Council

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION - PROCEDURE OF THE SESSION

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND TIMETABLE

ELECTION OF THREE VICE-CHAIRMEN AND DESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF DRAFTING COMMITTEE

WORLD FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SITUATION

STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 1998

REPORT OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY (ROME, JUNE 1998)

Follow-up to the World Food Summit
Other Matters Arising out of the Report

NEGOTIATIONS ON THE INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKING ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

ACTIVITIES OF FAO AND WFP

FAO'S RESPONSE TO RECENT NATural DISASTERS

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Second Annual Report of the WFP Executive Board
Election of Six Members to the WFP Executive Board

PROGRAMME, BUDGETARY, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

FAO STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2000-2015

General
Specific Views on Version 1.0
Part I
Part II
Part III
Future Steps

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION REPORT 1996-97

REPORTS OF THE JOINT MEETINGS OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (MAY 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 1998)

Savings and Efficiencies in Governance
Arrangements for Consideration of JIU Reports
Special Reserve Account

REPORTS OF THE SEVENTY-NINTH AND EIGHTIETH SESSIONS OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE

Programme Reviews
Other Aspects

REPORTS OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH (ROME, MAY 1998), AND NINETIETH (ROME, SEPTEMBER 1998) SESSIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

FAO Audited Accounts 1996-97
Status of Contributions 1998
Format of the External Audit Opinion
After Service Medical Coverage
Regional Offices, FAORs and Decentralization
FAO Investment Management Practices and Arrangements for Review
of Investments of the FAO Reserve Funds
Arrangements for the Selection and Appointment of the External Auditor
Headquarters Accommodation

CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF COUNCIL SEATS

REPORT OF THE SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS (SEPTEMBER 1998)

Savings and Efficiencies in Governance: Working Procedures of Conference Sessions
Revision to the Format of the External Auditor Opinion: Change to the Annex to the Financial Regulations "Additional Terms of Reference Governing External Audit"
Arrangements for Review of Investments of the FAO Reserve Funds: Amendment to Financial Regulation 9.1
Formal Confirmation of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties Between States and International Organizations or Between International Organizations: General Assembly Resolution 52/153

DATE FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR-GENERALl

INVITATIONS TO NON-MEMBER NATIONS TO ATTEND FAO SESSIONS

OTHER MATTERS

DATE AND PLACE OF THE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL

PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING HOST COUNTRIES FOR THE WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS

PROCLAMATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MOUNTAINS

APPOINTMENT OF TWO ALTERNATE CHAIRMEN OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE

TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF AMBASSADOR CARLOS DI MOTTOLA BALESTRA OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA

TRIBUTE TO MR ANDREW PEARSON (AUSTRALIA)

 

APPENDICES

A	Agenda for the Hundred and Fifteenth Session of the Council
B	List of Delegates and Observers
C	List of Documents
D	Revised Calendar of FAO Governing Bodies and Other Main Sessions 1998-99
E	WFP Staff Killed in the Line of Duty since 1998
F	Proposed Amendments of Paragraph 5 of the Annex to FAO's Financial Regulations
G	Amendments to Financial Regulation 9.1
H	Policy Guidelines for the Organization of World Forestry Congresses

INTRODUCTION - PROCEDURE OF THE SESSION

INTRODUCTION

1. The Hundred and Fifteenth Session of the Council was held in Rome from 23 to 28 November 1998 under the Chairmanship of Sjarifudin Baharsjah, Independent Chairman of the Council.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND TIMETABLE ¹

2. The Council noted the Declaration of Competence and Voting Rights presented by the European Community and adopted the Agenda and Timetable for the Session. The Agenda is given in Appendix A to this Report.

ELECTION OF THREE VICE-CHAIRMEN AND DESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF DRAFTING COMMITTEE ²

3. The Council elected three Vice-Chairmen for its Session: Luigi Fontana-Giusti (Italy), Ahmed Suleiman Al-Aquil (Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of), and Lawrence Kezimbira Miyingo (Uganda).

4. The Council elected Pedro Pinto da Silva (Portugal) as Chairman of the Drafting Committee with the following membership: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Japan, Korea (Republic of), Mauritania, Pakistan, Portugal, and Romania.

WORLD FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SITUATION

STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 1998 ³

5. The Council appreciated the Secretariat's summary document and its updating and generally agreed with its depiction of the current world food security and agricultural situation and short-term prospects.

6. The Council:

1. expressed concern that the absolute number of undernourished people had increased in recent years and many developing countries were facing worsening food security situations;
2. expressed deep concern over the negative effects on food security of the international financial crisis, the disasters associated with El Ni�o and La Ni�a phenomena and Hurricane Mitch in particular, and civil strife, drought, floods and foreign debt in general. It noted that these events constituted obstacles to the achievement of World Food Summit objectives;
3. appreciated FAO's role in support of countries affected by natural disasters and by the financial crisis, in particular its expeditious action towards responding to food emergencies and identifying assistance needs. It stressed the importance of a strong FAO Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) and the Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES) in anticipating the adverse effects of natural disasters and in helping mobilize rapid and adequate measures for relief and recovery. It considered further FAO's various programmes to assist countries in rehabilitation and in restoring food production as valuable instruments to promote agricultural development and food security, all the more so during critical periods;
4. noted with concern the increase in the number of countries facing food emergency situations, emphasized the need for international solidarity to cope with these problems and stressed the importance of food aid in emergency situations. The Council regretted the decline in international financial assistance and the decline in the volume of food aid provided for non-emergency purposes. The importance of adhering to FAO's Principles on Surplus Disposal and Consultation Obligation of Member Nations was emphasized in this connection;
5. stressed the importance of agricultural trade to food security and economic development and urged FAO to continue assisting developing countries and those in transition in better understanding the implications of the Uruguay Round Agreement, and increasing their capacity in preparing themselves for future World Trade Organisation (WTO) multilateral trade negotiations on agriculture;
6. reaffirmed the need to eliminate measures that lead to over-fishing and stressed the importance of implementing the Code of Conduct on Responsible Fisheries;
7. drew attention to the problems of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) because of their fragility and vulnerability in the light of climatic and economic factors;
8. stressed the importance of South-South cooperation and the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) and widely welcomed FAO's role in supporting them;
9. noted that the report on the State of Food and Agriculture should be, to the extent possible, a forward-looking document. Moreover, it should seek to provide a balanced analysis of both the global agricultural situation and long-term progress in addressing food security challenges;
10. The Council underlined the problem of forest fires in 1997 and 1998 associated with El Ni�o phenomenon and the risks that increased deforestation and degradation of mountain watersheds would create on lands exposed to hurricanes, floods and droughts, and stressed the need for land rehabilitation and sustainable forest management.

7. The Near East Region drew the attention of the Council to the need for increased technical assistance to the Central Asian Member Nations of the Near East Region and to consider establishing a Sub-regional Office to serve these countries in particular, and the neighbouring countries of the Near East Region in general. Similarly, the Latin America and Caribbean Region reaffirmed the importance of establishing a Sub-regional Office for the Central American Region.

REPORT OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY (ROME, JUNE 1998) ⁴

Follow-up to the World Food Summit ⁵

8. The Council endorsed the Report of the Twenty-fourth Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

9. With reference to Follow-up to the World Food Summit, the Council:

1. reaffirmed the central importance of all actors pursuing implementation of the Plan of Action (PoA) in reaching Summit goals;
2. agreed that the Committee's sessions in even years should be scheduled so as to take advantage of the results of the Regional Conference debates as much as possible;
3. reiterated that future monitoring reports should be analytical in content, and that the reporting formats should be simple and results-oriented;
4. urged countries to report promptly;
5. emphasised the importance of the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems (FIVIMS) as a useful tool to provide data and decision- making instruments to those concerned with implementing the World Food Summit PoA;
6. recommended that efforts continue to develop FIVIMS at national and global levels;
7. requested that the Secretariat document on Broadened Participation of Civil Society and Other Partners in the Work of the CFS, currently under preparation for consideration by the CFS at its next session, be widely circulated as far in advance as possible;
8. stressed the important role that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) should play in the Committee's work, within existing Rules and Regulations.

