FAO FIELD VISIT TO GUATEMALA AND ECUADOR TO REVIEW

UNCLAS ROME 003757 SIPDIS FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME STATE FOR IO USAID FOR ADMINISTRAOR NATSIOS, AA/EGAT, AA/LAC USDA FOR FAS,MCHAMBLISS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID EC GT FAO SUBJECT: FAO FIELD VISIT TO GUATEMALA AND ECUADOR TO REVIEW SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD SECURITY PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 2002 UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03757 010551Z -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. THE FAO IS ORGANIZING AN INVITATION-ONLY FIELD VISIT TO GUATEMALA AND ECUADOR, OCTOBER 19-21 AND 21-23, RESPECTIVELY. THE TRIP WILL GIVE PARTICIPANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW FIELD-LEVEL PROGRESS IN THE FAO'S SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD SECURITY (SPFS). -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. THE SPFS WAS LAUNCHED BY FAO IN 1994 AND AIMS TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME, FOOD-DEFICIT COUNTRIES (LIFDCS) IN IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND ACCESS OF TO FOOD. ¶3. THE PROGRAM ITSELF IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE INVOLVES WATER CONTROL, INTENSIFICATION AND DIVERSIFICATION OF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AND AN ANALYSIS OF RELATED SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS AND SOLUTIONS. THE SECOND PHASE ADDRESSES POLICY REFORM AND AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT. -------------- TARGET AUDIENCE -------------- ¶4. FAO INVITES MINISTERS FOR AGRICULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, HEADS OF LEADING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AID ORGAINZATIONS, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES TO FAO, AND UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03757 010551Z REPRESENTATIVES OF MAJOR DONOR COUNTRIES BASED IN THE LIFDCS TO PARTICIPATE. ¶5. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COVER THEIR OWN EXPENSES. FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL JACQUES DIOUF WILL LEAD THE VISIT. -------------- NEXT STEPS -------------- ¶6. FAO HAS ADDRESSED LETTERS TO USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE VENEMAN AND OTHER SENIOR USG OFFICIALS. IN ADDITION WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN AND UNDP ADMINISTRATOR MARK MALLOCH BROWN HAVE BEEN INVITED. QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FIELD VISIT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO MR. HENRI CARSALADE, TECHNICAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT, FAO, (39) 0657055953. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. WHILE PARTICIPATION BY HIGH LEVEL OFFICIALS IS WELCOME, GIVEN THE BREVITY OF THE TRIPS TO GUATEMALA AND ECUADOR, WE THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR USAID MISSIONS AND/OR AGRICULTURAL ATTACHES IN-COUNTRY OR IN THE REGION TO TAKE PART IN THIS FIELD VISIT. TAMLYN UNCLASSIFIED > 2002ROME03757 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED