LE PRESIDENT: Je déclare ouverte la cinquième séance plénière de notre Conseil.
Nous reprenons le point 7 que nous n'avons pas pu terminer hier, point qui concerne les questions issues de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques. Nous nous référons aux documents CL 103/16 et CL 103/16-Sup. 1. Je vais immédiatement passer la parole au très distingué Représentant de l'Angola.
A. Pedro CANGA (Angola): Monsieur le Président, distingués délégués, Je voudrais avant tout féliciter Monsieur le Président pour la manière combien efficace dont vous conduisez nos travaux.
Je félicite également les autres membres du Bureau et le Secrétariat pour les documents CL 103/16 et CL 103/16-Sup.1. Je remercie vivement M. Hjort pour le résumé qu'il nous a présenté.
Permettez-moi, Monsieur le Président, de faire quelques commentaires sur les questions de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques.
L'Angola attache une attention spéciale aux ressources phytogénétiques. Elle possède une biodiversité assez riche. Malheureusement celle-ci a été très peu étudiée. Plusieurs ressources, en ce qui concerne les plantes indigènes, ne se trouvent pas dans notre banque embryonnaire phytogénétique ni dans les banques des institutions internationales.
Ainsi l'Angola se trouve dans une situation de conservation in situ. A cette occasion nous lançons un appel à la FAO, aux autres institutions internationales et aux pays donateurs pour nous appuyer dans la création de notre Centre national des ressources phytogénétiques.
D'autre part, nous apprécions les termes de l'engagement international sur les ressources phytogénétiques. Cependant, une analyse approfondie sur le "libre accès" doit être faite, de manière à éviter des conséquences négatives.
Comme il l'a dit dans son allocution, le Ministère de l'agriculture et du développement rural serait disposé à adhérer à l'engagement international sur les ressources phytogénétiques, une fois résolu le problème que je viens de souligner.
Ainsi ce document-Engagement sur les ressources phytogénétiques - servirait de base à l'élaboration des instruments juridiques nationaux en la matière.
La délégation angolaise appuie les conclusions et les recommandations de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques et sa Résolution 31 si la révision de l'engagement international sur les ressources phytogénétiques figure intégralement dans le document CL 103/16.
Carlos A. DA ROCHA PARANHOS (Brazil): First of all, I would like to commend Dr De Haen for his clear introduction to the subject.
It is with great pleasure that the Brazilian delegation intervenes in this item of the agenda to reaffirm, at the very beginning, that it considers as highly important the work done by the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources since its inception, and its remarkable contribution, many years before the UNCED, to the present wide acceptance of the concepts of sustainable development and sustainable use of plant genetic resources. It must also be noted the important role played by FAO and the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources in the preparation of the Rio Conference and in the incorporation of valuable principles related to genetic resources in the Agenda 21 and to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Brazilian Government regards this Convention as an international instrument of fundamental importance for plant genetic resources, including the specific resources of food and agriculture.
After this introduction, my delegation would like to comment on some points that were discussed during the 5th Session of the Commission.
Regarding the Global System for the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources, we recall once more that it must be adjusted to the principles of the Convention, especially in relation to the conditions of access to plant genetic resources, as recommended by Agenda 21.
The strengthening of the Global System is one of the main targets of FAO in the plant genetic area. In this context, our first task must be to adapt it to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is the latest conceptual document on the matter.
Taking into consideration the need of this adaptation of the Global System and the need of establishing a very close relationship between the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources and the decision-making bodies of the Biodiversity Convention, we support the idea that the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources may proceed as co-ordinator of the Global System, which was created in the context of FAO. Initiatives in areas of direct competence of the Convention's bodies - such as negotiations of protocols - should, however, in no way be considered by the Commission. On the other hand, we have no doubts that it will be of great importance to the decision-making bodies of the Convention to benefit from the experience accumulated by the Commission in discussions on plant genetic resources on which it has based its decisions. This assistance should, however, be provided directly by the Commission and not by the Working Group, as it was suggested by the Secretariat during the 5th Session of the Commission. In spite of the relevant activities developed by the Working Group, the limited participation in its discussions does not
advise us to endorse that proposal. Also, regarding the suggestion that the Commission should provide policy advice to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on matters related to Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and to the Participants' Assembly of the Global Environment Facility on funding of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture projects, we do support the proposal, but we have two suggestions to offer. We would prefer to say that the Commission should provide "recommendations" instead of "policy advice". This is the word adopted after long negotiations on Chapter 38 of Agenda 21 and during the 47th General Assembly, on the establishment of the Commission on Sustainable Development, to refer to the competence of intergovernmental bodies and in accordance with Articles 10, 11, 13 and 62 of the UN Charter. On the other hand, we believe that the "recommendations" to the Global Environment Facility should not be directly transmitted to the Fund but through the decision-making bodies of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Another idea that deserves the full support of my delegation is that "the Commission should report to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development on the implementation of the Agenda 21 programme area on PGRFA". It shall be always borne in mind that one of the basic concerns expressed in Rio de Janeiro was the need for effective co-ordination among organizations and agencies of the UN system in order to avoid duplication of tasks or waste of scarce, human and financial resources. The role to be played by the Commission on Sustainable Resources is of utmost importance for this goal to be reached.
While premature, the decision to transform the Undertaking in a protocol of the Convention may be examined by the Conference of the Parties, which is the competent body to decide if there is enough scope in the Convention for a protocol on genetic resources for food and agriculture. The compatibility between the Convention and the Undertaking is another matter that should be previously addressed, in particular the bilateral approach of the Convention and the universal approach of the Undertaking.
My delegation would also like to stress the importance that it attaches to the discussions related to the Resolution 3/91 of the Nairobi Final Act on the complementarity between the Convention and the Global System and on solutions to outstanding matters related to the "access to the ex situ collections not acquired in accordance with the Convention" and to the question of farmers' rights. We support a deep discussion on these very important matters, and we are convinced of the relevant role to be played by the Global System in searching solutions to it, but we also believe that final decisions must be left to the decision-making bodies of the Convention.
With respect to the relationship between the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources and the Conference of the Parties, and its predecessor (the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee), we recall that Resolution 2 of the Nairobi Final Declaration requests FAO to support the establishment and functioning of the interim Secretariat of the Convention and that bodies - such as the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources - provide needed information to the INC. Up to now this should be the limit of the relationship, which can be reviewed by the Conference of the Parties of the Convention and may consider the delegation of a specific function related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. In relation to the
contribution expected from FAO to the implementation of the Convention, one idea to be explored could be a request of clarification directed to the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of the Convention.
With respect to the International Fund for Plant Genetic Resources, I wish to recall that, during the debate that preceded the Rio Conference, Brazil often questioned the opportunity of its establishment before UNCED's decisions on financing activities related to conservation and utilization of biological diversity resources. Once again my delegation expresses its concern on the compatibility of the fund's mandate, established by Resolution C 91/3, with the financing mechanism created by Agenda 21 and by the Convention on Biological Diversity. A logical solution could perhaps be to restrict its use to projects related to "Farmers' rights", leaving the financing of the global plan of action to the financial mechanism of Agenda 21 and, where applicable, to the Convention on Biological Diversity. In this respect, my delegation does not believe that the option of establishing a new "window" in the Global Environment Facility - from resources that should be channelled for activities approved by the States Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity - for the implementation of farmers' rights would be advisable.
The Brazilian Government attaches, on the other hand, great importance to the work being done with the voluntary cooperation of governments for the establishment of a World Information and Early Warning System for Plant Genetic Resources. And we do agree, as stated by Agenda 21, that the implementation of the warning system will "facilitate the exchange of information". In this context Brazil has already answered the FAO questionnaire on "Survey of National Plant Genetic Resources Activities for Agricultural Species" and intend to provide in a short time the information recently requested on forest genetic resources. The same procedure must be followed in relation to the "Information Systems Questionnaire", that is, it shall be sent to Governments that will collect the needed information among the national institutions involved.
With regard to the early warning mechanism, it should be noted that its implementation must be in accordance with Article 14 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and, therefore, directly contribute to its application. Taking into consideration that the said article is part of a binding agreement between governments and that it is much more comprehensive than the proposal • under discussion, we cannot agree that a character of continuous monitoring of in situ and ex situ conservation be given to the mechanism. If implemented as proposed it would basically serve as a mechanism of pressure over affected countries, once it would use not only information voluntarily provided by concerned Governments but also information disclosed by collectors and, on the other hand, it would lead to an undefined "systematic monitoring of the causal phenomena". We do not agree as well that reports on critical situations to the international community in gene banks or in the field could be made by alternative means, one of which is a mere appeal by FAO to donors. When such a situation arises the first to be warned should always be the Government of the country where the problem is detected.
On the other hand, my delegation would like to express appreciation of the important advances made towards the establishment of an "International network of ex situ base collections in gene banks under the auspices or jurisdiction
of FAO". We believe that the modified Model being processed by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research should be encouraged. The concept of "trusteeship" ensures much more effective control of access to resources, whose liberation would depend only on a prior informed consent and would, therefore, be in line with paragraph 5 of Article 15 ("Access to Genetic Resources") of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This principle could, whenever possible, be applied to international collections with commercial use.
In relation to the network of in situ conservation areas, we believe that FAO's activities in this field should primarily concentrate in strengthening national capacities and especially in rendering support to States in the implementation of Agenda 2l's recommendations and Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
My delegation recognizes the importance of the International Code of Conduct for Plant Germplasm Collecting and Transfer, as it could provide useful guidelines for the elaboration and perfecting of a legal framework on germplasm collecting and transfer in the different countries. The adoption of the Code could foster the development of legal instruments on access and sharing of benefits, particularly in the interim period pending the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
My delegation is generally supportive of the terms of the draft Code submitted to this Council, its voluntary nature and its respect of the national laws of donor countries.
We are, however, less enthusiastic about the idea of establishing a Code of Conduct on Biotechnology and my delegation suggests that the CPGR re-evaluatethe need of such an instrument. In our view, the variousand complex matters involved couldbe. better addressedby the adoption of recommendations of principles that would provide guidance to member countries.
The International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, a FAO initiative planned to be held in 1995, was formally endorsed by UNCED which made several recommendations to guide its preparatory process. This Conference will be the fourth and probably the most ambitious of a series, as it will follow-up the recommendations and decisions of UNCED and will adopt a Global Plan of Action. The methodology of its preparation - based on questionnaires, national reports, regional meetings and especially on the elaboration of the report "State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources" and of the "Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources" seems adequate in general.
Finally, I would like to stress the importance that my country attaches to the work that will be developed by the Working Group on Plant Genetics in the next years. Brazil, through our regional group, has already manifested its firm intention of joining the Working Group.
Ivàn MARULANDA GOMEZ (Colombia): Colombia estuvo presente, señor Presidente, en las deliberaciones de la quinta reunión de la Comisión de Recursos Fitogenéticos y registramos con satisfacción la dinámica y el nivel de trabajo que ha logrado este grupo dentro de la FAO. Nos preocupa, señor Presidente,
en términos generales lo que se refiere al tema ambiental, el hecho de que dentro del sistema de Naciones Unidas puedan estarse repitiendo esfuerzos por una falta de coordinación y de precisión acerca de las responsabilidades que le conciernen a cada organismo sobre esta materia. A este respecto recomendamos, señor Presidente, que la FAO haga un esfuerzo para que se llegue a esa coordinación y se precisen las competencias y las funciones de los distintos organismos en cuanto se refiere al tema ambiental dentro de Naciones Unidas.
