US embassy cable - 03ROME1706

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Identifier:	03ROME1706
Wikileaks:	View 03ROME1706 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Rome
Created:	2003-04-23 08:13:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	AORC EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 001706

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USDA/FAS FOR REICH AND HUGHES
USAID FOR CUMMINGS
MEXICO CITY FOR BRAKEL
MOSCOW FOR WIGGIN

FROM FODAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, EAID, EAGR, EAID, EAGR, EAID, EAGR, FAO AORC, FAO AORC, FAO AORC, FAO
SUBJECT: PREVIEW OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
29TH SESSION

REF: A) ROME 1380 B) ROME 1685

1. SUMMARY. THE UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION
(FAO) COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY (CFS) WILL MEET
MAY 12-16 IN ITS FIRST SESSION AFTER THE "WORLD FOOD
SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER" RECONFIRMED ITS MANDATE TO
MONITOR PROGRESS TOWARDS REACHING THE GOAL OF HALVING
WORLD HUNGER BY 2015. THE CFS WILL CONSIDER FAO'S "ANTI-
HUNGER PROGRAM" -- A USD 24 BILLION/YEAR PROPOSAL TO "GET
COUNTRIES ON TRACK TOWARDS MEETING WORLD FOOD SUMMIT
GOALS"-- AND FAO'S PROPOSAL TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THE
"INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER." THE CFS MEETING
PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UNITED STATES TO WORK WITH
OTHER COUNTRIES TO IMPROVE CFS MONITORING AND TO
HIGHLIGHT THE U.S.'S OWN "ANTI-HUNGER" INITIATIVES. END
SUMMARY.

OPENING OF THE SESSION, BUREAU
-------------------------------

2. THE 29TH SESSION OF THE CFS WILL MEET MAY 12-16, 2003
IN ITS FIRST SESSION AFTER THE 2002 WORLD FOOD
SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER MEETING (WFS5YL) RECONFIRMED ITS
MANDATE TO MONITOR PROGRESS TOWARDS REACHING THE GOAL OF
HALVING WORLD HUNGER BY 2015. THE CFS BUREAU SERVES FOR
TWO SESSIONS. THE CHAIR (THAILAND) AND VICE-CHAIRS
(FRANCE, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, EGYPT AND SOUTH AFRICA) WILL
SERVE THROUGH THIS YEAR'S SESSION. THE PRESIDENT OF THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WILL OPEN THE SESSION. FAO DIRECTOR
GENERAL JACQUES DIOUF WILL ATTEND THE FIRST DAY. THE
U.S. WILL REPRESENT NORTH AMERICA ON THE DRAFTING
COMMITTEE.

ITEM II. FAO DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON FOOD SECURITY
--------------------------------------------- ---------
3. FORMER IMF DIRECTOR MICHEL CAMDESSUS WILL PRESENT THE
LECTURE.

ITEM III. ASSESSMENT OF THE WORLD FOOD SECURITY SITUATION
--------------------------------------------- ---
4. THE FAO ASSESSMENT PRESENTS A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE
CURRENT WORLD FOOD SECURITY SITUATION.

5. CURRENT SITUATION: THE DOCUMENT STATES THAT THE NUMBER
OF UNDERNOURISHED IS NOW ESTIMATED AT 840 MILLION, A
DECREASE OF BARELY 2.5 MILLION OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS, AND
FAR BELOW THE 22 MILLION A YEAR REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE
WORLD FOOD SUMMIT (WFS) GOAL OF HALVING THE NUMBER OF
HUNGRY BY 2015. OUT OF A TOTAL OF 96 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
FOR WHICH COMPARABLE DATA EXISTS, THE FAO CONSIDERS THAT
24 COUNTRIES ARE "ON TRACK" TO ACHIEVING THE WFS TARGET,
6 ARE "LAGGING BEHIND" AND 44 COUNTRIES ARE "OFF TRACK."
OUTSIDE OF ASIA AND EASTERN EUROPE, GROWTH RATES IN MOST
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE "TOO LOW TO GENERATE A MARKED
EFFECT ON POVERTY REDUCTION."

6. HUNGER HOT SPOTS: 38 COUNTRIES, MOST OF THEM (25) IN
AFRICA, ARE EXPERIENCING SERIOUS FOOD SHORTAGES.

7. FOOD AID REQUIREMENTS: THE WFP FIGURE OF USD 3
BILLION FOR 2003 IS CITED.

8. AVAILABILITY AND STABILITY OF SUPPLY: THE REPORT
NOTES LAST YEAR'S DECLINE IN CEREAL PRODUCTION, WITH
PRODUCTION OF OTHER BASIC FOODS UNCHANGED OR SHOWING
MODEST INCREASES.

