FAO Conference resolutions

RESOLUTION

9/2009

Implementation of the Immediate Plan

of Action on the

Independent Chairperson of the Council

(IPA Actions 2.26 to 2.34)

THE CONFERENCE

Having noted

that according to Article V, paragraph 2 of the Constitution the

Independent Chairperson of the Council

is appointed by the

Conference

and exercises such functions as are inherent in that office, or are otherwise defined in the Basic Texts of the Organization,

Having regard

to Rule XXIII of the General Rules of the Organization;

Having noted

that, through the Immediate Plan of Action (IPA) for FAO Renewal (2009-2011) adopted by Resolution 1/2008, the

Conference

decided that the

Independent Chairperson of the Council

should play an enhanced role in facilitating the exercise by the

Council

of its governance functions and oversight of the administration of the Organization, and “drive forward the continuous improvement of the efficiency, effectiveness and ownership of governance by the membership of the Organization”;

Conscious

of the need to ensure that an enhanced role of the

Independent Chairperson of the Council

should not create any potential for conflict of roles with the managerial functions of the

Director-General

in the administration of the Organization, as called for by the IPA;

Mindful

that the IPA Actions regarding the

Independent Chairperson of the Council

should be clarified in a resolution and be implemented in the above spirit;

Decides

that:

The

Independent Chairperson of the Council

shall, under the framework established by the Constitution and the General Rules of the Organization regarding the status and functions of the office, and without restricting in any manner the general nature of those functions:

(a)

whenever necessary, take such steps as may be required to facilitate and achieve consensus among Member Nations, especially on important or controversial issues;

(b)

liaise with the Chairpersons of the

Programme Committee

, the

Finance Committee

and the

Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters

regarding the work programmes of these Committees as well as, as appropriate, with the Chairpersons of the Technical Committees and

Regional Conferences

. Insofar as possible the Independent Chairperson of the Council shall attend the sessions of the Programme Committee, Finance Committee and Regional Conferences;

(c)

as required or appropriate, convene informal consultations with representatives of Member Nations on issues of an administrative and organizational nature for the preparation and conduct of

Council

sessions;

(d)

liaise with the

Director-General

and other senior officials of the Organization in respect of any concerns of the membership, as expressed through the Council, Programme Committee, Finance Committee and Regional Conferences;

(e)

ensure that the Council is kept informed of developments in other fora of relevance for FAO’s mandate and that dialogue is maintained with other Governing Bodies as appropriate, in particular the Governing Bodies of the organizations based in

Rome

dealing with food and agriculture.

In nominating candidates for the office of Independent

Chairperson of the Council

, Member Nations should have regard to the qualities that the Chairperson should possess, including among others ability to be objective, sensitivity to political, social and cultural differences, and appropriate experience in areas relevant to the Organization’s work.

The Independent

Chairperson of the Council

shall be required to be present in

Rome

for all sessions of the

Council

and will normally be expected to spend at least six to eight months of the year in Rome.”

(Adopted on

22 November 2009

)

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