportunity of thanking the Director-General for not making any cuts in the technical and economic programmes as covered on page 38 of document C 85/3.
In the context of our own experience in Trinidad and Tobago, we have not escaped the serious econmic problems which the entire world faces today. The necessity for structural adjustment is a harsh reality which we have faced in the presence of declining revenue from oil and the need to have more stringent fiscal management. It is against this background of this dichotomy of circumstances as has been expressed here, the divergence of opinion by various members, that Trinidad and Tobago is sympathetic towards the marginal increase proposed by the Director-General in the budget. Trinidad and Tobago will recommend its acceptance by other delegations.
Khalil MAKKAWI (Liban)(langue originale arabe): Je voudrais tout d'abord remercier M. Shah ainsi que les présidents des Comités du programme et des finances pour leur présentation.
Permettez-moi de commenter le point 11 de l'ordre du jour concernant le Programme de travail et Budget pour 1986-87 et cela d'une manière générale sans entrer dans le détail des chiffres.
Premièrement, cette question a été longuement étudiée et analysée au sein des Comités du programme et des finances. Une quasi-unanimité s'était dégagée au sein de ces deux comités quant à l'approche suivie par le Secrétariat de la FAO pour traiter du Programme de travail et Budget et quant au niveau de ce dernier. Le niveau du budget a été tout à fait satisfaisant et cela grâce aux efforts continus déployés par le Directeur général. Je voudrais souligner ici que l'adoption du Programme de travail et Budget, à l'unanimité, au cours de la prochaine Conférence, donnera à l'Organisation l'élan nécessaire pour aller de l'avant dans l'exécution des projets d'une manière satisfaisante et efficace pour le plus grand bien de tous les Etats Membres.
Deuxièmement, nous avons écouté hier et avant-hier le point de vue des honorables délégués commentant le programme ordinaire et les programmes de terrain pour la période 1984-85. Il s'est avéré à tous, d'une manière indubitable, que pour permettre à la FAO d'assumer les charges et les responsabilités qui lui incombent: lutter contre la faim et la malnutrition dans le monde, promouvoir le développement rural et combattre la pauvreté et la misère, nous devons-en tant que responsables gouvernementaux-fournir au Secrétariat général les possibilités financières, matérielles et pratiques afin qu'il puisse accomplir ses devoirs comme il se doit, sinon nous ne serons pas conséquents avec nous-mêmes.
Troisièmement, en nous référant à l'introduction du Directeur général au Sommaire du Programme de travail et Budget pour le biennium 1986-87, il s'avère que les objectifs visés par l'Organisation sont clairs et répondent aux énormes besoins des pays membres dans les domaines de l'assistance et de la coopération. Le Comité financier et le Comité du programme ont reconnu que dans les circonstances économiques actuelles, répondre à ces besoins doit reposer sur un choix précis des activités ayant un impact profond et sur la nécessité de prendre les mesures appropriées pour les mettre en oeuvre d'une manière efficace et satisfaisante. En vérité, le projet tel qu'il est soumis par le Comité des finances et le Comité du programme réalise parfaitement cet objectif. D'autre part le niveau du budget s'est limité à une augmentation modeste des programmes techniques et économiques, après la réduction apportée aux activités administratives et les services de sout ien.
Nous aurions souhaité et espéré avec la majorité des membres du Conseil, que l'augmentation du budget soit beaucoup plus substantielle qu'elle ne l'a été. Toutefois, nous sommes conscients des circonstances qui ont milité en faveur du niveau actuel du budget. Ma délégation appuie et soutient le projet tel qu'il nous a été présenté et souhaite que tous les autres membres l'appuient.
H. REDL (Austria): First of all, I would like to thank Mr Shah for his excellent introduction of this very important item. My delegation fully supports the activities and priorities proposed by the Director-General. We are pleased that in the Programme of Work Africa has the first priority. We are very grateful that it was possible to reduce the administrative costs and to make savings of about US$ 1. 2 million.
On the subject of the budget, my delegation will explain its position in detail during the course of the Conference. We hope this budget will be adopted by the Conference with the maximum consensus.
Joachim WINKEL (Germany, Federal Republic of): I would like to make some general remarks and leave any further statements to the more intense discussion of the Conference.
We welcome the efforts of the Director-General to take into account the difficulties which may arise for all member States if higher annual contributions were to be made. The Director-General pointed this out clearly in his introduction to the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-7. Beyond that, we have already noted with satisfaction at the Eighty-seventh session of the Council that the Director-General has made efforts in his proposed Programme of Work and Budget to orientate the priorities in the work of the Organization more strongly towards technical programmes for increasing food and agricultural production, as well as towards rural development programmes, thus making reductions in overhead costs.
We recognize the efforts of the Director-General to draw the necessary conclusions from the discussion at the Eighty-seventh Session of the Council, to limit the real budget increase to 1. 1 percent, and to achieve further cuts in the administrative sector as well as not increasing the budget under item 14. Here, we underline the statements made by our delegation in the Finance Committee. This will be our basic view of these items.
Allow me to make some general comments on the Programme. We agree to the Programme priorities outlined in the document, increasing food production, increasing food security, consultation on information systems, intensification of training, promotion of economic and technical cooperation between developing countries and the greater efficiency of the work of FAO in the field. On the major Programme of agriculture we welcome the efforts of the Organization to assist Member States effectively in the formulation of their national policies and strategies to develop agriculture. This applies in particular to the efforts to strengthen the training of experts. Above all, this Programme deals with the promotion of economic and technical cooperation between developing countries, to which we lend our support.
With regard to the major Programme on fisheries, in particular we welcome the activities of FAO in dealing with fish waste and food loss in an important sphere, as well as in its efforts to use under-utilized fish species, or those which are not used at all.
What impresses us in the major Programme of forestry is the thrust of FAO's work to stabilize the ecological contribution that forestry makes to soil and water resources, as well as the efforts in afforestation for fuelwood production.
In connection with the Technical Cooperation Programme, it has always been our opinion that technical cooperation must be financed through voluntary contributions of Member States and not from the Regular Programme. Concerning the TCP, we have already made our comments under agenda item 8.
We should not discourage the willingness to cooperate and I think therefore we should endeavour to come to a comprehensive consensus on the questions under discussion.
Jean-Pol NEME (France): La delegation française a déjà eu l'occasion de faire part de manière détaillée de ses commentaires sur le Programme de travail de la FAO pour le biennium 1986-87, notamment lors des réunions du Comité du programme. Comme le temps nous est compté, je me bornerai à un rapide rappel de nos positions. D'un point de vue général, nous approuvons totalement les objectifs et les stratégies proposés dans le Programme de travail 1986-87 à savoir, concentrer l'action sur la promotion des productions vivrières et le renforcement de la sécurité alimentaire en visant un impact accru sur le terrain et en favorisant le développement de la coopération technique et économique entre lés pays en développement. En particulier, l'accent mis sur l'appui aux efforts nationaux pour l'établissement de politiques de prix qui encouragent véritablement les producteurs, le rappel de l'intérêt qui s'attache à la création de groupements nationaux, le souci d'améliorer la liaison entre la recherche et la vulgarisation, la prise en compte des cultures secondaires et la recherche d'une plus grande adéquation entre les techniques utilisées et le milieu, sont autant de points positifs. En effet, pour mon gouvernement, la priorité absolue doit être accordée à l'aide aux économies paysannes en crise et tout particulièrement à la promotion de technologies appropriées aux groupes de producteurs sur lesquels repose le développement de ces économies. Nous ne pouvons donc qu'appuyer les orientations du Programme de travail de la FAO qui vont dans ce sens. S'agissant du budget qui nous est soumis, nous tenons à féliciter vivement le Directeur général pour la rigueur et l'efficacité dont il a fait preuve en réduisant de 1, 40 pour cent à 1, 14 pour cent la croissance réelle du budget proposé pour le biennium 1986-87, conformément aux recommandations de ma délégation lors de la dernière session du Conseil.
C'est la première fois que le Directeur général accepte de réviser en baisse ses propositions budgétaires par rapport à celles du sommaire du Programme de travail et Budget, ce qui traduit une attitude extrêmement positive que nous tenons à encourager.
En effet, si d'un point de vue général, le Gouvernement français estime que les budgets de l'Organisation internationale ne doivent connaître d'augmentations en termes réels en raison des difficultés économiques persistantes et de la rigueur budgétaire à laquelle nous sommes astreints, mon gouvernement est toutefois pleinement conscient du rôle tout à fait particulier qui incombe
à la FAO pour contribuer à l'amélioration de la situation alimentaire dans de nombreux pays et plus spécialement en Afrique. C'est pourquoi nous ne pouvons qu'appuyer les orientations budgétaires privilégiant les programmes techniques et économiques ainsi que le Programme de coopération technique grace à une réduction des dépenses administratives et de soutien. Nous approuvons en particulier la priorité accordée aux programmes techniques et économiques dont la croissance en termes réels, par rapport au biennium précédent, s'élève à 3, 7 pour cent en 1986-87, ce qui correspond à une augmentation trois fois plus élevée que l'ensemble du budget de la FAO. Ces propositions budgétaires montrent qu'une part de plus en plus importante du budget ordinaire est consacrée aux programmes de terrain, soit directement à travers le PCT, dont le budget croît de 4, 2 pour cent en termes réels, soit indirectement par le soutien technique apporté aux projets de terrain par le personnel permanent et les consultants rémunérés sur le chapitre 2 “Programme technique et économique “.
Ma délégation a toujours approuvé la priorité donnée depuis plusieurs années aux programmes de terrain dans le budget ordinaire de la FAO, priorité qui a été accentuée au cours de l'année 1985 grace au transfert au PCT de 15 millions de dollars d'économies réalisées sur d'autres chapitres du budget 1984-85 afin de financer de petits projets d'intervention rapide pour la relance de l'agriculture en Afrique. Parallèlement, nous nous félicitons de l'effort d'économie considérable qui a permis de réduire de plus de 15 pour cent en termes réels le budget des charges communes. En outre, la nouvelle réduction de la part des dépenses de personnel dans le budget ordinaire qui passe de 58 pour cent en 1984-85 à 55 pour cent en 1986-87 constitue pour ma délégation un point positif. Nous avons d'ailleurs noté à cet égard que la part des dépenses de personnel dans le budget de la FAO avait régulièrement augmenté jusqu'en 1974-75 pour atteindre un nouveau maximum de 77 pour cent et n'a cessé de décroître depuis cette date, ce dont nous nous félicitons.
Enfin, et ce sera mon dernier point, en ce qui concerne la répartition régionale du budget, nous appuyons tout particulièrement la priorité accrue à l'Afrique qui reçoit près des deux tiers du total des augmentations réelles de programme proposées en 1986-87. Ainsi la part de l'Afrique dans le budget ordinaire passe-t-elle de 25 pour cent en 1984-85 à 27 pour cent en 1986-87.
Toutefois, il aurait été utile que la présentation du Programme de travail et budget fasse également apparaître les efforts faits par la FAO en faveur des PMA, conformément aux recommandations de la Conférence des Nations Unies sur les pays les moins avancés, qui s'est tenue à Paris en septembre 1981. Nous espérons que cette proposition sera prise en compte lors de la préparation du Programme de travail et budget pour le prochain biennium et nous serions reconnaissants au secrétariat de nous fournir des précisions sur ce point.
Ismael DIAZ YUBERO (España): Mi Gobierno aprecia muy positivamente las modificaciones introducidas en el presupuesto desde la celebración del último Consejo. Apreciamos el esfuerzo realizado y reconocemos que las dificultades superadas lo han sido sopesando las opiniones de los distintos delegados expuestas en el anterior Consejo.
Como ya manifestamos anteriormente, estamos de acuerdo con el incremento de los gastos destinados a los programas principales, con la política de trasferencias de recursos de la Sede al campo, y con el incremento de recursos destinados a Africa.
Nos satisfacen plenamente los objetivos que establece el presupuesto de fomentar la producción, mejorar la seguridad de alimentos, conseguir más eficaces resultados en los programas de campo, y naturalmente, promover la cooperación económica y técnica de los países en desarrollo.
Estamos de acuerdo con Dinamarca y Reino Unido en que urge discutir cuál ha de ser el futuro de la FAO. Mi país, como todos ustedes saben, está sufriendo todavía las consecuencias de la crisis económica. Nuestros indicadores económicos no son todavía ni mucho menos alentadores, ni nuestra sociedad es opulenta. El presupuesto nacional para 1986 se está discutiendo en estos días en el Congreso de los Diputados, pero la propuesta de mi Gobierno no ha podido ser expansionista. Al menos, el próximo año todavía tendremos que movernos dentro de la moderación.
Somos conscientes de los problemas que afectan a muchos países que necesitan una ayuda para rehabilitar sus agriculturas, y es a la FAO a quien le corresponde esa labor. Por eso, y haciendo una excepción en la política general de contracción del gasto de las organizaciones internacionales, mi delegación considera que el proyecto de incremento de presupuesto es aceptable y además sienta las bases para un control del gasto eficaz y progresivo. Esperamos finalmente que los recursos empleados obtengan el máximo rendimiento posible.
Leopoldo ARIZA HIDALGO (Cuba): Nosotros queremos primeramente felicitar al señor Shah y al Presidente de los Comités del Programa y de Finanzas por la presentación que nos han hecho del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para el año 1986-87 que ha presentado el Director General.
Realmente esta misma situación la hemos confrontado a partir de cuatro a cinco años en que se vienen haciendo esfuerzos denodados por tratar de mantener un nivel de trabajo eficiente hacia la comunidad internacional, hacia los países, a pesar de la imposición de reducciones; digo imposición de reducciones porque nosotros podemos comprender las reducciones, podemos apoyar totalmente esta versión que presenta el Director General porque creemos que es un compromiso del Director General que debemos aceptar por respeto a su dedicación y vocación hacia el real drama que vive hoy la agricultura, que vive Africa, el hambre, la desnutrición, la crisis generalizada, el orden económico injusto e impuesto. Decimos esto porque ésta es una pequeña muestra de la imposición.
No hay nadie en esta sala que pueda negar que las necesidades han crecido; nadie puede negar que las necesidades crecen, y que la crisis es más profunda. Y sin embargo hay muchos que aquí se han vanagloriado de estar creciendo y haber resuelto su problema dentro de una crisis que ellos manejan, porque realmente la manejan de acuerdo con su mecanismo.
Entonces, no entendemos cómo se puede hablar, cómo pueden hablar de ser pioneros de la FAO, pioneros en el 40° aniversario.
Nosotros consideramos que el presupuesto que se presenta, tenemos que decir que es equilibrado; es equilibrado por obra y gracia de un esfuerzo inmenso que han hecho la Secretaría de la FAO, su Director General, para mantener dentro de niveles modestos la atención a la producción alimentaria, a la seguridad alimentaria, a los programas de cooperación técnica, a los programas de cooperación económica entre países en desarrollo, y a los programas de campo, técnicos, económicos, a la prio-rización para Africa. A todo esto se le ha llamado priorización o presupuesto equilibrado.
Queremos expresar que estos capítulos, estas tareas no son caprichos. Son las prioridades que han dado las orientaciones de la Conferencia pasada, y específicamente las conferencias regionales que nos han dicho dónde debemos poner el énfasis en esta situación.
La FAO ha hecho un trabajo digno de saludar y de encomio por las dificultades que tropieza para poder realmente aceptarlo. Creemos que aprobando este Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, si no estamos totalmente conformes con su volumen en general porque creemos que debió haber crecido mucho más para poder realmente resolver los problemas, pero, bueno, ofrece la fuerza vital necesaria para que la FAO cumpla su misión y sus funciones con los Estados Miembros, y repito al servicio de la comunidad internacional.
Al conmemorarse este 40° aniversario de la FAO, quisiera decir que los pioneros en su constitución, muchas veces con orgullo un poco diríamos filantrópico, han hablado de que fueron los primeros. Sin embargo, es un poco apesadumbrado en estos momentos ver que los primeros no son los primeros en garantizar su progreso con verdadera conciencia y de que las tareas para realizar son inmensas y no las empezamos a hacer y que están agravadas por crisis mundiales indiscutibles y generalizadas, sobre todo en sus efectos, y son cuestiones bastante lamentables y que la prensa destaca con frecuencia. Creo que aquí no se apoya a garantizar, sino que aquí se está apoyando a destruir. Por principio, Sr. Presidente, nuestro país ha planteado que el crecimiento cero en los programas de todos los organismos internacionales es negativo, y es negativo porque es una forma de ponderar el hambre. Se habla mucho de ponderar, sin embargo aquí se pondera el hambre y le da un tanto por ciento mayor a los que son más necesitados.
Estamos seguros que la implementación de este crecimiento que tiene filosofía de conceptualización, debe tener un origen sano en cuanto a crear estabilidad y no se sabe por dónde se va a estabilizar. Esta sería una de las cosas que se podrían aceptar a costa de los organismos internacionales, sin embargo creemos que en estos momentos esto unifica más la voluntad de todos los organismos y de todos los países en desarrollo para mantenerse unidos enfrente y mantener estos organismos multilaterales a toda costa.
No vamos a utilizar más tiempo que el que usted nos propuso, Sr. Presidente, para la discusión general. Aprobamos se traslade a la Conferencia con el pleno apoyo de este Consejo el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87.
A. K. OSUBAN (Uganda): I cannot pretend that I have anything new to say here. We participated in the discussions of this agenda item during the Eighty-seventh session of the Council, and during that time, while supporting the Summary Programme of Work and Budget we felt that FAO would be considerably constrained in fulfilling its mandates within the level of budget presented at that time. You may recall the study “Agriculture Towards 2000 “ which gave us an indication of levels of investment in agriculture necessary in order to rid ourselves of the problems of hunger now facing many developing countries.
The levels of investment suggested in that study were at a level which most of the developing countries cannot afford. We would expect FAO's involvement in this programme to increase in a similar manner. Because of FAO grappling with the fundamental world problems of hunger, malnutrition, and rural development, it is obviously a priority consideration and will therefore require more investment than perhaps we consider when we are talking about these things.
The TCP programme, for instance, which has raised a lot of discussion has made FAO an operational Organization rather than a mere depository of technical knowledge. It is a programme which must be supported. Because of these considerations my delegation fully supports the Director-General's Programme of Work and Budget and would urge that the Council approve it in its entirety.
