US embassy cable - 05ROME2280

UNCLAS  ROME 002280 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
USDA FAS FOR U/S BOST, JBUTLER, MCHAMBLISS, LREICH 
STATE FOR IO DAS MILLER, IO/EDA, OES/E, E, EB; 
AID FOR EGAT, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP 
PASS USTR AND PEACE CORPS 
 
FROM THE U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES IN ROME 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, AORC, ETRD, EAID, SENV, FAO 
SUBJECT:  128TH SESSION OF THE FAO COUNCIL, JUNE 20-25, 2005 
 
REF:  (A) ROME 2082,     (B) ROME 2083 
 
1.  Summary:  The 128th Session of the FAO Council, held in 
Rome June 20-25, made progress in a collegial and positive 
atmosphere on a variety of substantive and institutional 
issues: 
 
-- Members generally endorsed the recent work of FAO's 
technical committees on World Food Security (CFS) 
Agriculture (COAG), Commodity Problems (CCP), Fisheries 
(COFI), and Forestry (COFO).  FAO's contribution to the 
realization of the goals of the Millennium Declaration 
(MDGs) was widely discussed. 
 
-- In discussions of the Finance and Program committees' 
reports, members laid down markers on FAO priorities for the 
2006-07 biennium and the expected budget level.  The latter 
ranged from a Real Growth (RG) scenario of +9.25 percent 
[proposed by most G-77 countries] to Zero Nominal Growth 
(ZNG) [USA, Australia] and below-ZNG [Japan]. 
 
-- Representatives from each of the regional groups praised 
the work thus far of the Intersessional Working Group (ISWG) 
on the Independent External Evaluation (IEE) of FAO, and 
reaffirmed the decision to complete preparatory work before 
the next Council in November 2005. 
 
-- Two matters from the report of the Committee on 
Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM) -- concerning 
registered partnerships and a draft MOU between FAO and the 
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) -- were sent 
back to the CCLM for further study. 
 
-- Among the side events were (1) a presentation by USDA U/S 
Eric Bost on the USG approach to promotion of good 
nutrition, (2) implementation of the International Treaty on 
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and (3) a 
discussion on implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on 
the Right to Adequate Food. 
 
End summary. 
 
Introduction 
------------ 
 
2.  The 128th Council discussed a wide range of ongoing 
activities under the chairmanship of Aziz Mekouar (Morocco), 
including preliminary discussions of the Program of Work and 
Budget that will be finalized at the FAO Council and 
Conference in November 2005.  The U.S. delegation consisted 
of: Ambassador Tony P. Hall, Head of Delegation (U.S. 
Mission); William Brant and Richard Hughes (USDA Foreign 
Agriculture Service); and J. Michael Cleverley and Willem 
Brakel (U.S. Mission).  The U.S. chaired the Drafting 
Committee.  The full Council report will be available at 
www.fao.org shortly; this cable highlights issues of 
particular interest to the USG. 
 
The Opening and Keynote Addresses 
--------------------------------- 
 
3.  Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa gave the opening 
address, highlighting the strides his country had made in 
the agricultural sector, and commending FAO on its work in 
Africa.  In light of the recent G-8 announcement on debt 
relief for Africa, Mwanawasa commended western leaders on 
their efforts in support of Africa's development.  Director 
General Jacques Diouf emphasized FAO's resource needs in his 
remarks.  He reminded delegates that the 2004-05 budget 
represented a 6.4 percent cut in real terms, and highlighted 
effiiency savings realized in the past decade.  He called 
on member governments to show leadership in charting FAO's 
future course in the international arena, and also in 
providing the means to achieve those goals. 
 
U.S. Remarks 
------------ 
 
4.  Ambassador Hall delivered a statement that laid out USG 
views on FAO's role in achieving the goals of the Millennium 
Declaration.  He asserted that the most effective way UN 
organizations can contribute to this process is by focusing 
on areas in which they have a unique advantage.  While 
recognizing that the time-bound, measurable indicators and 
targets of the Millennium Declaration provide a useful 
 
framework to help address challenges, he cautioned that the 
MDGs do not represent the complete development agenda.  He 
noted that FAO can contribute most effectively by focusing 
on its normative work, its response capacity and emergency 
assessments, its role as a neutral forum, and promotion of 
science and technology.  Hall emphasized that FAO should 
play to its strengths, commenting that the planned 
Independent External Evaluation would help determine those 
precise areas of strength. 
 
Technical Committee Reports 
--------------------------- 
 
5.  Council members generally endorsed the work of the 
various technical committees.  Special emphasis was given to 
FAO's contribution to achievement of objectives of the 
Millennium Declaration.  The Secretariat provided additional 
information on the planned International Conference on 
Agrarian Reform that was first announced at CFS. 
 
