CO-SUBMITTERS: Chad, Swaziland, Liberia, Nepal, WHO, Amnesty International, Syria, Austria

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ISSUE: 2

QUESTION OF: Developing strategies to encourage sustainable agriculture and reduce the dependence of Sub-Saharan countries on food imports

MAIN-SUBMITTER: Senegal

CO-SUBMITTERS: Chad, Swaziland, Liberia, Nepal, WHO, Amnesty International, Syria, Austria, Philippines

THE SPECIAL CONFERENCE,

Noting with appreciation the initiative started by the World Food Program (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and of IFAD, raising awareness about the issue of sustainable agriculture, food availability and security in many nations,

Congratulating the project carried out by IFAD in India working towards improving agricultural techniques and therefore promoting agricultural sustainability,

Guided by the article released by IFAD, which states that “Food systems are composed of the natural resources, people, institutions and processes by which agricultural products are produced, processed and brought to consumers. Every aspect of the food system has an effect on the final availability of diverse, nutritious foods.”,

Acknowledging that article 25 of the Human Rights Act identifies the right of access food as primary and universal,

Bearing in mind that the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Article XI sees food as a primary element towards ensuring human rights,

Noting the lack of proper agricultural production in Sub-Saharan nations that otherwise causes dependence on food importation,

Acknowledging the need for improved agricultural production in sub-Saharan countries,

Firmly believing that the agricultural systems must be sustainable to achieve the goals as global warming is already a problematic issue as stated in the Kyoto Protocol,

Bearing in mind that more than 75% of the economic GDP and revenue in developed countries is produced by agriculture,

Aware of the necessity of an effective program of sustainable agriculture in order to achieve independence from imports and strengthen the economic infrastructure of the countries of sub-Saharan region,

Is fully aware of the necessity of minimizing adverse impacts of farming on the environment in order to achieve sustainable agriculture,

Recalling that, according to UNESCO, “... agriculture is sustainable when it is leads to long-term: Farm profitability; Improvements in the quality of life of farming families; Vitality of rural communities, villages and small towns; and Protection and conservation of the natural environment”,

Further recalling that according to the chief of the UNEP, “Well-managed, sustainable agriculture can not only overcome hunger and poverty, but can address other challenges from climate change to the loss of biodiversity”,

1.  Recommends all Member States encourage companies to collaborate with UNIDO in their Sustainable Supplier Development Program (SSDP) so that it can be implemented in Africa and other regions of the world;

2.  Requests that Member States work in collaboration with UNIDO and the African Union Commission to aid in the success of the “Action Plan for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA)”;

3.  Encourages multinational corporation (MNC) investment in the Sub-Saharan nations in question;

4.  Calls for Member State governments to review national policies related to food security, such as stability of food supply and access to it;

5.  Urges all Member States to establish an association that will:

a.  formulate plans targeting:

i.  increasing food exports from Sub-Saharan nations to MEDC’s

ii.  organizing ways to transmit knowledge to the farmers in relation to more efficient farming techniques such as crop rotations, permaculture and the use of organic fertilizers

iii.  the protection of crop diversity and crop variants

iv.  introducing the farmers to business management skills so that they can successfully plan production

v.  upgrading equipment and implementing more advanced forms of technology in these countries, focusing mainly on irrigation

b.  work with UNIDO as well as the governments of these sub-Saharan countries in order to achieve such goals

c.  limit any pollution emitted through the use of renewable energy sources, such as biofuels

d.  manage any new technology introduced, organizing its use in an equitable manner

e.  serve as a mechanism to provide training for farmers from Sub-Saharan Africa, therefore promoting agricultural extension through measures such as, but not limited to:

i.  educating farmers on how to apply principles of sustainability

ii.  using mechanisms of motivation, such as having experienced farmers share successful techniques for maximizing yields

iii.  organizing training schemes in the operation and maintenance of new agricultural and business technology

f.  have a collective investment fund that will be shared amongst the member countries;

6.  Asks all Member States to support and assist, as appropriate, the process of creating and sustaining the aforementioned association through means such as, but not limited to:

a.  donating 0.02% of their GDP yearly towards this cause

b.  providing funding only to farmers willing to join;

7.  Calls for the creation of an international research group which will:

a.  plan and develop new production methods and information dissemination

b.  consider demographic trends and population movements in order to:

i.  identify critical areas needing assistance

ii.  select the most appropriate areas for farming based on soil nutrition, as well as other factors

c.  identify storage and distribution problems affecting food availability in an attempt to overcome the problem

d.  develop programmes to eliminate land degradation, such as harmful land tenure;

8.  Encourages Member State governments to aid the success of businesses respecting environmental laws and promoting agricultural sustainability;

9.  Calls for Member State governments to review their agricultural policies stressing the need for improvement of harvesting, storage, processing and distribution at both local and national levels;

10.  Proposes the implementation of policies to influence land tenure and property rights in recognition of the minimum land-holding size required to maintain agricultural production;

11.  Suggests the prohibition of the use of fertilizers harmful to the natural environment, especially near water bodies;

12.  Calls upon governments, non-governmental organizations and private investors to promote agricultural sustainability through marketing and advertisement campaigns attempting to make its benefits known;

13.  Requests that the trade barriers implemented on products exported from Sub-Saharan countries be abolished, promoting a more open, non-discriminatory trade system;

14.  Invites the World Health Organization (WHO) to add new aims on the current Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) in Africa to increase health conditions in rural areas;

15.  Decides to remain actively seized upon this issue.