FAO Conference, 34th Session, Rome 17 - 24 November 2007

Chairperson and colleagues,

The report of the Independent External Evaluation states clearly that this organisation is in a serious state of crisis and in dire need of reform. Allow me to congratulate the IEE Core Team for their work. This report must be one of the most comprehensive, honest and clear-cut evaluation reports ever to be made in the UN system. The challenge for us, the Membership and the FAO Secretariat, is to implement it and follow up its recommendations. My statement will be focussed around these follow-up issues:

1. The need for improved leadership
2. Member states’ ability and will to make explicit and clear-cut prioritisations 
3. The need to agree upon a set of main, forward-looking priorities
4. The need for the membership to abandon the policy of Zero Nominal Growth
   Chairperson,

Firstly, I wish to emphasize the need for improved leadership in FAO. Norway has always been a keen advocate for reform and changes both in the UN system in general and in FAO specifically. Sadly, we regret to note that Management has so far been unable to answer this by reforming FAO in full. We are aware of the ongoing reform process initiated by FAO Management, but find that it has so far failed to deliver the required result. The IEE report clearly underlines the key-role of FAO Management by encouraging FAO to modernise the organisation. If FAO is to change in the desired direction, Management does indeed have a key-role to play. Management response “in-principle” indicates support by FAO Management in the follow-up process. We take note of that, and we expect a proactive role by Management in full and open partnership with FAO members.

Chairperson,

Secondly, it is clear that we, the members also must feel responsible for the current dramatic situation for the organisation. The IEE report states that FAO Governance has failed as we have been unable or unwilling to provide the necessary guidance for the work of FAO. As a result, there is mistrust between the Membership and the Secretariat, and also within the Membership. This has to be broken if we are to fulfil the mandate of FAO.

Chairperson,

My third follow-up issue is related to the urgent need to identify a set of main, forward-looking priorities and place FAO and its mandate in relation to current challenges and trends. World agricultural markets are changing. Agricultural production growth is slowing. There is a continuing population growth in the poorest countries. Climate change is certain to have an important impact. Bioenergy and water management are two other key-words in this connection. There is also a renewed focus on agriculture in development, above all exemplified by the World Development Report 2008. FAO must and shall play an important part in addressing these issues within its mandate. FAO is a global norm and standard setting institution. Efficiency in field operations is, however, a prerequisite for putting standards and norms into effect. And vice versa, experience gained in the field should feed into the important normative work at the global level. It is against this background that we must seize the opportunity next year at the Extraordinary Session of the Conference and provide guidance on short term and longer term forward-looking priorities for the organisation.

My final follow-up issue is directly linked to what the IEE report calls “Reform with growth.” FAO has for some decades witnessed a reduction of its budget in real terms as a result of the Zero Nominal Growth policy of a large part of its membership. This policy must be abandoned by all Member Countries to enable FAO to change and perform better in accordance with members’ priorities. By endorsing the proposed Maintenance Budget, we would in effect abandon such policies. I would also like to urge all members to discipline and to pay their assessed contributions in time, thereby contributing to a sound financial platform for this organisation.

Chairperson,

Before closing, I will urge the Rome-based institutions to take advantage of their parallel processes of reform and renewal. Both IFAD and WFP are engaged in reform and revision of strategies. This, coupled with the World Banks renewed interest in agriculture in development should provide inspiration for increased cooperation between the three institutions. We must seize this opportunity to capitalize on the resources of each institution and prepare the ground for a more dynamic cooperation both in Rome and with other development partners.

Chairperson,

Colleagues,
We have an historic opportunity to reform FAO and renew our collective commitment to global food security. The first important step to take now is to establish the Conference committee. We must then meet in Rome again one year from now to make the more concrete decisions regarding FAOs future. Norway stays committed to this process and will participate fully in all its proceedings.

Thank your for your attention!