Appendix A: Agenda
Appendix B: List of participants - liste des participants
Appendix C: List of documents
Appendix D: Extract from the technical committee report
Appendix E: Statement by his excellency Sir Ketumele Masire. President of the republic of Botswana
Appendix F: Statement by the Director-General
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
24-26 October 1994
I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS
1. Opening of the Technical Committee2. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairmen and Appointment of Rapporteur
3. Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable
II. SELECTED ISSUES OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
4. Development of technologies in the context of an eco-regional approach for sustainable agricultural production in Africa5. Representation of the Region on the CGIAR
6. Report of the Follow-up to the ICN
7. A Proposal for a Diversification Facility for African Commodities (DFAC)
8. Desert Locust Control in the Region and Preparation for Future Campaigns
9. Adoption of the Report of the Technical Committee
10. Closure of the Technical Committee Meeting
PLENARY SESSION
26-28 October 1994
I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS
1. Inaugural Ceremony2. Election of Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Appointment of Rapporteur
3. Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable
II. STATEMENTS
4. Statement by the Director-General5. Country Statements and General Debate on the Food and Agriculture Situation in the Region
II. DISCUSSION ITEMS
6. Report on FAO Activities in the Region 1992-937. Outcome of the 106th Session of the Council and its Implications for the Present and Future Activities of FAO in the Region.
8. Promoting Agricultural Cooperation through a Common African Agricultural Programme (CAP)
9. Preparation for the 1996 World Food Summit
10. Draft Declaration on Food and Agriculture
III. CONCLUDING ITEMS
11. Any Other Business12. Date and Place of the 19th Regional Conference for Africa
13. Adoption of the Report of the Conference (including the Technical Committee Report)
14. Closure of the Conference.
OFFICERS OF THE CONFERENCE - BUREAU DE LA CONFERENCE
PLENARY SESSION - SEANCE PLENIERE
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Chairman: |
Roy Blackbeard (Botswana) |
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Vice-Chairmen: |
Ndimira Pascal Firmin (Burundi) |
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Vice-Président: |
Filibbus Bature (Nigeria) |
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Rapporteur: |
Frederick Coetzee (South Africa) |
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Independent Chairman of the Council: |
José Ramón López Portillo |
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE - COMITE TECHNIQUE
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Chairman: |
C.M. Lekaukau (Botswana) |
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Vice-Chairmen: |
Abdoulaye Touré (Mali) |
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Rapporteur: |
Thomas Yanga (Cameroon) |
MEMBER NATIONS IN THE REGION - ETATS MEMBRES DE LA REGION
ALGERIA - ALGERIE
Délégué
Ali Feraoun
Inspecteur de l'agriculture
Ministère de l'agriculture
Alger
Suppléant
Chems-Eddine Missoum
Directeur
Services agricoles
Cité administrative Wilaya de Djelfa
Alger
ANGOLA
Délégué
Isaac Francisco Maria Dos Anjos
Ministre de l'agriculture et du développement rural
Luanda
Suppléants
Antero Alberto E. Abreu
Ambassadeur
Représentant permanent auprès de la FAO
Rome
Pedro Agostinho Kanga
Conseiller
Représentant permanent adjoint auprès de la FAO
Rome
Kiala Kia Mateva
Chef
Département de la coopération et des relations internationales
Ministère de l'agriculture et du développement rural
Luanda
Barros José Major
First Secretary
Embassy of Angola
Gaborone
Margoso Augusto
Embassy of Angola
Gaborone
BENIN
BOTSWANA
Delegate
Roy Blackbeard
Minister for Agriculture
Gaborone
Alternates
C.M. Lekaukau
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture
T.M. Taukobong
Deputy Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
H.K. Sigwele
Director
Agricultural Planning and Statistics
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
L. Mazhani
Acting Director
Agricultural Research
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
T. Diteko
Director
Animal Health and Production
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
M. Raborokgwe
Deputy Director
Animal Health and Production
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
K.S.W. Tibi
Director
Crop Production and Forestry
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
E. Kemsley
Principal
Botswana College of Agriculture
Gaborone
K. Dipholo
Secretary
Agricultural Resources Board
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
R. Ntsima
Commissioner for Cooperatives
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
M. Kyomo
Director of SACCAR
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
A. A. Mokgare
Principal Agricultural Economist
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
Mr B. Machacha
Director of Lands
Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Housing
Gaborone
T.L. Tidi
Director of Food Resources
Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Housing
Gaborone
F.S. Mokone
Deputy Director of Rural Development
Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
Gaborone
E. Molale
Chief Economist
Division of Rural Development
Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
Gaborone
D. Modibetsane
Director of Town and Regional Planning
Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Housing
Gaborone
D.E. Pule
General Manager
Botswana Vaccine Institute
Gaborone
M. Mphathi
Chief Land Utilization Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
Andrew Sesinyi
Chief of Protocol
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Gaborone
Gladys K. Ramothwa
Director
Department of Meteorological Services, Works, Transport and Communications
Gaborone
V.M. Molefe
Principal Agricultural Information Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
B.J. Mazebedi
Senior Agricultural Information and Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
D.D. Dambe
Principal Meteorologist
Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications
Gaborone
D.K. Dipholo
Secretary
Agricultural Resources Board
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
BURKINA FASO
Délégué
G. Jean-Paul Sawadogo
Ministre de l'agriculture et des ressources animales
Ouagadougou
Suppléants
Alfred K. Sawadogo
Coordonnateur national du PSAN
Ministère de l'agriculture et des ressources animales
Ouagadougou
Christophe Kiemtore
Représentant permanent adjoint auprès de la FAO
Ambassade de Burkina Faso
Rome
Sekou T. Kagone
Conseiller technique
Ministère de l'agriculture et des ressources animales
Ouagadougou
BURUNDI
Délégué
Ndimira Pascal Firmin
Ministre de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
Bujumbura
Suppléants
Jean-Baptiste Mbonyingingo
Ambassadeur
Représentant permanent auprès de la FAO
Rome
Jean-Paul Bitoga
Directeur général de la vulgarisation agricole
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
Bujumbura
CAMEROON - CAMEROUN
Délégué
Frédéric Augustin Kodock
Ministre d'Etat chargé de 1'agriculture
Yaoundé
Suppléants
Jacques-Joseph Nga
Inspecteur général
Ministère d'Etat chargé de l'agriculture
Yaoundé
Zachée Yem-Yem
Inspecteur général
Ministère de l'élevage, des pêches et des industries animales
Yaoundé
Thomas Yanga
Deuxième Conseiller Ambassade du Cameroun
Représentant permanent adjoint auprès de la FAO
Rome
CAPE VERDE - CAP-VERT
Délégué
José Antonio Monteiro
Ministre de l'agriculture (Secrétaire d'Etat)
Ministère des pêches, de l'agriculture et de l'animation rurale
Cidade da Praia
Suppléants
Aguinaldo Lisboa Ramos
Ambassadeur
Représentant permanent auprès de la FAO
Rome
Mlle Adelaide Ribeiro Tavares Lopez Ribeiro
Technicien supérieur
Ministère des pêches, de l'agriculture et de l'animation rurale
Praia
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - REPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE
Délégué
Gabriel Dotte-Badekara
Ministre de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
Bangui
Suppléant
André Gombako
Chargé de mission
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
Bangui
CHAD - TCHAD
COMOROS - COMORES
CONGO
COTE D'lVOIRE
Délégué
Lambert Kouassi Konan
Ministre de l'agriculture et des ressources animales
Abidjan
Suppléants
Soulayemane Sako
Ambassadeur de Côte d'Ivoire
Rome
Gilbert Doh-Djanhoundy
Représentant permanent adjoint
Ambassade de Côte d'Ivoire
EGYPT - EGYPTE
Délégué
Adel Aboul-Naga
Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome
EQUATORIAL GUINEA GUINEE EQUATORIALE
ERITREA - ERYTHREE
ETHIOPIA - ETHIOPIE - ETIOPIA
Délégué
Teketel Forssido
Minister for Agriculture
Addis Ababa
Alternates
Mekonnen Kebede
Prime Minister's Office
Addis Ababa
Redia Gebrehiwot
Alternate Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome
Ghere-Medhin Belay
Head of Planning and Programming Department
Ministry of Agriculture
Addis Ababa
GABON GAMBIA - GAMBIE
GHANA
Delegate
Ibrahim Adam
Minister for Food and Agriculture
Accra
Alternates
Malam Seidu
Alternate Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome
Samuel Kojo Dapaah
Chief Director
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Accra
Emma Quagraine
Private Secretary
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Accra
GUINEA - GUINEE
Délégué
Sekou Sangare
Secrétaire général
Ministère de l'agriculture, de l'élevage et des forêts
Conakry
Suppléants
Souhaib Deen Bangoura
Premier Secrétaire
Représentant permanent adjoint auprès de la FAO
Rome
GUINEA-BISSAU - GUINEE-BISSAU
KENYA
Delegate
Simeon Nyachae
Minister for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing
Nairobi
Alternates
Gideon N. Nyaanga
Ambassador Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome
G. K. Nzuva
Deputy Director of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing
Nairobi
Ms M.K. Chemengich
Chief Economist
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing
Nairobi
LESOTHO
Delegate
Ntsukunyane Mphanya
Minister for Agriculture
Maseru
Alternates
Caswell Makoae Mohapi
Economic Planner
Ministry of Planning and Finance
Maseru
Matlamukele Matete
Deputy Principal Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture
Maseru
Teleko Ramotsoari
Director of Marketing
Ministry of Agriculture
Maseru
Tsitso Borotho
Chief Land Use Planner
Ministry of Agriculture
Maseru
Pheko Justice Mahetha
Counsellor
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Maseru
Tieiso Khalema
Director of Field Services
Ministry Agriculture, Marketing and Cooperatives
Maseru
LIBERIA
LIBYA
Delegate
Taher Ayad Ettoumi
Ambassador Embassy of Libya
Gaborone
Alternates
A. Hakim Saied
Attaché
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tripoli
Mahmoud M. Kandir
Attaché
Embassy of Libya
Gaborone
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Delegate
M. Chipeta
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development
Lilongwe
Alternates
S. S. Kamvazina
Principal Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
Lilongwe
Dan Yiwombe
Programme Manager
Kasungu Agricultural Development Division
Kasungu
Alex Gomani
Chief Planning Officer
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
Lilongwe
MALI
Délégué
Boubacar Sada Sy
Ministre du développement rural et de l'environnement
Bamako
Suppléant
Abdoulaye Touré
Conseiller technique
Ministère du développement rural et de l'environnement
Bamako
MAURITANIA
MAURITIUS - MAURICE
Delegate
Keertee Coomar Ruhee
Minister for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Port Louis
Alternate
Mrs K. Beegun
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Port Louis
MOROCCO - MAROC
Délégué
Taleb Bensouda Korachi
Ingénieur agronome
Inspecteur général au Ministère de l'agriculture et de la mise en valeur agricole
Rabat
Suppléant
Abdelhadi Bennis
Ingénieur général au Ministère de l'agriculture et de la mise en valeur agricole
Mamva - Rabat
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA - NAMIBIE
Delegate
Nangolo Mbumba
Minister for Agriculture, Water and Rural Development
Windhoek
Alternates
Ms A.M. Soroses-Garises
Deputy Director
Rural Development
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development
Windhoek
P.W. Misika
Deputy Director of Training
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development
Windhoek
NIGER
Délégué
Bankoula Abdoulaye
Ministre de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
Niamey
Suppléants
Idi Maman
Directeur de l'agriculture
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
Niamey
NIGERIA
Delegate
Filibbus Bature
Permanent Representative to FAO
Embassy of Nigeria
Rome
Alternate
Lawrence Tunde Badeafuye
Counsellor
Nigerian High Commission
Gaborone
RWANDA
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE - SAO TOME-ET-PRINCIPE
SENEGAL
Délégué
Robert Sagna
Ministre d'Etat et Ministre de l'agriculture
Dakar
Suppléant
Baba Dioum
Conseiller technique
Ministère de l'agriculture
Dakar
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOUTH AFRICA - AFRIQUE DU SUD
Delegate
André Van Niekerk Minister for Agriculture Cape Town
Alternates
Ms Thoko Msane
Deputy Minister for Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture
Pretoria
François Vander Merwe
Director-General of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture
Pretoria
Frederik Coetzee
Chief Director Ministry of Agriculture
Pretoria
Petrus J.A. Swart
Chief Director Ministry of Agriculture
Pretoria
Mike Walters
Director
Agricultural Research Council
Plant Protection Research Institute
Pretoria
Frans Naudé
Marketing Manager
Irene Animal Production Institute (IAPI)
Irene
Frans Loots
Head
Ministerial Services
Cape Town
Lydia Grayling
Assistant Director
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
Ockert Franck
Private Secretary Ministry of Agriculture
Pretoria
SUDAN - SOUDAN
Delegate
A. A. Gineif Minister for Agriculture, Natural and Animal Resources
Khartoum
Alternate
Hassan Osman Abdelnour
General Manager
Forests National Corporation
Khartoum
SWAZILAND
Delegate
Chief Dambuza II Lukhele
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives
Mbabane
Alternates
Patrick K. Lukhele
Director of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Mbabane
Robert S. Thwala
Director of Veterinary Services
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Mbabane
TANZANIA - TANZANIE
Delegate
J. Makwetta
Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources
Dar-es-Salaam
Alternates
K. Biwi
Deputy Principal Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources
Zanzibar
Mrs Janet F. Bitegeko
Assistant Commissioner for Planning and Marketing
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources
Dar-es-Salaam
Simon Mwanjali
Agricultural Economist (Personal Assistant to Minister)
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources
Dar-es-Salaam
TOGO
TUNISIA - TUNISIE
Délégué
Salah Hamdi
Représentant permanent auprès de la FAO
Rome
UGANDA - OUGANDA
Delegate
Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko
Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Entebbe
Alternates
Jerome T. Karugaba
Ambassador, Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome
Thomas C. Bamusonighe
Director
Animal Resources Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Entebbe
ZAIRE
Délégué
Mme Li Niandu Kavidi
Ministre de l'agriculture et du développement rural
Kinshasa
Suppléants
Kebola Kejuni
Directeur Ministère de l'agriculture et du développement rural
Kinshasa
Mansinsa Mvuola
Directeur
Ministère de l'agriculture et du développement rural
Kinshasa
ZAMBIA - ZAMBIE
Delegate
Hon Simon B. Zukas, M.P.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
Lusaka
Alternates
Russell Mulele
Director of Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
Lusaka
Hangoma Gordon Mudenda
Director of Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
Chilanga
ZIMBABWE
Delegate
K.M. Kangai, M.P.
Minister for Lands, Agriculture and Water Development
Harare
Alternates
Ntombana Regina Gata
Acting Director
Department of Research
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Water Development
Harare
T. Takavarasha
Deputy Secretary
Economics Division
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Water Development
Harare
OBSERVERS FROM MEMBER NATIONS NOT SERVICED IN THE REGION - OBSERVATEURS DES ETATS MEMBRES QUI NE SONT PAS DE LA REGION
CANADA
A. Bouvette
Senior Adviser
Agricultural and Agrifood Canada
Ottawa
FRANCE
Robert Piva-Crehange
Vice-Consul
Embassy of France
Gaborone
NETHERLANDS - PAYS-BAS
Cornelius B. Houtman
Head, General Policy and Multilateral Affairs Division
Department for Development Cooperation in Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries
The Hague
JAPAN - JAPON
Mr. Yasuo Takase
Counsellor
Embassy of Japan
Lusaka
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-ETATS UNIS D'AMERIQUE
Delegate
Thomas Forbord
Permanent Representative of the United States of America to FAO
Rome
Alternates
Neil Gallagher
International Relations Officer
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C.
Ruxton Villet
Deputy Assistant Administrator
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C.
HOLY SEE - SAINT-SIEGE
Rev. Monsignor Francis Chullikatt
Secretary to the Nunciature
Apostolic Nunciature
Pretoria
The Right Rev. Bishop Setlalekgosi
Bishop of Gaborone
Gaborone
Ms K.K. Mogotsi
Consultant to the Holy See
Ministry of Agriculture
Gaborone
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND SPECIALIZED AGENCIES - REPRESENTANTS DES NATIONS UNIES ET DES INSTITUTIONS SPECIALISEES
UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF) - FONDS DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'ENFANCE (UNICEF)
Krishma Belbase
Project Officer
Household Food Security
Gaborone
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) - PROGRAMME DES NATIONS UNIES POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT (PNUD)
Ms Elizabeth Fong
Resident Coordinator
Gaborone
Francis Omondi
UNV-DDS
Country Officer
Gaborone
OFFICE OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) - HAUT COMMISSARIAT DES NATIONS UNIES POUR LES REFUGIES (HCR)
Delegate
Maryse Fontus
Protection Officer
Gaborone
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP) - PROGRAMME ALIMENTAIRE MONDIAL (PAM)
Hamadi Ben Slimane
Regional Manager for West and Central Africa
Rome
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) - ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE (OMS)
Dr Thembeka R. Tshabalala
Representative for Botswana and South Africa
Gaborone
OBSERVERS FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS - OBSERVATEURS DES ORGANISATIONS INTERGOUVERNEMENTALES
CENTRE ON INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR AFRICA (CIRDAFRICA)
CENTRE DE DEVELOPPEMENT RURAL INTEGRE POUR L'AFRIQUE (CDRIA)
A.M. Elsheikh
Director
Arusha
N. Mussa-Nda
Head of Research and Programmes Division
Arusha
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (IUFOST)
UNION INTERNATIONALE DE SCIENCE ET DE TECHNOLOGIE ALIMENTAIRE
Lilian Marovatsanga
International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFOST)
Harare
ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (OAU)
ORGANISATION DE L'UNITE AFRICAINE (OUA)
Idris Nur
Head of Agriculture and Rural Development Division
Addis Ababa
PREFERENTIAL TRADE AREA FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN STATES
ZONE D'ECHANGES PREFERENTIELLES POUR L'AFRIQUE ORIENTALE ET AUSTRALE
Kwaku Osafo
Senior Regional Economist
Lusaka
El-Tayeb Mohamed
Senior Agricultural Expert
Lusaka
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC)
COMMUNAUTE DU DEVELOPPEMENT DE L'AFRIQUE AUSTRALE (SADC)
George H. Chizyuka
Training Specialist
FAO/SADC Training Centre
Lusaka
OBSERVERS FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS - OBSERVATEURS DES ORGANISATIONS NON GOUVERNEMENTALES
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE (ICA)
ALLIANCE COOPERATIVE INTERNATIONALE (ACI)
Vincent Lubasi
Director
Regional Office for East, Central and Southern Africa
Moshi
Boniface Oppong
Project Manager
Gaborone
PRESS - CHANNEL AFRICA
Hamadou T. Sy
Journalist
Duckland Park
Johannesburg
BOTSWANA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
Omozoje Ohiokpehai
Botswana Technology Centre
Kanye
OBSERVERS FROM MULTILATERAL FINANCING INSTITUTIONS - OBSERVATEURS D'INSTITUTIONS FINANCIERES MULTILATERALES
ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK
Amadou Moctar Diallo
Special Assignment
Jeddah
FAO STAFF - FONCTIONNAIRES DE LA FAO
|
Jacques DIOUF |
Director-General |
|
P.J. MAHLER |
Special Adviser to the Director-General/Assistant Director-General for Environment and Sustainable Development |
|
M. OKAI |
Officer-in-Charge, RAFR |
|
R. LYDIKER |
Director, GII |
|
C. N'DIAYE |
Regional Food Policy and Nutrition Officer, RAFR |
|
R. SANT'ANNA |
Regional Soil Resources Officer, RAFR |
|
E.K. TAPSOBA |
Senior Economist, ESP |
|
C.R. MACCULLOCH |
FAO Representative in Botswana and Zimbabwe |
|
R. SINGH |
Senior Officer, Research and Technology Development Division |
CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT - SECRETARIAT DE LA CONFERENCE
|
Conference Secretary |
W. Q-B. WEST |
|
Conference Affairs Officer |
Sulayman M'BOOB |
|
Reports Officer |
Godfrey COKER |
|
Information Officer |
Paul FOUDA-ONAMBELE |
|
Conference Documents Officer |
Moïse SONOU |
|
ARC/94/1 |
Provisional Annotated Agenda |
|
ARC/94/2 |
Report on FAO Activities in the Region 1992-93 |
|
ARC/94/3 |
Promoting Agricultural Cooperation Through a Common African Agricultural Programme (CAAP) |
|
ARC/94/4 |
Development of Technologies in the Context of an Eco-regional Approach for Sustainable Agricultural Production in Africa |
|
ARC/95/5 |
Representation of the Region on the CGIAR |
|
INF Series | |
|
ARC/94/INF/1 |
Information Note |
|
ARC/94/INF/2 |
Provisional Timetable |
|
ARC/94/INF/3 |
Provisional List of Documents |
|
ARC/94/INF/4 |
Action Taken on the Main Recommendations of the 17th Regional Conference for Africa |
|
ARC/94/INF/5 |
Information Note on the Follow-up to the International Conference on Nutrition |
|
ARC/94/INF/6 |
Follow-up to the International Scheme for the Conservation and Rehabilitation of African Lands (ISCRAL) and Role of FAO in the Implementation of the "Urgent Action for Africa", in Relation to the "International Convention to Combat Desertification" |
|
ARC/94/INF/7 |
A Proposal for a Diversification Facility for African Commodities (DFAC) |
|
ARC/94/INF/8 |
Statement by the Director-General |
|
ARC/94/INF/9 |
Draft Declaration on Food and Agriculture |
|
ARC/94/INF/10 |
Outcome of the 106th Session of the Council and its Implications for Present and Future Activities of FAO in the Region |
|
ARC/94/INF/11 |
Preparation for the 1996 World Food Summit |
|
ARC/94/INF/12 |
