---

 

Introduction

McDougall Memorial Lecture[1]

1.              Ms Graça Machel, Chair of the Board of the Graça Machel Trust, delivered the 31^st McDougall Memorial Lecture.

Tribute to José Graziano da Silva[2]

2.              The Conference paid tribute to the Director-General, Professor José Graziano da Silva, for his stewardship of the Organization and his noteworthy achievements in the course of his two successful terms.

3.              Recognizing Professor José Graziano da Silva’s outstanding leadership, personal engagement, and untiring advocacy in promoting Zero Hunger, the Conference adopted the following Resolution:

Resolution 1/2019

José Graziano da Silva Award for Zero Hunger

Appreciating the eminent services rendered by Professor José Graziano da Silva to the Organization, throughout his two terms as Director‑General, in promoting FAO’s vision of a world free from hunger and all forms of malnutrition, particularly during a period of combined challenges of climate change and the intensification of natural hazards, internal and global migration and increased numbers of protracted crises, disasters and conflicts;

Recalling that, in 2006, under the leadership of Professor José Graziano da Silva as Assistant Director‑General of FAO and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, the region committed itself to the Latin America and the Caribbean without Hunger 2025 Initiative;

Recognizing that, in 2012, the Director‑General, José Graziano da Silva, initiated a transformative reform of the Organization, based on the pillars of decentralization, and a strategic agenda with five major objectives, the first of which is Zero Hunger;

Stressing that, in 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the second of which is Zero Hunger;

Recognizing the strong commitment of Professor José Graziano da Silva to reform and to build a results-oriented, efficient and effective foundation for FAO’s vision;

Expressing its deep gratitude to Professor José Graziano da Silva for his outstanding services to the Organization, and for his unfailing dedication to the vision of Zero Hunger:

1)     Decides that a “José Graziano da Silva Award for Zero Hunger” be established as a continuing tribute to Professor José Graziano da Silva in order to recognise successful efforts to achieve Zero Hunger through active involvement of civil society actors;

2)     Agrees that the terms and conditions of the José Graziano da Silva Award for Zero Hunger be as follows:

a)     Nature of the award: the award will consist of a scroll describing the recipient's achievements, a medal inscribed with the name of the recipient, and a cash prize in the amount of USD 25 000 to be awarded to a civil society organization for major achievements in promoting Zero Hunger best practices;

b)     Selection of award winners: the winners will be selected by a Committee comprising the Independent Chairperson of the Council, the Chairperson of the Programme Committee and the Chairperson of the Finance Committee under the Chairmanship of the Director‑General. The Committee will make its selection from a list drawn up by an ad hoc interdepartmental Screening Committee;

 

c)     Conferment of the award: the award will be presented by the Director‑General at each regular session of the Conference to the individual recipient or a representative of the recipient institution, who will be invited to FAO headquarters in Rome for the ceremony, with the Organization bearing the cost of travel and per diem.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Papal Audience[3]

4.              Delegates of the 41^st Session of the Conference attended a Papal Audience on Thursday, 27 June 2019. The Address by the Holy Father, Pope Francis is contained in Appendix L.

Statement by a Representative of the FAO Staff Bodies[4]

5.              Ms Eva Moller, Assistant Secretary‑General of the Union of General Service Staff made a statement on behalf of the FAO Staff Representative Bodies.

In Memoriam^[5]

6.              The Conference observed one minute of silence in memory of those staff members who had died since the Conference last met. The names of the deceased staff members were read aloud and are contained in the Verbatim Records of the Conference.

Election of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons^[6]

7.              The Council nominated and the Conference elected Mr Enzo Benech, Minister for Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of Uruguay, as Chairperson of the 41^st Session of the Conference.

8.              The Council nominated and the Conference elected the three Vice-Chairpersons of the Conference: Mr Ulrich Seidenberger (Germany), Mr Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Subaie (Qatar), and

Mr Thanawat Tiensin (Thailand).

Appointment of the General Committee and Credentials Committee[7]

9.              The Council recommended and the Conference elected the:

Seven members of the General Committee

Australia	Niger
Canada	Peru
China	San Marino
Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Nine members of the Credentials Committee

Côte d’Ivoire	New Zealand
Cuba	Oman
Guatemala	San Marino
Kuwait	United States of America
Malaysia

Adoption of the Agenda and Arrangements for the Session^[8]

10.           The Conference adopted its Agenda, as amended. The Agenda is given in Appendix A to this Report.

11.           The Conference adopted the arrangements proposed by the 160^th Session of Council and the timetable proposed by the 161^st Session of Council.

Establishment of Commissions and Appointment of their Chairpersons,
Vice‑Chairpersons and Drafting Committees

12.           The Conference concurred with the Council’s recommendations to establish two Commissions.

13.           In accordance with Rules VII and XXIV.5(b) of the General Rules of the Organization (GRO), the 161^st Session of Council nominated Ms Marie‑Therese Sarch (United Kingdom) as Chairperson of Commission I and Mr Bommakanti Rajender (India) as Chairperson of Commission II, which the Conference approved.

14.           Ms Jeehan Alestad (Kuwait) was elected Chairperson of the Drafting Committee for Commission I with the following membership: Argentina, Burkina Faso, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Russian Federation, Switzerland and Viet Nam.

15.           Mr Thomas Duffy (USA) was elected Chairperson of the Drafting Committee for Commission II with the following membership: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica, Finland, Japan, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sudan and United States of America.

16.           The Conference appointed the foregoing officers and, taking into consideration the proposals of the General Committee, in accordance with Rule X-2(c) of the GRO, also appointed the following Vice‑Chairpersons:

Commission I:              Mr Haitham Abdelhady Elsayed Elshahat (Egypt)
Ms Zora Weberová (Slovakia)

Commission II:             Ms Jeanne Dambendzet (Congo)
Mr Inge Nordang (Norway)

Right of Reply

17.           The Conference confirmed the decision taken at its previous sessions to the effect that, when a Member wished to reply to criticisms of its Government's policy, it should preferably do so on the day on which such criticism had been voiced after all those wishing to participate in the discussion had had an opportunity to speak.

Verification of Credentials

18.           The Credentials Committee held two meetings on 19 and 22 June 2019 to examine the credentials received for this session of the Conference. A report was issued as document C 2019/LIM/16 Rev.1, stating that 192 Member Nations and one Member Organization, the European Union, submitted credentials or information on the composition of their delegations. Two Members and two Associate Members did not provide any information on their participation or representation in the Conference session. The list reflected the situation as at 22 June 2019.

19.           The credentials of the representatives of the United Nations, its Specialized Agencies and related organizations were duly deposited as prescribed under Rule III‑2 of the GRO.

 

Voting Rights

20.           The Conference noted that, in accordance with Article III.4 of the Constitution, at the beginning of the Session ten Member Nations (Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Turkmenistan and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)) had lost their voting rights in the Conference, since the amount of their arrears of contributions to the Organization exceeded the amount due for the two preceding years.

21.           The Conference decided to restore the voting rights to Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Turkmenistan and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), which had requested special consideration under Article III.4 of the Constitution.

22.           Subsequently, one Member Nations (Chad) made payments sufficient to regain their voting rights.

23.           The Conference accepted the request by Liberia and Papua New Guinea to repay their arrears through instalment plans and, therefore, decided to restore their voting rights.  To this effect, the Conference adopted the following Resolutions:

Resolution 2/2019

Payment of Contributions – Liberia

THE CONFERENCE,

Noting that the Government of Liberia had made a proposal that it liquidate its arrears of contributions over a period of four years commencing in 2020, in addition to paying each current contribution in the calendar year of assessment.

            Decides that:

1)     Notwithstanding Financial Regulation 5.5 the arrears of contributions of Liberia totaling USD 8 167.52 and EUR 5 723.78 be settled through the payment of four annual instalments of USD 2 041.88 and  EUR 1 430.94  from 2020 to 2023.

2)     The first instalment shall be payable in 1 January 2020.

3)     The annual payment of the instalments referred to above, together with the payment of each current contribution in the calendar year of assessment and any advances to the Working Capital Fund, shall be considered as fulfilment of the financial obligations of Liberia to the Organization.

4)     Instalments shall be payable in accordance with Financial Regulation 5.5.

5)     Default in payment of two instalments shall render this instalment plan null and void.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Resolution 3/2019

Payment of Contributions – Papua New Guinea

THE CONFERENCE,

Noting that the Government of Papua New Guinea had made a proposal that it liquidate its arrears of contributions over a period of four years commencing in 2020, in addition to paying each current contribution in the calendar year of assessment.

