Positions for the Economic and Social Council

Republic of Uganda

Developing Sustainable Food Systems in Post-Conflict Areas

The Republic of Uganda (Uganda) is known as a post conflict area, as previously presented by the Background Guide, the United Nations (UN) considers post-conflict an area where one or more of the following takes place: an end to violence, signed peace agreements, fighters become disarmed and reintegrated, refugees are awarded shelter, the government begins to function normally, and/or the economy recovers. Also, as noted by the Background Guide, The UN also states that “a system that embraces all the elements and activities that relate to production, processing, distribution and marketing, preparation and consumption of food and the outputs of these activities including socio economic and environment outcomes” would be considered a food system. The Background Guide previously presented that 489 million of the 815 million of the population in 2016 who are undernourished live in Member States in conflict and post-conflict areas, according to an UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2016 publication. Uganda is heavily involved in the fight for sustainable development. Internationally Uganda has fully embraced the ideals for sustainable development found in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which came in September 2015. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), works closely with the Government of Uganda through a Country Programming Framework (CPF) in the hopes to put an end to hunger and improve nutrition. Regionally the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) was initially created in East and Central Africa. FAO introduced the IPC in Uganda back in 2007, and since then analysis of food insecurity has been conducted twice a year at a national level. IPC has found to be very useful in Uganda. With the help of programs through FAO, the majority of Uganda is found to have little to no food insecurity. Nationally Uganda is one of the first countries to localize the agenda to ensure that “No One is Left Behind”, as per the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Uganda has been active in the pursuit of sustainable development since the 1990s, with the 2014 census showing positive results. Uganda’s efforts towards sustainable development can be seen in post war reconstruction (1986-1997); poverty eradication (1997-2009); and social economic transformation (2010-2020). Uganda has put in place a National Standard Indicator Framework to gauge progress towards attaining middle-income status by 2020. Uganda is working towards fixing what is responsible for low agricultural productivity. Low productivity affects farmers’ incomes, and thus Uganda food security. Uganda developed the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (2011-2016) as a localized goal to reduce levels of malnutrition in women, young children, and infants. Uganda plans to continue in efforts to eradicate hunger through the FAO, IPC, and CPF. Uganda is prepared to continue with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through social programs such as Operation Wealth Creation; Universal Primary and Secondary Education; the Youth Livelihood Program; and the Skilling Uganda Program. The Republic of Uganda reaffirms its commitment to the developing sustainable food systems in post-conflict areas, along with continuing in general sustainable development.

II. Addressing the Rising External Debt in Developing Member States

Since gaining its independence, The Republic of Uganda (Uganda) had struggled with debt levels as high as 71.5% of GDP while currently experiencing a debt of 36.9% of GDP. Uganda is currently working hard through a mixture of entrepreneurial growth, outsider investment, and fiscal conservatism (shown through a Government budget which is ever decreasing in percentage to Ugandan GDP). Uganda also is currently credit rated by Standard and Poor’s at a B, Moody’s with a B2, and Fitch’s with a B+. This lands Uganda at a Stable Outlook by all rating agencies and is exceptional for a country which is on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) list for full relief by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The main problem for paying back the debts of Uganda comes down to the main income of Uganda which is agriculture. Since Uganda is land locked and its main exports and industries are all related to agriculture this causes a reliance on fair weather and cooperation with bordering countries for access to the ocean. This means that as harvest suffers so does the economy and the government is restricted in its ability to perfectly make full payments.

Uganda would like to further support the G – 77’s (of which it is a member) idea of a common fund for debt relief and cancellation. Uganda would also like to support the notion of adjusting the criteria used by credit unions to determine rating on a different, more lenient scale for those who are listed as a HIPC.

Uganda will also place heavy importance on its membership in the East African Community (EAC) and its proposed membership of the East African Federation (EAF). The Republic of Uganda very much believes in the creation of the EAF and its potential to eliminate trade barriers, increase access to resources, attract new foreign investment, and pool resources to problem solving all issues facing Uganda and other potential union members. Uganda has already expressed full commitment to the EAF and requires more influence of the U.N. to persuade those Member states who have yet to commit. Uganda has always promoted helping others and giving back to those that helped. The Republic of Uganda reaffirms its drive to help reach a sustainable level of debt and hopes for support of member states in helping all of those affected by rising debt levels.