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Cultivating
our Futures: FAO/Netherlands Conference on the Multifunctional
Character of Agriculture and Land |
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Participants at the Conference on the Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land (MFCAL) met in Plenary on Thursday morning to hear a synopsis of regional group discussions held over the previous two days. Delegates met in Plenary throughout the day to consider the content of the Chair's draft report. In an informal evening Plenary, delegates discussed the Chair's reformulation of the three most contentious paragraphs late into the night. |
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Saad Nassar (Egypt) summarized the first sessions of regional group discussions on understanding the MFCAL. The groups emphasized, inter alia, that: the nature of MFCAL differs in different countries; MFCAL should address problems causing food insecurity and over-exploitation of non-renewable resources; trade should be emphasized as an important function of agriculture; stakeholders should dictate MFCAL's direction; developed countries should not use MFCAL as an excuse to erect barriers to developing country imports; and the links between MFCAL and SARD require clarification. |
| Vincent Hungwe (Zimbabwe) reported on seven field trips and case study discussions undertaken Wednesday. Participants agreed that MFCAL is derived from the policy implications of SARD and, as such, MFCAL is already being implemented. |  |
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The Popular Coalition called for additional text on FAO and partner support for participatory land management and for measures to support the security of land tenure. |
| Representatives from the CSD's NGO Caucus on Sustainable Agriculture during their address to Plenary |
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| Exerpts
from participant's comments on the draft of the chairman's report
presented in Plenary: |
India |
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Norway |
Australia |
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Malasia |
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Conference participants gathered in the auditorium for a group photo. |
| Chair Alders having a chat with the Sustainable Developments writers before the evening's informal informal plenary. |  |
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View from the back of the Plenary hall during the evening's reconvened informal informal plenary. |
