Si no hay ningún comentario por parte de los miembros de esta Comisión, vamos entonces, de acuerdo con el programa previsto, a iniciar nuestras deliberaciones con el tema 12: Programa de Labores y Presupuestos para 1986-87 y objetivos a plazo medio.
En el Orden del Día de hoy están los documentos respectivos, que ustedes conocen. Sin embargo, nuestra Secretaria se los va recordar.
Ms K KILLINGSWORTH (Secretary, Commission II): The basic document is C 85/3, the Programme of Work and Budget with its Corrigendum 1. In addition, it has two supplements, Sup. l and Sup.2. In addition there is C 85/LIM/9 which contains the extract from the Report of the 88th Session of the Council on this same item.
EL PRESIDENTE: Gracias, Secretaria.
Si no hay ningún comentario por parte de los miembros de la Comisión, empezaremos ahora con el tema 12, que va a ser presentado, en nombre del Director General, por el señor Shah.
El doctor Saouma me ha pedido que transmita a ustedes su mensaje, en el sentido de que el Director General concede gran importancia a este tema y él mismo habría deseado estar presente en esta Comisión esta mañana: sin embargo, no ha podido cumplir ese propósito debido a las actividades de la Conferencia, que ustedes conocen. Por eso el señor Shah, en nombre del Director General, va a presentarnos el tema 12.
V.J. SHAH (Director, Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation): As the Director-General is unable to leave the Plenary at the moment, it is an honour to have been asked by him to read a statement on his behalf on the item now before you, the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 and Medium-Term Objectives. The statement reads as follows, and I quote:
"The submission of proposals to the Conference regarding the Programme of Work and Budget for each biennium is one of the most important duties and responsibilities of the Director-General.
"The importance of this item would have warranted my introducing it to you personally and participating in your discussion. I greatly regret that my obligations to the Plenary prevent me from being with you at this moment. I have therefore asked Mr Shah to present this introduction on my behalf. I will, of course, follow with the closest attention the debate which you will have.
"There are basically two policy considerations which have guided me in formulating the proposals before you.
"The entire range of items on the agenda of this Conference, which are covered under the group heading of "Major Trends and Policies in Food and Agriculture", provide a comprehensive setting to permit assessment of the increasing demands made on our Organization. The food crisis in Africa, the continuing imperative to increase world food production in developing countries, the need for investment in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and the requirements of world food security, are the main themes under which Member Nations address themselves to the Organization for assistance, for collaboration and for policy solutions. These demands are not alleviated by temporary improvements in food production or supply at the local level. They are determined rather by structural problems and weaknesses which afflict most developing countries, whose reliance on the Organization continues to increase.
"On the other hand, international economic and financial problems clearly limit the availability of resources. I have recognized and taken account of this factor as a constraint affecting all Member Nations.
"Two basic programme priorities, promotion of food production and increasing food security, embrace a wide range of activities which are proposed to be enhanced in the coming biennium“
“A primary objective will be to increase the' availability in developing countries, particularly in Africa, of essential inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, vaccines). A large number of activities are planned to meet this objective, based especially on economic and technical cooperation among developing countries.
"Food crop production in Africa will constitute a focus on activities in areas covering improved land and water use, small scale irrigation, crop diversification, promotion of minor and secondary crops, strengthening of seed propagation and distribution programmes and increased action for plant health, control of pests and integrated plant nutrient systems.
"Animal health problems will receive greater attention, particularly in Africa, for rinderpest eradication and trypanosomiasis control.
"Another major programme priority is the substantial strengthening of the Global Information and Early Warning System, to be complemented by field activities under the Food Security Assistance Scheme.
"The promotion of access to food supplies will receive 'further attention through the identification of under-nutrition, improvement of urban food systems, support for improved food policies and food aid. Closely related are programmes for poverty alleviation as a part of the follow-up to the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development.
"The framework for programme priorities for fisheries is provided by the Strategy and the five Programmes of Action adopted by the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development.
"The priorities in forestry are in consonance with the recommendations of the Ninth World Forestry Congress.
"A feacure common to most, if not all of these programme priorities is the emphasis on greater impact for the small producer, the involvement of women, increased training and direct impact in the field.
"As in the past, the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 is based on all the recommendations addressed to the Organization by the last session· of the Conference itself, by the Council and its subsidiary bodies, by the Regional Conferences and by the statutory technical bodies which have met since your last session and offered recommendations and advice.
"The analysis of these recommendations, with a view to incorporating them in the next Programme of Work and Budget, is a process which I personally ensure.
"This process has also involved a detailed assessment of our current technical and economic programmes in order to identify every single activity which could be considered finite, completed and non-recurring, so as to streamline our programmes and respond to new demands.
"I have also pursued in this process the objective of further reducing administrative and support costs with a view to transferring resources to the technical and economic programmes which are the life-blood of this Organization. Substantial reductions are again proposed in support services. As has been recognized by the Conference itself, this is a process which cannot go on indefinitely without endangering the effectiveness of programme implementation.
"My proposals first took the form of a Summary which was considered by the Programme and Finance Committees and then by the Council at its Eighty-seventh Session in June.
"It was gratifying to find that the strategies, priorities and programme proposals were endorsed in their entirety by the Programme and Finance Committees and by the Council. The relevance of the proposals to the most needy countries, the focus on the problems of small-scale producers and the even greater emphasis on assistance to Africa were welcomed and commended by all. The priorities in our programmes, and in our means of action, were universally supported.
"A corresponding unanimity of view did not prevail as regards the related budgetary estimates. I therefore took the step, for the first time in my tenure of office, to reconsider and revise the proposals I had submitted in the Summary. The only reason for my doing so is to permit all Member Nations to reach agreement. Instead of a net programme increase of US$ 6.2 million, or 1.4 percent over the recosted present base as envisaged in the Summary, I now propose an increase of only US$ 5 million, or 1.1 percent.
"The. technical and economic programmes of the Organization, including the Technical Cooperation Programme, represent the substantive thrust of our activities. They are the focus of the demands of Member Nations. I have not reduced my proposals in this area, which envisage a net programme increase of US$ 9.4 million, or 3.8 percent over the present programme base.
"A renewed effort has been made to reduce the programme provision for General Policy and Direction by over US$ 0.9 million, the provision for Development Support Programmes by US$ 1.3 million, and the provision for Common Services by almost US$ 2.5 million.
"The proposals result in a further reduction of the percentage of· expenditure on established posts. Whereas this amounted to over 77 percent a decade ago, and 56 percent in the present biennium, it is reduced further to 55 percent in the next biennium.
"The approval of the Programme of Work and Budget for 1984-85 included a provision for cost increases of some US$ 52 million, over 14 percent of the preceding budget base. For the next biennium, cost increases have been strictly trimmed and amount to only US$ 22 million, just over 5 percent of the present budget base. I should indicate that at the stage of preparation of the Summary, the provision was US$ 2 million higher. On the basis of our continued attention to price trends and actual expenditures, this provision has been further reduced. These cost increases have also been reviewed in depth by the Finance Committee and endorsed by it and the Council.
"In accordance with the practice approved by the Conference, the proposals are submitted to you at the Italian Lira/US dollar rate of exchange approved for the present budget, i.e. Lit. 1615 = US$ 1. The actual level of the effective working budget will, however, be determined by the exchange rate which the Conference will decide upon, on 20 November, when it will adopt the Resolution on Budgetary Appropriations for 1986-87. It is evident that at the market rate of exchange of Lit. 1785 = US$1, which was the average for the month of October, the budget level will amount to US$ 435 520 000.
"Since the full Programme of Work and Budget was sent to press, with the possible indication of Lit. 1900 = US$ 1, the dollar has fallen. On the other hand, this also means that while costs will rise in dollars, the cost of contributions in many other national currencies will have fallen.
"I have taken account of the possibilities of safely increasing my estimate of Miscellaneous Income to a level of US$ 41 million. As usual, this will be set off against the effective working level of the budget before levying contributions. If the rate of Lit. 1785 = US$1 were to prevail when the Conference approves the budget, the share of Member Nations' contributions will be US$ 394 520 000. which compares with US$ 394 580 000. for this biennium.
"Throughout the discussion of the Summary Programme of Work and Budget, Member Nations have had the opportunity to react to my proposals and to express their sovereign views. It was thus not unusual for some Member Nations to recall the principle of zero programme growth which they advocated for the budgets of organizations in the US System. Nor was it unusual for the majority of other Member Nations to express their preference for the budget level to be even- higher than the one proposed.
"These views have all to be reconciled by the Conference itself to permit its approval of the Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium. It represents the moment when differences have to be set aside in favour of a common action.
"I have done all within my power to formulate a package of proposals with budgetary implications which take into account the views of every Member Nation and on which they could unite. I venture to suggest that what might divide some Member Nations in regard to this programme and budget is minimal in relation to what in this programme unites them.
"This session of the Conference takes place at a time when we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of our Organization. I hope that the significance of this anniversary, which has been emphasized in the last few days at the special commemorative events, will also lead the Conference to express its continued support for our programmes by the unanimous approval of the Programme of Work and Budget."
