EL PRESIDENTE: Si no hay ningún comentario, vamos ahora a proseguir nuestros trabajos con el tema 17.1: Programa Mundial de Alimentos Naciones Unidas/FAO. Se trata del objetivo de las promesas de contribución al PMA.
En nombre de nuestra Comisión doy nuestra más cordial y calurosa bienvenida al señor J. Ingram, Director Ejecutivo del Programa Mundial de Alimentos, y a los funcionarios de ese importante Organismo que nos acompañan esta tarde.
James C. INGRAM (Executive Director, World Food Programme): You have before you document C 85/LIM/5 which contains a draft resolution on the target for pledges to WFP's development resources for the biennium 1987-88. The FAO Council has unanimously supported the target of US$1 400 million, comprising 3.25 million tons of food at current prices and US$405 million in cash.
This target has been recommended by WFP's governing body, the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, at its recently-concluded 20th Session.
A similar resolution is before the current session of the United Nations General Assembly since, under the Programme's General Regulations, the pledging target must be endorsed by both this Conference and the General Assembly of the United Nations.
The target proposed is somewhat less than what I had originally put to the CFA. However, if fulfilled, it will enable the Programme to maintain the very considerable momentum it has built up over the past five years.
As noted in the document before you, it will allow the annual approval of new development projects, utilizing about 1.9 million tons of food, until the end of 1988. Such a commitment level would be substantially above the average level for previous years.
In terms of deliveries, fulfillment of the target will also enable us to place in the hands of beneficiaries about 1.5 million tons each year for development projects alone. When you add to this what the Programme is likely to be providing for relief and on behalf of bilateral donors, the total deliveries by WFP by 1988 may well be more than 2.5 million tons per year.
You will notice that for the first time the target has been broken into a specified quantity of food in tons (since approved commitments for WFP development projects are expressed in quantities of food) and a cash level in dollars adequate to transport and administer the commodities provided.
I should mention that the amount of cash included in the proposed target is somewhat higher than the proportion of cash pledged in recent years. This level of cash is necessary, however, to enable the Programme to handle greater quantities of donated commodities and to continue to buy food from developing countries, without eroding the essential cash reserve we have carefully built up over the years.
The proposed target was agreed on after very full discussion in the CFA and it has the support of all the main donor countries. I therefore have every expectation that it will be fulfilled.
In recent years close to one quarter of all food aid was delivered through WFP. However, the percentage fell in 1984 by about 20 percent. The reason for this is that donors have dramatically increased their total food aid so as to deal with the famine situation which has oppressed so much of Africa over the last two years. The result is that global food aid has now reached a level of 12 million tons for the year 1984-85, namely 20 percent more than the previous highest ever-recorded figure. While donors also gave more food through WFP than ever before most of their additional assistance was channelled bilaterally.
While there are still several countries in Africa facing severe food shortages, which will require the provision of considerable emergency relief aid in 1986, the total amount required for this purpose will be much less than in 1985. As I have just pointed out,-donors have shown their willingness to provide additional food aid on a massive scale for emergencies. We know, however, that much of the distress that has occurred in Africa has been due only in part to drought. The causes of famine in that continent are much more deep-rooted than the vagaries of weather and it is essential that we address those causes. Food aid as used by WFP can be of enormous importance in that task. I therefore urge the donors to provide to WFP for development purposes some of that additional aid they have shown they are so willing to give for emergency uses.
I have said on several occasions that the most important challenge facing the international community over the next few years is its responsibility to come to grips with the underlying causes of Africa's hunger problem. The hunger problem is essentially a development problem and not simply a food production problem. Africans are hungry because they are poor. The only lasting way to overcome their poverty is to increase the productive output of their economies. WFP has a proven capacity to use food that has precisely this effect in ways which have been universally applauded. The demand for project food aid, as provided by WFP, is growing all the time. The Programme cannot meet that demand, yet the resources are available to meet it if donors have the will to channel more of their food aid through WFP.
I need hardly mention in a forum composed of experts in agriculture and rural development that this sector has been proven time after time in the history of the economic development of all countries, to be of critical importance. Nor do I need to remind you that WFP is deeply committed to agriculture and rural development, as shown by the fact that between 1980 and 1984 we have increased the share of resources going to agriculture and rural development from 51 to 61 percent of the total committed. I therefore urge that we be given more resources so that we can do even more to promote agricultural and rural development.
The need for development of food aid is not confined to Africa, great though its needs are. It is easy to overlook - as the electronic media does - that the population of Asia is so great that, even in countries whose food production is managing to keep pace with population growth, there are still many hundreds of millions of people whose level of nourishment is unacceptably low. A similar situation, though on a much smaller scale, exists in other regions, including many of the so-called middle-income countries, burdened by debt and by very high interest rates. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue. For every country, its human resources are its most important resource and malnourished children and adults can neither lead a full life nor make a sufficient contribution to the development of their countries.
It is people who create wealth, it is people who plant seeds, people who plough land, who harvest crops, who tend cattle and it is people who breed better plant varieties and who teach farmers how to cultivate them.
While in WFP and in conferences such as this, we talk a great deal about abstractions like tons of food delivered we should not forget that it is people we are trying to help. Of all international aid organizations WFP is the agency which reaches very poor individuals in great numbers. Our staff see in the very faces of the poor that the help we give them is good and that it is appreciated. In the last resort there is nothing whatsoever abstract about the work WFP does. The morale of our staff is high because they can see that what we do counts in the lives of poor people.
I mention this because the process of structural adjustment necessarily going on at this time in many counties represented here bears especially heavily on the poor. More than two years ago I urged that in this situation there was a place for using food aid to ease the burden on vulnerable groups, especially children. I am pleased to say that today institutions like the IMF recognize the need to pay more heed to this need for adjustment to have a "human face" and that there is excellent cooperation between WFP and UNICEF in doing something about it.
As has been frequently said, development is a learning process, and that is certainly true of the use of food aid for development. WFP has learnt a great deal about how to use food aid to prevent desertification, to stop erosion, to resettle people on new lands, to build roads, ditches and irrigation canals, to dig village wells and the other activities essential if food production is to increase. But we have still more to learn and in particular it is important that our food aid be reinforced, wherever appropriate, by financial and technical inputs. As part of our project cycle review - which is simply a fancy name for the process of improving the design and implementation of projects - we are building closer links with other development instituions. Clearly one of the most important of these must be the FAO, whose technical expertise is invaluable for the preparation of our projects. On this the 40th anniversary of the FAO, I wish to thank most profoundly our colleagues in FAO for all that they have done to help so many WFP projects to achieve success.
I would also have to say that we are building a very close relationship with our other sister organization in Rome, namely, the International Fund for Agricultural Development. President Jazairy and myself have met several times and we find we are both totally convinced of the importance of helping the small farmer wherever possible. We are therefore taking steps to increase the already not insignificant number of projects which have inputs from both our organizations.
The fact is that the poorest countries often lack required expertise to prepare good projects. As part of our project cycle review, we are devoting a lot of attention to how better to help governments present better-conceived requests for WFP assistance. I am pleased to inform the Conference that at its last session the CFA, in approving WFP's administrative budget, provided me with the authority to provide finance to governments for the preparation of development projects. This will be implemented gradually and selectively from the beginning of 1986 in order to gain necessary expertise.
I would like to say now a few words about emergencies. I will not dwell upon WFP's achievements in 1984 and 1985 in this regard. I will say, however, that many of our staff have worked at great personal sacrifice to bring about a result which has effectively prevented the deaths of millions of people. In fact the WFP Emergency Food Aid alone has reached nearly 18 million people. We have not only transported about one third of the 5 million tons delivered 50 far in 1985, but diverted vessels to critical zones. But speed at sea must be matched by speed at ports and on land. To this end WFP engaged a staff of logistics and port officers and placed them in strategic locations to help get food discharged and out of ports at unprecedented rates. Our officers have helped to introduce bulk handling in several ports in Africa which previously handled only bagged cargo, have organized the dispatch of railway trains carrying nothing but food aid, have airfreighted a river ferry and other essential capital equipment, have provided donors with the information that enabled them to schedule the shipment of this vast quantity of food aid more evenly with much less port congestion than there would otherwise have been. In several countries of the African continent we have also undertaken for the first time the establishment and full management of major internal trucking fleets.
All in all this has been a challenging, indeed exciting time for WFP. But dry statistics cannot really convey the magnitude of the achievement made by so many countries and organizations with which we have been associated in this effort.
Figures have a way of passing over the tops of our heads, but if you recall to your mind just how big one bulk carrier of 25 000 tons is, you will realize that 40 such ships are required to move one million tons, let alone the more than 5 million tons so far delivered to Africa this year. Certainly in Africa there has never ever previously been such a massive flow of assistance. It would not have been possible without the truly generous public response of ordinary people in so
many countries around the world and we in WFP wish to thank them and the organizations to which they contributed their money and with which we cooperate, for all the support they have given us. This applies, I might say, particularly to Band Aid which is providing to WFP many of the trucks neded to start up a trucking operation that we are now, at this moment operating in Ethiopia.
Despite all these impressive achievements of the international community there are nevertheless many lessons that we will all have to learn from the response to this emergency. Certainly WFP could have done a lot better if it had been better prepared, and if the governments of famine-prone countries had been better prepared. The truth is that until there is a lasting turn-around in the production of food in most African countries, there is the gravest risk of a recurrence of last year's famine conditions, possibly even in a very short time and on a worse scale since populations are increasing so rapidly. It is imperative we believe that each famine-prone country, supported by the international community, develop an emergency strategy which can come smoothly into operation the next time famine strikes or is imminent. At the next session of the CFA, WFP will make concrete proposals about the elements of such a strategy and WFP's place in it.
Meanwhile, I want to say that experience with the IEFR during this African crisis has revealed a number of pressing matters which require immediate change.
First the pledges by donors do not include nearly enough foods for vulnerable groups. When families are close to death, huddled in camps, there is a requirement for much more than basic grains and vegetable oils. People often die not from starvation as such but by disease brought on by undernourishment. In effect they have to be nursed back to health and special diets are needed for this. We simply do not get enough dried skimmed milk, for example, and this week I was in Brussels urging the European Parliament to lift its limits on the supply of milk products to WFP for emergencies and development projects.
Secondly we do not get nearly enough cash to enable us to purchase special foods when necessary and food from developing- countries. Moreover, it is unrealistic to expect least developed countries, and indeed many other very poor ones, to be able to meet the costs of internal transportation. WFP has been meeting half of this cost from the IEFR from its regular resources, but even half is nowhere enough in situations of massive famine.
The conference at which governments will pledge for the 1987-88 biennium, to be held in New York next March, is also an occasion for pledging to the IEFR. I would therefore urge all governments, with all the earnestness at my command, not only to fulfill the target enshrined in the resolution before you but, in making pledges to the IEFR, to give us much larger quantities of supplementary food than hitherto and more cash to meet internal transportation and to purchase more food to the greatest extent possible in meeting the substantial relief needs that still exist for a number of African countries.
Finally, in regard to emergencies let me say that, encouraged by member governments, WFP is giving thought to extending on a global basis some of the techniques it has developed for the gathering and dissemination of information. We hardly needed to be reminded that disasters are not confined to any country or continent, but if we did, the horrific events of last week in your own country will have done so. Within 24 hours of that disaster, 20 tons of WFP food from the stocks we have for our development projects in Colombia, were on their way by helicopter to the victims. The very same evening, an officer of our Emergency Service had left Rome for Bogotà, As the CFA, the FAO Council and this Conference have repeatedly stated, speed is often of the essence in responding to emergencies. I believe, that WFP is, as this example testifies, able to move with great dispatch in responding to sudden natural disasters. Our ability to be useful in this regard is immensely helped by the fact that in almost all developing countries there are stocks of WFP food available to draw upon for just such crises.
