the basic mandate given to FAO in
Article 1-3 of its Constitution "to furnish such technical assistance as governments may request",
Noting
with satisfaction that the
Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)
has enabled FAO to respond promptly to the urgent needs of developing countries for technical assistance, policy advice, training, mobilization of investment resources and emergency cases,
Noting
with regret that the resources available to
TCP
have fallen from 14.1 percent of the total budget in 1986-87 to 12.8 percent in 1988-89 and to 11.8 percent in 1990-91,
Considering
that in the future significant additional technical assistance will be required due to the greater difficulties of developing countries to meet food production targets to feed ever increasing populations, lacking technology and capital, unable to keep pace with modernization process,
Acknowledging
with gratitude the special contribution of the
Government of Italy
for TCP in the amount of US$ 30 million for the biennium 1988-89:
1.
Reaffirms
that
TCP
is an essential operational tool of the Organization to provide appropriate and rapid technical assistance to Member Governments;
2.
Urges
all Member Governments to assure adequate financial provision for this programme including through voluntary contributions;
3.
Invites
the
Director-General
to make every effort in order to restore the resources available to
TCP
to the former level of 14 percent of the total Regular Programme budget and, if possible, to raise it to 17 percent.
