Major Programme 2.2: Food and Agriculture Policy and Development

Achievements

221. The Major Programme is central to FAO's mandate related to food security, food and agricultural policy, and agricultural information and dissemination. It contributed to the implementation of recommendations arising from major international conferences, particularly the World Food Summit (WFS), Ministerial Conferences of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Third UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It also responded to emerging demands from member countries and the corresponding need to ensure food and agricultural policies conducive to poverty and hunger reduction, more effective participation of developing countries in multilateral trade negotiations, improvements in food safety and adequate nutrition, and assessments of important market developments and food emergencies.

222. Key priority was given to the following work areas:

• international and national food and agricultural information, statistical and decision support systems;
• world food, nutrition and agriculture assessments, outlooks and perspectives for the provision of situation and outlook analyses at national, regional and global levels;
• agricultural commodity market development and strengthening of international trade cooperation and the capacity of developing countries to participate in Multilateral Trade Negotiations (MTN);
• food quality, safety and consumer protection and international science-based food standards to protect consumer health and facilitate international trade;
• analysis of policies for sustainable agricultural and rural development, including those to improve nutrition and household and national food security; and
• prevention, preparedness and early warning of food, agriculture and national resource emergencies.

Programme 2.2.1: Nutrition

Achievements

223. The programme contributed to fulfilment of the WFS, in particular Commitment 2, of ensuring that all people have year-round access to nutritionally adequate and safe food. It supported activities aimed at identifying the poor and malnourished and estimating their numbers; determining human nutrient requirements; and developing effective programmes to assist the poor and nutritionally at risk to secure access to nutritionally adequate diets. Underspending of about US$ 600,000 shown in the above table resulted from the need to compensate overspending elsewhere in the major programme, as well as the reduction in expenditure related to staff cost variance.

224. Food and nutrition assessment. Working groups and expert consultations on food energy and protein requirements of populations formulated recommendations to enable assessment of food inadequacy and help estimate the number of people suffering from undernourishment.

225. Nutrient values of several food groups were estimated for inclusion in food balance sheets. Human resource development and capacity building were targeted at developing countries and provided advanced training in data generation, compilation, dissemination and use in food consumption surveys. A number of national and regional food composition tables and databases were published and related software products updated. Regular issues of the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis were published.

226. Nutrition policy at country level. Efforts were directed towards improving the capacity of countries to meet the WFS target of reducing hunger. Joint FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) workshops on the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) and WFS follow-up were organized in Africa; impediments to progress and areas where technical support was most needed were identified. FAO/WHO workshops were also held in Central Europe on nutrition planning and led to an initiative on evaluation of lessons having a significant impact on sustainable nutrition programmes. Work was also initiated on problems of urban poverty in Asia.

227. Assistance was provided to African countries in updating their National Plans of Action for Food Security and Nutrition and project formulation. Guidelines were published on Targeting for nutrition improvement and Incorporating nutrition considerations in agricultural research plans and programmes. Follow-up has included projects on sweet potatoes for the alleviation of Vitamin A deficiency in southern Africa, and actions to reintroduce traditional (micronutrient-rich) foods into the diet.

228. Nutrition programmes. Work focused on promoting food-based, community-centred initiatives, protecting nutrition in emergencies, and nutrition education and communication. A document Towards system-wide guidance on household food security was prepared in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) and adopted by the Consultative Committee on Programmes and Operational Questions (CCPOQ) of the ACC to establish common understanding among UN agencies on household food security (HFS) and nutrition. Intercountry workshops to promote HFS and nutrition programmes were held in Kigali and Cairo. Improving nutrition through home gardening was published in Spanish and English. Nutrition figured prominently in an Organization-wide approach to livelihood security and participatory appraisal and planning approaches, including through the Livelihood Support Programme/The Role of Forestry in Poverty Alleviation initiative funded by the Department for International Development (DFID); in preparations for the International Year of Mountains (IYM); and through the work of the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG) on Food for the Cities.

229. Technical support was provided for innovative multidisciplinary, community-based nutrition projects in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Zambia, and provided first-hand experience for normative work. Assistance was provided in incorporating nutrition into the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) in several countries.

230. Increased attention was devoted to incorporating nutrition into emergency responses. In collaboration with the Special Relief Operations Service (TCOR), Guidelines for incorporating nutrition and household food security into food and agriculture emergency operations was published. Work started with WFP on Nutrition in emergencies. The food and nutrition situation in Iraq was assessed at the request of the Iraqi Government and preparations were made for a similar assessment in the Palestinian Territories at the request of the Palestinian Authority.

231. Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger (FMFH), a global initiative that provides model lessons for teachers and youth leaders for discussing hunger, malnutrition and food security with students, was launched in North America on World Food Day 2000 and globally on World Food Day 2001. FMFH is a partnership of national, regional and international organizations including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Bank (WB), the United States World Food Day Committee, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Education and Resource Network (i*Earn), Future Harvest and Newsweek magazine. An interactive forum through which teachers and students can exchange ideas was launched on the Web.

232. Collaboration with UNESCO and WHO in nutrition education was strengthened. A planning guide for developing nutrition education curricula in primary schools, for use in the WHO Health Promoting Schools Programme and in developing countries was produced, and support was provided in Zhejiang Province, China and to Zambia. A global Family nutrition guide was prepared in Arabic.

233. Collaboration with other agencies and in-house units on nutrition and the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) was strengthened. A study, The impact of HIV/AIDS on food security, was prepared for discussion by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). A manual on the nutritional care of people with HIV/AIDS, Living well with HIV/AIDS, was prepared jointly with WHO.

234. Four issues of the trilingual journal, Food Nutrition and Agriculture, were published and also posted on the Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) Web site.

235. Food control and consumer protection. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) continued to provide advice to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and its members on the evaluation of food additives, contaminants and veterinary drug residues. It held a special session for the evaluation of mycotoxins, an important group of food contaminants of particular concern to developing countries and their export trade. Advice was provided on risk assessment of microbiological hazards in foods, particularly those traded internationally, and on the safety and nutritional evaluation of foods derived from biotechnology. JECFA's food additive specifications compendium was posted on the Internet.

236. Training manuals on the improvement in safety and quality of fresh fruit and vegetables and on the application of quality assurance principles for the prevention and control of mycotoxins were developed. Guidelines for the development of national food control systems were prepared jointly with WHO.

237. Regional workshops on risk analysis in food safety were organized in Africa, the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe. Liaison was maintained with WTO on application of the Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). An inter-agency initiative for capacity building in food safety, animal and plant health was launched with WHO, WTO, the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) and the World Bank.

