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1. His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey, delivered an opening statement to the Conference before the formal work of the session commenced.
2. Professor Olivier De Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, delivered the Twenty-sixth McDougall Memorial Lecture, in memory of Frank Lidgett McDougall, a founding father of the Organization.
3. The 2008 B.R. Sen Award was conferred on Mr Javier Escobedo, a national of Peru, in recognition of his outstanding achievement in the development of FAO’s emergency and rehabilitation work in Haiti and the region, pioneering response, preparedness and transition to development, while serving as Regional Senior Emergency Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean.
4. For 2009, the Award was bestowed upon two officers, one of whom was Mr Luigi Damiani, a national of Italy, for rehabilitation of the Palestinian agriculture in a conflict situation through the development and implementation of a coordinated portfolio of over 30 projects providing immediate responses to crises and addressing longer-term recovery objectives.
5. The 2009 Award was also given to Mr Kevin Gallagher of the United States for the establishment of an excellent FAO country programme in Sierra Leone that reinforced country ownership and introduced creative innovations, particularly in communications and field approaches. In 2008, Mr Gallagher was appointed FAO Representative in Sierra Leone where he established, within a very short timeframe, a highly-recognized FAO country development programme that provided support under the country’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) process in defining sector development initiatives.
6. The A.H. Boerma Award for 2008-2009 was presented jointly to Ms Laetitia Clavreul, journalist for France’s Le Monde daily newspaper, in recognition of her exceptional coverage and analysis of the wide variety of issues affecting agriculture and food security both in the developed world and in developing countries, and to Mr Shykh Seraj, Bangladesh journalist and broadcaster. The award was jointly conferred on Mr Seraj for his untiring commitment to reporting on issues facing, in particular, millions of smallholder farmers in Bangladesh through print media, and most recently, through a regular television and news programme on the farming sector which has brought the problems of farmers to the attention of the broadest general public.
7. The Edouard Saouma Award is presented biennially to an institution that has implemented with particular efficiency a project funded by the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). The Award for 2008-2009 was presented to the Direction des Pêches du Ministère de l’environnement et des ressources halieutiques de la République du Tchad (Fisheries Department of the Ministry of the Environment and Fisheries Resources of the Republic of Chad) for its outstanding contribution to the implementation of a TCP project which aimed at strengthening the national capacity in sanitary control and responsible utilization of fish products.
8. The Department was represented at the Ceremony by its Director, Ms Flore Koumatey Iré, who had been designated to receive the Award on behalf of her team. The Award was conferred to the Department for its exceptional capacities in mobilizing support from key partners at both central and community levels, as well as for the adoption and promotion of innovative technical and methodological approaches, such as the platform approach, which catered for technical deficiencies and socio-economic or cultural constraints in post-harvest fisheries. Ms Koumatey recalled the significant impact produced by the project in particular for women’s groups, as well as the catalytic effects generated for the country, such as: (i) enhanced food security through reduction of post-harvest losses; (ii) the construction of the national centre for control of products of animal origin, including fish products; and (iii) the wide adoption of the technological platform approach.
9. The Margarita Lizárraga Medal for 2008-2009 was presented to Honourable Dr Abraham Iyambo, Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources in Namibia, in recognition of his distinguished leadership, nationally, regionally and internationally, in the application of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries through the implementation of responsible fisheries science, policies and management.
10. A Member of the Interim Executive Committee of the Association of Professionals in FAO spoke on behalf of the three Staff Representative Bodies, focusing his intervention on FAO Reform and the challenges in the global struggle against food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition. He indicated that FAO employees were ready and willing to do their part to implement the objectives of the Organization. He stressed that for the FAO reform process to succeed, the necessary financial resources were needed. He also highlighted the need for the creation of an Ombudsperson position as a key element for Culture Change and the strengthening of trust in the Organization. Finally, he underlined that transparency, continuous dialogue and good communication were paramount to successful reform.
11. The Conference observed one minute of silence in memory of those staff members who had died since the Conference had last met. The names of the deceased staff members were read aloud and are contained in the Verbatim Records of the Conference.
12. The Council nominated and the
Conference elected Ms Kathleen
A. Merrigan
(United States of America) as Chairperson of the Thirty-sixth Session of the
Conference.
13. The Council nominated and the Conference elected the three Vice-Chairpersons of the Conference:
Mr C. Q. K. Mustaq Ahmed (Bangladesh)
Mr Hans-Heinrich Wrede (Germany)
Ms Mary Margaret Muchada (Zimbabwe)
14. The Council recommended and the Conference elected the:
Seven Members of the General Committee
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China |
Nigeria |
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Guatemala |
Sweden |
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Jordan |
United States of America |
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New Zealand |
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Nine Members of the Credentials Committee
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Austria |
Estonia |
Oman |
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Cyprus |
Nicaragua |
San Marino |
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El Salvador |
Niger |
Sri Lanka |
15. The Conference adopted its Agenda as amended by the General Committee, and as given in Appendix A to this Report.
16. The Conference adopted the arrangements and timetable proposed by the Hundred and Thirty-seventh Session of the Council, as approved by the General Committee.
17. The Conference concurred with the Council's recommendations to establish two Commissions to consider and report upon Parts I and II of the Agenda.
18. In accordance with Rule VII and Rule XXIV-5 (b) of the General Rules of the Organization (GRO), the Hundred and Thirty-seventh
Session of the Council nominated
Mr Noel D. De Luna (Philippines) as Chairperson of Commission I and Ms Agnes
van Ardenne-
van der Hoeven (Netherlands) as Chairperson of Commission II, which the
Conference approved.
19. Mr Chris Hegadorn (United States of America) was elected Chairperson of the Drafting Committee for Commission I with the following membership: China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Indonesia, New Zealand, Spain, Senegal, United States of America and Zambia.
20. Mr Renato Mosca de Souza (Brazil) was elected Chairperson of the Drafting Committee for Commission II with the following membership: Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Uganda.
21. The Conference appointed the foregoing officers and, taking into consideration the proposals of the General Committee, in accordance with Rule XIII-2 GRO, also appointed the following Vice-Chairpersons:
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Commission I |
Mr Javad Shakhs Tavakolian (Islamic Republic of Iran) |
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Mr Fazil Dusunceli (Turkey) |
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Commission II |
Ms Hedwig Wögerbauer (Austria) |
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Ms Gladys Urbaneja (Venezuela) |
22. The Conference endorsed the recommendation of the Hundred and Thirty-seventh Session of the Council to establish a Resolutions Committee of seven Members, one from each Region, and appointed the following:
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Africa |
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Lesotho |
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Asia |
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Indonesia |
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Europe |
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Russian Federation |
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Latin America and
the |
: |
Paraguay |
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Near East |
: |
Iraq |
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North America |
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Canada |
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Southwest Pacific |
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Australia |
23. The Resolutions Committee elected His Excellency Hassan Janabi (Iraq) as Chairperson.
24. The Conference approved the functions of the Resolutions Committee and the criteria for the formulation of resolutions, as given in Appendix C of document C 2009/12.
25. 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 afternoon of the day on which such criticism had been voiced after all those wishing to participate in the discussion had had an opportunity to speak.
26. As provided for in Rule XVIII-1 GRO, Verbatim Records were kept of all Conference Plenary and Commission meetings. The Conference endorsed the recommendation of the General Committee that statements could be inserted in the Verbatim Records when time did not permit them to be delivered, taking into consideration, however, the conditions laid down by the General Committee.
27. The Credentials Committee held four meetings on 6, 12, 18 and
21 November to examine the credentials received for this session of the Conference.
A report was issued as document
C 2009/LIM/14, with 114 Members listed in List A and 52 Members listed in List
B. Two members informed the Director-General of their intention not to attend
the Conference.
28. The lists reflect the situation as of mid-day of Saturday 21 November 2009.
29. 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 General Rules of the Organization.
30. The Conference noted that, in accordance with Article III-4 of the Constitution, at the beginning of the Session 17 Member Nations (Antigua and Barbuda, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) had no right to vote in the Conference, since the amount of their arrears of contributions to the Organization exceeded the amount of the contribution due from them for the two preceding years.
31. Two Member Nations (Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi) made payments sufficient to regain their voting rights.
32. The Conference decided to restore voting rights to the Dominican Republic, Guinea Bissau, and Sierra Leone, which had requested special consideration under Article III.4 of the FAO Constitution.
33. The Conference decided to restore the voting rights to Somalia in view of the prevailing circumstances faced by the country.
34. The Conference accepted the request by Iraq and Georgia 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
1/2009
Payment of Contributions - Georgia
THE CONFERENCE,
Noting that the Government of Georgia had made a proposal that it liquidate part of its arrears of contributions over a period of six years commencing in 2010 in addition to paying each current contribution in the calendar year of assessment,
Decides that:
Notwithstanding Financial Regulation 5.5
the arrears of contributions of Georgia totalling US$ 1,217,323.08 shall be
settled through the payment of six annual instalments of
US$ 121,732.31 each from 2010 to 2015 with the remaining balance of the arrears
being subject to reconsideration and rescheduling in 2015.
1. The first instalment shall be payable on 1 January 2010.
2. 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 Georgia to the Organization.
3. Instalments shall be payable in accordance with Financial Regulation 5.5.
4. Default in payment of two instalments shall render this instalment plan null and void.
(Adopted on 23 November 2009)
RESOLUTION
2/2009
Payment of Contributions - Iraq
THE CONFERENCE,
Noting that the Government of Iraq had made a proposal that it liquidate its arrears of contributions over a period of ten years commencing in 2009 in addition to paying each current contribution in the calendar year of assessment,
Further noting that, since 1 January 2009, Iraq has effected payments of arrears in accordance with the instalment plan,
Further noting that Iraq has paid its assessed contributions for the year 2009,
Decides that:
1. Notwithstanding Financial Regulation 5.5 the arrears of contributions of Iraq totalling USD 4,928,518.30 and EUR 454,206.07 shall be settled through the payment of nine annual instalments of USD 547,613.03 and EUR 50,467.34 each from 2010 to 2018.
2. The first instalment shall be payable on 1 January 2010.
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 the Republic of Iraq 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 23 November 2009)
35. The Conference noted that the eleven Member Nations which had not written a letter requesting special consideration (Antigua and Barbuda, Comoros, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) had effectively lost their voting rights.
36. The Conference confirmed the invitation issued by the Director-General, at the suggestion of the Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session of the Council, to the Palestine Liberation Organization.
37. 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 the said provisional invitations.
38. Seventy-two Heads of Delegation intervened on this agenda item. Member Nations commented on the global agricultural and food security situation and on the issue of preparedness and effective response to food and agricultural threats and emergencies. Several Members also provided information on the agricultural and food security situation of their respective countries, and reported on policies and policy reforms. Two Observers also spoke.
39. The Conference noted with great concern the recent sharp deterioration in the global food security situation, as the food crisis and the subsequent financial and economic crisis had combined to push the estimated number of undernourished in the world to more than one billion people in 2009. It likewise noted that this recent sharp increase in global hunger had come on top of an already worrying upward trend in the number of undernourished people that had been observed since the mid-1990s. The Conference reiterated the urgency of action aimed at reversing this trend and moving onto a path of sustained reductions in levels of global hunger.
40. The Conference recognized that the task of eliminating world hunger would have to be confronted in a context of additional ever more pressing challenges, including those of feeding a growing world population, which was projected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, of meeting increasing demand for bio-fuels, with the consequent pressures on natural resources, as well as the need to ensure sustainable management of our limited natural resource base.
41. The Conference especially underlined the major threats posed by climate change, which risked jeopardizing the food security of large parts of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations and nations. It called for global agriculture to confront the dual challenge of adapting to climate change and contributing to mitigation. Sustained efforts in research and technological innovation were called for to achieve this objective.
42. The Conference noted the significant challenge of food and agricultural threats and emergencies in achieving global and national food security. Members expressed appreciation of FAO’s work in emergencies and early recovery and stressed the value of strengthened partnerships between the Rome-based Agencies, building on their respective comparative advantages and strengths. Members underscored the importance of FAO support to the development of early warning systems, preparedness and risk reduction. The Conference further noted that the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change would lead to a greater number of crises and disasters, and emphasized the need for more work on climate change adaptation. A number of Members highlighted the importance of ensuring effective transition between response, rehabilitation, recovery and development. The Conference stressed the need to strengthen institutions and build capacity at national and local levels to address agricultural threats and emergencies, noting the need for increased focus on rural women, the elderly and youth.
43. The Conference underlined that eliminating hunger, while addressing the other major challenges facing global agriculture, would require a significant stepping-up of national and international investments, public and private, in agriculture as well as food security and nutrition. It stressed the generally high levels of returns on agricultural investments in productivity-enhancing innovations, infrastructure and market institutions and highlighted the importance of special emphasis on the needs of women and the poorest and most vulnerable populations. It recalled the responsibility of all parties in ensuring the provision of the necessary resources in a timely and reliable fashion.
44. Several delegations also stressed the importance of a free and fair rules-based trading system as an essential component of combating hunger and poverty, and for avoiding a repetition of the recent food crisis. Calls were made for a successful conclusion of the Doha Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations.
45. The Conference welcomed the declaration of the World Summit on Food Security held in Rome from 16 to 18 November 2009 as an important step in mobilizing efforts to combat hunger in the world. It stressed the importance of implementation of the Five Rome Principles for Sustainable Global Food Security contained therein.
46. The Conference also underlined the need for effective international coordination and governance for food security. It emphasized the importance of the Global Partnership for Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition with the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) as a central component. In this context, it made special reference to the role of a reformed CFS in providing a platform for discussion and coordination to strengthen collaborative efforts among all involved parties.
47. At the technical level, the Conference stressed the need for coordination between UN Agencies as well as other international bodies involved in the efforts towards hunger reduction and agricultural and rural development. Specific reference was made to the need for effective coordination among the Rome-based Agencies.
48. The Conference expressed its support to a reformed FAO and commended reform efforts undertaken so far. It emphasized the need for continued and effective reform so as to equip FAO to effectively play its role in the coordinated international efforts to combat hunger and poverty and ensure agricultural and rural development.
49. The Conference welcomed the high quality Global Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Statistics prepared by the FAO Statistics Division, which took into account the findings and recommendations of the recent Independent Evaluation of FAO’s Role and Work in Statistics. The Conference recognized that the Global Strategy was essential for the improvement of agricultural and rural statistics and to meet the new and emerging demand in statistics for development policies in the twenty-first century.
50. The Conference appreciated FAO’s leadership in agricultural statistics and commended its strategic role in the development of the Global Strategy, in partnership with international organizations, developed and developing countries.
51. The Conference noted that the decennial FAO World Programme for the Census of Agriculture was very important to Member Nations’ statistics programmes. It found that FAO’s support in statistics capacity-building at country level in areas such as food balance sheets, estimation of undernourishment and economic accounts for agriculture was very useful, and suggested that the Organization step up its assistance in these and other related areas. It was confident that the Global Strategy would give a new impetus to FAO’s leadership in the international arena regarding agricultural statistics.
52. While agreeing with the key components of the Global Strategy, the Conference emphasized the importance of involving data users in its development and implementation. It also recognized that its implementation required flexibility, as local conditions were important in determining the elements of the strategy to be adopted at country level, such as the dominant role of livestock in some countries, for which good statistics for the sub-sector was crucial. The Conference was pleased to note that the Global Strategy addressed the emerging data needs, especially when taking into account the link between agricultural activities and the environment and their impact on climate change.
53. The integration of agriculture into national statistical systems was considered a very important component of the Strategy. For this reason, the Conference stressed the necessity of close collaboration between the ministries of agriculture and the national statistics offices, and noted with satisfaction that the government agencies of these two countries were closely related in the formulation of the Global Strategy. It was recommended that whenever possible rural and agricultural statistics used by FAO be collected from relevant national authorities.
54. The Conference highly appreciated the extensive consultation process in the development of the Global Strategy which involved development partners, developed and developing countries, the FAO Governing Bodies and the United Nations Statistical Commission.
55. The Conference supported the Global Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Statistics. It noted that following its endorsement by the United Nations Statistical Commission in February 2010, an implementation plan would be developed during 2010.
56. The Conference stressed the importance of a gradual implementation of the Global Strategy in countries where the statistics system was still weak and noted the strategic role that Regional Organizations could play in ensuring the sustainability of countries’ agricultural statistical systems. It was suggested that FAO develop partnerships with relevant regional and international organizations with a view to ensuring greater coherence in data and avoiding duplication in its collection. The Conference stressed that adequate resources be allocated to statistics programmes, both at national and international levels. The Conference suggested that a multi-donor approach should be utilized to implement the Global Strategy.
57. The Conference received a progress report on the International Year of Natural Fibres which was being facilitated by FAO. The Conference noted the importance of progress in raising awareness of natural fibres to expand demand and improve the welfare of the millions engaged in natural fibre production and processing globally.
58. The Conference recalled the requirement for submitting an Interim Report originating from FAO Conference resolutions 13/2005 and 2/2007. These resolutions requested the Director-General to take appropriate actions for the full implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolutions 59/250 and 62/208 on the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System (TCPR 2004 and 2007).
