Tennyson Roscoe G. WELLS (Bahamas): Mr Chairman, honourable ministers and distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I bring you greetings from the Government and people of the Bahamas on the occasion of the 27th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization Conference.
First, may I offer the congratulations of the Government and people of the Bahamas to you on your election as Chairman of the Session. I am confident that your experience and leadership have made and will continue to make this Conference productive and successful.
Also, on behalf of the Government of the Bahamas, I am pleased to warmly welcome the nations newly admitted to Membership.
Mr Chairman, as the Minister responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries in the Bahamian Government, which was elected to office on 19th August 1992, this is my first opportunity to address the Governing Body of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas became a Member of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in November 1975, and my government pledges its continued strong and unwavering support for the Organization and its objectives.
Mr Chairman, honourable ministers, three days after my government assumed office, my country was struck by the fury of hurricane Andrew. The damage to the agriculture sector of one of our most productive islands -Eleuthera - was severe.
Our request to FAO for assistance for farmers was readily accepted. The supplies of fertilizers/chemicals, small equipment and planting materials was provided in an expeditious manner. The supplies were distributed in an equitable manner throughout the devastated area and the farmers who received them are indeed grateful to this Organization.
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to publicly express the heartfelt thanks of the Government and people of the Bahamas for the assistance of FAO.
Mr Chairman, fellow delegates, my government in the short period it has been in office has promulgated a new agricultural policy which is designed to foster the long-term development, use and conservation of national agricultural resources and to protect our country's future capacity to produce. It is my pleasure therefore to provide copies of the text of that policy to the library of FAO.
During the decade of the eighties, the Bahamas grew at a relatively fast rate, inflation was low and foreign debt was relatively small. Between 1980 and 1989, the Bahamas grew at an average annual rate of three percent. Over
the same period, inflation averaged six percent annually, -while the total outstanding public foreign debt at the end of 1989 was US$200 million.
Tourism was the engine of growth for the economy. During the 1980s, the traditional tourism industry, stopover tourism, matured and the cruise ship industry flourished. Other industries such as fisheries and agriculture remained largely underdeveloped. By the early 1980s, it became evident that serious structural deficiencies were affecting the traditional Bahamian tourist product. The changes have ushered in an urgent mandate for longer-term solutions involving fundamental changes in domestic economic policies and development strategies. The agriculture and fisheries sectors have been targeted by the new administration for rapid development.
This policy, Mr Chairman and fellow delegates, incorporates important components which my government is convinced will lead to agriculture assuming a more prominent role in our present tourism and financial services-dominated economy. The feedback received to date from important sectors on the new policy has been most encouraging. I am confident that it will produce positive results.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an archipelagic nation state spread over 100 000 square miles of the Atlantic ocean. We are fortunate to be blessed with largely untapped agriculture and fisheries resources.
My government is also actively pursuing the development of our fisheries potential as a means of providing employment for many more of our citizens and to further diversify our economy. We aim to fully develop the sustainable yield potential of these marine resources within our exclusive economic zone in accordance with the law of the sea convention.
The fishing industry plays an important role in the economy of the Bahamas and the Bahamian way of life. It is an industry that has good potential for growth through the expansion of the necessary infrastructure and manpower to efficiently and fully utilize the natural resources available within the 200 mile exclusive economic zone. It is in this development context that a new fisheries act and regulations, which was prepared with technical assistance from FAO, is being finalized.
We are now involved in a review process through a series of meetings with representatives from a wide range of sectors, all having an interest in the future protection and utilization of our marine environment. These groups have included fishermen, seafood processors, diving industry representatives, resort operators, mariculturists and marine conservationists.
When the review process is completed, we in Bahamas expect to have a legal and regulatory framework that will propel the development of a sustainable fishing industry and serve to protect our marine resources for future generations of Bahamians.
Mr Chairman, I have previously alluded to the fact that the Government of the Bahamas and FAO have pursued an active programme of cooperation over the years.
This programme of cooperation between FAO and the Government of the Bahamas began in the mid-1970s. Between that time and 1993, seven FAO/UNDP project activity projects, three unilateral trust fund activities, and 13 project activities under FAO technical cooperation programmes were implemented.
The Bahamas issued commemorative stamps in recognition of -the 40th Anniversary of FAO in 1985, and again in 1992 in support of the International Conference on Nutrition.
My country has actively participated in World Food Day activities and has found the World Food Day themes particularly 1993's theme "Harvesting native's diversity" very useful in providing a framework for community involvement in the efforts to increase food production.
I am also happy to report that my country has ratified the international Convention on biodiversity.
As a Member of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources established by FAO Council Resolution January 1985, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is eager to participate in the work of the Commission.
The island nation of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas with its delicate eco-system is particularly susceptible to all forms of pollution. As a result my country strongly supports the activities related to sustainable development and environment.
As we move to develop and exploit our forestry resources, the Bahamas will require even greater technical support in order to ensure that a proper balance is maintained to conserve our fresh water wetlands coastal zones and the agricultural potential. Our national policy mandates sustainability, for our very existence is dependent upon the full embodiment of that concept.
Mr Chairman, with your permission sir, I now wish to briefly comment on two issues relating to the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization.
The first, Mr Chairman, has to do with the responsibility of each nation to provide for its own food security through the development of its own national resource endowments.
We in the Bahamas are most fortunate that the major part of our good agricultural land resources of some 238 000 acres is still available for agricultural development.
Our agricultural development strategy, which is clearly stated in our new agricultural policy, involves government contributing to and facilitating those important development components, which are considered the traditional responsibility of government. These include crop and livestock research, extension and training, provision of rural infrastructure such as roads, water, telephone, ports, electricity and marketing support.
Our new agricultural policy also requires us to maintain the necessary legislative and regulatory framework in the agricultural sector which is critical to the attainment of the objectives of a balanced economy. Increased agricultural production for the domestic market and export will require greater resources to conserve and protect the agricultural land and water for future productive use.
Mr Chairman, the agricultural development programmes which are promoted by FAO on a global basis are consistent with the objectives of our new policy.
The second issue, Mr Chairman, concerns the financing and management of Food and Agriculture Organization operations.
My government won office on a campaign of openness, fairness and accountability. We share the view of Member Nations that efficiency, accountability and effectiveness should also characterize the operations of this Organization.
Mr Chairman, I wish to commend this Organization's technical cooperation programme from which my country has continued to receive valuable assistance. My country has four outstanding requests for assistance under this programme. My government shares the view that this Programme must be retained and expanded if possible.
Mr Chairman, let me conclude by congratulating the newly elected Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf and again pledge my country's strong and unwavering support for the Organization.
Baroness CHALKER OF WALLESEY (united Kingdom): Allow me to start by offering my warm congratulations to Jacques Diouf on his election. This was an important day for Africa. I also send my sincere commiserations to the other candidates who took part in such a hard fought context. We all know it is like to win, but we also know what it's like to lose.
When FAO was founded in 1945 the international community entrusted it with four key tasks: to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to secure improvement in the efficiency of the production and distribution of all food and agricultural products, to better the conditions of rural populations; and thereby to contribute towards an expanding world economy, and to ensure humanity's freedom from hunger. These were noble objectives but daunting ones too. The world's population immediately after the Second World War was some 2.3 billion. By 1991, it had more than doubled to 5.4 billion. Total grain production in 1948, just six years after the calamitous Bengal famine, was 650 million metric tons. In 1991, it was 1 900 million metric tons, three times as much. Self-evidently, the world has been remarkably successful in increasing food production but it hardly keeps pace with rapid population growth. Although food production since the mid-1960s has increased faster than population growth, this success story of the Green Revolution does not tell the whole story. In spite of these successes, there are far too many areas of the world where famine still reaps its terrible harvest. Every year, 22 million people die from hunger and malnutrition-related diseases. Two-thirds of them are children. As Ministers gather here for this important Conference, we should stand back and ask ourselves whether FAO, almost 50 years "on", has been successful in the tasks set by our predecessors. If the answer is no, we should consider what has gone wrong. Has FAO failed to meet the vision of its founders? Or has the problem simply been too enormous for the United Nations to cope with? There has not been a failure to enhance agricultural production. The record is impressive. FAO has played a significant part in this, not least in helping governments to put in place policies to encourage agricultural production and through the highly regarded work of the Investment Centre.
That is the positive side.
The negative side is famine and, all too often, armed conflict. But it is not FAO's role to intervene in armed conflict. That is the job of the United Nations itself. The FAO task is to be ready when peace is restored and people return to the land to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. So, the FAO is absolved of responsibility where fighting forces people to flee the land. But can it be said to have an effective and
successful impact over the large part of the earth where there is peace? Here measurement is difficult. FAO would not claim to have played a major part in, for example, post-Second World War agricultural development in the USA or Western Europe - two major grain producing areas. But FAO continues to play an important global role in providing a world data centre on food and agriculture, in analysing data, in identifying problems and in providing a forum where the international community can reach agreement on how to tackle major issues. At the regional level, FAO has an important role in providing a forum for discussion of issues which extend beyond national boundaries. It can also play a vital part in coordinating and stimulating action to address problems affecting regions rather than individual countries : locust control is a notable example.
FAO has a special role at the national level, working alongside governments and other donors to identify constraints to increasing agricultural production in a sustainable manner and to improving nutrition. It also works with them in the formulation and carrying out of policies, helping to strengthen constitutional capacity and to plan and execute priority projects. These are by no means negligible achievements. Indeed, many of them represent major successes for FAO. But are they sufficient? Sufficient in the sense of being in line with what we can reasonably expect of FAO under the terms of its constitution? The FAO Constitution has a strong flavour of idealism. So it should. But there also has to be realism. We can reasonably say that the FAO has, and is, fulfilling the role in keeping the world informed on the global agricultural situation and in drawing attention to future problems. In its role of providing a forum for the discussion of agricultural problems, FAO can also point to successes. But this role is more limited than I believe the founders had in mind; not because FAO has chosen to circumscribe its activities, but because some activities now fall to others. The most obvious example is agricultural trade which comes primarily within the remit of GATT. Nonetheless, FAO does have and will continue to have a vital function in bringing together experts from around the world to resolve a wide range of agricultural problems. But too often it seems that FAO's work on the global stage is overshadowed by its technical assistance programmes. These programmes are important. Through them FAO helps countries to develop their agriculture, forestry and fisheries institutions. FAO also helps with sub-sector planning and with project finance, especially, for those projects which offer the potential for replication. Planning and prioritization are by no means easy. The difficulty as FAO itself has pointed out is getting people to agree on what should not be priorities. This cannot be avoided. We must all recognize that efficient and effective use of limited resources inevitably means that certain activities have to be deferred or even dropped. We believe that the role of FAO as conceived by its founders has remained valid for the 1990s. But what FAO now has to demonstrate is that it is ready to meet the changing needs and challenges of the next century. Let me mention just two. Nobody doubts the importance of FAO's role in the follow-up to Rio. It may possibly replace some of FAO's more traditional activities. I do not wish to be prescriptive about how FAO meets the challenge. We shall be looking to the new Director-General to give us his ideas on how FAO can respond to the environmental agenda which UNCED gave the international community at Rio.
The second challenge is the need for better coordination among development agencies. The international financial institutions, the United Nations agencies, the European Community, research institutions, all are working in areas similar to FAO. We want to see complementary activity, without duplication.
We want each agency to do what it does best and in the most cost-effective way. This is not always easy but it is what current reform of the United Nations is all about. I hope therefore that this issue will be a top priority for FAO and the new Director-General.
Mr Chairman, I have deliberately concentrated so far on the substance of FAO's work. But the governing bodies of FAO have a responsibility to give clear policy guidance. This is an area where the membership could do more.
The need for sound and transparent management of FAO is another important area. Governance and management are two separate but closely linked tasks. Successful governance requires full information from management. Management also needs to submit itself to periodic reviews of its effectiveness. These basic requirements extend to all our agencies, large or small, national or international.
I am sure that they are what the new Director-General will respond to this end. We look forward to a new era of improved cooperation, transparency and effectiveness under the leadership of Jacques Diouf.
Mr Chairman, I started by referring to the growth of the world's population over the past fifty years. Let me end by looking to our future. It took a billion years to build the earth's cover that feeds our planet. We have destroyed half of it in just one hundred years. By the year 2000, the planet is expected to have a population of six billion. By the year 2100 a staggering ten billion. To avoid a world where there is gross overcrowding and inadequate food we, the international community, have to take urgent action on two fronts :
First, we have to give people the opportunity to have children by choice, not chance. This means education and family planning services. Second, we have to make significant progress in increasing sustainable agricultural production and improving the distribution of food so that famine becomes a spectre of the past. FAO's motto - FIAT PANIS - is even more relevant seen against these stark necessities.
I believe that the FAO has the mandate, the means, and the will to play its full part in meeting these challenges. It now has a new Director-General whose agenda and vision will be crucial in determining the future shape and success of FAO. We wish Jacques Diouf well in this difficult task. We promise our whole-hearted support for him and for the Organization. During the next three weeks, we will hear a great many words and promises. My government, Mr Chairman, will be watching FAO very carefully, in the hope that these words and promises will be translated into real action and an agenda for change.
The vision of FAO's founders can still be fulfilled. We must not fail them; FAO must not fail them. The consequences of failure are too terrible to contemplate.
Tae-Soo KIM (Republic of Korea): Mr Chairman, Mr Director-General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen: I am glad to begin my address with my warmest thanks to our outgoing Director-General, Edouard Saouma, and highest congratulations to our incoming Director-General Jacques Diouf. The Republic of Korea would like to pay tribute to the innermost missions to
the freedom from hunger and malnutrition, conducted by Mr .Saouma, of the last eighteen years. Your highest service is now the history of the last forty-eight year old FAO. You deserve our thanks and best wishes for the future.
The Government of the Republic of Korea also would like to congratulate Mr Diouf on the election as our new Director-General for the next six years. My Delegation is confident in your wisdom and is strongly committed to your work with the FAO under your new leadership for the years to come.
Further, Mr Chairman, I would like to join the previous speakers in congratulating our ten new FAO families. I wish to extend the best wishes of the Government of the Republic of Korea.
Mr Chairman, today, we are here again to renew our untiring endeavors for the sustained development of the world agricultural and rural sector which will provide the necessary locomotive force in bringing about global prosperity.
We still have the tragic reality of 40 000 children dying everyday of hunger and malnutrition throughout the world in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, while problems encountered elsewhere in this same world result from the difficulties arising from excess agricultural surpluses.
Furthermore, we also face the fact that global environmental resources, which serve as the foundation of all food production activity, have become so depleted that it has become imperative for the global community to embrace our common responsibility to properly care for them.
Mr Chairman, the agro-fisheries industry functions alternately as a source of emplyment and income, a provider of a stable supply of food, and a buffer that aids in conservation and the balanced development of national lands. It is at the core of national economic development and has a place among those seminal industries which each and every country should continously strive to develop.
Developing nations in particular need to rely on self-generation and expansion of the agro-fisheries industry to facilitate economic development, as large foreign debts and lack of foreign reserves often prevent them from accumulating the surplus resources necessary to invest in other industries.
Yet, in many of developing countries, most agricultural items except for a limited few cannot escape the local production structure. Moreover, the explosive population growth in rural areas makes it increasingly difficult for such countries to sustain development.
Mr Chairman, it is estimated that by the year 2000, the world population will grow to approximately 6 billion. Ninety percent of the increase will occur in developing countries, which are the least equipped to provide for the increasing population given poor production structures.
If present trends do not change, the populations of developing countries that are already facing difficulties securing a stable supply of foodstuffs will have no choice but to bring about further damage to the environment.
Clearly, this is not desirable. In the event that the present situation deteriorates further and we see an upward spiral of world agricultural
prices, these helpless people will become even more vulnerable than they are today and may even face the tragedy of starvation.
Therefore, I believe that our efforts should be further concentrated on strengthening our respective national agro-fisheries and forestry sector in a sustainable manner, based on the principle that all member countries should maintain an appropriate level of self-sufficiency in at least the most critical staple foods. This, I believe, is the realistic way of freeing the human race from starvation and pursuing global co-prosperity.
Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates, it is my pleasure to inform that my Government has renewed efforts to set up a new agricultural policy with respect to the agro-fisheries industry since the inauguration of the new administration this year. The basis of the new policy is the resolve of my government to construct a sound and sustainable development foundation for the agro-fisheries sector within the next five years, or by 1997. This resolution is borne out of such beliefs as I have expressed earlier.
My Government's new agro-fisheries policy primarily aims to transform the thus far labour and land-intensive agro-fisheries industry into a cutting-edge, high value-added industry capable of making full use of technology and capital. Its ultimate goal is to strengthen the competitiveness and the sustainability of the agro-fisheries industry.
To achieve this end, my Government is stressing the importance of the voluntary participation of the farming community.
I sincerely hope that such cooperation between the Government and fishing and farming communities will result in the realization of our ultimate goal of bringing "countryside left behind" to the main stream of national prosperity.
Mr Chairman, at this time, when a new order is being sought for world agriculture, the international community should give every possible support for the efforts to find fundamental solutions to the problems of world food and agriculture for the benefit of all.
This year's adverse climatic conditions such as the abnormally low temperatures, shortage of sunlight, and floods which have wreaked serious damage to the major agricultural regions of many countries, including my own, have clearly demonstrated the unpredictability that is inherent in this sector.
They remind us us once again that agriculture by its very nature rests on favourable climatic conditions. Certainly, blind optimism about world food security benefits no one.
In this connection, I would like to stress that all those involved in the Uruguay Round of Negotiations on Agriculture should take full account of the level of development of the agricultural sector in each individual country. Every possible effort should be channelled towards reaching a balanced and fair agreement between developed and developing countries and food importing and exporting countries. The agreement should not obstruct the balance between efficiency and food security of each country.
We should keep in mind that a uniform reduction of domestic support and an unconditional market liberalization through tariffication, without exception, will create adverse effects. We must not overlook the possible
dangers of such measures and permit them to threaten the world system of food security.
Mr Chairman, I believe it is a mandate for the developed countries to promote global co-prosperity by significantly increasing both their level of imports from developing countries and Official Development Aid. Such steps would go far in helping countries in need to establish a sound economic foundation for food self-sufficiency at an early date.
In this regard, the relevant international organizations, particularly the FAO, should once again strengthen their catalytic roles in these endeavours to promote international cooperation toward concrete solutions.
On behalf of the Republic of Korea, my Government will actively partake in the common effort of the international community to strengthen cooperative development by actively undertaking a role commensurate with its own level of economic development.
For this purpose, the Korea International Cooperation Agency was established to manage the ever growing demand for technical cooperation from developing countries. In addition to the activities of KOICA, my Government has also jointly sponsored with the FAO a number of training programmes for foreign nationals in the agro-fisheries sector since 1991.
In the future my country will continue to openly share the lessons of its experience with interested nations, in full support of the TCDC Programme and the spirit of South-South cooperation.
I am also pleased to inform this Conference that my country accepts the figure of US$2.5 million, which has been proposed as our contribution to the FAO for next year, a three-fold increase over our previous level of contribution.
Mr Chairman, taking this opportunity, I would like to make a few observations on the future activities of the Organization.
First, my country hopes that the results of the study "Agriculture Toward 2010", ambitiously persued by the FAO, will soon be applied to action programmes. In this regard, I would also like to express my hope that FAO Secretariat will organize a World Conference on Plant Genetic Resources at the earliest possible date so that specific ways to put into action the principles of international cooperation and resolution of problems may be sought.
In relation to the formulation of the "Code of Conduct on Responsible Fishing" and "International Agreement on the Flagging of Vessels Fishing on the High Seas", I believe that all concerned countries should first be granted an opportunity to voice their needs and interests. If there are to be regulatory measures, we believe that the best approach is through adoption and expansion by necessity.
Second, my Government supports the decision of the Secretariat to freeze the FAO budget for the 1994-95 biennium and to limit the financial burden for member countries.
I would like to ask, however, that special attention be paid to technical and economic programmes. I urge that cuts in the area should be made very carefully so as to enhance the effectiveness of the various projects in the
implementation stage and minimise any adverse effects arising from the budget cuts.
Third, I recommend that the number of people participating in the Expert Committee meeting on Phytosanitary measures be determined after consideration of the size of the regional organizations. I also hope to see further improvement in the Global Information Early Warning System to enable the FAO to take immediate and effective measures in times of urgency.
Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, the new era of the 21st century is only six years away. The tremendous missions of agriculture, forests, fisheries and rural development, including environmental protection of the world, need our concrete efforts ever more, not just for today's generation, but also for future generations. For this reason, the world food and agricultural systems are facing a new challenge of change and reform every year. The FAO also cannot be an exception.
My distinguished delegates, the present FAO also needs new vision and a new determination for change and reform for the efficient continuation of our whole service for the surviving peoples, for freedom from hunger and malnutrition from the East to the West and from the South to the North.
The forty year old FAO needs fresh blood in order to carry out its high mission ever more properly and efficiently in a balanced manner. The FAO has just elected a new Director-General. It is the right time for the FAO to re-strengthen its mission for the coming 21st century with unity under the new leadership of the new Director-General. The Republic of Korea will continue to support and work closely with the FAO.
Datuk Seri SANUSI JUNID (Malaysia): Mr Chairman, Vice-chairman, FAO, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen
First of all, I would like to join other delegations to this Conference to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this important meeting. I would also like to congratulate the three Vice-chairmen who will assist you during our deliberations for the next three weeks.
On behalf of my Government, my delegation and I would like to convey our warmest congratulations to Mr Jacques Diouf of Senegal on his election as the new Director-General of FAO. We have every confidence that Mr Diouf will be able to execute his duties and responsibilities with a great sense of dedication, as Dr Saouma did, and Malaysia looks forward to having closer collaboration with the FAO. I would also like to congratulate the new friendly nations who are admitted into the FAO at this Conference.
Mr Chairman, in the period preceding the last Conference, the Malaysian Government had launched four important programmes, namely : Vision 2020, The Second Outline Perspective Plan; The National Development Policy; and The Sixth Malaysia Plan.
During the same period before this Conference, we launched the National Agricultural Policy (1992-2010). This new national agricultural policy will address the shortcomings of the previous policy and takes into account Vision 2020 and the Second Outline Perspective Plan. Our goal is to transform the agricultural sector into one that is highly modernized, commercialized and sustainable, whose growth and development will be market
driven and human resource led. The overriding objective of the policy is the maximization of income through optimal utilization of resources. Its specific objectives will include the achievement of a balanced development between the agricultural and other sectors of the economy, enhancement of the integration of the sector with the rest of the economy, in particular the manufacturing sector, the achievement of a higher level and greater depth of food industry development and the attainment of sustainable development in agriculture.
It is often said that Rome was not built in a day. While it is true in many aspects, there are others who said that it also depends on the architects who built it. Thus the transformation of a country, or a society, or an organization, depends on the pace one sets for it to move.
Relating the experience of Malaysia it has transformed itself from being a predominantly subsistence agricultural country depending on rubber and rices in the 50's, where nearly 70 percent of the labour force finds employment in the agriculture sector, to a commodity-based country from the 60's to the early 80's, then to a semi-industrialized country in the late 80's, from where it envisioned itself to be a fully industrialized country by the year 2020. It has also reduced its level of poverty from a high 66 percent in 1970 to 17 percent in 1990. We now have full employment except for those who refuse to work.
Based on our experience in reducing poverty and similar experiences of other nations, we call upon Member Nations to give serious thought to the establishment of WIPER, which is the acronym for the World Intitute of Poverty Eradication.
I have mentioned WIPER at the CIRDAP Conference in Hanoi, the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific, in Beijing, China in April 1990 and also in the last 26th Session of the FAO Conference in November, 1991. In fact, the Afro-Asian Rural Reconstruction Organization Conference which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in February 1992 had unanimously adopted the resolution which called for the establishment of WIPER among member countries.
The proposal to establish WIPER signifies the seriousness in the commitment of the government in its effort at poverty eradication programmes in Malaysia, as well as the desire to share Malaysia's experience in eradicating poverty with other developing countries. The establishment of WIPER would certainly institutionalize and globalize efforts towards meeting this desire.
In order to accommodate for differences in ideology, culture and economic practices, WIPER in each country should be an independent, private national training institution, the idea for which can be shared internationally.
The setting of WIPER and its network would give human development a further boost in light of its increasing realization as a necessary prerequisite for development.
I am happy to note at this Conference that the management of FAO is able to present a longer term projection of world agriculture towards 2010 which represents, in part, the FAO vision of agriculture in the next 17 years. Malaysia, on its part, has already presented its vision of being a developed nation by the year 2020. Along with this vision, it had recently
announced its long term guidelines for agriculture in the -form of its new agriculture policy towards 2010.
The national agriculture policy is in congruence with the FAO World Projection towards 2010, at thus greater collaboration can be expected between Malaysia and FAO.
Weaker economic recovery in the industrialized countries, higher external debt of developing countries and decreasing commodity prices shall continue to be inhibiting factors for food and agriculture. Coupled with natural disasters such as drought, floods and man-made conflicts and civil wars, growth in food and agriculture may be further impeded, and if it is unchecked could lead to widespread famine, hunger and malnutrition.
Food aid and other emergency relief programmes are solutions to those countries affected by natural disasters and civil wars and conflicts. Malaysia is appreciative of the food given by the donor nations to the affected countries, while on its part has contributed in the way it can towards relieving the human suffering in these countries on a bilateral basis and through UN agencies.
Mr Chairman, the task for FAO and for all Member Nations, would be to support specific programmes to build up the food production capacities of the affected countries. The recent International Conference on Nutrition held in December 1992, was a testimony of the world's cry for action against food deficiency, hunger and malnutrition. Parallel with the build up of production capacities would be the creation of suitable economic environment from fairer prices for major agricultural exports, stabilization of prices of agriculture inputs, and greater market access of the produce of the affected countries.
Malaysia views seriously the issues of the preservation of the environment and that development should take place in a sustainable manner. Not only was it an active participant and signatory to the Rio UNCED Declaration of 1992 on Environment, and Convention on Bio-diversity.
It has also instituted certain programmes and regulations to enhance environment preservation on its own.
As regards to sustainable development with reference to agriculture, Malaysia would like to share FAO's tidings on the integration of environment into development process particularly on support and promotion of diversified production systems in low external input agriculture as recommended by the Den Bosch Conference.
Malaysia's production system is unique in that it varies from the most efficient high external input estate system to the low external input shifting cultivation, although the latter is very much localized.
Mr Chairman, over the years from the 40s to the 90s progress in science and technology, market information, management and financing have made agriculture successful and efficient and profitable for some, while for others it remains in the shadow of progress and development needing support and assistance to bring that type of agriculture to the forefront. This dichotomous state of agriculture is not only found between nations, that is between those efficient and the less efficient, but also found within nations. As regards to the latter, Malaysia is one of the example where there is an efficient commercial estate sub-sector which produces rubber,
palm oil, cocoa and poultry, and a less efficient small holders sub-sector which produces rice, and other kinds of food. Although industrialization absorbs a significant proportion of those in the small holder sub-sector, there remains a significant proportion who persist in agriculture because they do not have an alternative choice and those that believe that it is the right life for them. The became a subject of concern to governments, and also a subject of debate in seminars and fora.
