ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security

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Minutes of the ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security Thematic Group Meeting 12 October 2000, Ankara

The ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security Thematic Group (TG) Meeting was held on 12 October 2000, in Ankara, with the participation of 70 people from Government and donor organisations, universities, embassies, media, private sector, NGOs and UN agencies in Turkey. (Annex.1).

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Muthoo, FAO Representative and Mr. A. Witschi-Cestari, Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative.

In his opening statement, Mr. Muthoo welcomed the guests and indicated that the UN agencies in Turkey, including UNDP, FAO, UNICEF, UNFPA, ILO, WHO and UNDCP are represented in the TG meeting, which is an indication of the commitment of UN agencies to join forces and serve Turkey holistically. He added that the "Action Plan for the European Region of WHO 2000-2005" also calls for a holistic approach, noting that standalone efforts for health, nutrition and population can have only limited impact.

Mr. Witschi-Cestari also thanked the participants for their commitment to make a better world in his opening remarks. He continued by saying that there can be no peace and stability in a world, where there are still so many food insecure people, such as 8 million in Turkey. He added that, a road map was secured during the recent UN Summit, held in New York, at which resolutions like "the world has to be cleared from poverty", "sustainable agricultural technologies have to be adopted" and "each country should prepare a national plan of action", were announced, among others. Mr. Witchi-Cestari underlined that the TG was established in 1998, in Turkey and UNDP is proud of being one of its members. UNDP has much to contribute to rural development and food security in Turkey, which is neither poor nor a rich country; especially the FIVIMS should be supported, as well as improvement of governance, environment and literacy. UN alone can not solve the problems, but can make certain things better by providing power to articulate their experience and knowledge. Participation of private sector and strong NGOs, which are key actors in the development efforts of Turkey, is essential. He concluded by indicating that the poor and rich, the urban and the rural should join forces and work together. The Rural Development and Food Security Network is a good start and a platform to work together. UN will support the efforts of the Government in the realisation of institutional, political and economical reforms in the country.

Presentation of Dr. Aileen Robertson

Dr. Aileen Robertson, Regional Advisor for Nutrition Policy, Infant Feeding and Food Security from the WHO Regional Office for Europe, made a presentation on " WHO Food and Nutrition Policy and Action Plan for the European Region 2000-2005". She started by thanking FAO for providing the opportunity to address the agriculture and related community including the private sector as well as NGOs and CSOs besides those of health, education and other stakeholders, something different than what she used to do before, (and that was addressing only the health sector). She believed that a cross-cutting approach was essential to bring about the requisite progress.

In her presentation, Dr. Robertson stressed the need to develop food and nutrition policies, which protect and promote health and reduce the burden of food-related disease, while contributing to socio-economic development and a sustainable environment. The Food and Nutrition Policy and Action Plan insists on the complementary roles played by different sectors, mainly the producers, processors and consumers, in the formulation and implementation of such policies. It also provides a framework, which consists of three interrelated strategies:

Dr. Robertson continued by emphasising that food security in cities is becoming a problem due to the migration of small farmers who are being negatively affected by the EU Common Agricultural Policies, which benefit the big farmers. She suggested that incentives for small farmers should be intensified, local markets which create jobs should be encouraged and supported, instead of closing them, and urban, peri-urban farming should be promoted, especially for production of fruits and vegetables, and cooperation among related agencies like WHO, FAO, UNICEF is necessary and a coordination mechanism, a task force should be established at national, regional and local levels to monitor the situation. Also, she recommended Turkey to be associated at the policy development level.

At the implementation stage, Turkey should prepare a National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition to implement its Food and Nutrition Policy. It is encouraging to note that nutrition and food policies are taken into the agendas of health ministries.

After the presentation of Dr. Robertson, the floor was opened for discussions.

FAO WEBSITE

Recommendation and Conclusions:

  1. The Ministries and institutions dealing with food and agriculture, safety, processing, distribution, marketing, health and nutrition should join forces and share information, including farmers' unions, NGOs, civil society, private sector, academic and research institutions, among others, to ensure food security and food safety in Turkey and neighbouring countries in a collaborative, inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary manner, so that it is effective in practice and realised holistically and sustainably.
  2. The United Nations/FAO were charged with the responsibility to follow-up on the implementation of this recommendation as a resolution through the Rural Development and Food Security Thematic Group, which should continue to bring together all the stakeholders in Turkey and those concerned in the international community.

  3. Turkey should have a food and nutrition policy, which covers the nutrition, food safety and sustainable food supply strategies.
  4. A national plan of action for nutrition should be prepared by the planners and other relevant public and civil organisations.
  5. A coordination mechanism should be established to monitor food security and safety at the national, regional and local levels.
  6. Producers should take responsibility in training the public and creating awareness, especially among the children and youngsters. Agriculture should also be careful on health issues.
  7. City farming, especially fruit and vegetable production should be encouraged and promoted. Local markets, where producers market their crops should be supported.
  8. Agro-industry in rural areas should be developed for income generation and supporting small producers.
  9. Food producers and manufacturers should also be invited to the TG meetings.

Participating Institutions:

There was much interest and participation in discussions. 70 Participants representing the following TG member institutions attended the Meeting.

International Institutions:

Government:

State Ministry:

Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources:

Ministry of Interior Affairs:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs:

Ministry of Forestry

Ministry of Environment:

Ministry of Health:

Ministry of National Education:

Ministry of Trade:

NGO and Private Sector:

Academic and Research Institutions:

Embassies:

Media:


LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

From UN Agencies:

From Ministries, International Organisations and Various NGOs:

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