Registramos con satisfacción también, señor Presidente, el hecho de que se haya consolidado el Grupo de Trabajo y se hayan establecido normas más precisas sobre su funcionamiento que permitirán una mayor eficiencia en las actividades de este grupo que, por lo demás, demostró que tiene un elevado nivel técnico y una elevada mística en cuanto a sus funciones y responsabilidades.
Estamos de acuerdo, señor Presidente, con las recomendaciones que se han hecho por parte de muchas delegaciones en el sentido de activar los trabajos dirigidos a la revisión del Compromiso Internacional para armonizar sus disposiciones con las normas establecidas en el Convenio sobre la Biodiversidad Biológica suscrito en Río.
Colombia, como usted bien sabe, señor Presidente, suscribió el Compromiso Internacional y de allí nuestro interés y nuestra preocupación para que dicho compromiso se actualice con los acontecimientos más recientes en este campo.
En cuanto al proyecto de Código Internacional de Conducta para la recolección y transferencia de germoplasma vegetal, queremos decir que Colombia registra también con satisfacción los avances que se han logrado en la configuración de este proyecto de Código. Nos parece una herramienta muy interesante y muy importante de consulta para los países con miras a desarrollar legislaciones propias encaminadas a normalizar la utilización de los recursos fitogenéticos en los habitats naturales de cada país.
Reforzamos la tesis fundamental que inspira a este proyecto en el sentido de reconocer los derechos soberanos que tienen los países sobre los recursos fitogenéticos que se encuentran en cada territorio de cada nación.
A este respecto, señor Presidente, y a manera de información, quiero decirle al Consejo que Colombia se encuentra desarrollando una legislación a este respecto. En 1991 Colombia expidió una nueva Constitución política, en esa nueva Constitución política hay normas específicas con relación a la riqueza genética de nuestro país y establece esta Constitución mandatos muy precisos a las diferentes instancias del Estado colombiano al Congreso y al Gobierno para que desarrollen normas encaminadas a regularizar todos los aspectos que tienen que ver con nuestra riqueza genética. De ahí resulta que para Colombia este proyecto de Código Internacional, sea un instrumento muy oportuno y útil en las labores que estamos desarrollando.
Quisiera informar también que se está en los actuales momentos aprobando en el Congreso de mi país una ley que crea un Ministerio para el Medio Ambiente que será el que se encargará de desarrollar y administrar las normas
relacionadas con todos estos temas establecidos, repito, en la Constitución y referentes a las cuestiones ambientales.
Vemos con satisfacción entonces, señor Presidente, que se siga el curso de estudio y de tramitación de este proyecto de Código Internacional dentro de la FAO. Dentro del espíritu planteado en el párrafo 59 del informe de la Comisión donde se contempla el hecho de que se trata de un Código dinámico que tendrá que evolucionar con el tiempo y de acuerdo con las necesidades y circunstancias, y es por esto precisamente, señor Presidente, que estaremos alerta en cada momento a hacer nuestros propios aportes a la discusión en las diferentes instancias en donde se plantee el tema de este Código en la próxima Conferencia de la FAO y, posteriormente en las distintas reuniones de la Comisión de Recursos Fitogenéticos de la FAO.
Recogemos con interés las preocupaciones que han expresado varias delegaciones, tanto en la reunión de la Comisión como en las deliberaciones de este Consejo en relación con lo que debe hacerse en el futuro dentro de la Comisión respecto de un posible Código de Conducta Biogenètico. Nos parece que es un tema que se debe seguir discutiendo y sobre el cual debe llegarse a un consenso para que no se pierda el tiempo trabajando en un sentido equivocado o en actividades alrededor de las cuales no existe suficiente acuerdo dentro de los Estados Miembros de la FAO.
Nuestra delegación aprueba y apoya el informe presentado por la Comisión de Recursos Fitogenéticos. De hecho ya habíamos dado nuestra aprobación a dicho informe en el cierre de las deliberaciones de la Comisión.
Finalmente, señor Presidente, nos unimos a las distintas voces que han planteado aquí la necesidad de reforzar las actividades dirigidas a la organización de la cuarta Conferencia Técnica Internacional sobre Recursos Fitogenéticos. En primer término ese es un compromiso muy serio y que compromete de manera muy importante a la FAO, y estamos seguros de que nuestra Organización va a responder de una manera eficaz ante la comunidad internacional en cuanto se refiere al reto que impone para nosotros la organización de esta cuarta Conferencia Técnica Internacional. Hacemos un llamado a todas las naciones interesadas en este evento para que den su cooperación presupuestaria a fin de que puedan llevarse a cabo las diferentes actividades preparatorias.
Jacques LAUREAU (France): Je voudrais féliciter le Dr De Haen pour la remarquable présentation qu'il a faite de son rapport.
Comme vous le savez, la France a toujours participé activement aux travaux de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques et, en particulier, à la rédaction du rapport de la cinquième session. Il est donc normal que nous nous abstenions de trop nous étendre sur ce rapport, encore que j'aimerais faire quatre remarques.
Première remarque, sur les incidences de la CNUED sur le système mondial. En nous référant au paragraphe 4.4 du document CL 103/16, nous voudrions souligner que nous adhérons pleinement au principe d'assurer assez vite la meilleure cohérence et complémentarité entre la Convention sur la diversité
biologique et l'Engagement international, tout en consolidant le rôle de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques. A ce titre, nous sommes disposés à participer activement aux efforts qui seront faits dans ce sens.
Nous rappelons que la transformation de l'Engagement en protocole de la Convention sur la diversité biologique ne pourra être envisagée qu'après l'entrée en vigueur de ladite Convention. Cela ne devrait - en aucun cas -freiner le travail de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques dans la mise en oeuvre d'un plan d'actions concrètes dans le domaine des ressources phytogénétiques.
Deuxième remarque, sur le "Code de conduite pour la collecte et le transfert de matériel phytogénétique" : ce code a fait fort heureusement l'objet d'un accord, comme le rappelle le paragraphe 60 du rapport, et l'on peut espérer que la Conférence l'adoptera. Ce code, qui d'après nous doit être facultatif, a l'avantage de dépassionner certains faux débats. L'objectif du "Code de conduite" devrait être de favoriser - et non de restreindre - la collecte, les échanges et l'utilisation des ressources génétiques. C'est pourquoi nous considérons qu'il faut éviter de mettre en place des procédures trop lourdes et difficiles à gérer, telles que des "octrois de permis" ou des "indemnisations au cas par cas" qui seraient contraires à l'objectif du maintien au bénéfice de tous des ressources biologiques, alors que l'érosion de ces ressources se poursuit.
A une vision "mercantile" de la question des ressources génétiques qui montrerait vite ses limites, nous préférons une approche en termes de coopération scientifique et de coopération tout court, l'enjeu étant de former des experts dans les pays en voie de développement et de les associer à des programmes régionaux ou internationaux où ils auront accès aux ressources génétiques des autres pays participants.
Troisième remarque, concernant "le Code de conduite pour les biotechnologies végétales", examiné aux paragraphes 61 et suivants du rapport, nous observons que malgré la position claire de nombreux pays exprimant que ce code n'était pas opportun ou que ses éléments étaient déjà traités dans d'autres enceintes comme l'UPOV, le GATT, l'ONUDI, l'OMPI, l'Organisation entend poursuivre. C'est pourquoi nous tenons à insister pour que le champ d'application de ce code soit strictement limité à ce qu'annonce son titre, c'est-à-dire les thèmes intéressant directement la conservation et l'utilisation des ressources phytogénétiques et que les dispositions de cet éventuel code ne soient pas contradictoires avec les accords existant par ailleurs.
Le chapitre 2 en particulier traite les droits de propriété intellectuelle, y compris le privilège de l'agriculteur: selon nous, ce chapitre devrait être compatible avec la Convention de l'Union pour la protection des obtentions végétales. De même, le chapitre 3 traite de la dissémination des "organismes génétiques modifiés". Nous veillerons à ce qu'il soit compatible avec notre propre droit européen et français.
Quatrièmement et enfin, sur la Conférence technique de 1995, nous remercions particulièrement l'Allemagne de la contribution importante qu'elle va apporter à l'organisation de cette Conférence ainsi que les autres pays donateurs. Nous étudions à l'heure actuelle ce que pourrait être la contribution française à
l'organisation de cette Conférence par la mise à disposition de moyens d'expertise, la participation au Fonds fiduciaire multidonateurs et, le cas échéant, le financement d'un cadre auprès du Secrétariat de la Commission ou de toute autre structure qu'elle jugerait utile dès le lancement du projet global. Nous annoncerons le montant de notre contribution lors de la Conférence.
Nous attendons de cette Conférence qu'elle favorise davantage encore la coopération scientifique et technique, et la France dispose d'un important dispositif de recherche sur les ressources génétiques qu'elle pourra mobiliser à cette occasion. La France, dans ces conditions, souhaiterait bien entendu participer au Groupe de travail qui, nous l'espérons, conduira à une Conférence réussie.
Compte tenu des interventions que nous avons entendues au cours de ce Conseil, nous souhaiterions comme d'autres délégations, étant donné le glissement qui est en train de se produire dans la préparation de la Conférence, qu'un cadre de travail soit fixé de manière à ce que nous connaissions bien les étapes qui vont se présenter devant nous afin de préparer dans les meilleures conditions possibles la Conférence technique de 1995.
Akira NIWA (Japan): The comments of my delegation will be brief as usual.
Plant genetic resources are a precious asset of humanity and we cannot foresee how much they will contribute to agricultural production in future, quantitatively as well as qualitatively. My country recognizes the significance of international activities with regard to effective conservation and the rational utilization of plant genetic resources, and our responsibility to follow-up the decision made by UNCED.
My delegation also recognizes the great amount of thought which has been given by FAO in order to bring about a consensus regarding plant genetic resources among member countries. However, my country is still anxious that too many procedures which would be introduced under the auspices of FAO might discourage the effective use of plant genetic resources. In this regard, the international Code of Conduct for plant germplasm collection and transfer should keep its voluntary status.
Please do not think that we are opposing the Code of Conduct. We welcome the technical assistance extended by FAO. However, we would like to suggest that too many procedures and bureaucracies should be avoided.
In order to harmonize with the Convention on Biological Diversity, we feel that some modifications should be applied to the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, but my Government would like to avoid its becoming legally binding because that would make it more difficult to coordinate our internal organizations into joining it. Again, we are afraid of too many procedures and bureaucracies. Since it is based on research, a fair number of plant genetic resources in our country can be transferred to, or exchanged with, other countries quite freely without too many regulations.
