I. MAJOR TRENDS AND POLICIES IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (continued)
I.PRINCIPALES TENDANCES ET POLITIQUES EN MATIERE D'ALIMENTATIONET D'AGRICULTURE (suite)
I.PRINCIPALES TENDENCIAS Y POLITICAS EN LA AGRICULTURA YALIMENTACION (continuación)

I.P. ALVARENGA (El Salvador): La primera vez que nuestra delegación tuvo conocimiento del propuesto Pacto de Seguridad Alimentaria fue, como ya se ha, recordado en varias oportunidades, durante la reunión del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria que tuvo lugar en abril de 1983. En ese momento, la propuesta estaba subsumida en un documento, el CFS 83/4 denominado: "Informe del Director General sobre la Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial; Reconsideración de los conceptos y métodos".

Como en esta ocasión se señaló repetidas veces, ése ha sido uno de los mejores documentos elaborados por la FAO. Su enfoque del problema de la seguridad alimentaria era novedoso e integral, y entre las múltiples acertadas propuestas que formulaba, se encontraba la de un posible Pacto de Seguridad Alimentaria.

Desde ese momento, nuestra delegación dio su apoyo a la idea y se encuentra sumamente satisfecha de ver que en estos momentos, la propuesta se ha cristalizado en un documento concreto de magníficos alcances.

Nosotros damos nuestro apoyo a todo el proyecto, tal como se encuentra. Si algo pudiéramos lamentar, es que no adquiera de una sola vez una fuerza jurídica vinculante.

Como usted sabe, señor Presidente, no sé cómo se traduzca en otros idiomas, pero en español existe un refrán que dice: "Ser más papista que el Papa", referido naturalmente a alguien que en una cuestión determinada, tiene una opinión más radical que la de aquéllos a quienes interesa directamente.

La FAO, con un criterio sensato de transacción con todas las posibles opiniones que pueden existir a propósito de este proyecto de Pacto, ha señalado que no desea que el mismo adquiera carácter jurídico. Sin embargo, hemos oído la afirmación de Su Santidad Juan Pablo II quien curiosamente, siendo en este caso más papista que el Papa, ha propuesto que nuestro Pacto tenga carácter jurídico. Nosotros estaríamos totalmente de acuerdo con esa opinión.

Lamentamos, señor Presidente, que en el proyecto que se nos presenta, aparezca una reserva de parte de dos países que son, a nuestro juicio, algunos de los que más se distinguen por sus contribuciones efectivas a la ayuda alimentaria en el mundo. Nos preocupa que nuestro Pacto pueda salir a circulación con esa reserva. Nos preocupa, en primer lugar, aunque naturalmente no es a nosotros a quienes corresponde hacer esas consideraciones, por lo que se refiere a esos dos países, ya que si bien es verdad como repito, son sustanciales contribuyentes a los programas de ayuda alimentaria, con esa reserva parecerían como si fuesen adversarios o como si no estuviesen de acuerdo con la seguridad alimentaria mundial.

Como nosotros pensamos que no basta con ser sino también hay que parecer, nos alegraríamos muchísimo que estos países retiraran sus reservas, que apareciera el Código tal como está planteado en su integridad, sin aclaraciones o subaclaraciones para que su fuerza moral sea mucho más potente.

En cuanto a la propuesta de modificación que se ha planteado en esta reunión, creemos que es muy acertada. Son muy racionales las observaciones que formula la distinguida delegación de Suiza, tanto en cuanto al papel de la prensa como al papel que juegan las organizaciones no gubernamentales.

Sin embargo, lamentamos disentir en cuanto a la oportunidad de introducir en este momento, reformas que nos podrían hacer caer en debates inútiles, probablemente ya superados, y que nos hacen correr el riesgo de entrar a discutir, en detalle, cosas que han sido largamente analizadas durante varios meses. Por ello, no por la substancia de los argumentos que nos parece, repito, muy razonable, no nos adherimos a la propuesta formulada.

En conclusión, señor Presidente, nuestra delegación ratifica el apoyo que ha, ya en numerosas oportunidades, manifestando al propuesto Pacto de Seguridad Alimentaria.

R. TREMINIO (Nicaragua ): Señor Presidente, señores delegados: la seguridad alimentaria es uno de los objetivos más nobles sobre el cual todos los países de la tierra deben trabajar para combatir el hambre y la miseria. Es el principio más humano porque es el que nos lleva a cristalizar los anhelos de paz y de progreso económico y social.

El Pacto Mundial de Seguridad Alimentaria se propone como un compromiso de carácter moral, el cual no implica una obligación jurídica. Este y otros conceptos han sido discutidos plenamente en diferentes reuniones del Consejo y de la Conferencia de la FAO.

Señor Presidente: La Delegación Nicaragüense apoya y está de acuerdo íntegramente con los principios expresados en el texto de Pacto Mundial de Seguridad Alimentaria. Reconoce la noble labor desarrollada por la FAO, especialmente del honorable señor Director General Edouard Saouma, quien en todo momento ha promovido este noble principio y objetivo en beneficio de la humanidad. Confiamos en la voluntad de los pueblos y gobiernos del mundo para cumplir con los propósitos de la seguridad alimentaria.

E. PARDO (Argentina): El texto contenido en el documento C 85/23, corresponde a una iniciativa de la Dirección General de la FAO inspirada en los nobles objetivos que no pueden sino compartirse, de llevar a la práctica el' derecho fundamental de toda persona a estar protegida contra el hambre.

Por ello es que deseamos señalar, expresamente, el apoyo de mi país al documento. Reconocemos las limitaciones que implica la aplicación estrictamente voluntaria de sus contenidos. Querríamos que se hubieran hecho referencias más explícitas a las implicaciones y consecuencias de las políticas sobre producción, existencias e importaciones de alimentos de los países desarrollados, y la organización de integración de algunos de esos países desarrollados. Muy especialmente" querríamos que hubieran habido compromisos concretos respecto a superar las consecuencias profundamente negativas de subsidios, restricciones no arancelarias, y otras medidas que generan excedentes cuantiosos, cuya colocación distorsiona y agrava la situación en los mercados internacionales, y que resultan en ineficiencias en la utilización de recursos, y un costo de oportunidad que cada vez resulta más gravoso por sus caracteres distorsionantes, y en abierta contradicción con cuanto enseña la teoría económica, el sentido común, y lo que el documento llama: "la dimensión moral de las relaciones comerciales".

Esperamos que las propuestas de cooperación que propone el documento, puedan derivar a la mayor brevedad, en acciones concretas que permitan incrementar la seguridad alimentaria mundial. Finalmente, creemos que el Pacto implica un nivel mínimo de compromiso en torno a principios y orientaciones. Tal vez, propuestas bien intencionadas de modificación sumarían imprecisiones derivadas de la negociación que convendría evitar por, precisamente, el carácter no obligante del Pacto.

P.A. KANGA (Angola\): Comme nous sommes un pays de déficit alimentaire, notre gouvernement a examiné ce document de manière exhaustive. Nous serons très brefs à ce sujet car le Directeur général nous a tracé ce matin l'importance de ce Pacte. Ma délégation voudrait tout simplement honorer les efforts du Directeur général pour l'aide qu'il veut donner aux pays en développement afin de leur permettre de se sortir de la situation qu'ils vivent actuellement. De ce fait, comme l'a souligné mon Ministre à la plénière, nous réitérons l'appui inconditionnel au Pacte et nous lançons un vibrant appel à tous les pays Membres afin qu'ils approuvent le texte définitif du Pacte.

R. NGBONGUE (République centrafricaine) : Le point 10 du calendrier de la vingt-troisième session de la Conférence de la FAO qui a trait à l'adoption du pacte de sécurité alimentaire mondiale appelle de la part de la délégation de la République centrafricaine quelques commentaires. En effet, dans sa stratégie de développement définissant les grandes orientations pour la Décennie 1981-90 le Gouvernement de la République centrafricaine a accordé une priorité absolue au développement rural en vue d'assurer l’autosuffisance et la sécurité alimentaires. En dépit des

conditions agro-écologiques favorables de la République centrafricaine, celle-ci n'est pas épargnée par les problèmes courants et communs aux pays en développement, et entre autres les calamités naturelles. C'est ainsi que de 1980 à 1983 elle a été successivement menacée par l'invasion des criquets migrateurs dans la région septentrionale, la peste bovine et la sécheresse. A l'heure actuelle, elle est encore menacée par -la pneumonie contagieuse bovine dans le nord-est et le nord. Le ministre du développement rural a eu à faire une déclaration à la Conférence de l'Elevage de l'Union douanière et économique de l'Afrique centrale qui s'est tenue à Port-Gentil au Gabon du 20 au 25 octobre 1985.

Face à ce fléau qui crée une insécurité alimentaire dans la région, le gouvernement a pris des mesures qui stimulent la production et éliminent les maladies. Le pacte de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, qui est un engagement moral d'oeuvreren faveur de la sécurité alimentaire et de rétablir les principes pour lesquels se battent non seulement la FAO mais tous les hommes de bonne volonté, traduit la volonté du Gouvernement de la République centrafricaine. Son mérite est de fixer les devoirs et les responsabilités des gouvernements, organisations internationales, non gouvernementales et des personnes privées dans la lutte contre la faim et la malnutrition et il est approuvé par le Gouvernement de la République centrafricaine.

Pour terminer la délégation de la République centrafricaine veut affirmer qu'elle appuie sans réserve les objectifs financiers dans la nouvelle définition de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale.

D. KINZEL: (Austria\) (Original language German): I shall be brief, as was requested. I am indeed pleased to commend the Director-General for the excellent introduction to this item on our agenda.

