| 日期： | 2022/11/23 |
|---|---|
| 作者： | Committee on Agriculture |
| 文件編號： | G/AG/35 |
| 附件下載： | GAG35.pdf |
| 因為版本問題，開啟附件時可能會出現錯誤訊息，如「檔案已損毀」的訊息，請您忽略此訊息，即可正常開啟 |
Approved by the Committee on 22 November 2022
|
Paragraph 8 |
|
"We reaffirm the
importance of effective implementation and monitoring of the Marrakesh
Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform
Programme on Least‑Developed and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries. In
this regard, we commit to having a dedicated work programme in the Committee
on Agriculture to examine how this Decision could be made more effective and
operational pursuant to Article 16 of the Agreement on Agriculture and to
consider concerns raised by Members in their current and future submissions.
The work programme shall consider the needs of LDCs and NFIDCs to increase
their resilience in responding to acute food instability including by
considering the best possible use of flexibilities to bolster their
agricultural production and enhance their domestic food security as needed in
an emergency." |
A.
Introduction
The work
programme will be implemented under the auspices of the Committee on
Agriculture, in an open and flexible manner, allowing any interested Member to contribute
and take part.
Under this work programme, Members will:
·
exchange
information in an informed dialogue;
·
identify the
needs of LDCs and NFIDCs to build long-term resilience and preparedness to
respond to acute future crises;
·
assess the extent
to which the multilateral trade system supports LDCs and NFIDCs to respond to
those challenges; and
·
make
recommendations, where appropriate, for approval by the Committee on
Agriculture.
The
mandate and activities of some international organizations are highly relevant
to the objective of this work programme. These organizations can be invited to
be involved, as appropriate.
B.
Thematic areas of work
In a coherent, flexible, efficient and open
manner, the following thematic areas of work (along with a non-exhaustive list
of elements thereunder) can be addressed:
1.
Access to international food markets
·
Global and
regional supply chain bottlenecks
·
Role of
international food aid and the international food aid architecture (WTO rules,
Food Assistance Convention) in meeting recipient countries' food needs
·
Role of trade and
relevant WTO rules in ensuring food security; implications of trade measures on
foodstuffs on LDCs and NFIDCs' access to food
2.
Financing of food imports
·
WTO rules on
export finance and their implementation, including impact of the Nairobi
Decision on Export Competition on NFIDCs and LDCs' ability to finance normal
levels of imports
·
Availability of
finance from international financial institutions
·
Access by LDCs
and NFIDCs to import finance and related import guarantees/credits
3.
Agricultural and production resilience of LDCs and
NFIDCs
·
Use of WTO rules
and flexibilities to bolster agricultural production and productivity as needed
in an emergency
·
Technical and
financial assistance, and capacity building, to improve agricultural
productivity and infrastructure, including access to agricultural inputs (e.g.,
seeds, fertilizers, pesticides)
·
Technology
transfer and knowledge cooperation (e.g., climate resilient agriculture
development, reduced food loss and waste, science-based regulatory and food
safety infrastructure)
4.
Horizontal issues
·
Identification of
challenges and needs of LDCs and NFIDCs, and sharing of practical experiences
·
Fostering
collaboration among international organizations for enhanced transparency of
production, markets, trade and trade measures for critical crops
·
Coordinated rapid
response of international organizations to food security crises
C.
Working methods
The Committee on Agriculture will establish
an open Working Group for the conduct of discussions on various thematic areas
based on Members' contributions. The Committee on Agriculture will appoint the
Coordinator as soon as possible after the adoption of the Work Programme.[1]
The Working Group may make use of simple,
streamlined, topical questionnaires to promote
the identification of challenges and needs of LDCs and NFIDCs in the context of
this Work Programme, as well as responses to food insecurity of these countries
by other Members. The questionnaire can
guide and inform the discussions under each thematic area to build upon
existing work undertaken by Members, and provide an evidence-based approach to
the discussions.
LDCs and NIFDCs are encouraged to share their experiences in the
Working Group.
The Secretariat can provide background notes
upon request by the Working Group.
The Coordinator of the Working Group will on a regular base report
progress to the Committee on Agriculture.
D.
Planning
At its first session, the Working Group will
develop its organization of work and planning.
The Working Group shall submit its report and recommendations to the Committee on
Agriculture by no later than 30 November 2023, unless the Committee agrees to extend the timeframe.
__________
[1] The Committee at its meeting on 22 November 2022 agreed to establish
a single Working Group and appointed the current Chairperson of the Committee
to coordinate its activities and discussions in his personal capacity.