Michel MOMBOULI (Congo): Je vous remercie de votre indulgence. Malheureusement pour des raisons indépendantes de ma volonté je n'ai pas pu m'inserire hier et je vous remercie de me donner la parole. Comme vous le savez sans doute, le Congo est membre de la Commission depuis sa création, il est également partie à l'engagement de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques. Le Congo est aussi membre du Groupe de travail de la Commission. C'est d'ailleurs à ce titre que nous avons pu participer aux travaux du Groupe de travail au cours de ses différentes sessions mais également à la dernière session de la Commission et c'est pour cette raison que notre nom figure au paragraphe 5 de ce rapport en tant que membre du Comité de rédaction. C'est par conséquent en toute logique que nous apportons notre appui à l'intégralité de ce rapport. Nous ajoutons que nous nous réjouissons des activités déployées par la FAO dans le cadre des ressources phytogénétiques et nous nous félicitons en particulier des rapports excellents que la FAO entretient avec plusieurs autres institutions intéressées par les questions relatives aux ressources phytogénétiques. Nous nous félicitons de ce que la Commission soit ouverte et disposée à tenir compte des incidences que la CNUED aura sur les activités des ressources phytogénétiques et également des efforts que la Commission envisage de faire pour mettre en concordances ses propres activités avec les résultats de la CNUED. Nous nous réjouissons également des efforts que la FAO a déployés pour mettre sur pied un système mondial d'information et d'aide au développement des ressources phytogénétiques. Nous souhaitons devenir prochainement opérationnels car tel n'est pas encore le cas aujourd'hui. En ce qui concerne l'Engagement international, comme je l'ai déjà dit auparavant, nous en sommes partie et nous partageons tout à fait l'ouverture à d'autres délégations étant entendu que les principes sur lesquels repose aujourd'hui cet engagement sont acceptés désormais par tout le monde. Nous voudrions également souligner en particulier le fait que nous sommes tous convenus de reconnaître le droit souverain des Etats sur leurs ressources phytogénétiques mais aussi le droit des obtenteurs et en dernier lieu le droit des agriculteurs sur lesquels nous pensons qu'il n'y a pas lieu de revenir ou de réouvrir un quelconque débat. Les éléments nécessaires à une avancée substantielle et significative de nos activités dans le domaine des ressources phytogénétiques sont désormais réunis et, à ceux qui ne sont pas encore partie à ces différents éléments du système, nous lançons un appel afin qu'ils y adhèrent en y apportant leur note particulière d'autant plus qu'il est envisagé dans le processus la possibilité d'examiner au fil des ans l'Engagement international dont nous avons débattu depuis un certain nombre d'années.
Ceci étant, je voudrais également dire que nous nous réjouissons du projet de la tenue d'une conférence technique internationale sur les ressources phytogénétiques et nous avons ici également le plaisir et surtout l'honneur de reconnaître qu'un pays donateur a accepté d'accueillir cette conférence à un moment qui sera jugé opportun. Nous tenons également à remercier ce pays qui a bien voulu accepter d'accueillir prochainement cette conférence technique sur les ressources phytogénétiques.
En ce qui concerne le Groupe de travail de la Commission, nous partageons totalement ce qui a été dit et nous voudrions surtout exprimer toute notre reconnaissance à M. Bolivar d'Espagne qui a su mener nos travaux au niveau du Groupe de travail avec la maîtrise qu'on lui reconnaît. Nous témoignons à son endroit toute notre confiance car nous croyons, ainsi qu'il ressort du
paragraphe 87 du rapport, qu'il pourra permettre à la Commission de faire des avancées encore plus significatives dans ses différentes activités.
J'appuie totalement le projet de code qui nous est soumis et que le Conseil a accepté de transmettre à la Conférence pour compétence et décision.
H. DE HAEN (Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department): First of all, on behalf of the Secretariat I want to express our gratitude and appreciation for the support you have given to the outcome of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources. I might add on a personal note that I also found this was a particularly active and productive session of the Commission, rich in debate and far-reaching in its decisions.
We have noted unanimous support for and endorsement of the proposed Resolution 93/1 which aims at renegotiation of the International Undertaking. We will now forward this Resolution to the FAO Conference for its consideration and decision.
On the Working Group of the Commission we note that many members want the Working Group to be strengthened in its capacity to accompany and guide the process of the various activities both regarding the renegotiation of the International Undertaking as well as the international programme and conference, but in reply to the particular question and the remarks made by the delegate of Brazil I should say that of course the Working Group does not take decisions, but reports to the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources.
Some of you asked about the composition of the Working Group and in compliance with the recommendations and decisions of the Commission I can report now that the membership is being reviewed at the moment. The Chairman of the Working Group is receiving these proposals.
Some delegations have supported the proposal by the Commission that the Commission should report to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. This will be done through Council, Conference and the appropriate channels. We used to report on other activities of FAO to the Commission.
Delegates have endorsed the Commission's recommendation that close collaboration with the Secretariat of the Global Biodiversity Convention should be ensured as well as communication and collaboration with the Interim Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention. This is noted and will be implemented as recommended.
I did not recognize any comments on the request of the Commission that the Director-General take up negotiations with the CGIAR centres on their active and base germplasm collections. The centres propose to put those under the auspices of FAO and the Commission had said that the Director-General should take up these negotiations and also resolve or clarify some open precedents concerning trusteeship versus ownership on policies. May I assume silence on this point means support? - because we need that decision, of course, and maybe our Chairman will take it up in his conclusions.
Many of the delegates commented on the Code of Conduct on Biotechnology. I have noted no objection to the proposed concentration on the bio-safety component of that draft Code where the proposal of the Commission had been that this be further elaborated in close collaboration again with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Convention on Biological Diversity which offers a legally binding protocol on bio-safety.
Comments have also been made on the remainder of the draft Code which deals with a number of other issues. We noted different positions - some cautioned and some said that there is the danger of duplication of work with other organizations. Others supported very much the further elaboration of the elements of the Code and it is left to us to report to the FAO Conference about the various positions expressed in your statements.
We were encouraged, and requested I understand, to submit the draft Code of Conduct on Germplasm Collecting and Transfer to the Twenty-seventh FAO Conference as proposed by the Commission. I have not heard any other proposal or amendment, so it will be done.
Finally, we have recognized the full support of the Council regarding the International Programme and Conference on Plant Genetic Resources. I had a few points to make on this but Mr Hjort wanted to talk about it so I will finish here.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: I wish to address the comments made about the Fourth International Conference and Programme on Plant Genetic Resources. This Council recalled that the idea was endorsed by the FAO Conference in 1991. Delegations will also recall that it was then stated that the Conference should be funded from extra-budgetary resources. I have noted that in a case or two there seems to be the suggestion that maybe the Conference was referring to the costs of the Conference itself and not the preparations, and that therefore the preparations could be funded from Regular Programme resources. I feel I must in this case remind the Council that it was the same Conference that endorsed the idea, and approved the Programme of Work for 1992-93. You will recall that that Conference in approving the Programme of Work did not make any special provision for resources to initiate activities in preparation for an international technical conference. However, we have been able to initiate some limited activities within the regular provision. For example, we have been able to send the questionnaire that has been mentioned to the member countries. It has become possible to augment slightly the allotment for this year to initiate steps towards a Secretariat - I repeat, initiate steps. But I must say that compared with the estimated costs of US$7.5 million for the preparations and assessment of the Conference itself - and here I should recall that most of the US$7.5 million are for an assessment of the state of plant genetic resources and to prepare reasoned prescriptions - relative to that, the flexibility that we have under our current Programme of Work is extremely limited. What we can provide from the Regular Programme budget is a drop in the bucket relative to the total costs.
As Council has learnt, pledges from certain governments have been made for extra-budgetary resources, including funds for a conference. So far the pledged amount is far below the amount estimated to be needed to assess and
prepare prescriptions. In some cases conditions have been placed on the use of funds. This morning we heard that additional funds are promised. This is good news. At this point I would remind you of what Mr de Haen said in his introduction, "It is hoped that donors will agree to make some pledged resources available soon so that the work related to preparation of the state of the world's plant genetic resources can be initiated in July." Clearly no conference can be held if we cannot begin preparations. Current resources are very limited. There has been a suggestion that we could borrow against the Regular Programme resource provision and pay it back once the extra-budgetary funds are obtained.
In theory, yes, but there is risk and some governments have encouraged us not to borrow and until we have something in hand it does make one a little nervous. We can do a little bit but even if we do we must remember that it would have to be paid back within six months because the books, the accounts on this biennium, will be closed within six months from today.
Looking now towards the next biennium, this Council has not yet discussed the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 1994-95; the Technical Committees have, and the Programme and Finance Committees have, and the demands for funds are heavy. So far there has seemed to be no possibility whatsoever to cover a shortfall of the magnitude that presently exists between the amount pledged and the amount estimated to be necessary to complete the work. However, we are hopeful, based on what has been promised and the other indications of additional support, that the Council would encourage us to move forward now. It is an unfortunate fact that those who propose a large additional amount in the Programme of Work for 1994-95, in the Regular Programme, would, of course, have either to identify where resources should be cut or propose a higher Programme of Work than the no-growth programme the Director-General has proposed. Therefore, we remain hopeful that extra budgetary resources will be provided in an amount adequate to assess the state of plant genetic resources and to prepare reasoned prescriptions to deal with the pressing problems. It is conceivable that we can prepare these documents and assessments with less than has been estimated but I would not consider there to be a large amount of reduction that can be made. However, we can and will be as efficient as we possibly can but again unless we can start soon there just is not any possibility of having a conference. You cannot have a conference unless the preparatory work is completed and so again I close this intervention with the renewed expression of hope that those who have pledged will place funds with us immediately so that the work can be initiated, hopefully 1 July 1993. You may call Mr Papasolomontos later this afternoon to get the account number to which you can deposit funds.
LE PRESIDENT: Je remercie très vivement M. De Haen ainsi que M. Hjort de leurs interventions qui me dispensent de longues considérations car M. Hjort en effet a dit ce que je comptais dire. On parle souvent de coordination mais il semble parfois indispensable d'assurer des coordinations au sein des mêmes délégations. Il a été proposé par certains de prélever, sur le budget ordinaire du biennium à venir (1994-95), des sommes qui ne sont pas prévues dans le cadre du sommaire du Programme de travail du budget. En effet, je n'ai pas entendu de spécialistes enmatière financière, au sein des mêmes
délégations, faire des propositions d'augmentation du budget du prochain biennium de façon à répondre aux besoins.
Je crois qu'il est donc nécessaire non seulement de trouver des fonds extrabudgétaires mais de disposer d'une prévision extrêmement claire et précise du montant des engagements que vont prendre un certain nombre de donateurs. Dire que l'on compte intervenir est, certes, une bonne chose mais cela permet difficilement d'établir des prévisions sérieuses. Or, il est indispensable, pour faire un budget dans le cadre d'une dotation en dehors du budget ordinaire, de connaître le montant dont on pourra disposer.
Je tiens à remercier l'ensemble des membres du Conseil de leurs interventions et des avis et considérations émis concernant les différents points d'un rapport très riche qui est la résultante non seulement des travaux de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques mais également des réunions du groupe de travail qui ont facilité la tâche de la Commission.
Je pense que nous pouvons considérer le rapport de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques en sa cinquième session comme adopté par votre Conseil, étant entendu que le texte du projet de Code international de conduite pour la collecte et le transfert de matières premières phytogénétiques, qui a fait l'objet de remarques de la part de plusieurs membres du Conseil, sera transmis à la Conférence pour sa session de novembre. Certains ont manifesté des réticences concernant ces codes de conduite alors que nombreux sont ceux qui pensent que ces codes de conduite, qui sont des indications non contraignantes, sont indispensables pour l'élaboration lente mais nécessaire des règles du jeu de la convivance internationale. Il n'y aura pas d'espoir d'équilibre pour notre planète sans un certain nombre de codes qui ne sont pas contraignants au départ mais qui, je l'espère, le deviendront un jour dans des matières importantes. Si les Nations et les Etats n'acceptent pas un certain nombre de règles nous risquons l'anarchie ce qui peut compromettre la survie et le développement harmonieux de notre planète.