Decides that:

1)     Notwithstanding Financial Regulation 5.5 the arrears of contributions of Papua New Guinea totaling USD 10 827.98 and EUR 37 790.69 be settled through the payment of four annual instalments of USD 2 706.99 and EUR 9 447.67 from 2020 to 2023.

2)     The first instalment shall be payable in 1 January 2020.

3)     The annual payment of the instalments referred to above, together with the payment of each current contribution in the calendar year of assessment and any advances to the Working Capital Fund, shall be considered as fulfilment of the financial obligations of Papua New Guinea to the Organization.

4)     Instalments shall be payable in accordance with Financial Regulation 5.5.

5)     Default in payment of two instalments shall render this instalment plan null and void.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Admission of Observers[9]

Intergovernmental Organizations and International Non-Governmental Organizations

24.           The Conference reviewed the list of intergovernmental organizations and international non‑governmental organizations to which the Director‑General had extended a provisional invitation to the Session, and confirmed them.

Palestine

25.           The Conference confirmed the invitation issued by the Director-General to Palestine, at the suggestion of the 160^th Session of the Council.

Appointments and Elections

Appointment of the Director-General[10]

26.           The Conference had before it three nominations for the Office of Director-General:

·       Mr Qu Dongyu (China)

·       Ms Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle (France)

·       Mr Davit Kirvalidze (Georgia)

27.           The Conference, after one secret ballot, appointed Mr Qu Dongyu to the office of Director‑General for the period from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2023.

28.           The Conference noted that during the election for the position of Director‑General of FAO on Sunday, 23 June, one delegate ostensibly showed their ballot paper to the plenary, thereby violating the secrecy of the vote and Article XII.10 of the basic texts of FAO. It was recognized that this occurrence does not question the validity of the ballot.

29.           Pursuant to Rule XXXVII.4 of the GRO, on the recommendation of the General Committee, the Conference adopted the following Resolution:

Resolution 4/2019

Appointment of the Director-General

THE CONFERENCE,

Acting in accordance with Article VII of the Constitution,

Having proceeded to a secret ballot as laid down in Rules XII and XXXVII of the General Rules of the Organization,

1)     Declares that Mr Qu Dongyu is appointed to the office of Director‑General for a period of four years from 1 August 2019, the term of office expiring on 31 July 2023; and

Having considered the recommendation regarding the conditions of appointment of the Director‑General submitted by the General Committee in accordance with Rules X, paragraph 2(j)
and XXXVII, paragraph 4 of the General Rules of the Organization,

2)     Resolves that:

a)     the Director-General shall receive a gross annual salary of USD 248,617 corresponding to a net annual salary of USD 187,532 at the dependency rate, or USD 166,764 at the single rate, and an annual post adjustment corresponding to USD 1,875.32 for each multiplier point at the dependency rate, or USD 1,667.64 at the single rate, payable in accordance with the provisions of the Organization governing the salary of staff members;

b)     the Director‑General shall receive a representation allowance of USD 50,000 net per annum;

c)     the Organization will directly rent appropriate housing accommodation to be assigned as the official residence of the Director‑General and pay related expenses, in lieu of rental subsidy;

d)     the Director‑General shall be entitled to all other allowances and benefits accruing to staff members of the Organization in the Professional and Higher Categories;

3)     Further resolves that the Director‑General shall have the option to either be a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, or in lieu thereof, he shall be entitled to receive, in monthly instalments, the equivalent of the Organization’s contributions to the Fund that would have been payable had he been a participant, as a supplement to his monthly remuneration; and

4)     Further resolves that the terms and conditions of appointment of the Director‑General shall be governed by the relevant provisions of the Staff Regulations subject, however, to the provisions of the contract to be signed by the Chairperson of the Conference on behalf of the Organization and by the Director‑General elect, in accordance with Rule XXXVII, paragraph 4.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Appointment of the Independent Chairperson of the Council[11]

30.           The Conference had before it one nomination for the office of Independent Chairperson of the Council.

31.           The Conference appointed Mr Khalid Mehboob to the office of Independent Chairperson of the Council for the period 1 July 2019 to the end of the 42^nd Session of the Conference.

Resolution 5/2019

Appointment of the Independent Chairperson of the Council

THE CONFERENCE,

Taking into account Rule XXIII of the General Rules of the Organization regarding the Independent Chairperson of the Council and Resolution 9/2009 regarding the Independent Chairperson of the Council[12];

Having regard to the need to safeguard the independence and accountability of the role of the Independent Chairperson of the Council:

1. Declares that Mr Khalid Mehboob is appointed Independent Chairperson of the Council until the Forty-second Session of the Conference (July 2021);

2. Decides that the conditions of appointment attached to the office of the Independent Chairperson of the Council will be as follows:

a)       The Chairperson is required to be present in Rome for all sessions of the Council, the Conference, the Finance Committee and the Programme Committee and will normally be expected to spend at least six to eight months of the year in Rome;

b)       An annual allowance equivalent to USD 23 831 will be paid to the Chairperson;

c)       A per diem allowance equivalent to the applicable standard daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rate at 140% will be paid to the Chairperson when travelling out of Rome in the performance of his functions;

d)       The travel expenses of the Chairperson will be covered by the Organization when he travels in the performance of his functions;

e)       Secretariat services will be made available to the Chairperson to assist him in the performance of his functions;

f)        Interpretation services will be made available to the Chairperson, at his request, depending on the availability of  resources;

g)       Office space, equipment and supplies required by the Chairperson in the performance of his functions will be made available to him;

h)       Assistance will be provided to the Chairperson in carrying out the necessary administrative formalities for the acquisition of the documents required for his stay in Rome and for his travels in the performance of his functions.

3. Decides that the implementation modalities of this Resolution will be agreed between the Chairperson and FAO.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Election of Council Members[13]

32.           The Conference elected the following Member Nations as Members of the Council:

Period from the end of the 41^st Session of the Conference (June 2019) to 30 June 2022

Region (Seats)	Members
Africa (5)	1.    Angola 2.    Burkina Faso 3.    Guinea 4.    Uganda 5.    Zimbabwe
Asia (0)
Europe (3)	1.    Austria/Israel[14] 2.    Belgium 3.    France/Italy[15]
Latin America and the Caribbean (5)	1.   Argentina 2.   Bahamas 3.   Brazil 4.   Costa Rica 5.   Mexico
Near East (2)	1.   Kuwait/Sudan[16] 2.   Qatar
North America (2)	1.   Canada 2.   United States of America
Southwest Pacific (0)

 

 

Period from 1 July 2020 to the end of the 43^rd Session of the Conference (June 2023)

Region (Seats)	Members
Africa (4)	1.   Cameroon 2.   Eritrea 3.   South Africa 4.   Tunisia
Asia (3)	1.   India 2.   Pakistan 3.   Thailand/Malaysia[17]
Europe (4)	1.   Germany 2.   Monaco 3.   Sweden 4.   United Kingdom
Latin America and the Caribbean (1)	1.   Cuba
Near East (3)	1.   Afghanistan 2.   Egypt 3.   Saudi Arabia
North America (0)
Southwest Pacific (1)	1.   Australia

Period from the end of the 41^st Session of the Conference (June 2019)
to the end of the 42^nd Session of the Conference (July 2021)

Region (Seats)	Members
Africa (1)	1.   South Sudan
Latin America and the Caribbean (1)	1.   Dominican Republic

Appointment of Representatives of the FAO Conference to the
Staff Pension Committee[18]

33.           In accordance with Article 6(c) of the Regulations of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the Conference appointed two members and two alternate members to the Staff Pension Committee as follows and for the periods specified below:

For the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022

Member            Ms Kelli Ketover
Alternate Permanent Representative of the United States of America to FAO

Alternate          Mr Anton Minaev
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to FAO

For the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023

Member            Ms María Cristina Boldorini
Permanent Representative of Argentina to FAO

Alternate          Mr Thanawat Tiensin
Permanent Representative of Thailand to FAO

Substantive and Policy Matters

Review of the State of Food and Agriculture[19]

34.           Ninety‑one Delegations and three Observers intervened on this Agenda Item, commenting on the agricultural and food security situation at the global level and in their respective countries, with a focus on the theme of the General Debate: “Migration, Agriculture and Rural Development”.

35.           The Conference:

a)     recognized that rural migration is a phenomenon that presents both opportunities and challenges, benefits as well as costs, for migrants themselves and for societies in general;

b)     noted that policy priorities relating to rural migration depend on country contexts;

c)     stressed that – aside from the case of forced migration linked to crisis situations – it is important not to consider migration per se as a problem that requires a solution and that, as such, policies should not aim to either stem or promote migration; and

d)     emphasized that an objective of migration‑related policies must be to make migration a choice, not a necessity, and to maximize the positive impacts while minimizing the negative ones.

36.           The Conference also acknowledged the importance of providing alternative opportunities to prospective rural migrants, not least by promoting development in rural areas or in their proximity; and also recognized the concomitant need for support to rural migrants.

Regional Conferences

Regional and Global Policy and Regulatory matters arising from:

Report of the 30^th Session of the Regional Conference for Africa
(Khartoum, the Sudan, 19‑23 February 2018)[20]

37.           The Conference endorsed the Report and took note of the recommendations presented therein and concerns raised about the seniority of FAO Representatives in Africa, reiterating the request for FAO Representatives to be at grade P5 and above.

38.           It expressed its gratitude to the Sudan, the host Country, for the excellent organization of the Regional Conference.

Report of the 34^th Session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific
(Nadi, Fiji, 9‑13 April 2018)^[21]

39.           The Conference endorsed the Report and took note of the recommendations presented therein.

40.           It expressed its gratitude to the Republic of Fiji, the host Country, for the excellent organization of the Regional Conference.

Report of the 31^st Session of the Regional Conference for Europe
(Voronezh, Russian Federation, 16-18 May 2018)[22]

41.           The Conference endorsed the Report and took note of the recommendations presented therein.

42.           It expressed its gratitude to the Russian Federation, the host Country, for the excellent organization of the Regional Conference.

 

Report of the 35^th Session of the Regional Conference for
Latin America and the Caribbean (Montego Bay, Jamaica, 5-8 March 2018)[23]

43.           The Conference endorsed the Report and took note of the recommendations presented therein.

44.           It expressed its gratitude to Jamaica, the host Country, for the excellent organization of the Regional Conference.

Report of the 34^th Session of the Regional Conference for the Near East
(Rome, Italy, 7-11 May 2018)^[24]

45.           The Conference endorsed the Report and took note of the recommendations presented therein.

46.           It expressed its gratitude to Lebanon for the excellent chairing of the Regional Conference.

Input from the Fifth Informal Regional Conference for North America
(Washington, D.C., United States of America, 18-19 April 2018)^[25]

47.           The Conference took note of the Informal Regional Conference for North America held to allow Member Nations of the region to make inputs into the Organization’s prioritization process.

Technical Committees[26]

Global Policy and Regulatory matters arising from[27]:

48.           The Conference:

a)     adopted Resolution 6/2019 reaffirming the global commitment to addressing the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), set out in Appendix C to this Report;

b)     mandated the Council to consider and adopt the FAO Strategy on Biodiversity Mainstreaming across Agricultural Sectors before 2020, following an inclusive consultation process.

Report of the 26^th Session of the Committee on Agriculture
(1-5 October 2018)^[28]

49.           The Conference endorsed the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Report of the 26^th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), and in particular:

a)     adopted Resolution 7/2019 “Further integration of sustainable agricultural approaches, including agroecology, in the future planning activities of FAO”, set out in Appendix D to this Report;

b)     endorsed the International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers; and

c)     requested that an inclusive consultation process under the leadership of the Chairpersons of the Programme Committee and the Committee on Agriculture be put in place to further develop the Ten Elements of Agroecology to be submitted for review by the Programme Committee at its next session, and thereafter for consideration and approval by the Council at its December 2019 session.

Report of the 72^nd Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems
(26-28 September 2018)^[29]

50.           The Conference endorsed the Report of the 72^nd Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP), and in particular underlined the importance of FAO’s commodity market monitoring, assessment, outlook and standard setting work for improved market transparency and for informed policy decisions.

Report of the 33^rd Session of the Committee on Fisheries (9-13 July 2018)^[30]

51.           The Conference endorsed the Report of the 33^rd Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), and in particular welcomed the increasing number of Parties to the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (PSMA).

Report of the 24^th Session of the Committee on Forestry (16-20 July 2018)^[31]

52.           The Conference endorsed the Report of the 24^th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), and in particular recognized the urgency of action to promote sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and increase afforestation and reforestation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Committee on World Food Security

Reports of the 44^th (9-13 October 2017) and 45^th (15-19 October 2018) Sessions of the Committee on World Food Security[32]

53.           The Conference endorsed the Reports of the 44^th and 45^th Sessions of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), and encouraged the use of CFS agreed products by all stakeholders.

Other Substantive and Policy Matters

Evaluation of FAO’s Work on Gender[33]

54.           The Conference welcomed the Evaluation of FAO’s Work on Gender, and welcomed Management’s agreement to implement the recommendations, in particular to update FAO’s Policy on Gender Equality.

Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals/2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development[34]

55.           The Conference:

a)     noted the work undertaken by FAO and its efforts to implement, monitor follow‑up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

b)     noted the reversal of progress to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2), and stressed that more concerted action is needed by FAO, Member Nations and other stakeholders to address the increasing number of hungry and malnourished people, leaving no one behind; and

c)     noted with appreciation the statement made by the Netherlands on the launch of the informal Youth Council for Zero Hunger.

Progress Report on the Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition and Follow-up to the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2)[35]

56.           The Conference welcomed the Progress Report on the Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition and Follow-up to the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) and noted the work undertaken by FAO and its efforts in following up on ICN2 commitments and implementing the Decade of Action on Nutrition.

Progress report on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System[36]

57.           The Conference noted the progress report on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System, and took note of the implications and funding of the UN system reform called for in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 72/279 on the Repositioning of the United Nations Development System.

Report of the 17^th Regular Session of the Commission on
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (18‑22 February 2019)[37]

58.           The Conference:

a)     welcomed and endorsed the Report of the 17^th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; and

b)     welcomed the first report of The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture and plans for its follow-up.

International Years and Days[38]

International Year of Fruits and Vegetables^[39]

59.           The Conference considered the proposal endorsed by the Council at its 160^th Session for the Declaration of an International Year of Fruits and Vegetables in 2021 and adopted Resolution 8/2019, set out in Appendix E to this Report.

International Year of Rye ^[40]

60.           The Conference considered the proposal endorsed by the Council at its 160^th Session for the Declaration of an International Year of Rye in 2025 and adopted Resolution 9/2019, set out in Appendix F to this Report.

International Year of Millets^[41]

61.           The Conference considered the proposal endorsed by the Council at its 160^th Session for the declaration of an International Year of Millets in 2023 and adopted Resolution 10/2019, set out in Appendix G to this Report.

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste ^[42]

62.           The Conference considered the proposal endorsed by the Council at its 160^th Session to declare the annual observance of an International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29 September and adopted Resolution 11/2019, set out in Appendix H to this Report.

International Tea Day^[43]

63.           The Conference considered the proposal endorsed by the Council at its 160^th Session to declare the annual observance of the International Tea Day on 21 May and adopted Resolution 12/2019, set out in Appendix I to this Report.

 

United Nations/FAO World Food Programme[44]

64.           The Conference:

a)     endorsed the Annual Reports of the World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Board to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and FAO on its activities in 2016 and 2017; and

b)     commended WFP staff for their dedicated work in challenging circumstances.

Biennial Theme 2020-21[45]

65.           The Conference endorsed the Biennial Theme 2020‑21 - Promoting healthy diets and preventing all forms of malnutrition, stressing that FAO has a leading role in supporting countries in transitioning towards sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Programme and Budgetary Matters

Programme Implementation Report 2016‑17[46]

66.           The Conference:

a)     endorsed the findings of the Report of the 159^th Session of the Council on the Programme Implementation Report (PIR) 2016‑17;

b)     expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the programme of work in 2016‑17, and welcomed FAO’s important work related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and encouraged FAO to continue to improve its contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2);

c)     welcomed FAO’s results in reaching 82% of the planned Outputs under a more rigorous target setting and measurement approach;

d)     noted with concern the rise of global hunger as a result of climate change and increasing number of conflicts and called on FAO to build on lessons learned and adjust activities, where necessary, so that results could make greater contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

e)     expressed satisfaction at the net budgetary appropriation expenditure at 99.6%, the higher delivery of Trust Funds and Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), and the resource mobilization figure of over USD 2 billion;

f)      welcomed the alignment of the FAO results framework to the SDGs;

g)     encouraged FAO’s work related to the collection and analysis of data, in particular to support national efforts to monitor and achieve the SDGs;

h)     emphasized the importance of FAO’s work on scientific advice and standard setting and of sustainable regular programme funding for the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Joint FAO/WHO food safety scientific advice programme;

i)      noted the progress made since the issuance of the document in achieving equitable geographical representation of staff, and gender balance at professional and senior levels;

j)      appreciated the priority given by the Organization to the use of partnerships to enable it to leverage its comparative advantages, including inter alia with academia and the private sector and through South-South and Triangular Cooperation;

k)     encouraged the continuing efforts to strengthen the capacity of the decentralized offices network, including through the review of country office staffing models;

l)      requested that the evaluation of FAO’s strategic results framework be presented to the Council at its session in December 2019;

m)   recalled the importance of using agreed terminology and intergovernmental documents when preparing programmatic documents; and

n)     endorsed the Programme Implementation Report 2016‑17.

Programme Evaluation Report 2019[47]

67.           The Conference:

a)     welcomed the Programme Evaluation Report 2019, including the main findings emerging from the thematic, strategic, country and project evaluations completed during the period 2017‑18;

b)     welcomed the inclusion in the report of examples of findings and lessons learnt from the Strategic Objective evaluations and encouraged Member Nations to consider use of the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES);

c)     welcomed the progress made in the use of partnerships and their improved quality and stressed the need to make further efforts to strengthen synergies with other UN system organizations, especially Rome‑based Agencies, as well as strengthening strategic partnerships with the private sector;

d)     welcomed the synthesis of lessons learnt in the application of the Country Programming Framework (CPF), and looked forward to the further strengthening of the tool to guide FAO’s support to the countries in line with the national government priorities and in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Repositioning of the United Nations Development System;

e)     welcomed the evaluation of FAO’s work on gender and appreciated the relevance and validity of FAO’s Policy on Gender Equality as an overarching framework to guide the gender work of the Organization, and encouraged FAO to leverage its proximity to rural communities and track record in agriculture to play a key part in addressing gender issues in rural areas, and to further build the capacity of its technical officers to mainstream gender in their work;

f)      appreciated the work done by the Office of Evaluation with its thematic, strategic, country and project evaluations, and encouraged the office to propose ways to further strengthen the results frameworks of CPFs and associated monitoring and evaluation while noting with concern that many country programmes are not linked to higher development objectives; and

g)     welcomed the initiative taken by the Office of Evaluation to support national evaluation capacity development and encouraged the office to continue its effort to this end.

Medium Term Plan 2018‑21 (Reviewed) and
Programme of Work and Budget 2020-21[48]

68.           The Conference considered the Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2018‑21 (reviewed) and the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) 2020‑21, the observations and recommendations of the Council, as well as additional information provided by the Secretariat in Information Note 1.

69.           The Conference commended the Organization for its maintenance of a flat nominal Regular Programme budget and the increase of voluntary contributions to facilitate achievement of the Strategic Objectives and implementation of the integrated Programme of Work.

70.           Regarding the substance of the proposals in the MTP/PWB, the Conference:

a)     appreciated the close alignment of FAO’s Strategic Objectives with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

b)     supported the priorities, areas of de‑emphasis and resource allocations, including the additional resources for innovative and sustainable agriculture approaches and for combating all forms of malnutrition and promoting nutrition-sensitive, sustainable food systems;

c)     requested that FAO increase the funding in the PWB 2020‑21, through efficiencies and cost savings without negatively impacting the delivery of the agreed programme of work, or, if necessary, from the areas of technical de‑emphasis to the extent feasible for: i) FAO’s work on the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and on the Joint FAO/WHO food safety scientific advice programme; and ii) mainstreaming biodiversity at FAO;

d)     encouraged continued monitoring of cost increase assumptions and further review of opportunities for savings and efficiency measures in order to facilitate consideration of the proposals by the Council in December 2019;

e)     reaffirmed the importance of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) appropriation in achieving the SDGs and welcomed the share of the TCP at 14 percent of the net budgetary appropriation, while taking note of Conference Resolution 9/89[49] and the recommendation of the Conference at its 39^th Session[50];

f)      highlighted the importance of addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

g)     noted the special technical and development needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS);

h)     stressed the need for considering all approaches regarding sustainable agriculture and food systems in the preparation of the programme of work of the Organization;

i)      requested in the next biennium a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation review of TCP implementation;

j)      stressed the importance of multilingualism at FAO and underlined the importance of maintaining the integrity of language service capacity within the PWB 2020‑21;

k)     emphasised the need to take into account priorities for all countries, including middle‑income, and upper‑middle income countries; and

l)      highlighted the importance of the full implementation of the repositioning of the UN Development System.

71.           In addition, the Conference:

a)     welcomed the proposed flat nominal budget level with no change in the level of assessed contributions and net budgetary appropriation compared with 2018‑19;

b)     appreciated the identification of efficiency gains and savings with a view to reallocating USD 29.9 million to cover cost increases and priority areas without negatively impacting the delivery of the programme of work;

c)     encouraged Members to continue to provide voluntary contributions for the sustainable funding of the integrated programme of work and budget; and

d)     noted that adjustments in resource allocations and results frameworks arising from decisions and guidance of the Governing Bodies and from the work planning process would be reported in the Adjustments to the PWB 2020‑21 for consideration by the Council in December 2019.

72.           Concerning the longer‑term financial health of the Organization, the Conference deferred to future biennia the replenishment of the Working Capital Fund, as well as incremental funding of the After‑Service Medical Coverage past service liability.

73.           The Conference:

a)     recalled Council’s request for a proposal to be presented on the systematic use of unspent balances of biennial appropriations, following review by the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM) and the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees (footnote CL 158/REP, para 10c), and requested that such a proposal be presented to their next Sessions in October‑December 2019; and

b)     authorized the Director‑General, notwithstanding Financial Regulation 4.2, to use any unspent balance of the 2018‑19 appropriations for one‑time uses in 2020‑21, based on a proposal to be submitted to and agreed by the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees, and the Council at their meetings in April‑May 2020 following review of the proposal presented on the systematic use of unspent balances.

 

74.           The Conference adopted the following Resolution as recommended by the Council:

Resolution 13/2019

Budgetary Appropriations 2020-21

THE CONFERENCE,

Having considered the Director-General's Programme of Work and Budget;

Having considered the proposed total net appropriation of USD 1,005,635,000 for the financial period 2020-21 at the 2018-19 rate of EUR 1=USD 1.22, which assumes US dollar and Euro expenditure equal to USD 546,399,000 and EUR 376,423,000;

Having considered that the above net appropriation remains equivalent to USD 1,005,635,000 at the same budget rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.22 established for 2020-21 after translation of the EUR portion;

1.              Approves the Programme of Work proposed by the Director‑General for 2020-21 as follows:

a)   Appropriations are voted at a rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.22 for the following purposes:

		USD
Chapter 1:	Contribute to the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition	85,470,000
Chapter 2:	Make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable	199,885,000
Chapter 3:	Reduce rural poverty	67,286,000
Chapter 4:	Enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems	107,963,000
Chapter 5:	Increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises	54,590,000
Chapter 6:	Technical Quality, Statistics and cross-cutting themes (climate change, gender, governance, nutrition)	69,245,000
Chapter 7:	Technical Cooperation Programme	140,788,000
Chapter 8:	Outreach	74,507,000
Chapter 9:	Information Technology	36,687,000
Chapter 10:	FAO Governance, Oversight and Direction	64,095,000
Chapter 11:	Efficient and Effective Administration	65,206,000
Chapter 12:	Contingencies	600,000
Chapter 13:	Capital Expenditure	16,892,000
Chapter 14:	Security Expenditure	22,421,000
Total Appropriation (Net)		1,005,635,000
Chapter 15:	Transfer to Tax Equalization Fund	92,162,000
Total Appropriation (Gross)		1,097,797,000

b)   The appropriations (net) voted in paragraph (a) above minus estimated Miscellaneous Income in the amount of USD 5,000,000 shall be financed by assessed contributions from Member Nations of USD 1,000,635,000 to implement the Programme of Work. Such contributions shall be established in US dollars and Euro and shall consist of USD 541,399,000 and EUR 376,423,000. This takes into account a split of 54% US dollars and 46% Euro for the appropriations (net) and of 100% US dollars for Miscellaneous Income.

c)   The total contributions due from Member Nations to implement the approved Programme of Work shall amount to USD 541,399,000 and EUR 376,423,000. Such contributions due from Member Nations in 2020 and 2021 shall be paid in accordance with the scale of contributions adopted by the Conference at its Forty-first session.

d)   In establishing the actual amounts of contributions to be paid by individual Member Nations, a further amount shall be charged through the Tax Equalization Fund for any Member Nation that levies taxes on the salaries, emoluments and indemnities received by staff members from FAO and which are reimbursed to the staff members by the Organization. An estimate of USD 7,500,000 has been foreseen for this purpose.

