International Grains Council (IGC)
(inquiry)
TheInternational Grains Council(IGC) is an intergovernmental organization whose activities are designed to contribute to international grain markets stabilization in the interests of all stakeholders, to strengthen global food security and promote the development of those countries whose economies are heavily dependent on commercial sales of grain.
The International Grains Council operates on the basis of the International Agreement on Grains, which consists of two separate instruments: the Convention on Grain Trade (1995) and the Convention on the provision of food aid (1999).
The Convention on Grain Trade (1995) is aimed at further expansion of the international cooperation in graintrade, promotion in grain sector development, establishing therein openness and fairness, besides it shouldpromote grain market stabilization and strengthen world food security. Achieving these goals is provided by increasing market transparency through the informationexchange, research and consultation on grain market and changes in agricultural policy.
By the Order of the Federal Government of the Russian Federationfrom June 28, 2007 № 845-p the joining of the Russian Federation to the Convention on Grain Trade (1995) is fixed. The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation is responsible for implementation of functions on ensuring participation of the Russian Federation in the Convention.
At present, there are 27 countries participating in the Convention on Grain Trade (1995). Executive Director of the IGC is Mr. Etsuo Kitahara (Japan).
The International Grains Council solvesits tasksin close collaboration with the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), UNCTAD and FAO.
The International Grains Council shall function through the Council of IGC and its bodies, as well as the Secretariat of IGC on the basis of approved rules. IGC Council is its supreme body, which includes all its members. Each year the Council shall hold two regular sessions, usually in June and December. Its duties are to oversee the implementation of the Convention onGrain Trade (1995), to discuss the current state and prospects of the world grain market, as well as tracking changes in national grain policies and their impact on the market.
The Council has been developing and sponsoring projects related to grain, realized in member countries and funded by the Common Fund for Commodities.
The Council normally takes its decisions by consensus, although voting procedure is foreseen as well. Each participant is given the status of the importer or exporter, based on its average volume of grain trade. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council Board shall be elected annually with the principle of rotation among the participants’ (exporters and importers) representatives.
The Council activities are funded by annual contributions from its members, which are determined in proportion to their share in the world grain trade.
The Russian representative, Deputy Head of Department for Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation V.I. Tkachenko has been appointed to the post of the Council Chairman and the Chairman of Executive Committee of the IGC for the period of 2011/2012 from the Russian Federation.