Pour ma part - et j'ai déjà eu l'occasion de le dire à plusieurs reprises -je pense que les codes de conduite internationaux indicatifs et non contraignants au départ constitueront un jour la base de la réglementation internationale qui régira les relations entre les peuples. Dans un monde d'interdépendance qui ne connaît pas de frontières, ces réglementations s'imposeront un jour impérativement.
Il me reste à remercier tous les membres du Conseil de leur participation extrêmement positive, à considérer comme adopté le rapport de la cinquième session de la Commission des ressources phytogénétiques et à considérer également que le texte du projet de Code international de conduite pour la collecte et le transfert de matières phytogénétiques peut être transmis à la Conférence avec un avis favorable de notre Conseil.
S'il n'y a pas d'autres remarques, je proposerai de clôturer le point 7 de nos travaux et de passer au point suivant.
Y-a-t-il d'autres remarques?
Le point 7 est adopté.
LE PRESIDENT: Nous passons maintenant au point 8 qui est particulièrement important et complexe et qui concerne le rapport de la vingtième session du Comité des pêches avec deux sous-points dont nous avons déjà parlé lors de la première séance:
- le point 8.1 "Propositions relatives à un Code international de conduite pour une pêche responsable". Il s'agit du document du rapport de la vingtième session du Comité des pêches en ses paragraphes 65 à 76;
- le point 8.2 "Projet d'Accord international sur l'attribution d'un pavillon aux navires péchant en haute mer", qui fait l'objet de nombreux documents.
Vous vous souvenez qu'à la demande du représentant de la Suède, lors de la première séance je vous ai dit que le Conseil envisageait la création d'un comité technique qui se réunirait du 17 au 22 juin inclus pour discuter du Projet d'Accord international sur l'attribution d'un pavillon aux navires péchant en haute mer. Notre conseiller juridique M. Moore vous donnera davantage de précisions concernant l'organisation des travaux. Il nous appartient de décider la création de ce comité technique - et je crois qu'il y a un large accord sur ce point - et de fixer les modalités de ses travaux.
Concernant ce projet d'accord les documents dont nous disposons sont donc les suivants: le rapport du Comité des pêches (CL 103/7, par. 77-82, et un certain nombre de documents annexes: CL 103/20 concernant l'attribution d'un pavillon aux navires péchant en haute mer, CL 103/20-Sup.1 auquel est annexé un corrigendum: CL 103/20-Sup.1 Corr.1; CL 103/20-Sup.1 Add.l; CL 103/20-Sup.2, CL 103/20-Sup.3 et CL 103/20-Sup.4).
Tous ces documents font l'objet d'un dossier qui sera examiné par le comité technique dont je viens de parler. Nous y joindrons, dans le cadre de la discussion du rapport de la vingtième session du Comité des pêches, la discussion du rapport ainsi que le point 8.1: "Propositions relatives à un Code international de conduite pour un pêche responsable".
Avant d'aborder ces différents points, je voudrais permettre à l'Sous-Directeur général du Département des pêches de faire son exposé introductif.
W. KRONE (Assistant Director-General a.i., Fisheries Department): I have pleasure in reporting to this Council on the outcome of the Twentieth Session of the Committee on Fisheries, which was held from 15 to 19 March 1993. I shall summarize the overall outcome of the deliberations (see CL 103/7), and make some specific reference to the proposed Code of Conduct on Responsible Fishing and - with your permission, Mr Chairman - the Legal Counsel, Mr Moore, will provide a short briefing on the issue of reflagging of fishing vessels and introduce the relevant documentation.
Mr Chairman, the Committee first considered reviews of the Regular and Field Programmes. It welcomed these presentations and concurred that the work of the Fisheries Department during the preceding and current biennia continued to address many of the objectives and criteria it had established at its Nineteenth Session and was in conformity with the mid-term plan endorsed by the Conference. The Committee recognized that FI had made important contributions to two major events in 1992, the International Conference on Responsible Fishing in Cancún and the Rio Summit on the Environment and Development and had organized, as requested by COFI and your Council, the Technical Consultation on High Seas Fishing in September 1992. The Committee appreciated the manner in which FAO had responded to these emerging issues covering a number of vital aspects of fisheries management and development. It also expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the FAO Field Programme in fisheries and made a call to the donor community to give their financial support to Fisheries. The Committee also agreed on the beneficial effects of the close link between the Regular Programme work and activities in the field.
The Committee then discussed a number of special issues which were of international concern in fisheries: Firstly, it reviewed the situation of world fisheries ten years after the adoption of the 1982 UN Conference on the Law of the Sea. It noted with concern the over-exploitation of some stocks and the continuing increase of large-scale distant-water fleets which were, in a number of cases, maintained by substantial subsidies. The Committee considered that the problem of controlling access to fishery resources needed to be addressed urgently in view of the over-capacity of the world fishing fleets. The Committee regretted that the development of the artisanal fisheries sector in many parts of the world continued to be constrained by the lack of inputs, restricted access to simple credit and inadequate infrastructure and social services.
On the important subject of Fisheries Research, the Committee agreed with the major research challenges identified by the Study on International Fisheries Research needs (SIFR) recently undertaken jointly by the World
Bank, UNDP, the Commission of the European Community and FAO. It endorsed the approach taken by FAO and, in particular, the proposal for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (ACFR) to replace the existing Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research (ACMRR). If your Council is in agreement with this recommendation of the Committee, the Director-General will submit his detailed proposals to the next session of CCLM for approval and onward transmission to the Conference in November.
Thirdly, on the issue of High Seas Fisheries, the Committee expressed satisfaction that FAO would contribute in a technical and scientific capacity to the forthcoming UN Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks and that it would assist the Secretariat of that Conference on technical issues. The Committee reiterated that sustainable resource use must be the basic guiding principle for the management of high seas fishing and underlined the importance of monitoring, control and surveillance for its management. I should like to inform the Council that in the meantime we have submitted a number of documents to the UN Secretariat, which are to serve as background for the discussions at the New York Conference next month, notably, the papers and the report of the Technical Consultation on High Seas Fishing organized by FAO last September in cooperation with the UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea. We have also prepared a document giving information on the status of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks worldwide and a document on the proposed Code of Conduct on Responsible Fishing.
Mr Chairman, your Council had already endorsed during its last Session, the request in the Declaration of Cancún for FAO to elaborate, in consultation with relevant international organizations, an International Code of Conduct on Responsible Fishing. The Committee on Fisheries considered, as requested by you at your last session in November, an outline, prepared by the Secretariat, of the possible contents of such a Code. Based on your recommendations that the Code should take into account the Declaration of Cancún, the provisions of Agenda 21 of UNCED and the outcome of the FAO Technical Consultation on High Seas Fishing and that it should be formulated within the framework of the provisions of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant international instruments, the Secretariat had recommended six thematic areas of issues to be covered by the Code. These are:
- Fishing Operations ;
- Fishery Management Practices;
- Fair Trade Practices;
- Aquaculture Development;
- Integration of Coastal Fishing into Coastal Area Management; and
- Fishery Research.
The Committee endorsed this proposal and expressed general satisfaction with the proposed time-frame for the preparation of the Code, which envisaged first drafts of the General Principles, of the Guidelines on Fishing Operations, and those on Fair Trade Practices, Aquaculture Development and Integration of Fisheries in Coastal Area Management to be available at the next session of COFI in spring 1995. The Committee noted that the time-frame would also depend on available financial resources. It urged that sufficient flexibility be maintained to allow proper preparation and consultation at national level.
The Committee agreed that, in principle, the Code of Conduct would be implemented on a voluntary basis, but it noted that parts of the Code or its Annexes may well be used in the promulgation of national fishery laws and regulations as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements.
The Secretariat has started the detailed planning for the preparation of the Code. We have set up internal Task Forces for the elaboration of the different sections of the Code and for planning the required consultations with experts, international and regional organizations, as well as Member Governments, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.
It will be a complex undertaking, although a lot of the material is available in various official documents. A number of the guidelines to be included in such a Code can, for instance, be found in the Strategy of Fisheries Management and Development adopted at the 1984 World Fisheries Conference. What we must now do is to make these guidelines more operational. We must arrive at an international understanding on what is responsible behaviour in fishing and fisheries management. We must obtain firm commitment of all involved - policy makers and industrialists, research workers and fishermen. It will require wide and intensive consultation before we can come up with a draft Code or draft sections of a Code for approval of our governing bodies.
The last point discussed by the Committee on Fisheries concerned the medium-term perspective on fisheries 1994-99 and the Director-General's proposal for our work in the next biennium. The Committee endorsed the objectives, the longer-term priorities and activities in 1994-95 proposed for the Major Programme 2.2, Fisheries. It made various comments on priorities, but I think I do not need to go into detail here since you will discuss these matters on the other items of your agenda, except perhaps to mention that the Committee expressed the hope that the proposed reduction in resources in 1994-95 could be reversed.
LE PRESIDENT: Je voudrais faire une remarque concernant la compétence de la Communauté économique européenne. Suivant sa déclaration de compétences (document CL 103/INF/19) le point 8.1 est de compétence mixte, le vote étant réservé à la Communauté en application de l'article 39 du Traité de Rome. Quant au projet d'accord international sur l'attribution d'un pavillon aux navires péchant en haute mer (point 8.2), il s'agit également d'un domaine de compétence mixte, le vote étant réservé aux Etats Membres.
LEGAL COUNSEL: Mr Chairman, you have already listed the documents on this. particular sub-item. Since there are a number of documents, however, I would just like to say a few words of explanation of their contents.
The documents on the sub-item dealing with flagging are, first of all, the report of COFI on this matter, and most particularly the draft Agreement, with the commentaries elaborated by the Secretariat on the basis of the discussions in the working group established by the last session of COFI. That is to found in Appendix F to the report of COFI, document CL 103/7.
Secondly, document CL 103/20, which gives the background on the initiative to draw up a draft Agreement on the Flagging of Vessels Fishing on the High Seas and proposes a method of work on this sub-item by the Council.
The third group of documents again is contained under document CL 103/20-Sup.1, which sets out supplementary comments received from FAO members since the COFI session of last March. Further comments from Malta, which were inadvertently not included in CL 103/20 - Sup. 1, are set out in CL 103/20-Sup.1, Corrigendum 1. In the general context of these comments, the delegation of Greece has asked me to inform you that the comments of Greece, which are contained in CL 103/20-Sup.1, have now been withdrawn in view of the common position of the EEC and its member states. Additional comments from Chile and the EEC are set out in Addendum 1 and in Supplement 4 to document CL 103/20.
The fourth document is CL 103/20-Sup.2, which sets out a possible rewording of Articles III, IV and V of the draft Agreement, suggested by the Secretariat in an attempt to ease some of the difficulties that were experienced during the discussion of these articles in the COFI working group in March.
The final document is CL 103/20-Sup.3, which sets out the background to the problem of flagging or reflagging and its impact on fisheries conservation and management.