59. The Conference welcomed the second Interim Report submitted by the FAO Secretariat and encouraged FAO to continue working towards increased UN System-wide coherence in accordance with established mandates, harmonization, effectiveness and efficiency, while bearing in mind that national ownership, priorities and execution represented cornerstones of the development process.
60. Members welcomed FAO’s efforts to enhance its collaboration and partnerships at the field level including the ongoing Delivering as One pilot process, while noting that the independent evaluation of this pilot initiative was still pending and that intergovernmental discussions in the UN General Assembly were still ongoing. One Member expressed a reservation on the Interim Report, emphasizing that the Delivering as One approach was still subject to intergovernmental debate. As the Member was not a signatory party to the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action, the Member could not accept the link of the Interim Report to these international arrangements.
61. The Conference noted FAO’s strong commitment to the simplification and harmonization of business practices; to strengthening issues related to agriculture, food security and rural development in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF); as well as to the effective functioning of the Resident Coordinator (RC) System.
62. The Conference encouraged FAO to build partnerships in the context of UN System Reform at the country level and at Headquarters level. In this context, it was noted that investment in coordination activities should enhance synergies among UN Agencies, and thus contribute to avoiding overlaps and duplication.
63. While indicating that the reform process offered unique opportunities for more relevance and effectiveness for the Specialized Agencies of the UN System, the Conference also acknowledged the challenges of the implementation of the TCPR and the Delivering as One pilot process. These challenges included the role of the RC as a team leader for the UN Country Team and the interaction of the Specialized Agencies with their respective line ministries; inclusion of the Specialized Agencies and Non-Resident Agencies in the country level coherence process; predictability of funding; efficiency and effectiveness, and the costs of coordination; partnerships, with the UN System, as well as increased collaboration with other stakeholders; and GA Resolution 63/311 on System-wide Coherence, and encouraged FAO to continue to report on how such challenges were being addressed. In this context, several Members encouraged FAO to further report on opportunities and challenges encountered in the implementation of the TCPR and the pilot Delivering as One exercise, including on the new funding modality and on how these exercises were influencing the decentralization of FAO.
64. The Conference recognized the TCPR as the basis for enhancing cooperation in the UN System, including between the Rome-based Agencies (IFAD, WFP, FAO). The Conference recommended that FAO continue its efforts with regard to implementation of Conference Resolutions 13/2005 and 2/2007.
65. The Conference, with reference to the document C 2009/22 on Status of Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, reaffirmed its commitment to the Interlaken Declaration on Animal Genetic Resources and stressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, to contribute to global food security and sustainable rural development, to respond to global environmental challenges, in particular related to climate change, and to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals 1 and 7. It recommended that FAO, in its livestock programme, emphasize the linkages between the management of animal genetic resources, animal health, livestock policies and institutions for poverty alleviation, biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
66. The Conference stressed the essential role of FAO in supporting country-driven efforts to implement the Global Plan of Action, in facilitating international and regional cooperation and networking, providing technical assistance and capacity building, coordinating training programmes, and promoting the transfer of technologies. It encouraged FAO to continue updating and developing further technical guidelines for the management of animal genetic resources in support of the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. The Conference also urged Members to develop country-based early warning and response systems for animal genetic resources, consistent with relevant international agreements and taking into account other reporting requirements.
67. The Conference stressed the importance of addressing the particular needs of small-scale livestock keepers and pastoralists, custodians of much of the world’s animal genetic resources, and encouraged their full and effective participation in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action.
68. The Conference encouraged the implementation of the Funding Strategy for the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, adopted by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It appealed to all Members and relevant international mechanisms, funds and bodies to give due priority and attention to the effective allocation of predictable and agreed resources. It also urged FAO to support the implementation of the Funding Strategy as part of a consolidated and coherent programme that addressed all genetic resources for food and agriculture. It further requested that FAO ensure adequate Regular Programme support for the implementation of the Global Plan of Action.
69. The Conference requested the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to continue overseeing and assessing the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and to regularly report back to the FAO Conference on the status of implementation of the Global Plan of Action.
70. The Conference endorsed the report of the Twenty-eighth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI).
71. The Conference underscored the importance of issues such as sustainable small-scale fisheries development, sustainable aquaculture development, management of deep-sea fisheries and conservation of marine biodiversity and the combat against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Conference appreciated the work of FAO in the preparation of the addendums to the Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries, the International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas and its related programme of work. It supported and encouraged the current work, making special reference to by-catches management, reduction of discards, aquaculture certification and the development of a global record of fishing vessels. The Conference requested further prioritization of the Programme of Work at the next Session of COFI.
72. The Conference commended the efforts of FAO and its Member Nations in the work conducted, inter alia, through the convening of a Technical Consultation which prepared, through several sessions, a Draft Legally-Binding Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. Several Members, while stressing the importance of combating IUU fishing, stated that the Draft Agreement presented difficulties for their approval and signature in its current form.
73. The Conference endorsed the Report of the Nineteenth Session of the Committee on Forestry, including the FAO Strategy for Forests and Forestry, which was developed in consultation with all Member Nations and with the regional forestry commissions.
74. The Conference requested that future sessions of the Committee on Forestry discuss priorities for FAO’s support to Members in forestry.
75. The Conference noted the potential contribution of sustainable forest management and strengthened forest governance to climate change mitigation and adaption, and requested FAO to continue to help Members strengthen their capacities to develop effective responses. FAO’s support in the fields of forest inventory and participatory forestry was recognized.
76. The Conference supported the need for adequate resources to be provided to support FAO’s work in forestry.
77. The Conference supported the request of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to prepare a report on the state of the world’s forest genetic resources as a contribution to its agreed work plan.
78. The Conference endorsed the Report of the Sixty-seventh Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems.
79. The Conference commended the Secretariat for its analyses of the nature and impacts of commodity price volatility and supported the continuation of this work, including an assessment of the impacts of the financial crisis and the effects of recovery from global recession on commodity markets. The Conference encouraged further work on the implications of bio-fuel development. It noted the importance of sound policies in the effective management of price movements and supported the continuation of the Secretariat’s ongoing policy work, including capacity-building. The importance of the Committee on Commodity Problems as an international forum for discussion of trade policy issues was noted. Members expressed their support for a comprehensive, ambitious and balanced conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda.
80. Some Members requested that priorities should be identified for work falling under the terms of reference of the Committee on Commodity Problems, and should be set out in a document for deliberation at the next session of the Committee.
81. The Conference noted that the roles and working arrangements of the Committee on Commodity Problems would be among the subjects discussed at its next session. Some Members reiterated their concern that any changes to the Committee’s roles and working arrangements should be considered carefully and be in line with the Organization’s reform process more generally. Members asserted that there is no need for a change in the name of the Committee.
82. The Conference endorsed the Report of the 21st Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) and supported the elements contained in “Matters requiring the attention of the Conference” of the Report.
83. The Conference requested that a priority paper for the Programme of Work and Budget 2012-13 be presented by the Secretariat at the 22nd Session of COAG.
84. FAO’s important role in the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other standard-setting bodies was underlined and the inclusion in future sessions of an agenda item on matters of relevance to COAG was welcomed.
85. Members encouraged the COAG to revisit Strategic Objective G (SO-G), to reinforce aspects related to rural development and small-holder farming.
86. The Conference underlined the importance of FAO’s work on the livestock sector. In this context, it was requested that FAO ensure more recognition be given to capacity-building and the important role of women in smallholder livestock systems.
87. Members stressed the need for more coordination of efforts among all Technical Committees of FAO, in particular COAG and the reformed CFS.
88. The Conference welcomed the proposed eco-systems approach and requested FAO to strengthen its work on sustainable agricultural practices considering the role of agriculture in addressing climate change issues and the importance of genetic resources to develop new resistant varieties. In this regard, the importance of indigenous knowledge was also underscored. The Conference also recognized the importance of FAO’s engagement in the reform process of the CGIAR. Some Members urged that its Science Council remain within FAO and continue to play a crucial role in the reformed CGIAR.
89. The Conference reiterated the Committee’s request that the potential and benefits of bio-fuels be carefully monitored in light of national circumstances and that more analysis be undertaken.
90. The Conference welcomed the more focused agendas of CCP and COAG, and increased contributions by Member Nations through a Steering committee between COAG sessions. Questions regarding the options of appointing a Rapporteur instead of maintaining a Drafting Committee were referred to the 22nd Session of COAG. Some Members suggested that the Chair and Vice-Chairs should be elected at the end and not at the beginning of the session of COAG.
91. The COAG Secretariat was requested to develop a common view with the Secretariats of the other Technical Committees about the role of side events and to consult with Member Nations if and how they may be included in the Report.
92. The Conference endorsed the Reports of
Thirty-fourth (C 2009/20) and Thirty-fifth
(C 2009/21) Sessions of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). The Conference agreed that document C 2009/21-Add.1 should be integrated as Annex H in C
2009/21.
93. The Conference commended the inclusive and participatory approach taken during the CFS reform process led by the Chair and the Bureau in collaboration with the Contact Group. The Conference noted the commitment expressed in the Declaration of the World Summit on Food Security regarding the role of the reformed CFS in the global goverance of food security.
94. The Conference reiterated its support to the Committee in meeting the challenges associated with achieving its goals and encouraged the new Chair and Bureau to move forward with reform implementation plans including establishment of the HLPE, while maintaining the same spirit of openness and inclusiveness, including strengthened engagement by the Rome‑based Agencies and other key stakeholders in the work of the Committee.
95. The Conference commended WFP for its role in emergency and development assistance, as well as for its immediate response to the food crisis.
96. Many Members commended WFP’s increased commitment to enhance partnerships with other UN Agencies and stakeholders to combat hunger and malnutrition. Some Members also expressed interest in receiving in future reports more analytical information, focusing on results and impacts of ongoing partnerships.
97. The enhanced collaboration among the Rome-based Agencies was strongly emphasized and Member Nations expressed their wish to see all three Agencies showing the same spirit of collaboration. Alongside, some Members requested further clarifications on the role of each agency and the scope of partnership with the World Bank.
98. With regards to the reformed Committee on World Food Security (CFS), many Members reiterated the importance of having the three Rome-based Agencies, FAO, IFAD and WFP, participating in the CFS on an equal basis.
99. While reiterating WFP’s key role in emergency assistance, Members stressed WFP’s current transition from food aid to food assistance in accordance with its strategic plan, to address hunger and malnutrition, a transition that required stronger and innovative partnerships.
100. The Conference welcomed the role of WFP and commended it for its food assistance programs, such as school feeding, while asked to ensure its intervention also take into due account long-term sustainability issues. Some Members suggested the development of adequate handover strategies.
101. The importance of addressing the needs of small-holder farmers and their access to market was reiterated, particularly through the Purchase for Progress (P4P) interventions that support local purchases of food.
102. An appeal was launched to donor countries to scale up their support to address growing food security needs.
103. In conclusion, the Chairperson announced the endorsement of WFP Report by consensus. Further, he noted the call, loud and clear, for full and equal partnership among the Rome-based Agencies, including in the CFS.
104. The Conference welcomed the holding of the High-Level Expert Forum on “How to Feed the World in 2050”, including its substantial contributions to the preparations of the World Summit on Food Security, and appreciated the high-quality of the background documents.
105. Members recognized that the body of work produced by the High-Level Expert Forum could serve as a useful reference for future work of FAO.
106. The Conference recalled that Resolution 4/2005 was adopted during the Thirty-third Session of the FAO Conference in November 2005, which led to the Declaration by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, at its Sixtieth Session in December 2005, of 2008 as the International Year of the Potato (IYP) in order to focus world attention on the importance of the potato (Solanum tuberosum) in providing food security and alleviating poverty.
107. The Conference noted with appreciation FAO’s contribution to making IYP 2008 a memorable year by implementing IYP activities in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP) and other key partners. It expressed satisfaction with the achievements and the way forward and endorsed the evaluation report for its submission to the UN General Assembly.
108. The Conference underlined the key role played by FAO in the exchange of knowledge on the potato and for enhancing civil society and private sector involvement in making greater contribution to the potato industry in developing countries.
109. The Conference highlighted the nutritional and economic value of the potato in combating hunger, malnutrition and poverty and stressed the need to continue research for development.
110. The Conference welcomed the concise format of the Programme Implementation Report (PIR) 2006-07 and noted the coverage of technical as well as non-technical work. It realised that the same format will be used for reporting on 2008-09 performance, which would be the last PIR under the current programme framework.
111. The Conference was generally satisfied that delivery under the Regular Programme had fully utilized the budgeted resources and implemented the Programme of Work for 2006-07.
112. The Conference noted that under the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) a new results-based implementation monitoring and reporting system would be developed for the 2010-11 biennium to provide key performance information to Members, further enhancing oversight as well as contributing to the planning and budgeting process. The Conference recommended the need for consultation with the relevant Governing Bodies in order to ensure that the new Report fully respond to the expectations of Membership in this regard.
113. The Conference welcomed the creation of a new Office of Evaluation and noted the role it will play in supporting Results-based Management (RBM). The Conference stressed the importance of the Charter for the new Evaluation Office which would be submitted for approval at the next session of the Council.
114. It appreciated the quality of the document in its improved format. The Evaluation Briefs provided a useful summary of the four evaluation reports previously examined by the Programme Committee. The Conference endorsed the efforts made to enhance learning from evaluation and improving impact evaluation, including increased consultation with stakeholders and a more systematic feedback from evaluation to programming. It stressed the need to maintain balance in evaluation work between normative activities and the field programme, and noted the increased receptivity of FAO Management to the recommendations of major evaluations.
115. The Conference noted that the Programme Evaluation Report is an important document and needs to be made available in all languages in a timely manner.
116. The Conference endorsed the Strategic Framework 2010-19, recalling that it represented the outcome of extensive consultation and discussion among Members and with the Secretariat over many months. It underlined the importance of reviewing the Strategic Framework every four years for adaptation to any new challenges and opportunities.
117. The Conference observed that the Strategic Framework provided the broad principles and the specific guidance on the substance of future programmes of work of the Organization, as well as a solid foundation for results-based management. It appreciated that this new framework will further strengthen closer and broader collaboration with other UN Agencies and thus contribute to greater coherence within the UN system.
118. The Conference stressed the importance of mutual commitment on the part of Members and the Secretariat to the accomplishment of the goals and objectives expressed in the Strategic Framework.
119. The Conference welcomed the combined presentation of the Medium Term Plan 2010-13, and Programme of Work and Budget 2010-11, stressing their interdependent nature in linking resources with planned outcomes using the result-based frameworks outlined in the new Strategic Framework.
120. The Conference endorsed the Medium Term Plan 2010-13 including its frameworks for Organizational Results. It emphasised the need for improvements in prioritization, the formulation of performance indicators, baselines and targets, and the implementation of results monitoring and reporting through review by the Technical Committees and Regional Conferences, as well as the Programme and Finance Committees and Council.
121. The Conference welcomed the integrated planning and presentation of Assessed and Voluntary Contributions in the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) 2010-11. Caution was raised against over-reliance on Voluntary Contributions for Regular Programme activities.
122. The Conference stressed the paramount importance of the reform process and of guaranteed funding of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal. The Conference reiterated the concept of “Reform with Growth” and stressed the need to maintain the momentum of the reform process.
123. The Conference noted that the Council had not reached a consensus on the PWB 2010-11 and that a group of “Friends of the Chair” of Council had continued discussions to bridge gaps on important issues pertaining to the PWB, including anticipated cost increases, efficiency savings, flexibility to effect transfers between budgetary chapters, method of funding the IPA, the level of the Net Appropriation, and measures for improving FAO’s financial health. The Conference expressed appreciation for the supplementary information provided by the Secretariat on these issues.
124. Taking into consideration the diversity of opinions expressed, a group of “Friends of the Chair of Commission II” was formed to assist in reaching a consensus on the PWB 2010-11.
125. The Conference recalled that, following endorsement of proposals submitted by the Director-General to the Finance Committee and Council, the Special Reserve Account (SRA) had been drawn down by USD 6.4 million in 2006 in order to charge a portion of an unforeseen and unbudgeted General Service salary increase at Headquarters on the understanding that the SRA would be replenished by the same amount. The Conference recalled that at its Thirty-fourth Session in November 2007, it adopted a Resolution to defer the replenishment of the SRA to its Thirty-fifth (Special) Session in November 2008, which subsequently deferred the matter to the 2009 Conference. The Conference took note of the balance in the Special Reserve Account of USD 16.4 million as at 30 September 2009 and regretted that, despite the necessity of replenishing the SRA by the amount drawn down in 2006, it was again unable to consider such replenishment at this Session. It decided that replenishment of the Special Reserve Account should be re-presented, through the PWB 2012-13, to its Thirty-seventh Session in 2011.
126. The Conference clarified that, while both unidentified further efficiency savings and one-time savings needed to be achieved, the distinction was that the former required measures to attain recurring savings in 2010-11 and thereafter, while the latter should comprise initiatives aimed at realising one-time, fortuitous savings only in the 2010-11 biennium. It requested that measures for unidentified further efficiency savings and one-time savings include in particular actions aimed at containing the costs of non-staff human resources and official travel, while protecting the delivery of the technical and economic programmes of the Organization.
