Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces

(Cat. 1)

Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Fruit and Vegetable Juices (CX-801)

Origin

Rule IX.1(b)(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Brazil

Purpose

The Ad Hoc Task Force shall:

1. revise and consolidate the existing Codex Standards and Guidelines for fruit and vegetable juices and related products, giving preference to general standards;
2. revise and up-date the methods of analysis and sampling for these products;
3. complete its work prior to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Commission (2005).

First Session

Established by the Twenty-third Session of the Commission (1999). First Session is scheduled to be held from 18-22 September 2000.

Membership

Open to all Members of the Commission.

Working Languages

English, French, Portuguese, Spanish.

(Cat. 1)

Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on
Foods Derived from Biotechnology (CX-802)

Origin

Rule IX.1(b)(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Japan.

Purpose

1. To elaborate Standards, Guidelines, or other Principles, as appropriate, for foods derived from biotechnology;
2. To coordinate and closely collaborate, as necessary, with appropriate Codex Committees within their mandate as relates to foods derived from biotechnology; and
3. To take full account of existing work carried out by national authorities, FAO, WHO, other international organizations and other relevant international fora.

First Session

Established by the Twenty-third Session of the Commission (1999). First session was held in March 2000.

Membership

Open to all Members of the Commission.

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

(Cat. 1)

Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on
Animal Feeding (CX-803)

Origin

Rule IX.1(b)(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Denmark.

Purpose

1. To complete and extend the work already done by relevant Codex Committees on the Draft Code of Practice for Good Animal Feeding;
2. To address other aspects which are important for food safety, such as problems related to toxic substances, pathogens, microbial resistance, new technologies, storage, control measures, traceability, etc., and
3. To take full account of and collaborate with, as appropriate, work carried out by relevant Codex Committees, and other relevant international bodies, including FAO, WHO, OIE and IPPC.

First Session

Established by the Twenty-third Session of the Commission (1999). First Session was held in June 2000.

Membership

Open to all Members of the Commission.

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

FORESTRY

CIP (Cat. 1)

International Poplar Commission (FO-702)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

Established in 1947 during the "Semaine internationale du Peuplier" organized by the French Government. The Conference, at its Tenth Session (1959), approved a convention placing the Commission within the framework of FAO. The Convention came into force on 26 September 1961. The Convention was amended at the Second Special Session of the Commission (1967) with the subsequent approval of the Conference at its Fourteenth Session (1967). At its Third Special Session (1977), the Commission adopted additional amendments with the subsequent approval of the Conference at its Nineteenth Session (1977).

Purpose

To study the scientific, technical, social and economic aspects of poplar and willow cultivation; to promote the exchange of ideas and material between research workers, producers and users; to arrange joint research programmes; to stimulate the organization of congresses combined with study tours; to report and make recommendations to the FAO Conference through the Director-General, and to make recommendations to National Poplar Commissions through the Director-General and the Governments concerned. (Article III of the Convention).

First Session

The "Semaine internationale du Peuplier" held in Paris in April 1947, is considered the First Session of the Commission.

Membership

Member Nations or Associate Members of the Organization as accept the Convention in accordance with Article XIII thereof. The Commission may, by a two-thirds majority of its Membership, admit to Membership such other Nations that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The present Membership is:

The sessions of the Commission are also open to observers from Member Nations of FAO that, without being Members of the Commission, may indicate their wish to attend the session on account of their interest in poplar and willow culture.

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

1965, 1968, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996. The next session is planned for 24 to 29 September 2000, in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Subsidiary Bodies

Working Party on Logging and Utilization of Poplar Wood (FO-704) (English, French, Spanish, as required) (1)

• Open to all Member Nations of the Commission.

Working Party on Poplar Diseases (FO-705) (English, French, Spanish, as required) (1)

• Open to all Member Nations of the Commission.

Working Party on Poplar Insect Pests (FO-706) (English, French, Spanish, as required) (1)

• Open to all Member Nations of the Commission.

Working Party on Breeding and Selection of Poplars and Willows (FO-724) (English, French, Spanish, as required) (3)

• Open to all Member Nations of the Commission.

Working Party on Production Systems for Poplars and Willows (FO-725) (English, French, Spanish, as required) (3)

• Open to all Member Nations of the Commission.

Achievement 1998-99

The Thirty-ninth Session of its Executive Committee was held in Rome, Italy, on 17 September 1998. The report on this meeting is available in hard copy from the Secretary of the IPC, and electronically on http://www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/forestry/IPC/IPChom-e.htm.

AFWC (Cat. 1)

African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (FO-707)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Tenth Session (1959, Resolution 26/59).

Purpose

To advise on the formulation of forest and wildlife management policy and to review and coordinate its implementation at the regional level; to exchange information and, generally through special Subsidiary Bodies, advise on suitable practices and action in regard to technical problems; and to make appropriate recommendations in relation to the foregoing.

First Session

November 1960.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO, whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Africa Region as defined by the Organization, or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in that Region. Membership comprises such eligible Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Somalia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America attend sessions as observers.

Working Languages

English, French.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session and confirmed by the Conference at its Eleventh Session (1961); amended at the Fifth Session of the Commission (1978).

Pattern of Sessions

1960, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995. 1998. The next session is planned for 26-30 March 2000 in Lusaka, Zambia.

Subsidiary Body

Working Party on the Management of Wildlife and Protected Areas (FO-709) (English, French) (1)

• Open to all Member Nations of the Commission.

Achievement 1998-99

The Eleventh Session met from 14 to 17 April 1998 in Dakar, Senegal. In examining the state of forestry and wildlife in the Region, the Commission recommended that FAO promote cross-sector dialogue in Member Nations and that countries favour harmonization of policies and of sectoral approaches. It also recommended that FAO intensify its assistance in the valuation of forest products and services, in order to provide better economic guidance for decision-makers and investors in the forestry sector.

