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FUTURE WE WANT

MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE


Global Initiative For Young Leaders

24-27 April
DUBAI, UAE

UN ENVIRONMENT
ASSEMBLY
20
Future We Want MUN
Global Initiative for Young Leaders

www.fwwmun-nyc.org 24
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRS

Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) committee of the Fu-
ture We Want Model United Nations Conference. On behalf of all of the directors, we
would like to extend our warmest welcome to all delegates attending the conference.
Throughout this conference, we are looking forward to rigorous debate and brilliant
compromise as you work to resolve some of the most pressing and heating issues of
the world.
Climate change, extreme weather events, environmental degradation, and natural
disasters are increasingly interacting and overlapping with the drivers of refugee mo-
vements, such as conflict, human rights abuses and other forms of persecution. An
earthquake, typhoon or flood might force people to abandon their homes very quickly;
drought, erosion, desertification, gradual sea-level rise or pollution might create slow
building crises. On certain occasions, communities can be affected by multiple Fac-
tors, such as the floods and the droughts in Somalia in 2019.
Sustainable consumption and production is the 12th goal of the Sustainable Deve-
lopment Goals. It’s about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infra-
structure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better
quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans,
reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic com-
petitiveness and reduce poverty.
We are very much excited to see this group of delegates who have been carefully
selected regardless of the numerous applications received. We sincerely believe that
each selected delegate respectively has what it takes to provide meaningful under-
standing and solutions to the issue at hand. Therefore, we do encourage each dele-
gate to properly use this study guide and also further extend your research on every
aspect of the issue.
We look forward to meeting you all!

Best Regards,

FWWMUN UNEA Chairs

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INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMITTEE

The United Nations Environment Assembly was created in June 2012, when world
leaders called for UN Environment to be strengthened and upgraded during the
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also referred to as RIO
+20. The Environment Assembly embodies a new era in which the environment is
at the center of the international community’s focus and is given the same level of
prominence as issues such as peace, poverty, health, and security. The establishment
of the Environment Assembly was the culmination of decades of international efforts,
initiated at the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and
aimed at creating a coherent system of international environmental governance.

The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision making
body on the environment. It addresses the critical environmental challenges facing
the world today. Understanding these challenges and preserving and rehabilitating
our environment is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Environment Assembly meets biennially to set priorities for global environmen-
tal policies and develop international environmental law. Through its resolutions and
calls to action, the Assembly provides leadership and catalyzes intergovernmental
action on the environment. Decision-making requires broad participation, which is
why the Assembly provides an opportunity for all peoples to help design solutions for
our planet’s health.

The Environment Assembly sets the global environmental agenda in cooperation with
UN institutions and Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Assembly is led by a
Bureau and its President. The UN Environment Assembly Bureau assists the President
in the general conduct of the business of the UN Environment Assembly. The Bureau
is composed of ten Ministers of the Environment for a term of two years and follows
geographical rotations.

To reach decisions on matters pertaining to the Assembly, joint sessions are convened
with the Bureau of the UN Environment Assembly and the Committee of Permanent
Representatives. The Joint Bureaux meetings enhance cooperation and transparency
on the development and functioning of the Assembly. It is also during these preparatory
meetings that the agenda and the structure of the Assembly are defined and adopted.

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TOPICS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE

Topic Area A: Investing in innovative environmen-


tal solutions for accelerating the implementation of the
Sustainable Development Goals

Topic Area B: The promotion of sustainable


consumption and production to decelerate climate
change

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TOPIC AREA A: INVESTING IN INNOVATIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS FOR ACCE-
LERATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

I. Introduction and Definition


II. Timeline of UN’s Commitments towards the Environmental and SDGs and UNEA’s
past meetings
III. Discussion of the topic at hand
IV. Bloc positions
V. Recommended sources for further research
VI. Conclusions
VII. Questions a resolution should address
VIII. Bibliography

I. Introduction
Of the 17 SDGs the UN has identified as necessary to achieve by 2030, the commitment
to protecting our planet’s habitat and resources is seen as perhaps one of the
most important tasks. Nearly six specific SDGs relate directly to the environment,
and the threats of a changing climate greatly impact the success of the remaining
eleven. These climate-specific SDGs include goals six, seven, eleven, twelve, thirteen,
fourteen, and fifteen, which advocate for clean water and sanitation; affordable and
clean energy; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and
production; climate action; protection of life below water; and protection of life on land,
respectively. Relevant to our committee, SDG nine challenges the world to improve
industry and innovations to promote employment and environmentalism [1].
In a UNEP document regarding this topic specifically, the United Nations offers four
substantial definitions for what innovative environmental investment entails [2].
UNEP has also identified key areas that can be addressed with such investment:
pollution, energy insecurity, loss of biodiversity, waste, unsustainable consumption,
and production, among many others. The need for innovative environmental solutions
is critical to ensure the implementation of the SDGs and their endurance for the

