brought totheforeauestions concerning theeffectiveness ofexternal assistance. Thedelib~rations oftheCouncil haveshownsometimes differing p~Lspectives of donors andrecipients, butitwasgenerally agreedthatthepolicydirection and environment established bydeveloping countries foraidinvestment andthecohesion andpolicyorientation ofassistance agencies aresignificant determinants ofaid effectiveness. 27.Improving thequality ofaidreauires shiftsinAfrican domestic policies whicharemoresupportive ofagricultural development. 28.Giventheplethora ofexternal policyadvice, improved aideffectiveness also demands thatAfrican Governments improve theirplanning systems tomakethemost appropriate useofsuchadvice, andthattheyareenabled tobecome moreselective aboutthefocusandpurpose ofaidreceived, ensuring thattheseareinlinewith priority domestic objectives. 29.Aidagencies needtoorienttheirpolicies andprogrammes tobettersupport African countries' policyadjustments. Amorefocused approach tofoodand agricultural development andtheextenttowhichthepoorshareinthebenefits of thisdevelopment shouldthusbecentral topolicychanges bydonorandrecipient countries alike. 30.Current levelsofmassive foodaidtoAfrica canriskundermining food production objectives andreinforcing anexisting urbanbias. Hence,theCouncil, withinitsmandate, should encourage improved proqramming andassessment withinthe existing concerned agencies, tomonitor theimpactoffoodaidvis-à-vis more self-reliart development objectives, including itseffect onrural-urban migration patterns andonconsumption habits. 31.Betterco-ordination ofrecipient-donor efforts iscritical toimprovinq aid effectiveness. However, theissueiRnotsolely oneofmoreco-ordination butof improving thequality andvestedauthority ofsuchco-ordination. 32.Inthelightofthedeliberations oftheCouncil, theMinisters statedthat they: (a)Believe thataidcanbemoreeffective inthequesttoeradicate hunger, whenitisusedtosupplement national policies andprogrammes aimedatincreasing domestic foodproduction andalleviating poverty, particularly inruralareas; (b)Commend theworkoftheInternational FundforAgricultural Development (IFAD)inassisting developing countries inraising localfoodproduction and aUeviating ruralpoverty, andcalIupontheparties concerned urgently toachieve theconclusion ofthesecondreplenishment negotiations ofIFADinthespiritof partnership inwhichIFADwasestablished andofsolidarity withtheworld's rural poor,inthelightofthebroadagreement achieved attheseventh meeting ofthe replenishment consultation; theyalsourgeaIlGovernments inaposition todoso tocontribute generously totheIFADSpecial Programme forSub-Saharan Africa; (c)Urgefreshappraisal ofthetheories andpractices ofinternational aid­ onewhichcentres ontherural-employment andincome-distribution consequences of -6-aiddecision necessarily performance; (d)Rp. onamedium­ measure the theCouncil' monitor the (e)Su Nations, par togiveprio investments development Committee on May1985,to theWorldBa 33.Renewal ofhunger a malnutrition resolve. Th 15million y andthegrow theWorldFo efforts andI 34.Therefo moresharply­ trulycentra 35.Specifi onfourobj byaIlcount (a)Th famine, thro management a the the 36.Insup mentioned be recommendedaiddecisions takenbydevelopment partners -recognlzlng thatthereisnot necessarily atrade-off between attempts toreachthepoorandimproving economic performance; (d)Rp.commend that,insofaraspossible, development foodaidbeprogrammed onamedium-term, multi-year basisandsuggest anassessment systemdesigned to measure theimpactoffoodaidonnational priorities andtrends beincorporated in theCouncil's future worktoencourage developmen~ ofananalytical framework to monitor theprogress offoodsectorstrategy implementation; (e)Support thestrengtheninq ofco-ordination mechanisms oftheUnited Nations, particularly theUNDProundtables andtheWorldBankconsultative groups,
**Analysis**
The text appears to focus on the effectiveness of external assistance, particularly in the context of food and agricultural development, with a emphasis on improving the policies and planning systems of African countries. The text also highlights the importance of coordination between recipient and donor countries, as well as the need for a more focused approach to food and agricultural development. The language used suggests a strong connection to the topic of poverty reduction and hunger eradication, which is consistent with the category of **Humanitarian aid and relief**.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Agriculture, forestry and fishing