At the beginning of 1985, we noted the target for eradicating hunger within a decade unfortunately could not be achieved and the number of hungry and seriously malnourished people was still 435 million to 450 million. The figure of insufficiently-fed people.is approximately 1 000. million still. Among the many endeavours enacted by'the Director-General of FAO to combat hunger in the world, we must highlight the World Food Security Compact, which was submitted to the Committee on World Food Security, and which was subsequently broadly welcomed at the June 1985 Council session.

Thanks are due here above all to Dr Saouma and to all those who, by their efforts and perserverance, have helped to produce the present text now before us. In this connection we must add that due to divergent opinions in the Committee on World Food Security, Dr Saouma proceeded to revise the text, and this new text then was broadly accepted. The text now before us appears a most useful and well-balanced document.

Although the World Food Security Compact contains no legally-binding pledges or demands, and basically only reaffirms the original commitment, we believe that this moral declaration of principle will be of great significance for both developing and developed countries.

The Austrian delegation is convinced that this Compact which - and let us repeat this again - is not legally binding, perhaps does not give the hungry any actual food at this point in time, but in the medium-term it can be one of the most important contributions in the struggle against hunger. Aware, as we are, that the eradication of hunger is a top priority for us all, and realizing also that any possibility to come closer to this target should be grasped, the Austrian delegation is hoping for a'complete consensus in the acceptance of this World Food Security Compact. We hope that this Compact will help strengthen the moral obligation towards world food security.

The Austrian delegation, therefore, strongly endorses the text before us on the World Food Security Compact.

Ms N. MORAD (Egypt) (Original language Arabia): The delegation of Egypt would like to thank the Director-General for his excellent presentation of the subject under discussion, namely, the World Food Security Compact. The Compact constitutes, in our view, a voluntary declaration and a moral commitment to international cooperation and solidarity for the eradication of hunger. This in itself is an important human.objective and constitutes one of the basic objectives of FAO.

We all know that a number of countries still suffer from shortages of basic foodstuffs, and the Compact has set as its major objective to enable all peoples to meet their food requirements. Therefore, my delegation would like to express its full support for the document under discussion, which includes the World Food Security Compact, and we hope it will be endorsed by our Commission. We also think that the adoption of the Compact by FAO on its Fortieth Anniversary will be most appropriate.

M.G. KHADIKANE (Lesotho\): First of all, I should like to thank the Director-General of FAO for his introduction to this important subject. He has indeed summarized the main features of the Compact, and there is no need for me to elaborate.

Secondly, I wish to thank the Council for having worked tirelessly on this text to get it to its present form, which is totally acceptable to the Lesotho delegation. We only hope that those who did not support it initially, will now reconsider their position after a close study of the current draft, because, in our opinion, most of their concerns have been covered.

Food insecurity affects mostly the developing world, to which my country belongs. This is certainly true of the rest of Africa today, where millions of people have died, despite the goodwill of donors who supplied food aid to Ethiopia and other African countries, because of logistic problems such as transportation and distribution.

The Compact solicits participation by all levels of society. It clearly appeals for support to expand food production, to increase stability of food supply and accessibility to food at all times, rich as well as poor. All three levels of society, namely governments, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals, should adopt policies and strategies which will enhance the achievement of the above-mentioned three principal objectives of the World Food Security Compact.

In conclusion, since my delegation did not have the opportunity of speaking on the food situation document, may I take this opportunity of conveying the Lesotho delegation's condolences to the Colombian delegation on the bad news of the disaster which befell their country recently. We sympathize with the Colombian citizens and solicit support on their behalf from the donor countries and agencies with goodwill to provide it.

J.E. MENDES FERRAO (Portugal) : Mon pays considère comme du plus haut intérêt le Projet du "Pacte de la Sécurité Alimentaire Mondiale" proposé à cette Conférence par le Directeur général, après avoir été étudié au niveau du Comité de la Sécurité Mondiale et du Conseil.

Nous pensons que ce document exprime des préoccupations profondément humaines et nous sommes certains qu'aucun de nous ne pourra manquer de l'appuyer, dans ses principes généraux.

Nous sommes donc convaincus que ce projet de résolution sera approuvé par la Conférence et constituera un instrument digne de marquer le quarantième anniversaire de la FAO que nous commémorons cette année.

En effet, il vise, d'un côté, la satisfaction d'un des droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine -qui est le droit à l'alimentation -, et, d'un autre côté, attire l'attention sur la responsabilité qui incombe aux gouvernements et aux individus dans ce domaine, tout en sensibilisant les organisations non-gouvernementales sur l'importance du rôle qu'elles ont à assumer dans la poursuite de cet objectif.

Le projet de résolution pose le problème de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale en des termes précis, quand il estime que le droit à l'alimentation n'a pas en lui-même une valeur absolue, parce qu'il dépend de l'effort que chaque individu et chaque pays doivent mettre en oeuvre pour atteindre cet objectif, moyennant l'utilisation et la mise en valeur de leurs propres ressources et des moyens nécessaires à la survivance des populations ; parce qu'il présuppose l'appui technique et financier des pays développés, et le recours à l'aide alimentaire, toutes les fois qu'elle se révèle nécessaire pour résoudre des problèmes ponctuels et structurels, tant que les insuffisances structurelles n'auront pas été corrigées.

Il n'est pas admissible que les pays qui se heurtent à des difficultés alimentaires, mais qui disposent de conditions de base pour y remédier, continuent à compter exclusivement, ou presque exclusivement, sur l'aide extérieure en matière d'aliments. Mais il ne nous semble pas correct non plus que l'onprocède à des réductions des superficies cultivées dans les pays en développement, au point de réduire leur capacité à mettre à la disposition des pays nécessiteux les produits alimentaires de base, comme l'a déclaré le Pape Jean-Paul II dans son allocution aux participants à la 22e Conférence de la FAO, en 1983.

C'est pour cela que nous considérons comme très correcte et particulièrement heureuse la rédaction du paragraphe 1. des Principes Généraux du projet: "La Sécurité Alimentaire Mondiale est la responsabilité commune de l'Humanité. Son objectif ultime est de faire en sorte que tous les hommes soient en tout temps capables de produire ou de se procurer les aliments essentiels dont ils ont besoin".

Il nous semble que le texte serait encore enrichi si, à côté de toutes les mesures préconisées pour garantir la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, figurait également l'éducation alimentaire des populations, de manière à obtenir une alimentation plus équilibrée et une meilleure utilisation des produits nationaux.

Le pacte de la Sécurité Alimentaire Mondiale doit sanctionner la responsabilité qui incombe aux individus, aux pays et aux organisations internationales, comme le signale justement le projet à l’étude.

Nous pensons que si le pacte est important pour les pays qui disposent d'excédents d'aliments, car ils ont besoin de connaître la destination à donner à ces excédents, il est encore plus important pour les pays qui ne produisent pas les aliments suffisants et nécessaires à leur subsistance. Ici, il sera indispensable de dynamiser la production d'aliments et surtout de programmer, en temps voulu, 'approvisionnement de la population afin de savoir ce qui doit être acquis sur le marché international et aussi comment conserver ,stocker et transformer les produits alimentaires.

Mon pays importe, en moyenne, 60 pour cent des aliments qu'il consomme. Ceci représente une énorme dépense en devises qui pourraient être canalisées vers l'acquisition de biens d'équipement. A côté d'un effort considérable dans le sens de la production interne d'aliments, nous essayons, moyennant l'éducation alimentaire, de corriger les erreurs alimentaires de la population et d'utiliser plus rationnellement les ressources nationales. A partir des données fournies par la "balance alimentaire", nous avons élaboré une prévision des besoins alimentaires des différents groupes, pour les prochaines années. Ainsi, les autorités sont en possession d'informations importantes qui doivent leur permettre de déterminer en temps voulu les aliments qu'il sera nécessaire d'importer et ceux qui pourront être produits sur l'espace national.

H. AL-AHMAD (Syria) (original language Arabic): The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic endorses the draft World Food Security Compact in its revised text since it provides a moral commitment and gives a concrete expression to some noble and lofty sentiments. Responsibilities have been assigned in the draft compact and they are now clearly defined. What remains to be done is for governments, organizations and individuals to declare their commitment to -the Compact. The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic endorses the provisions of the Compact and urges everyone to commit themselves to respect its contents, and demonstrate their solidarity with the the rest of humanity through its practical and effective implementation.

A. ABDEL-MALEK (Liban) (langue originale arabe): La délégation du Liban remercie le Directeur général qui a exposé lui-même ce matin devant cette commission le thème du pacte de la sécurité alimentaire contenu dans le document C 85/23.

Dès l'aube de l'Histoire et jusqu'à ce jour, le monde souffre de la précarité des approvisionnements alimentaires. L'Humanité continue de souffrir comme par le passé de la faim et de la malnutrition.

Fort heureusement , le monde a réalisé de nos jours certains progrès qui lui ont permis de maîtriser la nature et d'atténuer les effets de la faim grace aux activités conjointes entreprises par les gouvernements, l'OAA et les individus. Ces activités permettent d'augmenter les produits alimentaires et d'atténuer les pénuries alimentaires qui affectent dans chaque pays tous les citoyens et à tous les niveaux.

Le Pacte dé la sécurité alimentaire qui nous est soumis dans le document C 85/23 et qui a été adopté par le Conseil à sa 87ème session après l'avoir amendé, a un caractère de volontariat et ne comporte pour les pays membres aucune obligation juridique, financière ou pratique. Ce pacte est plutôt un instrument en guise d'un engagement moral d'assurer et de renforcer la sécurité alimentaire.

Les objectifs mentionnés dans le texte révisé du pacte de la sécurité alimentaire doivent être fortement appuyés par les gouvernements, l'opinion publique et les individus. Les gouvernements doivent assurer les aliments à leurs peuples et abolir la faim sinon abolir les cas de malnutrition chronique.

