G/AG/35  
 
23 November 2022  
(22-8723) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Agriculture   
 
 
WORK PROGRAMME PURSUANT TO  PARAGRAPH 8 OF THE MINISTERIAL DECLARATION 
ON THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO FOOD INSECURITY  
APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE ON 22 NOVEMBER 2022  
Paragraph 8  
"We reaffirm the importance of effective implementation and monitoring of the Marrakesh Decision 
on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on 
Least -Developed and Net Food -Importing Developing Countries. In this regard, we commit to 
having a dedicated work progra mme in the Committee on Agriculture to examine how this Decision 
could be made more effective and operational pursuant to Article 16 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture and to consider concerns raised by Members in their current and future submissions. 
The wor k programme shall consider the needs of LDCs and NFIDCs to increase their resilience in 
responding to acute food instability including by considering the best possible use of flexibilities 
to bolster their agricultural production and enhance their domestic  food security as needed in an 
emergency."  
 
 
A. Introduction  
 
The work programme will be implemented under the auspices of the Committee on Agriculture, in 
an open and flexible manner, allowing any interested Member to contribute and take part.  
 
Under this work programme, Members will:  
• exchange information in an informed dialogue;  
• identify the needs of LDCs and NFIDCs to build long -term resilience and preparedness to 
respond to acute future crises;  
• assess the extent to which the multilateral trade syste m supports LDCs and NFIDCs to respond 
to those challenges; and  
• make recommendations, where appropriate, for approval by the Committee on Agriculture.  
 
The mandate and activities of some international organizations are highly relevant to the objective 
of this work programme. These organizations can be invited to be involved, as appropriate.  
 
B. Thematic areas of work  
 
In a coherent, flexible, efficient and open manner, the following thematic areas of work (along with 
a non -exhaustive list of elements thereunder) can be addressed:  
1. Access to international food markets  
 
• Global and regional supply chain bottlenecks  
• Role of international food aid and the international food aid architecture (WTO rules, 
Food Assistance Convention) in meeting recipient countri es' food needs  
• Role of trade and relevant WTO rules in ensuring food security; implications of trade measures 
on foodstuffs on LDCs and NFIDCs' access to food  
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  2. Financing of food imports  
 
• WTO rules on export finance and their implementation, including imp act of the Nairobi Decision 
on Export Competition on NFIDCs and LDCs' ability to finance normal levels of imports  
• Availability of finance from international financial institutions  
• Access by LDCs and NFIDCs to import finance and related import guarantees/cr edits  
 
3. Agricultural and production resilience of LDCs and NFIDCs  
 
• Use of WTO rules and flexibilities to bolster agricultural production and productivity as needed 
in an emergency  
• Technical and financial assistance, and capacity building, to improve agricultural productivity 
and infrastructure, including access to agricu ltural inputs (e.g., seeds, fertilizers, pesticides)  
• Technology transfer and knowledge cooperation (e.g., climate resilient agriculture 
development, reduced food loss and waste, science -based regulatory and food safety 
infrastructure)  
 
4. Horizontal issues  
 
• Identification of challenges and needs of LDCs and NFIDCs, and sharing of practical 
experiences  
• Fostering collaboration among international organizations for enhanced transparency of 
production, markets, trade and trade measures for critical crops  
• Coordina ted rapid response of international organizations to food security crises  
 
C. Working methods  
 
The Committee on Agriculture will establish an open Working Group for the conduct of discussions 
on various thematic areas based on Members' contributions.  The Committee on Agriculture will 
appoint the Coordinator as soon as possible after the adoption of the Work Programme.1 
 
The Working Group may make use of simple, streamlined, topical questionnaires to promote the 
identification of challen ges and needs of LDCs and NFIDCs in the context of this Work Programme, 
as well as responses to food insecurity of these countries by other Members.  The questionnaire can 
guide and inform the discussions under each thematic area to build upon existing work  undertaken 
by Members, and provide an evidence -based approach to the discussions.  
 
LDCs and NIFDCs are encouraged to share their experiences in the Working Group.  
 
The Secretariat can provide background notes upon request by the Working Group.  
 
The Coordinator of the Working Group will on a regular base report progress to the Committee on 
Agriculture.  
 
D. Planning  
 
At its first session, the Working Group will develop its organization of work and planning.  
 
The Working Group shall submit its report  and recommendations to the Committee on Agriculture 
by no later than 30 November 2023, unless the Committee agrees to extend the timeframe.  
 
__________  
 
1 The Committee at its meeting on  22 November 2022 agreed to establish a single Working Group and 
appointed the current Chairperson of the Committee to coordinate its activities and discussions in his personal 
capacity.