That is the end of the quotation. Here ends the statement of the Director-General.
Mr Chairman, with your permission may I continue very briefly to draw to the attention of this Commission those aspects of the main document, C 85/3, which might facilitate its consideration. As usual, the document begins with the Introduction of the Director-General, on which I need make no comment. This is followed by the Programme Framework, a section which begins on page 7 of the English text. This section indicates the strategies and priorities for the next biennium, the nature and level of the Field Programme, because of its implications for the Regular Programme. It then gives an analysis of the proposed Budget in terms of Programme changes and analyses of changes and' objects of expenditure, and then a breakdown of the cost increases. The section ends with three pages which might be of particular use to distinguished Delegates and I, therefore, refer to them specifically. On page 32 of the English text is an analysis and a table showing the Budget levels at different Italian lire/US dollar rates of exchange. On page 33 of the English text is a comparison of the proposed Budget with the one for the present biennium, followed by the breakdown of the estimates of miscellaneous income. Then on page 34 is a Table showing the total effective working Budget and the likely Member Nations' contributions.
The bulk of the document is then preceded by a Draft Resolution for adoption by the Conference. I would like to indicate that this Draft as amended in the footnote at the bottom, provides figures at the rate of Italian lire 1615 to the US dollar. I would, therefore, urge the Commission not to pay attention to the exact US dollar amounts mentioned there, because a revised Draft Resolution will be issued for the consideration of the Conference prior to its adoption of this resolution.
The Programme Budget itself is the main part of the Document, and here there is a Table on page 38 of the English text, which again, we suggest, might be of convenient reference as it gives, for the entire budget by budgetary chapter and major programme, the present approved budget, the programme changes proposed, the cost increases and the proposed budget for the next biennium. This is related in the final columns of this Table to the estimates of extra-budgetary funds which
relate to each major programme, thus providing an indication of the total effort of the Organization under both the Regular Programme and extra-budgetary Funds.
The Document then has three Annexes. Annex I gives Programmes by Region, and again it considers not only the Regular Programme funds, but the extra-budgetary funds estimated to be channelled to each Region. Annex II gives the budget by organization and unit. Here it is possible to see the proposed budget for the present biennium and for the next one by organizational unit and by object of expenditure, together with the organizational charts for each unit. Annex III consists of some appendices which are habitually part of this document, dealing with salary scales, post adjustment schedules, Tables of established posts, and, to conclude, a comparison between standard budget Tables of the United Nations system as established by the Consultative Committee on Administrative Questions.
Mr Chairman, I thank you for your patience and am fully at your disposal.
EL PRESIDENTE: En nombre de la Comisión ruego al Señor Shah que transmita al Director General nuestro agradecimiento por su interesante mensaje Igualmente agradecemos al señor Shah su competente y complementaria presentación.
Después de lo que ustedes acaban de oír sólo me corresponde agregar unas breves consideraciones, que podríamos decir, bajo el enfoque político a través de las experiencias que todos hemos tenido en los órganos rectores, o sea que sabemos muy bien que las propuestas del Director General se han basado en el resumen del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto que fue considerado por los Comités del Programa y de Finanzas en mayo de 1985 y luego por el Consejo en su sesión de junio de este año. Después de los debates que tuvieron lugar en el Consejo, los Comités del Programa y de Finanzas revisaron de nuevo el documento en sus sesiones de septiembre de 1985; y finalmente, el Consejo en la sesión de la semana pasada volvió a ocuparse de este importante documento.
Creo, desde un punto de vista objetivo, que convendrá tener en cuenta la acción y la reacción adecuada y afortunada también del Director General a la luz de ese proceso basado en dos consideraciones, en mi opinión: la primera es el hecho de que ha habido unanimidad en las estrategias de las prioridades y programas propuestos para el próximo bienio; y la segunda es un hecho realista que sin embargo algunas delegaciones aún no han podido estar de acuerdo con la mayor parte de las estimaciones presupuestarias, y en particular con el nivel del presupuesto.
Como ya lo dijo el señor Shah, el Director General reaccionó favorablemente a esas observaciones, ha rectificado en cierta medida sus propuestas y nos corresponde ahora a nosotros tratar de lograr un consenso con pleno respeto de las posiciones de cada uno como representante de sus gobiernos soberanos.
Creo que ahora toca a la Conferencia la función final de culminar este debate que se ha desarrollado a través de los órganos rectores citados. Todos sabemos que el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto debe ser sometido a una votación en la Plenarri·a, de manera que la función esencial de esta Comisión es tratar de presentar un informe que pueda facilitar a la Plenaria de la Conferencia la adopción de Programas de Labores y Presupuesto en las mejores condiciones posibles.
Noten ustedes que este tema se llama ahora además del Programa de Labores y Presupuesto, "y objetivos a plazo medio". Algunos colegas que de tiempo atrás hayan participado en nuestras reuniones recordarán que antes los objetivos a plazo medio se publicaban en documento separado; ahora el Consejo recomendó hace ya algunos años, y la Conferencia estuvo de acuerdo, que este documento contenga una exposición de objetivos a plazo medio al principio de cada programa y uno de los objetivos a largo plazo y estrategias para cada Programa.
Tendrán en cuenta también que el examen de estas propuestas está relacionado con las revisiones de los Programas regulares y de campo, los cuales, eso sí, esos dos documentos son separados y se discutirán bajo otros temas en esta misma Comisión.
Les dije al principio que me proponía ser flexible como Presidente. Es así como quiero proponerles que para la discusión de este tema las delegaciones hagan sus intervenciones de la manera más libre
y amplia posible, que puedan referirse a la introducción del Director General, a los diversos capítulos, a los anexos que son para información, a través de los cuales podrán solicitar aclaraciones o información como lo dijo el señor Shah y, naturalmente, a nivel del presupuesto. Esto facilitaría los trabajos de la Presidencia.
En cuanto al tiempo de que disponemos para discutir este importante tema les dije antes que a raíz de las decisiones de la Conferencia un nuevo calendario va a ser distribuido en el curso del día de hoy. Sólo dispondremos de cuatro reuniones para este importante tema, o sea esta mañana, la tarde de hoy y las sesiones de mañana y tarde del día de mañana miércoles.
Sin embargo, les he dicho que éste es un marco flexible que podemos irlo revisando, y lo veremos mañana.
Sé que hay algunas delegaciones que tienen funcionarios especializados y que de manera muy adecuada y natural desearían hacer más de una intervención sobre este tema; también esto lo manejaremos con criterios flexibles y dentro de las posibilidades del tiempo a nuestra disposición.
Si no hay ningún comentario por parte de los miembros de la Comisión vamos a iniciar ahora los debates sobre el Tema 12. Ruego a los oradores que deseen intervenir que levanten los nombres de sus países para que nuestra secretaría elabore la primera lista de oradores.
Es la primera reunión, todavía los ánimos están un poco tranquilos, vamos a ver si se animan los colegas para intervenir. Alguien tiene que ser el primero.
R. STEINER (Austria): It is a privilege for me to be the first to congratulate you, Mr Chairman and your Vice-Chairmen on the election to the function of chairing Commission II. Let me also extend my sincere appreciation to Mr Shah, Director of Programme, Budget and Evaluation, for his informative introduction and presentation of the ideas of the Director-General.
The background to any Programme of Work on a Budget, be it national or as is the case with FAO, international, must be seen against the background of three basic aspects. The first deals with the objectives of measures as defined by the policy organs of a government or in one case today, of the organization of FAO. Secondly, there is the world economic background against which a Programme of Work is to be conceived, elaborated and planned. And thirdly the Programme of Work must take due account of the finances available to the Organization and the Member States.
Let me revert briefly to these three aspects: The strategies and priorities for 1986/87 were elaborated and discussed in several fora of the Organization before the Conference. I must admit that compared with national budget exercises in which most of us participate, it is a long process of preparation or if you wish, rehearsal and examination when a first stage the Programme and the Finance Committee has before it the first outlines already in a high degree of precision of what the budget of the next biennium is proposed to be. Secondly, the Council had had the opportunity to examine the proposals as well as suggestions and comments of the two Committees. Now we are here in Commission II, the last opportunity before the final forum to comment on the Budget before it is voted upon. I can say that in preparing its programme of Work and Budget the FAO has been guided by the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade. Furthermore, FAO has taken account of the relationship between population and world security and the interrelationship between population and rural development as outlined in the Mexico City Declaration on Population and Development. The same is true for the forestry sector as confirmed this year by the Ninth World Forestry Congress in Mexico City. Last but not least, the global strategy has been affected by the discussion and resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly. In 1984 the UN General Assembly adopted a number of recommendations on food and agriculture, most of which focussed -very rightly on the situation in Africa. The five Regional Conferences in 1984 reviewed the lack of food and agriculture in the areas concerned and made specific recommendations on FAO's programmes in the regions. The Conferences went outside the regions and looked at the situation within a worldwide context. The Harare Declaration on Agriculture was taken into account in FAO's World Plans. The two World Conferences in Rome on Fishery Development, and more recently, the Congress in Mexico City, both outlined the future developments of those two sectors in which FAO is expected to be actively engaged.
