Read at : Linkages Update - Earth Negotiations Bulletin <enb@iisd.org>

Linkages Update - Thursday, 24 April 2008

http://www.iisd.ca/media/sustainable_devt2008.htm#iaastd

IAASTD REPORT SAYS AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES MUST BE REVISED TO BENEFIT THE WORLD’S POOR

Modern agricultural practices must change to better serve the poor if the world is to cope with a growing population and climate change, according to the Synthesis Report of the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), released on 15 April 2008. The report is the result of three years of cooperation between nearly 400 scientists. Global and sub-Global “Summaries for Decision Makers” and an “Executive Summary of the Synthesis Report” were approved at an Intergovernmental Plenary that met from 7-12 April 2008, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Synthesis Report integrates the key findings from the Global and five sub-Global assessments, and focuses on eight topics: bioenergy; biotechnology; climate change; human health; natural resource management; traditional knowledge and community based innovation; trade and markets; and women in agriculture. The report primarily addresses how agricultural knowledge, science and technology can be used to reduce hunger and poverty, improve rural livelihoods, and facilitate equitable environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development. The report suggests that the way to meet this challenge is to put in place institutional, economic and legal frameworks that combine productivity with the protection and conservation of natural resources, while meeting production needs. The IAASTD was sponsored by several UN agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, UN Environment Programme and World Bank.

Links to further information
The IAASTD reports
UN news release, 15 April 2008