LE PRESIDENT: Je me vois dans l'obligation de vous dire qu'en dehors de la question que nous avions commencée ce matin nous avons encore trois points à l'ordre du jour d'aujourd'hui: les points 10, 11 et 9. Nous devons les finir aujourd'hui pour pouvoir commencer demain matin l'analyse du rapport du Comité du programme et du Comité financier sur l'état d'avancement des réformes de la FAO. Nous suggérons donc que nous restions le temps qu'il faut aujourd'hui, quelle que soit l'heure, même si nous dépassons 8 heures, pour finir l'examen de ces trois points.
Sra. Laurie CORDUA CRUZ (Nicaragua): En primer lugar quisiéramos agradecer a la Sra. Spring su clara y precisa presentación del tema. Con gran satisfacción, nuestra Delegación acoge la discusión de este tema, que analiza muy acertadamente la problématica de la integración de la mujer en el desarrollo y propone acciones concretas en las diferentes esferas para contribuir a superar y a eliminar los obstáculos que limitan la plena integración de la mujer con igualdad de derechos y oportunidades.
No nos extenderemos en argumentos sobre la importancia del tema y la necesidad de acciones rápidas; pues, además de ser evidente, desde 1975 existen diversas resoluciones de la Conferencia y del Consejo que le dan fuerza, y otras honorables Delegaciones que me han precedido lo han hecho ya.
Señor Presidente, afortunadamente, el Gobierno de Nicaragua valora en su justa medida la participación de la mujer en todos los ámbitos de la vida social, política y económica del país. En consecuencia, ha tomado posiciones de principio muy claras sobre la integración de la mujer, eliminando prácticamente las barreras jurídicas que se lo impedían, aunque, como bien ha señalado el documento, la igualdad jurídica no garantiza por sí sola la igualdad "de facto" de la mujer. Todavía subsisten condiciones negativas, alimentadas por la crisis económica causada particularmente por la guerra de agresión y el bloqueo que sufrimos desde hace varios años, y agravada por el peso de la deuda y medidas de ajuste comunes a los países en desarrollo; crisis económica ésta que nos ha obligado a disminuir programas de desarrollo rural y programas específicos para facilitar la integración de la mujer a las tareas productivas; por ejemplo, de guarderías infantiles rurales, para dejar a sus hijos mientras trabajan.
Estas condiciones negativas que mencionábamos están alimentadas también por prácticas laborales y sociales que privilegian al hombre, siendo éstas difíciles de erradicar, porque implican cambios de actitudes que sólo se pueden lograr a través de un proceso de educación y toma de conciencia. La situación de agresión que vive Nicaragua y que ha significado la movilización de hombres jóvenes y adultos a la defensa, está feminizando la fuerza de trabajo agrícola. Es cada vez mayor el porcentaje tanto en obreras agrícolas como en las que trabajan sus propias parcelas. Esta feminización de la fuerza del trabajo en el campo, fundamentalmente por limitaciones económicas, no ha estado acompañada en la medida deseable de soluciones a las necesidades especiales de la mujer en relación a su educación y capacitación, utilización de tecnologías y otros medios que le permitan aliviar su pesada carga y aumentar su productividad.
Como resultado, se está dando un grave deterioro de las obreras agrícolas, lo cual significa el deterioro de una gran parte de la fuerza de trabajo agrícola, sobre todo de la que asegura la reproducción de la nueva generación de trabajadores. Por esto consideramos indispensable, de un lado, la realización de proyectos específicos para la mujer y, de otro, la incorporación de componentes relacionados con la mujer en los diferentes proyectos a realizarse; es decir, como parte del Programa Regular de la FAO, tal como fue expresado por las Delegaciones de Finlandia y Canadá.
En Nicaragua hay conciencia de la urgencia y necesidad de avanzar en la solución de esta problemática, y así lo reflejan diferentes estudios realizados, entre otros, por el Instituto Nicaragüense de la Mujer, y los cuales coinciden con el análisis contenido en el Plan de Acción.
Señor Presidente, mi Delegación considera que el Plan de Acción constituye un valioso instrumento que refuerza lo que se ha hecho y da impulso a lo que está por hacer. Lo apoyamos plenamente en
sus partes. En coherencia, Nicaragua ha co-patrocinado la Resolución sobre el tema contenida en el documento CL 94/LIM/2, la cual se basa integramente en el Plan de Acción. Consideramos que esta Resolución con
Para concluir, quisiéramos expresar nuestro apoyo a lo manifestado por las Delegaciones de México y Cuba en cuanto a la inmediata adopción de la Resolución y a la necesidad de incluir en el Programa de Labores y Presupuestos del próximo bienio los costos de implementación del Plan de Acción para someterlos a la Conferencia.
Masuhla LETEKA (Lesotho): First, we wish to commend the Secretariat for the informative document before us and to congratulate Dr. Spring for her excellent presentation, and Mr. Moreno for his remarks concerning the document.
The importance of this agenda item cannot be over-emphasized. At the same time we feel that we should reflect briefly on the historical developments in South Africa, especially in Lesotho and our neighbouring countries. As far back as the nineteenth century Lesotho lost about 65 percent of its able-bodied male population. Due to the economic conditions since then we have, of necessity, had to migrate to neighbouring South African goldmines, industries and other sectors, in order to supplement the meagre produce which could not meet the demands of a growing population or the effects of diminishing productive land. This move has had a serious impact on the agricultural development of Lesotho because women, with little experience had then to take over and engage in agriculture. Lesotho, which was referred to as the granary of South Africa before then, has become known as a labour reserve with one of its main exports being human beings. This fact has not gone unnoticed. Some measures have since been sought by Government to enhance the role of women in agriculture and the rural economy. There capacity in productivity has been reviewed because now female headed households have quadrupled and continue to increase. Government has since come to grips with the reality that the bigger share of the burden of agricultural work is carried out and performed by women.
Action is now being taken to invest more and to build up and support more effectively that segment of the labour force. This is why today Lesotho can boast that it is a country that has one of the highest percentages of women in professional and managerial positions. Attitudes, legal constraints and other factors (as reflected in the document) which discriminate against women in development activities have an historical origin. It is true that promotion of all spheres of development, especially industry and agriculture, have been male oriented for decades at the expense of women. The so-called world discoveries of the past have always favoured the male gender and consequently, it came to be expected as a God-given role in many societies. This also helped determine the relationship of access to the ownership of the means of production.
It is high time that resolutions and decisions taken in different fora should, of necessity, avoid a repetition of the past mal-practices. In this regard, FAO's constant insistence that women should have a fair share in society is a positivie attitude. It goes without saying that it remains the role of the international community at large, and national governments, through the guided advice of organizations such as FAO, to build structures and provide the necessary facilities to enable women to participate and be integrated fully in the mainstream of economic activity.
The FAO Plan of Action as set out is acceptable to us. The envisaged actions of the FAO to assist countries to reorientate their land tenures, agricultural extension systems, opening up adequate credit sources to women and many others, including the training and access to appropriate technologies, are steps which could enhance women's role and responsibility in different societies. The Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies which have laid the basis for the FAO Plan of Action for integration of women in development are vital determinants of a balanced world and we, in the same breath, wish to express our support for and urge speedy approval and adoption of a Draft Resolution as presented by delegations of countries who flagged on document CL 94/LIM/2.
In conclusion, we wish to make the following request to the Secretariat, that they prepare a smaller information document to governments and international communities based on the Plan of Action that would guide the Organization to clarify more specific action areas. In this document, emphasis should be given for the concern with women in development issues to be applied within FAO itself, to its philosophy and actions, but more importantly on project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The document should lay emphasis within FAO field and national institutions on the training of women in agriculture. It should lay emphasis also for all the divisions mentioned in the Plan of Action to participate to the fullest to include women in development concerns in the Agenda. Finally, the document should focus on technical agricultural aspects as opposed to a welfare approach to women.
LE PRESIDENT: Je signale au Conseil que l'observateur pour l'OCDE a accepté que son intervention soit ajoutée au procès verbal de la Séance. Je l'en remercie.
Je donne la parole au délégué du Pakistan.
Muhammad Saleem KHAN (Pakistan): I will try to be brief. So much has been said before us on this important subject and each issue so exhaustively indulged upon that we almost find ourselves at a loss as to what to further add to these contributions. However, we have taken the floor lest our silence is taken as lack of support for this most important field of human development.
We have no problems in aligning ourselves with the objectives, guidelines, strategies and recommendations contained in the document before us. Our own policies in the field are already aligned with this.
A full scale administrative division at the federal level headed by a secretary to the government dealing with women's affairs has been functioning for several years now. This division has its cells in the planning and development departments of the four provinces of the country as well as in various other nation-building departments.
Our five-year and other prospective plans, as well as annual budgets and normal allocations for women-related activities, provide substantially for these activities.
The Constitution provides for non-discrimination in any sphere on the basis of gender and for equal opportunity for all in every sphere of life. Women can contest on any general seat to a national or provincial assembly election. In addition there are specifically reserved seats for women in various Houses of Parliament, which ensure their rights being observed. All these measures and several others ensure that women's rights are fully protected and their participation in various fields of life is fully involved. As such we find no difficulty in supporting these proposals placed before us.
Having said this, however, I would like to draw attention to the traditional and social barriers existing in almost all countries of the world which, though necessary to break, are not always easily broken. To launch a frontal attack on these at times can be counterproductive. Therefore we feel that while the overall objectives, guidelines and strategies that we have been discussing should be kept before us when designing projects, an element of flexibility should always exist in dealing with certain social conditions and circumstances which vary from country to country and region to region.
Sra. Monica DEREGIBUS (Argentina): Permítame en primer lugar, Sr. Presidente, en nombre de mi Delegación, agradecer las presentaciones de los documentos que nos han efectuado la Sra. Spring y el Sr. Moreno Rojas, que han sido muy claras y muy detalladas, para ilustrar a los miembros del Consejo. La Delegación argentina extiende también la bienvenida a la Sra. Spring, que esperemos pueda inaugurar su gestión con un Plan de Acción aprobado y en marcha.
Señor Presidente, tanto ha sido dicho, que, como expresara el distinguido Delegado de Pakistán, nos resulta difícil encontrar palabras para agregar algún otro concepto o aun reforzarlo. De manera que voy a limitar mi comentario a una especie de respuesta, digamos, de los co-patrocinadores del Proyecto de Resolución que figura en el documento CL 94/LIM/2 a las observaciones, a los comentarios, a las enmiendas, que han sido formulados en el Consejo.
Con relación a la República Argentina, es claro que, al co-patrocinar el Proyecto de Resolución, es allí donde ha delineado las prioridades que estima deben ser tenidas en cuenta en este momento. Consideramos, Sr. Presidente, que el Plan de Acción es amplio, es comprensivo y que, por eso mismo, el trabajo debe comenzar ya mismo. Consideramos también que el Consejo tiene autoridad y tiene mandato, de acuerdo a los Estatutos de esta Organización, para actuar como Organo ejecutivo de la misma. El artículo XXIV de los Textos Básicos dispone que el Consejo actuará en nombre de la Conferencia entre los períodos de sesiones de ésta, en calidad de Organo ejecutivo de la misma, adoptando decisiones en asuntos que no sea necesario someter a su consideración. Obviamente, éste es un asunto que la Conferencia ha delegado en el Consejo; porque, de otra manera, hubiera pedido que el Plan de Acción le fuera presentado a ella en su siguiente período de sesiones. En cambio, ha solicitado que se presente a este período de sesiones del Consejo.
Nosotros estamos seguros de que en el ánimo de los co-patrocinadores de la Resolución que pide este Plan de Acción nunca estuvo el demorar la acción de la FAO un año más para que la Conferencia decidiera.
Tenemos la gran satisfacción de ver que este Proyecto de Resolución ha concitado el interés y el apoyo generalizado de las Delegaciones que asisten al Consejo, y también de ver que tantas de ellas han señalado similares prioridades a las señaladas en el Proyecto de Resolución.
En los debates que se ha mantenido ha quedado claro que el Consejo estima que debemos hacernos cargo de que hay un sentido de urgencia, un sentido de que no demoremos más las cosas. Por esta razón pedimos a las delegaciones que han formulado observaciones o enmiendas en el sentido de dejar que esto sea decidido por la Conferencia y que el Consejo simplemente formule recomendaciones para que la Conferencia las adopte, que reconsideren su posición porque, como ya dijimos antes, la Conferencia delegó en el Consejo. Por otra parte, la Conferencia es siempre soberana y puede el año que viene, si así lo estima pertinente, ampliar, modificar o formular otras directivas que no estén contenidas en este proyecto de resolución que viene a lo que nosotros estimamos inmediato, a lo que nosotros estimamos que puede empezarse a hacer, sin prejuzgar sobre otras cuestiones que sí atañerán el año próximo a la Conferencia.
Con relación a algunas de las observaciones que se han hecho, debo señalar que la efectuada por la delegación de Suiza deriva de un problema de traducción. Creemos que hay otras delegaciones de habla inglesa, o que se manejan en inglés, que también han tenido pequeños problemas derivados de una no ajustada traducción. Les pedimos que se pongan en comunicación con nosotros porque estamos seguros que se puede encontrar una fórmula satisfactoria en todos los idiomas. Insistimos, está todo el mundo en este Consejo de acuerdo con la sustancia de la Resolución y con el sentido de urgencia que debe guiar nuestros trabajos en esta cuestión particular: la integración de la mujer en el desarrollo agrícola y rural. No queremos escatimar esfuerzos para que esta comprensión se haga ya a nivel de blanco y negro, digamos, a nivel de escritura.
Con relación a todo el resto de las inquietudes, que yo no voy a nombrar porque no he tenido tiempo de tomar nota, que han sido formuladas, o que puedan formularse, también pedimos a las delegaciones interesadas que comenten con nosotros estas inquietudes para tratar que sean tenidos en cuenta.
La delegación de Yugoslavia formuló muy precisas enmiendas al Proyecto de Resolución. Según teníamos nosotros anotado, en el párrafo 2 del Proyecto de Resolución, se sugería reemplazar donde dice: "con los recursos existentes", por: "dentro del límite de los recursos existentes". Nosotros creemos que esto no es nada más que un cambio semántico, y no cambia el significado. Lo que sí quisiéramos es que el Consejo fuera consciente de que lo que dice el párrafo 2, es decir que el Consejo cree que las actividades que están mencionadas desde la a) hasta la f), pueden ser llevadas a cabo con los recursos existentes. Esto es lo que estamos diciendo, que el Consejo cree esto, y si el Consejo se equivoca y la Secretaría no puede ni actualizar sus procesos administrativos y operativos, ni formular los lineamientos, ni diseñar el programa de capacitación y demás, con los recursos existentes, entonces la Secretaría nos informará el año próximo de que no ha tenido dinero para hacer ninguna de las cosas que se le piden de la a) a la f).
Quisiéramos que la formulación que dice: "pueden ser realizadas" se mantenga, en la medida de lo posible, ya que creemos que es fundamental que tanto la Secretaría de la FAO como los Estados Miembros tengamos de una vez para siempre la imagen correcta de que las actividades en favor de la mujer no son un plan especial y aparte de todas las actividades de la FAO, sino que son parte necesaria e integrante de todas las actividades de la FAO. Por el mismo motivo preferiríamos no incluir en el párrafo 5, como ha sido propuesto por la delegación de Yugoslavia, imaginamos que con un espíritu generoso y amplio, la petición de recursos extrapresupuestarios. Por esto mismo, para resaltar la pertinencia de la cuestión que nos ocupa en el Programa Regular de la FAO.
Si la Conferencia el año próximo no puede adoptar un Programa de Labores y Presupuesto que haga suficiente justicia a este bien detallado esquema de trabajo, en ese caso la Conferencia decidirá, si desea pedir eventualmente para esta o para alguna otra cuestión ayuda extrapresupuestaria; pero queremos dejar bien sentado que nosotros creemos que la ejecución del Plan de Acción es un paso más dentro de los trabajos habituales ordinarios de la FAO.
En relación a la observación que la delegación de Yugoslavia había hecho al párrafo 4, creíamos que había sido ya explicado por el corrigendum que había hecho el Embajador de México. Lo que nosotros estamos pidiendo a los Comités Principales de la FAO en este proyecto, entendiendo por estos el COFI, el COFO, el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria, el COAG y el Comité de Productos Básicos, es que en su próximo período de sesiones, o sea en el de cada uno de ellos, después de esta sesión del Consejo, ellos traten este tema para dar directivas precisas, ¿con qué objeto? con el objeto de ajustar el Plan de Acción, con el objeto de particularizarlo, con el objeto de poder posibilitar a la Secretaría, contar con las opiniones de los Estados Miembros acerca de esta cuestión tan importante en cada una de las áreas de las actividades sustantivas de la FAO. Creemos que es una obligación de los Estados Miembros dar sus opiniones, así como se han dado en este foro en términos generales acerca de las prioridades y de los procedimientos que tenemos que adoptar.
Toda la argumentación que acabo de desarrollar hay que aplicarla también a las sugerencias con relación al párrafo 7. La delegación de Yugoslavia había propuesto que en lugar de informarse al 96 período del Consejo, se hiciera un informe al 98 período de sesiones; o sea a partir de ahora en dos años de tiempo.
Creemos que aun cuando no se pueda hacer tantísimo en todos los rubros que estamos pidiendo al Director General que tome medidas inmediatas; aun cuando no se pueda lograr todo, es importante tener un informe acerca de los obstáculos que, por ejemplo, pueden haberse encontrardo en el cumplimiento de esta Resolución, acerca de lo que se va a poner a consideración de la Conferencia. Nosotros estamos pidiendo aquí que se informe sobre una serie de elementos del Plan de Acción y entonces pensamos que el Consejo, que es quien está dando este mandato, puede tomar en consideración todo lo que la Secretaría ha podido producir como aquéllo que no haya podido producir, para después poder elevarlo a la Conferencia, en el marco de los temas pertinentes que pueden ser el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, la situación de la Mujer o problemas de personal. Esto se verá en su momento.
No tengo presente otras inquietudes en este momento para contestar. Nos parece que ha sido acertado el llamamiento efectuado por varias delegaciones de que esta Resolución sea adoptada por consenso, ya que estimamos que es un tema que puede, como bien lo demostró el proceso previo de preparación, acercar a las delegaciones de todos los continentes y de todas las situaciones económicas, del norte y el sur y de todas las regiones. Estimamos que sería interesante que aun cuando las observaciones no se hayan adelantado todavía, si hay alguna inquietud especial, se nos trasmita para obtener un resultado del trabajo conjunto de común acuerdo entre todos los miembros de esta Organización.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): La Doctora Spring hizo una excelente presentación que nos permite confirmar que la estructura de la FAO se ha puesto en buenas manos, el servicio a través del cual las mujeres participan esencialmente en las actividades de producción agrícola y desarrollo rural. La Doctora Spring encuentra una huella grata de inteligencia y competencia que dejó su antecesora la Doctora Ruth Finney; pero estamos seguros de que la Doctora Spring estará a la altura del cumplimiento de sus altas responsabilidades.
Este debate ha sido afortunado desde sus comienzos porque fue inaugurado por nuestra colega y amiga la Sra. Gunella Kurten, de Finlandia, a nombre de los países nórdicos. Países nórdicos altruistas y generososo que realmente se preocupan por estos asuntos con interés y devoción absoluta y con ejemplos pragmáticos, como fue en el caso de uno de esos países, Noruega, en su más alta estructura jerárquica de Gobierno.
Colombia es uno de los copatrocinadores del Proyecto de Resolución, y si sólo intervenimos ahora, es porque nos hemos sentido muy bien representados en nuestros colegas de México, Cuba, Argelia, Nicaragua y España. Nos toca el privilegio de haber seguido en el uso de la palabra a nuestra colega y amiga la Sra. Monica Deregibus, de Argentina, quien con competencia, conocimiento y lucidez habló a nombre de todos los copatrocinadores.
Apoyamos plenamente todo lo que dijo nuestra colega argentina sobre todo en relación con el texto mismo del Proyecto de Resolución.
Ojalá que nuestra distinguida colega y amiga de Yugoslavia quien hizo alguna propuesta con ánimo constructivo, entienda que hemos apreciado su contribución y que tratamos de reflejar, en la medida de lo posible, las ideas que ella expuso esta mañana.
Nuestra colega argentina quien ella sí es una abogada competente, presentó ya ante el Consejo la disposición de los textos básicos que justifican la adopción por este Consejo de esta Resolución; complementó así lo que había dicho esta mañana la colega de Argelia.
Entendemos muy bien las observaciones juiciosas y debo decir también, Sr. Presidente, sanas hechas por nuestro colega del Reino Unido al decir que no hay Comité de Resoluciones en este Consejo, pero podemos garantizar al Consejo, como lo ha dicho nuestra colega argentina, que a través de una serie de intensas consultas, la función del Comité de Resoluciones que sólo funciona en la Conferencia ha sido inclusive superada por nosotros.
La Secretaría expresó, el Dr. Rafael Moreno, alguna prevención sobre el hecho de que esta Resolución fuera adoptada por el Consejo. Entendemos esa prevención dentro del marco de la crisis financiera pero esperamos que el Dr. Moreno y la Secretaría en general, a través de las explicaciones de los oradores que hemos intervenido en este debate, entienda la razón fundamental por la cual deseamos ahora que este Consejo apruebe este Proyecto de Resolución. Como se dice claramente en el texto, se pide al Director General que en la preparación del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1991 se tengan en cuenta estas sugestiones. Es ahora, cuando está en preparación ese Programa de Labores y
Presupuesto para 1991, que nos interesa que estas ideas queden consignadas en una Resolución. Si aceptásemos el concepto de que esta Resolución debe ser presentada a la Conferencia sería tarde porque ya a la Conferencia se habrá presentado ese Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1991.
Somos conscientes también de que general emente el Consejo solo en ocasiones excepcionales adopta Resoluciones, y lo hace cuando el tema es importante como éste.
Creo que en este Período de Sesiones y a lo mejor en pocos otros anteriores, ningún asunto ha merecido tan general acogida como este Proyecto de Resolución.
Compartimos plenamente las observaciones de algunos colegas que han expresado su apoyo al fondo de este Proyecto de Resolución, pero como lo dijo la colega Argentina, la traducción y otros factores no han impedido que realmente se aclaren algunos aspectos. Estamos seguros de que esto va a lograrse sin afectar el fondo de la Resolución. En el Comité de Redacción están representados algunos de los copatrocinadores y representantes de otros Estados que también han participado en este debate.
Esperamos, Sr. Presidente, así lo desea la Delegación de Colombia, que este Proyecto de Resolución pueda ser aprobado unánimemente por el Consejo para contribuir realmente a que la mujer se vaya integrando al desarrollo.
András SZABO (Hungary): As agreed upon I shall be very brief. Hungary attaches great importance to the human factor. Let me remind you that a UNDP Round Table was devoted to this issue last year in Budapest and its conclusions were circulated in the UN Headquarters during the last year's Session of the General Assembly. With this in mind, we see with satisfaction that FAO has taken up this challenge also and supplied us with a very verbalised, comprehensive Action Plan for the Integration of Women in Development, which deserves our highest appreciation.