I have deliberately extended my deliberation's outline to include the lines of thought on which the FAO Secretariat and its bodies have faithfully and consistently based the Programme of Work and Budget, all solid objectives of a medium term but also to a very substantial extent, of a longer term.
To turn to the second aspect which I regard important when preparing a Programme and a budget namely the economic situation and food production in particular, our world indeed remains in a very unsettled and unstable situation. Very few countries find their economies in a state of buoyancy. Most are confronted with high rates of unemployment. It is characteristic for many that high inflation rates decline only slowly, whenever they do. And yesterday we heard in a statement by the Director-General that the indebtedness of the developing countries is approaching the unprecedented level of 1 000 billion US dóllars. This is a time very difficult to comprehend. Coherent concepts of settling these debts are scarcely in sight.
It is true that" last year and in 1985 crop yields generally speaking were good throughout the world and were allowed to build up Long forseen stocks. We have now reached the level of 21 percent of cereal stocks measured in terms of world annual consumption. Looking back to the World Food Congress, in 1984, this has indeed been an achievement . We must admit, however, that this achievement has largely been affected by a fortunate coincidence of favorable natural conditions that have been helpfull in relieving the disastrous famine situation in Africa. But we must furthermore admit that this 21 percent is largely held, stored and concentrated in countries which by the nature of their production are surplus countries and not deficient ones. The situation in Africa which had given grave concern to the world had been brought under control to some extent; the number of disaster countries in Africa has been reduced to five. Nevertheless there is still a vast scope for relief operations. We also have to take into account that prices for many commodities are declining, leaving no room for improvement in the income earnings of those developing countries who rely on export earnings of agricultural commodities. There exists an ever-growing awareness that the rational use and management of world forestry resources is imperative to avoid degradation of a scale and nature which seriously impair the basis on which our- societies have been built over many generations.
In brief, Mr Chairman the settling of the world food situation requires from the Organization in the UN system that was given the mandate to tackle issues in agriculture, fisheries and forestry a concerted and coherent Programme of Work and Budget.
Let me turn to the resources. The Austrian Delegation has followed the preparation of the biennial budget for 1986-87 closely. We recognize with appreciation the Director-General's effort and intention to further focus FAO's activities to meet needs of sectors in the world food supply even during a time when austerity has become a term frequently used during the sessions of the Programme Committee, the Finance Committee, the Council and, I am certain, also in Commission II and the Conference. The Director-General has made a particular effort to maintain levels of budget and appropriations to the budget chapters as he deemed it necessary in the light of the counsel given to him by the technical services. We are aware of the circumstances and we know the difficulties most member countries have, even with regard to their own national budget exercises. It is true that austerity is governing the preparation of our national budgets, and yet it is interesting to look in fairness at the FAO budget before us now and to try to compare it with national budget exercises.
For many countries the budget appropriations for FAO are included in national budget chapters. We have the best knowledge of how much we have increased our domestic agricultural budgets. and what we are prepared to concede and admit now to FAO.
The 1.1 percent increase in the regular budget is accèptable to the Austrian Delegation. We have taken note of exercises to shift resources from within the Organization to activities more visible in the field. We have noted with satisfaction that an exercise so far never experienced has taken place within the preparatory phase in the sense that the Director-General has made amendments and modifications at a very advanced stage to the Conference in the budget proposal submitted now.
In summary, we regard the Budget and the Programme for the biennium 1986-87 as a fair one and the Austrian Delegation will vote in its favour.
EL PRESIDENTE: Gracias. Austria ha hecho uso del privilegio de estar en primera fila y ha sido el primer orador. Doy las gracias al Sr. Steiner competente Expresidente de esta Comisión.
LI ZHENHUAN (China) (original language Chinese): Mr Chairman, at the outset, please allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this Commission. Under your guidance, the Chinese Delegation will join efforts with other delegations to ensure the success of the proceedings in this Commission. Now I wish to make some general comments on the Programme of Work and Budget.
First, concerning the budget level. At the June Council this year, the budget level as proposed in the Summary Programme of Work and Budget was discussed in depth without reaching an agreement. The Chinese Delegation then pointed out at the Council Session that it was necessary to appropriately increase the budget level. However, we have noted that in the Programme of Work and Budget submitted to the Conference for the approval, the net programme increase has been cut from 1.4 percent to 1.1 percent and that the rate of "cost increase" has also been cut. As everyone can see, this is the result of the effort by the Director-General to coordinate the divergent positions held by various countries, which will facilitate reaching a consensus on the budget level at the current Conference. It is our sincere hope that the proposed budget level will be acceptable to all and be approved by consensus at the Plenary session.
We have also noted that the 3.8 percent programme increase for the Technical and Economic Programmes for the next biennium has been achieved by twice reducing the administrative costs to 4.75 million US dollars. The Chinese Delegation endorses the policy of ensuring the substantive programme growth. But as the practice of reducing the administrative costs to guarantee the priority programmes has been followed in formulating the Programme of Work and Budget in the preceding biennium, we wonder whether there should be a limit for the reduction or whether there are other alternatives. We hope that the Programme and Finance Committees will study this matter in determining the budget level.
Second, regarding the resources allocation of the net Programme increase, it is appropriate that a great portion of the resources will be earmarked to strengthen the work in Africa. Africa not only needs emergency assistance but also needs assistance, particularly in terms of funds and technology, for its medium and long-term programme of agricultural development. This is also in keeping with the policy of the Chinese Government to provide bilateral assistance to Africa for the rehabilitation of its agricultural production. Therefore, we fully support FAO's policy of using the major part of the programme increase for Africa, and at the same time taking into account the needs of other developing regions.
Third, about the Programme of Work. The Director-General established six principal aims in priority programme selection, four of which were approved unanimously at the last Conference. The remaining two aims, that is, consolidation of the information system and emphasis on training, were newly added to the current Programme of Work. We fully endorse the new additions. Nevertheless, I would - like to emphasize two points. One is "ensuring impact at the field level" and the other "enhancement of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries". As everyone knows, the very value of the Regular Programme lies in the impact it generates at the field level. In the final analysis, "ensuring impact at the field level" is to promote the transfer of resources and technology to the developing regions, thus enabling a large number of developing countries, especially the low-income and food-deficit countries, to have the necessary means to develop their agricultural production through self-reliance. We think that in the process of formulating and implementing the programmes, "ensuring impact at the field level" should deserve top priority from beginning to end. As for the "Enhancement of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries", we deem that in formulating the programmes, the Secretariat should continue to try its best to make full use of the capacity of the developing countries, their experts and institutions. This is a component of the "enhancement of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries" and we believe that FAO can play its due role in this field.
Fourth, concerning the field programmes. In the course of 40 years' progress, FAO gradually evolved field programmes of a considerable scale, which are an integral part of the full Programme
of Work and Budget now under discussion. Their main source of funding is from extra-budgetary resources, but the prospects of the resources from international financing and development agencies are not encouraging for the next biennium. The level of resources for the field programmes of the Organization has never returned to the highest level of 1981 and we therefore hope that the current Conference will make an appeal for this purpose. I would like to say in passing also that as concerns the second replenishment of IFAD resources, IFAD is an institution that provides concessional loans to small farmers of the low-income and food-deficit developing countries. Many rounds of negotiations have been held over the past two years but no agreement has yet been reached on the second replenishment of IFAD resources. We sincerely hope that the international community will make concerted efforts to safeguard the positive results achieved at the 1974 World Food Conference.
The formulation of the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget is an arduous and complicated task. We wish to put on record our sincere appreciation to the Director-General and his staff for the efforts they have made in accomplishing this task. Before concluding my remarks, I would make it clear once again that we support the strategies, priorities and programmes as proposed in the Programme of Work and Budget as well as the budget level for the next biennium.
K.N. ARDHANAREESWARAN (India): Mr Chairman, at the outset I would like to compliment you on your election as the Chairman of Commission II. I would also like to thank Mr Shah for his lucid presentation of the budget.
Mr Chairman, the delegation of India supports the strategies and priorities which you have outlined in the Programme of Work and Budget. We are associated with the Programme Committee and also the Finance Committee. We also participated in the discussion in the Commission. We are happy to note that in the Programme content,the budget has been increased by 3.8 percent in the technical and economic programmes. This is a step in the right direction and we hope that this trend will continue.
With regard to the priorities, we fully support the priorities assigned to steps to increase food production. In this context, Mr Chairman, I would like to say that sufficient attention should be paid to dryland farming. This is an area which has been neglected. All of our attention so far has been confined only to irrigated areas. Our strategies and also the Programme of Action have been confined by and large to irrigated areas. I would not like to underestimate the importance of irrigated areas to food production. At the same time I would like .to emphasize that we should now devote more attention to dryland farming. In this connection it is necessary to intensify the research in dryland farming. It is necessary to evolve a suitable planting material which should be location specific and which should suit various climatic conditions. It is also necessary to provide a linkage between research and extension so that whatever knowledge is available in the research stations or laboratories is transmitted.to the field.