Program and Finance Matters 
--------------------------- 
 
6.  Foreshadowing more detailed discussions to take place in 
November 2005, a number of delegations laid out their 
initial expectations regarding the FAO budget for the 
upcoming biennium.  G-77 members generally reaffirmed their 
call for an RG scenario of +9.25 percent.  The U.S. and 
Australia argued for ZNG, and Japan made the case for below- 
ZNG.  Without citing a specific scenario, Switzerland opined 
that FAO should have "sufficient and adequate resources for 
carrying out its important mandate."  The Nordics spoke 
vaguely of the match between resources and requirements. 
The EU remained silent on the overall budget question. 
 
7.  On other financial and program issues, the Council 
expressed concern over the high level of arrears and late 
payment of assessed contributions.  It asked for further 
review of the After Service Medical Coverage Liability using 
the latest actuarial valuation and an anticipated UN-system- 
wide study of the issue.  It endorsed several 
recommendations to streamline Program of Work and Budget 
(PWB) documentation and the overall budget process.  The 
Council approved the concept of a Security Expenditure 
Facility.  Members were divided on the Miscellaneous Income 
deduction, and will await more specific proposals on this 
point.  Many called for better prioritization of programs 
and activities, without agreement on what those priorities 
should be. 
 
Independent External Evaluation 
------------------------------- 
 
8.  Ambassador Perri (Brazil), the ISWG Chairman, made an 
oral presentation of the ISWG progress report, highlighting 
the inclusiveness of the process.  He appealed to members to 
begin mobilizing the funds needed to begin the evaluation. 
Representatives from each of the regional groups were 
invited to speak, and all spoke favorably of the positive, 
collaborative spirit of the ISWG.  Refs A and B provide more 
detailed reports on IEE progress to date. 
 
Matters Deferred 
---------------- 
 
9.  From consultations initiated by Independent Chairman 
Mekouar and the head of the regional groups before the 
plenary Council sessions, it was clear that two agenda items 
from the CCLM report were not ready for action by the 
Council: 
 
-- a recommendation that the Council adopt a policy 
regarding recognition of registered partnerships of 
employees for the purpose of entitlements; and 
 
-- a draft cooperation agreement between FAO and WIPO. 
 
These items were referred back to CCLM for consideration at 
its next meeting in October. 
 
Side Events and Special Events 
------------------------------ 
 
10.  U.S. Dietary Guidelines:  USDA U/S for Food, Nutrition 
and Consumer Services, Eric Bost, gave a presentation on the 
 
new US Dietary Guidelines that provide science-based advice 
on food and physical activity choices for health. Bost's 
presentation highlighted the USDA's "MyPyramid" food 
guidance system.  This well-attended event, which also 
featured a global overview of food-based dietary guidelines 
by the head of FAO's Food and Nutrition Division, stimulated 
lively discussion between presenters and audience. 
 
11.  Implementation of the International Treaty on Plant 
Genetic Resources:  After a keynote address by a senior 
agriculture official from India, the Secretariat provided an 
update on the International Treaty.  Seventy countries have 
ratified or otherwise indicated formal acceptance of the 
treaty.  Reference was made to the U.S.-sponsored First 
Meeting of the Contact Group for the Drafting of the 
Standard Material Transfer Agreement in Tunisia, 18-22 July. 
Delegates were informed that the Global Crop Diversity 
Trust, which is part of the funding mechanism for the 
treaty, has received pledges in excess of $56 million. 
 
12.  Implementation of Voluntary Guidelines to Support the 
Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food:  DG 
Diouf commented that the release of the published version of 
Voluntary Guidelines marked the first time an 
intergovernmental organization had agreed on the right to 
food as government policy.  Highlights of the event included 
a presentation on plans for the use of Germany's 5 million 
euro contribution to FAO for the first phase of long-term 
implementation of this right.  The main objectives of this 
phase will be to build human capacity and develop methods 
and programs for implementation.  The FAO Secretariat 
outlined its envisioned role in implementation of the 
Voluntary Guidelines. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
13.  The 128th Council was noteworthy for its positive and 
cooperative atmosphere.  This was due in part to Chairman 
Mekouar's deft handling of some potentially contentious 
issues, several of which were temporarily deferred or will 
resurface at the next session.  But there was also a genuine 
improvement in the level of trust and cooperation among 
delegates, compared to previous Councils.  We attribute this 
cooperative atmosphere to the close working relations 
established during the ISWG process. 
 
14.  The November Council (and the FAO Conference 
immediately thereafter) may prove more difficult.  Among the 
issues to be resolved then will be (1) approval of the terms 
of reference and governance mechanisms for the IEE, (2) the 
selection of a new Independent Chair of the Council (thus 
far, the Netherlands and Iran have proposed candidates), and 
(3) the determination of the overall budget level for the 
next biennium. 
 
Cleverley 
 
 
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 2005ROME02280 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED