RP endorses UN action plan on global food, energy crises

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines joined calls for the United Nations General Assembly to endorse a comprehensive action framework to deal with the global food and energy crisis.

A statement in the mission’s website quoted Philippine representative Hilario Davide Jr. saying the General Assembly can make a world of difference in this crisis.

"By endorsing this Comprehensive Framework for Action and implementing the proposals contained therein, the General Assembly, as the largest legislative body in the world, will be able to provide a coherent and coordinated response to the immediate needs of the many millions adversely affected by high food and energy prices," Davide said at the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the Global Food and Energy Crisis held last Friday.

More importantly, the General Assembly will lay the foundation for continued stable and rational markets in the food and energy sectors, he added.

Excerpts of his statements were posted Tuesday (Manila time) on the Philippine Mission to the UN website.

"The decision must be made now. The Philippines joins the rest of this august body in making that decision today or, at the latest, at any time during the 62nd Session of the General Assembly," Davide said.

He also cited the recommendations of the Philippines to address the food crisis, particularly the creation of a global grains reserve to protect both importing and exporting countries from sharply fluctuating prices.

The Philippines has also embarked on a biofuels program using non-food sources and has called for increased funding for global research and development, particularly for the International Rice Research Institute, he said.

A high level task force established and chaired by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently finalized the Comprehensive Framework for Action on the global food crisis.

Members of the task force include heads of the UN specialized agencies, funds, and programs; the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization; and relevant parts of the UN Secretariat.

The Comprehensive Framework for Action aims to promote a coordinated response among agencies, national governments, donors, civil society and the private sector to the global food crisis and develop a plan of action.

It describes actions to be taken urgently to meet immediate needs and to contribute to sustainable food security. It is intended to be a guide for global and national actors, both institutions and governments, and a catalyst for action that needs to start now. - GMANews.TV&

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