OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 003214 SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS PARIS FOR OECD FROM FODAG UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03214 01 OF 05 020718Z E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAID FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER MEETING REF: ROME 3093 ¶1. SUMMARY: DESPITE POSTPONEMENT AND COMPETING EVENTS, THE JUNE 10-13 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER (WFS5YL) MEETING WAS WELL ATTENDED AND UNMARRED BY VIOLENT PROTESTS. 47 HEADS OF STATE ATTENDED, OF WHICH TWO WERE OECD COUNTRY LEADERS (SPAIN AND ITALY). THE U.S. DELEGATION, LED BY SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, ANN VENEMAN, INCLUDED USAID SIPDIS ADMINISTRATOR ANDREW NATSIOS AND UNDERSECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC, BUSINESS AND AGRICULTURE AFFAIRS ALAN LARSON. THE FAO HOSTED A MEETING OF NEPAD (NEW AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) MINISTERS OF AGRICULTURE TO DISCUSS AN FAO-DRAFTED PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE AFRICAN AGRICULTURE SECTOR JUST PRIOR TO THE SUMMIT. NGO/CSO PARTICIPANTS (MOST WITH A COMMON "ANTI-TRADE LIBERALIZATION, ANTI-GMO" PLATFORM),FOUND LITTLE TO THEIR LIKING IN THE WFS5YL OUTCOME DECLARATION WHICH ENDORSES TRADE AS AN ENGINE OF GROWTH AND CALLS ON THE FAO TO ADVANCE RESEARCH IN BIOTECHNOLOGY. ¶2. SUMMARY CONT. THE WFS5YL PROVIDED A GOOD VENUE FOR INTRODUCING THE U.S. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INITIATIVE, HIGHLIGHTING U.S. ACTIONS TO PREVENT FAMINE AND IMPROVE NUTRITION AND PRESENTING U.S. VIEWS ON IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH BIOTECHNOLOGY (WITH UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03214 01 OF 05 020718Z FEATURED SPEAKER U.S. NOBEL LAUREATE NORMAN BORLAUG.) QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS WERE PRIMARILY ON TRADE, WHICH PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO CRITICISMS OF THE NEW U.S. FARM BILL. WARNED BY OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES NOT TO USE THE WFS5YL AS A PLEDGING CONFERENCE, THE FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL (AND MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES) WERE NONETHELESS DISAPPOINTED THAT IT DID NOT SUCCEED AT MOBILIZING NEW RESOURCES FOR AGRICULTURE. END SUMMARY. WFS5YL: WHO CAME -------------- ¶3. 182 COUNTRIES ATTENDED THE JUNE 10-13 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER (WFS5YL)MEETING IN ROME. BILLED AS A HEADS OF STATE-LEVEL MEETING, LESS THAN A THIRD OF FAO MEMBER STATES (47 TOTAL) ACTUALLY SENT HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT (THOSE WHO DID ATTEND WERE PRIMARILY FROM AFRICA). FAO MEDIA REPORTS STATED THAT 74 HEADS OF STATE ATTENDED, BUT THIS FIGURE INCLUDED VICE-PRIME MINISTERS, VICE-PREMIERS AND VICE-PRESIDENTS. MOST FAO MEMBERS SENT THEIR MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. OECD COUNTRIES GENERALLY FIELDED LARGE DELEGATIONS WITH EXPERTISE IN AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT, WITH ONLY TWO OECD COUNTRIES, SPAIN AND ITALY, REPRESENTED AT HEAD OF GOVERNMENT LEVEL. U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ANN VENEMAN LED THE 34-PERSON STRONG U.S. DELEGATION (NOT COUNTING FODAG AND EMBASSY OFFICERS),WHICH INCLUDED USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS AND STATE DEPARTMENT UNDERSECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC, BUSINESS AND AGRICULTURE AFFAIRS, ALAN LARSON. IN ADDITION TO CIVIL SOCIETY AND PRIVATE SECTOR ADVISORS, THE DELEGATION ALSO INCLUDED CONGRESSMAN TONY HALL AND CONGRESSWOMAN EVA CLAYTON. UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03214 01 OF 05 020718Z DELEGATION MEMBER MARY CHAMBLISS (USDA/FAS) SERVED AS THE NORTH AMERICAN VICE-CHAIR OF THE WFS5YL AND ROSE BERSTEIN (IO/EDA) SERVED ON THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE. ¶4. HEADS OF DELEGATION OPENED THE WFS5YL BY ENDORSING THE WFS5YL DECLARATION, SUBTITLED "INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER" (REFTEL) WITHOUT DISCUSSION. THE UNITED STATES SUBMITTED ITS RESERVATION IN WRITING (ALONG WITH A REQUEST THAT THE RESERVATION BE PLACED AS A FOOTNOTE TO OPERATIVE PARAGRAPH 10 OF THE DECLARATION.) THE U.S. RESERVATION READS: "THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THAT THE ISSUE OF