In reviewing the FAO Regular and Field Programmes, the Commission recommended that FAO cooperate closely with the various sub-regional organizations in assisting Member Governments to present common viewpoints on internation processes. It also recognized the high quality and relevance of many FAO's technical publications on forestry and wildlife and requested FAO to improve their dissemination through FAO representations and by organizing workshops to ensure their relevance and their use at national level. FAO should also increase its assistance to Governments in improving the coverage and quality of their national forest inventories. Greater emphasis on technical deliberations in meetings of the regional forestry commissions and COFO was also requested.

As regards the FAO Strategy for Forestry, the Commission requested that it be reworded to reflect more fully the particular importance of wildlife in the forest ecosystems of Africa. The Commission also welcomed the preparation by the Regional Office for Africa of draft Methodological Guidelines for Improving Forestry Statistics in Africa; and by Headquarters of the Forestry Sector Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA). It recommended in this connection that maximum use be made of Africa's institutions and experts in carrying out FOSA.

Finally, the Commission recommended that COFO study suitable ways and means of providing methodological, technical and financial support for African Member Nations in their efforts to internalize the proposals and decisions for action in the context of the revision and updating of their national forestry programmes.

APFC (Cat. 1)

Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (FO-710)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Fifth Session (1949) in pursuance of a resolution of the Forestry and Timber Utilization Conference for Asia and the Pacific (Mysore, March/April 1949).

Purpose

To advise on the formulation of forest policy and to review and coordinate its implementation on the regional plan; to exchange information and, generally through special Subsidiary Bodies, advise on suitable practices and action in regard to technical problems, and to make appropriate recommendations in relation to the foregoing.

First Session

October 1950.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO, whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Asia-Pacific Region as defined by the Organization, or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territory in that Region. Membership comprises such eligible Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

The United Kingdom attends sessions as an observer.

Working Languages

English: also French if a French-speaking Member Nation advises of its intention to participate.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the Fifth Session (1960) and amended at the Sixth (1962) and Tenth (1977) Sessions.

Pattern of Sessions

1950, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2000.

Achievement 1998-99

The Seventeenth Session of the AFPC was held in Yogyakarta from 23 to 27 February 1998. The Commission discussed the final report of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study. It recommended that Member Nations which do not already have Codes of Practice for forest harvesting or equivalent instruments should develop and implement national Codes of Practice consistent with the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific. It also recommended that FAO establish a new APFC Ad Hoc Working Group on Forestry Statistics and Information to assist Member Nations and other partners in improving data in the following areas: wood residues, trees outside forests, fuelwood, and non-wood forest products with development potential.

In reviewing the FAO Regular and Field Programmes in the Region, the Commission recommended that FAO continue to give strong emphasis to non-wood forest products development, participatory management, wood energy, policy development and implementation, outlook studies, forest resources assessment, and support for national forest programmes. It also requested FAO to give increased attention to fire control and management, issues related to decentralization and devolution of forest management, reforestation technologies, and effective implementation of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific.

The Commission encouraged FAO to finalize the Strategic Plan for Forestry in line with the global FAO Strategic Framework and requested that it be presented to the next session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO). It identified several issues as potentially requiring additional emphasis in the final strategy document, including: the need to increase awareness of  decision-makers regarding the value of forests; plantation development and tree-breeding technologies; land-use planning and land tenure issues; and the role of forests in climate change mitigation.

With regard to follow-up implementation of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific, the Commission recommended that FAO, working through the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the APFC ad hoc Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management, help facilitate implementation of Codes of Practice in the Region, and that national and local Government agencies, donor organizations, relevant international organizations, NGOs, the private sector, and other interested parties work in partnership with FAO to support the implementation of Codes of Practice.

LACFC (Cat. 1)

Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (FO-713)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Fourth Session (1948) in pursuance of a recommendation of the FAO Teresopolis (Brazil) Forestry Conference in 1948.

Purpose

To advise on the formulation of forest policy and to review and coordinate its implementation at the regional level; to exchange information and, generally through special Subsidiary Bodies, advise on suitable practices and action regarding technical and economic problems; and to make appropriate recommendations in relation to the foregoing.

First Session

May 1949.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO, whose territories are situated wholly or partly in Latin America or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territory in that Region. Membership comprises such eligible Nations as have notified the Director-General of the Organization of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Canada attends sessions as an observer.

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the Sixth Session (1958), amended at the Seventh (1960) and Fourteenth (1982) Sessions.

Pattern of Sessions

1949 (twice), 1950, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1970, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998. The next meeting is scheduled from 4-8 September 2000 in Bogotá, Colombia.

Achievement 1998-99

The Twentieth Session was held in Havana, Cuba, from 10-14 September 1998. In examining the State of Forestry in the Region, the Commission recommended that forest fires be dealt with in a subregional group context, and requested support from FAO. It also requested support from the Organization regarding activities of the Sub-regional Group for Central America and Mexico, i.e. criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, forest fires, wildlife, protected wildlands, etc.

The Commission recommended that FAO undertake further analytical work in the preparation of the FAO Forestry Strategy to help resolve existing problems and raise people's awareness. It requested that FAO emphasize such aspects as gathering, processing and handling of data, dendroenergy and forest management and conservation. Processing and negotiation of project documents should also be more expeditious.

The Commission recommended that the Regional Office examine the future of the Technical Cooperation Networks with their Regional and National Coordinators, in consultation with national forest authorities, and that a report be prepared for its next session.

