EL PRESIDENTE: Como ustedes recordarán, en su 107° Período de Sesiones, el Consejo examinó la propuesta del Director General de llevar a cabo una Cumbre mundial sobre la alimentación. Aquel Consejo convino que esa iniciativa era a la vez oportuna y pertinente y consideró que, en su sesión de abril de este año, el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria sostuviera un primer debate sobre los documentos que se prepararían para su adopción en la Cumbre. Todo esto con el fin de iniciar y permitir un diálogo abierto y constructivo sobre las cuestiones de fondo hasta esta sesión del Consejo.
En consecuencia, el Director General presentó a dicho Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria, un primer documento y, las conclusiones del debate del Comité se encuentran en el documento CL 108/12, que se ha transmitido al Consejo y que ustedes, el día de ayer, quisieron posponer para debatirlas el día de hoy por la mañana.
En lo que se refiere a la preparación de la documentación para su adopción final por parte de la Cumbre, se le pide la opinión al Consejo sobre algunas cuestiones que permitan a la Secretaría preparar los borradores de texto y estas cuestiones, como ustedes pueden observar, se encuentran en las notas explicativas y se refieren principalmente al formato, al criterio y a la orientación regional y a otros documentos de la Cumbre. En lo que se refiere al primero, al formato, se propone, como ustedes ven, un breve documento normativo o de políticas que incluía una serie de principios y compromisos básicos, tales principios o compromisos estarían complementados por el Plan de Acción o Plan de Aplicación que serviría de guía para los gobiernos así como para los sectores no gubernamentales. El Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria endosó esa propuesta y consideró fundamental que los documentos de la cumbre fueran concisos y compresibles para todos.
En lo que se refiere al criterio para que la documentación sea concisa, el criterio propuesto consiste en hacer referencia a las conclusiones y acuerdos alcanzados en otros foros internacionales sin que se reabra aquí o en la Cumbre el debate sobre aquellos acuerdos ya logrados. El Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria consideró esta propuesta apropiada e identificó aquellos foros internacionales.
Espero, por tanto, que este Consejo observe que este criterio es fundamental no sólo, para no extender innecesariamente las discusiones y, tampoco, para hacer excesivamente largos los documentos.
En lo que se refiere a la orientación regional, el texto adoptado será de interés global. Sin embargo, el Plan de Acción deberá tener en cuenta que muchos de los problemas a los que aludirá y la factibilidad de las soluciones, variarán según las regiones e incluso de un país a otro. El Comité consideró importante que se elaboraran los componentes regionales del Plan de Acción, que serán examinados por las Conferencias Regionales a celebrar en 1996.
En cuanto a los otros documentos para la Cumbre, un aspecto esencial de la propuesta del Director General, es que los documentos contengan cimientos analíticos sólidos en los que se asentarán, por tanto, los preparativos de la Cumbre. Las cuestiones de mayor importancia se presentarían en una serie de documentos técnicos, una lista de la cual la pueden ustedes encontrar en el Documento CL 108/12, y esos documentos abarcarían la trayectoria histórica, la situación presente y las tendencias futuras, y presentarán cuestiones que los gobiernos podrán examinar. Se está recabando ya la colaboración de la Comunidad Científica y de otras organizaciones de las Naciones Unidas y organizaciones no gubernamentales, para preparar esos documentos. Los textos, por tanto, se enviarán en el curso de 1995, es decir, un año antes de la celebración de la Cumbre.
Finalmente, en lo que se refiere al Consejo de Preparación, como ya saben los miembros del Consejo, la Cumbre se celebrará en noviembre de 1996. Es importante señalar que el Gobierno de Italia ha confirmado su disposición para apoyar a la FAO en la preparación y celebración de la Cumbre, mediante un apoyo tanto material como diplomático. Como la Cumbre ha sido postergada, también el tiempo adicional permite un
proceso de preparación más estructurado y con miras a asegurar una participación plena de los Estados Miembros. Yo sé que ustedes han insistido en ello y creo que la voluntad y la decisión del Director General es justamente facilitar esta participación plena.
Al mismo tiempo, se respeta el principio de realizar el trabajo preparativo en el curso de las reuniones ordinarias de la FAO, de tal suerte que los gastos de la preparación se reduzcan al mínimo posible. Es por ello que la Cumbre tendrá lugar una vez cubierto un ciclo de reuniones programadas para 1996, incluida la de este Consejo, la Conferencia y las reuniones del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria y luego, claro, las cinco conferencias regionales.
Está previsto, como ustedes saben, que el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria se reuna en enero y comience el proceso de examen de los proyectos de texto para la Cumbre y que, después, las Conferencias Regionales elaboren los componentes regionales del Plan de Acción. Estos serán luego integrados y resumidos en algún punto, para que la Cumbre los considere.
La Secretaría tiene que preparar en el futuro próximo estos proyectos de texto que tendrán que ser distribuidos a los Estados Miembros hacia finales de año. Por consiguiente, es de importancia fundamental, repito, es importante, que este Consejo se pronuncie sobre las cuestiones subrayadas en el Documento CL 108/12 y, sobre el contenido de la Cumbre para orientar a la Secretaría en esta tarea.
A este respecto y dentro del espíritu de una efectiva participación de todos, cabe señalar que hay una sección del documento que trata de la visión para el desarrollo agropecuario. Esto constituye también, como ustedes saben, el tema de la reunión ministerial que tendrá lugar en Quebec en el contexto de la celebración del 50° aniversario de la FAO. Las orientaciones que este Consejo tenga a bien ofrecer en lo que se refiere a la problemática de la inversión, podrán ser utilizadas por la Secretaría en la documentación para esa importante reunión. Los resultados de Quebec, entonces, podrían ser recogidos plenamente en los proyectos de texto para la Cumbre.
En último lugar, me quiero referir al papel de la Conferencia, que es el órgano supremo de la FAO, que tiene la prerogativa de aprobar esta propuesta y de decidir sobre la Cumbre. El Director General, como ustedes han escuchado, tiene la intención de someter un documento a la Conferencia en este sentido.
Finalmente, como un recordatorio, las cuestiones de carácter presupuestario que involucrarían los trabajos preparativos y la celebración de la Cumbre, se discutirían bajo el Tema 16, de manera que les pido que no se refieran específicamente a las cuestiones de carácter presupuestario. Esto no implica, claro, que no lo hagan sobre las programáticas.
Señores delegados, yo creo que con estas notas introductorias podría permitirme pasar la palabra a la señora Killingsworth, para que nos haga la presentación de los documentos.
Ms Kay KILLINGSWORTH (Secretary General, World Food Summit): The Director-General spoke eloquently about the World Food Summit yesterday and you have just been so clear in your introduction to this debate that my introductory remarks will be very brief.
Mr Chairman, you have pointed out that this document which is before the Council is a revision of the document originally submitted to the CFS. We have tried in the extent possible to incorporate the results of the very substantive debate which the CFS had on the subject in order to facilitate the Council's debate. The results of your debate today will be valuable to us, as you have pointed out, in preparing draft texts for consideration of Member Nations in 1996. As you can imagine, the time required for us to prepare good drafts means that we will have to be working on them over the next six months, and I would therefore like to thank you for drawing the Council's attention to the importance for us of receiving your guidance in beginning this process.
Mr Chairman, you have also drawn Council's attention to the four major points raised for Council's consideration in the Explanatory Note and I will not go into any further detail on that. I would simply like to draw to your attention that the proposals before you represent the Secretariat's suggestions as to what elements could be included in a policy document and a plan of action for submission to the Summit. What we
have, in fact, provided for you is an outline or, as we called it in the CFS, a skeleton. We will be drawing on the points you make in order to flesh out that skeleton in a draft text. We would like, first of all, the Council's views as to whether we have got the right skeleton, whether this provides a good basis for further work and if not, how we should modify it. I would like to beg your indulgence in pointing out that the document is only an outline and obviously the various elements are treated in extremely concise form. We would seek your understanding that a number of points which members may have wished to have seen elaborated upon could obviously not be elaborated upon to any great extent in such a brief document. It would be on the basis of the comments you make that we will carry out that elaboration in the months to come. So with that, Mr Chairman, we are looking forward with great interest in the Council's discussion. I would remain at your disposal for any further clarification that may facilitate your debate.
EL PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias por sus comentarios introductorios. Abro ahora la lista de oradores, pero deseo decirles que por respeto a la investidura de los distinguidos ministros que nos acompañan, hay un observador, el Señor Ministro Robert Sagna, observador del Senegal, que nos ha pedido ser él el primer orador de esta sesión. Si ustedes lo permiten, así será.
Robert SAGNA (Observateur du Sénégal): Monsieur le Président, vous me permettrez tout d'abord, au nom de la délégation qui m'accompagne et en mon nom personnel, de vous féliciter chaleureusement de la manière dont vous dirigez, depuis hier, les travaux de ce Conseil. Ma présence aujourd'hui parmi vous, bien que le Sénégal soit un pays observateur du Conseil, est un témoignage du soutien sans failles que mon pays apporte aux activités de la FAO, sous l'impulsion de son Directeur général, Jacques Diouf, mais également au rôle des organes directeurs de notre organisation dont les missions au service de l'humanité ne sont plus à démontrer.
Nous apprécions à sa juste valeur l'action que le Directeur général mène pour restructurer, réorganiser et rationaliser le secrétariat de la FAO de manière à le rendre plus fonctionnel, plus dynamique, mais aussi plus efficace et moins coûteux.
Au moment où le monde continue de connaître la faim et la malnutrition, en particulier en Afrique, l'initiative de tenir un Sommet mondial de l'alimentation, l'année prochaine, principalement axé sur la sécurité alimentaire est une initiative à la fois significative de l'importance que ce sujet revêt mais également opportune et tout à fait bénéfique; et je peux vous assurer que le chef de l'Etat du Sénégal, le président Abdou Diouf, son gouvernement et le peuple tout entier soutiennent cette heureuse initiative. Le regroupement international au niveau de cette grande conférence, nous en sommes persuadés, offrira à la communauté des Etats une heureuse occasion de prendre, au plus haut niveau, des engagements fermes et des orientations politiques indispensables dans le domaine de la sécurité alimentaire à partir d'objectifs concrets qui en seront dégagés. C'est tout au moins le souhait que nous formulons.
Les organisations internationales, et en particulier celles du système des Nations Unies, nous le savons également, traversent une période de crise financière, crise à laquelle la FAO n'échappe pas. Si cela doit nous amener à retenir pour notre prochain exercice biennal une croissance réelle zéro, il reste qu'il est de notre devoir à tous, en vertu de notre adhésion aux textes fondamentaux de l'Organisation, qui fixent ses buts et objectifs, de donner à la FAO les moyens minimums dont cette organisation a besoin pour mener efficacement sa mission. Il y va, bien entendu, de sa survie mais aussi de la survie de nombreuses populations qui souffrent aujourd'hui de la malnutrition. Il y va également de la survie des actions et des objectifs que nous nous sommes assignés dans les domaines de l'agriculture, de la pêche, des forêts et de la conservation des ressources naturelles.
Au demeurant, le programme prioritaire retenu comme celui qui vise à accroître la production alimentaire et à assurer la sécurité alimentaire dans les pays à faibles revenus et à déficit vivrier est celui destiné à mettre en place un système de prévention des maladies et de réponse rapide à celles-ci. Je pense que ces objectifs devraient recueillir toute l'attention du Conseil.