Le Pacte demande aux gouvernements d'encourager les peuples à augmenter la production vivrière, de fournir aux agriculteurs des semences améliorées, des engrais, de les former aux nouvelles techniques agricoles pour leur permettre d'augmenter leur production agricole.

Les gouvernements se doivent d'améliorer les conditions économiques de leurs peuples notamment ceux qui souffrent de la privation et de promouvoir le développement rural par la création de coopératives. Ils doivent assurer de manière générale et plus particulièrement à la femme une formation qui lui permette de travailler dans les régions rurales et contribuer ainsi à l'augmentation de la production alimentaire.

Les individus ont un rôle important à jouer dans la réalisation de la sécurité alimentaire. Dans les pays nantis, il ne faut pas uniquement compter sur les gouvernements car l'individu dans ces pays doit sensibiliser l'opinion publique à la nécessité de la coopération internationale pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire qui se trouve assez souvent éclipsée par les problèmes intérieurs. L'individu peut contribuer à créer un climat favorable à la'solution des problèmes de l'alimentation. Il peut aussi susciter au sein de l'opinion publique une réaction favorable à l'accroissement de la production agricole.

Les agriculteurs sont le pilier de la sécurité alimentaire. Leur role ne se limite pas à produire les aliments mais s'étend à la préservation du sol et à sa protection de l'érosion et de la dégradation afin de lui assurer une productivité constante.

La délégation libanaise a déjà exprimé son appui au projet du Pacte de la sécurité alimentaire lors de la 87ème session du Conseil en juin 1985. Nous tenons à réaffirmer cet appui et formulons l'espoir que ce pacte que nous approuvons sera adopté par la Conférence à sa présente session. Je vous remercie.

H. OGUT (Turkey\). I will follow your advice and be very brief indeed. Yes, we agree with the principle of having the World Food Security Compact. In fact, we have supported from the outset the Director-General's initiative to have this Compact.

Yes, we fully endorse the revised draft text of the Compact as presented to us now, and in any case the text has been thoroughly discussed and refined. We endorse this text because we believe it will serve the useful purpose of mobilizing the support of governments, individuals, as well as public opinion for the objectives already set forth in the revised concept of the World Food Security Compact.

IL HO JO (Republic of Korea): As our principal delegate has already expressed, the Government of the Republic of Korea is in a position to support the adoption of the World Food Security Compact. As mentioned, this Compact is no more than a reaffirmation of commitments to achieve the objectives

encompassed in the broad concept of world food security. Therefore, it does not involve any legal obligation. However, it is my delegation's view that the Compact is of utmost importance in clarifying our understanding of human responsibility for freedom from hunger and poverty, which is obligatory for us all.

We believe that this Compact will help to create a more favourable atmosphere for positive actions to be taken in improving world food security. In this context I would like to give emphasis particularly to the importance of two points in the proposed Compact.

Firstly, my delegation finds no difficulty with the proposed principle that the governments of the developing countries avoid the risks involved in excessively depending on food imports, and in particular, they should ensure that the city dwellers not acquire a preference for imported food that cannot be produced domestically. We hope that the importance of this is taken into account by governments in their development policy formulation processes. According to our past experience, an excessive dependence on food imports may generate some negative effects for domestic food production and may hinder its increase. It also may bring about an eventual excessive migration of the farming population, which,in turn, may give rise to an increase in food instability.

Secondly, my delegation highly recognizes the principle that governments of developed countries, whether they be exporters or importers, should consider the interests of the world as a whole, when making policy decisions on food production, stocks and imports. This is an essential fact in fully guaranteeing world food market stability and thus, world food security. It may also result in an important contribution to the South-North cooperation in solving chronic hunger and poverty in the world.

My delegation hopes that the adoption of the Compact will give us an occasion to evaluate, and at the same time appreciate again, the indispensable role of agriculture in our human life.

N. SRISURAK (Thailand\): To save time, my delegation would like to make a short statement regarding document C 85/23, the draft World Food Security Compact. Food security involves not only the objectives of eliminating food shortages, malnutrition, and poverty, but in many circumstances is also an instrument for increasing food production and saving time in the distribution of food. No one likes to see starvation in any part of the world, and particularly today, we are deeply concerned with the food crisis in Africa. Taking into serious account the many facts involved, therefore, my delegation fully supports the World Food Security Compact as it stands in the document before us.

J. THINSY (Belgique): En tant que pays représentant la présidence du Conseil de la CEE, je voudrais permettre à l'observateur de la CEE d'intervenir sur ce point de l'ordre du jour. J'ajouterai que la délégation belge peut prendre totalement à son compte cette déclaration de la CEE. Pour tenir de votre appel à être bref, ma délégation n'a rien à ajouter.

G. DESESQUELLES (Communauté économique européenne): Comme nous l'avons indiqué lors du Comité de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale en avril 1985, et lors de la 87ème session du Conseil de la FAO en juillet dernier, la CEE et ses Etats Membres auraient souhaité que le Pacte soumis à notre réflexion porte davantage d'attention à différentes questions, notamment en ce qui concerne les problèmes démographiques et l'organisation des marchés agricoles. Mais nous devons retenir l'essentiel, à savoir la finalité du Pacte qui établit un engagement moral pour ce qui est de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. La CEE considère maintenant le Pacte non seulement comme une volonté morale mais aussi comme un moyen d'aller vers la sécurité alimentaire mondiale.

C'est pourquoi elle soutient le Pacte de sécurité alimentaire mondiale et qu'elle espère d'une part, que ce Pacte mobilisera toutes les énergies, et d'autre part, qu'un consensus sera atteint.

P. PIOTET (France): La délégation française avait accueilli avec sympathie, lors de la réunion précédente, l'initiative prise par le Directeur général de présenter à l'approbation de cette Conférence un projet de Pacte de sécurité alimentaire mondiale, texte exprimant de manière solennelle sur le plan moral la volonté de l'ensemble de la CEE internationale de poursuivre et de renforcer les efforts dans la lutte pour la disparition de la faim et de la malnutrition et pour le développement de la production alimentaire dans tous les pays et plus spécialement dans les pays en développement qui disposent du potentiel.

Le document qui nous est présenté traduit cette volonté de manière particulièrement convaincante, même si comme vient de le rappeler notre collègue de la Commission de la CEE, une amélioration aurait pu, à mon point de vue, lui être apportée.

Ma délégation approuve les principes et les lignes d'action qui nous sont proposés; en particulier l'objectif qui consiste à ce que tous les hommes soient en tout temps capables de produire ou de se procurer les aliments essentiels dont ils ont besoin, la reconnaissance du fait que c'est sur les paysans que repose fondamentalement la sécurité alimentaire, la priorité qui doit être donnée au développement des productionsvivrières locales, la responsabilité des gouvernements dans ce domaine et la nécessité d'adopter des politiques adéquates sur les plans national et international pour y parvenir. L'objectif général de l'établissement d'un système alimentaire mondial et caractérisé par l'équité, recueille bien sûr notre soutien. Qu'il nous soit permis d'insister, de ce point de vue, sur l'intérêt qui s'attache à une meilleure organisation des marchés, sur la nécessité d'améliorer le cadre économique et monétaire dans lequel il s'inscrit.

Comme l'a souligné M. François Mitterrand, Président de la République française dans l'allocution qu'il a prononcée devant cette Conférence à l'occasion de la célébration du 40ème Anniversaire de l'Organisation, le projet de pacte sur la sécurité alimentaire mondiale a le mérite de fixer les devoirs et les responsabilités de chacun: gouvernements, organisations internationales, organisations non gouvernementales, personnes privées. Il ne manquera pas de contribuer de façon particulièrement positive et utile à la sensibilisation et à la prise de conscience de tous les acteurs concernés. Nous espérons que tous les pays représentés au sein de cette Conférence seront en mesure de lui apporter leur plein appui.

K.T. SALMAN (Iraq) (original language Arabic):In the name of God the Merciful and the Benevolent, the delegation of Iraq firmly hopes that the Compact will fulfill the ambitions and aims of Third World countries and that the proposals contained therein will be translated into precise programmes offering new hopes for attenuating the instability of the world food situation and for tackling the problems of economics and development facing most countries, especially developing ones. We also hope that developed and food-producing countries will contribute by reviewing their positions w.ithin the context of the Compact and its intrinsic implications regarding the need to restructure relationships between themselves and developing countries, thereby decreasing the differences dividing the two, and that they will cooperate in giving a new push to agricultural development in developing countries in order to fulfil their aspirations for agricultural balance. The interests of both developed and developing countries lie in narrowing the gap between the two, since the prerequisite for a flourishing future is the concomitant evolution of both developing and developed agricultural countries.

The present phase is marked by the deterioration of growth rates and the worsening of agricultural and other problems in most developing countries. It is, therefore, essential for the Compact to concentrate, within its various disciplines,on developing human resources. There is a need for programmes to regulate the exchange of experience and information between the peoples of developing and developed countries, as well as a need for a reemphasis on training in project contracts to enhance the competence of beneficiaries of such programmes. This should encompass an objective transfer of technological experience and the enhancement of autocapabilities that would ensure a vertical expansion of human resource development.

There is a necessity to reiterate the importance of formulating suitable technical policies in order to form and develop technical autocapabilities. This requires that the developed countries remove obstacles and constraints which negatively affect the process of technology transfer to developing countries and that they give an absolute priority to shaping modern programmes with the Third World in mind so that such programmes will act as a vehicle for development, modernity and freedom from hunger and want.

We sincerely hope that the Compact will be implemented by all countries with no exception and we, the delegation of Iraq , would like to say once again that we fully support it.

E. PASCARELLI (Italie): Je ne me soustrairai pas à votre invitation d'être bref. La délégation italienne appuie dans sa totalité et sans réserve le texte du pacte pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale qui nous a été proposé. En faisant état des déclarations qui ont déjà été données devant le Conseil, je voudrais mentionner ce qu'a dit le représentant de la Communauté. Nous aurions aussi souhaité attirer l'attention notamment sur la question du problème démographique et de l'organisation du marché agricole dans le texte qui nous est soumis; mais nous devons retenir l'essentiel, c'est-à-dire la finalité du Pacte qui établit un engagement moral de se battre pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale (je cite exactement ce qu'a dit le représentant de la Communauté).

Nous avons toujours réaffirmé notre conviction.que la signature d'un tel pacte était une démarche décisive sur la voie du développement des rapports avec les pays bénéficiaires de notre aide et surtout vers les populations qui se trouvent en état de nécessité du fait d'un manque d'alimentation appropriée. Il y a naturellement une difficulté à passer de l’énonciation de principes à l'appli‐cation pratique de ces engagements, mais dans l'intention d'arriver vite et bien au but, nous approuvons ce Pacte et, comme sa sainteté le Pape lui-même l'a proposé, nous sommes prêts à consi‐dérer dans l’avenir des ententes plus engageantes à discuter selon la modalité et la nature des ententes que nous avons envisagées. Il est tout à fait conforme à notre politique bilatérale et multilatérale que les pays donateurs puissent considérer dans leur ensemble les besoins globaux des populations qui souffrent; je terminerai en félicitant ceux qui ont préparé ce texte.

P. SKALIERIS (Greece\): My delegation, although it would like to see our attention drawn to certain issues such as the rapid population growth which developing countries are facing, retains the essential. The aim of the World Food Security Compact is not to create new obligations, whether legal, financial or operational, but to strengthen the position of all those in government, in non-governmental organizations or in private life, who wish to bring about a better future for mankind.

On the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the FAO, and considering the non-satisfaction of nutritional and other needs in a great number of countries in the world, we hope that the Compact will serve to mobilize all energies, and accelerate the work to be done. My Government supports the adoption of the World Food Security Compact which embodies the principles put forward by the new concept of the World Food Security in its revised form.

R. PRESTIEN (Federal Republic of Germany) (original language German): My delegation welcomes the presentation of document C 85/23. Already at the Eighty-seventh FAO Council session, we stated that we have a positive attitude with respect to this World Food Security Compact. We were also satisfied to listen to the reiterated statement by the Director-General of FAO, according to which this Compact is intended as a reconfirmation of the principle to which we all agree - that of fighting hunger and poverty. It is reassuring that the Compact creates no new legal, financial or other obligations.

We regretted that at the Eighty-seventh FAO Council meeting a number of delegations had to refuse their approval to the draft Compact because they felt they were not able to introduce their arguments during the discussions in an appropriate manner. Wė approved the draft of the Compact at the Eighty-seventh FAO Council meeting with the understanding that further opportunity would be given to discuss amendments. We ourselves submitted three amendments. In the first place, chapter II, paragraph 1, we asked that the word "responsability" be replaced by the word "challenge".

Second, in paragraph 2 of the same chapter, we would prefer to have the word "fundamental" be replaced by "moral". Thirdly, we would have liked more stress on demography.

If these suggestions could be taken into account, it would make it easier for my delegation to identify with the text of the Compact. Other delegations will be in a similar position.

As we pointed out already at the June Council session, we would have preferred a shorter text together with a reference to what has already been achieved in improving food security. If we, as the international community, want to make further progress in reaching the goal of eliminating hunger and malnutrition, then we should be able to achieve a comprehensive consensus.

H. HRISTOMANOV (Yugoslavia\): I should like to make a brief statement. The Director-General of FAO had the idea of preparing and adopting a document which would comprise the proposed activities of developing countries, developed countries, non-governmental organizations and individuals who could contribute to the struggle in overcoming hunger and malnutrition in the world. The Director-General's idea appeared twice on the agenda of the FAO Committee on World Food Security, and both times the opinions of the different delegations regarding its contents were varied.

Our delegation supports the idea of adopting such a document and agrees with the opinion that this document will mobilize the will in the world for the realization of a programme of food security.

The shortage of food is present in many countries. From time to time there is hunger, with catastrophic results. This cannot be prevented without the establishment of a proper food security system. Food security means, first of all, increased production of food in all the territories of the world possible. Then, it means storage and distribution of food to the regions where it is needed. To make it operational, the draft document clearly defines the tasks of the developing countries, developed countries, non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Once more, in the name of the delegation of Yugoslavia , I fully support the idea of having such a document written in the draft.

M. AGIAG (Libya\) (Original language Arabic): The delegation of my country believes that this Compact is of particular importance because it expresses the will of mankind shared by the international community, to solve the. problems of hunger. In drawing up this Compact, the Director-General has once again adopted a necessary and timely initiative. We congratulate him and thank him. This initiative was adopted at a time when the food crisis in Africa when the extent of the weaknesses and shortcomings in the present food security, arrangements became obvious.

It is also a very necessary initiative because the international community should make a new political commitment to strengthen world food security in the light of the bitter experience of the present food crisis. We are convinced that the international community will come up against the same famine problems if we fail to commit ourselves firmly and adopt the principles of international solidarity in order to achieve food security.

More than once, it has been pointed out that the World Food Security Compact is of a fundamental moral significance in tackling the challenge of famine in Africa. It is this moral aspect of the World Food Security Compact that is being highlighted in this draft. This assertion deserves our special attention, because it justifies the fundamental issue before us both as individuals and as members of a developed society. In other words we need to put our faith in moral norms.

In our view, the document is balanced and has been drafted in a way that takes into account the views and interests of all parties concerned. We trust that it will be approved and adopted, since it represents a minimum level of the necessary commitment. Our ambition is to be able to serve the interests of mankind and guarantee a feeling of security which can only come from a common awareness of the problems of others. We are convinced that the members of this Commission are aware of the nature of their responsibilities and the hope placed in them when millions of human beings run the risk of dying of hunger.

The Compact will enable this Commission to go beyond the conventional limits of a debate on the problem, because it expresses humanitarian principles of solidarity with those who suffer from malnutrition. What is more, this Compact will enable us to pave the way towards a better future. It will enable us to adopt strategies which should enable us also to overcome the obstacles and make mankind happy and ready to tackle its responsibilities.

G.R. SAINI (India): Mr Chairman, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to reiterate India 's firm commitment to world food security. India is in complete agreement with the World Food Security Compact and fully endorses it. My country lays great stress on action for food security at global, regional and sub-regional levels. India has made considerable progress in not only producing enough food for its own requirements, but has also simultaneously developed an efficient public distribution system to provide food to the consumers, especially the vulnerable sections of society, at reasonable prices. We are implementing public policy packages which stimulate both production and consumption, particularly by small and marginal farmers, on the one hand, and urban and rural consumers living below the poverty line on the other.

Recognizing the importance of entitlement and access to food, India is implementing massive programmes to generate employment and increase the purchasing power of the rural poor so as to increase their access to food and better nutrition. Increasing food production, providing for efficient distribution, and increasing the purchasing power of the rural poor to give them access to food are the key elements in India's food policy.

I would also like to emphasize that, through concerted efforts, India has achieved a good measure of success in minimizing the adverse impact of drought. Development of an early warning system and contingency plans to fight drought are the key elements of our drought management. India will be quite happy to extend her full cooperation and assitance and to share her experience with other countries in these fields.

A proposal has been mooted that the World Food Security Compact should be amended to incorporate the role of the media and a few other things. My country's delegation, while recognizing the role that will be played by the media, and the usefulness of other suggestions, strongly feels that any proposal for amendment at this stage would only delay the adoption of the Compact by this Conference.We would strongly urge that the Compact as presented be adopted by the Conference.

P.A.L. de RIJK (Netherlands\): The idea for a World Food Security Compact first appeared in a report presented during the Eighth session of the Committee on World Food Security in 1983. It was stated that it was intended to further the aim of world food security of governments and of public opinion. It would contain a long-term strategy for the creation of an effective world food security system with a clearly defined number of aims. It would only concern moral obligations, and would provide the possibility of participation not only by governments but also by non-governmental organizations and prominent individuals.

In the CFS session of 1984, this idea was elaborated a bit further. The Compact would be a codification ,of what had already been agreed upon and would especially be based on the consensus in the International Undertaking on World Food Security, the Plan of Action for World Food Security and the recommendations of the International Development Strategy for the Third Development Decade. The first part would be a reconfirmation of final aims of world food security during the last ten years with the recognition of the whole international community in relation to these aims. The second part would contain a declaration of general principles and guidelines for action on the national, regional and global basis. The third part would be a reconfirmation of the accepted long-term commitment to ban hunger and malnutrition before the end of the twentieth century.

The World Food Security Compact, as it now is before us, brings together general principles in relation to world food security and suggestions for action by governments, organizations and individuals. The governments, organizations and individuals subscribing to this Compact agree to work together in their respective spheres towards bringing about a higher degree of food security at all levels throughout the world.

During the Ninth session of the CFS in 1983, our delegation stated that we were not particularly enthusiastic about the proposals for a World Food Security Compact. We explained that we believed that the efforts to be put into that exercise, and the possible controversies it might provoke, would not compare in a positive way with the concrete effects such a Compact would have. We also stated that we would join in a consensus on this issue if the Committee felt that the effort was worthwhile. During the last session of the CFS we repeated that point of view. Unfortunately, controversies did arise. In an effort to limit them, we suggested that the Secretariat should indicate for different paragraphs of the Compact the differences from the agreed text in the other document I mentioned earlier, but, as with other suggestions for improvement of the text, we did not receive any action from the Secretariat and neither did several other countries. In fact, the contents of the Compact were not changed at all during that session. We sincerely hope that such an unfortunate event can be prevented in the future.

