1. Adapting to change Presentation by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

2. Highlights UN Conference on Environment and Development (June 92).“Think globally, act locally” Millenium Summmit (Sept 2000). Achievement 70% of MDGs related to local entities World Food Summit: fyl (June 2002) Alliance Against Hunger

3. Agriculture and food security today New awakening to agriculture in development World population from 6 to 9 b. by 2050 854 million people undernourished Need to double food production in first half of century FAO will convene a high-level conference in late 2008 on “how to feed the world in 2050”

4. Adapting to change New challenges Climate change: Unpredictable effects. Yields could drop by 50% in Sahel Bioenergy, both risk and opportunity for food security Transboundary pests and diseases: Globalization favours movement of people and livestock. June 08: FAO Conference on climate change and bioenergy

5. Globalization and decentralization Regional authorities, active partners in development FAO has structured the first Decentralized Cooperation Programme among UN Specialized Agencies. Pioneered by Italy (2003), now active also in Spain, France and Belgium.

6. Features Focus on concrete action Priority to water management, agricultural diversification, strengthening of local institutions, urban and peri-urban agriculture Favours direct North-South cooperation between regions and cities Supported by FAOs network of country offices (113 countries), regional and subregional centres

7. The partnership framework Region local govt North Region local govt South Civil society Private sector FAO The active involvement of local communities strengthens pragmatic approach, ownership and sustainability. Research institutions Research institutionse Other Int’l. orgs Private sector

8. Figures/partners Main partners: Regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, Marche, Molise, Valle d’Aosta; Province of Bolzano (Italy); Régions Auvergne, Pays de Savoie, Provence-Alpes- Cote d’Azur (France); Comunidades Autonomas de Cataluna, Galicia, Pays Basco, Murcia (Spain); Region of Flanders (Belgium)

9. Going forward FAO now has 192 members, including the EC In a process of renewal First budget increase (13%) since 1993 agreed by membership Challenges ahead require bold efforts, concerted action FAO offers vast network, technical expertise to regions willing to join the fight against hunger and poverty