I would also urge that we should take up proper price support operations. Production has been increasing in a number of countries because of the production of farmers and national governments. In such cases there is always a crash in prices. The farmers are the victims of fluctuations in prices. It is necessary to assure a reasonable return to the farmers so that farming as an occupation is attractive. Mr Chairman, I would also like to emphasize the need for evolving proper soil and water management systems. So far these have been neglected. It is necessary to introduce scientific soil and water management so that productivity will improve.
The delegation of India fully supports the measures outlined in the Programme and also in the Budget for increasing food security. This is an area of high priority. We are seriously concerned about the situation in the African continent. Yesterday the Director-General in his Report mentioned that the number has now been reduced to five. We would pledge wholehearted support for the Programme of Action drawn up by the Director-General to support Africa and also to bring about improvement in the food situation in the African continent. We fully support the food aid programmes. We are confident that with proper support and with proper assistance from international agencies such as FAO, it will be possible for the drought-stricken countries of Africa to improve their security needs; in other words, to reduce food insecurity.
We also support the Global Information and Early Warning System which is now being perfected. We hope and trust that the Global Information and Early Warning System will improve. This system will be of assistance to the low-income and food-deficit countries in improving their food security.
The Indian delegation fully supports the Programme of Action in the fisheries sector. We were parties to the World Conference on Fisheries Development and Management held in Rome last year. We fully endorse the Plan of Action drawn up at that World Conference. We support development of Indian fisheries as a part of the food alleviation programme. We also fully support the role of fish in improving nutrition levels in rural areas as a very valid programme, and we have every hope that the fisheries sector will receive great attention.
With regard to the forestry sector, we are confident that the international community will accord the highest priority to improving the vegetative cover. The pressure on fuel and fodder is increasing all over the world. It is necessary to arrange for adequate supplies of fuel and fodder so that the deforestation which is presently going on unabated can be stopped. We" also emphasize the need for involving people in all forestry development programmes. My delegation feels that forestry is too serious a subject to be left in the hands of foresters only. It is necessary to make forestry into a people's programme; it should be made into a people's movement that would evolve a forestry development programme suitable to the local needs and local requirements, as well as local aspirations.
The Government of India has assigned the highest priority to forestry development programmes, and it has already been decided that every year it will bring 5 million hectares of waste land under vegetative cover. This programme has been given the highest priority and is being incorporated as a part of our rural development programme. We are earmarking funds for social forestry programmes, and we have every hope that the forestry programme will become a people's movement.
Mr Chairman, I would also like to emphasize the need for proper training. This is an area which has been neglected. All along we have been paying lip service to the role of women in agriculture, but we know that we have not been in a position to evolve suitable training programmes for women, or for small farmers. Our main thrust should be for the small farmers, women and other weaker sectors in agriculture. Our strategy should be focused on these weaker sections and our training programmes should be tailor-made to suit the requirements of small producers, women, and weaker sections in the rural community.
Mr Chairman, my delegation categorically rejects the approach of certain countries which insist on a zero programme growth. This is not in the interest of most of the countries represented here. The needs are increasing, the expectations are rising. It is necessary to increase our programme content. It is necessary to step up international intervention in agriculture development in the developing countries. Therefore, in this context the zero net programme growth concept is not acceptable to the Government of India. We would plead that activities should be stepped up. The Director-General has also pointed out in his introductory report that the difficulties are there and that they are being faced by the developing countries. In this contèxt we would suggest that the Programme of Action should be strengthened and the role should be more international intervention in the agricultural development of developing countries.
Mr Chairman, my delegation fully supports the Programme of Action and the Budget for the biennium 1986-87.
V. DOBES (Czechoslovakia): Mr Chairman, at the beginning I would like to congratulate you on your election and Mr Shah for his excellent presentation of very important points of the Agenda of the Twenty-third Conference Session.
The FAO Draft Programme and Budget for 1986-87, which we have studied, is in our opinion basically a balanced one that corresponds to the requirements of FAO member states, particularly developing countries. We believe that the priorities are correct. We are gratified to know the concrete steps taken by FAO to gradually reduce non-productive costs, and we are in favour of additional
savings through their fund reduction, be they non-technical, administrative or support costs. That is why we welcome the reduction by US$4.8 in favour of an expansion of technical and economic programmes. We may refer here to one such measure already taken the gradual reduction in the number of FAO administrative staff, despite growth by an anticipated 400 immediately after the 1984 World Food Conference. We regard the net real income increase of US$5 million, representing 1.1 percent growth of the present recosted base,as basically favourable. We welcome the intention of the Director-General, Mr Saouma, to cover the amount from Miscellaneous Income of FAO and from changes in the United States dollar/lire exchange rate.
With regard to the volume of funds for member countries' regional programmes, I would like, Mr Chairman, as a representative of a European country to say a few words on that part of the Draft Budget that covers the area of Europe.
If we compare the volume found now in the FAO draft budget for Europe to' two-year periods in the past, there is "an evident trend of their systematic reduction. I should like to pòint out in this connection that we are fully aware of the preferential orientation of those found in favour of other regions. If, however, the region of Europe is to play the role it is expected to play, the role in the interests of assistance to developing countries, then successive cuts in budgetary allocation for the implementation of programmes in the European region are problematic. We are afraid that should there be no extra-budgetary funds available in the future, such a situation might amount to a potential dnager of stagnation in European programmes. We believe it is in the interest of the universality of FAO and in the interest of developing countries in other continents that the importance of technological cooperation in Europe, especially applied to research, should again be recognized.
As a matter of fact, the network of European agricultural research and the cooperation in the use of renewable sources of power in agriculture are financed mostly from extra-budgetary funds, and by the support provided by the European countries through their respective institutions.
I should also like to underline the high assessment given to such networks during our last Conference, especially because of intensive utilization of the output of European cooperative" activity in developing countries. Over twenty non-European countries participate in the cooperative programme of the region of Europe at present. It is likewise gratifying to know that the region of Latin America and the Caribbean prepares, following the example of European cooperation, its own networks, and that achievements of science and technology might be useful for organizing similar cooperation in the region of Asia. I should like to stress, however, that we have no intention whatsoever of proposing an increase in the funds for financing FAO European programmes from the regular programme budget.
I deem it necessary, however, to draw attention also to the importance of scientific and technological cooperation of European countries with different socio-economic systems which provide a source of relative information and data needed for the solution of tecnical projects faced by FAO in developing countries.
At the conclusion of my speech, allow me, Mr Chairman, to assure you that the head of our delegation tomorrow is going to express in brief our position, positive on the whole, on document C 85/3 and its two supplements.
A. LOUCA (Cyprus): Mr Chairman, first I should like to congratulate you on your election to the Chair.. I am sure that your vast experience and recognized ability will guide the proceedings of this Commission in the best and most effective way.
Secondly, I wish to congratulate Mr Shah for his excellent presentation of the subject under discussion. Reading through the proposals on the Budget of the Organization for the biennium 1986-87, the Cyprus delegation would like particularly to underline two important elements: first, that further cuts in non-technical, administrative and support services have been made possible in a total amount of US$3.75 million; and second, that a programme growth of 3.8 percent in the technical and economic programmes has been achieved, largely due to the cuts referred to above. We cannot but express our full support for this approach, and commend the Director-General for his continued efforts to reduce administrative and support costs, but we hope that these reductions will not affect the Organization's capacity to deliver its programme efficiently and effectively.
We express our satisfaction that action programmes which have an immediate direct effect on the development effort of developing countries, such as the Technical Cooperation Programme, have increased their resources in absolute real terms by some US$2.5 million, though in relative terms have remained at 13.7 percent of the proposed budget - a figure only marginally higher than that of the approved budget for the previous biennium.
We specifically express our satisfaction that the largest share of these resources is allocated to the regions in higher need and for the overall priority given to Africa.
We note also that the Director-General in drafting his proposals for the Budget of the Organization has managed to allow a modest increase in the Organization's Programme, though keeping down dollar contributions by member countries to the same level as,and probably lower than,the current biennium.
I Wish to express the satisfaction of my delegation with the strategies, priorities and programme proposals, as well as the budgetary estimates before us. We' give them our full support, and we hope that the Conference will approve them unanimously.
M MOMBULI (Congo): A l'instar des delegations qui se sont exprimées avant la nôtre, nous aimerions aussi remercier M. Shah pour son exposé introductif fort complet.
Monsieur le Président, étant donné que nous intervenons pour la première fois au sein de cette Commission II de la vingt-troisième Conférence générale de la FAO, permettez à la délégation congolaise de vous dire par ma voix combien elle est heureuse de vous voir présider cette Commission. Elle vous félicite pour votre brillante élection au poste que vous occupez et elle est d'avance convaincue que sous votre houlette les travaux de la Commission II de notre Conférence aboutiront sûrement à de bons résultats.
A titre strictement personnel je dois aussi vous avouer Monsieur le Président qu'autant je me réjouis de votre élévation à la présidence de cette Commission, autant je suis navré de ne plus pouvoir compter s"r votr° précieux concours dont j'ai toujours bénéficié dans les moments difficiles de nos réunions antérieures, quand vous étiez "mon brave voisin de gauche". Comme l'on dit, "à quelque chose malheur est bon parfois" et même les changements les plus souhaités ont leur mélancolie. Vous allez sûrement me manquer.
Nous aimerions également saisir cette première occasion pour adresser nos vives félicitations à nos deux vice-présidents et aux autres membres qui siègent avec vous au Bureau de la Commission II, qui ne manqueront pas, nous en sommes persuadés, de vous être utiles pour le bon déroulement de nos travaux. Nous souhaitons la bienvenue à notre voisin de droite les îles Cook et aux Iles Salomon, nouveaux membres de notre Organisation.
Par votre intermédiaire, notre délégation aimerait dire combien elle sait gré à Son Excellence M. Alan Garcia Pérez, Président de la République du Pérou, pour sa brillante adresse prononcée hier matin 11 novembre dans la Salle plénière devant le Plénium de notre Conférence à l'occasion de la quatorzième Conférence McDougall. Nous l'en félicitons et sommes d'avance convaincus que ces prises de position claires et empreintes de la volonté résolue de lutter contre le sous-développement ne manqueront pas de nous inspirer pendant et après cette Conférence.
Enfin, nous ne saurions terminer ce liminaire sans féliciter et rendre un vibrant hommage mérité à M. Edouard Saouma, Directeur général de notre Organisation, la FAO, dont l'engagement résolu à soutenir les pays en développement n'a d'égal que sa conviction en l'avènement d'un nouvel ordre économique mondial plus juste et plus humain.
Après ce préliminaire dont il était impossible de me passer sans manquer à mon devoir, venons-en au coeur du sujet dont nous sommes saisis pour l'heure. La délégation congolaise a lu avec toute l'attention voulue le document principal C 85/3 ainsi que ses annexes, ensemble de documents tous traitant du Programme de travail et budget pour 1986-87 de notre Organisation, ainsi que les sections pertinentes y relatives du rapport conjoint de septembre 1985 du Comité du Programme et du Comité financier et du rapport de la quatre-vingt-huitième session du Conseil de la FAO.
La délégation congolaise dont les points de vue sur le Programme de travail et budget 1986-87 de la FAO ne sont plus un secret pour personne, tout au moins pour ceux des pays qui ont déjà eu l'occasion de siéger avec elle tant au Comité du Programme qu'au sein du Conseil de la FAO, aimerait saisir cette occasion qui s'offre à elle pour réaffirmer sa position sur la question à l’examen.
Premièrement, la délégation congolaise est résolument opposée au principe de la croissance zéro devenu nouvel artifice de cértains pays développés décidés à bloquer l'évolution normale des budgets des organisations du système des Nations Unies.
Deuxièmement, les stratégies, priorités et programmes prévus par le Directeur général pour 1986-87 rencontrent notre plein agrément et, ce faisant, nous les appuyons sans réserve.
Troisièmement, devant les immenses besoins des pays en développement membres de l'Organisation, dont ceux de l'Afrique notamment, nous aurions logiquement préféré qu'il nous fut proposé une augmentation globale plus substantielle du niveau du budget pour le prochain biennium. Toutefois, pour tenir compte des efforts inlassables déployés par le Directeur général et visant à concilier les desiderata des forces en présence, nous sommes tout de même disposés à accepter les propositions de niveau de budget avancées par lui, étant assurés que les programmes techniques et économiques ont été privilégiés et nous espérons que cela nous permettra à tous d'approuver à l'unanimité ce projet de programme et budget pour le prochain biennium.
Nous espérons également que cette attitude, certes prudente mais non conséquente avec la situation préoccupante de-l'heure, ne pourra en aucun cas constituer un mal-heureux précédent à perpétuer.
Quatrièmement, nous apprécions à leur juste valeur les efforts déployés par le Directeur général pour faire de plus en plus d'économies pour les dépenses d'administration de l'Organisation. Toutefois, nous nous interdisons de l'encourager à aller au-delà du seuil d'économies qui risquerait d’affecter de quelque manière que ce soit l'efficacité de l'Organisation.
Sur la base de'cet ensemble de considérations, nous aimerions terminer en rappelant une fois de plus notre approbation pour ce programme de travail et budget 1986-87 de notre Organisation tel qu'il est présenté par le Directeur général de la FAO dans le document principal 85/3 complété par ses annexes et faisant nôtre l'idée que ce programme de travail et budget soit adopté à l'unanimité par une résolution pertinente.
L. GANSORE (Burkina Faso): Permettez-nous également de présenter nos félicitations au Secrétariat pour la présentation de ce document.
Brièvement, puisque nous prenons la parole pour la première fois, nous voudrions comme d'autres délégations vous féliciter pour votre élection à la présidence de cette Commission. Nous avons eu l'occasion dans plusieurs autres réunions d'apprécier vos qualités de diplomate compétent. Nous sommes d'ores et déjà convaincus que sous votre conduite notre Commission fera un travail excellent.
Nous serons brefs car nous avons eu l'occasion lors de plusieurs autres réunions de donner la position de notre pays sur le Programme de travail et budget pour 1986-87. Nous approuvons les stratégies et priorités définies dans le document, particulièrement la production vivrière, la sécurité alimentaire, la coopération économique et technique entre pays en voie de développement. Nous félicitons particulièrement le Directeur général pour la priorité accordée à l'Afrique dans ce Programme de travail et budget. Il y a lieu de reconnaître les efforts du Directeur général pour arriver à la diminution des frais administratifs et de soutien au profit des programmes techniques.
Nous sommesd'accord avec les priorités et le niveau du budget et lorsque cet ordre du jour sera présenté à la Conférence en plénière, notre délégation lui apportera un appui total.
H. MALTEZ (Panamá): Contrariamente a nuestras costumbres de no prolongar las intervenciones con actos formales, deseo en esta particular ocasión expresar más allá sin embargo de cualquier consideración meramente protocolaria, y a nombre tanto de la delegación de Panamá como en el mío propio, la sincera satisfacción que sentimos por la designación de vuestra excelencia para presidir los trabajos de tan importante y decisiva Comisión de esta Conferencia.
Es para nosotros motivo de especial significado y complacencia que un tan distinguido representante de un país, Colombia, al cual nos unen sólidos y fraternales lazos históricos, entre ellos el más reciente de ser miembro prominente del Grupo de Contadora, dirija los rumbos de esta segunda Comisión, y es que nosotros, señor Embajador Bula Hoyos, conocemos, además, su inteligencia, capacidad, seriedad y honestidad por lo que su escogencia nos representa una garantía para el buen éxito de nuestras labores.
Permítanos, también, por su muy digno conducto hacer extensivas nuestras felicitaciones a los señores Vicepresidentes que le acompañarán en sus delicadas funciones, así como al señor Shah por su magnífica presentación.
Señor Presidente, deseamos iniciar nuestra intervención relativa al tema 12 del Calendario de trabajo, reiterando la posición tantas veces expresada por la delegación de Panamá, tanto en el recién concluido 88o período de sesiones del Consejo, cuando en otras oportunidades, y manifestar en consecuencia un total y firme rechazo, no sólo a la política de crecimiento cero, sino también al concepto de crecimiento simbólico propugnado por unos pocos países.
Insistimos en la antes mencionada posición, en primer lugar porque coincidimos plenamente con lo expresado por el distinguido representante de México, su excelencia el Embajador López Portillo, durante la última sesión del Consejo y que sintetiza nuestro pensamiento en el sentido que la política de crecimiento cero, y cito "simboliza un ataque al multilateralisme y congela la posibilidad de desarrollo que en momentos de crisis económica en el mundo afecta sobremanera las perspectivas principales del mundo en desarrollo".
Mantenemos nuestra posición, además, porque mientras de una parte conocemos de la reanudación de crecimiento económico con considerable vigor en gran parte del mundo industrializado, por la otra sabemos que en muchos países en desarrollo, p \?\icularmente en Africa, continúa el estancamiento e incluso el empeoramiento económico, el cual provoca, en consecuencia, en muchos casos y entre otras cosas, un aumento sensible de la necesidad del sector agrícola vital y de los recursos para combatir el hambre.
Creemos, por lo tanto, injustificado el aducido pretexto de la limitación del gasto público nacional en esos pocos países ricos, porque, como bien lo dijese en reciente ocasión la delegación de su país, señor Presidente, sería injusta e inhumana una tal concepción de esa política frente a las necesidades crecientes de millones de personas que padecen hambre y malnutrición. Perseveramos en nuestra posición porque nos preocupa la tendencia generalizada a reducir la asistencia internacional para el sector agrícola y en manera particular hacia aquellos organismos que como la FAO practican la acción multilateral y las consecuencias políticas que de tal tendencia se podrían derivar. La Delegación de mi país ha participado y seguido muy de cerca, tanto en las sesiones del Consejo, como en los Comités que lo asesoran y en los cuales se han examinado los aspectos relacionados con el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para el bienio 1986-87. A través de dicha participación hemos sido testimonio no sólo de la actitud flexible y de profundo sentido de cooperación con que el Sr. Director General ha acogido los señalamientos planteados por los antes mencionados organismos, sino también del esfuerzo realizado para limitar al máximo el crecimiento del presupuesto en cuestión, a fin de que el mismo pueda recibir el consenso de todos los Estados Miembros. En efecto, haciendo una síntesis muy panorámica de la situación última destacamos el hecho de que el aumento neto anterior de 1,4 por ciento descendió al 1,1 por ciento; los aumentos calculados en un 14 por ciento han descendido al 5,2 por ciento, mientras que se mantendrá el aumento del 3,8 por ciento en los programas técnicos y económicos, o sea, que como se ve se han efectuado reducciones drásticas y excepcionales.
