It is likely that this will continue into a 2nd phase currently being discussed between the various partners sharing in this work. Other donor are invited to contact Mr Lundin about this, or any of the other initiatives. The UNDP program is very decentralised, being mostly executed by the 135 UNDP Country Offices around the world. A new Administrator of UNDP was expected to be appointed in June 1999, at which time new priorities might be announced. It was noted that some of DFID's development and research priorities had already been illustrated by the first discussion papers which embraced the concept of Sustainable Rural Livelihoods approach.
Emphasis is on research and development, with the initiatives being demand-led.
Both these are attempts to develop DFID's own understanding because they are seen as up-coming issues in policy matters. In addition some biologists have been provided for the Fisheries Research Institute, and some crew-members for their research vessel. It was recalled that this initiative had had its roots in the Study of International Fisheries Research promoted by many FDDC members and that it further developed out of a joint assembly of the European parliament and representatives of the ACP countries, through a process of intra-EU consultations. A detailed dialogue took place with planners from ACP countries in order to ensure that it had legitimacy and political backing. It had already been translated into a number of collaborative research activities and there was a growing potential to link up with private sector initiatives as well.