My delegation advocates for its implementation as soon as possible, since the problems concerned call for urgent actions. We think all delegations agree that the improvement of the situation of the role of women belong and will belong to FAO priorities, and that is why we do not see any special barriers to starting it at once. We sincerely hope that FAO will dispose of the necessary financial allocations not only for the realization of the aims set in the Plan, but also for its continuous monitoring. We consider that draft resolution contained in document CL 94/LIM/2 as an effective means and incentive for starting the implementation process without delay. For this reason the Hungarian delegation wants to join all those countries represented here who are for its adoption.
Due to the numerous amendments made by several delegates, we would however be happy to see the draft in a new concise form, reflecting all the corrections and suggestions agreed upon by the authors and co-sponsors.
LE PRESIDENT: Il nous reste à entendre six observateurs entre pays, organisations gouvernementales et organisations non gouvernementales. Je voudrais faire une suggestion: nous accueillerons avec beaucoup d'intérêt les observateurs qui voudront bien accepter soit de remettre leur communication au Secrétariat pour insertion au procès verbal, soit de résumer leur intervention et de la transmettre sous forme intégrale au Secrétariat pour insertion au procès verbal car nous avons une contrainte de temps que nous ne pouvons pas ignorer.
Horacio MALTEZ (Observador de Panama): Al ser la primera vez que he intervenido en nuestra calidad de Observador, permítame reiterarle nuestra complacencia por verle dirigir nuevamente las sesiones de este Consejo. Por su conducto, deseamos de la misma manera felicitar a los señores Vicepresidentes por tan merecida elección, lo mismo que a la Dra. Spring por la magnífica presentación del tema a examen.
La Delegación de Panamá manifiesta su total y decidido apoyo al Plan de Acción para la Integración de la Mujer en el Desarrollo. Para nosotros, este Plan de Acción puede y debe representar una respuesta concreta y seria a los objetivos y estrategias para la integración de la mujer al desarrollo en el contexto del ámbito de competencias de la FAO.
Por tales razones y por estar concordes con el pensamiento y las políticas de nuestro país en tal sentido, lo acogemos con gran satisfacción. Asimismo y por lo que se refiere al Proyecto de Resolución sobre dicho Plan de Acción, presentado por las delegaciones de México, Argentina,
Colombia, Argelia, España, Cuba y Nicaragua, al cual se han sumado otros países, nuestra delegación desea expresar también su más decidido apoyo al mismo. Al no ser miembros del Consejo, no podemos estar entre los copatrocinadores de dicha Resolución. Deseamos sin embargo evidenciar y dar constancia de la identificación de la Delegación de Panamá con la misma; hemos seguido en todo momento sus adelantos y estamos encantados con sus copatrocinadores.
Sra. María Eulalia JIMENEZ (Observador de El Salvador): Para contribuir un poco con Ud., remitiré mi intervención a la Secretaría. Pero he querido hacer uso de la palabra en forma muy breve porque considero muy importante recalcar el apoyo de la Delegación de El Salvador al Plan de Acción para la Integración de la Mujer al Desarrollo que nos ha sido presentado, e instar a los Miembros del Consejo a que aprueben el Proyecto de Resolución contenido en el documento LIM/2, al cual damos nuestro más fuerte respaldo.
De esta forma, Sr. Presidente, comenzaremos desde ya a trabajar efectivamente en el Plan de Acción.
Michel-Akis PAPAGEORGIOÜ (Observer for Greece): I will fully comply with your request and I will be very brief. I only would like to stress the great interest that Greece has already shown on women's role in the political and economic development of all societies.
My country has taken the lead repeatedly in initiatives to contribute to the application without any discrimination of the principles of universal human rights, human dignity and human participation of the women to the changing traditions of the economies and of the society of our time. In this respect, Greece considers in the first place, that the Plan of Action for the Integration of Women in Development is about to increase awareness of governments and the general public of international standards concerning the statutes of women to which all governments are today committed. More particularly, we believe that with a Plan of Action, FAO will concentrate our efforts on the elimination of prejudices and the change of image of women through promotion of agricultural professions among women, among the decision-makers, and among the general public of our countries. Furthermore, with the group of measures that are envisaged, we can aim at enhancing women's role in agriculture, in the rural economy and at the same time, of maximising of the economic activities provided to women. In the social sphere also the Plan of Action can help develop and adapt social services to the specific needs of women and there are a wide variety of activities in the social sphere that will secure also women's role in the domestic sphere which is equally affected and influenced by agricultural activities.
Finally, we find the Plan of Action realistic, relevant and coherent. We give it full support. We believe the role of FAO ought to be fundamental to the development of opportunities of women, particularly in areas of FAO's mandate. We are also delighted to associate ourselves with the Draft Resolution of the Plan of Action presented by the delegations of Mexico, Argentina, Algeria and the others in order to ensure that women have an equitable share in the benefits of social economic and technological progress in rural areas and in food-related processes.
Eugène YOUKEL (UNDP): I would like to make a few remarks and I hope they are to the point because this is an item which is of special importance to the UNDP and I would simply like to complement some of the comments that have been made earlier.
My colleagues at Headquarters have studied the Document CL 94/13 in great detail. I will share with you some of their reactions. They find the document to be comprehensive and addressing a variety of issues and placing them in the context of series of other meetings before, especially, Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies and System-Wide Plan and the System-Wide Medium-Term Plan for Women in Development. We also feel that the focus on cross sectoral analysis for women in development as outlined in Chapter 8, is also essential for a more realistic and productive approach to the issue.
I have one point here to make and that is that with respect to Annex 2 relating to the Implementation of the Plan of Action, we feel it could have received better, and I repeat what I have been told by my colleagues in the Divison of Women in Development in New York, better visibility had the Annex been part of the main report itself as its contents set out the principle organ responsible for each substantive area of action.
I would like also to advise the Council here, that early in January this year, the Administrator of UNDP advised the field offices and sent them a set of guidelines to ensure that the role of women in development is given full consideration in all of UNDP's programmes and projects formulated. I
should stress that these guidelines are mandatory for all programmes and projects funded by UNDP resources, the formulation of all projects now are subject to the application of the guidelines. The application of the guidelines is being closely monitored by the Resident Representatives at the field level and by the Action Committee, of which I have been a member myself, and I have seen how Ingrid Eide and Sally Timpson have been looking at each project to ensure that the women's participation in that particular project is safeguarded.
UNDP's Governing Council follows the progress of the implementation of our Plan of Action by including a special item on this important subject at each annual session.
The UNDP is also in the process of finalizing a programme advisory note on women and development, whose section on agricultural and rural development has been prepared in close cooperation with FAO. We also participated in the ACC's Task Force on Rural Development and currently are preparing guidelines for the monitoring and evaluation panel of this task force.
In view of the shortage of time, I would just like to say that we give full support to FAO's Plan of Action for Women in Development. I would also like to add an offer to share with FAO some of the experiences that we have had already in this field, as was suggested this morning by the representatives of the United States of America, The United Kingdom, Japan and others. The suggestion of the delegate of Finland who spoke on behalf of the Nordic countries and who stated that some others have had some experiences in this area which should be taken advantage of, is fully in line with UNDP's views as well. Looking at the draft, I noted items dealing with such focal points as training and increasing the number of staff in the Organization, where we in UNDP have some experience. I recall that in my capacity as ex-Director of Personnel I had a lot of problems in increasing the percentage of women in UNDP from 7 to 25 percent in ten years with the full support of the Administration. Therefore, when I see that in five years it is suggested that the number of women in FAO be increased to 30 percent, I would say that, while the target is ambitious, it is in the right direction. We have a lot of experience by now, through our Division of Women in Development, the Division of NGO's and the people who deal with programme and policy matters, to share with our colleagues in FAO.
We look forward to the application of this Plan of Action and we hope to find in the future more cooperation between the two organizations in this area.
LE PRESIDENT: Il nous reste trois organisations: l'Union mondiale des femmes rurales, la Fédération internationale pour le progrès rural et l'Alliance internationale des femmes.
J'ai compris que ces organisations souhaitent parler mais je tiens à leur dire que nous sommes dans l'obligation de limiter leur temps de parole parce que nous devons encore examiner trois points de l'ordre du jour. Je serais heureux que leur intervention soit brève et ne dépasse pas dix minutes par délégation.
Ms. Lucy BRADER-BRENKEL (Observer for Associated Country Women of the World): My Organization, the Associated Country Women of the World, is happy with document CL 94/13. We especially like the way this document is set up with the clear links to the FLS (Forward Looking Strategies) adopted at the Nairobi Conference in 1985. We welcome the idea of a Plan of Action for women in development in FAO as we have said already on earlier occasions. We are particularly happy with Annex II where the overall task is divided over other departments and divisions of FAO. We all know that the ESHW service (Women in agricultural production and rural devlopment service) is very small. On its own ESHW could never bring about the changes and reorientations of all FAO-programmes.
For years now we have talked about the necessity of bringing women int the mainstream of development. For ACWW this is the most important condition for sustainable development. Women are quite willing to do their manifold tasks. They have done so over the ages in all parts of the world. At least give them the tools to work in a professional way and let them also profit from technical changes and innovations. Apart from alleviating their tasks, this would improve their efficiency in production which is also of interest to the economy of their country.
So we are happy to note that this Plan of Action rightly focusses on women who work in agriculture and food production, either as wage earners or as farmers. That is a specific task of FAO.
From the plan it is clear that a huge task lays ahead for the whole of the Organization of FAO. Over the years the willingness to see women also as agricultural workers has increased in many ways in FAO. There have been quite a number of specific projects for women; notably in irrigation, forestry, fisheries, marketing, integrated pest management and others. Now is the time to recognise that automatically in all programmes of FAO a focus on women must be built-in. Women not only as beneficiaries but also as producers. This reorientation probably must be learned (otherwise it would have been an automatism already for a long time..). In-house training therefore seems to be a logical step and would be most welcome.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, ACWW as a world-wide organization of rural women and female farmers pledges its support to this Plan of Action in FAO. We welcome the meetings proposed in Section VIII 2C between FAO and the major NGO's involved in WID activities. We'll look forward to future progress reports and will follow the action with great interest.
Ms. Francesca RONCHI PROJA (Observer for International Federation for Home Economics): On behalf of the International Federation for Home Economics, which I represent at FAO, I would like first to congratulate Dr. Spring for her appointment as Chief of ESHW, and wish her a successful career in FAO. Second, I express our appreciation to FAO for a very comprehensive, clear and detailed plan of action for the integration of women in development. We have also read with interest the report on the expert consultation held last September, and the recommendations made to FAO for assistance to member Governments. We have noted the draft resolution presented by a number of delegations which we support.
Mr. Chairman, the IFHE has a long history of cooperation with FAO, with which it has had official status for several years. During this period, focus on objectives and activities has changed in IFHE - as it has in FAO. Originally centered mostly on the traditional fields of women's interests and responsibilities within the family-child and family care, food preparation, dressmaking, etc.-, the objectives have enlarged to reflect the new realities and the developments of women situations, aspirations and progress. In reading the FAO plan of action on WID, we find a lot of common ground, common goals, and issues of common concern. I mention some: home economics, nutrition and other family aspects, such as management of family resources and budget; training and education; food safety; rural extension; population problems and responsible parenthood; generation of new resources and income; provision of credit facilities to women, especially in rural areas. Several of these items were the subjects of discussion and reports at the last Congress of IFHE, held in July 1988 in Minneapolis, USA. This important Congress was attended by over 1300 highly qualified participants from more than 80 countries from all regions of the world. Having such a large audience and participation, IFHE can be an excellent forum in support of the objectives which it has in common with FAO. At the same time, FAO can take advantage of the technical knowledge, experience and professional capacity available through IFHE. Incidentally, the new President-elect of IFHE served in the past as an FAO field expert; and many members of IFHE havve served either as FAO officers or consultants or experts, and are therefore quite familiar with the scope and activities of the Organization. We noticed the emphasis placed in the Plan on cooperation with NGOs: I can assure you that there is keen interest for such cooperation at the highest levels' in the Federation.
Speaking of cooperation, perhaps the most profitable field in the long run would be that of training and education, since IFHE primary role is to strengthen the home economics profession, whose ultimate goal is the improvement of the quality of life of families and their memebers. Within this subject, we note in the plan the objective to review and possibly revise curricula and modernize programmes in home economics in institutions of higher education. This is probably required in several developing countries, to take into account changing conditions, and to help women, especially in the rural areas, enter the economic life and participate more actively in the development of the community. Home econcomists are the professional group more qualified for reaching wmen, and through them families in rural areas, and for influencing their attitudes and modes of life.
At this point however, I would like to add a word of warning. In our efforts to assist women to enter new fields of activities, we should give greater attention to the need for more equal share of responsibilities within the family between men and women, we should avoid increasing the already heavy burden which lies on women's shoulders especially in the rural areas of developing countries. It is just not fair that, if women want and decide, as if it is their recognized right, to participate in development - in the sense given to these terms, namely activities outside the limits of the home - they should automatically be obliged to accept two jobs, one within and one outside the home. And it is not fair either that since the activities within the home are considered "women's jobs", they are not seriously considered part of development, they are not seriously recognized at the levels of dignity and respect which they deserve. Let me give only two examples. One is care of the child in the early years of life, which scientists have demonstrated to be the most delicate and determined period for the development of the personality of the future adult the other is nutrition of the child and the family, and we all know how important a balanced diet is for the physical and mental development and well being of individuals. These are almost always the exclusive responsibilities of women, they are important aspects of home economics, yet they are not seriously - I emphasize seriously, considered contributions to development. The proof is that those subjects together with home eocnomics, are slowly disappearing from the curricula of primary and secondary schools even for girls, instead of being emphasized and shared - as they should be - for both boys and girls - perhaps it should be given a different, more acceptable title, for example "education for family life?". We would like in fact that men should be given equal opportunty with women to share such important responsibilities, which have an enormous influence on the development of countries. I know that it is not easy to accept a goal which implies a change of long ingrained
traditions, but we have to count on the new generations and educate them, if we really want women to achieve the aim of full participation in development.
I terminate my statement, Mr. Chairman, and look forward to a future of fruitful cooperation between IFHE and FAO in the implementation of the plan of action.
Ms. Sarojini PILLAY (Observer for International Alliance of Women): I am making this intervention not only on behalf of my own organization, the International Alliance of Women, but also on behalf of my colleagues next to me here - the International Council of Women and the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations - who do not wish to ask for your time in view of the urgency of the other programmes. They are fully supportive of the points I am now going to raise.
At the outset we would like to congratulate Dr. Spring and FAO for the excellence and comphrensiveness of the document presented for discussion. This is indeed a very special document as it implies a reassessment of FAO's own priorities and action plans on WID. I would like to assure Dr. Spring of the wholehearted support of my organization and those of my colleagues in the implementation of these guidelines laid down in the document.
All our organizations - these women's organizations - have affiliates in various countries. My organization has affiliates in 64 countries, and so we are in a special position to play a substantive role in the realization of the objectives of these guidelines for full integration of women in the process of development at rural as well as the urban levels and in practical training in the various relevant concerns. In this context I particularly welcome FAO's action plan of organization for a meeting of major NGOs involved in WID activities, as stated on page 24 of document CL 94/13. My organization would also like to go on record as fully supportive of the resolution presented by the delegates of Mexico and others this morning. I would, however, like to mention a few concerns that my organization has found to be a particularly important constraint in the full integration of women in the development process, especially in the rural context. Facilities for credit without collateral and modification of inheritance laws where essential to ensure equal rights of inheritance of land and other property that would give equal economic and civil status to women are two very important fields that need immediate action to alleviate disparities between the sexes. I would like to request the government delegations here to give these legal issues priority attention. I congratulate the delegate of Zambia this morning for so forcefully stating this issue.
In the field of education and training, especially for rural women, I would like to stress that women should be educated so as fully to understand their rights and privileges to equal participation in the social, political and economic fabrics of their immediate surroundings and to take full advantage of their rights.
A well-organized extension service is imperative to this and women's non-governmental organizations have a significant role to play here. However, what to my mind and in the experience of my organization is of vital importance - and I would like to emphasize this point above all else - is the education of men to ensure their realization of their part of the rights and privileges of women, particularly their own wives and daughters, to equal rights of participation as the men themselves in the lives of their communities and within their own families. This is a vital social issue that affects closely the personal lives of women, the welfare of their families and, by extension, the role of women in society.
Giuseppe VASTA (Observateur de l'Organisation pour la coopération et le développement économique): Eviter de prendre la parole sur un sujet si important comme celui concernant le Plan d'action pour l'intégration des femmes dans le développement serait comparable à une espèce de trahison à l'égard de la femme vue dans le contexte de mère, de soeur, de fille, d'épouse. Elle a sans doute les mêmes droits que l'homme et il faut bien reconnaître qu'elle mérite que lui soit attribué l'appellatif de sexe le plus fort. Je pense qu'il ne faut pas considérer la femme seulement dans le contexte limité du développement agricole, mais dans un contexte beaucoup plus large, en tenant compte surtout du côté spirituel de la femme. Dans la majeure partie des cas la sérénité, la paix, l'amour dans une maison dépendent d'elle, de cette créature merveilleuse qui mérite toute considération, tout appui et toute reconnaissance de la part de l'homme, de la part des gouvernements, de la part de l'Etat, en un mot de la part de la communauté toute entière.
Et alors que toute initiative pour mettre en lumière ces dons et ce charisme de la femme soit bénie et encouragée. Un développement sans l'aide de la femme serait incomplet et déséquilibré.
Monsieur le Président, je pense qu'il ne faut pas laisser échapper cette occasion pour rendre hommage à cet être incomparable, merveilleux et irremplaçable qu'est la femme et lui faire sentir tout le poids de notre solidarité. 1/
1/ Texte reçu avec demande d'insertion au procès-verbal.
Sra. María Eulalia JIMENEZ (Observador de El Salvador): Con relación al tema que nos ocupa, elementos de juicio suficientes han sido expuestos en esta sala por los miembros del Consejo.
La relegación de El Salvador, en su calidad de observador, desea respaldar los conceptos vertidos, unimos nuestra voz a las declaraciones hechas por las delegaciones de México, Argentina, Argelia y Colombia.
Damos nuestro total apoyo al plan de acción contenido en el documento 94/13, el cual fue presentado en forma excelente por la Señora Spring. Agradecemos a la Secretaría la presentación de este documento.
Hay cuestiones que no compartimos plenamente en este plan de acción y que estimamos podrían ser mejoradas. Sin embargo, lo importante en esta ocasión creemos que es contar con este marco de acción, que nos lleve a mejorar efectivamente la situación de la mujer en nuestros países.
Es necesario, Señor Presidente, y mi delegación ya lo ha planteado en otras oportunidades, que dejemos ya de elaborar proyectos especiales para la mujer como si ella fuera un animal raro al que hay que darle una ocupación. Esta la tiene y hasta demasiado. La mujer debe estar integrada en forma adecuada en los proyectos de desarrollo que se lleven a cabo en nuestros países, trabajando en forma conjunta con el hombre.
Para lograr esta integración, sin embargo, es fundamental, Señor Presidente, una mayor conciencia de la problemática específica de la mujer. Tenemos primero que estar sinceramente convencidos nosotros para después llevar a todos los niveles ese convencimiento.
Mi delegación lamenta no ser miembro del Consejo, ya que ello nos impide copatrocinar el proyecto de resolución que ha sido sometido a la consideración del Consejo.
Estimamos que el mismo permitirá hacer operativas toda esa serie de resoluciones que sobre la mujer han sido adoptadas. Llevamos ya muchos años en esta lucha, como bien han indicado en esta sala tantos oradores, pero quizás ha faltado convencimiento sincero. Muchas cosas han sido realizadas es cierto, se ha progresado bastante, pero todavía queda mucho que hacer y quizás lo que falta es lo más difícil.
Tenemos que continuar esta dura tarea, la FAO y los gobiernos.
Instamos pues a los miembros del Consejo a que hagan suyo este proyecto de resolución.
Debemos trabajar desde ya en lo que se puede, lo cual a nuestro entender está claramente reflejado en el dispositivo 2 del proyecto de resolución, estas actividades pueden ser realizadas con los recursos ya existentes.
Como dijo la delegada de México, debemos ir de prisa ya que hemos comenzado tarde. 1/
LE PRESIDENT: Nous arrivons ainsi à la fin des débats relatifs à l'integration de la femme dans le développement. Il n'y a pas eu moins de 46 orateurs qui ont pris part aux débats, c'est dire, comme l'a dit le représentant de la Colombie, que ce sujet a suscité l'intérêt de tout le Conseil.
Avant de passer la parole au Secrétariat et compte-tenu de la discussion qui a eu lieu sur la résolution, je voudrais proposer au Conseil de constituer un petit groupe de contact, avant que la résolution ne passe dans les mains du Comité de Rédaction. Pour ce groupe de contact, je proposerais le Mexique, l'Argentine, la Yougoslavie et le Royaume-Uni. Il ya eu une unanimité pour que la résolution soit approuvée, mais il y a quelques points à fignoler. Je suis persuadé que ce groupe de contact pourra facilement arriver à une conclusion qui permette d'approuver rapidement cette résolution.
1/ Texto incluido en las actas a petición expresa.
Sra. Margarita LIZARRAGA (Mexico): Señor Presidente, con mucho gusto atenderemos el encargo que nos acaba de conferir usted. Yo quisiera solamente proponerle que estuviera incluido dentro de este grupo la honorable Representante de Finlandia, porque con el grupo nordico hemos trabajado muy activamente.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Señor Presidente, la colega Lizárraga, de México, se nos adelantó. Creemos que la participación de Finlandia, a nombre de los nórdicos, es fundamental.
Sra. Mónica DEREGIBUS (Argentina): No es para agrandar desmasiado el grupo, Señor Presidente, pero yo sugeriría que también la Delegación de Canadá participara, si a usted le parece bien, en nuestros trabajos.
LE PRESIDENT: J'accueille vos propositions. Il y aurait donc six délégations: le Mexique, l'Argentine, la Yougoslavie, le Royaume-Uni, la Finlande et le Canada.
Muhammad Saleem KHAN (Pakistan): Whilst we are adding names to the list could I recommend that we add the name of India.
LE PRESIDENT: Je crois que nous pouvons nous en arrêter là car il faut aboutir vite. Le groupe serait donc composé du Mexique, de l'Argentine, de la Yougoslavie, du Royaume-Uni, de la Finlande, du Canada, et de l'Inde. Si nous sommes trop nombreux nous risquerons de ne pas arriver à un résultat.
Nous laissons l'initiative de cette réunion aux auteurs de la résolution, le Mexique et l'Argentine. C'est à eux d'organiser cette réunion.
Ms. Anita SPRING (FAO Staff): We would like to acknowledge with gratitude the very broad support for the Plan of Action for the Integration of Women in Development. Additionally, we would like to add our thanks for the expression of support of the introduction to the topic.
Let me say that we fully acknowledge the comments and suggestions made by the delegates and in the debate and would thank the distinguished delegates for their careful reading of the documents and for their broad understandings of the issues.
It is correct to say that we are not starting from zero by any means. We have had a lot of cooperation with other units in the Organization. The Plan does not deny what has taken place already but in fact builds on them. For example, the Forestry Department has created a special programme for local community development and has integrated women into its mainstream activities and developed women-specific projects. Fisheries have developed a plan to channel financial resources to women in fisherfolk organizations and women in fish marketing. The Department or Core Group on Women in Fisheries continue to scrutinize pipeline projects to include women.
