Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)

FAO Contribution to Brussels POA - 3rd UN Conference on LDCs [pdf]

Much of FAO’s activities contribute towards achieving the goals set in the POA for LDCs for the Decade 2001-2010. The followings are some of the key actions taken since the adoption of the POA in May 2001.

• FAO continues to assist LDCs through the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) to enhance productivity and income through transfer of yield-enhancing technologies for staple crops, improved water management practices, diversification technologies and constraints removal in these countries. The SPFS is currently operational in 46 LDCs.

• FAO has responded to requests for emergency assistance in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors submitted by LDCs affected by exceptional natural or man-made calamities. During 2001, FAO’s emergency assistance was provided to 27 LDCs, covering a wide number of activities related to the urgent, rehabilitation of the disaster-stricken areas. FAO has also assisted these countries in the establishment of preparedness and post-emergency measures, formulating and implementing relief and short rehabilitation programmes that will speed the return back to agricultural development

• FAO has established a Trust Fund for Food Security and for Emergency Prevention of Transboundary Pests and Diseases of Animals and Plants with an initial target of US$500 million, with priority to the needs of low-income food deficit countries (LIFDCs) and LDCs.

• FAO has also launched a number of activities in support of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) regarding agriculture particularly in the area of land and water improvement, production intensification, regional food security, regional cooperation in agriculture and investment in rural infrastructure.

• FAO has intensified its support to member governments, particularly the LDCs, in preparing for multilateral trade negotiations of relevance to agriculture, fisheries and forestry. This support is being provided in the form of information and databases, analytical studies and training, and capacity building.

• FAO developed a proposal for “integrated programme for building capacity in biotechnology, food quality and safety and phyto- and zoo-sanitary standards”. This programme includes the main components of capacity building in food quality and safety for LDCs indicated in the POA. The total requirement of this programme is about US$ 158 million.

• At the WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha in November 2001, FAO, OIE, WHO, WTO and the World Bank issued a joint statement confirming their commitment to enhance developing countries’ capacity to participate effectively in the development and application of international standards and to take full advantage of trade opportunities. As a follow-up to this, an inter-agency mechanism has been established for exchanging information and collaboration with the view to enhancing developing countries’ capacities as indicated in the joint statement.

• FAO is participating actively in the inter-agency panel of financial and commodity experts, established by the WTO following the Doha Conference, to explore ways and means for improving access by LDCs and WTO net food- importing developing countries to multilateral programs and facilities to assist with short-term difficulties in financing normal levels of commercial imports of basic foodstuffs, as well as the concept and feasibility of the proposal for the establishment of a revolving fund.

• FAO continues to provide technical assistance to LDCs in several other areas in order to enhance productivity, diversification and modernization of their agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Active programme of activities continue in natural resource management, agro-based and food industries; animal health and production; agricultural research and technology; agrarian reforms and rural development; women in development; marketing and credit policies; food quality control and nutrition; agricultural information and early warning systems; agricultural policy; statistical development; fisheries and aquaculture; and forestry.