(c)Topredict andassess, inarapidly changing globalenvironment, emerging foodandhunger problems inatimelyfashion; (d)Tomobilize assistance toGovernments insupport oftheirhunger alleviation efforts. 11.41 WorldFoodCouncil analyses suggest thatthenumberofhungryand malnourished peopleintheworldincreased inthe19805andthat,associo-economic conditions become morecomplex, hungeralleviation willbecome moredifficult in the19905. Whilereversing thosetrendsisprimarily theresponsibility of Governments, theUnited Nations anditssystemoforganizations wouldassist Governments inachieving thatgoalbyincreasing theirefforts inthefollowing areas: (a)Amajoreffortwillberequired toraisethelevelofpolitical support fortheelimination ofhungerandmalnutrition, bothnationally and internationally; (b)Thealleviation ofhungerwillrequire significant policychanges towards asharper focusontheneedsofthehungrypoor.TheUnitedNations willassist, asrequired, intheformulation ofhunger-focused policies; (c)AstheEconomic andSocialCouncil andtheGeneral Assembly have emphasized, toenhance theirresponse tospecific country needs,agencies and bodiesoftheUnitedNations systemshould improve theco-ordination oftheir activities andtheircollaboration towards commongoalsandcomplementary programme approaches; -13- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(d)Positive results intheaboveareasshouldfacilitate thenecessary mobilization ofexternal resources insupport oftheefforts ofdeveloping countries toeradicate hunger; (e)Individual efforts ofdeveloping countries shouldbesupported bythe UnitedNations tohelpimprove theinternational economic environment insuchareas asexternal debt,resource flowsandinternational trade. Improvements inthose areascouldcontribute totheimplementation ofnational hunger-focused policies andprogrammes. 11.42 Thespecific objectives ofthesubprogramme include thepromotion of,and support to,implementation oftheWorldFoodCouncil CyprusInitiative Against HungerintheWorldadopted in1988,andtheCairoDeclaration andProgramme of Co-operative Action adopted in1989. TheDeclaration provides abroadflexible framework foractionbytheinternational community toreducehungerinthe1990s. Itcallsoncountries toestablish theirownhunger-alleviation goals,suggesting theachievement inthe1990softheelimination ofstarvation anddeathcaused by famine; asubstantial reduction inmalnutrition andmortality amongchildren; a tangible reduction inchronic hunger; andtheelimination ofmajornutritional­ deficlency diseases. 11.43 Toattainthosegoals, arangeofactionsisproposed formodification to specific country needs,including: (a)Increased political support fortheelimination ofhunger and malnutrition atboththenational andinternational level; (b)Economic andsocialmeasures toincrease accesstofoodbythepoor,and improvement inthenutritional levelsofthemostvulnerable groups; (c)Measures toincrease foodproduction andimproveitsdistribution through national foodstrategies thatseektoachieve asustainable reduction ofhunger, withspecial attention totheparticipation ofwomen; (d)Policies todirectgreater benefits fromeconomic growthtothepoor through humanresources development; (e)Measures toimprove theeffectiveness ofdevelopment assistance bymeans ofasharper andbetterco-ordinated focusontheneedsofthepoorest; (f)Efforts toimprove theinternational economic environment intermsof resource flows,trade,aidandsolutions tothedebtproblem; (g)Measures toenhance South-South co-operation; (h)Improved international actiontomeetfoodemergencies. 11.44Special efforts willbemadetoanticipate potentially critical foodand hunger problems thatwillariseearlyinthenextcentury, thusproviding avision ofthelonger-term challenges tobemet,whileaddressing theurgent needsofthe present. -14- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)CourseofactionoftheSecretariat 11.45 Thesecretariat oftheWorldFoodCouncil willprovide substantive support totheCouncil's annualMinisterial session, regional consultations, andother meetings oftheBureau. Thesecretariat's continuing function willbetosupport theefforts oftheCouncil, principally directed at: