FAO Summit Beginning Bittersweet
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) risky step to convene in short time another summit on hunger has so far left a bittersweet taste.
Representatives from anti-globalization movements and NGOs, met in front of the FAO headquarters in Rome, yesterday criticized the poor results of the presidents' meeting, and absence of rich nations.
Oxfam International, which has 14 divisions worldwide, pointed out that one billion starving people are waiting for answers. Another "noble defeat" cannot be accepted, it added.
FAO Director General Jacques Diouf said he is optimistic by nature and a new opportunity has been provided, but "I hope those pledges are accomplished," he admitted, and stressed it is important to continue in this hard battle.
Though the first day of the meeting was marked by strong criticism, it was recognized the UN effort to make this affair known, and linked it with climate change.
The head of the Cuban delegation to the Rome summit, Ulises Rosales del Toro, Vice President of the Council of Ministers, praised the fact that it has been accepted that foods cannot be used as instrument of political pressure.
"The importance of cooperation and solidarity has been confirmed, as well as the need to abstain from adopting unilateral measures not in line with international law and endangering food safety," he noted.
However, Rosales del Toro, and personalities from Brazil, Chile, Libya, and Malawi lamented the absence of the world's richest nations, which "seem to no longer have the courage of facing developing countries."
There is still a challenge in December in Copenhagen, with increasing doubts on another kind of promises so far in the ether of ideas.
Representatives from anti-globalization movements and NGOs, met in front of the FAO headquarters in Rome, yesterday criticized the poor results of the presidents' meeting, and absence of rich nations.
Oxfam International, which has 14 divisions worldwide, pointed out that one billion starving people are waiting for answers. Another "noble defeat" cannot be accepted, it added.
FAO Director General Jacques Diouf said he is optimistic by nature and a new opportunity has been provided, but "I hope those pledges are accomplished," he admitted, and stressed it is important to continue in this hard battle.
Though the first day of the meeting was marked by strong criticism, it was recognized the UN effort to make this affair known, and linked it with climate change.
The head of the Cuban delegation to the Rome summit, Ulises Rosales del Toro, Vice President of the Council of Ministers, praised the fact that it has been accepted that foods cannot be used as instrument of political pressure.
"The importance of cooperation and solidarity has been confirmed, as well as the need to abstain from adopting unilateral measures not in line with international law and endangering food safety," he noted.
However, Rosales del Toro, and personalities from Brazil, Chile, Libya, and Malawi lamented the absence of the world's richest nations, which "seem to no longer have the courage of facing developing countries."
There is still a challenge in December in Copenhagen, with increasing doubts on another kind of promises so far in the ether of ideas.
Source:
Prensa Latina
Date:
17/11/2009