In conclusion let me express my hope that these remarks will inspire not only your approval of the draft resolution before the Commission, but, more importantly encourage donors to pledge generously the conference in March, so that the great developmental and humanitarian work of the World Food Programme can continue to expand.
EL PRESIDENTE: Gracias Sr. Ingram por su excelente presentación. Les había ya citado los dos documentos pertinentes sobre los cuales brevemente haré unas observaciones, con el solo propósito indicativo de contribuir al marco dentro del cual ustedes podrán hacer sus declaraciones.
El LIM/16 contiene el proyecto de resolución sobre el cual la Conferencia, como lo ha dicho el Sr. Ingram, podrá conceder su aprobación definitiva.
El LIM/5 es el extracto del Informe del pasado Consejo sobre esta misma materia. En el LIM/5 podrán observar ustedes que en el párrafo 64 el Consejo se ha referido a la política de transacciones triangulares. En el párrafo 65 el Consejo apoyó el nuevo enfoque que ha explicado nuestro Director Ejecutivo y acogió el llamamiento que había hecho el CPA a los donantes tradicionales y potenciales para que logren no sólo obtener el objetivo, sino superarlo. En el párrafo 66 el Consejo aprobó unánimemente ese objetivo de promesa.
Podrán ustedes referirse a la valiosa asistencia del PMA al Africa sufrida y, si lo desearan, coincidir con el Director Ejecutivo en el reconocimiento a todos los donantes cuyas contribuciones han hecho posible el éxito de este importante Programa, así como, tal vez, reconocer la labor abnegada de los funcionarios del PMA en favor de aquellas regiones del mundo donde numerosas personas pasan por una difícil situación.
Harald HØSTMARK (Norway): First I would like to thank the Executive Director, Mr Ingram, for his excellent introduction of this important point of our agenda, but I think it is also the moment to direct thanks to the Executive Director and his staff for the important work that the Programme has done and continues to do, for the way it has served the purpose for which it was set up, and for the way it has served humanity.
At the Twentieth session of the CFA the question of the target was very carefully examined, as you know yourself, Mr Chairman, since you are one of the very active participants, not only an active but a positive participant in the discussions that are going on, as were the Chairman of the Group of 77 and representatives of the major donors.
As Chairman of that Committee I can testify to the thoroughness of the deliberations that were gone into. When the target was agreed at the very considerable figure of US$1.4 billion, it was both an expression of the confidence that all participants felt in the World Food Programme and its Executive Director in their ability to use these considerable resources efficiently to the advantage of those that are so low on the nourishment level that the situation is unácceptable to us as members of the human community.
The target was also seen as what would be a realistic goal taking into consideration past performances and including an expiration factor as an inducement to the donors to make the maximum effort. It was not to be seen as a measurement of the total global needs that so unfortunately exist today.
Speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries, we accept the proposed target. We recommend that it be endorsed unanimously by this Commission. Unanimity will give it force, force for a common pledging conference to the advantage of those that the Programme serves.
EL PRESIDENTE: Gracias a los Países Nórdicos que han expresado su posición a través del delegado de Noruega, distinguido colega y amigo Harald Høstmark, competente Presidente del CPA.
R.C. GUPTA (India): Our delegation had an opportunity of participating in the discussions of the last CFA on the pledging target and yet again in the last FAO Council meeting, and to this extent we sincerely welcome this short and concise document regarding the pledging target of the World Food Programme for the biennium 1987-88. We would sincerely like to congratulate Mr Ingram for his excellent, extremely telling and very informative introduction to the subject.
The achievements of WFP during the last few years are very considerable and we have seen how this Programme has over a period built up certain capabilities, certain effectiveness and efficiency, and the way it has assisted the African Continent in its dire hour of need by rushing food aid to the remotest corners under most trying conditions, under most difficult circumstances. We would like to congratulate Mr Ingram and his committed staff for all their dedication, for all this humanitarian work supported by the international community.
The effectiveness of the Programme is further demonstrated by the speed with which it reacted to the earthquake situation in Mexico a few months back and now to the unfortunate situation in your country, Mr Chairman, caused by volcanic eruptions. These are some of the testimonies to the capacity and capability that the Programme has built over the period.
We heartily agree with the assessment of the Executive Director that hunger is just about a manifestation of poverty. The problem of African hunger, the lack of food, is not a problem created by aberrant weather only but a problem that has been compounded by drought. Structural adjustments, rehabilitation of the economy, change of modes of production and distribution, these are the problems. The colonial structure over the years is the problem and if Africa is to be assisted in a meaningful manner it has to be provided with assistance in diverse ways to readjust its economy to the needs. To this extent food aid can play an extremely meaningful role. We agree with Mr Ingram that the generosity which the international community has demonstrated in this period of emergency should be continued for development assistance, and Africa should continue to get the s'ame level of assistance in different ways to rehabilitate its agriculture, its economy and soften the burden of adjustment, which falls most extremely and most harshly on the poorest section of the community in any country.
Another very interesting point which Mr Ingram made, and a very valid point, is that if the countries in Africa were prepared or had the capacity to meet this situation, if there were advance preparation or some kind of contingency planning, the tragedy could have been considerably lessened. In our own country, a large country that we are, we are used to these aberrations. Almost every year some part of the country is affected by droughts or floods and over a period we have developed certain capabilities, certain experience, certain expertise for management of drought and for management of aberrant weather.
We are proposing to set up an Institute of Disaster Management ourselves and we are willing to share our experience in this particular area with other countries. We wish to put up this Institute at an international level so that whatever we have gone through, whatever we have learned,. we can share with other countries of the world.
Coming back to the Pledging Target, as Mr Ingram said, and as the Chairman of the CFA repeated, this target was arrived at after detailed deliberations while keeping in view the wishes of the traditional donor countries to have a target which was feasible, which was achievable, and which would carry credibility.
We would have wished the target to be higher. Nevertheless, considering the will of the international community, we feel that this is an appropriate one, provided that every sincere effort is made to reach this target and even to exceed it.
In this context, may I, Mr Chairman, invite your attention to page 4 of document C 85/LIM/5, particularly the first operational paragraph, which says:
"Establishes for the two years, 1987 and 1988, a target for voluntary contributions of
US$ 1 400 million, comprised of 3.25 million tons of food at current prices and US$ 405 million in cash, and expresses the hope ...”
This is very relevant:
"... that such resources will be augmented by substantial additional contributions from other sources in recognition of the prospective volume of sound project requests and the capacity of the Programme to operate at a higher level."
Considering the need and the capacity of the Programme to handle large volumes of food aid, we would strongly urge the international community to fulfill this target and, if possible, even to exceed it. My own government has already decided to pledge a certain volume of tea and other commodities to the World Food Programme for the next pledging period and we will inform the Programme of these pledges in due course.
S.M. MATIUR RAHMAN (Bangladesh): At the outset, the Bangladesh delegation would like to thank Mr Ingram, the Executive Director of the Programme, for his excellent introduction of this important agenda item and also for giving some insights of the Programme's good performances and achievements, which have our full support.
The pledging target of WFP for the 1987-88 biennium of US$ 1.4 billion, comprising 3.25 million tons of food at current prices and US$ 405 million in cash, as recommended by the CFA and the FAO Council at the last session, is before us for adoption.
First the Bangladesh delegation would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Executive Director of the Programme not only for the high efficiency attained by the staff under his able leadership, but also for proposing for the first time a pledging target comprising both food commodity and cash components. This will make the Programme more flexible and effective and efficient in meeting the needs of food aid of the developing countries. In view of the growing food aid needs and the WFP's higher capacity of food aid management, although my delegation would have been pleased to see a higher pledging target for the coming biennium, nevertheless my delegation considers the target level recommended by the CFA and the Council to represent a balanced compromise between the growing needs of the recipient countries and the availability of food aid from the donor countries.
Therefore Bangladesh as a member of the CFA and the Council gave its full support to the agreed target level. We, therefore, reiterate our fullest support for the adoption of the recommended level of pledging target and the Resolution and urge the Conference to adopt it unanimously.
While doing so, my delegation would urge that all traditional and potential donors not only fulfill but exceed the approved target and also that one-third of their contributions be paid in cash. We would also like to ask them to increase their contribution to IEFR, as has been done in the past two years.
Srta. Mery HURTADO (Colombia): La delegación de Colombia lamenta que el CPA no haya podido apoyar el más alto objetivo de promesas originalmente propuesto por el Director Ejecutivo del PMA. Consideramos más adecuado y realista, a la luz de las circunstancias cambiantes, el nuevo enfoque bajo el cual se ha propuesto ahora el objetivo para el bienio 1987-1988, parte en dinero y parte en productos.
La delegación de Colombia piensa que esa nueva actitud del Director Ejecutivo es innovadora y realista y merece nuestro apoyo.
La delegación de Colombia está de acuerdo con las finalidades que aparecen en el Proyecto de Resolución C 85/LIM/5, pero insiste en que en nuestro Informe se haga un llamado muy decidido a todos los donantes actuales y potenciales para que en la próxima Conferencia de Promesas a efectuarse en 1986, se logre no sólo alcanzar este objetivo, sino superarlo.
La delegación de Colombia aprovecha esta oportunidad para reiterar su complacencia por la forma eficaz en que viene trabajando el PMA bajo la dirección del Sr. Ingram, como también las excelentes relaciones que existen entre la FAO y el PMA. Esto coincide con el principio del Gobierno colombiano según el cual todos los organismos internacionales deben sumar sus esfuerzos en favor de los países en desarrollo.
Leopoldo ARIZA HIDALGO (Cuba): Queremos expresar al Sr. Ingram nuestra felicitación por la presentación que nos ha hecho del tema. La Dirección del Programa Mundial de Alimentos ha demostrado una eficaz administración, que ha garantizado notables éxitos al Programa en los últimos años.
El Consejo de la FAO y el Comité de Política y Programa discutieron y apoyaron el objetivo de promesas para el PMA en su nueva forma desglosada en dinero y en alimentos, el cual fue aprobado en todas sus partes.
Nosotros también lamentamos que la proposición inicial que hizo el Director Ejecutivo no hubiese podido aceptarse en toda su dimensión, reconociendo que el Director Ejecutivo había hecho una exposición muy convincente de la necesidad de incrementar la ayuda para el desarrollo y la emergencia. El expuso con claridad cómo seguían aumentando la problemática crítica que atraviesa el mundo en desarrollo y la necesidad de que el PMA tuviese suficientes recursos para enfrentarse a las peticiones que llegan.
Creo que el apoyo que estos foros de la FAO y del PMA dieron a las posiciones presentadas por el informe del Director Ejecutivo son el justo reconocimiento, dada su dimensión, a la labor del programa y a la propia del Director Ejecutivo en pro de la ayuda alimentaria multilateral. Todo esto está también avalado por el esforzado trabajo de todo el personal del Programa Mundial de Alimentos.
Específicamente queremos expresar que Cuba es un modesto aportador de 5 000 toneladas de azúcar cada dos años, lo cual mantendremos como promesa para las próximas reuniones.
