World Food Summit documents emphasize role of forests and forestry in food security
From 13 to 17 November 1996 world leaders assembled at FAO's Rome headquarters to foster a renewed high-level commitment around the world to the eradication of hunger and malnutrition and to the achievement of lasting food security for all people. The World Food Summit was the first time in history that the world's heads of state and government gathered specifically to focus on the question of "food security", i.e. how to ensure that all their citizens have access to the food they need to live healthy, productive lives.
The Summit participants adopted the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action. These two documents set forth a seven-point plan stipulating concrete, practical actions to ensure:
1. Conditions conducive to food security
2. Access to food by all
3. Sustainable increases in food production
4. Trade's contribution to food security
5. Emergency relief when and where needed
6. The required investments
7. Concerted efforts by countries and organizations to achieve results, individually and collectively
Throughout the documents, which will be at the forefront of international attention for some time to come, the important role of forests and forestry in achieving world food security emerges clearly. In fact, the words forestry, forests and foresters appear no fewer than 47 times.
The recognition in these documents of the importance of forestry in achieving food security represents an important opportunity for the international forestry community to promote itself. The following paragraphs highlight the references to forestry in the Summit's Rome Declaration and Plan of Action. Complete copies of the documents may be obtained from the:
Information Division
FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome Italy
or downloaded from the FAO Internet et site: http://www.fao.org/wfs/policy/policy.htm
References to forestry in the Rome Declaration on World Food Security
The Rome Declaration is the basic document of intent, approved unanimously by the participants at the World Food Summit. Within it, there are three direct references to forestry: in Paragraph 8, countries "recognize the importance for food security of sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development in low as well as high potential areas," and acknowledge the fundamental role of farmers, fishers, foresters, indigenous people and their communities... in attaining food security."
In Paragraph 10, the countries agree to "pursue participatory and sustainable food, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development policies..." and also to ´´promote optimal allocation and use of public and private investments to foster human resources, sustainable food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry systems..."
References to forestry in the World Food Summit Plan of Action
The Plan of Action attempts to set out workable avenues towards achievement of the commitments expressed in it. The Preamble notes that: Farmers, fishers and foresters and other food producers and providers have critical roles in providing food security, and their full involvement and enablement are crucial for success."
Related to the first commitment of the seven-point plan listed above, the document notes that: "A peaceful, stable and enabling political, social and economic environment is the essential foundation which will enable States to give adequate priority to food security, poverty eradication and sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development." Governments commit themselves to: "Establish legal and other mechanisms, that... should also promote conservation and sustainable use of natural resources (such as land, water and forests), lower risks, and encourage investment...".
In line with ensuring gender equality, governments commit themselves to: "improve the collection, dissemination and use of gender-disaggregated data in agriculture, fisheries, forestry..." and to "Gather information on women's traditional knowledge and skills in... forestry and natural resources management."
In line with encouraging national solidarity and providing equal opportunities for all, governments and civil society will: "Support investment in human resource development... which [is] essential to sustainable development, including... forestry...".
In their commitment to implement policies aimed at poverty eradication (Commitment 2), "governments, in partnership will all actors of civil society, as appropriate, will:... Pursue sound... forestry and land reform policies that will permit farmers, fishers, foresters... to earn a fair return from their labour, capital and management, and encourage conservation and sustainable management of natural resources...".
In its commitment to pursue participatory and sustainable food, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development policies (Commitment 3), the Plan of Action notes that: "The resource base for food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry is under stress and is threatened by problems such as desertification, deforestation...", and points to the framework set out in Agenda 21, i.e. UNCED's Programme of Action for Sustainable Development. The document notes that: "Efficient land use for sustainable agricultural activity in many areas will also contribute significantly towards reducing the pressure to convert forests to agricultural land." It goes on to affirm that: "Food security depends, inter alia, on sustainable management of fish, forests, and wildlife." Moreover, the document points to the importance of research (including in forestry) in achieving food security, and urges renewed efforts "to involve farmers, fishers, foresters and their organizations in setting research priorities and directions, and to make experimental findings accessible to them."
In combating environmental threats to food security, governments are called on to: "Reduce the deforestation rate and increase forest coverage, maintain and develop the multiple contributions of forests, trees and forestry for the conservation and sustainable use of land and water resources, including the protection of watersheds, and as reservoirs of biological diversity; to this end, to implement the UNCED outcomes related to forests."
In promoting the appropriate transfer and use of technologies, governments are called on to "Strengthen... forestry education, training skills development and extension systems... and close interaction with research systems and... foresters...".
In striving to ensure that food, agricultural trade and overall trade policies are conducive to fostering food security (Commitment 4), members of the World Trade Organization are called on to: "Pursue the implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreement which will improve market opportunities for efficient... forestry producers and processors, particularly those of developing countries." International organizations, including FAO, are called on to: "Continue to assist developing countries in preparing for multilateral trade negotiations including... in forestry inter alia through studies, analysis and training."
The Plan of Action commits countries to promoting "optimal allocation and use of public and private investments to foster human resources, sustainable food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry systems...". (Commitment 6). In this regard, countries commit themselves "to endeavour to mobilize, and optimize the use of, technical and financial resources from all sources, including debt relief, in order to raise investment in activities related to... forestry
Finally, regarding countries' commitment actually to implement, monitor and follow up the World Food Summit Plan of Action at all levels, the document points to the need to improve "the information regarding the different actors in the field of food security and agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development...".
Bois et forêts des tropiques golden anniversary
The forestry journal, Bois et forêts des tropiques, produced by the Forestry Department of the International Cooperation Centre on Agrarian Research for Development (CIRAD-Forêt) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 1997. During this year, CIRAD will provide - on request and free of charge - back issues of the journal, thereby enabling subscribers to complete their collections. Requests for back issues or other information regarding the journal should be addressed to: CIRAD-Forêt, Service Publications, PO Box 5035, 34032 Montpellier, Cedex-1, France. Fax +33-0467593755.