The Commission increased its awareness of the importance of forest valuation and made recommendations for action to be taken in improving it.

NEFC (Cat. 1)

Near East Forestry Commission (FO-718)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Seventh Session (1953) in pursuance of a resolution of the FAO Amman (Jordan) Forestry Conference in 1952.

Purpose

To advise on the formulation of forest policy and to review and coordinate its implementation at the regional level; to exchange information and, generally through special Subsidiary Bodies, advise on suitable practices and action in regard to technical and economic problems; and to make appropriate recommendations in relation to the foregoing.

First Session

September 1955.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or in part in the Near East Region, or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in the Region. Membership comprises such eligible Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The Membership is:

France, Malta, United Kingdom and United States of America and Palestinian Authority attend sessions as observers.

Working Languages

Arabic, English.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the Second Session (1958), amended at the Third (1962) and Ninth (1983) Sessions.

Pattern of Sessions

1955, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2000.

Achievement 1998-99

In the field of regional cooperation, the Commission recommended that FAO assist Member Nations of the Region in furthering cooperation in the field of conservation and exchange of forest genetic resources.

In discussing the follow-up to UNCED in Forestry, the Commission endorsed the initiative by the Islamic Republic of Iran during the Second Session of the International Forestry Framework (IFF) to organize, in cooperation with other Member Nations and international organizations, a meeting during 1999 on the Special Needs and Requirements of Countries with Low Forest Cover. That meeting was held from 4-8 October 1999 in Teheran.

During its Eleventh Session in 1990 the Commission discussed forestry policies in the Region: a need for a reorientation; wildlife and national parks management; and statistics for forestry development planning.

The Commission recommended that FAO assist in a review of national forest programmes in the Region in order to ascertain their harmonization with the principles guiding National Forestry Programmes (Nfps). It considered that exchange of information on this subject would be very useful to those Member Nations which were in the early stages of planning or designing their nfps and recommended that FAO assist in this exchange of information by organizing a Workshop on the Elaboration and Implementation of Nfps in 1999, in which potential donors should also be involved. That Workshop took place in Istanbul, Turkey, from 11-12 October 1999.

In discussing the FAO Regular and Field Programmes in the Region, the Commission recommended that FAO continue to give strong emphasis to watershed management, the role of forestry in combatting desertification, agro-forestry systems in the drylands, non-wood forest products and forestry plantations, with particular emphasis on indigenous species.

The Commission also recommended to COFO that, recognizing the importance of NEFC sessions for forestry development in the Region, Member Nations be encouraged to find ways and means to ensure appropriate high-level participation in the sessions, and that special efforts be directed to the Region, particularly through support to forestry research, education and training.

NAFC (Cat. 1)

North American Forestry Commission (FO-720)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Tenth Session (1959, Resolution 27/59).

Purpose

To advise on the formulation of forest policy and to review and coordinate its implementation at the regional level; to exchange information and, generally through special Subsidiary Bodies, advise on suitable practices and action with regard to technical problems, and to make appropriate recommendations in relation to the foregoing.

First Session

July 1961.

Membership

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1961) and amended at the Ninth and Eighteenth Sessions (1996).

Pattern of Sessions

1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000.

Achievement 1998-99

During the Thirteenth Session of the NAFC (Villahermosa, Mexico, 16-20 November 1998), the critical role forests play in achieving FAO's goals was recognized and the Commission requested that added importance to the forestry component be given in its strategic framework. It felt that activities should be integrated by emphasizing the forestry linkages with agriculture, fisheries, food security and sustainable development, especially cross-sectoral issues such as water resources management. The Commission requested also that FAO support the exchange of information among the study groups, including the distribution of reports from the study groups to other Regional Forestry Commissions.

EFC (Cat. 1)

European Forestry Commission (FO-726)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Third Session (1947) on the recommendation of the FAO Marinaské-Lázne (Czechoslovakia) Forestry Conference in 1947.

Purpose

To advise on the formulation of forest policy and to review and coordinate its implementation at the regional level; to exchange information and, generally through special Subsidiary Bodies, advise on suitable practices and action with regard to technical and economic problems, and to make appropriate recommendations in relation to the foregoing.

First Session

July 1948.

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or in part in the European Region or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territory in that Region. Membership comprises such eligible Member Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised version adopted at the Eleventh Session (1961) and confirmed by the Conference at its Eleventh Session (1961). Amended at the Eighteenth Session (1977) of the Commission.

Pattern of Sessions

1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998.

Subsidiary Bodies

Working Party on the Management of Mountain Watersheds (FO-728) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

• All Members of the Commission.

Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training (FO-729) (English, French, Russian) (1)

• ECE Member Nations and any additional Member Nations of the European Forestry Commission.

FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics (FO-730) (English, French, Russian) (1)

• ECE Member Nations and any additional Member Nations of the European Forestry Commission.

Achievement 1998-99

At its Twenty-ninth Session, held in Lahti, Finland, from 19-23 October 1998, the Commission recommended that proposals for an overview of forest policies in Europe be prepared for the Executive Committee meeting in April 1999. It noted that FAO/ECE was making a significant contribution to sustrainable forest management in the Region, through its continuing programme and through support for and direct inputs to the Third Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe. It requested that, in future, overriding importance be attached to the implementation of the core programme of monitoring and analysis, in particular the Temperate and Boreal Forest Resource Assessment 2000 (TBFRA 2000), the regular collection and dissemination of statistics and information on forestry assistance to countries in transition. It also requested FAO and the ECE to participate actively in the work of the Pan-European Programme of Work on Forestry called for in the Lisbon General Declaration.