También queremos expresar que nos declaramos de acuerdo con la convocatoria de una Conferencia de Promesas en la sede de Naciones Unidas para 1986. Asimismo, la Conferencia de Promesas de Contribución para 1988.
Nuestra delegación apoya en todas sus partes el proyecto de resolución presentado, así como el informe, y queremos apoyar específicamente la política de transacciones triangulares, como fue discutido en el CPA, por su beneficio y por su posibilidad de permitir a los países en desarrollo una participación también activa en el apoyo al Programa.
Nos resta solamente decir que aceptamos en todas sus partes la política de priorización al Continente Africano, así como la visión multilateral y universalista que el Director Ejecutivo tiene de la función del PMA. Felicitamos al Director del PMA y a todo el personal, así como le felicitamos en la.real dimensión de su trabajo, en función de toda la cooperación con la FAO y de los demás organismos internacionales del sistema de Naciones Unidas.
ESHETU DEBABU (Ethiopia): I would like to sincerely thank Mr Ingram for the brilliant and clear introduction of the subject. The World Food Programme today is the most important agency in the field of food administration in the world. It plays an indispensable role in the international effort to save human life from disease, from starvation and other natural disasters. The World Food Programme's role is also very useful in rehabilitation in support of national development, and so remains indispensable in the coming years especially for Africa to alleviate famine situations and to help promote agricultural development.
We do not assume the proposed Pledging Target is enough for the needy countries. We would have liked to see a much higher target than proposed but, given the circumstances today and taking the discussions that have preceded this Conference into account, we think it is fairly feasible and acceptable. Therefore we unhesitatingly support the unanimous adoption of the proposed target of US$ 1 400 million voluntary contributions for WFP for 1986-87 as split into cash and kind.
We would also like to heartily congratulate Mr Ingram and the WFP as a whole for the excellent management of the resources entrusted to them and the wonderful successes of their field activities.
We are also grateful to the international community that supports the WFP and hope the proposed target will be substantially exceeded. We remain grateful for the priority given to Africa.
Selim SARRAF (Liban) (langue originale arabe): Je voudrais tout d'abord remercier le Directeur exécutif du PAM, M. Ingram, pour son exposé très clair et convaincant sur le document qui est maintenant soumis à notre Commission.
Je voudrais également remercier le Directeur général de notre Organisation ainsi que le Programme alimentaire mondial pour avoir répondu à la demande du Liban, en lui accordant une aide alimentaire d'urgence en faveur des victimes de la ville de Tripoli au cours du mois de septembre passé. Je voudrais faire noter la vitesse et la diligence avec lesquelles nous avons reçu cette aide, que ce soit par l'envoi sur place d'une mission d'évaluation du PAM ou que ce soit par la promptitude de la fourniture et de la distribution de cette aide, c'est-à-dire moins d'une semaine après que la demande ait été formulée.
L'aide accordée au Liban ne se limite pas seulement à l'assistance d'urgence, mais elle englobe également les projets de développement économiques et sociaux dans un cadre évidemment plus restreint étant donné les circonstances actuelles du Liban.
Pour toutes ces raisons et d'autres encore, la délégation de mon pays souscrit entièrement au projet de budget, tel qu'il nous est présenté, et qui atteint 1 400 millions de dollars américains pour le biennium 1987-88.
Nous espérons que les autres délégations approuveront ce chiffre comme l'avait déjà fait le Conseil de notre Organisation, parce que ce projet constitue le minimum vital pour préserver le niveau de 1'assistance.
Adel Hi lmi EL-SARKI (Egypt) (original language arabic): I would like first of all to express :my thanks and appreciation to Mr Ingram, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, for the very clear presentation of the document. It is a great pleasure for my country to note that the Pledging Target for the biennium 1987-88 will enable the Programme to implement new projects.
As a result of the positive effects achieved by the Programme's aid in the agricultural sector in my country, and due to the results of speeding up the development there, we can support such pledging targets. We hope that all constructive efforts will be undertaken to fulfill the target.
We also wish to express our full satisfaction, in hearing that a number of African countries have achieved a surplus in cereal production. We also wish to express our satisfaction with the implementation of triangular transactions by the Programme. Furthermore, we hope that donor countries will in facť increase their operations with the Programme througħ the implementation of such triangular transactions. We all know that the forthcoming Pledging Conference for the WFP is to be held in March, and we therefore urge one and all to fulfill the cash and food pledges and targets of the Programme so that the Conference may fulfill its important task.
Sra.Doña María Eulalia JIMENEZ (El Salvador): Agradecemos al Sr. Ingram la excelente presentación que nos ha hecho y nos alegra mucho su presencia en esta sala.
Mi delegación quiere dejar constancia de nuestro total apoyo al proyecto de resolución contenido en el documento C 85/LIM/16 frente al objetivo de promesas de contribución al PMA para el bienio 1987-88.
Sin embargo, lamentamos que no haya sido posible tener un objetivo de promesas más alto, como fue propuesto por el Directór Ejecutivo en el desarrollo del CPA.
La iniciativa del Director Ejecutivo de proponer un objetivo de promesas con dos componentes, uno en efectivo y otro en productos, nos parece muy acertada y creemos que facilitará el logro de dicho objetivo. Nos congratulamos con el Sr. Ingram por esta iniciativa.
La labor que el Programa Mundial de Alimentos desarrolla a favor de los sectores más necesitados, es de todos conocida. La introducción que nos acaba de hacer el Sr. Ingram nos lo demuestra claramente.
Es de recalcar la labor que el PMA está realizando en Africa. En ese sentido apoyamos la política de transacciones triangulares. Instamos a todos los países para que, en la medida de nuestras posibilidades, contribuyamos con el PMA para que continúe trabajando a favor de nuestros pueblos.
Tal como lo expresáramos en la Plenaria durante el debate general, la delegación de mi país desea patentizar al Director Ejecutivo, en nombre del pueblo y del Gobierno de El Salvador, su agradecimiento por la forma eficiente y solícita con que ha atendido siempre a nuestro país, principalmente en afrontar el delicado problema de los desplazados.
Para concluir, nos unimos a las palabras del distinguido delegado de Noruega. También nosotros confiamos en que aprobaremos este objetivo de promesas por unanimidad. Esta misma unanimidad le dará su fuerza.
C.B. HOUTMAN (Netherlands): As has been stated during the last CFA meeting, this delegation can fully support the target of 3.25 million tons of food and US$ 405 million. We sincerely hope that, as we have appealed for during the same CFA meeting, the target will be reached during the present conference early next year in order to enable the World Food Programme to continue with its highly appreciated activities. Once again we would like to stress that we hope enough cash will accompany the commodity pledges to ensure that, besides the regular Head-quarters work, transportation and handling can be achieved in such a way that the products reach people who need them.
As I have understood from the Secretariat that the original Item 17.2 of this Agenda, being Other Matters, should be included in this Agenda, I request you to allow me a few more remarks.
My delegation has very much welcomed the good news of the normalization of relations between FAO and WFP, as we understand the implementation of the Task Force Report is proceeding in a harmonious way and with a realistic approach from both parties. We have heard heartening signals from people in the field as well as in FAO and WFP Headquarters of the improved working relations. Therefore we would like to express our confidence that the final report due for the next CFA session in Spring 1986 will voice the same positive sounds as we have heard during the recent CFA meeting.
Finally, I would like to appeal to FAO to seek a quick solution for the WFP housing problems. In our view an important organization such as WFP is should not operate from several buildings, but all Headquartèrs activities should be concentrated in one house.
S.S. KAMVAZINA (Malawi): My delegation has noted with appreciation the manner in which the Executive Director of WFP, Mr Ingram, has described the present and future activities of WFP. The achievement of WFP in the recent past has been beyond our expectations in many circumstances. In a time of global economic imbalance, WFP has managed to reach the needy countries in śpite of transport and other logistical problems.
My delegation supports the proposed Pledging Target for 1987-88, and the Pledging Conference.
We note with appreciation the Executive Director's statement regarding triangular purchases, in particular where the policy would now consider purchase of surpluses of food from developing countries, including Africa. I have no doubt whatsoever that this approach will assist WFP to deliver the food aid in a timely and cost-effective manner. At the same time it will alleviate the tremendous financial burdens which some of the countries are facing in having to service the surplus food when they have no funds to divert from other development efforts. Further, this would improve the marketing of such surpluses and stimulate more production in these areas.
Antonio RODRIGUES PIRES (Cap-Vert): Ma délégation souhaite féliciter M. Ingram pour son exposé très clair et concis. Nous remercions aussi tout le personnel du PAM pour les efforts déployés en faveur des pays qui font face à des situations alimentaires difficiles, en particulier les pays africains.
Nous avons pris note avec beaucoup de satisfaction du fait que M. Ingram nous a dit qu'un effort serait fait pour promouvoir la coopération triangulaire dans le cadre du PAM. Parlant des opérations triangulaires, nous croyons que c'est une marque d'intérêt que le PAM porte au développement de la production dans nos pays.
Nous avons également noté avec beaucoup de plaisir que le PAM offre maintenant une grande part de son aide aux projets de développement. Le Cap-Vert, du jour de son indépendance, a toujours montré dans la pratique que l'aide du PAM et l'aide alimentaire en général peuvent être très bien utilisées pour les projets de développement: je citerai les projets de reboisement, la lutte contre l'érosion des sols, la conservation des sols, etc.
Par conséquent, ma délégation associe sa voix pour appuyer l'objectif fixé. Nous pensons qu'il faut absolument atteindre cet objectif sinon le Programme alimentaire sera contraint de réduire sensiblement et substantiellement ses opérations et ses engagements. Ma délégation pense donc que cet objectif devra être atteint tant en produits qu'en espèces. Enfin, nous sommes très heureux d'apprendre les bonnes relations existant entre la FAO et le PAM, ainsi que l'a indiqué M. Ingram.
ZHU PEIRONG (China) (original language Chinese): We would like to thank Mr Ingram for his excellent introduction. Since its inception twenty years ago the World Food Programme has provided nearly 250 million people in the world with US$ 7.5 billion-worth of food aid for agricultural development projects, emergency operations and other activities. All this has played a valuable role in promoting the agricultural development and in improving the living standards of the people in the low-income and food-deficit countries. These activities have won universal commendation from developing countries. In today's world some developed countries have food surpluses, while a large number of low-income countries are still suffering food shortages. We therefore think that food aid needs should be further strengthened.
The Chinese delegation fully endorses the proposal made by the Resolutions Committee regarding WFP's Pledging Target. As to how much China will contribute during the period 1987-88, we shall report to our Government for its positive consideration.
Peter WIESMANN (Suisse): Ma délégation aimerait féliciter et remercier M. Ingram, Directeur exécutif du PAM, pour son introduction claire, informative et convaincante.
Un tiers de l'aide alimentaire internationale de la Suisse est canalisé par le Programme alimentaire mondial. C'est donc un partenaire opérationnel important pour notre pays. En plus, en cas de catastrophe, la Suisse met souvent des spécialistes à la disposition du PAM en vue de l'assister dans ses taches logistiques difficiles.
Nous appuyons l'objectif de contributions, pour les années 1987 et 1988, de 1,4 milliard de dollars constitué par 3,25 millions de tonnes de produits alimentaires aux prix courants et par 405 millions de dollars en espèces, approuvé récemment par les Comités des politiques et programmes alimentaires.