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future. The very definition of sustainable itself lies in fulfilling current needs without
jeopardizing resources for future generations. Thus, the need for such solutions
is essentially tied to building technical capabilities of nation-states, in tandem
with improvements in human capital and human development index, including its
education and health components. The intrinsic value of innovative solutions can only
be made irrelevant when human resources can operationalize, develop, and transfer
knowledge of such solutions to future generations. Therefore, as a whole, investment
in innovative environmental solutions is crucial to the implementation of the SDGs
and its insurance for the future.
After that, it must be noted as well that solutions should be not only sustainable
but also innovative. Defined as “new forms of social practice and organization, as
well as new or improved technological products and processes,” innovation is not
only directly tied with Goal nine. Still, it is also an enabler for most other SDGs. For
example, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has developed
five innovative core solutions: mission-oriented, pro-poor and inclusive, grass-roots,
social, and digitally-enabled open and collaborative [3].
Thus, the conceptualization of innovative solutions has to transform from the tradi-
tional-conventional understanding of linear research, development, and commercia-
lization to modern all-inclusive social and organizational practices. These types of
investment should be creative and outside of the status quo while focusing equally
on technological solutions and non-tech solutions, which allow all participants to
opportunity to acquire useful skills and knowledge. UNEP notes that such investment
needs to take a “holistic” approach where social, environmental, economic factors
are considered, and solutions are built to benefit all those involved [4].
A paradigm to which the topic can be framed and used by nation states is through
an economic perspective in approaching the issue. However, the need to invest
is greater than ever, especially noting the myriad opportunities that such an
investment in innovative solutions can bring. Inherently tied to economic growth and
development, investment in innovative solutions can open new markets and use
untapped resources within the country. The notion of aiding developing countries
through technology transfer, for example, is contentious when the question of funding,
donors, and sponsorships is taken into account. Nevertheless, the UNEA is an inter-
governmental body. It is indeed within its purview to ensure that the committee’s goal
is met concerning member-states sovereignty, voluntary capability, and participatory
actions. Hence, solutions should go beyond only technology and expand towards other
sectors such as socioeconomic factors. For example, pushing for further integration of
women in the market can drastically increase GDP, fully exhausting the labor force and
advancing human capital in the country. There needs to be an understanding that the
implementation of innovative solutions requires active and enthusiastic participation

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from civil society. Other key considerations of probable solutions should also focus on
policy harmonization, innovative partnerships, innovative financing schemes, and the
adoption of new modern economic concepts such as circular economies and sharing
economies.

II. Timeline of UN’s Commitments Towards the Enviromental


and SDGs and UNEA’s Past Meetings
The environment has always been of immense importance to the United Nations, an-
denvironmental issues have always been at the forefront of international discussions
and conferences. The Millennium Development Goals focused heavily on environmen-
tal sustainability, with Goal 7 dedicated to the environment. In addition, the political
momentum focused heavily on attaining this goal as a top priority beyond the held
Summits. Thus the environment, biodiversity, the biosphere, and sub-categories have
always had high regard within the UN bodies and the international community.
With the launching of the Sustainable Development Goals, even more pressure has
been applied to environmental sustainability, and with all the goals being intertwined
in one way or another - alongside the existence of goals that solely focus on environ-
mental aspects - ensuring that environmental problems are eradicated has remained
a top priority. As a result, many summits and conferences have taken place since,
and each of these summits/conferences has enabled the UN to take important steps
towards environmental sustainability.
At the third UNEA Conference held in Nairobi on 4-6 December 2017, the committee
adopted a resolution proposed by the African group of states, emphasizing the need
to improve the national capability to develop, transfer, and share innovative environ-
mental solutions. Highlighting the notion of collaborative action, the language stresses
cooperation between state and non-state actors, including the private sector, non-go-
vernmental organizations, and the research and development community. Although
the adopted resolution is superb, the committee should look favorably upon further
elaboration on technical operationalization and implementation of sustainable envi-
ronmental solutions. The fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly took place
from 11-15 March 2019 and tackled topics agreed upon in its previous session,
particularly on the voluntary report of implementation progress.
The fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly took place on Feb 28-March 2, 2022,
in Nairobi, Kenya. The overall theme of UNEA-5 is “Strengthening Actions for Nature
to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. The theme calls for strengthened
action to protect and restore nature and the nature-based solutions to achieve the
SDGs in three complementary dimensions (social, economic, and environmental).