238. The First Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators and the Pan-European Conference on Food Safety and Quality were organized jointly with WHO. The Expert Consultation on the Evaluation of Health and Nutritional Properties of Probiotics in Foods, and the development of the International Clearing House on Food Safety and Agricultural Health were also undertaken with WHO.

239. Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (Codex Alimentarius). An intensive cycle of technical meetings culminated in the 24^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 2001. The Commission adopted a Strategic Framework for 2003-2007, setting out six strategic objectives and priorities, and initiated the development of a Medium Term Plan. Forty-one new or revised Codex standards or related instruments were adopted by the Commission. Two guidelines dealing with the safety assessment of foods derived from modern biotechnology were adopted as draft texts.

240. Four ad hoc expert consultations on contemporary food standards issues (one more than planned) were held. Support was provided on the strengthening of national Codex structures in Cameroon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Republic of Tanzania.

241. The plenary session of the Commission was held in FAO's five official languages in 2001. The work of publishing Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations in Arabic and Chinese commenced with the Codex Procedural Manual and four thematic booklets published in all official languages. The transfer of Codex Alimentarius standards and guidelines to an Internet-based system was started.

Programme 2.2.2: Food and Agricultural Information

Achievements

242. This programme focused on collecting and disseminating food and agricultural statistics and information, with priority given to the world food and agricultural situation and outlook; analysis of the commodity trade situation; early warning of food emergencies; and operation of the International Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS)/Current Agricultural Research Information System (CARIS). Major achievements were improvement and timely updating of the global food and agricultural databases; strengthening the capacity of national systems to provide timely statistics; and the development of the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS) initiative. Particular attention was given to improving the quality of statistics, including design work on the redevelopment of the Corporate Database for Substantive Statistical Data (FAOSTAT) to extend its functionality and utility to member countries. The corporate World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT) was further enhanced to improve harmonization, management and dissemination of FAO technical information, aiming at facilitating access, retrieval and the transfer of knowledge. Underspending of US$ 1.5 million shown in the above table was mainly due to the reduction in expenditure related to staff cost variance.

243. FIVIMS. FIVIMS continued to focus on the application of information and mapping systems for better decision-making to address food insecurity in an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental manner. The Inter-agency Working Group (IAWG) expanded to 27 members, including UN and bilateral development assistance agencies and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

244. Guidelines on the establishment of national FIVIMS was published for partner agencies and countries. Case studies were produced on food security impact of productivity improvement on small farms and use of existing information systems for FIVIMS-related work. A Handbook on operationalizing food security information and early warning systems was produced and training provided in requesting countries. Methodologies and tools were applied for vulnerable group profiling, improving information in complex emergencies and for enhancing sustainable livelihoods for artisanal fishing communities. Work continued on the development of a guide for profiling vulnerable groups, incorporating elements of the DFID sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA). Forty nutrition country profiles were prepared/updated. Capacity building on information management and use included a series of user-friendly booklets, Making FIVIMS work for you: tools and tips. Mapping and visualization tools - the Key Indicators Mapping System (KIMS) - were enhanced for national FIVIMS.

245. National focal points for FIVIMS were appointed in over 70 countries. FIVIMS activities were carried out in at least 79 countries, ranging from awareness raising to generation of information products in support of policy development and implementation.

246. FIVIMS generated strong support from donor agencies and other partners, including development of regional FIVIMS for Asia (Japan); pilot FIVIMS in four LDCs and four Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (European Community [EC]); support to poverty mapping in association with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Global Resource Information Database (GRID)-Arendal and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); and integrating FIVIMS into the CCA/UNDAF process (Netherlands). Opportunities have been taken to promote FIVIMS among international and national partners in meetings and conferences. Meetings of the IAWG were held in Indonesia in 2000 (hosted by the Government of Indonesia and Helen Keller International) and in Rome in 2001.

247. Further improvements were made in the methodologies for generating estimates of numbers of undernourished. Two issues of the document, The State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI), were released on World Food Day in 2000 and 2001.

248. Statistical data collection, processing and analysis. Attention focused on the improvement of agricultural statistical databases, particularly statistical series on agricultural production, trade, food supply, population, labour force, land use, agricultural inputs, development assistance and macroeconomic aggregates. The Agricultural Bulletin Board on Data Collection, Dissemination and Quality of Statistics (ABCDQ) was developed. The data compiled and disseminated through the Internet, CD-ROMs and FAO Production, Trade and Fertilizer Yearbooks and the Bulletin of Statistics were used in global and national economic and policy studies, as well as economic forecasting. Supply utilization accounts and food balance sheets were constructed and published for all countries, and used for the assessment of patterns and trends of food supplies and estimation of the number of undernourished.

249. A Web-based virtual questionnaire was deployed to member countries for collection of agricultural production data. More efficient data processing systems were developed for compilation of agricultural trade statistics, by origin and destination. Guidelines were developed for collection of data and compilation of agri-environmental indicators and on the preparation and use of food balance sheets. National workshops were held on supply utilization accounts, food balance sheets and economic accounts for agriculture. One workshop focused specifically on statistics for analysing gender, environment and food security issues. Revised estimates and projections of agricultural population and labour force and producer prices for crop and livestock products were prepared. Methodologies were developed and provisional estimates of apparent investment in agriculture were produced for use in policy-making.

250. Statistical development. The focus was on strengthening the capacity of national statistical systems to generate reliable and timely food and agricultural statistics. In collaboration with the Gender and Population Division (SDW), support was provided to countries to incorporate gender into agricultural censuses and surveys. The technical project, FAO/WB/United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Initiative for Agricultural Statistics in Africa (Phase I), got under way in 11 countries, and was integrated with the global consortium on Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21^st Century (PARIS21).

251. The FAO Web site on Census of Agriculture was updated and summaries of national agricultural census results were published. A Supplement to the Report on the 1990 World Census of Agriculture - international comparison and primary results by country - was also published. An expert group reviewed the Programme for the World Census of Agriculture. Training materials for conducting agricultural surveys using remote sensing technology were prepared. Seven regional/subregional workshops were conducted on agricultural censuses and one on multiple-frame agricultural production surveys. Project activities assisted the agricultural census programmes in several countries.

252. Meetings of the African and Asia and Pacific Commissions on Agricultural Statistics, the FAO/Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)/Conference of European Statisticians (CES) Study Group on Food and Agricultural Statistics and the FAO/Office of External Activities (OEA)/Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Working Group on Agricultural Statistics for Latin America and the Caribbean were organized and identified crop production forecasting and agribusiness statistics as areas needing attention. Regional and subregional workshops and seminars were conducted on crop forecasting, livestock statistics and agribusiness statistics. Workshops took place in selected countries for data users and producers. In collaboration with the Regional and Subregional Offices, assistance was provided to member countries for the identification, formulation and technical backstopping of field projects in support of the development of agricultural statistics.

253. WAICENT/FAOSTAT. FAOSTAT was regularly updated and system enhancements facilitated Internet access with a resulting increase in records downloaded. An updated multilingual CD-ROM version was produced in the five official languages. Enhancements to yearbook publishing were completed for the majority of yearbooks.

Table 2.2-1. WAICENT/FAOSTAT (selected indicators)

254. WAICENT/FAO Information Database (FAOINFO). FAOINFO focused on improved organization and management of FAO information for better access and retrieval via the Internet and CD-ROMs. Hits to the FAO Web site reached 20 million per month. Multilingual FAOINFO CD-ROMs were provided where Internet services were unavailable. Information management tools were enhanced (Electronic Information Management System [EIMS] and News and Events Management System [NEMS]) to streamline electronic publishing and facilitate searches in the five official languages. Corporate Web sites were implemented in five languages. A first version of the FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System was released, as was an improved WAICENT information finder search tool. Corporate databases were developed and maintained on standard information resources, searchable via thematic categorization schemes. Work began on the WAICENT Information Finder (World Agriculture Information Resources Database [WAIR]), with a prototype capable of accessing distributed data sources on the Web. The FAO Corporate Document Repository content increased to include over 6,500 documents accessible through the Virtual Library. Version 2.0 of electronic publishing templates was released and improved procedures established for managing information on the FAO Web site. CD-ROMs with database publishing tools were released.

255. Documentation and cataloguing activities aimed at both delivering metadata¹⁰ to make FAO's publications more accessible and establishing core standards for metadata methodology for the categorization of information and strengthening of documentation centre networks. The FAO documentation catalogue was released on the Web and CD-ROM. The Agricultural Ontology Service project was initiated to organize large collections of knowledge. It held a workshop with importance given to AGRIS/CARIS centres as implementers in the agricultural community.

256. AGRIS/CARIS decentralized documentation activities expanded with the publication of AGRIS volumes with more than 60,000 references/year. The AGRIS/CARIS Web sites were updated and CD-ROMs released with AGRIS volumes from 1998/1999. A new CARIS data processing and dissemination system was implemented and connected with the World Bank. The fourth edition of the Multilingual Thesaurus of Agricultural Terminology (AGROVOC) was issued in French, Spanish and Arabic with Chinese in preparation. AGROVOC modules were delivered to AGRIS/CARIS stakeholders and collaboration began with Polish, Czech and Thai AGRIS Centres to publish national AGROVOC editions. The European System of Cooperative Research Networks in Agriculture (ESCORENA) was launched.

Table 2.2-2. WAICENT/FAOINFO (selected indicators)

257. Information resources and the Virtual Library. Collaboration with UN and agency libraries was further developed and formalized into the United Nations System Electronic Information Acquisitions Consortium (UNSEIAC). Cost benefits from this collaboration continued to be instrumental for the efficient management of FAO's multimedia resources and for access to subscription information for both FAO headquarters and field offices. The David Lubin Memorial Library provided access to over 1.5 million books, 6,550 printed journal titles and 2,500 electronic full text titles. Desktop access to electronic tools was increased both at headquarters and in the field, with over 40 substantive bibliographic, abstract, full text and factual databases available to field offices. A Tag Image File Format (TIFF) scanning project was initiated to bridge the gap after microfiche for FAO technical and scientific documents and publications. The pilot projects for the FAO Library Union Catalogue proved successful. Training sessions, guidelines and an updated Web site were provided to departments to facilitate Virtual Library and multimedia use. Reference and literature search services were carried out for FAO staff and site visitors. Document delivery services were provided to users and Worldwide Network of Agricultural Libraries (AGLINET) collaborators.

TABLE 2.2-3. VIRTUAL LIBRARY (SELECTED INDICATORS)

258. WAICENT Outreach. A strategy was formulated for strengthening the capacity of national and regional institutions to manage and access agricultural information, under WAICENT's new Outreach Programme. A strategic approach to training was formulated to underpin WAICENT Outreach, in the form of an Information Management Resource Kit comprising a series of customized CD-based learning materials and applications concerned with agricultural information management.

259. Technical services were provided through field projects in Africa and the Near East. Projects were formulated for national capacity building in information management, in collaboration with technical divisions. Advisory missions were undertaken and eight training workshops cosponsored in which representatives from governmental and institutional sectors were trained in information management: four in Latin America and the Caribbean (covering 17 countries), one for the Near East and North Africa (six countries), two in Central and Eastern Europe (29 countries) and one global (ten countries). Study tours to FAO headquarters were organized for delegations from three regional organizations to strengthen collaboration with WAICENT Outreach.

260. The new WAICENT portal Web site (www.fao.org/waicent) was launched. WAICENT provided stands at major meetings at headquarters, with a redesigned facility within the new Korean Lounge, as well as at the four Regional Conferences, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York and the Salon d'Agriculture in Paris. An animated film was developed for children entitled: What is WAICENT?

261. Consultation on Agricultural Information Management (COAIM). The First Consultation, held in Rome from 5 to 7 June 2000, was attended by 161 representatives of 91 member countries, four United Nations specialized agencies and observers from 24 intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and NGOs. COAIM brought policy issues related to agricultural information management to the attention of the intergovernmental process, recognizing the key role that information plays in ensuring food security and sustainable development. Technical workshops were organized on AGRIS/CARIS, Strengthening Information and Knowledge Management Capacities (co-organized with the European Centre for Development Policy Management [ECDPM]), the Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Development and Food Security, and Impact Assessment for Information System Development (co-organized with the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation [CTA]).

Programme 2.2.3: Food and Agricultural Monitoring, Assessments and Outlooks

Achievements

262. This programme focuses on assessments and analyses of the current and prospective food and agricultural situation at national, regional and global levels. Major achievements included the publication of an interim report on Agriculture: Towards 2015/30 (AT 2015/30), 60 missions to assess the food situation in countries facing food emergencies and improvements in market information for agricultural commodities, including electronic dissemination. Overspending of US$ 300,000 shown in the above table was compensated by reductions in other programmes, particularly Programme 2.2.1.

