Background: The Multi Functional Platform is a revenue producing machine which empowers women. The women's group here, called "Sourouyel Women's Group", prepares peanuts for grinding in the Multi Functional Platform. The final product, peanut paste, will be sold in the market and in the village. The time saved by using the Platform to produce the paste frees women to attend to other matters. Credit: E. Schneider The United Nations Secretary-General established the Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis in April, 2008. Composed of the heads of specialized agencies, funds and programmes, the Bretton Woods institutions, and relevant parts of the UN Secretariat, the Task Force is chaired by the UN Secretary-General, with FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf serving as Vice-Chairman. Assistant Secretary-General David Nabarro was appointed Coordinator of the Task Force in January 2009.

The Secretary-General's Remarks
at Food Security and Climate Change Conference, Rome, Italy
(16 November 2009 )

His Excellency Franco Frattini, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
His Excellency Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the General Assembly
Distinguished UN colleagues,
Excellencies,

We came to Rome to discuss food security.  But I think we are all aware that there can be no food security without climate security.

The global population is growing and so are demands on food production.

Changes in the global climate are likely to make it harder – not easier – to produce the food we need.

Excellencies,

In my conversations with leaders from every part of the globe I sense a new spirit of resolve.  A willingness to cooperate... to be creative… to rise to the challenge.

In just two years, climate change has moved from the backburner to the top of the international agenda.

At the summit on climate change that I convened in September, world leaders signalled their determination to reach a deal in Copenhagen.

They voiced broad support for setting a long-term goal to keep global temperature rise to a safe level, which means below 2 degrees Celsius.

The private sector is mobilized too.  Businesses are clamouring for the policy signals that could unleash green innovation and investments. 

So, I remain positive about Copenhagen.

We know the problem areas.  We know the negotiations will be hard.

But let us not believe all we read in the news about a conference headed for failure or watered down commitments.

Frankly, we can prove the sceptics wrong.  We have achieved progress on many issues.

There is is much convergence on a shared vision and in the areas of adaptation, technology and capacity building.

Convergence too on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and on other forest-related activities.

And we are making progress on mitigation targets. 

Some countries’ targets are close to what we need.

Others have indicated that their existing commitments can be expanded if they see others following suit.

We still have everything to play for.

And important things are happening.  The eyes of the world are on the United States and China and the critical discussions between President Obama and President Hu in Beijing.

Last week I was in Washington.  I met with key U.S. Senators about the climate challenge.

I am happy to report that there is strong support in the Senate, and of course in the Obama administration, for action on climate change.

While we know the United States will not have passed a climate bill before Copenhagen, I am confident their delegation in Copenhagen can come equipped with what is necessary for us to achieve a meaningful deal.

Excellencies,

Copenhagen does not need to resolve all the details. 

But we do need a comprehensive agreement on climate – one that provides the foundation for a legally binding treaty in the coming months.

Your negotiators have worked hard.  To go further, they need your support, your direction.

We need the direct engagement of Heads of State and Government. 

I welcome Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen’s invitation for world leaders to come to Copenhagen.

And I applaud the willingness of dozens of leaders, including President Obama, to consider attending.

Their involvement – your involvement – can provide the political impetus we need to conclude an ambitious, effective agreement. 

At Prime Minister Rasmussen’s request, I will continue to serve as a neutral broker in support of Danish-led efforts. 

I urge you to join those efforts, and make your own commitment to ensure that Copenhagen will be success. 

Similarly, I encourage you to use whatever meetings or fora are available to reflect on what your country and other countries can do to achieve a strong climate agreement.

We must not waste a single day between now and Copenhagen to strengthen the level of ambition.

Right now, it is essential that countries agree on three main issues.

First, every nation must do its part.

Developed countries need to set ambitious targets for 2020.  Science tells us we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 25-40 per cent.

Developing countries too must do more to slow the growth of their emissions.

Second, governments must agree on sizable financing and technology support to ensure that developing countries can and will limit their emissions and cope with the consequences of climate change.

We need agreement too on ways to help vulnerable populations adapt to climate impacts.

We look to developed countries to provide up to $10 billion dollars in fast-track funding annually over the next three years to jump-start low-emission growth in developing countries, to limit deforestation and to finance adaption measures.

Third, governments must agree on an equitable, transparent governance structure to manage this support.

All countries will need stronger monitoring, reporting and verification of both mitigation and financing.

A deal in Copenhagen that clearly addresses these elements will satisfy the minimum criteria for success.

But Copenhagen is not the end point for collective global action.  Whatever is agreed, implementation will be key.

The United Nations is ready and able to make it work.

We will continue to convene and facilitate global consultations.

And we stand ready to assist governments to implement climate agreements.  We have a breadth and depth of global experience second to none… in development… energy… environment… and of course, food.

We are meeting here under the United Nations umbrella.

WFP, FAO, IFAD and the World Bank are in the forefront of feeding the hungry and empowering the world’s farmers to feed themselves.

They are sowing the seeds of sustainable development for all.

They understand how climate change threatens their efforts.  And they know how best to mitigate its impacts.

Across the United Nations system we are working for sustainable development with each other and with partners such as the Gates Foundation.

We are working for food security.  We are working to help countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  And we are working to lay the ground for a climate deal in Copenhagen that can help us to realize all our development objectives.

I urge you tonight to focus on one final push to seal a deal in Copenhagen, and lay the foundation for food security for all.

Thank you.

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