Other Matters Arising out of the Report ⁶

10. With reference to Other Matters Arising out of the Report, the Council:

1. reconfirmed the importance of increasing domestic production in a sustainable manner to ensure food security;
2. recalled that trade is a key element in food security;
3. took note of the importance of full implementation of the Marakesh Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least-Developed and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries;
4. confirmed its support for the pragmatic approach of the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS), which offered direct help to small farmers to improve water management, increase productivity, diversify production, and remove constraints;
5. appreciated the useful contributions of South-South cooperation;
6. stressed the need for special attention to SIDS and welcomed the preparation for the Special Ministerial Conference on Agriculture in Small Island Developing States in 1999; and appealed to donors for generous support to the organization of the Conference;
7. reaffirmed the relevance of various studies suggested in the CFS Report, including the one on the impact of El Ni�o and on the use of risk instruments;
8. commended the initiative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in convening a second Expert Consultation in collaboration with FAO on the Right to Adequate Food as a Human Right and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger;
9. reaffirmed, as stated in the World Food Summit Declaration, that food should not be used as an instrument for political and economic pressure, and the necessity of refraining from unilateral measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations and measures that endanger food security;
10. recognized the importance of taking into account the consequences of major economic and financial crises on food security.

NEGOTIATIONS ON THE INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKING ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES ⁷

11. Ambassador Fernando Gerbasi, Chairperson of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, introduced the item. He noted that Conference, in Resolution 7/93, had requested countries, through the Commission, to negotiate the revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity. These negotiations had resulted in a consolidated negotiating text.

12. At the Fifth Extraordinary Session (Rome, 8-12 June 1998), it had become apparent that Members' and Regions' positions on certain issues still remained distinct and distant. The Commission had accordingly considered it opportune to take some time to reflect and identify areas of possible compromise, before continuing the negotiations. It had therefore mandated the Chairperson to hold the necessary consultations, in order to assess the situation and then decide whether conditions existed for a Negotiating Session in late 1998. From his consultations, it appeared that, while there was strong support for rapidly concluding the negotiations, countries considered that more time was needed for informal consultations, to build a solid basis of compromise and pave the way for successful conclusion of negotiations in 1999.

13. Ambassador Gerbasi recalled that both the Conference of FAO and the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity had stressed the importance of completing the negotiations within 1999. In order to speed up the process, and in line with the mandate the Commission had given him and suggestions countries had made during his consultations, he proposed to Council that he convene, in early 1999, an Informal Meeting of a Group of Experts, who, although attending in their personal capacity, would represent the various Regions and positions. This would help him identify areas of possible compromise, on which basis he would prepare Chairperson's draft elements for relevant articles, as appropriate, before the next Negotiating Session of the Commission was convened.

14. The Council recognized the progress made by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in the negotiations to date. It expressed deep appreciation for the untiring efforts of Ambassador Gerbasi, and unanimously supported his proposal for an Informal Meeting which he suggested would address the inter-related issues of: benefit-sharing, farmers' rights, the financial mechanism, and the legal status of the revised Undertaking, and, as appropriate, other issues, including access to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Several Members suggested that the revised Undertaking should be legally-binding. Several others were of the view that to decide this at the present Council session would be premature. The Council welcomed Switzerland's offer to organize and host the Informal Meeting in early 1999, under Ambassador Gerbasi's responsibility, and thanked both Switzerland and the United States of America for the arrangements they were making to support the participation of developing country participants in the meeting.

15. The Council agreed that, should Ambassador Gerbasi determine that these informal discussions indicated potential for progress, he would then request the Director-General to convene an Extraordinary Negotiating Session of the Commission, subject to extra-budgetary funds being available. The Council urged donor countries to make funds available, both for holding this Extraordinary Session, and for facilitating the participation of developing countries. The Council expressed its desire to attain a positive yet balanced outcome of these negotiations, and the Members reaffirmed their commitment to actively work with the Chairperson of the Commission towards finalization of the negotiations by the time of the next Session of the FAO Conference. In this regard, the Council requested the Chairperson of the Commission to report on the further progress of the negotiations at its Session in June 1999.

ACTIVITIES OF FAO AND WFP

FAO'S RESPONSE TO RECENT NATURAL DISASTERS ⁸

16. The Council welcomed the introduction of the item in the agenda, and expressed solidarity with those affected by the recent natural disasters in Central America, the Caribbean Islands and Asia. The Council also noted the efforts of Members to provide assistance to those affected. The Council noted that considerable assistance had already been provided and continued to be provided to those affected through bilateral, multilateral or private channels.

17. The Council commended FAO's timely response to these emergencies, noted the need for the Organization to respond in post-disaster situations and underlined the necessity to support not only immediate relief and rehabilitation but also longer-term rebuilding of the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors, as well as disaster preparedness, prevention and impact mitigation measures.

18. The Council stressed the importance of early warning and public information systems in the response to natural disasters.

19. The Council encouraged FAO to continue to interact closely with other UN Agencies, particularly WFP and IFAD and NGOs, to ensure coordination of the Organization's responses in support of agricultural recovery.

20. The Council recommended that Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) and other applicable resources should continue to be made available in accordance with relevant criteria. It noted that, in view of the magnitude of current natural disasters, additional financial support would have to be provided by the international donor community. Several Members emphasized the need for FAO to appeal for funding to this effect.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Second Annual Report of the WFP Executive Board ⁹

21. In approving the Report of the Executive Board, the Council expressed appreciation for the comprehensive and concise information contained therein and for the substantive achievements by the Programme in the fields of reform, policy review and financial management, gender, targeting and food purchases. It noted that the Programme had met the target set by the Executive Board in 1997, in that 50 percent of development food aid had been delivered to Least-Developed Countries (LDC's) and 93 percent to Low-Income, Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs). Such achievements had contributed towards the Programme's dynamism and responsiveness, which had come to characterize it.

22. The Council stressed the need to strive towards a balance in resource allocation between development and emergency assistance, to which end the initiation of an intergovernmental dialogue on the issue of food aid and development was appreciated. WFP's efforts towards collaboration and operational synergies with the rest of the UN System, including the Rome-based Agencies, bilateral donors and with NGO's, were noted and further encouraged. It was noted that the review of WFP's Resource and Long-term Financing Policies was not yet completed, and some Members expressed the hope that the Executive Board would not further defer a decision on a policy so critical to the future resourcing of the Programme.

23. Some Members raised the idea of conceiving an "Alliance for Agricultural Development" among Members and the three Rome-based food and agriculture organizations.

24. A minute's silence was observed in tribute to staff who had lost their lives in the service of WFP and to the suffering of those affected by disasters world-wide. The list of WFP Staff Killed in the Line of Duty Since 1988 is attached as an Appendix E to this Report.

Election of Six Members to the WFP Executive Board ¹⁰

25. In accordance with Resolution 9/95 adopted by the Twenty-eighth Session of the FAO Conference on 31 October 1995, the Council was required to elect six members of the WFP Executive Board for a term of office of three years for the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001.

26. The Council took note that Switzerland had resigned from the WFP Executive Board, and agreed that Spain should occupy the seat in List D thus vacated for the remainder of the term of office expiring 31 December 1999.

27. The Council then elected the following members from the following lists to the WFP Executive Board for a term of office of three years (1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001).

List	Members
A	Lesotho, Sudan
B	China
C	Cuba
D	Canada, Germany

PROGRAMME, BUDGETARY, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

FAO STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2000-2015 ¹¹

General

28. The Council addressed Version 1.0 of the Strategic Framework, with the benefit of the views of the Programme and Finance Committees, as included in their reports.

29. The Council noted that the supplementary information document prepared at the request of the Committees, which included: tentative vision, values and mission statements; the rationale for the grouping and sequencing of the proposed Corporate Strategies and Strategic Objectives in Version 1.0; and an update of the results of the Questionnaire to Member Nations had been provided.

30. The Council noted that reactions to Version 1.0 had been sought, as planned, from a broad range of external partners. It was informed that responses were still awaited from most of those consulted, but all replies received would be taken into account in further versions of the Strategic Framework.

31. The Council welcomed the progress made so far and considered that Version 1.0 provided a good basis for discussion at this stage. It stressed again the importance of maintaining the participatory nature of the process and a constructive dialogue with and among the membership, and underlined that further refinement of the Strategic Framework should continue, until a definitive text could be submitted for approval by the next Conference, in accordance with the calendar of events and steps indicated in the document.

Specific Views on Version 1.0

32. In reacting to Version 1.0, the Council sought to address also how to shape the contents of Version 2.0. It recognized the wide range of expectations as to the scope and contents of future versions, which it would be particularly challenging to reconcile. Nevertheless, it agreed on the desirability of a more concise and less descriptive document to facilitate further discussions, while ways would need to be found to present sufficient supporting material to meet the diverse interests of Members. The Council drew attention to the request for an Implementation Programme as contained in Conference Resolution 6/97 and was informed that future versions would contain further information on implementation strategies, although detailed plans would be made explicit in the Medium-Term Plan.

33. The Council recalled that the Strategic Framework was an essential element in the new programme planning process being introduced in the Organization, as endorsed by the Conference. It would be further developed through six-year, rolling Medium-Term Plans and Short-Term biennial Programmes of Work and Budget which would include detailed and time-bound programme entities.

34. The specific reactions of the Council to the three main parts of Version 1.0, in the light also of material contained in the information document, are summarized below.

Part I

35. The Council generally agreed with the twelve major trends identified. It also agreed with the Programme and Finance Committees' view that certain elements would have merited more

in-depth coverage, and that other important elements, not mentioned, should be given attention. In particular, the Council reiterated the importance of taking into account the far-reaching implications of the current economic and financial crisis, natural disasters and the important roles of women and youth.

36. Considering, however, the fact that the general issues covered under Major Trends and Global Perspectives would also be dealt with by various FAO Bodies, including the Council in 1999, on the basis of updated analyses, the Council generally agreed that the contents of this part of the document could be placed in an annex.

37. The Council considered the Secretariat's draft "vision", "values" and "mission" statements. It stressed that it would have preferred more incisive, forward-looking formulations. It further stressed that there should be consistency between the Mission Statement and the Basic Texts and declarations of the recent intergovernmental conferences, including the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the World Food Summit.

38. The Council agreed that there was merit in further elaboration of these statements. It was suggested that priority be given to the Mission Statement, while the Vision Statement could be addressed towards the end of the whole exercise.

Part II

39. The Council emphasized that Part II, Corporate Strategies and Objectives, and its progressive refinement deserved full attention by the membership. It supported the inter-disciplinary formulation of the five proposed corporate strategies and related twelve strategic objectives, and suggested that, in refining them, simplification and clarification would be appropriate. It further suggested that the partnerships envisaged (including, where appropriate, with the private sector and NGOs) under each strategic objective, be further specified.

40. The Council noted the range of opinions in the Programme Committee as regards possible modifications to the sequence and presentation of the strategies (labelled A to E). Members generally agreed that the order of these strategies was acceptable, noting that the current sequencing did not imply any ranking. Their presentation was also considered to provide an appropriate focus for development of Version 2.0. However, greater emphasis was required on strategies and actions rather than description.

41. In the further development of the strategies, the Council took note of the importance of reflecting regional perspectives. In this connection, the evolving requirements of developing countries and countries in transition were mentioned. The Council also stressed the need to reinforce complementarity and a balance between normative and operational work.

42. Among those substantive aspects which deserved greater prominence in future versions, beyond those already highlighted by the Committees, the fact that requirements of small farmers would need to be met by suitably targeted interventions was emphasized by some Members.

43. In recalling the expected contribution of the Strategic Framework to guiding the more detailed formulation of programmes over the Medium- and Short-Term horizons, the Council recommended further attention to refining criteria for priority-setting in future versions. In this regard, it emphasized that the Organization's comparative advantage should continue to be a key criteria, as previously identified by the Council. While appreciating that detailed resource considerations were not intended to be addressed in the Strategic Framework documents, several Members stressed the need for adequate resources to back up the proposed strategies for them to be effectively implemented. Other Members emphasized that it would not be realistic to expect any significant expansion of resources, implying a redistribution of resources should new priorities arise.

Part III

44. The Council considered that the five strategies to address cross-organizational issues were of special relevance to the expectations of the membership for a fully responsive and efficient organization. Among the aspects specifically highlighted was the importance of partnerships and alliances, in particular with the Rome-based organizations and the rest of the UN System. The Council noted with satisfaction the declaration of the Secretariat on this point. It also recalled the ongoing UN reform process and its expectation that FAO would reinforce its role in this.

45. Several proposals were made regarding the appropriateness of including the rationale for the strategies and supporting material from the internal analysis. Some felt that the analysis of strengths and weaknesses should be included or annexed to the document. Others felt that the content of Part III could be moved to become a single additional strategy under Part II.

Future Steps

46. The Council urged the Secretariat to seek ways to capture the essence of the proposals in Version 2.0 of the document which would be prepared soon after the close of its present session, in order to be available for discussion at the forthcoming sessions of the Technical Committees to be held in the January-March 1999 period, i.e. the CCP, COAG, COFI and COFO. On the basis of the reactions of these Committees in their respective sectors, both the Programme and Finance Committees and the Council itself would consider Version 3.0 at their sessions in May and June 1999.

47. The Council recognized that in view of the timing of the next CFS, to be held in early June 1999, it would not be possible to involve this Body in the same way. It also noted the concerns about the workload at this Session of the Committee which might preclude its productive participation. Some Members still considered that there was merit in involving the next CFS. The Council agreed that the agenda would need to be determined as usual in consultation between the CFS bureau and the Secretariat.

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION REPORT 1996-97 ¹²

48. The Council noted that this Programme Implementation Report (PIR) reflected the new timetable approved by the Conference, and had therefore been prepared based upon the actual results for the entire biennium. It appreciated the fact that more detailed information on the implementation of planned outputs in the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) had been placed on the FAO Web-site of the Internet, which had permitted the size of the printed document to be limited.

49. The Council appreciated the quantitative information and the reported main achievements in the PIR. It observed that, despite the difficult circumstances of the past biennium, the Organization had carried out a range of valuable activities, and had even been able to implement major new initiatives, such as the World Food Summit. The Council gave its general endorsement of the document, with due note of the observations of the Programme and Finance Committees.

50. Among the technical activities, various Members stressed more particularly the importance they attached to work on plant and animal genetic resources, support to investment and the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS). The substantial progress in decentralization during the past biennium was supported. However, greater progress in gender mainstreaming and in implementing the gender guidelines within FAO staff was urged, reflecting the Council's support for the well-recognized priority on Women-in-Development.

51. The Council addressed the gap between the actual cost of supporting the Field Programme and reimbursements from funding sources, as reported in the document. It received clarifications on the underlying factors, including the extent of technical support and the cost methodology, and was also advised of the offsetting contributions received from donors in direct support of Regular Programme activities. It noted that steps had been taken to reduce support costs and were expected by the Secretariat to narrow this gap. The Council welcomed the assurance that this issue was under constant scrutiny and that it would be revisited in the context of review of support cost reimbursement methodologies as recommended by the External Auditor, the outcome of which would be reported to the Finance Committee. Some Members reiterated the importance for FAO to pursue vigorously the policy of full cost recovery for services to the Field Programme.

52. In addressing the synthesis of field project evaluations, the Council noted the improving trends in overall assessments, while remaining concerned about the reported factors which continued to impact negatively on project sustainability. It was informed about the attention paid to training FAO staff in enhanced field project formulation techniques.

53. While recognizing that the PIR for 1998-99 would remain largely unchanged, it noted that the scope of future accountability reports would be affected by the new Programme Budget Process, gradually being introduced in FAO. Some Members felt that the merger of the Programme Implementation Report (PIR) and the Programme Evaluation Report (PER) was an option which could be explored. The Council looked forward to an enhanced family of accountability reports, which would capitalize on the expected benefits of this Process, including greater attention to outcome impact, crosscutting issues and lessons learned.

54. The Council noted that Members would be provided with additional information on the role of FAORs, including their costs, functions and relationships with Regional and Sub-regional Offices, as part of a broader Report on Decentralization to be provided to the Programme and Finance Committees.

55. The Council took note of the request of Members of the Region concerned to the Director-General that he consider including the reinstatement of the full-time post of Secretary of the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region in the Programme of Work and Budget 2000-2001, and their recommendation that Conference give this favourable consideration.

REPORTS OF THE JOINT MEETINGS OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (MAY 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 1998)¹³

Savings and Efficiencies in Governance ¹⁴

56. The Council reviewed the procedures and methods of work for Conference Sessions in the light of the proposals of the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees and the comments of the CCLM¹⁵.

57. In the interest of increasing efficiency in Governance, the Council agreed that arrangements for the 1999 Conference Session should include the following innovations that did not require amending the Basic Texts:

1. The number of Commissions should be reduced to two: Commission I on substantive and policy matters and Commission II on programme and budgetary matters, with Commission III being abolished,
2. Commissions should not meet when items of special and wide interest, such as the Director-General's Statement, the McDougall Lecture or voting, were scheduled in Plenary,
3. The Resolutions Committee should be maintained with its present Terms of Reference to ensure that Resolutions are kept to a minimum. Draft Resolutions should be submitted well in advance of the discussions of the item and should be broadly supported, with co- sponsors from several Regions.
4. The Conference should delegate further authority to the Council provided that the additional work can be undertaken by the Council without unduly overburdening the Council Agenda or affecting its substantive work.

58. The Council also agreed that the duration of the Conference should not be further reduced.

59. There was general agreement that the Plenary should continue to deal with the State of Food and Agriculture, and that Heads of Delegation should be invited to focus their statements on this Item which could be placed in the context of a thematic issue of particular interest to Members.

60. The Council discussed the various options proposed by the Joint Meeting for the modification of the General Debate by Heads of Delegations. While there was general agreement that it would be desirable to achieve greater interaction among Ministers, the Council did not adopt any of these options. The Council agreed to return to this matter at its June 1999 Session. It requested that a paper on the financial and scheduling implications of arranging for separate but simultaneous meetings at which Ministers could address selected topics be submitted to the Joint Meeting at its Spring 1999 Session.

61. The Council further requested the CCLM to continue its examination of the Basic Texts and to submit to the June 1999 Council draft amendments to the General Rules of the Organization and a covering Draft Resolution for the Conference for onward transmission to permit:

1. The abolition of the Nominations Committee and the transfer of its functions to the Council including designation of the Credentials Committee by the June Session of the Council subject to subsequent confirmation by the Conference,
2. The introduction of an electronic voting system,
3. The election of Council Members by clear general consent whenever the number of candidates was equal to the number of vacancies,
4. The elimination of references to Conference Technical Committees.

62. The Council also noted the Progress Report on Implementation of Conference Resolution 13/97 - Review of FAO Statutory Bodies and Panels of Experts, and looked forward to receiving the Final Progress Report at its next Session.

Arrangements for Consideration of JIU Reports ¹⁶

63. The Council took note that the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees reviewed the current arrangements for the handling of JIU Reports, as were established by the Council itself in November 1982, and accepted their recommendation to leave these arrangements unchanged.

Special Reserve Account ¹⁷

64. The Council also took note that the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees had discussed and approved the use of the Special Reserve Account (SRA) to cover unbudgeted extra costs arising from a ruling of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Administrative Tribunal, although two Members in those Committees could not associate themselves to a consensus.

REPORTS OF THE SEVENTY-NINTH AND EIGHTIETH SESSIONS OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE ¹⁸

Programme Reviews

65. The Council expressed appreciation for the programme reviews made by the Committee at these sessions, according to the agreed cycle. It took note of the extensive comments made in connection with three Major Programmes of the Programme of Work and Budget, i.e.: 2.3 Fisheries, 2.4 Forestry and 2.5 Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts, the latter including the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS). Members of the Council reiterated in this connection areas to which they attached special importance, such as follow-up to the Convention on Desertification, management of natural resources, human resources development through training and the sectors of Forestry and Fisheries.

66. In supporting the convening together with the Government of the Netherlands, of the Conference on the Multi-functional Character of Agriculture and Land to be held in Maastricht in September 1999, the Council was advised that a Progress Report would be submitted to its Session of June 1999.

67. The Council noted that the Committee had not proposed a new cycle for similar reviews in the non-Conference years of 2000 and 2002, given the present transitional phase in the application of the revised Programme Budget Process endorsed by the last Conference. However, the Committee was due to return to the matter, and would advise the Council accordingly.

Other Aspects

68. In reacting to other issues raised by the Committee, the Council agreed with the recommendation that the preparation of a separate Medium-Term Plan document be dispensed with in 1999. It observed that this recommendation stemmed primarily from the above-mentioned transitional period and the fact that the Strategic Framework would need to be approved by the Conference to give full meaning to the Medium-Term Plan. The Council agreed that the next Programme of Work and Budget should, nevertheless, include a Medium-Term Perspectives Section.

69. The Council noted that, during its usual examination of JIU Reports, the Committee had received updated information on FAO Field Offices. It welcomed the opportunity for the Committee to consider, in 1999, a Report on Decentralization, echoing similar interest in the Finance Committee and looked forward to the Joint Committees' conclusions in addressing this important dimension of FAO's work.

70. The Council also observed that the Committee was due to address other important issues at its forthcoming sessions, including gender mainstreaming and gender balance within FAO and FAO's policy for ensuring and maintaining adequate language balance in the work of the Organization. It expressed its strong interest in the analysis which would support discussion of the latter topic and in receiving the attendant conclusions of the Committee, in line with the importance attached by the membership.

71. The Council agreed on the great importance of the linguistic diversity in the official languages of the Organization in terms of translation of publications and documentation, interpretation for meetings and for other activities, and stressed the equality of all languages while giving this question utmost priority for facilitating communication and understanding of the issues at hand.

72. Finally, the Council noted that the Committee had engaged in a preliminary discussion of possible programme priorities to be reflected in the next Programme of Work and Budget (PWB). In generally endorsing the list included in the report of the Committee, it recognized that this list did not imply any order of relative priority. Some Members also suggested additional programme priorities, for example, TCP. Given the growing financial and economic difficulties that many Members were currently facing, the need for FAO to continue to be more effective and rigorous in determining its priorities and to maintain a fiscally-responsible approach was suggested.