Mr Chairman, I do not wish to take up too much of the Council's time in this introduction. I would merely wish to make a few brief points.
The first is that the draft Agreement that you will be considering at this Council session is, as you know, the product of a long intergovernmental process that started with the Cancún Declaration in April 1992, was then the subject of a recommendation in the UNCED of June 1991, was subject of a consensus recommendation by the High Seas Consultation in September in FAO and by the FAO Council at its last session in November 1992, and was carried on to the COFI session in March 1993. At that session the Committee on Fisheries agreed that the elaboration of the draft Agreement on flagging should be kept on the fast track. It also stressed that the issue of flagging was among the issues that would be covered by the Code of Conduct on Responsible Fishing. In this issue, the negotiation of the draft Agreement forms part of the whole process of a Code of Conduct, and its adoption must be seen as being in the context and within the framework of the larger Code of Conduct and should, if anything, speed up rather than hold back the process of negotiation of the entire Code.
The second point is the process by which the Council may wish to deal with this sub-item. The Committee on Fisheries, as you will recall, encouraged the Director-General to explore the possibility of convening a technical consultation with a view to finalizing the draft Agreement, either during the first week of Council or in the week immediately preceding the Council session. Taking into account the views expressed by COFI and the fact that the issue of reflagging was already on the provisional agenda of Council, the Director-General concluded that the evident wishes of Member Nations to hold further consultations on the draft Agreement could best be met by proposing the establishment by the Council of a technical committee under
Rule XXV, paragraph 10, of the General Rules of the Organization for that purpose, to meet during the Council session.
In view of the broad potential interest in the draft Agreement, the Director-General is suggesting that the Council may wish to decide that, in addition to members of the Council, FAO members that are not members of the Council and observers from non-member nations, as well as competent regional fisheries organizations, be invited to participate in the discussions of the technical committee. Indeed, it would seem difficult for any FAO member or UN member to be excluded from the discussions, in view of the fact that they will be invited to become parties to any agreement adopted under Article XIV of the Constitution.
The proposal then before the Council this morning is to establish such a technical committee. Should the Council agree to this proposal, arrangements have been made for the technical committee to meet for four working days starting on Thursday morning, 17th June - that is, tomorrow - and Friday, Monday and Tuesday, with two sessions each day. The technical committee would then report back to the Council, possibly on Wednesday, 23rd June. Indeed, I believe that at the request of the delegation of Sweden the Council has already taken a decision in principle to proceed with the establishment of the technical committee. This was on Monday, at the opening session of the Council.
One further point is to draw the Council's attention to the recommendation of the Chairman of the working group at the last COFI session, to the effect that as far as possible there should be continuity with regard to participation in the proposed meetings of the technical committee.
Finally, I would draw the attention of the Council to the proposals regarding the method by which the Council may wish to deal with the product of the work of the technical committee. It is recognized that members represented at the Council will not be in a position to formally endorse any draft Agreement produced by the technical committee during the course of the session. This will inevitably require consultations within the various concerned ministries of each government.
It is therefore suggested that should the technical committee succeed in reaching technical agreement on the text of a draft Agreement, it might perhaps be more appropriate for the Council itself to refrain from taking a definitive stance on the subtance of that text but merely to note the work of the technical committee and to invite the Director-General to take the necessary steps under Rule XXI, paragraph 1 of the General Rules of the Organization, to bring the matter before the 27th Session of the Conference in November 1993. In this sense, then, the Agreement will remain at the level of a technical document. The political commitment to the draft will come at a later stage in November 1993.
LE PRESIDENT: Je rappellerai ce qui a été dit lors de la première séance de notre Conseil en vous donnant lecture du verbatim relatif au point 8.2, répondant ainsi au voeu de l'honorable représentant du Royaume de Suède: "Il est envisagé de créer un comité technique du Conseil qui se réunira du jeudi
17 juin au mardi 22 juin pour discuter le projet d'accord international sur l'attribution d'un pavillon aux navires péchant en haute mer. Le comité technique devra faire rapport au Conseil le mercredi 23 juin. Il est proposé que ce comité technique soit ouvert à tous les membres du Conseil et que des observateurs intéressés des pays non membres du Conseil puissent également participer librement aux débats".
Il nous appartient désormais de décider la création de ce comité. Tous les membres sont-ils prêts à donner leur accord pour la création de ce comité?
Saleh SADIQ OSMAN (Tanzania): Allow me to thank the Assistant Director-General acting in charge of the Fisheries Department, as well as Mr Moore, for the brief, clear, and detailed introductory statement on the report of the 20th session of COFI.
My delegation is in full support of the report, which covered most important issues which face the fishery industry in the world.
Although Tanzania did participate in the session, we need to stress crucial points to alert Council members to pay special attention to the following matters.
First we should preferably endorse and support the proposal for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research to replace the Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research, and request the Director-General to submit his proposal to the 61st session of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters in September before the 27th session of the FAO Conference is requested to approve changes to the title, structure, composition and functions of the Advisory Committee.
Secondly, the problem of controlling access to fishery resources needs to be addressed urgently in view of over-exploitation of some stocks and overcapacity of many large-scale distant-water fleets. Apart from this, Mr Chairman, the development of the artisanal fisheries sector, in many parts of the world, continues to be constrained by the lack of imports, restricted access to simple credits, and inadequate infrastructure and social services.
With the record increase in aquaculture production, there might be a danger of possible negative impact on the environment from improper aquaculture practices and therefore FAO should continue its assistance in monitoring the environmental aspects of aquaculture.
There is a need for the developing countries to promote the development of national capacity in applied fishery research.
Hence we would request FAO and donor countries and agencies to assist developing countries financially and technically to develop this. We support the view that FAO should approach the Global Environmental Facility of the World Bank/UNDP for financial assistance to address environmental concerns which have implications for fisheries.
We need to reiterate that sustainable resource use must be the basic guiding principle for the management of high seas fishing. We have to appreciate the important role to be played by FAO in respect of the compilation and dissemination of high seas fisheries data. We need to pledge to FAO that we will undertake a special programme of assistance to developing countries in high seas fishing, especially for small island states and coastal states with a high potential to exploit highly migratory species and countries with a high demand for fish and fishery products.
My delegation recognizes the important role to be played by FAO. Moreover, we consider it appropriate and necessary that FAO should provide technical assistance to developing countries to enhance our research and training in monitoring and means to carry out control and surveillance. This would enable us better to fulfil our duties and responsibilities concerning high seas fishing, particularly on stocks adjacent to our EEZs.
A code of conduct for responsible fishing would be important for future sustainable fishery development which, of course, would be in support of the Cancun Declaration. The code should have an encompassing umbrella of general principles which would provide the framework for the detailed guidelines on the issues to be covered.
My delegation very much commends the good work done by the COFI Secretariat with the help of an informal group of experts invited by FAO to draw up the draft on flagging of vessels fishing on the high seas. We would like to recommend that, in addition to the draft, there is a need for the Secretariat to prepare a document summarizing available information and data relating to the problems of flagging and re-flagging of fishing vessels, and the problems caused by such practices in the conservation and management of living marine resources.
It is an ideal time for the Council members to request and encourage the Director-General to explore the possibility of convening a technical consultation with a view to finalizing the draft agreement. We know that the convening of such a technical meeting has not been provided for in the Programme of Work and Budget for this biennium. The technical meeting could only be held if sufficient extra-budgetary funds could be found. In this connection, we suggest that all possible donors, including OECD members, should be requested to contribute to both the operational costs of the meeting and to the financing of attendance by developing countries.
MA GÉNG-OU (China) (Original language Chinese): The Chinese delegation is in agreement with the establishment of a technical committee to discuss matters concerning the flagging issue. This can then be reported to the Council, and later it can be submitted to the Conference at the end of this year. Experts from China in fishing are already ready for this meeting.
LE PRESIDENT: En ce qui concerne la création du comité technique en application de l'article XXV du Règlement général, le Conseil doit à chacune de ses sessions, pour la durée de sa session, établir les comités qu'il juge nécessaires et répartir entre ces comités les diverses questions de son ordre
du jour. C'est en application de cet article XXV que j'avais proposé la création d'un comité technique qui heureusement ne nécessitait pas de financement particulier de quelque pays que ce soit et qui se réunira quatre jours à partir de demain et devra faire rapport au Conseil mercredi prochain. Si un représentant souhaite faire des remarques uniquement sur la création du comité technique, et non pas sur l'ensemble du problème de la pêche, je demanderai aux membres du Conseil d'intervenir. Je propose que ce comité se réunisse le matin à partir de 9 h 30 et l'après-midi à partir de 14 h 30, et éventuellement lundi prochain aux mêmes heures et, si nécessaire, mardi prochain. Il est clair que le rapport qui nous sera soumis ne fera pas l'objet d'une décision parce qu'il est normal que les pays puissent en référer à leurs experts dans leurs capitales respectives. Ce document permettra au prochain Conseil qui précédera immédiatement la Conférence de se prononcer et de transmettre à la Conférence les résultats de ses travaux concernant un accord international sur l'attribution d'un pavillon aux navires péchant en haute mer.
Je déclare constitué, en application de l'article XXV, paragraphe 10 de notre Règlement général, un Comité technique qui se réunira dans la salle de l’Allemagne.
Y-a-t-il un membre du Conseil qui souhaite faire des propositions à propos de la désignation du président de ce Comité technique?
Elias REYES BRAVO (México): México propone al Ministro, Samuel Fernández, de Chile, para que presida los trabajos del Comité.
Choung II CHEE (Korea, Republic of): The Korean delegation is seconding the nomination of Mr Samuel Fernández Illanes, the distinguished Representative of Chile.
T.A. ANUMUDU (Nigeria): I wish to support the nomination which has been made of Mr Samuel Fernández Illanes of Chile to serve as Chairman of the Technical Committee to work on the re-flagging of vessels.
Randolph GHERSON (Canada) : I think the distinguished Representative of Nigeria has beaten me to the post, but you will allow me, as a kind of dead heat on this, we would certainly like to associate ourselves in supporting Mr Samuel Fernández Illanes, the distinguished Representative of Chile to chair this Group.
LE PRESIDENT: Je ne vais pas faire l'apologie de Don Samuel Fernández. J'ai eu l'occasion de le rencontrer et de le voir présider le Comité des questions constitutionnelles et juridiques avec tact, talent et diplomatie. M. Samuel Fernández, Représentant de la République du Chili, est un élément particulièrement brillant et je crois que le Conseil n'aurait pas pu désigner un meilleur Président. Vous me permettrez de me limiter à ces quelques considérations en le félicitant de tout coeur et en signalant que Don Samuel
Fernández sera le Président du Comité technique qui se réunira pendant les quatre jours ouvrables du 17 au 23 juin. En ce qui concerne la désignation du Président, je me félicite de tout coeur au nom de tout le Conseil et je le déclare Président du Comité technique chargé d'examiner le point 8.2 de notre ordre du jour.
It was so decided
Il en est ainsi décidé
Así se acuerda
LE PRESIDENT: En ce qui concerne la Vice-Présidence, je propose au Comité technique de désigner, s'il l'estime nécessaire, ses Vice-Présidents et je rappelle que le Comité technique est ouvert non seulement aux membres du Conseil mais à tous les Etats Membres de la FAO, et observateurs qui désirent participer à ce Comité auquel je souhaite un excellent et fructueux travail.