Notre délégation tient à souligner combien les activités de la FAO et du PAM sont complémentaires et combien la collaboration des agents des deux institutions est importante si l'on veut tirer profit au mieux des capacités disponibles.
Mlle EDITH RAVAUX (France): Ma délégation remercie M. Ingram pour la présentation claire et intéressante qu'il nous a faite de ce point de l'ordre du jour. Ma délégation souhaite également féliciter le .Directeur exécutif et le personnel du PAM pour l'efficacité du travail accompli ainsi que pour le dévouement manifesté lors des situations d'urgence.
Lors de la vingtième session du Comité des politiques et programmes alimentaires du PAM, en octobre dernier, mon pays a approuvé l'objectif de contribution pour la période 1987-1988 tel qu'il figuredans le document qui nous est présenté. Maélégation souhaite rappeler les observations qu'elle avait faites à cette occasion.
Tout d'abord, nous approuvons l'adoption par le Secrétariat du PAM d'un nouveau système de fixation de l'objectif de contribution établissant une distinction entre les besoins en espèces et en produits. Ce système permettra en effet, d'une part, de mieux adapter aux besoins des projets les ressources alimentaires nécessaires et, d'autre part, d'évaluer les besoins du Programme pour faire face aux dépenses relatives au transport de l'aide alimentaire et à son achat éventuel, notamment dans le cadre d'opérations triangulaires.
Cependant, compte tenu des difficultés rencontrées pour atteindre l'objectif fixé, nous estimons qu'une grande rigueur est nécessaire dans les engagements futurs du PAM afin de parvenir à un juste équilibre entre ces engagements et les ressources disponibles. A cet égard, nous espérons que, lors de la prochaine réunion du CPA, le Secrétariat du PAM pourra déjà nous faire part des progrès réalisés dans ce domaine.
Qu'il me soit enfin permis de rappeler que l'Afrique constitue une priorité non seulement dans l'aide d'urgence mais aussi dans les projets. Et ma délégation souhaite que cette priorité soit clairement marquée dans les années à venir, compte tenu de l'importance des besoins du continent. En conclusion, ma délégation approuve les objectifs fixés dans le projet de résolution qui nous est proposé.
Mme Josefa COELHO DA CRUZ (Angola): En premier lieu, nous tenons à féliciter M. Ingram, Directeur exécutif du PAM, de la manière excellente dont il nous a présenté le document C 85/LIM/5 soumis à notre examen.
Dans mon pays, le PAM joue un rôle très important dans la résolution de certains problèmes graves auxquels mon pays est confronté, notamment en ce qui concerne l'assistance aux populations déplacées et aux réfugiés.
Ainsi, ma délégation voudrait profiter de cette occasion pour exprimer sa satisfaction pour 1'appui du type "Food for work" que le PAM nous donne à travers l'envoi d'aliments destinés aux projets de développememt, qui contribuent en fait à la réhabilitation de notre secteur agricole.
Pour terminer, ma délégation souhaite que l'objectif approuvé en espèces et en produits soit atteint et qu'aboutissent les efforts pour le dépasser et encourager le PAM à poursuivre les activités des opérations triangulaires. Ainsi, ma délégation appuie sans réserve le projet de résolution sur l'objectif de contribution du PAM pour la période 1987-88.
Horst WETZEL (Federal Republic of Germany) (original language German): We would like to thank the Executive Director, Mr Ingram, for his impressive introduction, and on this occaśion we would also like to thank the World Food Programme for the excellent work it has done. The work volume of the Programme which has stabilized at a high level over the last few years reflects the high opinion which the donor community attaches to the effective, efficient activity of the World Food Programme and its management, even in times of limited resources.
The pledging target proposed for the WFP by the 20th Session of the CFA for the biennium 1987-88 to the amount of US$ 1.4 billion, an increase of 3.7 percent over and against the target for the biennium 1985-86, in the final analysis represents a compromise. My Government supports this pledging target, although in view of available experience we would have preferred to have seen a more realistic figure. Additional donors, apart from the traditional donors, are still called upon to participate in the pledging target.
During the deliberations at the 20th Session of the CFA which, alongside its function as a governing body of the World Food Programme, also has the function of acting as a consultative body for the formulation of food aid policies and programmes, the assumed above average requirements of Africa for 1986 played an important role.
Despite good prospects for the harvest which have in the meantime been confirmed, the CFA felt it necessary to provide for continued large food aid deliveries to Africa as follows. First of all, as ongoing emergency food aid in some countries, in view of the continuing structural food deficits and a lack of purchasing power among large sections of the population; and secondly for development projects and for the rehabilitation of the agricultural sector.
However, the plans for 1986 must include the considerable surpluses which at present result from late deliveries on the basis of emergency food pledges for 1984-85 and which will only become available after the new good harvest. In this respect, in view of utilized storage capacities, the spoiling of cereals and the disruption of local markets in recipient countries can only be avoided through careful coordination of the measures to be taken. In particular, every effort must be made to avoid price collapse which would force the peasant farmers to reduce their cultivation measures.
In view of considerable exportable surpluses which are available based on local production, particularly in terms of maize and sorghum in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya, the obvious step is to use these surpluses to cover demands in other neighbouring states where the deficits which I just mentioned exist. This, to a certain extent, is also one of the aspects of ECDC.
The well known aspects of not departing from traditional food habits as well as of lower transportion in costs cannot easily be dismissed in this connection.
My country, in presenting these points, does not of course overlook the fact that these measures are somewhat limited inter-alia because of internal African transportation difficulties.
In terms of the World Food Programme, this form of triangular transactions means that high demands will be made on the World Food Programme's cash resources alongside the possibility of an exchange of available cereals against local varieties. This means that we must attach even greater importance to the rule according to which a third of the contributions which are pledged are made in cash and here, of course, we think primarily in terms of paying for transport costs and similar expenses.
The Federal Republic of Germany has followéd this rule up till now and therefore believes that it thus has the right to encourage other donors who have been more reserved about adhering to it to adjust their attitude accordingly. With regard to the use of cash contributions for buying food for development projects, in particular rehabilitative development projects, obviously we will have to consider whether this so-called "interim stage" or this "detour" of using food resources in the transfer of resources does have a comparative advantagej such as food for work projects. Of course we have to take into account the limits of the so-called "absorptive capacity" which, in turn, is determined by a whole variety of different factors.
In weighing these factors, we must also bear in mind the advantage of the present surplus country where the delivery of foodstuffs to the African neighbouring country with a deficit means that a contribution is being made in stabilizing producer prices and in increasing purchasing power in the surplus country.
In particular, because of the influencing of consumer habits and the strengthening of African producers, we feel that so far as possible food aid measures in Africa should be taken, and if possible, they should be from local production resources. Achieving food security through use of the country's own resources, which is one of the main targets of development policy cooperation. would thus be promoted by this means. This is a target to which the World Food Programme and its Executive Director have made an impressive contribution up till now, and I am quite sure they will increase their efforts to contribute to .this end even further in the future.
For purposes of clarity, I would like to comment that in making these remarks I have consciously limite at 1 was saying to surpluses from African neighbouring states because the question of buyi paying for transport costs for surpluses from more remote surplus countries -for inst India - has not been mentioned in this context up till now.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the World Food Programme for the very rapid assistance it has given, as we have just heard, to those who have been hit by the recent disaster in Colombia.
Henrique da SILVEIRA SARDINHA PINTO (Brazil): Let me first thank Mr James Ingram for the clear introduction of this agenda item. Very briefly, my delegation wishes to reiterate its support for the level of the pledging target approved in the last session of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes. The Brazilian delegation also supports the separate presentation of targets in food and cash components aimed at facilitating the management of the programme.
As regards the target, my delegation considers, however, that in view of the food crisis still prevailing in many developing regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the original proposal of the Executive Director to the CFA would meet in a more consistent way the real needs of the developing countries most affected by hunger and malnutriton.
Our hope was that by accepting the Executive Director's proposal the World Food Programme would conduct its operation at the record levels of 1984 and be much more prepared to achieve success in the fulfillment of its high mandate. We confirm anyway our support for the target indicated in the draft resolution in document C 85/LIM/16.
Lazare GANSORE (Burkina Faso) : Notre delegation tient tout d'abord à remercier le Directeur exécutif, M. Ingram, pour son exposé préliminaire plein d'informations. Nous avons suivi avec une attention particulière son intervention sur les efforts fournis par le PAM pour répondre à des situations d'urgence comme la crise alimentaire africaine ou, tout récemment, les tragiques événements en Colombie.
Nous tenons à rendre hommage au Directeur exécutif du PAM, au personnel du PAM, à la communauté internationale et aux donateurs des efforts consentis pour sauver de nombreuses vies humaines dans plusieurs régions du monde.
Nous nous félicitons du fait que, sur la proposition du Directeur exécutif, le CPA ait recommandé urne décomposition de l'objectif de contributions en denrées alimentaires et en espèces. A ce. propos, il y a lieu de relever l'importance et la nécessité des disponibilités en espèces pour le Programme. Ces espèces permettent au Programme d'apporter un appui précieux aux pays bénéficiaires dans les domaines du transport, du stockage et des communications. Nous encourageons le PAM dans les opérations triangulaires et, comme l'a dit le Directeur exécutif dans son exposé préliminaire, l'amélioration de la production vivrière dans certains pays d'Afrique, cette année, devrait permettre au PAM d'intensifier ses efforts en ce sens.
En ce qui concerne plus particulièrement l'objectif proposé, comme nous l'avons indiqué lors de la dernière session du CPA, nous aurions préféré un objectif plus élevé. Toutefois, dans un esprit de conciliation, nous avons accepté cet objectif comme base de référence en espérant que, lors de la Conférence de contributions, en 1986, cet objectif pourra être dépassé par des contributions volontaires supplémentaires, tant il est vrai que les demandes de financement de projets ne feront que se multiplier et que le programme lui-même est en mesure d'amplifier ses activités.
Michael A. COMMINS (Australia: We listened with considerable interest to Mr Ingram's important and thought-provoking statement and we thank him for it. We wish to reaffirm our support for the proposed nature and size of the target which, as other speakers have noted, is the product of a compromise achieved after a frank and cordial discussion between the 20th Session of the CFA, the governing body of the WFP, in the best traditions of cooperation between countries working together in a multilateral system.
As we underlined at the Eighty-eighth Session of the Council the decision of the CFA was not only in recognition of the continuing and diverse needs for food aid but also a reflection of the high regard which all countries have for the Executive Director, senior management and staff of the WFP, for the relevancy, efficiency and effectiveness of its Field Programmes. We congratulate WFP for its significant achievements especially with regard to the crisis situation in Africa. We join with other delegations in urging additional donors to come forward to augment contributions of the traditional donors in an endeavour to achieve the target; This is particularly important at a time of increased and competing demands on the finite resources of traditional donors.
We also attach importance to triangular transactions and are presently working with the WFP in exchanging Australian wheat for other grain in food surplus African countries to meet continuing food aid needs in neighbouring states. At present more than one-half of Australia's food aid is channelled through the WFP and more than one-third of the value of our contribution to the Programme is provided in cash.
Turning now to item 17, we are heartened by the constructive dialogue that now exists between WFP and FAO with regard to the implementation of the administrative measures consequent upon the report of the Secretary General and the Director-General of FAO. We look forward to considering and hopefully endorsing at the Twenty-first session of the CFA a conclusive report of the outcome of this very important exercise so that we can reaffirm our support in a significant way for WFP.
