Outcomes of the 57^th United Nations General Assembly: 2002

The 57^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held last year, discussed issues of principal concern to FAO such as poverty reduction with links to healthy nutrition, safeguarding fishing, strengthening forestry, controlling the effects of drought and desertification, improving agriculture in dry lands and promoting food security.

The General Assembly is the United Nations main deliberative organ which brings together every year the delegations of the Member States to discuss international topics in a multilateral forum.

During the two-month session period, the UNGA made a special reference to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) which includes agriculture as one of its priority areas. The assembly adopted a resolution by which it urges the United Nations system to work closely to guarantee the implementation of the priorities of NEPAD.

When discussing the follow-up on the outcome of the Millennium Summit, numerous Member States stressed the importance of nutrition, agriculture and adverse effects of deforestation in global warming.

Lastly, the Assembly decided to declare 2004 as the International Year of Rice while inviting FAO to foster its implementation jointly with Governments, UNDP, the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research Centres, other relevant UN system agencies and NGOs.

For more information on the 57th United Nations General Assembly click here.