En ce qui concerne le rapport du Comité des pêches et les propositions relatives à un Code international de conduite pour pêche responsable, je demanderai à tous les membres du Conseil qui désirent intervenir de se faire inscrire.
Elias REYES BRAVO (México): Antes de empezar queremos agradecer a la Secretaría el documento preparado, y al Comité de Pesca por el informe de su 20s período de sesiones. La delegación mexicana no tiene ningún inconveniente en aprobar este informe; sin embargo, señor Presidente, deseamos enfatizar algunos puntos que consideramos importantes. En coordinación con la FAO, México convocó a la comunidad internacional a reunirse en Cancún en mayo de 1992, como todos ustedes saben, con el propósito de analizar la actividad pesquera bajo el esquema de la responsabilidad, y en esta oportunidad se plantearon conceptos de gran trascendencia para la actividad pesquera. A un año, y un mes de distancia, cabe destacar el significado que tuvieron las actividades pesqueras de 66 países, y el principio de pesca responsable expresado en dicho encuentro, el cual conjugó la necesidad de ampliar la oferta alimentaria y de promover el uso de artes de pesca apropiados para lograr un óptimo aprovechamiento de los recursos sin deterioro del ecosistema, buscando la instrumentación de prácticas comerciales que aseguren a los pueblos una alimentación sostenida y precios accesibles.
Las naciones reunidas en la Conferencia de Cancún se pronunciaron a través de una declaración por el establecimiento del Código Internacional de Conducta para la pesca responsable y que las Naciones Unidas declaren una década de pesca responsable, lograr la ordenación y la conservación de los recursos vivos de alta mar y alcanzar un acuerdo de comercio de productos pesqueros en concordancia con los principios internacionales. Solicitamos atentamente a la FAO que dé seguimiento a la petición del Gobierno de México para declarar los próximos diez años como el decenio de la pesca responsable. La declaración fue motivada por el interés conjunto de atender las necesidades de alimentación, generación de empleo y divisas, bajo esquemas que permitan la sostenibilidad de recursos marinos y la protección y preservación de los ecosistemas y la biodiversidad. Asimismo, la motivación de estos últimos puntos es producto de
la necesidad de establecer normas que eviten la aplicación de barreras arancelarias y no arancelarias, las cuales afecten al comercio de productos pesqueros y a la utilización racional de los mismos, buscando que su comercio se rija por los principios en que se sustentan la Ronda Uruguay, el GATT, y los de la pesca responsable.
México, señor Presidente, en estos momentos organiza una reunión interamericana sobre pesca responsable que se llevará a cabo del 27 al 29 de julio del presente año. Esta reunión tiene como objeto definir las lineas estratégicas que debe contener el código de conducta y los temas que este código debe incluir. Algunos de ellos podrían ser los siguientes, muy parecidos y muy similares a los que ha comentado el señor Director de Pesca de la FAO. Primero: Definición y principales líneas que debe contener el código internacional de conducta de pesca responsable. Segundo: El reabanderamiento de embarcaciones pesqueras. Tercero: La pesca en alta mar. Cuarto: Las capturas incidentales de especies marinas durante las operaciones de pesca comercial. Quinto: La aplicación de sanciones comerciales vinculadas con la protección de especies marinas. Sexto: Participación de los grupos ecologistas en la puesta en práctica de medidas de conservación de los recursos marinos. Séptimo: La utilización de artes de pesca que lesionan los recursos. Octavo: La administración de los recursos que entran y salen de las zonas económicas exclusivas y de los recursos migratorios. Noveno: Investigación. Décimo: Cpnsumo y precios de los productos pesqueros. En este contexto, México entiende que cualquier esfuerzo que se haga para normar asuntos relacionados con la pesca, como el abanderamiento de barcos y la pesca de alta mar, debe estar contenido y formar parte indivisible del código de conducta de pesca responsable propuesto en Cancún.
Hacemos nuestra la idea de continuar avanzando en los aspectos técnicos de un acuerdo internacional sobre el abanderamiento de barcos que pescan en alta mar y sumaremos nuestro esfuerzo en el Comité técnico que se formará y que presentará el segundo paso después de la labor desarrollada, esta labor que México se honró en presidir en el próximo pasado Comité.
Quiero manifestarle también que el objetivo primordial, y que nosotros intentamos y hemos sido repetitivos en esto, es que debemos profundizar en que el código de conducta sea una seriedad y sobre todo que tenga una claridad perfecta. Nosotros, el Gobierno de México, queremos agradecer de antemano los esfuerzos que ha hecho el Director General de esta Organización, así como obviamente, la Dirección de Pesca.
EL PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias al distinguido Representante de México y quisiera también subrayar el papel tan importante de la Sra. María de los Angeles Moreno, que fue Ministro de Pesquería de México. Yo creo que laacciónde México en el pasado, y seguramente en el futuro, será de primera importancia para este sector tan importante de la pesca responsable.
Samuel FERNANDEZ ILLANES (Chile): Desearía en primer término agradecer de manera muy efusiva y cordial a quienes han tenido la idea de nominarme para conducir los trabajos del Comité que este Consejo acaba de crear. Les agradezco profundamente por esta honra personal y a mi país, y al mismo tiempo
les solicito su ayuda y su apoyo para las labores que vamos a tener que enfrentar y que son naturalmente complejas. Valga este agradecimiento de manera particular a las distinguidas delegaciones de México, Corea, Nigeria y Canadá, que tan gentilmente me han respaldado, y de manera muy particular a usted, distinguido Presidente, por esa presentación inmerecida pero tan afectuosa. Asimismo, deseamos como delegación destacar la labor que ha venido desarrollando la Secretaría y cuyo informe nos ha presentado el distinguido Subdirector General del Departamento de Pesca; un informe completo y exhaustivo, y que tiene la virtud de poder aclarar un tema de suyo extremadamente complejo como el que tenemos a la vista. También las palabras del Dr. Moore nuevamente nos han esclarecido y quisiera de ellas rescatar un aspecto de suma importancia para mi delegación, que es el relativo a que el código de conducta tiene un carácter extremadamente útil y prioritario, y que las acciones que se están llevando a cabo por parte de la Secretaría para recabar los antecedentes y consultas a los distintos gobiernos para elaborar dicho código están avanzadas nos complace de manera particular.
Asimismo, reiteramos el hecho y la posición de mi delegación en el sentido de que el abanderamiento de naves y sus problemas conexos a que estamos abocados y que consideramos de enorme trascendencia, no deben, de manera alguna, postergar, dilatar y entrabar la pronta redacción de este código de conducta. De las palabras del distinguido Consejero Legal rescato precisamente ese concepto que fue claramente establecido por él.
También, como los distinguidos delegados que asistieron a la reunión del COFI podrán recordar, la delegación nuestra en dicha oportunidad se refirió de manera larga y detallada a los conceptos que, a nuestro juicio, deben estar presentes en la pesca de alta mar, para lo cual señalábamos en esa oportunidad que la política pesquera de Chile tiene cinco puntos que son muy fáciles de resumir. En primer lugar, consideramos que la pesca en alta mar debe realizarse en el marco de la Convención de Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho del Mar. En segundo término, que la actividad pesquera en la alta mar debe ser ordenada de conformidad con el concepto de desarrollo sustentable definido por el Consejo de la FAO. En tercer lugar, que los Estados deben ejercer un control efectivo de las actividades de sus embarcaciones y ciudadanos en alta mar. En cuarto lugar que las organizaciones regionales y subregionales de pesca poseen un rol fundamental en la adecuada ordenación de las pesquerías de alta mar. En quinto lugar, que como lógica contrapartida al deber de los Estados de no discriminar contra otros Estados que deseen acceder a la pesquería, es obligación de este nuevo participante cooperar de buena fe con los que ya forman parte del arreglo y acatar las medidas de ordenación vigentes.
En cuanto al tema específico del abanderamiento, la delegación de Chile presentó sus observaciones, que están contenidas en el documento que tiene el Consejo a la vista, pero quisiera, desde el punto de vista general, reiterar algunos aspectos muy brevemente. Chile apoya la decisión adoptada durante la Consulta Técnica de FAO y el trabajo desarrollado en dicha oportunidad bajo la presidencia y excelencia en su conducción del distinguido Dr. Camacho, de México. Ese trabajo avanzó decididamente y de manera particular en temas que son de enorme trascendencia, y este código de conducta del cual forma parte el trabajo adelantado en materia de abanderamiento debe tener ciertascoordenadas, cierta formación general para establecer
condiciones en ese abanderamiento con el propósito de eliminar el uso de banderas de conveniencia que sirvan para eludir el cumplimiento de convenios internacionales, y asimismo hacer efectivamente responsables a los Estados de pabellón por la conducta de sus naves en alta mar respecto de las actividades pesqueras que éstas realicen. En tercer término, orientar la normativa del acuerdo precisa y exclusivamente a su objetivo propio, abandonando otros aspectos que pudieren desvirtuarlo.
Con estos conceptos generales le agradezco una vez más al Comité la confianza depositada en mi persona; quedo a disposición de aquellos distinguidos delegados que formarán parte de este Comité que el Consejo ha creado y nuevamente mi agradecimiento a quienes como usted, señor Presidente, han impulsado esta posibilidad y esta iniciativa para Chile.
LE PRESIDENT: Je demande avec insistance aux membres du Conseil de se concentrer sur le rapport du Comité des pêches et sur le point 8.1, c'est-à-dire les propositions relatives à un code international de conduite pour une pêche responsable.
En ce qui concerne le projet d'accord international sur l'attribution d'un pavillon aux navires péchant en haute mer, il devrait faire l'objet de discussions au sein du Comité technique exclusivement, c'est-à-dire que demain matin tous les pays membres auront l'occasion d'exprimer leur point de vue. C'est pourquoi je leur demande d'éviter de le développer dès maintenant dans le cadre des travaux du Conseil. Il y a suffisamment de points importants à examiner avec le rapport du Comité des pêches.
Frank D. BUCHHOLZ (United States of America): The United States delegation will be brief in order not to repeat the discussion which took place at the Committee on Fisheries 20th Session.
Concerning the International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, the United States supports the development of the Code and appreciates the work of FAO's Fisheries Department to elaborate its general outline and suggested time-frame for development. The Code should be fully consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and voluntary in nature, with the understanding that it may be used in full or in part in the promulgation of domestic or international regulations.
The United States also appreciates the support of the FAO Secretariat in expeditiously drafting an International Agreement on the Flagging of Vessels Fishing on the High Seas, as agreed by the Council at its last session. Due to the urgent nature of the flagging problem, as outlined in the Director General's statement and in the paper produced by the FAO Secretariat CL 103/20-Sup.3, the Agreement should be concluded as quickly as possible. We view the Flagging Agreement as an integral part of the Code of Conduct and a fundamental building block upon which to build a regulatory framework as envisioned in the Declaration of Cancún. We fully endorse the Director-General's proposal and the Council's decision this morning to form a Technical Committee to undertake a further review of the draft Agreement.
In conclusion, my delegation would like to thank the Fisheries Department and the Office of Legal Counsel for the excellent work they have done on this and on other issues. The importance of fisheries issues to many nations underscored the important work done by the Fisheries Department and the Office of Legal Counsel and the need for the continued financial support for their work and other activities.