We are also confident that a number of other relationship issues of special concern to the WFP and to Australia will also be settled amically and speedily. These relate to some remaining aspects of negotiations concerning the basis of costing of services provided by the FAO and to the pressing need to overcome the present serious Headquarters accommodation.
Finally we fully endorse the text of the draft resolution as presented and recommend that it be approved by the Conference.
Sr. Ricardo MARTINEZ MUÑOZ (Namibia): Felicitamos al Sr. Ingram por la presentación que ha hecho del tema. La Delegación de Namibia considera pragmático el nuevo enfoque de la Promesa de contribuir parte en dinero y parte en productos para 1987/88. Esta nueva modalidad es realmente constructiva y merece nuestro apoyo.
La Delegación de Namibia apoya el proyecto de resolución contenido en el documento C 85/LIM/5 pero reitera que se haga un llamado vigoroso a los donantes actuales y en potencia para que en la próxima Conferencia de Promesas se logre alcanzar y superar esta finalidad.
La Delegación de Namibia apoya plenamente la política diseñada por el Director Ejecutivo sobre transacciones triangulares del Programa para que, con los actuales excedentes de algunos países africanos, se encuentre la posibilidad o la oportunidad de prestar ayuda a los pobres africanos con cereales cultivados por agricultores africanos.
La Delegación de Namibia, cuyo territorio ha recibido de la FAO proyectos de asistencia y del PMA ayuda alimentaria para sus habitantes, registra con beneplácito las excelentes relaciones existentes entre dichas instituciones lo mismo que con la UNICEF, vinculación que tanto contribuye a aunar esfuerzos en favor -de los países en desarrollo.
Queremos destacar la forma eficaz con que el PMA ha operado en casos de emergencia en Africa y América Latina, en las últimas tragedias que han azotado a esas regiones.
Ibrahima KABA (Guinée): L'exposé du Directeur exécutif, M. Ingram, est profondément édifiant; les vérités qu'il a prononcées telles "les Africains ont faim parce qu'ils sont pauvres" constituent réellement le fondement de notre civilisation. Ainsi, dans tous les cas l'aide alimentaire doit servir le développement dans tous les domaines: infrastructurel, social, productif, etc. A ce prix seul les pays en développement seront mis à l'abri du besoin urgent.
Quant au bref rapport sur les opérations d'assistance, les difficultés rencontrées, les.efforts considérables réalisés, ces informations précises se recoupent avec les nombreux films et interviews régulièrement présentés sur les écrans de télévision.
Nous félicitons le personnel de terrain pour son courage et son efficacité et nous remercions les donateurs. Nous apprécions particulièrement la promptitude de la réaction du PAM face à la catastrophe en Colombie.
Par ailleurs la délégation guinéenne a attentivement suivi en tant qu'observateur les importants travaux du CPA et ceux du Conseil concernant le point qui nous préoccupe. L'atmosphère de compréhension mutuelle et surtout le souci d'améliorer l'organisation et l'efficacité de l'aide alimentaire qui ont caractérisé les délibérations ont permis d'aboutir à des résultats fructueux. Ma délégation s'en félicite et pense donc que le projet de résolution qui nous est soumis mérite notre soutien; nous le considérons comme une ficelle solide qui soutient le Pacte de sécurité alimentaire mondiale. Par conséquent nous recommandons son approbation par notre Conférence.
Enfin, nous considérons les opérations triangulaires comme une solution appropriée de la coopération entre pays en développement, surtout en Afrique, et nous l'encourageons. Nous nous félicitons des excellentes relations de coopération entre le PAM et la FAO.
Hiroshi NAKAGAWA (Japan): Just for a minor clarification concerning the statement made by the representative from Namibia. I notice that he is the representative of Colombia so I would like to know how the Secretariat deals with the verbatim record.
EL PRESIDENTE: Quisiera explicar al distinguido Representante del Japón que el Consejo de las Naciones Unidas de Namibia, integrado por 31 Estados Miembros, designó a uno de esos 31 Estados Miembros, a Colombia, para que le representara en esta Conferencia. La situación fue consultada oportunamente al asesor legal de la Organización y, en esas condiciones, uno de esos 31 Estados Miembros (como en otra ocasión ha sido otro), un delegado de Colombia, representa a Namibia.
Michel MOMBOULI (Congo): Permettez-nous tout d'abord de remercier M. Ingram, Directeur exécutif du PAM, qui a bien voulu venir passer quelques instants de son temps avec nous. Nous voulons le remercier aussi pour son propos liminaire fort précis concernant le document C 85/LIM/5.
Notre pays qui est membre à la fois du CPA et du Conseil a activement pris part aux intenses négociations qui ont abouti à la proposition du niveau de contributions de 1 400 millions de dollars E.-U. qui nous est soumise actuellement pour la période 1987-88. Devant les besoins intenses des pays en développement, nous pouvons dire sans nous tromper que ce niveau sera insuffisant. C'est pourquoi nous ressentons dès à présent la nécessité pour les donateurs d'envisager de faire des contributions supplémentaires.
Nous considérons pour notre part l'éclatement de l'objectif de contribution en deux éléments distincts, à savoir, 405 millions de dollars E.-U. et 3,25 millions de tonnes de produits, comme une innovation, et bien qu'un certain nombre de pays aient déjà exprimé les difficultés qu'ils risquent d'éprouver en raison de la réglementation en vigueur chez eux pour contribuer dans la proportion voulue à cet objectif, nous tenons à souligner la nécessité qu'ils contribuent malgré tout en espèces car le PAM en a besoin pour faire face à un certain nombre de frais et nous pensons en particulier au coût de transport des produits qui seront mis à disposition.
Nous saisissons cette occasion supplémentaire pour dire tout le bien que le Gouvernement du Congo pense du PAM avec qui il entretient d'excellentes relations. Nous réaffirmons donc à cette occasion le soutien de notre gouvernement au PAM, à son personnel ainsi qu'à son Directeur exécutif, M. Ingram, pour l'oeuvre accomplie.
Bien que nous aurions aimé voir retenu un objectif plus élevé, par souci d'équilibre nous sommes prêts à accepter que le niveau de contribution qui nous est proposé, à savoir 1 400 millions de dollars E.-U., puisse rencontrer notre appui, et c'est à ce titre que nous sommes prêts à souscrire au projet de résolution proposé à la Conférence aux fins d'approbation de ce niveau de contribution.
Nous lançons un vibrant appel aux donateurs pour qu'ils prennent part massivement à la prochaine conférence prévue pour le début de l'année 1986 et nous espérons vivement qu'ils pourront y donner suite. Nous appuyons les opérations triangulaires et nous nous félicitons du bon climat de travail qui règne actuellement entre le PAM et la FAO.
Daniel Konan YOMAN (Côte d'Ivoire): Je crois qu'il est indéniable que le Programme alimentaire mondial fonctionne à notre satisfaction tant ici à Rome que sur le terrain car il a soulagé rapidement et aussi largement qu'il est possible les nombreuses victimes de la faim, et des catastrophes naturelles qui se produisent encore trop souvent, et cela en dépit des problèmes de logistique qui ne sont pas toujours de son fait.
C'est pourquoi mon gouvernement souscrit au projet de résolution qui nous est présenté, notamment à l'objectif des 1 400 millions de dollars E.-U. tel que formulé dans le document C 85/LIM/5, et que les pays donateurs certainement rempliront.
Mon gouvernement est aussi satisfait de constater que de plus en plus l'aide aux projets de développement prend le pas sur l'aide d'urgence quoi que cette dernière reste encore à un niveau élevé. C'est à notre avis la vraie direction à suivre si l'on veut arriver à effacer progressi-vement le spectre de la faim sur notre continent.
M. Ingram nous a présenté avec précision les activités du Programme et si je ne me trompe pas, je crois avoir entendu que début 1986 le PAM aidera les pays qui le souhaitent à préparer leurs projets. C'est une initiative en matière de formation qui rencontre notre adhésion.
J'aurai terminé quand j'aurai exprimé ici devant la Conférence la satisfaction de tous les groupes africains de constater l'amélioration constante des rapports à tous les niveaux entre le PAM et la FAO et le renforcement des relations du PAM avec le FIDA. Toutes ces agences du système des Nations Unies doivent rester très proches les unes des autres et joindre quotidiennement leurs efforts en les coordonnant davantage sur le terrain.
Hussein AL-AHMAD (Syria) (original language Arabic): Allow me first to express our deep gratitude to Mr Ingram, Executive Director of the World Food Programme. We also wish to thank all the Programme's staff for the immense efforts they have undertaken and will continue to undertake to save the lives of millions of human beings.
We wish to declare our full satisfaction with the proposed targets. We find the Programme is a reasonable one and we wish to express our approval of it.
Hiroshi NAKAGAWA (Japan): The Japanese delegation is pleased to join with many previous speakers in supporting the draft resolution on the new pledging target of US$ 1.4 billion formulated at the last session of the CFA. Since the gaps between the targets and actual pledges have gradually been increasing over recent years, and given that the existing donor countries share the burden in making the contributions, we hope that efforts will be made by WFP to seek out new possible donors in order to mobilize additional resources.
Concerning the cash portion of the target, I would like to underline the importance that all donors comply with the WFP General Regulations stipulating that donors should aim at providing a cash component of at least one-third of the total contribution.
Taking this opportunity, my delegation commends WFP for its successful achievement and efficient management so far made in the field of development food aid as well as in emergency assistance, particularly in Africa, and we express our continuous support to the World Food Programme.
M. Afzaf QADIR (Pakistan): We could like in the first instance to sincerely congratulate Mr Ingram on the characteristic clarity with which he has made his presentation, illuminating the areas and situations of concern to WFP which triggered a prompt response from it.
Being ourselves a beneficiary of the Programme's activities, both on account of emergency and food for development projects, we are beholden to the Programme, and particularly the Executive Director, for the enviable record of service that the Programme has been able to build for itself.
I would like to give expression of our gratitude to the small staff of the Programme by citing a quotation from the late Sir Winston Churchill, though Sir Winston Churchill made this remark in a different context: "Never perhaps in the history of mankind was so much owed by so many to so few."
We commend the Programme's role in helping the countries afflicted by hunger and famine, especially in Africa, and for extending valuable assistance to developing countries in the form of food-for-work development projects.
On still another front, the Programme is assisting the poorer countries, that is in waging a war against malnourishment. We note with encouragement the collaboration of the Programme with UNICEF.
We have been informed by Mr Ingram that in 1984-85 12 million tons of food aid were provided, of which 20 percent was handled by WFP. While this is a highly laudable record, it should not give us any cause for satisfaction because it demonstrates the enormity of suffering which still afflicts our world. Therefore it is high time that the developing countries and the international community gave some thought to the question of coming to grips with the root cause of the problem. Hunger is no doubt symptomatic of poverty, but poverty can also be self-perpetuating if it generates over-dependence.
It gives me great pleasure, Mr Chairman, to inform you and the house that Pakistan in its own modest way continues to pledge food for the Programme's activities to help it fight against famine and to respond to emergencies.
Having said what I have just said, we welcome the proposed target of US$ 1.4 billion for the biennium 1987-88. It is our confident hope that the international community in its traditional display of solicitude for the poor and the deprived will come forward in more than fulfilling the target set for the ensuing biennium.
T.E. KITLELI (Lesotho): Please allow my delegation to express its thanks and appreciation to Mr Ingram, the Executive Director of WFP, who has without fail enlightened us on the existing operational activities of WFP.