2.              Encourages Members to provide voluntary contributions to facilitate achievement of the Strategic Objectives and implementation of the integrated Programme of Work under the results framework.

 

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Administrative, Financial and Legal Matters

Audited Accounts 2016 and 2017[51]

75.           The Conference took note of the FAO Audited Accounts 2016 and 2017 and the Reports of the External Auditor. The results and official accounts of 2016 were examined by the Finance Committee at its 169^th Session in November 2017 and by the Council at its 158^th Session in December 2017. The results and official accounts of 2017 were examined by the Finance Committee at its 173^rd Session in November 2018 and by the Council at its 160^th Session in December 2018. The following Resolutions were adopted:

 

Resolution 14/2019

FAO Audited Accounts 2016

THE CONFERENCE,

Having considered the Report of the 158^th Session of the Council, and

Having examined the FAO Audited Accounts 2016 and the External Auditor’s Report thereon

Adopts the FAO Audited Accounts 2016.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

 

Resolution 15/2019

FAO Audited Accounts 2017

THE CONFERENCE,

Having considered the Report of the 160^th Session of the Council, and

Having examined the FAO Audited Accounts 2017 and the External Auditor’s Report thereon

Adopts the FAO Audited Accounts 2017.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Scale of Contributions 2020-21[52]

76.           The Conference noted that at its 161^st Session the Council had recommended that the FAO proposed Scale of Contributions for 2020‑21 be derived from the UN Scale of Assessments in force during 2019.

 

77.           The Conference then adopted the following Resolution:

Resolution 16/2019

Scale of Contributions 2020-21

THE CONFERENCE

Having noted the recommendations of the Hundred and Sixty-first Session of the Council;

Confirming that as in the past, FAO should follow the United Nations Scale of Assessments subject to adaptation to the composition of FAO membership;

Decides that the FAO Scale of Contributions for 2020-21 should be derived directly from the United Nations Scale of Assessments in force during 2019;

Adopts for use in 2020 and 2021 the Scale set out in Appendix J to this Report.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Payment by the European Union to Cover Administrative and other
Expenses Arising out of its Membership in the Organization[53]

78.           The Conference set the lump‑sum payment due by the European Union to cover administrative and other expenditures arising out of its membership in the Organization at EUR 583 291 for the 2020‑21 biennium.

79.           As in previous biennia, it was proposed that the sum due by the European Union be paid into a trust or special fund established by the Director‑General under Financial Regulation 6.7.

Other Administrative, Financial and Legal Matters[54]

80.           The Conference adopted Resolution 17/2019 “Amendments to the Convention Placing the International Poplar Commission within the framework of FAO”, set out in Appendix K to this Report.

Other Matters

Date and Place of the 42^nd Session of the Conference[55]

81.           The Conference decided that its 42^nd Session should be held in Rome from 12‑16 July 2021.

 

 

Appendix A Agenda for the 41st Session of the Conference

 

 

 

 

Appendix B List of Documents

 

Symbol	Document Title
C 2019/1	Provisional Agenda
C 2019/2	The State of Food and Agriculture: Migration, Agriculture and Rural Development
C 2019/3	Medium Term Plan 2018-21 (reviewed) and Programme of Work and Budget 2020-21
C 2019/3 Information Note no 1	C 2019/3 - Medium Term Plan 2018‑21 (reviewed) and Programme of Work and Budget 2020‑21 - Information Note no. 1 – June 2019 - Proposal to carry over any unspent balance of the 2018‑19 budgetary appropriation for one time uses
C 2019/3-WA11	Web Annex 11: Scheduled sessions
C 2019/4	Programme Evaluation Report 2019
C 2019/5 A	Audited Accounts - FAO 2016
C 2019/5 B	Audited Accounts - FAO 2016 - Part B - Report of the External Auditor
C 2019/6 A	Audited Accounts - FAO 2017
C 2019/6 B	Audited Accounts - FAO 2017 - Part B - Report of the External Auditor
C 2019/7	Appointment of the Director-General (Note by the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council)
C 2019/7 Add.1	Appointment of the Director-General (Note by the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council) - Addendum
C 2019/7 Add.2	Appointment of the Director-General (Note by the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council) – Addendum 2
C 2019/8	Programme Implementation Report 2016-17
C 2019/8 WA6	C 2019/8 Web Annex 6: Unscheduled and Cancelled Sessions
C 2019/8 WA7	C 2019/8 Web Annex 7: Regional Dimensions Results
C 2019/9	Appointment of the Independent Chairperson of the Council
C 2019/10	Appointment of Representatives of the FAO Conference to the Staff Pension Committee
C 2019/11	Election of Council Members
C 2019/12 Rev.1	Arrangements for the 41st Session of the Conference
C 2019/13 Rev.1	Admission to the Session of Representatives and Observers of International Organizations
C 2019/14	Report of the 30th Session of the Regional Conference for Africa (Khartoum, the Sudan, 19‑23 February 2018)
C 2019/15	Report of the 34th Session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (Nadi, Fiji, 9‑13 April 2018)
C 2019/16	Report of the 31st Session of the Regional Conference for Europe (Voronezh, Russian Federation, 16‑18 May 2018)
C 2019/17	Report of the 35th Session of the Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (Montego Bay, Jamaica, 5‑8 March 2018)
C 2019/18 Rev.1	Report of the 34th Session of the Regional Conference for the Near East (Rome, Italy, 7-11 May 2018)
C 2019/19 Rev.1	Report of the 44th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (Rome, 9‑13 October 2017)
C 2019/20 Rev.1	Report of the 45th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (Rome, 15‑19 October 2018)
C 2019/21 Rev.1	Report of the 26th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (Rome, 1‑5 October 2018)
C 2019/22	Report of the 72nd Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 26‑28 September 2018)
C 2019/23	Report of the 33rd Session of the Committee on Fisheries (Rome, 9‑13 July 2018)
C 2019/24	Report of the 24th Session of the Committee on Forestry (Rome, 16‑20 July 2018)
C 2019/25	Report of the 17th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Rome, 18‑22 February 2019)
C 2019/26	Interim Report on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System
C 2019/27	Evaluation of FAO’s Work on Gender– Summary Report
C 2019/27 Sup.1	Evaluation of FAO’s Work on Gender – Management response
C 2019/28	Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals/2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
C 2019/29	Progress Report on the Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition and Follow-up to the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2)
C 2019/30	The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
C 2019/31	Biennial Theme 2020-21 – Promoting healthy diets and preventing all forms of malnutrition
C 2019 INF Series
C 2019/INF/1 Rev.1	Provisional Timetable
C 2019/INF/2	Statement of Competence and Voting Rights Submitted by the European Union and its Member States
C 2019/INF/3	Guide on conduct of Plenary Meetings
C 2019/INF/4	Statement of the Director-General
C 2019/INF/5	Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Director-General
C 2019/INF/6	Notification of Membership of the Committee on Commodity Problems; Committee on Fisheries; Committee on Forestry; Committee on Agriculture; and Committee on World Food Security
C 2019/INF/7	McDougall Memorial Lecture
C 2019/INF/8	Status of Current Assessments and Arrears as at 17 June 2019
C 2019/INF/9	2016 Annual Report of the WFP Executive Board to ECOSOC and the FAO Council
C 2019/INF/10	2017 Annual Report of the WFP Executive Board to ECOSOC and the FAO Council
C 2019/INF/11	FAO Policy on Proclamation and Implementation of International Years
C 2019/INF/12	Address of His Holiness Pope Francis
C 2019 LIM Series
C 2019/LIM/1	Report of the Fifth Informal Regional Conference for North America (Washington, D.C., United States of America, 18‑19 April 2018)
C 2019/LIM/2	Programme Implementation Report 2016-17
C 2019/LIM/3	FAO Audited Accounts 2016 and 2017 (Draft Resolutions)
C 2019/LIM/4 Rev.1	Medium Term Plan 2018-21 (reviewed) and Programme of Work and Budget 2020‑21 (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/5	Arrangements for the 41st Session of the FAO Conference (Recommendations to the Conference)
C 2019/LIM/6	Scale of Contributions 2020-21 (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/7	Payment by the European Union to cover Administrative and Other Expenses Arising out of its Membership in the Organization
C 2019/LIM/8 Rev.1	International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/9	International Year of Rye (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/10	International Year of Millets (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/11	International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/12	International Tea Day (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/13	Further integration of sustainable agricultural approaches, including agroecology, in the future planning activities of FAO (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/14	Amendments to the Convention Placing the International Poplar Commission within the Framework of FAO (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/15	FAO Strategy on Biodiversity Mainstreaming across Agricultural Sectors
C 2019/LIM/16 Rev.1	First Report of the Credentials Committee
C 2019/LIM/17	Report of the First Meeting of the General Committee
C 2019/LIM/18	Report of the Second Meeting of the General Committee
C 2019/LIM/19	Third Report of the General Committee
C 2019/LIM/20	Fourth Report of the General Committee
C 2019/LIM/21	The Ten Elements of Agroecology, guiding the transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems
C 2019/LIM/22	Antimicrobial Resistance (Draft Resolution)
C 2019/LIM/23	José Graziano da Silva Award for Zero Hunger (Draft Resolution)
C 2019 PV Series C 2019/PV/1 to 10 Verbatim Records of Plenary C 2019/I/PV/1 to 5 Verbatim Records of Commission I C 2019/II/PV/1 to 4 Verbatim Records of Commission II   C 2019 Web Documents
	Journals of the Conference
	Information for Participants
	List of Delegates and Observers
	Verbatim Records of the Session