Malaysia on its part, will continue to support the two sub-sectors in terms of policies and development programmes. Most crucial in agriculture at the moment is the role of finance. It is our belief that FAO would be able to throw some light into this question of financial services for the small farmers sector, more so with increasing policy and structural changes that are taking place towards more liberal market economies, not only in Malaysia but also in other parts of the world.
Mr Chairman, livestock production in Malaysia is expected to continue to expand to meet the growing demand for livestock products as a result of population increase and economic growth. To safeguard Malaysia's livestock industry, considerable effort goes into the development of contingency plans to deal with possible exotic disease outbreak.
Being one of the coastal states, Malaysia is happy to report that the extended jurisdiction arising out of UNCLOS 1982 has managed in good measure to achieve much of its objectives of better management of fishing stocks in our waters leading to modest benefits to our country. We are concerned, however, with the present state of capitalization in the world fishing fleets, problems associated with straddling sticks and high seas fishing.
We laud the efforts of FAO in its endeavour to establish a new Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.
Malaysia is committed to the sustainable management, conservation and development of its forest resources. This is in line with Malaysia's position as a member country of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) as well as in subscribing to the ITTO year 2000 target where it is required that all trade in tropical timber be sourced from sustainably managed forest. This is also in line with the decisions of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992.
With this in view the national forestry policy had been revised in 1993 where emphasis is extended to forest legislation, forest plantation, agro-industry, non-wood forest products, community forestry, recreation, agrotourism and ecotourism. Conservation of bio-diversity, specific values and international cooperation.
In conclusion, Mr Chairman, I would like to express Malaysia's appreciation on the contribution of FAO and other UN agencies to our development efforts. The tasks before FAO and Member Nations are indeed challenging, more so with a multitide of issues surfacing as a result of the realization by many Member Nations of their need to protect economic and political frontiers towards achieving a more equitable world order.
Before I leave the stand, let me once again thank FAO and Dr Edouard Saouma, the former Director-General, who have been most helpful
to Malaysia, and we look forward to a closer collaboration, with FAO and the new Director-General in the near future.
As this is my fourth speech in the Biennial FAO Conference, and I am probably one of the oldest, if not the oldest serving Agriculture Minister in this forum, I wish to pay tribute to Dr Edouard Saouma for a job well done and for a life well spent. I will remember you Dr Saouma, not just as the highest and longest serving official of the FAO, but also as a friend. Thank you.
WANG JIANGON(China) Mr Chairman, first of all I wish to explain that the head of the Chinese Delegation, Minister Liu Jiang has left finaor an urgent commitment at home. Now please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese Delegation, as the Deputy Leader of the Chinese Delegation and in the name of Minister Liu Jiang, to offer our warm congratulations to you and the three Vice-chairmen on your election to the Bureau of this Conference. I firmly believe that under your able guidance, the Conference will come to a successful conclusion. I also would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere greetings to Dr Diouf on his election as the Director-General of FAO and to the new Member States which were admitted into FAO at this Conference, and I welcome the readmission of South Africa into the Organization.
Since the last session of the FAO Conference, there have been some positive developments in the world of food and agriculture. The international community is paying greater attention to the development of agriculture and many countries have carried out agrarian reform and structural readjustment which have pushed forward food and agricultural production in the world. Currently, the number of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition is still on the rise, compounded by ever-increasing world population, diminishing natural resources, deteriorating environment as well as irrational economic order and trade system.
All these are posing ever more serious challenges to the global agricultural production and sustainable development of the rural economy. We hope that the international community and developed countries will provide more agricultural assistance to the developing countries, lessen their debt burdens, speed up financial and technological transfer, eliminate protectionism in trade for agricultural products and improve external environment for agricultural development in developing countries so as to achieve substantial progress in the world food and agricultural production.
Mr Chairman, a just and rational trading system is an important guarantee for sustainable agricultural development and food security. We noted with concern the continuous fall of the prices in real terms for developing countries' agricultural exports and the subsequent shrinking of their purchasing power, which have greatly hampered their effort to increase export earnings and invigorate their national economies. We hope that all countries or groups of countries participating in the GATT talks can iron out their differences and, conclude at an earliest possible date the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations, so as to lay a solid foundation for the world agricultural development. We also hope that, in this process, special preferential treatment can be considered for the developing countries, so as to, among others, compensate those countries beset by the rising cost of food imports.
Environment and development are getting more and more attention from governments and peoples around the world. It is indeed an urgent and demanding task for mankind today to accelerate economic development and at the same time protect environment and conserve natural resources so that they can always be utilized to benefit the generations to come. We believe that conservation and development are two facets of equal importance for sustainable agriculture. The latest scientific and technological achievement should be used to rationally exploit natural resources. This will be of great significance to sustainable agricultural development. It is our hope that the developed countries will undertake more obligations in conserving the environment and resources, and accelerate the transfer of financial resources and relevant technologies to the developing countries.
Mr Chairman, as one of the specialized agencies in the UN system, FAO is entrusted with the historical mandate to eradicate poverty, alleviate hunger and malnutrition and ensure steady, sustainable agricultural development in the world. In the changing international situation, FAO is facing more and more rigorous challenges. Therefore, it is necessary for FAO to strengthen its capacity and bring its role into full play. We have also taken note, however, that many countries have various difficulties in fulfilling their financial obligations. With this in mind, we agree in principle to the zero growth programme as contained in the "Programme of Work and Budget for 1994-95" submitted by the Director-General to the current session of the Conference. We also agree that priority will be given to the follow-up activities of UNCED and ICN when allocating the supplementary resources of the budget. Nevertheless, we regret to note that there are significant cuts in funds allocated to certain substantive activities such as agriculture and fishery. TCP is well received by the developing countries and the funds for TCP have never reached the 17 percent set by Resolution 89/9. We hope that the Director-General will spare no effort in raising the budget allocation level of the previously-established 14 percent for TCP. At the same time, we also hope that the Member States will do their utmost to honour their financial obligations so as to render vigorous support to FAO's activities.
Mr Chairman, the reform in rural China has been carried out at a faster rate over the past few five years. The reform in the circulation system of agricultural products has obtained a break-through. On the basis of lifting control on the purchasing and marketing prices for aquatic products and fruits, the Chinese Government has again basically liberalized such prices on grains all over the country. In the meantime, there is a new development in the reform of macro-management and the operational mechanism, as needed by the socialist market economy, is well under way. In the process of deepening rural economic reforms, we have made further progress in implementing the proven rural economic policies and have also taken many measures aimed at protecting agricultural and alleviating farmers' burdens. In so doing, a sustained development of agricultural production and rural economy can be assured.
This year, the performance of China's food and agricultural production is generally good. It is estimated that the annual food production is expected to reach 440 million tonnes, which equals the level of last year's bumper harvest. The output of meat, eggs and aquatic products has also increased by a large margin as compared with 1992. Township enterprises have continued to develop in a steady and healthy way. Nevertheless, there exist some problems in our agricultural development, which are mainly that our country has a huge population. The per capita resources are insufficient. There is unbalanced development of rural economies with the expanding gap
between the central western and eastern parts, and at present we still have not basically solved the problem of feeding and clothing 80 million people in the country. For this we shall continue to make efforts and adopt necessary measures so as to further mobilize the enthusiasm of the farmers, fully emancipate the productive forces and promote sustainable, steady and coordinated development of the country's agricultural production and the rural economy as a whole.
The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to the role FAO plays and -has maintained with it a good relationship of cooperation.
We have noted with appreciation the positive contributions made by Dr Edouard Saouma during his tenure as Director-General of FAO and world food and agriculture. In particular, he took the initiative to establish the "Action Programme to Strengthen World Food Security" and the "Technical Cooperation Programme", as well as to promote decentralization. All of these measures have played an instrumental role in enhancing FAO's vitality and in increasing assistance to developing countries.
We believe that the new Director-General with his outstanding competence and rich experience will lead the FAO in making important contributions to fundamentally solving the major issues facing food and agriculture in the world, and particularly in helping the developing countries to eradicate poverty and to enhance agriculture.
The Chinese Government will, as ever, render support to FAO's endeavours, and is ready to join with all other Member Nations in making positive contributions to the development of the world's food and agriculture.
M. MAJIDUL-UL-HAQ (Bangladesh): Mr Chairman, distinguished representative of the Director-General, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a pleasure for me to address the 27th Session of the FAO Conference.
The agenda contains numerous items of importance to us all and I look forward to the presentations and follow-up discussions. It is only through informed debate that we can move forward in our quest for expanded and more secure world food production. On behalf of the Bangladesh delegation and on my own behalf I offer you, Mr Chairman, my warmest felicitations on your election as Chairman of the 27th Session of the Conference. I assure you, Mr chairman, of our fullest cooperation in ensuring the success of this Conference. I would also like to convey our warmest felicitations to Mr Edouard Saouma, whose efforts in upholding the Charter of the FAO and capable of this vast organization must be recorded with our deep appreciation.
It also gives us great pleasure to express our heartiest felicitation to the Director-General elect, Dr Jacques Diouf, and new Members of FAO. We wish them well.
I have had the privilege of representing Bangladesh on the 26th Session of the Conference of the FAO, and I must say that during the intervening period a number of important steps have been taken. It is no longer debatable that adequate strengthening of organizations such as FAO and the World Food Programme are essential for continued expansion of world food production, and ensuring food security. While good progress in production of food, fuel and fodder is being achieved in many areas, the spectra of
famine, desertification and land degradation have not been eliminated. There is little room, therefore, for complacency. In a number of countries, including Bangladesh, introduction of policy reforms have brought about substantive changes which have made it possible for private enterprises to become involved in the total marketing process of agricultural inputs, including fertilizers. In Bangladesh we are on the threshold of self-sufficiency in cereal production and have even begun to look at the possibility of exporting surplus rice. This has been a remarkable achievement for a small country with limited arable land and a burgeoning population.
It is, therefore, clearly evident that the policy reforms, particularly the private sector involvement in the marketing and distribution of agricultural inputs, have contributed to increased food production to a large extent. This blessing, however, is not unmixed. This process of transition from public sector activity to the private has resulted in the desbandment of significant number of employees of governmental organizations in a developing overpopulated country, which already has a sizeable percentage of unemployed youth. This is bound to have political implications which must not be overlooked if a newly acquired democratic system is to be nurtured to maturity.
While we are on this point, I would like to bring to the notice of the distinguished delegates that the food donor countries and the World Food Programme should adopt a more flexible programme for those countries which are approaching food grain self-sufficiency. For example, it should be made possible to substitute pulses or oilseeds in lieu of wheat or rice in food aid programmes if the recipient country is able to achieve cereal self-sufficiency. It should also be made possible to provide non-food commodities, such as fertilizers, which could then be sold in the local market thereby generating funds for purchasing locally produced rice or wheat for food-for-work and other poverty alleviation programmes. Such an approach would stabilize farm-level wheat and rice prices, which will invariably be depressed as a country moves from chronic deficit to one of periodic or continued self-sufficiency. This should be a transitional mode to ease the adjustment period from deficit to self-sufficiency.
Bangladesh is presently going through a difficult process of transition from a food deficient to a near food surplus country. While we rejoice over the fact that we are now able to meet most of our food-grain needs, we bemoan the fact that this surplus production has considerably reduced paddy prices at the farm level almost below the cost of production. Hence, the proposal I have described would, I believe, do much to ease the transition of developing countries from one of deficit production to one of surplus production.
Mr Chairman, I would like to bring to your attention that subsidized cereal production by developed countries has resulted in low world prices for all cereals. For developing countries such as Bangladesh, who are now exploring export opportunities for rice, find world prices which are less than our cost of production. Since we in Bangladesh are moving to a net export position, these low world prices are blocking our export effort. As if this malady was not enough, many developing countries have conditions attached to their loans which require them not to subsidize their farm products. While I can understand the logic for this condition, and realize that we in the developing countries do not have the resources to compete in the world subsidy war, even if we wanted to, the result is that farmers in developing countries are harmed by subsidies which are being pumped into farms in
developed countries. This dichotomy is affecting the Third World countries very adversely and is bound to be counter-productive economically in the long run.
Mr Chairman, this problem warrants discussion and adoption of a resolution by FAO while I do not want to embarrass any of the development partners who continue to be generous in their development support, I would like to point out that this issue is not only a GATT issue, but a development issue as well. Subsidized cereal and grain production in developed countries is harmful to farmers in developing countries. In order to counterfact this, the donor countries should be more flexible with regard to subsidies in developing countries.
Mr Chairman, later in the Conference we will be discussing the state of the world food and agriculture situation. I understand that in general the food situation is improving, with production of food up by an estimated 4 percent over last year and carry-over stocks up by 5 percent. While this is gratifying, there are still countries where many of its citizens are suffering from lack of food: either there is not enough food produced or available within the country or that individuals lack money to buy food. This being so, we have no reason whatsoever to rest on our laurels till we have eliminated the remaining pockets of hunger and suffering that persist. While we must make efficient use of the limited resources available to the FAO, we must ensure that important ongoing programmes are adequately financed, and that important new initiatives are undertaken.
As we move forward towards the year 2010 and beyond, we will have the responsibility to feed many millions more people. I am confident that we will be sucessful in achieving this objective, but it will not be without problems along the way. In my view, the solution includes continued policy reforms and infrastructure development by governments, expanded private sector investment in agri-business such as distribution and marketing, and by development and adoption of new technology, especially biotechnology.