We take it that this item on the agenda features very high because it focuses upon the livelihood of human beings. My delegation would not like to repeat what Mr Ingram said during the early part of this afternoon, but it wishes fully to agree with him that the African Continent has problems. Among those, my delegation can mention the economic crisis, natural disasters and political ones.
My delegation fully associates itself with the statement presented by the delegate óf Malawi. My delegation has already expressed its views on this item in previous fora. However, as duty bound, we wish to register our full support to the proposed pledging target.
It is gratifying to note that there will be another session next year, 1986, reflecting on some of the ideas presented today. My delegation definitely commends the Executive Director for such an excellent initiative. My delegation holds firmly that the planned conference for 1986 will provide a golden opportunity to have cross pollination of ideas for the purpose of bettering those countries, in particular Africa, which are still struggling to improve their living standards.
My delegation is also encouraged to note the good relationship that exists between FAO and WFP and we hope it continues. My delegation once more echoes its support on the far-sightedness of the Organization. In conclusion, my delegation endorses the resolution presented to us.
H. REDL (Austria) (original language German): First I would like to sincerely thank Mr Ingram for the introduction he gave on this point of the agenda. It is with great interest that my
country consistently follows the activities of WFP. In particular, we would welcome the organization of aid measures for the region of Africa and we congratulate you on the organization of triangular transactions.
Since the WFP came into existence, its activities have been supported by Austria in the form of cash and kind contributions. We also believe that in the future, food aid will continue to be necessary and therefore in future we will continue to support the work performed by the World Food Programme. We can agree to the suggested pledging target for the biennium 1987-88 to the tune of US$ 1 400 million.
Sadok DJELLOULI (Tunisie): Au nom de la délégation tunisienne, je tiens à saluer M. Ingram et à lui adresser mes vifs remerciements, ainsi qu'à l'ensemble du personnel du PAM, pour les louables services rendus à l'humanité.
Je tiens également à féliciter le Directeur exécutif pour son excellent exposé et sa parfaite introduction à cet important point de notre ordre du jour concernant l'objectif de contribution du PAM pour l'exercice biennal 1987-88.
Je voudrais souligner le rôle important que joue l'aide alimentaire destinée tant au développement qu'aux urgences. La capacité du PAM à gérer efficacement un volume de plus en plus croissant d'aide alimentaire n'est plus à démontrer, et sa grande expérience en la matière n'a fait que renforcer son action. Il constitue de ce fait l'organisation fondamentale de transmission de l'aide alimentaire multilatérale.
Nous tenons à rendre hommage au Programme alimentaire mondial pour les réalisations accomplies dans le domaine de l'assistance au développement, ainsi que pour l'aide d'urgence fournie particulièrement aux pays africains victimes die la sécheresse qui a sévi au cours de la dernière décennie.
Le document dont nous sommes saisis concernant l'objectif de contribution du PAM pour les années 1987-88 traite d'un sujet auquel est lié l'avenir du Programme et essentiellement celui des pays qui ont besoin d'aide alimentaire.
Ma délégation appuie fermement le texte de la résolution qui est soumis à notre approbation dans le document C 85/LIM/5. Nous aurions souhaité que cet objectif soit plus élevé et corresponde aux chiffres indicatifs initialement annoncés à la vingtième session du CPA.
Ma délégation accueille favorablement la proposition de fixer l'objectif en tonnes pour les produits et en dollars pour les espèces. Cette procédure constitue une amélioration car elle est plus conforme au fonctionnement du PAM.
Ma délégation est également favorable au soutien des opérations triangulaires permettant à certains pays africains d'utiliser leurs excédents pour fournir en céréales cultivées d'autres pays africains moins fortunés. Nous apprécions particulièrement l'aspect de solidarité de ces opérations et nous souhaiterions les voir s'élargir.
E. MARTENS (Belgium): We can fully support the resolution on the World Food Programme Proposed Pledging Target as it stands in document C 85/LIM/5. We would like to emphasize the importance of monitoring and evaluation of the food-for-work projects in particular on the aspects of governments' participation. Therefore, we would like to urge all parties concerned to join efforts in order to strengthen the efficiency of the evaluation service. It is my Government's intention to make use as much as possible of the so-called triangular transactions, especially now that some African countries seem to have recovered so far that they may even have surpluses in food production.
In conclusion my delegation wants to express its general appreciation of the WFP activities and we very much welcome the good spirit of cooperation that now seems to prevail in the relationship between WFP and FAO.
EL PRESIDENTE: La delegación de Mauritania ha enviado un texto que, con la venia de la Comisión, se insertará en las actas.
Anwar KHALED (People's Democratic Republic of Yemen) (original language Arabic): Allow me first of all to express our gratitude and thanks to the Executive Director of the World Food Programme for his clear presentation of the document under discussion.
We have followed with great attention the contents of all the documents dealing with the World Food Programme in this Conference and especially the document currently before us which deals with the proposed Pledging Target for 1987-88.
My delegation had thought that the earlier figure was the appropriate figure considering the world economic situation and the vital tasks that still befall the Programme. My country has a long and successful experience and relationship with the Programme which is financing a number of development projects in several fields in my country.
We fully appreciate the support and we appreciate the enthusiasm and the dedication of the staff of the Programme at headquarters and in the field. We would like therefore to declare our full support for the proposed target and Resolution. We support the division of the pledge into 3.25 million tons of food and US$405 million in cash and we call on and urge all donors to fulfill their pledges. We further support the Executive Director's policies on triangular transactions.
Guillermo E. GONZALEZ (Argentina): Deseamos también unirnos a las felicitaciones tan justamente formuladas al Director Ejecutivo del Programa Mundial de Alimentos, Sr. Ingram, tanto por la presentación que nos hiciera del tema, como fundamentalmente por la excelente labor desarrollada por ese Organismo y por usted, Sr. Director Ejecutivo, al frente de esa Organización.
La delegación argentina ha apoyado en el CPA, en el Consejo de la FAO y aquí el proyecto de resolución, fijando el objetivo de contribuciones en un nivel de 1 400 millones de EE.UU. dólares. Sabemos perfectamente que esa cifra es producto de amables negociaciones, pero estamos convencidos de que, con la firme voluntad de la comunidad internacional, podremos alcanzar, sin mayores dificultades, ese objetivo.
La Argentina, a pesar de las dificultades que afectan a los países en desarrollo, ha participado en las labores del Programa Mundial de Alimentos y lo continuaremos haciendo hasta el límite de nuestras posibilidades. Es en-este concepto, señor Presidente, que participaremos y anunciaremos en el foro y en el momento adecuado, el nivel de nuestra contribución para el período' de 1986-87.
Sin embargo, deseo en esta ocasión informar de que he recibido en el día de hoy instrucciones para hacer conocer al Programa Mundial de Alimentos y a esta sala que el gobierno argentino ha dispuesto realizar una contribución adicional, correspondiente al año 1985, de 18 000 toneladas de cereales, divididos en 15 000 toneladas de trigo y 3 000 toneladas de maíz, todas ellas con destino a los países más afectados de Africa. Esta modesta contribución tiende a colaborar con nuestros hermanos de Africa en un momento difícil, en el que creemos que la comunidad internacional debe reconocer la prioridad de ese continente.
Por último, y en otro orden de cosas, deseo también dejar constancia de nuestro firme apoyo a las llamadas operaciones triangulares, que sin lugar a dudas tienen un efecto beneficioso, de carácter multiplicador, para todos los países en desarrollo.
Sra. Doña Mercedes RUIZ ZAPATA (México): Estamos particularmente complacidos por la presentación hecha por el Sr. Ingram de este tema, pero quisiera enfatizar dos aspectos de la misma que me perecen de gran relevancia.
En primer lugar, el compromiso del PMA de utilizar la ayuda alimentaria para el desarrollo. En efecto, no podríamos entender que fuera de otra manera. El objetivo primordial -repito, primordial- de la ayuda alimentaria debe convertirse en un cauce o bien en un complemento del desarrollo. Si bien sabemos que la ayuda es puramente de emergencia, con propósitos humanitarios puede o tiende a ser deducida de la ayuda para el desarrollo, no sería conveniente plantearla como opuesta o en competencia.
Confíamos en que el Programa sabrá encontrar fórmulas para administrar la ayuda, incluso la de emergencia, en una forma que sea compatible con el objetivo común del desarrollo.
Otros de los aspectos que me ha llamado la atención es la mención hecha por el Director Ejecutivo de que en Africa la crisis alimentaria ha sido provocada sólo en parte por la sequía. De esta afirmación podemos sacar dos conclusiones. En primer lugar, que los problemas alimentarios de Africa son de carácter estructural y, por lo tanto, para resolverlos hay que atacar esa causa. En segundo lugar, que este tipo de situaciones pueden presentarse igualmente en otros continentes.
Hay que estar muy alerta para evitar que esto suceda y el PMA puede ser de gran ayuda para prevenirlo, siguiendo de cerca la situación alimentaria de todas las regiones y proponiendo proyectos de mediano y largo plazo, cuyo efecto sea duradero y ayude a combatir esas causas estructurales que impiden a nuestros países la autosuficiencia, ya sea nacional o colectiva.
La delegación de México quiere expresar, en relación con el objetivo de promesas, que, si bien reconocemos que es el resultado de un delicado proceso de negociación, en el cual nosotros mismos participamos bajo la acertada dirección del Presidente del CPA, hubiéramos preferido que se adoptara la propuesta inicial del Director Ejecutivo, que combinaba las necesidades reales y creciente de todos los países en desarrollo y las posibilidades de los países donantes. A pesar de lo cual sólo nos queda apoyar plenamente el objetivo tal como fue negociado, expresando, sin embargo, que se debe hacer un esfuerzo por parte de todos los donantes y posibles donantes para lograr que el objetivo propuesto se logre y sea incluso superado.
Deseamos felicitar al Direc-tor Ejecutivo por haber presentado por primera vez un objetivo con dos elementos establecidos, los cuales facilitará sin duda las posibilidades del Programa para responder de una manera eficiente a las solicitudes de ayuda alimentaria.
No está de más añadir, de nuevo la solicitud a los grandes tradicionales donantes para que, al anunciar sus promesas de contribución, incluyan sus aportaciones a la RAIE y, sobre todo, para que se respete el contenido de los textos básicos y consideren que un tercio de sus contribuciones deben ser en efectivo.
Por último, deseo expresar el agradecimiento de mi Gobierno por la ayuda brindada con motivo del terremoto que dañó a la ciudad de México y por el hecho de que se responda en esa manera efectiva y oportuna en todos los casos de desastre, como el reciente de Colombia.
Nuestro apoyo total al PMA y solidaridad por este tipo de acciones.
Alex Louis TANIS (Haǐti): Je commencerai par remercier M. Ingram de sa présentation édifiante et précise. La délégation d'Haïti appuie l'objectif des contributions volontaires de 1,4 milliard de dollars équivalant à 3,25 millions de tonnes de produits alimentaires aux prix courants et de 405 millions de dollars en espèces.
Ma délégation apprécie les réalisations du Programme telles qu'elles ont été décrites par le Directeur exécutif, M. Ingram, et note avec satisfaction l'économie et l'efficacité de sa gestion.
Ma délégation apprécie la ventilation de l'objectif de contributions proposé, en nature et en espèces, et regrette qu'un niveau plus élevé n'ait pas été atteint. Elle demande aux Etats Membres de faire tout ce qui est possible pour que les contributions soient versées en temps voulu et qu'à celles-ci viennent s'ajouter d'importantes contributions supplémentaires.
