Because Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development embodies the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, it has become a focus of global commitments among United Nations bodies, member governments and civil society actors. From Rio to Rome and Johannesburg to New York, SARD good practices are viewed as central to addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity and poverty.

“We know that eliminating hunger is not only a moral imperative; we know that investing in the reduction of hunger can only benefit an increasingly interdependent world. It is in the interest of all, rich and poor, to do everything - and quickly - to bring about a fairer world, to eliminate chronic hunger and its stigmas of despair and resignation.

Let us waste no time in putting our commitments into effect and demonstrating and carry the battle against hunger and poverty”

Jacques Diouf, Director General, FAO.
World Food Summit: five years later, Rome, June 2002.