The L’Aquila Statement on Global Food Security
The “L’Aquila” Joint Statement on Global Food Security - “L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI)” released today, 10 July 2009, highlights deep concern among the world’s largest economies about global food security (click here to read it). It reiterates the urgent need for decisive action to free humankind from hunger and poverty. The statement connects food security with economic growth, social progress, political stability and peace and advocates increased and targeted investment to enhance agricultural productivity. It links the need for effective actions on global food security to those related to climate change, sustainable management of water, land, soil and other natural resources, including the protection of biodiversity. It also emphasizes the need for cross-cutting, inclusive approaches involving all relevant stakeholders at global, regional and national levels and highlights the need for particular attention to smallholders, women and families and on expanding knowledge and training among many other areas.
L’Aquila and Agricultural Research
The L’Aquila Statement also recognizes the fundamental need to increase and improve investments, both financial and human, in agricultural research and for more effective and efficient sharing of information and knowledge related to agriculture and its development. Improving global food security also requires effective institutions to turn new knowledge into real development impact. The Statement recognizes the need for improvements in the way agricultural systems and agricultural research are governed and supported. It seeks to build on existing International Organizations and International Financial Institutions, making use of their comparative advantage, enhancing their coordination and effectiveness and avoiding duplication. The statement expresses support for the UN High Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis, and for the fundamental reform processes underway in the FAO, the Committee on World Food Security, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and the global agricultural research system through the Global Forum on Agricultural Research.//GFAR E-News
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