263. Global perspective studies. A technical interim report on AT 2015/30 was published in April 2000 and work continued on the main report, to be completed during 2002.

264. The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA). SOFA continued to provide global analysis of events, trends and emerging issues affecting agricultural and rural development and food security at global and regional levels of interest and concern to member countries, policy-makers and the public at large. Reports on SOFA were presented at the 119^th Session of the Council and the 31^st Session of the Conference. The brochure, The State of Food and Agriculture in Figures, was well received by Members. A report on The current world food situation was presented to the 120^th session of the Council. Materials illustrating SOFA were posted on the SOFA Web pages.

265. Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS). GIEWS continued to monitor closely the food supply and demand situation at global, regional, national and subnational levels and to alert the international community to countries/regions threatened by serious food shortages. Regular assessments were published in Food Outlook, Foodcrops and shortages, Africa Report and the Sahel weather and crop situation report. Sixty-four special alerts and reports were issued and 60 missions fielded to countries/regions facing potential food emergencies. The rising demand for missions, because of increasing frequency of disasters (see Box), exceeded GIEWS' resource capacity; resources were diverted from other programmes to meet demand.

266. GIEWS continued to work closely with WFP in fielding joint crop and food supply assessment missions and processing WFP food assistance requests. Regular food assessment briefs were provided to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Inter-agency Standing Committee Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs.

267. GIEWS' capacity to provide policy-makers and humanitarian agencies with timely and objective information and to alert the international community to impending food emergencies was further strengthened. Investment was made in innovative methods for collecting, analysing and disseminating early warning information via the Internet. Specialized multilingual software, linked to databases on food security information, was developed. The GIEWS workstation software was used by ten national/regional early warning systems and the Web pages received about 2,000 hits per day in 2001 (a total of 1.8 million over the whole year) from over 75,000 separate sources. GIEWS also contributed to vulnerability assessment in Asia and mapping technologies being developed for FIVIMS.

268. Market intelligence and assessments for basic food and tropical, horticultural and raw materials commodities. Information on international, regional and national markets for these commodities was collected and disseminated, increasingly over the Internet. Market intelligence was improved for those commodities contributing to household food security, particularly pulses, white maize, millet, roots and tubers. Coverage also included market and price developments for organic tropical and horticultural products. Weekly and monthly commodity prices, as well as bimonthly and quarterly market updates for rice, oilseeds, pulses and meat, were made available electronically. Electronic information networks operated for fibres, dairy products, meat, oil crops, pulses and rice.

269. The data generated were used for market and trade analyses, short-term outlooks and medium-term projections; in documentation presented to the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups on Commodities (IGGs); and in FAO publications such as the Commodity Market Review (CMR), SOFI, Food Outlook and SOFA. It also supported policy analysis work relating to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) and the position of developing countries in these negotiations.

270. Projections and global commodity analyses. The CMR and medium-term outlooks were published. Priority was given to generating information needed for technical assistance activities in follow-up to the Uruguay Round and preparation for the forthcoming WTO negotiations.

271. Projections to 2010 for tea, coffee, citrus and fibres were completed and results presented in summary form in intergovernmental and expert fora. The World Food Model was further developed and cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on projection work was strengthened.

272. The CMR presented current situation and short-term commodity outlooks for a wide range of commodities and included analytical articles of topical and policy interest. Contributions were made to the Third UN Conference on LDCs concerning "enhancing the production capacities of LDCs: the agriculture sector and food security" and the Programme of Action for LDCs adopted by the Conference.

Programme 2.2.4: Agriculture, Food Security and Trade Policy

Achievements

273. This programme provided information, policy advice and intergovernmental fora on current and emerging issues in agricultural development, trade, rural poverty, food security and sustainability. The linkages between natural resource management, land use change and poverty alleviation, and the management of genetic resources were analysed in collaboration with FAO units and other agencies. Evaluation was undertaken of direct assistance schemes to aid the rural poor and food insecure. Priority was given to capacity building in member countries to strengthen trade potential and prepare them for the new round of WTO negotiations. Under the reformed structure of the IGGs, participation in commodity-related meetings increased and partnerships with stakeholders were strengthened. Underspending of about US$ 600,000 shown in the above table was mainly due to the reduction in expenditure related to staff cost variance.

274. Agricultural adjustment and policy reform. The impact of policy reforms on agriculture in developing and transition countries was examined. The first issue of Current and Emerging Issues for Economic Analysis and Policy Research (CUREMIS) was released in 2001 and focused on global development issues identified through consultations with FAO's Regional Offices. Work was initiated on the second issue, including organization of two regional workshops. Mobilizing resources to fight hunger was presented at the 27^th Session of the CFS and highlighted the alarming downward trends in resource mobilization (both domestic and international) for the agricultural sector of developing countries in the 1990s.

275. Assistance was provided to development of the New African Initiative and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and a strategy paper for agricultural development in Africa prepared in the context of the OMEGA Plan. A paper on market integration, African economic integration and food security, was prepared at the request of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and endorsed by OAU Ministers of Agriculture and Trade with a request for technical assistance in its implementation.

276. Work has been initiated on development of empirical frameworks and analyses undertaken on the impact of trade policies and other macro and sectoral policies on households, to enable policy-makers to target policies through a better understanding of the linkages of poor and food-insecure households with the rest of the economy. Empirical analysis on the effects of macroeconomic adjustment on the agricultural sector was initiated and some results made available.

277. Contribution of agriculture to poverty alleviation, rural development and food security. Emphasis was given to accelerating the alleviation of poverty and food insecurity through growth in agriculture and rural off-farm activities and direct public action against hunger.

278. The publication Food insecurity, poverty and agriculture illustrated how reducing hunger and malnutrition is a means towards poverty reduction - with the implication that direct public action against food insecurity has a strong economic justification. A paper on Undernourishment and economic growth: the efficiency cost of hunger showed how hunger seriously compromises macroeconomic performance and provided a framework for inclusion of hunger in the MDGs. Papers promoting the "twin-track" analytical framework for fighting hunger and poverty were prepared for intergovernmental fora, including the G77 meeting in Teheran, and for other outlets. Technical backstopping was provided to the advocacy work of the General Affairs and Information Department (GI) with respect to the hunger and poverty relationship.

279. The suitability of data derived from household survey methods and the impact on agricultural production of strategies by which farmers cope with risk were examined. The "neglect of agriculture" was explored in the publication, The rural handicap. Work on how various forms of cash transfer and other safety net programmes affect agricultural production, food security and intrahousehold distribution of assets started in 2000, with advice being provided to several countries. Fighting hunger and deprivation: an introduction to the principles of evaluating social safety nets was completed.

280. FAO's role in implementing the right to food was reviewed and a draft mission statement prepared. Analytical work was undertaken for SOFI and a technical workshop was held, relating to the International Scientific Symposium on the Measurement and Assessment of Food Deprivation and Undernutrition. Work on the Infrastructural Handicap of Africa and the International Conference on Financing for Development was also carried out.

281. Economics of natural resources. Interdepartmental collaboration was established with units concerned with sustainability issues through the IDWGs on Climate Change and Biodiversity. Analytical work was undertaken on forest management and poverty alleviation in collaboration with the Forestry Department; a paper, Forest degradation and food security, was published in Unasylva. Work on incentives to invest in soil resources was used in a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project on land degradation assessment. Climate change mitigation through land-use change and poverty alleviation was analysed to understand the response of poor land users to carbon sequestration payment programmes.

282. Partnership was established with the Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP) and the Legal Office (LEG) on the economics of agricultural biodiversity in support of the FAO/Netherlands Partnership Programme on Access, Exchange and Sustainable Utilization of Biological Resources. Publications included Biotechnology, biodiversity and development and The potential impacts of genetic use restriction technologies on food security and agricultural biodiversity. An empirical analysis of the impacts of changes in intellectual property rights to plant genetic resources on seed markets was also prepared. Contributions were made to an Organization-wide effort to prepare a paper on global public goods.

283. Commodity and trade policy support to developing countries. Technical advice was provided to member countries on WTO Agreements affecting agricultural trade, notably the AoA. A Web site on trade (http://www.fao.org/trade) was created and information on market access conditions was provided through the Agricultural Market Access Database (AMAD), a public information site.

284. Commodity and trade policy support. Fourteen country case studies examined the experiences of developing countries in the implementation of the AoA and their concerns in the new WTO negotiations. A two-volume book summarizing the main results of these studies was published.

285. The Marrakech Ministerial Decision on the reform-related food difficulties of LDCs and on ways of making the Decision operational and effective were analysed and relevant information provided to the WTO Committee on Agriculture. Other trade-related studies included analysis of the current market access situation and of trade expansion options; examination of changes in preferential trade arrangements and their implications for developing countries; and analysis of the implications of country negotiating proposals on their trade, food security and agricultural development.

286. Trade-related work involved substantive consultations with WTO, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), OECD, the World Bank and regional UN economic commissions and others. NGOs on trade issues were provided with information to understand the multilateral trading system better and articulate proposals for reform in agriculture.

287. The reformed structure and procedures of IGGs, approved by the CCP, simplified schedules and reduced documentation. Thematic issues considered included the analysis of linkages between biotechnological developments and trade, the food security implications of commodity trade, analyses of new market opportunities and analyses of organic products. Innovative commodity conferences organized together with IGG meetings to widen participation and promote broader discussion of priority issues included a Conference on Tea Consumption and Human Health, held with the IGG on Tea, and a Consultation on Natural Fibres organized with the joint meeting of the IGGs on Hard Fibres and on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres. Support was also given to international conferences on citrus and on cotton in China in 2001, and on the dairy sector and school milk programmes.

288. Commodity and market development to enhance competitiveness. Product and market development activities were undertaken in liaison with the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC). Under the auspices of the IGGs having International Commodity Body (ICB) status with the Common Fund, funds were mobilized for priority projects. The Executive Board of the CFC endorsed projects sponsored by FAO on bananas, citrus, oilseeds, grains, sorghum, tropical fruits, fibres, meat and hides and skins, predominantly to benefit LDCs.

Major Programme 2.3: Fisheries

289. During the biennium, the Fisheries Department continued its efforts to develop fisheries and aquaculture on a long-term sustainable basis within the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and other international fishery instruments. Priority was given to enhancing the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food security through sustainable fisheries management and responsible utilization of resources. The importance of ecosystem issues and considerations in sustainable fisheries management was emphasized. The Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) database was expanded, with new input centres joining the ASFA partnership. In Africa, ASFA was extended to most LIFDCs and a project was initiated for document delivery and resource sharing among libraries of fisheries and aquaculture institutions. The underspending of US$1.1 million shown in the table above was a result of the reduction in expenditure related to staff cost variance.

Programme 2.3.1: Fisheries Information 2000-2001

290. The ASFA database continued to develop and ten new input centres joined the ASFA partnership. A project to propagate ASFA in LIFDCs in Africa was extended to over 30 institutions. A new Web-based ASFA input system was developed in collaboration with AGRIS. A pilot project was initiated for document delivery and resource sharing among libraries of fisheries and aquaculture institutions in 12 African countries and development of fisheries and aquaculture libraries was undertaken in collaboration with development partner agencies.

291. With extra-budgetary support from Japan and France, the development phase of the Internet-based Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS) was more than half accomplished upon completion of the generic software and some core modules. Emphasis shifted to development of information content in partnership with regional fishery organizations and national centres of excellence. The Fisheries Web site continued to grow and converge with FIGIS, representing a major source of fisheries information. The Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (ACFR) stressed the need to improve global information on the status and trends of capture fisheries and a proposal was submitted to the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), which recommended organization of a technical consultation to consider the proposal, including the development of a plan to improve information on the status and trends of capture fisheries at national, regional and global levels.

292. Data dissemination was ensured through statistical publications, FAOSTAT and Internet packages such as the Computer System for Global Fish Catches (FISHSTAT) through WAICENT. However, poor responses to FAO's statistical inquiries from many countries and the questionable reliability of some reported statistics impeded the collection of certain fishery statistics. Improvements in the quality of FAO's fishing fleet statistics continued, although more slowly than planned. The separation of aquaculture from capture fishery production was extended back to 1970 and applied to the regional statistics for the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Central Atlantic. Geographically detailed capture fishery statistics were disseminated for the Southeast Atlantic, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The aquatic species classification for international statistics reporting was revised and expanded and allocation of catch statistics to large marine ecosystems initiated.

293. The Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) and regional fishery organizations further developed norms, standards, classifications and procedures for fishery statistics and collaborated on improving capture fishery production statistics. In conjunction with EUROSTAT (the Statistical Office of the European Communities), a Web-based version of the Handbook of fishery statistical standards was developed. Regional and national workshops encouraged collection of higher-quality fishery and aquaculture statistics in Africa, Asia and Small Pacific Island States. Statistical development projects were supported using standardized approaches. Software and a training and planning handbook on sample-based fishery surveys was developed.