The policy reforms needed include more liberalization of markets and more private sector investment in the agriculture service sector. I feel that if developing countries can build good infrastructure in rural areas such as roads that connect with agricultural markets that are either publicly or privately owned, and electricity lines service irrigation pumps and grain mills, then we can expect to see significant growth and job creation in our rural areas. We must build and improve our infrastructure, while at the same time tearing down any remaining barriers to private investment in agriculture and the sector servicing agriculture.
As for technology, we can count on continuing new developments. Biotechnology, of course, is something we all expect to usher in new opportunities. Also, there are many examples of existing technologies that are not being fully utilized. For example, if one looks at average rice yields in South and South-East Asia, one will see different average yields, implying that there is a significant extension opportunity in those countries with low average yields. All of these opportunities will need to be pursued if we are going to feed the world population in the year 2010. With realistic programmes by FAO and other institutions, combined with an expansive policy environment in developing countries, I am sure the challenge can be met. However, the developing countries will need considerable assistance from the developed countries for adoption of this technology, institutional framework, research and training facilities. Here again we must not forget that this is going to be a very expensive game and
for those countries whose 60 percent farmers live below the poverty line. The question is who will bear the cost?
We will now discuss issues relating to the environment and to the role of women in development. Both are of utmost importance. Our land and water resources are crucial to our survival and we must ensure that short-run economic decisions do not result in undermining the capacity of our soil to produce in the long-term. The FAO has been in the fore-front in promoting integrated pest management, tree planting, soil conservation programmes and numerous other projects that have been designed to ease pressure on the environment. While Bangladesh has taken extraordinary strides in tree plantation and popularising use of biodegradable materials in daily use towards ensuring a cleaner and liveable environment, land degradation, desertification and depletion of river waters for irrigation are not only adversely affecting agricultural production, pisciculture, river navigation and industrial production due to ingress of saline water from the Bay of Bengal, but upsetting the ecological balance altogether. This issue is of paramount importance and FAO cannot remain a silent spectator.
As for women, they are intimately involved in production and processing of crops, but unfortunately their role has most often been underestimated. If we can structure our development projects to ensure that they involve and benefit women, we will see an improvement in the condition not only of women, but for all of society. For example, projects that focus on the farmstead are most likely to involve women and benefit the entire family, as these will result in production of nutritionally important crops such as fruits and vegetables.
Altough efforts have been made from time to time to develop the livestock situation, it has not reached the desired goal. Firstly, because of lack of appropriate entrepreneurship and secondly, because of severe loss of cattle wealth due to periodic cyclones in the southern part of the country. Be that as it may, greater effort and assistance will be needed to improve this situation, particularly to develop dairy and meat production.
In Bangladesh, fish has been the most common and desired source of protein for the entire population. However, in recent years the per capita protein intake has declined; firstly, because of increase of human population and secondly because of decline in fish production. This decline is particularly due to drying up of the major rivers Ganges or Padma during the winter season because of unilateral withdrawal of water upstream. The only pragmatic way to avert this situation and to ensure availability of protein to the poor millions of Bangladesh is to ensure adequate availability of water in this river which warrants goodwill of all quarters in the region.
Mr Chairman, you may please recall that in the last session, I made a brief statement on the Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP). As you are aware, FAO played a very significant role in establishing this centre in Bangladesh. CIRDAP has been in operation for the last fourteen years. Within this short period, it has succeeded in initiating a number of projects in the areas of research, action research, training documentation and information dissemination and has completed a number of them. CIRDAP's role as a promoter and facilitator of national action and regional cooperation for rural development is now well-recognized by the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and UN Agencies. From the inception, CIRDAP has been receiving assistance from different
donors. Since FAO pioneered the creation of CIRDAP, it would be highly appreciated if FAO comes forward with full support and assistance.
I would also like to acknowledge the very close cooperation we have been receiving from the FAO representatives in our country and our region. They have always operated in the most professional manner, which we appreciate.
Mr Chairman, in conclusion, may I suggest that while FAO has done an excellent job and while representatives of almost all the countries of the world gather here once every two years with the avowed aim of attaining "Freedom From Hunger", we are still a long way off from that goal. That being so, let us all endeavor in the next couple of weeks to assess in concrete terms how many more miles we have to cover and with what means and methods.
Piet BUKMAN (Netherlands): Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to address this Conference here today. This is a rather special occasion. Special for two particular reasons. The first is that Mr Diouf, has been elected to be FAO's new Director-General. My warmest congratulations. His task will not be simple, but he may be assured of the continuing support for FAO from the Netherlands, because we do feel very committed to this Organization. The second reason is the accession to FAO of as many as nine new Member Nations. It is some time since we have been able to welcome so many welcomers. This sudden rush is no mere coincidence, I think.
Nations are falling apart, new sovereign states are being established; tension, uncertainty and lack of political stability are dominating factors in many regions. Unfortunately, but it is reality. It is therefore understandable that unity and cooperation are sought within the United Nations. The accession of the nine new Member Nations is a compliment to FAO and the leadership of Mr Saouma, its Director-General for the past 18 years.
Many outstanding initiatives were taken under Mr Saouma's leadership, such as the Technical Cooperation Programme, a flexible instrument for a quick response to emergency situations and as a initial instrument for bigger multi-bi projects and programmes.
Other achievements were the numerous reforms which came into effect during Mr Saouma's last term of office.
I do not deny that the Netherlands would have liked to have seen more in the way of reforms, but let me emphasize that quite some progress has been made.
In this context I would stress the importance of FAO's joining up with the reforms elsewhere in the United Nations.
The period under Mr Saouma is characterized by growing concern for sustainability in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
The FAO/Netherlands Conference on Agriculture and the Environment has undoubtedly been an important impetus, as was underlined by the Director-General in the opening statement to the Conference. The International Conference on Nutrition was in my opinion a similar
milestone. There the Global Plan of Action for Nutrition to eradicate hunger and malnutrition was born.
The Netherlands will be only too glad to contribute to the implementation of this plan.
It is only a matter of decades before the world population will have doubled. The first priority therefore must be an active policy to stem population growth. Population growth is not a natural inevitability but a cultural phenomenon, which means it can be managed.
I would like to emphasize again that an intensive cooperation between FAO on the one hand and UNFPA on the other hand is fundamental. But even if we are successful in managing population growth, a further increase of the world population must be taken into account, and the problem of food quality will be compounded by the problem of food quantity.
On top of that, desertification, salinization and urbanization threaten to destroy millions of hectares of fertile farmland.
All in all, Mr Chairman, we are faced with an enormous task: how do we provide food security for those millions and millions of people, without this having an adverse effect on the environment?
Obviously, I cannot come up with a cut-and-dry solution, but some things are clear.
Against the intended reduction in production volume in the industrialized world, there will have to be an increase in production volume elsewhere, in particular in developing countries. And we should try to realize this increase via sustainable farming methods.
Sustainable agriculture is one of the areas in which FAO will have to show itself a "centre of excellence".. The awareness is there and it is being acted on.
Agenda 21 of UNCED contains initiatives to address the problems of sustainable agriculture.
FAO is involved in these initiatives: fortunately, it has a coordinating role in the clusters land, desertification, forests and biological diversity.
The maintaining and further development of an agricultural knowledge network will have to remain a priority.
This is vital not only for the introduction of sustainable farming methods. It is also vital for the promotion of agricultural education, research, and extension, which is essential to an agriculture with long-term prospects.
Mr Chairman, investments made in knowledge and know-how will always pay themselves back.
And, I think FAO can play a central role here, too.
But this does require a strengthening of the multi-disciplinary cooperation between the FAO divisions, and my delegation will come back on these matters in the days ahead.
Mr Chairman, to advise policy makers, is the final area in which FAO will have to show itself as a centre of excellence. An example is the liberalization of world trade which is being negotiated in the GATT.
It is one of FAO' s main tasks to play an advisory role in these negotiations, which are so crucial, also, to the developing countries. Two years ago I made the suggestion for a pilot study into the effectiveness of the GATT agreement in one or more developing countries.
This study should result in recommendations of the best way to have developing countries profit optimally from a GATT agreement. I am happy to say that this pilot study will start shortly.
Mr Chairman, in this respect I would like to make a general remark; namely, that in view of the turbulent times we are facing in the international community, I would like to attract your attention to the Constitution of the FAO, more specifically, to article 1, paragraph 2 (e) (f) and I quote:
"The adoption of policies for the provision of adequate agricultural credit, national and international. The adoption of international policies with respect to agricultural commodity arrangements," unquote.
Mr Chairman, to my opinion, strengthening of these actions of the FAO is of utmost importance.
Unfortunately, Mr Chairman, several developing countries are now excluded from technical aid. So-called ethnic conflicts are in the way. FAO, too, is powerless against these conflicts.
But as soon as the tide will turn, FAO will have to perform an essential task, a key role in the technical rehabilitation. FAO is excellently suited for this challenge.
My country has shown, during the last years, to be ready to contribute financially in this phase as we did in several countries in Africa; for instance, in Eritrea.
The Netherlands is the biggest donor to this special window of FAO.
Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen,
Expectations are that appeals to FAO for help will increase.Since its resources are rather limited, we have to consider our prioritis carefully, all this against the back ground of what FAO might mean for global agriculture.
FAO's resources are limited, but its financial situation looks a little bit rosier than two years ago.
The new Director-General may count himself lucky in this respect.
Mr Chairman, I wish you, Mr Diouf, all the possible success and I assure him again, that the Netherlands will continue to give its unqualified support.
Thank you so much.
R.A. AKHUND (Pakistan): Mr Chairman, Mr Director-General, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
It gives me great pleasure to extend the greetings of my delegation to you, Mr Chairman, on your election. We have no doubt that you will guide the deliberations of this Conference to a successful conclusion. I would also like to congratulate the three Vice-Chairmen whose knowledge and expertise will certainly be a most valuable resource for the Bureau.
Mr Chairman, eighteen years ago we had elected Dr Edouard Saouma as the sixth Director-General of this Organization. As we look back today we cannot fail to notice that FAO has grown not only in years and size of membership, but in real strength.
The true value of FAO's contribution to humanity in general and the hungry and malnourished in particular may be difficult to catalogue but is gratefully recognized by innumerable beneficiaries around the world who would have been worse off were it not for the vision and tireless efforts of Dr Saouma. We join others in paying tribute to Dr Saouma.
Mr Chairman, my delegation would also like to extend warm felicitations to Mr Jacques Diouf on his election as Director-General of FAO. We are all aware, and painfully so, of the challenges and tasks that lie ahead of us but take comfort in the fact that we have chosen a dedicated and committed leader to prepare us for the twenty-first century. We extend our sincerest congratulations to Mr Jacques Diouf and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
Mr Chairman, the food situation at the global level in general, and Africa in particular, continues to be of serious concern to all of us. A new dimension was added recently to this problem through the serious upsurge in locust activities in Africa, the Middle East and the Indo-Pak subcontinent. In fact, my country, along with neighbouring India, has gone through an extremely difficult situation since last July when the locust swarms, originating in the Saharan areas of Africa, hit the subcontinent. The Government took emergency steps and with the active support of FAO and timely help from aid donors a major catastrophe was averted. This experience underscores a vital requirement: a more active and effective role of FAO in coordinating regional activities and cooperation by countries which are either the potential breeding ground or target areas or both. This issue, incidentally, must be addressed on an emergency basis since, given this year's massive locust breeding, resurgence of the threat next summer cannot be ruled out. We would suggest that FAO sets up a special task force for the preparation of an action plan based on an in-depth review of the recent experience.
Mr Chairman, the prolonged drought and strife in some developing countries underlines the compelling need to conserve and strengthen our natural resource base. The existence of the International Emergency Food Reserve (IEFR) and the positive response by donors to meet international emergencies is positive evidence of international cooperation on this vital issue. Unfortunately, this problem is not likely to disappear in the near future; and it is, therefore, important that the existing arrangement is strengthened to ensure quick and adequate response by the international community.
One of the long-term problems requiring serious attention of the international community is that of environmental degradation. Poverty, high
rates of population growth and environmental degradation have an intimate relationship. While the intensive use of yield-inducing inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides do raise food production, so vital to meet the rising demand for an expanding population, the overuse of such inputs can be a source of serious environmental problem. Concern for protecting the environment has to be reconciled with the compelling need to raise output and income, and thus reduce the incidence of poverty. Solution to these resource-based problems must emerge from close and intensive cooperation at the international, regional and national levels. At the national level Pakistan has already formulated a conservation strategy which was put in place some two years back. With the assistance of aid donors we are now in the process of strengthening the institutional structure and the regulatory framework to deal with this problem. We hope the Conference will assign high priority to the resolution of these issues by establishing a programme to integrate environmental protection with sustainable development in the food and agriculture sector.
Mr Chairman, turning now to the business before this Conference, we are pleased to note that in the World Food and Agriculture Outlook, increasing attention is being paid to nutritional issues. The emphasis on household food security, improved food quality and safety and promotion of nutrition education is most welcome. We are confident that programmes relating to nutrition will figure prominently in the agenda at international, national and community levels.
Mr Chairman, we have also noted the very active involvement of this Organization in the follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). We welcome the focus on sustainable agriculture and rural development, and the increased attention paid to biodiversity and plant genetic resources. We would, however, like to underline the importance of building national capacity and participatory approaches for tackling these issues. I must also add that the question of additional cost of sustainable development should be addressed and sufficient resources may be transferred to developing countries to sustain the approach.