M. MAJID-UL HAQ (Bangladesh): I would mention that our main efforts towards fisheries development include introduction of varied species, augmentation of fish production through greater participation of private fish farmers, provision of credit support and strengthening of institutional capabilities.
Our participation with FAO for small scale fishermen and fisheries development would provide an opportunity to gain access to valuable new technologies and resources of the Bay of Bengal.
My delegation fully. supports the proposals for the international code of conduct for responsible fishing.
Vishnu BHAGWAN (India) : My delegation had the opportunity of participating in the last session of the Committee on Fisheries in March and was able to make its contribution at that time. We fully support the proposal for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research to replace the existing Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research for endorsement by the Council. We also endorse the Report of the Committee containing other matters for information of the Council. However, I should like to make a few comments on the sub-items under this agenda.
Mr Chairman, the marine resources of the world are the common heritage of mankind and the freedom of fishing in the high seas is one of the four basic freedoms relating to the high seas. There has been visible evidence and a growing awareness of the harmful effects of over-exploitation of the marine resources on the ocean's ecosystem. India actively participated in the International Conference on Responsible Fishing in Cancún, Mexico, as well as at the UNCED last year and shares the concern over this deterioration and the need for sustaining the world fishery resources for the future generations. The Government of India is well aware of the need for responsible fishing practices and continuously reviews the effect of this on marine resources. The Government manages and runs institutions relating to training of crew-men in responsible fishing as well as conducting of surveys to assess the impact of fishing on available resources. We have also embarked on a programme for promoting diversification of shrimp trawlers since the shrimps have been over-exploited. We, in principle, agree with the proposal for an International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing. However, this code should be drawn up recognizing the sovereign rights of the coastal states in respect of their EEZ and coastal waters. The responsibility of administering the territorial waters, preservation of endangered species therein and small scale fisheries management, etc., therein will have to be looked after by these states. In a large country like ours, there are a number of provinces each of which has different fisheries acts and laws governing fishery management. We also feel • that there is no need for various research as it would be difficult to codify
the needs of fisheries research which vary from country to country. We consider that the high seas is the priority area for the preparation of a code of conduct. Better management of high seas fishing requires avoiding of over-dumping at high seas, prevention of pollution from ships and more responsible practice on the part of oil- exporting nations. The coastal states would also have a special interest in the migratory and straddling species in the high seas, since the practice undertaken therein would have an effect on social economics of the coastal fishing communities and nutritional factors of the population of coastal states. The proposed code of conduct should provide for the mechanism for enforcement of management measures and there should be an effective monitoring system as well as a system of dispute settlement. With the expression of these views, we are in agreement with the time schedule at the Committee's meeting in this regard.
As regards the draft International Agreement on the Flagging of Vessels Fishing on the High Seas, you already constituted the Technical Committee for this purpose just five or ten minutes before. My Government has already communicated its comments on the draft circulated earlier. Although I do not find these comments circulated by the Secretariat, yet I do hope they will be made available to the Technical Committee and considered while preparing the new draft. I also hope my Government will get an opportunity to express its opinion on the new draft prepared by the Technical Committee.
LE PRESIDENT: Il va de soi que les remarques du Gouvernement de l'Inde seront soumises au Comité technique et que la documentation dont vous avez fait état devra être distribuée dans le cadre des travaux de ce Comité.
Natigor SIAGIAN (Indonesia): Let me start my intervention by expressing our appreciation to the Secretariat for the substantive introductory remarks. Indonesia is of the view that the principles and the guidelines contained in the strategy for the fisheries management and development was endorsed by the Conference in 1984 and is still pertinent and relevant in providing guidance and design as well as on the implementation of fisheries management and development of programmes. Contribution of fisheries has been regarded as significant to the national economic, social and nutritional goals.
The Indonesian delegation would like to welcome the excellent report of the Committee on Fisheries of its 20th Session as appeared in the document. With regard to the matters requiring attention by the Council, in particular, the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Fishery Research to replace the Fishery Committee on Marine Resources Research, the Indonesian delegation is of the opinion that firstly the membership of developing countries too on personal capacities should be well represented and secondly, consideration may be given to provide an observer status to potential international organizations who have been doing active research in the region, for example, the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resource Management based in the Philippines. We also wish to call the Council's attention to high sea fishing, we refer to paragraph 88, which stated that States have the responsibility to control the activities of their flag vessels while engaged in high seas fishing. We also would urge FAO, in line with paragraph 63, to take all necessary actions for the implementation of special programmes of assistance
to the developing countries. On the remaining issues of the high seas fishing, on which there was no clear consensus again as stated in paragraph 64, it needs to be addressed within the context of the United Nations Conference on Straddling Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Species.
The Indonesian delegation welcome the initiative taken by the Director-General to make arrangements for the preparation of the draft document of an International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing. We realize that appropriate management of marine resources is a fundamental requisite not only to create a sustainable supply of fish as a valuable form of nutrition for the people but also to maintain the diversity of the sea. We realize that since 1982, when the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea set out the rights and responsibilities of States with respect to the utilization of the living resources in the EEZ and made provision for the high seas living resources, a lot of development has taken place in the expansion of high seas fisheries. This development requires new global arrangements on the responsibility of conduct and fishing operations to ensure sustainable productivity of the sea, although management and conservation of national jurisdiction needs to be strengthened. As we are aware, the Declaration of Cancún in May 1982 contains basically the rationale for responsible fishing and obligations expected from every coastal state, and the declaration was further brought to the attention of UNCED in June 1992. Indonesia attaches high priority to practising sound modern marine resource management, as indicated by the issuance of the law obtaining to EEZ in 1983 and the fisheries law of Indonesia in 1984-85. The Indonesian delegation wish to reiterate their support for the arrangement made to prepare an International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing taking into account the Declaration of Cancún 1982 and the result of UNCED 1992.
We are in agreement with the scope of the Code of Conduct which concerns fishing operations, fisheries, management practices, aquaculture development, integration of coastal fishing and coastal area management and fishery research. This obviously means the scope has enlarged from the original notion of fishing per se to. a wider dimension, namely to the entire domain of fisheries. Perhaps to avoid misunderstanding of the terms, therefore, probably we can suggest that the Code of Conduct of Responsible Fishing be accordingly considered to change to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
Randolph GHERSON (Canada): First of all, let me, through you, express our thanks to the Assistant Director-General of the Fisheries Department for his introductory report and the accompanying remarks of the Legal Advisor for their excellent and respective éclairage of the issues. Having participated in the debate of COFI, particularly the last one, including that respecting the adoption of the report of that meeting, Canada was part of the consensus represented by document CL 103/7. In reconfirming our acceptance of this consensus, allow me to take this opportunity to re-emphasize certain points. These should be regarded as constructive comment articulating what might be a Canadian cri de coeur.
The first concerns our continuing unhappiness with the reduction proposed for the next biennium in what is already a modest programme relative to its contribution to food security and development. In making this point we remain
unconvinced that the data concerning the setting of priorities by the FAO justifies such a step, and particularly so in view of the comparatively rigorous and comprehensive evaluation activities conducted by the Fisheries Department.
As well, we would recall that whereas the divergence between the Programme of Work and Budget and the net base budgetary appropriations, both approved by the Conference, amounted to 4.63 percent, the allocations to the Fisheries Department in the first year of the 1992-93 biennium amounted to a reduction of 13.5 percent relative to the Programme of Work and Budget, also approved by the Conference. This represents an actual reduction almost three times the maximum implied by the decisions of the Conference. Given that the net base budgetary appropriation was agreed in the expectation that it would be compensated, at least in part, by efficiency gains within the operations of FAO, and given the marked improvement in the financial situation of FAO as described in document CL 103/7 and confirmed last Monday by the Director-General, we would like to know the steps that will be taken to reinstate the reductions described by the Director-General in his progress report to the November Council with respect to the implementation of the approved Programme of Work and Budget for Fisheries for 1992-93.
We would also wish to reiterate our endorsement of the observations contained in CL 103/7 with respect to the need for more focused information on objectives, inputs, outputs and impacts against which the membership must deliver its considered judgements on priorities and programmes. Such information leading to the development of objectives related to measures of value received for resources committed, is increasingly demanded to satisfy the Organization's membership that its mandate is being discharged with effectiveness and cost-efficiency such as to justify further resource commitment. I might add that perhaps this comment applies across the board of FAO activities.
Let me now turn to the main part of my comments. Canada very much welcomes the initiative of FAO in developing a Code of Conduct on Responsible Fishing following the Cancún Declaration of May 1992. We appreciate and support the work of the Secretariat, particularly the Fisheries Department and the Legal Advisor. We share the view that a well-conceived Code is an important element in the development of sustainable fisheries on a global basis. The Code, however, must deal with fisheries in the two natural components recognized by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; that is, fisheries within exclusive economic zones and fisheries on the high seas.
In this context, we wish to reiterate the importance to the world community of the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, which held its first organizational session in April of this year and will begin its substantive work at UN Headquarters in New York on 12 July. This intergovernmental conference will deal with important and critical high seas fisheries issues which need to be resolved before we can realistically move to the development of a Code of Conduct for High Seas Fisheries. It follows as a matter of logic that consideration of the high seas aspect of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing must await the complet ion of the United Nations Conference. In consequence, Canada welcomes the recommendation of COFI that the United Nations Conference on Straddling
Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks address those issues pertaining to high seas fisheries on which there is at present no clear consensus. Here I refer to the Chairman's statement in paragraph 64 of the document.
The question of reflagging fishing vessels for the purpose of avoiding internationally agreed conservation and management measures on the high seas is another key component in the creation of a regime of responsible fishing. Canada strongly endorses the FAO initiative to develop on a priority basis a convention to regulate the flagging of vessels fishing on the high seas. We recognize the seminal work made by the expert committee in February - and I hope I do not sound immodest since I happened to be a member of that group in February - and COFI in March to draft an effective document. We certainly look forward to the prompt completion of the work of the technical committee which has just been established and which will start working in parallel to this Council meeting. In the interests of regulating this vexing problem, which in our view compels urgent treatment, our goal must remain the adoption of a convention by the November FAO Conference and its opening for acceptance at that time.
I now wish to turn to the issues of the relationship between the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing and the flagging agreement. We fully appreciate and share the concern of several delegations about the relationship between the Code of Conduct and the flagging agreement, and more particularly, the desire to ensure that the urgency given to flagging does not hinder progress on the overall development of the Code of Conduct as a package. I wish to fully support the comments recently made by the distinguished delegate of Chile and the Chairman of our technical group. As I had the opportunity to state upon the adoption of COFI's report, we certainly regard the flagging agreement not as a hindrance - and I wish to repeat that: not as a hindrance -but rather as a key building block. I wish to make as explicitly clear as I can that Canada shares this desire and wishes to underline the importance it attaches to the Code of Conduct. As a concrete and practical expression of that sense of commitment, I am pleased to advise you that Canada will be glad to host a meeting on the Code of Conduct dealing with technical standards as soon as it can be arranged. We have prepared a manual on this subject, based on our own national experience, which we will be glad to submit for consideration by the meeting and as a contribution to its discussions in the hope that it might further impart an impetus to progress on the Code of Conduct.
