The Committee has successfully implemented the instructions from ministers at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) by adopting recommendations to address food security needs for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs). The Chair emphasized that this marks a significant achievement.
Mr. Tysdal stated, "While the report on the table may not fully meet your ambitions and expectations, it is evident from its content that the Committee stretched itself well beyond its traditional domain of engagement to delve into topics raised under the Work Programme and has proposed possible recommendations. In light of the significant efforts invested by the Committee for more than 18 months under the Work Programme, I have always believed that consensus among members should be feasible."
In November 2022, following MC12's mandate, a dedicated Working Group was established within the Committee on Agriculture. This group, led initially by Coordinator Mr. Marcel Vernooij of the Netherlands, engaged in intensive work on food security issues. Mr. Tysdal took over as Chair and Coordinator in July 2023 after Mr. Vernooij left Geneva.
By November 2023, Mr. Tysdal had circulated a report summarizing one year of discussions. It outlined recommendations on four key areas: access to international food markets, financing of food imports, agricultural production resilience of LDCs and NFIDCs, and horizontal cross-cutting issues.
Despite challenges in reaching consensus due to one member's reservations about aspects of the report by late November, efforts continued to secure adoption in both the General Council and at the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference.
Members expressed satisfaction with closing the Work Programme at today's meeting. Mr. Tysdal announced that this positive development would be reported to the General Council.
The full report and recommendations are available in the Chair's communication document.