Desert Locust Control in the Region and Preparation for Future Campaign |
(24-26 October, 1994)
Organization of the Technical Committee Meeting
1. The meeting of the Technical Committee of the Eighteenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa was held at the Boipuso Conference Centre of the Republic of Botswana, from 24 to 26 October 1994.
2. The meeting was attended by 127 delegates from 34 Member Nations of the Region, 29 of which were represented at Ministerial level; four observers from Member Nations outside the Region. seven representatives of the United Nations Specialized Agencies and six observers from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. A full list of participants is given as Appendix B of this Report. The list of the documents for the meeting is given in Appendix C of the report.
Opening
3. The Opening Ceremony for the meeting was held at the Boipuso Conference Centre under the Chairmanship of Mr Matthew Okai, Officer-in-Charge of the FAO Regional Office for Africa and FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa. The meeting was formally opened by Mr C.M. Lekaukau, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Botswana.
4. The Officer-in-Charge, on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, expressed his profound gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Botswana for having extended the invitation to host the meeting of the Technical Committee of the Eighteenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa. He recalled the circumstances under which the Government of Botswana, at very short notice, agreed to organize the meeting and paid special tribute to the Government for the excellent arrangements and facilities that had been put at the disposal of participants.
5. Mr Okai pointed out that it was not only the hosting facilities provided to this Conference that made Botswana a unique venue for this gathering, but also the rare quality of social, cultural and geographical diversity in an atmosphere of unity. This combination of factors had resulted in macro-economic stability, social harmony and political stability under an able, dedicated and prudent leadership.
6. He recalled that the re-institution of meetings of the Technical Committee was at the specific urging of the Seventeenth Regional Conference and expressed his confidence that from the list of topics to be discussed, the delegates would be able to make an in-depth analysis of issues of relevance to all participating Member Nations.
7. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Lekaukau, extended a warm welcome to the delegates and said it was an honour and a privilege not only for him. but for the Republic of Botswana to have been invited to inaugurate the meeting. Being the first meeting of its kind to be hosted in Botswana it would, indeed, be an occasion which would be remembered for a long time.
8. Mr Lekaukau took the opportunity to welcome the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Eritrea as participants to the meeting, the former being re-admitted, after a long absence, as a free and democratic country and the latter as a new and independent state. He was indeed confident that they would contribute to the success of the Organization.
9. Mr Lekaukau stated that poverty, food security and low agricultural productivity in Africa were some of the critical issues confronting FAO in the coming years. Dramatic changes needed to be made in macro-economic and sectoral policies including major political reforms. He acknowledged that, in respect of political reforms, there was return to democratic governments and the observance of human rights which, hopefully, could promote peace, stability and reduced defence budgets and would facilitate urgent economic transformation.
10. The Permanent Secretary hoped that investment in technology, human resource development and physical infrastructure would grow in real terms. The deliberations of the Technical Committee would focus on the development of economically- and environmentally-sustainable technologies that would improve agricultural productivity, increase rural household incomes in real terms and reduce the disturbing food insecurity. He called on the meeting to explore ways of coordinating domestic and regional policies to avoid wastage duplication and unnecessary competition.
11. In conclusion, he urged those relating to the meeting to scrutinize international developments such as General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). He called on FAO to provide the resources necessary to assist Member Nations in the Region to implement realistic policies and programmes that would benefit them in the face of a rapidly changing world economy.
Election of Chairman. Vice-Chairmen and Rapporteur
12. The meeting unanimously elected Mr C.M. Lekaukau, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Botswana, as its Chairman. In a short speech accepting this change, the Permanent Secretary expressed his gratitude for the confidence placed in him by electing him the Chairman of the Technical Committee. He expressed his confidence that delegates would afford him and his bureau the necessary cooperation and support to conduct the affairs of the meeting judiciously and expeditiously, and thereby achieve the goals of the meeting.
13. The meeting then went on to elect the bureau comprising Mr Abdoulaye Touré, Technical Advisor of the Ministry of Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Mali as its first Vice-Chairman; Mr Gideon N. Nyaanga, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to FAO as second Vice-Chairman; and Mr Thomas Yanga, Alternate Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cameroon to FAO as Rapporteur.
Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable
14. The Assembly then proceeded to consider and adopt the Agenda and Timetable (Appendix A) for the Technical Committee of the Eighteenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa.
The Director-General of FAO, Dr Jacques Diouf,
Your Honour, the Vice-President and Minister of Finance and Development Planning,
Mr Festus Mogae,
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Mr Roy Blackbeard,
The Honourable Visiting Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Distinguished Delegates and Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a singular honour and pleasure for me to have been invited to join you this morning for the inaugural session of the Eighteenth United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Africa. As staunch advocates of international and regional cooperation, we are most delighted that such an important conference of the United Nations system has come to Botswana. I, therefore, wish to extend a warm welcome to you, on behalf of the Government and people of Botswana, and hope that you will have fruitful deliberations over the next few days.
