After Russia's accession to the Convention the number of its votes in the International Grains Council will increase from 72 to 77 thus strengthening the country's position of a key player in the organisation and promoting its interests on the world grain markets.
This document has been drafted by the Ministry of Economic Development as part of Russia’s effort to help countries in need of international food assistance.
The resolution provides for:
- Russia's accession to the Food Assistance Convention (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) adopted on 25 April, 2012 in London;
- the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture’s obligation to cooperate with the Food Assistance Committee established by the Convention and provide for Russia’s involvement in the Convention;
- the financial support of Russia's commitments to the Convention within the budget allocations of the Ministry of Economic Development from the federal budget scheduled for the next fiscal year and planning period to pay its contribution to the international organisation.
To reduce hunger, increase food security and improve the nutritional status of the most vulnerable groups of population the Convention provides for:
- the fulfillment of the minimum annual commitment for food assistance in monetary or quantitative terms. The Party can determine its minimum monetary and minimum quantitative commitment or a combination thereof as part of its primary commitment;
- the Party can select a currency for the monetary part of its minimum annual commitment. The quantitative part of the commitment can be measured in tonnes of grain products or other equivalent units;
- the contributions of the minimum annual commitments to be paid in full to the extent possible.
The annual contribution of the Russian Federation to the United Nations World Food Programme fund is estimated at over $30 million ($26.8 million in 2009, $32 million in 2010, $37.6 million in 2011 and $38 million in 2012).
Russia's involvement in the Convention will strengthen its donor status and confirm its commitment to contribute to the provision of global food security and hunger elimination.
The Government Directive No. 845-r of 28 June, 2007 stipulated Russia’s joining the Grains Trade Convention of 7 December, 1994. Rule No 13 thereof states that the number of votes each member-country of the Convention has in the International Grains Council, calculated in accordance with paragraph (i) of the Rule, will be raised by 8%.
In this way, after Russia's accession to the Convention the number of its votes in the International Grains Council will increase from 72 to 77 thus strengthening the country's position as a key player in the organisation and promoting its interests on the world grain markets.