Ma délégation est reconnaissante au PAM de l'aide accrue accordée à l'Afrique. Elle estime que le PAM s'est acquitté avec brio de toutes les missions qu'il a réalisées, que ce soit dans le cadre de
ses interventions régulières, grâce auxquelles certains bénéficiaires ont pu mener des projets destinés à aider les petits exploitants à augmenter leur productivité et, partant, leurs revenus, que ce soit dans le cadre de ses interventions d'urgence, pour ne citer que l'Afrique, le Mexique et la Colombie. Et comment ma délégation passerait-elle sous silence le programme du "non food item", qui a servi d'appui à la conduite des nombreuses activités telles que la mise en place d'infrastructures routières, d'irrigation et de conservation du sol?
De plus, ma délégation espère que les Etats Membres répondront à l'appel du Secrétaire général et du Directeur général de la FAO et qu'ils sauront se montrer généreux quand la Conférence des contributions convoquée à cet effet se réunira au siège des Nations Unies, au début de 1986.
Pour conclure, ma délégation est satisfaite des opérations triangulaires et souhaite que la Conférence vote ce projet de résolution relatif à l'objectif de contributions du PAM pour la période 1987-88.
Douglas LINDORES (Canada): May I first express my 'deep appreciation to the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Mr Ingram, for his introduction to this item. Canada is pleased to endorse the pledging target for the 1987-88 biennium as presented to this Conference by the governing body of the World Food Programme, the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes. The level of the target represents very significant real growth over the level that will be realized in the present biennium and reflects our confidence in the WFP. The target is an ambitious one which in our view represents a certain compromise between the requirement to establish a realistic target in order to contribute to effective programming in the WFP on the one hand, while at the same time providing an incentive to encourage donors to even greater efforts.
We are somewhat more reserved about the decision to divide the target into cash and commodity components at current prices. A number of the major donors, for reasons relating to their budgetary processes, are unable to assume the commodity price risks that are inherent in commodity pledgee. In some circumstances the proposed system could in fact work against the overall interests of the Programme, in a situation of falling prices for example, or where a government deliberately pledges conservatively to ensure it will have the necessary budgetary allocations available to purchase the promised commodities during the Programme period. We nevertheless recognize the positive objectives of the Executive Director and are able to accept the wording of the proposed resolution.
Canada would urge the World Food Programme and its member governments not to forget the foundation of the World Food Programme's great success, its ability to use donated commodities effectively and efficiently for humanitarian and developmental purposes. It is in that context that my Government will keep the Programme's cash requirements under close on .going review. I would like to repeat a very brief portion'of the statement made by the head of the Canadian delegation in his statement to the Plenary: "The Executive Director of the World Food Programme, the Director-General of the FAO and the Secretary-General of the United Nations are all to be commended for recognizing and responding to the new requirements for the management of the World Food Programme. We support the full implementation and consolidation of these new relationships. This process, when completed, will help to ensure our continued and growing support for the World Food Programme." In this respect two items require urgent attention: a new and clarified basis of costing for charges made by the FAO for services provided to the World Food Programme, and a resolution of WFP's urgent problem of office accommadation and the charges WFP pays for that accommadation.
In conclusion, let me ask the Executive Director to convey to his dedicated staff our deep gratitude for their extraordinary response, in addition to their normal activities, to the African crisis over the past year. When the definitive history of the world's response to this tragic situation is written, it will clearly record that the World Food Programme was in the forefront of meaningful and concrete action.
Mme SANGO Ya TAMBWE (Zaīre): Ma délégation tient à remercier M. Ingram pour l'exposé très clair qu'il a fait sur l'objectif de contributions pour 1987-88. Nous tenons à signaler que le Conseil
exécutif apprécie les activités du PAM qui, malgré les difficultés d'acheminement des produits dans ce vaste pays, a su épauler efficacement le gouvernement dans ses efforts en vue de résoudre le problème alimentaire des réfugiés. Ainsi, le Zaǐre ne peut qu'appuyer l'objectif de contributions et il espère que la communauté des donateurs fera tout pour atteindre le niveau souhaité par le Directeur exécutif.
T.F.F. MALUZA. (Zambia): My delegation would like to thank and congratulate the Executive Director Mr Ingram, for his clear and excellent introduction to the subject under review. My delegation notes with appreciation the manner in which the WFP has been operating for the twenty years or so of its existence. Its work is fully supported by my delegation. The Executive Director, Mr Ingram, should be congratulated for the able manner in which he has managed the Programme. We support the target and the budget of the Programme for the next biennium, and would urge the world community and donors to also support it. The new system of budgetting in cash and commodities is fully supported.
My delegation is somewhat concerned about the scattering of office accommodation for the WFP staff. We would urge the Executive Director and FAO alike to do their utmost to house all FAO personnel here in Rome in one building.
With all its successes in emergency food operations, the time is now ripe for the WFP to give more and more attention to the development of food aid so as to enable the affected countries to produce their own food requirements. As emergency food requirements are under way, the WFP should help the affected countries who do not have the programmes to enable the people themselves to be producers. The means of production should be made available to the people. In this respect, fertilizer aid should be considered.
My delegation welcomes the emphasis which the Executive Director has put on triangular transactions: the need for such triangular transactions cannot be over-emphasized. My delegation is therefore urging donors to make available to the WFP enough cash to cover the money requirements for triangular transactions, as well as to meet inland transportation in the least developed countries, and more so in Africa.
The time is also ripe for the WFP to consider food aid for strengthening agricultural extension services in developing countries. This component should be incorporated into agricultural development food aid programmes.
The fact that the differences between FAO and WFP are now being solved and that the working relationship has improved means that the WFP is now in a better position to work out and execute programmes for the bētterment of man in the developing countries, and particularly in Africa, where hunger and malnutrition are the order of the day. In all of this, my delegation has no doubt that FAO and WFP will work together in harmony and unity of purpose.
Once more, my delegation would like to give full support to the WFP Pledging Target and the Resolution which goes along with it.
JOHAN SYAHPERI SALEH (Indonesia): On behalf of the Indonesian Government I would, like to convey our gratitude to the Executive Director and staff of WFP for their able management and efficient work which assures the management of the activities of WFP programmes in a satisfactory manner.
We in Indonesia, like the other developing countries, enjoy a very close cooperation with WFP. This cooperation is not only in development programmes in our country but also in meeting humanitarian needs such as the rice and edible oil supply for the Vietnamese refugees in Golong Islands, Indonesia.
We are pleased to express our full confidence in the satisfactory work undertaken by the Executive Director and staff in the future.
In conclusion, the Indonesian delegation expresses its full support for the Resolution and for the Pledging Target for 1987-1988.
Pinchai PONGPAET (Thailand): First, the Thai delegation would like to thank the Executive Director of WFP for his comprehensive introduction to this WFP's Proposed Pledging Target for 1987-88. We appreciate the activities of the Programme which provide extensive assistance to the needy people, especially in Africa.
My delegation would like to reaffirm its support for the proposed WFP Pledging Target for 1987-88. I would like to recall that the proposed target was recommended by the Committee for Food Aid Policies and Programmes at its Twentieth session and subsequently endorsed by the Council at its Eighty-eighth session early this month.
As a member of the Committee for Food Aid Policies and Programmes, my delegation would like to recall further that the proposed target was reached after long discussions among the friends of the Chair, under Mr Høstmark of Norway. My delegation wishes to take this opportunity to commend the Chairman's effort and the spirit of cooperation, especially among the major donor countries, which resulted in the proposed target as appears in the document C 85/LIM/5.
It is for the first time that the World Food Programme's Pledging Target has been presented separately in terms of food and cash. The merit of the proposal as initiated by the Executive Director lies in the fact that the cash will help the Programme to ship food to the needy people in time. It will strengthen the Programme's services and increase the Programme's activities in triangular transactions.
The role of WFP in helping to purchase food from developing countries to help developing countries cannot be over emphasized. Thailand as a developing country and net food exporter, would like to offer its full cooperation to the WFP in the exercise of triangular transactions.
In conclusion my delegation would like to endorse the resolution on WFP's Pledging Target for 1987-88 and urge the traditional donor countries to help the WFP to achieve the target.
R.W.M. JOHNSON (New Zealand): New Zealand fully supports the activities of the WFP. We appreciate the introductory remarks by Mr Ingram in opening the discussion, and we will be glad to continue to contribute milk-powder for the special objectives he described.
New Zealand supports the targets proposed in the resolution and approved by Council. New Zealand is considering its contribution to the proposed triangular arrangement in Africa. New Zealand will be considering its specific contribution towards thé target for the 1987-88 bieñnium, but future support is guaranteed.
Abdel Moneim Mohamed EL-SHEIKH (Sudan) (original language Arabic): As a representative of one of the African countries which has been suffering from famine during the last two years and particularly in 1985, I would like to thank WFP for the important role it has played, not only in the field of supplies of food but also in its distribution. This shows the importance of WFP, particularly when very difficult circumstances prevail, and the WFP has demonstrated its ability to cope with these difficult situations. This action has therefore been the crowning of a number of WFP projects in Sudan, particularly concerning a number of specific development projects. The suffering which Africa has undergone during the last two years - which could strike other countries as well - this suffering, this crisis is not due to the drought nor to changes in climate; the deep-rooted reason for this crisis, as Mr Ingram said, is underdevelopment. and the weakness of economic and social structures. This means that an effective remedy for Africa's dramatic situation has to be found, and it must involve development of local and national facilities and also increased production.
Such a task demands considerable efforts. It is a long term task which also demands considerable investment in terms of time and money by the developed countries. Until the developing countries have themselves become self-sufficient, their needs will continue and they will continue to need international support. The WFP can play a fundamental role in this field, particularly in connection with aid to carry out development projects.
In view of this, we feel that the invitation to us all to give support to this programme as laid down in the document which we are discussing is a target to which we would subscribe. We also call for international cooperation to support the programme, and would thank international cooperation for what it has done until now. In conclusion, I would like to thank the WFP for
the buying of agricultural produce from countries which have had good harvests in order to pass them on to countries which are suffering from a food shortage. The importance of this approach is that once we have achieved all the targets of the programme at a lower cost than envisaged, we will be able to help other agricultural sectors which might also be suffering from deficits due to an increase in prices. These countries will therefore be able to benefit from this food surplus, which will be of help to them in time of crisis. We hope that the other countries will follow this example in terms of buying food products from developing countries to be distributed to other developing countries.
Srta. Delia de VILLAMONTE (Panama): La delegación de Panamá desea en primer lugar agradecer al Director Ejecutivo por su clara introducción del tema. Igualmente deseamos felicitar por la eficaz y productiva labor en pro de la ayuda alimentaria multilateral, especialmente en los pueblos de Africa.
En cuanto al proyecto de Resolución de Promesas de contribución para el período 1987-88 mi delegación apoyó la misma en el útlimo período del Consejo y brinda su total apoyo al proyecto a considerarse en esta Conferencia, en primer lugar la propuesta del Director Ejecutivo de alcanzar los objetivos de promesas tanto en alimentos como en divisas.
Igualmente apoyamos la convocatoria de una Conferencia de Promesas de Contribución a celebrarse a principios de 1988. Finalmente nos unimos al llamado del Director Ejecutivo señalado en el párrafo 64 relativo a la política de acción triangular y a la priorización del continente africano.