In animal husbandry, activities for women have included a major programme for dairying.
The market and credit service has developed farmer to farmer teaching methods to promote skills and information related to marketing among women. The agrarian reform and land settlement service is studying the effect on drought and women. There are various units of the house which have already played their part and will continue to do so.
However, we appreciate the comments made on priorities, and as I mentioned we have set priorities in terms of a number of items; namely, the four-phase training programme, the establishment of focal points, strengthening linkages of the regular and field programmes, and reorienting the curriculum in home economics. Additionally, we will focus on upgrading women's technical, agricultural and management skills in the different farming systems and addressing the relationship between the integration of WID and women's reproductive behaviour. These priorities will be reflected in our Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1990/91.
It seems as though everyone agrees with the need for massive staff training. We fully agree as well, and have targeted this particular topic for extra consideration. This Programme will focus on staff training, on how exactly gender issues can be effectively taken into consideration in the design, implementation and monitoring of the projects. The methodology of the training programme will be based on a very pragmatic operational approach and will be developed in accordance with FAO's current technical activities. The first to be trained will be those officers immediately responsible for project formulation and execution. Let me say in the design of our training programme efforts will be made to learn from the experiences gained from similar types of programmes that are currently being carried out within the major organizations in the UN system. Our timetable is such that we will make a preliminary needs assessment in December 1988. Stage two will survey training materials and techniques from the other UN agencies and the bilaterals and this will be done in early 1989. Stage three will deal with the collective strategy for the organization and we hope that our first training programme will take place in the Fall of 1989 for at least some members of the organization.
We will rely on the assistance of the Inter Divisional Working Group of Women in Development to help us to coordinate our efforts with the technical unit. In addition, we will not neglect cooperation with other human agencies. Thus far, in collaboration with INSTRAW, FAO has supported an international seminar on checklist and guidelines for reaching women farmers. It has worked for UNDP on a project in Africa as a follow-up to the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies. Also it has worked with UNFPA on various population projects. Annually, we attend the UN Inter-Agency Annual Meeting in Vienna and FAO there provides information on food and agriculture. In fact, the Organization put forth the various issues in front of the ACC Task Force. We look forward to greater collaboration with IFAD which is just in its incipient stages. We especially desire to learn about the various programmes about women in development concerned with agriculture of the bilaterals.
Regarding the comment that regional and global exchanges should be strengthened, I am pleased to announce the workshop in May of 1989 covering the Asian countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. This type of meeting will be repeated in other regions. In terms of statistics and indicators we are already working with the technical units to delineate and increase the usage of women in agriculture indicators in FAO guidelines. We are making efforts to disaggregate the indictors by sex of household head, and we are promoting an analysis by gender for the 1990 round of the World Agriculture Census. In terms of monitoring and evaluation, as I noted, the first steps have already been carried out. All FAO regular programme and field activities have been coded as to how they target women as beneficiaries. The results show there is about a 30 percent inclusion. The results will be entered into the computer system and the data will be analysed thoroughly.
We will also develop monitoring and evaluation techniques for the Inter Divisional Working Group on Women in Development for internal monitoring of the implementation of the Plan of Action.
A number of delegates have stressed the need to discuss resource allocation directly. I welcome the opportunity to do so. First, we acknowledge that we have to build up our staff to its former strength. Financial considerations permitting we will move in that direction. Secondly, let me reiterate that in the regular programme we will turn attention to funding the priorities that we had delineated. We believe that we have the funds to start the process. For example, we have budgeted for the four-phase training programme to develop methods and materials. Having said that, probably we can fund some of the training at Headquarters and an occasional part of the training for the field staff. However, to do a thorough job and reach the large number of staff at Headquarters - there are about 1,500 and 1,200 in the field - we will need extra budgetary resources to carry out the comprehensive strategy. A number of delegates requested that we operationalize our plans in terms of providing a timetable, a planning schedule and realistic budgets. We are willing to present a concrete and selective type of document in this regard.
Finally, we would develop this Plan for the 96th Session. However, in terms of fulfilling the resolution we would prefer to present something of substance in the optimal time, which is only two years away, for the 98th Session of Council in 1990 as we move into the new biennium.
Sr. Rafael MORENO ROJAS (Director, Dirección de Recursos Humanos, Instituciones y Reforma Agraria): Solo dos o tres observaciones finales. Creo que las respuestas de la Doctora Spring, cubren en su gran mayoría lo que ha sido el debate del Consejo.
La Secretaría, tal como ha sido anunciado está a disposición de las delegaciones, ya sea en consultas informales, como durante el trabajo del Comité de Redacción, para contribuir a la finalización de la Resolución que ha sido presentada. La Resolución como ha sido también parte del
debate será contenida en el informe mismo del Consejo, el cual de acuerdo con el procedimiento de la Organización será sometido a la próxima Conferencia de la FAO para que tome conocimiento pleno de lo que ha sido el acuerdo de este Consejo, de los debates y, así como también la manera en que aquí se han discutido.
Asimismo, tendremos a disposición de quienes estén analizando materias pertinentes en este mismo aspecto, todo el material y los textos que aquí se han incluido, ya sea en los verbatim, como en la Resolución misma, a aquellas personas que dentro del Comité del Programa y de Finanzas, o trabajando para ellos, estarán en condiciones de conocer con mayor profundidad cuáles son las orientaciones en materia de políticas, de programas y de actividades específicas, en las cuales este tema ha sido señalado aquí en el Consejo.
Horacio CARANDANG (Philippines): As regards the resolution, you have set up a mechanism to settle the differences. I am hopeful we can come to an easy resolution of the issues that have been raised. With regard to the Plan of Action for Women in Development itself, there were some minor amendments proposed during the debate and I was wondering how you are going to handle this matter.
Rafael MORENO ROJAS (Director, Human Resources, Institutions and Agrarian Reform): The Secretary has taken careful note of the statements made by the different delegates, including the specific comments made by the delegate from the Philippines. I believe that we could incorporate them into the final text of the Plan of Action because they are merely complementing what is there already, there is nothing of substance to change the Plan of Action itself. So if the distinguished delegate of the Philippines agrees with this proposal we will introduce the amendments and the corrections taking into account his suggestions.
LE PRESIDENT: Cette question a soulevé un grand intérêt de la part de tous les Etats membres ainsi que de tous les observateurs; on peut dire que le Conseil unanime a souligné l'importance particulière de l'intégration des femmes dans le processus de développement, notamment du développement agricole et rural qui nous intéresse au plus haut point, et ce dans toutes ses composantes, y compris la transformation des produits et leur écoulement. Le Conseil a également insisté pour que l'on passe du stade de l'identification à celui de l'action.
Le Conseil unanime a approuvé le Plan d'action présenté par le Secrétariat de la FAO tout en ajoutant quelques rectifications.
Le Conseil unanime a recommandé qu'une résolution soit préparée et présentée pour approbation définitive à la Conférence, afin qu'elle devienne opérationnelle dans les meilleurs délais.
Comme l'a souligné Monsieur Moreno, il est important que ce projet de résolution figure dans le Rapport du Conseil car il est clair que le Conseil a été chargé de mettre au point une action énergique et significative; dès que le projet de résolution aura été rédigé, il sera très utile pour la suite de nos opérations.
Le Conseil a également manifesté le voeu que d'une manière ou une autre, l'on puisse faire figurer dans le Programme de travail et budget le coût et l'esquisse d'un programme d'action.
Quelques délégués ont souligné que bien que la FAO ait un rôle prédominant dans ce secteur, il est bon qu'elle coordonne son activité avec d'autres organisations internationales ou ONG afin d'éviter les double emploi et de ménager nos ressources.
Enfin, beaucoup de délégués ont insisté sur le fait qu'au niveau de l'Organisation et des Etats Membres, cette sensibilisation à l'action de la femme est de la plus haute importance, que ce soit sur le plan de la formation du personnel, de l'incitation ou de la vulgarisation.
Il me semble que ce débat a été très utile et important; le processus est maintenant déclenché et nous sommes persuadés qu'il aboutira rapidement à quelque chose de cohérent correspondant aux voeux de pratiquement toutes les délégations ici présentes.
Eberhard E. LÜHE (Director, Office for Inter-Agency Affairs): While listening to the very interesting debate on the advancement of women during this morning and part of the afternoon, and also watching the clock, I have decided to cut out whole paragraphs of my introduction I hope it is still intelligible.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the agenda item entitled Recent Developments in the United Nations System of Interest to FAO. This subject was discussed by the FAO Conference at its 24th Session in November 1987 and the Council now has before it document CL 94/12 which reviews the recent developments in the United Nations system since the FAO Conference in November 1987.
To begin with, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that, although document CL 94/12 covers a wide range of matters taken up within the United Nations system, it is certainly not exhaustive. The document is necessarily selective and it focuses mainly on those developments in the United Nations system which are considered to be of particular interest to the Organization.
As document CL 94/12 is up-to-date until the beginning of September of this year, there are only few recent developments which I need to report to you at this time.
The United Nations General Assembly is now holding its 43rd regular session in New York. There are many items on the agenda of the General Assembly which are of concern to FAO. I shall refer to some of them in the course of my statement.
As the document before you was prepared after the conclusion of the second regular session of ECOSOC, the resolutions and decisions of ECOSOC at its organizational, first and second regular sessions of 1988 have been taken into account in its preparation. Among the subjects discussed by ECOSOC, the following were of particular interest to FAO: food problems including the fight against locust and grasshopper infestation in Africa, narcotic drugs, UN Programme of Action for Africa (UN-PAAERD), United Nations assistance programmes relating to Afghanistan, trade and development, international cooperation on environment, operational activities for development, revitalization of ECOSOC, and the in-depth study of the United Nations intergovernmental structure and functions in the economic and social fields.
It may also be of interest to you that, following a recommendation of ECOSOC, the General Assembly in New York has approved the inclusion of Mozambique in the list of least developed countries.
On the revitalization issue you will note that in the document before you reference is made to ECOSOC Resolution 1988/77 on the revitalization of ECOSOC, which we consider a very significant development at the second regular session of ECOSOC, and which affects to a large extent the specialized agencies. The resolution attempts to strengthen the role of ECOSOC in policy formulation, monitoring, operational activities, and coordination. Considerable emphasis is laid on an improved dialogue between members of the Economic and Social Council and the heads of the United Nations agencies. Furthermore, new reporting requirements are introduced for the agencies, which are invited to "resume submission of analytical summaries of their annual reports". The Organizational Committee of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC), at its meeting in October 1988, reviewed the provisions of the resolution with a view to finding practical arrangements for a better dialogue and more in general to defining a common position on how inter-agency mechanisms can best contribute to the effort of revitalisation of ECOSOC. The committee decided to invite the Director-General for Development and International Economic Cooperation to arrange for an informal meeting between members of ECOSOC and member organizations of the ACC in order to clarify a number of issues which are not quite clear from the text of the resolution, and to determine future directions.
Throughout 1988 FAO has continued to cooperate fully with the other organizations of the system through both formal and informal arrangements, including the coordinating machinery established under the aegis of the Administrative Committee on Coordination. These activities ensure a close cooperation among the organizations of the system, particularly at a time when member governments are devoting more attention to coordination issues, to enhance the efficiency of the system and to optimize the use of resources. The Director-General participated in both sessions of ACC in 1988, as he did in previous years. At the recent session of ACC in October 1988, the executive heads had a full exchange of views on, among other things, structural adjustment and social aspects of development, the new international development strategy, and sustainable and environmentally sound development.
FAO continues to play an active role in not only the ACC itself, but also in the different subsidiary bodies of ACC. Among these I should mention in particular the ACC Task Force on Rural Development, in which FAO, as the Chairman, continues to provide leadership for the United Nations system. FAO also plays a very significant role in the ACC Sub-Committee on Nutrition. As you will
see in the document before you, the secretariat of the Sub-Committee on Nutrition has just been transferred from FAO to WHO following the principle of periodic rotation of the secretariat among member agencies.
While still on the subject of ACC, I should like to mention that, through resolution 1988/64 adopted at its second regular session of 1988, ECOSOC decided that in future the joint meetings of the United Nations Committee on Programme and Coordination (CPC), the United Nations Programme Committee, as it were, and the ACC should be held in future in New York in conjunction with the autumn session of the ACC, instead of the current arrangement of holding them in Geneva in conjunction with the ECOSOC session. This was done in order to facilitate the participation of the members of the CPC at a high level, as well as the participation of the executive heads of the specialized agencies of the United Nations.
Turning to the document before you I would like to draw your attention to the first substantive section entitled "Operational activities for development", and in particular to the sub-section on the Jansson case studies.
At its forty-second session in 1987, the General Assembly considered the Jansson report and the views of the organizations of the United Nations system on the main findings of the report. In paragraph 2 of resolution 42/196 entitled "Operational activities for development", the General Assembly invited "the governing bodies of the organizations of the United Nations development system to discuss in detail, at their next sessions, the conclusions and recommendations of the report on the findings of the case studies and to submit their views to the Economic and Social Council".
As the General Assembly was expected to discuss this matter again under agenda item "Operational activities for development" at its forty-third session beginning September 1988 and the next FAO Council after passage of this resolution was not to be held until November 1988, it was considered important to submit the matter to the FAO Programme Committee in May 1988 so that its views could be submitted to ECOSOC in July 1988 and, subsequently, to the forty-third session of the General Assembly from September to December 1988.
The results of the Programme Committee's deliberations are noted in the report of the Joint Meetings of the Programme and Finance Committees, document CL 94/3, and were conveyed to the second regular session of ECOSOC in July 1988. The views of the governing bodies of various organizations of the United Nations system, including those of the FAO Programme Committee, have been considered by the Second Committee of the General Assembly in its just-concluded debate on operational activities for development. The latest information I have is that the Second Committee is now considering two draft resolutions on operational activities for development -- one submitted by Canada on behalf of eight donor country co-sponsors, and the other submitted by Tunisia on behalf of the Group of 77.
With regard to the critical economic situation in Africa, in particular the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action (UN-PAAERD), you may note in paragraph 21 of the document before you that the General Assembly decided, at its forty-second session in 1987, to establish an Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole to prepare the mid-term review and appraisal of UN-PAAERD prior to its forty-third session in 1988. Accordingly, the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole met in New York from 12 to 24 September 1988. After long negotiations, it recommended to the General Assembly that it adopt the conclusions of the mid-term review and appraisal of the implementation of UN-PAAERD. This review consisted of an assessment of the implementation of the Programme for the first two years and of proposed measures to accelerate the implementation of the programme. It also recommended to the General Assembly that it decide to conduct a final review and appraisal of the implementation of the UN-PAAERD at its forty-sixth session in 1991.
The conclusions reached by the Committee of the Whole are basically in two parts: Part I presents an assessment of the implementation of the Programme; Part II includes measures for accelerating the implementation of the Programme. In the assessment part of the report, it is stated that agriculture, on which more than 75 percent of Africa's people depend for their livelihood, has been a major area of sectoral reform. More countries have given higher priority to channelling resources to agriculture with the aim of achieving greater food security and increased agricultural production. Yet, the result is not fully satisfactory, as these efforts have been hindered by recurrent and persisent droughts, locust infestation and other natural phenomena, and an unfavourable external environment, such as the decline in commodity prices and the debt burden.
In Part II the report recommends that the African countries should continue to concentrate their efforts on agriculture and its supporting sectors, on the rehabilitation and development of agro-industries, the fight against drought, desertification and pests, and the other sectoral priorities identified in the Programme. The report further recommends that the African countries should intensify their efforts to establish early warning systems and national food security
arrangements, diversify exports, improve export performance, and maintain the incomes of farmers at appropriate levels. It attaches particular importance to ensuring that women have access to agricultural extension services, credit, land titles and new technologies.
For the international community, an increased flow of financial resources to Africa, the creation of a more favourable international environment for trade and commodities, and special measures to reduce the external debt burden are recommended.
In the section on World Food Council, the document before you reports on the outcome of the Fourteenth Ministerial Session held in May 1988 in Nicosia, Cyprus. I draw your particular attention to the Cyprus Initiative Against Hunger adopted by the Session.
In his statement to you on 17 November 1988, Mr. Trant, Executive Director of the World Food Council, spoke in some detail about the Cyprus Initiative. He mentioned the support given to the Cyprus Initiative by the Director-General of FAO, which was also reflected in the FAO statement made at the Second Committee of the General Assembly. Mr. Trant also informed the Council of the informal ad hoc Consultative Group which was established in October by the WFC president, he gave details about its task, its composition, its calendar of meetings, etc. Therefore, I do not have to dwell on this but I should like to emphasise that the Secretariats of the two Organizations are in close contact with regard to practical arangements for co-operation in this area, and all of FAO's published and unpublished analytical material and information is put at the disposal of the World Food Council.
Paragraphs 51 to 72 of document CL 94/12 report on progress in the GATT multilateral trade negotiations - the Uruguay Round - since mid-1987 in the areas of principal concern to FAO and on the support provided by FAO to the negotiations regarding agriculture, tropical products and natural resource-based products. Since preparing the document in front of you, each of the Negotiating Groups established to deal with these three important areas, agriculture, tropical products and natural resource-based products, has continued its work with a focus, most recently, on the development of inputs to serve as a basis for the mid-term review of the Uruguay Round to be held in Montreal next month. This mid-term review, already referred to by many Members of the Council earlier in this session, will be conducted at Ministerial level by the Trade Negotiations Committee which supervises the Uruguay Round negotiations. We share the hopes expressed here for a successful conclusion of the mid-term review.
Briefly with regard to environment and the broader concept of sustainable development, you have before you a separate document CL 94/6 which examines in quite some detail the Organization's policies, programmes, budget and activities in this regard and which was discussed last Friday in great detail. The importance of close international co-operation in the field of environment was emphasized by many speakers. I would therefore confine myself here to saying that document CL 94/6, and the Council's response to it, will form the basis of FAO submissions to the General Assembly and to the UNEP Governing Council in compliance with the reporting requests of General Assembly resolutions 42/186 and 42/187 on the Environmental Perspective and the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development respectively.
In the area of nutrition, I would like to mention again our continuing close relations with WHO. You may recall that the 24th session of the FAO Conference in November 1987 was informed that a Joint FAO/WHO Consultative Group on Food and Nutrition Policies had been established. The first meeting of the Consultative Group took place in Rome on 1 February 1988 and there will be another meeting in the near future in Geneva.
You will note from the document before you that the advancement of women continues to occupy an important place on the agendas of intergovernmental fora. A brief summary of General Assembly and ECOSOC resolutions on this subject are presented for your information. A more detailed and substantive overview of FAO efforts in this regard are or were before the Council in document CL 94/13, which was considered in great detail today.
I would like to draw your attention to the section on science and technology for development in the document before you. You will note that the Inter-governmental Committee on Science and Technology for Development adopted in August 1987 a resolution on 'Policy guidelines for harmonization of activities of the organizations of the United Nations system in science and technology for development'. The Intergovernmental Committee has invited other intergovernmental bodies within the United Nations system to consider the report of the Secretary-General on this subject and to offer their comments. Accordingly, your views on this matter will be transmitted to the Intergovernmental Committee. In this connection, I may draw your particular attention to paragraphs 173 and 174 of the document in front of you.
It is mentioned in paragraph 237 of the document before you that the draft Relationship Agreement between FAO and UNIDO is going to be submitted for approval to the Industrial Development Board of UNIDO in October 1988. I am pleased to inform you that the Board, at its recent session in October, decided to approve the draft agreement. Follow-up action in this regard will proceed as indicated in the document.
Finally, let me now turn to another matter, which sounds rather mundane and somewhat bureaucratic, but which nevertheless needs your attention. It relates to the official title of the Joint FAO/IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Division. In FAO this Joint Division is currently known as the "Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear and Biotechnology Applications in Food and Agriculture". It was drawn to our attention by IAEA earlier this year that a different title for the Joint Division is in use in IAEA, and yet another title is used by the Joint Division itself. It was felt that we should agree on one official title for the Joint Division which is to be used by everybody concerned. Based on a proposal from the Atomic Energy Agency it has been agreed that the title of the Joint Division for uniform application will be: "Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture". Unless the Council has any particular difficulty with the new title, it is proposed to go into effect on 1 December 1988.
You will find also a section on relations with international financial institutions in the document at paragraphs 195 to 219, which I should like to bring to your attention here without dwelling on the content.
Lastly in the area of drug abuse we reported last year on the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the Comprehensive Multi-disciplinary Outline adopted by the Conference. Since then, FAO has outlined several proposals for policy orientations and possible fields of intervention in line with the CMO targets. FAO's fields of technical competence relate to three of these targets, namely the identification of illicit narcotic plant cultivation, elimination of illicit plantings, and redevelopment of areas formerly under illicit drug crop cultivation. FAO fully recognizes the overall co-ordinating role of the United Nations Commission for Narcotic Drugs and the leadership role of the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control in funding the operational activities within the United Nations system. FAO continues to attend, on a regular basis, the ad hoc meetings on co-ordination in matters relating to international drug abuse control.
I intend to stop at this point, as I feel the major developments have been covered adequately in the document before you, which speaks for itself. I shall, of course, be happy to provide any information or clarification which members of the Council may wish to have in the course of their deliberations on this subject.
Before concluding, I should very briefly again remind you that there is a section on science and technology for development, and that your views on the policy guidelines will be conveyed to the Inter-Governmental Committee on Science and Technology for Development.
LE PRESIDENT: Je remercie M. Luhe de sa communication introduciive. Nous ouvrons le débat.
R.G. PETTITT (United Kingdom): I thank Dr. Luhe for the paper CL 94/12 and for bringing us up-to-date today. As always, with papers in this series, it has been carefully and objectively prepared. My only criticism, is that, as before, it does not bring out easily the parts of the documents which in the opinion of the author require action by the Council. Nor is this covered in the annotated agenda which in this Council tends to be less detailed than those of many of our sister organizations.
As my contribution to speeding the discussion this afternoon my intervention will be restricted to the first substantive section of the paper - Operational Activities for Development - on which action is clearly required by us at this Session. I feel my remarks may be slightly longer than usual, but this is a complex subject.
General Assembly Resolution No. 42/196, on operational activities of the UN system, was adopted by consensus last year and set various tasks for the organizations of the UN system. Some required responses by the Secretariat for the summer ECOSOC this year. Others were without date. Others were intended to provide an input into the major consideration of operational activities at the Triennial Review at next summer's ECOSOC, and the necessary preparatory work, notably the report of the Director-General for Development and International Economic Co-operation.
It would be helpful if Member Countries of the Council were informed at the 95th meeting of the formal responses made by the Secretariat in respect of all the relevant paragraphs of Resolution No. 42/196. This would amongst other things help ensure that member countries who are also members of ECOSOC would be able to take account of food and agricultural aspects of the discussion of operational activities.
There have no doubt been responses made by the Secretariat on behalf of the governing bodies of FAO which have already been made in connection with the 1988 ECOSOC. These could be made available by the Secretariat to members now. One of these would be the response to paragraph 24(c) of the Resolution which requires a report on the review and rationalisation of the field of this structure.
One of the requirements of the Resolution (paragraph 30) was the provision of full support for the activities of the Inter-Agency Procurement Services Unit (IAPSU), so as to enable it to provide more comprehensive and reliable information of the procurement activities of the UN systems. It would be helpful in this particular case if the Secretariat would let the Council know now whether there have been any difficulties here in the provision of information required by IAPSU - since this is a subject which will reappear first in the Governing Council of UNDP, i.e. before the summer ECOSOC, and is a matter of much concern to developing and underutilised countries. Is FAO a defaulter here?
However, the one subject covered by the General Assembly Resolution which certainly requires action by this Council is the provision of detailed comments on the "Jansson" report or to give it the proper title which I shall not use again, "the Report on the findings of the case studies on the functioning of the operational activities for development of the United Nations system". As Mr. Luhe has just said, the Resolution asked for a discussion in detail at the next session of the Governing Bodies of organizations in the UN system. This is that session.
The reason why the Resolution was drafted in this way, was that until now contributions from the agencies to the study of operational activities have often been from the Secretariats with little involvement of the membership. Incompatible and combative positions are often taken. The task of finding right solutions has fallen to the Director-General, Mr. Ripert, and ECOSOC. The Jansson Report provides some 16 paragraphs of recommendations and conclusions most of fundamental concern to the Specialised Agencies and other members of the UN system, on which the views of Governments in the role of members of the councils of the various sectoral bodies are required. If these views are provided by this Council it should ensure that practical conclusions emerge from the ECOSOC Triennial Review - conclusions which reflect the realities of co-operation in the field of food and agriculture. The conclusions should then be realistic, not merely idealistic.
It will be appropriate if the Council provided a response to all points in the conclusions of the report - i.e., in sub-paragraphs (a) to (p) of paragraph 82 of the Jansson Report; and provided these in a single document which can be transmitted to ECOSOC like those already provided by UNDP, UNICEF and so on. If current practice in this Council is to be followed the response would be a section of the Report of the Council. On the adoption of the agenda last Tuesday, it was decided that observations contributing to this subject might be made under this agenda Item 10 or under Item 13, when we will have the advantage of the presence of Professor Mazoyer to help us through the discussion of the report of the Programme Committee on the Jansson Report. I would suggest that the draftsman of this section of the report ensures that the discussion of the Jansson Report be grouped in one section wherever it was made which can be cited as our response to the General Assembly Resolution. If, as you Mr. Chairman, suggested earlier, the report of the Council is to be written concisely, then I would suggest to the Chairman and members of the Drafting Committee that they consider unusually including our response on this subject in a self-contained annex.
So far I have spoken on mechanics.
May I now make specific suggestions for our reply.
We should I suggest say, as the Programme Committee does, that the Council regard the Jansson Report to be a balanced and objective document, providing a realistic assessment of the issues and difficulties facing the system's operational activities, and that we find the recommendations on the whole acceptable. We could add I suggest that we confirm our commitment to the efforts of the international community to enhance the value of the operational activities of the system by more effective co-ordination and by the sharing of experiences in improvements in delivery and procedures.
In any introduction or covering note we should I think enter a disclaimer, saying that the views expressed are those of the representatives of governments in the FAO Council and are intended to be a contribution to the discussion of the subject in ECOSOC. Governments are not to be bound by the opinions contained in our reply. I suggest this because, though I normally prefer consistency in governmental action in different governing bodies, what is required here is the sectoral input into
the discussion. We should also say that some of the subject matter covered by the Jansson Report is also being examined in the review being carried out simultaneously under the aegis of our Programme and Finance Committees. The work of the team of experts considering the field programmes is particularly relevant, and the opinions expressed now may have to be modified in the light of the Review. We would wish to say that the follow up of the Review by FAO will need to take account of the conclusions of ECOSOC, and that we hope that material and ideas developed for the Triennial Review will be available to assist the work in our own Review. It is of course very appropriate that Mr. Jansson is one of our own experts in the field study team.
Of the conclusions (a) to (p) we need not make comments on (f), (h) and (j) which are not matters for FAO.
As regards conclusion (a) in which Jansson speaks of the importance of assistance from the UN system going beyond its value in terms of volume of aid flow, we, i.e. the Council, could concur with the view that advice from multinational development institutions is valued for its impartiality as well as its appropriateness. We could say that the role of FAO in providing country-specific advice on agricultural policy, and the balance in the programme between this and project execution, is one of the issues in the forefront of the Review that is our Review. Governments value the substantive and sectoral advice they receieve, and the key role in planning assistance.
On (b) of Jansson which deals mainly with joint programming - we, that is the Council, could suggest that greater integration of activities of the UN system is desirable where these activities are substantially of the same type and in countries where they are a major contribution to the development of the resources of the country concerned. Where the input of the UN system is relatively small, the important factor is conformity with the mechanism of the host country's planning processes and in some cases with regional or global initiatives or programmes.
We should specify how many of FAO's activities are currently programmed in the (UNDP) country programming process - a large proportion are since they are financed by UNDP. Which others are? Clearly not TCP financed programmes since they are supposed to be for unforeseen and emergency purposes. What about the others such as Trust Fund finance programmes? Do FAO staff take account of the approved (UNDP) country programmes when preparing projects for submission for extra budgeting finance? If so we should say so. If not, why not?
In our reply we should specify what activities are not susceptible to joint programming with other activities of the UN system, and we should say what arrangements are made to ensure that such FAO activities are not in conflict with other activities of the system. Other agencies have, in some cases only recently, set up arangements to ensure that their field representative and the Resident Coordinator is aware of all the country-specific activities of that agency in his area of competence. Our reply should say what are our arrangements.
On (c) - the strengthened role of the Resident Coordinator - we should give our opinion on whether there is a case, from the agricultural point of view, for the separation of the roles of the Resident Coordinator and the Resident Representative in countries with large UN or bilateral programmes; this is one of the recommendations of Jansson. I notice that Programme Committee did not appear to be interested in this suggestion, and neither is my delegation, at least in normal circumstances. There is a suggestion in this paragraph that Resident Coordinators should be provided with a small substantive staff of development management specialists. Would we be prepared to assist in this way by a redeployment of FAO staff - say in the South Pacific region or some similar one where the case for multisectoral advice from the UN system is strong? If we could, and I would hope we could, we should say so. If the provision of Associate Professional Officers is relevant here, would countries who participate in this scheme cooperate?
As regards (d) - which encourages decentralisation of management of operations and the gradual harmonisation of procedures - including programming cycles, project documentation, financial rules and delegation of decision taking, the Council may find it necessary to say no more than that these are matters being considered in our own review, i.e. watch this space and may wish to draw formally and draw to the attention of the expert group, if necessary, this conclusion.
The Secretariat may however be able to inform us of progress in harmonising procedures through the Consultative Committee on Substantive Questions (CCSQ) (Ops).
This is an important point for some smaller countries.
The Programme Committee agreed with (e) of the Jansson Report's conclusions that it is often more useful to promote sectoral and subsectoral coordination and we should I suggest include this view in our return.
As regards (g), I would hope we could reaffirm our commitment to the central funding role of UNDP, though could point out that the current position is satisfactory to sectoral bodies such as FAO only if one relevant sectoral ministries have an effective say in the allocation of external resources. The Programme Committee found hard to accept the proposal in this paragraph of the Jansson Report that Trust Funds should as much as possible be channelled through UNDP. I am inclined to agree with the Programme Committee", since if the money could be channelled through UNDP it could presumably be a straightforward contribution. But we may wish to say that Trust Funds to FAO are in the main additional, as they are an alternative to bilateral expenditure, and that donor countries bear in mind the need to ensure that neither the amount nor the purpose of the contribution conflicts with the central role of UNDP or with the national priorities of the benefitting government. The expert group may wish to consider whether a mechanism is necessary within FAO to ensure that there is no tendency for such a conflict; a field programme committee of members has been suggested in their place.
As regards the use of the UNDP country programme as a frame of reference for all sources of UN technical assistance - a point made in sub-paragraph (i) - it may perhaps not be entirely tactful to mention our high expectation from the review commissioned by UNDP of current procedures and recommendations for their improvement. The author is an old friend of FAO. The review team should make sure they see his report.
However, we should at least say that the country programme is used as a frame of reference for all county-specific activities in countries where the UN input is large. At least I hope this is the case.
Conclusions (k) and (1) deal with the UN system's capacity for analytical work. There is a suggestion that staff resources of the agencies should be redeployed for this purpose. Possibly we should say that this is a matter we expect the experts and the review to cover. The experts will no doubt be considering the need for a greater geographic focus for the organisation, and this should help to deal with the deficiencies identified by the Jansson team.
I would hope that the Secretariat can give us guidance on what should be said in response to conclusion (m) about the need to make development information easily accessible to governments and the donor community, using modern information techniques. No doubt members would wish the Secretariat to be ready to participate in plans to make information more readily available through links between existing computerised storage systems.
As regards point (n), which concerns the cultivation of the habit of coordination, the Programme Committee were right in their comment that coordiantion requires goodwill of all concerned, and should be catalytic.
Point (o) is about the desirability of having non-governemtnal organisations participating in aid coordination arrangements, especially in the social sectors. I leave it to others to comment from their experience.
Finally (p) deals with co-location of field offices. The Programme Committee advocated a case by case approach, with co-location to be considered when theis was feasible. Of course here the views of governments must be taken into account. As the ACC in a report circulated to us as CL 94/INF/13 robustly puts it "field representations are established at the specific request of host governments with a view to their deriving greater benefits from the activities of the organizations concerned". Unless the experience in the agricultural field is different we must also take good account of the views of some countries, especially in the South Pacific, as reflected in the Jansson report -pleading for co-location of field representation and similar chains of communication. Co-location does not just mean having offices in the same building. It can mean offices in the same country or island.
These were my suggestions for inclusion in our response to ECOSOC.
LE PRESIDENT: Dans son intervention l'orateur a évoqué à maintes reprises le Comité du Programme et sa position sur le Rapport Jansson. Puisque le Président du Comité du Programme sera là demain peut-être pourrons nous alors évoquer cette question dans la séance de demain, comme on l'avait décidé au début de ce Conseil. Je ne me sens pas autorisé à parler pour ce qu'à fait le Président du Comité du Programme. Nous nous sommes mis en relation avec M. Mazoyer, comme il avait été décidé pour voir s'il pouvait venir aujourd'hui. Son calendrier ne le lui permettait pas. D'autre part, aujourd'hui nous avons eu une très longue et très intéressante question sur les femmes.
Nous pourrions donc attendre le Président du Comité du Programme pour que notre discussion soit plus efficace. C'est cela que je voudrais dire au représentant du Royaume-Uni. Puisque le Président et le Président du Comité du Programme sont impliqués personnellement, je vous serais reconnaissant si vous pouviez parler de cette question en présence du Président du Comité du Programme.
R.G. PETTITT (United Kingdom): I did address this point to some extent in my intervention and I followed our last discussion on Tuesday when it was suggested by, I think, my colleague from Italy that we might cover it in both, my suggestion that it be left to the Rapporteur or to the draftsman to gather up these points. I understand several delegations have prepared their interventions on both items and planned to include some reference to their subject under Item 10 and if it is acceptable I would suggest they be allowed to do this. These observations will, of course, be available for consultation when we do have the presence of Prof. Mazoyer and obviously on that occasion too other delegates will wish to address this subject to them.
LE PRESIDENT: Je pense qu'on ne Was pas impliquer dans une discussion le Président du Comité du Programme s'il n'est pas là. Donc si vous en convenez, tout ce qui concerne la question du programme, y compris cette partie du Rapport Jansson nous pourrions le faire en présence de M. Mazoyer car il me paraît délicat d'avoir un débat en l'absence du Président du Comité du Programme.
Gonzalo BOLA HOYOS (Colombia): Nuestro amigo Eberhart Luhe ha hecho una presentación clara y adecuada. Este es un documento rico en temas. Nos corresponde seleccionar, como lo ha hecho el colega del Reino Unido, quien se refirió esencialmente a las actividades de campo, a las actividades operacionales del informe Jansson. El Reino Unido ha hecho comentarios serios y profundos, Sr. Presidente, sobre los cuales no estamos ahora en capacidad de expresar una reacción, pero leeremos con cuidado la declaración del Reino Unido cuando sea publicada en las actas, a la luz de lo que dice el Comité del Programa, que ya ha dicho que el informe Jansson es un documento equilibrado y objetivo. Apoyamos la propuesta del Reino Unido, en el sentido de que, de todas maneras, los comentarios sobre este importante informe se consignen en una sola sección, para facilitar la comprensión de los miembros del Consejo. La reacción del Reino Unido a sus observaciones fueron flexibles y constructivas. Creo que el procedimiento no nos ofrecerá dificultades.
Pasamos a PNUD, Sr. Presidente. A los representantes de Colombia nos complace que la ultima reunión del Consejo de Administración del PNUD confirme que ese importante programa avanza satisfactoriamente, consolida sus recursos y se preocupa por "incrementar y mejorar la ejecución y la calidad de los programas que financia." El párrafo 12 del documento contiene el apoyo a la política de encargar a los Gobiernos que estén en condiciones de hacerlo, la ejecución de los proyectos. Pensamos que este Consejo debe pedir a la FAO, primer organismo de ejecución del PNUD, que ponga en práctica esa política, siempre que sea posible y conveniente, como dice el párrafo 12. Por propia experiencia nacional, pensamos que la FAO está haciendo ya algo en pro de esa política. Nos gustaría saber de la Secretaría qué se está haciendo al respecto, y, sobre todo, cuáles son las posibilidades progresivas de incrementar esa política, esa modalidad, a la cual atribuimos importancia, porque estimulará la formación y el fortalecimiento de instituciones nacionales y de expertos en los países en desarrollo. Además, esa recomendación fue respaldada unánimemente por la Conferencia Regional de América Latina y el Caribe celebrada recientemente en Recife, Brasil.
El párrafo 14 hace referencia a los recursos para el Cuarto Ciclo de Programación del PNUD, que deberá concluir en 1991. Nos complace que de esa suma se vayan a dedicar 20 millones de dólares al programa de asistencia especial para países de América Central. Esto está vinculado a los párrafos 124 a 127, sobre la situación en América Central, para la cual se ha elaborado un Plan Especial de Cooperación para Centroamérica, en cuya preparación participó la FAO, particularmente con la elaboración de un conjunto de proyectos prioritarios para el desarrollo agrícola y ganadero.
La Delegación de Colombia pide que en nuestro informe se solicite a la FAO que intensifique su asistencia a los países centroamericanos y que se pida al PNUD, a otros organismos de financiación y donantes en general, que suministren recursos para que los proyectos elaborados por la FAO puedan realizarse. Opinamos que la asistencia a los países hermanos de Centroamérica podrá contribuir a que en esa martirizada región se logre la paz, paz por la cual trabaja intensamente el Gobierno de Colombia en el Grupo de Contadora y también como miembro del Grupo de los Ocho.
Una última palabra sobre la distribución de los recursos del PNUD. Confiamos en que, en la medida en que se vayan recuperando las economías de los países más gravemente afectados y con déficit de alimentos, la fórmula de distribución de recursos aplicada actualmente por el PNUD permitirá que se incrementen los recursos -ahora explicablemente limitados- para aquellos países que han alcanzado el llamado grado intermedio de desarrollo, pero que aun tienen graves problemas y bolsones de pobreza.
El Gobierno de Colombia apoya plenamente la gestión del Sr. Draper, Administrador del PNUD, y del Dr. Ramírez Ocampo, Director Regional del PNUD para América Latina y el Caribe. La Delegación de Colombia reconoce el apoyo de la FAO al Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación, particularmente en la implementación de la Iniciativa de Chipre contra el Hambre. Esa cooperación, así como la de los demás organismos competentes, asegurarán la necesaria coordinación, por la cual todos nos preocupamos. La declaración hecha ante este Consejo por el Sr. Trant, Director Ejecutivo del CMA, confirma los avances que se han ido logrando en el cumplimiento de esa iniciativa, a la cual los representantes de Colombia estamos vinculados desde sus comienzos, en la reunión del CMA en Beijing, China.
Nuestro reconocimiento al Sr. Pesqueira, Secretario de Agricultura y Recursos Hidráulicos de México, Presidente del CMA, por el interés que ha tomado sobre esta iniciativa. Colombia ha sido elegido miembro del Grupo Consultivo, en cuya composición nos complace destacar la presencia, por Asia, del Japón, país que, sobre todo en los últimos años, ha venido asumiendo una actitud muy positiva en la cooperación internacional. Es satisfactoria y síntoma de buenas esperanzas la participación en el Grupo Consultivo de los Estados Unidos, primer productor, de Australia y Francia, en representación de la CEE.
Somos conscientes de que no es una empresa fácil; por el contrario, tiene muchas dificultades y plantea interrogantes y dudas. De todos modos, el Gobierno de Colombia piensa que bien vale la pena ensayar caminos, buscar fórmulas dirigidas a corregir la dolorosa y persistente paradoja, de que los grandes excedentes de cereales se hallan concentrados en unos pocos países productores, al tiempo que millones de seres humanos padecen hambre y malnutrición en el Tercer Mundo. Proponemos que este Consejo apoye la Iniciativa de Chipre y pida a la FAO y a los demás organismos interesados que ofrezcan su colaboración al Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación.
Rogamos al distinguido Observador de la OCDE que transmita a esa Organización los agradecimientos del Gobierno de Colombia, porque la OCDE ha ofrecido su sede en París para que se realice la primera reunión del Grupo Consultivo los días 19 y 20 de diciembre próximo. Esa actitud generosa de la OCDE es, sin duda, un aporte muy significativo, porque todos los Estados integrantes desempeñan un papel fundamental en la cooperación internacional.
La Ronda Uruguay de Negociaciones Comerciales Multilaterales es el ultimo de los asuntos que comentaremos brevemente.
Registramos con satisfacción la participación de la FAO en la Ronda Uruguay.
Está muy bien, como dice el párrafo 68, que la FAO haya respondido con carácter prioritario a todas las peticiones de ayuda que se le han dirigido. La asistencia técnica a los países interesados, de que habla el párrafo 72, debe continuarse y extenderse a otros países o grupos de países. Esperamos que la revisión a medio término, que se llevará a cabo en Montreal, Canadá; Canadá con quien compartimos nuestras asociaciones al Grupo CAIRNS; Canadá país activo en pro de la liberalización del comercio, y esperamos que la reunión de diciembre próximo impulsará esas negociaciones.
Los Representantes de Colombia queremos destacar, con satisfacción, algunos de los apartes de la declaración hecha en la discusión del tema 4, por nuestro colega y amigo Sr. Goldsack, nuevo Representante Permanente del Reino Unido. Hemos tomado de las actas las palabras del Reino Unido cuyo Representante afirmó: "es innecesario el desacuerdo entre países desarrollados y en desarrollo sobre los objetivos de la Ronda Uruguay".
En la opinión del Reino Unido, la reunión de medio término, en Montreal, debería permitir que los países de la OCD y del grupo de los 77 se comprometan a decidir un marco para la solución de los problemas agrícolas, a largo y medio términos.
Si interpretamos adecuadamente las palabras del Reino Unido, con todo respeto por la traducción aproximada, seguramente imperfecta, creo que empezamos en el seno de la FAO a ponernos de acuerdo sobre la necesaria interrelación que debe existir entre los problemas del tercer mundo y los decisivos aportes de los países desarrollados para su solución. Todo ello dentro de un marco leal de mutua cooperación.
Waliur RAHMAN (Bangladesh): Not long ago at its 40th birthday the United Nations was under serious pressure. Some questioned its usefulness; some others even put in question its validity. Even at that time the FAO, as the watchdog of the state of global food and agriculture, worked quietly but definitely to assist those countries which needed its help. Today, when the UN is back in fashion, the FAO has not changed its rhythm. The important multilateral cooperation initiated and nourished by the FAO continues uninterrupted.
I pay my sincere compliments to Mr. Lühe for his presentation of the item which includes a broad spectrum of issues. Some of them are extremely important and relevant in the United Nations system. We are also thankful to the Secretariat for the hard work done in presenting and updating the recent developments in the present document CL 94/12.
Collective and coordinated endeavours are essential to face today's challenges. Good relationships amongst various multilateral organizations are all the more necessary at this moment. We are happy to note that the FAO has been maintaining close cooperation with other sister organizations. The Director-General and the Secretariat deserve our commendation for this.
With reference to operational activities for development, ray delegation would like to express general support for the views of the Programme Committee on the Jansson Report. The Programme Committee's deliberations, we believe, took care of the major findings of the Jansson case studies. I believe it is a good effort in assisting us to improve and revitalize the operational activities of the UN System.
On the issue of the critical economic situation in Africa, we are happy to note that the FAO has been associated in supporting the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development. We agree with the Programme Committee that the FAO should continue to focus on Africa as its top regional priority.
As regards the Cyprus Initiative against Hunger, adopted at the Fourteenth Ministerial Session of the World Food Council, we would like to recall with satisfaction the active role of my country in that session towards the adoption of the Cyprus Initiative. We naturally attach great importance to this move and would welcome its early implementation. We express our full satisfaction at the total support and cooperation of FAO towards this document.
As regards science and technology for development, we appreciate the constructive role of FAO. My delegation has no problem in concurring with the name agreed upon between FAO and IAEA.
Regarding the special economic and disaster relief assistance, we express our sincere gratitude to the Director-General, Mr. Edouard Saouma, for the reference he made to the situation in my country which was very badly affected by floods of unprecedented magnitude in August and September this year. As the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh said, it was an abhorration of nature.
I am happy to inform you that the meeting on 16 November held in New York (convened by the Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar) was an important landmark in the commitment of the international community to assisting my country in finding a more durable and effective solution to the problem of floods through regional and multilateral approaches. As his Excellency President Hussain Mohammed Ershad underlined: "Natural disasters do not respect political frontiers". He stressed that the solution to floods in Bangladesh lies in wider cooperation, interlinked endeavours on national, regional and international planes, backed by sustained development assistance.
Before I conclude, I should like to reiterate my country's appreciation of the role that FAO is playing, under the dynamic leadership of the Director-General, Mr. Edouard Saouma, in bringing succour and relief to the disadvantaged and underprivileged thereby correcting slowly but steadily, the injustice that may have been done to many of these countries under circumstances beyond their control.
FAO's contribution and cooperation in, and with, the UN system makes no small contribution this situation.
Mounir KHORAYCH (Liban) (Langue originale arabe): Nous félicitons le Secrétariat pour cet important document ainsi que le Docteur Luhe pour sa présentation exhaustive.
La Délégation du Liban exprime sa satisfaction pour la contribution efficace de la FAO aux activités des Nations Unies, dans le cadre de ses attributions. Cependant, nous tenons à exprimer notre inquiétude car en dépit de ce qu'une année s'est écoulée depuis que l'Assemblée générale a adopté sa résolution 42/163 sur le redressement économique et le développement de l'Afrique, les résultats escomptés n'ont pas été réalisés, bien au contraire, car la dette a augmenté et nous exhortons les pays concernés à honorer leurs obligations proclamées en 1987 pour réduire le déficit actuel.
Nous espérons que les recommandations présentées par le Groupe consultatif constitué par le Secrétaire général seront mises à exécution; à cette occasion, nous réaffirmons notre voeu que priorité soit accordée à l'Afrique en ce domaine, en veillant sur la situation des pays sous-développés dans le monde.
S'agissent des résultats de la quatorzième réunion ministérielle du Conseil mondial de l'alimentation, nous appuyons le contenu des paragraphes 44 à 50.