127. The Conference adopted the following resolution: [29]
RESOLUTION
3/2009
Budgetary Appropriations 2010-11
THE CONFERENCE,
Having considered the Director-General's Programme of Work and Budget;
Emphasizing the imperative of protecting the technical and economic programmes;
Having considered the proposed total net appropriation of USD 990,200,000 for the financial period 2010-11 at the 2008-09 rate of Euro 1= USD 1.36 which assumes US dollar and Euro expenditure equal to USD 431,550,000 and Euros 410,813,000;
Having considered that the above net appropriation is equivalent to USD 1,000,526,000 at the budget rate of Euro 1 = USD 1.38 established for 2010-11 after translation of the Euro portion;
1. Approves the Programme of Work proposed by the Director-General for 2010-11 as follows:
a) Appropriations are voted at a rate of Euro 1 = USD 1.38 for the following purposes:
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
Chapter 1: |
A - Sustainable intensification of crop production |
50,370,000 |
|
|
Chapter 2: |
B - Increased sustainable livestock production |
32,566,000 |
|
|
Chapter 3: |
C - Sustainable management and use of fisheries and aquaculture resources |
57,090,000 |
|
|
Chapter 4: |
D - Improved quality and safety of food at all stages of the food chain |
25,337,000 |
|
|
Chapter 5: |
E - Sustainable management of forests and trees |
43,569,000 |
|
|
Chapter 6: |
F - Sustainable management of land, water and genetic resources and improved responses to global environmental challenges affecting food and agriculture |
54,645,000 |
|
|
Chapter 7: |
G - Enabling environment for markets to improve livelihoods and rural development |
41,612,000 |
|
|
Chapter 8: |
H - Improved food security and better nutrition |
60,509,000 |
|
|
Chapter 9: |
I - Improved preparedness for, and effective response to, food and agricultural threats and emergencies |
7,848,000 |
|
|
Chapter 10: |
K - Gender equity in access to resources, goods, services and decision-making in the rural areas |
10,284,000 |
|
|
Chapter 11: |
L - Increased and more effective public and private investment in agriculture and rural development |
38,643,000 |
|
|
Chapter 12: |
X - Effective collaboration with Member States and stakeholders |
225,457,000 |
|
|
Chapter 13: |
Y - Efficient and effective administration |
122,914,000 |
|
|
Chapter 14: |
FAOR Programme |
88,204,000 |
|
|
Chapter 15: |
Technical Cooperation Programme |
111,694,000 |
|
|
Chapter 16: |
Contingencies |
600,000 |
|
|
Chapter 17: |
Capital Expenditure |
27,118,000 |
|
|
Chapter 18: |
Security Expenditure |
24,866,000 |
|
|
Unidentified further efficiency gains |
(12,400,000) |
||
|
One-time savings |
(10,400,000) |
||
|
Total Appropriation (Net) |
1,000,526,000 |
||
|
Chapter 19: |
Transfer to Tax Equalization Fund |
98,092,000 |
|
|
Total Appropriation (Gross) |
1,098,618,000 |
||
b) The appropriations (net) voted in paragraph (a) above include an amount of USD 39,600,000 to fund the implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action, comprising an estimated amount of USD 18,200,000 for net recurring costs and USD 21,400,000 for investment costs, as contained in the Report of the CoC-IEE to the FAO Conference on the Immediate Plan of Action for FAO Renewal (C 2009/7).
c) The appropriations (net) voted in paragraph (a) above minus estimated Miscellaneous Income in the amount of USD 5,000,000, and minus USD 2,500,000 to be carried over from the 2008-09 biennium (see paragraph 2 below), shall be financed by assessed contributions from Member Nations of USD 993,026,000 to implement the Programme of Work.
d) Such contributions shall be established in US dollars and Euro and shall consist of USD 424,050,000 and Euro 410,813,000. This takes into account a split of 43.1% US dollars and 56.9% Euro for the appropriations (net) and of 100% US dollars for Miscellaneous Income and the carry-over from the 2008-09 biennium.
e) An additional amount of USD 14,100,000 shall also be financed by assessed contributions from Member Nations to fund the After-service Medical Coverage (ASMC) past service liability. The contributions shall be established in US dollars and Euro, taking into account a split of 32.6% US dollars and 67.4% Euro, and shall therefore amount to USD 4,597,000 and Euro 6,861,000.
f) The total contributions due from Member Nations to implement the approved Programme of Work and to fund the amortization of ASMC shall amount to USD 428,647,000 and Euro 417,674,000. Such contributions due from Member Nations in 2010 and 2011 shall be paid in accordance with the scale of contributions adopted by the Conference at its Thirty-sixth Session.
g) 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 7,800,000 has been foreseen for this purpose.
2. Authorizes the Director-General to transfer any unspent balance up to USD 2,500,000 against the budgetary appropriation for 2008-09 from other budgetary chapters in favour of Chapter 17 (Capital Expenditure), with any unspent balance under Chapter 17 to be carried over to the next biennium in accordance with Financial Regulation 6.11. The precise amounts transferred will be reported by the Director-General to the Finance Committee Session in April 2010 in the final budgetary performance report for 2008-09.
3. Requests the Director-General to report to the Finance Committee on-going adjustments to the Programme of Work for unidentified further efficiency gains and one-time savings amounting to USD 22,800,000 referred to in paragraph 1(a) above which are currently not reflected in the chapter structure, noting that both within chapter transfers and transfers from one chapter to another required to implement the proposals will be handled in accordance with Financial Regulation 4.5.
4. Encourages Members to provide voluntary contributions to facilitate implementation of the unified Programme of Work under the Results Framework.
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
128. The Chair invited Professor Mohammad Saeid Noori Naeini to introduce the item, as Independent Chairperson of the Council and Chairperson of the CoC-IEE.
129. Professor Noori Naeini appreciated the significant progress that had been made in implementing the IPA. He highlighted as noteworthy achievements that results-based management had been established, the change towards a results-based culture had begun, decentralization was progressing, as was delegation of responsibility and organizational restructuring and streamlining, greater attention was being given to improved human resource management, and more effective governance was being introduced.
130. Professor Noori
Naeini also noted that such notable
progress could not have been accomplished without the spirit of trust and
increased collaboration between the Membership and the Management of FAO in
jointly endeavouring to move forward with the reform of the Organization. He
noted that considerable efforts were still needed in the future, and that the
CoC-IEE would play a key role of oversight. He referred to the successful
outcome of the World Summit on Food Security, and to the launch of the Internal
Vision Statement demonstrating that staff are “proud to work for FAO”.
131. Professor Noori Naeini concluded by inviting the Conference to adopt the Report and Draft Resolution en bloc.
132. The Chair recalled to delegates that Appendices 3, 4, and 5 were included for reference, that Appendix 5 had already been reviewed by the Council and that, at this session of the Conference Appendices 3 and 4 would be considered further.
133. The Conference thus adopted the CoC-IEE report and the following Resolution by acclamation.
RESOLUTION
4/2009
Immediate Plan of Action for FAO Renewal
THE CONFERENCE:
Mindful of FAO’s unique overall mandate for food and agriculture, cognisant of its vision of a world free of hunger and malnutrition where the food and agriculture sectors contribute to improving the living standards of all in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner, and aware of the global goals set out by the Members to foster the achievement of this vision as formulated in the Organization’s Strategic Framework 2010-19;
Recalling its Resolution 1/2008 whereby it approved the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal for implementation over a three-year period from 2009 to 2011 – a vital pathway of Reform with Growth for a strengthened, efficient, effective and responsive Organization;
Having considered the Report of the Conference Committee on Follow-up to the Independent External Evaluation of FAO (CoC-IEE) on the work completed in 2009 in the framework of the IPA, and the remaining work to be undertaken for the implementation of the IPA;
Noting with appreciation that major progress has been achieved in implementing many IPA actions in the course of 2009, along with related recommendations from the Root and Branch Review of administrative processes;
Recognizing that FAO renewal will continue to entail considerable efforts to carry out large and complex IPA projects in 2010-11, and to ensure long-term integration of culture change in the overall reform of the Organization;
Acknowledging the spirit of collaboration and trust that has prevailed between the Membership and the Management of FAO in conducting the reform process as a joint endeavour, with full engagement and interactive participation of the Members, constant support of the Director-General, and committed involvement of the Staff across the Organization;
Cognisant of the need to ensure the sustainability of the reform process in the future years:
1. Endorses the Report of CoC-IEE on the Immediate Plan of Action for FAO Renewal as given in Appendix D to this Report.
2. Decides that the Council will continue to monitor the overall progress in implementation of the IPA and report to the Conference in 2011, receiving from Management, at its regular sessions, progress reports on IPA implementation for review and guidance. In performing this oversight function, the Council will also receive, as appropriate, specific inputs from the Programme Committee, the Finance Committee and the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters in their respective areas of mandate. In this context, the Independent Chairperson of the Council will play a proactive facilitating role.
3. Decides to establish, under Article VI of the FAO Constitution, a Conference Committee on Follow-up to the Independent External Evaluation of FAO (CoC-IEE) for the duration of 2010-11, to ensure continuity of oversight, guidance and follow-up for the implementation of the IPA, supporting the Council in its monitoring responsibility. To this end, the CoC-IEE will:
a) provide overall monitoring and follow-up of the implementation of the IPA by Management in 2010-11, as well as guidance for any required improvement in this regard, without prejudice to the statutory functions of the Council and its Committees;
b) complete a report on the results of its work by April 2011 for presentation to the Conference in June 2011, formulating any recommendations stemming from the implementation of the IPA;
c) be open to full participation by all Members with speaking rights, conduct its work in all languages of the Organization, and collectively formulate its recommendations and decisions through consensus to the maximum extent possible.;
d) hold up to three meetings per year at appropriate periods of time, taking into account related sessions of the Governing Bodies to ensure proper sequencing of complementary meetings, and which will not be held in parallel with major meetings of the Rome-based UN Organizations to allow the fullest participation of Members;
e) appoint a Bureau consisting of the Chairperson and the two Vice-Chairpersons of the CoC-IEE and one representative of Member Nations per region, which will address exclusively administrative and organizational matters, and be open to non-speaking observers from the Membership;
f) be proactively supported by Management, which will provide secretariat services and the required documents for its meetings.
4. Decides that the Independent Chairperson of the FAO Council will be the Chairperson of the CoC-IEE.
5. Decides to appoint as Vice-Chairpersons of the CoC-IEE:
· Ambassador Agnes van Ardenne-van der Hoeven (Netherlands); and
· Ambassador Wilfred Joseph Ngirwa (United Republic of Tanzania).
(Adopted on 19 November 2009)
134. The Conference recalled that at, its Thirty-fourth Session in November 2007, it had requested Council to present at the next regular session of Conference a comprehensive package of incentive and other measures aimed at ensuring payment in full and on time by all Member Nations of their Assessed Contributions.
135. The Conference noted the contents of the Report of the Hundred and Thirty-seventh Session of the Council which, in considering the Report of the Hundred and Twenty-eighth Session of the Finance Committee, had taken note of the recommendation that all measures currently in place to encourage timely payment of contributions should be continued. The Conference supported the request of the Council that the Finance Committee continue to explore other means to encourage timely and full payment of contributions.
A. Constitutional and Legal Matters
136. The Conference noted that Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11)” adopted at its Thirty-fifth (Special) Session had called for the preparation of a comprehensive set of amendments to the Basic Texts for the implementation of the IPA. The Conference noted further that the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM), at its Eighty-fourth (2 to 4 February 2009), Eighty-fifth (23 and 24 February 2009), Eighty-sixth (7 and 8 May 2009), Eighty-seventh (25 and 26 May 2009) and Eighty-eighth (23 to 25 September 2009) Sessions had formulated and reviewed draft amendments to the Basic Texts. This work had been carried out under the general policy guidance of the CoC-IEE and had been endorsed by the Council at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth (15 to 19 June 2009) and Hundred and Thirty-seventh (28 September to 2 October 2009) Sessions.
137. The Conference acknowledged with appreciation the very significant work accomplished on the revision of the Basic Texts required for the implementation of the IPA and commended all parties involved in the process. The Conference noted that the governance reform, as prescribed by the IPA, involved the adoption of a set of Resolutions amending the Constitution, the General Rules of the Organization and the Financial Regulations, as well as a number of Resolutions clarifying the functions of the Governing Bodies and other governance processes, such as the Reform of Programming, Budgeting and Results-Based Monitoring System.
138. The Conference underlined that while the amendments to the Basic Texts were an essential pre-requisite for the governance reform of FAO, the reform was an ongoing process which would continue to be implemented in the course of the forthcoming years, with particular reference to the biennium 2010-2011, and would concern the functioning of all Governing Bodies and Statutory Bodies of the Organization.
139. The Conference adopted the following Resolution, through a nominal vote:
RESOLUTION
5/2009
Implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action
for FAO Renewal (2009-11)
Amendments to the Constitution
THE CONFERENCE,
Recalling Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11)”, adopted by the Conference at its Thirty-fifth (Special) Session, which called for amendments to the Basic Texts of FAO, including amendments to the Constitution;
Recalling also that the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM), at
its
Eighty-fourth and Eighty-fifth sessions, acting under the guidance of the
Conference Committee for the Follow-up to the Independent External Evaluation
of FAO (CoC-IEE), has proposed amendments to the Constitution for approval by
the Conference at its session in 2009;
Noting that the Council, at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session, endorsed the substance of the amendments proposed by the CCLM;
Noting further that the Director-General gave notice of the proposed amendments to FAO Members in accordance with Article XX, paragraph 4 of the Constitution;
Having considered the text of the amendments to the Constitution proposed by the Council in its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session;
1. Decides to adopt the following amendments to the Constitution[33]:
Regional Conferences
New paragraph 6 of Article IV of the Constitution:
“Functions of the Conference
(...)
6. There shall be such Regional Conferences as the Conference may establish. The status, functions and
reporting procedures of the Regional Conferences shall be governed by rules
adopted by the Conference.”
Technical Committees
Revised paragraph 6 and new paragraph 7 of Article V of the Constitution:
“Council of the Organization
(...)
6. In the performance of its functions, the Council shall be assisted:
(a) by a Programme Committee, a Finance Committee, and a Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters, which shall report to the Council; and
(b) by a Committee on Commodity Problems, a Committee on Fisheries, a Committee on Forestry, a Committee on Agriculture and a Committee on World Food Security which shall report to the Council on programme and budget matters and to the Conference on policy and regulatory matters.
7. These Committees shall report to the Council and their
The composition and terms of reference of the Committees
referred to in paragraph 6 shall be governed by rules adopted by the
Conference.”
Director-General
Revised paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article VII of the Constitution:
“The Director-General
1. There
shall be a Director-General of the Organization who shall be appointed by the Conference for a term of four six years. The
Director-General He shall be eligible for reappointment only once
for a further term of four years.
2. The appointment of the Director-General under this Article shall be made by such procedures and on such terms as the Conference may determine.
3. Should
the office of Director-General become vacant prior to the expiry of his term of
office, the Conference shall, either at the next regular session or at a
special session convened in accordance with Article III, paragraph 6 of this
Constitution, appoint a Director-General in accordance with the provisions of
paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. However The duration of the term of office of the
Director-General appointed at a special session shall expire at after
the end of the year of the third second regular session of
the Conference following the date of his appointment, in
accordance with the sequence for the term of office of the Director-General
established by the Conference.
4. Subject to the general supervision of the Conference and the Council, the Director-General shall have full power and authority to direct the work of the Organization.
5. The Director-General or a representative designated by him shall participate, without the right to vote, in all meetings of the Conference and of the Council and shall formulate for consideration by the Conference and the Council proposals for appropriate action in regard to matters coming before them.”
2. Instructs the Secretariat to make editorial adjustments to Article V, paragraphs 2 and 4, and Article XIV, paragraph 7 of the Constitution to use the word “Chairperson” instead of “Chairman”.
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
140. The Conference adopted the following Resolution, through a nominal vote:
RESOLUTION
6/2009
Implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action
for FAO Renewal (2009-11)
Amendments to the General Rules of the Organization
and to the Financial Regulations
THE CONFERENCE,
Recalling Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11)” adopted by the Conference, at its Thirty-fifth (Special) Session, which called for amendments to the Basic Texts of FAO, including amendments to the General Rules of the Organization;
Recalling also that the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM), at its Eighty-fourth, Eighty-fifth, Eighty-sixth and Eighty-seventh Sessions, acting under the guidance of the Conference Committee for the Follow-up to the Independent External Evaluation of FAO (CoC‑IEE), has proposed amendments to the General Rules of the Organization and to the Financial Regulations for approval by the Conference at its session in 2009;
Noting that the Council, at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session, endorsed the substance of the amendments proposed by the CCLM;
Having considered the text of the amendments to the General Rules of the Organization and to the Financial Regulations proposed by the Council in its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session;
1. Decides to adopt the following amendments to the General Rules of the Organization[34]:
Conference to meet in June
Revised paragraph 1 of Rule I of the GRO:
“Sessions of the Conference
1. The regular session of the
Conference shall be held at the seat of the Organization in the months
of June October or November, unless it is convened
elsewhere or at a different time in pursuance of a decision of the Conference
at a previous session, or, in exceptional circumstances, of a decision by the
Council (...)”
Reporting lines of the Technical Committees and Review by the Conference of the Strategic Framework and the Medium Term Plan
Revised paragraph 2 of Rule II of the GRO concerning the agenda of the Conference:
“Agenda
Regular sessions
1. (...)