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III. Discussion of the topic at hand
In the words of Eric Beinhocker, “Rather than thinking of strategy as a single plan built
on predictions of the future, we should think of strategy as a portfolio of experiments
that competes and evolves.”
Innovation can be defined as the iterative design and is a direct leading cause for
economic growth and development in any region or country, spurring technological
advances and creating pathways for sustainability - particularly through partnerships.
According to the “Spark, Scale, Sustain” report published by the United Nations
Development Programme, innovation for development means [5]:
• “testing new business models, including impact bonds, to unlock financing needed
to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• developing the next generation of public services with citizens and governments
based on user-centric approaches;
• building real-time information systems to improve transparent and responsive de-
cision-making; or
• leveraging behavioral insights to diagnose development problems and design evi-
dence-based experiments better accordingly.”
Each of the points mentioned above provides a basis for a better understanding of
the importance of innovation for development - particularly sustainable development.
The undeniable environmental degradation most major areas of the world are
experiencing calls for the urgent implementation of sustainable solutions. Despite
the numerous efforts of the international community, characterized through endless
forums, conferences, and agreements - and facilitated through numerous partnerships,
environmental losses are still a harsh reality and, in many regions, are a major cause
of the socio-economic decline. With traditional solutions lacking the efficiency needed
to sustain the environment due to being either slow-acting or lacking the characteri-
stic of sustainability, innovative solutions are required to sustain the environment and
attain the SDGs.
Protecting the natural environment proves to be one of the more challenging aspects
of environmental sustainability, where environmental decline is directly proportional
to the increase in the demand for growth, and a balance is required in this regard.
dentifying the environmental challenges that the world faces today is arguably the
most critical necessity, for innovative solutions need to be tailored to the specific
problems for maximum efficiency. These can be redefined as focus areas, which -
when tackled individually - can guide governments and organizations to solve envi-
ronmental issues.
It is important to realize that governments need to create, promote and enable an

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environment that fosters, encourages, and gives way to the generation of innovative
solutions and their implementation. Such an environment can then be enhanced by
resolving the issues in each particular focus area as per the country’s needs. While
most focus areas are universal and common between most of the United Nations
member states - such as resolving all environmental issues affecting agriculture
with an end goal of eradicating world hunger and enhancing food security - some
focus areas may not be of importance in a particular region, due to the lack of issues
surrounding it. Nevertheless, many focus areas exist, and some of these are:

a) Pollution
Pollution - including indoor air pollution - is a major factor that contributes to the
environmental decline the planet faces today. Due to the linear economic model of
“take-make-dispose”, coupled with mismanagement of natural resources - alongside
many other reasons, the previously controlled phenomenon is currently a significant
one that requires an immediate response. A previously neglected aspect, indoor
air pollution, accounts for 4.3 million deaths, 18% of ischaemic heart disease, and
33% of lower respiratory infections globally as per the United Nations Environment
Programme and Climate and Clean Air Coalition 2016.
People in low-income groups - particularly women and children - are more susceptible
to this type of pollution due to overexposure to pollutants with inadequate ventilation.
A handy figure to illustrate this is as follows:

Source: World Health Organisation 2011a

Alongside indoor air pollution, other major forms of pollution include (but are not
limited to) air pollution, land and soil pollution, freshwater pollution, marine and

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coastal pollution, and other cross-cutting sources of pollution (chemicals and waste)
[6].
Innovative initiatives that facilitate risk-reduction strategies have proven to be a handy
and effective solution. Many examples of successful insurance industry initiatives on
pollution and climate change exist that prove so.

b) Energy and Food Insecurity


To define the energy crisis nexus, it is important to define the energy use paradox -
where in most cases, it can alleviate and aggravate a challenge at the same time.
With the current decade (2014-2014) being the Decade of Sustainable Energy for
All (SE4All), as declared unanimously by the General Assembly in its 67th session,
three objectives were set: energy access, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
The SE4All Framework for action recognizes that “Achieving each of the three
objectives would realize multiple, substantial benefits to countries, companies, and
society. Energy is the world’s largest industry, and the transition to sustainable energy
systems provides perhaps one of the largest global economic opportunities of the
21st century – particularly important at a time of financial hardship in many nations.
Developed countries face the combined challenge and opportunity of transforming
existing infrastructure; developing countries have the opportunity to adopt cleaner,
more efficient technology from the start; leapfrogging technologies and infrastructure
that developed countries had to establish.”[7]
Connecting energy and food security to environmental crises can be simply done by
understanding Environmental Livelihood Security, conceptualized in 2014 by Biggs et
al. (2014; p. 1)[8].
A large part of the environmental crisis and decline today can be placed on the heavy
human demand on the environment and the resulting environmental impact on
humans. Therefore, developing an operational framework is often the first step in
overcoming any food or energy crisis and is critical in the case of an end goal of a
selfsustainability, and setting up such a framework could make use of the environ-
mental-livelihood interactions in a certain region to identify the obstacles and the
problems to make way for innovative solutions.

c) Loss of Biodiversity
Biodiversity lies at the heart of sustainable development; deforestation and deser-
tification - both due to human actions and climate change - are both harsh realities
that take their toll on the natural habitat of species. Strengthening natural resource
management is an important issue that needs to be embedded in all governments’

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action plans to slow down - if not halt completely - the degradation of the forests
worldwide. While 15% of the land is currently protected [9], biodiversity worldwide
is still extremely vulnerable. This poses its own challenge to people’s livelihood in
low-income regions or those living in poverty. Such phenomena need to be targeted
from two main areas, first, through tackling the effect of climate change and minimizing
the direct factors such as CO2 emissions, and second, through increasing land
productivity under controlled regulations that protect the habitat while also maintaining
equilibrium between supply and demand. An example that should be studied in this
regard is the demand for wood, which is a leading cause for the deforestation of many
forests, and thus a huge obstacle in maintaining
a healthy ecosystem - damaging the biosphere
and threatening many species.
Alongside the focus areas mentioned above,
many other areas exist, such as unsustainable
consumption and production, waste and waste
management, antimicrobial resistance, environ-
mental wear due to sandstorms, global warming
challenges, and environmental displacement
and degradation. However, all the focus areas
discussed, and many many more, urgently
signal the need for innovative solutions and the
necessary platforms for their implementation.
Creating an environment for innovation is equally
important as having innovative solutions, for
one cannot exist without the other. According
to the UNDP Annual Report in 2016, four core
functions were identified and lie at the heart
of every innovation environment: opportunity,
challenge, inspiration, and diagnosis. Further
exploration of these four core functions, as well
as their adaptation in every country, is critical
for the generation of innovative solutions.

IV. Bloc positions


There is no doubt that all of the United Nations member states have committed
to achieving the SDGs. Thus many world leaders and governments have started
taking effective measures to combat the environmental decline. However, despite a
unanimous interest, regional rankings in attaining the SDGs vary greatly between one

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region and another - and more so, between countries of the same region.
Identifying the factors that attribute to such distinct phenomena is crucial for true su-
stainability. It is important to refer to the SDGs index and the indicators that identify
the underperforming goals. One aspect to consider concerning the topic is environ-
mental spillovers on an international level. While countries may be divided by region,
the lack of consistency in the level of ranking amongst countries of the same region
may provide an obstacle in finding solutions that are regionally based. Innovation
plays an important role in this regard, especially when finding a solution that can
adapt to different countries, cases, and regions.

V. Recommended sources for further research


• Draft Decision 1: Investing in Innovative Environmental Solutions for Accelerating
Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 in Africa
(At the 2017 African Union’s African Ministerial Conference on the Environment
(AMCEN), with the support of the UNEP, African leaders drafted a decision affirming
the importance of innovative investment in protecting the environment and how
such investments can help the African continent achieve both the UN’s SDGs as
well as the African Union (AU) Agenda 2032 goals)
• Addis Ababa Action Agenda (beneficial to explore funding pathways)
• The Dornod Aimag Environment office utilizes drone data to enhance environmen-
tal protection in Mongolia.
• The leveraging of crowdfunding to protect the environment, improve livelihoods,
and strengthen local cultural identities in Ecuador
• Baidu Recycle app - UNDP partnership with Baidu and the Ministry of Environmen-
tal Protection to tackle electronic waste
• UNDP Maldives collaboration with leading drone company DJ, and robotics solutions
provider WeRobotics for the utilization of drones to empower communities in
response to natural disasters

VI. Conclusions
It is important to recognize that innovative solutions appear to be the most hopeful
pathway to attain sustainability in environmental regards.
With the environment facing decline and traditional solutions lacking efficiency, the
need for innovative solutions characterized by high efficiency, fast-acting effects, and
universal application/adaptability is constantly on the rise. Such solutions need to be

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catered to tackle different focus areas to eradicate all issues.