Mr Chairman, this Conference is also required to make an assessment of the Programme of Work and Budget for 1994-95 - the biennium which will see FAO celebrate its Fiftieth Anniversary. It would have been befitting to see a programme of work responding effectively to the many challenges facing us today. Unfortunately, the proposals do not reflect a real programme increase over the previous level. We realize that the programme has been constrained by serious economic pressures and budgetary restraint. Since an ambitious plan in this context would have been unrealistic, we extend our support to the proposed budgetary level of US$676.9 million and endorse the priority thrust of the programme. The allocation for the Technical Cooperation Programme, although well below the desired level, is also supported in the hope that effort will be maintained to enhance the allocation in coming years. While endorsing the Programme of Work and Budget for 1994-95, we would like to urge Member Nations to approve the programme unanimously so that the new Director-General can implement the Work Programme with unqualified support.
Mr Chairman, let me give a very brief overview of developments in my country. Although Pakistan's performance in the food and agriculture sector has been more than satisfactory in the past, the preceding year witnessed a sharp reversal with the agriculture sector showing a decline of 3.9 percent. Flash floods and cotton virus took a heavy toll of the sector.
Since then, swift action was taken to restore flood damaged infrastructure and we expect a strong rebound in growth in the current year. Early indications for major crops like cotton, rice, sugarcane and wheat are reassuring and we hope that the sector will continue to sustain overall growth well over 6 percent.
Several policy measures have been adopted by Pakistan to stabilize the financial position and build a market economy. This is expected to provide a stable environment encouraging growth in agriculture output and exports. The package of policies aimed specifically at agricultural growth like access to capital, improved support price, deregulation of input supplies, etc. have been strengthened and are presently under review by a Task Force appointed by the recently elected government. The Task Force is expected to address a number of issues, including removal of disabilities affecting the sector and strengthening incentives for growth in output. Concern for small farmers and their lot will feature prominently in the set of recommendations to be submitted by the Task Force. Thus over the longer run the agriculture sector is expected to contribute, as in the past, to overall economic growth.
The contribution of human capital, particularly in the integration of women in the process of development, is the key to sustained and rapid economic growth. Women have to be fully mobilized for their own as well as national development, and here the role and assistance extended by FAO for the involvement of women in the development process is greatly appreciated. In full support of this approach, Pakistan launched a social action programme some two years back which has taken firm roots with enhanced financial allocation for accelerating investment in social sectors as well as improving the quality of service. Girls' education and better access to health and family planning services are central features of this programme. Women's involvement in income-generating activities like crop production, livestock management, cottage industry, etc. has been strengthened through a parallel effort. These and other programmes and policies have been put in place to draw women into the mainstream of economic activity contributing to social and economic growth.
In the end, Mr Chairman, allow me to reiterate on behalf of the Government of Pakistan our firm commitment to take all possible measures to increase food and agriculture production not only to meet our own needs but also to add to the global supply. In this connection, we expect the continued participation of the FAO and other international agencies who have been providing valuable assistance in the past. It is through concerted and joint efforts that we can hope to combat hunger, malnutrition and poverty. We hope that under the able guidance of the new Director-General, FAO would continue to play a vital role in the development of agriculture, especially in the developing nations like Pakistan.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you, the very distinguished delegate of Pakistan. I will not invite the delegate of Indonesia to deliver his statement. I ask you to note that while the distinguished delegate of Indonesia proceeds to the floor, the Vice-chairman of the Conference, Mr Haq, of Bangladesh, will take the chair.
M. MAJIDUL-UL-HAQ, Vice-Chairman of the Conference, took the chair
M. MAJIDUL-UL HAO, Vice-Président de la Conférence, assume la présidence
Ocupa la presidencia M. MAJIDUL-UL HAO, Vicepresidente de la Conferencia
Sjarifudin BAHARSJAH (Indonesia): Mr Chairman, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen: It is most gratifying to me and to my delegation that the stewardship of this 27th Session of the FAO Conference is entrusted to such a distinguished leader as Dr Seymour Mullings.
I would also like to extend my congratulations to the elected Vice-chairmen who, I am sure, will render the Chairman every assistance towards the success of this Conference.
To Indonesia, the election of Dr Jacques Diouf holds special significance. It was in Jakarta, Indonesia, early this year that Mr Diouf demonstrated his outstanding capabilities while chairing the Non-Aligned Movement's Expert Group on Food Security. This convergence of experts from countries such as Benin, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, along with those from organizations like IFPRI and FAO, intended to build upon South-South cooperation in enhancing food security, with particular emphasis on Africa.
We are convinced therefore, that Mr Diouf will leave no stone unturned in advancing South-South and North-South cooperation even further, such that all our endeavours will be effective in assuaging the plight of the world's poor and hungry.
Mr Chairman, on behalf of the Government and people of Indonesia, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Governments of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Eritrea, Kyrgyz Republic, Slovak Republic, the Republic of Slovenia and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as new Members of the Organization. I would like also to welcome the Republic of South Africa on its readmission to the Organization. We look forward to closely cooperating with all of them.
Mr Chairman, despite the impressive economic growth that has been taking place in the Asia and Pacific Region, poverty is likely to continue to remain at high levels in the 1990s. A holistic approach to economic and social development, with poverty alleviation as its major focus, is needed. The content of growth can be improved by reorienting the economy's production structure in ways that favour the growth of income of the poverty groups, and by redirecting investment to improve the productivity of the poor.
The concerns expressed by the Heads of State or Governments of the Non-Aligned member countries in their resolution on food security are of particular relevance to Africa, which has faced very severe food problems during the past two decades. If not properly addressed, these circumstances will deteriorate even further in the coming years. It was in recognition of the depth and magnitude of the food and nutrition situation in Africa that the Non-Aligned Movement Resolution on Food Security dictated the formulation of an action programme to alleviate food insecurity in African countries.
Another issue that is becoming of major concern to developing countries, apart from the diminishing resources for development, is the crushing burden of their debt servicing levels. Most of the developing countries remain caught in the grip of economic stagnation and trapped in poverty and structural underdevelopment. African and Asian countries, in particular, continue to be beset by acute reversal and these deserve our special attention.
Mr Chairman, some weeks ago all nations celebrated the 13th World Food Day under the theme "Harvesting Nature's Diversity". The theme serves to remind us all of the importance of wise utilization of our biological resources. Otherwise, we will have to face the more serious threat of irreversible environmental destruction and its impact on human civilization and life on earth. In the context of UNCED recommendations, my country has always been fully supportive of the pressing need for conserving and utilizing biodiversity to be used as a means of fight hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
Indonesia and other members of ASEAN reaffirm their commitment to the decisions of UNCED, particularly those which relate to forestry. They call on all countries and interested parties to uphold their commitment to those decisions and underscore the need for the expeditious implementation of the UNCED Forest Principles by all countries. They emphasize the sovereign rights of countries to utilize and conserve their forest resource on a sustainable basis, efforts toward greening of the world and raising the world's forest cover notably by developed countries. They also urge the fulfilment of commitment to provide new and additional financial resources as well as environmentally sound technology on favourable terms to developing countries, and promotion of a supportive international economic climate and trade in forest products based on non-discriminatory and multilaterally agreed rules and procedures.
ASEAN also reaffirms its commitment to the attainment of the International Tropical Timber Organization Sustainability Objective Year 2000. ASEAN urges that countries committed to the ITTO Sustainability Objective Year 2000 should not be imposed with regulation on certification and labelling earlier than the stipulated time-frame and strongly opposes any form of unilateral and discriminatory certification and labelling on tropical timber and timber products.
Indonesia is closely related to environmental issues, integrated pest management as a national crop protection policy has demonstrated the strong political will of the Government of Indonesia to develop and disseminate efficient, environmentally sound, and sustainable agricultural development. The IPM programme has also proven that farmers can become experts in managing their own fields, stabilizing yields and increasing profits. Indonesia's IPM policy and its subsequent implementation programmes have decoupled pesticides from rice production; while national rice production has risen, pesticide use has declined, limiting long-term environmental degradation and contributing to improved farmer health and welfare.
The Indonesian IPM model is being shared with countries throughout the region and the world. Through South-South cooperation, agriculturists from more than 20 countries have already sent personnel for training in Indonesia. Indonesia's IPM programmes seek to produce a more effective agriculture system better prepared to face future challenges and constraints, both internal and external, with highly trained field staff able to create and sustain an on-going educational process linking farm communities and research organizations into a single united effort.
As regards fisheries development and management, Indonesia has diligently followed the strategy adopted by the World Fisheries Conference in 1984 which holds the principle of sustainable utilization of the resources. In recent years environment concerns have also been taken into account in the development of fisheries to ensure a much broader view of sustainable principles adopted by the UNCED held in Rio in 1992. In this respect, Indonesia supports the establishment of an Advisory Committee to provide
the right advice on the conduct of research in the developing countries to ensure sustainable development and equitable share among the resource users.
Due to the mobility of some of the marine fishery resources, international initiatives become absolutely necessary. Such a distinct character of the fisheries sector calls for international cooperation which takes into account the interest of developing coastal states and that of distant water fishing nations. In this respect Indonesia welcomes the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission with the principle of sustainable exploitation of tuna resources in the region and the shared benefit that the coastal states will also accrue. The Draft Agreement on Flagging of Vessels Fishing on the High Seas should also take into account the interests of both the developing coastal states and the distant water fishing countries.
Mr Chairman, my delegation welcomes the third progress report on the implementation of the resolution regarding the Plan of Action for Integration of Women in Development. Not only does my delegation support FAO's Plan of Action but it has, in fact, already taken a number of tangible steps to facilitate the implementation of this programme. Efforts should continuously be made to ensure that Member Governments would be able to equip themselves in developing and implementing legislation, policies and programmes which are responsive to specific gender issues.
Mr Chairman, as regards the Programme of Work and Budget for 1994-95, we are cognizant of the underlying constraints and I am pleased to note that it constitutes a compromise between urgent needs and availability of resources. We appreciate the efforts of the Director-General to present to this Conference a realistic Programme of Work and Budget, which has been prepared in line with the advice of various FAO technical bodies as well as the Programme and Finance Committee. It therefore deserves our full support. The increased allocation to TCP is welcome as it would enable FAO to respond quickly to urgent needs in continuing to play a significant role in solving key problems impinging upon agricultural development in developing countries.
Finally, Mr Chairman, we bear witness to the remarkable role that FAO has played in assisting agricultural development in developing countries. I wish to appeal to all members to spare no efforts in maintaining FAO's capability in discharging its mandate in the future.
Yoshihiro HAMAGUCHI (Japan): Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I am greatly honoured to have this opportunity of representing the Japanese Government at this Twenty-seventh Session of the Conference in the company of the distinguished delegates of other FAO countries.
I would like, first of all, to offer, you, Mr Chairman, my warmest congratulations on your election as Chairman. I am convinced that, with the benefit of your outstanding knowledge and guidance, this session will yield fruitful results for all member countries.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude and respect for the FAO Secretariat under the leadership of the Director-General, Dr Edouard Saouma, for its efforts towards solving world-wide food and agricultural problems.
I am pleased to express my heartiest congratulations to Dr- Jacques Diouf, the new Director-General. It is my sincere hope that under your able guidance, FAO will be able to even more effectively deal with many pressing issues.
Mr Chairman, global food balance depends on such precarious factors as rapid growth population and a changing global environment both in the longer and medium term. Currently there remains 786 million people, which is one fifth of the total population in the developing world, suffering from malnutrition. In sub-Saharian Africci alone one third of the population is malnourished and the situation continues to deteriorate as the years go by.
This is mainly because of the lack of investment for domestic economic systems and agricultural infrastructure and due to the inadequate human resource development, all of which are necessary for self-reliance. To strengthen international efforts toward these African issues, the "Tokyo International Conference on African Development" was held between October 5 and 6 in Japan, with the participation of 48 African countries, headed by sovereigns or persons at the ministerial level. At the Conference, policy dialogue was about a new partnership between African countries and Africa's development partners. As a result, the Conference adopted the "Tokyo Declaration on African Development", which emphasized the significant role of export expansion and private sector's promotion for sustainable economic development of African countries. And also it emphasized the significance of the responsive support by Africa's development partners, and TCDC and ECDC with East Asian countries.
My Government sincerely hopes that the results of the "Tokyo International Conference on African Development" will generate the momentum by which to accelerate African development and thus help solve its food problems.
The successful economic development in East Asian countries is broadly noticed in such reports as a recent World Bank Publication.
In this connection I would like to stress that the substantial investment in the agricultural sector including rural development has resulted in high productivity and self-sufficiency ratio of staple food production notwithstanding the common character of small-scale farming, and, consequently, has contributed to political and economic stability in achieving rapid economic growth in East Asian countries.
Mr Chairman, for every country it is vitally important to secure enough food for its people, and these endeavours should be given the attention and support of the international community. In this context, we should also stress the importance of self-efforts made by each country to produce staple food leading to sound economic development as testified in the success of East Asian countries in this regard.
Since most developing countries are predominantly in rural areas, stable economic conditions and food security of the people living there constitute the foundation for the political, and economic development of the nation as a whole.
My delegation would like to request FAO to carefully monitor the agricultural development of food-deficit countries and to provide them with appropriate advice so that these countries can achieve sound agricultural
development and are not adversely affected by food aid, structural adjustment, and trade factors.
Excessive reliance of many countries including Japan on import of food from limited exporting countries and the increasing reliance on such exporters will lead to uncertain food security, judging from abnormal climatic conditions, as experienced by Japan this year and also from environmental changes both in the mid and longer term.
From this point of view, I also would like to draw your attention to the significance of the promotion of agriculture in each country. One century has passed since research activities on agriculture began in Japan. I would like to add to one point that Japanese long life expectancy can be attributed to the nutritionally balanced diet style based on rice.