REPORTS OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH (ROME, MAY 1998),
AND NINETIETH (ROME, SEPTEMBER 1998) SESSIONS
OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ¹⁹

FAO Audited Accounts 1996-97 ²⁰

73. The Council endorsed the Audited Accounts 1996-97 and the Report of the External Auditor, as reviewed by the Finance Committee at its Ninetieth Session and onforwarded the following Resolution to the Conference for adoption:

Draft Resolution for the Conference

FAO Audited Accounts 1996-97

THE CONFERENCE,

Having considered the report of the Hundred and Fifteenth Session of the Council,

Having examined the 1996-97 FAO Audited Accounts and the External Auditor's Report thereon,

Adopts the Audited Accounts.

Status of Contributions 1998 ²¹

74. The Council considered the financial position of the Organization at 25 November 1998, and noted that the percentage of current assessments received had improved compared with the previous four years in consideration. Sixty-eight Member Nations had paid their Current Assessments in full while a further twenty-nine Members had made partial payment whereas seventy-eight had made no payment towards their 1998 Assessment.

75. The Council expressed concern over the high level of arrears outstanding and while appreciating the often difficult financial situation of some countries, underlined the responsibility of all Members, irrespective of size, to honour their financial commitments towards the Organization in full as soon as possible.

Format of the External Audit Opinion ²²

76. The Council endorsed the proposal to change the format of the External Audit Opinion and the related amendment to paragraph 5 of the Annex to the Financial Regulations "Additional Terms of Reference Governing External Audit".

After Service Medical Coverage²³

77. The Council noted that with respect to the liabilities of the Organization for After Service Medical Coverage, the last remaining problem was to take action to fund the liability for past services, which had been estimated to be US$195.1 million at 31 December 1997.

78. The Council also noted that the Separation Payments Scheme and Staff Compensation Plan were now fully funded, and that the value of these investments exceeded the liabilities by some US$40 million. Accordingly, the Council endorsed the Director-General's proposal that any excess in the investment income of these funds over their requirements should in principle be earmarked for the After Service Medical Coverage liability. The Council, therefore, decided to forward to the Conference for its approval the following Draft Resolution:

Draft Resolution for the Conference

After Service Medical Coverage

THE CONFERENCE,

Having considered the report of the Hundred and Fifteenth Session of the Council,

Having noted the unfunded liability for past services,

Having noted that the Separation Payments Scheme and the Staff Compensation Plan have achieved fully funded status and that the audited accounts at 31 December 1997 show that the book value of related investments exceed the liabilities,

Approves the following Plan of Action:

1. Any income generated from the investments held in respect of the Separation Payments Scheme and Staff Compensation Plan be applied as originally foreseen to ensure the adequacy of those funds to extinguish the respective liabilities.
2. Should there be an excess in the investment income of the Separation Payments Scheme and Staff Compensation Plan over the requirements for these funds then this should in principle be earmarked for the After Service Medical Coverage liability for past services.
3. Following the past practice to establish separate funds for after service benefits, the investments in the Separation Payments Scheme and the Staff Compensation Plan exceeding the liabilities be earmarked for an After Service Medical Coverage Fund."

79. The Council noted that some progress had been made with respect to this considerable and growing liability, but that, lacking any specific recommendations to ensure its funding, this problem was largely unresolved in financial terms.

Regional Offices, FAORs and Decentralization

80. The Secretariat was requested to include the aspect of devolution of authorities to decentralized operations in the study to be prepared for the Finance Committee on decentralization.

FAO Investment Management Practices and Arrangements for Review
of Investments of the FAO Reserve Funds

81. The Council endorsed the proposed revised arrangements for the review of the investments of the FAO Compensation Plan Reserve Fund and the Separation Payments Scheme. The Council noted that the proposed change in respect of the oversight function required an amendment to Financial Regulation 9.1.

Arrangements for the Selection and Appointment of the External Auditor

82. The Council endorsed the proposal covering the arrangements foreseen under Financial Regulation 12 for External Audit.

83. The Council noted that the proposal met the concern to achieve greater participation of developing countries in the audit process by permitting "joint proposals" under the sole responsibility of a lead auditor, but involving the subcontracting of work to one or more other eligible auditors.

Headquarters Accommodation

84. Several Members noted that they would appreciate receiving a reaction on the question of the Headquarters Accommodation of FAO, IFAD and World Food Programme from the Host Country and the Secretariat.

CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF COUNCIL SEATS ²⁴

85. The Council took note of the information on the historical development of the distribution of Council seats given in document CL 115/INF/18. One Region suggested that it would welcome the establishment of an Inter-regional Working Group on the Distribution of Seats in the Council, in the Programme and Finance Committees and in the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM). Others, however, were of the view that the Council should not take any decision to establish any such machinery, noting that the Item was for discussion only.

REPORT OF THE SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS (SEPTEMBER 1998) ²⁵

86. The Council considered and adopted the Report of the Sixty-eighth Session of the CCLM. It commended the work done by the CCLM, and expressed its satisfaction for the useful information provided in the Report.

Savings and Efficiencies in Governance: Working
Procedures of Conference Sessions

87. The Council considered the Report of the CCLM on this question under Agenda Item 10.1, together with the Report of the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees (see paras 56 to 64).

Revision to the Format of the External Auditor Opinion: Change to the Annex to the Financial Regulations "Additional Terms of Reference Governing External Audit"

88. The Council approved the proposed amendments of paragraph 5 of the Annex to the Financial Regulations, as set out in Appendix F to this Report, to change the format of the External Audit opinion and recommended their transmission to the Thirtieth Session of the Conference in November 1999 for adoption.

Arrangements for Review of Investments of the FAO Reserve Funds:
Amendment to Financial Regulation 9.1

89. The Council approved the proposed amendments to Financial Regulation 9.1, as set out in Appendix G to this Report, and recommended that they be forwarded to the Thirtieth Session of the Conference in November 1999 for adoption.

Formal Confirmation of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties Between States and International Organizations or Between International Organizations: General Assembly Resolution 52/153

90. The Council considered the question of the formal confirmation by FAO of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations, in the light of General Assembly Resolution 52/153 on the "United Nations Decade on International Law".

91. The Council noted that, as of 5 August 1998, only 24 States had deposited instruments of ratification or accession. Consequently, in accordance with Article 85, paragraph 1 of the Convention, which provides that it will enter into force after ratification or accession by 35 States, the Convention has not yet entered into force. The Council also noted that, although the Convention had been signed by the United Nations and by eight Specialized Agencies, none of these organizations had formally confirmed it.

92. In the light of the foregoing, the Council considered that it would be premature for FAO to deposit an instrument of formal confirmation of the Convention and recalled that a decision on such matter should be taken by the Conference. The Council recommended that the status of the Convention be monitored and, once the Convention enters into force and an instrument of formal confirmation is deposited on behalf of the United Nations, the issue of its formal confirmation by FAO be placed on the agenda of the Conference, for appropriate action.

DATE FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL ²⁶

93. By Resolution 19/93 of the Twenty-seventh Session of the Conference (Rome,
6-24 November 1993), the Director-General was appointed for a period of six years from
1 January 1994, the term of office expiring on 31 December 1999. Under the provisions of Rule XXXVI-1(a) GRO, it was necessary for the Council to set the date for Nominations to the Office of Director-General.

94. The Council decided that Nominations to the Office of Director-General should be communicated to the Secretary General of the Conference at the latest by 8 April 1999 at 12.00 hours, and that such Nominations should be circulated by the Secretary-General to all Member Nations of the Organization by 29 April 1999.