Carlos R. SERSALE di CERISANO (Argentina): Vamos a ser muy breves Sr. Presidente. Nuestras opiniones ya fueron expresadas en la reunión del Comité del Programa de este año y en el 87 período de sesiones del Consejo y queremos reiterar nuestro endoso al proyecto que se nos presenta para el bienio 1986-87. Queremos adelantar ese apoyo aunque nos referiremos específicamente sobre estos problemas en la Conferencia. Queremos también dar nuestro apoyo a la propuesta de Pakistán de que este Consejo endose el proyecto, que se nos ha presentado, por unanimidad.
Badr BEN AMMAR (Tunisie): Ce point de l'ordre du jour, déjà discuté au cours de la 87ème session du Conseil en juin 1985, a suscité des réactions et des avis partagés mais pas nécessairement divergents de la part des différents membres du Conseil. D'ailleurs l'initiative prise par le Directeur général de ramener la croissance du budget de 1, 4 pour cent à 1, 1 pour cent dénote la volonté de rapprocher les points de vue et de parvenir à un consensus, bien que nous soyons au fond de nous-mêmes convaincus de ce que la situation alimentaire mondiale actuelle nécessite une intervention plus vigoureuse de la FAO et donc des moyens financiers plus importants.
Pour ce qui est du principe de la croissance zéro, la délégation tunisienne rejoint le point de vue exprimé par l'honorable délégué du Pakistan et par M. l'Ambassadeur du Congo, à savoir que ce principe de croissance zéro ne devrait pas être appliqué systématiquement et aveuglément aux différentes institutions des Nations Unies. Nous croyons que la FAO est aujourd'hui appelée plus que jamais à multiplier ses efforts dans le sens de l'eradication de la faim et de la malnutrition dans beaucoup de pays du tiers monde et surtout des pays africains touchés par la sécheresse.
Dans ce contexte, la Tunisie appuie le projet de budget proposé par le Directeur général et le considère comme un minimum incompressible et demande aux pays membres du Conseil de l'adopter tel qu'il est présenté.
José Manuel WATSON (Panamá): Nuestra delegación ha participado tanto en los períodos de sesiones de este mismo Consejo como en los Comités que lo asesoran y en los cuales se ha examinado la correspondiente al Programa de Labores y Presupuesto del bienio de 1986-87.
En el pasado 87° período de sesiones de este Consejo aprobamos las estrategias, prioridades y programas del resumen del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto 1986-87. En aquella oportunidad, se apoyaron reducciones en servicios administrativos y de apoyo no técnicos por un total de 3, 75 millones de dólares de los Estados Unidos, con el fin de obtener un aumento del 3, 8 por ciento en los programas técnicos y económicos. Estos y otros aumentos menores significó un aumento neto de los programas de 6, 2 millones de dólares de Estados Unidos; o sea, 1, 4 por ciento sobre la base actual con un nuevo cálculo de los costos.
En esta oportunidad, y sobre la base de sugerencias formuladas, el Director General nos propone asignaciones presupuestarias para los Programas técnicos y económicos en la forma aprobada por el pasado Consejo; e igualmente nos propone la reducción de fondos para las actividades no técnicas y de apoyo en un millón de dólares, no incluyéndose aumentos en la partida de imprevistos. Por lo tanto, el aumento neto de los programas propuestos es de sólo 5 millones de dólares de los Estados Unidos, o sea apenas un 1, 1 por ciento sobre la base actual con un nuevo cálculo de los costos.
Frente a esto, la delegación de Panamá, no puede menos que preguntarse: ¿qué viene a significar realmente cinco o seis millones de dólares frente a la magnitud de las tareas que tenemos por delante? Y ¿qué viene a significar, por ejemplo, frente a la transferencia neta de recursos de los países en desarrollo a los países desarrollados? Situación ésta que como ya hemos señalado en anteriores oportunidades, es realmente dramática para mi región: América Latina y el Caribe.
Para Panamá, el aumento sólo de un punto porcentual en los intereses de su deuda externa significa el pago de 16 millones de dólares más y, la transferencia anual neta de recursos viene a significar actualmente unos 250 millones de dólares.
Reiteramos la validad de los seis objetivos principales que orientan la preparación del presupuesto. Igualmente, consideramos adecuadas las medidas adoptadas para con el Continente africano, en cumplimiento de la Resolución 1|86 del Consejo, ya que la grave crisis que azota esta parte del mundo merecen una atención prioritaria a sus necesidades de asistencia.
En igual forma deseamos resaltar en el Programa de Presupuesto los aspectos relativos a la cooperación entre países en desarrollo en el sector de insumos agrícolas que contribuyan a un aumento de la productividad agrícola, señalando claramente que esta cooperación no sustituye la cooperación Norte-Sur. Cierto es que estas actividades en términos generales se ven imposibilitadas por la falta de recursos e infraestructuras adecuadas; de allí que la propuesta de la FAO, como una nueva política de movilizar fondos extrapresupuestarios para el mejor aprovechamiento de las posibilidades de los programas de cooperación técnica y económica entre países en desarrollo, cuento con el beneplácito de nuestra delegación.
Respaldamos igualmente, Sr. Presidente, el contenido y preocupación manifiesta del Comité de Finanzas expresada en los párrafos 2. 57 a 2. 59 del documento 88/4 relativos a la reducción de gastos, ya que considera que la Organización debe contar con la infraestructura adecuada para un buen desempeño de las labores que está llamada a cumplir.
Estamos pues, en presencia de un nuevo presupuesto de la FAO para 1986-87 que consideramos realmente mínimo y que, aunque apoyamos la propuesta del Pakistán, no se puede justificar por la búsqueda de un mal interpretado consenso.
Para terminar, Sr. Presidente, la delegación de Panamá reitera su apoyo a este presupuesto mínimo que se propone, sin que esto quiera decir que no sean válidos e importantes nuestros señalamientos y preocupaciones que bien deben aparecer en nuestro Informe final.
Atif Y. BUKHARI (Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of) (original language Arabic): When the delegation of my country participates in any committee in this pioneering Organization, or when we participate in any other organization within the UN family, and when the delegation of my country participates also in the discussion of an important item like the one we have under consideration now, namely the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87, we try always to reflect the policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which can be summarized as follows: to assist and support developing countries, least developed countries, and food deficit developing countries. Out of our feeling of international responsibility, we support everything that we consider will benefit those countries. Therefore we have already supported the budget which was submitted and which was also considered by the Finance Committee and by this Council during its previous session.
When the Director-General submitted the reduced budget of the Finance Committee, and we were clear that he had undertaken these reductions from a realistic viewpoint of the economic circumstances of all the countries in the world, in addition to our feeling that the Director-General will never prejudice in any manner the quality of technical programmes which benefit developing countries, we also approved this reduced level of the budget, and we express our approval of the budget here.
However we are still concerned that should these significant reductions be pursued at the level of administrative services and support services, which we believe to be the fundamental bases for this Organization-the fundamental bases upon which the technical programmes which benefit developing countries are built-they might in coming biennia affect the quality of technical programmes which are of such benefit to, and serve the interests of, developing countries. We have referred to this, and we have cautioned against the trend, in the meeting of the Finance Committee.
What I am saying is not a secret. All countries without exception suffer a difficult economic situation at present. However, if the able, rich and industrially developed countries suffer this economic situation, what is the position of those developing countries which are in dire need for even the minimum resources required? There is no doubt that developing countries are suffering more than the others. Their peoples suffer food shortages. There might be sacrifices-if we can call them sacrifices-made by able or rich countries, but we believe that these sacrifices, whatever their size, should not be constraints that hinder efforts to save the millions of lives which are the toll of the acute food shortage. Whatever sacrifices are made by developed countries, they still stand short of the toll paid daily by the peoples of developing countries.
We all have principles. Whatever these principles may be, they should give way to facts-stark facts. The facts are so clear in Africa, in Asia, and perhaps in other parts of the world. The facts could not be clearer. We find that Africa suffers hunger, and its peoples die in thousands. These are facts, and stark reality which should not be denied. We should address our principles to these facts, and we should put these principles into the service of the solution to these problems.
We approved the present budget submitted here, and we would like to express our thanks to the Director-General, his collaborators, and the Organization staff for their positive response and reaction. They have reached the limit-that is what we believe.
In conclusion we appeal to all countries to approve the present budget during the session of the Council, and subsequently in Commission II of the general Conference next week.
Henri Arfang SENGHOR (Senegal): Permettez-moi de féliciter M. Shah et les Présidents du Comité du programme et du Comité financier pour la présentation claire et précise du Programme et Budget pour le budget 1986-87.
Je dirai également ma reconnaissance au Directeur général pour les efforts qu'il accomplit en vue de tenir compte des recommandations et des suggestions de la précédente session de notre Conseil opérant des réductions sensibles sur les prévisions initiales.
S'agissant de l'augmentation de 1, 4 pour cent du budget, force nous est de constater qu'elle est insignifiante en regard des besoins réels et des priorités auxquelles notre Organisation, qui reflète nos préoccupations, doit faire face dans ce contexte.
Ma délégation s'inquiète vivement du fait que nous rencontrons certaines difficultés pour faire approuver les propositions du Directeur général, alors que nous avons, à l'unanimité, accepté les stratégies et objectifs préalablement définis. N'est-il pas logique de prévoir par conséquent les moyens nécessaires pour réaliser les objectifs que nous nous sommes fixés? Une démarche s'impose à nous pour diverses raisons. D'abord, les crises économiques et alimentaires qui sévissent actuellement dans de nombreux pays en développement, crises qui n'ont jamais été aussi profondes parce que structurelles, nécessitent un plus grand appui aux projets de développement.
Par ailleurs, compte tenu de sa situation, l'agriculture africaine a besoin plus que jamais de ressources nouvelles pour assurer sa réhabilitation.
Enfin, la cooperation multilatérale devrait donner une plus grande priorité à la recherche scientifique, au transfert de technologies et à la formation.
Pour toutes ces considérations, je voudrais approuver sans réserves le Programme de travail et Budget proposé, en insistant à nouveau pour que le PCT soit renforcé et doté de moyens plus importants.
Sra. Doña Mercedes FERMIN GOMEZ (Venezuela): En atención a la brevedad, vamos a ahorrar tiempo en las felicitaciones a quienes han realizado esta laboriosa tarea que representa el Programa de Presupuesto que se discute hoy.
Creo que no hacen falta nuevos argumentos técnicos para abogar por su aprobación; por ello, nos limitaremos a expresar nuestro apoyo absoluto y pleno a la exposición hecha por nuestro colega el Embajador Bula Hoyos, de Colombia, decano en estas lides de trabajo en la FAO. Lo apoyamos porque estamos identificados con él en los criterios expresados aquí, porque conocemos como él la realidad de los pueblos de nuestros países que luchan por sacudir ese estado de atraso social, de pobreza vergonzante y de incapacidad para superar tal estado que los tecnólogos califican como subdesarrollo, que otros científicos lo clasifican como países del Tercer Mundo, todas las cuales son expresiones para nosotros peyorativas que implican un solo criterio, la no posesión del dinero. Para ponerlos en condiciones de lograr tal superación, esto sólo les hace falta, como demostramos hoy en esta discusión del Presupuesto, en la cual se niega ese dinero.
Por eso, porque tenemos esta convicción, suscribimos todos y cada uno de los conceptos expresados en la intervención de Colombia, y nos manifestamos por la aprobación del documento en discusión.
Avraam LOUCA (Cyprus): For the second consecutive biennium the Director-General is presenting a budget with severe cuts in administrative expenditure. We are very happy to note that the recent budgetary revisions which have been brought about by the Director-General in an effort to accommodate the views of some member countries did not affect the progress of the work, but rather affected non-productive provisions. Through the transfer of funds the Director-General has been able to maintain the emphasis on technical and economic programmes, and we welcome this continued effort to reduce administrative costs. However we hope that these reductions will not affect the Organization's capacity to deliver its programme efficiently and effectively.
We are particularly happy that under such a budget, merely of zero growth, there has been a slight increase in the resources for the TCP-although we would have wished for a higher appropriation.
My delegation endorses fully the strategies, priorities and programmes, as well as the budget proposals, as they appear in the document under review.
E. T. CHENGU (Zimbabwe) : My delegation fully supports the Director-General's Work Programme and Budget as presented here now, although we feel that the technical and economic programme could have been allocated more funds. We would however wish to point out that it should be recognized that his budget has come at a time when many governments, particularly in Africa, are experiencing a deep economic crisis, and efforts to get out of the crisis only results in a vicious circle. This crisis has a negative impact on the governments' ability to absorb the very aid that we are discussing in the first place. Many governments in Africa are facing right now at home a domestic crisis in both capital and recurrent budgets. This is due to a number of factors such as unfavourable external factors, high interest rates, volatile exchange rates, trade restrictions, protectionism, disadvantages in terms of trade, lack of funds for the most essential investment, and a crippling debt burden. All this has a negative implication for the governments' ability to absorb aid in general, and in particular on their ability to ensure that technical assistance, which is supposed to come from organizations such as FAO, is put to the most effective use. This is to say that governments should ensure that there is a transfer of knowledge and technology from the TCP experts to their indigenous counterparts, and also that the numerous feasibility studies being carried out by TCP experts are in fact taken forward for implementation. This, in fact, in many cases does not happen because of these budgetary cuts in both capital and recurrent budgets, and in many cases because of lack of suitable counterpart staff in the local organizations. Ideally increases in technical assistance should always be matched by corresponding increases by member governments in their capital and recurrent budgets. We should therefore urge, in considering this budget before us, we would urge the FAO to step up its role as a provider for technical assistance at the field level as well as a mobilizer for investment and aid in order for there to be adequate absorption of aid.
G. H. MUSGROVE (Canada) : We have had the advantage of being a member of the Finance Committee which considered the summary programme in May of this year. We have had the advantage of being a member of the Council which considered the summary programme in June, and again the full Programme of Work and Budget which was presented to the Finance Committee and is in front of us today. We have expressed ourselves at some length on those previous three occasions, and since the Council in June there has been some reduction in the budgetary proposals which reflects the concern that the Director-General has had that there are members of the Organization who feel that additional budgetary restraint is needed.
Originally I had intended to intervene in the debate and perhaps to try with some logic to present the reasons why we take this approach: the purposes which we think it would serve, the ways by which it could be done, and to re-affirm on behalf of my country our commitment to development assistance in increasing quantities. But in view of the time and some futility of the dialogue, we had thought perhaps that we would not say much. Indeed the mid-day break and the conversation with you indicated that perhaps there could be some restraint in debate this afternoon, in the light of the fact that full consideration of the budgetary proposals would be given in Commission II and ultimately put to the Conference for decision.
In spite of some challenging oratory this afternoon and as much as we like to hear ourselves speak, we have decided to continue our restraint, and we would merely indicate that we will present our case in the Conference framework, and that we still have reservations in spite of the improvement in the budgetary proposals since June. We feel that there is a real opportunity, an opportunity which could be missed, to put the Organization on the map and to address the prospect of a zero growth budget, one that would be advantageous to all without cutting back in the Programme proposals that are in hand in the budget itself.
So we will not speak further at this time; our views are on record. The views we made in the Council we feel are still largely relevant and we will repeat them in the appropriate forum in the Conference.
-163-
MOHAMED MAZLAN bin JUSOH (Malaysia) : I am sorry to take the floor at this late hour but since many developed countries have voiced a reservation on this Programme of Work and Budget I feel it is my duty to reiterate our support for this Programme of Work and Budget as contained in document C 85/3.
Despite the objections expressed by some major developed countries on the meagre increase proposed, we view the proposed budget as very realistic, taking into account the needs of the worst problem-ridden agricultural sectors.
We would like to commend the Director-General for his efforts in search of a general consensus and we fully urge countries which have expressed their objection to give special consideration to this fundamental problem of food production. We intend to come back to this issue in the Conference.
We wish also to support the Director-General's programme priorities, promotion of food production, increased food security, consultation of information systems, emphasis on training and enhancement of TCDC and ECDC, and ensuring of impact at the field level. The emphasis given to Africa receives our special support. All of us are aware of the severity of the crisis facing Africa and therefore the re-programming of the 5 million to support rehabilitation of agriculture and the proposal to transfer 15 million in savings to implement specific rehabilitation programmes are most appropriate and timely.
Finally, my delegation agrees that the Programme of Work and Budget 1986-87 be transmitted to the Conference in its entirety.
V. J. SHAH (Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation): Having followed this debate with full attention I hope you will agree with me that although much of great interest has been said, there were no queries of a nature which warrant a reply from me at this stage. I should however like, on behalf of the Director-General, to make a few general remarks.
In my presentation this morning, Sir, I kept myself to the facts, the facts of the changes, the facts of what is before you. I deliberately refrained from commenting on the changes or the reasons for the changes, and I think it is very gratifying for us that the Council itself has recognized the attempts made by the Director-General and the reasons for them. As many distinguished delegates have said, it is the Director-General's commitment to assist all Member Nations to arrive at an agreed position, which was the motivating factor in the changes between the summary budget and the full budget. He has been commended for this and on his behalf may I express our gratitude for the understanding and support shown by the Council.
It is not a question, I think, at this stage of my assisting in making tallies of the 34 Member Nations who have spoken. Their positions will be reflected in the report which we shall endeavour to prepare, and I think there is no other comment that I need make at this stage.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you Mr Shah. May I sum up the operative part, the last part of our report. The Drafting Committee will prepare a full report, but in view of the limited time available I would like to sum up our conclusions so that there is no ambiguity. The Drafting Committee will indicate the trend of the viewpoints expressed, and from my notes the conclusion will be “that the Council as a whole expressed its full support for the Director-General's proposal, and agreed to remit the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 to the Twenty-third Session of the Conference with the recommendation that it be unanimously approved. “
Arkell D. WEYGANDT (United States of America): On a point of information, Mr Chairman, did I correctly understand you to say that the report of the Council will not only recommend that the budget will be remitted to the Conference, but that it should also be accepted unanimously?