I would now like to touch upon environmental issues. If the world population increases rapidly as projected by the United Nations, further deterioration of global environment is anticipated through agricultural development mainly in developing countries. Since agriculture, forestry and fisheries are industries inducing the maximum capacity of the natural ecological system, the basic strategy is to increase natural productivity and to realize a sustainable production system.
I would like to stress the need for concentrated efforts by every country in research and extension activities to achieve sustainable development in response to the increasing demand for food production.
My Government would also like to emphasize that individual countries' efforts for increasing food production would not be unreasonably prevented by excessive consideration of environmental conservation in the international community.
Japan firmly believes that FAO will strengthen its scientific observation of environmental change and, based on that, will achieve balanced coordination between environmental conservation and agricultural development.
In the Uruguay Round agricultural negotiations, my Government has been emphasizing the importance of so-called non-trade concerns such as food security, environment, and so forth. Therefore, we have been stressing the importance of self-sufficiency of basic foodstuffs and environmental conservation. My country sincerely hopes that this negotiation will contribute to the solution of food and agricultural problems harmonizing the positions of export and import countries.
Forests, a vital component of the global ecosystem, have been contributing to the welfare of mankind through their various functions. However, as shown by the "1990 Forest Resource Assessment", deforestation and degradation have continued unabated recently. Under such circumstances the importance of sustainable management of all types of forests was recognized firmly in UNCED last year. In Japan two thirds of its land is covered by forest, of which 40 percent, or 10 million hectares, is man-made forests. In light of our forest management technology, Japan has positively developed international cooperation activitites, such as promoting TFAP, initiated by FAO, and supporting the activities of ITTO, as well as consolidating bilateral cooperation. Achieving sustainable forest management is an important goal for every country. My Government would like
to strengthen its effort for achieving that goal, and we look forward to FAO's contribution in this regard.
In the field of fisheries it is also very important to ensure sustainable development. Appropriate management and conservation of living marine resources based on the best scientific information available and its rational utilization are essential.
Japan highly appreciates the efforts by FAO to establish an "International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing" and would like to contribute to the process of its establishment. It is our greatest pleasure that the "Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas" is going to be adopted at this Conference. This agreement is one of the most essential components of the Code of Conduct. Japan again appreciates the tremendous efforts of FAO to reach an agreement on this important matter.
The world's fisheries have made a major contribution to human nutrition. However, to secure a fish supply that matches increasing demand we must prevent environmental degradation and overfishing by establishing appropriate management measures.
Contribution of fisheries is not limited to food supply but to cultural, historical and social progress of human society, as well.
Keeping this importance of fisheries in mind, Japan expects FAO to take the appropriate initiative to provide a forum for Member States to constructively discuss fisheries, and we propose holding an "International Conference on Sustainable Contribution of Fisheries to Food Security". My delegation notes with pleasure that this proposal received broad support at the Council meeting of last week.
Mr Chairman, my Government has intentionstlly expanded Japan's Official Development Assistance. In the agricultural sector the priority has been given to international cooperation, which would mitigate food shortages and improve the living standard of farmers in an effort to respond to basic human needs. In this context I would like to draw notice to our plan of a Trust Fund for FAO aimed at human resources development in developing countires.
Mr Chairman, agriculture, forestry and fisheries are the most fundamental industries in many countries in that they provide employment to a large segment of population.
Each country has developed its own agriculture, forestry and fisheries systems based on its own history and natural conditions. My Government recognizes that each country must show mutual respect for each other's national agricultural system, all of which should be developed in harmony with the global environment. Japan strongly anticipates FAO's initiative in resolving the problems of world food and agriculture based on this recognition.
In this context, the "Agriculture Towards 2010" report released at this Conference is very interesting and significant. We highly appreciate FAO's efforts in completing this report.
Finally, we consider it is imperative for FAO in confronting financial difficulties to shift the available resources to priority areas in order to
increase effectiveness. Thus, FAO's activities will obtain even greater efficiency and toughness under our new Director-General with support from numerous member countries in order to challenge food and agricultural issues aggressively for the future of humankind.
I would like to close this statement by stating that the Government of Japan will continue to participate positively in FAO's activities and to assume our shared responsibility.
Karl Erik OLSSON: Today's societies are moving in a direction that is incompatible with basic biological principles. The pollution of water and air, the depletion of natural resources and the ozone layer, and the impoverishment of biological diversity threaten the basis for life for man on earth. Population will increase to some 7 billion just 15 years from now. Well over 90 percent of the increase is in developing countries. If it were the other way around - 90 percent in developed countries - of course totally unbelievable, then the world already would have been in a global disaster.
Biological knowledge, biological materials and biological cycles, together with a wise and careful use of technology, provide the only basis for a future sustainable society. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries therefore play a truly vital role in this respect. Soil, water and air are more important than anything else, and the sun is the most important source of energy for a sustainable and productive ecosystem. The quick technological fixes that were an important part of the answers a few decades ago have clearly demonstrated their long-term impotence and their immediate harmful side effects.
These changing perceptions were clearly demonstrated at the UN Conference on Environment and Development and manifested in its results, i.a. the Rio principles and Agenda 21. The Rio Conference is rightly considered a milestone in the history of international cooperation, but the road to a sustainable society is long and cumbersome.
The implementation of the results from Rio is primarily a national responsibility. In this regard we have seen promising signs in many countries. In Sweden a number of measures have been taken. One example is the government bill on biological diversity, which contains a strategy giving equal weight to the conservation of biological diversity and economic production objectives. It also contains increased efforts on research, information and education.
The new Swedish forest policy is another example. It has an explicit environmental objective that is given the same weight as the production objective. This is a reflection of a generally held view in my country where forestry has been the backbone of the economy for hundreds of years.
A final example of our steps towards more sustainable production patterns could be taken from the agricultural sector. After an earlier highly successful attempt to reduce the use of pesticides by 50 percent, and encouraged by the fruitful cooperation between farmers and authorities, the Swedish Government now aims at a further 50 percent reduction by the mid-1990s.
FAO's role is particularly important in the implementation of the agreements reached in Rio. The most basic and urgent problems are primarily
dealt with here. Almost two thirds of the programme areas .of Agenda 21 lie within the purview of FAO's mandate.
FAO's contributions to the UNCED process were much appreciated. Its monitoring of global trends informed the international community of many distressing and alarming developments. We have recently seen new signs from this Organization that the extent of some of the global problems is actually more serious than we had reason to believe in Rio.
In FAO's recently concluded forest assessment, for example, the main finding is the substantially increased rate of deforestation in tropical countries. It means that large areas today are approaching the devastating deforestation rates, which took place in parts of the western world in historic times. This means that effects on the world's biological diversity and on global climate may be even more severe than we believed just a few years ago.
I have also in mind the long-term prospects for global agriculture as presented in another recent FAO assessment. It is a mixed picture that emerges but some basic global concerns are put at rest for the time being. It seems, for example, that the global production could increase in line with demand without significant price increases. There are, however, large imbalances between regions, between countries and within countries.
We also note the positive evaluation regarding the scope for achieving more sustainable ways of production. The basic requirements for a future development in line with Rio agreements seem to be at hand in all parts of the world. The primary task is to use natural resources in line with nature's own rules.
But we certainly find no grounds for complacency. In many parts of the world, especially where a large part of the population depends on agriculture for employment and income, the prospects are not very bright. Well above half a billion people will be without enough food by the year 2010. And we also find that beyond the year 2010 the pressures on basic agricultural resources, such as water and land, could be devastating in many parts of the world unless forceful action is taken. Land scarcity is already acute in some regions, especially in south Asia, and water supplies for agriculture are an even more limiting factor for a larger number of countries.
These were just a few examples that show FAO's indispensable role in the process towards sustainable development. Not only to provide up-to-date, reliable basic information and competent analysis, but also to give careful, objective policy advice on how to use natural resources in a rational and sustainable manner. That includes substantive contributions to UNCED follow-up activities in related areas such as desertification and population. These are all equally essential tasks for the urgent challenges facing the international community.
Unfortunately, FAO is presently not in all respects fulfilling these tasks satisfactorily. Forestry is the most neglected area. My earlier example of the forest resource assessment is a case in point: it took no less than 10 years to update the 1980 assessment in spite of clear signs of alarming trends and a great lack of essential basic information. We are pleased that there is now full agreement among members to increase the share of resources for the Forestry Department from the present, unacceptable level of below 4 percent. We will later during the Conference suggest areas where
these increased resources are most badly needed and how they should be used.
For my other given example - about agriculture developments up till the year 2010 - the picture is very much the same: the recently presented study is in fact the successor of a very useful study that was based on information from the first half of the 1980s.
These, and other examples of delays and insufficient attention to fundamental tasks for a global centre of excellence, point to the need for an urgent and substantial reallocation of resources within FAO. It does not only concern this Organization and is only one part of the reform that is needed for the whole UN system. FAO is indeed a good example of what we in the Nordic countries foresee for the Specialized Agencies of the UN: particularly a strengthening of their normative role, a restoration of their analytical capacity and a redefinition of their role in providing technical cooperation. In this context, we should be careful to preserve and build upon the unique expertise and knowledge that over the years have been assembled in FAO.
A change in this direction is not only motivated by substantive reasons in the form of global environmental threats. Severe domestic budget restrictions make it increasingly difficult to find necessary support for the work in international organizations, especially if they are not reacting to changing circumstances. It remains for us to be convinced that the proposed Programme of Work for 1994-95 for this Organization indeed is moving in the broad direction we and others have been demanding.
In this context, I also will congratulate and welcome the nine newly-elected member states of FAO and the re-admission of South Africa. I will end my statement with the warmest congratulations from my country to the new Director-General, Dr Diouf. Many years of cooperation between Sweden and African countries give us the possibility to share your joy and great satisfaction on the success of the election. I also congratulate FAO on a very competent leader, and we look forward to working with him in further developing and adapting FAO to better meet present and future needs and challenges.
M. Murlidhar DULLOO (Mauritius) : It is my great pleasure to be here again amid such a distinguished audience of world policy makers and experts in agriculture and to be addressing this Conference for the fourth time. I take this opportunity to extend the greeting of the Government and people of the Republic of Mauritius to everybody present. I join with my colleagues in welcoming all the new members to FAO, and we are especially pleased that South Africa can now gradually play its legitimate and constructive role in the Organization. FAO has had the distinction of being headed by dedicated and distinguished personalities who have always faced complex and diverse challenges. We should here express our appreciation for the signal contribution made by the outgoing Director-General, Mr Edouard Saouma, with whom I have been personally associated for quite a number of years. Our congratulations and best wishes go to Dr Jacques Diouf, a worthy, distinguished and experienced son of Africa. The other candidates who had stood for election also deserve our appreciation.
We have chosen Jacques Diouf at a very crucial time in the history of FAO and of mankind. I know that he will serve each and every one of us alike, but above all his commitments to Africa, to the developing countries and to
the small island states should underlie most of his endeavours. We should all pledge to him our support and all the resources we can mobilize. The more Jacques Diouf succeeds, the more we shall be obtaining our common objective of feeding the starving and undernourshed millions of the world and of contributing to the prosperity and happiness of humanity at large.
As for the Agenda for this session, at the outset let me express my delegation's endorsement of the relevant issues to be discussed and the orientation that we want to give to the action of the Organization as outlined by the Director-General. We are particularly concerned with matters relating to world food security and nutritional status, world agriculture towards 2010, and the activities related to the environment and sustainable development. The paper relating to the Plan of Action for the integration of Women in Agricultural and Rural Development addresses itself to a long-standing problem of enhancing women's role in agricultural development. We consider that the medium-term plan for 1994-99 should be translated into operational programmes where the direct beneficiaries should be the people and where there is a more intersectoral role, multidisciplinary approach and a greater harmonization of activities at the central, regional and international levels. Greater stress should be laid on FAO's cooperation with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. We are also concerned with FAO's work on forestry and fisheries, as we believe that there would be a real danger of subordinating our economic and social progress at the expense of important areas of agriculture. Today, when most countries are also concerned with environment degradation, irreversible losses in the preservation of fauna and flora, we should reiterate our faith in efforts at achieving balanced development for our people, a goal that needs to bring more solidarity among all nations. Throughout my successive interventions at this FAO forum, I have laid stress on the challenge that faces major developing countries. Access to food remains a major challenge, and the FAO ideal to ensure that all people at all times have both physical and economic access to the basic food they need is still far from reality. We amply realize that food security has important household, national and global dimensions and is closely tied up with nutritional aspectc as well. But it is important to lay stress on the adequacy of food productivity at stock level and price stabilities. This is why, during my first participation at this Conference in 1987, I was wondering whether the right to access to food should not be established as another fundamental human right. Should we not think in terms of a legal international regime on food which would govern the use and distribution of food production resources, the overall supply of food and the quality of food available, international agricultural trade, agricultural prices to producers and the price of food and even social and economic realities to establish a guaranteed and coherent set of living standards? Lack of food security is still a major destabilizing factor. Food domination and food dependency remain a potential political and economic weapon. This is why I ask myself a question as I have done here in the past, whether we are not putting into place a new world order whereby military, political and economic domination are being replaced by food domination and food dependency. The state of the world economy looks very dismal indeed. All the reports and analyses submitted to us for this Session show a general slackening of growth. The excruciating images of death, famine, malnutrition and agony that the media are inflicting on us every day from the war-torn countries, the millions of refugees, the children of want and destitution in the developing countries or in those poor countries that have been afflicted by natural calamities keep reminding us that the situation has deteriorated since we last met here. We are all reiterating here that the debt burden is getting heavier and unbearable, commodity
prices are constantly falling, world inflation and interest rates are escalating, there is a sharp decrease in resource flows to the developing countries resulting in larger net negative outflows in capital, food production cannot keep pace with the rapid population growth, etcetera, et cetera. On the other hand, the rich are hit now with recession, with the closing down of large enterprises, loss of jobs and unemployment and large pockets of poverty and decadence. Our social fabric and the family unit are being shaken with drug abuse and drug trafficking, crime and corruption penetrating all the sinews of our society. Some countries have been thrown into chaos and confusion with vital institutions being perverted.