Programme 2.3.2: Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture

294. Inland fisheries and aquaculture. The Review of the state of world aquaculture, the Review of the state of world fishery resources: inland fisheries and the FAO Aquaculture Newsletter were produced. The Conference on Aquaculture Development in the Third Millennium was convened in February 2000, in collaboration with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and with the support of the Government of Thailand. The Conference reviewed the status of aquaculture in the world and the prospects for aquaculture development over the next 20 years, and adopted the Bangkok Declaration and Strategy.

295. The Expert Consultation on the Proposed COFI Sub-committee on Aquaculture was held in February 2000 in Bangkok and its recommendations were adopted by the 24th COFI, establishing the COFI Sub-committee on Aquaculture. Technical reviews and guidelines were prepared on sustainability indicators for aquaculture development; intensification and sustainability of aquaculture production in Asia; inland fisheries enhancement; sea ranching and sea farming; sustainable inland fisheries development in arid and semi-arid countries through irrigation systems; aquaculture feed and feeding; consumption and market accessibility of freshwater fish in Asia; integrated irrigation; and aquaculture and rice-fish farming in Africa. A case study was undertaken to analyse the policy aspects for aquaculture development in China.

296. A Regional Consultation on Focusing Small-scale Aquaculture and Aquatic Resource Management on Poverty Alleviation in Asia was held in cooperation with NACA and formulated a programme to promote aquaculture for sustainable rural livelihood development. Technical guidelines for rapid rural appraisal (RRA) and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) in small-scale rural aquaculture were prepared.

297. The development of specialized databases and information systems on aquaculture and inland fisheries included application of a Geographical Information System (GIS) in aquaculture; aquatic animal pathogens and quarantine; aquatic resources use and management; species introduction and aquatic animal diversity; and the aquaculture information network for the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) region. A manual was produced on freshwater prawn farming with information on farming techniques and marketing aspects.

298. Technical assistance was provided to 65 member countries and 86 field projects in the areas of aquaculture health management, aquatic environmental management, nutrition and feed, genetics and aquatic biodiversity.

299. Collaboration with UN agencies, other organizations and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) was strengthened in the areas of integrated farming systems; transboundary movement of aquatic animals; aquatic biodiversity and genetics; aquatic animal quarantine and health certification; environment management of coastal aquaculture; best practices for shrimp farming; land and water use in aquaculture; and quality and safety of aquaculture products.

300. Marine fisheries. Emphasis was placed on ensuring the sustainable contribution of marine capture fisheries to food supplies, food security and general economic growth through the development and application of fisheries management measures based on the best available knowledge on the distribution, abundance and other characteristics of the stocks in order to avoid or reduce excessive fishing pressure and adverse impacts on fisheries, fish stocks and the environment. Biological and fisheries data on exploited species and fish populations were improved. Fisheries management guidelines and resources assessment methodologies were developed and adapted. Changes in the distribution, abundance and productivity of fishery resources were monitored and information systems developed to support resources management.

301. Updated archives and databases were maintained on biological characteristics of exploited fish species and populations, and advice and information provided regarding identification, nomenclature, distribution, abundance, habitat, biology, exploitation and management.

302. Information products included Marine mammals of China (in Chinese); FAO species catalogue, vol. 2. Sharks of the world; Synopsis of biological data on the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus Houttuyn, 1782); an FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes on Western Central Pacific resources (six volumes); expansion and updating of species information for the Internet site; a review of world fishery resources for The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA); a Web-based atlas of tuna and billfishes; a CD-ROM encyclopaedia of living marine resources of the Mediterranean; the first edition of the Atlas of world fisheries and aquaculture; updated species and resources components of FIGIS; inputs into the FishBase global information system on fishes developed with the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM); manuals on stock assessment using general, Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) and Bayesian methods; case studies on the management of elasmobranch fisheries (two volumes); and a collection of papers on the use of property rights in fisheries management (two volumes).

303. In addition, the Programme has continued to lead the development of the UN Atlas of the Oceans, on behalf of a group of UN agencies with responsibility on the oceans and with UN Foundation (UNF) funding.

304. To further the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the language coverage of the Code and available technical guidelines was expanded, and new guidelines prepared on the conservation and management of sharks and on indicators for sustainable development of capture fisheries.

305. Analyses were made of the complementary roles of single-species and ecosystem models and of the research implications of adopting the precautionary approach to the management of tuna fisheries. An appraisal was made of the suitability of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) criteria for listing commercially exploited aquatic species. A data network and software for the processing and reporting of biological sampling and related fisheries statistics were developed and introduced in participating Mediterranean countries. Regional and national resource assessment studies were produced and technical assistance provided on stock assessment, resources monitoring and management. FAO regional fishery body working groups on resources assessment and management were supported.

Programme 2.3.3: Fisheries Exploitation and Utilization

306. The FAO technical guidelines for responsible fisheries: No. 7 Fish utilization was produced in four languages and disseminated worldwide. Studies were undertaken in Africa and Latin America on fish bycatch and discards, and market research and methodologies used in Asia for the promotion of bycatch utilization were extended to Africa and Latin America.

307. Technical consultations were organized in Latin America and Africa on the promotion of better fish utilization, safety and marketing of products by small-scale fisheries.

308. Information on traditional and improved small-scale handling and preservation technologies were collected and disseminated. Studies and workshops were conducted to analyse how to improve vessel design, fishing technologies and on-board handling for harvesting and utilization of underutilized and low-value catches.

309. Capacity building on fish safety and quality was undertaken through organization of training activities and workshops on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) System and risk analysis in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The World Congress on fish inspection and quality assurance was organized and, with WHO support provided on risk assessment of Vibrio species in seafood and Listeria monocytogenes ready-to-eat foods.

310. A Web-based global seafood information system was initiated with the International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI) to ensure that countries have equal access to updated scientific information in support of fish handling and processing technology, safety and quality.

311. The Computerized System of Fish Marketing Information (GLOBEFISH) and regional information services organized commodity conferences and joint activities with the fish industry in Africa, Europe and Asia and participated in international trade fairs featuring fish products. Fish trade and marketing publications were continued and strengthened. Training workshops on WTO agreements of interest to the fish trade were organized in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

312. Work continued on the impact of WTO agreements on fish trade, ecolabelling and building capacity for the implementation of fish safety and quality in the fish industry, especially in developing countries. The COFI Sub-committee on Fish Trade expanded its cooperation with the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) in its capacity as the international commodity body for fishery products and implemented two CFC-funded projects in Asia and South America, initiating three others (two in Africa and one in Asia) on fish value addition technology.