CHAIRMAN: I will read it again. This is the formula we use when there are some differences of opinion. “The Council as a whole expressed its full support for the Director-General's proposal and agreed to remit the Programme of Work and Budget 1986-87 to the Twenty-third session of the Conference with the recommendation that it be unanimously approved “. This does not preclude anyone taking up a position in Commission II.
G. H. MUSGROVE (Canada): To clarify that once again, Mr Chairman, you mentioned parentheses. I wonder if that parentheses is in the statement, “The Council as a whole, while some members disagreed is what you said.
CHAIRMAN: The preceding paragraphs will bring out the flavour of the discussion. There are no parentheses. The sentence will read, “The Council as a whole expressed its full support and so on.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): A nosotros nos inquieta la agresividad de ciertas minorías. Porque creemos que no es serio que en un Pleno del Consejo se discuta una coma más o menos, sobre todo cuando sabemos muy bien que su resumen es apenas una guía, o una orientación para los miembros del Comité de Redacción.
De manera que lamentamos que se sigan introduciendo estos elementos que no corresponden a la tradición de seriedad y corrección con que trabajamos en este Organismo.
J. D. AITKEN (United Kingdom): This debate gives me a feeling of déjà-vu in that I recall in the last Council meeting I attended we had a similar discussion. My delegation made the point then that perhaps a more suitable summation would be one in which it is said that some sort of nearer identity of view had been expressed in the Programme priorities, but there would be a different view expressed on the orders of magnitude. With respect, I feel that the formulation I suggest would better reflect some of the nuances in the discussion we have heard today, and I would prefer this formulation to the one you originally suggested.
CHAIRMAN: What is the formulation you are suggesting?
J. D. AITKEN (United Kingdom): The formulation we suggest would be something on the lines of “a nearer identity of view has been expressed on priorities “, or “a common identity of view was expressed on priorities “, or “a difference of view was expressed on the orders of magnitude “, and leave it that the Council leaves it to Conference for decision.
CHAIRMAN: We cannot do the drafting work here. I summed up in the way I did because out of 34 Council members who spoke 28 gave their full support, 6 had expressed reservations, and this is normally the formulation we follow. Let us not take paragraph by paragraph as if we were a drafting committee. Whatever is in the report you will see tomorrow. I suggest we conclude this item so that we can go on.
Joseph TCHICAYA (Congo): Je voulais tout simplement dire que la délégation congolaise appuie entièrement les conclusions que vous avez tirées et je crois qu'elles reflètent les débats qui ont eu lieu ici. Nous ne pensons pas qu'il faille mettre en équilibre les deux points de vue qui se sont exprimés. Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait eu déséquilibre.
CHAIRMAN: In any case, if you have any further comments we will be considering the report tomorrow.
Rainer PRESTIEN (Ge rmany, Federal Republic of): My delegation wishes to support the proposals submitted by the British delegation.
CHAIRMAN: You can do that when we take up the Report.
CHAIRMAN: I am happy to announce that under Rule XXV 5(b) the following 11 members will serve on the Nominations Committee: Angola, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Denmark, Nepal, New Zealand, Panama, Somalia, Spain and Zaire. The Nominations Committee will elect its own Chairman. We wish to thank all those who have helped in setting up the Nominations Committee.
M. TRKULJA (Chairman, Programme Committee): The only item which has not been covered in the agenda of the Council is the Joint Inspection Unit Report on the United Nations Transport and Communications Decade in Africa, so I draw the attention of Council members to this item which in our report is divided into three relevant paragraphs.
D. H. J. ABEYAGOONASEKARA (Chairman, Finance Committee): Part III of document CL 88/4 contains the report of the Fifty-sixth session of the Finance Committee. Since we have already dealt with the Programme of Work and Budget under item 11 of the agenda, I will confine myself to highlighting only those items remaining to be discussed by the Council, and in the case of certain items where decisions have to be made together with recommendations to the Conference.
Firstly, under financial matters, we reviewed the status of contributions to the budget, and I would draw the attention of Council to the information in paragraph 3. 23 of the report, along with Appendix A. Since these figures provided to the Committee are as of 16 September 1985, the Secretariat has provided the Council with an update on this data which appears in document CL 88/LIM/1. It is significant to note the following: (a) considering the. fact that we are just two months short of completing the biennium, cash receipts for 1985 assessments are still lower than what they were in 1984 during the same month; (b) 80 Member Nations have not yet paid their 1985 contributions in full. One of the major contributors has not paid its current year's assessment; (c) 43 Member Nations still have arrears outstanding relating to 1984 and previous years' assessments, and (d) as a consequence of (b) and (c) above, 11 Nations may lose their voting rights at the forthcoming Conference. Once again, the Committee recommended to the Council that it urge all Member Nations with outstanding contributions to remit amounts due and overdue without further delay.
Relative to this issue of delayed payments is the important problem of finding a solution to the long-term problem of delayed payment of contributions. Members will recall that the Council, at its Eighty-seventh session, wished the Committee to keep the subject under review and to come up with proposals which would ensure that the allocation of any cash surplus in the future would be on a more equitable and rational basis, since current practice did not adequately compensate those Members who have been paying their contributions on time as against those who did not, but who nevertheless continued to enjoy their share of the cash surplus regardless of delay in payments.
We had a useful and full discussion on the subject and the views of the Committee on the Secretariat paper listing alternative measures submitted for its consideration appear in paragraphs 3. 32 to 3. 38 in our report. After lengthy debate, the Committee concluded that further study is required to fully evaluate the impact of possible variations of current regulations to permit the Committee to arrive at a valid recommendation to the Council which would be simple, practical and acceptable to all.
Under Organizational Matters the Committee considered recent developments with regard to Headquarters Accommodation. The views of the Committee are reflected in paragraphs 3. 61 to 3. 66. The Committee welcomed the positive developments in finding a permanent solution for the Headquarters accommodation problem, and will give to Council an update with regard to the construction of 70 rooms on the eighth floor of Building D, the decisions already taken by the Italian Government towards meeting expenses in connection with other additions to existing buildings within the complex, and further progress made so far regarding all these steps on which Council was briefed at the last meeting.
On import licences, a topic which has been on our agenda in the last four years, the Committee was informed that as far as official equipment and materials are concerned, the authorities had been issuing the required permits without delay, but with regard to import licences for goods to the Commissary, the delays continued. This brings us to the question of negotiations regarding the Headquarters Agreement which have been dragging on for the last ten years. The Secretariat will be providing the Council with additional information, as these discussions are still continuing.
I wish to draw the attention of Council to an item under Personnel Matters which requires a recommendation to be made by Council to Conference relating to the representation allowance of the Director-General.
The Committee was informed that the representation allowance of the Director-General had not been revised since January 1981 and taking into consideration the inflation that had occurred, it was felt necessary to increase the allowance. The Committee expressed its support for the proposal and recommended that the Resolution drafted in accordance with General Rule XXVI. 1(c) as appearing in paragraph 360 be transmitted to Conference.
On Other Matters, an important issue on which the Council has to take a decision is with regard to the appointment of the External Auditor for the next two years to audit the accounts of the Organization. The Committee, under Rule XXVII-7(m) of the General Rules of the Organization, is expected to make a recommendation to the Council in this regard. In its deliberations, the Committee considered that while the present External Auditor has provided, and continues to provide, satisfactory services to the FAO, the Director-General should formulate and submit for the Committee's consideration, other nominations with regard to future appointments in order to provide equality of opportunity to all External Auditors of other Member Nations who may consider themselves competent to cope with the auditing of the FAO's accounts in conformity with the Basic Texts. This was a request made by the Committee on a previous occasion and the Council will recall that the Committee had recommended that the Council should request the Director-General to formulate such proposals. The Committee expressed the same desire at this meeting, too.
The Committee at the end of its deliberations agreed to recommend the extension of the services of the present External Auditor for an additional period of two years, commencing with the audit of the accounts for 1986. The Draft Resolution appearing in paragraph 3. 104 is placed before the Council for approval and for submission to Conference.
Also under Other Matters, the Committee was informed of the question raised by Council as to the reimbursement of travel expenses of members of the Council, and that the Committee should express its views on this matter since the current practice of reimbursing the expenses of only the Head of Delegation meant that where a Member Nation in the Council had a Permanent Representative in Rome, it was not possible to reimburse the travel expenses of a delegate, from the capital, even where the presence of such a delegate would contribute more to the deliberations of the Council.
The Committee felt that, since each Member Nation of the Council could claim reimbursement of the travel expenses of one representative and because budgetary provision was normally made by the Organization to meet the cost of travel of all 49 Heads of Delegations, the proposed change would not entail additional budgetary provision. These items will come up subsequently, but the deliberations of the Committee touched on them.
CHAIRMAN: Reimbursement is coming up under item 16. 2, Constitutional and Legal Matters. Mr Crowther will make some additional comments and will consider the points made by the Finance Committee.
D. K. CROWTHER (Assistant Director-General, Administration and Finance Department): Since the information that has been reported by the Chairman of the Finance Committee concerning contributions, Some additional contributions have been received.
I would like to report to you that two countries, Algeria and Lesotho, have made their payments in full of the balance of the contributions due to the organization for the calendar year 1985. In addition, Guinea-Bissau has already paid US $24 000, which is that balance of their 1983 contribution and part of their 1984 contribution. I would like to call the Council's attention, as was noted in paragraph 4 of the LIM document that you have in front of you, that only 73. 52 percent of 1985 assessments have been received to date. This compares with 86. 34 percent received at the same date a year ago. Eighty Member Nations had not yet paid in full, of which 65 have made no payment whatsoever. The amounts of unpaid contributions of all Memeber Nations are set out in the appendix to the LIM document. I think that is all I need to add at this point.
Ramesh Chander GUPTA (India): I would like to compliment the Chairmen of the Programme Committee and Finance Committee and the members for this report. I am not trying to compliment myself, I will except myself.
I just want to make one point with regard to the appointment of the external auditor. Paragraph 3. 100 states that the Director-General had approached certain Permanent Representatives requesting information regarding the interest of the auditors-general of these countries in providing external auditing to FAO, and so on. We would like to know which Permanent Representatives were approached and if possible what was the mode or criteria for selecting such countries to find out whether they were interested.
CHAIRMAN: Does any other delegation wish to speak? Otherwise shall we endorse the two draft resolutions to which the Chairman of the Finance Committee made reference, one under 3. 60 of CL 88/4 on the emoluments of the Director-General, and the other one under 3. 104 of CL 88/4 concerning the appointment of the external auditor? Shall we approve these two resolutions and submit them for the adoption of the Conference?
Ramesh Chander GUPTA (India): I do not wish to delay the proceedings but could I please have a reply to my question before we fully support these recommendations? We want to endorse them but we would like to have the information.
D. K. CROWTHER (Assistant Director-General, Administration and Finance Department): As a result of the request from the Council, the Director-General did contact Member Nations who have auditors-general and who are prepared to take on major responsibilities of this nature. To use his criteria we contacted the International Organization of Auditors-General to receive recommendations. We had considered proximity to Rome to avoid any extra travel that might be involved. We finally ended up contacting six countries and sent a long list of criteria including information that is included for the direction for each External Auditor under the terms of the Basic Texts. We received information from each of the six, including the present External Auditor, which was carefully evaluated and the results were presented to the Finance Committee who then recommended continuation of the present External Auditor for another period of two years.
It should also be noted that the members of the Finance Committee requested that the Director-General consider performing the same exercise at the conclusion of the next two years as well and look to even more countries for consideration of the appointment of the External Auditor from their countries.
CHAIRMAN: Is there any other point of information or comment? Otherwise I take it that we approve the two resolutions mentioned by the Chairman of the Finance Committee.
It was so decided
Il en est ainsi decide
Así se acuerda
Ivo P. ALVARENGA (Presidente del Comité de Asuntos Constitucionales y Jurídicos): El documento, Sr. Presidente, al cual se refiere nuestro tema en discusión es, como ustedes saben, el CL 88/5, que concierne el Informe del 47° período de sesiones del Comité de Asuntos Constitucionales y Jurídicos. Este período de sesiones tuvo lugar en los días 14 y 15 de octubre y se concretó, como lo señala el documento, en referencias a un solo punto: el que concierne al reembolso de los gastos de viaje de los miembros del Consejo.
Este organismos había pedido en su ultimo período de sesiones que se analizase por parte del Comité de Asuntos Constitucionales y Jurídicos si el Artículo XXV-6 del Reglamento General de la Organización permitía que se reembolsen los gastos de viaje de un miembro, cualquiera que fuese, la delegación de un Estado que forma parte del Consejo. El Comité estudió la historia de esa disposición, a la cual creo no necesito hacer referencia, probablemente lo hará, si lo estimara oportuno, el Consultor Jurídico, aunque está clarísimamente expuesta en el documento. De ese análisis, se sacó la conclusión en que el Artículo, tal como se encuentra, no permite una interpretación tan amplia como la que se había puesto en discusión. De ahí que el Comité estimó que si el Consejo deseaba autorizar la financiación de los gastos respectivos de un miembro de la delegación que no sea el representante, como señala el artículo, tendría que ser reformado el Reglamento General de la Organización. Consecuentemente debería ser modificado el Reglamento interno del Consejo. En definitiva, la conclusión del Comité se concreta en el proyecto de resolución que ustedes encontrarán en la página 5, donde hay un nuevo texto para el Artículo XXV-6, propuesto e igualmente se invita al Consejo a que considere la oportunidad de reformar su Reglamento interno.
Eso es todo, repito, lo que discutió el Comité el cual, como ustedes saben, según sus términos de referencia, tiene facultad para discutir sólo aquello que le sea exprofesamente sometido por el Director General.
CHAIRMAN: Now you have the draft resolution in paragraph 12 of CL 88/5. Is it the desire of the Council that we endorse it to the Conference with our support?
Arkell D. WEYGANDT (United States of America): I would like to preface my remarks by congratulating His Excellency Ambassador Alvarenga on a very excellent chairing of the CCLM at the meeting which this report reflects. I am in the somewhat anomalous position of complimenting the CCLM on the report that it has written but I find myself in the position of not being able to approve the draft resolution that has been prepared here.
The United States as a general principle does not support the policy of paying for government representatives' travel to United Nations System meetings.
We also note that while this measure would not require additional budgetary authority, since the Secretariat is obliged to programme adequate funds to cover the cost of travel of all representatives, nevertheless this proposal in all likelihood will result in increased budget expenditures.
My delegation is troubled by this proposal for the reason that funds expended for representatives' travel does, at least indirectly, reduce the overall level of resources available for the urgent problems of hunger and agricultural development facing this Organization.
This is not the kind of increase in expenditure, however small, this is not the kind of signal that this body should be sending to the world community at this time.
My delegation opposes the proposal to expand FAO's authority to permit it to pay the travel expenses of any one of the Council members' delegates to a Council session and does not believe that Rule XXV. 6 of the GRO should be changed.
Joseph TCHICAYA (Congo): Je ne sais pas si nous devons revenir sur une décision que, me semble-t-il, nous avons déjà eue à prendre. Effectivement^ lors de la dernière session nous avons simplement demandé au CCQJ de nous faire une proposition de texte, étant entendu que nous étions d'accord, y compris les Etats-Unis, pour que l'on puisse payer le billet d'un membre d'une délégation. Nous étions d'accord là-dessus; mais il s'agissait de voir s'il était nécessaire de modifier le texte en proposant un amendement, ou s'il fallait simplement s'arrêter à une interprétation du texte actuel.
Je me demande s'il est nécessaire de revenir sur la décision que nous avons déjà eue à prendre à ce sujet, à moins qu'il y ait des gens ici qui puissent me contredire. Mais, à mon entendement, la décision avait déjà été prise. Maintenant, c'est du point de vue pratique que nous avons demandé que la question soit examinée par les organes compétents de la FAO.
Amin ABDEL MALEK (Liban) (langue originale arabe): Je tiens à appuyer ce. que vient de dire M. le Représentant du Congo au sujet de l'amendement à l'article XXV-6 du Règlement général de l'Organisation; d'autant plus que cet amendement a déjà été examiné lors de la réunion précédente du Conseil. Je tiens à affirmer également qu'il n'entraînera aucune augmentation dans le budget de l'Organisation. Je vous remercie.
Almir Franco de SA BARBUDA (Brazil): Just to endorse the decision of the Ambassador of the Congo, the Brazilian delegation also approves the amendment of the General Rules of the Organization in order to cover the travelling expenses of one member of the delegations of each Member Nation of the Council.
CHAIRMAN: Then I would suggest that with the exception of one dissenting member that we support the form of this resolution to the Conference for its approval. Thank you.
Indeed, we thank the Chairman of CCLM and the members of the CCLM for your important contributions.
I shall be grateful if the Vice-Chairman from Austria, Mr. Redl, will chair this item on the forestry congress. You will recall it was Austria which stimulated declaration of the International Year of the Forests in 1985.
H. Redl, Vice-Chairman of the Council, took the Chair.
H. Redl, Vice-Président du Conseil, assume la présidence.
Ocupa la presidencia H. Redl, Vice presidente del Consejo.
M. A. FLORES RODAS (Subdirector General, Departamento de Montes): El Congreso se reunió en la ciudad de México del 1 al 10 de julio de 1985 y asistieron a él más de 2 200 participantes, entre ellos 34 Ministros de 105 países.
Coincidiendo con el Congreso, se celebraron varias reuniones “satellites” entre ellas una consulta de expertos de la FAO sobre la función de la silvicultura en la lucha contra la desertificación, y una reunión del Comité Asesor de la FAO sobre Enseñanza Forestal. Se realizaron viajes de estudio por México, Estados Unidos, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua y Costa Rica.
Abrió el Congreso el Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. El Director General de la FAO y el Secretario de Agricultura y Recursos Hidráulicos de México pronunciaron sendas declaraciones ante el Congreso cuyo tema central era: “Los recursos forestales en el desarrollo integral de la sociedad “. Se organizaron, además, debates sobre diversas cuestiones: el tema de “las actividades forestales y su función en el desarrollo se examinó en sesiones plenarias, y tres comisiones técnicas se ocuparon de las “tendencias y nuevas aportaciones en lo relativo a “protección y manejo de los recursos forestales “; “producción y productividad “; e “instituciones y desarrollo rural “.