In the meantime, we appreciate that the text of the Compact had been adjusted in a positive way for the Council Session in June. We doubt, however, whether the deletion of the last part of the original Point 4 of the General Principles is an improvement. The original Point 4 read: "Food should not be used as a means of exerting political pressure, either within countries or internationally". What has not been incLuded in the Compact is an acknowledgement that world food security and population growth appeared to have a negative correlation. This was expressed in different terms by several countries but was opposed by some others. In pleading for such an acknowledgement, we refer to the Report on the Symposium on World Food Security that was organized by the Director-General in September 1983 in order to be advised on new approaches for world food security. These renowned experts stressed: "World food security stands apart from global factors external to the food and agriculture sector: that is, money, energy and population". We should like to point out that the FAO Study, "Land, Food and People", arrives at a conclusion that many developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia will, in spite of all efforts, most likely not be able to feed themselves in the year two thousand. While several countries in the various continents indeed possess large areas with untapped agricultural land, feeding the increasing population of all countries would require, among other things, a massive movement of people across borders to those untapped areas. That fact alone would undoubtedly imply a major obstacle.

On previous occasions we have also declared that we have limited expectations as to the results that could be reached with the Compact. We still have hesitations as to the practical use to be made of it. On the other hand, we admit that in principle it can be useful to bring together in a coherent way elements of conclusions and recommendations that governments agreed upon over a longer period of time. Moreover, we certainly do not underestimate the potential influence of public opinion in relation to matters relating to world food security. After all, it was public opinion that gave the huge impetus for action on a much larger scale during the food crisis in Africa after images of that disaster had reached the television screens.

Finally, during the course of the past two sessions of the CFA we stated that we would join a consensus on the Compact. That is still the case.

J.J. GARCIA DEL CASTILLO (España): Deseo primeramente agradecer al Sr. Director General por su presentación del tema de forma tan clara y concisa.

Mi país apoya el Pacto de Seguridad Alimentaria, ya que es perfectamente acorde con el concepto sobre solidaridad internacional que tiene mi Gobierno. Este documento es un primer paso, una simple declaración que esperamos que en un futuro sea algo más y que se signifique como una de las bases de la cooperación y de la solidaridad internacional.

J. TCHICAYA (Congo\): La délégation congolaise souhaite exprimer avant tout sa satisfaction pour l'excellente manière dont le Directeur général a introduit le document C 85/23 relatif au pacte de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. Le Congo a participé à tous les stades de discussion du projet actuel du pacte dont l'importance a été soulignée par ceux qui sont intervenus avant moi. Aucun gouvernement attaché aux droits de l'homme et a fortiori au plus fondamental d'entré eux, je veux parler du droit de se nourrir, oeuvrant pour la coopération internationale et agissant en faveur de la solidarité humaine ne peut pas ne pas adhérer au pacte qui récapitule les principes généraux sur lesquels du reste la communauté internationale s'est déjà mise d'accord car chacun convient que ce pacte codifie des principes déjà acceptés par tous. Nous voudrions une nouvelle fois rendre hommage au Directeur général d'avoir su dans un texte fort clair et concis rassembler des éléments qui renforcent la conviction de tous pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale.

Dans sa nouvelle dimension qui découle de l'acceptation du nouveau contexte de cette sécurité alimentaire le gouvernement de mon pays est sensible au fait que ce poste ne crée pas de nouvelles obligations juridiques, financières et autres, et qu'il est d'une portée morale évidente. Il ne peut lui être reproché de traduire concrètement des sentiments largement partagés par tous les gouvernements et sur lesquels nous ne ménageons aucun effort à la FAO et ailleurs pour les faire aboutir.

Nous sommes convaincus de la nécessité pour les Etats membres de notre Organisation d'adopter un tel pacte qui, nous le pensons, à défaut d'une volonté politique affirmée des gouvernements, peut compter sur la force morale qu'il imprimera à tous ceux qui sont visés et notamment aux opinions publiques afin qu'elles oeuvrent pour atteindre les buts énoncés dans la définition élargie de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale telle qu'elle a été adoptée il y a deux ans.

Nous espérons à cet égard que les médias contribueront à sa large diffusion. En effet, nous pensons que par ce biais les opinions publiques exerceront la pression nécessaire pour accélérer l'abolition de la pauvreté et permettre ainsi à chacun l'exercice de son droit fondamental d'etre libéré de la faim grâce à l'accès de tous aux-disponibilités alimentaires.

Nous nous réjouissons de voir que le principe maintes fois réaffirmé par notre Conférence, qui consiste à éviter que les aliments ne soient jamais utilisés comme moyens de pression politique, y figure en bonne place. Nous regrettons simplement qu'à coté des aliments on n'ait pas parlé des intrants agricoles. Nous n'osons pour autant pas en suggérer l'inclusion dans le Pacte dans sa version actuelle. Il nous semble un compromis acceptable et c'est pourquoi toute tentative d'y ajouter des éléments ou des termes compliquerait son adoption. Nous pensons donc aussi que des améliorations sont possibles et notamment nous l'aurions souhaité plus engageant comme l'a si bien dit à ce sujet le délégué de l'Italie.

En effet, nous ne perdons pas de vue qu'il s'agit d'une oeuvre humaine perfectible, mais nous voulons nous en tenir à l'essentiel qui requiert déjà un large appui. Il s'agit d'un texte qui encourage la coopération et la solidarité internationales en vue de renforcer la sécurité alimentaire et empêcher l'éclatement et le retour des crises comme celle que connaît l'Afrique et qui a été amplement débattue dans cette salle.

Bref, la dimension humaine de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale ne doit pas être négligée et ici le rôle des organisations non gouvernementales pour soutenir et compléter les initiatives des gouvernements est bien présenté dans le chapitre 4 du pacte que notre gouvernement appuie sans réserve et il en recommande l'adoption par la Conférence comme l'a fort bien indiqué le chef de notre délégation dans sa déclaration générale, car nous estimons qu'il s'agit là d'un excellent stimulant pour tous les gouvernements en ce quarantième anniversaire de notre Organisation.

CHAIRMAN: May I say a few words about what is going to happen tomorrow, because it has some relation to what is happening today. A Draft Resolution on the Critical Situation of Food and Agriculture in Africa, item 7.2 of the agenda, has been found acceptable by the Resolutions Committee and will be issued in its Fifth Report to this Commission under document C 85/LIM/27. This version will be available tomorrow during the morning. At the moment, we still have 17 or 18 delegations on the list of speakers for today. I do not know whether it will be possible to hear them all, so, dear friends and colleagues, I ask you to keep your speeches very short. It is clear that tomorrow we shall have this other point which we must deal with. If the document is ready tomorrow after we have finished what we are discussing now, we can go on to the new point on the critical situation of food and agriculture in Africa. For this reason, I ask everybody to try and help by being as short as possible.

P.M. AMUKOA (Kenya\): The concept of the World Food Security Compact has been supported by my delegation ever since the subject first came up for discussion in FAO. The points we raised in our earlier interventions have been faithfully reflected in the final text of the Compact. We continue on the same path, and we support the Compact. We call upon Governments, including donors, donor organizations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals to more than double their efforts in order to remove constraints in achieving a sustained increase in food and agricultural production, particularly in low-income food-deficit countries.

In this endeavour, the strengthening of the framework in which investment in agriculture and food production can be made must be given special emphasis. Therefore, let the Compact be seen as something which helps in the reinforcement of those actions in the poor countries which the international community and ourselves are currently undertaking in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, poverty and under-development. Let it be seen as providing the stimulus for further action by all of us to increase food security now and in the future.

Mme L. OUEDRAOGO-GUIGMA (Burkina Faso): La délégation du Burkina Faso sera assez brève sur ce point de l'ordre du jour pour une raison très simple, c'est que le Burkina Faso a toujours appuyé de façon claire et sans équivoque l'idée du Pacte de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, que ce soit lors des réunions du Comité de la sécurité alimentaire, que ce soit lors du Conseil ou enfin encore lors de la déclaration de notre Ministre en séance plénière.

Il s'agit d'un engagement à caractère moral traduisant d'une part un certain nombre d'idées déjà exprimées à plusieurs occasions et visant d'autre part à traduire une volonté, tant au niveau des gouvernements, de l'opinion publique que des peuples à oeuvrer pour atteindre la sécurité alimentaire. Aussi, la délégation du Burkina Faso réitère-t-elle son soutien au Pacte et elle exhorte tous les Etats Membres à appuyer ce Pacte, s'il est vrai qu'ils sont animés, comme nous le sommes (nous, pays sinistrés ou en développement) de la volonté réelle et du désir de faire disparaître de notre planète le fléau de la famine et de la malnutrition.

Nous lançons donc un vibrant appel aux Etats Membres pour qu'ils adoptent ce Pacte à l'occasion du quarantième Anniversaire de notre Organisation.

V. DOBES (Czechoslovakia): The problem of the world food security has been discussed by the World Food Conference in 1979. Since then we have returned to it at a number of sessions of different FAO authorities, including regional conferences.

With the exception of three FAO Council members, a consensus was almost reached on the text of the World Food Security Compact, providing that "the Compact was strictly voluntary in nature and that its acceptance did not involve any financial or legally binding obligations or commitments".

The problem is very complex. We expect the text of the Compact to be further amended as the situation develops during the Conference. The council recommended it as a summary of the general principles extracted from the declarations and resolutions of conferences and sessions of FAO Council and other UN authorities. My delegation is ready to support the acceptance of the Compact by the Conference.