Traditional sectors like agriculture and primary activities like food production and distribution are put in jeopardy. Many of my colleages preceding me here have expressed serious concern about the situation. The Director-General, Mr Saouma, in his statement has been very direct in his approach and has asked the question bluntly: are we witnessing the death throes of a civilization? I agree with the Director-General and most of my colleagues that we should not turn to despair and despondency. We should mobilize all the positive forces at work: government, international agencies and regional organizations, NGOs and the people at the grass roots level. The Children's Summit in New York, the Earth Summit and UNCED in Rio, and recently the International Conference on Nutrition held here in Rome have instilled new hopes and given new impetus. We should now translate their high objectives and clearly define strategy into action. On the other hand, we are placing high hopes on a positive conclusion of the GATT negotiations for improvement of agricultural trade; these, however modest, would certainly be preferable to failure which would undoubtedly raise greater trade barriers between regional blocks and end up in a trade war which we all want to avoid and which could crush out the weakest amongst us. However, while Mauritius recognizes the need for trade liberalization in agricultural products and the harmonization of rules of origin, we feel that these rules should not relate to contractual trade regimes under which tariff preferences are granted. The question of security is of paramount importance. If net food importing countries like Mauritius are to benefit from the final package on agriculture, possible negative effects of the reform process on net food importing developing countries must at all costs be averted. There is also the crucial necessity of maintaining the continued viability of preferential trade arrangements entered into between a group of developed and a group of developing countries on agricultural products, the production and export of which are vital for the livelihood and well-being of their populations, their economic development and social progress.
I am referring here to the Lome Convention which has responded well to the aspirations of the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, not only for much needed reforms and structural adjustment, but above all for the preferential access afforded for agricultural products and the various protocols. This preferential access is vital for the continued survival and development of our countries, namely the landlocked, and small islands states. If we do not safeguard such preferential access, those vulnerable countries will not be sufficiently resilient to absorb the shocks that we are to face with the implementation of GATT and, after that, the single European market or creation of other powerful trading blocks.
Any substantial decrease, for example, in the sugar export earnings of Mauritius will disrupt our social economic fabric and destabilize our way of life, our culture and tradition, and cause irreparable harm to the small farmers and the rural population.
I reiterate what I have stated before: namely, that liberalization of trade in agricultural products per se cannot be a panacea for all our ills. This is why we plead that small countries like Mauritius be afforded enough safeguards and protection and that we should aim at a successful balance the outcome of the GATT negotiations where all participants will find advantages. We trust and rely on FAO to ensure that our needs be recognized and met in the final outcome of these negotiations.
My country, Mr Chairman, has been actively implementing reforms and structural adjustments to adjust and adopt to the new situations, but this, as we know, is a long-term process. I have described the various steps we have taken; but, for want of time, I will spare reading them here as it is contained in the statement that we are circulating.
So, Mauritius, in spite of limited resources, continues to struggle in its efforts to diversify away from a monoculture economy. It has achieved a large measure of sustainable agricultural development. We rely on FAO's support and that of multilateral organizations to consolidate our efforts for the continued modernization of our sugar sector, optimun utilization of by-products, water conservation, better management and exploitation of our fisheries resources, and the increased efficiency of our small planters.
An island state such as Mauritius faces the problems of land scarcity and geographical isolation, but we are confident that a modern agricultral system, based on the rational use of resources, diversification, mechanization, application of bar technology and applied research will go a long way towards contributing to our economy and give it the resilience it needs.
Here I would make a special appeal to FAO to use its influence with major donor countries and funding agencies to ensure that the principal elements of the People's Participation Programme Approach of FAO be adopted in project implementation in developing countries.
We know that conventional projects usually target medium-to-large-scale or the so-called progressive producers and the emphasis on modernization, efficiency, and competitiveness lead to elimination of small enterprises and their consolidation in larger units, or decentralization.
This approach often leads to concentration of resources in the hands of a few, marginalization of small farmers, and increasing landlessness. This can put the clock back and reinstate the old feudal system. We should avoid a situation where the rural pool is marginalized and is not consulted nor given an active role in development decisions or activities, especially where they do not have efficient organization structure to represent their interests or to lobby on their behalf.
UNCED has placed tremendous demands for actions at all levels on FAO and also on us. We particularly welcome developments on the framework conservation, climate, change, and information on biological diversity. We have been particularly appreciative of the increased attention that is being given to straddling development of small island states and the opportunities that may be available under the global environment facility.
Here I should state that my delegation welcomes the setting-up of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and we congratulate the Secretariat for the efforts they have deployed to have as convergent views as possible from member states interested in the project. We are working on the finalization
of the agreement, and my delegation will make further contributions on this aspect when it comes up for discussion before Council.
As an island state, Mauritius is most vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The protection of the marine environment is, therefore, a priority in governance and environmental protection strategies.
I have spelt out in my statement the various remedial action being undertaken: the establishment of a marine environment management plan for Mauritius, an outer-islands management plan, establishment of a marine conservation centre, the introduction of a Wildlife and National Parks Act, and the setting-up of national forests and marine parks and other reserves.
Day by day, we are realizing that Mauritius has a very fragile ecosystem and Mauritius has achieved a certain degree of economic success and the pressure on the ecology and the environment is very real and great. Hence the need to address those issues on several fronts. We are expecting FAO's assistance in the elaboration of a forestry action plan for Mauritius.
For us, Mr Chairman, Mauritius is at a crucial stage in its history. There is greater awareness by governments and the public of problems facing us.
But, in the field of sustainable agriculture, solutions are not easy to find. Against this background, environment, agricultural and rural needs have to be addressed. We commend the role played by FAO in collaboration with our country to enhance the standard of living of our people. We are looking forward to concrete and meaningful discussions on all major problems that confront FAO internally and at the international level. With our new Director-General it will be a new opportunity to respond to the attentions of all Member Nations especially with new members reinforcing this diversity and creating more challenges. May God bless this Conference. Thank you.
János SZABO (Hungary): It is my privilege to address the 27th Session of the FAO Conference on behalf of the Hungarian Government. I would like to congratulate you, Mr Chairman and also the Vice-chairmen on their election. It is a special honour to greet the new FAO Member Nations and I trust the global character of FAO will gain further momentum with the admission of these nations. I would like to express my gratitude to the former Director-General, Mr Saouma. Under his able guidance FAO achieved great success during the past 18 years. Last but not least, I am very pleased to convey my Government's welcome to Mr Diouf, the new Director-General of the Organization, and to wish him every success in his activities. Hungary and FAO have always had excellent relations and we have every reason to believe that our cooperation will persist and lead to mutual advantages.
Mr Chairman, two years ago, the documents submitted to the FAO Conference reported on new challenges and long-lasting food problems the world was about to face. We must regretfully state that the general food situation failed to improve and the international agricultural community has a long way to go on the path leading to abolishing hunger and to elevate the right to food to the rank of basic human rights. The process which had started 3-4 years ago with the countries in transition having appeared on the scene gained further speed. May I take the opportunity to touch briefly upon some features of my country's agriculture which I feel deserve the attention of
this gathering, on the one hand, and may also be of general interest to the bulk of countries in transition, on the other.
The transition from a centrally planned economy to a market one makes the slowest headway in agriculture, since in that sector several factors are playing a simultaneous and interdependent role such as: a significant change in property and productive structure, cuts in subsidies, liberalization, etc.
Mr Chairman, most regrettably the contraction of Hungarian agricultural output approached 30 percent in the last three years. A number of reasons have been responsible for this fallback, the elaboration on which would call for a separate and lengthy study. May I be allowed to make reference to the main causes which could be raised in a dichotomy: i.e. the extrinsic and intrinsic impacts on Hungarian agriculture. The main intrinsic impact to be mentioned is that in only three of the last ten years did Hungary receive precipitation close to the sufficient level. The other seven years were drought-stricken and one of the worst years has been the present one. This group of causes include the loss of foreign, mostly Eastern, markets and the two years' recession in the developed world which has not shown signs of alleviation.
Speaking on intrinsic causes the contraction of Hungarian GDP and the falling purchasing power and the resulting decrease in real food demand are worth mentioning, as well as the slower-than-expected evolution of new propriety structures and the rather high debt load (about US$3 billion) of agriculture and the consequent shying away of banks as far as capital loans are concerned.
The Hungarian Government is firmly committed to agriculture becoming a competitive sector of the economy. It has, however, frankly to be said that Hungarian farmers and entrepreneurs are far from operating in such a protected economic environment than their colleagues in most developed countries. In this context I refrain from bringing up our own calculations and I quote OECD figures only.
The average subsidy in Hungarian agriculture was 8 per cent in 1992, suffering a cut to one fifth of the 1989 level, whereas the same figure in the OECD countries has been 44 percent. The imbalance is even more marked focusing on export subsidies for many products exceeding 70 per cent in the countries of the European Communities, being as low as 10 per cent in Hungary at the same time. Obviously such adverse economic conditions call for the mobilization of all productive reserves in order to exploit any opportunity offering itself in Hungarian agricultural production and profitability.
Taking into account the low level of support and the export orientation of our agriculture, Hungary is strongly interested in the successful termination of the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations, until 5 December, 1993. Hungarys Association Agreement with the European Communities, her Free-Trade Agreement with the EFTA and the Central European countries creates the conditions for Hungarian agricultural and food products being adjusted to international requirements.
Mr Chairman, the bi-annual Conferences of FAO having the competence of priority-setting, I would like to seize this opportunity to outline the ideas of my government on the possibilities for FAO to contribute to the solution of our regional problems, without the slightest prejudice to the
interests of the food-deficit developing countries. In recent years, FAO member countries have repeatedly acknowledged the priority that Central and Eastern-Central European countries should enjoy in regional action programmes of FAO. My delegation was pleased to note that such notions were confirmed by the last FAO European Regional Conference as well as by the 103rd Session of the Council held in June this year.
Before proceeding with this line of thought, it is my pleasant duty to express my appreciation for the assistance we have so far received from FAO, mainly through TCP projects. All of these projects have proved to be rather efficient in the high-skill intensive field it operated in. Special mention needs to be made of the first cooperation between FAO and PHARE, i.e. the EC's programme for assisting some countries in the region, brought about in the form of a successful joint sector study.
Mr Chairman, while appreciating these activities, the Hungarian delegation would like to suggest that FAO should give priority to development assistance to countries in transition. I would, at the same time, make absolutely clear that the Hungarian government does not wish to compete for the meagre resources at FAO's disposal. I have, however, to draw the FAO Secretariat's attention to a better use of its catalytic role and enhanced work to its project and programme-orientated and investment-inducing development activity.
FAO's enhanced assistance to these countries in transition will first of all have to focus on introducing measures and on practical measures aimed at a swift and less painful switch to a market economy. All related development projects will be warmly welcomed by my government. I should like to suggest that special attention be given to programmes on know-how and extension to newly emerging farms; training of farmers; assistance in self-adjustment to developed countries' standards; environment-friendly production methods; and finally, greater access to markets in favour of countries in transition.
Mr Chairman, my government feels that emphasis should be put on its agreement in principle with FAO's planned Programme of Work and Budget.
Countries in transition are suffering a lack of information. I do not refer to information as receiving the know-how of more developed countries only,but also to the exchange of information on experiences, results and failures achieved so far in the countries of transition.
Acknowledging the above, the Hungarian government decided to convene in Hungary in August this year a consultation in order to make it possible for the European countries in transition to familiarize themselves with the salient tasks of agricultural development and to exchange their ideas on future issues of regional development, without the slightest claim for any type of integration. The ministerial consultation was held with considerable success attended by 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe, some of which are not members of FAO yet. Three major groups of issues were on the agenda of the consultation, i.e., privatization, the transformation of agricultural production structures, and finally fiscal and credit policies. In our view, that consultation and the follow-up decided upon would excellently lend themselves for these countries learning the means and ways of speeding to agricultural transformation. I would like to take this opportunity to convey the thanks of the Hungarian agricultural policy makers for the contribution FAO was kind enough to give, including assistance in organization and in preparing a synthesis of the
consultation's results. It is hoped that FAO will assume an active role in the organization of similar consultations.
Mr Chairman, it is Hungary's intention to go ahead with her mutually active cooperation with FAO. Due to the hardships in transition, we may in future request more often the Organization for its assistance in coping with our specific problems.
I would, however, like you, Mr Chairman and the distinguished delegates to be assured that the cooperation between FAO and Hungary will not be a oneway street in the future, either According to our modest possibilities, we wish and intend to participate in the active tasks we are going to be entrusted with by handing over of Hungarian know-how, by exchanging and offering information as well as by continuing, in spite of our financial constraints, our modest donor's role in financing food aid programmes.
Mr Chairman, to end my intervention, I should like all member nations of FAO and the newly elected Director-General to be sure that Hungary will keep on doing her best not only for her own progress but also for the realization of the noble objectives of this Organization.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
Felipe SOLA (Argentina): Señor Presidente de la Conferencia, señor Director General, señores Ministros, señores Delegados y Observadores. Quiero comenzar por saludar y felicitar al nuevo Director General, Dr. Jacques Douif, surgido una vez más de una elección democrática en la que todos hemos podido expresar nuestra opción para los próximos seis años en la condición de la Organización. Nuestra felicitación, también, a Senegal, por el éxito; al continente africano, por lograr por primera vez la Dirección General y por mantenerse unido a través de las sucesivas rondas de votación, tal como se desprende de los resultados parciales y del resultado final.
Los representantes presentes coincidirán conmigo en que no es menor, en las circunstancias actuales, el desafío que implica asumir el comando de esta Institución que naciera en 1945 como culminación de un largo proceso de concertación política y del rápido desarrollo de las Naciones Unidas. Próxima a cumplir cincuenta años, la FAO se desenvuelve en un mundo convulsionado por las diferencias en el desarrollo social y económico entre los países.
La bipolaridad como paradigma ha sido reemplazada por tres tipos de sentimientos que coexisten hoy en el planeta:
- la angustia por la subsistencia como comunidades en muchos países acosados por un presente de hambre y pobreza estructural;
- la obsesión de crecer y la búsqueda de seguridad como concepto integral en otro grupo importante de naciones;
- la conciencia creciente de las naciones que producen en una parte del mundo de consumo sofisticado, de que deben asumir un rol mucho más activo en la generación de un mundo más justo, más seguro y más estable y de que aún no lo hacen.
La República Argentina, miembro de la FAO desde 1951, ha contribuido a lo largo de cuatro décadas al intercambio de ideas y al debate constructivo entre los paises que la componen, con vistas al esclarecimiento y a la mejor comprensión de los temas que son de su responsabilidad. Asimismo, ha procurado contribuir a la cooperación Sur-Sur en tecnología agrícola y en capacitación, compartiendo su experiencia que es rica y exitosa.
Nuestra identidad, señor Presidente, es, entre otras cosas, agrícola, forestal y pesquera. Esto está presente en el ser argentino, ha signado nuestra política exterior y otorga al país un lugar en el debate multilateral sobre la agricultura y la alimentación.
La Argentina cuenta con importantes recursos económicos en los sectores agropecuario y pesquero. Consecuentemente tiene intereses vitales que promover y defender en la FAO, en los temas relacionados con la producción, el acceso, el comercio de los productos agrícolas (granos, carnes, pesca y forestales) y la asistencia al desarrollo y la seguridad alimentaria. Pero señor Presidente, la economía agraria está globalizada. Los mercados no son ya nacionales, ni siquiera regionales. Son mercados del mundo, y en cualquier medida que los afecte, afecta a todos los que producen y a todos los que consumen. Toda medida que afecte a los mercados, señor Presidente, afecta la conservación de los recursos naturales, afecta la seguridad alimentaria, la planificación, la vida rural y la esperanza de los que menos tienen.
Los requerimientos de ayuda alimentaria en el mundo de hoy y los que se derivan de situaciones de urgencia muestran un notorio aumento. En este sentido, entendemos que es prioritario que los paises en desarrollo, e igualmente aquéllos que enfrentan problemas alimentarios, aumenten su producción agrícola.
No podemos permitir que la agricultura moderna se transforme en una actividad dispendiosa de los países desarrollados. Por el contrario, la agricultura moderna, de altos rendimientos y bajos costos, es un derecho de futuro que tienen los países en desarrollo, que deben hacer los máximos esfuerzos para aumentar su capacidad de producción pero con el apoyo de la comunidad internacional. Repito, Sr. Presidente, que conn el apoyo de la comunidad internacional, que debe otorgarles oportunidades concretas de acceso a los mercados y precios que sean un premio y no, como hoy son, en muchos casos, un castigo a quienes producen contando sólo con su capacidad y su decisión.
La FAO puede y debe volver a ocupar un papel protagónico en el análisis y la generación de propuestas y en la instrumentación de acuerdos internacionales sobre temas cruciales para el mundo en general y para los países en desarrollo en especial. Esto requiere una adaptación, una revitalización y un redimensionamiento del Organismo, tarea que será responsabilidad principal del Director General elegido el lunes pasado.
El aparente conflicto entre países desarrollados y en desarrollo alrededor del tema de la cooperación técnica requiere de un acuerdo ecuánime. Es indudable que los países en desarrollo, especialmente los más pobres, requieren y se benefician de la cooperación técnica multilateral. La riqueza de información y de recursos técnicos a disposición de la FAO, tanto propios como de otras agencias con las cuales podría colaborar, es un recurso invalorable. Hoy, la necesidad de usar estos instrumentos es aún más evidente, frente a los rápidos y profundos cambios mundiales que
aumentan la importancia de tener acceso a información sobre la prospectiva mundial para todos.
En nuestra opinión, la FAO requiere en estos momentos:
Primero, hacer un uso más eficiente de sus recursos, a los fines de aumentar el rendimiento de los mismos. Seamos honestos. Esto está hoy en discusión y debe cambiar ya;
Segundo, descentralizar la toma de decisiones, con el objetivo de permitir que estas últimas, las decisiones, se tomen lo más cerca posible del sujeto y del objeto de la acción;
Tercero, aumentar la cooperación Sur-Sur;
Cuarto, adoptar un estilo de gerenciamiento ágil y eficaz; y
Quinto, destinar una porción mayor de los recursos financieros a la ejecución de programas y proyectos específicos, a la vez que una porción menor a actividades en la Sede.
Procedamos a los cambios necesarios en la FAO en forma decisiva, para que dejemos de hablar del Organismo y pasemos a hablar de los problemas de la gente. Nuestros pueblos no nos enviaron aquí para hablar de los problemas de los técnicos o de los funcionaros. Nos envían para solucionar sus problemas, y no lo estamos haciendo porque estos problemas aumentan.
En consonancia con los objetivos de la Ronda Uruguay, muchos países en desarrollo, entre ellos la República Argentina, han liberalizado en forma autónoma y significativa el acceso a sus mercados. Los demás participantes de la Ronda, sobre todo los de mayor peso comercial, se han beneficiado con esta apertura, pero no han actuado con reciprocidad. Por el contrario, los países agrícolas han viso agravada su situación por la violación de los compromisos de "statu quo", por la adopción de nuevas medidas proteccionistas y por el no acatamiento de las recomendaciones del GATT.
Una conclusión exitosa de la Ronda requiere un resultado concreto en el área de acceso a mercados. Vemos con inquietud que la situación continúa siendo insatisfactoria en sectores prioritarios para nuestros países, como lo son la agricultura, los textiles, los productos tropicales y los productos derivados de la explotación de los recursos naturales.
El sector agrícola es clave y prioritario para los intereses de nuestros países. Para el éxito de la Ronda Uruguay, la consecuente aceptación por la región de los resultados de un paquete final (me refiero a la región americana) es imprescindible que se logren resultados significativos en este campo. Estos deben asegurar una liberalización sustancial del acceso a los mercados y la reducción del sostén interno y de los subsidios a la exportación, además de la instrumentación de medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, sobre la base de las disposiciones y disciplinas establecidas en el Proyecto de Acta Final del año pasado.
Es indispensable que los grandes países comerciales adopten ya las decisiones políticas necesarias para concluir las negociaciones con resultados que promuevan la liberalización y la expansión del comercio mundial, eviten la discriminación y fortalezcan el sistema multilateral.
Debe haber reglas para la agricultura mundial; reglas multilaterales. Sin reglas, perdemos los que producimos sin subsidios ni ayudas; sin reglas, perdemos los que no estamos protegidos por las tesorerías del Estado; sin reglas, no habrá posibilidades de desarrollo para las agriculturas de los países que hoy sufren hambre y requieren de ayuda alimentaria. Es un grave error aliarse al proteccionismo como modelo, invocando menores precios de los alimentos. La forma de reducir los precios de los alimentos en el mundo no pasa por la aceptación de subsidios masivos a los agricultores en los países ricos, a la producción y a la exportación: pasa por el aumento de la producción, de la productividad; pasa por el derecho a permanecer en el campo y a crecer de las poblaciones campesinas de decenas de países que están atrapados hoy por la trampa de competir contra las agriculturas lujosas y artificiales, por un lado, o de aceptar la imposibilidad de esa competencia, por el otro, y tener que recurrir a la ayuda como única salida renunciando (a veces involuntariamente) a las propias posibilidades de producir.
De esto también debemos hablar en la FAO, porque éste es el verdadero dilema del futuro agrícola; el dilema de un mundo con iguales oportunidades para todos; un mundo más justo y más sensible. Un mundo para todos: para los que quieren producir más y no pueden y para los que quieren comer más y tienen derecho a hacerlo.
Quisiera que mis palabras finales sean para despedir al actual Director General, Dr. Edouard Saouma. Quisiera reconocer aquí hoy su valentía, su capacidad, su personalidad y su decisión al frente del Organismo durante dieciocho años. Estoy seguro solamente de una cosa: de que en el futuro podremos hablar bien o mal del Dr. Saouma (y eso irá a gusto de cada uno), pero seguramente no podremos olvidarlo.
Marwan R. KAMAL (Jordan) (Original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I should like at the outset to express congralutations to the Head of the Delegation of Jamaica on his election to presive over the 27th Session. I should also like to congratulate the Vice-chairmen, wishing them every success. I am certain that you are capable of leading the Conference to the desired results.
It is my further pleasure to express my sincere congratulations to the newly appointed Director-General, Mr Jacques Diouf, on the confidence based in him, wishing him every success in working to realize the lofty objectives of the Organization of FAO.
I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to assure you of the full support of my country in the work and activities of FAO, and that we look forward to further strengthening and deepening this cooperation in the future. The challenges facing agricultural development in Jordan are different from the difficulties and the challenges facing other countries of the third world, and their problems in the agricultural sector which have been facing the world for the last 18 years have certainly witnessed efforts on the part of Mr Edouard Saouma to seek solutions for them.
With regard to Jordan, in addition to the limited agricultural resources such as land and water, the agricultural sector has been directly and adversely affected by all the political and economic problems, crises and wars that befell the region, and despite all this, Jordan has been able to achieve considerable and significant rates of self sufficiency in the production of vegetables, fruit, poultry and eggs, and exported about 400
tons of vegetables and fruits in 1992. This is mainly due to the effort and activities of Jordanian farmers which constitute the target and means of agricultural development in Jordan.
The economic and agricultural policies adopted by the Government significantly contributed to motivating and subsidizing and supporting the private sector, encouraging it to invest in the field of agriculture. Mr Chairman, it is indeed a source of pleasure and happiness that the efforts of all good and peaceloving people in the world would lead to the realization of great and significant achievements along the road to peace in the Middle East region.
Jordan has been playing a significant role in supporting these efforts in its belief that a just peace is a pre-requisite for the achievement of development and guaranteeing its continuity. It believes that justice is the assured guarantee to achieve stability and security, and a dignified life for all peoples of the region. This will naturally reflect on the optimum exploitation of available resources in the region in terms of agricultural land, water, mineral resources and wealth in order to benefit all the members of the population, and would consequently lead to bridge the cultural and economic gaps within each country and among countries of the region. This will not be achieved except through the establishment of comprehensive and integrated development programmes for the region so that concentrated programmes of development in a specific area may not lead to overlooking or minimizing the importance of development of other regions. We in Jordan look forward to the active contribution of the development process in the region for we believe in the necessity of coordinating efforts, particularly in the agricultural field, with the purpose of achieving the greatest possible degree of cooperation and integration and benefitting from the expertise and experience to serve the whole region, and to maximise the efficiency of the exploitation of the available resources in the region and the results of peace, which we hope will reflect on agriculture and farmers.
Mr Chairman, the role of FAO in drawing up policies and development programmes, particularly at their current phase for the region, is considered primordial. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to call upon FAO to take the initiative and lead in this respect, and here I should like to express our full readiness to provide every support to this important effort. As far as the work of FAO in the past two years is concerned, we should like to emphasize the necessity of underlining the practical aspect of the basic role undertaken by FAO within the system of multilateral relations, and the necessity of respecting by other organizations the fields of competence of FAO, and avoiding overlapping and duplicity in activities among these organizations. FAO should be well informed of the latest technological developments, and should adopt programmes in accordance with the new requirements and demands.
As far as the report on the implementation of the programme for the period 1994-95, we believe that to accept the report on the basis of being practical and concrete for the same period would be more appropriate and beneficial.
Mr Chairman, we believe, concerning the effects of population increases and the aggravating environmental problems as well as natural resources and the increasing demands on the services of FAO, calls for expanding and increasing the services of FAO. This in turn calls for the necessity of reviewing and reconsidering the means of determining priorities which we
believe that the FAO is seeking to achieve. On the other hand we believe it is essential to considerably increase the resources of FAO in order to enable it to shoulder the increasing tasks entrusted to it.
We believe that it is essential to increase the allocation within the framework of the technical assistance technical cooperation programmes, and we believe that the proposed increase is still less than what was recommended by the Conference in 1989 for the purpose. That is why, and in full appreciation on the importance of this programme, we believe that any increased -resources in FAO should be directed and channelled to that programme.
Finally, I should like to assure you, Mr Chairman, of the support of my country's delegation for the Programme of Work and Budget for 1994-95 as submitted by the Director-General. I avail myself of this opportunity to express sincere gratitude to FAO for the continuous assistance and efforts that have been fruitful and beneficial to Jordan.
My country, in its belief in the important role played by FAO, has decided to host the 22nd Session of the Conference for the Near East and North African Region next spring in Amman in the hope that this will afford the opportunity to familiarize and acquaint the Conference with the achievement of Jordan in terms of its progress in various political, economic and social aspects.
The meeting rose at 13.30 hours.
La séance est levée à 13 h 30
Se levanta la sesión a las 13.30 horas.