ADEQUATE FOOD CAN ONLY BE VIEWED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RIGHT TO A STANDARD OF LIVING ADEQUATE FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AS SET FORTH IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, WHICH INCLUDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE FOOD, CLOTHING, HOUSING, MEDICAL CARE AND NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES. FURTHER, THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THAT THE ATTAINMENT OF THE RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING IS A GOAL OR ASPIRATION TO BE REALIZED PROGRESSIVELY THAT DOES NOT GIVE RISE TO ANY UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7319 PAGE 01 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 SAS-00 /006W -------------- C54461 020718Z /38 R 020732Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4534 INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2197 USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY PARIS UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 003214 SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS PARIS FOR OECD FROM FODAG UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAID FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER MEETING INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION OR ANY DOMESTIC LEGAL ENTITLEMENT, AND DOES NOT DIMINISH THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS TOWARDS THEIR CITIZENS. ADDITIONALLY, THE UNITED STATES UNDERSTANDS THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO FOOD TO MEAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE FOOD, AND NOT A GUARANTEED ENTITLEMENT. CONCERNING OPERATIVE PARAGRAPH 10, WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONCRETE ACTION TO MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT, AND ARE CONCERNED THAT STERILE DEBATE OVER "VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES" WOULD DISTRACT ATTENTION FROM THE REAL WORK OF REDUCING POVERTY AND HUNGER." WFS5YL PLENARY STATEMENTS -------------- ¶5. THE U.S. PLENARY STATEMENT, DELIVERED BY SECRETARY VENEMAN, HIGHLIGHTED U.S. EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, NUTRITION AND COMBAT FAMINE, INCLUDING THROUGH SCHOOL FEEDING AND EMERGENCY FOOD AID (WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA). THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON FOOD SECURITY WAS STRESSED. THE SECRETARY ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE U.S. WOULD HOST A SIPDIS MINISTERIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE IN EARLY 2003 TO FOCUS ON HOW DEVELOPING COUNTRIES' FOOD NEEDS CAN BE MET THROUGH NEW FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES. PLENARY STATEMENTS BY OTHER HEADS OF DELEGATION CONVERGED ON THE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z FOLLOWING THEMES: -- THE NEED TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO TRADE (ALL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND CAIRNS GROUP); -- SUPPORT FOR THE RIGHT TO FOOD (MOST COUNTRIES); -- THE IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS (MOSTLY AFRICAN COUNTRIES); -- THE IMPORTANCE OF ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS, GOOD GOVERNANCE (OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES); -- HARMFUL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON FOOD PRODUCTION (ESPECIALLY SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES); ¶6. PLENARY STATEMENTS DID NOT ATTRACT A LARGE AUDIENCE, BUT THE STATEMENT OF ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT MUGABE -- WHO TOUTED HIS LAND RESETTLEMENT SCHEME AS CONTRIBUTING TO FOOD SECURITY -- WAS MUCH REMARKED ON IN THE CORRIDORS. AN NGO SPEAKER WHOSE TURN AT THE PODIUM CAME LATE IN THE EVENING OF JUNE 12 CAUSED COMMENT AS WELL BY RIPPING UP THE WFS5YL DECLARATION AND EATING IT TO EXPRESS HIS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DOCUMENT. WFS5YL SIDE EVENTS -- REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS "PROJECT EXCHANGE" -------------- -------------- ¶7. IN A LAST MINUTE EFFORT TO MOBILIZE FUNDING FOR PROJECTS, THE FAO ORGANIZED SOME 20 MEETINGS OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS (SUCH AS MERCOSUR, ECOWAS AND SADC) WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING TOGETHER DONORS AND RECIPIENTS TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC PROJECT PROPOSALS AT THE REGIONAL AND SUB- REGIONAL LEVEL. MOST OECD DONORS WERE HARD PRESSED TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS AT A SUITABLE LEVEL; NONE WENT WITH UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z CHECKBOOK IN HAND READY TO FUND PROJECTS. THERE WERE MANY REPORTS (INCLUDING FROM INSIDE THE SECRETARIAT) OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PREPARATION. COMMENT: ONE OECD MEMBER REPORTED THAT THE AFRICAN GROUP (WHICH HAD SENT MINISTERS OF AGRICULTURE TO THE SEMINARS),WAS "FURIOUS" AT DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG) DIOUF BECAUSE HE HIMSELF DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE AFRICAN SUB-REGIONAL SEMINARS, AND BECAUSE THERE WERE FEW OECD DONORS PRESENT. CURIOUSLY, IN A POST-WFS5YL MEETING WITH ACTING PERM REP, THE DG SAID THAT HE FELT THE SEMINARS WERE ONE OF THE GREAT SUCCESSES OF THE SUMMIT. END COMMENT. WFS SIDE EVENTS CONTINUED: ROUNDTABLES, MULTISTAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE -- NGO "DECLARATION" -------------- -------------- ¶8. THE THREE ROUNDTABLES, WHERE HEADS OF DELEGATION DEBATED THE OVERARCHING WFS5YL THEME OF "WFS PLAN OF ACTION: RESULTS ACHIEVED, OBSTACLES MET AND MEANS OF OVERCOMING THEM" MET IN CLOSED SESSION. USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS REPRESENTED THE U.S. AT ROUNDTABLE II. THE ROUNDTABLES GARNERED MIXED BUT GENERALLY POSITIVE REVIEWS. PARTICIPANTS COMMENTED THAT AT UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7324 PAGE 01 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 SAS-00 /006W -------------- C54475 020719Z /38 R 020732Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4535 INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2198 USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY PARIS UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 003214 SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS PARIS FOR OECD FROM FODAG UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAID FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER MEETING LEAST TWO OF THEM HAD A REASONABLE DIALOGUE, BUT THAT MUCH OF THE PARTICIPATION WAS SCRIPTED. ¶9. ALMOST ALL PARTICIPANTS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE MULTISTAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE, WHICH REPRESENTED AN EFFORT TO BROADEN THE DISCUSSION OF THE WFS5YL OBJECTIVES BY INCLUDING NGO/CSO REPRESENTATIVES. NGO/CSO PARTICIPANTS SPENT THE SESSION LOBBING BROADSIDES AT THE OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES (PRIMARILY AGAINST TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND GMO "CONTAMINATION."). MEMBER COUNTRY DELEGATIONS (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE U.S., INDIA, NORWAY, THE EC AND A FEW OTHERS) FOR THE MOST PART DID NOT RESPOND. COMMENT: THE OVERARCHING THEME WHICH HEADS OF DELEGATION USED AS A STARTING POINT FOR THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WAS, IN RETROSPECT, TOO BROAD TO SERVE AS A BASIS FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE BETWEEN SOME 100 COUNTRIES AND TWICE THAT NUMBER OF NGO'S. GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF NGO/CSO'S IN DELIVERY OF FOOD AID AND FOOD ASSISTANCE -- EVEN IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES -- MANY DELEGATES WERE FRUSTRATED THAT THE EVENT WAS LESS PRODUCTIVE. THE ABSENCE OF NGO ADVOCACY ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES (OTHER THAN THE RIGHT TO FOOD) WAS ALSO NOTABLE. END COMMENT. ¶10. THE FINAL NGO/CSO DECLARATION WAS AN ALMOST COMPLETE REBUTTAL OF THE GOVERNMENT-NEGOTIATED "DECLARATION." IN THE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z DECLARATION (DISCUSSED REFTEL),DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, IN PARTICULAR, HAD ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO TRADE LIBERALIZATION; COUNTRIES HAD ALSO AGREED THAT AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE PROMOTED. THE NGO DECLARATION ARGUED THAT NUMBER OF HUNGRY WAS NOT REDUCED BECAUSE "GOVERNMENTS CONTINUED TO PURSUE POLICIES THAT LEAD TO HUNGER AND POLICIES THAT SUPPORT ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION FOR THE SOUTH" AND "IMPOSITION OF INTENSIVE...MODELS OF PRODUCTION" WHICH HAD "FOCUSED ON SHORT-TERM PRODUCTIVITY GAINS USING HARMFUL TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS GMO'S." THE NGO DEMONSTRATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE (WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF ROME) WERE PEACEFUL, BUT NOT PARTICULARLY WELL-ATTENDED. USDEL MEMBERS PROVIDED WELL-RECEIVED DAILY BRIEFINGS TO U.S. NGOS/CSOS OUTSIDE OF THE FAO. U.S. SIDE EVENT ON BIOTECHNOLOGY -------------- ¶11. THE U.S. AND THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (CGIAR) SPONSORED AN EVENT ON "IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY - THE CONTRIBUTION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY" AT THE HOTEL EXCELSIOR ON JUNE 11. A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD HEARD OPENING REMARKS BY NOBEL LAUREATE NORMAN BORLAUG, THE NIGERIAN MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND SECRETARY VENEMAN. PANEL PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE BY CHINESE RESEARCHER HUANG JIKUN (ON BT COTTON); BY KENYAN RESEARCHER ROMANO KIOME AND BY PER PINSTRUP ANDERSON OF THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IFPRI). THE EVENT GENERATED CONSIDERABLE MEDIA COVERAGE (INCLUDING MENTION ON THE BBC MORNING NEWS, AND NPR'S EARLY EDITION). U.S. DELEGATES RECEIVED MANY FAVORABLE COMMENTS CONCERNING THE EVENT. THOSE WITH NEGATIVE COMMENTS (INCLUDING AN FAO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z STAFFER) COMPLAINED THAT THE EVENT WAS "BIASED" AND DIDN'T REFLECT THE "RISKS" AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS OF BIOTECH. AT LEAST ONE CRITIC (A CLOSE MISSION CONTACT) TOLD ACTING PERM REP THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS "NAIVE" FOR THINKING THAT A U.S.-SPONSORED EVENT OF THIS KIND HAD ANY CREDIBILITY. COMMENT. THIS REFLECTS THE EXTENT TO WHICH MOST EUROPEAN AUDIENCES BELIEVE THAT THE "BENEFITS BUT RISKS" SYLLOGISM IS THE ONLY WAY TO DISCUSS BIOTECHNOLOGY. SEE SEPTEL FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE EVENT. END COMMENT. SEMINAR ON RIGHT TO FOOD-- UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR BLASTS U.S. -------------- -------------- ¶12. THE ITALIAN MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE CHAIRED A SEMINAR ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD ON THE LAST DAY OF THE WFS5YL. PARTICIPANTS WERE INVITED TO "DISCUSS WAYS IN WHICH THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD AND THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO BE FREEDOM FROM HUNGER CAN BE IMPLEMENTED." THE SEMINAR DISCUSSED OPERATIVE PARA 10 OF THE WFS5YL DECLARATION, WHICH CALLS FOR THE FAO COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE SETTING UP OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL BODY TO "NEGOTIATE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO FOOD, IN THE UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7326 PAGE 01 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 SAS-00 /006W -------------- C5447C 020719Z /38 R 020732Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4536 INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2199 USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY PARIS UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 003214 SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS PARIS FOR OECD FROM FODAG UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAID FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER MEETING CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY, AND TO REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY." AS NOTED IN PARA SIX, THE U.S. ENTERED A RESERVATION ON OPERATIVE PARAGRAPH 10 OF THE DECLARATION. ¶13. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE U.S. PARTICIPANT, SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD, NGO/CSO REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES) ALL ENDORSED THE RIGHT TO FOOD. SOME REGRETTED THAT THE DECLARATION DID NOT CONTAIN THE "CODE OF CONDUCT," BUT THEY APPLAUDED THE STEP TAKEN IN THE DECLARATION AS MOVING TOWARD THE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO FOOD. THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR, JEAN ZIEGLER, WAS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL OF THE UNITED STATES, THE WTO AND THE BRETTON WOODS INSTITUTIONS FOR "CONTINUED ABUSE OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL RIGHTS." ZIEGLER STATED THAT THE WTO MUST ENDORSE THE RIGHT TO FOOD SO THAT A COUNTRY SHOULD NOT BE "FORCED TO LIBERALIZE THEIR ECONOMIES IF THEIR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IS NOT GUARANTEED." U.S. DEL RESPONDED THAT THE U.S. WAS, IN FACT, A STRONG SUPPORTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THAT IT WAS WELL KNOWN THAT COUNTRIES WITH FOOD SECURITY WERE ONES WHERE CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED, AND THAT THE NEGOTIATION OF THE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES WOULD CERTAINLY GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO FOOD FOR INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATS IN ROME, BUT WOULD DO LITTLE FOR THE HUNGRY PEOPLE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z IN THE WORLD. WFS5YL - SPECIAL FOCUS ON AFRICA - NEPAD -------------- ¶13. THE WFS5YL HAD A SPECIAL FOCUS ON AFRICA, WHICH IS THE REGION THAT HAS SEEN FOOD SECURITY DETERIORATE THE MOST (ALTHOUGH THE LARGEST NUMBERS OF UNDERNOURISHED ARE STILL IN ASIA). THE FAO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED THE SECRETARIAT FOR THE AGRICULTURAL PORTION OF THE NEW ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT (NEPAD),CONSISTENT WITH NEPAD LEADERS' DECISION TO USE EXISTING MECHANISMS (RATHER THAN CREATE NEW STRUCTURES). THE FAO DRAFTED THE FAO/NEPAD JOINT COMPREHENSIVE AFRICA AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (CAADP) REPORT, WHICH CALLS FOR INVESTMENT OF USD 240 BILLION IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR BETWEEN NOW AND 2015 AND IS INTENDED TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE G8 SUMMIT IN CANADA. AFRICAN MINISTERS MET IN ROME THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE START OF THE WFS5YL TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT CAADP. COMMENT: THE FAO/NEPAD PROGRAM FOR AFRICA IS PRIMARILY FOCUSSED ON GENERATING EXTERNAL RESOURCES AND PUTS SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON CHANNELING RESOURCES THROUGH THE FAO'S SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD SECURITY (SPFS). THE SPFS WAS CREATED IN THE WAKE OF THE 1996 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT TO PROMOTE SMALL-SCALE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS (MANY STAFFED WITH TECHNICIANS FROM OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES) WORKING ON INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY. A 2002 EVALUATION OF SPFS HAD LITTLE POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT SPFS PROJECT DESIGN OR SUSTAINABILITY. END COMMENT. ¶14. IN A RELATED EVENT, ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS AND CIVIL SOCIETY DELEGATE M. PETER MCPHERSON HOSTED A BREAKFAST FOR AFRICAN LEADERS ON JUNE 11 ON THE U.S. PARTNERSHIP TO CUT UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z POVERTY AND HUNGER FOR AFRICA. AFRICAN PRESIDENTS CHISSANO (MOZAMBIQUE),MUSEVENI (UGANDA) AND KUFUOR (GHANA) PARTICIPATED IN ADDITION TO AGRICULTURE MINISTERS FROM THOSE COUNTRIES. WFS5YL RESULTS -- THE VIEW FROM THE FAO -------------- ¶15. THE FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL SAW THE WFS5YL AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO THE GOALS OF THE 1996 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT AND MOBILIZE RESOURCES ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD'S HUNGRY. WHILE OECD DONORS HAD LONG WARNED HIM THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE A "PLEDGING CONFERENCE," THE DG'S "PROJECT EXCHANGE" AS WELL AS THE ROLL-OUT OF THE FAO'S USD 24 BILLION "ANTI-HUNGER INITIATIVE" WERE CLEARLY EFFORTS TO MOBILIZE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR AGRICULTURE -- ESPECIALLY FOR FAO PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD SECURITY (SPFS). ¶16. DIOUF EXPRESSED HIS OWN DISAPPOINTMENT TO ACTING PERM REP AFTER THE MEETING THAT THE WFS5YL HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON SPECIFIC FINANCIAL TARGETS FOR ASSISTANCE UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7328 PAGE 01 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 SAS-00 /006W -------------- C54482 020719Z /38 R 020732Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4537 INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2200 USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY PARIS UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 003214 SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS PARIS FOR OECD FROM