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CSD-17 [CSD-17:Home]
3rd Implementation Cycle: Policy Session
4-15 May 2009
New York

A Much-needed Consensus on Agriculture & Rural Development for Food Security

29/05/2009
Nikhil Chandavarkar

The Seventeenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, reached a successful conclusion on 15 May 2009, with a consensus outcome made up of policy decisions on agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and African development. The consensus outcome on this crucial set of themes essential for food security is a tribute to the ability of member states to find common policy ground among a myriad of particular national and regional interests. The challenge now, according to the CSD-17 Chair, Minister Verburg of the Netherlands, will be for policy-shapers and policy-makers to turn “words into action,” at the global, regional, national and local levels.

Over 1000 participants, including 50 Ministers or Vice-ministers, heads or senior representatives of UN Agencies and the three environment convention secretariats, attended meeting. Non-government representatives included farmer’s organizations, academia, business and industry, women, indigenous peoples, youth, workers and trade unions, and local authorities. The session also included a Partnership Fair, Learning Centre and numerous side events which collectively delivered a rich exchange of experiences, knowledge and skills. 

Particular innovations included ministerial dialogues with  Major Groups, the Policy Research Community, and heads of governing bodies of UN agencies and heads of the agencies; interactive Ministerial roundtables; and finally a “Shared Vision” document presented as the Chair’s summary. A noteworthy outcome included the formation of a “Sustainable Development Knowledge Partnership” to mobilize intellectual resources in support of global and national policies and actions on sustainable development.

In its consensus outcome, the CSD expressed its deep concern for the impact of the multiple crises on the achievement of sustainable development, including the MDGs. Emphasizing the urgent need to increase food security through agricultural development, the CSD called for a green revolution that revitalizes agricultural sectors in developing countries by enhancing agricultural production, productivity, and sustainability through the use of science-based approaches and local indigenous knowledge; expanding investment incentives and extension services, in particular for small farmers; and supporting safe integrated pest management.

In its special focus on Africa, the CSD highlighted the need to integrate African farmers and local entrepreneurs into agricultural supply chains; ensure Africa’s integration into global trade; reduce its debt burden; increase domestic and foreign investment; improve income distribution and promote social development, especially of rural communities and women; and finally support climate change adaptation measures.

Acknowledging the challenges of rural development and the crucial role of land for sustainable development, the CSD called for integrated sustainable land management practices and protection of scarce natural resources, improved monitoring as basis for measures to reverse land degradation, as well as investments in basic services, health and education. Noting the threat of drought to the livelihoods of millions of people as well as the heightened risk of drought and desertification posed by climate change, the CSD called for mobilization of funding for research and development of drought-tolerant seed varieties, the promotion of technical solutions and practices in combination with traditional knowledge for drought forecasting, impact assessment, and early warning systems.

On this cluster of vital issues, and on many others, CSD serves as a unique multi-sectoral, inter-disciplinary policy hub where  the economic, social and environmental perspectives converge. By giving greater visibility to the issues and work of the Conventions on Biodiversity and Desertification in addition to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, CSD-17 has contributed to supporting all three Rio conventions at a time when climate change is taking centre stage.

At the same time, CSD-17 has sent a strong signal for agriculture and adaptation to climate change to figure prominently in the climate change negotiations. CSD-17 has also reaffirmed that poverty eradication is the paramount goal for developing countries and that sustainable development is as much about economic growth and social advancement as environmental protection.

CSD-17 has sent a clear signal to international trade negotiations that market access for agricultural products is a matter of human survival in many poor countries. Another important signal from the CSD-17, to forums such as the General Assembly, where the multiple crises are being discussed, is that economic recovery packages need to aim for sustainable development, with strong social and environmental components. CSD provides benchmarks and directions that member states can rely on in negotiations in other, particularly sectoral, economic, social and environmental forums. The CSD continues to serve the global community as the intergovernmental conscience on sustainable development.