Nevertheless, I would like to say that, in addition to the general principles, action by government, action by non-governmental organizations and action by individuals, the Compact should also clearly express the role of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as such, especially if the text is to be published. It would not perhaps be necessary to quote all the basic FAO programmes. The principles for the organization's activity in relation to the Compact might suffice.

We believe that in the future revisions of the text it will be possible to express some principles more accurately. For instance, we are not fully satisfied with the formulation "Food should not be used as a means of exerting political pressure". We think that our organization should take a more categorical attitude towards the use of food as a weapon - hence the formulation of this key point should read "shall not", if not "must not".

We fully support the theses contained in paragraph 5, particularly where it concerns the still active Programme of Action adopted by the World Food Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development.

The title of Article V should also bring out the activity of agricultural cooperatives and various cooperative associations. Paragraph 4 seems not to take into account the cooperation of small farmers, though this is one of the most important ways towards food security and progress.

The negative role of multinational companies is also not fully shown in the Compact, though FAO has eliminated its cooperation efforts with them some time ago.

Nevertheless, for the sake of consensus, we hope that it will be possible in the near future to improve the text of the Compact and give it more precision. We shall support the acceptance of the Compact by the Conference.

L. POZO-MALO (Ecuador): Apreciamos enormemente la manera cómo ha sido presentado este tema por el Sr. Director General y felicitamos a la FAO por apoyar asuntos como el que nos ocupa, al que consideramos de importancia vital.

Uno de los puntos considerado por los países en busca de su desarollo de vital importancia es el relativo a la alimentación. La relación causa-efecto entre la alimentación y la producción, y entre el trabajo y el desarrollo, es evidente. No es posible concebir una sociedad apta para el progreso si el elemento básico, una alimentación suficiente y variada, escacea o falta por completo.

Y son en estas circunstancias que se encuentran muchos países llamados "en desarollo." El hambre y la enfermedad están presentes en no pocos países del mundo.

El problema, come se ha demostrado en este propio organismo, existe y se agrava. Las perspectivas de la alimentación para los próximos decenios son tremendamente preocupantes.

Está en la comunidad internacional buscar los medios que sean necesarios para eliminar este mal, incompatible con los más elementales derechos del ser humano en el presente siglo.

Non se trata de solicitar una cada vez mayor ayuda alimentaria. Se trata de buscar la manera de permitir a las regiones deficitarias y deprimidas de llegar a plazos aceptables en la autosuficiencia alimentaria. Para lograr obtener ese efecto, conviene ir creando una conciencia general que los alimentos son un derecho de los hombres y que todos deseamos actuar en función de permitir su materialización. Este es el espíritu del Pacto de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial. Así lo concibió el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria de la FAO y así lo aprobó el Consejo.

Conviene destacar que el Pacto no entraña obligaciones financieras ni jurídicas, sino solo morales y de conciencia.

El Ecuador apoya el Pacto en la manera en que se nos ha presentado en el documento C/85/23 y confía en que la Conferencia, haciendo honor al 40° Aniversario de la FAO, lo adopte de manera unánime y sin reserva alguna.

M.A. SHEIKH (Somalia\): The Somali delegation pays tribute to, and congratulates, the Director-General, Dr Saouma, for the excellent way in which he has presented the World Food Security Compact statement. The Somali Government is committed to doing all at its disposal to combat hunger and malnutrition in our country, and is trying hard to increase domestic food production to overcome our foreign food aid dependence. Our delegation urges all the delegates participating in the Conference to endorse the document which does not require financial or material pledges, but simply appeals for moral commitment, to ensure that people the world over secure basic food necessities so as to live decently and free from hunger. In most of the developing countries where successive droughts have persisted for the last several years, people still suffer from acute shortages of food commodity supplies, and if they are to recover and to achieve food self-sufficiency in the near foreseeable future, they definitely need the support and understanding of those countries which initially disassociated themselves from approving the Compact. The Somali delegation fully supports the ideas contained in the Compact and would urge the Conference to adopt it unanimously and with acclamation.

C. GOODING (Barbados\): Inasmuch as this is my first interjection in this Commission, may I take the opportunity to express my appreciation for the very able way in which you Mr Chairman are presiding over these deliberations.

It is now over two and a half years since the Director-General first spoke of a World Food Security Compact, when he addressed the Eighth session of the Committee on World Food Security. His was a bold call for the mobilization of support from governments and the public at large for the objectives of a new concept of world food security. It was, in effect, an appeal to the international community at all levels.

Food production in the world today is more than adequate to feed the world's population. In spite of this, however, there are several pockets where hunger and malnutrition prevail. Indeed, there are too many countries where millions of people go to sleep hungry because of the inequalities in food production and the distribution system. The food crisis which engulfed parts of the African continent recently provided a lesson for us all. It is not without some measure of shame that we have to admit that it required the death of millions and the unnecessary suffering of millions of others to shock the world at large into action. The eventual response of the international community, nevetheless, demonstrated in a very clear way what can be achieved when a true spirit of international cooperation is allowed to prevail.

When one examines the draft text of the World Food Security Compact, one is at once impressed by its consistency with the goals and objectives which our several countries set for the development of the agricultural sector. The desire to satisfy the basic food needs of the population, to provide incentives to encourage farmers to increase food output, to develop agricultural export trade, and to raise the living standards of the lower strata of society, provide but a few examples of the objectives which, for so many countries, form the basis on which agricultural development plans are formulated. These objectives are all enshrined in one form or another in the Compact.

Perhaps we need to remember that the draft World Food Security Compact now before us is not . in any way seeking to create new obligations. This shows clearly the deep appreciation of the Director-General for the fact that much of the world is still striving to free itself from the. clutches of the economic recession.

However, we are living in a world where there are many distractions. We are living in a world where each individual, each institution, each nation, indeed each region, tends to have a different perspective on the most urgent problems facing mankind. Consequently, there is always the need to facilitate a proper crystallization of these problems. The initiative on the part of the Director-General can help to facilitate that crystallization. History has shown that the fight against hunger and malnutrition must never be relaxed. The international community must therefore, be prepared to keep the problem of food security high on its agenda.

The Barbados delegation, therefore, has no hesitation in giving its full support to the proposals for a World Food Security Compact, as outlined in document C 85/23, and urges all countries which are truly concerned with the welfare of mankind to demonstrate that concern by lending support to the proposals now before us. Let us delay no more.

A. ANDRIATSIAFAJATO (Madagascar\): Au cours de son intervention en séance plénière, la délégation malgache a déclare l'appui total et sans réserve que le Gouvernement apporte au Pacte mondial de la sécurité alimentaire.

Nous réitérons ce soutien au sein de ce Comité, car nous sommes convaincus que le texte tel qu'il nous est présenté traduit correctement et fidèlement des sentiments très nobles de toutes les parties composant la communauté internationale à savoir, oeuvrer pour la paix et l'équité, lutter ensemble, main dans la main pour que la sécurité alimentaire s'établisse définitivement, dans toutes les régions sans exception. Le texte est bien équilibré car toutes les parties prenantes et imbues de bonne volonté y figurent: gouvernements, organisations non gouvernementales, individus en général et agriculteurs en particulier.

Etant donné que le Pacte est une déclaration solennelle, un engagement moral de la communauté internationale envers l'homme dans la garantie de son bien-être et compte tenu du fait qu'il ne crée aucune obligation juridique ni financière ni opérationnelle, il doit recueillir sans difficulté l'adhésion unanime de tous les Etats Membres de l'Organisation. Par l'adoption du Pacte ils réaffirment leurs engagements en faveur de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale.

Certaines délégations auraient encore voulu apporter quelques amendements au projet. Nous pensons pour notre part qu'il n'est pas opportun de rouvrir la discussion sur ce sujet qui a déjà été largement débattu dans tous les organes directeurs de l'Organisation.

La version actuelle représente déjà un compromis. Elle risque de perdre tout son intérêt et serait vidée de sa signification profonde si on lui apportait encore des modifications.

A la veille donc d'une décision définitive de la Conférence à ce sujet, nous lançons un appel aux pays représentés ici pour que soit approuvé sans délai le Pacte mondial de sécurité alimentaire qui répond à l'objectif de sauver à l'avenir plusieurs millions de vie là où la faim et la misère produisent des effets néfastes au développement harmonieux et durable du monde. Il serait extrêmement grave de laisser se perdre la grande poussée morale et politique actuelle et ne pas la traduire par une action extraordinaire de vie et de paix.

Sra. R. ZUNIGA (Honduras): Muchas gracias, Sr. Presidente. Mi Gobierno considera que la adopción del Pacto de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial, propuesto y elaborado por el Director General en el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria,dará relevancia a la celebración de este 40° Aniversario de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y Alimentación.

Nosotros, Sr. Presidente, apoyamos este Pacto, porque es una expresión de la solidaridad de todos los países, pues el problema del hambre nos atañe a todos los miembros de la comunidad humana, y aclaro que me refiero a la comunidad humana porque es ésta la que se preocupa de los seres humanos.

El párrafo 2 de los Principios Generales del Pacto indica que "la realización del derecho fundamental de cada persona a estar protegida contra el hambre depende en definitiva de la eliminación de la pobreza". La eliminación del hambre es el principio de la paz.

Nosotros, Sr. Presidente, apoyamos plenamente el Pacto de Seguridad Alimentaria, al igual que todos los esfuerzos y medidas que vayan encaminados a ayudar a todos los países a recuperar su dignidad humana.

Mlle F. BOUMAIZA (Algérie): Nous remercions le Secrétariat pour les efforts qu'il ne cesse de fournir pour nous présenter des documents clairs et concis. Le document C 85/23 est la dernière mouture d'une longue série de discussions aussi bien à la 8ème session du CSA qu'à la 87ème session du Conseil de la FAO. Sans risque d'etre contredits, nous pouvons affirmer que le présent texte est d'une telle généralité qu'il s'agit maintenant d'adopter un code d'honneur.

