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Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Trade & Development Minister Joe Costello and Mary Robinson, President of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice are hosting a major international conference today and tomorrow to explore the links between climate change, hunger and poor nutrition and their impact on the world’s most vulnerable communities.

The conference was opened by President Michael D Higgins.

“Hunger – Nutrition – Climate Justice 2013” brings together global leaders, policy-makers and scientists with representatives of communities from Africa, Asia and Central America who are striving to produce nutritious food sustainably in regions which are most affected by climate change. The conference is being hosted as part of Ireland’s EU Council Presidency.

Former US Vice-President Al Gore, Ambassador Patricia Espinosa, of the UN High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda; EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs and almost 100 representatives of communities living on the frontline of climate change are among those attending to explore the linked challenges of hunger, under-nutrition and climate change.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said:

Ireland is recognised internationally for our leadership on tackling hunger in some of the world’s poorest communities. We dedicate 20% of our overseas budget to the fight against hunger, focusing on improving the productivity of smallholder farmers in Africa and combating poor nutrition among mothers and children.

But as climate change increases the frequency and severity of droughts and floods and makes food more difficult to produce, we need innovative solutions to support communities on the frontline...this conference will help us to determine how we can support vulnerable farmers and householders.

Trade and Development Minister Joe Costello said:

We are bringing together people from developing countries to hear their experience of existing development policies and their solutions for improving food security. I look forward to learning from the experience of smallholder farmers from countries including Ethiopia and Malawi. It is critical that the lessons we learn are taken into account in international policy discussions.

Mary Robinson added:

The links between hunger, undernutrition and climate change are clear to see once we listen to the experiences of the poorest and most vulnerable people, who battle through unpredictable weather patterns in their struggle to feed their families. With crops destroyed, food prices surge, pushing millions into poverty and hunger.

Often, when people are in positions of power and influence, the most important thing they can do is listen to those they seek to help. This conference gives voice to those most in need, and provides an essential opportunity for policy makers and leaders to listen, learn, and as a result, lead. I hope that what policy makers hear and learn at this conference can help them to play their part in shaping a new development agenda.

It is expected that “Hunger – Nutrition – Climate Justice 2013” will generate a number of clear recommendations about steps that need to be taken to support vulnerable households as the world reviews the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Read the full press release

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