41st plenary meeting

29 July 1988

Third replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution S-13/2 of 1 June 1986, the annex to which contains the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990, in which the international community agreed to increase support, whenever possible, to the Special Programme for Sub-Saharan African Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification of the International Fund for Agricultural Development,

Noting with appreciation that the target of $300 million for the Special Programme has been surpassed,

Recalling also its resolution 1987/90 of 9 July 1987 on food and agricultural problems and the Final Act of the seventh session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development,

Stressing the imperative need to strengthen international co-operation to intensify the global effort to assist the hundreds of millions of human beings who, as a result of acute poverty, continue to suffer, especially in rural areas, from hunger or chronic undernutrition,

Noting with appreciation the significant role that the International Fund for Agricultural Development has played in addressing, inter alia, the needs of the rural poor, including smallholders, the landless, rural women and other marginalized groups,

Noting the appeal made by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its forty-eighth ordinary session to strengthen financing for the fight against poverty and hunger being undertaken by the Fund,

Expressing its appreciation to those recipient developing countries that, by announcing significant increases in their contributions in convertible currency, have ensured that two thirds of their objective of $75 million has already been achieved,

Emphasizing the validity of the unique structure and mandate of the International Fund for Agricultural Development,

Emphasizing also the importance of ensuring the continuity of the lending operations of the Fund,

1. Calls upon all countries to demonstrate political will and flexibility so that the replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development can be completed by the end of 1988, before the next session of the Governing Council of the Fund;

2. Appeals to all States members of the Fund to ensure that positive action is taken to reach an early agreement on the third replenishment;

3. Invites those recipient developing countries that have not yet done so to announce their increased contributions at the earliest possible date.