SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSES WORLD FOOD SUMMIT IN ROME, MEETS WITH VARIOUS LEADERS, 12-13 NOVEMBER
Press Release
SG/T/2080
FAO/3643
SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSES WORLD FOOD SUMMIT IN ROME, MEETS WITH VARIOUS LEADERS, 12-13 NOVEMBER
19961113 ROME, 13 November -- On 13 November, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- Ghali took part in the opening ceremony of the World Food Summit, held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Summit, attended by 194 States, is to adopt a Rome Declaration and a Plan of Action under the theme "food for all".At the opening of the Summit, Pope John Paul II delivered a statement calling for more equitable sharing of the world resources, stressing that food security was a condition for peace. After the Pope's departure, the inauguration ceremony proceeded with a statement by the President of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, who said it was unacceptable that more than 800 million people were not in a position to feed themselves. Food was a natural right of human beings, he said.
The Secretary-General was the third speaker. (For the text of his statement, see Press Release SG/SM/6107-FAO/3642 of 12 November.) The last speaker at the opening ceremony was the Director-General of the FAO, Jacques Diouf. Subsequently, the Summit elected the Prime Minister of Italy, Romano Prodi, as its President.
Later in the morning, the Secretary-General held three bilateral meetings. First, he met with the Prime Minister of Morocco, Abdellatif Filali. They discussed the importance of the Summit, as well as the situation in Western Sahara. Later, he met with Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini. They discussed the issues before the Summit, and reviewed the situation in the Middle East and the United Nations system's coordinated efforts to provide assistance to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Secretary-General then met the Prime Minister of Dominica, Edison James. They discussed the problems faced by small islands and the follow-up to the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, held in Barbados in 1994. They also discussed the involvement of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in that effort.
At 1 p.m., the Secretary-General attended a luncheon hosted by the Director-General of the FAO in honour of the heads of State and government participating in the Summit. He is expected to depart Rome for New York this afternoon.
- 2 - Press Release SG/T/2080 FAO/3643 13 November 1996
Yesterday, at 12 noon, the Secretary-General conferred with Achille Occhetto, member of Parliament and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Italy's Chamber of Deputies. Mr. Occhetto presented the Secretary-General with a plan for a parliamentary survey on the proposals for reform of the United Nations system.
At 1:30 p.m., the Secretary-General, accompanied by Mrs. Lea Boutros- Ghali, was the guest of honour at a luncheon hosted by the Italian Prime Minister and Mrs. Romano Prodi. He expressed warm appreciation for Italy's strong political and financial support of the United Nations, and for its generous response to several appeals for humanitarian assistance and peace- keeping operations. The two leaders discussed the tragic humanitarian situation in eastern Zaire and current efforts being pursued to ensure urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance to the needy population. They also discussed the proposed multinational force to be deployed to the region to create adequate conditions for the humanitarian operation.
At 3 p.m., the Secretary-General met with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Luciano Violante. They discussed the dramatic situation in eastern Zaire and measures to be taken by the international community to facilitate humanitarian assistance and repatriation of refugees. They also had an exchange of views on the issues to be raised at the World Food Summit.
At 4 p.m., the Secretary-General met with the President of the Senate, Nicola Mancino. The President informed the Secretary-General that he was convening a meeting of parliamentarians in support of the Summit's goals. He also informed the Secretary-General that the Italian Senate, during a debate scheduled for 14 November, would urge the United Nations to take immediate action in eastern Zaire. He also referred to Italy's call for reform of the United Nations. For his part, the Secretary-General stressed the utmost importance he attached to collaboration with civil society and its contribution to the objectives of the United Nations.
At 5 p.m., the Secretary-General met with President Scalfaro of Italy. He thanked the President for Italy's support for the United Nations and its efforts aimed at achieving a better world. He thanked the Government and people of Italy for hosting the World Food Summit, aimed at ensuring food for all. The President expressed great concern over the tragic humanitarian situation in eastern Zaire and the hope that the Security Council would act urgently. He also expressed appreciation for the Secretary-General's repeated calls for decisive action in favour of security, peace and development in the Great Lakes region.
At 7 p.m., the Secretary-General met with Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani. They discussed the forthcoming United Nations meeting on Afghanistan, to be held in New York on 18 November. The Secretary-General explained that the objective of the encounter was to enlist further assistance by the international community for Afghanistan. The United Nations stood ready to offer its good offices for all dialogue between the parties concerned, so that national reconciliation could occur.
* *** *