Toespraak tijdens de FAO Conference

Toespraak | 21-11-2007

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank the chair for this opportunity to speak to you today. I am very pleased to address the conference for the first time, although of course, the Netherlands' relationship with the FAO goes back much further.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, in 2050, nine billion people on this planet could live without worrying every minute of the day about food, water and death? Free from the fear of losing cattle, of seeing the harvest fail, of rain, or lack of rain?
Simply because they could lead stable, healthy and safe lives; and simply because that would enable them to develop personal strength and be independent.
I ask this, because despite all the hard-nosed statistical data we exchange these days, this is actually about people. People with histories, names and families. Sadly, we know that many of them, all too often, miss out on opportunities that should be open to all. But I am confident that we can work on solutions: after all, we have the management of planet earth and its natural resources, and we have the FAO with its knowledge, resources and organisational infrastructure. This is both a privilege and a challenge for us all, and we have given our commitment in the form of the Millennium Development Goals. The facts speak for themselves: it will clearly take a great deal more effort to achieve these goals in reality.

The Netherlands sees agriculture as one possible way to fight hunger and poverty. In many developing countries agriculture is a driving force behind economic development, and it is a crucial factor in dealing with the world food problem. The EU and the World Bank share this vision. We know from the 2008 World Development Report that growth in agriculture - even more than in other sectors - leads to a reduction in poverty. In this context I believe we must strive for sustainable forms of agriculture. After all, it is not just you and I who need to live from the land: it has to be there for future generations. I also see the rural development as a precondition, which merits our full attention.

That said, I would like to turn to the Dutch vision, the extra effort needed for agriculture and rural development and the role of the FAO.

Dutch efforts towards greater investment in agriculture

The Netherlands continues to spend 0.8 percent of GNP on development cooperation. Within that budget, we pay special attention to agriculture and rural development. The Netherlands also devotes its energies to:

• A more intelligent and innovative approach to agricultural development. Not investing in yet another great new irrigation system, but instead investing in a tailored local mix of management, knowledge and manpower. Investment in knowledge - and specifically in research, education and extension services - must provide the basis for strong and sustainable agricultural development. That is how Dutch agriculture has become the second largest exporter in the world.
• Applying innovative production techniques to strengthen production capacity in developing countries. For example, exploiting specific properties of plants that can enable them to grow in saline conditions. Public-private partnerships must be at the centre of these innovations.
• The development of chains, to harmonise cultivation, processing and marketing;
• Production and processing of biofuels at or near the place of origin;
• he protection of ecosystems and biodiversity: the Netherlands wishes to see a clear balance between producing biomass for the mouth (food security) and for the motor (energy generation). Where there are competing claims, the Netherlands favours producing biomass for food;
• A WTO agreement on the liberalisation of world trade in agricultural products. This must be an agreement to which all the parties have contributed (parallel development). And a WTO Round in which we flesh out our plans for development. If we fail to deal with the specifics of development, research indicates that at least 70% of the "benefits" of liberalisation will go to rich countries and the wealthier developing countries.
• Improving the production and trading capacity of small farmers in the developing countries themselves. This will put them in a better position to access regional markets, and to meet the high quality standards set by the EU for imports of fish, fruit and vegetables. International standards on food and food production can help in this process.

The FAO

he Netherlands appreciates the work done by the Independent External Evaluation Committee, in such a short time. The Committee is very explicit about the need for change. Doing nothing will lead to decline. I quote: a decline for which the world will be a poorer place Let me be clear. We need the FAO, but not as it operates today. We need a more efficient and effective organisation, with a different culture, in terms of administration and substance. Modern leadership is essential. It is also crucial to implement the Committee's recommendations in full, and not just sixty percent of them. Let me also be clear about extra funding for the FAO: In my view an organisation has to perform well if it wants to impress the donors.

It is also crucial for the FAO to translate the recommendations into action. So that the important issue of food security and poverty reduction, which is right at the heart of us all, gets the attention it deserves. Words cannot alleviate hunger: it will take incisive action and real energy. The Netherlands also urges the FAO to continue to take an active role in the debate on system-wide coherence and the "One UN" pilot schemes, as these schemes offer an ideal opportunity to improve field-level performance.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are gathered here as responsible and interested parties. It is now within the reach of all of us to combat hunger and poverty with agriculture, with intelligent and clear choices, and with an improved FAO. If we continue to invest in agriculture in this way, millions of people will have a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future, with self-respect and self-confidence.

Thank you.