La Delegación de Panamá por lo tanto, aún insistiendo que las necesidades para hacer frente a los crecientes problemas son mucho mayores y reiterando su consenso con la preocupación del Comité de Finanzas expresada en los párrafos que van desde el 2.57 al 2.59 del documento CL 88/4, no puede hacer menos que elogiar la actitud del Sr. Director General y apoyar el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87, en la forma que se nos presenta en el Documento C 85/3.
A tal propósito, estimamos oportuno manifestar nuestro apoyo total y decidido a las seis prioridades de la FAO: fomentar la producción de alimentos, mejorar la seguridad alimentaria, consolidar los sistemas de información, dar máxima importancia a la capacitación, promover la cooperación económica y técnica entre los países en desarrollo y conseguir resultados sobre el terreno. Apoyamos dichas prioridades porque estamos convencidos que ellas reflejan y sintetizan de manera clara, objetiva e innegable las perspectivas del mundo en desarrollo.
Apoyamos asimismo con vigor la apropiada repartición regional de las actividades ejecutadas por la FAO, manifestando dentro de este contexto la solidaridad de mi país con el énfasis, y evidenciamos énfasis, que debe brindarse a la situación del Africa y de manera especial a la del Africa Subsahariana. A este respecto, consideramos adecuadas las medidas ya adoptadas en cumplimiento de la Resolución 1/86 del Consejo, ya que la grave crisis que afecta a esta parte del mundo merece una atención prioritaria a sus necesidades de asistencia.
De la misma manēra, nos manifestamos de acuerdo y por lo tanto expresamos nuestro apoyo no sólo para con los programas prioritarios, producción de alimentos y seguridad alimentaria, que consideramos básicos en la lucha contra el subdesarrollo, el hambre y la malnutrición, sino también para las prioridades en los medios de acción: base de datos y capacitación, ya que estimamos que los mismos son esenciales además de para la mejor comprensión e identificación de los problemas, también para hacer frente a los mismos de manera objetiva y capaz.
Queremos apoyar además, en principio, la disminución de gastos en los puestos de plantilla, llamando la atención sin embargo en nuestra preocupación por el hecho de que no se pueden hacer recortes indefinidamente de esta índole sin afectar a la eficiencia de la Organización. A tal propósito, insistimos que en el presente caso dichas disminuciones sean efectuadas sin que se deteriore la eficacia de la FAO.
Manifestamos nuestra complacencia por las actividades de las Oficinas Regionales de esta Organización así como por la manera que las mismas se realizan, razón por la cual las apoyamos. En relación con este aspecto, deseamos evidenciar el hecho de que no se propone ningún aumento de recursos en este renglón. De la misma manera, deseamos resaltar en el Programa de Presupuesto los aspectos relativos a la cooperación entre países en desarrollo y expresar nuestro apoyo total y prioritario a la CEPD y a la CTPD.
De igual-forma, nuestra Delegación destaca las características del Programa de Cooperación Técnica (PCT) de la FAO, reiterando su sostén al objetivo principal del mencionado Programa que consiste en dar respuestas eficaces a las .necesidades imprevistas e inesperadas de los Estados Miembros. El PCT, lo decimos por experiencia propia, constituye uno de los más valiosos instrumentos con los que cuenta la Organización para aportar beneficios rápidos y tangibles a los países en desarrollo, especialmente ahora que han disminuido otros recursos de asistencia para el desarrollo tales como el PNUD y el FIDA para el cual, recordamos, dicho sea de paso, la necesidad de que se lleve a cabo, en la mayor brevedad posible, la segunda reposición de sus recursos. Apoyamos, por lo tanto, no sólo el Programa de Cooperación Técnica sino también el porcentaje (13,7 por ciento) que el mismo ocupa dentro del Programa de Labores y Presupuestos y que representa apenas un pequeño aumento durante los últimos diez años.
La delegación de Panamá, Señor presidente, cree en el diálogo, actúa siempre inspirada por el espíritu del Grupo de Contadora que cree en la solución negociada de las divergencias. Es dentro de este contexto que hacemos un apelo para que este Programa de Labores y Presupuesto sea aprobado por unanimidad, para que encuentre el consenso de todos los Estados Miembros.
Nosotros,sin embargo, sabemos que se puede dialogar con personas hasta con sordos o ciegos, pues puede bastar una señal para entendernos. Lo que resulta imposible es dialogar con paredes, con rocas, con bloques de hielo, ya que correríamos el riesgo de parecer poco inteligentes. Es por ésto que nos resultaría difícil poder justificar, en este último caso, la búsqueda de un mal interpretado consenso.
El Programa de Labores y Presupuesto que hoy se nos presenta es el mínimo que podemos aceptar. El mismo es producto de un gran esfuerzo realizado tanto por el Sr. Director General como por la Secretaría de la FAO. El mismo recoge las prioridades dadas por la Conferencia anterior. El mismo
sigue las orientaciones específicas de las Conferencias Regionales, las cuales nos han señalado dónde debemos enfatizar. El mismo no es por lo tanto producto del capricho, ni mucho menos de la voluntad de unos pocos. El mismo es, por el contrario, de eso estamos seguros, el querer de las mayorías que sabemos cuáles son nuestras necesidades.
No podemos entender por qué se le quiere encontrar trabas, se le trata de obstaculizar, se buscan pretextos para no estar de acuerdo con él.
No entendemos cómo las prácticas nacionales de unos pocos países con sociedades prósperas, aunque sean los mayores contribuyentes, puedan estar en contra de las necesidades de millares de seres humanos que sufren los efectos del subdesarrollo y padecen el hambre y la malnutrición. Y es que no comprendemos tampoco que quienes durante el Consejo obstaculizaron el consenso, y esperamos no lo hagan durante esta Conferencia, sean precisamente aquellos a quienes, por efecto de la situación económica actual, posiblemente, en proporción y en relación con los países en desarrollo, les signifique finalmente un menor aporte relativo de sus contribuciones. No comprendemos cómo se puede negar lo que las mayorías, que conocen sus problemas, reclaman. Esto no sería justo.
Estimamos oportuno recordar las palabras del Sr. Mohamed Amin, el camarógrafo, que al agradecer, durante el día de ayer, el premio que se le otorgara, advertía de cómo la FAO señalase a su tiempo del peligro de una situación que, para usar sus propias palabras, pudo ser evitada en Africa.
A tal propósito, y para terminar Sr. Presidente, desearíamos citar las palabras de S.S. el Papa Juan Pablo II expresadas durante la celebración de la misa por él celebrada para conmemorar el 40º Aniversario de esta Organización y que dicen: "La historia dará su juicio definitivo sobre los individuos y los pueblos según cómo hayan sido llevados a la práctica los deberes de contribuir al bien de los hermanos, de acuerdo con la propia prosperidad y en una completa corresponsabilidad mundial según la justicia."
M. MAHI (Cameroun): Ce n'est pas par routine mais plutôt par devoir que la délégation camerounaise tient à vous féliciter ainsi que tous vos proches collaborateurs pour votre brillante élection au poste de président de notre Commission. Nous tenons également à féliciter le directeur des finances de la FAO pour la présentation du document qui fait actuellement l'objet de nos débats.
Lors des précédentes assises, de nombreux organes de la FAO ont étudié le document que nous avons sous les yeux, ont abattu certainement un travail important parce qu'ils nous ont livré des recommandations acceptables et nous ne devons que les en remercier puisqu'elles facilitent réellement nos réflexions.
L'examen du document que nous avons sous les yeux qui présente le programme de travail et le budget laisse apparaître que la FAO au cours du prochain biennium se propose de donner à ses interventions une dimension appréciable. Le programme de travail dégage en effet les priorités avec de grands objectifs assis sur l'augmentation de la production alimentaire et agricole, là sécurité alimentaire, le renforcement de l'impact des interventions de la FAO sur le terrain, la coopération technique entre les pays en développement, la formation et la recherche.
Pour gagner ce pari car c'est un véritable pari, un effort soutenu d'assistance technique et financière au programme visant à dynamiser les appareils de production alimentaires et agricoles dans les pays en développement apparaît comme un préalable qui requiert des ressources. adéquates. Malheureusement, lorsqu'on observe la tendance actuelle de la baisse de l'aide extérieure et les ressources multilatérales, les perspectives d'avenir apparaissent très sombres.
On sait maintenant que la reconstitution des ressources du FIDA se heurte à des problèmes et que, malgré une relative expansion du niveau des dépenses se rapportant à l'exécution de projets financés par les Fonds fiduciaires, le volume global de l'activité de terrain de l'Organisation reste inférieur à celui des années 1978-1980.
De même, en 1984 la FAO a exécuté moins de programmes de terrain pour le PNUD que pour les programmes financiers sur les fonds fiduciaires. Cette situation qui ne peut se traduire que par un ralentissement dans le processus de développement des interventions de l'Organisation mérite notre attention.
La croissance zéro du budget de la FAO, souvent évoquée, ne pourrait, selon nous, faire l'objet de débats lors des présentes assises; en effet,ce débat serait inutile car cette croissance zéro est pratiquement appliquée puisque l'augmentation du budget constatée ne correspond même pas au. niveau de l'inflation connue dans nos pays.
S'agissant des interventions de la FAO dans les différents problèmes et les domaines qui ont été évoqués, nous pensons que notre attention devra être apportée aux problèmes de formation à tous les niveaux, notamment dans le domaine de l'élevage, des pêches, de la recherche appliquée, de l'appui à l'identification, à la formulation et à l'exécution des projets.
Il s'agit ici de renforcer le secteur de la formation de personnel d'encadrement des paysans tant au niveau de la transformation qu'au niveau de la commercialisation, c'est-à-dire de la distribution et de la conservation des produits, en même temps qu'une formation au niveau du personnel technique, comme je l'ai dit, dans le domaine de l'élevage, des pêches, des forêts et de l'agriculture.
Ce renforcement de la formation du personnel approprié pour la transformation et la conservation des produits agricoles aboutira à la revalorisation de la qualité de ces produits et à la conception d'une stratégie de stockage et de régulation et à la réduction des pertes de récoltes.
C'est dans ce sens que ma délégation soutient en particulier le programme de coopération technique et économique proposé par le Directeur général et, il faut le dire clairement, nous appuyons totalement et sans réserve le programme de travail et budget tel que nous le propose le Directeur général de la FAO.
R. MARTINEZ MUÑOZ (Colombia): Gracias, señor Presidente. Siempre se ha considerado que el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto marca el conjunto de directrices que rigen la labor de nuestra Organización en cada bienio. Las estrategias, prioridades y medios de acción que traza la FAO en esta materia tienen una importancia fundamental para los países en desarrollo, que soportan grandes desequilibrios en todos los órdenes.
El Programa de Labores y Presupuesto ha sido elaborado con base en las prioridades que han fijado los gobiernos a través de su participación en los órganos rectores. Las políticas de la FAO son siempre reflejo de las invitaciones prioritarias, de las necesidades y aspiraciones de ios Estados Miembros.
Como lo ha expresado el Director General, los programas y prioridades han sido aceptados y aprobados por los principales Organismos y Conferencias Regionales, y no cabe duda de que con mayores recursos, mayor será el campo de acción de la FAO en una labor que se reconoce eficiente y positiva.
Si apoyamos los programas prioritarios en que se basa este documento, no podemos hablar aquí del funesto crecimiento cero. Sería ilógico e incoherente negar a nuestra Organización los medios y recursos mínimos para que siga cumpliendo su ingente y eficaz tarea.
El Director General ha presentado propuesta para atender las demandas de los países en, desarrollo sin medir la sensibilidad de aquellos países desarrollados que, no obstante la recuperación económica en marcha, no están dispuestos a ofrecer todos los recursos necesarios a una Organización cuyo objetivo final, como reza en el preámbulo de su Constitución, es el de contribuir a la expansión de la economía mundial y a liberar del hambre a la humanidad.
Cabe destacar que las principales prioridades corresponden a recomendaciones de los gobiernos; producción de alimentos, seguridad alimentaria, capacitación, sistemas de información, cooperación técnica y económica entre países en desarrollo, y efectos positivos a nivel del campo.
Comparte la delegación de Colombia la especial importancia atribuida a Africa en los programas de la FAO, primordialmente en la grave crisis alimentaria, que todo el mundo deplora.
La delegación de Colombia considera que el Director General ha hecho- un gran esfuerzo al reducir sus propuestas originales a la luz de. las observaciones formuladas por los Organos Rectores. Del aumento del 1.4 se ha descendido al 1.1 por ciento, manteniendo aún así el aumento del 3.8 por ciento de los programas técnicos y económicos.
Pensamos que la buena gestión administrativa del Director General ha permitido que esas cifras se logren a base de una considerable reducción en los gastos administrativos y supresión de actividades de menor prioridad.
Posiblemente la cifra que ahora se propone ni siquiera costará un dólar más para los Estados Miembros. Sobre todo los países desarrollados podrán pagar más facilmente sus cuotas, ya que la recuperación económica sólo se está llevando a cabo en esos países, en buena parte a expensas de los países en desarrollo.
En cambio, para los países en desarrollo será más difícil aportar las contribuciones, porque la constante revaluación del dólar en nuestros países nos impone mayores recursos nacionales para adquirir los dólares destinados a pagar las cuotas de la Organización, aparte de los recursos que necesitamos para pagar la deuda externa y sus servicios.
No podemos aceptar que el nivel del presupuesto de la FAO tenga crecimiento cero como corolario de las reducciones que algunos países desarrollados dicen estar aplicando en sus políticas fiscales nacionales, porque esos recursos de los Estados desarrollados se dirigen a las sociedades de opulencia de esos países, que todo lo tienen, que nada necesitan. En cambio, el presupuesto de la FAO está dedicado a los pueblos del Tercer Mundo, en donde millones y millones de seres humanos pasan hambre y malnutrición.
Las dos terceras partes del aumento presupuestal se destinan a Africa y, por ello, deben ser coherentes con las repetidas manifestaciones de los Jefes de Estado de los países desarrollados de apoyo a dicha región.
La delegación de Colombia hace un llamado cordial y respetuoso a aquellos pocos países desarrollados que, no obstante haber apoyado los programas y prioridades de este documento, aún mantienen reservas sobre el nivel del presupuesto; que, por favor, demuestren su solidaridad con el Tercer Mundo al acompañarnos aquí en esta Comisión y luego con su voto en la Plenaria a la aprobación unánime del nivel de presupuesto.
La delegación colombiana considera que el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87 está dirigido a consolidar los logros que la FAO ha alcanzado hoy, viviendo uno de los mejores y más significativos momentos de su historia: orden, trabajo, reducción de la burocracia, menos teoría y más pragmatismo, mayor aproximación al campo, contactos permanentes con los gobiernos, seguimiento de las prioridades señaladas, atención vigilante y preocupación constantes por acrecentar el prestigio de la FAO en su contexto universal.
La delegación de Colombia estima que, superada la crisis económica por los países industrializados, éstos se hallan en posición favorable para ofrecer, en el seno de la FAO, una demostración real de la voluntad política que venimos demandando en favor de la solución de los problemas alimentarios y agrícolas del Tercer Mundo.
La delegación de mi país da su aprobación al Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87 que se nos propone en el documento en estudio; pero al dar nuestra aprobación a esta propuesta, que significa un aumento real neto con relación al bienio anterior del 1.1 por ciento, lo hacemos con el convencimiento de que se trata de un incremento mínimo que se puede aceptar para una Organización como la FAO, que tiene que afrontar solicitudes crecientes de los países en vías de desarrollo sólo con el criterio pragmático que se ha propuesto.
Por último, la delegación de Colombia da su pleno apoyo al Programa de Cooperación Tecnica por la índole fundamental y esencial del PCT al proporcionar los medios de respuesta rápida y eficaz a las solicitudes de ayuda urgente, en pequeña escala, procedentes de Estados Miembros y de Organizaciones intergubernamentales.
J. F. NGUEMA-NZE (Gabon): La délégation gabonaise voudrait saisir cette première occasion pour adresser ses chaleureuses félicitations aux nouveaux membres admis au sein de notre Organisation, j'ai cité les îles Cook et les îles Salomon.
Ces félicitations s'adressent également à vous-même, M. le Président, pour votre élection à la présidence de la Commission, Notre collègue du Congo a déjà exprimé nos sentiments à ce sujet.
La délégation de mon pays a suivi tous les débats relatifs à l'examen de l'actuel point de l'ordre du jour, qu'il s'agisse du Comité des produits, du Comité financier et du Conseil, Elle donne donc son adhésion aux objectifs et priorités dégagés par le programme, tout comme elle se félicite des stratégies retenues pour y parvenir. En cela, elle fait siennes les observations formulées par les honorables délégués de la Chine, de l'Inde et du Cameroun,notamment : le renforcement de l'impact de l'action de la FAO sur le terrain, une plus grande coopération technique entre pays en développement et une plus grande attention accordée à la femme et à son rôle déterminant dans la société rurale, ainsi que la place de secteurs tels que la formation, la peche, les forêts, dans le développement des pays en développement.
La formation notamment devrait être entendue non seulement comme la formation de personnel d'encadrement, comme le disait l'honorable délégué du Cameroun, mais il y a également une place considérable à donner à la formulation, à la gestion et a l'évaluation des priorités des programmes. C'est un secteur qui a toujours fait défaut dans nos pays.
Mon pays est persuadé que le PCT peut et doit jouer un rôle efficace dans ces différents domaines à condition bien entendu que la Conférence lui en donne les moyens.
Pour terminer, ma délégation souhaite que soient prises en considération les plantes à racine, les plantes à tubercules les plantins et les légumes que nous avons appelés jusqu'ici légumes secondaires, en s'inspirant des orientations proposées à la réunion de Kinshasa et, j'en suis certain, à la définition qui en sera faite par la Conférence régionale de la FAO à Brazzaville.
A. EL-SARKY (Egypt) (original language Arabic): In the name of Allah, the merciful and the compassionate, I would like at the outset to extend my sincere thanks to the Director-General for the efforts he exerted in preparing the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 which is under discussion.
I would also like to extend my thanks to Mr Shah for his informative and overall declaration he made this morning.
We are gratified to note the true and constructive endeavour in developing the method of work and in proposing a programme that will impact and benefit the Member States of this Organization.
Within this context we welcome the priorities and strategies over the next biennium which reflect all discussions and recommendations proposed by the organs of this Organization. We also welcome the focus on technical and economic programmes in comparison with other programmes which do not emphasize economic and technical cooperation. We are sure that these programmes are capable of increasing agricultural production and the quality of food security. I shall discuss all these aspects \n detail in further meetings.
We welcome also the effort to have the necessary appropriations despite limited financial resources ,as well as a true endeavour to decrease the management costs of these programmes.
We accept the proposed level of the budget.
Last but not least, I would like to congratulate you, Mr Chairman, as well as your Vice-Presidents, on your appointments.
O. SALES PETINGA (Portugal): Monsieur le Président, nous voudrions tout d'abord vous féliciter pour votre nomination. Monsieur le Président, nous sommes d'accord sur le Programme de travail et budget et pour cela nous lui donnerons notre approbation.
Cependant, nous aimerions faire quelques commentaires sur les divers items des documents et nous nous réservons pour présenter des déclarations plus complètes au moment que nous considérerons plus approprié.
R.F. DE JESUS NETO (Angola): M. le Président, j'aimerais avant tout vous féliciter pour votre élection à la présidence de la deuxième Commission de la Conférence, et je remercie vivement M. Shah pour l'excellente présentation du document qu'il a faite ce matin.
La délégation angolaise a examiné avec intérêt le document C 85/3, c'est-à-dire le Programme de travail et budget pour 1986-87 présenté par le Directeur général à la Conférence.
Les organismes internationaux de la famille des Nations Unies ont tous des politiques budgétaires dont la tendance est la croissance zéro. Ma délégation rejoint la position exprimée par les distingués délégués du Pakistan et M. l'Ambassadeur de la République du Congo au Conseil, renforcée par la Tunisie, à savoir que le principe de la croissance zéro ne devrait pas être appliqué systématiquement dans nos différentes institutions des Nations Unies. En effet, ce principe ne correspond pas au régime actuel des besoins réels et prioritaires auxquels la FAO doit faire face.
Nous lançons donc un vibrant appel à la conscience humaine pour que le cri des affamés du monde soit entendu en ce quarantième anniversaire de cette Organisation. L'ampleur de la crise alimentaire dans les pays du tiers monde, et principalement en Afrique, exige de la FAO des efforts supplémentaires pour aider l'humanité à éloigner le spectre de la faim. Les stratégies et les priorités du programme en sont les preuves. Nous nous réjouissons du réalisme compétent qu'a démontré le Directeur général en révisant la croissance du budget de 1,40 à 1,14 pour la période 1986-87. Ma délégation l'appuie inconditionnellement. S'agissant de la répartition régionale du budget, nous sommes heureux de constater que la priorité a été donnée à l'Afrique.
A.W.N.I. AL-SAMURRAI (Iraq) (Original language Arabie): The delegation of my country would like co express its sincerest whishes for success to you, Mr Chairman, and your collaborators and all those who work for this Organization.
We agree on the priorities and strategies mentioned in the document under review, but we still think that there is one very important issue for humanity. We are talking here about training, its activities, its policies, as well as the role of the rural woman.
All these topics need more activities and more programmes. Moreover, this type of activity is one which could enable us to muster human will towards increasing production. Hence these topics should be highlighted, in conjunction with the activities fostered by the Organization, in alleviating the sufferings of the African peoples.
We agree also with all the training programmes for women which need greater or clearer strategies in this particular direction.
A.K. OSUBAN (Uganda): May we add our congratulations to you, Mr Chairman, and your Vice-Chairman on your election to steer the course of this Commission's discourse.
We participated in the discussions of this agenda item both at the Eighty-seventh and Eighty-eighth Sessions of the Council. It is our view that the FAO Programme of Work has been drawn up on acceptable principles. We approve of the strategies and priorities as outlined by the Director-General.
As regards the budget level, I should like to remind delegates of last Sunday's Gospel about the widow, as preached by His Holiness the Pope. In terms of budgeting, we, the developing countries, face greater difficulties in meeting the increased payments than perhaps the developed countries who are mostly our benefactors. The argument has been advanced that higher levels of contributions to FAO will mean reductions to contributions through other channels. This should not be a worry to us as long as we are convinced of the justifications for expenditure as outlined in the Director-General's Programme of Work and Budget. The cause of FAO of fighting hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty is an impelling one and we do not need any excuse to support it. We support the level of the Programme of Work and Budget as presented by the Director-General.
O. AYO (Nigeria): I wish to congratulate you, Mr Chairman, on your election. I also wish to congratulate Mr Shah for his excellent presentation of the Director-General's speech.
The Nigerian Delegation wishes to commend the Director-General, the Secretariat and the FAO Council for the excellent quality of the 1986-87 Programme of Work and Budget, especially with respect to the strategies, priorities and programme proposals. We therefore endorse the giving of the right emphasis to the promotion of food production in all countries, particularly in Africa which is still in the midst of the worst food crisis in its history.
We also endorse the Director-General's reduction of administrative and support costs in favour of FAO technical and economic programmes. We support the emphasis being given to the Global Information and Early Warning System which, it is hoped, will increase food security.
Our main reservation is with respect to zero net programme growth. We feel that with the enormous problems facing the Member Nations, it is necessary to step up the Programme of Action.
Having said that, Mr Chairman, my delegation fully supports the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87.
SALMON PADMANAGARA (Indonesia): Mr. Chairman, we congratulate you on your election to the Chair, and we also congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen. We appreciate Mr Shah's clear introduction.
In the atmosphere of commemorating the 40th Anniversary of FAO, it is appropriate to reflect on relationships between FAO and the Member Countries which FAO is serving, especially in the context of the Programme of Work and Budget which we are debating now. I would like briefly to mention the relationship between Indonesia and FAO.
Indonesia has been benefitting from the assistance given by FAO through numerous technical programmes and consultancy services and projects. We appreciate the role FAO has played in contributing to the success achieved in our agricultural development, particularly in the field of food production. It should be realized, however, that the services of FAO have made an impact on the success of our agricultural development because of the consistency that exists between our political will, our national development, our agricultural plans, our budgetary appropriations and our implementation in the field. In other words, the key to success in overcoming problems is our own determination and our own serious efforts, without which no external assistance would provide the desired results.
Indonesia supports the proposed Programme of Work of FAO, which we understand has been developed to meet the needs of developing countries based on the vast experience which FAO has accumulated during the forty years of its existence.
Indonesia also supports the proposed level of the Budget, as we take into consideration and fully understand the reasoning of the Director-General in presenting it.
Finally, we support the overall priority given to Africa.
B. KOUNDIANO (Guinée): La délégation guinéenne tient également à vous féliciter pour le choix fait en votre personne pour diriger les débats. Votre expérience personnelle et votre expérience de la maison sont un garant sûr pour le succès de nos travaux.
En outre, nous voudrions féliciter M. le Directeur du Comité financier pour la brillante présentation de son rapport.
Le Programme de travail et budget qui nous est présenté met à notre avis en évidence les objectifs très réalistes, les stratégies énoncées ainsi que les programmes techniques qui tiennent compte des orientations de nos différentes instances au sein de la FAO et des Nations Unies. Aussi devons-nous adopter le programme de travail qui n'ous est soumis. La délégation guinéenne tient à insister sur un certain nombre de points. Il s'agit tout particulièrement de la réduction des dépenses administratives au bénéfice des actions sur le terrain, de la collaboration entre les pays en développement et du principe de la formation du personnel de l'agriculture á tous les niveaux: agriculture, élevage, forêts, etc."Le volet formation est l'un des aspects de la FAO où les plus grands efforts doivent être fournis.
Nous tenons également à féliciter le Secrétariat, qui a mis un accent tout particulier sur la priorité accordée à l'Afrique. Le Programme de travail et budget soumis à notre avis est bien le reflet de la politique au sein de la FAO. Aussi devons-nous recommander son adoption et lancer un appel aux autres Etats Membres en leur demandant de l'adopter, dans l'intérêt des Etats Membres et de l'humanité tout entière.
The meeting rose at 12.40 hours.
La séance est levée à 12 h 40.
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.40 horas.