 

 

Appendix C Resolution 6/2019 Antimicrobial Resistance

 

THE CONFERENCE,

Recognizing the importance of addressing the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in all countries through a coordinated, multi-sectoral, One Health approach in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

Recognizing that access to effective antimicrobials and their appropriate and prudent use has a role in productive and sustainable agriculture and aquaculture – and that their misuse contributes to the rising rates of antimicrobial resistance which negatively impacts the advances made in medicine, public health, veterinary care, food and agriculture production systems, and food safety;

Further recognizing the importance of basing policy and practices on sound scientific evidence, and risk analysis principles;

Reaffirming the FAO resolution 4/2015 on Antimicrobial Resistance, and noting the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) resolution No. 36 (2016) on combating antimicrobial resistance and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) resolution UNEP/EA.3/Res.4 (2018) on environment and health;

Recalling the Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2016, (Resolution A/RES/71/3) and the establishment of the ad-hoc Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (IACG);

Noting the adoption by the 68^th World Health Assembly of the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (through WHA 68.7), into which FAO and OIE provided substantial technical inputs and guidance, and noting the reports of the Executive Board of WHO at its 144^th Session (2019);

Recognizing the important role of the Tripartite in coordinating and enhancing the global response to the antimicrobial resistance threat and its continuing effort to further integrate environmental aspects through close collaboration with UNEP;

Noting the report of the IACG on AMR to the UN Secretary General, and the need for continued joint action of United Nations Agencies, Member States and other relevant stakeholders, and also the need for further investment to mitigate the AMR threats to human, animal and plant health, food safety and sustainable use of natural resources;

Reaffirming the need for a coherent, comprehensive, integrated and balanced approach at global, regional and national levels via a ‘One Health’ approach, involving relevant actors in the human, animal, plant health, agriculture and aquaculture sectors, environment and food safety;

Noting the adoption by the 72^nd World Health Assembly of a resolution on antimicrobial resistance, the 87^th General Session of the World Assembly of National Delegates of the [OIE];

THE CONFERENCE,

1.       Supports the ongoing work of FAO, including through the Tripartite[56] collaboration with UNEP, with Member States, the private sector and other partners,[57] to address antimicrobial resistance in food and agriculture systems, taking into account the needs of food and agriculture sectors world-wide;

2.       Notes the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding[58] signed by the Directors-General of FAO, OIE and WHO on 30 May 2018 and requests FAO’s management to consult with the Member States on the content and implementation of the Tripartite and UNEP Work Plan on AMR (2019-2020), taking note of the work of the IACG;

3.       Urges Member States and FAO to facilitate efforts to strengthen analysis and sharing of international scientific evidence for development, transmission and control of antimicrobial resistance in food, agriculture and environment, including technology transfer;

4.       Encourages FAO, in close cooperation with the other Tripartite Agencies and UNEP to establish clear coordination for implementation of the WHO Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and align reporting to their governing bodies on progress to their respective mandates;

5.       Encourages Member States to engage in the work of the Tripartite agencies, and UNEP, taking note of the work of the IACG;

6.       Underlines the need to increase political and public awareness, high-level engagement and leadership to promote AMR awareness and that it be addressed with One Health approaches at local, national, regional and global levels, as appropriate;

7.       Stresses the need for continued support for developing countries, to enhance capacity building, including through developing and strengthening programmes and national systems for detection, surveillance and monitoring antimicrobial resistance and monitoring for antimicrobial sales or use; to ensure adequate access to those in agriculture needs for quality, safe, efficacious and affordable and existing and new antimicrobials, diagnostic technologies and vaccines; to elaborate policies for the management of antimicrobial resistance risks in food, agriculture and the environment to further develop and strengthen productive and sustainable agriculture and food systems; and to take measures to secure prudent and appropriate use of antimicrobials;

8.       Invites other relevant stakeholders to coordinate among the Tripartite Agencies with UNEP and, as appropriate, share responsibilities in promoting prudent and appropriate uses of antimicrobials in the environment and the agriculture sectors;

9.       Stresses the need for extrabudgetary resources to support FAO’s AMR technical assistance provided  to Members for developing, implementing, and monitoring their multisectoral National Action Plans on antimicrobial resistance;

10.    Regularly update Members on the progress made in addressing AMR at global, regional and national levels and FAO’s technical and governing bodies, as appropriate and consult regularly with Members and relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the global development and stewardship framework addressing AMR.

 

Adopted on 28 June 2019

 

 

Appendix D Resolution 7/2019 Further integration of sustainable agricultural approaches, including agroecology, in the future planning activities of FAO

 

THE CONFERENCE,

Recognizing that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions — economic, social and environmental — in a balanced and integrated manner represents a formidable global challenge;

Recognizing that the number and prevalence of undernourished persons in the world is increasing^[59] and if efforts are not enhanced, the SDG target of hunger eradication will not be achieved by 2030;

Expressing concern that unsustainable agricultural practices continue to negatively affect natural resources (such as loss of biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, and land degradation) and show inefficiencies along the food chain^[60];

Recognizing the urgent need to achieve the environmentally, socially and economically sustainable transformation of our food systems, in line with Agenda 2030 relevant goals and targets;

Recalling that at its 40^th session, the FAO Conference^[61] endorsed the key role that agriculture plays in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, welcomed the alignment of FAO’s Strategic Objectives with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and called on FAO to continue to strengthen its normative and science and evidence-based work with particular attention to agroecology, biotechnology, sustainable production, climate change, biodiversity, mechanization, statistics, food safety, nutrition, youth and gender;

Stressing that sustainable agriculture, as defined by the five principles of the Common Vision on Sustainable Food and Agriculture, endorsed by the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) at its 25^th Session ^[62], can foster inclusive growth, enhance income, promote the eradication of extreme poverty, and improve livelihoods and resilience, in particular of smallholders and family farmers;

Recognizing the co-existence of a broad range of sustainable agricultural approaches, that can contribute to meeting the challenges facing farmers and food systems;

 

Noting that several of FAO’s Regional Conferences held in 2018^[63] highlighted the need for transformative change to support transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems, and the potential of a number of sustainable agricultural approaches in this regard;

Recognizing that agroecology is one approach, among others, to contribute to feeding sustainably a growing population and support countries in achieving SDGs;

Noting further the potential of agricultural innovation in supporting transformative change of the different agricultural systems, and the need to strengthen the capacity of family farmers to innovate, including through adaptation, sustainable use of knowledge systems, indigenous resources, scientific solutions, co-creation and learning;

Recalling that COAG in paragraph 14 of its report of the Twenty‑sixth Session held in October 2018^[64] welcomed the Scaling up Agroecology Initiative, and supported the 10 Elements of Agroecology developed by FAO as a guide to one of the ways to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems as benefits each country's national context.

