IIMSAM Official Dr. Naseer Homoud congratulated on successful conclusion Summit on Food Security

Nov. 18, 2009 - PRLog -- Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council lauded the efforts of FAO in organizing successful Summit on Food Security. He hoped that the commitments made in summit by governments shall be implemented in full and the resolution adopted would be effective in curbing the peril of hunger and malnutrition.

Reports from the Food Agricultural Organization reveal that the leaders have decided to give more consideration to boost in agricultural investment and better governance as a way forward in promoting the climate change drive which has impacted negatively on agriculture. On the first day, the Summit adopted unanimously a declaration committing all the nations of the world to eradicate hunger at the earliest possible date. It pledged to substantially increase aid to agriculture in developing countries, so that the world’s 1 billion hungry can become self-sufficient. The declaration confirmed the current target for reducing hunger by half by 2015. Dr. Homoud supported the demand of Director General of FAO to increase Official development Assistance (ODA) to agriculture in order to reverse the trend especially in poorer countries so that the planet can feed itself through agricultural incentive and by encouraging private sector investment. “At a time when the global economic crisis is on its crest, it is needed to ring alarming bell, that not every of our fellow beings are working in offices and factories. The crisis has reached the farms managed by marginalized section of the society and rural areas of the world, where 70 percent of the world's hungry live and work and this situation is rather more catastrophic when we compare the availability of food and starvation of hunger ridden people” Dr. Homoud  said while addressing the media.

Dr. Homoud further said that this summit concludes in the wake of the recent G20 Meeting were leaders made a commitment to promote employment through structural policies, work to address excessive commodity price volatility by improving the functioning and transparency of physical and financial markets and promoting a closer dialogue between producer and consumer countries.

In his call to the governments Dr. Homoud urged “it is matter of immense satisfaction that world community at large has realized the that without promoting agriculture and efforts to tackle global warming, the issues related to hunger cannot be solved. I urge nations to increase ODA to $44 billion which is required to be invested in infrastructure, technology and modern inputs as requested by DG of FAO.”

Dr. Homoud also stressed the need to take practical initiatives to fight against hunger and malnutrition in the world, reiterating IIMSAM strong will to boost international co-operation in this field and contribute, thanks to its experience, to achieving the objectives set by the international community, through international solidarity, to eradicate hunger and poverty. “"More than a billion people around the world do not have enough to eat", said Dr. Homoud. ”Without access to a consistent supply of nutritious food, people cannot hope to move further than meeting their basic needs in order to contribute to their families, communities and societies." He further added while expressing his agony on the hunger prevailing in the world of plenty.

Dr. Homoud stressed on the contribution of agriculture to mitigation, incentives for sustainable agriculture and forest management in the future climate regime, research and expertise development for climate-friendly agricultural practices and pliability building and adaptation related to agriculture. He urged financial incentives for farmers in the future climate change agreement, suggesting that diversification of food production and water supply can be a keystone for adaptation. While speaking on better governance moves to combat the menace of hunger Dr. Homoud hoped the governance debate would lead to a convergence of actions, especially at the national and international level, and called for rationalized global governance.

Reaffirming the commitment of IIMSAM for fighting hunger and malnutrition through use of Spirulina which is declared as food for the future Dr. Homoud said that IIMSAM is leaving no stones unturned to attend these grave issues. He added “IIMSAM is currently undertaking various projects in African countries particularly Kenya for cultivation and distribution of Spirulina. Thanks to His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona Director General of the IIMSAM under whom guidance IIMSAM is spreading its mandates in pursuit of its goal to make our world free of hunger and malnutrition”. He urged governments to support IIMSAM and affirmed that Spirulina is the best resource for fighting hunger and malnutrition on very low costs involved.