En ce qui concerne le Round de l'Uruguay, nous constatons avec satisfaction que les partenaires sont convaincus de la nécessité du règlement du problème du déséquilibre commercial mondial et nous attendons des solutions pratiques pour cristalliser cet accord.
Nous espérons que l'on trouvera un dénominateur commun au sujet des négociations concernant les produits tropicaux et surtout les produits naturels, en raison de l'importance de ces matières, non point pour les produits producteurs uniquement, mais surtout pour toutes les régions du monde, et en particulier les pays en voie de développement. Nous tenons à souligner le rôle accompli par la FAO qui a soutenu ces négocations et donné les informations nécessaires pour leur réussite.
Au cours de nos précédentes interventions, nous avions affirmé à la fois l'importance du développement et la nécessité de préserver le système écologique ainsi que le rôle joué par la FAO en ce domaine. A cet effet, nous attirons l'attention sur un danger inattendu qui vient d'apparaître récemment et qui soulève nos appréhensions: je veux parler du problème des produits toxiques; tous les pays de la communauté internationale doivent leur accorder une importance particulière surtout en ce qui concerne la protection des pays en voie de développement qui, en général, sont les premières victimes de ces résidus toxiques.
Enfin, nous exprimons notre satisfaction pour l'augmentation des ressources affectées à l'agriculture ainsi qu'à la coopération de la FAO avec les fonds affectés aux projets productifs, tendant à soutenir des petites entreprises dans les pays en voie de développement.
Ms Anna-Liisa KORHONEN (Finland): My delegation would like to thank the secretariat for document CL 94/12 now under discussion. The introductory statement by Mr. Lühe updated it with most recent events in a useful manner.
At this stage Finland would like to make some general observations concerning this agenda item, as well as some more specific comments about the document. At the 24th Conference of FAO my delegation made the general point that this agenda item could contain valuable information to the FAO Governing Bodies concerning developments in the UN system relevant to the activities of, this Organization. If the issues at hand had been presented in a problem oriented and an analytical manner then new events, which have a system-wide application, could also be distinguished from regular on-going activities. My delegation also expressed the wish that future reports in this field should have this orientation.
The document before us certainly highlights important events but gives only limited information about FAO's response. As a matter of fact, in some central policy issues, reference is made to other documents where FAO's response can be found. In some other instances no action by FAO is indicated, even if FAO's active participation in a meeting is reported. Therefore, my delegation is now repeating its request that next time more attention should be paid to the qualitative nature of the document under this agenda item in order that governments would benefit even more from its contents and be able to use it as a policy device in their future undertakings.
Turning now to the substance of the matter, first I should like to take up the question of operational activities for development, even though I noted your request to leave this matter until agenda item 13. My delegation welcomes this opportunity to participate in this discussion, also at FAO Council which is the first opportunity for governments to make known their position on the Jansson Report.
The operational activities of the UN system are now facing new challenges which require both flexibility and imaginaton. The needs of the individual developing countries differ, as do their external assistance requirements and arrangements related thereto. United Nations resolutions 41/171 and 42/196 focus on the changing international environment and invite comments from the UN system, not only to specific issues, but also to the broader questions at hand.
In paragraphs 2.21 to 2.31 of document CL 94/3 the Council has before it a short summary of the deliberations of the Programme Committee's response to the UN General Assembly resolution 42/196. My delegation was somewhat disappointed at this response. Considering the importance of the agricultural sector in the development process, my delegation would have expected a more innovative response. The report contains a traditional reply with no new thoughts or assessments for future orientation.
Against this background my delegation supports the proposal advanced by the delegation of the United Kingdom that the report of this Council session should contain a more structured response to the
request of the General Assembly so that it could be taken into account in the triannual policies review of operational activities at the ECOSOC Session in July 1989. A full response to the Un could be given on this very important matter when the Conference has decided on the results (in 1989) of the ongoing review, and in particular, on the future role of FAO field activities.
The second important question under operational activities deals with the agency support costs arrangements under the Fifth UNDP Programming Cycle. Here, I should like to note already at this stage that the procedures to be decided upon will have to be studied very carefully in the expert group to be set up by the UNDP Governing Council next February. In the ACC context a working group has already been set up to prepare its views on the important issues and there, FAO has the opportunity to put forward its ideas. It is important that all parties concerned use this phase to search for fresh ideas rather than basing their judgement on old models such as keeping their share of support costs reimbursement untouched or seeking for compensatory increases.
Regarding environmental issues, the Council has had already a separate debate and therefore it suffices to say that the document CL 94/12 describes only the various decisions and meetings in this field without explaining FAO's position on them. The same applies to the reporting on women in development. Therefore, I am confident that because of a separate debate on these two issues at this Council Session FAO activities will develop more vigorously in these areas. The Council is also asked to formulate its comments on the harmonization of activities of the organizations of the United Nations system in the field of science and technology for development, as set out in paragraphs 166 to 174. Finland agrees in broad terms with the outline presented in paragraph 173 and 174. In this context focus should indeed be on harmonizing activities in the areas of science and technology at the country level. However, it should be possible for FAO to specify more clearly its own programme of work from the point of view of being a programme of action in order to better reflect the Organization's involvement in science and technology matters under the broad objectives presented in paragraph 171.
Finally, Finland looks forward to the FAO's active participation in the implementation of ECOSOC Resolution 1988/77 entitled Revitalisation of the Economic and Social Council, which the General Assembly of the United Nations is in the process of endorsing, and here I appeciate the additional information that Mr. Luhe already gave on this issue. But my delegation would like to hear from the Secretariat more how it has planned to implement the specific requests of the Resolution quoted in paragraphs 192 and 193 of document CL 94/12.
Achille RAHARISON (Madagascar): Comme toujours, le document qui traite de ce point de l'ordre du jour est riche en informations actualisées relatives aux faits nouveaux intervenus dans le système des Nations Unies. Le document est en outre très clair et l'on doit s'en féliciter. Chaque sujet présenté dans le document mérite des commentaires de la part de chaque délégation mais le temps imparti ne nous permet pas de procéder de la sorte. Aussi nous contenterons-nous d'émettre quelques réflexions et de formuler quelques suggestions à l'endroit d'un ou deux points qui nous tiennent particulièrement à coeur.
Nous voudrions en fait insister sur certaines déclarations que notre délégation a faites lors de l'examen des points 3 et 4 de l'ordre du jour actuel. Le constat de l'exécution du Plan d'action des Nations Unies pour le redressement économique et le développement de l'Afrique, établi par les comités ou groupes mis sur pied par l'OUA ou par le Secrétariat général des Nations Unies, est malheureusement un constat d'échec. Il s'agit fort heureusement d'une évaluation à mi-parcours. On peut donc encore et l'on doit sans plus tarder prendre les mesures de redressement appropriées.
L'on n'insistera jamais assez et l'on ne répétera jamais trop qu'une volonté politique plus ferme de coopération internationale s'impose. Les paragraphes 19 à 31 du document CL 94/12, et notamment les paragraphes 27 et 28, rappellent et dégagent la voie à suivre, et ils donnent une idée assez précise de l'apport complémentaire que la communauté internationale doit assurer au continent africain. Pour ne citer que quelques-unes des contributions requises, nous relèverons, premièrement, que le succès du programme exige une mobilisation massive des ressources; la majorité de ces ressources doivent être assorties de conditions de faveur. Nous relevons aussi que toute disposition utile devrait être acceptée et promue pour que la dette extérieure des Etats du continent puisse être gérable, c'est-à-dire que sa réduction ou son rééchelonnement permetten à ces Etats d'établir des plans de développement de leur économie à moyen et long terme. Bien entendu, il faudra valoriser le capital humain et donner un appui vigoureux à la recherche agronomique.
Le problème de la détérioration des termes de l'échange et celui de la baisse des recettes d'exportation des pays en développement ne sont pas traités dans le document à l'examen, mais ils n'en constituent pas moins des facteurs limitants pour la relance de l'économie en Afrique. Par contre, les propositions de redressement qui sont formulées ailleurs sont valables pour le continent et doivent faire partie intégrante des programmes à mettre en oeuvre.
Bernard LEDUN (France): Dans le document CL 94/12, qui retrace de manière condensée mais précise les événements écoulés au cours de l'année dans le champ d'activité économique du système des Nations Unies, la délégation française souhaite plus particulièrement mettre l'accent sur quelques-uns des points évoqués.
Elle tient tout d'abord à manifester d'emblée sa concordance de vues avec les observations du Comité du Programme sur le Rapport Jansson telles qu'elles figurent dans le document CL 94/3 notamment sur le rôle fondamental des gouvernements en matière de coordination et sur la nécessité de renforcer les mécanismes de coordination existants au niveau des pays avant que le système ne se lance dans la mise en place de nouveaux cadres de coordination.
De même, il est opportunément souligné, dans ce document, l'importance du rôle des représentants de la FAO qui, au sein du système, s'occupent souvent du secteur principal de l'économie des pays où ils travaillent en collaboration, qui doit être nécessairement étroite, avec les représentants résidents du PNUD.
Tout en approuvant donc les conclusions générales du Rapport Jansson, notre délégation tient à faire remarquer que le présent Conseil n'est peut-être pas l'enceinte appropriée pour en débattre longuement sur le fond. En effet, le PNUD, le Conseil économique et social et, à nouveau, la quarante-troisième session de l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies sont les cadres naturels de discussion du Rapport Jansson. Il ne convient donc pas, selon nous, de revenir en détail, au cours des sessions du Conseil ou de la Conférence générale, sur des thèmes qui font déjà l'objet d'un examen approfondi et d'un consensus lors de réunions des comités techniques de notre Organisation. Qu'il nous suffise donc de redire ici notre approbation des observations du Comité du Programme telles qu'elles figurent dans le document soumis à notre attention.
Par ailleurs, ainsi que vous le faisiez remarquer tout à l'heure, Monsieur le Président, rien ne nous empêche éventuellement d'aborder ces points plus longuement mais avec la participation du Professeur Mazoyer qui a dirigé les débats au sein du comité qu'il préside.
A propos de la situation économique critique en Afrique, notre délégation tient à rappeler le rôle très actif joué par la France à la Conférence qui s'est tenue en septembre à New York sur l'exécution à mi-parcours du programme d'action des Nations Unies pour le redressement économique et le développement de l'Afrique. Que ce soit sur la question des produits de base, des flux concessionnels ou de la dette, nous avons concouru à l'adoption à New York, de résolutions allant dans le sens d'un engagement soutenu des pays industrialisés, et plus particulièrement des pays membres de la Communauté économique européenne aux côtés des pays africains.
C'était d'ailleurs déjà en faveur de ces derniers que le Président Mitterrand avait proposé, au moment du Sommet des pays industrialisés à Toronto, des formules novatrices visant à assouplir les conditions de remboursement des pays les plus pauvres leur permettant, au choix, des options allant de l'annulation partielle de leurs dettes à des périodes de remboursement de longue durée. De même, au cours de son allocution récente devant l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies, le Président de la République a proposé que, lors d'une prochaine allocation de droits de tirage spéciaux, les parts revenant aux pays industrialisés soient reversées à un fonds géré par le FMI dont la garantie serait ouverte aux pays à revenu intermédiaire ayant de graves problèmes d'endettement.
M. Gèrald Trant est venu exposer l'autre jour, devant cette assemblée, l'initiative dite de Chypre adoptée lors de la quatorzième session du Conseil mondial de l'alimentation qu'il dirige. Cette initiative vise à étudier les voies et moyens propres à accroître les flux de ressources nationales et internationales vers les pays les plus pauvres de notre planète.
Notre pays a accepté de participer aux travaux du groupe consultatif ad hoc constitué au sein du CMA et qui est chargé de présenter un rapport sur cette question à la quinzième session ministérielle, qui se tiendra au Caire en 1989. En effet, tout se tient: pas de développement sans sécurité alimentaire, pas de sécurité alimentaire sans l'adoption par les pays de politiques agricoles appropriées permettant un renforcement des incitations à la production locale et la création de circuits adaptés de commercialisation et de distribution. La FAO a un rôle à jouer dans la définition et le montage de ses politiques agricoles. Il importe qu'elle serve de force de proposition pour la mise en place de politiques agricoles adéquates sans lesquelles les paysanneries des pays en voie de développement seront ballottées au gré des programmes d'ajustement décidés lein de leur capitale.
Lors de la Conférence de novembre 1987, notre ministre de l'agriculture a mis à la disposition de la FAO une ligne de crédit de l'ordre d'un million de dollars pour la formation technique des personnels nationaux d'encadrement chargés de la définition et de l'exécution de ces politiques agricoles. Nous redisons ici que la FAO doit assumer pleinement ce rôle de conseil, de guide pilote, qui correspond à sa vocation. Elle peut exercer une action préventive qui, si elle faisait défaut,
serait remplacée par les actions correctives autrement plus contraignantes des institutions financières internationales. C'est une voie dans laquelle, pour notre part, nous souhaitons voir s'engager sans tarder la FAO, au risque pour elle de se retrouver réduite à des tâches purement techniques d'ingénieur-conseil. Sa longue expérience des pays du tiers monde, sa familiarité des problèmes de développement lui commandent d'aller plus loin, de dépasser ce rôle exclusivement technicien et d'être un conseil politique en matière agricole au même titre et en complémentarité de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international.
Gian Luigi VALENZA (Italie): Je voudrais m'associer aux félicitations déjà exprimées au Secrétariat par plusieurs orateurs pour le document particulièrement intéressant, clair et complet que nous avons sous les yeux, d'où ressortent aussi bien le rôle très important que la FAO joue aux sein des Nations Unies, que la collaboration efficace et effective qu'elle est toujours prête à fournir et qu'elle continue à fournir.
L'Italie n'a jamais manqué pour sa part de souligner l'importance de cette collaboration et de cette coordination afin d'éviter tout chevauchement et atteindre de meilleurs résultats en exploitant, sans gaspiller de forces, toutes les expériences diponibles.
Christoph JESSEN (Germany, Federal Republic of): In the document CL 94/12 (paragraph 7, page 2) the Council members are invited to comment on the views of the Programme Committee as shown in document CL 94/3. Indeed we are of the opinion that the functioning of the operational activities for development of the UN system in the field is a topic of utmost importance, and we would therefore like to add our views to those expressed, especially those of the United Kingdom, which did give food for thought to all of us, and which go along the following lines:
When the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany made its comments to the Jansson Report at the 42nd General Assembly, we explained our disappointment about, and now I quote, "the assessment of the report which states that not even the UN systems' activities are presented through UNDP country programmes in a consolidated manner at a time when we, in our bilateral context, have come to the conclusion that a consolidated approach incorporating the multilateral as well as the bilateral dimensions would be the most efficient way to help solving a country's development needs, and we are ready to join in such an exercise."
Given the enormous burden developing countries' administrations experience through uncoordinated bilateral and multilateral approaches, varying in procedures, aims and intentions, we feel that more could be done to take up, for example, the recommendation 82(a) of the Jansson Report to indicate which improvements FAO could perceive for an integration of the development process on location. We also feel that comments to the very concrete recommendations (a) to (p) could be more in depth and action oriented.
If this Council does not take up the matter during this Session, it would hardly be able to comply with the relevant recommendation of the General Assembly Resolution 42/196 which states: "Governing bodies should discuss in detail the conclusions and recommendations of the report". I will therefore briefly outline our position regarding most of the essential recommendations of the Jansson Report. However, in view of the limited time, I would share with you only the highlights, and give the rest of my text to the Secretariat so that it can appear in the verbatim records.
Let me start with point 82(b). The procedures of the Joint Consultative Group on Policy (UNDP, UNICEF and WFP) ought to be explored by FAO; it ought to be established whether FAO could join the meetings with its own operational activities.
Point 82(c). We do approve of the idea of inter-agency agreements which define the role of the Resident Co-ordinator precisely; such agreements should as well lay down the criteria under which the Resident Co-ordinator will be drawn from an Organization other than UNDP, and should probably give guidance on the issue of the provision of technical agency personnel to the UN Co-ordinator as well as on the question of office location. Certainly the developing country would have to be a third party to the agreement. It should define, in precise terms, the co-ordinating authority it would like to convey to the UN Resident Co-ordinator in technical co-operation.
Point 82(d). We fully subscribe to the recommendation to harmonize procedures on the one hand, and to decentralize decisions on the other - in the interests of the effective discharge of operational activities for the benefit of the developing countries. We appreciate in this context that the Director-General for International Economic Co-operation and Development has taken up the question of overall aid co-ordination and harmonization and promised to provide a study on the issue to
ECOSOC/GA. We would be glad if FAO would be ready to joint into procedures which arise from the deliberations in the two fora.
Point 82(e). The relevance of UN activities in developing countries results from a realistic status quo analysis and the consequent application of the mandatory potential. We support the suggestion that UN programming needs a clear focus, and a clear concentration in priority areas, given also the relative marginality of UN resources in the overall development context.
Point 82(f). The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is basically in favour of the proposal to concentrate UNDP resources on the neediest countries and neediest groups in more advanced countries. In our view the principle of universality remains untouched as long as the access of all countries to knowledge provided by UNDP and the UN system as a whole - if necessary through payment of the services requested - remains guaranteed.
Point 82(g). The Federal Government does not see a possibility to channel trust funds through UNDP for the reason that our budgetary provisions exclude such a procedure. We do, however, ask the agencies with whom we carry out multi-bilateral projects to inform the Resident Co-ordinator of the respective country so that a minimum of co-ordination is achieved. Any remonstration on the side of the Resident Co-ordinator would be taken up by us.
Point 82(i). I have referred to the importance of recommendation (i) at the beginning of my statement. The Federal Government believes the country programme ought rather to be an instrument of actual co-ordination, a sort of frame, than just a document to justify financial flows. We expect the proposals of the Director-General for International Economic Co-operation and Development regarding this issue as well and strongly hope FAO as well as other specialized agencies will actively take part in the opinion-seeking and decision-making process of this central question.
While paragaphs (j) to (o) are either self-evident or hardly controversial recommendation (p) deserves our comment. The Federal Government continues to favour the general co-location of UN system organizations and would like to see this effected wherever possible, but especially so in the cause of services for operational activities. We emphasise at this point, because in general it is the developing country itself which provides local accommodation and pays for it; any rationalization on this side certainly means saving for the host country concerned.
I have taken this issue at large because my delegation is sincerely convinced that a consolidation of approach of a system of which FAO is part is indispensable if developing countries receive what they ought to, which is optimal services to assist them in their development process.
As a concluding remark, let me just mention that in preparing the statement I had some difficulties in finding the views of the Committees on the Jansson Report - I had read them some time ago. Therefore I would appreciate, like my British colleague also said, if their location could come out more clearly in the indexes. This would save all of us some time.
Ms Joan DODIK-GAYOSO (United States of America): This agenda item and document CL 94/12 covers a broad range of issues. The document is a useful compendium of events and issues affecting FAO across the multilateral system. We appreciate very much Mr. Luhe's introduction, and the improvements FAO has made in the document since the one provided for the Conference last year. However, we would have appreciated an explanation of the item being included in the annotated agenda, which would have helped us prepare better for the debate.
We would also like to suggest that future documents include, in addition to the report on developments, at least an analytical introduction pointing out those developments which, in the Secretariat's view, are the most significant and what bearing the Secretariat believes they will or should have on the work of FAO.
The Council has already covered some issues - for example, the situation in Africa, women in development, the environment, sustainable development, under other items. I will therefore be selective in the topics I address here.
First, the Council has already considered in detail the African situation for the purposes of this debate. I would only emphasise the importance for all participants, developed and developing countries, and multilateral agencies to fulfill their respective responsibilities in implementation of the UN Programme of Action.
Second, FAO's role in implementing UNDP programmes. As the document notes, the UNDP Governing Council took up the issue of high "agency accountability" or how the UNDP, as the central funder of
UN system technical assistance, can assure adequate performance by those UN agencies implementing UNDP projects. This is a serious and long-standing concern of my Government. The reports of the External Auditor which we will consider later in the agenda, as well as UNDP implementation in evaluation reports, indicate serious problems in project design, implementation and backs topping. FAO also noted some of these problems in its report on field programmes presented to the 1987 Conference.
These problems are inherent in the development process. Therefore, I am not singling out FAO for special criticism. My delegation feels strongly that more intensive co-operation is needed to address these problems and, as we indicated in our statement to the UNDP Governing Council, little will be achieved by finger pointing. All participants in the system must take their appropriate responsibility for identifying the problem, addressing and solving them.
This leads me to note that, although many other UN agencies have signed what is known as a standard basic agreement with the UNDP, which governs their role in designing and implementing UNDP projects, FAO is one of those agencies which has not done so. Thus, under the present arrangements, UNDP must reimburse FAO for the services it provides, regardless of how well or how poorely work has been done.
This state of affairs is not encouraging to those concerned about accountability in the management of multi-lateral technical assistance. We would like to note the reasons FAO has no standard basic agreement with UNDP and we urge FAO to regularise this situation.
As the documents and other delegates have noted, by 1991 the UN system will need a new support cost arrangement as the basis upon which agencies like FAO will be reimbursed by UNDP for the costs they incur. This is not simply a financial question of whether 13% is enough or too little. This is a board question touching the roles and relationships of the partners in the system. These roles and relationships are evolving. We can see it, for example, in the degree to which FAO's capacity to fund its own technical assistance has grown. Even more importantly, we can see it in the growing number of projects, implemented by developing country governments themselves, and the growing desire of these governments to be increasingly selective in choosing those aspects of project design and implementation for which they use external experise, and those aspects they can manage themselves.
This is what development is all about, and my Government looks forward to an arrangement for support costs which reflect this evolution and put as much emphasis as possible on building and using the capacities of the developing countries themselves. FAO will be participating in the negotiation of the new arrangements for support costs and we urge the Secretariat, like I believe the delegate of Finland also did a little while ago, to look forward and keep very much in mind the changes that have been and are occurring in the management and use of multi-lateral technical assistance.
Third, FAO's role in relation to structural adjustment. Structural adjustment and economic policy reform are a relatively new focus of external assistance at the macro economic and sectoral level. The Director-General in his opening remarks made a number of suggestions and raised some issues about how FAO should be involved. It is a legitimate question. It raises the question of the role FAO sector-focussed technical assistance plays in the structural adjustment process of FAO's role in project implementation and policy analysis as compared to its function as a policy advisor. First, although we have been quite pleased with FAO's analytical work, in all candor, I must say that my delegation is still at this point uncertain about FAO's ability to move from analysis to recommendation of action in the policy area. Our field experiences with FAO in this role have been very mixed so we would urge caution. We would not encourage FAO at this point to rush into an expanded role as policy advisor. We very much look forward to learning the views of the experts, both as to what FAO should do and as to what FAO has the capacity to do in this area because it has important implications for the future of FAO's field activities and the structure of its field offices.
On the other hand, we believe that within the limits of its existing capabilities, FAO should be working closely in-country with others concerned with the support of structural adjustment effort. For example, we would expect FAO's proposals to be consistent with policies agreed to by the government in the Brettonwood Institutions. The projects FAO supports should be consistent with the priorities established in the public investment plan as part of the structural adjustment process.