2. The provisional agenda for a regular session shall include:
(...)
(c ) (...)
(iii) review of the Medium Term Plan and, as appropriate, of the Strategic Framework;
(other sub-paragraphs renumbered)
(xii) review, in accordance with Article V, paragraph 6 of the Constitution, the reports on policy and regulatory matters of the Committee on Commodity Problems, the Committee on Fisheries, the Committee on Forestry, the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on World Food Security;
(xiii) review, in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 6 of the Constitution and Rule XXXV of these Rules the reports on policy and regulatory matters of the Regional Conferences.”
Changes to terms of office of Council members due to the change of date of the Conference Session
Revised paragraphs 1 and 2 of Rule XXII of the GRO:
“Election of the Council
1. (a) Except as provided in paragraph 9 of this Rule, the Council shall be elected for a term of three years.
(b) The Conference shall make such provisions as will ensure that the terms of office of sixteen Members of the Council shall expire in each of two successive calendar years and seventeen in the third calendar year.
(c) The terms of office of all members of any one group shall expire simultaneously either on the termination of the regular
session of the Conference in a year in which such a session is held, or on 31
December30 June in other years.
2. The Conference shall, at each regular session, and after considering any recommendations of the General Committee, fill all vacancies due to the expiration of the terms of office of Council Members at the end of that session or at the end of June of the following year, in conformity with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
(...)”
Changes to Functions of the Council and reporting lines of the Technical Committees
Revised paragraphs 1 and 2 of Rule XXIV of the GRO:
“Functions of the Council
The Council, subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article V of the Constitution, shall, between sessions of the Conference, act on behalf of the Conference as its executive organ and make decisions on matters that need not be submitted to the Conference. In particular, the Council shall exercise the functions described below:
1. World food and agriculture situation and related matters
The Council shall:
(a) keep under review the state of food and
agriculture in the world, and consider the programmes of Member Nations and Associate Members;
(b) tender advice on such matters to governments of
Member Nations and Associate Members, intergovernmental commodity councils or
other commodity authorities and through the Director-General to other
specialized international agencies;
(a c) draw up a provisional agenda
for the review by the Conference of the state of food and agriculture, drawing
attention to specific policy issues which would require Conference consideration
or could be the subject of a formal recommendation by the Conference under
paragraph 3 of Article IV of the Constitution, and aid the Director-General to
prepare the report and agenda for the review by the Conference of the
programmes of Member Nations and Associate Members;
(d) (i) examine current developments in proposed and
existing intergovernmental agricultural commodity arrangements, particularly
those developments affecting adequacy of food supply, utilization of food
reserves and famine relief, changes in production or pricing policies and
special food programmes for undernourished groups;
(ii) promote consistency and integration of
agricultural commodity policies, national and international, with regard to (a)
overall objectives of the Organization; (b) the interrelationships of
production, distribution and consumption; and (c) interrelationships of
agricultural commodities;
(iii) initiate and authorize groups to study
and investigate agricultural commodity situations which are becoming critical, and propose appropriate action, if necessary, under paragraph 2 (f) of
Article I of the Constitution;
(iv) advise on emergency measures such as those
relating to the export and import of food and materials or equipment needed for
agricultural production, in order to facilitate implementation of national
programmes and, if necessary, request the Director-General to submit such
advice for action to the Member Nations and Associate Members concerned;
(v) perform the foregoing functions under (i),
(ii) and (iii) in conformity with the Economic and Social Council's Resolution
of 28 March 19472
relating to international commodity arrangements, and generally act in close
cooperation with the appropriate specialized agencies and intergovernmental
bodies.
(b) examine and advise on any issues pertaining to or arising out of the world food and agriculture situation and related matters, specially any such issues of an urgent nature, which would call for action by the Conference, the Regional Conferences, the Committees referred to in Article V, paragraph 6 of the Constitution or the Director-General;
(c ) examine and advise on any other issues pertaining to or arising out of the world food and agriculture situation and related matters which may have been referred to the Council in accordance with decisions of the Conference or any applicable arrangements.
2. Current and prospective activities of the Organization, including its Strategic Framework, Medium Term Plan and Programme of Work and Budget
The Council shall:
(a) consider, and make recommendations to
the Conference on, policy issues regarding: (i) the summary and draft
Programme of Work and Budget and supplementary estimates submitted by the
Director-General for the following financial period; (ii) the activities of the
Organization in connection with the United Nations Development Programme; the
Strategic Framework, the Medium Term Plan and the Programme of Work and Budget;
(b) make a recommendation to the Conference regarding the level of the budget;
(b) (c) take any necessary action,
within the approved Programme of Work and Budget, with respect to the technical
activities of the Organization and report to the Conference on such policy
aspects as may require decisions by the Conference;
(d) decide on such adjustments to the Programme of Work and Budget as may be required in the light of the decisions of the Conference on the budget level;
(e) review, in accordance with Article V, paragraph 6 of the Constitution, the reports on programme and budget matters of the Committee on Commodity Problems, the Committee on Fisheries, the Committee on Forestry, the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on World Food Security;
(f) review, in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 6 of the Constitution and Rule XXXV of these Rules the reports on programme and budget matters of the Regional Conferences.
(...)”
Revised cycle of Programme and Budget preparation and of Council sessions
Revised Rule XXV of the GRO:
“Sessions of the Council
1. The
Council shall hold a session as often as it considers necessary or on the call
of its Chairmanperson or the Director-General, or on
request submitted in writing to the Director-General by five fifteen or more Member Nations.
2. The
Council shall in any event hold three five sessions between the regular sessions of the Conference, in a biennium as
follows:
(a) one session immediately after the regular session of the Conference;
(b) one two sessions in the
first year of the biennium approximately midway between the regular sessions
of the Conference; and
(c ) one session not less than 120 60 days
before the regular session of the Conference; and
(d) one session towards the end of the second year of the biennium.
3. At its session held immediately after a regular session of the Conference the Council shall:
(a) elect the Chairmenpersons and Members of the Programme Committee, the Finance Committee and the Committee on Constitutional and
Legal Matters;
(b) take any action of an urgent nature arising out of decisions of the Conference.
4.
At its session held in the first year of the biennium, approximately
midway between the regular sessions of the Conference, the Council shall in
particular conduct on behalf of the Conference a world review of the state of
food and agriculture and exercise the function provided in paragraph 1 (b) of
Rule XXIV of these Rules.
5 4. At its session held in the second year of the
biennium, not less than 120 60 days prior to the regular
session of the Conference, the Council shall in particular exercise the
functions provided in paragraphs 1 (c), 2 (a) and (b) and,
insofar as possible, those provided in paragraph 5 (b) of Rule XXIV of these
Rules.
(other paragraphs of this Rule to be re-numbered).”
Programme Committee
Revised Rule XXVI of the GRO:
“Programme Committee
1. The
Programme Committee provided for in paragraph 6 of Article V of the Constitution
shall be composed of representatives of eleven twelve Member Nations of the Organization. Such Member Nations shall be elected by the Council in
accordance with the procedure set forth in paragraph 3 of this Rule. Members of the Committee shall appoint as their representatives individuals who have shown a
continued interest in the objectives and activities of the Organization, have
participated in Conference or Council sessions and have special competence and
experience in economic, social and technical matters pertaining to the various
fields of the Organization's activities. Members of the Committee shall be elected for a period of two years at the session of the Council immediately following
the regular session of the Conference. Their term of office shall expire upon election
by the Council of new Members. They shall be eligible for reappointment.
2. A Member Nation of the Organization seeking election as a Member of the Committee shall, as soon as
possible but not later than ten twenty days before the opening date of the Council session at which the election is to be held, communicate to the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council the name of the
representative that it would appoint if elected and details of his
qualifications and experience. The Secretary-General of the Conference and
Council shall circulate this information in writing to Members of the Council before the Council session at which the election is to be held. The same procedure shall apply to the nomination of the Chairperson.
3. The following procedures shall apply to the election of the Chairperson and the Members of the Committee:
(ab) The
Council shall first elect a Chairmanperson from among the designated
nominated representatives of the prospective Members of the Committee Member Nations of the Organization. The Chairperson shall be elected on the basis of individual qualifications and shall not represent a region or a
country.
(ba) Member Nations shall present their candidature for election as Members of the Committee
in respect of a specific region as determined by the Conference for the purpose
of Council elections.
(c) After
the election referred to in subparagraph (b) above, tThe
Council shall proceed to the election of elect the other
Members of the Committee, in two stages, making the necessary adjustment
to take into account the Member Nation of which the Chairman is a national and
the region to which that Member Nation belongs as follows:
(i) the
first stage shall be to elect eight Members from the following regions two
members from each of the following regions: Africa, Asia and the
Pacific, Near East; Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Near East.
(ii) the
second stage shall be to elect three Members from the following regions one
member from each of the following regions: Europe, North America, and Southwest Pacific.
(d) Except
as provided in subparagraph (b) 3(a) above, the election
of Members of the Committee elections shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 9 (b) and 13 of Rule XII of these
Rules, one election being held to fill simultaneously all the vacancies
occurring in each group of regions region specified in
subparagraph (c) above.
(e) The other provisions on voting arrangements in Rule XII of these Rules shall apply mutatis mutandis to the election of Members of the Committee.
4. (a) If the representative of a Member of the Committee is
expected to be unable to attend a session of the Committee, or
if, due to incapacity, death or any other reason he is prevented from
exercising his functions for the remainder of the term for which the Member he represents has been elected, that Member shall inform the Director-General and the Chairmanperson
as soon as possible, and may designate a substitute representative who shall
have the qualifications and experience referred to in paragraph 1 of this Rule.
The Council shall be informed of the qualifications and experience of the
substitute representative.
(b) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall
also apply to the Chairman of the Committee except that, in the
absence of the Chairman elected by the Council, If the Chairperson of
the Committee elected by the Council is unable to attend a session of the
Committee, the his functions shall be exercised by the Vice- Chairmanperson
elected in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Committee. If due
to incapacity, death or any other reason the Chairperson of the Committee
elected by the Council is prevented from exercising his functions for the
remainder of the term, the functions shall be exercised by the Vice-Chairperson
elected in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Committee until the
election by the Council, at its first session following the occurrence of the
vacancy, of a new Chairperson. The new Chairperson shall be elected for the
remainder of the vacated term of office.
5. The Chairmanperson of the Programme
Committee may should attend sessions of the Conference or
Council when the report of the Programme Committee is considered.
6. The Chairmanperson of the Council may
attend all meetings of the Programme Committee.
7. The Programme Committee shall have the following functions:
(a) to review:
(i) the current activities of the Organization;
(ii) the Strategic Framework, as well as the long-term programme objectives of the Organization, and the Medium Term Plan and any adjustments thereto;
(iii) the
summary and draft Programme of Work and Budget of the Organization for
the ensuing biennium, particularly with respect to:
- content and balance of the programme, having regard to the extent to which it is proposed that existing activities be expanded, reduced in scope or discontinued;
- the extent of coordination of work between the different technical divisions of the Organization and between the Organization and other international organizations;
- the priorities to be given to existing activities, extension of such activities and to new activities;
(iii) the
programme aspects of the United Nations Development Programme with which the Organization
is concerned;
(iv) any required adjustments to the current Programme of Work and Budget, or to the Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium as may be required in the light of the decision of the Conference on the budget level;
(b) to consider the matters listed in Rule XXVIII of these Rules;
(c) to
advice the Council on the long-term programme objectives of the Organization;
(dc) to
adopt and amend its own rules of procedure, which shall be consistent with the
Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization;
(ed) to
consider any matters submitted to it by the Council of the Director-General;
(fe) to
report to the Council or tender advice to the Director-General, as appropriate,
on matters considered by the Committee.
8. The Programme Committee shall hold sessions as often as necessary, either:
(a) on the call of its Chairmanperson acting on his own initiative or
in pursuance of a decision of the Committee or of a request submitted in
writing to the Chairperson by seven Members of the Committee; or
(b) on the call of the Director-General acting on his own initiative or in pursuance of a request submitted in writing to him by fifteen or more Member Nations.
It The Programme Committee shall in any
event hold one two sessions annually.
9. The sessions of the Programme Committee shall be open to silent observers, unless otherwise decided by the Committee. The reasons for such a decision shall be stated in the report of the session. Silent observers shall not take part in any debates.
910. Representatives of Members of the Committee shall be reimbursed for the cost of their travel expenses, properly incurred in travelling, by the
most direct route, from their duty station to the site of the Committee session
and return to their duty station. They shall also be paid a subsistence
allowance while attending sessions of the Committee, in accordance with the
travel regulations of the Organization.”
Finance Committee
Revised Rule XXVII of the GRO:
“Finance Committee
1. The
Finance Committee provided for in paragraph 6 of Article V of the Constitution
shall be composed of representatives of eleven twelve Member Nations of the Organization. Such Member Nations shall be elected by the Council in
accordance with the procedure set forth in paragraph 3 of this Rule. Members of the Committee shall appoint as their representatives individuals who have shown a
continued interest in the objectives and activities of the Organization, have
participated in Conference or Council sessions and have special competence and
experience in economic, social and technical matters pertaining to the various
fields of the Organization's activities. Members of the Committee shall be elected for a period of two years at the session of the Council immediately following
the regular session of the Conference. Their term of office shall expire
upon election by the Council of new Members. They shall be eligible for reappointment.
2. A
Member Nation of the Organization seeking election as a Member of the Committee shall, as soon as possible but not later than ten twenty days
before the opening date of the Council session at which the election is to be held, communicate to the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council the name of the
representative that it would appoint if elected and details of his
qualifications and experience. The Secretary-General of the Conference and
Council shall circulate this information in writing to Members of the Council before the Council session at which the election is to be held. The same procedure shall apply to the nomination of the Chairperson.
3. The following procedures shall apply to the election of the Chairperson and the Members of the Committee:
(ab) The Council shall first elect a Chairmanperson
from among the designated nominated representatives of the
prospective Members of the Committee Member Nations of the
Organization. The Chairperson shall be elected on the basis of individual
qualifications and shall not represent a region or a country.
(ba) Member Nations shall present their
candidature for election as Members of the Committee in respect
of a specific region as determined by the Conference for the purpose of Council
elections.
(c) After the election referred to in subparagraph (b)
above, tThe Council shall proceed to the election of elect
the other Members of the Committee, in two stages, making the
necessary adjustment to take into account the Member Nation of which the
Chairman is a national and the region to which that Member Nation belongs as follows:
(i) the first stage shall be to elect seven Members from the following regions two members from each of the
following regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Near East;
Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Near East.
(ii) the second stage shall be to elect four Members from the following regions one member from each of the
following regions: Europe, North America, and
Southwest Pacific.
(d) Except as provided in subparagraph (b) 3(a)
above, the election of Members of the Committee elections
shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 9 (b) and 13
of Rule XII of these Rules, one election being held to fill simultaneously all
the vacancies occurring in each group of regions region
specified in subparagraph (c) above.
(e) The other provisions on voting arrangements in Rule XII of these Rules shall apply mutatis mutandis to the election of Members of the Committee.
4. (a) If the representative of a Member of the Committee is expected to be unable to attend a session of the Committee, or if, due
to incapacity, death or any other reason he is prevented from exercising his
functions for the remainder of the term for which the Member he represents has been elected, that Member shall inform the Director-General and the Chairmanperson
as soon as possible, and may designate a substitute representative who shall
have the qualifications and experience referred to in paragraph 1 of this Rule.
The Council shall be informed of the qualifications and experience of the
substitute representative.
(b) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall also apply to
the Chairman of the Committee except that, in the absence of the Chairman
elected by the Council, If the Chairperson of the Committee elected
by the Council is unable to attend a session of the Committee, the his
functions shall be exercised by the Vice-Chairmanperson
elected in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Committee. If due
to incapacity, death or any other reason the Chairperson of the Committee
elected by the Council is prevented from exercising his functions for the
remainder of the term, the functions shall be exercised by the Vice-Chairperson
elected in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Committee until the
election by the Council, at its first session following the occurrence of the
vacancy, of a new Chairperson. The new Chairperson shall be elected for the
remainder of the vacated term of office.
5. The
Chairmanperson of the Finance Committee may should
attend sessions of the Conference or Council when the report of the Finance
Committee is considered.
6. The
Chairmanperson of the Council may attend all meetings of
the Finance Committee.
7. The Finance Committee shall (...) have (...) the following functions:
(a) to
review the Strategic Framework, the Medium Term Plan and the Programme of
Work and Budget for the ensuing biennium, as well as the financial
implications of the other Director-General’s budgetary
proposals including proposals for supplementary estimates, and to make
recommendations thereon to the Council regarding important matters;
(...)
8. The Finance Committee shall hold sessions as often as necessary, either:
(a) on the
call of its Chairmanperson acting on his own initiative or
in pursuance of a decision of the Committee or of a request submitted in
writing to the Chairmanperson by three
seven Members of the Committee; or
(b) on the
call of the Director-General acting on his own initiative or in pursuance of a
request submitted in writing to him by five fifteen or more Member Nations.
The Finance Committee shall in any event hold one two
sessions annually. Additional sessions may be held to provide consultation on financial matters with the appropriate commissions of the
Conference.