Todas las discusiones se realizaron en el marco de las preocupaciones del mundo de hoy; la crisis de la pobreza en el mundo en desarrollo, manifestada en el hambre y la malnutrición, la escasez de leña, el desempleo y el aumento de la deuda exterior, que exacerba la destrucción y degradación de los bosques tropicales y acelera la desert i zación de las regiones áridas; la crisis ambiental en partes del mundo en desarrollo, particularmente la contaminación atmosférica, de la que la lluvia acida es la más divulgada, por cuanto es la causa principal de la destrucción de los bosques en las zonas templadas de Europa y de América del Norte.
El Manifiesto de México resume las conclusiones, recomendaciones y llamamientos del Congreso. No se hizo ninguna recomendación dirigida específicamente a la FAO, no obstante lo cual el Congreso reconoció y apoyó las políticas, estrategias y programas de la FAO en el sector forestal.
El Consejo quizás desee prestar atención particular a las siguientes partes del Manifiesto:
La recomendación del Consejo de la FAO de que el Congreso preste especial atención a la conservación y la debida utilización de los recursos forestales fue advertida oportunamente; convenido el Congreso, de que el Año Internacional del Bosque declarado por el Consejo de la FAO, proporcione una oportunidad única para el examen de los problemas forestales mundiales, el Congreso exhortaba a los gobiernos a que apoyen los objetivos del Año Internacional del Bosque de la FAO, cuyo éxito depende en su mayor parte de iniciativas nacionales y locales; y declaró que el Plan de Acción en los Bosques Tropicales, que fue aprobado por el Comité de la FAO de Desarrollo Forestal en los Trópicos, justifica una acción urgente y el apoyo general de todos los organismos y personas interesados; apoyó la resolución de la Conferencia Regional de la FAO para Europa celebrada en Rykjavik en septiembre de 1984, referente a los impactos de la contaminación atmosférica sobre los bosques y, además, sugiere la creación de un fondo mundial para el desarrollo y la protección forestal, especialmente para ayudar a los países en desarrollo.
Con respecto al próximo Congreso, el Consejo podría autorizar al Director General para que inciie las consultas pertinentes.
CHAIRMAN: Ladies and gentlemen owing to the late time I would like to ask you to be very precise in your statements and to avoid repetitions.
José Ramón LOPEZ PORTILLO ROMANO (México): En primer lugar, debemos declarar que estamos muy contentos de verlo presidiendo los trabajos de nuestro Consejo.
La Delegación de México desea facilitar de todo corazón al Sr. Flores Rodas, por la presentación de este tema y, asimismo, desea expresar su profundo agradecimiento a la FAO y en especial al Departamento de Montes por su valiosa colaboración en la organización del noveno Congreso Forestal Mundial que contribuyó en forma muy importante al éxito obtenido en la realización de tal Congreso.
El número de países asistentes, 105, como el de participantes, que fueron 2 200, la calidad de los documentos, las discusiones realizadas y el resultado final plasmado en el Manifiesto de México, dan fe de dicha organización y del éxito del Congreso.
La Delegación de México desea poner a la consideración de este Consejo el que haga una formal recomendación a la Conferencia en el sentido de que adopte mediante una Resolución el Manifiesto de México, y en particular indique a la FAO aquellos aspectos que le conciernen y que están contenidos en la parte relativa al Manifiesto y las consecuencias que de él se derivan para la FAO en el documento CL 88/7.
Sra. Doña Olga Clemencia FERNANDEZ (Colombia): La Delegación de Colombia considera que uno de los actos más importantes dentro de la celebración del Año Internacional del Bosque 1985 ha sido la realización del noveno Congreso Forestal Mundial en la ciudad de México, capital de un país amigo fraternalmente latinoamericano. Ese Congreso constituyó un certamen de gran importancia con la presencia del Sr. Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Licenciado Miguel de la Madrid, y del Director General de la FAO, así como de otras importantes personalidades de todo el mundo.
Este Consejo debe estar complacido por el hecho de que en ese Congreso se atendió nuestras recomendaciones en el sentido de prestar atención a la conservación y a la debida utilización de los recursos forestales. Igualmente estamos seguros de que las conclusiones del noveno Congreso Forestal Mundial tendrán impacto significativo en las actividades forestales de la FAO.
La Delegación de Colombia pide cordialmente al distinguido representante de Austria que transmita el sincero reconocimiento del Gobierno colombiano a las altas autoridades austríacas porque los delegados de Austria en este Congreso presentaron la propuesta, acogida unánimemente, de crear un fondo forestal para ayudar a los países en desarrollo a conservar sus recursos forestales. Esa constructiva propuesta de Austria se refleja en el apartado IV donde se afirma que el Congreso declaró que se debería crear un fondo mundial para el desarrollo y la protección ambiental de los bosques especialmente para ayudar a los países en desarrollo.
La Delegación de Colombia opina que en el Manifiesto de México, Apéndice 1, representa un acto de verdadera afirmación en los principios fundamentales dirigidos a la conservación de los recursos forestales y al mejor uso de éstos, de manera que el contenido de este Manifiesto debe ser divulgado ampliamente y tenido en cuenta en todas las ocasiones propicias.
Finalmente, la Delegación de Colombia propone que en nuestro informe este Consejo consigne su reconocimiento y gratitud al Gobierno y al pueblo de México por las facilidades y la valiosa cooperación que ofrecieron para la celebración del Noveno Congreso Forestal Mundial, lo que sin duda contribuyó a su éxito.
MA GENG'OU (China) (Original language Chinese): We thank the Secretariat for preparing an excellent document, CL 88/7, which gives a brief and lucid account of the background, mandate, proceedings and results of the Ninth World Forestry Congress. The recommendations it made concerning the forestry sector of FAO's biennial Programme of Work for 1986-87 are also mentioned in the document. This Conference provided an excellent opportunity for discussion of the problems facing world forestry development. We think that it was a success.
Concerning the extremely important bearing forests have on human life, production, environmental protection and ecological balance, and because of degradation and diminishing of forestry resources in many parts of the world, it is relevant to take conservation and rational utilization of the existing forestry resources as a strategic task of FAO. The Chinese delegation believes that this will enjoy wide support by all governments.
Moreover, considering the interactive close relationship between poverty and destruction of forestry resources in the developing countries, and the instrumental role tropical forest plays in directly providing food and fuel for developing countries, we support the Plan of Action on Tropical Forests and appreciate the proposal put forward by Austria on the creation of a fund for development of world forestry and environmental protection of forests. It is our belief that the proposed fund will provide FAO with the necessary means to play a greater role in assisting developing countries in their efforts to conserve their forestry resources and ease the shortage of forest products.
Almir Franco de SA BARBUDA (Brazil): The Brazilian delegation wishes to express its deep appreciation for the role played by FAO in the forestry sector. Brazil has already benefited from very relevant assistance from the Organization in the development of important projects in this area. We wish also to express our appreciation for the successful results of the Ninth World Forestry Conference held in Mexico, and confirm our support of the Manifesto approved on that occasion, especially in regard to the twenty-three principles and guidelines and forestry policy and strategies. Brazil strongly agrees with the guidelines and has already adopted and implemented policies in the same directions. Conservation and profitability of forests, with due regard to the full use of their productive potential, should be among the routes pursued by national governments.
As a member of the Committee on Forest Development, Brazil has offered its support to the priority areas reflected in the action programmes. However, we feel that adequate time was not given to a full appreciation of the programmes of action by the governments concerned, taking into consideration the extreme importance of the matter. It is our opinion that programmes of action should have been more thoroughly discussed. Nevertheless, we are fully prepared to cooperate in the implementation of the programme because we do think the programmes are very important-so important that they deserved a more attentive prior examination.
For the same reasons we are not yet prepared to announce a final decision on the proposal to create a world fund for development and environmental protection of forests. While we agree in principle with the ideal, we feel that additional information on the structure of the fund must be given to Member Countries and a decision should be postponed for a more appropriate occasion.
Jean-Pol NEME (France): Je ne m'étendrai pas sur les conclusions et recommandations du neuvième Congrès forestier mondial auxquelles la délégation française apporte son plein appui, et tout particulièrement en ce qui concerne la nécessité d'accroître les investissements dans les forets et les industries forestières.
Mon gouvernement tient d'abord à renouveler sa proposition d'accueillir en France le dixième Congrès forestier mondial en 1990. En outre, ma délégation souhaiterait rappeler qu'une Conférence internationale sur l'arbre et la forêt sera organisée à Paris du 5 au 7 février 1986 à l'initiative du Président de la République française qui a invité les pays européens et africains à se rencontrer au niveau politique le plus élevé pour rechercher la mobilisation d'efforts accrus en faveur des forêts tempérées et de celles de l'Afrique sèche. Les travaux de cette Conférence, qui bénéficie du soutien technique de la FAO, seront concentrés sur deux thèmes de réflexion portant l'un sur l'avenir des forêts menacées par le dépérissement dans les pays tempérés et l'autre sur l'avenir de l'arbre et de la forêt menacée par la désertification en Afrique sèche, ce dernier thème concernant non seulement les pays africains mais également les pays donateurs. Le volet africain de cette Conférence viendra en écho au neuvième Congrès forestier mondial de Mexico, d'une part, et à la Conférence de Dakar sur la désertification COMIDES II, d'autre part.
David R. GREGORY (Australia): Australia had some reservations about the proposal to have 1985 declared the International Year of the Forest because in our view sufficient time was not given to allow countries to prepare for such an occasion or to develop an effective promotion campaign. In any event, 1985 had been declared International Youth Year. Nevertheless, while Australia was not organizing any specific activities relating to the International Year of the Forest, Australian forestry agencies are developing a national forestry strategy which seeks to obtain the commitment of governments and government agencies at all levels to treat forests in a manner which maximizes their benefit to the community in the long term; also to obtain the cooperation between government and private agencies with land use responsibilities having an impact on forestry activities, and to achieve recognition by all sections of the community of the status of the forests as a natural resource and of the importance of multiple use management of that resource on a sustained basis and to maintain maximum flexibility for all users in the overall national interest. A draft of that national forestry strategy was released in Australia in May of this year for public comment.
Concerning the proposal on the new world fund for forestry, I find myself sharing the common concerns of the delegate of Brazil. Australia does not support the establishment of a new world fund for forestry aid projects. We believe that the case for the establishment of a world fund for forestry needs to be thoroughly examined and proven before the question of financial contribution is considered. We do note that other financial agencies such as the World Bank, UNDP and FAO, are already involved in this area.
Finally, on the question of cooperation and coordination; the proposal that forestry aid projects be coordinated globally, we believe, merits support in the interests of avoiding duplication of resources and efforts and in optimizing the use of expertise. We believe it could be achieved by implementing the suggestion that all donor agencies should provide information periodically to FAO, and we urge members to identify projects, both existing and proposed, and resources available for such projects.
Rainer PRESTIEN (Germany, Federal Republic of): We welcome the fact that the Ninth World Forestry Congress was held at the invitation of Mexico, in Mexico City this year. The Federal Republic of Germany took an active part in the Ninth World Forestry Congress, and shares the results of the Congress to a large extent as they are reflected in the Manifesto of Mexico. We likewise welcome the effective support given by the FAO Secretariat to this year's World Forestry Congress.
My delegation supports the attitude of the World Forestry Congress, that increased investment in forestry and forestry industries is necessary, but we cannot voice our opinion on the creation of a forestry fund as put forward by Austria. In this respect quite a number of questions are still open, for which no details are yet available. This had been stated by the delegation of my country at the Ninth World Forestry Congress in July.
The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has pointed out not only at national, but also at international levels that national, subregional, regional and international activities for the conservation of forests are of special importance. We therefore actively supported the proposal made by Austria to declare 1985 the International Year of the Forest.
The reduction of air pollution, as requested under III on page 3 of the document seems to us for that reason a priority task. My Government has already taken intensive measures at the national level to reduce air pollution. Relevant proposals were also submitted by the Federal Government to the European Community. The Federal Government will also continue efforts towards an increased reduction of air pollution with the aim of diminishing its harmful effects on forests.
In conclusion, my delegation would like to point out that the Federal Government, within its forestry policy, is prepared to host one of the next World Forestry Congresses in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. This does not apply to the Tenth World Forestry Congress, which quite a number of countries have offered to host. The Bavarian land capital would, however, be able to act as host for one of the subsequent congresses.
Dietmar KINZEL (Austria): It seems needless to say that this delegation is very proud and happy to see you in the Chair.
First I would like to congratulate the Secretariat for the production of the concise Document CL 88/7, and also for the comprehensive introduction given by Mr. Flores Rodas. In many countries forests are being increasingly affected by atmospheric polution, forest fires, pests and diseases which may endanger in the future the quality of life and certain aspects of human activity such as agricultural production of food, water quality and conservation of wildlife and fishery resources. The Austrian Delegation has therefore followed with great interest the recommendations of the Ninth Forestry Congress, and in this context refers to the Fourth General Session wherein several countries offered to host the Tenth Congress.
With regard to the Organization of the next World Forestry Congress we would like to confirm the position of the Austrian Delegation in Mexico City as outlined on page 3 of the Document CL 88/7.
Eugene Vernon WADE-BROWN (United Kingdom): The essential role of trees and forests in the national and rural economies of poorer countries in meeting a variety of needs of the greater majority of poor people in rural areas and in contributing to an ecologically stable environment for agriculture and rural development generally makes forestry an important element in both multilateral and bilateral programmes. We believe FAO has an exceptional, and in some respects a unique, capability to assist international action in forestry, and we will continue to support its activities in forestry development, and in particular those activities which complement and support our own bilateral programmes.
The United Kingdom endorses the view expressed by the Ninth World Forestry Congress of the need for increased investment in forestry and forest industries in accordance with the general directions and priorities set out in the FAO “Plan of Action on Tropical Forests “ adopted by the FAO Committee on Forest Development in the Tropics and subject to the wishes and priorities of the countries directly concerned.
We are sympathetic with the intentions of the Austrian proposal for the creation of a Forestry Fund to assist poorer countries to conserve their forest resources, but believe this requires further examination before any decision is made in support of the proposals.
Finally, we would like to draw attention to the effort FAO put in to make its contribution to the Ninth Congress. This must have strained staff resources but the Forestry Division is no doubt satisfied with the results.
Mrs Jean GEORGE (Trinidad and Tobago): My delegation wishes to join with previous speakers in exchanging the congratulations to the Government of Mexico on the successful organization of the Ninth World Forestry Congress in which they had the fullest support of the FAO. The theme of the Congress along with the splendid physical arrangement provided for a full discussion and examination of the world forestry problems with special emphasis on conservation and the proper utilization of forest resources.
While Trinidad and Tobago did have reservations at the last meeting about the Declaration of 1985 as the International Year of the Forest, we believe that this Declaration did enable the Congress to further emphasize the theme. Over the past decades FAO has consistently called for greater attention to be paid to the forest sector. It has continued through various programmes, but more so through the adoption of the Plan of Action on Tropical Forests, to urge greater awareness of the importance of the forest sector in terms of its integrated contributions to our country's development through sound forest policies and strategies.
Encouraged by the proposal of Austria for the creation of a World Fund for the development of environmental protection of forests with a special design to aid developing countries, my Government has already given further and positive consideration to the creation of a permanent forest resources inventory and management section in the Forestry Division. While we support in principal the World Fund, we will await further information on its structure and operation.
We wish again to join with all of the delegations in offering our congratulations for this Conference and the support of the manifesto in general.
Orton Vundo MSISKA (Malawi): My delegation would like to congratulate the Mexican Government for hosting this Congress, and to the Congress for the fine document presented here. All of the 23 principles and guidelines that are listed in the document are very acceptable to Malawi and as the other delegates have said, we are from a developing country where agriculture es the main theme of development and where forestry has been included in the national rural development programmes, and this is in line with Item 2 in the policies and strategies outlined here.
In relation to Item 3 we have involved area and village action groups because these are the people mostly involved in production: these are the rural people, and we have programmes of rural fuel-wood and poles in the country. However, we would like to emphasize that we experienced in most cases difficulties in trying to convince other organizations, and therefore in relation to Item 6 would emphasize that publicity and extension should be more enhanced.
In relation to Item 10, Malawi encourages agroforestry techniques. As I have already pointed out, we are largely an agricultural country.
Item 15. Malawi thinks that probably if there are any research possibilities of producing other items from these wood projects, like gas and maybe oil, our country would gain a lot from such types of endeavours.
We support the afforestation project especially for catchment areas.
In short then I would say that we also value very much the exchange of information between neighbouring countries. In this case we are talking about countries grouped in the SADCC, which is the Southern Africa Development and Coordination Conference, as well as the SARCUS, the Southern African Regional Conservation and Utilization of Soils. We find that these organizations are of great benefit in technical transfer of information between the countries. This is in relation to Item 21, and in Item 22 we have tried very much to involve women in developments through National Planting Days. So in conclusion we are fully in support of the recommendations as outlined in the Document.
Tatsuya KAJIYA (Japan): First of all I would like to make a brief comment on the manifesto of Mexico. My Government supoorts the manifesto in general since it clearly identifies current problems in the field of forests and forestry, and it indicates the proper direction in tackling these problems. However, I must inform the Council that the Japanese Delegation to the Congress has expressed their reservation in regard to the proposal for the establishment of a World Fund for the development and environmental protection of forests. Although our reservation is missing in the footnote of the text, it is indicated in the Document CL 88/7. It was actually made at the Congress together with the Federal Republic of Germany. My delegation feels that the new Fund will not necessarily bring about effective and efficient assistance in the field, but rather it might cause the increase of unnecessary administrative costs.
Taking this opportunity I would also like to inform the delegates of the activities carried out in Japan in order to commemorate the International Year of the Forest. In response to the FAO Council Resolution 2/86 for the Declaration of this International Year, Japan has actively undertaken various activities in order to increase public awareness of the importance of forests and forestry for the quality of life since the beginning of this year.
Out of all these activities I would like to call your intention, particularly to the internal symposium entitled "Forest for the Future of Mankind" which was held on 14 October in Yokohama with around 400 participants. At that symposium the Yokohama Forestry Declaration was made, and announced, among other important issues, its support of the FAO Action Plan on the Development of Tropical Forests. In this connection I hope that the delegation will be interested accordingly in this Declaration made by the participants to the symposium. Copies of the texts of the Declaration are available for the delegates at the Document Desk.
