President of the Republic of Slovenia attends World Summit on measures to eradicate hunger

Rome, 16.11.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic, Dr Danilo Türk, is attending the World Summit on Food Security at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Dr Milan Pogaènik. In his address at the plenary session of the World Summit, the Slovenian President stressed that the food security issue is one of the most important global development priorities. He restated the position that eradication of poverty and hunger takes first place among the development goals of the new millennium. President Türk expressed his concern at the increasing trend in the number of hungry and poor people. He therefore called for appropriate, effective and prompt measures for reform of the management of the world food security system and for strengthening the FAO and the entire United Nations system.

According to President Türk, a multidisciplinary approach and a good understanding of priorities are required to attain these goals. He highlighted the importance of coherent policies and the compatibility of measures having an impact on food security. Initially, an evaluation of vulnerability, early warning regarding the approaching food crisis and consequently quick response should be improved. Additionally, a socio-economic environment for the prevention of repeated food-related uncertainties and an effective target social security network need to be established. "However, most important is to reverse the trend of increasing numbers of hungry people and eliminate the vulnerability of certain populations," commented President Türk, adding that a new world food security management system should be set up within existing institutions.

Such a system should provide compatibility of policies in different areas, such as agriculture, economy, the environment and related social affairs, since only in this manner can we expect positive changes in each individual area. In order to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, the system must also be based on obtaining reliable feedback. The President added that such a framework could also attract investments and strengthen the productivity of agricultural production. However, Dr Türk placed special emphasis on investment in the protection of natural resources and in education, health, access to drinking water and long-term social protection of vulnerable populations, who must be integrated in the creation of measures and policies.

At the close of his address, President Türk highlighted sustainable development as the basic principle in agriculture and rural development. In his opinion, the main role in combating hunger and poverty should be taken by three international organisations which have their headquarters in Rome: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The President expressed his hope that the consensus of the international community at the World Summit in Rome would contribute to strengthening awareness that the right to food is a basic human right and that global environmental protection is a precondition for our survival.

On the margins of the World Summit, Dr Türk was at the audience with Pope Benedict XVI, who also delivered a speech at the World Summit on Food Security. President Türk also held short meetings with the Director-General of the FAO, Dr Jacques Diouf; the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso; and the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Silvio Berlusconi. In the evening, Dr Türk will attend a working dinner of heads of state hosted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, as part of the preparations for the Copenhagen summit on climate change. During dinner, the participants will analyse the course of negotiations to date and the tasks ahead of the Copenhagen summit.