313. Field programme assistance was provided through studies and missions in the areas of fish trade and food security, impact of resources and quotas on the fish trade, costs and earnings in the fish industry.

314. Emphasis was given to reduction of discards, particularly the capture of juveniles, to ensure an overall increase in the global marine harvest and improve food security. An assessment of the environmental impact of fishing gear was made with a view to reducing negative impacts. Workshops were conducted in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia on formulation of a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project aimed at reducing the environmental impact of tropical shrimp trawling. A publication was produced on tropical shrimp fishing and its impact on living resources and the environment. Studies were conducted on the methodology of discards and bycatch estimation and developing and implementing bycatch reduction devices in shrimp fisheries.

315. In support of the International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-SEABIRDS), assistance was provided to countries in developing their National Plans of Action for the reduction of these catches. A workshop was conducted on the exploitation and utilization of lantern fish in the Gulf of Oman. Assistance was provided in the establishment of a permanent working group within the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) on sustainable development of moored fish aggregating device (FAD) fishing in the Caribbean.

316. Support for improved fisheries management was provided through the Joint ad hoc International Maritime Organization (IMO)/FAO Working Group on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) and subsequent follow-up in the IMO Marine Safety Committee and the Sub-committee on Flag State Implementation. The FAO technical guidelines for responsible fisheries on vessel monitoring systems were prepared and published in English, French and Spanish. A Vessel Monitoring Systems Web site was developed, and support provided to monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS), satellite surveillance and electronic logbooks.

317. Activities in support of artisanal fisheries management and development in West Africa included studies and articles on artisanal fisheries management and development, conflict management in artisanal fisheries and impacts on fishers' livelihoods. Training materials were prepared on conflict management mechanisms in artisanal fisheries and on participatory planning and action in artisanal fisheries development. Guinea-Bissau was assisted in the formulation of recommendations for improved policies in the latter.

318. Codes and voluntary guidelines on fishing vessel design, construction and equipment were revised in collaboration with IMO and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Workshops were conducted in the Bay of Bengal region to raise awareness and to generate political support and commitment for tackling the poor safety record among fishers there. In the Caribbean a workshop was held to review vessel design and construction regulations together with the necessary institutional strengthening to ensure they could be adequately implemented and enforced. An FAO Fisheries Circular, Safety at sea as an integral part of fisheries management was published.

319. Studies and analyses were undertaken on the techno-economic performance of marine capture fisheries. An interregional workshop was organized in India on the techno-economic performance of marine capture fisheries and the role of economic incentives, value addition and changes of fleet. Methodology for profiling fishing fleets was published to provide guidance for fishery management and development authorities. A methodology on demographic change in coastal fishing communities and its implications for the coastal environment was published.

320. Resources exploitation was developed within FIGIS with the elaboration of fact sheets on fishing gear, vessels and fisheries (particularly tuna and shrimp). An inventory of the main fisheries in the world was prepared.

321. Studies and workshops were conducted on credit needs/schemes in support of responsible fishing practices and community-based, alternative income-generating activities, especially concerning women, value addition and marketing, group lending schemes, microcredit and aquaculture development. Assistance was provided on the design and implementation of demand-oriented fisheries credit programmes among financial institutions, fisheries associations/cooperatives and fisheries administrations in Asia, including microcredit programmes. A workshop was conducted on developing finance and investment policies and programmes for the fisheries sector of Caribbean countries to help prepare them for the challenges and effects of globalization.

Programme 2.3.4: Fisheries Policy

322. The 24th Session of COFI, the 3rd Session of the Advisory Committee for Fisheries Research and the 2nd Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies and Arrangements as well as technical consultations to strengthen FAO regional fishery bodies were organized. COFI established a Sub-committee on Aquaculture and adopted the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU).

323. Policy advice was provided to 25 West African countries on improving the sustainable livelihoods and food security of fishing communities. A framework and regional programme for alleviation of poverty was established with the financial assistance of the Government of the United Kingdom.

324. Attempts to develop country-specific activities for improving management of small-scale fisheries were not successful. On review the methodologies/methods intended for local tests did not appear to have potential for generalized use in improving fisheries management in West Africa. Efforts then focused on trying to identify such methodologies and an Expert Consultation on Small-scale Fisheries Management in Sub-Saharan Africa was held. This concluded that the main issue in small-scale fisheries was control of access to fish resources, through some form of comanagement involving fishers and local authorities. An Expert Consultation on Economic Incentives and Responsible Fisheries reviewed the nature and impact of fisheries subsidies and proposed a definition and a classification scheme for them.

325. Studies were prepared on the economic, legal, policy and commercial conditions for aquaculture development in sub-Saharan Africa and evaluated at the FAO Technical Consultation on Legal Frameworks and Economic Policy Instruments for Sustainable, Commercial Aquaculture in Africa South of the Sahara. The consultation recommended increased awareness of the potential of aquaculture and upgrading the skills of managers in the public and private sector to enable sub-Saharan countries to take full advantage of existing potential.

326. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2000 (SOFIA) was published in five languages. More than 100 fishery country profiles were reviewed and 130 were made available on the Fisheries Web site.

327. Assistance was provided for elaborating national plans on fishing capacity and developing guidelines for measuring it. Information on the costs of effective systems for monitoring, control and surveillance of fisheries in developing countries was assembled and analysed. The economic and social implications of transition to responsible fisheries and associated technical and financial assistance requirements were assessed and a report published on the economic performance of selected capture fisheries.

Major Programme 2.4: Forestry

Achievements

328. Significant progress was made during the biennium, but there is still a long way to go before the majority of the world's forests are sustainably managed. FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 found that the overall rate of global deforestation slowed down in the 1990s compared with the 1980s. However, this good news was mostly attributable to the stabilization of forest cover in developed countries in temperate regions. The net rate of deforestation in tropical developing countries remained at about the same unsustainable level in the 1990s as in the 1980s.

329. At the global level, the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) was established. FAO provided the leadership for the creation of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), an innovative partnership of 13 international organizations chaired by FAO. The CPF provides a coordinating mechanism for international efforts to promote sustainable forest management worldwide.

Programme 2.4.1: Forest Resources

330. An assessment of the status of and trends in forest management worldwide from 1980 to 2000 was completed and published. An initiative to identify best forest management practices was launched in Asia and in Africa. An expert consultation on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management was organized by FAO in collaboration with key partners, and actions were taken to strengthen the implementation of criteria and indicators.