Dans son message, hier, le nouveau Directeur général de la FAO dresse des orientations pertinentes et, en particulier, celles de renforcer les capacités nationales des pays et de renforcer également la coopération technique entre pays en développement. Cette option de décentralisation, de responsabilisation et
d'accroissement de la coopération sud-sud mérite d'être saluée et encouragée. La situation alimentaire dans le monde et les perspectives à moyen terme de son amélioration n'offrent guère de possibilités d'optimisme, surtout dans les pays à faibles revenus et à déficit vivrier dont l'écrasante majorité se situe notamment, je l'ai dit tout à l'heure, dans le continent africain.
Dans le même ordre d'idée, il est inquiétant de noter le recul de l'aide qui, pour la première fois depuis 10 ans, régresse de manière inquiétante. Les défis auxquels doit faire face la FAO pour lutter contre la faim, la pauvreté, la malnutrition, deviennent également de plus en plus importants. M. le Directeur général l'a rappelé dans son discours.
En réunissant au niveau ministériel, en mars dernier, les responsables des secteurs de la pêche et des forêts, le Directeur général a induit une nouvelle dynamique participative à notre organisme commun - cela après la cent sixième session du Conseil - marquant ainsi un élan consensuel et solidaire qui balise la voie du changement et du renouveau d'une institution appelée à une nouvelle jeunesse et à même de répondre mieux que par le passé aux défis cruciaux de la faim et de la malnutrition dans le monde dont la population, hélas, ne cesse de s'accroître, parfois à un rythme supérieur à celui de la production alimentaire.
Québec, au Canada, qui marquera le cinquantième anniversaire de la FAO porté sur les fonds baptismaux au Château Frontenac, à Québec et Rome, qui recevra, en 1996, le Sommet mondial de l'alimentation axé sur le problème de la sécurité alimentaire. Ces deux événements constitueront des étapes supplémentaires significatives dans la marche de la FAO réformée, redynamisée et revitalisée, à l'orée du vingt et unième siècle.
Vous pouvez être assurés, honorables délégués, que le Sénégal, en ce qui le concerne, sera bien sûr à ce rendez-vous historique pour marquer sa foi et son engagement en notre Organisation, et je voudrais vous remercier tous de votre aimable attention.
EL PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias Señor Ministro, por sus comentarios; este Consejo ha tomado debida nota de ellos.
Pedro MEDRANO ROJAS (Chile): El documento CL 108/10 párrafo 31 y siguientes, recoge, en nuestra opinión, el debate que el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial desarrolló sobre el texto que la Secretaría preparó respecto de una posible declaración sobre política global y a un plan de acción. Al respecto, señor Presidente, nuestra delegación considera que esta parte del documento refleja adecuadamente la discusión sostenida en el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial y que, en consecuencia, nuestra atención debería centrarse en el documento CL 108/12, que la Secretaría ha preparado justamente teniendo en cuenta la discusión mantenida en el referido Comité. Sin embargo, señor Presidente, nuestra delegación quisiera, antes de pronunciarse sobre el contenido de estos documentos, y atendiendo al título exacto del item sometido en la propuesta de agenda a este Consejo, Preparativos de la Cumbre, hacer algunas consideraciones sobre aspectos más bien formales del proceso preparatorio de la cumbre, y enseguida hacer comentarios sobre el fondo de los documentos.
En primer lugar, señor Presidente, mi delegación se permite solicitar formalmente a este Consejo que, en atención a las razones expuestas por el señor Director General de la FAO para convocar una Cumbre Mundial sobre la Alimentación en noviembre de 1996 en Roma, este Consejo respalde esta convocatoria formalmente y que recomiende a la próxima Conferencia General de la FAO que adopte una resolución en tal sentido. Tal como se ha señalado en la convocatoria, el propósito de esta Cumbre será renovar el compromiso de los dirigentes de máximo nivel de todo el mundo para erradicar el hambre y la malnutrición y conseguir la seguridad alimentaria para todos, mediante la adopción de políticas y acciones concertadas en los planos mundial, regional y nacional.
Creemos que la convocatoria de una cumbre de este tipo es pertinente y oportuna en atención a los graves problemas de inseguridad alimentaria que afectan a una proporción importante de la población mundial. Los antecedentes del problema, expuestos en numerosos documentos de la FAO, y las perspectivas que se presentan para las generaciones futuras, nos imponen un deber moral y político para actuar decididamente y afrontar las causas profundas que lo generan.
Es por esto, señor Presidente, que transcurridos más de 20 años desde la celebración de la Conferencia Mundial de la Alimentación en 1974, y no habiéndose logrado las metas de erradicar el hambre, la inseguridad alimentaria y la malnutrición, la propuesta del señor Director General debe ser respaldada por los órganos rectores de la FAO, concretamente su Consejo y la Conferencia General.
En su proceso preparatorio, tal como se ha señalado, debe asegurarse la participación de todos los sectores de la sociedad, incluyendo a los gobiernos, organismos no gubernamentales y del sector privado.
Los arreglos de la Secretaría al respecto, nos parecen adecuados, especialmente en lo que se refiere a las reuniones preparatorias de que aprovechen los períodos de sesiones ordinarios de los órganos de la FAO.
Asimismo son importantes las reuniones entre la Secretaría y las representaciones acreditadas ante la FAO en Roma.
El calendario de reuniones que se plantea, tanto el que ya tuvo lugar del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial de este mismo Consejo, de los Ministros de Agricultura y de Cooperación para el desarrollo, con ocasión del 50° aniversario de la FAO en Quebec (Canadá), en octubre de 1995, vale decir este año, la Conferencia de la FAO en su 28° período de sesiones, las conferencias regionales de la FAO, etc., permitirán debatir las cuestiones más relevantes de la seguridad alimentaria.
En lo que respecta a la preparación técnica de la Cumbre, en particular lo relativo a la preparación de la declaración política y el programa de acción, así como los documentos técnicos de base, de carácter analítico para resaltar la cuestión que merecen la atención de la comunidad internacional, nos permitimos proponer que esta responsabilidad sea encomendada al Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial. Para estos efectos proponemos que este Comité asuma el rol del Comité preparatorio de la Cumbre y que como resultado de sus debates y trabajo, sea este Comité el que en última instancia, someta formalmente a la consideración de los Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno el proyecto de declaración y programa de acción. En tal sentido el Comité debería celebrar, además de la reunión prevista para enero de 1996, otra sesión en septiembre de ese año para consolidar en un documento final los aportes de las conferencias regionales de los países, de los organismos no gubernamentales y del sector privado. En su reunión de enero próximo el Comité podría establecer un grupo de trabajo, si así lo considera, para que coordine el trabajo que sea necesario con la Secretaría en relación a la preparación de los documentos, tanto de base análitica como aquellos que sean o se estimen necesarios en la elaboración final de la declaración en el programa de acción.
Asimismo este Comité podría hacer indicaciones precisas a las conferencias regionales y a los gobiernos, respecto de las cuestiones más relevantes que deberían comprender los documentos y estudios que éstos preparen. Del mismo modo el Comité podría orientar la forma en que los demás organismos del sistema de las Naciones Unidas podrían contribuir en la preparación de estudios y documentos relevantes para la Cumbre Mundial.
Esto sería en términos muy resumidos, señor Presidente, lo que mi delegación somete a la consideración de este Consejo en lo que respecta al proceso preparatorio de la Cumbre en sus aspectos formales.
En lo que se refiere al contenido mismo del documento CL 108/12, queremos expresar nuestra satisfacción por el esfuerzo de la Secretaría al presentarnos un texto que recoge nuestra opinión, adecuadamente el debate y los acuerdos del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial. Se nos ha preguntado si el esqueleto es adecuado, si es una buena base. Nosotros pensamos que, efectivamente, es una buena base, perfectamente perceptible, y al respecto quisiéramos tan sólo expresar unos breves comentarios.
Los párrafos 15 a 17, se refieren al imperativo ético, la sobreexplotación de la tierra y la relación entre alimentos y población.
El párrafo 15 es bastante claro al afirmar que el "mundo tiene la capacidad de producir alimentos para todos" ésta es la afirmación de fondo, vale decir, que si se adoptaran modelos de desarrollo adecuados habría alimentos para todos.
El párrafo 16, sin embargo, hace una afirmación: Para cubrir las necesidades humanas de alimentos, etc., se amenazan gravemente los recursos de la tierra. Pareciera que se afirma que existe una relación entre producir
alimentos y destruir la naturaleza. La verdad es que se puede producir sin destruir los recursos naturales, y esto es lo que hay que resaltar. Lo mismo vale para el concepto de población, y su relación con los alimentos. Si existe la voluntad política y se adoptan las medidas adecuadas, es perfectamente posible producir alimentos y disponer de ellos incluso para una población creciente sin destruir la naturaleza. No porque la población crezca necesariamente se tiene que destruir la naturaleza.
El imperativo ético, en nuestra opinión, podría partir afirmando lo inaceptable del hecho de que exista un número importante de personas que padezcan hambre y malnutrición; que se esté degradando y destruyendo los recursos naturales, y la base de la sustentación de la humanidad comprometiendo el futuro de las generaciones venideras, en circunstancias que podrían ser perfectamente posibles producir alimentos adecuados y suficientes para la población tanto actual como futura.
Quisiera sintetizar, señor Presidente, respecto a esta pane que, en nuestra opinión, el imperativo ético debería comprender lo incluido en los párrafos 15 a 17 de manera de que exista una estrecha relación entre los elementos que he señalado. En la forma propuesta pareciera que, y entiendo que no es la intención, puede deberse a problemas de traducción, pero en la forma propuesta pareciera que existiría una contradicción conceptual entre estos elementos. A partir de estos elementos, integrados en el concepto básico consideramos, señor Presidente, que se deberían derivar los efectos negativos de esta situación y que están, en mi opinión, adecuadamente expuestos en las partes siguientes del documento. Sin embargo, me permitiría en este caso sugerir que, en el párrafo 17 en la penúltima parte, a partir de la frase: "Proseguirá el desarrollo humano, substrayendo tierras y manos de obra a la agricultura, etc." que eso sea considerado justamente como uno de los efectos que se derivan del mal aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales y de lo inadecuado de las políticas de desarrollo.
En relación con la estructura del documento, parecería necesario, a mi juicio, destacar en el formato la parte correspondiente a los recursos genéticos. En nuestra opinión en el párrafo 23 hay dos elementos que están conceptualmente unidos, uno se refiere a los recursos del Norte y del Sur, orientándose hacia la inversión. Da la impresión de que se tratara más bien de políticas de inversión, investigación, desarrollo y tecnología, educación infraestructura rural, y se incluyen los recursos genéticos en el mismo concepto, circunstancia que podría evitarse toda vez que el tratamiento de los recursos genéticos es, de por sí, extraordinariamente importante para la seguridad alimentaria que merece, en nuestra opinión, ser destacado.
En lo que se refiere al párrafo 25, señor Presidente, consideramos que más que hacer una constatación de los cambios ocurridos, si estamos hablando de las necesidades de acción, lo lógico sería referirse al rol de los gobiernos y, en tal sentido, reducir lo más posible las referencias que se hacen a la característica de la situación actual.
Quisiéramos, igualmente, señor Presidente, que se hiciera una mención específica al desafío que emana de los acuerdos de la Ronda Uruguay, particularmente al comercio agrícola. Creemos que en esta área la seguridad alimentaria encontrará los mayores desafíos. Por tal razón me permitiría sugerir que se destacara adecuadamente en el plan de acción.
