VENEMAN OUTLINES NEXT STEPS TO FIGHTING GLOBAL HUNGER AND POVERTY
Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Finding Solutions

SACRAMENTO, June 24, 2003---Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today identified the emerging themes from the Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology held here this week and outlined important next steps to helping find solutions to global hunger and poverty.

“Several broad themes have emerged from this conference that help reveal where our priorities must be now and in the future,” Veneman said during remarks at the closing session. “Harnessing information to help farmers; expanding the knowledge base through research and support for local institutions and building partnerships among nations, academia and industry are areas where we can work together to find solutions.”

In addition, Veneman said that water quality and availability were recognized as special problems that deserve special attention.

Veneman noted the enormous excitement among developing countries represented at the conference and the strong response by developed nations who have expressed a renewed commitment to contribute to solutions. In addition, she said that the diversity of ministers, delegates and other participants added to the quality and creativity of the meeting. The conference included some 60 ministers of agriculture, 26 ministers from the areas of natural resources and environment, 18 ministers of science and technology, 12 ministers of commerce and several from health and education ministries.

Veneman said that the road to solutions will involve a rearranging of priorities to address the most critical areas and recommended several priority areas including:

• Strengthen education and agricultural research;
  
• Enhance partnerships and international cooperation to help make scarce resources go farther; and
  
• Facilitate the benefits of technology through supportive policies and regulations.
  

In closing the conference today, Veneman said, “While our ultimate goal is to reduce by half the number of hungry people in world, even one hungry person is unacceptable. That one person is someone’s child, or mother or father. It is one person who is denied the sustenance they need to be a productive member of society. It is one person who is prevented from meeting their full potential.”

Complete information about the conference including speeches and presentations from the conference will be posted at www.usda.gov/ .

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