We support the role of the UNDP as a United Nations Systems Representative at World Bank Consultative meetings. We urge the FAO to encourage its field staff to work closely with the UNDP to ensure that as thorough attention as possible is given to sectoral policies and technical assistance needs in consultative groups and UNDP round tables. Obviously FAO's effectiveness in this area depends greatly on the technical skills of its field staff and the working relationships they establish with other bilateral and multilateral experts in the field as well as with the government.
I would like to point out how frequently the document we have before us mentions reviews underway, reviews not unlike the ones FAO is currently engaged in, have or are occurring in many organizations, including the African Bank, the Asia Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations System itself. The timing of FAO's review is very appropriate.
It would be logical now to turn to the Report of the Programme Committee on the Jansson Report. Other representatives have done so. I am not quite sure what you would prefer. I will defer to you and postpone my remarks until tomorrow morning if there is a clear understanding we will have the opportunity to intervene on this issue separately and on the review of FAO. I do not see how we can combine those two. I would only say at this point that my delegation believes this Council should prepare a report on the Jansson Report and in response to UNGA Resolution 42/196 for ECOSOC. So I am in your hands.
LE PRESIDENT: Est-ce que je peux vous suggérer de faire votre communication et votre commentaire en présence du Président du Comité du Programme? Cela n'empêche pas que le Conseil aura à prendre position en tant que Conseil sur le Rapport Jansson. Si vous voulez parler aujourd'hui, vous êtes libre de le faire, mais je pense qu'il serait plus utile que le Président du Comité du Programme soit présent.
Je voudrais vous aviser que le Délégué de l'Australie a demandé que son intervention soit insérée au procès-verbal de la séance. Nous lui en savons gré.
V. Κ. SIBAL (India): The paper under discussion provides an excellent overview on certain important developments in the United Nations System and we would like to express our appreciation to Mr. Luhe for his very clear presentation. We think your advice is very wise and very logical that the Jansson Report should really be discussed when we discuss Item 13 primarily for the reason that the Programme Committee is an Advisory Commitee to the Council. It has considered this Report, a summary of those views; are here, but the full views are not here before us. The logical thing would be to take up this matter when we take the Report of the Programme Committee. We have heard support for those views, we have heard some differences also but we can then take a concensus as to how the Council should react and how it should formulate its views. We should also take note that the views of the FAO and the Programme Committee have been sent to the Economic and Social Council. The matter has been before the United Nations General Assembly where at the moment two resolutions are pending. We also believe that the usual procedures for formulating the reports of the Council should be observed and there need not be any exceptions.
Insofar as the implementation of the UN-PAAERD is concerned, we have noted the contents of the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee. This Programme is more relevant and more important than ever before and we hope that the assessment of its implementation and the measures for its implementation in the future would contribute positively in taking this Programme forward.
We also note with appreciation the role of the Advisory Group on resource flows which has resulted in the assistance gap for Africa being reduced from 5 billion dollars to 2 billion dollars.
We would also like to join other delegates in expressing our appreciation for the Cyprus Initiative which is a very important and very high-minded initiative. We hope that the developments to come, including the role of the Consultative Group, will result in making this initiative into an operational reality. On trade issues, the FAO has been very helpful with its technical assistance to those who sought it and we appreciate that. All eyes are now fixed on the Montreal Review and we hope that this review will satisfy substantially the expectations from it.
So far as environment, women and locusts are concerned, these have been already widely discussed or are still in the process of discussion.
On science and technology for development, we agree with the approach in paragraphs 173 and 174. We recognise that FAO's programmes in science and technology were initiated before the Vienna Programme of Action and could not follow closely therefore the eight programmes that were identified as these were developed in response to the member countries. We note that FAO's activities are planned in full awareness of the VPA and that the FAO is cooperating in the harmonization of science and technology at country level. We also agree with the change of nomenclature of the division of the FAO which is cooperating with the IAEA and finally we thank you for your consideration.
Sra. Margarita LIZARRAGA (Mexico): La delegación de Mexico agradece a la Secretaría la preparación del documento y la presentación del Sr. Eberhart Luhe. Nuestro Gobierno considera que es un tema muy importante ya que permite plantear la interrelación de la FAO con los trabajos realizados por otros organismos tanto internacionales como regionales y subregionales, dedicados a la solución de los problemas agrícolas alimentarios, con objeto de lograr una mayor coordinación y evitar la duplicación de esfuerzos así como para emprender actividades conjuntas en las áreas donde se requieren mayores recursos.
Nuestra delegación considera muy importante los planteamientos hechos por el Director General en su declaración inaugural y apoya la vinculación de la FAO con las del Banco Mundial y el GATT, en apoyo de los gobiernos que así lo soliciten en el ámbito de su competencia.
La delegación mexicana considera, asimismo, importante que la FAO redoble esfuerzos para mejorar la participación de la Organización en la coordinación de las actividades operacionales para el desarrollo en el Sistema de las Naciones Unidas y de los esfuerzos para asegurar la mayor armonización posible de las actividades, en particular la activa cooperación de la FAO con el PNUD.
En lo que concierne al informe Jansson, nuestra delegación se limitará, conforme a lo establecido en la agenda a apoyar los aspectos contenidos en este documento.
La delegación ve por otra parte con satisfacción la colaboración de la FAO con la ONUDI, en particular, el acuerdo oficial sobre las relaciones entre las dos organizaciones, conforme a lo estipulado en la 24 Conferencia de la FAO. Nuestro Gobierno le da gran importancia y satisfacción a la estrecha relación de FAO con la OMS, en el sector de la nutrición que no sólo abarca el Codex Alimentarius sino que prevé también la creación de un grupo consultivo mixto sobre política alimentaria y nutrición.
Por otra parte, la delegación mexicana expresa su deseo de que en la próxima reunión de medio camino de la Ronda Uruguay del GATT, a celebrarse próximamente eh Montreal, Canadá, las partes contratantes, en particular los países industrializados, adopten una actitud más flexible que permita allanar el camino para el alcance de acuerdos en los grupos de negociadores de interés para los países en desarrollo, en particular, sobre productos agrícolas y tropicales.
Nuestra delegación ratifica su apoyo a la iniciativa de Chipre contra el hambre y se congratula del apoyo expresado por la FAO al CMA.
Washington ZUÑIGA TRELLES (Perú): En primer lugar felicitamos a la Secretaría por la presentación del documento. Quiero referirme a algunos asuntos que mi delegación juzga necesario resaltar.
En primer lugar, nos parece muy acertada la decisión del Consejo de administración del PNUD de recomendar que en las políticas y procedimientos del Sistemas de las Naciones Unidas se capacitara sistemáticamente al personal profesional de proyectos de contratación nacional. Esto es muy importante y significa que con este sistema se pueden lograr economías para muchos países que no tienen muchas disponibilidades de recursos sobre todo las contrapartidas, con el uso de técnicos nacionales. Asimismo, expresamos nuestra conformidad a lo expresado en el punto 12 que dice: "el Consejo de Administración apoyó firmemente la política de encargar a los gobiernos la ejecución de los proyectos". Estos dos aspectos, Sr. Presidente, nos parecen muy positivos.
También nos satisface que en el punto 15 se considera la suma de 20 millones de dólares para un programa de asistencia especial a los países de América Central, que tanto lo necesitan y que ultimamente han sido víctimas de catástrofes y guerras. Es interesante, Sr. Presidente, tomar nota de lo que dice el punto 25 sobre PAREDA. "Un año después de la adopción del Programa de Acción no se había logrado gran cosa, ni en crear un ambiente favorable para la recuperación y el desarrollo en Africa ni en ampliar de forma significativa las corrientes de recursos financieros para Africa. Quedó de manifiesto la incapacidad en muchos países de satisfacer los pagos del servicio de la deuda por sus frecuentes ajustes del calendario de pagos y acumulación de atrasos". Me parece que es interesante tomar nota además de lo que se señala en el documento, que dice "los reembolsos del Fondo Monetario Internacional durante los primeros años del decenio, vencieron y empezaron a aumentar más rápidamente que muchos nuevos fondos. La corriente neta de préstamos del Fondo Monetario Internacional, prácticamente es cero, en 1985, pasó a ser negativa en unos 500 millones de dólares E.E.U.U. en 1986". Esta situación refuerza la posición nuestra de pedir los cambios estructurales a que tanto nos hemos referido.
En cuanto al Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación, mi delegación considera que lo más positivo de la Reunión de Nicosia es la que señala en el punto 44, sobre todo en la posibilidad de utilizar excedentes de alimentos en los Programas para aliviar el hambre. El otro aspecto interesante es la relación que existe entre la seguridad alimentaria y el medio ambiente.
Estamos plenamente de acuerdo, Sr. Presidente, y creemos que estos son los aspectos más sobresaliente de la reunion de Nicosia. Ojalá que estos excedentes pudieran utilizarse como ayuda alimentaria y la mayor parte de estos recursos pudieran utilizarse en proyectos para proteger el medio ambiente.
También es interesante que el Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación estime imprescindible que en las negociaciones se considere un trato especial y diferencial a todos los países en desarrollo.
En el grupo de negociación sobre agricultura estamos de acuerdo con lo que expresa la CEE al pedir que se establezcan medidas especiales a corto plazo, frente a tres sectores que presentaban problemas tales como cereales, lácteos y azúcar.
En cuanto a la negociación de productos tropicales, hay algo que nos preocupa y nos gustaría que se nos pudiera dar una explicación adecuada. El punto 61 dice que: "una disposición general en favor de la liberalización del comercio de productos tropicales". No se si se ha contemplado el caso de algunos productos, como el caso del café, con lo cual, una liberalización del comercio quizás no sería conveniente, debido a que existe el Convenio Internacional del Café que creemos, que a pesar de sus defectos, o de los defectos que pudiera tener es el mejor sistema para podernos entender entre los países productores y los países compradores, teniendo en cuenta que el café es un producto en el que la oferta es mayor que la demanda y que tiene una importancia muy grande en los países en vías de desarrollo.
También estamos de acuerdo con lo que se señala en el Comité de Nutrición del CAC, sobre el punto 144 que señala que el desplazamiento de cultivos alimenticios a cultivos comerciales, no significa ningún peligro. Esto es muy importante porque todavía existe la idea en muchos países en desarrollo de que solo deben producirse alimentos, cayendo hasta en la demagogia. Todos los que sabemos algo de economía agrícola, sabemos que si hay un cultivo comercial, y aun si éste puede ser exportado y tiene mayor rentabilidad que un producto alimenticio, es preferible cultivar productos comerciales que da mayor ingresos, y con los mayores ingresos podemos importar alimentos de países que producen a menos costo. Esto es lo que se conoce como ventajas comparativas.
Convendría que la FAO pudiera insistir sobre este asunto, para que los países desarrollados pudieran tener más conciencia sobre este asunto.
Finalmente, Sr. Presidente, estamos de acuerdo con lo que se señala sobre ciencia y tecnología, y con los puntos 170 y sucesivos. El punto 168 dice que: se han iniciado muy pocas actividades nuevas en el campo de ciencia y tecnología y en el 70 y sucesivos se invita a que se efectúen ajustes estructurales y de política en los Programas de Trabajo y Presupuestos, de la manera que en lo posible todo el Sistema de las Naciones Unidas puedan utilizar un marco común para la ciencia y la tecnología. Creemos que este punto también es muy importante.
Bashir El Mabrouk Said, Vice-Chairman of the FAO Council took the Chair.
Bashir El Mabrouk Said, Vice-Président du Conseil, assume la présidence
Ocupa la presidencia Bashir El Mabrouk Said, Vicepresidente del Consejo.
CHAIRMAN (original language Arabic): Ladies and gentlemen, first of all I would like to welcome you all and thank you for having chosen me as Vice-Chairman for this very important session.
Earl W. WEYBRECHT (Canada): The Canadian delegation appreciates and has taken note of the Summary document CL 94/12 prepared under this item.
In the case of the section of the document dealing with Operational Activities for Development, the Canadian Government has had the opportunity to make its views known in the context of the 54th Session of the Programme Committee. Therefore, we would not propose to speak further on this particular subject under Item 13. We do, however, recognize that the United Nations General Assembly has specifically requested that the governing bodies of the specialized agencies comment on the Jansson Report. It is, therefore, entirely appropriate that this Council should add its views to the wide-ranging debate that has been launched. In this spirit we appreciate and endorse the comments and proposals made by the delegate of the United Kingdom and other delegates, and we would suggest that they be incorporated as an addendum to the Report. We find that the observations made by the delegate from the United Kingdom are not inconsistent with the findings of the Programme Committee. As the largest single executing agency of the UNDP, FAO has a unique and important contribution to make to the system-wide discussion on the eve of a new development decade.
Regarding the other sections of document CL 94/12 we would like the Council's record to reiterate the importance it attaches to improving and strengthening FAO's close and cooperative working
relations with other UN agencies on cross-sectoral issues. We appreciate, and were encouraged to learn of, the FAO's contribution to inter-agency efforts in the areas of environment and sustainable development, the UN Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development, and the system-wide preparation of a medium-term Plan for Women in Development.
We similarly note FAO's contribution in support of the Uruguay Round of negotiations and wish to highlight again the importance that Canada attaches to the GATT Ministerial meeting in Montreal in providing the necessary direction to bring these negotiations to a substantial conclusion.
We would as a final suggestion also note that we would welcome a document in the future that would highlight specific items for this Council to address. This is a point, I believe, that has been raised as well by other delegates.
Antoine SAINTRAINT (Observateur de la Belgique): Je me félicite de pouvoir intervenir sous votre présidence éclairée; vous permettrez certainement à un modeste observateur, de faire quelques observations sur le document bien structuré et bien pensé qui nous est soumis, et qui touche pratiquement à tous les aspects du développement.
J'ai personnellement relevé une toute petite erreur en page 41; en effet, s'agissant de la troisième reconstitution des ressources du FIDA, l'objectif de la catégorie 3 est de 75 millions de dollars et non pas de 70. C'est la seule erreur que j'ai trouvée dans ce document bien fait qui situe l'action de la FAO au sein de la famille des Nations Unies; la FAO joue un rôle important mais elle pourrait peut-être le jouer mieux et plus dans une perspective d'avenir, mais pour ce faire faut-il encore lui en donner les moyens.
J'ai eu l'occasion d'étudier le Rapport Jansson qui est bien fait et rencontre dans l'ensemble notre agrément sauf sur un point, qui fait d'ailleurs l'objet de réserves de la part de la FAO, et qui concerne le transit des fonds fiduciaires par le canal du PNUD.
Cela ne me semble pas une bonne chose; la plupart des pays industrialisés contribuent de manière substantielle au PNUD, et les fonds fiduciaires, affectés aux organisations spécialisées, sont des moyens supplémentaires dont l'importance est considérable.
Nous connaissons le rôle du PNUD, et je soulève à nouveau un point qui me paraît particulièrement important: le PNUD joue, par essence, un rôle de coordination. Sa situation financière s'est beaucoup améliorée; il faut, notamment au sein du Conseil d'administration du PNUD lutter contre une tendance qui va en se développant, et qui tend à ce que, pour un certain nombre de projets, le PNUD se transforme en organisme d'exécution. L'OPE a eu son utilité. Elle est devenue l'OPS; il faut à tout prix éviter que l'OPS ne prenne une dimension trop grande et qu'en définitive une partie des ressources du PNUD soit sous-traitée et gérée par l'OPS, organisme du PNUD.
Il existe au sein de la famille des Nations Unies un certain nombre d'organisations spécialisées auxquelles il est normal que le PNUD s'adresse. La Banque mondiale devrait davantage s'adresser aux organisations spécialisées; elle a un programme important dans le domaine agricole, et nous souhaitons une relation plus étroite entre la Banque mondiale et la FAO. Le document est intéressant. Il évoque un certain nombre de problèmes extrêmement vastes qui mériteraient tous une discussion très approfondie in se.
Le problème de l'Uruguay Round est incontestablement, dans la perspective de la construction du monde, un problème extrêmement délicat et important. Qu'il s'agisse des négociations sur la production des produits tropicaux ou de celles relatives aux produits provenant des ressources naturelles, il est incontestable que la FAO a un rôle à jouer. Le voeu en avait été émis, et je crois que le rôle qui est imparti à la FAO devrait aller grandissant dans les mois qui viennent. Si l'on veut arriver á un équilibre et au succès, la place de la FAO et son rôle sont prépondérants.
On aborde également, dans le cadre de ce dossier, les problèmes de l'environnement. Je crois qu'il faut à tout prix garder à ces problèmes leur dimension planétaire de façon à éviter qu'on ne déplace chez le voisin ou dans d'autres continents les problèmes que l'on a chez soi. C'est un aspect extrêmement important qui a été souligné longuement à la Conférence européenne à Cracovie, et je pense donc que cette approche planétaire est indispensable.
En ce qui concerne l'Afrique, on a déjà dit beaucoup de choses mais je crois que les conclusions du Groupe consultatif sur les flux de ressources en faveur de l'Afrique sont extrêmement inquiétantes. On a parlé d'ajustements structurels. Or je crois que les ajustements structurels doivent se faire dans tous les pays, qu'il s'agisse des pays développés ou des pays en développement. Mais lorsqu'on voit qu'en Afrique - et je cite le rapport - "les flux nets de prêt du FMI, pratiquement nuls en
1985, sont devenus négatifs (d'environ 500 millions de dollars) en 1986", il y a de quoi être particulièrement inquiet.
On a parlé du Programme pour le redressement économique de l'Afrique. Là, je crois qu'il faudrait quand même que l'on arrive à voir exactement où nous en sommes: quel est le montant des besoins ? Quel est le montant des engagements ? Il est noté qu'il manquera encore 2 milliards de dollars par an. C'est un élément quantitatif mais il y a également l'aspect qualitatif, qui me paraît important.
Dans un domaine important, celui de la lutte contre les criquets pèlerins, non seulement la FAO a un rôle clé à jouer mais c'est elle qui doit incontestablement jouer le rôle de coordination générale. On a évoqué - je crois que pas mal de progrès ont été faits dans ce domaine - les relations avec l'Organisation mondiale de la santé. Le problème du SIDA, avec ses répercussions possibles sur le problème agricole, a été évoqué. Incontestablement, une collaboration suivie avec l'OMS est non seulement souhaitable mais indispensable.
In fine, je voudrais insister sur la collaboration qui doit exister entre les trois organisations qui s'occupent des problèmes de l'agriculture au sens large: la FAO, le Programme alimentaire mondial et le FIDA. On parle beaucoup de coordination mais essayons au moins, au niveau de Rome et de ces trois organisations, de réaliser une bonne articulation dans la perspective du développement du secteur agricole mondial. La FAO a une vaste expérience en matière de politique agricole. Le rôle du Conseil de la FAO est non seulement souhaitable mais indispensable, et c'est pour cela qu'il n'est pas tellement important de discuter du problème de localisation des bureaux. Il est parfois plus important que les bureaux de la FAO se trouvent dans les ministères de l'agriculture de certains pays plutôt que de vouloir à tout prix réaliser, par économie, une harmonisation au niveau des locaux.
Telles sont les quelques modestes observations que je désirais faire à l'occasion de la discussion de ce point de l'ordre du jour. Je me permettrai peut-être de revenir demain sur certains points particuliers du Rapport Jansson et je m'excuse d'avoir été quelque peu long.
Lassaad Ben Osman, Independent Chairman of the Council, took the Chair
Lassaad Ben Osman, Président indépendant du Conseil, assume la présidence
Ocupa la presidencia Lassaad Ben Osman, Presidente independiente del Consejo
Masahiko YASUMURO (Japan): We highly appreciate document CL 94/12 which provides us with a compact review of the recent activities of the United Nations system which are of special interest to FAO. Since those issues, which relate to activities of many UN organizations have been increasing in many areas such as "women in development" and "sustainable development", which were on the agenda of this Council Session, my delegation believes that it is most important that each organization in the UN system should play its respective role effectively and systematically. It also believes that as the central agency in the area of food, agriculture and rural development, FAO should participate more positively in the teamwork of the UN system than it has done before.
Therefore, my delegation feels that more informative reviews of the activities of the UN system (and the reactions of FAO) would be more useful for the Governing Bodies of FAO in order to manage the Organization's activities more effectively and maintain close cooperation between FAO and other organizations.
My delegation would like to touch upon one of the very important issues in the document. My Government supports the UN's International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction the object of which is to reduce loss of life, property damage and economic disruption caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, windstorms, floods, landslides, wildfires and locust infestations. My delegation is satisfied that FAO has participated at all the meetings of the Steering Committee and Inter Agency Working Group and that FAO is preparing an inventory of its relevant activities as reported in paragraph 111 of document CL 94/12.
My delegation would also like to mention the Jansson Report under item 13 on the agenda.
Sra. Mónica DEREGIBUS (Argentina): La Delegación de Argentina agradece a la Secretaría y en especial al Sr. Director de la Oficina para Asuntos entre Organismos, por la presentación del documento que nos ocupa.
Al respecto, quisiéramos señalar nuestro apoyo a las sugerencias formuladas por las delegaciones de Finlandia y Estados Unidos de América en la primera parte de sus intervenciones, en el sentido de revisar la factura del documento sobre este tema.
En efecto, encontramos adecuado que se intente mejorar la presentación de las diversas cuestiones de interés para el Consejo incorporando opiniones de la Secretaría sobre su pertinencia y utilidad en las labores de la FAO.
Asimismo pensamos que el Consejo podría, tal vez, considerar hacer sus comentarios respecto de los diversos temas de los que se informa, cuando sea el caso, en los correspondientes puntos de su Agenda. Así, varias de las cuestiones analizadas hasta ahora en nuestras sesiones, como por ejemplo las negociaciones comerciales multilaterales, la 14a Reunión Ministerial del Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación, el Medio Ambiente, y la Mujer en el Desarrollo, hubieran podido analizarse conjuntamente con la actualización de la situación en las tareas de otros Organismos Internacionales.
Mi Delegación coincide con oradores presentes en que el Consejo debería expresar sus opiniones con respecto al Informe Jansson, según lo solicitado en la Resolución 42/196 de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas.
Hemos escuchado al respecto numerosas ideas del Representante del Reino Unido como así también del de la República Federal de Alemania. Lamentablemente no podemos, dado su número y complejidad, opinar sobre las mismas en este momento, pero deseamos pedirle a Ud. la posibilidad de hacerlo cuando lo considere oportuno, y una vez que sea circulado el texto escrito de dichas declaraciones. Esperamos que ello sea posible cuando se analice el Informe del Comité del Programa; pero repetimos, quisiera reservar la posición de nuestra Delegación sobre tantas sugerencias hasta que sea posible analizarlas detenidamente.
Roger PASQUIER (Suisse): Notre délégation désire appuyer, tout d'abord, le pladoyer qu'a fait la France afin que la FAO consacre une plus grande part de son activité à l'octroi de conseils en matière de politique agricole. Deuxièmement, nous voulons appuyer globalement l'intervention du Royaume-Uni. Troisièmement, au sujet de la question posée par le délégué du Royaume-Uni à propos du renforcement de capacité de management des coordonnateurs résidents du PNUD, nous voudrions répondre en disant, comme nous l'avons fait au Conseil d'administration du PNUD, que ce renforcement doit se faire principalement avec du personnel expérimenté capable de donner certains avis aux responsables gouvernementaux, et seulement accessoirement par des administrateurs stagiaires ou des experts associés.