I. NYOWAN ARDHA (Indonesia): Indonesia has always known the very important role that forestry could play in agricultural development in general and in food production in particular. The problem of forestry development as we face it in Indonesia has been given wide attention during the Ninth World Foresty Congress in Mexico. The Indonesian delegation took an active part during that Conference. The Indonesian delegation therefore appreciates very much FAO for promoting and sponsoring the Ninth World Forestry Congress held in Mexico, which has been very successful due to the full support accorded by the Government of Mexico. Therefore Indonesia supports the Mexico manifesto for foresty development and during our fifth celebration of World Food Day the national theme of celebration has been food income level, forestry and environment.
Ajmal Mahmood QURESHI (Pakistan): Allow me first of all to say how pleased we are to see you, Mr Chairman, guiding our deliberations this evening. At this late hour I will be very brief.
I would like to thank Mr Flores Rodas for his fine introduction of the subject. My delegation welcomes the recommendations arising out of the Ninth World Forestry Congress especially as they concern FAO's policies, strategies and programmes in the forestry sector. Forests play an important role in the economies of the developing countries. They are a valuable resource of renewable energy, and their link with world food security can hardly be over-emphasized.
The manifesto of Mexico will have far-reaching effects of great interest to mankind, and we urge the the Council to recommend to Conference the adoption of the Mexico manifesto.
Carlos R. SERSALE di CERISANO (Argentina): En primer lugar, queremos felicitarle a usted por verle en la presidencia. Vamos a ser muy breves.
Apoyamos la recomendación ya expresada por otros delegados de que este Consejo recomiende a la Conferencia que se adopte una Resolución que incluya el Manifiesto de México, dando particular atención a las partes del manifiesto en que se derivan, se explicitan consecuencias para la FAO, tal como aparece en el documento que tenemos ante nosotros, en páginas 2 y 3.
Amin ABDEL-MALEK (Liban) (langue originale arabe): Avant de passer au point suivant de notre ordre du jour, je voudrais faire une proposition en ce qui concerne la réunion du Comité de rédaction, dont j'espère qu'elle recueillera votre assentiment. Le Comité de rédaction devrait siéger immédiatement après la séance. Etant donné qu'il est presque 7 heures, que vous irez peut-être au-delà de 9 heures, et étant donné que des Membres du Comité ont déjà quelques exemplaires du rapport qui sera discuté, on pourrait se préparer; je voudrais proposer que le Comité de rédaction puisse siéger maintenant déjà pour accélérer un peu son travail, et cela d'autant plus que nous n'aurons pas d'interprètes peut-être jusqu'aux petites heures.
CHAIRMAN: The proposal of the delegation of Lebanon is that the Drafting Committee should start its work now.
David R. GREGORY (Chairman, Drafting Committee): To my knowledge we have only one draft available. So perhaps we should see this item processed, which is an important one. Moreover, I do not think we can have simultaneous meetings of the Council and the Drafting Committee.
J. C. INGRAM (Executive Director, World Food Programme): You have before you the recommendations of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, document CL 88/2 that the new pledging target for WFP's regular, that is to say development, resources for the 1987-88 biennium should be set at $1. 4 billion, comprised of 3. 25 million tons of food and $405 million in cash. This is slightly higher than the target set for the current biennium. It is also for the first time broken into a specified quantity of food in tons, since approved commitments for WFP development projects are expressed in quantities of food, and a cash level in dollars adequate to transport and administer the commodities provided.
The target recommended by the CFA would allow the annual approval of new development projects utilizing about 1. 9 million tons of food until the end of 1988. Such a commitment level would be substantially above the average annual commitment level of previous years and thus would enable the programme to continue the momentum we have been gradually building up.
Expressed in terms of annual deliveries, fulfilment of the target will enable about 1. 5 million tons of food to reach the beneficiaries each year.
However, to comprehend the full magnitude of WFP's efforts, to this figure one needs to add deliveries for relief and on behalf of bilateral donors. By 1988 total deliveries may well be 2. 5 million tons for that year.
Of course as Executive Director I would like to have seen a somewhat higher target. The need is certainly there, especially in the present global environment in which so many developing countries are burdened with debt. Thus WFP has many more requests than we are able to meet and I have no doubt that that situation will continue.
At the same time we are increasingly confident in our ability to use food wisely, namely to ensure that it has a lasting developmental impact. This applies especially in the sector of agricultural and rural development where we receive the invaluable support of FAO in regard to, for example, the appraisal and evaluation of projects
On this, the Organization's 40th anniversary, I want both to congratulate them on all their achievements and to extend WFP's sincere thanks for their support of the programme's endeavours to use food aid for the lasting benefit of the poor and hungry. Nevertheless, any target of this kind must strike a balance between need, the capacity of WFP to efficiently utilize food aid and the willingness of donors to provide more multilateral food. On the whole the target before you balances these considerations in a reasonable and satisfactory way.
In this connexion I should mention that the level of cash included in the target is somewhat above the proportion of cash pledges in the recent past. If achieved it would enable us to handle increased shipments of commodities and to continue to purchase food from developing countries without eroding the essential cash reserve that we have carefully built up over the years.
As this Council well knows, WFP is a big purchaser of food from developing countries for use in other developing countries. Indeed each year WFP spends far more on south-south cooperation than other United Nations organizations.
There will be an especially urgent need to expand such purchases next year. The reason lies in the good harvest now expected over large parts of the African continent. While unfortunately a few countries will continue to have serious food deficits, many previously affected by drought will not be in a deficit position this year and a few will have substantial food surpluses.
The situation is made more difficult by the presence in some countries of quantities of emergency food aid which could not be utilized by famine-stricken peoples before the new harvest.
This does not mean that the food crisis is over for all affected areas. A number of countries and large groups of stricken population are still in need of relief assistance. Furthermore, the need for food aid for rehabilitation and development work is increasing. What is new now is the fact that locally produced cereals can again be procured in previously affected African countries to meet the full requirements of needy people who have no purchasing power, such as pastoralists and vulnerable groups. Moreover, for these countries where serious food shortages still exist, the need next year can probably be met by purchases from those African countries now having substantial surpluses. If this is to be done WFP will require much more cash for purchases in surplus countries and regions for transportation to the food-deficit areas. WFP ' s successful record in such triangular transactions in the past is well known and we will be only too pleased to put our expertise in food procurement and related logistics at the disposal of countries and organizations interested in triangular transactions.
Within our current limited cash purchases we have already resumed purchases in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Wherever possible we are making swapping arrangements, under which imported wheat is exchanged against locally produced cereals. Both local purchases and exchange of commodities are essential not only for providing badly needed assistance to the African poor but also for sustaining farm prices which have been depressed in a number of African countries where the effective demand is further reduced because of the low purchasing power of the population. If we do not do all we can to help the farmers get a remunerative price for their products I fear that food crops will be so poor that recourse to costly emergency food aid operations will be unavoidable even in years where climatic conditions are not exceptionally unfavourable. I therefore appeal to all those who are in a position to do so to cooperate with us in an effort to assist the African poor with cereals grown by African farmers.
I have digressed somewhat from the agenda item before you. Let me conclude by reminding this Council that the pledging target must be one that commands the general support of both donors and recipients. As a CFA recommendation adopted by consensus the target level before you has met that test. It is, as I have said, only a modest increase over the target for the current biennium, but it would, if achieved, represent a substantial increase over the actual pledging for this biennium and, most importantly, would allow the programme's development work to continue to grow. I seek your support therefore for the target level recommended by the CFA and ask you to forward it for approval by the FAO Conference.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Dentro del deterioro progresivo y creciente de la cooperación multilateral, el Programa Mundial de Alimentos era una excepción, por ciertoa pleno título, porque ese Programa realiza una magnífica labor bajo la excelente dirección del Sr. Ingram, a quien nos complace tener con nosotros esta tarde.
Desafortunadamente, como lo demuestra este Documento, a partir del bienio 87/88 también los recursos del PMA van a ser forzosamente sometidos a las limitaciones bien conocidas.
Como dijo el Sr. Ingram, la propuesta que él presentó a la reunión del CPA era más amplia, mucho más ambiciosa y muy justificada; sin embargo, debimos llegar al compromiso que aparece en el párrafo 1 de la parte dispositiva del Proyecto de Resolución. Como podrá verse en ese párrafo 1 el CPA acoge el nuevo enfoque, la innovación que propuso el Director Ejecutivo del PAM con imaginación y realismo al considerar que, dadas las circunstancias actuales, es más indicado en el futuro concebir el objetivo parte en productos y parte en recursos en' efectivo.
La Delegación de Colombia apoya este proyecto de Resolución y proponemos que en el informe del Consejo sobre este tema haya un párrafo claro, específico y concreto que resuma y fortalezca el elemento común que aparece en los párrafos 1, 2 y 4 de la parte dispositiva, en relación con la esperanza de que dichos recursos se incrementan con sustanciales contribuciones adicionales procedentes de otras fuentes, no sólo para lograr este objetivo sino para superarlo, o sea, que el Consejo debe hacer un llamado en este sentido.
También creemos que en nuestro informe debemos adoptar las operaciones triangulares que tienen multiples beneficios para los países en desarrollo.
Y, finalmente, la Delegación de Colombia, en nombre del Gobierno de nuestro país, reitera el pleno apoyo al Programa Mundial de Alimentos, nuestro encomio al Sr. Ingram con nuestra voz de aliento para que continúe la magnífica e importante tarea que viene realizando.
Almir Franco de SA BARBUDA (Brazil): Allow me first of all to thank Mr Ingram for the presentation of this agenda item. Brazil has favoured the pledge and targets proposed by the Executive Director of the World Food Programme on the Twentieth Session of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes. That is a food component of 3. 4 million tons and US $430 million in cash, equal to 1. 5 billion in total. My delegation also supported the separate presentation of targets in food and cash compositions aiming at facilitating the management of the programme. The Brazilian support to the target proposal of the Executive Director was based on the understanding that these targets would reconduct WFP to the record levels of operations reached in 1984 since food crises still prevail in many regions of the developing world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, a compromisewith donor countries establishing the target of 3. 25 million tons of commodities and US $405 million in cash was reached, and endorsed, by the Brazilian delegation. We are prepared to confirm our support to this proposal but we wish also to express our concern with the difficult food situation in many developing regions for which a firm commitment of the international community will be determined, particularly the traditional donor countries, in order to alleviate the suffering of the populations affected by hunger and malnutrition.
This commitment would have, been better sought if the original proposal of the Executive Director had been approved. We confirm our support to the levels indicated in the draft resolution.
Joseph TCHICAYA (Congo): A notre tour, nous voudrions féliciter M. Ingram, Directeur exécutif du PAM, pour l'excellente introduction qu'il vient de nous faire sur le sujet proposé, c'est-à-dire l'objectif de contribution du PAM pour 1987-88. En tant que membre du Comité des politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire, nous avons largement débattu de la question et nous devons dire que le Congo a appuyé avec une certaine fermeté les propositions initiales faites par le Directeur exécutif du PAM, parce que ces propositions, à notre avis, reflétaient davantage la situation réelle qui prévaut sur le terrain et, comme l'a si bien dit M. Ingram lui-même, je crois
Tatsuya KAJIYA (Japan): First of all I would like to make a brief comment on the manifesto of Mexico. My Government supoorts the manifesto in general since it clearly identifies current problems in the field of forests and forestry, and it indicates the proper direction in tackling these problems. However, I must inform the Council that the Japanese Delegation to the Congress has expressed their reservation in regard to the proposal for the establishment of a World Fund for the development and environmental protection of forests. Although our reservation is missing in the footnote of the text, it is indicated in the Document CL 88/7. It was actually made at the Congress together with the Federal Republic of Germany. My delegation feels that the new Fund will not necessarily bring about effective and efficient assistance in the field, but rather it might cause the increase of unnecessary administrative costs.
Taking this opportunity I would also like to inform the delegates of the activities carried out in Japan in order to commemorate the International Year of the Forest. In response to the FAO Council Resolution 2/86 for the Declaration of this International Year, Japan has actively undertaken various activities in order to increase public awareness of the importance of forests and forestry for the quality of life since the beginning of this year.
Out of all these activities I would like to call your intention, particularly to the internal symposium entitled "Forest for the Future of Mankind" which was held on 14 October in Yokohama with around 400 participants. At that symposium the Yokohama Forestry Declaration was made, and announced, among other important issues, its support of the FAO Action Plan on the Development of Tropical Forests. In this connection I hope that the delegation will be interested accordingly in this Declaration made by the participants to the symposium. Copies of the texts of the Declaration are available for the delegates at the Document Desk.
I. NYOWAN ARDHA (Indonesia): Indonesia has always known the very important role that forestry could play in agricultural development in general and in food production in particular. The problem of forestry development as we face it in Indonesia has been given wide attention during the Ninth World Foresty Congress in Mexico. The Indonesian delegation took an active part during that Conference. The Indonesian delegation therefore appreciates very much FAO for promoting and sponsoring the Ninth World Forestry Congress held in Mexico, which has been very successful due to the full support accorded by the Government of Mexico. Therefore Indonesia supports the Mexico manifesto for foresty development and during our fifth celebration of World Food Day the national theme of celebration has been food income level, forestry and environment.
Ajmal Mahmood QURESHI (Pakistan): Allow me first of all to say how pleased we are to see you, Mr Chairman, guiding our deliberations this evening. At this late hour I will be very brief.
I would like to thank Mr Flores Rodas for his fine introduction of the subject. My delegation welcomes the recommendations arising out of the Ninth World Forestry Congress especially as they concern FAO's policies, strategies and programmes in the forestry sector. Forests play an important role in the economies of the developing countries. They are a valuable resource of renewable energy, and their link with world food security can hardly be over-emphasized.
The manifesto of Mexico will have far-reaching effects of great interest to mankind, and we urge the the Council to recommend to Conference the adoption of the Mexico manifesto.
Carlos R. SERSALE di CERISANO (Argentina): En primer lugar, queremos felicitarle a usted por verle en la presidencia. Vamos a ser muy breves.
Apoyamos la recomendación ya expresada por otros delegados de que este Consejo recomiende a la Conferencia que se adopte una Resolución que incluya el Manifiesto de México, dando particular atención a las partes del manifiesto en que se derivan, se explicitan consecuencias para la FAO, tal como aparece en el documento que tenemos ante nosotros, en páginas 2 y 3.
. - 178 -
RobertNPRINS (Canada): We are pleased to receive information on the outcome of the Ninth World Forestry Congress held in Mexico in July 1985. We would also like to draw the attention of Council members to the holding of the Commonwealth Forestry Congress, which took place in my country in September this year. We believe both of these congresses brought home the fact that forestry and agriculture cannot be seen as separate competing institutions, but as components of overall land management practices aimed at preserving and improving the land resource base.
The second point, we are puzzled as to whether this Council is being asked to make a particular decision, as was suggested by the Provisional Agenda. We would appreciate having some clarification of this point. We note from the document before us that the manifesto did not specifically address its recommendations to FAO. Neverthelesse, we read with great satisfaction that the issues raised by the manifesto are already being considered for FAO programmes. Therefore, we ask the Secretariat to give further clarification of the way in which the Programme of Work and Budget before us is being adjusted to take into account the outcome of the World Congress.
It is the view of this delegation that forestry is not receiving the emphasis it deserves in the FAO Programme of Work and Budget, as may be noted from the rather small percentage of budget devoted to forestry. We would like to see this looked at in future programme proposals.
We would like to join other delegations who have suggested that the proposal for a world fund needs further elaboration before further consideration is given to the establishment of such a fund. Finally, my government would like to reconfirm its support in principle for the Plan of Action on Tropical Forests.
Henri Arfang SENGHOR (Senegal): Je voudrais féliciter le Gouvernement du Mexique pour l'organisation du neuvième Congrès forestier mondial et remercier également le secrétariat pour l'excellent document qu'il nous a remis. Cette séance plénière donne l'occasion à la délégation sénégalaise d'apporter son appui plein et entier aux conclusions et recommandations du neuvième Congrès forestier mondial qui sont résumées dans le manifeste du Mexique. Nous appuyons tout particulièrement les recommandations du Congrès concernant la nécessité d'accroître les investissements dans les forêts et l'industrie forestière. En outre, ma délégation apporte plus particulièrement son soutien aux recommandations 8 et 9 du manifeste où il est souligné d'une part qu'il est indispensable et urgent que les ressources forestières constituent une option rentable de revenus pour la population rurale car cela répond à ses besoins.
D'autre part, c'est seulement dans le cadre d'un développement rural intégré incluant la gestion et l'exploitation des forêts, en harmonie avec les activités agricoles, qu'il sera possible de contribuer au progrès social et à la conservation des ressources naturelles.
Enfin, je tiens à rappeler que mon gouvernement accueille actuellement avec la collaboration de la FAO la seconde Conférence sur la désertification-COMIDES II, à Dakar; cela permettra de dégager des options techniques prioritaires avant la prochaine Conférence internationale sur les arbres et les forêts qui se tiendra à Paris en février prochain et à laquelle participera le Président du Sénégal.
MANIRUZZAMAN CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh): My delegation wishes to congratulate the Mexican Government for hosting this Congress. We would also take this opportunity to say how glad we are to see you, Mr. Chairman, guiding this meeting.
We appreciate and share the stand taken in the Council by the delegation of Austria a little while ago in expressing its legitimate concern that the increase in atmospheric pollution, if not halted in the near future, will endanger the forestry resources of this world, and certain aspects of human activities such as agriculture, production of food, water quality, conservation of wildlife and fishery resources.
My delegation follows with great interest the recommendations of the Ninth World Forestry Congress, and appreciates the good work done by FAO in this regard.
Augustin Κ. OSUBAN (Uganda): I wish only to add the support of my delegation for the manifesto of Mexico. Considering that forests promote the climatic conditions necessary for agriculture, and agriculture being the fundamental function of this Organization-without mentioning the intrinsic value of forests to society-we fully support the Mexican manifesto.
We also endorse, in principle, the creation of the World Fund for the Development and Protection of Forests to assist developing countries.
M. A. FLORES RODAS (Subdirector General, Departamento de Montes): Trataré, de ser lo más breve posible. Tratando de contestar las preguntas del distinguido representante de Canadá, la primera pregunta es qué decisión este Consejo debe tomar. Son dos decisiones; una de ellas con respecto al Manifiesto de México que ha sido claramente expresada, es que debe ser enviado a la Conferencia con el apoyo pleno del Consejo. Segundo, al final del documento se considera si el Director General puede iniciar las consultas en la preparación del futuro Congreso Forestal Mundial. Al apoyar claramente el Manifiesto de México incluye la autorización, a mi modo de ver, al Director General para iniciar las acciones que él considere necesarias.
Segunda pregunta. Cómo se refleja en el programa de trabajo y de presupuesto del Departamento de Montes y en general de la FAO, el Manifiesto de México, creo, que al momento en que el Manifiesto de México apoya totalmente los programas de la FAO en este sentido no hay necesidad clara e inmediata de hacer ningún reajuste porque ha sido totalmente apoyado por el Manifiesto de México; por lo tanto, en el momento que el Manifiesto de México es aceptado por la Conferencia y se convierte en un documento aprobado por los miembros de gobierno de la FAO, se convierte esencialmente en la estrategia y en la política forestal que la FAO debe seguir a este respecto.
Con relación al apoyo presupuestario, creo yo que apoyar claramente este Consejo y enviar a la Conferencia el Plan de Acción aprobado por el Comité de Desarrollo Forestal en los trópicos es una de las acciones para apoyar el presupuesto forestal de la Organización en el campo, ya que este Consejo, y en todas sus deliberaciones, por lo menos en el día de hoy en que he estado aquí, ha hecho énfasis en el trabajo de campo directamente. Por lo tanto, apoyar el Plan de Acción sobre el desarrollo forestal en los trópicos y lo que se refiere al apoyo presupuestario y de fondos fiduciarios eventualmente podrían resultar ser un apoyo presupuestario al Programma Forestal de FAO.
Creo que al contestar la pregunta del distinguido representante de Canadá también he hecho un resumen bastante rápido sobre la discusión del día de hoy que se puede resumir en los siguientes puntos: apoyo total al Manifiesto de México; un agradecimiento también total al Gobierno de México por haber hospedado tan de buena forma el Congreso Forestal Mundial y, finalmente, un apoyo a los programas de Acción de la FAO discutidos y aprobados por el Comité de Desarrollo Forestal de FAO.
Hay algún punto de discusión aparente aquí en el que me parece que hay confusión entre los fondos propuestos por su país, Austria, y el fondo que se refiere al Plan de Acción. Son dos cosas totalmente diferentes y, ojalá que no exista ninguna confusión en este caso.
CHAIRMAN: This closes our debate on the item of the World. Forest Congress.
M. S. Swaminathan, Chairman of the Council, took the chair.
M. S. Swaminathan, Président du Conseil, assume la présidence.
Ocupa la presidencia M. S. Swaminathan, Presidente del Consejo
Amin ABDEL-MALEK (Liban) (langue originale arabe): Avant de passer au point suivant de notre ordre du jour, je voudrais faire une proposition en ce qui concerne la réunion du Comité de rédaction, dont j'espère qu'elle recueillera votre assentiment. Le Comité de rédaction devrait siéger immédiatement après la séance. Etant donné qu'il est presque 7 heures, que vous irez peut-être au-delà de 9 heures, et étant donné que des Membres du Comité ont déjà quelques exemplaires du rapport qui sera discuté, on pourrait se préparer; je voudrais proposer que le Comité de rédaction puisse siéger maintenant déjà pour accélérer un peu son travail, et cela d'autant plus que nous n'aurons pas d'interprètes peut-être jusqu'aux petites heures.
CHAIRMAN: The proposal of the delegation of Lebanon is that the Drafting Committee should start its work now.
David R. GREGORY (Chairman, Drafting Committee): To my knowledge we have only one draft available. So perhaps we should see this item processed, which is an important one. Moreover, I do not think we can have simultaneous meetings of the Council and the Drafting Committee.
J. C. INGRAM (Executive Director, World Food Programme): You have before you the recommendations of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, document CL 88/2 that the new pledging target for WFP's regular, that is to say development, resources for the 1987-88 biennium should be set at $1. 4 billion, comprised of 3. 25 million tons of food and $405 million in cash. This is slightly higher than the target set for the current biennium. It is also for the first time broken into a specified quantity of food in tons, since approved commitments for WFP development projects are expressed in quantities of food, and a cash level in dollars adequate to transport and administer the commodities provided.
The target recommended by the CFA would allow the annual approval of new development projects utilizing about 1. 9 million tons of food until the end of 1988. Such a commitment level would be substantially above the average annual commitment level of previous years and thus would enable the programme to continue the momentum we have been gradually building up.
Expressed in terms of annual deliveries, fulfilment of the target will enable about 1. 5 million tons of food to reach the beneficiaries each year.
However, to comprehend the full magnitude of WFP's efforts, to this figure one needs to add deliveries for relief and on behalf of bilateral donors. By 1988 total deliveries may well be 2. 5 million tons for that year.
Of course as Executive Director I would like to have seen a somewhat higher target. The need is certainly there, especially in the present global environment in which so many developing countries are burdened with debt. Thus WFP has many more requests than we are able to meet and I have no doubt that that situation will continue.
At the same time we are increasingly confident in our ability to use food wisely, namely to ensure that it has a lasting developmental impact. This applies especially in the sector of agricultural and rural development where we receive the invaluable support of FAO in regard to, for example, the appraisal and evaluation of projects.
On this, the Organization's 40th anniversary, I want both to congratulate them on all their achievements and to extend WFP's sincere thanks for their support of the programme's endeavours to use food aid for the lasting benefit of the poor and hungry. Nevertheless, any target of this kind must strike a balance between need, the capacity of WFP to efficiently utilize food aid and the willingness of donors to provide more multilateral food. On the whole the target before you balances these considerations in a reasonable and satisfactory way.
In this connexion I should mention that the level of cash included in the target is somewhat above the proportion of cash pledges in the recent past. If achieved it would enable us to handle increased shipments of commodities and to continue to purchase food from developing countries without eroding the essential cash reserve that we have carefully built up over the years.
As this Council well knows, WFP is a big purchaser of food from developing countries for use in other developing countries. Indeed each year WFP spends far more on south-south cooperation than other United Nations organizations.
There will be an especially urgent need to expand such purchases next year. The reason lies in the good harvest now expected over large parts of the African continent. While unfortunately a few countries will continue to have serious food deficits, many previously affected by drought will not be in a deficit position this year and a few will have substantial food surpluses.
The situation is made more difficult by the presence in some countries of quantities of emergency food aid which could not be utilized by famine-stricken peoples before the new harvest.
This does not mean that the food crisis is over for all affected areas. A number of countries and large groups of stricken population are still in need of relief assistance. Furthermore, the need for food aid for rehabilitation and development work is increasing. What is new now is the fact that locally produced cereals can again be procured in previously affected African countries to meet the full requirements of needy people who have no purchasing power, such as pastoralists and vulnerable groups. Moreover, for these countries where serious food shortages still exist, the need next year can probably be met by purchases from those African countries now having substantial surpluses. If this is to be done WFP will require much more cash for purchases in surplus countries and regions for transportation to the food-deficit areas. WFP ' s successful record in such triangular transactions in the past is well known and we will be only too pleased to put our expertise in food procurement and related logistics at the disposal of countries and organizations interested in triangular transactions.
Within our current limited cash purchases we have already resumed purchases in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Wherever possible we are making swapping arrangements, under which imported wheat is exchanged against locally produced cereals. Both local purchases and exchange of commodities are essential not only for providing badly needed assistance to the African poor but also for sustaining farm prices which have been depressed in a number of African countries where the effective demand is further reduced because of the low purchasing power of the population. If we do not do all we can to help the farmers get a remunerative price for their products I fear that food crops will be so poor that recourse to costly emergency food aid operations will be unavoidable even in years where climatic conditions are not exceptionally unfavourable. I therefore appeal to all those who are in a position to do so to cooperate with us in an effort to assist the African poor with cereals grown by African farmers.
I have digressed somewhat from the agenda item before you. Let me conclude by reminding this Council that the pledging target must be one that commands the general support of both donors and recipients. As a CFA recommendation adopted by consensus the target level before you has met that test. It is, as I have said, only a modest increase over the target for the current biennium, but it would, if achieved, represent a substantial increase over the actual pledging for this biennium and, most importantly, would allow the programme's development work to continue to grow. I seek your support therefore for the target level recommended by the CFA and ask you to forward it for approval by the FAO Conference.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Dentro del deterioro progresivo y creciente de la cooperación multilateral, el Programa Mundial de Alimentos era una excepción, por ciertoa pleno título, porque ese Programa realiza una magnífica labor bajo la excelente dirección del Sr. Ingram, a quien nos complace tener con nosotros esta tarde.
Desafortunadamente, como lo demuestra este Documento, a partir del bienio 87/88 también los recursos del PMA van a ser forzosamente sometidos a las limitaciones bien conocidas.
Como dijo el Sr. Ingram, la propuesta que él presentó a la reunión del CPA era más amplia, mucho más ambiciosa y muy justificada; sin embargo, debimos llegar al compromiso que aparece en el párrafo 1 de la parte dispositiva del Proyecto de Resolución. Como podrá verse en ese párrafo 1 el CPA acoge el nuevo enfoque, la innovación que propuso el Director Ejecutivo del PAM con imaginación y realismo al considerar que, dadas las circunstancias actuales, es más indicado en el futuro concebir el objetivo parte en productos y parte en recursos en' efectivo.
La Delegación de Colombia apoya este proyecto de Resolución y proponemos que en el informe del Consejo sobre este tema haya un párrafo claro, específico y concreto que resuma y fortalezca el elemento común que aparece en los párrafos 1, 2 y 4 de la parte dispositiva, en relación con la esperanza de que dichos recursos se incrementan con sustanciales contribuciones adicionales procedentes de otras fuentes, no sólo para lograr este objetivo sino para superarlo, o sea, que el Consejo debe hacer un llamado en este sentido.
También creemos que en nuestro informe debemos adoptar las operaciones triangulares que tienen multiples beneficios para los países en desarrollo.
Y, finalmente, la Delegación de Colombia, en nombre del Gobierno de nuestro país, reitera el pleno apoyo al Programa Mundial de Alimentos, nuestro encomio al Sr. Ingram con nuestra voz de aliento para que continúe la magnífica e importante tarea que viene realizando.
Almir Franco de SA BARBUDA (Brazil): Allow me first of all to thank Mr Ingram for the presentation of this agenda item. Brazil has favoured the pledge and targets proposed by the Executive Director of the World Food Programme on the Twentieth Session of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes. That is a food component of 3. 4 million tons and US $430 million in cash, equal to 1. 5 billion in total. My delegation also supported the separate presentation of targets in food and cash compositions aiming at facilitating the management of the programme. The Brazilian support to the target proposal of the Executive Director was based on the understanding that these targets would reconduct WFP to the record levels of operations reached in 1984 since food crises still prevail in many regions of the developing world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, a compromisewith donor countries establishing the target of 3. 25 million tons of commodities and US $405 million in cash was reached, and endorsed, by the Brazilian delegation. We are prepared to confirm our support to this proposal but we wish also to express our concern with the difficult food situation in many developing regions for which a firm commitment of the international community will be determined, particularly the traditional donor countries, in order to alleviate the suffering of the populations affected by hunger and malnutrition.
This commitment would have, been better sought if the original proposal of the Executive Director had been approved. We confirm our support to the levels indicated in the draft resolution.
Joseph TCHICAYA (Congo): A notre tour, nous voudrions féliciter M. Ingram, Directeur exécutif du PAM, pour l'excellente introduction qu'il vient de nous faire sur le sujet proposé, c'est-à-dire l'objectif de contribution du PAM pour 1987-88. En tant que membre du Comité des politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire, nous avons largement débattu de la question et nous devons dire que le Congo a appuyé avec une certaine fermeté les propositions initiales faites par le Directeur exécutif du PAM, parce que ces propositions, à notre avis, reflétaient davantage la situation réelle qui prévaut sur le terrain et, comme l'a si bien dit M. Ingram lui-même, je crois
que les problèmes de l'endettement des pays du tiers monde sont en eux-mêmes des problèmes qui expliquent cette augmentation, et il a dit aussi que les demandes en ce moment deviennent de plus en plus importantes, en raison justement de cette situation économique et financière des pays en développement. Voilà pourquoi nous nous étions acharnés à appuyer les propositions initiales du Directeur exécutif.
Cependant, nous devons reconnaître qu'il y a eu négociation et qu'il y a eu accord, consensus sur un montant et nous voudrions dire que nous partageons et approuvons ce consensus auquel nous sommes parvenus. Je crois qu'il s'agit là d'un point important, et nous nous réjouissons qu'ici le principe de la croissance zéro ne puisse pas s'appliquer parce qu'il s'agit ici aussi des problèmes alimentaires qui concernent les peuples qui souffrent. Je crois qu'il s'agit là d'un point important.
Nous aussi, nous voudrions rendre hommage au Directeur exécutif pour la nouvelle manière avec laquelle il nous a présenté cet objectif, à savoir cette distribution entre le tonnage en denrées alimentaires et les espèces, parce que nous estimons que ces deux volets sont très importants pour la contribution, au niveau du PAM, parce que, d'une part nous savons que la ressource alimentaire contribue au développement de nos pays grâce à leurs contributions dans les projets de développement, mais aussi nous croyons fermement que les opérations triangulaires sont des éléments très importants pour le développement de ces pays. C'est pour cette raison que le volet "ressources en espèces", tel que c'est libellé ici, est un volet très important qu'il faudra recommander à tous les contributeurs de s'efforcer d'atteindre.
Pour terminer, nous voulons nous aussi mettre un accent particulier sur notre rapport pour que l'espoir qui est exprimé dans le numero 1 puisse être atteint, de même que la demande qui est faite pour que l'objectif puisse être pleinement réalisé, parce qu'il s'agit ici d'une objectif qui ne semble pas, à notre avis, répondre exactement aux besoins réels. Mais comme il s'agit d'un objectif qui a recueilli le consensus, nous estimons que tous les pays contributeurs peuvent s'efforcer de l'atteindre. Sur ce, nous recommandons que la résolution, telle qu'elle est énoncée ici, puisse être appuyée auprès de la Conférence.
Ramesh Chander GUPTA (India): The Indian Delegation would like to sincerely commend the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Mr Ingram, for his excellent introduction and his detailed account of how food aid as a valuable development resource can be used in diverse ways for alleviating immediate hunger and human suffering, and as a long-term measure for rehabilitating agriculture and for economic development as such. In this atmosphere which we see today where there is lack of sympathy or, if I use the words "withdrawal from multilateralism", the fact that WFP continues to enjoy donor support, and of course, the support of the recipient countries, is in no small way attributable to the fact that the Programme has managed its affairs efficiently and expeditiously and that it has been able to do remarkably good work in meeting situations of emergency and situations of resource constraints.
With regard to the pledge and target we would like to recall that in the previous biennium also, the Executive Director had proposed a target of US $1. 5 billion but it was reduced to $1. 35 billion. We had every hope that since it was a consensus target that it would be achieved, but to our dismay we found that there was a substantial shortfall. In keeping that picture in view we felt that a target which is realistic, which is acceptable to the donors would be the kind of target we should fix. We believe that after unanimous view on this target in the last meeting of the Committee on Food Aid we have a reasonable hope that the donors would try their best to meet it and to provide their full support to the programme.
Another attractive feature of this proposal this year is a splitting of the target into commodities and cash. We are aware of the fact that the Programme has been facing cash restraints although there is no crisis. But if the trend continues where countries contribute twenty percent or less, or twenty-five percent, in cash and the rest in commodities, the Programme could in the very near future face a cash crisis, so this again is a welcome step.
Another point I would like to refer to is the triangular transaction. In our own experience the problems of surplus can be as painful as the problems of shortages. Carrying the surpluses imposes tremendous economic burdens on developing countries. To the extent the Programme could use commodities produced in developing countries for neighbouring areas, and for providing relief would be a most welcome help to the developing countries in ameliorating some of their cash and resources constraints.
With these remarks we fully support and endorse the target and would commend this resolution for the Conference acceptance.
LI ZHENHUAN (China) (Original language Chinese): The World Food Programme has done a great deal of fruitful work in using food aid for agricultural development, emergency assistance operations, and other purposes. For this it has won commendation by developing countries. Faced with a situation in which some developed countries have a considerable food surplus while many low-income countries are suffering food shortages, food aid should be strengthened. Therefore, the Chinese Delegation fully endorses the Council's draft resolution to be submitted to the Conference. We assure the Council that we shall give positive consideration to the pledging target for 1987-88 and report to our Government as soon as possible.
R. MACINTOSH (Canada): We appreciate very much the Executive Director's fine summary. We also appreciate and admire his skill in navigating what must be one of the most narrow fences in the world between the need and the capacity and the will of donors to contribute to the Programme, but he has managed this, just as he has managed very effectively the Programme overall. We know that the compromise that was reached at the CFA meeting was a difficult one but if I might digress myself it was achieved through goodwill and good offices and so forth. It is possible that we all might reflect on this in approaching other issues at this and other meetings.
The Canadian profile in WFP is very high. We are the second largest donor and this exceeds our profile on other international institutions. It also probably exceeds the profile that might be suggested by the size of our overall economy. We believe in the WFP. We believe in the need that it responds to. We must work harder. We took the position at the CFA, one of some concern, that the target set could be reached, whether the amount or the composition could be reached or not. But we accepted the target. We support the target that has been established. We agree with other speakers who have said that other donors really must come forth. We are happy to convey our support of the draft resolution to the Conference.
Sra. Doña Mercedes RUIZ ZAPATA (Mexico): Al aprobar que el Proyecto de Resolución que contiene el objetivo de promesas del Programa Mundial de Alimentos a la Conferencia, la delegación de México quiere dejar acentuado en actas, que aún cuando reconocemos que el objetivo propuesto es el resultado de un delicado proceso de negociación, hubiéramos preferido que se adoptara la propuesta inicial en vista de las crecientes necesidades de los países beneficiarios.