H. Peters STRONG (United States of America): My delegation thanks the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Mr James C. Ingram, for his introductory remarks. His concise and informative summary of the World Food Programme's activities over the past years was most welcome. The emergency situation in Africa has demanded an extra perfomance on the part of the World Food Programme, as the Executive Director has so clearly stated. My delegation takes this opportunity to commend not only the leadership of World Food Programme but also its small and dedicated staff who have sustained an extraordinary output over this particular period.
As a member of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes attending the most recent session of the CFA, my delegation reiterates here our expressions of appreciation for the work of the joint United Nations/FAO Task Force. We compliment the Executive Director of WFP and the Director-General of FAO for their cooperation and collaboration over the past months in the swift implementation of most of the recommendations of this Task Force. We have noted their assurances that the same diligent effort will continue as the remaining recommendations are carried out.
My delegation looks forward to the final report at CFA 21 in the spring of 1986. Further, we look forward to the continued harmony that recently has been apparent between FAO and WFP.
Finally the delegation of the United States of America joins in accepting the CFA proposed US$ 1.4 billion Pledging Target for the biennium 1987-88 and urges the Conference's unanimous approval.
H. HØSTMARK (Norway): Please forgive our delegation for coming back again, but when we studied the agenda divided into two sub-items, we believed it best to divide the statement up the way it is now being delivered. In the first part we spoke about the Target and when in the Nordic statement we did that, we already congratulated the Executive Director and his staff for their dedicated work in development and emergency activities.
However, we could not let this occasion go by without commenting on the relationship between the WFP and FAO. The Nordic countries have taken an active interest in the work and decisions of the United Nations/FAO Task Force which was subsequently approved by the CFA. We would like to commend the Director-General of FAO and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme for the good progress that has been made to implement the changes envisaged and for the spirit of cooperation and harmony that is prevailing. We find this very encouraging.
The Nordic countries sincerely hope that the implementation process will continue in the same good atmosphere so that all changes can be carried out within the shortest possible time. We hope that the changes in the system of administration in the long run will result in significant improvements in efficiency and in the cost of administration.
The Nordic countries will continue to follow closely the implementation of the new administrative procedures and we are therefore looking forward to a full report being presented to the next CFA session in May. Finally, the Nordic countries support the Netherlands' call for an urgent solution to the World Food Programme housing problems.
AHMED SALEM OULD MOLOUD (Mauritanie): Mes remerciements à l'endroit du Directeur exécutif du PAM. Je ne peux que me féliciter de la noble tache qu'effectue le PAM, la rapidité avec laquelle il a pu toucher un grand nombre des pays en difficulté malgré l'infrastructure souvent inexistante, le cas de certains pays enclavés.
La délégation de la Mauritanie approuve ce projet de résolution et demande aux autres délégations d'approuver cette résolution. 1/
James C. INGRAM (Executive Director, World Food Programme): I have very little to say, except to thank the many delegations who have intervened, for their expressions of support to the Programme, and their confidence in our work. I shall certainly convey to the staff the many expressions of appreciation; it is that sort of thing that heartens us and encourages us to go on with our best efforts.
I said in my opening remarks that I was confident that the target would be attained. I must say that the fifty or so presentations today make me feel even more confident that it will be attained. I think it is significant that not only is there unanimous support, but the manner in which the support was expressed is significant. In this regard, I would like to thank especially some of the developing countries who spoke this afternoon and indicated that they would continue to make contributions, and in some cases they would increase their contribution.
I would like to stress to all of you, especially those who are going back to your capitals, that the contributions of the developing countries are just as important in their way as those of the major contributors, because the parliaments of the developed countries regard the mutuality of effort in relation to the World Food Programme as an important reason for giving their support to the Programme.
1/ Texte reçu avec demande d'insertion au procès verbal.
So I ask all of you, no matter how small your pledge may be, to continue to make it and indeed, if possible, to increase it, and for those countries who do not currently pledge, I would urge them very much to do so. All contributions are welcome; the strength of the World Food Programme in many ways is the very breadth of the commodity basket. That breadth is made possible by the contributions of the developing countries. I think that is all I wish to say. Once again, my warmest thanks to the Commission.
EL PRESIDENTE: Creo que tal vez es éste uno de los resúmenes más fáciles que me tocan, por cierto ya al final de nuestros temas de fondo, ya que ha habido un apoyo unánime. Creo que la Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en: destacar la importancia de las transacciones triangulares, así como el hecho de que además de la ayuda alimentaria y la asistencia de emergencia, también los proyectos de desarrollo son campo fundamental para la asistencia del PMA. Igualmente, se destacó el apoyo a la prio-ridad dada a Africa. También se insistió en la necesidad de que el Programa cuente con recursos y efectivos suficientes para facilitar el eficaz funcionamiento del mismo.
La Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en apoyar el nuevo enfoque considerado innovador, imaginativo y realista a la luz de las circunstancias cambiantes en cuanto a la nueva presentación de los objetivos para el bienio 1987/88, parte en productos, parte en dinero. La Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en que era necesario facilitar a todos los donantes la manera como debían seguir haciendo su contribución y, a ese respecto, reconoció la limitación de algunos importantes donantes en cuanto a sus procedimientos internos y agradeció a los representantes de esos países, importantes donantes, repito, la actitud constructiva en el seguimiento del CPA y también les instaron a sumarse al apoyo de ese nuevo enfoque.
Algunas delegaciones manifestaron que habrían preferido que el CPA hubiera recomendado el más alto objetivo, originalmente propuesto por el Director Ejecutivo. Otras delegaciones señalaron que ese objetivo representaba el crecimiento real en relación con otros bienios y fue así como, por unanimidad, la Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en que este objetivo representaba un compromiso realista y lo apoyó plenamente.
La Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en manifestar su complacencia al Director General de la FAO y al Director Ejecutivo del PMA por las relaciones existentes entre los dos organismos, y expresó su esperanza de que esta situación se prolongue de esa manera favorable y de que, en el informe final, que a ese respecto se someterá a la próxima reunión del CPA se hayan ya encontrado soluciones para aquellos asuntos aún pendientes, particularmente los relacionados con las Oficinas del PMA.
Entiendo que la Comisión estuvo de acuerdo en reconocer y agradecer la contribución de todos los donantes al PMA y también apoyó el llamamiento que hizo el CPA para que todos los donantes tradicionales y potenciales continúen fortaleciendo su asistencia al PMA.
Igualmente, creo que todos estamos de acuerdo en reconocer la manera abnegada en que los funcionarios del PMA cumplen sus funciones sobre todo en momentos tan difíciles para algunas poblaciones del mundo. Entiendo también que todos hemos estado de acuerdo en reconocer la labor eficaz e importante que cumple el PMA bajo la buena dirección de usted Sr. Ingram, nuestro Director Ejecutivo.
Si me permiten, al final de este breve ensayo de resumen, deseo asumir por unos minutos mi condición de Representante de Colombia para agradecerle a usted Sr. Ingram y a los miembros de la Comisión la asistencia inmediata que se ofreció a mi país. El Gobierno colombiano, con el que he estado en contacto constante, me ha manifestado reiteradamente que está muy reconocido por esa asistencia que fue oportuna y valiosa, lo que le agradezco muy sinceramente a usted y a los miembros de esta Comisión en nombre del Gobierno y del pueblo colombiano.
Si no hay ningún comentario por parte de los miembros de la Comisión podemos terminar. Naturalmente entiendo que lo que yo acabo de resumir es un poco desordenado, pero pasará al Comité de Redacción. Sólo me resta agradecer al Sr. Ingram y a todas las personas que le han acompañado su valiosa asistencia y su gratísima compañía en esta Sala Roja.
EL PRESIDENTE: Señores, hace poco les han distribuido el documento C 85/LIM/33 que comprende el séptimo Informe del Comité de Resoluciones. Espero que la forma un poco inmediata como se les ha distribuido no les ofrezca dificultades. Se trata esencialmente de que, de acuerdo con las reglas de la FAO, es necesario que el proyecto de resolución sobre la mujer en el medio rural, que la distinguida delegación de Venezuela en asociación con otros delegados presentó a esta Comisión bajo el tema 18, deba tener aquí, por lo menos, un brevísimo debate para poder transmitir las orientaciones de ustedes al Comité de Redacción. En este documento notarán ustedes que el Comité de Resoluciones se ocupó del proyecto de resolución sobre la mujer en el medio rural, repito, y que introdujo un cambio en el párrafo 2 de la parte dispositiva.
Les ruego que si no hay observaciones de fondo sobre este proyecto de resolución, que recoge también las inquietudes de las distinguidas colegas de los Países Nórdicos, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, México, Granada y otros, podemos pasarlo al Comité de Redacción y, naturalmente, esta Comisión volverá a ocuparse del asunto cuando sea discutido en la Plenaria el tema 18.1.
Srta. Delia de VILLAMONTE (Panamá): Solamente para precisar algunas correcciones de forma. En el punto 2, en la versión original, y creo que ha sido una omisión, tenemos: el desarrollo de las tareas en la agricultura, pesca y recursos forestales. Habría que agregar el señalamiento a recursos forestales. Igualmente en el punto 3 dispositivo, querríamos hacer un agregado a efectos de precisar simplemente, si el Comité tiene a bien aprobarlo, y se refiere a, después de Estados Miembros agregar: "por intermedio de los órganos competentes de la Organización acerca del seguimiento de esta resolución." Simplemente para precisar.
EL PRESIDENTE: Tomo nota de las observaciones que se trasladarán también al Comité de Redacción. Si no hay ningún otro comentario pasaremos el proyecto de resolución al Comité de Redacción. Hemos así concluido este tema terminando los puntos de fondo de nuestro programa, como les dije al principio de la reunión de esta mañana, gracias al rendimiento de nuestros trabajos.
Sra. Doña Mercedes FERMIN GOMEZ (Venezuela): Simplemente quiero tomar la palabra para agradecer, como representante de este proyecto de resolución, a los patrocinadores que a bien tuvieron prestar su apoyo para presentar la resolución y, además, a todos aquellos otros delegados de los países, que me sería muy largo enumerar, que tuvieron a bien darnos su apoyo después de que la resolución fue presentada.
Creo que esta es la mejor evidencia de que la resolución tendrá un final feliz cuando lleguemos a la Plenaria, y agradecemos a los otros países que faltan por darnos su apoyo para ver si logramos la unanimidad cuando sea presentado el proyecto.
EL PRESIDENTE: Creo que todos compartimos la buena esperanza de nuestra distinguida colega la embajadora de Venezuela.
Me dice la Secretaría que Dominica ha pedido que se incluya en las actas una declaración relacionada con el proyecto de resolución a que nos referíamos antes.
Ms Hannelore BENJAMIN (Dominica): On behalf of the Government of Dominica I would like to express our full support on the draft resolution for 'Women in the Rural. World'.
We endorse the position of Venezuela, Canada, Panama and many other countries who spoke in support.
FAO's emphasis on the "Women in the Rural World" could be promoted through special programmes that facilitate and ease the burden of these women as hard workers. IFAD has done much in this field. To name only one of its projects, the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, where 60 percent of the Banks loan is received by women.
Through changes and given opportunities,the women in the rural world could have a .chance to develop their potentials, not only for productive activities but also to have greater prospects for providing a better future life for their children. 1/
The meeting rose at 17.50 hours
La séance est levée à 17 h 50
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.50 horas
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1/ Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