Enfin, nous profitons du présent débat pour signaler que la délégation suisse, au Conseil d'administration du PNUD, ne manque pas une occasion d'insister pour que, dans le secteur agricole le PNUD mobilise en priorité les capacités de la FAO. C'est dans le même esprit que nous demandons ici que la FAO collabore le plus étroitement possible avec le PNUD.
C.B. HOUTMAN (Observer for the Netherlands): As this is the first occasion for my delegation to take the floor I should first of all like to say how pleased we are to see you in the Chair. As so many delegations have voiced views with which we agree, we can be brief.
We will limit ourselves to remarks concerning the Jansson Report (as have other delegations) which my country was happy to co-finance and which is the basis for Resolution 42/196. To a large extent we can associate ourselves with the UK statement. We would like also to be informed of the formal responses made by the secretariat in respect of all the relevant paragraphs of Resolution 42/196. We would also like Council to discuss the scope and conclusions of the Jansson Report in order to present views that ensure practical conclusions emerge from the ECOSOC tri-annual review. Along with the Programme Committee we found the Jansson Report a balanced and informative document. We would confirm our commitments to the efforts of the international community in order to enhance the value of the operational activities with more effective coordination.
We fully agree with the Belgian delegate when he stated that coordination should start here in Rome where IFAD, WFP and FAO with fields of operation so related should give an example of how coordination should take place in the UN system.
It is a small step to come from the word "coordination" to the word "coordinator" and in this connection to "Resident Coordinator". In a letter to the Director-General of FAO some months ago our Minister of Agriculture wrote some ideas which he thought to be important in the light of the FAO Review. Among other things, he touched upon the subject of Resident Coordinator and said "The Resident Coordinator - as primus inter pares - should guide the implementation of the contributions of the various specialized UN agencies (if possible under one roof). Integrated and well-coordinated efforts can result in a consistent overall policy regarding both the main issues and their implementation at the country level."
With these last words I come to the last point of my statement that I want to mention, namely decentralisation. Our view has been expressed in the letter to Dr. Saouma and also in the beginning of this month in the Second. Commission of the General Assembly, where the Minister for Development Cooperation said the following words: "The economic, social, political and cultural context in which UN organizations have to operate vary from country to country. This calls for a country-specific approach which is sometimes at odds with centralised decision-making processes in many UN organizations. I would be in favour of a considerable degree of delegation of authority to the field level."
Finally, I would like to state that certain recommendations of the Jansson Report should be seen in relation to the FAO review. Hence I might elaborate a little more on this subject during the debate on agenda item 13, as you requested.
Eugéne YOUKEL (UNDP): I consider it a privilege for someone who served FAO a quarter of a century ago today, to speak about the UNDP/FAO cooperation as far as the operational activities are concerned.
Let me attempt to comment on some of the issues raised in document CL 94/12 which are of direct relevance to the UNDP/FAO cooperation. At the same time, I shall touch upon some of the decisions and actions taken by the Organization and its Governing Council which, in my view, have a relevance to the item under consideration and have a bearing on FAO's activities.
Referring to Operational Activities for Development contained in paragraphs 3 to 7 of the documents, I would like to stress that the Governing Council of UNDP, at its Thirty-fifth Session in June this year, conducted a long and lively debate on the Jansson Report and General Assembly Resolution 42/196 which resulted in a detailed response reflected in decision 88/56 of the Governing Council.
The decision deals with the role of the country programme and the programming process; collaboration between UNDP and the executing agencies and the international financial institutions; the concept of joint programming; the round-table meetings and the national technical cooperation assessment programmes, NATCAPS, as well as the UNDP substantive participation in the consultative group meetings. The decision calls for the strengthening of the capacity of recipient countries for coordination of external assistance, as well as the cooperation among representatives of UNDP and the United Nations agencies in the field, including through sharing of common premises, so as to provide multisectoral and integrated advice to governments at their request. The recommendation related to reinforcing the central funding role of UNDP was strongly endorsed by the Council. As Mr. Luhe indicated, the response of the UNDP's Governing Council and of other organizations in the UN system, are now being reviewed by the Second Committee of the General Assembly.
In paragraphs 8 to 18, the document gives a brief account of some of the decisions of the Governing Council of UNDP which they considered might be of special relevance and interest to FAO. I should like, however, to provide some additional information which is not in the document, because in our view it has some bearing on the UNDP/FAO collaboration for the rest of the current programming cycle.
By decision 88/31 the Project Development Facility, better known as PDF, received additionl funding of $3.5 million from the Special Programme Resources. It is foreseen that costs incurred in the financing of new PDF missions for the remainder of the Fourth Cycle shall not be subject to reimbursement from the IPF. The responsibility for approving PDF missions for country and regional IPF's has been delegated to the various Regional Bureaux. UNDP is looking forward to involving FAO and other participating agencies more actively in missions financed from this fund for the purpose of helping to build up a pipeline of well-designed projects.
In implementing decision 88/32 on the Fight against the Locust and Grasshopper Infestation in Africa, UNDP allocated $3.3 million to combat the spread of locusts throughout North Africa and the Sahel, an initiative which is carried out in close collaboration with all concerned and, among those at the front line, FAO. We are pleased to note paragraph 42 of document CL 94/12 reflecting this point and the role our Resident Representatives are playing in these countries.
In its decision 88/50, the Council took an important first step in exploring successor arrangements to the present agency support cost system, once the present system comes to an end at the conclusion of the Fourth Development Cycle in 1991. The Council decided to establish a small group of experts in the field of international development to make a thorough study of all relevant issues and requested that its recommendations and the views of agencies be circulated to governments no later than February 1990. It further requested the Administrator to make appropriate proposals on the composition, terms of reference and cost of this expert group. It should be noted that, as concerns the terms of reference, the Council has expressed its preference for a broad approach covering
issues such as appropriate compensation arrangements which ensure enhanced accountability, project quality and maximum cost-effectiveness; and alternative arrangements between UNDP, executing agencies and governments in the execution of projects and programmes.
Needless to say that all agencies are fully involved in this entire review process and first consultations have already taken place, some four weeks ago, where the members of CCSQ (OPS) discussed the terms of reference and the composition of the expert group where I was present, and under the chairmanship of Mr. Brown, our Associate Administrator in Geneva, the whole issue was discussed. Further consultations are foreseen in the near future.
Another decision of the Council will have an important bearing on future development cooperation. The Council decided to devote the high-level segment of its Session in June next year, to review UNDP's role in the 1990s. It has requested the Administrator to submit a comprehensive report to the Council. The outlines and preliminary elements of this report will be discussed by the Working Group of the Committee of the Whole of the Council scheduled for February 1989. Steps are now underway to implement this decision. It is expected that the broadest possible consultation with FAO and other agencies will be taken.
Turning to the critical economic situation in Africa, which a number of delegates made reference to, and which we see contained in paragraphs 19 to 43 of the document, we would like to indicate that taking into account that Africa is the continent to which a major part of the LDCs and low income countries belong, the Governing Council allocated a major share of UNDP's resources for the Fourth Cycle to this region. The total volume of the UNDP core resources allocated to the African countries' IPFs for the Fourth Programming Cycle, amounts to approximately $1.4 billion representing 38 percent of the total UNDP resources, which is a 40 percent increase over the Third Cycle. Needless to say that, in addition, the African continent is also a priority target for all other funds administered by the UNDP's Administrator. In the formulation process our Regional Bureau for Africa, in cooperation with the African governments, took all necessary measures to ensure that the country and regional programmes for the Cycle fully reflect the priorities and objectives laid down in the UN Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development. The programmes as adapted to UN/PAAERD, and approved by the Governing Council, allocate, in line with UN/PAAERD objectives, over 45 percent of the UNDP resources to agricultural development, the highest record rate in this sector among all geographic regions. No doubt the agricultural development will receive also in future a high priority in view of the fact that in the last twenty years in famine-stricken areas in Africa, agricultural production has grown by one percent while the population increase raced at 3 percent a year. We do not need to stress that FAO, with its technical competence, will be our closest partner in the execution of these programmes.
In accordance with the provisions of the Governing Council decisions 88/24, UNDP is now closely monitoring the implementation of the African programmes. Four sub-regional meetings of Ministers for Planning are in their final stage of preparation and will take place between now and the end of 1988. Mr. Draper, our Administrator, attended two of them last week, one in Botswana and one in Uganda. The main themes of these meetings were: relations with Bretton Wood Institutions in Africa, NATCAPS, Round Table meetings, planning experience and modalities of project execution. Further to implement the above decision, the Administrator continues his efforts to mobilise more external resources for Africa. UNDP is anticipating that six country Round Table meetings for the region this year, will bring about $1 billion of external resources per annum over the next two or three years.
Document CL 94/12 gives account of several other issues. We have already intervened on the item on environment and the women earlier, so I will not make any reference to it.
I would like, however, to make some comments on the latest pledging conference which was held between 1 and 2 November in New York. Taking into account the pledges announced amounting to $748 million, and best estimates of the contributions of those countries which, due to internal legislative procedures, could not pledge now, the central resources of UNDP for 1989, it is estimated would reach $1 billion eight hundred thousand - a 6 percent increase, whereby marking this year again the highest level of core contributions received from all Member States, donors and recipients. I should like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of our Administrator, all governments from both developed and developing countries, who generously contributed to UNDP. At his particular request and on his behalf, I would like to pay tribute to the Government of Italy, the host country of FAO, for the most generous increase of 43 percent made to the UNDP during this pledging conference.
Let me end my statement by thanking FAO, our major partner, for its co-operation and delivery of the programme. I should like to inform you that, according to the most recent UNDP computer print-outs on delivery and approved budgets of over 2,000 UNDP funded FAO executive projects for 1988, the total volume of the latter, as of 3 November 1988 amounts to 211 million dollars. This figure is the record level for several past years now; yet, to the end of the year we have two more months to go.
This is the kind of co-operation which exists between UNDP and FAO, and we will do our utmost to continue in this manner.
Giuseppe VASTA (Observateur de l'Organization de coopération et de développement economique): Je voudrais féliciter le Secrétariat pour le document très complet et son excellente présentation.
Je voudrais assurer M. l'Ambassadeur de Colombie que je ne manquerai pas de présenter ses remerciements à l'OCDE au sujet de la réunion du groupe consultatif créé à la suite de la conférence de Chypre, réunion qui sera tenue à Paris les 19 et 20 décembre 1988. A ce sujet je dois toutefois préciser que cette réunion aura lieu par suite d'une initiative du Conseil mondial de l'alimentation, que l'OCDE mettra à sa disposition les locaux de son siège et participera aux travaux en qualité d'observateur.
Je remercie M. l'Ambassadeur Bula Hoyos pour la sensibilité démontrée à ce sujet et j'espère de tout coeur que cette réunion pourra donner de très valables et encourageants résultats.
Paul R. BRYDEN (Australia): My delegation welcomes the outline of recent developments in the UN of interest to FAO as contained in CL 94/12. It could perhaps, as has been said, be more analytical of FAO's construction.
We support FAO's assistance to member countries and the GATT Secretariat in preparations for the Uruguay Round. We commend the Programme Committee's consideration of the Jansson Report and are confident that their comments contributed to ECOSOC's deliberations. We agree with the view expressed by a number of delegations that the Council, as governing body of FAO, has a responsibility to convey to ECOSOC fuller, authoritative views. In this connection the United Kingdom intervention, in our view, provides a good, logical starting point for Council. For our part we support the views put forward by the UK as to a possible response to points (a) to (p) of the Jansson Report's conclusions in paragraph 82 of the Report.
We note that in a number of instances our response will need to emerge from our debate or from advice from the Secretariat, or to note that a particular issue is subject to review by our own team of experts.
It would of course assist our deliberations if the Jansson Report were available to the wider membership of Council.
Finally, we think Council should record the importance it attaches to FAO's maintaining close and harmonious working relations with other UN organizations. There is ample evidence that this is the case and in addition to the GATT Round we welcome FAO's collaboration with other agencies in the areas of UNPAAERD, women in development, the environment and sustainable development. 1/
LE PRESIDENT: Nous sommes à la fin du débat sur ce point très important de notre programme de travail.
C.H.BONTE-FRIEDHEIM (Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department): I can be very brief. With your permission, I will afterwards ask Mr. Luhe to answer some of the specific questions which have been raised. In accordance with your own wishes, I would like to postpone the Organization's reply to anything dealing with the Jansson report until tomorrow. Furthermore, tomorrow I think some of the queries will be able to be answered much better by the Chairman of the Programme Committee who will be here and can explain the position the Committee took. However, in this regard also I would like to ask that the question on the standard basic agreement with UNDP will also be answered together with the Jansson Report - I will be frank on this one - because I do not have the answer at the moment.
There are two other points I would like to take up. One, we have heard some opinions with regard to FAO's role in the field of structural adjustment, and we have been told that perhaps FAO's role as a policy adviser is not as good as it should be; while FAO's role as a policy analysis specialist is good. I would like to state here that we are a policy adviser only in those cases
1/ Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
when governments ask us to take on this role. Governments have done so in the past, and governments are doing so now. Therefore, I think to the best of the ability of this Organization we are going to continue to be a policy adviser.
Related to this point is my second point. It was stated from the floor by a Council member that we should work with the governments and the Bretton Woods Institution, and this is exactly what we are doing and in that order: with the governments and then with the Bretton Wood Institution. We are sometimes a little bit concerned that, although many governments or some governments wish that FAO should participate in consultative group meetings, in round tables and in other donor meetings, it is felt by some institutions or by donors that it should be only represented by one agency. There we feel government has a role to play and government should decide who attends.
With that, I would like to ask Mr. Luhe, with your agreement, to answer other questions which have been raised.
Eberhard E. LÜHE (Director, Office for Inter-Agency Affairs): First of all, I should like to thank all Council Members for their very interesting contributions on this item. I think it was an extremely interesting discussion. Many questions were raised. I do not think I am going to reply to all of them, firstly in view of the time constraint we are working under; secondly, I do not think I can answer all comments or questions. However, the Council Members may be assured that everything that has been said will be taken very carefully into consideration.
It has been said that the document discussed here covers a very wide range of activities, and that is certainly true. This is what has made the discussion extremely stimulating and interesting. Many points and comments were made on the operational activities. I think we can leave that until tomorrow, as Mr. Bonte-Friedheim has suggested, and I can confine myself to trying to reply to certain questions, criticisms and proposals that were made during the debate.
On the document itself, it was said to be too descriptive, not analytical enough, despite certain improvements that were made to the similar document presented to the Conference a year ago. I should like to make it very clear that the main purpose of this document is actually to inform Council Members in the UN family. There we have to be extremely selective and we cannot go into a deep analysis of all the many, many, many projects and activities that were carried out over the last year. However, I am inclined to agree and, on a personal note, I would like to say, on rereading the document, that I found it perhaps a bit too long. Less important things were included, described, and elaborated on at the same length as important events and developments. I think we can improve just by making the document a little shorter next time and focusing more on developments of greater importance. That should, in itself, make the document more analytical.
We could also perhaps make it clearer what the purpose of the various sections are: action, discussion, decision? If that could be done, that would focus the attention of the Council better on what they are expected to do. We will also make an effort to be even more analytical, but here I would like to say, within certain limitations, because it is mainly a document for information.
Perhaps one or two proposals that were made are very useful in this respect. I think it was the delegate of the United States who proposed that there should be, before coming to the description of the various activities, a kind of analytical introduction of developments which were, we feel, of greatest importance to FAO. I think this is an excellent proposal. In short, we are trying to improve further the document next time.
Most of the questions were about the situation in Africa, the Cyprus Initiative, science and technology, structural adjustment, revitalization of ECOSOC co-ordination and co-operation etc. On the Cyprus Initiative I think there were no questions asked, but I would like to make it very clear that FAO fully supports the Cyprus Initiative adopted at the 14th Ministerial Session of the WFC. The urgent review and assessment of efforts made to date in hunger reduction called for by the Cyprus Initiative we think is very timely. It has called for the identification of ways for improving current policies and programmes and of very useful, pragmatic, feasible and potentially effective new initiatives. I should say here that the goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition and ensuring food security for all is really central to all FAO activities. The initiatives put forward by the Organization in the past are very relevant to the Cyprus Initiative.
I have mentioned already in my introductory remarks that both Secretariats, FAO and WFC, are in very close contact on this. We are happy to make available all information, experience and data we have to the WFC.
The distinguished Ambassador for Italy has made very thought provoking statements and observations on co-ordination which I feel tempted to reply to at great length, but in view of the time I shall not do this. However, I would like to say that the Director-General of FAO attaches great importance to co-ordination and co-operation with other agencies and organizations of the system. The need for co-ordination is fully recognized. I should also, however, like to say that co-ordination has a price. It costs money. I remember that almost ten years ago a document was presented to this Council where the costs of co-ordination were estimated (even at that time it was about ten million dollars) including FAO contributions to inter-agency bodies like the Joint Inspection Unit and the Inter-Agency Board on Information, and the ICSC etc. It also includes -and this is the main item of cost - the time for travel, work and other expenses of substantive and supportive staff on more serious co-ordination exercises.
Now with costs, and it was said at the time that it is not only a quantitative problem, it is also a qualitative problem because more and more ADG's and even the Dire tor-General himself are involved with these problems, travelling, attending ACC's, etc., so that is one thing I wanted to say. The other thing is also on coordination, it should not be a one-way street, it is a two-way procedure. The Director-General himself gave a very good example in his opening statement when he referred to structural adjustment and structural adjustment means adjustment of economies and in many many developing countries the economy is based on agriculture, so he said that we are witnessing a very interesting phenomenon now in the development history that it is in many cases, the World Bank and the Bretton Wood Institutions that are redefining agricultural policy, which is economical policy and now it was said, I think Mr. Bonte--Friedheim mentioned it already, that there is one institution in the world which is responsible and whose function it is to offer to advise governments on their agricultural policies, this is the advisory function which we are trying to perform. Now it would he logical in such a case that all the United Nations agencies involved kind of pooled their experience there, their vast body of data that they have and offered these services to help countries with their policy formulations and operations in accordance with these considerations. So it would seem reasonable, this is what the Director-General said, in envisaging structural adjustments in the economies, that the bank and interested governments should have systematic recourse to FAO for independent opinions backed by long years of experience but the Director-General also said they do not and only rarely FAO has been asked for their advice by the Bredwood Institutions. Now this is a question of coordination again. Apparently the ministries involved in dealing with the Bredwood Institutions are the ministers of finance, and here they are the representatives of the ministries of agriculture so somebody said some days ago, that we should perhaps urge you people, the governments represented here at this Council, are also urging for coordiantion in other bodies and institutions.
Now, this was just a little, there are more examples. There was one specific question by Peru on paragraph 61 of the document which has to do with the tropical products in the Uruguay Round. I can confirm very briefly that the list of products does include coffee and other products which are the subject of international commodity agreements.
The tariff and non-tariff measures which are the subject of negotiation in the GATT are not part of the operational concern of the international agreements. The benefits from the liberalization of trade in these products includes expansion of markets and for both the primary commodities and perhaps of even greater importance semi-processed and processed forms of these commodities. The market expansion would also be expected to the extent that importing countries reduce their internal consumption, taxes on products like coffee, etc.
The other question was on cash crops versus food crops. It is a long story but I think the reply is there in the document itself, in paragraph 144. It says that the possibility of negative effect on nutrition resulting from shifts in production practices, notably from food crops for own consumption to crops for sale has been a matter of wide concern but then it is being said here that the data considered and discussions showed that in general cash cropping has resulted in increased incomes to farmers, increased food consumption and with little effect on local food prices. I hope this satisfies the delegate of Peru.
I am of course extremely grateful to the observer from UNDP for the additional information that he gave. This is exactly part of what I had cut from my introductory remarks before when I made my introductory statement because I felt time was too short. I think there was, and we have noted this, broad agreement on the science and technology for development item which will be reported to the intergovernmental committee.
There was the delegate of Finland who asked to hear some more about how we are intending to implement the revitalization of the Council. This is also a very interesting story but it might be a bit premature at this Session to talk about it. All I can say at this stage is that the Chairman of the ACC, which is the Administrative Committee on Coordination, and the Secretary have convened a first meeting in New York of selected agency members. FAO was represented and we have tried to find
very practical arrangements to help the Council in the revitalization exercise and there will be at the next meeting -- we have not changed the world and we have not improved the world but we have made a little progress and there will be another meeting early next year.
R.G. PETTITT (United Kingdom): Just a point about reserving responses on the Jansson Report to Item 13, there were some quetions put by me and I think by other delegates which were not actually about the Jansson Report but about other paragraphs on General Assembly Resolution 42/196. I assume this will also be covered then. I think this is what Mr. Bonte-Friedheim meant but I think he did not actually say that. It is just that I would like this confirmation.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Sobre la referencia al tema 13 solo decimos, que usted y la Secretaría piensen como se debe proceder, ya que parece que se están acumulando muchos elementos de discusión sobre el tema 13. Serían por lo menos tres los asuntos dimanantes: la propuesta de la reunión especial sobre la cual debe decidir el Comité, y el examen que está previsto para información, que parece se va a someter a discusión. Ojalá se escoja la mejor manera para que la discusión del tema 13 sea fructífera y ordenada.
LE PRESIDENT: Je remercie le Delegué de la Colombie. J'ai pris note des trois points que nous examinerons. A l'occasion de la discussion du Rapport du Comité du Programme, nous discuterons spécifiquement du Rapport Jansson, comme cela était prévu depuis le début de nos travaux. Je propose donc que les délégués qui n'ont pas pu prendre la parole aujourd'hui et qui ont préféré attendre la présence du Président du Comité du Programme abordent cette question à l'occasion d'un paragraphe à part, au cours de l'examen de ce Rapport.
Nous examinerons les autres questions que vous avez bien voulu signaler mais le Rapport Jansson sera individualisé à l'intérieur de nos débats sur le Comité du Programme.
J'ai pris note de l'observation de Monsieur le Représentant du Royaume-Uni.
A. REGNIER (Director, Field Programme Development Division): Mr. Chairman, it is up to you to decide. I may have the answer already now to questions raised by the delegate of the United Kingdom on the Jansson Report and some additional remarks, as well as my other colleagues, or do it tomorrow. It is up to you, I am in your hands. I can answer now or later.
LE PRESIDENT: On me dit que cela fait un tout et que cela sera abordé en même temps que le Rapport du Comité des Programmes.
Je remercie les délégués de leur patience. Je voudrais intervenir rapidement pour dire que tout le monde est d'accord, au Conseil, pour reconnaître qu'il faut renforcer la coopération entre représentants des diverses organisations des Nations Unies dans les pays, harmoniser les procédures et centraliser les décisions.
Je crois que tout le monde a également convenu que les gouvernements sont partie prenante au premier chef dans l'élaboration de ces programmes, compte tenu des chiffres indicatifs de planification, de façon à entreprendre, avec les mêmes crédits, plus d'études et plus de travaux.
La FAO a été invitée par quelques membres à présenter une réponse structurée pour le rapport de la réunion triennale de l'ECOSOC quant à sa position au sujet de la demande faite par l'Assemblée générale dans sa Résolution 42/196.