En lo que se refiere al plan de acción, señor Presidente, nuestra delegación hará más adelante intervenciones específicas sobre este tema.
Quisiéramos limitar hasta aquí nuestros comentarios.
Hiroaki KISHI (Japan): On behalf of the twenty countries in the Asia group I would like to applaud the Director-General's initiative on securing the World Food Security. I would also like to reaffirm our continued support to convene the World Food Summit in November 1996. We hope it will be successful with a fruitful outcome. The Head of Delegation of Japan will make his own statement.
Yasuo ENDO (Japan): Mr Chairman, on behalf of the Japanese Government, my delegation would think that it is timely and significant to convene the World Food Summit.
I appreciate the effort made by the Secretariat to revise the documents taking into account the deliberation of the last meeting of the CFS. It is, however, regrettable that we could not have enough time to examine the documents, because it was just one week before the Council when they were distributed to member countries. My delegation in this connection would suggest that the Secretariat allow member countries to submit additional comments on paper even after the end of the Council.
Mr Chairman, we support the idea of the World Food Summit and expect world leaders to participate in it. However, there should be some flexibility in terms of the level of participation according to each country's situation for the success of the Summit.
Mr Chairman, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to express its basic view on food security by summarizing into the following two points, and later submit written comments and revisions on the document to the Secretariat.
The first point is how we could secure a stable supply of food for all, including those in both developing and developed countries, while touching upon how we could effectively address two different types of problems: one is hunger and malnutrition, to be addressed urgently, and the second is the universal food security to be attained in a longer time frame.
The second point is how we could maintain and enhance the vitality of agriculture and rural communities which are the source of various foods and vital base of food security for individual countries.
As the document indicates, it is unacceptable that even now, 800 million people are chronically undernourished in developing countries. My delegation fully recognizes that the food shortage in developing countries is the biggest and most urgent issue at this moment. I understand this perception is reflected in the "Statement of Purpose" and "the meaning of food security" in the document.
On the other hand, from the long-term perspective, it should be also recognized that the food problem is not limited to "free from hunger" and has so many facets according to the state of economic development. At this juncture, multi-dimensional and practical concept of universal food security on the long-term basis should be reflected in the Summit document.
Mr Chairman, a clear example of different and multi-dimensional food security issue can be seen in Asian countries, which are densely populated and have a relatively high rate of population growth.
On the one hand, certain regions are still facing severe food crises such as hunger and chronic malnutrition, which are subject to urgent need of food security.
On the other hand, however, in other Asian nations, a different type of food security concern can be identified.
ASEAN countries and China are likely to present the first example. These countries have been experiencing high economic growth with accompanying improvement in living standards for a huge number of regional population. This will lead to a higher food consumption level and increased demand for not only food grains but also feed grains, meats, and other value-added agricultural products.
As for the production in these regions, a question arises on whether it will be able to continue to increase at the same pace as before, due to diminishing farm land and growing environmental constraints brought by economic growth.
Consequently, it is likely that these Asian nations might have some periodic unstable food situation in the future.
Another food security concern in Asian countries can be seen in highly industrialized countries like Japan, Korea and Singapore. These countries that are not much blessed with land resources have been becoming more and more reliant on food imports in order to meet the steady increase in diversified food demand, due to the economic growth and gradual population growth. Consequently, in the case of Japan, for instance, the
self-sufficiency ratio in food has been continuing to fall below 50 percent. This creates a great concern among Japanese people for food security.
Mr Chairman, my delegation would be of the view that due attention should be also paid to the question on how to address multi-dimensional food security in various countries. The answer is that different food security concerns can be taken care of by different and appropriate means.
In this connection, "self-reliance" principle - that means domestic food production supplemented by access to food - is important. In view of this principle, a balanced approach is necessary. In addition, the concept included in the World Food Security Compact resolved at the 23rd FAO Conference in November, 1985, is also taken seriously. It stated that net food importing countries should promote domestic production, at least, of basic foodstuff and try to avoid the risks resulting from excessive dependence on food imports, as a basic policy for food security.
Mr Chairman, in this regard, the relationship between food security and agricultural trade should be treated with full caution. Further discussions are needed on how agricultural trade could contribute to improving food security, and I would emphasize the need to avoid any expressions that imply trade measures beyond the Uruguay Round agreement.
Mr Chairman, I would like to go into another subject on how to maintain and enhance the vitality of agricultural and rural communities in order to effectively operate those multi-functions.
The need for these multi-functions vary depending on the stage of economic development. An appropriate evaluation of these multiple functions is highly important for sustainable agricultural development which is a strong base for food security.
My delegation would appreciate the references to the multi-functional aspects of agriculture made in the documents. In my country people have some concern for the possible loss of such functions of agriculture as the conservation of land and the environment, and maintenance of rural economy. In particular, due emphasis should be given to agriculture's function to conserve the environment, because promoting agriculture's positive function to the environment would lead to the solution to both food and environmental problems.
My delegation, thus would expect that the draft of the Summit documents would fully reflect the special feature of agriculture which has such multiple and indispensable functions.
Finally, my delegation would like to briefly touch upon two additional issues: first, agricultural investment; the second, fisheries.
With respect to the issue of "investment," it seems to be singled out as the theme of the Ministerial Meeting in Quebec. My delegation, however, would rather prefer more general discussion on food and agriculture, of course, admitting the importance of the issue of investment.
With respect to fisheries, it is also expected to have a quite important role if they are conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner, with this in mind, within FAO, the "Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries" is being elaborated for establishing sustainable use of living marine resources.
Along the same line, the Government of Japan is going to hold the "International Conference on Sustainable Contribution of Fisheries for Food Security" the so-called "Kyoto Conference," this coming December, for reaffirming the important role of fisheries and their contribution to food security. We, therefore, wish that the World Food Summit documents duly include specific reference to fisheries and these important initiatives.
Thank you very much, Mr Chairman.
Salah HAMDI (Tunisie) (Langue originale arabe): Le Sommet mondial de l'alimentation constituera une manifestation importante qui se déroulera au plus haut niveau de représentation politique et qui sera une occasion de mobiliser la conscience internationale pour faire face à l'un des problèmes majeurs auxquels est confrontée l'humanité dans bon nombre de régions du monde, à savoir la sécurité alimentaire. C'est ainsi que
de prime abord la Tunisie a accordé son soutien le plus absolu à l'initiative du Directeur général. Cet appui a d'ailleurs été réaffirmé lors du Sommet des pays africains réunis à Tunis en juin 1994 et il a été réitéré lors d'un certain nombre de forums internationaux et régionaux. Je citerai à titre d'exemple la Conférence au sommet de l'OCI et le Conseil de la Ligue des Etats arabes.
L'allocution inaugurale du Directeur général lors de la première séance de ce Conseil indique que les préparatifs sont en bonne voie et que le soutien de 61 chefs d'Etat a déjà été acquis à la tenue de ce Sommet et qu'en fait les préparatifs ont été officiellement lancés dès la dernière session du CSA et qu'ils seront poursuivis selon un calendrier clairement établi. Tout en exprimant notre satisfaction quant à ces signes encourageants, et en exprimant nos remerciements et notre reconnaissance au Gouvernement italien qui a bien voulu apporter son appui à cette importante initiative en abritant ce Sommet mondial de l'alimentation, nous espérons voir s'amplifier ce soutien pour cette initiative porteuse de grands espoirs pour les pays en développement et notamment les pays à faible revenu et à déficit vivrier, dans leur lutte pour alléger le phénomène de la malnutrition et réaliser leur sécurité alimentaire. L'une des dernières manifestations de soutien à cette initiative sur le plan africain a consisté à réunir au mois d'avril dernier, à Tunis, un séminaire portant sur la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique auquel ont participé les représentants des ministères de l'agriculture et les représentants des associations professionnelles d'agriculteurs, certaines ONG ainsi que des organismes spécialisés dans le domaine de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, avec la FAO à leur tête. D'autres organismes tels que le PNUD, le PAM, le FIDA et certaines institutions financières telles que la Banque mondiale, la Fédération internationale de producteurs agricoles, la FIPA, etc. ont également participé à ce séminaire. De même a-t-on créé en Tunisie un bureau national de liaison présidé par le Directeur général du plan au sein du Ministère de l'agriculture. Ce bureau doit constituer le point de liaison directe avec le Secrétariat de l'Organisation pour le suivi des préparatifs de ce Sommet.
En ce qui concerne le projet de déclaration ou proclamation, le document directeur d'une part et d'autre part le plan d'action qui font suite au débat qui a eu lieu au cours de la dernière session du CSA et les recommandations qui en sont issues, les documents revus et corrigés qui sont présentés au Conseil sont porteurs d'importantes améliorations et de nouvelles idées par rapport à la mouture initiale. Si le rapport du CSA n'a pas, comme il a été initialement convenu, consigné toutes les recommandations et propositions soumises par les délégations présentes lors de cette session, le Secrétariat n'en a pas moins pris note de toutes les contributions et nous sommes confiants qu'il continuera à oeuvrer à l'amélioration de ces documents à la lumière des différentes contributions qui seront apportées lors de la présente session du Conseil et lors de futures occasions afin que le document, dans sa version finale, soit volontariste et mobilisateur et qu'il contribue de manière constructive à sensibiliser l'opinion internationale pour faire face au problème de l'insécurité alimentaire et offrir à l'humanité un programme d'action visant à renforcer la production agro-alimentaire dans les pays concernés de manière à alléger les maux que sont la malnutrition et l'insécurité alimentaire, permettant ainsi d'éliminer la pauvreté à moyen ou à long terme.
Point n'est besoin de revenir à ce que j'ai déjà exprimé lors de la dernière session du CSA. Je dirai qu'il est nécessaire d'insister dans le texte de la version définitive des documents du Sommet sur la nécessité de renforcer la solidarité entre les pays développés et ceux en développement et ce, au moyen du renforcement de la coopération internationale. S'il convient de renforcer la solidarité entre les pays en développement et les pays développés, il convient également de renforcer la solidarité entre les pays en développement eux-mêmes et, ce, dans le cadre d'une sorte de pacte pour la réalisation de la sécurité alimentaire internationale sur la base des concepts de partenariat, et de globalité qui doivent caractériser les relations internationales.
Pour conclure je pense qu'il est opportun que notre Conseil élabore une recommandation à l'intention de la Conférence de la FAO appelant à prendre une décision dans un sens qui confirme l'initiative du Directeur général et qui assure la tenue du Sommet mondial de l'alimentation en novembre 1996. De même pensons-nous qu'il convient que le CSA serve de comité préparatoire à ce Sommet.
EL PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias distinguido Delegado de Túnez.
Le ofrezco ahora la palabra, y este Consejo se honra en escuchar al señor Secretario de Estado, Fernand Robichaud.
Canadá tiene la palabra.
Fernand ROBICHAUD (Canada): La sécurité alimentaire. Il s'agit là d'une question fort complexe qui touche l'essence même de l'être humain. Comment justifier qu'à cinq années seulement de l'an 2000, 800 millions d'hommes, de femmes et d'enfants souffrent toujours de faim et de malnutrition?
Dans le document qui nous intéresse aujourd'hui, c'est-à-dire le "projet de document directeur et de plan d'action sur la sécurité alimentaire universelle", on nous présente une définition de la sécurité alimentaire à laquelle mon pays souscrit pleinement. Non seulement approuvons-nous le processus ayant permis la rédaction de ce document, mais nous nous rallions à plusieurs principes qui y sont cités.
Entre autres, nous appuyons le principe selon lequel les dirigeants de chaque pays doivent appliquer des politiques responsables et des programmes nationaux responsables destinés à fournir une alimentation saine et sécuritaire à la population. Notre plan d'action doit encourager une éducation accrue, le transfert de la technologie et l'amélioration des politiques et des programmes déjà en place.
Nous convenons également que cette responsabilité correspond à la notion d'autonomie telle que décrite dans le rapport du Conseil. Un gouvernement qui assume ses responsabilités à l'égard de ses citoyens favorise l'activité économique et, dès lors, permet de puiser des denrées alimentaires aux sources variées de production intérieure ou d'importation.
Mais j'estime par contre qu'il est faux de croire que l'autosuffisance d'un pays en matière de production vivrière peut seule lui assurer la sécurité alimentaire. J'appuie plutôt le principe selon lequel des échanges commerciaux libres et loyaux sont essentiels au concept d'autonomie. Et seules la mise en place fructueuse de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) et l'assurance d'une stabilité politique dans le monde entier nous rapprocheront d'une véritable autonomie économique.
Il est tout aussi vrai que les pays en voie de développement peuvent mettre du temps à atteindre une certaine autonomie. Conscient de ce fait, mon pays a mis sur pied un programme d'aide publique qui s'attaque directement à la pauvreté, source même de la faim et de la malnutrition.
En nous attaquant à la pauvreté notre but est de contribuer à la croissance économique des pays en développement tout en concentrant nos efforts principalement sur:
Je tiens à préciser que, si nous souhaitons concilier l'environnement alimentaire mondial et la fluctuation des besoins des pays touchés, il nous faudra un plan d'action solide fondé sur les points suivants:
1. Il nous faut en premier lieu tenir compte de la population. En effet, on peut dire qu'un peuple a atteint la sécurité alimentaire lorsqu'il a accès à une alimentation adéquate, c'est-à-dire de qualité et en quantité suffisantes, qui permet de mener une vie saine, active et productive.
2. Il faut que les pays harmonisent leurs politiques commerciales et intérieures ainsi que leurs objectifs en mantière d'aide au développement. Ainsi, ces pays seront en mesure d'élaborer une approche cohérente et d'atteindre ensemble la sécurité alimentaire à l'échelle mondiale.
3. Finalement, je crois que la question de partenariats étroits avec les organismes non gouvernementaux et le secteur privé mérite une attention toute particulière.
Je dois vous avouer ma grande satisfaction lorsque j'ai constaté qu'une section importante du préambule du rapport est désormais consacrée à ce sujet. Il est à espérer que cette section soit annonciatrice d'un dialogue renouvelé entre la FAO et les organismes non gouvernementaux. Cependant, cette section ne va pas vraiment au fond du sujet. En effet, je crois que l'on doit traiter cette question dans le corps du rapport, comme l'un des principes de la déclaration, et non dans le préambule qui le précède. J'irai même un peu plus loin en incitant les délégations à considérer la question du partenariat comme un engagement ferme à inclure dans le rapport du Conseil.
Ainsi notre position est claire: Nous devons établir des partenariats étroits avec les organismes non gouvernementaux et les entreprises privées en vue d'éliminer la faim et la pauvreté. Et nous devons canaliser nos efforts dans les activités d'aide auxquelles nous destinent nos atouts respectifs et les plus susceptibles d'avoir un impact important. Dans le cadre de nos discussions relatives au "projet de document directeur et de plan d'action", nous nous devons de nous poser la question suivante: Est-ce que le plan d'action que nous sommes amenés à rédiger rencontre notre objectif commun d'éliminer la pauvreté, la faim et la malnutrition dans le monde?
Sur cette question, j'aimerais conclure en reprenant mes propos du début et en invitant l'ensemble des pays de la communauté internationale à redoubler leurs efforts afin de contrer le fléau de la faim, de la malnutrition et de la pauvreté qui sévit sur notre planète depuis trop longtemps déjà.
EL PRESIDENTE: Le agradezco mucho, señor Secretario de Estado, sus observaciones, comentarios y propuestas de las que este Consejo ha tomado nota y que además utilizará en sus debates.
Jacques LAUREAU (France): Monsieur le Président, j'apporterai une contribution à ce débat au nom de l'Union européenne et de ses 15 Etats Membres. Cette déclaration sera complétée, comme vous l'avez vu, par les commentaires que feront différentes délégations, notamment l'Allemagne et la Grande Bretagne. Nous avons fait part de notre position détaillée lors de la réunion du Comité de la sécurité alimentaire. Je serai donc bref.
La proposition du Directeur général d'organiser un Sommet mondial sur l'alimentation intervient à un moment particulièrement opportun. Nous approuvons donc l'idée de cette conférence car nous avons des raisons de nous préoccuper de l'avenir et nous avons des indices de plus en plus évidents d'une crise alimentaire, nettement plus évidents qu'il y a 20 ans puisque la Conférence mondiale sur l'alimentation de 1974 s'était tenue dans un contexte de période de longue sécheresse, appelant à adopter des solutions d'urgence. Aujourd'hui, au contraire, nous devons examiner très étroitement les causes de la persistance de ménages chroniquement sous-alimentés dans le monde, renouveler les engagements de lutter contre ce phénomène et renouveler les objectifs de sécurité alimentaire en mettant cette préoccupation en tête des calendriers de réflexion de notre Organisation internationale. Nous faisons donc nôtres l'initiative et les objectifs de ce qui sera sans nul doute un événement international majeur. Cet événement réveillera en effet, nous l'espérons, à la fois l'attention politique et l'attention de l'opinion publique sur la pauvreté et l'insécurité alimentaire. Nous espérons que notre soutien à cet événement permettra de définir des lignes opérationnelles sur les politiques et les programmes propres à régler les problèmes croissants de la sécurité alimentaire.
Nous apprécions les efforts du Secrétariat pour fournir à cette session du Conseil un projet de déclaration politique et un plan d'action qui constituent une bonne base de discussion. Nous notons que certains commentaires émis lors de la réunion du CSA, que je présidais moi-même, ont été heureusement inclus dans le document CL 108/12. Nous comprenons également que d'autres point substantiels seront élaborés dans les projets de texte finaux qui sont attendus pour fin 95.
En ce qui concerne la structure du document, je puis répéter ce qui a été dit en avril dernier: le format choisi pour la déclaration et le plan d'action paraît approprié aux objectifs. En ce qui concerne le contenu, je désirerais faire référence à quelques thèmes.
Tout d'abord, le thème de la coordination avec d'autres agences et institutions qui sont pertinentes et actives dans le domaine de la sécurité alimentaire est partiellement mentionné dans le document (paragraphe 26) qui fait référence à la coopération recherchée avec d'autres agences des Nations Unies pour la préparation de textes techniques et autres. Mais il nous semble également, comme l'a dit d'ailleurs le Ministre canadien, que la consultation des ONG et du secteur privé est importante. Nous espérons que cela constituera, en fait, le premier pas sur la voie d'une coopération élargie entre l'ensemble des donateurs internationaux, tant sur les aspects de formulation des politiques internationales qu'au niveau opérationnel. Nous croyons fermement, en effet, qu'une étroite coordination entre tous les donateurs, d'une part, et les pays récipiendaires, de l'autre, est nécessaire pour apporter des contributions substantielles aux objectifs de sécurité alimentaire. Ce processus devrait recouvrir notamment tant les thèmes politiques que les activités opérationnelles. Pour ce faire, nous vous serions reconnaissants de nous fournir vos observations au sujet des résultats que la FAO aurait obtenus d'une coordination institutionnelle récente, y compris avec l'IFPRI.
De notre côté, sur le plan européen, certaines étapes ont été franchies - et je fais allusion à ce que demandait le Directeur général concernant les politiques nationales. Nous avons fait des efforts pour augmenter notre coordination. En novembre dernier, le Conseil des Ministres du développement de l'Union européenne a adopté une résolution qui engage les Etats Membres et la Commission européenne à accroître la coordinaton en matière de sécurité alimentaire. Le texte souligne à nouveau l'importance d'objectifs à long terme en la matière tout en reconnaissant le besoin continue d'une assistance d'urgence.
Le paragraphe 17 du projet de déclaration se penche plus en détail sur le lien alimentation-population. Nous pensons que ce thème devrait être repris dans le plan d'action car il y a là un problème de responsabilité des Etats concernés. Cette remarque s'applique également à la question cruciale de Γ "accès" à laquelle le paragraphe 19 fait référence en soulignant le lien entre faim et pauvreté; et je me souviens qu'au CAS, notamment, l'Ambassadeur du Brésil avait souligné ce point.
Ce lien devrait être approfondi dans le plan d'action. Cela montre qu'il y a également une responsabilité des pays concernés. Bien entendu, nous sommes entièrement d'accord pour souligner, dans un débat sur la sécurité alimentaire, l'importance de l'aspect approvisionnement de l'équation alimentaire et nous sommes persuadés que, pour la FAO et pour nous-mêmes, il s'agit du thème central - je souligne: du thème central -auquel l'Organisation s'adresse. Néanmoins, nous avons expliqué à diverses occasions le point de vue selon lequel les politiques qui s'adressent à la question de l'accès à l'alimentation à travers un accroissement des revenus des plus pauvres doit avoir la priorité. Nous espérons que ce point de vue pourra être inclus dans le plan d'action. Certaines conditions sont nécessaires à la réalisation de telles politiques. Bien entendu, il y a le problème de la croissance économique nationale qui, théoriquement, développe l'emploi et la stabilité politique, ce qui est indiqué dans le projet de plan d'action. Nous estimons aussi que les fractures sociales doivent être réduites par les modifications institutionnelles appropriées et que les paysans organisés en communautés doivent pouvoir faire valoir directement leurs intérêts dans les questions de sécurité alimentaire. La société dans son ensemble est concernée et nous souhaitons que cela soit bien souligné.
Parmi les suggestions que nous souhaitons faire à ce stade au sujet du plan d'action, nous voudrions que l'on examine s'il faut véritablement établir une distinction entre le développement d'une agriculture marchande et le développement rural. Il est vrai qu'il y a un côté multifonctionnel, comme l'a rappelé le délégué du Japon, à la reprise de l'agriculture. De notre point de vue, le développement d'une agriculture marchande est plutôt basé sur des principes économiques de prix, de demande et d'approvisionnement, comme d'autres secteurs de l'économie. Par contre, dans le cas du développement rural des zones marginales, d'autres critères devraient également être pris en compte tel le développement social et d'autres mesures qui permettraient le démarrage d'un processus graduel d'accroissement de l'orientation de l'agriculture traditionnelle vers une économie de marché.
En vue des préparations prévues pour le Sommet, nous nous attendons à ce qu'une série de versions révisées du projet de document politique et du plan d'action soit discutées selon les étapes définies par le Directeur général dans ses consultations avec les groupes régionaux, avant que l'événement n'ait lieu l'an prochain. C'est pourquoi je suis persuadé qu'il se présentera suffisamment d'occasions pour inclure, à un stade ultérieur, les observations et suggestions écrites que nous pourrions avoir sur de futurs projets de texte.
Mario MOYA PALENCIA (México): Señor Presidente, la delegación mexicana desea felicitar a la Secretaría de la FAO por el excelente documento preparado para este tema; consideramos que éste incluye diversos e importantes planteamientos realizados en el marco del reciente período de sesiones del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria.