FAO is the largest autonomous agency within the United Nations system. Its mandate is to coordinate the efforts of governments in seeking to alleviate poverty and hunger through the promotion of agricultural development, improved nutrition, and food security. This is a daunting challenge because the world is inhabited by millions of people who are still living under desperate conditions of hunger and malnourishment. The factors which contribute to this sad state of affairs are numerous and varied. In some cases, the reason could simply be inappropriate agricultural policies, while in other circumstances, it could be a combination of adverse factors, far beyond the capacity of a country to cope.
FAO is the UN agency with the mandate to assist governments in finding solutions to these problems. In this regard, I am confident that Dr Jacques Diouf, as Director-General, will live up to the challenges of this important office. Dr Jacques Diouf, a Senegalese, is the first African to hold this high position. As he was elected to this office by the FAO Conference in November 1993, I would like to wish him well in the years ahead.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me now take this opportunity to welcome new Member Nations. We have amongst us delegations representing the Republic of Eritrea and the Republic of South Africa. The re-admission of South Africa, after many years of isolation, represents victory over apartheid and a return to healthy political and economic developments in South Africa and this Region in general. It also means that international cooperation can be expanded and strengthened. The joining of Eritrea has also both political and economic dimensions. It represents the end of a long liberation struggle and the beginning of economic reconstruction in the horn of Africa.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this Conference is taking place at a time when we need to re-examine our approach to social and economic challenges facing Africa today. You will recall that in the early nineteen sixties, when most African countries attained their independence, there were high, expectations for a major economic and social transformation. Many countries enshrined strategies in their national development plans giving detailed account of how they were going to make large-scale improvements in the productive sectors of their economies, as well as in the social services, with a view to ensuring that development was just and sustainable.
Some progress has been achieved and many countries have been able to improve economic well-being as reflected by social indicators in such areas as life expectancy, literacy, school enrollment, and the provision of health care and education. Similarly, there has been a significant improvement and expansion of capital stock, especially as it regards such physical infrastructure projects as the road and communication networks, ports, telecommunications and electric power facilities. It must, however, be admitted that the state of repair and maintenance of these infrastructure assets now leaves much to be desired in many of our countries.
This is a clear sign of retrogression and I regret to say that Africa has actually been witnessing declining per capita incomes, declining food availability, depletion of mineral resources, and increasing ecological degradation. The retrogression of income levels has also been widespread.
Progress in the social sectors that had been remarkable in the early years of independence has also been slowing down. Life expectancy has started to decline in some countries, and enrollment ratios for primary education are deteriorating.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Africa is also experiencing a self-reinforcing process of environmental deterioration. The increasing recurrence of droughts in recent years bears testimony to the vulnerability of our basic life-support resources. Increasing population pressure has been accelerating the processes of desertification and environmental deterioration. The productive capacity of land is being diminished by soil erosion and decreasing organic matter, leading to loss of rangelands and vegetation cover. The combined economic and social consequences of all these factors are reflected in increasing malnutrition, hunger, famine, abject rural poverty, economic dislocation and social disintegration.
According to FAO survey data of 1987, there were 101 million Africans who were suffering from malnutrition in that year alone. In 1991, there were 168 million malnourished people, an increase of 67 million people in a period of only five years. As I speak to you today, there are an estimated 180 million malnourished people in Africa, or 35.5 percent of the total population of our continent. In absolute terms, there is an average annual increase of 15 million people who are suffering from malnutrition. Clearly this must be of serious concern to all of us.
As with rural poverty, environmental problems will require a combination of policy reforms. These include land tenure reforms, investment in land conservation and rehabilitation, as well as institutional capacity-building. It will also require strong technological intervention. Governments will require external support in this endeavour.
Capital requirements for the sustainable development of agriculture have often been kept low by neglecting environmental protection in the process of resource use. We in Botswana are very conscious of this because of our fragil environment. The conservation of our nation's renewable and non-renewable resources has been a continuing concern of the Government as it formulates its development policies. Consequently, we have adopted a National Conservation Strategy to ensure effective coordination between the conservation of natural resources and sustainable development. As a drought-prone country, we have also developed the capacity for drought management.
It is against this background that I wholeheartedly welcome the Director-General's new initiatives to make FAO more dynamic by restructuring the Organization and decentralizing its activities. I welcome, in particular, the proposed transfer of 35 percent of Headquarters technical staff to the field. Indeed, our problems are not in Rome, Geneva or New York, but they are at the grassroots level, in the field.
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, our approach to development has to be community-based, consultative and participatory so that the key actors such as farmers and their leaders can be actively involved together with government technical and extension services.
It is important for FAO, working in collaboration with bilateral and multilateral institutions. to assist this Region in generating increased technical and investment resources to support the development of agriculture in Africa. However, policy initiatives to improve agricultural output must be taken by the African governments themselves.
A short paper written for discussion at a recent meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Global Coalition for Africa makes an analysis of the problem of agriculture in Africa. This paper is worth noting. It says that in spite of the numerous pronouncements, declarations and development plans affirming the importance of agriculture, this sector has continued to receive low priority with respect to resource allocations from governments in sub-Saharan Africa. It notes that there are some success stories which provide evidence that, given the right ingredients of peace, political stability, good governance, appropriate technology use and an enabling macro and sectoral policy environment, agriculture can succeed in Africa. The paper then concludes that policy-makers must put agriculture on top of the political agenda, and that long-term national strategies must be adopted by governments.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, consistent with the spirit of the Abuja Declaration on the African Economic Community, there have been a number of regional initiatives to pool resources and coordinate development efforts. In this Region, a treaty transforming the old Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) into an integrated economic community was signed in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1992. The Treaty provides for progressive institutionalization of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) over a number of years.
The transformation of this Region into an economic community has fundamental implications for the food and agricultural sector. SADC is not only intending to increase intra-regional trade, but will also strive for the harmonization of macro-economic and agricultural policies to enhance the growth and development of the community. Policies that promote trade, transfer of technology and capital formation, for example, will be pursued in order to foster regional economic integration.
To this end, sectoral protocols are being prepared which will provide an agreed framework for long-term economic integration, including sustainable agricultural development. The Food and Agriculture Organization will indeed be expected to provide technical expertise in the field of agriculture. In that way, it will also play a major role by providing advice in the process of community building which is now being undertaken by SADC.
Distinguished Guests. Ladies and Gentlemen, before I conclude my statement. I would like to make a few remarks about recent changes regarding international trade arrangements. By now. most countries have either acceded to the new convention of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) or are in the process of doing so. The new convention, which will now be known as the World Trade Organization (WTO), was signed in Marakesh, Morocco, in April this year. This will probably be the most significant global economic landmark of our time in the course of liberalizing world trade.
While the existing multilateral trading mechanisms, such as the Lomé Convention, have indeed improved market access to most of our agricultural commodities, more needs to be done to liberalize trade globally. This should assist countries with a comparative advantage in certain products to enter the market. The impressive growth of Southeast Asia, for example, is due largely to the availability of technology, finance and insurance, as well as the application of sound economic policies and the exploitation or comparative advantage. "We in Africa must learn from the experience of Southeast Asia.
Given these global changes in the trade and service sectors, the agricultural sector in Africa will need to gear itself to meet this challenge. I believe that FAO has a role to play in this process. In this regard, I have noted with appreciation that FAO is already disseminating information on how GATT will affect the agricultural sector in the world, following the recent agreement to liberalize world trade. I hope this information service will be of assistance to Member Nations in providing the basis for the macro-economic and agricultural policy reviews that are necessary to ensure sustainable development.
Mr Director-General, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my pleasure and profound honour to declare the Eighteenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa officially open.
Mr Chairman,
Mr Independent Chairman of the Council,
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Heads of Delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
INTRODUCTION
First of all I should like to express my sincere thanks to the Government and people of Botswana for agreeing to host the Eighteenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa, and for extending such a warm welcome and such generous hospitality from the very moment of our arrival. I should also like to congratulate the Minister of Agriculture for Botswana on his election as Chairman of the Conference. I am convinced that under his enlightened guidance our work will proceed harmoniously in a cordial atmosphere, and that our deliberations will be commesurate to our expectations. I should also like to welcome to this Conference the Ministers and Heads of Delegations. Your presence here is clear evidence that the governments of the Region want to come to grips with the major challenges confronting food and agriculture on the African continent.
May I also just say how proud and happy I am to be with you today as the first son of Africa to head this, the largest Specialized Agency of the United Nations. And may I once again take the opportunity, as at the OAU Summit last June in Tunisia, to ask you to convey to your respective governments my profound gratitude for electing me to this post.
Africa owes this success not only to its mobilization and cohesion, but also to its legitimate aspiration to lead, for the first time in FAO's nearly 50 years, the international organization responsible for such a vital sector of the African economy - and the sector in which Africa's performance must be substantially improved.
FOOD SECURITY IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Mr Chairman, in accepting this task I was fully aware of the awesome responsibility I was assuming, at a time when 800 million people in the world, 20 percent of the population of the developing countries and as much as 37 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa, are suffering from chronic malnutrition. By the year 2010, humanity will have to face the daunting challenge of feeding 7 billion people against the 5.6 billion of today, while at the same time safeguarding the planet's natural resources.
Of all the regions in the world, our continent is the one with the greatest difficulties in meeting the food requirements of its population. African agriculture is in a permanent state of crisis, aggravated by sundry conflicts that help to prolong the massive recourse to food aid.
And so, in addressing you, the plenipotentiaries of this vital sector, I want to touch first upon the major challenges and problems which your countries will have to face in the years to come. I shall be brief, for you are as aware of them as I am, if not more so. Next, and most important, I want to share with you our thoughts on new ways in which FAO can support your efforts.
Indeed, Mr Chairman, while impressive strides have been made worldwide and in many developing countries in increasing per caput food supplies, overall progress has been both uneven and slow. While some regions in the world have an intake of over 3 600 calories per day for each inhabitant, sub-Saharan Africa has only 2 100. While projections for the year 2010 do include increased per caput supplies and reduced malnutrition rates in most parts of the world, other regions, particularly Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, will still be experiencing serious difficulties.
Africa is the only Region in the world where per caput food production has declined in the last 25 years. By the year 2010, Africa will have an estimated 1 billion inhabitants as against 720 million today. A net food exporter in the early 1960s, the Region is today a net importer. The 1986 FAO study requested by the Regional Conference, African agriculture: the next 25 years, showed that, if the then current trends were to be maintained up to the year 2010, the cost of food imports at constant prices would surpass US$28 billion, whereas income from agricultural exports would amount, at most, to US$12 billion. Recent years have only served to confirm these trends. The cereal deficit alone could well exceed 100 million tonnes by the year 2010, 58 million tonnes of which would be in sub-Saharan Africa. These figures illustrate the critical food situation in Africa.
I do not wish to go into every single reason for the semi-permanent state of food insecurity that has become the lot of so many African countries, but I think the root causes do need to be mentioned: climatic fluctuations; development policies that have generally failed to foster growth in the food and agricultural sectors; and the absence of significant technological innovations such as the "Green Revolution" that substantially increased productivity in a number of Asian countries. Institutional weaknesses and insufficient infrastructure have also helped to accentuate these difficulties.
In addition to these root causes, other factors have helped to exacerbate food insecurity in the continent: the very high rate of population growth, rapid urbanization, environmental degradation (particularly desertification), political instability, social unrest, and civil wars entailing massive population displacement - all this coupled with an unfavourable international economic environment and the heavy burden of external debt. The situation in Rwanda is unquestionably one of the most dramatic illustrations of these factors. To varying degrees, these negative factors explain the severe food shortages that many African countries are facing this year, particularly in southern and East Africa.
There is good reason, however, to believe in the continent's capacity to rise to meet these challenges. Most African countries are courageously undertaking painstaking and, indeed, painful efforts to revive economic growth, and the agricultural sector is beginning to resume pride of place in these new policies. Our host country, Botswana, is a good example of a nation that has managed to achieve relative food security by implementing wise policies that rationally exploit its potential and comparative advantages.
Mr Chairman, Africa as a whole has great, though unevenly distributed, potential which has not yet, or only barely, been tapped. If Africa is to achieve a relatively acceptable level of food security, the continent must come to grips with the scourge of drought that has devastated agricultural production in the Sahel, in southern and East Africa and in North Africa, in turn, since the 1970s.
There has not been nor can there be "secure" production unless there is adequate water control. Yet in Africa, only 6 percent of the arable land, 10 million hectares, is under irrigation, and 75 percent of this irrigated land is concentrated in five countries. Irrigation, moreover, is a major component of agricultural intensification, for the 6 percent of farmland under irrigation accounts for 20 percent of the total output, meaning a productivity level three to four times higher than under rainfed cultivation systems. And yet, every year the equivalent of 4 500 billion cubic metres of water from African rivers flows unused into the seas and oceans. In theory, 3 100 billion cubic metres of this water could be used to irrigate as much as 220 to 260 million hectares. Bearing in mind the other constraints, however, the irrigable potential is probably a much more modest 30 to 40 million hectares, but even this is still three to four times the area now under irrigation. FAO plans to undertake a special study to assess this potential, so that we can have more realistic figures at our fingertips.
Despite the vital need for massive investment in this sector, some donors reject irrigation works because they are considered "costly", forgetting the inherent cost of each year of drought in terms of human lives and suffering, and the need for emergency aid. It would be better to adopt a pragmatic, case-by-case approach rather than to reject such works out of hand, for experience has shown that capital-intensive primary irrigation and drainage canals can be supplemented by secondary and tertiary canals built and maintained by the local community at considerable savings in cost and acceptable cost-benefit ratios. Irrigation programmes also help to diversify production, exports and rural income. FAO and its partners are seeking to solve this crucial problem. The Organization is also prepared to support the African countries in the formulation of efficient water-use policies that take the environmental impact into consideration.
