High-Level Conference on World Food Security (2008)
Encyclopedia
The High-Level Conference on World Food Security was a conference held in June 2008, under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
. Its formal name was "High-Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy". The Conference followed Expert Meetings and Stakeholder Consultations held by the FAO between January and April 2008.
The conference focussed on the world food price crisis
, climate change and agriculture
and food vs fuel
issues. One major issue was whether to increase production of biofuels, or whether global increases in food prices made food production much more important. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer
was among the participants. Discussions hit a snag over debates about language on trade embargoes and export restrictions.
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Its formal name was "High-Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy". The Conference followed Expert Meetings and Stakeholder Consultations held by the FAO between January and April 2008.
The conference focussed on the world food price crisis
2007–2008 world food price crisis
World food prices increased dramatically in 2007 and the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2008 creating a global crisis and causing political and economical instability and social unrest in both poor and developed nations. Systemic causes for the worldwide increases in food prices continue to be the subject...
, climate change and agriculture
Climate change and agriculture
Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes, both of which take place on a global scale. Global warming is projected to have significant impacts on conditions affecting agriculture, including temperature, carbon dioxide, glacial run-off, precipitation and the interaction of these...
and food vs fuel
Food vs fuel
Food vs. fuel is the dilemma regarding the risk of diverting farmland or crops for biofuels production in detriment of the food supply on a global scale. The "food vs. fuel" or "food or fuel" debate is international in scope, with good and valid arguments on all sides of this issue...
issues. One major issue was whether to increase production of biofuels, or whether global increases in food prices made food production much more important. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer
Edward T. Schafer
Edward Thomas "Ed" Schafer served as the 29th United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2008 to 2009. He also served as the 30th Governor of North Dakota from 1992 to 2000.-Early life, career, and family:...
was among the participants. Discussions hit a snag over debates about language on trade embargoes and export restrictions.