VII. Questions a resolution should address


1. Where will the funding come from for potential solutions?
2. What innovative solutions has your country implemented, and how can they be
utilized as a global solution?
3. What kind of educational efforts surrounding innovation will the UN undertake?
4. What are the focus areas that your country has to work on?
5. How can the international community establish a platform for developing and
implementing innovative solutions?
6. How can partnerships be utilized to encourage innovative solutions?

VIII. Bibliography
[1] Goal 9: Industrial innovation and infrastructure. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.undp.org/
content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-9-industry-innovation-and-infra-
structure.html
[2] INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
AND PRODUCTION(pp. 1-9, Rep.). (n.d.). Africa Group. Retrieved from: https://wedocs.unep.
org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25486/Africa%20Group%20Input%20into%20the%20
Concept%20%20Paper%20for%20Forth%20United%20Nations%20Envi....pdf?sequence=6&isAl-
lowed=y
[3] Access information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://
www.informea.org/en/decision/investing-innovativeenvironmental-solutions-accelerating-imple-
mentation-sustainable#decisionbody-field
[4] NEW INNOVATION APPROACHES TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS(UNCTAD/DTL/STICT, pp. 1-51, Rep. No. 636.(2017). Geneva: United Nations.
Retrieved from https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/dtlstict2017d4_en.pdf
[5] Spark, Scale, Sustain - Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals(Rep.). (2016, July
11). Retrieved http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/innovation/Version 22 - July 11
-Annual Report 2016 V17.pdf
[6] United Nations Environment Programme. (2017). Towards a Pollution-Free Planet Background
Report. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved from https://wedocs.
unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/21800/UNEA_towardspollution_long%20version_
Web.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
[7] Sustainable Energy for All - A Framework for Action(Rep.). (2012, January). Retrieved https://
www.seforall.org/sites/default/files/SE_for_All_-_Framework_for_Action_FINAL.pdf

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[8] Biggs, E. M.; Boruff, B.; Bruce, E.; Duncan, J. M. A.; Haworth, B. J.; Duce, S.; Horsley, J.; Curnow, J.;
Neef, A.; McNeill, K.; Pauli, N.; Van Ogtrop, F.; Imanari, Y. 2014. Environmental livelihood security in
Southeast Asia and Oceania: a water-energy-food-livelihoods nexus approach for spatially assessing
change. White paper. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 114p.
[doi:10.5337/2014.231 ] Retrieved from http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/publications/other-publica-
tion-types/environmental-livelihood-security-south-east-asiaoceania/
[9] Forests, desertification, and biodiversity - United Nations Sustainable Development. (n.d.).
Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/

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TOPIC AREA B: THE PROMOTION OF
SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND
PRODUCTION TO DECELERATE CLIMATE
CHANGE

I. Introduction
II. Timeline of the UN’s Commitments to the promotion of sustainable consumption
and production to decelerate climate change
III. Discussion of the topic at hand
IV. Bloc positions
V. Recommended sources for further research
VI. Conclusions
VII. Questions a resolution should address
VIII. Bibliography

I. Introduction
The world has the capacity to produce enough food to feed everyone adequately. Yet
despite progress made over the past two decades, about 793 million (2015) people in
the world, or just over one in every nine human beings, still suffer from hunger on a daily
basis. While it has decreased from 18.6 percent in 1990-92 to less than 11 percent
in 2014-16, this persistently high number remains unacceptable. Guaranteeing fair
access to resources, rural employment and income are key to overcoming hunger and
food insecurity.
In addition to its ethical dimension, hunger and food insecurity do great damage
to economies and have negative consequences on the livelihoods and economic
capabilities of the vulnerable population. The costs to society are very high in terms of
loss of productivity, health, wellbeing, reduced learning ability and less fulfillment of
human potential. Similar to extreme poverty, food insecurity continues to be predomi-
nantly concentrated in rural areas and disproportionately affects rural communities,
especially poor farmers, agricultural workers and pastoralists.
Goal n.12 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to ensure sustainable
consumption and production patterns. Paragraph 28 of the 2030 Agenda reads: “We

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(Countries) commit to making fundamental changes in the way that our societies
produce and consume goods and services. Governments, international organiza-
tions, the business sector and other non-state actors and individuals must contribute
to changing unsustainable consumption and production patterns, including through
mobilization, from all sources, of financial and technical assistance to strengthen
developing countries’ scientific, technological and innovative capacities to move
towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.”
Ensuring food security requires action in multiple dimensions, including: improving the
governance of food systems; inclusive and responsible investments in agriculture and
rural areas, in health and education; empowering small producers; and strengthening
social protection mechanisms for risk reduction. Hunger and food insecurity can be
ended within a generation. For this to happen, however, more concerted efforts are
required. All promises to eliminate hunger and food insecurity should be transformed
into policy and program implementation and the mobilization of adequate financial
resources.