En el umbral del siglo XXI consideramos también que el principal desafío que enfrenta la humanidad consiste en disminuir la pobreza y moderar las desigualdades que existen hacia y dentro de nuestras sociedades. Su persistencia no permite su pleno desarrollo como personas, ni el ejercicio pleno de sus facultades como ente social, ni el despliegue de sus capacidades individuales en el proceso productivo, educativo y cultural.
El hambre, señor Presidente, es la peor amenaza no bélica a la seguridad internacional. Es por ello que México apoya de manera decidida la oportuna propuesta del Director General de la FAO de llevar a cabo el próximo año una Cumbre Mundial de Alimentación. Confiamos en que un evento de esta naturaleza contribuirá tanto a concienciar a la población mundial sobre las dimensiones de la malnutrición en el planeta, como a que todos los actores asuman compromisos tendentes a garantizar la seguridad alimentaria de los que menos tienen, sobre todo en un momento en que es evidente la reducción de los recursos económicos destinados a la cooperación internacional.
Queremos resaltar el énfasis que el texto otorga a la disponibilidad y acceso a los alimentos como elemento clave de la seguridad en este campo. Lamentamos, sin embargo, el hecho de que no se haya considerado la importancia de los grupos vulnerables respecto a los objetivos de la Cumbre. A lo largo de los debates celebrados con anterioridad, diversas delegaciones, como la nuestra, hemos insistido en que los hombres y mujeres de la tercera edad también deben constituir grupos objetivos de atención especial. En esta línea, estimamos asimismo que las poblaciones indígenas, las mujeres embarazadas y los minusválidos deben ser contemplados con esta misma prioridad. México les otorga esta importancia y estimamos que un documento de carácter global como el que es objeto de discusión, los debe considerar con la misma relevancia.
Advertimos, por otro lado, que la vinculación de la seguridad alimentaria con los niveles de ingreso de las poblaciones, en concreto con el fenómeno de la pobreza, es abordado en la nueva versión del documento CL 108/12. No obstante, consideramos que ésta no es reflejada con el énfasis debido. Hemos señalado que el verdadero problema de la alimentación está más vinculado al acceso a los alimentos que a la disponibilidad de los mismos. No obstante lo anterior, somos conscientes que incluso fenónemos naturales como la sequía que sufre ahora mismo una parte de México, coinciden negativamente en los grupos humanos más desprotegidos y convierten la seguridad alimentaria en una peligrosa incertidumbre que merece también la solidaridad de países vecinos y amigos.
En este marco, si bien el texto recoge la preocupación de diversos países respecto a los sectores y elementos que deben contemplarse como aspectos intrínsecos de la seguridad alimentaria, creemos que éstos deben ser elaborados en mayor detalle y, a la vez, con un mayor énfasis. En especial mi delegación desea resaltar la importancia que para diversos países, como México, constituye el sector pesquero. La ganadería es otra importante fuente generadora de alimentos, que contribuye a garantizar la seguridad alimentaria de las poblaciones. Seguramente la incorporación de los indicadores ganaderos y pesqueros a los cerealeros y agrícolas dentro de la noción de seguridad alimentaria, daría más precisión y realismo a este importante concepto internacional.
En este contexto, deseamos resaltar algunos aspectos que consideramos serán clave para el buen éxito de la Cumbre. Estimamos que la participación gubernamental será decisiva en cuanto que corresponde a los gobiernos, como actores centrales de las políticas alimentarias nacionales, definir las líneas de acción para garantizar un debido acceso de todas sus poblaciones a los alimentos. No menos importante resulta, como hemos dicho, el papel de la cooperación internacional y, como acertadamente señala el documento, las actuales tendencias de globalización e interdependencia constituyen un marco que bien puede favorecer u obstaculizar las acciones en este sentido, pero que también puede obstaculizarlas como se vio en la difícil negociación de la Ronda Uruguay y en sus consecuencias sobre el encarecimiento de los alimentos.
No obstante, el compromiso de la seguridad alimentaria rebasa a los actores tradicionales. Creemos que las instituciones financieras internacionales deberán tener un papel significativo en estos esfuerzos. La creciente participación civil de la sociedad a través de organizaciones no gubernamentales auténticas debe constituir otra fuerza dinamizadora, al igual que los sectores social, académico y privado.
Por último, señor Presidente, en cuanto al aspecto de organización de la Cumbre, deseamos apoyar las propuestas de las delegaciones de Venezuela y Chile para que el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial se constituya en el Comité Preparatorio de la Cumbre. Consideramos que la experiencia y la temática de dicho Comité, en el que participan todos los países miembros de la Organización, contribuirán al buen éxito del evento.
J.C. MACHIN (United Kingdom): I want to try and respond very briefly, but I hope in a practical way to your injunction for guidance and ideas. As far as my delegation is concerned, Mr Chairman, there are two key issues here. The first one is the underlying policy framework which is set out in document CL 108/12; the second one is the arrangements, the organizational matters and the consultation process for taking the Summit forward.
On the first issue of policy framework, and as I said yesterday in the context of the Quebec Declaration, we are very pleased to commend this paper as a comprehensive and forward-looking policy document on food security. We welcome, in particular, the recognition it gives to the importance of the policy environment and of encouraging the role of the private sector and indeed others as key participants in the whole process.
We have three comments to make on the paper. The first one is that we feel that inadequate emphasis has been given to the importance of institution building to foster food security in recipient countries. We believe that this could be perhaps included as a specific point in paragraph 28 and also within the first principles and commitments in Part II of the paper. Secondly - and this is a question - is "food for all" the same as "food security"? Since "food security" is defined in Part I, perhaps it might be better to use this term rather than "food for all", which we think is slightly unclear in its meaning. Finally, in Part V of the paper in the second paragraph there is reference to the causes of famine. Since most famine is largely due to political factors, conflict and civil disturbance, it is difficult to see what role food aid or emergency preparedness would have in terms of prevention.
I would like to turn next, Mr Chairman, to the consultation process, the organizational arrangements. One element of that is the plan of action to which other speakers have referred. This is the area in which, it seems to us, FAO sets its goals and where at the end of the day one measures the outcome against those goals in order, we all hope, to make this an outstanding success. Whilst the proposed structure of the document as stated at the CFS is acceptable to us, we are slightly concerned that there are elements in Part II, the Plan of Action, which do not yet suggest strongly enough what the action plan is likely to encompass. As presently described, it seems to us to form only a further body of descriptive text with generalized issues. I therefore urge the Secretariat to put definitive draft action points to us at the earliest possible stage, which I imagine will be at the latest by the planned CFS meeting in January.
The other elements of the organizational arrangements are the consultation processes to which the Director-General referred yesterday. We strongly support his ideas on the full participation of all the other players in the international community, other UN agencies, IFIs, the private sector and NGOs. However, looking at the timetable and the arrangements, two questions arise in my mind as to how this consultation process will be taken forward effectively. There is not a lot of time. I note that after the CFS there will be the planned regional group meetings but my first question is, between those meetings, inter-sessionally, how do you engage the IFIs, the rest of the UN and the NGOs in a coherent and detailed dialogue which will ensure that at the end of the day all their contributions are in the process and are in the document? It seems to my delegation that it would be very risky indeed if, at the end of the day, the Bank, the Fund and the other players said, "We weren't really given enough time to make our inputs." I would urge that some mechanism be found to take that on board.
The idea proposed at the outset by the distinguished Delegate of Chile for a working group to take that forward seemed to me to be an excellent one. I endorse that principle. The other idea which we had on this question of engaging the international community and taking stock of where we are might be to organize a single-issue meeting here in which all the players, having gone through this consultative process during the course of the year, would then finalize their ideas and put them into the final documentation. It seems to me that such a process would be very useful indeed. I realize that it cannot be this Council because of its restricted membership but perhaps a special session of the CFS might be the way to do it. I put this forward as a proposal.
Finally, Mr Chairman, I want to say something about participation. The stated intention, as I understand it, is one of limiting participation at the final stage of the Summit events to Heads of State or Heads of Government. We remain very strongly of the view that it is a question for governments which representatives they send, be they Ministers or Heads of State. That is a very important principle in the universality of this Organization and I would like to underline that point. Thank you very much.
EL PRESIDENTE: Gracias, distinguido delegado del Reino Unido. Tengo una duda. Cuando usted habló de la reunión extraordinaria del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial ¿se refería a una reunión en este año o en el año 1996, como lo propuso Chile? ¿En septiembre de 1996?
J.C. MACHIN (United Kingdom): Before I heard the Delegate of Chile I was going to suggest that we needed an inter-sessional mechanism, which could meet as and when the Secretariat felt it was appropriate to do so, perhaps next year. My own feeling is that it would be a good idea to engage these agencies in that debate as early as possible, so it could possibly start meeting some time this year. All I wanted to flag was that, whatever mechanism is decided upon, there must be a system; it cannot be left to a conference in the autumn of next year. Something needs to be set in motion before then. Does that clarify the position?
EL PRESIDENTE: Creo que es importante porque podría crearse una especie de consenso en este Consejo respecto de un mecanismo de este tipo. Les recuerdo de todas maneras que la reunión del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria se va a celebrar en enero que, prácticamente, es al final de este año; a continuación de este año. Se celebrará la Cumbre y luego la Conferencia y éstos revisarán también los preparativos, o harán adiciones a los preparativos de la Cumbre. Se distribuirán los documentos con la base técnica, como lo he descrito en mi introducción, a finales de este año, para que puedan ser entregados a ustedes y vertir sus comentarios en la reunión del Comité.
Es importante que consideren ésto en sus debates.
Dato' Ahmad Zabri IBRAHIM (Malaysia): My Delegation wishes to join the Asia group in reaffirming our support and commitment to FAO in proposing to convene the World Food Summit in November 1996. The FAO decision is timely, as the Summit is long overdue. As we all recall, the last summit of this nature was the 1974 UN World Food Conference, in which 111 countries and numerous international organizations and NGOs participated. That conference was entrusted with developing ways and means by which the international community could take specific action to resolve the world food problem within the broader context of development and international economic cooperation. The World Food Conference of 1974 adopted the Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition, and 22 resolutions, including follow-up action, were passed. The follow-up action contains 16 elements, some of which are relevant even today, while others have been lost in a rapidly changing and dynamic world.
Among the many decisions made by that World Food Conference was the establishment of institutions recommended either as follow-up to or complementary to the vision of the World Food Conference: the Committee on World Food Security as a standing committee of the FAO Council; the International Fund for Agricultural Development; the Inter-Governmental Committee of the World Food Programme, later to become the CFA; a revival of the Commission on Fertilizers; the eventual setting up of the FAO Global Information and Early Warning Systems; and collaboration in research in food investment.
Mr Chairman, the 30 years since then have seen a lot of changes in the world on political, economic and social fronts. In the field of agriculture, in particular food production, events have led to these issues becoming politicized and monetized to such an extent that some countries are willing to downgrade it or keep it at maintenance level if it cannot contribute in real economic terms. In some countries which are blessed with bountiful rich arable land, food production has been progressive, technologically advanced and efficient and in others, where they have no capacity to choose their economies, and which are further burdened by dry and non-arable land and poor harvests, they experience under-nourishment and malnutrition. This does not take into consideration the natural and man-made disasters which further aggravate the agriculture and food situation in some of those regions.
The situation as regards hunger and under-nourishment is today about the same as it was 30 years ago. In 1974, 400 million people were under-nourished while today the figure is 800 million, and the world population has more than doubled during that period. How could this happen in view of the international focus on the problem, including the well-thought-of declaration and action plan?
My Delegation is of the opinion that agriculture, in particular food production, must be looked at in a balanced manner. Whilst it is wise to look at it taking into account economic, political and environmental considerations, it may also be wise to remember it is essential for the maintenance of human life. Agriculture and food production must have as its final goal the feeding of all the human beings in the world.
My Delegation believes that, in order to promote agriculture, in particular food production, as essential for maintenance of human life, it is necessary to include in the policy document on universal food security a philosophical statement which overrides other challenging situations. We suggest that this philosophical thrust must be along the lines of the rights and will of nations to produce food to feed their own people.
My Delegation supports the definition of food security as endorsed by the International Conference on Nutrition as "the state of affairs where all persons at all times have access to safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life". Thus, in order that nations large and small maintain the state of affairs espoused in this definition, they must be guided at all times by the philosophical thrust embodied in the idea of the rights and will of nations to produce food. Otherwise, they will have no means of defending themselves when subjected to economic, political and environmental arguments.
Allow me to comment on the policies for the agricultural and rural sector in the suggested policy document on universal food security. My Delegation agrees that the macro-economic policies which have proven to be conducive to sustaining progress towards food for all must be vigorously pursued. However, macro-economic policies sometimes have the economic objective of profit maximization. In a competitive environment it is impossible not to sacrifice some sectors for the benefit of others. In so doing, agriculture for food production is in many instances on the losing side and this may result in some nations having to rely heavily on food imports. If this state of affairs continues on a global basis there will be no net increase in food production. Given the growth rate of the world's population and the consequent demand for food, given the macro-economic policies of many countries which do not favour food production in their choice for economic growth, given that those nations that are efficient in food production and have surpluses need to consider the environmental consequences to their arable land, we suggest that the macro-economic policies of many nations need to be adjusted to favour food production.
Thus the element on policies for the agricultural/rural sector as a policy document for food security must reflect in clear terms this fact. My delegation proposes the addition of the word "production" after "food" in the first sentence of paragraph 21 of the text on "Plan of Action on Universal Food Security".
All nations thereby have the economic means to produce food. They must do so if they subscribe to the rights and will as a prime element of the Declaration on Food Security.
Mr Chairman, allow me now to touch on some aspects of the elements for a Plan of Action to achieve Universal Food Security. The road to Rome for the World Food Summit is the same as the road from Rome. My delegation believes that the road from Rome is much more difficult if appropriate steps are not taken from the start. The road from Rome eventually ends with the producers, whether big or small, having to mobilize their resources to produce food with a fair return on their investments. While acknowledging the fact that in some marginal and subsistence agriculture, the opportunity cost may be zero, those who need a fair return require the benefits of modern technologies at an affordable price along with other incentives.
While food production is firmly in the hands of small producers in many developing countries, it may be worthwhile to consider also the involvement of commercial enterprises if and when necessary. It will then be necessary to involve these parties in the preparation of the Plan of Action.
Mr Chairman, I have stated earlier that important structures which exist today as a result of the World Food Conference in 1974 are the international institutions and bodies who are meant to assist Member Nations. Although many achievements have been made since 1974, the world is still burdened by 800 million
undernourished people. At the same time food prices tend to be higher, making them inaccessible to a significant proportion of the national population.
My delegation feels the Declaration on Universal Food Security is clear enough. There is a need therefore to achieve the emphasis on the role of these institutions, including FAO, from that of policy advice to areas that fall within the scope of the Plan of Action of the World Food Summit. Technologies, investments, project studies, structural adjustments and size of farms, for example, could be more important areas that could be undertaken by these institutions and bodies.
Mr Chairman, my delegation recommends that the inclusion of the role of many international institutions dealing with agriculture and in particular food production be made explicit in the Plan of Action. While nations have commitments to the Declaration and the Plan of Action, it is necessary that these institutions' role complement the need of nations in meeting universal food security. Thus, if you are not going to get any new flow of funds and new institutions from the Summit, then the least we could derive would be the new roles relevant to the present situation.
Jürgen OESTREICH (Germany): The fact that today's Agenda Item 4 is discussed at the very beginning of this Council, and even way ahead of the difficult Budget issues, shows and underlines the importance the Preparation for the World Food Summit has for our Organization.
My delegation thanks the Director-General and the Secretariat, especially Mrs Killingsworth, for the manyfold information we have received in various ways, officially and unofficially, on this important item. Transparency and open and frank dialogue in the preparatory process of the World Food Summit and openness for viable arrangements concerning the participation with the Summit itself are indeed indispensable if we want to achieve in November 1996 practical results and concrete harmonized steps in the direction of a more lasting food security.
We have carefully studied CL 108/12 and appreciate the notable improvement it contains in comparison to the previous version of this document, especially its Part I "Element of Policy Document". Part II is the Plan of Action which, in our view, contains mainly headlines and, as other delegations have said, needs more preparation on these annotations.
We also commend the effort of the Secretariat to reflect in the document the suggestions made by members of FAO during the last CFS session. In addition, as you said in the document, not all of them could have been fully accommodated. We trust this will be done in the future.
With this in mind, and associating myself with the statement made by France on a more general point on behalf of the European Union and Member States, I wish to make only a few technical remarks. On the explanatory note concerning format approach, regional focus and additional documents, on the Policy Documents and the Plan of Action Mr Chairman, let me first turn to the explanatory note. Concerning the format, paragraph 5 states that these principles would be complemented by the Plan of Action which would serve as a guide for both government and non-government sectors of civil society. I wonder why in the format remarks international organizations are not mentioned and, secondly, I would suggest it is made clear in the document that the outcome of the Summit serves also as a guidance to FAO which is not mentioned once explicitly in this document.
With regard to the approach we have noted in paragraphs 7 and 8 in the list of relevant conferences prior to the Summit that the 1994 conference on Population and Development is missing and I suggest therefore that this conference is also mentioned in paragraph 7 and adequate references to its conclusions are made later in paragraph 33 of Part II of the document. The approach outlined in paragraph 7 and paragraph 8 should refer, in our view, more clearly to the need for a concrete follow-up which includes also a monitoring process.
Finally, in this context we would also like to suggest that the Policy Document and especially, the Plan of Action, are brought after 1996 to the attention of ECOSOC in order to invite the United Nations Agencies to integrate the Plan of Action into their programmes.
Paragraph 9 of the Explanatory Note mentions rightly the importance of the regional focus. We would like to raise the question here of where and how regional and sub-regional differences and problems are taken care of finally in the Plan of Action. In our view, it would certainly not be sufficient to include regional and sub-regional programmes and actions only in an appendix of Part II of the Document.
As already mentioned during the CFS my delegation considers it helpful that the Secretariat prepares its views on these regional problems and special measures in the documents which we will have before us before the Regional Conference starts in 1996 as it would otherwise be difficult to structure these Regional Conferences in the most constructive way.
Now to the Policy Document: in our view the section on the meaning "Food Security" should also make reference to the need for consensus on measurements of food security improvement or decline. Measurement criteria for this could also focus on indicators on nutritional welfare and actual food consumption.
Under the headline in paragraph 20 which reads "the need for action", important challenges are addressed. It seemed to us essential to stress in the document that these challenges must be tackled by the decision-makers in developing and developed countries and international organizations alike. The idea of partnership should be stressed in many parts of the document.
Paragraphs 21 and 22 mentioned "policies for the agricultural/rural sector". The element of "good governance" which was contained in the proceeding document CFS 95/4 has now disappeared and we think it should be retained and further outlined.
Like others, we consider "empowerment of women" in the development process is an issue which is decisive for progress in the field of food security.
With regard to the "Commitment to Action" contained in paragraphs 27 and 28, we feel that the set of nine headlines is generally well done. We would, however, like to suggest that an additional headline dealing with the issue of population growth be added. The growth of population continues to lead not only to increasing food requirements but also to increasing pressure on the natural environment. The document must be complete when read by outsiders of the Organization. It must have impact on public opinion and the issue of population has to be clearly dealt with even knowing that it is not the direct mandate of this Organization. The commitment to action should clearly draw attention to the need for assurance of future generations' food security.
Mr Chairman, I have some final short remarks on the Plan of Action. I have already said we welcome in principle the proposed set of nine headings. Referring to Principle III, however, we would like to ask for a slight correction in line two of the headline by replacing the word "equity" with "equality". Several NGOs in my country have already mentioned this point and we must expect pressure on this point during the Summit.
Finally, we are of the opinion that the Plan of Action should have a separate section at the end and, as I said before, it should have a concrete follow-up and a monitoring process for the World Food Summit in order to fulfil its purpose, that is, securing concrete and lasting results.
Nahi SHIBANI (Syria) (Original language Arabic): Thank you, Sir. My delegation has examined in depth all the documents on food security and the World Food Summit to be held next year. We have perceived the great interest accorded to the subject by all those who have participated in the preparation, discussion, or the formulation of the documents. This was indeed crowned by the statement made yesterday by the Director-General, his introductory statement, actually, when he talked with interest and objectivity in an attempt to arrive at viable solutions with a view to eradicating hunger from our planet, the earth.
All the documents have contained varying ideas and measures which would contribute to the eradication of hunger, and we actually support all the ideas contained therein. From the very beginning my country has supported the convening of the World Food Summit, hoping that it will have a great success. At this juncture allow me to stress some legal, technical and procedural aspects which should be covered by the document, with a view to heeding the wishes of various delegations to eradicate hunger.
The points are the following: First, the right of man to life is a sacred right for all peoples. "Mankind" means what it means, namely cooperation between the members of the international community in their common life. On that basis we believe that the declaration should include a legal reference, a clear legal reference in order to reinforce the right of those who suffer from hunger to receive assistance and aid. Second, eradication of hunger, must be achieved through targeted measures and actions, by tackling its root causes, including the lack of resources, low potential areas with their low productivity, the lack of resources for investment, and the lack of technologies, among other elements.
On the basis of the aforementioned, our tackling of the issue must be based on the preparation of projects that would contribute to a large extent to the eradication of hunger. Third, most of the poor countries possess renewable energies at low cost. Our tackling of the issue should include the development of the use of such resources with a view to reducing costs and achieving sustainable development. Fourth, the applicable economic and political order in the world facilitates the flows of capital for investments from some countries to others more than it creates employment for the poor outside their national territories. In order to eradicate hunger, we have to allow the famished and the hungry to seek employment opportunities outside their countries. Consequently, we believe that the decisions to be adopted must include the right to movement on the basis of "let him pass", "let him work". We welcome all the headlines included in the plan of action while recognizing their importance and the importance of their relevant formulation. Thank you, Sir.
Kevin O'BRIEN (Australia): Thank you, Mr Chairman. While it is not possible at this early stage for us to give any indication of likely participation in the World Food Summit and we would wish to be associated with the comments of the distinguished delegates of Japan and the United Kingdom in this regard, we hope that we can rise to the challenge you set for us this morning to consider new and more fundamental and comprehensive ways to take this matter forward and to make some observations on the documents before us that contribute constructively to this debate.
Australia believes that the issue of food security, which delegations have pointed out affect each of us in different ways and in different forms, is nothing short of a life-and-death matter for many peoples of the world. We recognize the importance and immediacy of this challenge and the need for concerted international action to take this matter forward. We are, therefore, pleased to give our "in principle" support to the Director-General's proposal to hold the World Food Summit in November next year. We have appreciated the opportunity to participate in the discussions on the proposed Summit at the Committee on Food Security and the consideration of the paper prepared by the Secretariat on elements for possible inclusion in a draft policy document and plan of action on universal food security.
