| CCP:GR 99/1 - RI 99/1 Rev. 1 (English only)
|
| CCP:GR 99/1 - RI 99/1 Rev. 1 (English only)
|
COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY PROBLEMS |
JOINT MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP ON GRAINS (28th Session) AND THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP ON RICE (39th Session) |
Rome, 22 - 24 September 1999 |
PROVISIONAL AGENDA AND AGENDA NOTES |
II. MAJOR POLICY AND ECONOMIC ISSUES RELATING TO THE WORLD GRAIN AND RICE ECONOMIES
A. Review of market developments and short-term outlook for wheat, coarse grains and rice
B. Cereal projections to the year 2005
C. Biotechnology developments and their potential impact on trade in cereals
1. In line with the recommendations of the Committee on Commodity Problems, the parent body of the intergovernmental commodity groups, the Twenty-eighth Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Grains and the Thirty-ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Rice will be held jointly in Rome, from Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th September 1999. The meeting will start at 09.30 hours on Wednesday 22nd September.
2. Governments are advised that an informal symposium on biotechnology and cereals will be convened during the joint session, which should be of interest to both delegates and participants from the private sector.
3. At each session, the Group elects a Chairperson and two Vice-chairpersons who hold office until the subsequent session. The present Chairperson and Vice-chairpersons of the IGG on Grains are Mr R. Villambrosa (Argentina), Mr G. Ysebaert (Belgium) and Mr A.S. Gomaa (Egypt). The present Chairperson and Vice-chairpersons of the IGG on Rice are Mr A. De Le�n Llamazares (Spain), Mr S. Moctar Keita (Senegal) and Mr Md. Tahir Khairuddin (Malaysia).
4. The Secretariat will make two presentations on recent market developments and the short term outlook for grains and rice using visual aids that will supplement the documentation to be tabled at the meeting (CCP:GR 99/CRS 1 - RI 99/CRS 1).
5. Commodity projections are normally undertaken every five years by the Commodities and Trade Division using the FAO World Food Model which links meat and dairy products to cereals and oilseeds. A paper summarizing the results of the projections to 2005 for grains and rice will be circulated to Governments in advance of the Session (CCP:GR 99/2 - RI 99/2).
6. At its 61st Session, in February 1997, the Committee on Commodity Problems recommended to pursue work on biotechnology and trade. The Committee again reviewed this topic at its 62nd Session, in January 1999, with many delegates drawing attention to the complexity of the issue and to the need for a balanced and objective treatment of these subjects and for cooperation with other appropriate institutions. As a first attempt, the Secretariat will circulate a document analysing the nature of biotechnology developments in the cereal sector and providing an initial assessment of their possible impact on trade (CCP:GR 99/3 - RI 99/3).
7. Since the adoption of the Guidelines for National and International Action on Rice in 1971, most recently amended in 1996, the Intergovernmental Group on Rice has maintained, as a standing agenda item the review of policy measures taken and of progress made towards achieving the objectives of the Guidelines.
8. A paper summarizing major policy actions taken by countries as a follow-up to the Guidelines since the last review in 1996 will be presented at this joint Session (CCP:GR 99/4 - RI 99/4; CCP:GR 99/4/Sup.1 - RI 99/4/Sup.1). Governments are invited to supplement this information especially in relation to the new guidelines on environmental matters that were added in 1996 and to suggest further revisions if deemed necessary.
9. A status report on the project proposals for commodities within the area of competence of the IGG on Grains (including cassava) and the IGG on Rice will be submitted to the Groups for their information and comment. Delegates will also be informed of progress made in implementing the sole rice project "Sustainable Productivity Improvement for Rice in Inland Valleys in West Africa" that has so far reached the execution stage and to review new project profiles for sponsoring (CCP:GR 99/5 - RI 99/5). Finally, delegates will be invited to assess the implications of recent policy shifts by the CFC for their project sponsoring and supervision responsibilities.
10. Representatives of other international organizations will be invited to inform the Joint Session about their recent and planned activities.
11. The Secretariat will brief participants on the recommendations made by the CCP at its 62nd Session with respect to the role and functioning of intergovernmental commodity groups and discuss their implications for the IGG on Grains and the IGG on Rice.
