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OAS Forum Welcomes Contributions from Civil Society on the Issue of Food Security in the Americas

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, today inaugurated the Ninth Hemispheric Forum of Civil Society and Social Actors, a preparatory meeting ahead of the 42nd OAS General Assembly in June, whose theme is “Food Security with Sovereignty in the Americas." Secretary General Insulza thanked the groups for their contributions to the policies adopted in the framework of the General Assemblies, and called on them to help make the June meeting in Cochabamba, Bolivia an opportunity to move forward in ways to combat poverty and inequality in the region.

In welcoming the participants of the forum, Secretary General Insulza recalled that the exchanges with civil society at the OAS annual meeting began nine years ago in Santiago, Chile. "This is the only organization at the regional level, and I would say worldwide, that seeks a permanent space in which Member States, the General Secretariat and civil society can exchange ideas about the central theme of the Assembly," he said, adding that "today, it is hard to think of a negotiation process of the Assembly which does not include the views of citizens, social movements, and social actors in general.”

Referring to the theme of the Cochabamba meeting- "Food Security with Sovereignty in the Americas "-the leader of the hemispheric organization related the theme with those of poverty and inequality, noting that "in our region we still have more poverty than we should have considering the average per capita income. The vast majority of citizens are below the average per capita income which leads to conditions of poverty that often affect minorities."

The Secretary General also emphasized the central role of agriculture in efforts to achieve the specific objectives of the recently held Sixth Summit of the Americas and the General Assembly, saying “the region has a surplus in food production and enough products to feed and nourish the entire population." He further stressed the need to convert a powerful and developed agricultural sector into a source that contributes to a better life not only for rural people but also for all the citizens.

"I hope this is not a discussion in which we simply lament the situation of poverty and inadequate nourishment, but as an opportunity to decide how we can fight extreme poverty and increase our rural production" he concluded.

For his part, the Chair of the Permanent Council and Representative of Honduras to the OAS, Ambassador Leonidas Rosa Bautista, said that the organization "is convinced that the consolidation of democracy in the continent is linked to governments in tune with social demands." In this regard, he highlighted the relationship between Member States and civil society and the value of the contributions that the latter generate for the discussions taking place within the framework of the Assembly.

"We know that governments can not solve problems alone; no nation can," he insisted, and then called on those present to continue with the active participation of social actors: "Member States the collaboration with all interested parties vital, as it is you who are closest to the problems affecting the region, "he noted.

The Ninth Hemispheric Forum of Civil Society and Social Actors will close on Friday April 27 and will feature plenary sessions, workshops and dialogue on the results of the Sixth Summit of the Americas.

A gallery of photos of the event is available here.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-142/12