INVITATIONS TO NON-MEMBER NATIONS TO ATTEND
FAO SESSIONS ²⁷

95. In accordance with paragraphs B-1 and B-2 of the "Statement of Principles relating to the Granting of Observer Status to Nations"²⁸, the Council agreed that the Russian Federation attend as an observer the Hundred and Fifteenth Session of the FAO Council.

96. The Council was also informed that since its Hundred and Fourteenth Session (Rome, 19 November 1997), the Director-General, on so being requested, had extended an invitation to:

• Belarus, Russian Federation and Ukraine to attend as observers the Sixth Session of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade, Bremen, Germany, 3 to 6 June 1998 (FI-709);
• Russian Federation to attend as an observer the Fifth Extraordinary Session of the Committee on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Rome, 8 to 12 June 1998 (AGP-725);
• Russian Federation to attend as an observer the Consultation on Management of Fishing Capacity, Shark Fisheries and the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries, Rome, 26 to 30 October 1998 (FI-818).

OTHER MATTERS

DATE AND PLACE OF THE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH SESSION
OF THE COUNCIL ²⁹

97. The Council decided that its Hundred and Sixteenth Session should be convened in Rome from 14 to 19 June 1999.

PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING HOST COUNTRIES FOR THE
WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS ³⁰

98. The Council welcomed the revised guidelines on the function and the organisation of world forestry congresses and the procedure for the selection of host countries, proposed by the Secretariat. It decided that the proposed updated guidelines were in general terms appropriate and adequate. It indicated that world forestry congresses should be strengthened as global fora on forests which enable broad participation of all individuals, interest groups and constituencies concerned.

99. The Council agreed that the recommendations should be technical and advisory and not binding, and should not replace FAO policy fora dealing with forestry issues or create new reporting systems in the sector.

100. The Council agreed that the second paragraph of the policy guidelines should be revised to read: "As the main global forum for all those concerned with forests and forestry, the Congress is to be seen as the meeting of the whole world. The process of preparation for the meeting should engage all constituencies of the forestry sector and the various geographic regions and a sense of universal ownership should prevail".

101. The Council also agreed that FAO, as co-sponsor of the Congress, should have a lead role, assisting in the selection of a few key unifying technical topics and in the preparation of a clear and well-balanced report. The Congress, although not an inter-governmental meeting, should provide an opportunity for high-level representatives of Governments to meet, possibly in a side informal ministerial meeting, as was the case at the last Congress.

102. The Council adopted the revised guidelines as contained in Appendix H to this Report.

PROCLAMATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MOUNTAINS ³¹

103. The Council welcomed the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/53/L.24 on the proclamation of the year 2002 as the International Year of Mountains and the invitation to FAO to serve as lead agency for this year.

104. The Council further requested the Director-General to transmit this message of support to the Secretary General of the United Nations immediately.

105. The Council called upon the international community to support FAO in this endeavour which contained elements which fell within its mandate. It also noted the need to assess the financial requirement for this undertaking and to report to the Council prior to the 1999 Conference.

APPOINTMENT OF TWO ALTERNATE CHAIRMEN OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE ³²

106. In accordance with Staff Regulation 301.111, the Council appointed H.E. Sim�on Ake, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of C�te d'Ivoire to the Holy See, as first Alternate Chairman and H.E. Felipe H. Paolillo, Ambassador of Uruguay to the Holy See and Permanent Representative to FAO, as second Alternate Chairman of the Appeals Committee.

TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF AMBASSADOR CARLOS DI MOTTOLA BALESTRA OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA ³³

107. The Council paid tribute to the memory of His Excellency Carlos di Mottola Balestra, Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to FAO from 1963 to 1998, who passed away in February 1998.

108. The Council observed one minute of silence in commemoration.

TRIBUTE TO MR ANDREW PEARSON (AUSTRALIA) ³⁴

109. Noting that Mr Andrew Pearson, Alternate Permanent Representative of Australia to FAO, would be leaving Rome shortly upon completion of his assignment, the Council thanked him for his outstanding contribution to the work of the Organization during the period and wished him well in his future career and personal life.

1    CL 115/1-Rev.1; CL 115/INF/1; CL 115/INF/6; CL 115/PV/1; CL 115/PV/8.
2    CL 115/INF/9; CL 115/PV/1; CL 115/PV/8.
3    CL 115/2; CL 115/2-Sup. 1; CL 115/PV/1; CL 115/PV/2; CL 115/PV/8.
4    CL 115/11.
5    CL 115/11 paras 11 to 30; CL 115/INF/19; CL 115/PV/3; CL 115/PV/8.
6    CL 115/PV/3; CL 115/PV/8.
7    CL 115/13; CL 115/PV/5; CL 115/PV/8.
8    CL 115/INF/24; CL 115/PV/2; CL 115/PV/8.
9    CL 115/14; CL 115/PV/7; CL 115/PV/8.
10  CL 115/15; CL 115/15-Sup.1; CL 115/PV/7; CL 115/PV/8.
11  CL 115/4 paras 6 to 9; CL 115/7 paras 5 to 12; CL 115/8 paras 6 to 21; CL 115/12;
      CL 115/19 paras 7 to 22; CL 115/INF/22; CL 115/PV/4; CL 115/PV/8.
12  C 99/8; C 99/8-Corr.1; CL 115/8 paras 28 to 52; CL 115/10 paras 4 to 8; CL 115/INF/23;
      CL 115/PV/4; CL 115/PV/8.
13  CL 115/4; CL 115/19; CL 115/PV/5; CL 115/PV/8.
14  CL 115/4 paras 10 to 14, CL 115/5 paras 4 to 12, CL 115/19 paras 35 to 43,
      CL 115/PV/5, CL 115/PV/8.
15  Document CL 115/5, CL 115/19.
16  CL 115/4 paras 15 to 18; CL 115/PV/5; CL 115/PV/8.
17  CL 115/4 paras 19 to 22; CL 115/9 paras 14 to 20; CL 115/10 paras 9 to 12;
      CL 115/19 paras 23 to 24; CL 115/PV/5; CL 115/PV/8.
18  CL 115/7; CL 115/8; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
19  CL 115/9; CL 115/10; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
20  C 99/5; CL 115/10 paras 18-25; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
21  CL 115/10 para 15; CL 115/LIM/1; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
22  CL 115/5 paras 13 and 14; CL 115/9 para 48; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
23  CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
24  CL 115/INF/18; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
25  CL 115/5; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
26  CL 115/6; CL 115/PV/6; CL 115/PV/8.
27  CL/115/LIM/2; CL115/PV/1; CL115/PV/8.
28  See FAO Basic Texts, Volume II, Section L (Appendix).
29  CL 115/INF/15; CL 115/PV/7; CL 115/PV/8.
30  CL 115/16; CL 115/16-Corr.1; CL 115/PV/7; CL 115/PV/8.
31  CL 115/INF/10; CL 115/PV/1; CL 115/PV/8.
32  CL 115/17; CL 115/PV/7; CL 115/PV/8.
33  CL 115/PV/1; CL 115/PV/8.
34  CL 115/PV/7; CL 115/PV/8.