En effet, le présent projet de texte est tout simplement une transcription claire des nombreuses déclarations de bonnes intentions entendues depuis le début de la 23ème session de la Conférence de la part des délégations représentant des gouvernements sur la volonté de chacun d'agir selon sa formule contre l'inacceptable situation de famine qui règne dans certaines régions du monde à l'aube du XXIème siècle. Il s'agit également de consigner l'assurance que l'arme alimentaire ne sera pas utilisée comme moyen de pression. C'est pourquoi nous appuyons ce Pacte mondial de sécurité alimentaire tel qu'il se présente aujourd'hui, car nous considérons aujourd'hui que ce texte a été tellement élagué pour tenir compte des diverses opinions déjà exprimées, que l'ouverture de discussions supplémentaires risquerait de prolonger inutilement un débat qui dure depuis quelques années et de vider de sa substance un texte qui n'a déjà aucune sorte d'incidence financière, juridique ou autre, sinon l'obligation morale d'examiner chacun à sa façon les possibilités de vaincre la faim.

Nous regrettons que diverses délégations aient exprimé des réserves; nous sommes d'autant plus étonnés que ces délégations refusent d'associer leurs gouvernements à un serment moral mondial exprimant nettement la volonté d'agir contre la faim et que ces mêmes gouvernements n'hésitent pas à proclamer leur volonté d'aider les populations en détresse ni à prêter assistance à l'occasion. Nous souhaitons que les réserves émises soient reconsidérées par les délégations concernées et nous les invitons à accorder leurs écrits par leurs paroles car il serait regrettable que quelques peuples seulement soient dissociés de ce Pacte mondial de sécurité alimentaire par le fait de ces réserves et soient mis ainsi aux bans de l'humanité. Il est certainement souhaitable qu'à l'occasion du 40ème Anniversaire de la FAO les délégations présentes à cette Conférence puissent, à leur retour dans leur pays respectif, offrir le merveilleux cadeau d'un Pacte de sécurité alimentaire adopté à l'unanimité, ce qui signifierait qu'en cette fin de siècle le serment moral fait encore partie du patrimoine culturel commun à l'humanité.

M GOLDMAN (United States of America\): In beginning my remarks I would like to stress that my Government has no problem with the principles underlying the call for World Food Security Compact. The record of the United States demonstrates the priority we accord, and the resources we dedicate to the elimination of hunger, to the development of global food production capacity, to the support of natural agricultural development programmes, and to the fight against the suffering of people in times of emergency, regardless of the politics of their governments.

Delegates have spoken of the World Food Security Compact .as a moral commitment to food security. My Government is committed morally and financially to the search for world food security. Nevertheless, we have problems. We have a serious problem with the legal standing of the Compact itself. If - it is purely voluntary, non-binding statement implying no commitments either financial or legal, it should say so. If it is to be meaningful as a statement of agreed views it would be negotiated. We have found that the Compact is neither fish nor foul. We did not negotiate a text and we are being asked to sign on to one which leaves unclear the implications of the document and its adoption.

We recognize the difficulty, indeed the impossibility, of negotiating a document of this nature. When we made efforts quietly, as well as publicly, to seek the changes needed for our support, we were told quite understandably, that such changes would be unattainable, that they would only prompt others to rightfully seek changes which we would find even less acceptable, and so on. In such a situation, when the Secretariat puts forward a document and we can accept it, we are delighted. When we cannot accept it, we are simply forced to reject it.

There is much substance in the Compact which we can support. There are also some problems and we have discussed them in detail in earlier sessions. Some of our problems have been dealt with, others have not. Thus, our reservations must stand, we ,must continue to disassociate ourselves from the text of the World Food Security Compact as presented, to have our reservations stand as is, and to indicate that unanimity or consensus will not be possible on this issue given the strength of our views.

J STONE (Canada\): The World Food Security Compact presents many positive aspects and principles for increasing world food security. The three principles of attaining desirable levels of food production, increasing the stability of food supplies and ensuring access to food supplies on the part of those in need are admirable and no one can argue with them. In particular, much has been done already in their pursuit in terms of increased investments in agriculture both by developed and developing countries and in the provision of much emergency food relief. Canada subscribes to all these principles and has incorporated them into our aid programme.

The World Food Security Compact does have many very positive aspects which we fully support through our international assistance programme. First, it acknowledges that governments have a primary responsibility for ensuring domestic food security. Second, it urges governments to change policies to encourage food production. These policies do not just include agricultural policies but also demographic ones. Third, it urges developed countries to continue relief aid and to promote measures to increase agricultural production. Fourth, it notes the extremely valuable roles to be played by NGO's and individuals, in increasing public awareness and in increasing food production.

Canada also has six points to raise for consideration. Firstly, is the Compact necessary? At the national policy level in developing countries many of the recommended actions are obvious and should occur without the stimulus of a Compact, in particular the need to adopt appropriate national policies to stimulate agricultural production and to ameleorate the economic situation of the poor. For developed countries the continuing contributions of emergency programme food aid have increased without the benefit of the Compact. On trade stabilization issues, real changes will take place as a result of trade negotiations rather than a consequence of the Compact.

Our second point derives from the section entitled "Action by Governments". Developing countries' governments are asked to consider domestic policies in general with the view of increasing domestic food security. No one can disagree with this principle and Canada fully supports it. However, developed countries are asked to examine their national food-policies only in the light of their effects on the stability of the international market. This is a one-sided approach which puts the onus for international food trade stability on developed countries only. Is this sufficient when the production, stocking and import policies of developing countries also affect the stability of world trade? As well, consumers in many developing countries are sheltered from changes in world prices, from artificially high exchange rates and price subsidies. This should be reflected in the document.

The third point we would like to make concerns the provision which calls for developing countries to avoid the risks of excessive dependence on basic non-local food stocks, particularly for the urban sector. This implies that trade in non-local foods is to be discouraged because it is politically risky and undesirable. Canada feels that these "risks" have less to do with food imports and more to do with deficiencies in domestic production, pricing and exchange rate policies. Canada also believes in the principle of comparative advantage on world trade questions. We would rather see the wording and the thrust of this provision changed to note instead the advantages of promoting national food self-reliance as a method of increasing local consumption of domestically produced basic foodstuffs, particularly among urban populations.

Our fourth point is to commend the role of the Compact in urging non-governmental organizations to play an active part in forming public opinion. Many non-governmental organizations do spur developed countries' governments into more action and non-governmental organizations are becoming more involved overseas themselves. In the Compact non-governmental organizations are called upon to provide information on the impact on poorer nations of the actions taken by the richer nations in the fields of trade, protectionism and economic adjustment. In order to promote their effectiveness,non-governmental organizations should also be called upon to provide similar information on the impact of domestic policies of poor nations upon themselves, such as information on the effects of agricultural price policies, inflexible government control and insufficient agricultural investment.

Our fifth point is similar to our last point and calls upon the Compact to note that individuals of all countries should play a role in keeping public opinion in all countries aware of the need for global cooperation in achieving world food security, and how it can be pursued by discussion of domestic policies in all countries.

Our final point, and perhaps the major one, is that this morals non-binding Compact becomes for my country a morally binding commitment, should we subscribe to it. Unfortunately, and contrary to the statements made by some countries today, this document has been the subject of little direct negotiation by Member States, although some revision has been performed by the Secretariat. We are concerned over this lack of formal consultations and the difficulties of incorporating differing views. And even now, the wording changes proposed by Switzerland were asked to be withdrawn. This lack of direct negotiations goes against Canada 's philosophy of negotiating international agreements, binding or otherwise.

On balance, therefore, the Compact has not been refined to the point where we can subscribe to it as a morally binding document. We therefore maintain our reservation on the Compact as a whole.

H.S. JASIM (Bahrain\) (original language Arabic): The item under discussion, the World Food Security Compact, is of great importance to my country's delegation and other delegations participating at this session. The Director-General's statement was significant in reiterating the importance of world food security for each and every one living on this earth and similarly each individual must contribute in combatting hunger. What distinguishes this compact is that it requires no legal or material commitment from any country, organization or individual in our community but has left the doors fully open for everyone to contribute to the provision of food free from political pressure on governments or organizations. There is a need for this Compact to be adopted by everyone since the provision of food is first and foremost a humanitarian act.

Mr Chairman, my delegation like other delegations, supports the document under discussion, C 85/23, and asks members to fully endorse it and find the means of achieving more propitious results for our Conference.

M. BRZOSKA (Poland): Poland declares its approval of the Resolution submitted to the Conference. In the present version, it eloquently develops the right to food, that is, that world food security is a common cause of mankind. It offers proper recommendations to governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals concerning the necessity of undertakings, works, and the sense of social responsibility for food security.

Poland , which is experiencing discrimination, particularly approves the content of point 1.4. Food should not be used as a means of exerting political pressure.

D.R. GREGORY (Australia): When this document was last considered at the Eighty-seventh Session of the FAO Council in June this year, Australia expressed a number of reservations both on the need for a Compact and the language employed in the text. Before I specifically address these matters, perhaps I should take this opportunity to briefly summarize Australia 's contributions in the UN multilateral system. Australia is a member of all the UN Specialized Agencies. I believe Australia is the eleventh largest contributor to the UN budget. We are also a major contributor to the budgets of the Specialized Agencies and the various funds maintained throughout the UN System. We are, on a per capita basis, one of the largest donors of food aid for emergency and developmental purposes, more than one-half of which is delivered multilaterally.

