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Ban ki Moon welcomes petition carrying voices of over 340,000 people to FAO Summit

This morning, UN Secretary General sat down with civil society representatives to receive a unique petition calling for action on the food crisis. The petition co-organised by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance and Avaaz, today carries over 340,000 names, demanding the deep-rooted causes of the crisis are addressed as well.

Ban ki Moon accepts the Stop the Food Crisis petition

“I am very pleased with the consensus that has developed on everything, except perhaps on biofuels, and the serious concern being shown by world leaders.  It is very helpful for us to have this petition to show the engagement of people around the world in this issue.” said Ban ki Moon, UN Secretary General as he received the delegation in the FAO.

Sierra Leone’s Agriculture Minister, Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay, who was part of the delegation, said, “We have got the potential in my country to produce enough to eat and for export.  We need those responsible to help us boost land productivity.”

Delivering the voices of so many people around the world who have been taking action on the crisis in recent weeks, Sylvia Borren, Co –Chair of GCAP engaged the Secretary General in a discussion on the lack of participation from women.  “We must have a clear focus on women as actors in the solutions and not just in terms of being the most affected” she told him.

“Addressing this planetary emergency will take not just frameworks and studies but rapid, massive, concrete commitments and the political will to sustain it.” added Ricken Patel of Avaaz.

The Petition calls for leaders at the summit to dismantle harmful policies on biofuels and trade as well as better managing speculation and providing more funding for sustainable agriculture in developing countries.

Available for interview in Rome:  Sylvia Borren, GCAP Co-Chair and Ricken Patel, Executive Director of Avaaz.  To book interviews or for more information in Rome contact: Ben Margolis, GCAP Cel+44 778 666 0406 in Rome or Ciara O’Sullivan + 34 679 594 809

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