As to the more general issue of the relationship between the two documents, the Legal Advisor of FAO already explained during the deliberations of COFI and the COFI working group on flagging that, as a matter of international law, a legally binding document such as the flagging agreement cannot technically forms part of a voluntary instrument such as a Code of Conduct. However, this does not affect the fundamental political reality, recognized by the Council last November and reiterated by COFI in March of this year, that the issue of vessels reflagging into flags of convenience for the purpose of avoiding compliance with internationally agreed conservation and management measures form part of the issues that would be covered by the Code of Conduct, and that this particular issue should be addressed immediately with a view to concluding an international flagging agreement in the near future.
This fundamental political reality was expressed by the Government of Uruguay in its comments on the draft flagging agreement in the following terms, which Canada wholeheartedly endorses. I quote: "the issues raised by the flagging of fishing vessels (and) the issues that will be covered as part of the Code of Conduct (...) are narrowly interconnected in such a way that the integral solution of all the issues is an indispensable requisite to reach fully and efficiently the objectives of responsible fishing."
We are also given to understand that certain delegations would wish to ensure that, since the negotiations on the flagging agreement will be concluded, hopefully, before the completion of the Code of Conduct, the former instrument may need to be improved and therefore amended if the need should arise in the light of the final shape of the latter. We understand that. Indeed, I am grateful for this comment as it has brought to light an omission in the current draft of the flagging agreement as it does not contain an article on amendments. We would wish to fill this gap and, once the flagging agreement has entered into force, we would be pleased to consider any amendments for its improvement which might be suggested as a result of the Code of Conduct.
I hope you will forgive me if I have gone on at some length on these matters, but it has been done in the hope of laying to rest once and for all the legitimate concerns of those delegations who wish to guard against the risk that the fast track approach so necessary to the flagging agreement may put the Code of Conduct on the back burner. Quite the contrary. I trust that my statement will leave no doubt as to Canada's commitment to press forward with equal vigour and determination on both fronts, and I sincerely hope that all Council members will join us in the same spirit in this endeavour.
LE PRESIDENT: Je voudrais féliciter le Représentant du Canada de son intervention brillante et très complète. Elle contient plus de miel que de fiel et nous souhaitons que la FAO dans ses différents secteurs qui sont tous des secteurs importants puisse disposer des moyens budgétaires voulus. La situation de la trésorerie s'est améliorée, et à cet égard nous devons rendre hommage au Japon qui a versé sa contribution très tôt cette année, ce qui a favorisé la situation budgétaire pour le biennium 1994-95, qui n'est pas particulièrement encourageante. Il est fort possible qu'au cours de la discussion de la semaine prochaine on puisse enregistrer certaines améliorations qui sont non seulement souhaitables mais dans certains secteurs absolument indispensables.
Je voudrais maintenant donner la parole au Représentant de la CEE en signalant d'ores et déjà que les décisions que notre Conseil devra prendre ne pourront être prises qu'après le dépôt du rapport du Comité technique, donc ce n'est que mercredi prochain que nous nous prononcerons sur l'adoption du rapport du Comité des pêches ainsi que sur les propositions relatives à un Code international de conduite pour une pêche responsable. Je crois que là aussi il conviendra de donner un certain nombre d'indications concrètes et pratiques pour les étapes ultérieures et nous espérons aboutir à un large accord sur l'attribution de pavillons aux navires péchant en haute mer de façon à ce que le Conseil, dans la session qui précède la Conférence, puisse le transmettre à la Conférence qui pourrait prendre au mois de novembre de cette année une décision sur ce point.
O. TOUGAARD (EEC): First of all, I wish on behalf of the EEC and its member states to congratulate the Secretariat for a comprehensive report and also Mr Krone and Mr Moore for their introductory statements.
The European Community supports the proposal for the elaboration of a code of conduct for responsible fishing which will take into account the provisions of UNCLOS, UNCED, the Cancún Declaration, the work in the FAO and, in the light of the outcome of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks.
The code, which should include the issue of authorizing of fishing vessels to fish on the high seas, must be elaborated to ensure that it is realistic and technically applicable, and equally comprehensible for the fishermen and all other parties concerned. The code should therefore be simple and concentrate on the essential elements. Likewise, it should be based entirely on the concept of responsible fishing.
The Community wishes to underline that with regard to the guidelines on fishing operations as referred to in document CL 103/7, paragraph 69, a code on responsible fishing on this issue shall reflect the provisions of the UNCLOS with regard to the EEZ and the high seas. In the case, for example, of straddling stocks, it is necessary to ensure a coherent and sustainable management and conservation regime for the entire stock to ensure a coherent and sustainable management and conservation regime for the entire stock to ensure the concept of responsible fishing both within the EEZ and outside. The European Community is therefore against a separate code for the high seas.
With regard to the thematic areas, as set out in document CL 103/7, paragraph 68, for which guidelines should be developed, it is our position that the issue of research should not be included as a part of the code of conduct. Research should however be encouraged with a view to improving fishing operations.
With regard to the other thematic areas the Community reserves at this stage its position with regard to the opportunity for the inclusion of some of the approved issues. The Community takes the view that the Code of Conduct shall constitute a framework consisting of the various elements.
The Community wishes to reiterate that it is prepared to participate and collaborate actively in the elaboration of all of the various elements of the code in question.
Finally, the Community supports the view that in principle the Code of Conduct should be implemented on a voluntary basis and it should not foresee coercive measures.
LE PRESIDENT: J'ai eu l’ occasion de faire connaître mon point de vue à propos du Code de conduite qui présente un caractère ouvert et moral devant évoluer progressivement vers des obligations plus contraignantes pour l'ensemble de la communauté internationale. Je crois que le chemin sera long à parcourir mais il doit être parcouru sans délais démesurément longs.
MA GENG-OU (China) (Original language Chinese) : I wish to thank the Secretariat for providing us with exhaustive documents for review, and also the head of the Fisheries Department for his introduction.
During the session of the Council the delegation of China participated in the discussions. We also attended the 20th Session of COFI, and we fully support the conclusions of the Committee.
I wish now to speak briefly about the Code of Conduct on Responsible Fishing. The development of an international code for responsible fishing is necessary for the responsible use of fisheries resources, and also to assure sustainable development in fishing throughout the world. The government of China is in principle in agreement with the development of such a code.
In elaborating this code of conduct, it would be necessary to take into full account the specific conditions - the social, economic, and technological conditions of each and every country - so as to avoid excessive constraints and burdens on the development of fisheries in developing countries. At the same time, in the process of development of such a code it is necessary to see that sufficient time is allowed, so that the various countries may ponder the matter. À code of conduct for responsible fishing should also deal with national jurisdiction areas and the high seas, and include regulations on the marking of the vessels, on fishing, etc. All of this would require a large amount of work, and I believe more attention should be given to these points.
We support the principle by which the management of national jurisdiction areas and the high seas should be sustained and different at the same time -sustained in terms of technical criteria, and different as far as all the management measures are concerned.
It is our opinion that the International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing should be an instrument containing guidelines which the various countries could implement on a voluntary basis.
Young Gyu KIM (Korea, Republic of): My delegation would like to express thanks to the Secretariat for the excellent work done in preparing the proposals for an International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, including a timeframe.
My delegation would like to make general comments while stressing the necessity of a balanced approach on two aspects of our missions in working out the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing.
One aspect is the mission to secure a stable supply of fisheries products for the people of the world by a sustainable exploitation of the marine living resources, and the other is the mission to preserve the marine environment at its best condition so as to keep it available for continued use by the present and future generations. I would like to point out, however, that it should be noted that placing excessive weight on protecting the marine environment could hinder our mission to provide the world with a stable supply of fisheries products. At the same time, we should realize that without careful consideration given to protecting the marine environment and the resources
involved, the danger of depleting our fisheries resources through excessive exploitation becomes real. Therefore, in wording the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing we should try to harmonize all of the relevant principles as well described in paragraph 57 of document CL 103/7.
It is my hope that with this Code of Conduct we will continue to have a healthy development of the marine resources of the world, which will enable a stable supply of fisheries products to the world.
One other concern to be reviewed at this Council meeting is the difficulty involved in trying to establish a code that would be rigorously applied to regulate all countries equally. We must recognize that since each individual country is faced with a different set of circumstances, from developed to developing countries, from coastal to distant-water fishing countries, it may be appropriate to draft a code to be applied to different countries, to fit their circumstances in terms of the area of waters and the state of fisheries resources. At this time, this could be a practical and feasible solution.
Benson C. MBOGOH (Kenya): Let me also congratulate the Secretariat for their comprehensive report of the Committee on Fisheries, and Mr Krone and Mr Moore for their complete introductory remarks.
We commend the Secretariat in general for the role it has played, and continues to play, in steering the process that has led to the evolvement of some milestone decisions for ensuring the sustainable development and equitable benefits sharing of the world's fisheries resources. My delegation is generally in favour of the development of the necessary instruments, programmes and strategies for achieving this goal. Therefore, my delegation is totally in favour of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, the International Agreement on the Flagging of Vessels Fishing on High Seas, the strengthening of regional fisheries bodies and the agreement on the establishment of the Indian Tuna Commission (although that is not part of this discussion) and others. Having participated in the 20th Session of COFI, my delegation has no difficulty in giving broad support to the report. However, I take the floor to make a few comments on some specific issues of concern and, in some cases, to seek clarification.
Firstly, I wish to say that my Government is giving the necessary consideration to the draft Agreement of the flagging of vessels fishing on high seas, and it will make further comments in due course.
Secondly, with reference to paragraph 51 of document CL 103/7, we support the special attention given to the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to facilitate coordination and international cooperation in improving fisheries resource management, stock assessment and fisheries research. In this context, we wish to stress the need for the creation of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Commission in order to strengthen coordination and cooperation among the riparian states in the development of fisheries resources in the East African shared inland waters.
My delegation would like to take this opportunity to express Kenya's appreciation for the technical assistance which has been given, and continues
to be given, by FAO towards the proposed Commission. I would like to assure the Secretariat and the Council that active follow-up consultations on the issue are currently in progress with participant governments, and the decision and response are expected in due course.
Finally, we request a small clarification: at paragraph 32 of the document CL 103/7, it is reported that the African Regional Aquaculture Centre at Port Harcourt, Nigeria, has run into some severe operational difficulties following the termination of the UNDP project funding. This is an important regional institution contributing to the development of a fisheries sub-sector which has good potential for growth on the continent. We should like to know, therefore, what steps are under way to restore the operational capacity of this important Centre.
Supote DECHATES (Thailand): My delegation is very pleased with the report of COFI at its 20th Session. We also thank the Secretariat for introducing this report.I should like to highlight a few points.
Firstly, fisheries research needs of developing countries: my delegation strongly supports FAO and other donors in assisting the developing countries to develop their national capacity in fishery research. We also urge the fishery-related organizations or countries to provide specialized training for fishery research workers from developing countries. My delegation shares the view that research programmes of developing countries are essential to their being able to undertake the management tasks necessary to ensure sustainable exploitation of their fishery resources.
My second comment is about high seas fishing. My delegation fully supports the important rules of FAO on high seas fisheries data. We also hope FAO will provide technical assistance and training to developing countries to enhance their research and capacity in high seas fishing.
My last comment is that we endorse the proposals for an international code of conduct for responsible fishing as listed in paragraph 68 of document CL 103/7.
The meeting rose at 12.30 hours.
La séance est levée à 12 h 30.
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.30 horas.
