On the 26th and 27th of January 2009, Madrid hosted the High Level Meeting on Food Security for All, to offer continuity to the United Nations Global Action Plan led by the United Nations Secretary-General and to design a road map that will guarantee the fulfilment of the objectives and commitments acquired during the last Rome Summit.Olivier de Shutter. UN Special Rapporteur on Right to Food.
Representatives of national governments, civil society, trade unions, the private sector, academia, multilateral organisations and donor agencies from around 100 countries took part in the two-day meeting to discuss the Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food Security (GPAFS) to support Africa through CAADP.
Speaking on behalf of the African Union, Prof. Richard Mkandawire who is the head of NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) called upon the participants to use the meetings as an opportunity for kick-starting action-driven and globally-oriented attempts to end world hunger.
Within the context of Africa – African ministers of Agriculture and representatives from regional economic communities called for the GPAFS to be implemented through the already existing CAADP structures, partnerships and networks.
“In Africa, it is imperative that CAADP is located at the centre of GPAFS activities so that it can be optimally used to support the real agricultural plans of small holder farmers, women and those that are usually marginalised in African agriculture” advised CAADP’s Mkandawire.
References:
- Leaders, agencies, business and civil society call for renewed efforts to end world hunger. African Press Organisation 28/01/2009
- Final Statement of the Madrid High-Level Meeting on Food Security for All
- Contribution of the Special Rapporteur to the discussion on the Global Partnership on Agriculture and Food, submitted in advance of the Madrid High-Level Meeting on Food Security for All
- DEVELOPMENT: Food Summit – Concern Yes, Concrete Steps No IPS 27/01/09
- UK official: food security should be at world's top agenda People's Daily Online 27/01/09
- UN chief warns of food shortages in poor countries International Herald Tribune 27/01/09
- Talks and more talks about food Irin 30/01/09