FODAG UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAID FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER MEETING TO AGRICULTURE. THE DG SEES HIS NEXT STEPS AS MOBILIZING EFFORTS TO REALIZE THE SUMMIT-BLESSED "INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER" -- INTENDED TO JOIN CIVIL SOCIETY, PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT EFFORTS -- AND TO PROMOTE THE SPFS. TO THIS END, HE HAS ALREADY EMBARKED ON BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH DONOR COUNTRIES REPRESENTATIVES IN ROME (AND ABROAD) TO PURSUE THIS AGENDA AND CONTINUE TO SEEK TO MOBILIZE NEW RESOURCES. ...AND THE VIEW FROM THE FAO STAFFERS -------------- ¶17. THE EVENT -- MEASURED IN EXPENSE AND DISRUPTION OF STAFF WORK -- WAS NOT PARTICULARLY FRUITFUL FOR MOST FAO STAFFERS. THEY ARE RELIEVED IT IS OVER, BUT DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RESULTS (PARTICULARLY THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE "WORLD-STARVES-WHILE-DELEGATES-EAT" GENRE). FAO STAFFERS PREPARING FOR THE WFS5YL ALSO BORE THE BRUNT OF THE DG'S HIGHLY CENTRALIZED AND LAST-MINUTE DECISION MAKING STYLE. WFS5YL RESULTS -- ITALY AND THE FAO -------------- - ¶18. WHILE ITALY ROYALLY BANKROLLED THE WFS5YL (FINAL FIGURES ARE NOT YET KNOWN),NO ONE WAS MORE SURPRISED THAN UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL DIOUF WHEN ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER BERLUSCONI, IN HIS CONCLUDING REMARKS, STATED THAT THE FAO NEEDED TO GO ON A DIET AND TRIM 30 PERCENT -- JUST LIKE HIS COMPANIES. A VISIBLY DISTRESSED DIOUF PASSED A NOTE TO THE PRIME MINISTER, WHO, AFTER READING IT, TOLD THE AUDIENCE THAT HE HAD JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FAO HAD, IN FACT, BEEN REDUCING. A WEEK LATER THE ITALIAN SUPPLEMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE PUBLISHED AN OP-ED BY ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN DARIO RIVOLTA COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FAO'S WASTE AND INEFFICIENCY AND THE "FAILURE OF FAO'S CURRENT MANAGEMENT" WHICH, "WITH A BILLION PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY SECURITY FOR THEIR FUTURE, [IS] NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE." NEXT STOP JOHANNESBURG -- VIEWS OF ROME GENEVA GROUP -------------- --- ¶19. IN A TOUR-DE-TABLE OF GENEVA GROUP (MAJOR DONORS) MEMBERS AFTER THE WFS5YL, THERE WAS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE WORLD BANK PRESENTATION ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT WAS THE BEST CONCEIVED AND MOST SUBSTANTIVE PRESENTATION OF THE WFS5YL. WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING LOW EXPECTATIONS FROM THE OUTSET, A NUMBER OF GENEVA GROUP MEMBERS ALSO EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE PRESS COVERAGE OF THE EVENT AND GENERAL AWARENESS RAISING OF THE PROBLEMS OF HUNGER. EU GENEVA GROUP MEMBERS ALSO OPINED THAT WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WSSD) SHOULD MAKE A MORE SUBSTANTIVE CONTRIBUTION IN THE AREA OF AGRICULTURE (ALTHOUGH THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THE CURRENT WSSD AGRICULTURE SECTION IS WEAK). (COMMENT: THE CONTRIBUTION WOULD BE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT, RATHER THAN THE DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT. END COMMENT.) UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z GENERAL COMMENT -------------- ¶20. COMPARED TO OTHER OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES, OUR IMPRESSION OF THE SUMMIT APPEARS SLIGHTLY MORE POSITIVE, POSSIBLY REFLECTING THE FACT THAT THE U.S. CAME TO THE WFS5YL WITH NEW INITIATIVES AND A RENEWED FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE. WE WERE THUS ABLE TO STAGE SUCCESSFUL SIDE-EVENTS AND ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE BILATERAL MEETINGS. THE PRESS FOCUS ON TRADE ISSUES FREQUENTLY UPSTAGED THE DEVELOPMENT MESSAGE, BUT ALSO PROVIDED U.S. PRINCIPALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO CRITICISMS OF THE U.S. FARM BILL. AS FOR DIRECTOR GENERAL DIOUF, HIS INABILITY TO MUSTER NEW RESOURCES DIRECTLY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES MAY UNDERCUT HIS SUPPORT AMONG THOSE COUNTRIES, AND MAY IMPACT PROSPECTS FOR A RUN AT A THIRD SIX- YEAR TERM. END COMMENT. HEILEMAN UNCLASSIFIED > 2002ROME03214 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED