A draft set of conclusions for the Rio+20 Summit – United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) taking place on June 20th – 22nd this year has been released which include a number of priorities for sustainable development related to food and agriculture. In terms of food security the draft states that:
‘We reaffirm the right to food and call upon all States to prioritize sustainable intensification of food production through increased investment in local food production, improved access to local and global agri-food markets, and reduced waste throughout the supply chain, with special attention to women, smallholders, youth, and indigenous farmers. We are committed to ensuring proper nutrition for our people.’
According to AgraEurope, the term ‘sustainable intensification’ was coined by UK chief scientific advisor Sir John Beddington in his 2011 report on the Future of Food and Farming: Challenges and choices for global sustainability.
In terms of markets, the document supports the promotion of “practices that contribute to the stability of food prices & domestic markets” by governments.
Related information
Read the full document here
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Governments to back ‘sustainable intensification’ for agriculture, AgraFacts 16th January 2012
