NORWAY'S RESPONSE TO GLOBAL ACTION ON FOOD SECURITY

UNCLAS OSLO 000417 SIPDIS PASS TO JANET SPECK, GARY CLEMENTS AND DON MORTON AT EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID PREL NO SUBJECT: NORWAY'S RESPONSE TO GLOBAL ACTION ON FOOD SECURITY REF: SECSTATE 58996 ¶1. (U) In response to Reftel, MFA Senior Advisor Anne Kristin Hermansen, told PolCouns June 22 that Norway previously had not considered food security a high priority focus, preferring instead to work in other areas. However, Hermansen noted that the GON had recently increased focus on food security, as reflected in Norway's 2009 white paper on development policy, and she added that the GON's 2010 budget may include additional food security funding. The change in priority was driven by concerns for climate change and spikes in world food prices, she said. ¶2. (U) Hermansen concluded by noting that the GON was willing to work with the FAO despite the need for reform within the organization. The FAO has had three summits in the past 18 months, she quipped, noting that the funds could have been used instead for sustainable agricultural development. BAUER