In another area, despite the annual deforestation of 4 million hectares caused by population pressure, extensive farming and demand for wood, 30 percent of Africa is still covered by forests. This important capital should be safeguarded, so it would be advisable to implement national strategies for the stewardship of this resource and for the identification of energy sources other than charcoal.
Livestock production is a major sector in many African countries. It can account for up to 25 percent of GDP and is a means of improving people's nutritional status. However, there are still enormous constraints to livestock development, which should be removed by enhancing livestock health and production, and by processing and marketing livestock products and by-products.
As for marine fishery resources, overfishing on the part of foreign fleets has cut deeply into Africa's once vast fishery potential, without the African countries involved having benefited in any substantial way. Appropriate strategies and policies should make it possible for these countries to develop their own fisheries capability, individually and/or collectively, with the participation of private investors working in mutually beneficial partnership. Freshwater and coastal aquaculture should also receive special attention, for although this subsector only accounts for 1.5 percent of consumption in Africa, it currently represents 15 percent of world consumption and is expected to reach 30 percent by the year 2010.
NEW DIRECTIONS IN FAO
Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, FAO stands right beside you in your fight to ensure the food security of your populations. We shall work tirelessly for the attainment of a new Green Revolution in Africa, a process that will combine the most productive technology with the necessary measures to ensure sustainable production vis-à-vis the environment, and to foster social equity in sharing the benefits of agricultural growth.
The restructuring exercise
In accordance with Resolution 10/93 of the Conference of FAO, I undertook a review of the Organization's programmes, structures and policies. Based on this review, I proposed a number of measures to the Council of FAO, which were adopted unanimously. Their aim is to make the Organization a centre of excellence, to bring its activities closer to the Member Nations, and at the same time to make the necessary adjustments that will enable FAO to cope with emerging needs and priorities as they arise.
The new structure will make a much closer distinction between the more global normative functions of the Organization and its operational functions. The latter will be largely decentralized so as to make FAO more efficient and, most important of all, bring FAO closer to the Field.
It is my intention, therefore, to proceed to the gradual reinforcement of FAO's regional presence in terms of human resources. A substantive multidisciplinary team will be positioned at the Regional Offices to cover the necessary technical fields and to constitute a critical mass of expertise at the regional level. And, as you know, two Subregional Offices will also be set up: one for southern and East Africa, the other for North Africa.
The Council also approved the establishment of a new Department of Sustainable Development to ensure the coordination of FAO's work within the context of UNCED follow-up and in conjunction with the Commission for Sustainable Development. The current Development Department will be transformed into the Technical Cooperation Department, in order to improve the coherence of FAO's operational services with regard to its Member Nations. This Department will constitute the nerve centre of operational activities, and will be responsible for both policy advice and activities concerning investments and field operations. The policy advice function will be reinforced by a new Policy Formulation Division, which will work in close contact with the new Agriculture and Economic Development Analysis Division in the Economic and Social Policy Department. These arrangements will streamline and maximize our capacity to respond to Member Nations' requests for development policy advice.
As you can clearly see, such restructuring is a complex operation that cannot be implemented overnight. It requires serious planning and entails successive stages. The first of these will be implemented during the current biennium, and others will come into force under the 1996-97 Programme of Work and Budget and the Medium-term Plan, which will be adjusted accordingly.
Food security
The FAO's Member Nations, in ratifying the FAO Constitution, undertook a solemn commitment to raise the levels of nutrition and standards of living of their populations, thus helping to free humanity from the spectre of hunger. For FAO, concerned with the overriding need to rise to this collective challenge, food security has always been a priority target. The Council has approved the implementation of a Special Programme to sharpen our focus in this domain, its target being to increase food production in the low-income, food-deficit countries, of which 45 of the total 78 are in Africa. None have sufficient means to import the food they need. On the other hand, they do have the capacity to produce more food themselves.
This Special Programme should have a swift and significant impact on food security in the countries in question, at the same time safeguarding their natural resources and ensuring the equitable distribution of the benefits of increased production. The programme is thus an integral part of FAO's response to UNCED's Agenda 21, and to the recommendations of the International Conference on Nutrition. The programme will also spearhead a vast gamut of action on all aspects of food security. The action strategy focuses on the application of techniques that can substantially boost productivity and food production, based on specific measures designed to promote Sustainable production systems and a favourable economic policy environment, with due consideration to social equity.
There can be no lasting solution to the problem of food security in Africa unless sustained efforts are made to concentrate action in places where enhanced food security is an urgent priority and where the potential is high, thus reducing pressure on the most vulnerable zones. This will also avoid the fragmentation of our efforts, thereby ensuring close-knit intervention. It will permit the involvement of farmers in research and the transfer of new technology tailored to local conditions, and it will enable the systematic exploration of local techniques and practices, working towards their refinement where necessary.
Initial efforts will therefore involve implementing the programme on a pilot basis in certain countries that have been selected because they offer tangible possibilities for immediate action. The programme will subsequently be extended to other countries, based on solid partnership and coordination among all those involved in development - from research institutions to NGOs and to funding agencies such as the World Bank, UNDP and IFAD.
FAO also approved a second Special Programme on the Emergency Prevention of Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases, based on FAO's extensive experience in this area. Although we do have the expertise in control and intervention, when pests and disease strike we are still at the mercy of processes and procedures for issuing alerts and mobilizing resources that are inherently extremely time-consuming. Within the limits of available resources, therefore, the programme proposes to organize interventions in such a way as to maximize the impact of our joint action. Initially, programme activities will concentrate on locust control and the eradication of rinderpest.
Forestry
With regards to forestry, as you know, FAO has been appointed Task Manager for the coordination of UNCED follow-up concerning the implementation of forest principles and other important chapters on the forest, in particular Chapter 11 of Agenda 21, on curbing deforestation.
Considering FAO's key role in the preparatory process to the 1995 session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development which will focus on the forest, I have already taken the necessary steps to strengthen FAO's work so as to increase the Organization's presence and visibility in this sector. I have accordingly allocated additional resources from the Regular Programme and adopted a strategy to refocus FAO priorities in the forestry sector, especially in the light of the preparations for the Commission's meeting. To enhance the success of this meeting, FAO will organize pre-session meetings of the Regional Forestry Commissions to discuss aspects specific to each region and issues concerning FAO's Field Programme.
If we are to leave a better world to our children, it is imperative for the whole international community to make a concerted effort with regard to forests. I have therefore invited the Ministers responsible for forestry to a special meeting to be held as an adjunct to the Twelfth Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry in March 1995 to discuss major problems concerning this vital sector. This will be the first Ministerial-level meeting devoted exclusively to forests. Finally, just prior to the meeting of the Committee on Forestry, we shall be holding discussion and coordination meetings with our NGO and private sector partners in order to ensure the broadest possible consensus for the collective action that will follow.
Fisheries
Fisheries, apart from their role in boosting nutritional status, constitute a major part of many African economies and, as I have already said, a source of employment, income and foreign exchange. I have reinforced the fisheries programme and allocated a small increase in resources to support aquaculture development and the preparation of the International Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing. This Code will be submitted for approval by the Committee on Fisheries at its forthcoming session in March 1995. I have also invited the Ministers responsible for fisheries to attend this session so that they can review new developments since they last met ten years ago on the occasion of the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. The meeting will also serve to work out general guidelines for future activities in the sector. It also will be preceded by a discussion and coordination meeting with NGOs and the private sector.
The Field Programme
The FAO Field Programme in Africa is still the largest with respect to the other regions in the world. In 1993, there were 791 projects under way south of the Sahara for a total budget of some US$848 million, the equivalent of 40 percent of the total value of FAO's Field Programme worldwide. Including North Africa, the number of projects totals 918 for a combined value of US$970 million, or some 50 percent of FAO's overall programme. These figures do not cover activities under the Regular Programme budget, nor FAO services to African countries under the new UNDP TSS-2 arrangements, nor FAO support for nationally implemented projects. I intend not only to maintain the Field Programme at a high level but also, and above all, to retarget it firmly to reach the prime objective: food security.
Cooperation with African institutions and TCDC
In addition, the ongoing cooperation with various African institutions will be intensified in the future. FAO will continue to maintain close links with the major regional intergovernmental organizations and specialized non-governmental organizations working in agricultural development, so that we can coordinate strategy and come up with the most appropriate approaches to development in the pursuit of common objectives. Here, FAO is pleased to have complied with the OAU's request to contribute to preliminary discussions on the preparation of a draft framework for the implementation of a Common African Agricultural Programme. The Organization is prepared not only to participate in this collective effort, but also to provide support for economic integration and cooperation within the subregions through the appropriate institutions.
There is an increasing trend towards a key, participatory role for NGOs and intergovernmental organizations, both inside and outside the UN system. I firmly intend to reinforce our partnership links with these organizations through the effective utilization of existing cooperation mechanisms.
Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) is an effective means of transferring appropriate technology through the South-South exchange of experiences. I have accordingly submitted for the approval of your governments a new agreement to promote TCDC for priority programmes in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. It is my profound hope that this agreement will receive overwhelming country support, thus enabling FAO to begin to translate Member Nations' cooperation into action through TCDC projects.
Genetic resources
Concerning genetic resources, I am pleased to announce that the Fourth International Technical Conference on the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources will be held in Germany in 1996. It will have before it an extremely important report on the world status of these resources, as well as a Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources, together with the means for its implementation. The Conference will be based on country reports under the guidance of the FAO Commission on Plant Genetic Resources. The Report of the World's Plant Genetic Resources constitutes a major FAO contribution to the implementation of the Convention on Biodiversity, in a process designed to help translate into action some of the UNCED results, particularly Agenda 21 and the Convention on Biodiversity. The countries of the Region have much to gain from all these initiatives, and I hope they will participate actively in the preparations for the 1996 Conference, and the Conference itself.
Concerning genetic resources, I hope to see the Commission's mandate on plant genetic resources expanded to include the livestock and fisheries sectors. Realism dictates the adoption of an integrated approach embracing all major components of food and agriculture, an approach allowing us, on the brink of the twenty-first century, to benefit as effectively as possible from the new opportunities offered by modern biotechnology. Furthermore, an enlarged mandate for the Commission would reinforce FAO's contribution to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity.
Women
Women play a key role in increasing food production and in sustainable agricultural and rural development, particularly in Africa. I am firmly committed to ensuring that this role receives greater recognition within FAO's programmes during my term of office. As part of the restructuring exercise, a former service is poised to become a fully fledged division of the Department of Sustainable Development. In addition to reinforcing existing programmes, the Organization will provide a substantial contribution to the Fourth World Conference on Women to be held in Beijing in 1995, and will ensure the follow-up of the implementation of the strategies to be adopted by this Conference.
AIDS
Finally, I cannot fail to mention the appalling scourge of AIDS, which is to some extent a common concern in all African countries, especially those south of the Sahara. The number of people suffering from AIDS as a result of infections contracted five to ten years ago is rising quite sharply in sub-Saharan Africa, and WHO estimates that there are now some 10 million infected people in the Region. Additionally, 60 percent of the newly-infected are young people between the ages of 15 and 24. It will be very difficult for Africa to achieve food security unless efforts are made to inform rural people (particularly the young) about AIDS and educate them in the prevention of the disease. FAO is now helping in the implementation of AIDS prevention programmes for rural youth in certain African countries such as Uganda. The Organization also has research projects in East Africa to evaluate the impact of the disease on agricultural production systems and rural communities, with a view to establishing appropriate defence and protection mechanisms.
Fiftieth Anniversary
Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, on 16 October 1995 FAO will be 50 years old. The Canadian Government, in conjunction with the Government of the Province of Quebec, has kindly agreed to host the observances to mark the anniversary of the founding of FAO at Château Frontenac in Quebec. This will include, in particular, an International Symposium on the problems of food security and an extraordinary meeting of the Ministers responsible for agriculture and development cooperation. Here, I should like to draw your attention to the draft Fiftieth Anniversary Declaration on Food and Agriculture which is before you. It summarizes the results achieved and the aspirations of the international community in the domain of food and agriculture. I would very much like to have your comments and suggestions on this document, which will also be reviewed by the FAO Council in June 1995, and later by the ministerial meeting in Quebec in October 1995, for final submission to the Conference of FAO for adoption in November 1995.
The World Food Summit
Considering the capital importance of food security, there has been an increasing sense of the need for a top-level meeting which would review developments in the world food situation since the World Food Conference 20 years ago, analyse the outlook for the year 2010, and raise international community awareness of the risk to humanity that famine entails. Such a meeting would also provide the occasion for promoting commitment at the highest political level, as well as in the realm of public opinion, enabling corrective measures to be taken in time. This is the background to my proposal to hold a World Food Summit in early 1996. The International Symposium and Ministerial Meeting, to be held in October 1995 in Quebec, will provide the occasion to put the finishing touches on preparations for the Summit. And the Summit will endeavour once again, but this time at the highest political level, to define and adopt the strategies and programmes that will secure for every man, woman and child the inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition, in accordance with the declaration of the 1974 World Food Conference.
Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope that these few remarks will help to shed light on your work. I wish you full success in your deliberations, from which much is expected to guide the work of the Organization, especially its programmes in the African continent.
Thank you.