Trade and environment issues in the forest sector were highly topical, important and controversial, which necessitated a prudent approach based on FAO/ECE's comparative advantage.

The Commission recommended that the Strategic Plan for Forestry include policy analysis and advice, and that the FAO Forestry Department continue its active role in international processes. It also decided to maintain the Working Party on the Management of Mountain Watersheds, based on the understanding that it will review and update its mandate, reflecting the last developments on this issue, ensuring cooperation and using synergies in order to avoid any duplication.

The Thirtieth Session of the European Forestry Commission will meet jointly with the ECE Timber Committee at FAO Headquarters, in Rome, from 9 to 13 October 2000.

SCM (Cat. 1)

AFWC/EFC/NEFC Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions
"Silva Mediterranea" (FO-731)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the European Forestry Commission in 1948 as a Subsidiary Body in succession to the pre-war international body Silva Mediterranea. Transformed by the Seventh (1953, Resolution 25) and Eleventh (1961) Sessions of the Conference into a Joint Sub-Commission on Mediteranean Forestry Problems. In 1970 the above title was granted.

Purpose

1. To periodically review the trends in the use of forest land in the Mediterranean area and to assess the impact of changes implemented in the agricultural, industrial, and urban sectors, and to advise Member Governments accordingly on reorientation or improvements necessary to meet changed situations or
   newly-emerging needs; conversely, to periodically examine progress in forestry technology within regional and ecological contexts in order to better assess present forest land utilization methods;
2. to identify forestry research priorities in the Mediterranean area, determine forestry research projects of common interest to Member Governments in the Region and recommend to the Director-General of FAO and Member Governments the adoption of measures necessary to coordinate the concerted execution of these projects by the forestry research institutes in the Region;
3. to determine and carry out, in collaboration with Member Nations and with the support of the appropriate national forestry agencies, the technical studies and surveys which are deemed necessary to assist Governments of the Region formulate national forest policies or facilitate their implementation.

First Session

December 1948.

Membership

Open to all Members of the African, European, and Near East Forestry Commissions of FAO whose territories are situated wholly or in part in the Mediterranean basin proper or whose forest, agricultural, or grazing economies are intimately associated with those of the Mediterranean Region. Membership comprises such eligible nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

Arabic, English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the Seventh Session (1960). Amended at Eighth Session (1962).

Pattern of Sessions

1948, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1997.

Achievement 1998-99

The Commission did not meet during the biennium.

ACPWP (Cat. 1)

Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products (FO-734)

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Director-General in 1960 following the decision of the Conference at its Tenth Session (1959, Resolution 30/59) and broadened in accordance with the terms of Resolution 2/111 of the Hundred and Eleventh Session of the Council.

Purpose

To advise the Director-General on the evolution and implementation of the FAO programmes in the field of pulp and paper, panel products and sawnwood and on the ways this programme should be developed.

First Session

October 1960.

Membership

No less than 15 and not more than 25 leading experts, familiar with the problems of forest industries, designated by the Director-General in their personal capacity and attending sessions at their own expense. Sessions may also be attended by advisers invited by the Members of the Committee and its Chairmen, but they shall not act as Members or their alternates.

Working Language

English.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Annual.

Achievement 1998-99

Completed the "The Global Outlook Study on Fibre Supply to 2050". Initiated activities related to global climate change, especially on the issue of carbon sinks and definition.

LAND AND WATER DEVELOPMENT

ALAWUC/NE (Cat. 1)

Agricultural/Land and Water Use Commission for the Near East (RNE-708)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

This commission was established as a merger of two previous regional commissions (Near East Regional Commission on Agriculture, RNEA-708 and Regional Commission on Land and Water in the Near East (RNEA-701), following Council Resolution 13/97.

Purpose

The merger was made to make the Commission more effective in its operation and more able in responding to the needs of Member Nations. Moreover, it was meant to further strengthen the adopted multidisciplinary approach and programmes of integrated and comprehensive agricultural and rural development. The new Commission is established to provide a forum through which Member Nations can exchange information and experience, promote regional and sub-regional technical cooperation in fields of mutual interest and undertake joint programmes of work. An added benefit is assistance provided to FAO in identifying issues and problems of common interest to Member Nations and in formulating future work programmes. These could include promotion of technical cooperation to overcome the identified problems on water resources management, sustainable land use, completion of data relating to development and conservation of the land/water resources in the Region; promotion of programmes for food production, plant protection, animal health and livestock production, development of agricultural research systems, and identification of efficient agricultural services to farmers, etc.

First Session

25-27 March 2000, Beirut, Lebanon.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations of the Organization whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Near East Region as defined by the Organization and which notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English and Arabic.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Biennial. The first Session was held from 25-27 March 2000 in Beirut, Lebanon.

PLANT PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION

DL/SWA (Cat. 1)

Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Eastern Region of its Distribution Area in Southwest Asia (AGP-701)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

The Agreement for the establishment of the Commission was approved by the Conference at its Twelfth Session (1963, Resolution 44/63) on the recommendations of the meetings of the FAO Member Nations directly concerned (Teheran, 1962 and Rome, 1963) and of the FAO Desert Locust Committee at its Eighth Session (1963). It came into force on 15 December 1964 and was amended by the Commission at its Twelfth Session (1977), with subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 5/72).

Purpose

To carry out all possible measures to control plagues of the Desert Locust within their countries and to reduce crop damage by adopting the following essential procedures:

1. Maintaining permanent locust information and reporting services;
2. maintaining an adequate permanent locust control service;
3. holding reserves of insecticides and application equipment;
4. encouraging and supporting training, survey and research work, including, where appropriate, the maintenance of national research stations for the study of the Desert Locust, considered desirable by the Commission and compatible with the resources of the country;
5. participating in the implementation of any common policy of locust control or prevention which may be approved by the Commission;
6. facilitating the storage of any items of anti-locust equipment and insecticides held by the Commission and permitting their duty-free import or export without hindrance, as well as facilitating their free movement within the country;
7. providing the Commission with any information it may request to implement its functions effectively.

