26 July 1991

32nd plenary meeting

Second phase of the Special Programme for Sub-Saharan African Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification of the International Fund for Agricultural Development

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1989/88 of 26 July 1989, in which it stressed the urgent need for substantial progress in stimulating food production in developing countries and the importance of increasing domestic food production for stimulating national economic growth and social progress in those countries and helping to resolve the problem of hunger and malnutrition in an effective way,

Recalling further General Assembly resolution 45/207 of 21 December 1990, in which the Assembly urged the members of the international community to take further determined action in support of the efforts of developing countries by increasing even more the flow of resources, including concessional flows designated for agricultural development, and by increasing food aid commitments in support of the strengthened efforts of developing countries to increase mobilization and allocation of domestic resources to address food and agricultural problems, in addition to the flow of resources from developed countries, bearing in mind the need to channel this assistance through appropriate existing organizations and programmes,

Welcoming the timely appeal made by the Secretary-General on 10 May 1991, in which he reminded all countries of the situation facing Africa and of the 30 million people in the continent threatened by famine,

Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution S-13/2 of 1 June 1986, containing the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990, in which the African countries and the international community undertook, among other things, to devote priority attention and increased resources to reviving and developing food production and agriculture in Africa,

Recalling resolutions CM/Res.1060 (XLIV), 118/ CM/Res.1119 (XLVI) and CM/Res.1322 (LIII) adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its forty-fourth, forty-sixth and fifty-third ordinary sessions and endorsed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, and resolution 721 (XXVI) adopted by the Conference of Ministers of the Economic Commission for Africa, in which the Conference of Ministers appealed to the international donor community to increase the resources for the second phase of the Special Programme for Sub-Saharan African Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, with a view to achieving the target of 300 million dollars necessary for a three-year period beginning in 1991,

Bearing in mind the mandate given to the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development by the Governing Council of the Fund at its thirteenth session, in January 1990, to consult donors on the mobilization of additional resources so that the Special Programme could continue for a second phase and the authorization given to the President and to the Executive Board of the Fund by the Governing Council at its fourteenth session to initiate activities for the implementation of the second phase of the Special Programme,

Also bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 45/207 on food and agricultural problems, in which the Assembly, among other things, invited donors to endorse resolution 60/XIII of 25 January 1990 of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, concerning the possibility of additional voluntary contributions to the Special Resources for Sub-Saharan Africa for a further three years, starting in January 1991, without prejudicing deliberations on the mobilization of core funding for the Fund,

Noting with satisfaction the positive contribution made by the Fund to the economic recovery programmes of its developing member States and the assistance provided by it to the African region in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990, in particular through the first phase of its Special Programme, in which the target of 300 million dollars was reached and the funds thus mobilized were fully committed,

Concerned about the constant deterioration in socio-economic conditions in Africa,

Greatly encouraged by formal statements made by a number of donors pledging contributions to the second phase of the Special Programme,

1. Welcomes the action taken by the International Fund for Agricultural Development under its Special Programme for Sub-Saharan African Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification, which gives priority to improving food security through measures to preserve the environment and restore existing productive capacity and to ensuring that projects once completed will yield lasting benefits;

2. Stresses the urgent need for a steady, predictable and sustained flow of resources to Africa so as to promote rehabilitation and development, especially in agriculture, and to meet urgent needs in connection with drought control and economic reform;

3. Expresses its appreciation to countries which have already made firm pledges or have indicated their intention of making contributions to the second phase of the Special Programme, covering the period 1991-1993;

4. Invites donors to endorse resolution 60 (XIII) of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development concerning the possibility of additional voluntary contributions for the second phase of the Special Programme, without prejudicing the deliberations on the integration of the Special Programme into the general activities of the Fund.