NAM to synchronize plans with FAO
NAM to synchronize plans with FAO
JAKARTA (JP): Senior Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) officials
yesterday suggested the group synchronize members' food security
programs with the existing programs of the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO).
"By supporting the United Nations food body, NAM members need
not set up another food security institution," vice chairman of
the Indonesian delegation for NAM's two-day senior officials
meeting, Beddu Amang, said in Denpasar yesterday.
NAM members can establish regional cooperation instead, like
that introduced by the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN). In this way they can take common measures to overcome
any problems caused by temporary shortages of food in a given
region.
Beddu argued that establishing a food security institution for
NAM members would most likely lead to the overlapping of various
programs which have been introduced by the FAO.
Regional food security cooperation among NAM members which are
geographically close to each other will be more efficient and
helpful in overcoming any food supply problems, Beddu, who is
also vice chairman of the National Logistics Agency, was quoted
as saying by Antara news agency.
Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah said earlier that
establishing a new food security body would bring no advantages
to NAM's 111 members because they are separated by large
distances.
Sjarifudin and Beddu are in Denpasar to host the NAM's senior
officials meeting, to be followed by a two-day NAM ministerial
conference on food and agriculture, which will be opened by
President Soeharto on Monday.
The chairman of the organizing committee for the senior
officials meeting, Soetatwo Hadiwigeno, said the meeting is to
prepare a draft Ministerial Declaration on Food and Agriculture,
that is expected to provide guidance for the implementation of
future cooperation in food and agriculture.
He said the senior officials, at the meeting, which ends
today, have also discussed action programs, including food
research, food export and import activities, agricultural
technology and technical assistance cooperation.
Some 500 participants, including NAM's delegates, observers
and experts, are involved in the senior officials meeting. (fhp)