9. FOOD IMPORT BILLS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TRENDED
DOWN DUE TO FALLING INTERNATIONAL PRICES FROM MID-90'S TO
2001. THE VOLUME OF FOOD IMPORTS BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY DURING THE SAME PERIOD. STARTING IN
2002, THE IMPORT BILL INCREASED BY OVER 6 PERCENT (IN
NOMINAL TERMS), MOSTLY DUE TO RISING INTERNATIONAL PRICES
FOR WHEAT, COARSE GRAINS, OILS, FATS AND OILSEEDS. THE
REPORT CONCLUDES THAT "IF RECENT INTERNATIONAL COMMODITY
PRICES INCREASES ARE SUSTAINED IN 2003, AND TRANSMITTED
TO INTERNAL MARKET PRICES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, THE
DEMAND FOR FOOD IMPORTS IN THOSE COUNTRIES WILL BE
AFFECTED NEGATIVELY."

10. ACCESS TO FOOD - FOCUS ON TRADE: THE ACCESS TO FOOD
SECTION FOCUSES ON THE POTENTIAL OF TRADE TO CONTRIBUTE

ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00
INL-00 USNW-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00
E-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 CAEX-00 SSO-00 SS-00
STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SAS-00 /004W

R 230813Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9357
INFO USDA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 04 ROME 001706

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USDA/FAS FOR REICH AND HUGHES
USAID FOR CUMMINGS
MEXICO CITY FOR BRAKEL
MOSCOW FOR WIGGIN

FROM FODAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, FAO

SUBJECT: PREVIEW OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
29TH SESSION

TO OVERALL ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL GROWTH AND THE
REDUCTION OF FOOD INSECURITY. IT NOTES THAT THE BENEFITS
FROM FREER TRADE DO NOT COME AUTOMATICALLY, AND
HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF ASSISTING DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES TO IMPROVE THEIR CAPACITY TO COMPLY WITH
INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS AS WELL AS TO
PARTICIPATE IN AGRICULTURAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.

11. IN THE CONTEXT OF FOOD SAFETY, THE DOCUMENT NOTES
THREE INITIATIVES: FAO'S "STRATEGY TOWARDS A FOOD CHAIN
APPROACH TO FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY "; THE NEWLY
ESTABLISHED WHO/FAO CODEX ALIMENTARIUS TRUST FUND AND THE
INTEREST IN HOLDING A SECOND GLOBAL FORUM OF FOOD SAFETY
REGULATORS. THE DOCUMENT NOTES THAT A PREPARATORY
MEETING ON THE SECOND GLOBAL FORUM WILL BE HELD IN JULY
2003 TO FINALIZE THE ARRANGEMENTS.

12. COMMENT: THE LAST CFS SESSION REQUESTED THAT THE FAO
PROVIDE A "DRAFT FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT OUTLINING FAO'S
STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS KEY ELEMENTS OF POLICY ADVICE,
CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ACTIONS
THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
LEVELS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO SAFE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD." THE
RESULTING DOCUMENT, FAO'S "STRATEGY ON A FOOD CHAIN
APPROACH TO FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY" AROUSED STRONG
OBJECTIONS FROM CAIRNS GROUP COUNTRIES (AND THE U.S.) AT
THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE (REFTEL
B), NOT LEAST BECAUSE THE FAO HAD ADDED "QUALITY" TO THE
FRAMEWORK. WE EXPECT CAIRNS GROUP COUNTRIES TO RAISE
THOSE CONCERNS AGAIN (AS SHOULD THE U.S.). USDEL SHOULD
ALSO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED SECOND GLOBAL FORUM OF FOOD
SAFETY REGULATORS. END COMMENT.

ITEM IV. REPORT ON THE FIRST INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING
GROUP (IGWG): VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD
IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY
--------------------------------------------- -----

13. THE CFS WILL HEAR A REPORT OF THE IGWG'S FIRST
MEETING IN MARCH 2003. WE DO NOT EXPECT SUBSTANTIVE
DISCUSSION. (SEE REFTEL A REPORTING CABLE ON THE IGWG).
ITEM V. RECENT FAO INITIATIVES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST
HUNGER: ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM; INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE
AGAINST HUNGER
--------------------------------------------- --------

