UNPO General-Secretary Mr. Marino Busdachin presented UNPO’s perspective on issues of climate change, food security, and bioenergy following an invitation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Below is an article written by UNPO:

Spread throughout the world, UNPO’s Members often find themselves directly affected by issues of climate change.  From rising sea levels in the Pacific to soil erosion in Ethiopia, UNPO Members are living with climate change and the challenges of food security.  While local communities can act to mitigate some of the more local effects, real responsibility lies with states and the wider international community.

It was with this in mind that UNPO General-Secretary Mr. Marino Busdachin addressed the FAO Non-governmental stakeholder conference held on 15-16 February 2008.  Mr Busdachin highlighted the issues that continually face nations and peoples who, for a variety of reasons, are not given a voice by the states who are meant to act as their mouthpiece on the world stage.  

Speaking on the ramifications of climate change, Mr. Busdachin stated that:

“Greater international attention needs to be paid to the issue of demographic changes resulting from climate change…the forced migration of people in coming years will generate major conflict if international organizations do not address the underlying causes – to date, the post Kyoto negotiations have failed to adequately discuss this very issue.”

UNPO has long pressed for greater inclusion of minority peoples and nations in talks designed to discuss and debate the effects of climate change.  The recent FAO conference gave UNPO another opportunity to reiterate the importance of including such groups.  If the international community neglects to consult with those who are bearing the brunt of climate change – from desertification to flooding – and listens only to the voices of state actors, the real impact stands to go unnoticed for years to come.  And if this means that states will respond with conviction only when the effects of climate change are felt nationally, it may be too late for all.

The FAO next meets in June 2008 at the high-level stakeholder conference.  Here delegates will discuss the statements put forward to it in the preparatory conference and prepare a final report.  Whether the FAO will be able to provide a strategy that can help UNPO Members cannot be guaranteed.  However, for the sake of the millions of people affected by climate change every day, it is time for real and meaningful consideration of the issues at stake. 

UNPO has acted, and it is now up to the FAO to provide a strategy that international actors can use to protect lives and livelihoods in the coming decades.

Note:

For additional information on the FAO’s High-Level Conference on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy, please click on the link below:

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization