World leaders back UN priorities on food crisis and climate change

 

 

World leaders back UN priorities on food crisis and climate change

 

NEW YORK, USA, September 26, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Presidents, prime ministers and senior officials from 30 governments pledged to take action on the food crisis and climate change at a dinner hosted by the Secretary-General at the United Nations.

 

Top of Form

“The poor and hungry of this world are looking at us for leadership and solutions. We must not fail them,” said the Secretary-General. “The cost of inaction – even in what may constitute tough economic times – will be devastating, and the effects will be felt all over the world.”  
 
Leaders expressed their overall support for the Secretary-General’s proposals. In particular, there was consensus on the urgent need to increase productivity, especially for smallholder farmers, and to invest more into agricultural development, research, and technology transfer.  The meeting called for a “second green revolution,” particularly in Africa, and for increases in private sector investment and public funding.  
 
In this context, the Secretary-General thanked President Barroso of the European Commission for his reaffirmation of Europe’s commitment to provide an additional 1 billion Euros for urgently needed food aid and productivity inputs.
 
Leaders also recognized the close linkages between the food crisis and climate change and the urgent need for an ambitious global agreement in Copenhagen in 2009.  They agreed that the upcoming climate talks in Poznan, Poland should result in a concrete work programme for negotiations in 2009 and an agreement on a shared vision of what such an agreement should contain.  It is also essential that the Adaptation Fund be operational as soon as possible. These objectives will only be met if leaders engage at the highest level.
  The Secretary-General reassured leaders of his personal commitment to working with them, and all others involved, on urgent and sustainable solutions to the global food and climate change crises.

 

 

SOURCE : UNITED NATIONS