On Monday, November 16, 2009, world leaders will gather in Rome, Italy to discuss a subject that truly affects the world—food security. Thus, the World Summit on Food Security begins, and based on recent statements by the United Nations (UN), the United States, and other developed nations, it appears this food summit enjoys an added boost of energy as the aforementioned have all committed to tackling issues of hunger and malnutrition that afflict 1.02 billion.Rome, the host city, certainly isn’t taking the issue lightly. Pope Benedict XVI is set to deliver the keynote speech. Also addressing the Summit will be UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Jacques Diouf.
According to a news release by the FAO, over “60 heads of State and Government are planning to attend [the Summit].” The FAO hopes the Summit will motive nations to muster up the political desire to increase foreign investments in agriculture and also “reinvigorate[] international effort to combat hunger.”
On the first day the participating nations are expected to adopt a Summit Declaration draft. Prior to the Summit FAO has pushed for people to go on a “hunger strike against hunger” on either November 14, or 15, 2009, “to show solidarity for those who go without enough to eat every day.” Both the FAO Director-General Diouf and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have announced they will participate in the fast over the weekend.
To learn more about the Summit, pre-Summit events, or the FAO, click here.
Posted: 11/13/09
