UN Human Rights Council hosts launch of FAO Publication on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP)
On the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Right to Food Guidelines, FAO releases a publication detailing its work supporting the UNDROP
In a significant stride towards promoting the rights of peasants and rural workers, the UN Human Rights Council hosted the launch of the FAO publication FAO’s work on the themes of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP)at a strategic side event during its 55th Session, organized by FAO and sponsored by Permanent Mission of Bolivia and OHCHR.
FAO’s vision for a world free from hunger is intrinsically connected to the socioeconomic conditions of rural actors, including peasants and rural workers. UNDROP is an important part of ensuring their rights, and FAO contributes through its technical expertise, tools, policy guidance and technical materials, as outlined in the new publication, which is an all-in-one reference to FAO’s work. It covers family farming, youth and gender equality, the right to a decent income and livelihood, the right to land and natural resources, the right to seeds and biodiversity and the right to adequate food – critical topics in the protection of the rights of peasants and rural workers.
FAO further provides guidance to governments, policy makers and all stakeholders on implementation of the right to adequate food for all. FAO plays vital role in advancing the UNDROP, which has strong implications on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring the inclusion and well-being of rural populations in the pursuit of sustainable development.
The side event – attended by dignitaries and representatives of nations including Bolivia, Luxembourg, and South Africa, peasant movements such as La Via Campesina, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and FAO –renewed commitment to deepen cooperation and partnerships to further the cause of peasant rights and rural development and to promote human-rights based approaches in the context of food security and nutrition.
Deputy Director of FAO's Partnerships and UN Collaboration, Fatouma Seid, highlighted the significance of FAO's publication, stating, "This publication catalogues FAO's extensive work under six key themes central to the Declaration. It can be useful for policymakers, practitioners, and cvil society to promote the implementation of the Declaration to safeguard the rights of peasants and ural workers and fostering sustainable development".
Click here to access the publication.