Therefore, we believe our credentials to intervene constructively on this item are impeccable. Thus, I would like my following comments to be considered in the light of our strong support of the multilateral system as outlined above. As I have said, Australia 's concerns on the Compact have not dissipated. We are being asked to endorse an international Compact, albeit not legally binding, which we have not negotiated. It is presented to us by the Secretariat. As I said, Australia 's views on this question have not altered. We are still concerned with what we believe to be the ineffectual nature of the instrument, which the Director-General points out creates no new obligations, whether legal, financial or operational.

In our view, the adoption of this document will not advance in any meaningful way the cause of world food security. We are concerned that in the final analysis it will sit as a set of pious statements which will be seen to have little or no relevance to the real world. We are also concerned that the work on the Compact has involved a significant diversion of the resources of this Organization and, if I might say so, of its members' resources which we believe would be much better employed on higher priority activities. I have referred to the amount of time spent on this document to date, and presumably we can expect references to the Compact continuing to surface in these and other world forums in the years ahead.

It is our view that FAO resources are being diluted by being spread too thinly because of such initiatives as the Compact, rather than on activities which have practical and concrete results. Furthermore, the text of the Compact as it stands also gives a cause for concern. The language is broad and sweeping and it is open to a considerably wide span of interpretation for both avoidance and specific denouncement. This has the potential, in our view, to exacerbate rather than facilitate positive exchange between countries in achieving concerted action for practical food security initiatives. At best, the document as it stands pulls together a series of very general principles to which we ourselves already subscribe and to which we have subscribed for many years. As I have indicated, at worst it runs the risk of promoting debilitating and damaging exchanges arising from misunderstandings and differing interpretations.

For example, can I draw your attention to one or two areas? In relation to the actions by governments in section III, paragraphs 2 and 3, Australia is one of the low cost efficient producers of agricultural commodities which has continually stressed the contributions that countries such as ours and others similar in this respect, such as New Zealand, Argentina and perhaps more recently India, Pakistan and even China, have to play through international trade in contributing to world food security. We have stressed the importance of all countries pursuing self reliance as a basis for food security by using their resources efficiently and concentrating on what they do best. Acceptance by the Australian Government of these paragraphs as we interpret them appears diametrically opposed to the arguments we have continued to advance in international forums. Paragraph 6 also seems to contain a denial of the principles outlined above, and its general adoptioncould lead to an implied support for a preferential training system which could well be counterproductive to the interests of developing countries themselves.

Perhaps as a last example, and there are others which appear at odds with Australia's consistentl adopted national position on international issues which are important to us, I include paragraph 8. Can I remind members of what it says? "Governments of developed countries, whether they be exporters or importers, should consider the interests of the world as a whole when making their policy decisions on food production, stocks and imports. Similarly, arrangements which insulate domestic consumers from price savings in international markets should not result in increased hardship for the weakest and most vulnerable countries. The overall objective should be the development of a world food system characterized by stability and equity. How will this paragraph be interpreted by different parties, particularly agricultural commodity exporters, whether developed or developing, in any negotiations leading to a new round of of multilateral trade negotiations which includes agricultural commodities? Since the paragraph only applies to developed countries, does acceptance of the Compact automatically provide for a developing country preference scheme in any such negotiations? Will our colleagues and friends from the EEC interpret paragraph 8 in the same way as this Conference appears to be doing?

We note again that in the introduction to this document we are told the Compact does not create any new obligations, whether legal, financial or operational. I hope these examples indicate at least in part the sorts of problems its adoption in its present terms could provide for Australia. The Director-General, in saying at the Eighty-Seventh Council that Australia simply did not like the Compact, perhaps fairly stated our position. We continue to have reservations about the value or usefulness of the Compact. Accordingly, we support the position put forward by the delegates of the USA and Canada.

A. KHALED (People's Democratic Republic of Yemen) (original language Arabic): First and foremost, I should like to express my country's appreciation for the efforts made by the Director-General, and especially for his statement yesterday. He has worked tirelessly together with the Secretariat in order to prepare and revise the document under discussion, which is the World Food Security Compact.

Democratic Yemen 's position at all previous sessions was always in favour of the World Food Security Compact. We should like to see it adopted and agreed to. We have noted with regret the reservations of some countries to its unanimous adoption. We do not understand those reservations since these same countries claim that they agree to most of the points contained in the Compact. The Compact is only a means to mobilize efforts and ensure World Food Security. Once again we request countries with reservations to reconsider their position and adopt the compact unanimously.

U.L. MOUFFAK (Tunisie): Je voudrais, au nom de la délégation tunisienne, réaffirmer notre appui au pacte de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale et féliciter par là-même le Directeur général de la FAO pour cette louable initiative.

A nos yeux ce pacte représente essentiellement un engagement moral et est un élément de sensibilisation de la communauté internationale susceptible d'éveiller les consciences pour oeuvrer dans le cadre de la solidarité humaine à enrayer le mal de la famine et de la malnutrition que tout un chacun, par devers soi, ne saurait tolérer.

La Tunisie réitère donc son appui au pacte dans son ensemble en ayant la conviction de son apport bénéfique au renforcement de la coopération internationale.

Mme M.A. BARBOZA ANDRADE (Cap-Vert): Tout d'abord ma délégation félicite le Directeur général et le Secrétariat pour les efforts tendant à améliorer le texte du pacte de sécurité alimentaire mondiale depuis la huitième session du Comité de sécurité alimentaire mondiale. De la même façon, comme l'a exprimé à la dixième session du CSA, à la quatre-vingtième session du Conseil et ce matin au débat général à la plénière, la délégation du Cap-Vert réaffirme devant cette assemblée son plein appui au pacte de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale tel qu'il est dans le document C85/23 et fait un appel pour qu'il soit approuvé.

Ms. L. STEWART (Observer for International Confederation of Free Trade Unions): The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions fully supports the principles underlying the World Food Security Compact. We especially appreciate the recognition accorded to the role of NGOs in mobilizing and securing peoples' participation at different levels of economic development. Representatives of international NGOs were consulted on the draft text of the Compact last April and also during this Conference. The international NGOs made certain suggestions to improve the texts. Some of these suggestions are as follows: that priority attention should be paid to small farmers; that special attention should be addressed to women, who produce more than 50 percent of the world food supply; that stability in the international cereal market is essential for a regulated world food system; that no development project can be a success unless carried out in collaboration with, and active participation of, people at grass roots level; that there should be closer cooperation between governments and representative organizations, including trade unions, at international and national levels, and between FAO and the international NGOs at project, level.

It is with some disappointment, then, that I have to report that only one of these proposals has found its way into the draft World Food Security Compact. I would have liked to have seen something on the role of women as food producers and also on the role of representative and collective organizations in organizing farmers to undertake rural development.

This leads me to ask in what way this document will be used. If international NGOs are going to be asked to campaign to popularize the provisions of this Compact, we should prefer the consultation process to be a two-way one and for our views to be taken into consideration. It may be inevitable, however, given the complexity of drawing up such a document, that not all points could be brought into the document.

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions represents 82 million workers worldwide, in both developed and developing countries. The aims of the ICFTU include the eradication of hunger and poverty worldwide. We campaign actively on these issues. Through membership in representative

organizations like trade unions, individuals can have much more impact on government policies than if they remain isolated. Therefore I should also like, somewhere in the document, to draw attention to the role of collective and representative organizations as distinct from voluntary or charitable organizations.

Equally, trade unions are an important channel through which workers can be informed and educated on food security and problems of development in general. I would just remind you here that development aid money is paid by workers through taxes, and it is no coincidence that those countries that have reached the UN target of 0.7 percent of GNP for aid are countries where trade unions play a very strong role in their society.

The ICFTU is ready and willing to play a role through our affiliated organizations in popularizing the World Food Security Compact, but we would like to insist on a real dialogue on these important issues. As far as the ICFTU is concerned, food security is not a question of charity. It is a question of international cooperation and solidarity to eradicate the underlying causes of poverty and hunger.

This leads me to another important point. Some very crucial actors in world food production and supply have been left out. I am referring, of course, to economic operators, especially transnational corporations. In the Compact the burden is being put on individuals, asking them to make commitments, but what about TNCs who are so much more powerful? TNCs dominate the food sector, from plantations, through processing, distribution and marketing. As pointed out by the Group of 77 in their statement, the developing countries hardly participate at all in these activities. TNCs also dominate world food commodity markets, with devastating results which are well known. TNCs bear much more responsibility for the unbalanced world food situation than individuals, yet there are no provisions in the Compact relating to TNCs.

I do not know at this stage what modifications could be made to this draft, given the complications of including everybody's point of view, but I would like these issues to be taken into consideration.

K.S. MULHERIN (Secretary, Commission I): The Chairman has asked me to announce on his behalf the names of those countries which have not been able to participate in a number of the debates but who can, as we said this morning, if they inform the Chairman, have their statements appended to the verbatim record. On this item 10 on the Compact we have received statements from Suriname, Sudan, Liberia, Jordan and Burma. Those statements will not be delivered but they have been provided and the Chairman has agreed that they should go into the verbatim record.

There are also two more on item 7.2, the Critical Situation in Africa, one from Lesotho and one from Yugoslavia. Tanzania, was not here to participate in the SOFA, debate on item 7.1, and has requested that its statement be included in the revised verbatim record. Ethiopia also requested to do the same, but has not yet provided a statement.

H. LIANARONS .(Surinane): The Surinamese delegation agrees with the principle of the World Food Security Compact and wishes to thank the Director-General for the excellent presentation of the document now under discussion. The eradication of hunger in the present world should be regarded as the most important priority. A considerable some countries still suffer and we see the Compact as an adequate machinery in our efforts to ban hunger and poverty. The document is most useful and balanced. My delegation has trouble in understanding the reasons that prevent a unanimous adoption of the proposal.