First Session

December 1964.

Membership

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization in the Region as accept the Agreement in accordance with Article XV thereof. Other Nations situated in the Region that are Members of the United Nations any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's membership.

Membership entails the obligation to contribute to the Commission's budget in accordance with a scale of contributions determined by the Commission.

The present Membership is:

Working Language

English.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Annual (except for 1976); biennial since 1981.

Achievement 1998-99

The Twenty-first Session of the Commission was held in Delhi, India from 25-27 November 1998. It was preceded by a meeting of the Executive Committee (23-24/11). The main recommendations made concerned improvements in communication and collaboration within and between the four Member Nations (Afghanistan, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan). The Commission also requested FAO to consider re-establishing the full-time Commission Secretary post. Following an agreement by some Member Nations to pay part of the arrears owed to the Commission's own Trust Fund, a budget more than twice as high as the traditional budget was approved for 1999. The next Session of the Commission has been arranged for September 2000, to be held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

PPC/AP (Cat. 1)

Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (RAPA-704)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

Established under Article II of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Southeast Asia and Pacific Region which was approved by the Council at its Twenty-third Session (1955) and entered into force on 2 July 1956. The geographic scope of the Agreement was extended on 16 August 1969, following approval by the Council at its Forty-ninth Session (1967, Resolution 2/49) to the amendment of Article I (a). The deletion of the word "Southeast" in the title of the Agreement and the change of the name of the "Plant Protection Committee for Southeast Asia and the Pacific" to read "Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission" was proposed by the Eleventh Session of the Committee (September 1978) and approved by the Council at its Seventy-fifth Session (June 1979). The amended titles entered into force for all Contracting Governments on 16 February 1983. An amendment to paragraph (a), Article I of the Agreement aimed to include the People's Republic of China in the definition of the Region was proposed by the Commission at its Thirteenth Session (April 1983) and approved by the Council at its Eighty-fourth Session (November 1983). The amendment entered into force on 23 May 1990.

Purpose

To strengthen international cooperation in plant protection measures in order to prevent the introduction of destructive plant diseases and pests and their spread within the Region.

First Session

December 1956, as "Plant Protection Committee for the Southeast Asia and Pacific Region". April 1983: Thirteenth Session of the Commission was the first with the amended title "Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission".

Membership

States situated in the Region which become parties to the Agreement in accordance with Article X thereof.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English, and also French if a French-speaking Member Nation advises the Director-General of its intention to participate.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Every second year (Biennial).

Achievement 1998-99

The major events of the Commission in 1998-99 were the Twenty-first Session in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, July 1999, revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region, one Executive Committee meeting, and two Expert Consultations.

DL/NE (Cat. 1)

Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (AGP-704)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

The Agreement for the establishment of the Commission was approved by the Council at its Forty-fourth Session (1965, Resolution 6/44), under the authority of the Conference (Eleventh Session, 1961, Resolution 9/61) and on the recommendation of a Special Conference held in Beirut (1965). The Agreement came into force on 21 February 1967 and was amended by the Commission at its Seventh Session (1976), with subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 5/72). The Twentieth Session of the Commission, held in Cairo from 18-20 December 1994, considered renaming the Region "Central Region" and consequently modifying the name of the Commission and the Agreement. It also considered modifying the definition of the Region covered by the Agreement to make it possible for Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia to to become Members of the Commission. This was approved by the Council at its Hundred and Eighth Session (Rome, 5-14 June 1995).

Purpose

To carry out all possible measures to control plagues of the Desert Locust within Commission Members' countries and to reduce crop damage by adopting the following procedures:

1. Maintaining a permanent locust reporting and control service;
2. holding reserves of insecticides and application equipment;
3. encouraging and supporting training, survey and research stations, including where appropriate the maintenance of national research stations for the study of the Desert Locust, considered desirable by the Commission and compatible with the resources of the country;
4. participating in the implementation of any common policy of locust control or prevention which may be approved by the Commission;
5. facilitating the storage of any items of anti-locust equipment and insecticides held by the Commission and permitting their duty-free import or export without hindrance, as well as their free movement within the country;
6. providing the Commission with any information it may request to implement its functions effectively.

First Session

February 1969.

Membership

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization situated in the Region as accept the Agreement in accordance with Article XIV thereof. Other Nations situated in the Region that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's Membership.

The present Membership is:

Working Language

Arabic.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Annual.

Achievement 1998-99

During the 1998-99 Biennum, the Twenty-second Session of the Executive Committee was held in Cairo from 23-25 June 1998 followed by the Twenty-second Session of the Commission, held in Cairo from 25-30 June 1998. The Twenty-third Session of the Executive Committee was held in Amman, Jordan, from 18-20 October 1999.

The most important recommendations were: the re-establishment of the post of the Secretary of the Commission, as recommended to the FAO Conference in November 1999; revision of the convention of the Commission in 1998 for its enlargement to include other countries in the Horn of Africa; to assess prespectives, exchange locust information, engage in training of professional and technicians and development of research activities in the Region, and to develop a cooperation framework (platform) regarding CRC/EMPRES coordination.

DL/NWA (Cat. 1)

Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in Northwest Africa (AGP-706)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

The Agreement for the establishment of the Commission was approved by the Council at its Fifty-fifth Session (1970, Resolution 4/55). It was amended by the Commission at its Sixth Session (1977), with the subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 5/72). The Commission replaced the FAO Northwest African Desert Locust Research and Control Coordination Sub-Committee, which had been a Subsidiary Body of the FAO Desert Locust Control Committee.

Purpose

To promote national and international research and action with respect to the control of the Desert Locust in Northwest Africa.

First Session

March 1972.

Membership

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization situated in the Region accepting the Agreement in accordance with Article XIV thereof. Other Nations situated in the Region that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's Membership.

The present Membership is:

France, OCLALAV (Joint Anti-Locust and Anti-Aviarian Organization) and the League of Arab States attend sessions as observers.

Working Language

Arabic.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Annual until 1983, and biennial thereafter.

Achievement 1998-99

A workshop on EMPRES was held in Nouakchott, Mauritania in April 1998 during which Members approved the extension of the Programme to the Western Region. The Twenty-seventh Session of the Executive Committee was held in Nouakchott in 1998. Technical workshops were held in February and May 1999 and an Informal Ministerial Meeting was held in November 1999, all in Rome, to approve the creation of the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region with the nine Member Nations concerned.

The Twenty-second Session of the Commission was held in Rabat, Morocco in June 1999, and the Regional Workshop on Obsolete Pesticides was held in Tunis, Tunisia in November 1999.

PPC/C (Cat. 1)

Caribbean Plant Protection Commission (RLAC-701)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Council at its Forty-eighth Session (1967, Resolution 8/48).

Purpose

To strengthen intergovernmental co-operation in plant quarantine in the Caribbean area in order to prevent the introduction of destructive plant pests and diseases and to preserve the existing plant resources of that area.

First Session

July 1968.

Membership

Membership shall comprise Member Nations and Associate Members whose territories are wholly or partly in the Caribbean Area, that have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

To present Membership is:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1968) and amended at the Third (1972) and Fourth (1976) Sessions.

Pattern of Sessions

1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993.

Achievement 1998-99

Activities of the CPPC have been very limited during this period due to lack of funds.

Information dissemination by the RPPO has been the major activity over the past year through the issuance of Circular Letters to all CPPC Members informing of new pest outbreaks and updating on important pests of quarantine significance, as well as to individual queries from Members.

In addition, the CPPC was represented in 1999 both at the meeting of the Inter-American Group for Co-ordination in Plant Protection and the First Meeting of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures created by the new text of the IPPC.

The Secretary of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has conducted studies and, in consultation with Member Nations, has prepared proposals for the establishment of an independent Plant and Animal Health Organisation that would replace the Commission.

DLCC (Cat. 1)

FAO Desert Locust Control Committee (AGP-713)

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established in January 1955 by the Director-General on the recommendation of the Working Party on Desert Locust Control (1954) as an expansion of the previous Coordinating Committee for the Control of the Desert Locust in the Arabian Peninsula. The Conference at its Eighth Session (1955) endorsed the establishment of the Committee and approved its terms of reference.

Purpose

As amended by the Council at its Fifty-first Session (1968, Resolution 3/51):

1. To keep the Desert Locust situation under review;
2. to coordinate the Desert Locust control campaign in the Arabian Peninsula and other affected areas;
3. to promote the overall coordination of work by various national and regional anti-locust organizations and commissions;
4. to promote the coordination of national and international policies and preventive measures in Desert Locust control and research;
5. to provide the Director-General with technical and scientific advice on the Desert Locust situation and on the measures required to keep it under control. For this purpose, whenever there are scientific and technical matters to be discussed at the future sessions of the FAO Desert Locust Control Committee, they should be preceded by meetings of a small number of locust experts to study and report to the Committee on all relevant technical and scientific matters designed to improve and rationalize control of the Desert Locust;
6. to give general policy guidance and to provide technical advice to the Director-General on, and review of, the work programme financed under the International Desert Locust Trust Fund No. 9161, and to review the annual and financial reports for the work performed under the above-mentioned Trust Fund.

First Session

April 1955.

Membership

Member Nations and Associate Members affected by the Desert Locust and other interested Governments.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

Arabic, English, French.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Annual to 1982; 1988, 1989. Biennial: 1984, 1986, 1990, 1992.

Subsidiary Body

DLCC Desert Locust Technical Group (AGP-727) (English, French) (1)

• Small number of locust experts of the highest technical standing nominated by DLCC for a two-year period.

Achievement 1998-99

The Thirty-fifth Session of the Committee was held in Rome from 24-28 May 1999. It was attended by representatives of 35 countries and of two regional locust organizations. The most important recommendations made were: a) to revitalize the DLCC Technical Group such that it would arrange in-depth discussions of specific technical issues with participants selected solely on their technical expertise; b) to finalize an Agreement to create a new Locust Commission comprising the old North-west Africa Commission and four additional Sahelian countries, all of which would be involved in preventive control of locusts, as catalysed by the EMPRES Programme, and c) to increase the Committee's Trust Fund budget to cover higher Fellowship costs, support of the Pesticide Referee Group, a contribution to producing updated Desert Locust Guidelines, and the cost of technical experts meetings as might be required.

Prior to the Session, a meeting of the DLCC Technical Group was held in Rome from 6-8 October 1998.

Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (AGD-725)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established as the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources by the Council at its Eighty-fifth Session (1983, Resolution 1/83 as requested by the Conference (1983, Resolution 9/83). Broadened to cover all components of biodiversity of relevance to food and agriculture by the Conference (1995, Resolution 3/95), under its current name. Statutes adopted by the Council (1995, Resolution 1/110), at the request of the Conference.

Purpose

1. to keep under continuous review all matters relating to the policy, programmes and activities of FAO in the area of genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture, including their conservation and sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their utilization, and to advise the Director-General and the Council and, as appropriate, its Technical Committees, including in particular the Committees on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, on such matters;
2. to recommend such measures as may be necessary or desirable to ensure the development, as appropriate, of a comprehensive global system or systems on genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture and to monitor the operation of its/their components, in harmony, where applicable, with the Convention on Biological Diversity and other relevant international instruments;
3. to provide an intergovernmental forum for negotiations and to oversee the development, upon the request of the FAO Governing Bodies, of other international agreements, Undertakings, Codes of Conduct or other instruments relating to genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture, and to monitor the operation of such instruments;
4. to facilitate and oversee cooperation between FAO and other international governmental and non-governmental bodies dealing with the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, in particular with the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, and to seek to develop appropriate mechanisms for cooperation and coordination in consultation with such bodies;
5. subject to approval by the Governing Bodies of FAO, as appropriate, to respond to requests from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in the specific area of genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture, including the provision of information and other services to the Conference of the Parties and its Subsidiary Bodies, especially in the areas of early warning systems, global assessment and clearing-house facilities, in particular, and as appropriate, through the Global System for the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

First Session

11-15 March 1985 (as the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources).

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members of the Organization, and composed of those Members or Associate Members that notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered Members.

The present Membership is:

Secretary: José T. Esquinas-Alcázar (AGD)

Working Languages

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

May adapt and amend its own rules of procedures, in conformity with the Constitution and General Rules of the Organization and with the statement of principles governing Commissions and Committees adopted by the Conference.

Pattern of Sessions

Normally one regular session each biennium, held in Rome. Extraordinary Sessions may be convened, if necessary.

Subsidiary Bodies

The Commission may establish Intergovernmental Sectorial Working Groups, with appropriate geographical balance, in the areas of plant, animal, forestry and fisheries genetic resources.The Commission may establish such other Subsidiary Bodies as it deems necessary. There are currently two Sectoral Working Groups, one on Plant Genetic Resources and another on Animal Genetic Resources.

Achievement 1998-99

During the biennium, the Commission held two sessions. A session of its Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources was held.

At the Commission's Fifth Extraordinary Session (June 1998), Member Nations continued the negotiations for the revision of the International undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity (Conference Resolution 7/93).

During its Eighth Regular Session (April 1999), the Commission further advanced these negotiations, and established a Chairman's Contact Group to facilitate the process. It mandated the Chairman to convene meetings between sessions for this purpose, with extra-budgetary funding. The Commission also reviewed the report of the first meeting of its Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources, and requested that FAO continue to shape the constituent components of the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Genetic Resources, and that it coordinate the development of a country-driven Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources.

The Commission stressed FAO's importance and central role in facilitating and monitoring the implementation and review of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It received reports from international organizations dealing with genetic resources for food and agriculture, and agricultural biodiversity in general, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, and made recommendations to facilitate cooperation and coordination. It reviewed FAO's policies and procedures in all fields of genetic resources, and agreed that FAO's work on crop and farm animal genetic resources should concentrate on normative work.

CEPM (Cat. 3)

Interim Standards Committee (AGP-728)

(Article VI-4 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Twenty-seventh Session of the Conference in 1993.

Purpose

The CEPM provides support to the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in the programme for the international harmonization of phytosanitary measures. It serves as a review and advisory body, making recommendations on the development and acceptability of proposals at various stages in development and, where appropriate, recommends acceptance by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures. In cooperation with Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs), the CEPM makes recommendations on the priorities for standards and guidelines for global harmonization, and assists in the initiation of their development.

First Session

May 1994.

Membership

Approximately 14 experts nominated by RPPOs and a number of experts from Members not covered by RPPOs. All experts are appointed by the Director-General of FAO.

Working Language

English.

Pattern of Sessions

Sessions held in Rome each year in May, except the 1997 session which was held in October.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Achievement 1998-99

The Fifth and Sixth Meetings of the CEPM occurred in May 1998 and 1999, respectively. An abbreviated supplementary session in Braunschweig, Germany was organized in September 1999 to finalize one standard. In sum, the CEPM approved four international standards for phytosanitary measures that were submitted to the Interim Commission on Phytosanitay Measures and adopted. Four other standards were reviewed, revised, and approved for circulation to Governments for consultation.

ComPM (Cat. 1)

Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (AGP-729)

(Article VI-4 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Twenty-ninth Session of the Conference in 1997.

Purpose

The Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures is a precursor to a permanent Commission on Phytosanitary Measures becoming reality upon the coming into force of the New Revised Text of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), following acceptance or adherence by two thirds of its Members. The ComPM is to function in the promotion of the full implementation of the objectives of the IPPC. It replaces the FAO Governing Bodies as the mechanism for the approval of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures and it provides direction to the Secretariat of the IPPC, as well as a forum for communication and global coordination on phytosanitary issues.

First Session

November 1998.

Membership

Open to all FAO Members.

Working Languages

Official languages of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

Sessions to be held each year beginning November, 1998.

Rules of Procedure

The Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures adopted provisional rules of procedure at its First Session in 1998. These were finalized at the Second session in 1999 with agreement on standard setting procedures to be annexed to the rules of procedure.

Achievement 1998-99

The Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) realized its first two sessions in the biennium in November 1998 and October 1999. These meetings resulted in the adoption of: rules of procedure for the ICPM; four new international standards for phytosanitary measures; standard setting procedures; dispute settlement procedures; work programme topics and priorities; and recommendations to the Secretariat in information exchange. Several working groups were established for key activities such as strategic planning and technical assistance, and it was decided that the Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures would become the Interim Standards Committee as a subsidiary body of the ICPM.

STATISTICS

AFCAS (Cat. 1)

African Commission on Agricultural Statistics (RAFR-701)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

The Conference at its Eleventh Session (1961) approved the creation of the Commission and requested the Director-General to establish and adequately service a permanent regional agricultural statistical commission for Africa.

Purpose

To review the state of food and agricultural statistics in the Region and advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistics within the general framework of FAO's work in statistics, and to convene study groups or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts for this purpose.

First Session

October 1962.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Region or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in the Region. Membership comprises such Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

The United Kingdom and the United States of America attend sessions as observers.

Working Languages

English, French.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

1962, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997.

Achievement 1998-99

Provided a framework for enhancing the rapid participation of Member Nations in the implementation of the FAO/World Bank/United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative for strengthening food and agricultural statistics systems in African countries.

Increased the awareness and improved the appreciation in Member Nations of the conceptual and methodological aspects of gender concerns in agricultural data collection activities.

Provided approaches for increased co-operative efforts in Member Nations to identify areas of commonality and communality between forestry and agricultural (crop) statistics with a view to pooling of resources for data collection activities.

APCAS (Cat. 1)

Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (RAPA-703)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Twelfth Session (1963, Resolution 41/63) on the recommendation of the Sixth FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Far East (1962). The Commission title was changed from "Asia and Far East" to "Asia and Pacific" by the Eighty-second Session of the Council in 1982.

Purpose

To review the state of food and agricultural statistics in the Region and advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistics within the general framework of FAO's work in the field, and to convene working parties or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts required for this purpose.

First Session

September/October 1966.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Asia and Pacific Region or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in the Regions (see Report of Forty-seventh Council Session, Paragraph 191). Membership shall comprise such eligible Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English and also French if a French-speaking Member Nation advises of its intention to participate.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998.

Achievement 1998-99

The Seventeenth Session of the Commission was held in 1998 in Hohart, Australia. It reviewed progress made on the Japan-funded regional project "Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries", and urged the project to take into account data needs of the private sector. Discussed the status and plans for the establishment of the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System, both at global and national levels, emphasizing the need to formulate a minimum set of global indicators. Considered the strategic view of agricultural statistics for the next Millennium, noting that future data requirements would require statistical organizations to have more than one statistical system, one to provide national level forecasts and the other for small area statistics. Recommended that more forecasts of crop production at the country-level be incorporated in the FAO database, and that access to these data be facilitated through hyper-linkages between FAO's and individual countries' forecast webpages. Reviewed emerging areas, including geocoding of agricultural establishments, the need for striking a balance between censuses and surveys, and the inclusion of aquaculture in the scope of the agricultural census. It also reviewed development of forestry statistics and information in the Asia and Pacific Region.

FAO/ECE/CES/AGS (Cat. 1)

FAO/ECE(UN)/CES Study Group on Food and Agricultural
Statistics in Europe (ESS-704)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established as a Study Group on Problems of Methodology and Definitions in Agricultural Statistics in Eastern and Western Countries, following the recommendations of the ECE Committee on Agricultural Problems at its Eleventh Session (1959) and the suggestion of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) at its Seventh Session. The title was changed to that above by CES at its Twelfth Session (1964). The activities of the Group are carried out jointly by the Agricultural Division of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), the Secretariat of CES and the Statistics Division of FAO, with the latter providing the main technical secretariat.

Purpose

To review the state of food and agriculture statistics in Europe, to advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistical services, and to convene expert groups or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts required for this purpose.

First Session

May 1960.

Membership

Member Nations of UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and of the FAO European Region.

Working Languages

English, French, Russian.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

1960, 1962, 1963, 1965 (twice), 1966, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999.

Achievement 1998-99

The meeting in 1999 discussed issues relating to development and improvement of economic statistics for food and agriculture and put considerable emphasis on joint data collection by international organizations in order to reduce the respondents' burden. Participants stressed the need for comparable and up-to-date basic data for international work.

(Cat. 3)

FAO/OEA-CIE/IICA Working Group on Agricultural Statistics for Latin America and the Caribbean (ESS-705)

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established as Sub-Committee of COINS on Agricultural Statistics by the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Statistical Institute (IASI) at its Twenty-fourth Session (1964) and formally approved by the Committee on Improvement of National Statistics (COINS) at its Eighth Session (1964). The title was changed to that above by the Conferencia de Estadísticos Gubernamentales de las Americas (CEGA) at its First Session (1983), CEGA being the organization which replaced COINS since 1981. In 1995, IASI withdrew from the Working Group and was replaced by the Organization of American States (OEA) and the Inter-American Institute for Aquaculture (IICA).

Purpose

To review the state of food and agricultural statistics in the Region, to advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistical services and to convene study groups or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts required for this purpose.

First Session

November 1964.

Membership

The Membership is not permanent as Members are usually selected for one session. Membership consists of three representatives from American countries nominated jointly by FAO/OEA/IICA. In addition, representatives of FAO/OEA/IICA are ex-officio Members of the Working Group. The number of Members may be increased depending on the specific subject matter under discussion. Observers: National Statistical Officers, ECLA, CAIS, Inter-American Committee for Agricultural Development (CIDA), Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Science, Pan American Union (PAU). The Secretariat of this Working Group is Joint FAO/OEA/IICA. The reports of the Working Group are joint FAO/OEA/IICA publications.

Working Languages

English, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

General Rules of the Organization.

Pattern of Sessions

1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1999.

Achievement 1998-99

The Working Group gave priority to improving and developing national programmes of agricultural statistics. It also recommended to consider collecting data on crop production/yield through the Agricultural Census Programme.