Food security: main topic at SAARC summit

Brussels, 04/08/08: Food security was one of the main topics at both the "Peoples SAARC" meeting on 18-20 July (a gathering of social movements, labour unions and women's groups from South Asia), and at the SAARC Heads of State Summit on 2-3 August.

Regarding the numerous concerns expressed by civil society, government representatives present at the SAARC Summit issued a statement in which they affirmed their commitment to increase food production and to invest more in agriculture-related activities. They also announced that an extraordinary meeting of agriculture ministers of the SAARC member states would be held in November in India.

In mid-July, Commissioner Louis Michel announced that the European Commission would provide € 1 billion to help farmers in poor countries.

• Click here to read the Colombo declaration issued by Asian civil society organisations at the "Peoples SAARC".
• Click here to read the Colombo statement on food security issued by the government representatives from South Asia.