Requests FAO to:

a)     Thoroughly integrate policies and all the approaches towards more sustainable and innovative agricultural and food systems in its planning and work, to fully implement the five principles of sustainable food and agriculture in support of the Sustainable Development Goals;

b)     Continue exploring different sustainable agricultural approaches with the view to maximizing synergies and complementarities;

c)     Demonstrate leadership in promoting inclusive transition towards more sustainable agriculture and food systems, and to proactively engage in efforts to address economic, environmental and social trade-offs;

d)     Give special attention to the specific needs of women, youth and family farmers including within the Framework of the UN Decade of Family Farming;

e)     Assist countries and regions to enhance their commitment and engage more effectively in transitioning towards sustainable agriculture and food systems by:

i)      Strengthening science and evidence-based normative work on all sustainable agricultural approaches, by developing appropriate indicators and supporting countries’ capacities to measure their compliance, tools and protocols to evaluate the contribution of these practices to sustainable agriculture and food systems;

ii)     Catalyzing scientific evidence and co-creation of knowledge and innovation, and facilitating their dissemination, in particular with women and youth while also strengthening communication, awareness raising and sharing of experience and good practices;

iii)   Encouraging innovation in agriculture, inter alia, through the utilization of relevant and context adapted technology and tools - including ICT and biotechnology - as it can offer a solution to a wide range of issues;

iv)   Facilitating policy dialogue and providing technical support to countries, upon their request, including capacity development of smallholders and family farmers through, inter alia, south-south, north-south and triangular cooperation, private sector partnerships, and networking among member countries.

f)      Strengthen its collaboration with other United Nations agencies and programmes, in particular IFAD and WFP, in order to scale-up sustainable agricultural approaches, through policies, responsible investments, participatory research and knowledge generation and sharing for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals;

g)     Report regularly on progress on the integration of sustainable agricultural practices including agroecology among others, into the planning and work of the Organization.

Invites all Member States to:

a)     Support FAO and share their own expertise on a broad range of sustainable agriculture practices, including agroecology among others, and foster innovations that enhance food security and nutrition through policies, responsible investments, participatory research and knowledge generation and sharing for the achievement of the SDGs; and

b)     Promote and enhance multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with other international and regional organizations, farmers, private sector and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, academia, individuals and other relevant stakeholders, in support of sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Adopted on 28 June 2019

 

Appendix E Resolution 8/2019 International Year of Fruits and Vegetables

 

THE CONFERENCE,

Considering the urgent need to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption and to advocate for healthy diets through the increased sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables;

Recalling the UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016-2025, and the need to implement sustainable food systems that promote healthy diets, which include a variety of foods and the abundance of the consumption of fruits and vegetables;

Recalling recommendation 10 of the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN-2) that establishes, inter alia, the promotion of crop diversification and increased fruit and vegetable production;

Recognizing the important contribution of fruits and vegetables in the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular and cancer, obesity and diabetes;

Noting the importance of sustainable farming and production practices to the livelihoods of millions of rural farm families and small family farmers around the world;

Cognizant of the important contribution of fruits and vegetables, and particularly indigenous crops, to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and incomes of family farmers especially small family farmers;

Concerned about the high levels of losses and waste in the fruit and vegetable supply/value chains, and the negative economic, environmental and social impacts of these losses and waste;

Recognizing the need to empower women through education, to assure the quality of family diets;

Recognizing that the observance of an International Year of Fruits and Vegetables in 2021 by the international community would contribute significantly to raising awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption and promote global attention to increasing healthy diets and lifestyles through fruit and vegetable consumption, while directing policy attention to addressing production issues and losses and waste;

Stressing that costs for implementation of the Year and FAO involvement will be covered by extra-budgetary resources to be identified;

Requests the Director-General to transmit this Resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations with a view to having the General Assembly of the United Nations consider, at its next session, declaring 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables.

 

Adopted on 28 June 2019

 

 

Appendix F Resolution 9/2019 International Year of Rye

 

THE CONFERENCE,

Considering the urgent need to raise awareness of the climate resilience of rye for cool temperate zones, semi-arid and high altitude zones, where other cereals cannot be grown, through the increased sustainable production and consumption of rye;

Considering the urgent need to raise awareness of the tolerance of rye to marginal lands, sandy soils, poor soils with low fertility and for weed control, where other cereals cannot be grown, through the increased sustainable production and consumption of rye;

Considering the unique nutritional benefits of rye and the opportunity to consume rye products, made available through the promotion of sustainable production techniques for rye;

Recalling the United Nations General Assembly resolution proclaiming the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016-2025, and the need to implement sustainable food systems that promote healthy diets, which include a variety of foods;

Recalling recommendation 10 of the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN-2) that establishes, inter alia, the promotion of crop diversification to diversify diets;

Noting consumer demand for baked products with the unique flavour of rye and the market for baked products with reduced gluten compared to wheat flour;

Recognizing the important contribution of rye to the cultivation of staple foods in climate adverse environments;

Recognizing the importance of rye as a good rotational crop because of its ability to compete effectively with weeds in poor soils and to be used as a pioneer crop to improve the fertility of wasteland;

Noting the importance of sustainable farming and production practices to the livelihoods of millions of rural farm families and small family farmers around the world;

Cognizant of the historical contribution of rye to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and incomes of family farmers and its significant role for pasture, hay and as cover and green manure crop;

Concerned about the current need to invigorate market recognition of the benefits of rye and to promote efficient value chains;

Recognizing the vast genetic diversity of rye and its adaptive capacities to a range of production environments and potential as a genetic source for wheat improvement programmes, being a constituent of triticale, a synthesised crop;

Recognizing the need to empower women through education to assure the quality of family diets;

Recognizing that the observance of an International Year of Rye by the international community would contribute significantly to raising awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of rye consumption and its suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions, while directing policy attention to improving value chain efficiencies;

Stressing that costs for implementation of the Year and FAO involvement will be covered by extra-budgetary resources to be identified;

Requests the Director-General to transmit this Resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations with a view to having the General Assembly of the United Nations consider, at its next session, declaring 2025 as the International Year of Rye.

Adopted on 28 June 2019

Appendix G Resolution 10/2019 International Year of Millets

 

THE CONFERENCE,

 

Considering the urgent need to raise awareness of the climate resilient and nutritional benefits of millets and to advocate for healthy diets through the increased sustainable production and consumption of millets;

Recalling the United Nations General Assembly resolution proclaiming the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016-2025, and the need to implement sustainable food systems that promote healthy diets, which include a variety of foods;

Recalling recommendation 10 of the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) that establishes, inter alia, the promotion of crop diversification to diversify diets;

Recognizing the important contribution of millets to the cultivation of nutritious foods in climate adverse environments;

Noting the importance of sustainable farming and production practices to the livelihoods of millions of rural farm families and small family farmers around the world;

Cognizant of the historical contribution of millets, to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and incomes of family farmers;

Concerned about the current need to invigorate market recognition of the benefits of millets and to promote efficient value chains;

Recognizing the vast genetic diversity of millets and their adaptive capacities to a range of production environments;

Recognizing the need to empower women through education, to assure the quality of family diets;

Recognizing that the observance of an International Year of Millets by the international community would contribute significantly to raising awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions, while directing policy attention to improving value chain efficiencies;

Stressing that costs for implementation of the Year and FAO involvement will be covered by extra-budgetary resources to be identified;

Requests the Director-General to transmit this Resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations with a view to having the General Assembly of the United Nations consider, at its next session, declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

 

Adopted on 28 June 2019

 

 

 

Appendix H Resolution 11/2019 International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

 

THE CONFERENCE,

Considering the urgent need to raise awareness of the economic, social and environmental impacts of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) and of the need for actions to stem the problem of FLW;

Recalling that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 12.3 calls for halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains (including post-harvest losses) by 2030;

Recognizing that high levels of FLW reduce the efficiency of the value chain, and thus the sustainability of food systems;

Recognizing that high levels of food losses negatively impact the availability of and access to food, as well as incomes in poorer segments of society in middle- and low-income countries;

Noting that FLW are drivers of climate change and environmental degradation;

Noting that reducing FLW will also directly impact a number of other SDG Goals;

Cognizant of the urgent need to raise awareness and to educate food supply chain actors and consumers in particular, in order to bring about behaviour change toward achieving the sustained reduction of FLW;

Expressing concern that current efforts to address FLW reduction are highly fragmented;

Cognizant of the critical role of the private sector in bringing about a reduction in FLW at the global level;

Recognizing that the observance of an International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste would contribute significantly to raising awareness at all levels, of the need to reduce FLW and promote global efforts and collective actions toward achieving SDG target 12.3;

Stressing that costs arising from the implementation of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, and FAO involvement, will be met by voluntary contributions;

Requests the Director-General to transmit this Resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations with a view to having the General Assembly of the United Nations consider, at its next session, declaring 29 September of each year as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.

 

Adopted on 28 June 2019

 

 

Appendix I Resolution 12/2019 International Tea Day

 

THE CONFERENCE,

Noting that tea constitutes the main means of subsistence for millions of poor families who live in a number of least developed countries;

Noting that tea production and processing contributes to the fight against hunger Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2), the reduction of extreme poverty (SDG 1), the empowerment of women (SDG 5) and the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15);

Recognizing that tea is a main source of income and export revenues for some of the poorest countries and, as a labour-intensive sector, provides jobs especially in remote and economically disadvantaged areas;

Affirming that tea can play a significant role in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries, being one of the most important cash crops;

Recalling the urgent need to raise public awareness of the importance of tea for rural development and sustainable livelihoods and to improve the tea value chain to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

Reemphasizing the call from the Intergovernmental Group on Tea to direct greater efforts towards expanding demand, particularly in producing countries where per capita consumption is relatively low, and supporting efforts to address the declining per capita consumption in traditional importing countries;

Trusting that such a celebration would promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favour of the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger, malnutrition and poverty;

Stressing that the costs of activities associated with the implementation of the International Tea Day, and FAO involvement, will be met through voluntary contributions;

Requests the Director-General to transmit this Resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with a view to having the General Assembly of the United Nations consider, at its next session, declaring 21 May of each year as the International Tea Day.

 

Adopted on 28 June 2019

 

 

 

Appendix J Scale of Contributions 2020-21 (2018-19 Scale shown for comparative purposes)

 

Afghanistan	0.007	0.006
Albania	0.008	0.008
Algeria	0.138	0.161
Andorra	0.005	0.006
Angola	0.010	0.010
Antigua and Barbuda	0.002	0.002
Argentina	0.915	0.892
Armenia	0.007	0.006
Australia	2.210	2.337
Austria	0.677	0.720
Azerbaijan	0.049	0.060
Bahamas	0.018	0.014
Bahrain	0.050	0.044
Bangladesh	0.010	0.010
Barbados	0.007	0.007
Belarus	0.049	0.056
Belgium	0.821	0.885
Belize	0.001	0.001
Benin	0.003	0.003
Bhutan	0.001	0.001
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)	0.016	0.012
Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.012	0.013
Botswana	0.014	0.014
Brazil	2.949	3.823
Brunei Darussalam	0.025	0.029
Bulgaria	0.046	0.045
Burkina Faso	0.003	0.004
Burundi	0.001	0.001
Cabo Verde	0.001	0.001
Cambodia	0.006	0.004
Cameroon	0.013	0.010
Canada	2.734	2.921
Central African Republic	0.001	0.001
Chad	0.004	0.005
Chile	0.407	0.399
China	12.006	7.922
Colombia	0.288	0.322
Comoros	0.001	0.001
Congo	0.006	0.006
Cook Islands	0.001	0.001
Costa Rica	0.062	0.047
Côte d'Ivoire	0.013	0.009
Croatia	0.077	0.099
Cuba	0.080	0.065
Cyprus	0.036	0.043
Czechia	0.311	0.344
Democratic People's Republic of Korea	0.006	0.005
Democratic Republic of the Congo	0.010	0.008
Denmark	0.554	0.584
Djibouti	0.001	0.001
Dominica	0.001	0.001
Dominican Republic	0.053	0.046
Ecuador	0.080	0.067
Egypt	0.186	0.152
El Salvador	0.012	0.014
Equatorial Guinea	0.016	0.010
Eritrea	0.001	0.001
Estonia	0.039	0.038
Eswatini	0.002	0.002
Ethiopia	0.010	0.010
Fiji	0.003	0.003
Finland	0.421	0.456
France	4.428	4.860
Gabon	0.015	0.017
Gambia	0.001	0.001
Georgia	0.008	0.008
Germany	6.091	6.390
Ghana	0.015	0.016
Greece	0.366	0.471
Grenada	0.001	0.001
Guatemala	0.036	0.028
Guinea	0.003	0.002
Guinea-Bissau	0.001	0.001
Guyana	0.002	0.002
Haiti	0.003	0.003
Honduras	0.009	0.008
Hungary	0.206	0.161
Iceland	0.028	0.023
India	0.834	0.737
Indonesia	0.543	0.504
Iran (Islamic Republic of)	0.398	0.471
Iraq	0.129	0.129
Ireland	0.371	0.335
Israel	0.490	0.430
Italy	3.308	3.748
Jamaica	0.008	0.009
Japan	8.565	9.681
Jordan	0.021	0.020
Kazakhstan	0.178	0.191
Kenya	0.024	0.018
Kiribati	0.001	0.001
Kuwait	0.252	0.285
Kyrgyzstan	0.002	0.002
Lao People's Democratic Republic	0.005	0.003
Latvia	0.047	0.050
Lebanon	0.047	0.046
Lesotho	0.001	0.001
Liberia	0.001	0.001
Libya	0.030	0.125
Lithuania	0.071	0.072
Luxembourg	0.067	0.064
Madagascar	0.004	0.003
Malawi	0.002	0.002
Malaysia	0.341	0.322
Maldives	0.004	0.002
Mali	0.004	0.003
Malta	0.017	0.016
Marshall Islands	0.001	0.001
Mauritania	0.002	0.002
Mauritius	0.011	0.012
Mexico	1.292	1.435
Micronesia (Federated States of)	0.001	0.001
Monaco	0.011	0.010
Mongolia	0.005	0.005
Montenegro	0.004	0.004
Morocco	0.055	0.054
Mozambique	0.004	0.004
Myanmar	0.010	0.010
Namibia	0.009	0.010
Nauru	0.001	0.001
Nepal	0.007	0.006
Netherlands	1.356	1.482
New Zealand	0.291	0.268
Nicaragua	0.005	0.004
Niger	0.002	0.002
Nigeria	0.250	0.209
Niue	0.001	0.001
North Macedonia	0.007	0.007
Norway	0.754	0.849
Oman	0.115	0.113
Pakistan	0.115	0.093
Palau	0.001	0.001
Panama	0.045	0.034
Papua New Guinea	0.010	0.004
Paraguay	0.016	0.014
Peru	0.152	0.136
Philippines	0.205	0.165
Poland	0.802	0.841
Portugal	0.350	0.392
Qatar	0.282	0.269
Republic of Korea	2.267	2.039
Republic of Moldova	0.003	0.004
Romania	0.198	0.184
Russian Federation	2.405	3.088
Rwanda	0.003	0.002
Saint Kitts and Nevis	0.001	0.001
Saint Lucia	0.001	0.001
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0.001	0.001
Samoa	0.001	0.001
San Marino	0.002	0.003
Sao Tome and Principe	0.001	0.001
Saudi Arabia	1.172	1.146
Senegal	0.007	0.005
Serbia	0.028	0.032
Seychelles	0.002	0.001
Sierra Leone	0.001	0.001
Singapore	0.485	0.447
Slovakia	0.153	0.160
Slovenia	0.076	0.084
Solomon Islands	0.001	0.001
Somalia	0.001	0.001
South Africa	0.272	0.364
South Sudan	0.006	0.003
Spain	2.146	2.443
Sri Lanka	0.044	0.031
Sudan	0.010	0.010
Suriname	0.005	0.006
Sweden	0.906	0.956
Switzerland	1.151	1.140
Syrian Arab Republic	0.011	0.024
Tajikistan	0.004	0.004
Thailand	0.307	0.291
Timor-Leste	0.002	0.003
Togo	0.002	0.001
Tonga	0.001	0.001
Trinidad and Tobago	0.040	0.034
Tunisia	0.025	0.028
Turkey	1.371	1.018
Turkmenistan	0.033	0.026
Tuvalu	0.001	0.001
Uganda	0.008	0.009
Ukraine	0.057	0.103
United Arab Emirates	0.616	0.604
United Kingdom	4.568	4.464
United Republic of Tanzania	0.010	0.010
United States of America	22.000	22.000
Uruguay	0.087	0.079
Uzbekistan	0.032	0.023
Vanuatu	0.001	0.001
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)	0.728	0.571
Viet Nam	0.077	0.058
Yemen	0.010	0.010
Zambia	0.009	0.007
Zimbabwe	0.005	0.004
	100	100