La majorité des orateurs ont souligné ue l'on devait continuer d'accorder la priorité à l'Afrique et je pense que le Conseil suivra avec intérêt la réunion qui aura lieu à Montréal aux fins de l'étude à mi-parcours de l'exécution du Plan d'action des Nations Unies pour le redressement économique et le développement de l'Afrique. A cet égard, je voudrais relever ce qu'a dit le Représentant du PNUD, à savoir que 38% du Programme du PNUD, c'est-à-dire 1, 400 milliard de dollars, seront réservés à l'Afrique, ce qui constitue une majoration de 40% par rapport à ce qui était prévu auparavant. C'est un point très important qui mérite d'être souligné.
Je crois que l'ensemble du Conseil a appuyé avec vigueur l'initiative de Chypre visant à augmenter les flux financiers nationaux ou internationaux. dans les pays les moins avancés, initiative qui a été prise lors de la quatorzième sessoon ministérielle du Conseil mondial de l'alimentation, et a souligné son intérêt à la voir mettre en oeuvre le plus tôt possible.
J'ai également noté que l'on approuvait que la FAO puisse intervenir plus activement dans les programmes d'ajustement structurels agricoles qui sont en cours dans de nombreux pays et qu'elle puisse être partie prenante dans la conception et l'élaboration de ces programmes et même, le cas échéant, qu'elle soit représentée au sein des comités consultatifs et de tables rondes spécialisées.
Nous pouvons donc clore ce point.
Ms Joan DUDIK-GAYOSO (United States of America): That was a masterpiece both in comprehensiveness and speed but because of some discussions that occurred on Saturday in the Drafting Group, I would just like to say that silence following your summary, Mr. Chairman, does not necessarily imply that everyone in the room agrees with it. I will not go into greater detail but it was raised with me on Saturday in the Drafting Group that if we had not objected to the Chairman's summary why should we object in the Drafting Group to something that was proposed in the draft? I would just like to signal that here.
LE PRESIDENT: Avant de passer au point 11 de l'ordre du jour, je voudrais annoncer, qu'en accord avec l'exécutif du PAM, nous avons convenu que l'examen du point relatif au PAM aura lieu demain matin à 9 h 30.
Rafael MORENO ROJAS (Director de Dirección de Recursos Humanos, Instituciones y Reforma Agraria): Trataré de ser extraordinariamente breve porque comprendo que la sesión se prolonga más allá de lo que fuera necesario. Me corresponde en esta oportunidad presentar el tema sobre las Actividades del Día Mundial de la Alimentación cuya información está contenida en el documento CL 94/INF/4.
Como es del conocimiento de todos Uds., las actividades alusivas al Octavo Día Mundial de la Alimentación celebrado este año se centraron en torno al tema de "La juventud rural". Este tema, de acuerdo con los informes que hemos recogido, encontró una gran acogida en la mayoría de los países miembros ya que reunía dentro de sí un elemento que no sólo permitía individualizar, a nivel de cada país, un grupo específico de la población que constituye un tema de gran preocupación cual es la relación de la juventud en el medio rural con los medios productivos y su permanencia en el ámbito de este sector, y al mismo tiempo, permitió que un numero importante de gobiernos conmemorasen con elementos emblemáticos, así pudiéramos denominar, el Día Mundial de la Alimentación que es, como todos sabemos, el día que señala la fundación de la FAO.
No voy, por efectos del tiempo, a relatar lo que se ha realizado en muchos de los países. Me permito solamente señalar dos grandes aspectos. El primero, la conmemoración de la FAO, aquí en la sede central en Roma, en la cual tuvimos el privilegio de tener como invitado de honor al Excmo. Sr. Presidente de la República de Portugal, Dr. Mario Soares, quien acompañado por el Presidente del Consejo de Ministros de Italia, Sr. Ciriaco de Mita, honraron la ceremonia de ese día entregando ambos su intervención, la cual como Uds. saben, está recogida dentro de los textos oficiales de la Organización.
Quiero señalar al mismo tiempo que en dicha oportunidad, como ya es tradicional, se recibió el Mensaje Especial de su Santidad el Papa Juan Pablo II.
A nivel de los países en vías de desarrollo hubo una celebración extraordinariamente rica y vasta. Sólo quisiera señalar cuatro o cinco ejemplos que no están contenidos en el documento que fue conocido por Uds. para esta reunión, cuales son la realización en Barbados del lanzamiento de un proyecto agrícola de un año de duración con los Clubes Juveniles 4H; en Chipre, el inicio del Plan gubernamental para alentar a los jóvenes rurales a permanecer en el campo; en Filipinas, la realización de la Primera Convención Nacional de la Juventud que aprobó un plan quinquenal sobre acceso juvenil a políticas agrarias; en Canadá, donde la Asociación del Día Mundial de Alimentación
preparó, como en años anteriores, materiales educativos sobre el tema de la alimentación que fueron distribuidos en las escuelas básicas a nivel nacional; en Ghana, donde ha entrado en funcionamiento con motivo de esta fecha el Centro de Capacitación para Jóvenes Campesinas que reciben asistencia técnica del Consejo Nacional para la Mujer y el Desarrollo; en Nicaragua, donde el Día Mundial de la Alimentación desde 1981 y en particular el de este año, ha estado vinculado claramente al Programa Nacional de Reforma Agraria impulsado por el país y en esta ocasión se conmemoró con la entrega de títulos de reforma agraria a cooperativas agrícolas y a individuos y a campesinos en la región de Estesli; en Bahrein, se realizaron actividades de sensibilización sobre los problemas del mundo en todas las instituciones de educación del país; especial mención corresponde a las ceremonias que fueron realizadas en la República Federal de Alemania, como ya fue informado en el documento, en donde el Director General fue invitado por el Gobierno a participar en la ceremonia organizada en Mainz; y obviamente la República de Italia, la cual cada año va expandiendo tanto a nivel de Roma como en las distintas regiones del país, los eventos y las actividades que a través de distintas iniciativas van siendo cada vez incrementadas en la medida que esta celebración va tomando cuerpo promovida por el Comité Nacional Italiano, presidido por la honorable Tina Anselmi.
Esto es respecto de lo que pudiese ser el informe de las actividades pasadas. Paso ahora a lo que es probablemente el anuncio más sustantivo que en este tema nosotros pudiésemos entregar, cual es informar sobre la decisión del Director General sobre el tema para el año 1989. El tema que debería centrar el Día Mundial de la Alimentación en 1989, tomando en consideración una serie de indicaciones recibidas por países miembros, será dedicado al tema: "La Alimentación y Medio Ambiente". Creo que la traducción en distintas lenguas es: "Food and Environment" en inglés y "Alimentation et Environnement" en francés. Me excuso por no poder pronunciarlo en chino y en árabe.
Este tema, como creo queda de manifiesto tanto en los debates de este Consejo como en una serie de intervenciones que se han escuchado en la Conferencia General de la FAO y en distintos foros, permite realmente sintetizar en un tema una preocupación constante que tanto los países en vías de desarrollo como los países desarrollados vienen señalando sobre lo que es una de las preocupaciones mayores que está centrándose en el debate internacional y nacional al término de la década de los años 80.
Por eso, creemos que este tema es de tal riqueza que permite a cada país, cualquiera que sea su ubicación geográfica, su aproximación a él; diversificar el tema tanto ya sea en aspectos que toquen a los problemas de los recursos naturales en sí mismos, al problema del hambre, al problema de la desnutrición, al problema de un desarrollo autosostenido, al problema de la deforestación, de la desertificación, de la explotación abusiva de los recursos marinos o de los recursos pesqueros, dado que obviamente el problema del medio ambiente permite precisamente centrar por cada gobierno, y la FAO preparará el material informativo, la riqueza que esta temática entrena. Esto es el anuncio probablemente sustantivo que queríamos señalar y es, repito, el tema del año 1989 que será: "Alimentación y Medio Ambiente".
F. Warren J. MAJOR (Canada): In the interests of brevity, I would be happy to provide the Secretariat with a copy of the 1988 Report and Financial Statement of our World Food Day Association of Canada. The Association, as has been mentioned, operates autonomously with strong governmental and non-governmental support and has now grown to 245 member organizations country-wide.
Ms Marasee SURAKUL (Thailand): First of all, my delegation welcomes the document before us. It is not an easy task to organize and celebrate a World Food Day in a developing food exporting country like Thailand. It needs a lot of cooperation and coordination on the part of the central government of the country where the majority of the people are farmers. However, in response to the advice given by the FAO Conference and the Director-General, Thailand has followed and organized a World Food Day on the following items. The outstanding orchard farmers received medals and certificates from FAO. The Thai rural youth took part in a panel discussion on rural youth development. An exhibition and panel discussion on rural youth development was organized on 14 October. All agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, including the Office of the National FAO Committee of Thailand, took part in this exhibition. All government agricultural extension stations throughout the country were instructed to hold an exhibition on World Food Day for one week.
The Minister of Agriculture was interviewed on television Channel 9 for half an hour on World Food Day in general and on Thailand in particular, the food and agricultural situation in the regions, rural youth in Thailand and the Government's plans in this field. There were special radio broadcasts. There was a special World Food Day address by the Prime Minister, and an interview with the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the World Food Day of Thailand. There was a World Food Day quiz programme. A quiz competition for students was organized and the subject was FAO fisheries, forestry and agriculture in general.
In conclusion, my delegation strongly supports FAO's celebration of World Food Day on the theme of food and the environment for next year.
LE PRESIDENT: Je voudrais communiquer au Conseil que le délégué du Mexique nous a fait parvenir son intervention afin de l'insérer au procès verbal.
Hartmut STALB (Germany, Federal Republic of): This year's World Food Day in the Federal Republic of Germany was held at the invitation of the Federal State of the Rhineland Palatinate in Mainz. The main events included the televised central event at the Electors Palace in the city of Mainz with a number of prominent speakers, an ecumenical service, a panel discussion on the theme "Fight against Hunger and Malnutrition, a challenge to the young generation, and various exhibitions on themes of development and policy significance.
This year's World Food Day in my country gained special importance by the attendance of the Director-General of FAO, Mr. Saouma, who presented the main paper on the occasion of the central event. Likewise present was the Minister of Agriculture of Rwanda, Anastase Nteziryayo, whose country has a partnership with my own. The Federal Government would like to thank both guests for their active contributions to this year's World Food Day in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The events of this year's World Food Day could activate again the interests of the German public in world food problems. The response to World Food Day 1988 shows that our citizens are meanwhile fully aware of the importance of the World Food Day.
World Food Day 1989 will be held in the Hanse city of Hamburg. The Federal Government, the Land Government of Hamburg and a great number of non-governmental organizations will also endeavour on the next World Food Day to focus the attention of our fellow citizens on the still unsolved problem of food security. The full report on our 1988 World Food Day Activities is available in German and English for those who are interested in it.
LE PRESIDENT: Je porte à la connaissance du Conseil que le Portugal nous a adressé sa communication qui sera insérée dans le procès-verbal.
Marcelo Leonardo da SILVA VASCONCELOS (Brazil): I thank Mr. Moreno for the comprehensive and interesting information presented to the Council both orally and in document CL 94/INF/4. I should like to add to the information he brought to this room by saying that during the 24th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Recife, Brazil, last October, the regional commemoration of the World Food Day was held on the 6th of that month independently of the Regular National Programme which was organized on the traditional date. The commemoration at Recife, was held in the presence of the Director-General of FAO, of high ranking Brazilian authorities and several delegates of Member Countries who were attending the Regional Conference.
Dang MEKOULA (Cameroun): La délégation du Cameroun a suivi avec grande attention l'excellente présentation par le Secrétariat de ce rapport sur les activités de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation célébrée le 16 octobre de cette année.
Au Cameroun, comme dans bien des pays en développement où les problèmes alimentaires et de développement rural restent au centre des préoccupations du gouvernement, cette manifestation se transforme progressivement, depuis son lancement en 1981, en une campagne de sensibilisation de l'opinion publique sur les problèmes cruciaux de la faim, de la misère et de la malnutrition qui restent le lot des ruraux et des marginaux sans emploi des centres urbains qui ont déserté la campagne.
L'organisation au niveau national de cette journée apparaît à certains égards comme une invite visant à mettre en condition l'ensemble des couches actives de la population, dans l'optique d'éveiller l'intérêt de tout un chacun sur la portée du débat engagé, sur le droit fondamental de tout citoyen à une alimentation suffisante, disponible et accessible.
C'est un véritable défi à relever.
Le thème de réflexion choisi par la FAO pour célébrer la 8ème Journée mondiale de l'alimentation qui a porté sur la jeunesse rurale, a suscité un intérêt soutenu à tous les niveaux.
C'est d'ailleurs dans cette lancée qu'au niveau du siège de l'Organisation les cérémonies ont été marquées par les déclarations du Président de la République du Portugal, du Président du Conseil des Ministres d'Italie, du Directeur général de.l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'Alimentation et l'Agriculture et par le message de Sa Sainteté le Pape Jean-Paul II.
Les manifestations ayant marqué la célébration de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation au Cameroun cette année ont été programmées sur une semaine baptisée Semaine nationale de l'alimentation, au cours de laquelle la presse écrite et parlée a été largement mobilisée pour concevoir et publier, en rapport avec les services techniques concernés, tous les sujets ayant trait aux thèmes de la Journée.
Notre délégation appuie l'idée d'impliquer autant que possible les organisations non gouvernementales dans le processus de l'organisation de manifestations devant marquer la célébration de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation. L'idée de la création d'un organisme spécial des ONG chargé d'appuyer les activités du mouvement de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation de par le monde apparaît comme une excellente initiative à soutenir.
Le thème retenu pour l'année 1989 est déjà connu. Il porte sur l'alimentation et l'environnement. C'est un sujet d'actualité et ceci doit permettre au Comité national de préparer dès maintenant les programmes des manifestations appropriées.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Creo que el Consejo ha tomado nota de las interesantes informaciones que nos dio el Dr. Rafael Moreno y de la manera como se celebra en países desarrollados y en desarrollo el Día Mundial de la Alimentación. Todos estamos de acuerdo en apoyar el Día Mundial de la Alimentación y Medio Ambiente como tema de 1989.
Pero si hemos pedido la palabra es para tratar de ayudarle un poco, Sr. Presidente, aunque sea mínimamente. Ya que no se puede tratar esta noche el tema 9.1, tal vez, si terminamos rápidamente este tema, que es para información, podríamos pasar en seguida al tema 9.2: Elección de cinco miembros. Sabemos que venció el plazo, que hay cinco candidatos. No se necesita elección; leer el Reglamento, los nombres de los países, aclamarlos e irnos a comer.
LE PRESIDENT: Je remercie le délégué de la Colombie. Je dois dire que j'avais pensé à la question et j'avais eu le même réflexe. Mais comme le Directeur exécutif du PAM vient demain, j'ai pensé que l'on pourrait annoncer cela en sa présence.
Washington ZUÑIGA TRELLES (Perú): Muy brevemente. En vista de la petición del amigo Embajador de Colombia, mi Delegación desea felicitar al Dr. Moreno por el informe escrito y oral que nos ha hecho llegar sobre el Día Mundial de la Alimentación. Sólo quería señalar que en mi país se celebró también el Día Mundial de la Alimentación, con una magnifica actuación en la mejor universidad agraria que hay en el Perú, que es la Universidad Nacional Agraria, con la presencia del Ministro, todo el Ministerio de Agricultura, alumnos y profesores, y se le dio amplia publicidad por todos los medios de comunicación.
Sra Evangelina BELTRAN PIMIENTA (México): Felicitamos al Dr. Moreno por su interesante informe de actividades sobre el Día Mundial de la Alimentación. México, como todos los años a partir de 1981, se sumó al llamado de la FAO para conmemorar este evento teniendo por sede la celebración nacional la ciudad de Tlaxcala. De esta manera, previo al día 16, se realizó un seminario sobre la "Juventud Rural y la Alimentación", en donde reconocidos especialistas abordaron temas que directamente afectan al entorno de ese sector de la población, proporcionando información a los jóvenes campesinos sobre algunos aspectos de la alimentación por medio de una dinámica de retroalimentación entre los ponentes y el auditorio.
Asimismo se celebró un "Encuentro Nacional de la Juventud Rural", en el cual participaron miembros de la Confederación Nacional Campesina, del Sindicato de Jornaleros Agrícolas, de programas juveniles y de organizaciones de productores, entre otros. Su objetivo fue aportar elementos para un diagnóstico nacional sobre la juventud rural y sistematizar una serie de propuestas que contribuyan a superar su problemática.
Durante el acto del Día 16, se destaco el mensaje del Ejecutivo Federal a través del Secretario de Agricultura, Lic. Eduardo Pesquiera, de apoyar y reconocer la problemática de la juventud rural, y se hizo entrega de los premios nacionales de investigación en alimentos y reconocimiento simbólico a alumnos de escuelas rurales que se destacaron por su contribución al mejoramiento de su comunidad. Se firmó un convenio interinstitucional de atención a la juventud rural y se canceló una estampilla postal conmemorativa de esta celebración en 1988. Cabe mencionar que a nivel de las entidades federativas, la celebración se realizó bajo un esquema similar al observado en Tlaxcala. De esta manera, Sr. Presidente, en México los jóvenes, lejos de ser sólo objeto de la celebración, tuvieron una participación muy directa y significativa, además de que se fortaleció e intensificó el esfuerzo interinstitucional para fomentar las actividades de participación organizada de ese sector de la población. 1/
Oscar PETINGA (Observateur du Portugal): Au Portugal, la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation est d'habitude commémorée comme la fin d'une campagne de sensibilisation qui s'écoule pendant toute l'année et avec laquelle on tente d'atteindre surtout les professeurs et les élèves de l'enseignement secondaire, ainsi que les médecins, ayant pour but de corriger les erreurs nutritionnelles.
Au niveau des écoles on cherche à sensibiliser les élèves au problème de la faim dans le monde et, pratiquement, dans toutes les écoles du pays les étudiants sont invités à présenter une étude sur ce problème. Le Comité national portugais de la FAO a préparé un ensemble de textes de base sur cette matière, qu'il livre aux étudiants afin de les aider à élaborer leurs travaux.
Cette année, on a créé un grand concours, au niveau national, parmi les investigateurs, sur le thème "L'alimentation et le succès scolaire". Le meilleur travail recevra un prix de 2 000 dollars. En ce moment, un jury est réuni pour apprécier les travaux présentés.
Cette année, grâce à l'honorable distinction qui a été conférée à notre pays, le Président de la République a été l'orateur officiel de la célébration solennelle de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation ici, siège de la FAO. En cela, cette journée a été plus ressentie par la population portugaise.
Monsieur le Président de la République portugaise en prononçant son discours ici à Rome, ne pouvait pas s'empêcher d'exalter le rôle accompli par la FAO contre la faim et en faveur du développement; il a demandé aux principaux pays contributeurs d'augmenter l'aide à la FAO afin que celle-ci puisse réaliser un travail encore plus vaste; il a attiré l'attention sur le besoin de renforcer le dialogue et la coopération entre les pays riches et les pays moins riches; il a offert la coopération du Portugal, de techniciens et d'informations accumulées dans le pays sur le monde tropical et a annoncé l'intention du Portugal de créer un Centre de dialogue entre le Nord et le Sud.
Etant donné que le thème principal de cette année était "les jeunes agriculteurs", le Comité National de la FAO a entretenu avec des associations de jeunes agriculteurs, au long de toute l'année, un dialogue ouvert, ce qui a permis au Président du Comité national portugais de la FAO de transmettre un message sur la tâche des jeunes agriculteurs en faveur du développement, lors de la session de clôture, le 16 octobre, et qui a conclu une année d'étude sur les problèmes des jeunes agriculteurs.
Cette année, les moyens de communication sociale au Portugal ont donné un grand relief á l'évenement, encore plus motivés par la présence du Président de la République à Rome à l'occasion de la J.M.A.
- Le programme TV rurale a transmis la session du 16 octobre en horaire noble de dimanche.
- Pendant la semaine du 9 au 16 octobre la télévision a transmis, tous les jours et plusieurs fois par jour un "spot" de 20 secondes, concernant la J.M.A.
- Le "Boletim Agràrio" (Bulletin Agraire) du Ministère de l'agriculture, que la télévision transmet tous les jours, s'est référé à la J.M.A.
- La RTP a transmis, le 16 octobre, une entrevue avec le Président du Comité national de la FAO, sur la J.M.A. dans le journal télévisé de 20 heures.
1/ Texto incluido en las actas a petición expresa.
- Et, évidemment, la télévision portugaise a transmis, en direct, l'intervention de Monsieur le Président de la République portugaise, ici à Rome.
A la radio, outre plusieurs nouvelles à ce sujet, en peut faire référence aux programmes suivants:
- Programme "Hommes de la terre" transmis quotidiennement pour les agriculteurs, entre 6 et 7 heures du matin.
- Programmes spéciaux de 15 minutes, dans quatre stations de radio, dont les émissions couvrent tout le pays.
Le 16 octobre ont été publiés deux livres, sous la supervision du Comité national de la FAO, ayant pour but la vulgarisation des principes d'une alimentation rationnelle.
1 Un livre de grand tirage intitulé "Manuel de l'éducation alimentaire", édité par une librairie privée, pour le grand public et ayant 220 pages.
2 Un autre, intitulé "Alimentation - Nutrition - Santé" édité par le Ministère de l'éducation et distribué à grande échelle par les professeurs de tous les niveaux d'enseignement.
3 Distribution d'autocollants relatifs à la J.M.A. et à la valeur du pain, distribués surtout dans les lieux publics, dans les restaurants, dans les brasseries, dans les cantines, dans les centres de santé et dans les cabinets de consultation des médecins.
4 Distribution gratuite d'échantillons de divers types de pain, accompagnée de commentaires sur les avantages des uns et des autres. Nous citerons éventuellement "le pain du coeur" qui est fabriqué seulement avec une petite quantité de sel.
5 Présentation, dans une vitrine de Lisbonne, dans un des magasins les plus centraux, des objectifs de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation.
En ce moment, à Lisbonne, dans la faculté d'Agronomie, et parce que le 16 octobre la Faculté se trouvait encore en période d'inscription des étudiants, se déroule encore une semaine liée aux problèmes de la faim et de la nutrition, organisée par les étudiants.
Pour terminer, je voulais dire que la commémoration de la Journée Mondiale de l'alimentation, depuis 1981, a toujours eu un grand intérêt au Portugal.
Les portugais, qui ont une longue expérience du contact avec les pays du tiers monde où le problème de la faim existe, se sensibilisent beaucoup par cet évenement et organisent des campagnes de collecte de fonds, vetêments, médicaments et autres produits, qu'ils envoient, plusieurs fois par an, aux pays nécessiteux.
Généralement, ils utilisent un intermédiaire choisi situé dans le pays auquel s'adresse l'aide avec l'objectif d'augmenter l'efficacité de la distribution. 1/
LE PRESIDENT: Je voudrais clore ce point de l'ordre du jour en disant que nous nous félicitons de la réussite de cette Journée mondiale de l'alimentation, de l'intérêt apporté par les différents Etats à cette journée qui, dans certains cas, s'est convertie en une semaine de l'alimentation. C'est un facteur intéressant de sensibilisation des populations aux problèmes qui nous intéressent.
The meeting rose at 19.30 hours
La séance est levée à 19 h 30
Se levanta la sesión à las 19.30 horas
1/ Texte reçu avec demande d'insertion au procès verbal.
