TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS

1. Opening of the Technical Committee
   
   
2. Election of the Technical Committee Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Appointment of the Rapporteur.
   
   
3. Adoption of the Technical Committee Agenda and Timetable.

The paper discusses ways and means to: (1) maximise the sustainable contribution of trees and forests to national economic and social development, with particular emphasis on food security and poverty alleviation; (2) promote the conservation and improvement of trees and forest systems and their genetic resources; (3) reduce the risks and mitigate the impact of forest-related calamities; and (4) strengthen forestry institutions and national capacities, in particular through better involvement in the post- UNCED international agenda on Forestry.

The paper highlights the centrality of public assistance in the process of agricultural growth and development, provides pertinent insights and suggests actions to be taken in order to affect both the institutional framework and policy environment as well as to enhance the mobilisation and allocation of public human and material resources between and within agriculture and the rest of the economy.

6. World Food Summit Follow-up: Special Programme for Food Security – National Ownership of the Programme and its South-South Dimension.

To ensure sustainable expansion of the Special Programme for Food Security, there is the need for Member States to take full ownership of this Programme and to draw lessons from other developing countries that have made headway in improving their food security. The document will: (1) review the progress so far achieved and the constraints which limit this progress; (2) propose a number of actions to resolve these constraints; (3) highlight the importance of strong national ownership of the Programme and the usefulness of the South-South cooperation. The paper will also stress a number of issues of importance for food security that have received limited attention. These include food security conceptual issues, analysis of gender issues relating to food security, the role and importance of agricultural products such as roots and tubers and livestock products in food security.

7. Progress Report on the Common African Agricultural Programme (CAAP).

This report will examine the extent of cooperation on CAAP development received from Member States since the 20^th Session and corresponding achievements; and highlight the support provided by FAO to the OAU/AEC Secretariat in moving the CAAP process forward.

The paper discusses ways of ensuring sustainability of Aquaculture by taking into consideration important social, institutional and policy issues. Experiences have shown that Aquaculture should now be viewed holistically as part of a larger agricultural scheme. Integrating Aquaculture and water management into farming systems allows for improved resource use, nutrient recycling, diversification and risk avoidance. Developmentalist, practitioners and administrators should heed past lessons and have realistic expectations of what aquaculture can and cannot do.

9. Drought Impact Mitigation and Prevention: A Long-term Perspective.

The paper highlights the need to develop comprehensive action plans and practical project level interventions based on the principle that drought is a normal event in order to support longer-term drought mitigation and prevention on a larger scale. These long-term programmes should be backed by sound land use policies and strategies. In addition the programmes should be founded on the concept of participation, since Africa’s lands can only be conserved and rehabilitated by those who make their living from their use.

10. Representation of the Region on the CGIAR.

This is a standing item on the Agenda. Member Nations will be apprised of CGIAR activities and results of the election of representatives of the Region on the Board. The outgoing member of the Region will briefly report on research activities and results obtained during his term.

GI will make a presentation on this item.

III. OTHER MATTERS

12. Adoption of the Report of the Technical Committee
    
    
13. Closure of the Technical Committee Meeting

PLENARY SESSION

23-25 February 2000

1. Special Programme for Food Security – National Ownership of the Programme and its South-South Dimension.

To ensure sustainable expansion of the Special Programme for Food Security, there is the need for Member States to take full ownership of this Programme and to draw lessons from other developing countries that have made headway in improving their food security. The document will: (1) review the progress so far achieved and the constraints which limit this progress; (2) propose a number of actions to resolve these constraints; (3) highlight the importance of strong national ownership of the Programme and the usefulness of the South-South cooperation. The paper will also stress a number of issues of importance for food security that have received limited attention. These include food security conceptual issues, analysis of gender issues relating to food security, the role and importance of agricultural products such as roots and tubers and livestock products in food security.

2. Food Insecurity and Vulnerability in Africa and WFS Follow-up Activities at Regional and Sub-Regional Levels to Implement the Plan of Action

The paper takes stock of efforts made to date at regional and sub-regional levels by Member Countries, with the assistance of FAO and other partners, to reduce food insecurity and vulnerability. To this end, the nature and causes of food insecurity are examined as well as priority issues that needed to be addressed and relevant actions to be initiated.

8. Report of the Technical Committee