II. Timeline of the UN’s Commitment to the promotion of


sustainable consumption and production to decelerate
climate change
The 1994 Oslo Symposium defines sustainable consumption and production (SCP) as
“the use of services and related products which respond to basic needs and bring a
better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials
as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or
product so as not to jeopardize the needs of future generations”.
The concept of sustainable consumption and production was later adopted in the
Johannesburg Implementation Plan, which was adopted at the World Sustainable
Development Summit (WSSD) in 2002. On this occasion, sustainable consumption
and production was identified as one of the three goals of sustainable development,
along with the elimination of poverty and the management of natural resources to
promote economic and social development. It was acknowledged that fundamental
changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving
global sustainable development.

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2015
First Global Meeting for the 10YFP
2030 Agenda: Sustainable Development Goal 12
2012
Future We Want (Paragraphs 224-226)
2003
Marrakech Process
2002
JPOI: Development of a 10-year framework of programmes (Chapter 3)
1994
Oslo Symposium
1992
Agenda 21 (Chapter 4)
Furthermore, the Plan called on governments, relevant international organisations,
the private sector and all major groups in Section 3 to play an active role in changing
unsustainable consumption and production patterns. The 10-year program framework
(10YFP) on sustainable consumption and production patterns was adopted at the
Rio+226 conference through Paragraph 20. UNEP has been asked to act as the 10YFP
Secretariat and to establish and manage a trust fund to support SCP implementation
in developing countries and countries with transition economies.
The 10YFP Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) was established in May 2013, with
the participation of 19 United Nations bodies. It is permanently chaired by UNEP
and co-chaired by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs for the period of
2013-2015. The Coordination Group provides input for the development of 10-year
framework programmes and has prepared a document on “SCP in SDG [Sustainable
Development Goals] focus areas” which was published in June 2014.

III. Discussion of the topic at hand


Since it was founded in 1945, FAO has provided an intergovernmental platform where
food systems policy is discussed and relevant agreements are negotiated and adopted
by its Members it developed its Strategic Programme on Food Systems around six
main priorities such as: Trade and Agribusiness: Investing in sustainable value chains,
Urban Food Agenda for inclusive and efficient food systems, One Health-Food Safety,
and Plant and Animal Health, Sustainable Food System in SIDS (Sudden infant death

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syndrome), Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste, Global Dialogue and Partnerships
for Sustainable food Systems (FAO.org). Each of the priority has a specific task of
targeting core issues important for FAO main objectives which are Sustainable food
systems including food security and eradication of hunger. Effort has been made by
FAO to support governments in building an inclusive, efficient and sustainable food
systems through leadership-driven, market-based action and collaboration, informed
by insights and innovation and in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Food and Agriculture of the United States (FAO) works diligently with governments
and key actors such as the private sector, civil society organizations, regional
economic community organizations and platforms integrating sustainability in its
three dimensions (social, economic and environmental) across global, regional and
local food systems (FAO.org). According to FAO, the challenges facing food systems can
only be addressed by mainstreaming food system development and turning holistic
diagnostic approaches into actions, policies and investments will. A Sustainable food
system (SFS) is at the center of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), because it has objective to deliver food security and nutrition for all in such a
way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and
nutrition for future generations is not compromised (FAO.org). This means that it is
profitable throughout, ensuring economic sustainability, it has broad-based benefits
for society, securing social sustainability, and that it has a positive or neutral impact on
the natural resource environment, safeguarding the sustainability of the environment
(FAO.org).
Adopted in 2015, the SDGs call for major transformations in agriculture and food
systems in order to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition by 2030.
To realize the SDGs, the global food system needs to be reshaped to be more roductive,
more inclusive of poor and marginalized populations, environmentally sustainable
and resilient, and able to deliver healthy and nutritious diets to all. These are complex
and systemic challenges that require the combination of interconnected actions at
the local, national, regional and global levels (FAO1).
Overall, at the recent 127th meeting in November 2019, the FAO Office of Evaluation
(OED) presented the organization strategic framework which was designed in 2013.
Per FAO’s Evaluation Strategic Results Framework published on October 2019, the
organization’s Strategic Framework aimed to position itself more strategically and to
address the facts that the Organization’s programmatic activities were defined along
silo-like disciplinary lines, and that affect corporate efforts which come in conflict with
the country programme priorities agreed with Members (FAO.org).

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FAO Efforts
In light of the result Strategic Framework, FAO has made crucial efforts toward a
substantial transformation of its organizational architecture to prepare it for the
upcoming challenges. Thus, FAO has now become a highly decentralized and strategi-
cally oriented organization than the past eight years back. Parallel to the architectural
change, FAO has adopted a “learning by-doing” approach and fine-tuned its actions
in light of experience and unforeseen developments. These changes per FAO’s Rome
2019 rapport, promoted more multidisciplinary work across technical departments
at headquarters level. Despite FAO’s commendable transformation efforts, many
obstacles still impacting the organization’s effectiveness on the field.

Obstacles facing the development of sustainable food systems


With more multidisciplinary works across many technical headquarters, comes a
financial and logistic problem to transforming FAO’s delivery effectiveness in the
field because per the Rome 2019 report, such complex change was undertaken
within the confines of a fixed financial-resource envelope. According to Rome 2019
report, FAO’s resources revolve around only two sources of funding, (SO) Strategic
Objectives and (SP) Strategic Programme which different control power over FAO’s
trust-funding, therefore create “challenges and an implicit skew towards upwards ac-
countability”. Another challenge other than financial has to do with the fact that a
new Strategic Framework in place to help a 70-year-old culture adapt to a dynamic
external landscape, addresses emerging challenges and makes recommendations to
further the Framework’s relevance and effectiveness. These challenges affect FAO’s
performance which in turn affect the development of sustainable food systems.

Resources
FAO’s resources are distributed to the Strategic Objectives (OP) and the Strategic
Programme (SP) which are the main functions of FAO. Per Rome 2019, the objective
of the Strategic Framework programmatic orientation was to strengthen FAO’s
mark in establishing the centrality of food and agriculture to country development
agendas. SPs were established for this purpose, yet have not turned into the strong
programmatic pillars intended. But instead, SP FAO disproportionately funds SP which
to lack of effective result.

IV. Bloc positions


The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations pledges to assist

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countries and regions to enhance their commitment and engage more effectively in
transitioning towards sustainable agriculture and food systems. Assistance such as:
• Strengthening science and evidence-based normative work on all sustainable
agricultural approaches, by developing appropriate indicators and supporting
countries’ capacities to measure their compliance, tools and protocols to evaluate
the contribution of these practices to sustainable agriculture and food systems;
• inducing scientific evidence and co-creation of knowledge and innovation, and
facilitating their dissemination, in particular with women and youth while also
strengthening communication, awareness raising and sharing of experience and
good practices;
• supporting innovation in agriculture, inter alia, through the utilization of relevant
and context adapted technology and tools - including ICT and biotechnology - as it
can offer a solution to a wide range of issues;
• initiating policy dialogue and providing technical support to countries, upon their
request, including capacity development of smallholders and family farmers
through, inter alia, south-south, north-south and triangular cooperation, private
sector partnerships, and networking among member countries. reinforcing colla-
boration with other United Nations agencies and programmes, in particular IFAD
and WFP, in order to scale-up sustainable agricultural approaches, through policies,
responsible investments, participatory research and knowledge generation and
sharing for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (FAO.org 37)
Thus, The African Union in December 2019 pledged to contribute towards improving
capacities and policy environment for school and nutrition initiatives in Eastern Africa
with the help of FAO which agrees to organize workshops on school meals. As for
the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), its joint technical committee
validated a Regional AMR Strategy that is aligned to the global AMR action plan, at
a meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa on 10 and 11 December 2019. The
AMR Control strategy will be collectively implemented by SADC member countries
(FAO.org/Africa). In the meantime, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific aims
to strengthen Fiji’s capacity to prepare for droughts, FAO and the Chinese Academy
of Fishery Science have strengthened efforts to build sustainability in fisheries and
aquaculture, and tackle the issue of malnutrition that affect more than people in Asia
and the pacific (FAO.org/Asiapacific).
In the Europe and Central Asia region, the member states and their partners work
with FAO toward the eradication of food insecurity, malnutrition and rural poverty,
for sustainable management of natural resources, and to ensure that agriculture
contributes its full potential to national economies.

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The America and the Caribbean region was the first region to commit to the com-
pleteeradication of hunger through the 2025 Hunger-Free Latin America and the
Caribbean Initiative. This renewed political commitment is based on the full conviction
that eradicating hunger in the Region is an achievable target (FAO.org/Americas/).
On January 3rd, 2020 the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA)
FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa launched a campaign to raise
awareness of the importance of plant health for sustainable agriculture, food security,
and the reduction of hunger and poverty. The campaign coincided with the launch
by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Each regional block recognizes and
understands the importance of FAO objectives and trying to do its best to improve
FAO’s result on the ground.

V. Recommended sources for further research


In order to enrich and extend your knowledge on the present topic, you may wish to
look at the following materials:
• Food and Culture Organization of the United Nations: The State of Food Security
and Nutrition in the World http://www.fao.org/state-of-food-security-nutrition/en/
• UN Sustainable development goals, Goal 2: Zero hunger https://www.un.org/su-
stainabledevelopment/hunger/
• UN names 10 countries facing food insecurity https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/
un-names-10-countries-facing-food-insecurity/1455259
• “Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.” UN Sustainable
Development Goals https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustai-
nable-consumption-production/

VI. Conclusions
It is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food. If done right,
agriculture, forestry and fisheries can provide nutritious food for all and generate
decent incomes, while supporting people-centered rural development and protection
of the environment.
Right now, our soils, freshwater, oceans, forests and biodiversity are being rapidly
degraded. Climate change is putting even more pressure on the resources we depend
on, increasing risks associated with disasters, such as droughts and floods. Many
rural people can no longer make ends meet on their land, forcing them to migrate to

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cities in search of opportunities. Poor food security is also causing millions of children
to be stunted, or too short for the ages, due to severe malnutrition.
About half of the world’s population is affected by food insecurity, obesity/overweight,
or micronutrient deficiencies—showing the need for a reform of the current food
system. At the same time, food systems are affected by and causing resource scarcity,
ecosystem degradation, and climate change. To deliver food and nutrition security
for present and future generations, all system components need to be sustainable,
resilient, and efficient. This will require a transformation of food systems at household,
local, national, and global level. While this need is widely recognized, the different
strategies to foster sustainability transitions in food systems continue to be debated.
An increase in integrated decision-making processes at national and regional levels
are needed to achieve synergy. It is also necessary to adequately address the tradeoffs
among agriculture, water, energy, land and climate change. Given expected changes
in temperatures, precipitation and pests associated with climate change, the global
community has to increase investment in research, development and demonstration
of technologies to improve the sustainability of food systems everywhere. Building
resilience of local food systems is critical to averting large-scale future shortages and
to ensuring food security and good nutrition for all.

VII. Questions a resolution should address


1. Which countries are currently facing the biggest problem regarding food security
and hunger?
2. What are the greatest causes of this issue?
3. How should the UN and its agencies further promote “sustainable consumption” in
developing countries?
4. How will FAO measure its performance on the field while logistic systems are
unavailable in some or most part of its operation ground?
5. How can FAO improve its performance to really achieve a sustainable food system
including food security in order to eradicate hunger which still a serious issue in some
parts of the world ?
6. What will be the best strategy for FAO to safely provide food assistance for people in
war zone without endangering the life of its employees?Can we make the Youth 2030
programme come true?

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VIII. Bibliography
“Food Security and the Right to Food.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
2015, www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/overview/fao-andthe-post-2015-develop-
ment-agenda/food-security-and-the-right-to-food/en/
“Sustainable Consumption and Production.” Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Platform,
sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/sustainableconsumptionandproduction
“FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations, www.fao.org/europe/regional-initiatives/en/
“Southern Africa Makes Giant Strides towards Reversing AMR Threat.” FAO Regional Office for Africa,
19 Dec. 2019, www.fao.org/africa/news/detail-news/en/c/1256274/
“Food Systems.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, www.fao.org/food-systems/
en/
“FAO in Latin America and the Caribbean.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
www.fao.org/americas/acerca-de/en/
“Our Approach.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, www.fao.org/food-systems/
our-approach/en/
“Our Priority.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, www.fao.org/food-systems/
our-priorities/en/
“Three Million Undernourished People in Asia-Pacific Need to Be Lifted out of Hunger Every Single
Month until the End of 2030 to Achieve Sustainable Development Goal.” Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations, 10 Dec. 2019, www.fao.org/asiapacific/news/detail-events/
en/c/1254771/
“FAO.org” Report Of The Conference Of FAO. Forty-first Session Rome, 22-29 June 2019 http://
www.fao.org/3/na421en/na421en.pdf
“FAO.org.” Published! Evaluation of FAO’s Strategic Results Framework |Evaluation at FAO|FAO.
http://www.fao.org/evaluation/highlights/highlights-detail/en/c/1236405/?searchState[pa-
ge]=1&refinementList[category][0]=&query=&page=1&configure[hitsPerPage]=10

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