On 6 April 2009, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) hosted an Interactive Thematic Dialogue of the UN General Assembly on the Global Food Crisis and the Right to Food at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

UNGA President Miguel d´Escoto Brockmann, the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier de Schutter, and the senior adviser to the UNGA President on food policy and sustainable development, David Andrews, called for concerted efforts to refocus the world’s attention on the food crisis. The Dialogue gathered economists, agro-ecologists, human rights specialists and government delegates to discuss how a rights-based approach to food could shift the world’s agricultural production.
Oliver de Schutter noted that the recent reduction of food prices, coupled with the financial crisis, has contributed to the belief that the food crisis is no longer an issue. He further noted that the structural problems of agricultural production have not been addressed, including the dependency of agriculture on oil prices, the climate change impacts, which increase the volatility of food prices, and the unfair trading system, which makes developing countries less competitive.
David Andrews underlined that the majority of the world’s labour is concentrated in agriculture, with the largest share represented by women. He noted that many small farmers and producers are suffering from hunger themselves, and that international organizations and governments should consult with the hungry and the farmers when proposing solutions to the food crisis.
In his closing remarks, d’Escoto stressed the need to ensure that the right to food, a rights-based approach, is taken into consideration in the deliberations of the upcoming UN meetings and processes. He indicated that a Summit on the Food Crisis is likely to be held by the end of the year.
Links to further information
UNGA website
Keynote address of the Special Rapporteur Olivier de Schutter on the Right to Food at the UNGA Interactive Thematic Dialogue, 6 April 2009
Concept Note prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food
UN News Centre, 6 April 2009
Press conference, 6 April 2009
UNGA press release, 6 April 2009