331. The International Poplar Commission emphasized the importance of poplars and willows for bioenergy, for remediation of degraded sites, as carbon sinks, and as model species for genetic improvement. The FAO Panel of Experts on Forest Genetic Resources focused attention on forest biological diversity and FAO played a key advisory role in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity.

332. An international expert meeting on forest fire management was organized by FAO in collaboration with the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), leading to a plan of action for examining and expanding cooperative agreements among countries for preventing and controlling forest fires, and for providing basic information to countries that lack institutional capabilities.

333. In collaboration with the Netherlands, support was provided to sustainable forest development in low forest cover countries. FAO Conservation Guide No. 32 Management of natural forests of dry tropical zones was published in English and French. Programmes were implemented to support the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in the Northern Mediterranean and Near East regions, and national action programmes were supported in Mali and China. The Tehran Process was also supported.

334. Preparations were finalized for the International Year of Mountains 2002, including the participation of the Director-General in the official launching at UN headquarters. FAO is playing a lead role in providing technical advice and support for national and international initiatives throughout the world to increase awareness and develop strategies for dealing with the unique social, environmental and economic problems of mountain people and ecosystems.

335. Member countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe were assisted in developing tools, information systems and networks to improve land productivity through appropriate land use planning and agroforestry systems for food security. Projects to develop the sustainable use of wildlife resources and conserve biodiversity through effective management of protected areas were developed and implemented in Africa and the Near East. An Expert Consultation on Forestry Education resulted in new strategies for strengthening forestry education programmes and exchanging information through networks.

Programme 2.4.2: Forest Products

336. A regional code for forest harvesting practices for Central and West Africa was developed in close consultation with stakeholders in the region. This follows the successful development and implementation of a similar code in Asia. Programmes to implement reduced impact logging practices in tropical countries were accomplished. Studies were carried out on environmentally sound forest harvesting operations. A manual on the survey, design and construction of forest roads in mountainous terrain was prepared.

337. Country profiles for non-wood forest products were developed for over 100 countries in Africa, the Near East, Asia and Latin America. Two editions of the FAO yearbook of forest products were published in five languages. The products data in FAOSTAT are regularly updated and made accessible through the FAO Web site, and the system of data collection was streamlined through a joint questionnaire developed in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE), ITTO and EUROSTAT. The complete set (1961-2000) of estimates of woodfuel production and trade in FAOSTAT has been reviewed and revised. Surveys of pulp and paper capacities and data reports on recovered paper were prepared and distributed to member countries.

338. The role of forests in climate change was increasingly highlighted; a related new post was established and a senior expert recruited. A new Web site was developed, and an electronic newsletter on forestry and climate change was initiated with more than 1,000 subscribers from the outset. Assistance was provided to countries to build national capabilities for sound wood energy planning. The socio-economic aspects of wood energy systems were studied. A report was prepared on the economics of woodfuels and other forest products in wood energy systems.

339. Considerable analytical work was carried out on trade and environmental issues, including forest certification and the labelling of forest products. Advice on trade issues was given to member countries. Studies were published on people's participation in the marketing of forest products and on consumer attitudes towards certified forest products.

Programme 2.4.3: Forestry Policy and Planning

340. The foundations were laid for the National Forest Programme Facility - an innovative new partnership between FAO and member countries. The Facility provides support for the implementation of national forest programmes in developing countries through capacity building and information sharing. Emphasis is placed on poverty alleviation, governance, empowerment of civil society and greater participation by all stakeholders.

341. The growing awareness of linkages between forestry, poverty alleviation and food security was highlighted in a collaborative partnership between FAO and the United Kingdom, co-sponsors in 2001 of a major international forum on forestry and poverty alleviation which made a number of recommendations to the World Food Summit: five years later.

342. The State of the World's Forests 2001 was published in five languages, outlining major developments in forestry with emphasis on progress in the implementation of sustainable forest management.

343. Economic analysis focused on fiscal policies affecting the forestry sector in Africa and the development of tools and models to assist with forest investment and policy appraisal. A report was produced comparing the forest revenue systems across the whole of Africa and identifying areas for fiscal policy reform. A number of countries have suggested follow-up activities to improve their forest revenue systems based on this analysis. Tools and models have been added to the Forestry Department Web site including: computer models for forest investment appraisal; a database on sources of funding for projects on sustainable forest management; and a database of studies on the non-market benefits of forestry. The database on sources of funding has contributed to the work of the UN Collaborative Partnership on Forests.

344. Studies were carried out on cross-sectoral linkages affecting forests. Expert meetings took place in the Caribbean and in South America, in preparation for the Latin America forest sector outlook study. Studies were carried out on major issues including privatization policies and decentralization in the forestry sector. Workshops were held to strengthen the process of forestry policy and national forest programme formulation and implementation in several subregions.

345. The year 2001 marked the last year of FAO coordination of the Forests, Trees and People Programme (FTPP), a successful long-term collaboration between the FAO Regular Programme and the FAO/Government Cooperative Programme. A consensus was reached to allow regional and national FTPP networks to "fly on their own" without additional external assistance. FAO's leadership in participatory forestry will continue with a new emphasis on the "mainstreaming" of participatory processes through integration with the National Forest Programme Facility, and on institutionalizing participatory approaches in countries.

Programme 2.4.4: Forestry Information and Liaison

346. The Fifteenth Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO) was a notable success, favourably compared by many delegates with other international processes. Among the recommendations, FAO was mandated to continue its leadership role in forest assessments, forest information, and criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; to support the intergovernmental dialogue on forests; and to collaborate with other international processes such as the conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification.

347. The FAO Regional Forestry Commissions continued to expand their scope and influence as venues for bringing together the key forest policy-makers in each region. Increasingly, the regional commissions are opening their doors to all stakeholders and are sponsoring regional and subregional collaboration on specific projects and programmes to address key issues within the regions.

348. The 2000-2001 biennium saw the transition from the ad hoc Intergovernmental Forum on Forests to the United Nations Forum on Forests. FAO has an ongoing key role in supporting the international arrangements for forests by providing technical support and expertise, and by serving as a neutral forum for the discussion of key issues.

349. FAO continued to expand its role as a focal point for global forest information through the continued development and improvement of the Forestry Internet site, which is the world's most comprehensive source of country-based information on forests. Eight issues of Unasylva were published, focusing attention on timely themes and continuing to reach the widest audience of any international forestry journal in three languages. The entire Unasylva archives were posted on the FAO Web site and made available on CD-ROM.