14. THE CFS WILL BE ASKED TO "ENDORSE" THE FAO'S "ANTI-
HUNGER PROGRAM," FIRST UNVEILED AT THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT
FIVE YEARS LATER (WFS5YL) AND REVISED FOR THE WORLD
SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WSSD). THE FAO "ANTI-
HUNGER PROGRAM" ESTIMATES AN ANNUAL NEED FOR PUBLIC
INVESTMENT ON THE ORDER OF USD 24 BILLION (EVENLY
FINANCED BETWEEN DONORS AND RECIPIENTS, ACCORDING TO THE
FAO) TO "BRING HUNGER REDUCTION BACK ON TRACK." THE
PUBLIC INVESTMENT "PACKAGE" POSITS THE NEED FOR USD 5
BILLION FOR DIRECT TRANSFERS TO THE UNDERNOURISHED AND
USD 19 BILLION FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF
UNDERNOURISHMENT AND RURAL POVERTY THROUGH AGRICULTURAL
GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT IN RURAL AREAS. FAO
ALSO INTENDS TO RE-NAME THE PROGRAM "THE ANTI-HUNGER
PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF THE UN MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT
GOALS." FAO REITERATED THAT THE PROGRAM IS A
"PROGRAMMATIC CALL TO ACTION BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS" AND
THAT THE FAO DOES NOT SEEK A NEW ROLE OR NEW RESOURCES.

15. COMMENT: CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER OECD MEMBERS ON
THE "ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM" HAVE SHOWN THAT MEMBERS ARE
CONCERNED THAT ENDORSEMENT OF THE PROGRAM MAY IMPLY
CONSENT EITHER TO THE USD 24 BILLION "PRICE TAG" OR TO A
COMMITMENT TO FUND PART OF THE ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM. END
COMMENT.

16. UNDER "FAO INITIATIVES," THE CFS WILL ALSO BE ASKED
TO ENDORSE THE "AIMS, GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND ACTIVITIES"
OF THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER (IAAH). THE
CFS SHOULD ADVISE ON FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS, AND INDICATE
FUNDING OPTIONS (THE DOCUMENT INDICATE THAT THERE IS A
NEED FOR RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE THE IAAH).
THE IAAH, FIRST DISCUSSED AT THE WFS5YL, WOULD BUILD UPON
EXISTING INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND

ACTION IO-00

R 230813Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9358
INFO USDA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW

UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 04 ROME 001706

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USDA/FAS FOR REICH AND HUGHES
USAID FOR CUMMINGS
MEXICO CITY FOR BRAKEL
MOSCOW FOR WIGGIN

FROM FODAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, FAO

SUBJECT: PREVIEW OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
29TH SESSION

INTERNATIONAL LEVELS. THE EXISTENCE OF THE IAAH WOULD
"PROVIDE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR NATIONAL
INITIATIVES AS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROCESS OF
WORKING TOWARD THE WFS GOAL." THE IAAH WOULD LINK
TOGETHER STATE AND NON-STATE ACTORS (INCLUDING NGO'S AND
THE PRIVATE SECTOR) IN EFFORTS TO MEET THE WFS GOALS.

VI. STANDING ITEM ON NUTRITION: THE ROLE OF AQUACULTURE
IN IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND

VII. THEMATIC ISSUE: THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS ON LONG-
TERM FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION - POLICY
IMPLICATIONS
--------------------------------------------- ----------
17. THE DOCUMENTS PROVIDE PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR
MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS AND DISCUSSES THE
POTENTIAL OF AQUACULTURE FOR IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY.

VIII. OTHER MATTERS -- THEMES FOR NEXT SESSION
--------------------------------------------- -

18. UNDER "OTHER MATTERS" MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO
COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED THEMES FOR THE NEXT SESSION AND
IDENTIFY ONE FOR THE NEXT SESSION. THE PROPOSED THEMES
ARE:

A. AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COSTS OF HUNGER;
B. CROP AND INCOME DIVERSIFICATION - IMPLICATIONS FOR
SMALLHOLDER PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AND FOOD SECURITY;
C. BEST PRACTICES IN REDUCING RURAL POVERTY AND FOOD
INSECURITY IN MARGINAL LANDS - LESSONS FROM SUCCESSFUL
EXPERIENCES IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND
ECONOMIC POLICIES IN SELECTED COUNTRIES;
D. AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY: THE IMPORTANCE SMALL FARMER
IN-SITU CONSERVATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES;
E. IMPLICATIONS OF GMO'S FOR FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD
SAFETY.

19. COMMENT: MISSION RECOMMENDS C AS THE BEST THEME,
WITH B AND D ACCEPTABLE. WE WOULD NOT SUPPORT A OR E.
MISSION ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT AMONG THE THEMES FOR NEXT
YEAR'S SELECTION BE ONE ON HIV/AIDS AND ITS IMPACT ON
FOOD SECURITY.

INFORMATION DOCUMENTS -- COST OF WFS5YL
--------------------------------------------- ---------

20. A DOCUMENT ON THE COST OF THE WFS5YL IS INCLUDED IN
THE INFORMATION DOCUMENTS. ACCORDING TO THE FAO
CALCULATIONS, THE WFS5YL CONSUMED SOME USD 2 MILLION IN
REGULAR BUDGET RESOURCES OF WHICH USD 463,000 WERE
"DIRECT INCREMENTAL COSTS" AND USD 1,46 MILLION WERE
"REDIRECTED" FROM DIVISIONS FROM WITHIN EXISTING
ALLOTMENTS. ANOTHER USD 2 MILLION WAS PROVIDED BY
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GOVERNMENTS AND THE PRIVATE
SECTOR.

INFORMAL PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE IMPACT OF ACCESS TO LAND
ON IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND ALLEVIATING RURAL POVERTY
--------------------------------------------- ----------

21. THE PANEL IS CONSIDERED "OFF THE RECORD" AND WILL BE
HELD ON FRIDAY MORNING (5/16) BEFORE ADOPTION OF THE
FINAL REPORT. THE PANEL WILL LOOK AT SUCCESSFUL CASES OF
LAND REFORM IN SELECTED COUNTRIES. PANEL SPEAKERS ARE
EXPECTED FROM BRAZIL, THE PHILIPPINES, A U.S. SPEAKER
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN LAND TENURE CENTER AND
POSSIBLY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

HIV/AIDS PRESENTATION
---------------------
22. THE SECRETARIAT WILL HAVE MULTIPLE SCREENINGS OF A
SHORT FILM "SOWING THE SEEDS OF HUNGER" ADDRESSING THE
IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON AGRICULTURE.

WFS REPORTING
-------------

23. MISOFFS DISCUSSED THE DIFFICULTIES THAT COUNTRIES
HAVE WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF CFS REPORTING WITH NEW
CFS SECRETARY MARGARITA FLORES (MEXICO) AND STAFF MEMBER
DORJEE KINLAY. FLORES AND KINLAY AGREED THAT COUNTRY

ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-00
DODE-00 ITCE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00
UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 SAS-00
/005W
------------------59C074 230817Z /38
R 230813Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9359
INFO USDA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW

UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 04 ROME 001706

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USDA/FAS FOR REICH AND HUGHES
USAID FOR CUMMINGS
MEXICO CITY FOR BRAKEL
MOSCOW FOR WIGGIN

FROM FODAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, FAO

SUBJECT: PREVIEW OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
29TH SESSION

REPORTING WAS UNSATISFACTORY. IT WAS AGREED THAT THEY
WOULD DISCUSS WITH THE BUREAU THE POSSIBILITY OF HOLDING
AN INFORMAL WORKING GROUP DURING THE WEEK TO DISCUSS WAYS
TO IMPROVE REPORTING ON THE WFS TARGETS. FLORES ALSO
WELCOMED NEWS THAT THE U.S. WAS CONSIDERING HOLDING A
"SIDE-EVENT." (FLORES EXPLAINED THAT INTERPRETATION COSTS
WOULD HAVE TO BE BORNE BY THE U.S.) FLORES NOTED THAT
THE SECRETARIAT HAS SOUGHT TO VARY THE CFS FORMAT WITH
GUEST SPEAKERS AND SIDE EVENTS.

COMMENT
--------
24. THE GOALS OF THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT ARE TO BE
ACCOMPLISHED BY COUNTRIES, NOT BY INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS; THE FAO PLAYS A SUPPORTING ROLE, BUT
COUNTRIES MUST FEEL MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPORTING ON
PROGRESS ACHIEVED. THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE
CFS HAS BEEN PUTTING IN A LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE OVER THE
LAST FEW YEARS, AND ONE INCOMMENSURATE WITH THE
IMPORTANCE OF ITS MANDATE. RECOGNIZING THAT THE CURRENT
REPORTING FORMAT IS BURDENSOME, AND LEADS TO A HIGH RATE
OF NON-REPORTING, IMPROVING THE COUNTRY REPORTING SYSTEM
SHOULD BE ONE OF THE CFS'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES. HALL

2003ROME01706 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

US embassy cable - 03ROME1706

PREVIEW OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY 29TH SESSION