Let me now refer to Part 3 of the Report, covering TC resources and delivery. In addition to descriptions of individual projects, Member States request us to report on global indicators of the results of the TC programme. Traditionally we have always given you the implementation rate, which I am pleased to report was 76.8 %, nearly 2 percentage points higher than in 1999. However, what I would really like to point out is that the new obligations in 2000 totaled $66 million, nearly $4 million more than in 1999.
Of course, the dollar amount is only one measure of how much we have done. I think that what is most important to look at is what the Agency actually delivered to you in terms of physical outputs last year. There were real increases in 2000 in terms of the human resource project components supplied - a 6% increase in the number of assignments of experts, training course lecturers, participants in meetings and workshops, as well as an 18.5% increase in the number of fellows and scientific visitors. As requested by the Board, 2000 was the last year of setting up a separate TC Training Courses programme. As of this year, all training courses will be held within the framework of TC projects, which will help to ensure the relevance of the training provided to meet the priority needs of recipient countries. Despite this change, the number of training courses has been maintained constant at 162, in addition to 22 national events that were held. Equipment orders also rose; new obligations for equipment in 2000 were $2.3 million higher than in 1999.
The final area I would like to touch upon is TC resources. I am happy to report that pledges to the Technical Co-operation Fund for 2000 reached nearly $58 million, the second highest amount ever, an increase of more than $4.5 million over 1998. As the Director General said, it is particularly gratifying to note that the total percentages of their TCF target shares pledged by developing and least developed countries showed an increase from 1999 to 2000 for 4 of the 5 regions.
As the Director General mentioned, last year the General Conference introduced the rate of attainment, which measures the payment of voluntary contributions toward the target for a programme year. It was decided to set the minimum rate of attainment at 80% for 2001 and 85% for 2002.
Looking at last year for comparison, the rate of attainment for 2000 has now reached 78.4 per cent, and if all pledges are paid will rise to 79.4% of the target. For 2001, the pledges to the TCF at the end of April amounted to 36.9% of the target and actual payments 17.5%. As you can see, if we are going to achieve the desired rate of attainment of 80% for this year, it will require concerted efforts by all Member States to contribute as much of their share as possible to the TCF.
Payments by recipient countries of the Assessed Programme Costs (APCs) were also higher in 2000, increasing to more than $2.7 million from $2.2 million in 1999. In particular, the total outstanding amount was reduced by nearly $400,000, a welcome change from the previous year.
The increased willingness of Member States to meet their financial obligations to TC is a confirmation of the value they place on this programme. It is also a reflection of the effectiveness of applying the "due account" principle.