9. The sessions of the Finance Committee shall be open to silent observers, unless otherwise decided by the Committee. The reasons for such a decision shall be stated in the report of the session. Silent observers shall not take part in any debates.
910. Representatives of Members of the Committee shall be reimbursed for the cost of their travel expenses, properly incurred in travelling, by the
most direct route, from their duty station to the site of the Committee session
and return to their duty station. They shall also be paid a subsistence
allowance while attending sessions of the Committee, in accordance with the
travel regulations of the Organization.”
Programme and Finance Committees functions regarding the Strategic Framework, the Medium Term Plan and the Programme of Work and Budget
Revised Rule XXVIII of the GRO:
“Concurrent sessions and joint meetings of the Programme and Finance Committees
1. In the second year of the biennium tThe
Programme and the Finance Committee shall hold concurrent sessions as
required. At these sessions the two Committees shall, inter alia,
review separately the Strategic Framework, the summary and
draft Medium Term Plan, and the Programme of Work and Budget
submitted by the Director-General for the following biennium. The Programme
Committee shall consider the programme and relevant financial aspects of the summary
and draft Programme of Work, while the Finance Committee shall consider substantive
aspects of management and administrative services and the overall financial
aspects of the summary and draft Programme of Work and Budget without
concerning itself with the merits of the Programme.
2. Towards the end of During
the concurrent sessions mentioned above, the two Committees shall hold joint
meetings to consider, as appropriate:
(a) the
financial implications of the technical, management and administrative
aspects of the summary and draft Programme of Work;
(b) the
implications of the summary and draft Programme of Work insofar as the
level of the budget is concerned;
(c) the
financial implications with respect to future years of the activities provided
for in the Medium Term Plan and the summary and draft
Programme of Work and Budget;
(d) the
format to be adopted for the presentation of the Strategic Framework,
the Medium Term Plan and the summary and draft
Programme of Work and Budget in order to facilitate the review thereof;
(e) any other matters of joint interest to the two Committees which fall within their terms of reference.
3. The
Programme and Finance Committees shall submit to the Council a consolidated
report on such aspects of the Strategic Framework, the Medium
Term Plan and the summary and draft Programme of Work and Budget
as are of joint interest, setting out the main features thereof and emphasizing
policy issues for consideration by the Council or the Conference.
4. In the second year of the biennium, the Programme and Finance Committees shall consider and propose adjustments to the Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium, as required in the light of the decisions of the Conference on the budget level.”
Committee on Commodity Problems
Revised paragraph 7 of Rule XXIX of the GRO:
“Committee on Commodity Problems
(...)
7. The Committee shall take full account of the
responsibilities and activities of the Committee on World Food Security and of
the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes Executive Board
of the World Food Programme in order to avoid overlapping and
unnecessary duplication of work. In discharging its functions, the
Committee shall, as appropriate, seek to strengthen inter-action with the
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Trade
Organization and the Common Fund for Commodities.
(...)”
Committee on Agriculture
Revised paragraph 6 (b) of Rule XXXII of the GRO:
“Committee on Agriculture
(...)
6. The Committee shall:
(...)
(b) advise the Council on the overall medium- and longer-term programme of work of the Organization relating to agriculture and livestock, food and nutrition, with emphasis on the integration of all social, technical, economic, institutional and structural aspects related to agricultural and rural development in general;
(...)”
Committee on World Food Security
Revised paragraph 6 (a) of Rule XXXIII of the GRO:
Committee on World Food Security
6. The Committee shall serve as a forum in the United Nations system for review and follow-up of policies concerning world food security, including food production, sustainable use of the natural resource base for food security, nutrition, physical and economic access to food and other food security-related aspects of poverty eradication, the implications of food trade for world food security and other related matters and shall in particular:
(a) examine major problems and issues affecting the world food situation, including through the report on the State of Food Insecurity in the World, and the steps being proposed or taken to resolve them by Governments and relevant international organizations, bearing in mind the need for the adoption of an integrated approach towards their solution;
(...)”
Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters
Revised Rule XXXIV of the GRO:
“Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters
1. The
Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters provided for in paragraph 6 of
Article V of the Constitution shall be composed of not more than representatives
of seven Member Nations of the Organization. Such Member Nations shall be elected by the Council in accordance with the procedure set
forth in paragraph 3 of this Rule. Members of the Committee shall appoint as
their representatives individuals who have shown a continued interest in the
objectives and activities of the Organization, have participated in Conference
or Council Sessions and, as far as possible, have competence and expertise in
legal matters. Members of the Committee shall be elected for a period
of two years at the Session of the Council immediately following the
regular session of the Conference. Their term of office shall expire upon
election by the Council of new Members. They shall be eligible for
reappointment.
2. Nomination
of any candidate for election to the Committee shall be submitted in writing by
one or more Member Nations to the Secretary-General of the Conference and
Council by a deadline to be determined by the Chairman of the Council in time
to be circulated on the morning of the day set for the election. A Member Nation may nominate itself. Member Nations nominated shall signify their willingness to serve
on the Committee if elected. The provisions on voting arrangements of Rule XII
of these Rules shall apply mutatis mutandis to the election of Members of the Committee. A Member Nation of the Organization seeking election as a Member of the Committee shall, as soon as possible but not later than twenty days before the opening date of the Council session at which the election is to be held, communicate to the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council the name of the
representative that it would appoint if elected and details of his
qualifications and experience. The Secretary-General of the Conference and
Council shall circulate this information in writing to Members of the Council before the Council session at which the election is to be held. The same procedure shall apply to the nomination of the Chairperson.
3. The following procedures shall apply to the election of the Chairperson and the Members of the Committee:
(a) The Council shall first elect a Chairperson from among the nominated representatives of the Member Nations of the Organization. The Chairperson shall be elected on the basis of individual qualifications and shall not represent a region or a country.
(b) Member Nations shall present their candidature for election as Members of the Committee in respect of a specific region as determined by the Conference for the purpose of Council elections.
(c) The Council shall elect one Member of the Committee from each of the following regions: Africa; Asia and the Pacific; Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; Near East; North America; and Southwest Pacific.
(d) The elections shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 9 (b) and 11 of Rule XII of these Rules, one election being held to fill the vacancy occurring in each region specified in subparagraph (c) above.
(e) The other provisions on voting arrangements in Rule XII of these Rules shall apply mutatis mutandis to the election of Members of the Committee.
4. (a) If the representative of a Member of the Committee is expected to be unable to attend a session of the Committee or if, due to incapacity, death or any other reason, he is prevented from exercising his functions for the remainder of the term for which the Member he represents has been elected, that Member shall inform the Director-General and the Chairperson as soon as possible, and may designate a substitute representative who shall have the qualifications and experience referred to in paragraph 1 of this Rule. The Council shall be informed of the qualifications and experience of the substitute representative.
(b) If the Chairperson of the Committee elected by the Council is unable to attend a session of the Committee, the functions shall be exercised by the Vice-Chairperson elected by the Committee. If due to incapacity, death or any other reason the Chairperson of the Committee elected by the Council is prevented from exercising functions for the remainder of the term, the functions shall be exercised by the Vice-Chairperson until the election by the Council, at its first session following the occurrence of the vacancy, of a new Chairperson. The new Chairperson shall be elected for the remainder of the vacated term of office.
5. The Chairperson of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters should attend sessions of the Conference or Council when the report of the Committee is considered.
6. The Chairperson of the Council may attend all meetings of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters.
3 7. The Committee shall hold sessions to consider specific items
referred to it by the Council or the Director-General which may arise out of:
(a) the application or interpretation of the Constitution, these Rules and the Financial Regulations or amendments thereto;
(b) the formulation, adoption, entry into force and interpretation of multilateral conventions and agreements concluded under Article XIV of the Constitution;
(c) the formulation, adoption, entry into force and interpretation of agreements to which the Organization is a party under Articles XIII and XV of the Constitution;
(d) any other problems relating to conventions and agreements concluded under the aegis of the Organization or to which the Organization is a party;
(e) the establishment of commissions and committees under Article VI of the Constitution, including their membership, terms of reference, reporting procedures and rules of procedure;
(f) matters relating to membership in the Organization and its relations with nations;
(g) the desirability of requesting advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article XVII of the Constitution, or with the Statute of the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organisation;
(h) the policy regarding privileges and immunities to be sought from host governments for the Organization's headquarters, regional offices, country representations, conferences and meetings;
(i) problems encountered ensuring the immunity of the Organization, its staff and its assets;
(j) problems relating to elections and procedure for nominations;
(k) standards for credentials and full powers;
(l) reports on the status of conventions and agreements provided for in Rule XXI, paragraph 5 of these Rules;
(m) policy aspects of relations with international governmental or non-governmental organizations, national institutions or private persons.
4 8. The Committee may
also consider the legal and constitutional aspects of any other matters
submitted to it by the Council or the Director-General.
5 9. In considering
items referred to it under paragraphs 3 6 and 4 7,
the Committee may make recommendations and give advisory opinions, as
appropriate.
6 10.The Committee shall
elect a Chairman and a Vice-Chairmanperson from
among its Members.
7 11.The meetings sessions
of the Committee shall be open to silent observers held
in private, unless otherwise determined decided by the
Committee. Silent observers shall not take part in any debates.
8 12. The Committee may
adopt and amend its own Rules of Procedure, which shall be consistent with the
Constitution and these Rules.
13. The Chairperson and the representatives of Members of the Committee shall be reimbursed for the cost of their travel expenses, properly incurred in travelling, by the most direct route, from their duty station to the site of the Committee session and return to their duty station. They shall also be paid a subsistence allowance while attending sessions of the Committee, in accordance with the travel regulations of the Organization.”
Regional Conferences
New Rule XXXV of the GRO (other Rules will be re-numbered accordingly):
“Regional Conferences
1. There shall be Regional Conferences for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Near East, which shall normally meet once every biennium in non-Conference years.
2. The functions of the Regional Conferences shall be:
(a) To provide a forum for consultation on all matters pertaining to the mandate of the Organization within the region, including any special issues of interest to the Members in the concerned region;
(b) To provide a forum for the formulation of regional positions on global policy and regulatory issues within the mandate of the Organization or having implications in respect of the mandate and activities of the Organization, including with a view to promoting regional coherence on global policy and regulatory matters;
(c) To advise on and identify the special problems of their respective regions and priority areas of work which should be taken into account in the preparation of the planning, programme and budgetary documents of the Organization and suggest adjustments to these documents;
(d) To review and advise on the plans, programmes or projects carried out by the Organization which impact upon the region;
(e) To review and advise on the performance of the Organization in the region in contributing to the achievement of results against relevant performance indicators, including any pertinent evaluations.
3. The Regional Conferences shall report to the Council, through the Programme and Finance Committee, in the areas of their respective mandates, on programme and budget matters and to the Conference on policy and regulatory matters. The reports of the Regional Conferences shall be presented by the Chairperson.
4. (a) At least six months prior to the proposed date for the Regional Conference, the Regional Representation of the Organization in the concerned region, after consultation with the Chairperson, shall send a communication to the Members of the Regional Conference. The communication shall contain a brief outline of the programmes of the Organization of interest to the region and of the outcome of the previous session of the Regional Conference and invite Members to formulate suggestions as to the organization of the next session of the Regional Conference, with particular reference to the agenda of the session..
(b) The Director-General shall, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Regional Conference, and taking into account the process mentioned in subparagraph (a) above, prepare a provisional agenda and despatch it to Members not less than 60 days in advance of the session.
(c) Any Member of the Regional Conference may request the Director-General, not less than 30 days before the date of a session, to insert an item in the provisional agenda. The Director-General shall thereupon, if necessary, circulate a revised provisional agenda to all Members together with any necessary papers.
5. The Regional Conferences will adopt such arrangements, consistent with the Constitution and these Rules, as may be necessary for their internal working, including the appointment of a rapporteur. The Regional Conferences may also adopt and amend their own Rules of Procedure, which shall be consistent with the Constitution and these Rules.”
Appointment of the Director-General
Revised Rule XXXVI of the GRO:
“Appointment of the Director-General
1. In pursuance of paragraph 1 of Article VII of the Constitution, the Director-General of the Organization shall be appointed under the following conditions:
(a) When the term of office of the Director-General is due to
expire, the appointment of a new Director-General shall be placed on the agenda of the regular session of the Conference immediately
preceding the expiry of the term of office; whenever, for other reasons, the
office of the Director-General is vacant, or notice is received of a
pending vacancy, the appointment of a new Director-General shall be placed on the agenda of the next session of the Conference which opens not less than 90
120 days from the occurrence or notice of the pending vacancy.
(b) In consideration of
the expiry of the term of office of the Director-General, the Council shall set
the dates for a period during which Member Nations may submit nominations for
the office of Director-General. The nomination period shall have a duration of
not less than twelve months and end at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the session of the Council referred to in sub-paragraph (c) of this paragraph. The
nomination period shall be communicated to all Member Nations and Associate Members by the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council. Nominations
validly made in accordance with Rule XII.5 of these Rules shall be communicated to the Secretary-General of the Conference and Council by the date set by the
Council. The Secretary-General shall circulate these nominations to all Member Nations and Associate Members by the date likewise set by the Council, it being understood that in the case of an election taking place at a regular session of the
Conference, such date set by the Council shall be not later than 30 days before the session of the Council provided for in subparagraph (c) of this paragraph
Rule XXV.2 (c) of these Rules.
(c) Subject to such arrangements as the Council may make consistent with these Rules aimed at ensuring equality among candidates, candidates shall address the session of the Council which will be scheduled not less than sixty days before the session of the Conference and respond to such questions as may be put to them by Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization. There shall be no debate and the Council shall not draw any conclusion or recommendation from any of the statements or interventions made.
(d) As soon as possible after the opening of the Conference session, the General Committee shall determine and announce the date of the election, it being understood that the appointment of the Director-General at a regular session shall begin and be effected within three working days following the opening date of such session. Candidates shall address the Conference and respond to questions that Member Nations and Associate Members may put to them, subject to such arrangements as the Conference may make consistent with these Rules aimed at ensuring equality among candidates.
(e) Travel expenses of each candidate, properly incurred in travelling, by the most direct route from his/her duty station to the site of the Council and Conference sessions referred to in sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) of this paragraph and return to his/her duty station, as well as a subsistence allowance for up to five days per session, shall be borne by the Organization in accordance with its travel regulations.
2.(b) The Director-General shall be elected by a majority of votes cast. Until a candidate obtains the required majority, the
following procedure shall apply:
(ai) two ballots shall be held among all candidates;
(bii) the candidate having
received the smallest number of votes in the second ballot shall be eliminated;
(ciii) thereafter, successive ballots
shall be held, and the candidate having received the smallest number of votes in any one of these ballots shall be eliminated, until only three candidates
remain;
(div) two ballots shall be held among the three remaining candidates;
(ev) the candidate having received
the smallest number of votes during the second ballot referred to in
subparagraph (div) above shall be eliminated;
(fvi) a subsequent ballot, or
successive ballots if necessary, shall be held among the two remaining
candidates until one candidate obtains the required majority;
(gvii) in the event of a tie between
two or more candidates having received the smallest number of votes in one of
the ballots referred to in subparagraphs (bii) or (ciii)
above, a separate ballot or, if necessary, separate ballots shall be held among such candidates, and the candidate having received the smallest number of votes in such ballot or ballots shall be eliminated;
(hviii) in the event of a tie between two candidates having received the smallest number of votes in the second of the two
ballots referred to in subparagraph (div) above, or if all
three candidates have received the same number of votes in that ballot,
successive ballots shall be held among all three candidates until one candidate
has received the smallest number of votes, after which the procedure provided
in subparagraph (fvi) above shall apply.
3. Should the office of Director-General become vacant prior to the expiry of the term of office, the Council shall promptly make the necessary arrangements for the election of a new Director-General, subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph 1(a) of this Rule.
4(c). Subject to the provisions of
Article VII, paragraphs 1 to 3 of the Constitution, the terms and conditions of
appointment of the Director-General, including the salary and other emoluments
attached to the office, shall be determined by the Conference, having regard to
any recommendations submitted by the General Committee, and shall be embodied in a contract signed by him and by the Chairmanperson of the
Conference on behalf of the Organization.
52. The Deputy Director-General with
greater seniority in the position shall act as Director-General in any
case where the Director-General is unable to act or in the case of a vacancy in
the office of the Director-General. In case the Deputy Directors-General
were appointed at the same time, the functions shall be exercised by the Deputy
Director-General with greater seniority with the Organization, or if both have
the same seniority, by the Deputy Director-General who is older.”
Delegation of authority by the Director-General
Addition of a new paragraph 5 to Rule XXXVII of the GRO:
“Functions of the Director-General
(...)
5. The Director-General may delegate authority and responsibility conferred upon him by this Rule to other officers of the Organization in accordance with the agreed principle of delegation of authority to the lowest appropriate levels. The Director-General shall remain accountable to the Conference and Council for the direction of the work of the Organization, in accordance with Article VII, paragraph 4 of the Constitution.”
Appointment to the posts of
Deputy Directors-General
Revised paragraph 1 of Rule XXXIX of the GRO:
“Provisions relating to staff
1. The staff of the Organization shall be appointed by the Director-General, having regard to paragraph 3 of Article VIII of the Constitution. Selection and remuneration shall be made without regard to race, nationality, creed or sex. The terms and conditions of appointment shall be fixed in contracts concluded between the Director-General and each member of the staff. Appointments to the posts of Deputy Directors-General shall be made by the Director-General, subject to confirmation by the Council.
(...)”
2. Instructs the secretariat to make editorial adjustments inter alia to Rules II, III, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XXXIII, and XXXIV of the General Rules of the Organization in order to use the word “Chairperson” instead of “Chairman”, “Chairpersons” instead of “Chairmen”, “Vice-Chairperson” instead of “Vice-Chairman”, and “Vice-Chairpersons” instead of “Vice-Chairmen”.
3. Instructs the secretariat to make editorial adjustments in order to renumber Rules, paragraphs and sub-paragraphs, to insert footnotes containing references to the Conference resolutions as appropriate, and to modify Rule references as appropriate.
4. Decides to adopt the following amendments to the Financial Regulations[35]:
Revised cycle of Programme and Budget preparation and of Governing Body sessions and elimination of the summary Programme of Work and Budget
Revised paragraphs 4 to 6 of Financial Regulation III:
“The budget
(...)
3.4 The
Director-General shall submit to the regular session of the Conference detailed
budget estimates for the ensuing financial period. The estimates shall be dispatched to all Member Nations and Associate Members not less than 90 60
days before the date fixed for the opening of the session.
3.5 The
Director-General shall arrange for the summary budget to be considered by the
Council not less than 90 days before the dated fixed for the opening of the
regular session of the Conference.
3.56. The
Council shall prepare a report to the Conference on the estimates submitted by
the Director-General. This report shall be transmitted to all Member Nations and Associate Members at the same time as the estimates.
(other paragraphs to be renumbered)”
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
141. The Conference adopted the following Resolutions:
RESOLUTION
7/2009
Implementation
of the Immediate Plan of Action Regarding the Conference
(IPA Actions 2.5, 2.6 and 2.10)
THE CONFERENCE,
Considering that Conference Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11)” called for a number of actions regarding the Conference;
Considering that, in accordance with the IPA, the Conference will remain the ultimate decision making body of the Organization, determine its overall policy and strategy and take the final decision on objectives, strategy and budget;
Considering further that a series of measures were agreed to make the Conference more action oriented, focused and attractive to participation by Ministers and senior officials and to emphasize its distinctive functions, thus reducing duplicative discussions and overlapping of roles with the Council;
Noting that while such measures do not involve amendments to the Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization, given the manner in which the functions of the Conference, as the supreme body of the Organization are defined, it would be nevertheless appropriate to reflect in a Conference Resolution some distinct features of the Conference future role in accordance with the spirit of the IPA:
1. Decides that, without prejudice to the statutory functions defined in the Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization, each session of the Conference will usually have one major theme, normally defined on the recommendation of the Council;
2. Decides that, without prejudice to the statutory functions defined in the Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization, the Conference will give more attention to global policy issues and international regulatory frameworks, acting normally on the recommendation of the Technical Committees and Regional Conferences and, where appropriate, the Council;
3. Decides that plenary meetings of the Conference should be more focused on issues of interest to Members.”
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
RESOLUTION
8/2009
Implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action Regarding the Council of FAO
(IPA Actions 2.14 – 2.25)
THE CONFERENCE,
Considering that Conference Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action for FAO Renewal (2009-11)” called for a reform of the Council;
Considering further that, in accordance with the IPA, the Council should play a more dynamic role in the development of the programme and budget, drawing as appropriate on the advice of the Programme and Finance Committees, and increase its oversight and monitoring function over the implementation of governance decisions;
Noting that, in such context, the Council will have a major role in deciding and advising on matters pertaining to the implementation of programme and budget execution, monitoring of activities under the new results-based framework, monitoring of implementation of governance decisions and oversight of the administration of the Organization;
Noting further that amendments to Rules XXIV and XXV of the General Rules of the Organization have been adopted by the Conference to implement the actions of the IPA regarding the Council;
Realizing that it is desirable, under the framework established by the above provisions, and in the light of the spirit of the IPA, to clarify the new role of the Council under that framework:
1. Decides that the Council will exercise a major role in respect of:
(a) planning of work and definition of performance measures for the Council itself and for other Governing Bodies with the exception of the Conference;
(b) monitoring and reporting performance against performance indicators for the Council itself and for other Governing Bodies with the exception of the Conference;
(c) defining strategy, priorities and establishing the budget of the Organization;
(d) overseeing the implementation of the new Programming, Budget and Results Based Monitoring System;
(e) approving and overseeing any major organizational changes which do not require approval by the Conference.
2. Decides that the Council will monitor the implementation of governance decisions.
3. Decides that, in the context of its oversight functions, the Council will ensure that:
(a) the Organization operates within its legal and financial framework;
(b) there is transparent, independent and professional audit and ethics oversight;
(c) there is transparent, professional and independent evaluation of the Organization’s performance;
(d) there are functioning results-based budgeting and management systems;
(e) appropriate and functional policies and systems are in place for human resources management, information and communication technology, contracting and purchasing; and
(f) extra-budgetary resources are effectively contributing to the Strategic Objectives and the Organizational Results Framework.
4. Decides that the Council will monitor the performance of the Organization against established performance targets.
5. Decides that in the performance of its functions, the Council shall generally, act in close cooperation with the appropriate specialized agencies and intergovernmental bodies”.
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
RESOLUTION
9/2009
Implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action on
the Independent Chairperson of the Council
(IPA Actions 2.26 to 2.34)
THE CONFERENCE,
Having noted that according to Article V, paragraph 2 of the Constitution the Independent Chairperson of the Council is appointed by the Conference and exercises such functions as are inherent in that office, or are otherwise defined in the Basic Texts of the Organization,
Having regard to Rule XXIII of the General Rules of the Organization;
Having noted that, through the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-2011) adopted by Resolution 1/2008, the Conference decided that the Independent Chairperson of the Council should play an enhanced role in facilitating the exercise by the Council of its governance functions and oversight of the administration of the Organization, and “drive forward the continuous improvement of the efficiency, effectiveness and ownership of governance by the membership of the Organization”;
Conscious of the need to ensure that an enhanced role of the Independent Chairperson of the Council should not create any potential for conflict of roles with the managerial functions of the Director-General in the administration of the Organization, as called for by the IPA;
Mindful that the IPA Actions regarding the Independent Chairperson of the Council should be clarified in a resolution and be implemented in the above spirit;
Decides that:
1. The Independent Chairperson of the Council shall, under the framework established by the Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization regarding the status and functions of the office, and without restricting in any manner the general nature of those functions:
(a) whenever necessary, take such steps as may be required to facilitate and achieve consensus among Member Nations, especially on important or controversial issues;
(b) liaise with the Chairpersons of the Programme Committee, the Finance Committee and the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters regarding the work programmes of these Committees as well as, as appropriate, with the Chairpersons of the Technical Committees and Regional Conferences. Insofar as possible the Independent Chairperson of the Council shall attend the sessions of the Programme Committee, Finance Committee and Regional Conferences;
(c) as required or appropriate, convene informal consultations with representatives of Member Nations on issues of an administrative and organizational nature for the preparation and conduct of Council sessions;
(d) liaise with the Director-General and other senior officials of the Organization in respect of any concerns of the membership, as expressed through the Council, Programme Committee, Finance Committee and Regional Conferences;
(e) ensure that the Council is kept informed of developments in other fora of relevance for FAO’s mandate and that dialogue is maintained with other Governing Bodies as appropriate, in particular the Governing Bodies of the organizations based in Rome dealing with food and agriculture.
2. In nominating candidates for the office of Independent Chairperson of the Council, Member Nations should have regard to the qualities that the Chairperson should possess, including among others ability to be objective, sensitivity to political, social and cultural differences, and appropriate experience in areas relevant to the Organization’s work.
3. The Independent Chairperson of the Council shall be required to be present in Rome for all sessions of the Council and will normally be expected to spend at least six to eight months of the year in Rome.”
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
RESOLUTION
10/2009
Implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action
on Reform of
the Programming, Budgeting and Results-based Monitoring System
(IPA Actions 3.1 to 3.11)
THE CONFERENCE,
Considering that Conference Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11)” called for a reform of programming, budgeting and results-based monitoring;
Noting that this decision involves amendments to the Basic Texts, in particular to the General Rules of the Organization and the Financial Regulations, to make provision for the Strategic Framework as well as the Medium Term Plan and establish a basis for revised arrangements for the preparation of the Programme of Work and Budget;
Noting further that it is highly desirable to define in a resolution of the Conference the main features of the new Programming, Budgeting and Results-Based Monitoring System while allowing for the necessary managerial flexibility;
Noting also that the new Programming, Budgeting and Results-Based Monitoring System involves important changes in the cycle of sessions of the Governing Bodies of the Organization, in particular of the Conference in accordance with amendments made to Rule I, paragraph 1 of the General Rules of the Organization, and of the Council in accordance with amended Rule XXV of the General Rules of the Organization;
Emphasizing that, under the above revised Rules, and the framework established by the General Rules of the Organization and the Rules of Procedure of the Programme and the Finance Committees, the Technical Committees and the Regional Conferences will need to change the cycle of their sessions in order to play their due roles in the new Programming, Budgeting and Results-Based Monitoring System;
1. Decides to introduce revised programme and budget documentation consisting of the following components which, as appropriate, could be incorporated in a single document:
(a) a Strategic Framework prepared for a period of ten to fifteen years, reviewed every four years and including, inter alia, an analysis of the challenges facing food, agriculture and rural development and populations dependent thereon, including consumers; a strategic vision, the goals of Members in areas of FAO’s mandate, as well as Strategic Objectives to be achieved by Members and the international community with support from FAO, including targets and indicators of achievement;
(b) a Medium Term Plan covering a period of four years and reviewed each biennium, including:
(i) Strategic Objectives for achievement by Members and the international community with support from FAO, in accordance with the Strategic Framework;
(ii) Frameworks for organizational results including specific
outcomes which shall contribute to the achievement of the Strategic Objectives
by FAO
Members and the international community. Insofar as possible organizational
results will have specific achievement targets, performance indicators,
relevant assumptions, show the contribution of FAO and indicate the budgetary
provisions from assessed contributions and estimated extra-budgetary resources,
which may condition the attainment of targets. Gender will be fully integrated into the Strategic-Framework and Medium Term Plan and will no longer have a
separate Gender and Development Plan of Action;
(iii) an identification of impact focus areas, as priority groups of results aimed at mobilizing extra-budgetary resources, improving oversight of extra-budgetary resources in key impact areas and increasing coherence between activities financed by the Regular Programme and extra-budgetary resources;
(iv) functional objectives aimed at ensuring that organizational processes and administration work towards improvements in a results-based framework.
(c) a Programme of Work and Budget covering biennial periods, clearly
identifying the share of resources devoted to administrative work, anchored in
a results-based framework and including the following elements:
(i) organizational results framework (outcomes) established in accordance with the Medium Term Plan, including organizational responsibility for each result;
(ii) quantification of costs for all organizational results and related commitments;
(iii) calculation of cost increases and planned efficiency gains;
(iv) provision for long-term liabilities and reserve funds;
(v) a draft Conference resolution of approval of the programme of work and the appropriations.
2. Decides to introduce a revised system of monitoring of performance based on achievement of planned results, including a revised biennial Programme Implementation Report. Each report will cover the previous biennium and provide information on delivery, targets and indicators of results, as well as efficiency indicators for functional objectives.
3. Decides to introduce a revised schedule of sessions of the Governing Bodies of the Organization for the implementation of the new Programming, Budgeting and Results-Based Monitoring system. The revised schedule of sessions will take into account the fact that the Conference shall hold its regular session in June of the year prior to the beginning of the biennium and will allow the Governing Bodies to participate in the process of preparation and adjustment of the Strategic Framework, the Medium Term Plan and the Programme of Work and Budget, and to monitor performance against relevant performance indicators. The new schedule of sessions of the Governing Bodies will be generally in accordance with the attached table, subject however to necessary adjustments to meet unforeseen circumstances or particular requirements.”
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
RESOLUTION 11/2009
Implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action on Ministerial Meetings
(IPA Actions 2.66 and 2.67)
THE CONFERENCE,
Having noted that “Ministerial Meetings” have been held occasionally after sessions of standing committees, established under Article V, paragraph 6 of the Constitution,
Having noted further the need to clarify the conditions regarding the convening of such “Ministerial Meetings” in the future, as called for by the Immediate Plan of Action for FAO Renewal (2009-2011),
Recalling Article V, paragraph 5 of the Constitution,
Decides:
1. Ministerial Meetings, held in conjunction with sessions of technical committees established under Article V, paragraph 6 of the Constitution, may be convened from time to time as decided by the Conference or Council, when matters developed at technical level are deemed to require political endorsement or visibility.
2. Subject to the decision of Conference or Council, Ministerial Meetings should not deal with programme and budget matters which are addressed in the context of the programme of work and budget process, nor with matters primarily of a regional, technical or scientific nature which are normally considered by statutory bodies of the Organization.
3. Ministerial Meetings shall normally report to the Conference, except that any relevant issues having programme or budget implications shall be referred to the Council.”
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
142. The Conference approved the definition of Governing Bodies contained in section H of document C 2009/LIM/8.
143. The Conference endorsed the overall future structure of the Basic Texts of FAO corresponding to existing Volume I, with the amended instruments, and new Volume II as set out in Section G of document C 2009/LIM/8 Rev 1. The Conference noted that some Parts of the Basic Texts would remain under review and that amendments thereto might be required in future. The Conference requested the secretariat to discharge such tasks of an editorial nature as would be required for the organization of the Basic Texts, including the renumbering of Rules, paragraph and sub-paragraphs, as appropriate, and the insertion of footnotes containing references to Conference Resolutions whenever necessary.
a)
Draft Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal,
Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
144. The Conference noted that the draft Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing was the result of a long process of negotiations involving, inter alia, the convening of a Technical Consultation to Draft a Legally-binding Instrument on Port State Measures, which held several sessions in 2008 and 2009.
145. The Conference also noted that the report of this Technical Consultation had been referred to it and that some Members had made a number of statements which had been recorded in that Report. The Conference noted that the draft Agreement had been reviewed by the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters at its Eighty-eighth Session (23 to 25 September 2009) and by the Council at its Hundred and Thirty-seventh Session (28 September to 2 October 2009).
146. Some Members of the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean made a proposal that the draft Conference Resolution be amended in order to make provision for an Extraordinary Session of the Committee on Fisheries for consideration of the draft Agreement. After a debate, the proposal was put to a vote but was not accepted. Declarations made in this context can be found in C 2009/PV/8.
147. The Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing is found in Appendix E to this Report. The Conference adopted, under Article XIV, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, through a nominal vote, the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION
12/2009
Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal,
Unreported
and Unregulated Fishing
THE CONFERENCE,
Considering that the Council, at its Hundred and Thirty-second Session held in June 2007, noted that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing remained a serious concern and welcomed the initiative to start a process leading to the adoption of a legally-binding international agreement establishing control measures in ports and that such agreement be based on the FAO Model Scheme to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing;
Noting that a draft Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing developed by the FAO Expert Consultation to Draft a Legally-binding Instrument on Port State Measures in September 2007 served as a basis for the review and elaboration by the Technical Consultation to Draft a Legally-binding Instrument on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, held initially in June 2008, with resumed sessions in January, May and August 2009;
Recognizing that the Twenty-eighth Session of the Committee on Fisheries in March 2009 urged that the legally-binding instrument be concluded as soon as possible;
Acknowledging that the Council, subsequently, at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session in June 2009 underscored the importance of combating IUU fishing including the early finalization of a legally-binding instrument on port State measures;
Acknowledging further that the text of the draft Agreement was finalized on 28 August 2009 by the Technical Consultation to Draft a Legally-binding Instrument on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing;
Having considered the Report of the Eighty-eighth Session of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters held in September 2009;
Having examined the text of the draft Agreement submitted by the Hundred and Thirty-seventh Session of the Council held in September and October 2009:
(Adopted
on 22 November 2009)
148. The delegation of Colombia stated that it was their intention to abstain.
149. Several Members, including Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela, made statements on the occasion of the adoption of the Agreement, which were recorded in the Verbatim Records of the Conference. [37]
150. The Conference noted that the Agreement had been opened for signature in the course of a ceremony held on the occasion of the Conference and would be open for signature for a period of one year, from 22 November 2009 until 21 November 2010.
b) Reform of the Committee on World Food Security
151. The Conference noted that the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) at its Thirty-fifth Session held from 14 to 17 October 2009 had approved document CFS 2009/2 Rev.1 “Reform of the Committee on World Food Security” which had been under negotiation within the Contact Group for the reform of the CFS. The CFS had requested that amendments to the Basic Texts of the Organization be prepared by the Secretariat for review by the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM) and subsequent adoption by the concerned Governing Bodies of the Organization.
152. The Conference noted that, at is Eighty-ninth Session held on 27 and 28 October 2009, the CCLM reviewed a set of amendments to the Basic Texts of the Organization, as well as a number of related actions for the implementation of the reform of the Committee on Food Security which would still be under review by the Bureau of the Committee. The Conference reviewed the Report of the Eighty-ninth Session of the CCLM and expressed satisfaction at the work accomplished.
153. The Conference adopted, through a nominal vote, the following Resolution setting forth amendments to the Constitution for the implementation of the reform of the Committee on World Food Security:
RESOLUTION
13/2009
Reform of the Committee on World Food Security
Amendments to the Constitution
THE CONFERENCE:
Recalling the proposed constitutional amendments
submitted by France to the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM)
and to the Council of the Organization at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session,
held in Rome, from 15 to 19 June 2009, as contained in document
CL 136/LIM/2;
Noting that the Council, at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session, took note of the proposed constitutional amendments and mandated the Contact Group of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) to further discuss these amendments and advise, through the CCLM, the Conference in November to take a decision on the said amendments, in light of the outcome of the discussions of the Contact Group of the CFS;
Noting further that the Director-General gave notice of the proposed amendments to FAO Members in accordance with Article XX, paragraph 4 of the Constitution;
Recalling that the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), at its Thirty-fifth session, held in Rome from 14 to 17 October 2009, approved document CFS 2009/2 Rev. 1 “Reform of the Committee on World Food Security”;
Recalling also that the CCLM, at its Eighty-ninth session, has reviewed again the
proposed amendments to the Constitution in the light of document CFS 2009/2 Rev. 1 “Reform of the Committee on World Food Security” and the proposed
amendments to other Basic Texts of the Organization regarding the status of the
CFS and decided to forward the proposed amendments for approval by the
Conference, at its Thirty-sixth session to be held in Rome from 18 to
23 November 2009;
Having considered the text of the amendments to the Constitution proposed by the CCLM in its Eighty-ninth Session;
Having considered further that there is a need to harmonize the proposed amendments to the Constitution for the reform of the CFS with the proposed amendments to the Constitution for the implementation of Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11)”;
1. Decides to adopt the following amendment to Article III of the Constitution[38]:
“Article III
The Conference
(...)
9. The Conference shall be assisted by a Committee on World Food Security. This Committee shall report to the Conference and to the United Nations General Asssembly (UNGA), through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Conference. Its composition and terms of reference shall be governed by rules adopted by the Conference.”
2. Decides
that new paragraph 6 (b) of Article V of the Constitution, as amended to
implement the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11) by the
current session of the Conference shall be adjusted as follows:
“Article V
Council of the Organization
(...)
6. In the performance of its functions, the Council shall be assisted:
(a) by a Programme Committee, a Finance Committee, and a Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters, which shall report to the Council; and
(b) by a Committee on Commodity Problems, a Committee on
Fisheries, a Committee on Forestry, and a Committee on Agriculture
and a Committee on World Food Security which shall report to the Council
on programme and budget matters and to the Conference on policy and regulatory
matters.”
3. Decides that the Committee on World Food Security, as provided for in proposed paragraph 17 of Rule XXXIII of the General Rules of the Organization, shall report to the Council on programme and budget matters.
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
154. The Conference adopted, through a nominal vote, the following Resolution setting forth amendments to the General Rules of the Organization:
RESOLUTION 14/2009
Reform of the Committee on World Food Security
Amendments to the General Rules of the Organization
THE CONFERENCE,
Noting that the Bureau of the Committee on World Food Security and the Contact Group of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) have developed proposals for a comprehensive reform of the Committee on World Food Security;
Recalling that the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), at its Thirty-fifth
session, held in Rome from 14 to 17 October 2009, reviewed and adopted the
proposals set out in document
CFS 2009/2 Rev. 1 “Reform of the Committee on World Food Security”;
Recalling that the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM), at its Eighty-ninth session, has examined a set of proposed amendments to the General Rules of the Organization and revised Rules of Procedure for the implementation of document CFS 2009/2 Rev.1 “Reform of the Committee on World Food Security”, and decided to forward the proposed amendments to the General Rules of the Organization to the Conference for approval, at its Thirty-sixth session to be held in Rome from 18 to 23 November 2009;
Having considered that there is a need to harmonize the proposed amendments to the General Rules of the Organization for the reform of the CFS with the proposed amendments for the implementation of Resolution 1/2008 “Adoption of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-11)” and that this task strictly of an editorial nature should be performed by the Secretariat;
Having considered further that, given its importance, document CFS 2009/2 Rev.1 “Reform of the Committee on World Food Security” should be inserted in Volume II of the Basic Texts of the Organization, following the necessary editorial review by the Bureau of the CFS and the CCLM;
1. Decides
to adopt the following amendments to the General Rules of the Organization [39]:
“Rule XXXIII
Committee on World Food
Security
A. Composition and participation
1. The Committee on
World Food Security provided for in paragraph 6 9 of Article V
III of the Constitution shall be open to all Members Nations
of the Organization, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for
Agricultural Development, and all or non-member States of the
Organization that are Members States of the United Nations or
any of its Specialized Agencies. It shall be composed of those States or
the Member Organization of FAO which notify the Director-General, in
writing, of their desire to become Members of the Committee and of their
intention to participate in the work of the Committee.
2. The notifications
referred to in paragraph 1 may be made at any time, and Membership
acquired on the basis thereof shall be considered valid unless the Member has
not been represented at two consecutive sessions of the Committee, or has
notified its withdrawal from it the Committee. The
Director-General shall circulate, at the beginning of each session of the
Committee, a document listing the Members of the Committee.
3. Representatives of organizations of the United Nations System, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, international non-governmental organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations and other relevant actors of civil society, including representatives of the private sector, shall be able to participate in the proceedings of the Committee. Taking into account requests for participation, as well as any relevant considerations, the Committee shall agree and keep under review at its regular sessions a list of organizations, including a minimum number of non-governmental civil society organizations as may be proposed following consultation, which shall be allowed to participate in its sessions under this paragraph. The Committee may decide to remove from this list an organization which has not been represented at two consecutive sessions of the Committee or which has notified the Director-General of its intention not to participate in the work of the Committee.
4. Representatives of organizations allowed to take part in the proceedings of the Committee under paragraph 3 may take part in any debates within the Committee without having to wait until Members have intervened and present documents and formal proposals under such conditions as may be decided by the Committee, in accordance with these Rules, the Rules of Procedure and such other procedures as the Committee may establish, provided however that voting and decision-making shall remain the exclusive prerogative of Members referred to in paragraph 1 of this Rule.
5. Any Member of the Organization or Member State of the United Nations or any of its Specialized Agencies that is not a Member of the Committee, may attend a session of the Committee in an observer capacity. In addition, the Committee, acting on a recommendation of the Bureau, may invite other interested organizations, upon request, to participate as observers in meetings of the Committee or for the discussion of specific items. Observers may intervene in debates upon invitation from the Chairperson.
6.3 The
Committee shall normally hold two sessions during each biennium. Sessions shall
be convened by the Director-General, in consultation with the Chairmanperson
and the Bureau of the Committee, taking into account any proposals made by
the Committee. 4 If required, the Committee may hold additional sessions
on the call of the Director-General in consultation with its the
Chairmanperson and the Bureau, or on request submitted in writing
to the Director-General by the majority of Members of the Committee.
5. The Committee
shall contribute to promoting the objective of world food security with the aim
of ensuring that all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food
preferences for an active and healthy life.
6. The Committee
shall serve as a forum in the United Nations system for review and follow-up of
policies concerning world food security, including food production, sustainable
use of the natural resource base for food security, nutrition, physical and
economic access to food and other food security related aspects of poverty
eradication, the implications of food trade for world food security and other
related matters and shall in particular:
(a) examine major
problems and issues affecting the world food situation, and the steps being
proposed or taken to resolve them by Governments and relevant international
organizations, bearing in mind the need for the adoption of an integrated
approach towards their solution;
(b) examine the
implications for world food security of other relevant factors, including the
situation relating to the supply and demand of basic foodstuffs and food aid
requirements and trends, the state of stocks in exporting and importing
countries and issues relating to physical and economic access to food and other
food security related aspects of poverty eradication; and
(c) recommend such action as
may be appropriate to promote the goal of world food security.
7. The Committee
shall serve as the forum in the United Nations system for the monitoring of the
implementation of the Plan of Action adopted by the World Food Summit in
accordance with the relevant commitment of the Summit.1
B. Vision and Roles of the Committee on World Food Security
7. The Committee on World Food Security is an intergovernmental Committee of FAO. As a central component of the evolving Global Partnership for Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, the Committee shall constitute the foremost inclusive international and intergovernmental platform for a broad range of committed stakeholders to work together in a coordinated manner and in support of country-led processes towards the elimination of hunger and ensuring food security and nutrition for all human beings. The Committee shall strive for a world free of hunger where countries implement the “Voluntary Guidelines for the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security”.
8. The roles of the CFS shall be:
(a) Coordination at global level. The Committee shall provide a platform for discussion and coordination to strengthen collaborative action among Governments, regional organizations, international organizations and agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, food producers’ organizations, private sector organizations, philanthropic organizations and other relevant stakeholders, in a manner that is in alignment with each country’s specific context and needs.
(b) Policy convergence. The Committee shall promote greater policy convergence and coordination including through the development of international strategies and voluntary guidelines on food security and nutrition on the basis of best practices, lessons learned from local experience, inputs received from national and regional levels, and expert advice and opinions from different stakeholders.
(c) Support and advice to countries and regions. At the request of countries or regions the Committee shall facilitate support or advice in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their nationally and regionally owned plans of action for the elimination of hunger, the achievement of food security and the practical application of the “Voluntary Guidelines for the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of Food Security” that shall be based on the principles of participation, transparency and accountability.
9. The Committee shall gradually assume additional roles such as:
(a) Coordination at national and regional levels. The Committee shall serve as a platform to promote greater coordination and alignment of actions in the field, encourage more efficient use of resources and identify resource gaps. As the reform progresses, the Committee shall build, as appropriate, on the coordination work of the United Nations’ High Level Task Force. One guiding principle to support this role shall be to build on and strengthen existing structures and linkages with key partners at all levels. Key partners include national mechanisms and networks for food security and nutrition, the United Nations country teams and other coordinating mechanisms such as the International Alliance Against Hunger and its National Alliances, food security thematic groups, regional intergovernmental bodies and a large number of civil society networks and private sector associations operating at the regional and national levels. In each case, the functional contributions that they could make, as well as how the Committee could strengthen linkages and enhance synergy with such partners would have to be established.
(b) Promotion of accountability and sharing of best practices at all levels. One of the main objectives of the Committee on World Food Security has been to monitor actively the implementation of the Plan of Action of the World Food Summit of 1996. Although countries are taking measures to address food insecurity, the specific programmes as they are presented do not necessarily help to report quantitatively on progress towards realizing the objectives of the Plan of Action of the World Food Summit of 1996. The Committee should help countries and regions, as appropriate, to address the questions of whether objectives are being achieved and how food insecurity and malnutrition can be reduced more quickly and effectively. This will entail developing an innovative mechanism, including the definition of common indicators, to monitor progress towards these agreed-upon objectives and actions taking into account lessons learned by the Committee on World Food Security and other monitoring attempts. Comments by all stakeholders of the Committee will have to be taken into account and new mechanisms will build on existing structures.
(c) Development of a Global Strategic Framework for food security and nutrition in order to improve coordination and guide synchronized action by a wide range of stakeholders. The Global Strategic Framework shall be flexible so that it can be adjusted as priorities change. It shall build upon existing frameworks such as the United Nations Comprehensive Framework for Action, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme and the Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security.
C. Chairperson, Bureau and Advisory Group of the Bureau of the Committee on World Food Security
10. The Committee shall elect a Bureau, including a Chairperson, under such conditions as may be established in the Rules of Procedure. The Bureau shall exercise such functions as may be defined in these Rules or in the Rules of Procedure. The Bureau shall be assisted by an Advisory Group which shall be established in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
D. High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition
11. The Committee shall be assisted by a High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition, hereinafter referred to as the High Level Panel. The functions of the High-Level Panel shall be:
(a) to assess and analyze the current state of food security and nutrition and its underlying causes;
(b) to provide scientific and knowledge-based analysis and advice on policy-relevant issues, utilizing existing high-quality research data and technical studies;
(c) to identify emerging issues and assist the Committee and its Members to prioritize future actions and attention on key focal areas.
12. The High-Level Panel shall consist of a Steering Committee and a subsidiary network of food security and nutrition experts organized on the basis of ad hoc project teams.
13. The Steering Committee shall consist of between ten and fifteen highly reputable, internationally-recognized experts on food security and nutrition- related fields, appointed in their personal capacity for a term of office of two years, renewable only once. The members of the Steering Committee shall be appointed by the Bureau of the Committee on the basis of a recommendation of an ad hoc selection committee consisting of representatives of FAO, the World Food Programme, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Bioversity International and a representative of civil society organizations. The Steering Committee shall normally hold two sessions every year, unless otherwise decided by the Committee itself in extraordinary circumstances. The functions of the Steering Committee shall be:
(a) to ensure and follow the preparation of state-of-the-art studies and analysis for consideration by the Committee on a variety of food security and nutrition issues;
(b) to assemble expert project teams to prepare studies and analysis in support of decisions of the Committee;
(c ) to establish and keep under review working methodologies, plans of work and terms of reference for project teams and, in general, manage their work;
(d) to review work methodologies and to propose work plans;
(e) to perform such related functions as may be required.
14. There shall be a database of experts on all relevant fields related to food security and nutrition who may be nominated by Members of the Committee or any other interested party participating in the proceedings of the Committee. Drawing from this database, the Steering Committee shall constitute ad hoc project teams to analyse and report on such issues as may be referred by the Steering Committee to the team. The project teams shall be constituted for pre-determined periods of time and shall be responsible for drafting studies and analysis under the general direction and oversight of the Steering Committee.
E. Secretariat
15. A secretary shall be appointed, in accordance with such conditions as may be established by the Committee, to serve the Committee, including the Bureau and the High Level Panel of Experts, and to exercise liaison functions in connection with all the activities of the Committee. The Secretariat shall include staff members from the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, among others, as may be assigned to it.
F. Reporting
16.9. The
Committee shall provide regular reports to the Economic and Social Council of
the United Nations (ECOSOC), through the Council of the Organization.
The reports of the Committee shall be referred to the Conference of the
Organization and to the General Assembly of the United Nations through the
Conference and the Economic and Social Council.
17. 8 The
Committee shall report to the Council on programme and budget matters. of
the Organization and tender advice to the Director-General, and relevant
international organizations as appropriate, on any matter considered by the
Committee, it being understood that copies of its reports, including any
conclusions, will be transmitted without delay to interested governments and
international organizations. 10. Without restricting the general
nature of this principle, Aany recommendation adopted by the
Committee affecting the programme or finances of the Organization,
or concerning legal or constitutional matters, shall be reported to the
Council with the comments of the appropriate subsidiary committees of the
Council, as required. The reports of the Committee, or related
extracts therefrom, shall also be placed before the Conference.
18. Any recommendations adopted by the Committee which affect the programme or finances or legal or constitutional aspects of the United Nations, any Specialized Agencies, programmes or funds shall be reported to their appropriate bodies for consideration.
G. Miscellaneous provisions
19. 11 The
Committee shall, as necessary, draw on the advice, as necessary,
of the Committee on Commodity Problems and its subsidiary bodies, the Committee
on Agriculture and other technical committees of the Council as appropriate, and
the Executive Board of the World Food Programme and the Governing Council of
the International Fund for Agricultural Development. In particular, it
the Committee shall take full account of the responsibilities and
activities of these and other intergovernmental bodies responsible for aspects
of food security, in order to avoid overlapping and unnecessary duplication of
work.
12. The Committee
shall invite relevant international organizations to participate in the work of
the Committee and the preparation of meeting documents on matters within their
respective mandates in collaboration with the secretariat of the Committee.
20. 13 In order
to ensure the effective discharge of its functions, the Committee may request
the Members to furnish all information required for its work, it being
understood that, where so requested by the governments concerned Governments,
the information supplied shall be kept held on a restricted
basis.
21.14 The
Director-General of the Organization, the Executive Director of the World
Food Programme and the President of the International Fund for Agricultural
Development or his their representatives shall
participate in all meetings of the Committee and may be accompanied by such
officers of their staff of the Organization as he they may
designate.
22. 15 The
Committee shall elect, from among its Members, its Chairman and the other
officers. It may adopt and amend its rules of procedure, which shall be
consistent with the Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization.
23. 16 The
Committee may decide to establish subsidiary or ad hoc bodies where it
considers that such action would expedite its own work, without duplicating the
work of existing bodies. A decision to this effect may be taken only after the
Committee has examined a report by the Director-General on the administrative
and financial implications.
24. 17 When
establishing subsidiary or ad hoc bodies, the Committee shall define
their terms of reference, composition, and, as far as possible, the duration of
their mandate. Subsidiary bodies may adopt their own rules of procedure, which
shall be consistent with those of the Committee.
2. Requests
the Secretariat to harmonize the proposed amendments to the General Rules of
the Organization for the reform of the CFS with those regarding the
implementation of the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal
(2009-11), especially as regards Rule XXXIII of the General Rules of the
Organization;
3. Invites the Bureau of the CFS to review and propose adjustments to the revised Rules of Procedure of the CFS set out in Appendix III to the Report of the Eighty-ninth Session of the CCLM, in light of the new structure and modus operandi of the Committee, for adoption by the CFS at its session of 2010. The Bureau is also invited to draw, as appropriate, on the advice of the CCLM;
4. Decides that document CFS 2009/2-Rev. 1 “Reform of the Committee on World Food Security” shall be inserted in Volume II of the Basic Texts, after the necessary editorial review by the Bureau of the CFS and the CCLM and that, any issues regarding the future status and operation of the CFS that are not covered in the General Rules of the Organization or the revised Rules of Procedure of the CFS shall be addressed, as appropriate, by reference to that document.
(Adopted on 22 November 2009)
c) Proposed Increase in Membership of the Council
155. The Conference noted that the Dominican Republic, acting on behalf of the Group of 77, had proposed an amendment to the Constitution of FAO increasing the number of Council seats from 49 to 61. The Conference noted further that, as required by Article XX, paragraph 3 of the Constitution, the Director-General had informed all Members of the proposed amendment. The Conference further noted that the Dominican Republic, acting on behalf of the Group of 77, had proposed two draft Conference Resolutions amending the Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization for the immediate implementation of the proposal.
156. The Conference agreed to defer consideration of the draft Conference Resolutions. Meanwhile, the Conference decided to establish an Open-Ended Working Group which, in the course of the biennium 2010-2011, would review and make recommendations regarding measures designed to increase the efficiency of the Governing Bodies, including representation. The Working Group would draw, as appropriate, on the advice of the relevant Governing Bodies of FAO and report to the Conference through the Council. In this context, the Chair of the Near East region, speaking on behalf of the region, stated that this region was not adequately represented in the Council, and that there was a need to review such representation.
B. Administrative and Financial Matters
157. The Conference took note of the Audited Accounts 2006-2007 and the Report of the External Auditor, as reviewed by the Finance Committee at its Hundred and Twenty-third Session and by the Council at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session, and adopted the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION 15/2009
FAO
Audited Accounts 2006-2007
THE CONFERENCE,
Having considered the Report of the 136th Session of the Council, and
Having examined the 2006-07 FAO Audited Accounts and the External Auditor’s Report thereon
Adopts the Audited Accounts.
(Adopted on 23 November 2009)
158. The Conference noted that at its Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session the Council had recommended that the FAO proposed Scale of Contributions for 2010-2011 be derived from the UN Scale of Assessments in force during the period 2007-2009.
159. One Member recalled that a proposed new UN Scale of Assessments for 2010, 2011 and 2012 was scheduled to be discussed by the General Assembly in December 2009 and that such proposed Scale could result in changes for many Members that better reflected their most recent economic circumstances. The Conference recalled that in accordance with its prior decisions, any such changes would be reflected by the Organization when a new Scale of Contributions to be applied to the 2012-2013 biennium was proposed to the next FAO Conference, in 2011. The Secretariat noted that the timing of adoption by the Organization of a new UN Scale had been debated over the years due to the fact that while there was a need for certainty through a defined Scale of Assessments when Members approved the budget, the desirability for Members to be assessed at rates which best reflected their most recent economic circumstances had also been acknowledged.
160. The Conference noted that the proposed Scale of Contributions for 2010-2011 (Appendix XXXX) had been reviewed by the Finance Committee and Council during 2009, and agreed that the Scale of Contributions as proposed by the Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session of the Council should be adopted.
161. The Conference then adopted the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION 16/2009
Scale
of Contributions 2010-2011
THE CONFERENCE,
Having noted the recommendations of the Hundred and Thirty-sixth Session of the Council;
Confirming that as in the past, FAO should follow the United Nations Scale of Assessments subject to adaptation for the different Membership of FAO;
1. Decides that the FAO Scale of Contributions for 2010-11 should be derived directly from the United Nations Scale of Assessments in force during 2007, 2008 and 2009;
2. Adopts for use in 2010 and 2011 the Scale as set out in Appendix F of this Report.
(Adopted on 23 November 2009)
162. Article XVIII, paragraph 6 of the Constitution provides that:
A Member Organization shall not be required to contribute to the budget as specified in paragraph 2 of this Article, but shall pay to the Organization a sum to be determined by the Conference to cover administrative and other expenses arising out of its membership in the Organization (...).
163. At its Twenty-seventh Session in 1993 the Conference requested the Finance Committee to examine the methodology for the calculation of the lump sum paid by the European Community. At its Seventy-eighth Session in April 1994 the Finance Committee recommended a methodology on the basis of which the Conference set the payment to be made by the European Community at various sessions.
164. The methodology was re-examined by the Finance Committee at its Hundred-and-eighth Session (September 2004) and Hundred-and-ninth Session (May 2005). The Committee examined a proposal for a revised methodology whereby the biennial adjustment to the European Community’s contribution would reflect the official cost of living increases in the Euro area or in the host country. Under the revised methodology, the adjustment formula would be more in line with the system of split assessment and would not have a material impact on the biennial adjustment to the contribution of the European Community to the Organization. The Committee agreed with the proposed revision of the methodology whereby the higher rate of the official cost of living increase in the Euro area or in the host country would be used to adjust the European Community’s contribution for any given biennium.
165. Applying the new methodology, the Thirty-fourth Session of the Conference in 2007 set the lump payment due by the European Community at Euro 528 005 for the 2008-09 biennium.
166. In accordance with the above, the methodology to be used for adjusting the lump sum is based on the higher rate of the official cost of living increase in the Euro area or in the host country. Using the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) figures, the consumer price inflation for the Euro Area for 2008 was 3.2 % and for 2009 is forecast to be 0.0 % which gives an average of 1.6%. The EIU figures for harmonized consumer price index for Italy are, for 2008, 3.5% and for 2009, forecast at 0.7%, which gives an average of 2.1%. Therefore the inflation figure which should be used in the calculation is 2.1%, being the higher of the two. Applying this rate to the previous contribution of Euro 528 005 gives the new figure of Euro 539 093.
167. The Conference set the lump-sum payment due by the European Community to cover administrative and other expenditures arising out of its membership in the Organization at Euro 539 093 for the 2010-11 biennium.
168. As in previous biennia, it is proposed
that the sum due by the European Community
be paid into a trust or special fund established by the Director-General under
Financial
Regulation 6.7.
169. The Conference elected the following Member Nations as Members of the Council:
Period November 2009 to 30 November 2011
|
REGION (SEATS) |
MEMBERS |
|
Africa (1) |
1. Mauritania |
|
|
|
Period November 2009 to 30 June 2012
|
REGION (SEATS) |
MEMBERS |
|
|
Africa (3) |
1. Gabon 2. Mauritius 3. Mozambique |
|
|
Asia (6) |
1. China 2. Japan 3. Philippines 4. Republic of Korea 5. Sri Lanka 6. Thailand |
|
|
Europe (3) |
1. Germany 2. Spain 3. Slovakia |
|
|
Latin America and the Caribbean (3) |
1. Chile 2. Uruguay 3. Venezuela, Boliviarian |
|
|
Near East (1) |
1.Jordan |
|
|
North America (0) |
|
|
|
South West Pacific (0) |
|
|
Period 1 January 2011 to 30 June 2013
|
REGION (SEATS) |
MEMBERS |
|
Africa (5)
|
1. Cape Verde 2. Côte d’Ivoire 3. Equatorial Guinea 4. Tunisia 5. Uganda |
|
Asia (0) |
|
|
Europe (3)
|
1. Greece 2. Ireland 3. Russian Federation |
|
Latin America and the Caribbean (5) |
1. Argentina 2. Brazil 3. Cuba 4. Mexico 5. Trinidad and Tobago |
|
Near East (2) |
1. Islamic Republic of Iran 2. Syrian Arab Republic |
|
North America (2) |
1. Canada 2. United States of America |
|
South West Pacific (0) |
|
170. The Conference had before it three nominations for the office of Independent Chairperson of the Council and, after a secret ballot, appointed Luc Guyau (France) through the following resolution:
Appointment of the Independent Chairperson of the Council
THE CONFERENCE,
Having proceeded to a secret ballot, in accordance with Rule XII.10 (a) of the General Rules of the Organization:
1. Declares that Luc Guyau is appointed Independent Chairperson of the Council until the Thirty-seventh Session of Conference (25 June to 2 July 2011);
2.
Decides that the
conditions of appointment, including the allowances attached to the office of
the Independent Chairperson of the Council, shall be as follows:
a. The Chairperson is required to be present in Rome for all sessions of the Council, Conference, Finance and Programme Committees and, in general, will normally be expected to spend at least six to eight months of the year in Rome;
b. A per diem allowance equivalent to the applicable standard daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rate at 140%, while the Chairperson is in Rome or travels on Council matters;
c. Travel expenses, including the above per diem allowance, shall be defrayed by the Organization, in conformity with its regulations and existing practices, when the Chairperson is in Rome or when the Chairperson travels in the performance of the functions of the office of the Independent Chairperson of the Council;
d. Arrangements regarding health protection and medical insurance shall be in accordance with Section 343 Part VII-341 of the Administrative Manual;
3. Decides that an agreement between FAO and the Independent Chairperson of the Council, consistent with the Basic Texts of FAO and this Resolution, may clarify terms and conditions related to the office of the Independent Chairperson of the Council.
Adopted on 22 November 2009
171. In accordance with Article 6(c) of the Regulations of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the Conference appointed four members and two alternate members to the Staff Pension Committee as follows and for the periods specified below:
For the period 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010
Member Mr
Keith Lee Heffern
Alternate Permanent Representative of the United States of America to FAO
For the period 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2011
Member Mr
Don Carlos Bentancour
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay to FAO
For the period 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2012
Member Ms
Sultana Afroz
Alternate Permanent Representative of the People’s
Republic of Bangladesh
to FAO
Alternate His
Excellency Zohrab V. Malek
Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to FAO
For the period 1 January 2011 – 31 December 2013
Member Ms
Natalie Feistritzer
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Austria to FAO
Alternate Mr
Keith Lee Heffern
Alternate Permanent Representative of the United States of America to FAO
172. The Conference noted the report of the Twelfth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (C 2009/24) and encouraged FAO to accord high priority within its Regular Programme to the implementation of the Commission’s Multi-Year Programme of Work. The Conference requested the Commission to report on its work to future sessions of the Conference. It endorsed the Commission’s Strategic Plan 2010-2017 for the implementation of the Multi-Year Programme of Work. The Conference endorsed the establishment of an Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources and invited therefore the Director-General to review the role of the Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources. The Conference requested FAO to publish and distribute widely the Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
173. The Conference welcomed the review of the status of the Commission within the constitutional framework of FAO as scheduled by the Commission for its next session.
174. The Conference stressed the essential role of access to, sustainable utilization of and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from, genetic resources for food and agriculture for achieving global food security, in particular in times of climate change. It therefore adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
18/2009
Policies and arrangements for Access and Benefit-sharing for Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture
THE CONFERENCE,
Reaffirming the principle of sovereignty of states over their natural resources as reflected in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development;
Stressing that genetic resources for food and agriculture are essential for achieving food security and the sustainable development of the food and agriculture sector;
Recognizing the interdependence of countries regarding genetic resources for food and agriculture, in that all countries depend on genetic resources originating elsewhere to address environmental, climate change, natural resource, sustainable development and food security challenges;
Acknowledging also that genetic resources for food and agriculture depend for their survival on the active cooperation among all stakeholders involved in the conservation, breeding and sustainable utilisation of these resources and benefit-sharing, including dynamic management by farmers, pastoralists and indigenous and local communities;
Recalling that the World Summit on Sustainable Development called for action to negotiate, within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, an International Regime to promote and safeguard the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources;
Recalling further that the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity has agreed to finalize the International Regime on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing, for consideration and adoption, at its Tenth Meeting to be held in Japan in October 2010;
Emphasizing the important work undertaken in the past by the FAO and its Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture with regard to access to genetic resources for food and agriculture and benefit-sharing, in particular the adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and its Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity;
Emphasizing that nothing in this Resolution in any way will prejudge or preclude the position of Member States in the negotiations of the International Regime under the Convention on Biological Diversity;
THE CONFERENCE:
Reiterates the need for FAO and its Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, in close collaboration with the Governing Body of the International Treaty, to contribute within their mandate to further work on access and benefit-sharing within the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, for adequate treatment of genetic resources for food and agriculture in the International Regime;
Expresses its willingness to cooperate with the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing using various available mechanisms;
Invites the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing, to take into account the special nature of agricultural biodiversity, in particular genetic resources for food and agriculture, their distinctive features, and problems needing distinctive solutions; in developing policies they might consider sectoral approaches which allow for differential treatment of different sectors or sub-sectors of genetic resources, different genetic resources for food and agriculture, different activities or purposes for which they are carried out;
Invites the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing to explore and assess options for the International Regime on Access and Benefit-sharing that allow for adequate flexibility to acknowledge and accommodate existing and future agreements relating to access and benefit-sharing developed in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity;
Invites the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity to work closely with the Commission on Genetic Resources and the Governing Body of the International Treaty regarding access and benefit-sharing in the area of genetic resources for food and agriculture in a mutually supportive manner in future years;
Wishes the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity a successful conclusion of the negotiations of an International Regime on access and benefit-sharing in Nagoya, in October 2010;
Requests the Director-General to bring this Resolution to the attention of the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
(Adopted on 23 November 2009)
175. The Conference decided that
its Thirty-seventh Session should be held in Rome from
25 June to 2 July 2011.
[1] C 2009/INF/9; C 2009/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[2] C 2009/INF/6; C 2009/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[3] C 2009/INF/7; C 2009/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[4] C 2009/INF/8; C 2009/PV/1; CL 2009/PV9.
[5] C 2009/LIM/5; C 2009/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[6] C 2009/PV/5.
[7] C 2009/PV/7; C 2009/PV/9.
[8] C 2009/12; C 2009/LIM/6-Rev.1; C 2009/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[9] C 2009/12; C 2009/LIM/6-Rev.1; C 2009/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[10] C 2009/1; C 2009/12; C 2009/INF/4; C 2009/LIM/1; C 2009/LIM/6-Rev1; C 2009/PV/2; C 2009/PV/9.
[11] C 2009/12; C 2009/13; C 2009/PV/2; C 2009/PV/9.
[12] C 2009/2; C 2009/2 Add.1; C 2009/PV/2; C 2009/PV9.
[13] C 2009/23; C 2009/I/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[14] C 2009/INF/18; C 2009/I/PV/3; C 2009/PV/9.
[15] C 2009/14; C 2009/I/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[16] C 2009/22; C 2009/I/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[17] C 2009/16; C 2009/I/PV/2; C 2009/PV/9.
[18] C 2009/17; C 2009/I/PV/2; C 2009/PV/9.
[19] C 2009/18; C 2009/I/PV/3; C 2009/PV/9.
[20] C 2009/19; C 2009/I/PV2; C 2009/PV/9.
[21] C 2009/20; C 2009/21-Rev.1; C 2009/I/PV/3.
[22] C 2009/14; C 2009/INF/10; C 2009/INF/14; C 2009/I/PV/3; C 2009/PV/9.
[23] C 2009/INF/16; C 2009/I/PV/3; C 2009/PV/9.
[24] C 2009/INF/19; C 2009/I/PV/3; C 2009/PV/9.
[25] C 2009/8; C 2009/II/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[26] C 2009/4; C 2009/II/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[28] C 2009/15; C 2009/LIM/9; C 2009/II/PV/1; C 2009/PV/9.
[29] Some Members provided explanations and made declarations of vote which can be found in C 2009/PV/8.
[30] C 2009/7; C 2009/LIM/10; C 2009/PV/2; C 2009/PV/9.
[31] C 2009/INF/20; C 2009/INF/20-Add.1; C 2009/PV/7; C 2009/PV/9.
[32] C 2009/LIM/8, C 2009 PV/8; C 2009/PV/9.
[33] Deletions are indicated using struck out
text and insertions are indicated using underlined italics.
[34] Deletions are indicated using struck out
text and insertions are indicated using underlined italics.
[35] Deletions are indicated using struck out
text and insertions are indicated using underlined italics.
[36] C 2009/LIM/11-Rev.1, C 2009/LIM/12 Rev.1, C 2009/LIM/12-Add.1, C 2009/21-Rev.1; C 2009/LIM 17,
C2009 INF/21. C 2009/ PV/8; C 2009/PV/9.
[37] C 2009/PV/8
[38] Deletions are indicated using struck out
text and insertions are indicated using underlined italics.
[39] Deletions are indicated using struck out text and insertions are indicated using underlined italics.
[40] C 2009/5A; C 2009/5B; C 2009/LIM/3; C 2009/PV/6; C 2009/PV/9.
[41] C 2009/INF/11; C 2OO9/LIM/4; C 2009/PV/7; C 2009/PV/9.
[42] C 2009/LIM/15; C 2009/PV/9.
[43] C 2009/11-Rev.1; C 2009/PV/9.
[44] C 2009/9; C 2009/PV/9.
[45] C 2009/6; C 2009/PV/7; C 2009/PV/9.
[46] C 2009/24; C 2009/I/PV/3; C 2009/PV/9.
[47] C 2009/PV/7; C 2009/PV/9.
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