FAO - INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP FOR THE ELABORATION OF A SET OF VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY

IGWG RTFG 1/2 Sup. 1

INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP FOR THE ELABORATION OF A SET OF VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY

First Session

Rome, 24-26 March 2003

SUPPLEMENT TO SYNTHESIS REPORT OF SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS

Introduction
The Secretariat was requested to produce a summary of written and verbal submissions to the IGWG subsequent to the written submissions used to prepare the Synthesis Report. When reviewing these submissions¹ and the debate held on 24 March 2003 it was found that the majority of issues raised had already been dealt with in the Synthesis Report. It was thus decided that this Supplement to the Synthesis Report would highlight issues not included or insufficiently emphasized in the Synthesis Report. The structure and numbering of this Supplement follows the one used in the Synthesis Report.

III. Scope

A definition of the right to adequate food should be provided under this heading.

The right to adequate food should also encompass the right to safe drinking water and the right to water for irrigation.

V.1 A holistic approach

Paragraph 19 should address the issue of nutritional well-being as a related, but more encompassing issue and ultimate goal.

The need to take special account of smallholder producers was stressed.

The same paragraph should also mention the importance of protecting agrobiodiversity (as provided for in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture) for the realization of the right to adequate food.

V.3 Inclusive national strategies
Paragraph 23 bullet point six should also mention the vulnerable groups.

The importance of analyzing thoroughly the causes of food insecurity was stressed.

A new bullet point should be included that mentions the need for research.

V.6 Best practices
The importance of identifying best practices was stressed.

VI. Situations of Conflicts
The Guidelines should stress the need to prevent conflict.

A new item (X.)
should be introduced that suggests to submit the Guidelines to the General Assembly of the United Nations for approval.

¹ Members: Benin, Mali, Switzerland Annex, Uganda; Observers: Coopération international pour le Développement et la Solidarité, FIMARC, International Food Policy Research Institute, Joint-North South Civil Society Contribution Annex, UN Standing Committee for Nutrition.