Deseamos igualmente felicitar al Director Ejecutivo del Programa por haber propuesto, por primera vez, un objetivo con dos componentes bien establecidos lo cual facilitará sin duda las posibilidades del programa para responder de una manera eficiente a las solicitudes de ayuda alimentaria.
No dudamos que el objetivo propuesto será aprobado por la Conferencia de la FAO, pero deseamos hacer un llamado a todos los países miembros, incluso los países en desarrollo, para que dentro de sus posibilidades hagan un esfuerzo para que el objetivo no sólo se logre sino que incluso se supere.
Asimismo, creo que debemos insistir ante los grandes países donadores para que respeten el contenido de las normas básicas del PMA en el sentido de que un tercio de sus contribuciones se haga en efectivo. Para terminar, apoyamos las declaraciones hechas por Colombia, Brasil, Congo e India.
Leopoldo ARIZA HIDALGO (CUBA): Queremos primeramente felicitar al Director Ejecutivo del Programa Mundial de Alimentos, Sr. Ingram por su presentación del tema. Sin embargo queremos expresar que la presentación del tema que efectuó el Sr. Ingram en el Comité de Políticas y Programas de Ayuda Alimentaria pasado, constituyó a nuestro juicio una de las informaciones más profundas sobre la importancia y la necesidad de la ayuda para el desarrollo y de la eficacia del programa.
Creo que el Sr. Ingram en esa oportunidad hizo un profundo análisis de la situación. Probó esclarecedoramente que el PMA estaba recibiendo más pedidos de ayuda para el desarrollo, producto de la situación alimentaria que atraviesa el mundo, productos de la situación económica y financiera que atraviesan los países en desarrollo.
Creo que su exposición fue convincente también de que la asistencia del PMA para el desarrollo era una forma eficaz de ayuda alimentaria y que así había funcionado. Probó la existencia de excedentes. Sin embargo, aquí también tenemos que decir que su proposición inicial, la que todo el Comité consideró con suficientes condiciones para aprobar, tuvo que resistir la restricción; tuvo que, en una discusión difícil, ciertamente fue difícil la discusión, pero tuvo que resistir la restricción y se aprobó una cantidad menor que la propuesta, propuesta inicial cuya necesidad realmente estaba probada.
Nosotros creemos que el Sr. Ingram, en estos momentos como Director Ejecutivo, tiene todo el apoyo del Tercer Mundo, de los países en desarrollo, por su excelente administración, por su excelente guía de programa y por su dedicación al trabajo. Creo que lo único que nosotros podemos pedir es que se cumplan una de las peticiones más importantes que hizo el CPA, en su última versión, al pedirle a los donantes o a los posibles donantes, que hicieran mayores esfuerzos para alcanzar el objetivo y proporcionar recursos adicionales con el fin de hacer frente a crecientes necesidades de países en desarrollo.
Esto no tenemos duda que la Conferencia lo va a aprobar en todas sus partes. Nuestra delegación quiere plantear que dentro de su apoyo a la labor del Programa, nuestro país considera de mucha importancia las transacciones triangulares así como la aceptación por el Comité de Política y Programa y su presentación a la Conferencia, y estamos seguros que aceptará la nueva modalidad de la ayuda en dinero y en alimentos.
No nos resta nada más que felicitar de nuevo al PMA y a su Director Ejecutivo, y decir que nuestra delegación apoya el proyecto de Resolución en todas sus partes para presentarlo a la Conferencia.
Hartford T. JENNINGS (United States of America): I am fully aware of the lateness of the hour and will make every attempt to be brief. My delegation very much appreciates the clear and comprehensive introduction which the Executive Director has given to this item. The United States support the World Food Programme pledging target recommended by the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes for 3. 25 million tons in commodities and $405 million in cash. We note that this total of $1. 4 billion is higher than the $1. 35 billion level said to be reached in 1985/86. Contributions in the past pledge period met only 74 percent of the 1985/86 target. We nevertheless support the modest 3. 7 percent increase in the target for 1987/88 realizing that higher than normal food aid flows are likely to be needed to support efforts for rehabilitation and economic recovery in Africa. On the basis of past experience we would anticipate that the actual total pledge level for this biennium will be about 85 percent of the target, or about $1. 2 billion worth. We believe this level is obtainable and responsive to needs. We further feel that the World Food Programme should aim to maintain realistic pledge levels and to examine its current approach with a view to shifting resources from low performance and low priority projects to those of higher priority and immediate need.
My Government agreed to the separation of the pledge into commodity and cash components on the understanding that written formulas will not be adopted, such as insisting that each country provide one third of its pledge in cash. We believe that such formulas are not appropriate, because donors' capabilities to provide commodities and cash vary-or you might say that different donors have different comparative advantages. Some find it more appropriate and more possible to contribute in cash while others find it better to do so in commodities.
In conclusion, I should also note that in accordance with the budgetary procedures of our Government, the United States will continue to make its pledge in total monetary value.
Kosei SHIOZAWA (Japan): My delegation recognizes that the new pledging target before us was based upon a very delicate balance between the various positions expressed by donors and recipients. The Japanese delegation therefore is pleased to join in the consensus on the new target of US$1. 4 billion promoted at the last session of the CFA. Given that the gaps between the targets and actual pledges have gradually been increasing over recent years, and considering also that the existing donors share the burden in making their contributions, we hope that efforts will also be made by WFP to seek out new possible donors in order to mobilize the additional resources.
With regard to the concern expressed by the Executive Director about the cash resources, my delegation would like to underline the importance of all donors to comply with the WFP's General Regulations stipulating that they aim at providing a cash component of at least one third of their total contribution.
In conclusion, my delegation commends the WFP for its successful achievements so far and its efficient management in the field of development of food aid as well as in emergency assistance, particularly in Africa, and we express our continuous support to the Programme.
Mrs Anne-Lise PETERSEN (Denmark): On this agenda item concerning the Draft Resolution on the target for the World Food Programme for the period 1987-88, my delegation expressed the view at the Twentieth CFA session that it is of crucial importance to establish a realistic target which can actually be met by the donor countries. We would support the target which was agreed upon at the last CFA, at a total of US$1. 4 billion.
We share the Programme's concern that the cash needs of the Programme are not being met, since not all donors provide the recommended one third of their contributions in cash. We therefore accept the principle of dividing the target as a cash and commodity component of US$405 million and 2. 35 tons of food respectively. At the same time we have noted the possibility for countries to continue pledging in monetary terms only. Due to national budgetary procedure this will still apply for Denmark. In order to attain the proposed target we agree with other speakers that new donors in a position to do so should join the Programme. Furthermore, we consider that at present where the global flow of food aid is increasing, donors should channel a greater share of their food aid through the World Food Programme. This will enable the Programme to reach, or even surpass, the target proposed.
In that connection I am pleased to conclude by informing you that it has been proposed to Parliament to increase the Danish contribution to the World Food Programme by 10 percent annually starting from 1987.
Michael A. COMMINS (Australia): We too wish to reaffirm our support for the proposed nature and size of the target which, as other speakers have noted, is the product of a compromise achieved after a frank and cordial discussion during the Twentieth Session of the CFA, the Governing Body of the WFP, in the best traditions of cooperation between countries working together in the multilateral system.
The decision of the CFA is also a reflection of the high regard which all countries have for the efficiency, effectiveness and management of the WFP and the impact of its important field programmes in operation, at a time of increased and competing demands on limited resources. This important factor has been referred to by quite a number of speakers before myself. We join with Colombia, Canada, Japan, Denmark, and others in urging additional donors to come forward and augment the contributions of the traditional donors in an endeavour to achieve the target.
Australia is presently using the services of the WFP in arranging exchanges of Australian wheat for locally produced grain in Zimbabwe, Sudan and Somalia in food aid activities.
For the information of this Committee, one third of Australia's contribution is provided in cash to the WFP, to hopefully assist WFP in stepping up its involvement in triangular transactions.
In conclusion, we endorse the Draft Resolution in its present form, and recommend that it be forwarded to the Conference.
H. M. MBALE (Malawi): My delegation wishes to congratulate the Executive Director, Mr Ingram, on his well-presented introduction to the paper under discussion and for the good work he and his colleagues are doing to alleviate hunger in the developing countries and other needy areas.
My delegation supports the proposed pledging in Conference and notes with appreciation the Executive Director's statement regarding the triangular purchases, for example purchases from Zimbabwe and my country Malawi. I have no doubt whatsoever that this approach would assist the WFP to deliver the food aid in a timely and in a cost-effective manner. At the same time this procedure will go a long way to encourage small-holder farmers in the developing countries to continue producing sufficient quantities for themselves, for storage and for use by neighbours as and when the need arises. I entirely agree with the delegate from India that carrying surpluses can be a tremendous burden to a country, as indeed my country is experiencing right now.
With these few remarks my delegation supports the Draft Resolution and recommends that it should go forward to the Conference for consideration and decision.
Amin ABDEL-MALEK (Liban) (langue originale arabe): La délégation libanaise remercie M. Ingram qui nous a fait une introduction lucide de ce projet de résolution au sujet du PAM. Nous remercions également le Directeur général de la FAO qui a accordé une aide très utile au Liban, cela pendant les deux dernières années; cette aide a permis à notre pays de surmonter les difficultés que nous connaissons.
La délégation libanaise ne peut être que d'accord sur la proposition de M. Ingram au sujet du Programme, et le Liban, nous nous y engageons, maintiendra un appui sans réserve à l'avenir.
Haris ZANNETIS (Cyprus): The proposed pledging target is the result of a long and delicate process as the Executive Director of WFP has already indicated in his opening remarks, for which we would like to join others in congratulating him. The new fashion in the presentation of the target consisting of two items is also to be commended. Cyprus supports the target and endorses the Resolution.
We would also like to join with the delegates of India, Cuba and others in hoping that the target will be reached in the biennium in question.
Guillermo Ε. GONZALEZ (Argentina): Deseo unirme, Sr. Presidente, a la felicitación al Sr. Ingram tanto por el trabajo realizado por el PMA como por la breve y clara introducción que nos hiciera del tema en la tarde de hoy.
La Argentina apoya con estusiasmo las actividades del PMA y en este sentido creemos que las medidas fijadas son razonables y podrían ser alcanzadas con la cooperación de la comunidad internacional. Mi país es un pequeño contribuyente a sus actividades y continuará contribuyendo en la medida de nuestras posibilidades. Claro está que para la Argentina es difícil asumir compromisos en dinero, pero intentaremos sí aumentar aún más nuestra contribución en alimentos.
Por otra parte, damos nuestro respaldo a la cooperación triangular ya que tiene multiples efectos beneficiosos para los países en desarrollo. En resumen, apoyamos el proyecto de resolución presentado en todos sus términos.
CHAIRMAN: This completes my list. That means we are universally unanimous in support of this Resolution and I would like to add my own voice of congratulations to Mr Ingram on the chorus of well-deserved praise which has been voiced in this house. I think no one will deny that in today's world WFP has developed into a most meaningful and effectively managed multilateral assistance programme, and I would like to thank Mr Ingram and all his colleagues.
I would also like to hope that the cash component will be realized because I think in the next few years the most serious problem which many of the African countries will face with the onward march of their agriculture is the maintenance of a floor price to their farmers. This is going to be a very great challenge-a floor price which adequately remunerates the farmer. This is going to be a major determinant for further progress and hence this particular aspect of WFP's activities is very important and we do hope that the targets set here will be realized. I want to thank again all the delegates who have participated and Mr Ingram for coming at this late hour.
Increase in the Number of Vice-Chairmen of the Conference
Augmentation du nombre de vice-présidents de la Conférence
Aumento del Número de Vicepresidentes de la Conferencia
Fourteenth McDougall Memorial Lecture
Quatorzième Conférence McDougall
14a disertación en memoria de McDougall
José Ramón LOPEZ PORTILLO ROMANO (México): Ante gestiones que un grupo de países hemos realizado en torno a la conveniencia de aumentar el número de vicepresidentes de la Conferencia, deseamos agradecer a la Secretaría el que nos haya presentado el documento CL 88/8 para nuestra consideración, a las regiones, Sr. Presidente, que componen el Grupo de los 77 y a los miembros que componen dichas regiones. Estimamos que esta Conferencia es una Conferencia especial porque se celebra en ella el 40 Aniversario de la FAO. Esto ha generado un gran entusiasmo entre todos los Estados Miembros del Grupo de los 77 y por lo tanto ha inducido el que cada una de nuestras regiones deseé hacer acto de presencia en la Mesa de nuestra Conferencia. Esta es, pues, una ocasión particular y por eso, Sr. Presidente, pensamos que sería conveniente en esta ocasión suspender la aplicación del Artículo VIII del Reglamento, con el propósito de que se diera cabida a más vicepresidentes para la Mesa de la Conferencia. En este sentido, Sr. Presidente, deseamos apoyar de manera muy firme el párrafo 5 del documento CL 88/9 y tomamos nota de los otros párrafos, particularmente del número 6 en donde se hace referencia a un antecedente en ese sentido, es decir, de suspender la aplicación de un párrafo y de un artículo.
Pensamos, sin embargo, que en esta ocasión quizás no es indispensable el contar con el contenido del párrafo 4 que en última instancia sería voluntad de un próximo Consejo el determinar estas cuestiones y quizá el contenido de este párrafo lleve inclusive a ciertas confusiones sobre el propósito de la suspensión del Artículo VIII del Reglamento.
Por tanto, deseo expresar que quizá fuera conveniente que solamente nos concentráramos en la recomendación específica que hace el párrafo 5° del documento CL 88/9.
Al agradecer el que usted tome nota de ello, expresamos de nuevo nuestro gusto si esto lo aprueba el Comité para recomendarlo a la Conferencia y la Conferencia, a su vez, aprueba el que podamos estar representadas cada una de las regiones del Grupo de los 77 en tres vicepresidencias y, por supuesto, en la presidencia de la Conferencia.
John GLISTRUP (Denmark): In order to save time I have the privilege to speak on behalf of the OECD Group on this Item. I would like to start off by saying that the Group is against amending Rule VIII of the General Rules of the Organization. However, we understand the Group of 77 wishes to submit the candidature of one additional vice-chairman for the Conference. Our Group has decided not to submit additional candidates in order not to increase further the number of three Vice-chairmen foreseen in the General Rules. 1 am pleased to inform you Mr Chairman that the OECD Group can accept suspending the application of the relevant provision of Rule VIII so as to enable the Conference to elect four vice-chairmen for this particular session of the Conference.
Amin ABDEL-MALEK (Liban) (langue originale arabe): Après avoir pris connaissance du document CL 88/9, portant sur l'augmentation du nombre des Vice-Présidents de la Conférence, l'on se rend compte que le Règlement général de l'Organisation a fixé, en 1945, le nombre des Vice-Présidents à trois et cela lorsque le nombre des membres de l'Organisation était de 42, alors que ce nombre a atteint 156 membres à l'heure actuelle. Par conséquent, nous estimons qu'il serait préférable d'accroître le nombre des Vice-Présidents de la Conférence et de le porter à quatre, d'autant plus que le Conseil, qui ne comporte que 49 Etats, dispose de trois Vice-Présidents et que l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies compte plus de trois Vice-Présidents.
Aussi la délégation du Liban approuve la proposition du secrétariat portant sur la suspension de l'Article VIII du Règlement général et son amendement, afin que la Conférence soit en mesure d'élire quatre Vice-Présidents pour l'actuelle session, et ce, afin de faciliter le processus des élections.
Avant de conclure, je voudrais rappeler au Président ma proposition concernant la tenue de la réunion du Comité des candidatures, d'autant plus que nous avons renvoyé la tenue de cette réunion jusqu'après l'examen du point important du Programme alimentaire mondial.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): La Delegación de Colombia desea destacar el hecho positivo de la declaración de nuestro colega y amigo John Glistrup, de Dinamarca, quien habló en nombre de los países de la OCDE. Creemos que éste es un signo de distensión y de cooperación que ojalá se prolongue en la Conferencia que se inicia el próximo sábado a través del entendimiento entre los países desarrollados y el grupo de los 77 que preside nuestro colega López Portillo, de México, y a quien agradecemos su cooperación, y por lo tanto, apoyamos el párrafo 5.
CHAIRMAN: Do we unanimously approve the recommendation in paragraph 5?
It was so decided.
Il en est ainsi décidé.
Así se acuerda.
LE SECRETAIRE GENERAL: La Conférence McDougall doit être prononcée dans la matinée du lundi 11 novembre.
Dans un premier temps, il était prévu qu'elle serait prononcée par Son Excellence
M. Belisario Betancur, Président de la République de Colombie; c'est d'ailleurs ce qui est annoncé au paragraphe 12 du document C 85/12.
Depuis, il se trouve que le Président Betancur a dû renoncer à venir prononcer la Conférence McDougall; je voudrais maintenant informer le Conseil que Son Excellence M. Alan García Pérez, Président de la République du Pérou, qui est lui aussi une eminente personnalité répondant à tous les critères qui doivent guider le choix du conférencier McDougall, a bien voulu accepter de venir prononcer cette conférence.
CHAIRMAN: We are very happy that His Excellency the President of Peru will be with us. That completes the arrangements for the Twenty-Third Session of the FAO Conference.
H. A. Senghor, Vice Chairman of the Council, took the Chair.
H. A. Senghor, Vice-Président du Conseil, assume la présidence.
Ocupa la presidencia H. A. Senghor, Vicepresidente del Consejo.
LE PRESIDENT: Je voudrais vous remercier de m'avoir élu Vice-Président du Conseil. Comme je vous l'ai dit lors du jour de mon élection, c'est un honneur pour moi; je tiens à vous dire à nouveau toute ma gratitude; c'est également une marque de sympathie et de respect à l'égard du Sénégal que je représente.
A. REGNIER (Directeur du Bureau des affaires interinstitutions): Etant, donné l'heure tardive, je pense qu'il n'est pas nécessaire pour moi de faire une introduction complète de ce point de l'ordre du jour et par conséquent je renonce à la petite introduction que je voulais faire.
Je voudrais simplement attirer votre attention sur un point particulier. Les deux documents qui sont devant vous sont le C 85/9 et le supplément 1. Le supplément 1 a été rédigé à la fin du mois de septembre, par conséquent il est relativement à jour; il s'est passé peu d'événements dignes d'intérêt depuis l'époque de sa rédaction sauf peut-être pour les trois points suivants que je vais citer sans les élaborer.
D'une part l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies qui a débuté le 15 septembre et qui se déroulera jusqu'à la fin du mois de décembre. Et le point essentiel jusqu'à présent est une proposition présentée par le Président de l'OUA proposant la convocation d'une session spéciale de l'Assemblée générale consacrée à l'Afrique. Les débats sont en cours à ce sujet.
Le second point est la réunion de Genève sur le nouveau programme d'action des pays les moins avancés, suite de la Conférence de Paris. Lors de la session de la Conférence peut-être que dans mon introduction sur ce même point de l'ordre du jour pourrais-je donner plus de détails sur les résultats de cette réunion. En tous cas, une nouvelle réunion de ce genre a été convoquée pour la fin de la décennie. Le point sera fait sur la mise en place de ce Programme, et les objectifs qui avaient été définis à Paris ont été à nouveau réaffirmés.
Je pense que cela suffit. Bien entendu je suis à votre disposition pour répondre à toute question que vous souhaiteriez poser.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Como siempre, el Señor Regnier ha hecho una magnífica presentación. Estos dos documentos, el que ya consideramos en la reunión pasada y éste, así como las actuaciones del Director General en la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas confirman claramente que la FAO, gracias a esa labor dinámica e inteligente del Dr. Saouma, sigue ocupando un puesto preeminente de respeto y prestigio en el contexto de las Naciones Unidas.
Finalmente parece que hubo acuerdo sobre la evaluación de la estrategia internacional para el desarrollo como lo habíamos sostenido y se esperaba. El documento acordado señalará que no se han alcanzado los objetivos indicativos totales expuestos en la EID y comprenderá otra serie de aspectos negativos para los países en desarrollo tal como lo dice el párrafo 7 del documento.
Acerca de la 11 reunion ministerial del Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación, a partir del párrafo 30 del Suplemento 1 y las conclusiones y recomendaciones que aparecen en el Anexo A convendrá destacar el contenido del párrafo 35 sobre la labor de la FAO y en especial el apoyo al Programa de Rehabilitación Agrícola en Africa.
Ni en el documento ni en la declaración del Sr. Regnier se hace alusión a un hecho importante que es la elección del Ministro de Agricultura de Francia como nuevo Presidente del Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación.
También deseamos señalar como signo positivo el hecho de que por primera vez el Director General de la FAO asistió a un período de sesiones del CMA; todo esto nos anima a esperar cada vez más una vinculación fructífera entre la FAO y el CMA y una labor común en beneficio de los países en desarroilo.
La Delegación de Colombia destaca la frase final del párrafo 61, según la cual la FAO resulta ser en todo el sistema de las Naciones Unidas la Organización que más se ocupa de la cooperación económica y técnica entre los países en desarrollo.
Una vez más apoyamos la alta prioridad que en el Programa de Labores de la FAO se concede al PCT y ál PCTD. En esta ocasión, ni en este Suplemento 1, y tampoco en la presentación del Sr. Regnier se habla del Fondo Internacional de Desarrollo Agrícola, el FIDA, no obstante que este tema se refiere a acontecimientos en el sistema de las Naciones Unidas y que el FIDA es una agencia de Naciones Unidas. ; Naturalmente, entendemos esto porque confirma lo que ha venido sosteniendo la Delegación de Colombia desde hace mucho tiempo: el FIDA muere, el FIDA agoniza lentamente, olvidado, solitario, lejano, y con una administración divorciada de los representantes de los gobiernos. Nadie sabe qué está pasando en el FIDA, por qué no se ha convocado la reunión del próximo Grupo de Consulta, ni cuándo se convocará esa reunión, mientras que se acerca la fecha del Consejo de Gobernadores en enero de 1986 y se habrán completado dos años en espera de la segunda reposición.
En esta oportunidad la Delegación de Colombia no desea insistir en la clara responsabilidad de aquellos países que no han permitido la segunda reposición de los recursos del FIDA, ¿podríamos limitarnos, acaso piadosamente a un nuevo llamado, otro más, para que se salve el FIDA en nombre de los pequeños y medianos agricultores de todo el mundo?
Finalmente, nos complace mucho ver a usted, Señor Presidente, Embajador distinguido de gran experiencia, presidiendo esta reunión.
Horacio M. CARANDANG (Philippines): I would first of all like to congratulate you on your election as Vice-Chairman of the Council. We believe that under your chairmanship we will finish all the items before long.
The points to which I wanted to refer have already been mentioned by the distinguished delegate of Colombia, which means that we have common interests. I was going to call attention to the fact that in paragraph 7 of the report in the appraisal of the implementation of the international development strategy the aggregrate targets set forth in that strategy have not been met, and the per capita output in aggregrate in the developing countries, as in 1985, was 5 percent lower than in 1980, while the average income in the sub-Saharan Africa was lower than 15 years ago. Interest payments and external debt since 1982 exceeded new lending and, together with other factors, brought about a net transfer of financial resources from developing countries to the developed countries in 1984, with projections indicating a similar situation in 1985.
As remedies to this situation, some suggestions were made by the Committee. In paragraph 10, we have a reaffirmation of the target of 0. 7 of Gross National Product as ODA which should be achieved as soon as possible, in any case before the end of the decade. Furthermore, every effort
should be made to provide the resources required by the United Nations System and other international organizations, particularly the multilateral financing institutions-and I suppose IFAD would be included here.
I think the Council should re-echo the alarm that has been indicated in these pages, and also the recommendations made here to remedy the situation should be re-echoed by us. As the document says, the attainment of food security depends on the full and effective implementation of the measures set out in the IDS and reaffirmed by the General Assembly Resolution.
The other point to which I would call attention is the assessment that has been made of the TCDC and ECDC by the high level Committee on the Review of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries. In paragraph 69, indeed, it is indicated that "once the bottleneck caused by the scarcity of foreign exchange for travel and equipment was overcome, developing countries were willing to contribute human resources and institutional and infrastructural facilities to strengthen cooperation amongst themselves: for every dollar contributed externally a further contribution of $3. 3 in cash and kind was generated by the developing countries themselves. " Which means to say that this investment in ECDC and TCDC is indeed a good investment because it is multipled by at least 303 percent.
Likewise, we note with satisfaction the allocation of US $1. 5 million from UNDP special resources for the promotion of action-oriented TCDC activities.
We wish it were more because we know that this is a sector where every dollar invested brings abundant results.
R. MACINTOSH (Canada): We will make our comments extremely brief because we expect to address this at the Conference. We feel that the document that is prepared is a fair one and a thorough one within the scope which its authors appear to have set for it-that is, in describing FAO's involvement in various United Nations' initiatives and joint undertakings with some other United Nations agencies.
I am afraid we are somewhat disappointed that virtually no reference is made to the issue of coordination, notwithstanding a number of United Nations General Assembly resolutions. The only one that I could find that would really meet our standards or our interests in learning about FAO's efforts in this field is perhaps the reference to information systems. We feel that this is an important item not only because of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions, but because it is important for all of us to find ways of achieving more concerted approaches to the world hunger problem. So I hope that perhaps during the course of future Council meetings we would have an opportunity to learn from the Secretariat the efforts that the FAO has made to respond to the calls for coordination and harmonization.
Leopoldo ARIZA HIDALGO (Cuba): Primeramente, queremos saludarlo a usted, Señor Presidente, y nos complace verlo presidir esta sesión del Consejo.
Muy brevemente, porque el tiempo lo reclama así, no la necesidad de discutir temas muy importantes pero creo que la presentación de este documento por el Sr. Regnier y la preparación por la Secretaría merece nuestro reconocimiento. En el se recogen aspectos importantes de las actividades y novedades de Naciones Unidas, en las cuales la FAO ha tenido una participación muy destacada.
Queremos, en aras del tiempo, expresar nuestro total apoyo a lo expresado por la Delegación de Colombia y por la Delegación de Filipinas en sus intervenciones muy enjundiosas.
Específicamente tenemos dos cuestiones en las cuales va a participar nuestra Delegación con bastante pormenorización en la Conferencia y una de ellas es la situación del FIDA que creemos que la representación de Colombia tiene razón en que hay que lograr que esta Conferencia le dé un vuelco, por lo
menos el reconocimiento de la necesidad de que el FIDA siga existiendo. La otra cuestión es la cooperación económica entre países en desarrollo planteada por la Representación de Filipinas; es muy objetiva. Esto es nuestro reconocimiento al documento y nuestra delegación en la Conferencia se reserva el derecho de volver sobre este tema a priori.
David R. GREGORY (Australia): I have only briefly referred to this document, but just in relation to the activities of UNEP it may be of interest to some delegates in this Council that Australia at the request of UNEP is organizing an international conference on the economics of dry land degradation and rehabilitation. The key objective of the programme is to assist developing and developed countries and aid agencies to complement the UN plan of action to combat desertification. I will not go into details, but an international conference is being held in Canberra from 10 to 14 March in 1986 which will consider a draft of executive management guidelines, and an outline of the technical guidelines and 14 case study reports from projects in 9 global regions affected by dry land degradation. I believe that revised executive management guidelines are to be developed following the conference for a review by the international organizations and by regional workshops in China, India, Africa and South America during the period April to October 1986. I believe also that the executive management guidelines are to be presented as a report by the Executive Director of UNEP to the UNEP Governing Council meeting in June 1987.
The support for the programme, I believe, which has been formally or informally agreed by UNEP, involves the Commonwealth Secretariat, USAID, CIDA and the Australian Government and I believe that some 40 countries intend to participate. If anybody is interested in the details of the programme I will be happy to provide them personally.
José Ramón LOPEZ PORTILLO ROMANO (México): Deseamos expresar, como lo han hecho otros delegados, nuestra satisfacción plena, Señor Presidente, por verle presidiendo los trabajos de nuestro Consejo. Agradecemos, asimismo, al Sr. Regnier la presentación sintética que ha hecho de este tema y a la Secretaría de la FAO por la preparación de los documentos que tenemos enfrente.
La Delegación de México, al expresar su preocupación profunda por la significativa reducción de los recursos financieros de las Organizaciones del Sistema de Naciones Unidas en general y en forma muy particular de los organismos internacionales de crédito en el área de la agricultura, desea unirse a lo que ha declarado la Delegación de Colombia, la de Filipinas y la de Cuba en este sentido. Reiteramos como han hecho ellos el llamado a los países donantes para que aceleren la finalización de las negociaciones para la segunda reposición de recursos del Fondo Internacional de Desarrollo Agrícola a la brevedad.
Asimismo, nos unimos a lo expresado por la Delegación de Filipinas en relación a fortalecer el apoyo de la cooperación técnica entre países en desarrollo y la cooperación económica.
Destacamos el párrafo 69, entre otros como bien fue indicado. Esta cooperación no sólo es fundamental en momentos de crisis económica generalizada y es un medio para promover la cooperación en nuestros países y el desarrollo económico, sino también es un excelente ejemplo de productividad y de creatividad que ha tenido éxito generalizado.
Señalamos también la importancia de que la FAO refuerce sus relaciones con la ONUDI. Apoyamos el establecimiento de un acuerdo de cooperación entre las dos organizaciones especializadas para desarrollar trabajos e investigaciones en el área de las agroindustrias y de maquinaria agrícola.
El marco del sistema de consultas de la ONUDI podría ser una posibilidad para el trabajo conjunto de las organizaciones. Manifestamos la conveniencia de que la FAO tome en cuenta los trabajos realizados en las organizaciones regionales y subregionales dedicadas al estudio y solución de las cuestiones agrícolas, con objeto de tener una mejor coordinación y evitar la duplicación de esfuerzos, así como emprender actividades conjuntas en aquellas áreas donde se requiera mayores recursos.
Estas podrían ser el desarrollo de fuentes renovables de energía aplicadas a la elaboración de alimentos, actividades de capacitación en diferentes áreas relacionadas con la agricultura y alimentación, la financiación de proyectos de desarrollo de agroindustrias, y centros de biogenéticas.
Mame Baila SY (Senegal): Je voudrais donc, en vous félicitant de présider nos travaux et en remerciant M. Regnier pour l'introduction très brillante qu'il a faite du document, faire une observation sur ce document, qui est particulièrement important, que le Conseil devrait, à mon humble avis, faire sienne et faire siennes également les préoccupations exprimées au paragraphe 7 de ce document, de manière à suggérer la mise en oeuvre des dispositions prévues au paragraphe 10. Au niveau de ce paragraphe, j'aurais proposé d'ailleurs que l'on reformule sa rédaction pour introduire d'une manière beaucoup plus particulière la situation du FIDA. Bien sûr, on parle d'institutions financières multilatérales, mais le FIDA présente un aspect tout particulier sur lequel on devrait mettre l'accent, car il demeure un instrument qui pourra développer les pays eue nous représentons.
Je voudrais également dire (puisque malheureusement les femmes sont sous-représentées, je me fais le devoir d'être leur porte-parole aujourd'hui) qu'en tout cas la Conférence mondiale chargée d'examiner et d'évaluer lés résultats de la Décennie des Nations Unies de la femme à Nairobi devrait amener le Conseil à réfléchir sur beaucoup de, dispos it ions contenues ici, et notamment dans les paragraphes 16, 17 et 19, pour reconnaître l'importance du rôle des femmes dans la production vivrière, surtout dans les pays qui nous concernent, c'est-à-dire, les pays comme les nôtres, où la femme participe pour plus de 50 pour cent à la production des denrées vivrières. Je voudrais également, contrairement à certaines délégations, dire qu'il y a tout de même un effort de coopération entre la FAO et certaines institutions, effort qu'il convient de souligner car le paragraphe 28 nous montre un système de coopération entre l'ONUDI et la FAO qu'il faut encourager pour que cela se développe. Je vois également qu'il en est de même pour le PNUE et beaucoup d'autres institutions. On devrait mettre un accent particulier sur la situation économique et critique en Afrique et surtout sur le problème des réfugiés dans notre continent. Je crois que si la situation alimentaire mondiale, en tout cas sur notre continent, est particulièrement difficilec'est qu'il y a des problèmes sensibles sur lesquels le Conseil devrait être attentif afin de proposer que l'aide soit renforcée dans ce domaine.
En conclusion, je pense que la onzième session ministérielle du Conseil mondial de l'alimentation est arrivée à une conclusion sur laquelle le Conseil devrait s'arrêter parce qu'en réalité il est très heureux de noter que cette institution à caractère politique, qui a été créée pour imaginer des orientations devant mener à des solutions pouvant résoudre les drames que nous connaissons, si cette organisation nous appelle à appuyer le Programme de la FAO pour le relèvement de l'agriculture africaine, le Conseil devrait en prendre note. Il est également important de lire dans le paragraphe 34, que c'est l'homme qui est responsable des drames que nous connaissons et que c'est lui qui doit les résoudre s'il le veut. Donc le Conseil devrait faire sienne cette réflexion pour qu'ici, tous ensemble comme nous l'avons démontré, nous nous engagions dans cette voie puisque la solution de nos problèmes reste dans nos mains.
LE PRESIDENT: S'il n'y a pas d'autres intervenants, nous passons au point prochain.
V. J. SHAH (Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation): It was at the Sixtieth session of the Council in June 1973 that it decided that every year it should receive a report from the Director-General on the unscheduled sessions and sessions cancelled in relation to those which
have been approved by the Conference for the biennium. At your session a year ago, the Director-General reported on 22 unscheduled sessions and 17 cancelled sessions since the beginning of the biennium. I should now report on his behalf the number of unscheduled sessions and the sessions cancelled. These are given to you, to the Council, in document CL 88/3, but there is some information which I am obliged to up-date since the document was prepared some weeks ago. The changes which I should like to draw attention to are as follows: instead of 46 unscheduled sessions the number should read 42. Instead of 34 cancelled sessions the number should read 36.
The document itself gives reasons why sessions had to be cancelled or why unscheduled sessions had to be convened and this information normally appears as an annexe to the Council report so I would not like to test the patience of the Council in giving any further explanations, unless of course any member would wish to have them.
LE PRESIDENT: S'il n'y a pas d'autres intervenants nous passons au point 17. 1
Le SECRETAIRE GENERAL: Ce sera pour très peu de temps, car en fait, il n'y a à signaler aucune invitation d'Etats non membres à des réunions de la FAO durant la période considérée.
Le PRESIDENT: Nous passons au point prochain.
A. REGNIER (Director, Office for Inter-Agency Affairs): As you know FAO has organized a large number of technical meetings to which various international organizations, intergovernmental organizations as well as international non-governmental organizations are invited. FAO is thus able to get expert advice and information on particular subjects. International NGOs having status with FAO are invited on the basis of existing arrangements for cooperation based on FAO Basic Texts. International NGOs having no status with FAO can be invited on an ad hoc basis if their participation is considered useful for a particular meeting. The Director-General informs the Council in advance whenever possible of the names of these organizations, but when this is not possible he reports to the Council ex post facto on such invitations. These organizations and the meetings to which they have been invited are listed in Council document CL 88/INF/5 and no action from the Council is really required on the matter.
LE SECRETAIRE GENERAL: Je crois que les modifications intervenues dans la représentation des Etats Membres au Comité du Programme sont exposées en détail dans le document CL 88/INF/9. Je rappelle simplement que M. L'Ambassadeur Félix Sabal Lecco, représentant du Cameroun, a été remplacé par M. Thomas Yanja à la quarante-neuvième session du Comité du Programme, et que M. Fozlo Brewster, représentant la Barbade, a été remplacé à cette même session par M. C. E. Maynard.
LE PRESIDENT: Nous passons au point 18: "Questions diverses". S'il n'y a pas d'intervenants, nous passons au point 19.
LE SECRETAIRE GENERAL: Là non plus, pas d'hésitation: la quatre-vingt-neuvième session du Conseil aura lieu dans cette même salle le vendredi 29 novembre 1985 ou plus tôt si la vingt-troisième session de la Conférence s'achève avant la date prévue.
LE PRESIDENT: Merci de l'information. Je pense que nous avons terminé nos travaux. Je ne vais pas vous retenir, je déclare la séance close.
The meeting rose at 20. 15 hours
La séance est levée à 20 h 15
Se levanta la sesión a la 20. 15 horas
