This past 3-5 June 2008, Heads of State and Government, high-level Minsisters and representatives of non-governmental and civil society organizations converged upon FAO Headquarters in Rome to discuss new challenges to world food security, primarily the effects of climate change, bioenergy and soaring food prices. The Conference concluded with the adoption by acclamation of a declaration calling on the international community to increase assistance for developing countries.

The High-level Conference on World Food Security: The Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy, held at FAO Headquarters 3-5 June 2008, winessed the participation of one hundred eighty-one member countries. Forty-three Heads of State and Government attended the event, alongside one hundred high-level Ministers and sixty non-governmental and civil society organizations.

The Conference concluded with the adoption by acclamation of a declaration calling on the international community to increase assistance for developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and those that are most negatively affected by high food prices.

“There is an urgent need to help developing countries and countries in transition expand agriculture and food production, and to increase investment in agriculture, agribusiness and rural development, from both public and private sources,” according to the declaration.

The conference web site contains all information related to the Conference, including archived webcasting, photo galleries of the events, technical background documents, and the speeches delivered by Heads of State and Government and Ministers.