I. INTRODUCTION - PROCEDURE OF THE SESSION

1. Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable

2. Election of three Vice-Chairmen, and Designation of the Chairman and Members of the Drafting Committee

II. WORLD FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SITUATION

3. State of Food and Agriculture 1998

4. Report of the Twenty-fourth Session of the Committee on World Food Security (Rome, June 1998)

4.1 Follow-up to the World Food Summit
4.2 Other Matters Arising out of the Report

5. Negotiations on the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources

III. ACTIVITIES OF FAO AND WFP

6. FAO's Response to Recent Natural Disasters

7. World Food Programme

7.1 Second Annual Report of the WFP Executive Board
7.2 Election of Six Members to the WFP Executive Board

IV. PROGRAMME, BUDGETARY, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

8. FAO Strategic Framework 2000-2015

9. Programme Implementation Report 1996-97

10. Reports of the Joint Meetings of the Programme Committee and the Finance Committee (May 1998 and September 1998)

10.1 Savings and Efficiencies in Governance
10.2 Arrangements for Consideration of JIU Reports
10.3 Other Matters Arising out of the Reports

11. Reports of the Seventy-ninth (Rome, May 1998) and Eightieth (Rome, September 1998) Sessions of the Programme Committee

12. Reports of the Eighty-ninth (Rome, May 1998), and Ninetieth (Rome, September 1998) Sessions of the Finance Committee

12.1 FAO Audited Accounts 1996-97
12.2 Status of Contributions 1998
12.3 Format of the External Audit Opinion
12.4 Other Matters Arising out of the Reports

V. CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

13. Regional Distribution of Council Seats

14. Report of the Sixty-eighth Session of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (September 1998)

15. Other Constitutional and Legal Matters, including:

15.1 Date for Nominations to the Office of Director-General
15.2 Invitations to Non-Member Nations to Attend FAO Sessions

VI. OTHER MATTERS

16. Date and Place of the Hundred and Sixteenth Session of the Council

17. Procedure for Selecting Host Countries for the World Forestry Congress

18. Proclamation of an International Year of Mountains

19. Appointment of two Alternate Chairmen of the Appeals Committee

20. Tribute to the Memory of Ambassador di Mottola of Costa Rica

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
MEMBRES DU CONSEIL
MIEMBROS DEL CONSEJO

OBSERVERS FROM MEMBER NATIONS NOT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
OBSERVATEURS D'�TATS MEMBRES NE SI�GEANT PAS AU CONSEIL
OBSERVADORES DE LOS ESTADOS MIEMBROS QUE NO SON MIEMBROS DEL CONSEJO

OBSERVERS FROM UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES
OBSERVATEURS D'�TATS MEMBRES DES NATIONS UNIES
OBSERVADORES DE LOS ESTADOS MIEMBROS DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS

HOLY SEE - SAINT-SI�GE - SANTA SEDE

SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA
ORDRE SOUVERAIN DE MALTE
SOBERANA ORDEN DE MALTA

Giuseppe BONANNO PRINCE di LINGUAGLOSSA
Observateur aupr�s de la FAO
Rome

REPRESENTATIVES OF UNITED NATIONS AND SPECIALIZED AGENCIES
REPR�SENTANTS DES NATIONS UNIES ET INSTITUTIONS SP�CIALIS�ES
REPRESENTANTES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Y ORGANISMOS ESPECIALIZADOS

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
PROGRAMME DES NATIONS UNIES POUR LE D�VELOPPEMENT
PROGRAMA DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS PARA EL DESARROLLO

Evlogui BONEV
Senior Adviser
European Office
Geneva

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
PROGRAMME DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT
PROGRAMA DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS PARA EL MEDIO AMBIENTE

B.M. TAAL
Senior Programme Officer
Officer-in-Charge
Biodiversity
Nairobi

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE
BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DU TRAVAIL
OFICINA INTERNACIONAL DEL TRABAJO

Maurizio SACCONI
Director
Rome

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
FONDS MON�TAIRE INTERNATIONAL
FONDO MONETARIO INTERNACIONAL

J.B. ZULU
Director
Fund Office (UN)
and
Special Representative to the United Nations
Washington, D.C.

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
AGENCE INTERNATIONALE DE L'�NERGIE ATOMIQUE
ORGANISMO INTERNACIONAL DE ENERGIA ATOMICA

James DARGIE
Director
Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
Vienna

OBSERVERS FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
OBSERVATEURS DES ORGANISATIONS INTERGOUVERNEMENTALES
OBSERVADORES DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES INTERGUBERNAMENTALES

OBSERVERS FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
OBSERVATEURS DES ORGANISATIONS NON GOUVERNEMENTALES
OBSERVADORES DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES NO GUBERNAMENTALES

ASIAN NGO COALITION FOR AGRARIAN REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
COALITION ASIATIQUE DES ONG POUR LA R�FORME AGRAIRE ET LE
D�VELOPPEMENT RURAL
COALICION ASIATICA DE ORGANIZACIONES NO GUBERNAMENTALES PARA LA REFORMA AGRARIA Y EL DESARROLLO RURAL

Ms Cristina LIAMZON
Representative
Rome

CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS

Ermond HARTMANS
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

GRAIN AND FEED TRADE ASSOCIATION

Randall WARIN
Agricultural Economist
United Kingdom

INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF WOMEN
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONALE DES FEMMES
ALIANZA INTERNACIONAL DE MUJERES

Mrs Bettina CORKE
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMISTS
ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DES �CONOMISTES AGRONOMIQUES
ASOCIACION INTERNACIONAL DE ECONOMISTAS AGRICOLAS

Mrs Margaret LOSEBY
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY MOVEMENTS OF RURAL TRAINING
ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DES MOUVEMENTS FAMILIAUX DE FORMATION RURALE
ASOCIACION INTERNACIONAL DE LOS MOVIMENTOS FAMILIARES DE FORMACION RURAL

Aim� CAEKELBERGH
Vice-Pr�sident
Paris

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE
COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE DE L'IRRIGATION ET DU DRAINAGE
COMISION INTERNACIONAL DE ORGANIZACIONES SINDICALES LIBRES

Mrs Maria Elisa VENEZIAN SCARASCIA
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
CONF�DERATION INTERNATIONALE DES SYNDICATS LIBRES
CONFEDERACION INTERNACIONAL DE ORGANIZACIONES SINDICALES LIBRES

Ms Teresa GUICCIARDI
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE COOPERATIVE INTERNATIONALE
ALIANZA COOPERATIVA INTERNACIONAL

LinoVISANI
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN
CONSEIL INTERNATIONAL DES FEMMES
CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE MUJERES

Mrs Lydie ROSSINI van HISSENHOVEN
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
F�D�RATION INTERNATIONALE DES PRODUCTEURS AGRICOLES
FEDERACION INTERNACIONAL DE PRODUCTORES AGRICOLAS

Ms Giuseppina PELA
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF HOME ECONOMICS
F�D�RATION INTERNATIONALE POUR L'�CONOMIE FAMILIALE
FEDERACION INTERNACIONAL PARA LA ECONOMIA FAMILIAR

Ms Francesca RONCHI PROJA
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT OF CATHOLIC AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL YOUTH
MOUVEMENT INTERNATIONAL DE LA JEUNESSE AGRICOLE ET RURALE CATHOLIQUE
MOVIMIENTO INTERNACIONAL DE LA JUVENTUD AGRARIA Y RURAL CATOLICA

Luigi PISONI
Representative
Bergamo

WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
LIGUE INTERNATIONALE DES FEMMES POUR LA PAIX ET LA LIBERT�
LIGA INTERNACIONAL DE MUJERES PRO PAZ Y LIBERTAD

Ms Bruna LOMAZZI MAGNANI
Permanent Representative to FAO
Rome

WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS
F�D�RATION SYNDICALE MONDIALE
FEDERACION SINDACAL MUNDIAL

Mme Anna Laura CASADEI
Repr�sentante permanente aupr�s de la FAO
Rome

"The External Auditor shall express and sign an opinion on the financial statements. The opinion shall include the following basic elements:

1. the identification of the financial statements audited;
2. a reference to the responsibility of the entity's management and the responsibility of the auditor;
3. a reference to the audit standards followed;
4. a description of the work performed;
5. an expression of opinion on the financial statements as to whether:

• the financial statements present fairly the financial position as at the end of the period and the results of the operations for the period;
• the financial statements were prepared in accordance with the stated accounting policies; and
• the accounting policies were applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding financial period;

6. an expression of opinion on the compliance of transactions with the financial regulations and legislative authority;
7. the date of the opinion;
8. the external auditor's name and position; and
9. should it be necessary, a reference to the report of the External Auditor on the financial statements."

Regulation IX - Investment of funds

9.1 The Director-General may invest moneys not needed for immediate requirements seeking, wherever practicable, the advice of the United Nations Investment Committee an Advisory Committee on Investments composed of not less than three and not more than five members appointed by the Director-General from persons outside the Organization having substantial experience in the financial sector. The investment of moneys standing to the credit of any trust fund, reserve or special account shall be subject to any directives of the appropriate authority.

___________

*Words struck out are to be deleted and words underlined are to be inserted.

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ORGANIZATION
OF WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESSES

1. The purpose of the Congress is to serve as a forum for the exchange of views and experience and for discussion of matters concerning all aspects of forestry which may lead to the formulation of broad recommendations applicable on a regional or world-wide basis. The Congress also has the wider purpose of providing a periodical opportunity (generally every six years) for the sector to produce an overview of the state of forests and forestry, in order to discern trends, adapt policies and create awareness in decision-makers, the public opinion and in all parties concerned.

2. The Congress is not an intergovernmental meeting and it has no formal constituencies or country delegations. As the main global forum for all those concerned with forests and forestry, the Congress is to be seen as the meeting of the whole world. The process of preparation for the meeting should engage all constituencies of the forestry sector and the various geographic regions and a sense of universal ownership should prevail. The functions of the Congress are advisory, not executive. The implementation of its recommendations is a matter solely for those to whom these are addressed - governments, international organizations, scientific bodies, forest owners, etc. - in the light of their own particular circumstances. The outcome of the Congress should be brought to the attention of the FAO Conference following the Congress, which may wish to consider for possible endorsement, through a resolution, the Declaration emanating from the Congress.

3. The Congress consists of registered participants who may be scientists, technicians or administrators interested in forestry. Irrespective of whether a participant belongs to a government organization, a scientific or professional body, a forestry society, or is attending in a personal capacity, each participant expresses his own personal opinion; neither written papers nor oral interventions made at meetings are taken as committing any government or organization to which the participant may belong or as necessarily representing their views.

4. World Forestry Congresses should be recognized for the high quality standard of the papers and the deliberations and for the broad consensus backing authoritative, although not binding, policy and technical advice to governments and international organizations. The Congress conducts its discussions along broad lines designed:

1. to bring together knowledge and experience with a view to giving guidance on matters pertaining to the formulation and implementation of forest policy;
2. to express views which may guide research organizations in identifying useful lines for their future investigations; the Congress itself, however, should not conduct research nor engage in detailed scientific or technical discussions;
3. to express views which may assist international organizations in planning their future work, subject to approval by the governing bodies of these organizations;
4. to promote the elaboration and world-wide acceptance of technical standards such as an international forestry terminology, uniform classification of forestry literature, and the unification of research methods, as well as exchange of students and scholars.

 

PROVISIONS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESSES

5. The Congress should be open to Participants and Associate Participants from countries that are Members of FAO, the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies, or the International Atomic Energy Agency. Associate participants are students. Any person interested in forests or forestry from these countries can register to attend the Congress in his own right without need for an invitation. Written contributions to the Congress and interventions in the deliberations will be subject to the modalities of organization of the programme. The following categories of contributions to Congress deliberations may be considered: opening and closing speeches and statements, keynote addresses, guest speaker addresses, special reports and information documents, position papers, special papers and voluntary papers. Arrangements should be made concerning attendance by the press and by the public.

6. A Nominations Committee should be established. This Committee should meet prior to the opening session of the Congress, and its main responsibility should be to prepare a list of Officers of the Congress for consideration and approval at the opening session of the Congress. The Nominations Committee should include: the Chairman of the Organizing Committee or his representative, who should act as Chairman of the Committee; a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; and representatives from governments, from international non-governmental organizations, from associations and from the private sector.

7. A General Committee should be established to facilitate the orderly progress of the work of the Congress and in particular to settle any difference of opinion that may arise from the interpretation of the Rules of the Congress and to decide on any proposals or questions submitted to it by the President or any other Officer of the Congress or by the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The membership of the General Committee should include the President, Co-Presidents and Vice-presidents of the Congress and a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

8. When any issue is put to the vote, each duly registered participant of the Congress present should have the right to cast one vote. Decision should be by simple majority.

PROCEDURE FOR THE SELECTION OF THE HOST COUNTRY

9. Normally those countries interested in hosting the next Congress will express their desire at the closing ceremony of a Congress. The Director-General will invite all member of FAO, or State Members of the United Nations or any of its Specialized Agencies, or of the International Atomic Energy Agency, at least four years before the estimated date of the Congress, to submit offers to host and organize the Congress, regardless of whether or not they have made an offer at the previous Congress. Submissions, according to the format indicated in the Technical-Operational Guidelines prepared by the Forestry Department, will be considered by the Committee on Forestry (COFO) together with an assessment of the submissions made by the Secretariat. The COFO will make its recommendations to the FAO Council.

10. Before consideration of the submissions by the FAO Council, an early assessment of the potential host countries should be available indicating the comparative advantages, opportunities and any particular constraints which may need to be resolved. This also refers to raising the necessary funding to ensure the attendance of deserving participants from developing countries. Any technical and logistic support that FAO should provide to assist the host country and supplement its capabilities should be identified at an early stage.

11. The submissions will be presented to the Council for decision, with the recommendations made by the Committee on Forestry. The Council will take into consideration inter alia the desirability for a rotation among the various regions for the location of the Congress and the provisions proposed to ensure universal and broad participation in the preparation and the conduct of the Congress. This decision should be taken at least three years before the possible date of the Congress.

12. The Director-General will notify the Government of the country selected to host the Congress of the decision made by the Council, will provide copies of the policy and Technical- Operational Guidelines for the organization of the Congress, will request confirmation that the host Government will make available the funds needed to organize the Congress and will indicate the general lines of the cooperative agreement to be conducted between the host Government and the Organization for the preparation of the Congress.

ROLE OF FAO

13. FAO as a co-sponsor, should be fully involved in the preparation of the Congress, although the main responsibility for the organization of the Congress lies with the host Government. An Advisory Committee should be established by FAO to assist in a process of broad consultations, with all parties concerned, in the selection of the theme of the Congress, the structuring of the Technical Programme, the identification of invited speakers and authors and suggesting to the Organizing Committee any initiatives which may add value to the event.

14. The Forestry Department should establish a Task Force to collaborate with the Advisory Committee and to support and provide guidance to an Associate Secretary-General of the Congress designated by the Organization to work together with the Secretary-General designated by the host country in the preparation of the Congress, under the overall guidance of the Organizing Committee established by the host country.

15. The Forestry Department designates Associate Technical Secretaries to collaborate with the Technical Secretaries designated by the host country to deal with the topics of the technical programme of the Congress, including the review of invited and voluntary papers and the servicing of the technical sessions during the Congress.

16. FAO concludes an agreement with the institution in the host country responsible for organizing the Congress, indicating the support to be provided by the Organization and engaging financial resources from the host Government to cover part or the totality of the services provided by FAO.

17. The Organization should assist the host country in the wide dissemination of the outcome of the Congress and should ensure any follow-up, including monitoring the implementation of the recommendations by all those concerned and reporting on their implementation at the next Congress. The Forestry Department should make provision for the inter-sessional secretariat work between congresses, within its existing structure and budget.