Indeed, we fully support the calls made by other delegations for us to be forward looking and comprehensive in our approach to this issue, not to look backwards or to dwell on the rhetoric of the past used to justify inappropriate policy settings or approaches, but to move forward across a wide canvas to allow the many detailed and complex considerations involved in this urgent matter to be progressed in a positive and constructive way.
This we believe the Elements Paper attempts to do. It reaffirms the concept of food security endorsed by the International Conference on Nutrition, which, as the Malaysian delegate has mentioned, refers to the situation where all persons at all times - and I would underline the world "all" in both cases - where all persons at all times have access to safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. This accords fully with our view that food security considerations must be capable of being addressed and progressed in all countries right down to the individual household level.
Importantly, the Elements Paper highlights the central link between hunger and poverty, which makes the question of access and availability of food so crucial. As I mentioned in my remarks yesterday, the Committee on Food Security has recognized that poverty and malnutrition are not just food-production or food-supply questions that can only be satisfactorily addressed when the full range of factors affecting economic development, environmentally sustainable growth, political stability, and social equity considerations are taken into account.
This means, quite simply, that individual countries must be able to create the capacity, and less developed and low-income food-deficit countries must be given the opportunity as well as the necessary support and guidance
from the international community, to tackle the issues of poverty and malnutrition within their own regions. Solutions cannot be imposed from the outside; nor can they be addressed in isolation. This is an enormous task, but one that neither we nor any other countries concerned can afford to overlook.
The Elements Paper helps to point the way. It recognizes the critical linkages that exist between food security concerns and sustainable agricultural practices, between security concerns and the development of appropriate macro- and micro-level economic policy settings, the linkages that exist with trade and trade liberalization measures to permit both greater access to capital, equipment, technology, infrastructure development and marketing expertise but also to create the necessary legal, regulatory and political framework to encourage and guarantee the level of investment required to sustain and indeed, in some cases, to begin the process of nation building.
These are some of the considerations underlying the concept of self-reliance in the Elements Paper. To help to take this process forward, we would like to make what we hope are some constructive suggestions in preparing for the Summit. We would like to see these concepts of food security and self-reliance reflected more consistently in the various technical and other papers being prepared for this Summit and, indeed, in the many committee and programme-level activities of FAO over the next 18 months, to give greater coherence to this work and to ensure it contributes to making the Summit a complete success.
We also believe we need to update our thinking on the nature and the problems and the new directions required to tackle these issues of poverty and malnutrition. As I said yesterday, many of the traditional yardsticks we tend to use for making assessments of food security are now less appropriate in terms of identifying appropriate policy solutions for individual countries. We work too much in aggregate in terms of looking at total production figures, world cereal prices, international stock levels. These are not particularly helpful for national policy prescriptions to address food security concerns right down to the individual household level.
We too readily fall into the trap of equating greater food security with greater production or argue about the priority for national output regardless of the wider considerations involved. We tend to concentrate on short-term difficulties rather than longer-term opportunities, or rather to assume that the policy prescriptions required are the same in each case. We all recognize the need for continual technological development and growth but we tend to examine the issue of food security in a highly inflexible and static way. Where is the guidance to countries genuinely interested in tackling these issues to create the conditions for constant structural change and improvement within their own economies?
These are not concepts that come easily to all countries in the area of food and agriculture. We believe that FAO has an important role to play in advising governments how best to tackle the issue of poverty and malnutrition within their own jurisdictions. We need to be able to show that economic development, wealth creation, environmentally responsible growth and trade liberalization are different sides of the same concern - to create the fundamental framework necessary within each country to be able to address their most basic of human needs in a long-term sustainable manner.
We believe it is important for FAO to continue its work aimed at encouraging countries to adopt more appropriate policy settings that will facilitate long-term economic growth and agricultural development, and to identify and implement more appropriate risk management strategies based on the concept of self-reliance. We also believe that it is important to aim to remove impediments to growth at all stages of the agri-food chain and in associated industries and to free up domestic and international markets for capital goods and services to allow countries, especially least developed and low-income food-importing countries, to address their food security concerns.
FAO also has an important task in assisting these countries initially to come to terms with, and then to take full advantage of, the opportunities for growth and development provided by the Uruguay Round. This will be particularly important as the pace of international agricultural reform gathers momentum. In each of these areas that I have mentioned, Mr Chairman, we would like to see some focus in the preparations for the Summit.
Mr Chairman, I have spoken at some length only because Australia believes that the issues of food security and malnutrition are too fundamental to be tackled in a piecemeal and unstructured way. They come to the
very heart of what FAO is about. In our view they cannot be separated from any one area of FAO activity or the work of any one committee. This is a challenge that affects each and every one of our countries, albeit in different ways. It is not possible to say that this is either a food security issue or some other issue, or that this concern affects one region of the globe and not another. These concerns should give renewed focus and direction to the full range of activities that FAO will undertake in future years. It is a charter for the FAO to be able to re-invent itself, within available resources, to achieve its fundamental goals.
We would encourage all delegates to recognize the breadth and scope of the issues before us and to give their full support to the process that the Director-General has begun leading up to the World Food Summit in November 1996.
James W. SCHROEDER (United States of America): The United States is encouraged by advances made in defining the specific modalities and focus of the proposed Summit. Document CL 108/12 is, in our view, substantially improved from the document considered at the CFS. We felt that the CFS advanced the state of preparations for the Summit, and anticipate that members' suggestions at this Council will also make a further contribution. We are hopeful that with continued commitment by all parties we can agree on a framework for the Summit which will assure a productive outcome. We believe that an inter-sessional mechanism proposed by other speakers this morning might contribute greatly to this effort.
With respect to the Summit, we particularly want to stress the Committee's conclusions which have already been summarized by the Chairman.
The US delegation believes that the Summit Agenda should promote strategies that emphasize policies of developing countries which stress reliance on free markets, facilitate household food security, mobilize both domestic and foreign private investment, and, where needed, attract donor assistance.
In addition, we believe with our colleagues from the UK and Germany and other speakers, the Plan of Action section of the document still needs strengthening and refinement. One possible way to accomplish this would be to deal with each of the elements in four stages: (1) What action is involved and by whom? (2) How does it contribute to food security? (3) What are the expected results? and (4) Who will monitor and be held accountable for the actions to be taken?
We look forward to working with the FAO Secretariat as plans for the Summit are refined. We strongly support the target in document CL 108/12 of having all papers available one year prior to the Summit. However, we have been concerned and perplexed at the conflicting information which has been forthcoming about the nature and availability of the technical papers. In addition, we think it would be useful if clarification could be given as to how the papers correlate with the topics covered in the draft policy document and plan of action. We would also request that future documents on the Summit be made available in a more timely fashion to enable all members to properly prepare for these discussions.
In planning for the Summit, the Director-General stressed using existing meetings to prepare for this event. In this regard, we view the upcoming Canadian-hosted meeting in Quebec, tied to the commemoration of FAO's Fiftieth Anniversary, as the foundation for the Summit process. The declaration, the symposium, the ministerial discussions, should clarify our thinking on these key issues, including consideration of how people can best ensure their food security and how to channel and promote investment in sustainable food security strategies. Thus, we go a long way towards building a global food security strategy by preparing a successful meeting in Quebec.
Returning to CL 108/12, we strongly concur in the approach defined in paragraph 7 to avoid lengthening the text and reopening debates which have led to agreements in other fora. Two agreements which should be included in the list of the particularly relevant are the Uruguay Round of the GATT and the Convention on International Plant Genetic Resources. This same point applies in the context of the Plan of Action referred to in paragraph 33.
Paragraph 9 rightly refers to the importance of regional and sub-regional focuses. This should be expanded to include a national-level focus as well - a point endorsed in the CFS Report.
Paragraph 17 on the "Food/Population Nexus" should also include the competing forces of urbanization and environmental sustainability.
Paragraph 18 on "Threats to National and International Security" is an important one in my delegation's view and deserves particular emphasis.
In paragraph 20, we would suggest substituting "most optimistic" for "likely" in the sentence characterizing the impact of national population policies.
We feel that paragraph 28 in the "Commitment to Action" section needs to be stronger and should indicate how each of the elements contributes to the main goal of food security for all.
Thank you, Mr Chairman, for the opportunity to express our views on this important topic. We look forward to an open and productive debate on these issues.
EL PRESIDENTE: Hemos tomado nota de que enviará un texto que se incluirá en las actas de los procesos sobre este tema.
Aguilando LISBOA RAMOS (Cap-Vert): Monsieur le Président, ma délégation se réjouit de vous voir présider à nouveau les travaux du Conseil et félicite les autres membres du Bureau de leur élection.
L'ordre du jour de cette session est plein de points extrêmement importants pour notre Organisation et pour l'avenir de l'ensemble de nos pays et de l'humanité. Le souci de produire assez pour nourrir le monde et de garantir l'accès à la nourriture en quantité et en qualité à tous les habitants de la planète ressort de l'ensemble des documents qui ont été soumis à notre appréciation, et je félicite le Secrétariat pour la qualité et la profondeur des analyses.
Je ne cesserai de me référer à la lucidité et à la clairvoyance dont a fait preuve le Directeur général dans la ligne des préoccupations déjà annoncées avant son élection, en proposant la réalisation d'un Sommet mondial de l'alimentation, étant donné l'ampleur de la problématique de l'insécurité alimentaire et les douloureuses interrogations qui pèsent sur l'avenir, si des mesures pertinentes ne sont pas prises dès aujourd'hui, dans le cadre de la lutte contre la pauvreté et le sous-développement.
L'approche proposée tant pour la Déclaration que pour le Plan d'action, qui tiendra en considération les recommandations du CSA, du présent Conseil, de la réunion ministérielle de Québec et de la Conférence de la FAO et fera rappel aux principes et conclusions de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme, à la Déclaration universelle pour l'élimination définitive de la faim et de la malnutrition, à la CNUED et à la CIN, au Sommet mondial sur le développement social et de la Conférence mondiale sur les femmes. Cette approche mérite l'appui de ma délégation.
Ma délégation est également d'avis que les éléments proposés pour la déclaration et le plan d'action, ainsi que pour les documents techniques d'appui, constituent une excellente base de travail et permettent d'entrevoir des documents finals équilibrés, riches, exhaustifs et qui nous engageront tous, riches et pauvres, Nord et Sud, Gouvernements et Associations non gouvernementales, Organisations intergouvernementales et ONG, institutions financières et secteurs privés, instituts de recherche et organes d'information dans un vrai pacte de partenariat et de solidarité, dans une action commune qui est d'assurer de la nourriture pour tous de façon durable.
Le renvoi du Sommet à novembre 1996, donc après les conférences régionales, facilitera la prise en considération des composantes régionales et nationales dans la préparation des documents. Cela est particulièrement important pour le continent africain. En effet, en Afrique subsaharienne mais aussi en Afrique du Nord, la production d'aliments de base par habitant a baissé et des déficits de disponibilité alimentaire ont été enregistrés dans beaucoup de pays; et les prévisions pour 1995-96 sont loin d'être optimistes.
Au Cap-Vert, petit pays insulaire et sahélien qui subit les conséquences d'une pénible sécheresse, le Gouvernement, au travers de la Commission nationale de sécurité alimentaire, suit avec grande attention la situation actuelle, les tendances et perspectives de la sécurité alimentaire. Dans le contexte de ces préoccupations, le 19 de ce mois aura lieu à Genève une Table Ronde des partenaires du développement du Cap-Vert, sur le thème "Stratégie de sécurité alimentaire et gestion de l'aide alimentaire".
Pour terminer je voudrais encore une fois réitérer tout le soutien du Gouvernement et des plus hautes autorités de mon pays à l'heureuse initiative de la convocation du Sommet sur l'alimentation et au processus de sa préparation, et appuyer la proposition tendant à adopter, lors de la prochaine réunion de la Conférence de la FAO, une résolution qui considère l'opportunité et la pertinence de la convocation d'un Sommet mondial sur l'alimentation et qui invite les Etats Membres à y participer au plus haut niveau.
Adel M. ABOUL-NAGA (Egypt) (Original language Arabic): My country's delegation wishes to reassert its position supporting the initiative of the Director-General's regards for holding the World Food Summit. Let us tell you we wish to stress our pleasure with the boost given to this initiative, in a number of different fora, including the African Heads of State Summit, the Islamic Heads of State Summit, and the Foreign Ministers of the Non-aligned Countries Meeting, and a number of other ministerial meetings of regional and international nature.
I refer to the Regional Conferences of FAO itself, and I refer to the personal support expressed by a number of heads of government as the Director-General pointed out in his introduction yesterday morning. Obviously the official decision to hold such a Summit has to be taken at the coming FAO Conference. We welcome the information provided on the world food situation and the very worrying outlook as regards to the future of the food situation and food security in the world. These are all causes which would cause us to enthusiastically support this initiative in order to arouse international awareness, and to coordinate the efforts being made internationally in order to improve the deteriorating situation which is affecting an increasing number of our peoples.
Since the last Council Session, again during this Session and during the last meeting of the CFS, and a number of other regular meetings, we all did our best to make a contribution to the preparation which would lead to the Summit; scrutiny of the documents before us shows this. We would also like to welcome the Secretariat's work and congratulate them on this. We think the Secretariat have done a splendid job in order to pave the way for this Summit in the best possible conditions. We welcome the very wise and cautious use of available funding within the Organization. We think, in particular, of the coming Session of the CFS which is foreseen for January of next year and the Regional Conferences which will be held between March and July next year; and the various other conferences of other nature which will provide us with a series of opportunities in order to polish the preparations for this World Food Summit. This indeed will enable us to keep to a minimum the cost of preparing such a Summit as compared to what we have seen with other international conferences and summits organized.
We therefore welcome the proposal made by Chile that we have another special session of the CFS in September next year in order to put a final touch to the documents being prepared. We welcome the amendments made by the Secretariat to the document we discussed at the last meeting of the CFS. They duly take into account the contributions made by Members of the Committee at that meeting.
We are particularly pleased to note the first part of the document concerning agricultural policy and the nine principles which are listed under the Plan of Action. It goes without saying, of course, that there is room for further polishing and improvement in these documents. No-one would doubt the ability of the focal points which have been set up in a number of member countries, including my own, in preparation for the Summit and there is no denying that they will make an effective contribution to the preparation and the finalization of the documents as well as the need to take into account the contributions made by the delegate of Germany who took the floor earlier and stressed a point which we think is of great importance, i.e., the fact that there is no mention so far of the Population Conference which was held in Cairo and the results yielded by that Conference. I am sure that the Secretariat will take that into account in the future.
Suharyo HUSEN (Indonesia): I will be very brief. On behalf of the Indonesian Delegation, first of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Director-General of FAO for his excellent idea and initiative to convene the World Food Summit in 1996 and also appreciate very much the Secretariat for the comprehensive document before us, CL 108/10 and CL 108/12.
In the preparation for the World Food Summit, November 1996, the Indonesian Government as the Chairman of the Non Aligned Movement can go along with other Members of the Council in supporting and approving the FAO proposal to convene the World Food Summit in November 1996 because this is in line with the Resolution on Food Security of the Heads of State or Government at the Tenth Conference of the Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Countries, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 1 to 6 September 1992. Therefore, the Conference of the Ministers of Food and Agriculture of the NAM and Other Developing Countries on Food Security held in Bali, Indonesia, October 1994 has supported the Director-General's proposal to convene the World Food Summit in 1996 as a means of promoting cooperation and formulating a food security action programme, sustainable economic growth and sustainable development in developing countries for the next decade and beyond. The Ministers in that meeting requested all NAM Members and Other Developing Countries to participate actively in the coming World Food Summit and to hold a preparatory meeting of the NAM Ministers of Agriculture to make a success of it.
In this context, the Indonesian delegation associates itself with other speakers and the Committee on World Food Security in supporting the Draft Declaration and Plan of Action on Universal Food Security with some improvement on the text and the need of inclusion of the Bali Declaration on Food Security of the NAM and other Developing Countries, especially regarding the right to food as a fundamental human right and categorically reject the use of food as an instrument of political and economic pressure, and it should stress that each government has a prime responsibility to protect and promote the food security of its people. It should stress that such efforts on the part of Low-Income Food Deficit Countries should have the support of the international community as a whole and urge that the LIFDCs should accord food security first priority in their national development programme.
It should also stress that mobilizing investment for food security programmes, including joint venture projects and other non-traditional sources of finance to ensure food security and nutritional improvement in developing countries, is crucially needed and urges all countries to support FAO and other related organizations in implementing development programmes on food production in support of food security in food deficit countries.
Mr Chairman, finally, in the Plan of Action we should learn from each other from past experiences. We must draw a lesson from the experience of other nations which have succeeded in overcoming the problem of food supply for their peoples. With a view to sharing its experiences, Indonesia has also, within its limited capabilities, established technical cooperation in the area of food production with a number of developing countries.
In this regard, Indonesia has offered some training programmes in the field of agriculture. Developing countries in the Asia Pacific region, Africa and Latin America have shown their interest in the offers. Indonesia has also carried out apprenticeship programmes where farmers from Africa such as the Gambia, Tanzania, Senegal and Madagascar and from the Pacific such as Papua New Guinea have taken part in this programme. We will continue to offer this kind of cooperation because there are continued requests from other fellow members of the Non-Aligned Movement and other developing countries. Due to the limited financial support from both sides concerned, therefore, we invite donor countries and international agencies to support this programme through a tripartite cooperation scheme.
Carlos ARANDA MARTIN (España): Como ya han señalado otros oradores, señor Presidente, mi delegación considera que el documento CL 108/12 es un punto de partida totalmente válido para abordar tanto los aspectos normativos como el plan de acción relativo a la Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial. Incluso, como se ha indicado en la declaración hecha por Francia en nombre de la Unión Europea y sus estados miembros, el esquema elegido creemos que es apropiado para alcanzar los objetivos que se pretenden.
No obstante, señor Presidente, permítanos ocupar unos pocos minutos para exponer algunos aspectos que pensamos pueden ayudar a completar el panorama que cubre el documento CL 108/12 y que entendemos que no están explícitamente recogidos en el mismo.
En gran medida el documento aludido lleva al lector, inconscientemente, a enfrentarse exclusivamente con los graves problemas existentes en ciertas partes del mundo donde el hambre es problema vital, problemas a los que hay que dedicar, obviamente, esfuerzos sin límite. Pero la seguridad alimentaria tiene aspectos cualitativos, aspectos coyunturales, etc., que también afectan a lugares del mundo que no están en esa dramática situación. Creemos que tanto el futuro documento normativo como el plan de acción deben referirse con claridad y diferenciadamente a ambas situaciones.
Muy en línea con esta reflexión se encuentra una idea que nuestra delegación ha introducido en varias ocasiones en este foro. La condición de la FAO como centro de excelencia se evidenciará si es capaz de incluir, tanto en el documento normativo como en el plan de acción, indicaciones y sugerencias válidas para que los centros de investigación tengan claro el objetivo de hacer compatible la intensificación de la producción agrícola con la preocupación mundial sobre la sostenibilidad ambiental. Ambas necesidades quedan recogidas en el párrafo 17 del documento, pero de forma separada y presentadas casi como antagónicas. El éxito será conseguir el equilibrio conveniente para que las acciones a emprender, contenidas en el plan de acción, no decanten el resultado ni en uno ni en otro sentido.
Queremos también, señor Presidente, insistir en el contenido del párrafo 20 del documento CL 108/12. El compromiso moral de la FAO en seguridad alimentaria entendemos que debe abarcar a "todos" los habitantes del planeta, admitiendo que otros foros van a indicar cuántos son los referidos habitantes en virtud del crecimiento demográfico futuro. Los movimientos demográficos, sus causas y las políticas nacionales adoptadas en tal sentido deberán ser para la FAO exclusivamente un punto de partida.
Entendemos, señor Presidente, que uno de los posibles éxitos del trabajo que èn este momento estamos empezando a preparar entre todos, deberá llevarnos a conseguir no sólo que la agricultura, la actividad forestal y la pesca sean consideradas como una contribución estratégica, sino que tales actividades salgan dignificadas, e incluso magnificadas, como actividades básicas por su entronque con la supervivencia de la población humana.
Pasando a otro aspecto, señor Presidente, creemos totalmente imprescindible que además de figurar alguna referencia en la parte declarativa, debe existir un documento técnico, entre los que se manejen en la Cumbre, que analice de forma completa y sincera los esfuerzos económicos que el mundo, tanto de forma bilateral como multilateral, está haciendo en esta dirección. Tenemos una gran duda sobre la eficacia de este esfuerzo. Es muy probable que un estudio metodológicamente bien estructurado nos pueda permitir afirmar, como decimos en nuestro país "no nos salen las cuentas". Los esfuerzos económicos que los países, las instituciones, las organizaciones no gubernamentales están haciendo en programas y en proyectos de desarrollo, y en concreto en la mejora de la producción alimentaria in situ con el propósito de reducir el hambre y la pobreza no son suficientes, con toda seguridad, pero sí son elevados. Este examen de conciencia lo estimamos imprescindible para no sólo hacer más sino mejor las cosas.
No podemos dejar de mencionar, señor Presidente, la reunión que tuvo lugar en la ciudad española de Barcelona, en la que participó la propia FAO, en 1992, y que dio lugar a la denominada "Declaración de Barcelona" que manifiesta, como principio básico "que el derecho a una alimentación suficiente, sana y de calidad adecuada para cubrir las necesidades de todo ser humano a lo largo de su vida es, por razones obvias, uno de los derechos fundamentales". El contenido de este documento y sus ideas deben tenerse en cuenta por su claridad y adecuación al tema que nos ocupa. En el punto 7 del documento que analizamos, CL 108/12, no figura esta referencia que, creemos, al ser incluida, ayudará, sin lugar a dudas, de forma muy eficaz a fijar criterios y encontrar soluciones.
Para terminar, señor Presidente, queremos indicar que la inquietud que nuestro país y nuestro gobierno tiene en este tema se ha cristalizado con la creación de una pequeña pero ágil estructura nacional que pretende coordinar los esfuerzos que desde distintos puntos se están empezando a hacer. Dentro de nuestro propio Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, se ha encargado a una unidad que sea el centro de enlace con otros ministerios interesados en el tema, entre los que están Asuntos Exteriores, Economía y Sanidad; con la Universidad como centro de investigación, con las organizaciones no gubernamentales que trabajan en estos
aspectos e igualmente con el sector privado. Lógicamente, tales organismos y unidades han recibido ya la documentación que ha empezado a distribuir la propia FAO como documentos básicos y primeros para su reflexión, estudio y comentario.
EL PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias distinguido delegado de España. Me complace que haya mencionado, entre otras cosas, la declaración de Barcelona, donde tanto el señor Director General como yo, participamos.
The meeting rose at 12.50 hours.
La séance est levée à 12 h 50.
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.50 horas.
