URU, Alm.del - 2009-10 - Bilag 123: Erklæring fra topmøde om sult den 16.

Statement by the Head of Danish Delegation (Minister for Food,Agriculture and Fisheries Eva Kjer Hansen) at theWorld Summit on Food Securityin Rome, 16 – 18 November 2009

•Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.•Let us never forget that the battle against hunger can be won!•A number of developing countries have shown the way. By investingin agriculture – instead of neglecting agriculture - they are about toachieve the goal of halving the number of hungry.•Their examples provide a message of hope in a world where we facean alarming and increasing number of people suffering from hunger.

•Many good initiatives have been taken. Allow me to recognize thesubstantial contribution by G8 under the Italian presidency.•From now on our commitments and actions will be based on the fiveRome Principles for Sustainable Global Food Security at firstpresented in the L’Aquila Joint Statement.•It is very simple. Hunger will not disappear if we neglect agriculture.•Until 2007 it was generally believed that scarcity and high prices wasa problem of the past.

•It was wrong. Even though we have many problems in this imperfectworld of ours, we need to put food security back on top of theinternational agenda.•A hungry man or woman has very little to lose. Therefore hunger isthe main destabilizing force in the world.•Denmark fully supports the Summit-declaration, but allow meemphasize just 3 important issues.

•Firstly, we must ensure that emergency needs are met. Newcommitments should not be at the expense of the victims ofhumanitarian crisis.•Additional funding is needed. And we encourage other countries tojoin us in realizing the long-standing UN target of not less than 0.7pct. in development assistance.•Denmark contributes with 0.82 pct. of its GDP to developmentassistance and we will continue to be a substantial donor to theWorld Food Programme (WFP) as well as other organisations thataddress acute hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

•Secondly, we must invest more in agriculture, not least in Africa.•We note the call of the High-Level Expert Forum “How to Feed theWorld in 2050” for a substantial increase in investment in theagricultural sector.•Likewise, the Danish Africa Commission has underlined thatagriculture plays a critical role for growth, employment and poverty-reduction.

•Therefore we must support the African Green Revolution and othercountry-led initiatives to raise agricultural production andproductivity.•Unfortunately, since 1980, the share of agriculture in totaldevelopment aid has dropped from 19 pct. to less than 4 pct. in 2006.•We would like a substantial increase of the share of ODA devoted toagriculture and food security.•Also, private investments in agriculture are crucial if the root causesof hunger are to be eradicated. We need the private sector.7

•We must assist small-scale farmers in the developing countries toboost production by helping them get seeds and fertilizers.•But it is especially important to help women farmers. In somecountries they make up as much as 70 percent of the workforce infood production.•Gentlemen! I have said it before - and I will say it again. You shouldalways treat women properly! Just as you should always treatfarmers properly. Therefore it is crucial that you treat women farmerswith the utmost respect and gratitude!8

•In general, the international community needs to increase researchand development in the agricultural sector.•The goal must be to increase yields, encourage a greater variety ofcrops, encourage better land use, water management andconservation practises.•We have to take into consideration the whole range of technologicalpossibilities - from organic farming to GMO’s - of course with theright precautions taken.

•I believe that there is an old Chinese saying that goes like this: “Thecolour of the cat doesn’t matter as long as it catches mice.”•But one of the most important incentives to invest is the certaintythat you can sell your products everywhere around the world.•This brings me to my third important issue: Free trade. We shouldease trade and get rid of export restrictions that impede the free flowof agricultural commodities.•Barriers to trade will only prevent food from reaching the peoplewho need it most. And it will only hinder investment in agriculture.10

•In one month Denmark will host the COP15. We will meet again inCopenhagen to agree on the way forward to combat climate change.•The Danish government understands and agrees that economicgrowth needs to be the number one priority of developing countries.•But economic growth does not necessarily have to lead to an increasein energy consumption.•Development can be achieved without drastic increases in theemissions of greenhouse gasses.11

•Let me use my own country Denmark as an example. We havewitnessed sustained economic growth over the last 25 years - buthardly without any increase in energy consumption. Today 17 pct. ofour total energy consumption is supplied by renewable energy.•Climate change is a threat to our world. And agriculture is one of thefirst victims.•Unfortunately, agriculture is also a source of climate changesbecause of its emission of greenhouse gases.12

•We need to address both problems at the same time. And, in doingso, we should not forget that agriculture is part of the solution.•Biomass fuel has the potential to be a clean, renewable source ofenergy, when it is grown in a sustainable way, and especially when itis extracted from waste products.•The trade-off between the energy, environment and social issuesinvolved is subtle and immensely complex.•We support the role of FAO in facilitating international discussion onthis issue.13

•Let me conclude my intervention by thanking secretary general BanKi Moon.•As you said: There can be no food security without climate security.•Likewise, there can be no climate security without food security.•Therefore: let us feed the world by winning be battle against hungerand the battle against climate changes - at the same time.•Thank you all for your attention. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.14