Addresses Heads Of State At UN Gathering
Seychelles President calls on world leaders to show political will and take courageous action to feed world's hungry
Seychelles President James Michel has made a strong appeal to world leaders to fulfill their promises of feeding the more than 1 billion of the world’s hungry, while at the same time addressing the most pertinent looming crisis affecting world food security: climate change.
“Words and declarations, however well-intentioned they be, will not suffice to tackle the root causes of hunger. They will not wipe the tears off the face of a hungry, bloated child somewhere in the underdeveloped world. We need collective action to find lasting solutions for world food security. We need decisive action to free mankind from poverty and hunger. And we need it now!” said President James Michel.
The President was addressing the heads of state gathering at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters in Rome, Italy, which is being held from November 16-18.
President Michel called for more investment in agriculture to avert climate change, as well as infrastructure, technology, and environmental protection. He also stressed that developed countries needed equitable access to world markets as many subsidies practiced in the developed world are currently distorting trade to the detriment of developing countries.
President Michel also spoke of the new threat to food security in the Indian Ocean: piracy.
“Somali pirates are venturing deeper and deeper into our waters, taking hostages, menacing shipping lanes, pouncing on industrial fishing vessels, and threatening our artisanal fishing and tourism-related activities. My government moved quickly to gather regional but more importantly global support particularly with countries having interest in the region. I express my gratitude to them for their cooperation in eradicating the scourge of piracy, which threatens our livelihood and food security.”
President Michel highlighted the plight of small island states in the imminent climate change crisis by pointing out that some small low-lying islands are already facing the forced displacement of their inhabitants. He pointed out that the changing climate is negating the rights of islanders to live and work in the land of their birth, as a violation of dignity and a threat to the very existence of the people.
“When it comes to climate change, there will be no second chances. There can be no bailouts or deficit spending to save the Earth from this impending disaster. We need to commit to a deal on emissions cuts, which is real and scientific. We must act today, to save our tomorrow,” said President Michel.
Commenting on the upcoming climate change summit on Copenhagen in December, the President noted the importance of keeping the political and action-led momentum of this forum.
“Copenhagen was a beacon of hope, but its brightness is fading. We cannot afford for Copenhagen to be just a talk shop on climate change. It must rather be a forum on action to avert disaster. We cannot at this late hour accept that a few countries, which are primarily responsible for polluting our atmosphere, hold hostage the survival of our planet. The choice is up to us. The choice to save humanity.”
Comments
Some people can be so ignorant.
President Michel was speaking on behalf of other small island nations who cannot come forward to voice whats happening.
The only problem I see is that some people think that if you're from an island or a small country with small economy you're opinion is worth nothing.
You've got it wrong, because even though the population of Seychelles might just be appx 87,000 we have a territory of 1.4 million sq km to look after. The Seychelles was one of the poorest country in Africa under colonialism. The achievements of the Seychellois nation speak for itself. Air Seychelles is a great example.
So when people from those bigger countries see someone from Seychelles or any island in the world expressing themselves just know that your opinion is not worth more than theirs and those are not just people from islands.
The President of Seychelles is trying to score points with the international community given that his country is bankrupt and under IMF management. In fact, this is the same President who was a member of an armed team who overthrew the legitimate Government of Seychelles back in the 1970's in a coup detat where several people were killed.
While world hunger is indeed sad, it is not linked in any way to global warming or climate change as purported by this President. I was in Seychelles last year with my wife and the country is green and beautiful and there was no sign whatsoever of climate change problems other than the coral bleaching which was the result of El Nino many years ago. In fact the coral are growing again in many areas where we went diving and snorkelling.
In summary these world leaders who continue to cry wolf should be ignored. While we need to do more to protect our environment and reduce carbon emissions, we will never eradicate world hunger by sending food to people who have chosen to live in an arrid desert or to people who do not want to work and want the world to feed them while they continue to populate the world. Leaders of their own countries should work to eradicate poverty and hunger in their own countries before coming to the world forums and put the blame on all the industrialized nations. Remember that there is hunger in Europe and in America as well. But most people do wake up in the morning and go to work to make a living and put bread on their own tables. Corruption and greed in Africa result in starvation and hunger in Africa. And world leaders such as Obama have spoken to these corrupt leaders and stated that aid will be linked to countries who are honest and who take care of their own people.
Beware of these corrupt world leaders and I believe Seychelles is one of the most corrupt countries in Africa!
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