Under the auspices of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the International Conference on Food Justice from a Human Rights Perspective was held on February 6-7 under the theme “Challenges of Reality and Future Stakes.”
The two-day conference, which is organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), the Office of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Arab League, aims to provide a global dialogue platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences, building capacities and reviewing legislation, policies, plans, and programs related to food justice from a human rights perspective, and developing frameworks and foundations from which those working in the field of food justice and human rights can proceed.
HE Chairperson of the NHRC Ms. Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah welcomed the attendees, stressing that joint action based on the human rights approach is capable of providing an effective response to addressing it. She said that last year’s conference on climate change and its impact on human rights encouraged them to devote the current conference to discussing the global food crisis and achieving food justice, especially since this crisis is not the result of a lack of resources as much as it is a crisis of distribution and the pursuit of justice in an era characterized by scientific and technical progress and even capacity to harness resources to increase production and provide a decent life for humans.
Speakers at the conference drew attention to the issue of food safety in the world and considered the necessity of cooperation of international organizations and states in this field important.
HE Secretary General of the Qatar National Human Rights Committee Mr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali characterized the gathering of national human rights institutions in Qatar as an important event and said that the discussions and decisions made within the conference will be useful for the near future.
