CP/RES. 826 (1338/02)

SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE
FOR COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE (IICA)

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

REMEMBERING that in 1942, 21 American Republics on the Governing Board of the Pan American Union met in Washington, D.C. and created the Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences, later renamed the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA);

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the evolution of IICA from its beginnings as an institute for tropical agriculture, agricultural research and education located in Costa Rica to become the specialized organization for agriculture and rural development of the inter-American system, with offices in all 34 Member States;

RECOGNIZING that IICA has played a key role in the processes to modernize agriculture and improve life in rural areas in the countries of the hemisphere and that it continues to play a crucial role in efforts to eliminate extreme poverty;

CONSIDERING that the Thirtieth General Assembly of the OAS approved resolution 1728, in which it recognizes IICA' governing body (IABA) as the primary ministerial forum within the OAS for analyzing and building consensus on policies and strategic priorities for the improvement of agriculture and rural life in the Hemisphere, and expands the mandate of the Institute to take action within the context of the Summits of the Americas process; and

RECOGNIZING ALSO that IICA, in the Declaration of Quebec City, has been designated by the heads of state and government as a partner institution of the Summit of the Americas process,

AGREES:

1.     To pay tribute to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture on the occasion of its sixtieth anniversary.

2.     To exhort the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, to continue working with the countries of the hemisphere in support of their efforts to implement the mandates of the Summits of the Americas, as a development agency that promotes prosperity in rural communities, food security and the sustainable development of agriculture.