Always the latest Publications, News & Views http://www.donorplatform.org Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:17:06 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.donorplatform.org/images/M_images/GDPRD-Logo.png http://www.donorplatform.org Always the latest Publications, News & Views http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=456&Itemid=209 Montpellier, 28 Jun - 1 Jul. The Symposium on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Food in this year featured a roundtable discussion on Policies to Foster Innovation: The Case of the Mediterranean Region. Co-chaired by OECD and IFAD, the roundtable was facilitated by Platform OECD focal point Karim Hussein. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:39:19 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=455&Itemid=209 This is the title of new World Bank report to be released on 8 September on this website. The report is widely expected to influence the global policy discussion as it provides ample empirical data on large scale land acquisitions with the aim to confront widespread speculation and inform the debate. Immediately after the launch, the Platform and IISD will host a moderated online discussion with key stakeholder groups on this website. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:38:08 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=453&Itemid=209 Toronto, 27 Jun. Concluding meetings in Toronto, the G-20 welcomed recent measures taken in support of agricultural development and food security, and encouraged countries to do more. Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:19:52 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=450&Itemid=209 By Alex Evans - Globaldashboard.org, 4 June. Very interested to see the news today that City of London police have “arrested the director of a Merseyside-based business in connection with an alleged plan to pay Liberian officials $2.5m (£1.7m) in connection with land concessions the company hoped would earn it more than $2bn”. More (http://www.globaldashboard.org/2010/06/04/land-grabs-meet-climate-policy/)... Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:33:48 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=449&Itemid=209 Bonn, 14 Jun. The profile of agriculture continued to increase at the the meetings of the UNFCCC Convention bodies held from 31 May to 11 June in Bonn. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:29:32 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=448&Itemid=210 Dakar, 14 June. An expressed hope for taking collective responsibility lay at the start of the ECOWAP/CAADP Business Meeting on the Financing of National and Regional Investment Plans in the Senegalese capital on Monday. There was a strong sense that the meeting would take responsibility for acting on food and nutrition security in West Africa. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:31:38 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=78 Bonn, 14 June. Monika Midel has joined the secretariat as task leader agriculture and rural development policy. Monika has recently worked in Khartoum where she was WFP's deputy director for two years. She brings to the secretariat a long career in food security and rural development related projects in Asia and Africa with WFP, GTZ and Welthungerhilfe. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Bonn University. Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:44:16 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=443&Itemid=209 Rome, 20 May. Across the globe, there is a growing movement to re-route development to the local level, with communities taking charge of their own destinies to secure fertile futures in agriculture and land. France is one of the major players in promoting decentralised cooperation, championing a unique brand of cross-cultural exchange within a spirit of North-South solidarity. Thu, 20 May 2010 11:56:58 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=438&Itemid=210 Washington, 30 April. How can smallholders in developing countries be strengthened to manage land resources? How can these resources be sustainably cultured to feed 9.1 billion people by 2050 while supplying biofuel and carbon markets? Such were the questions raised by 350 representatives the bilateral and multilateral community, academia and private sector stakeholders at a summit this week. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:16:55 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=437&Itemid=209 Johannesburg, 23 Apr. The Sixth CAADP Partnership Platform meeting concluded with further commitment for action, after three days spent reviewing progress and sharing experiences on CAADP implementation. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:39:39 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=435&Itemid=209 Washington, 22 Apr. A core group of finance ministers from the United States, Canada, Spain and South Korea as well as the leadership of the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation announced an initial contribution of $880 million for a new fund to tackle global hunger and poverty. The group also met to discuss ways to foster additional contributions from the public and private sectors around the world. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:56:35 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=434&Itemid=209 Brussels, 21 April. Highlighting food security as a most off-track MDG , the plan proposes ways to improve aid in the run-up to the Millennium Development Goals' due date. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:06:10 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=209 Rome, 22 April. The strategy supports innovative approaches that will help smallholder producers build their resilience to climate change and take advantage of available mitigation incentives and funding. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=433&Itemid=210 Bonn, 21 Apr. An official side event to the meetings of the UNFCCC Convention Bodies, the event demonstrated that greenhouse gas mitigation through agriculture is both possible and underway. Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:16:19 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=441&Itemid=209 Tunis, 20 Apr. The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is undertaking a study to produce an “Africa Green Growth Strategy”. The strategy will seek to establish a framework through which the continent can pursue environmentally sound and sustainable economic growth. Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=432&Itemid=209 Lindau, 15 Apr. The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), launched today by Agridea, aims to provide the rural advisory sector with a proactive and credible structure. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:00:28 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=439&Itemid=157 Gordon Conway discusses Africa’s challenges and possible solutions to achieve its own green revolution. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=426&Itemid=209 Montpellier, 31 Mar. The first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development endorsed urgent action towards a more effective international agricultural research for development system. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=425&Itemid=78 See the profile page… (/content/view/319/245) Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:11:56 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=422&Itemid=209 Mali, 9-10 Feb. Concluding a year-long process, 60 subregional institutions and international organisations, farmers’ and community-based organisations met to validate the framework document for CAADP’s first pillar land and water management. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:18:06 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=376&Itemid=209 Rome 16 Feb. A recently released draft concept note outlines a new tool for mapping food security interventions at country level. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:13:49 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=372&Itemid=209 Geneva, 15 Jan. Governments and participating organisations are invited to nominate experts as authors and review editors for the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:17:37 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=370&Itemid=78 Rome, 28 Jan. After six years of service the members at the Annual General Assembly and subsequent Board thanked Platform founding chairman Christoph Kohlmeyer for his outstanding and visionary leadership since the inception of the Platform. The Board in line with the Platform’s Charter then elected Maria Pia Rizzo as his successor. The new Platform chair, Maria Pia Rizzo is Senior Officer in the Multilateral Office of the Directorate General for Development Cooperation at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both closely involved with Italy’s overall international development assistance, and particularly with the Rome agencies, as well as being closely involved in the L’Aquila declaration and the subsequent process. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:39:41 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=331&Itemid=210 Rome, 26-27 Jan 2010. Co-hosted by IFAD and the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD, the Platform Annual General Assembly drew over 100 participants from the donor community, international financial institutions, foundations, farmers’ organisations and CSOs for discussions on some of the major agricultural and rural development agendas of the day. Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=332&Itemid=210 Rome, 24 Jan 2010. Land tenure and access to land are key to a number of rural development issues, not to mention basic economic and social human rights, such as the right to food. Land Day will zero in on land and associated agro-industry related global challenges with a long-term rural development perspective. Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=317&Itemid=210 Copenhagen, 12 Dec 2009. A group of more than 300 policymakers, farmers and scientists meeting in Copenhagen urged on negotiators at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to recognise agriculture’s vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The event came on the heels of the FAO/GoDenmark event and preceded Forest Day on 13 December. Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=348&Itemid=210 Agriculture Day (content/view/317/210) and Forest Day to the negotiating floor at the UNFCCC climate change talks. Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=210 Nairobi, 29 Nov - 4 Dec 2009. The CAADP Africa Forum 2009 was organised by the NEPAD Secretariat (CAADP/Agriculture Unit) with support from GTZ, and hosted by the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture. In keeping with the ownership of the Forum by NEPAD Secretariat, the theme of this year’s meeting (‘The Bottom of the Pyramid – Agricultural Development for the Vulnerable’) was selected from among the four sub-themes that formed the July 2009 AU Heads of State and Government Summit. Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=347&Itemid=210 Eschborn, 26 Nov 2009. Enhancing Dialogue, Coordinating Agendas: How can agricultural research better support rural development outcomes? - A joint meeting of the Platform and the European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD). Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:18:36 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=328&Itemid=210 Abuja, 9-10 Nov 2009. The meeting reviewed progress made and shared experiences with CAADP implementation since the last CAADP PP in Pretoria, South Africa in March 2009. Over 150 people representing the key CAADP African constituency and several Platform members participated. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=327&Itemid=210 Regional Partnership compact signed Abuja, 11-12 Nov 2009. The International Conference on Financing Agricultural Policy in West Africa ended with the official signature of the Regional Partnership Compact — the first such regional CAADP compact to be signed. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=330&Itemid=210 Rome, 16-18 Nov 2009. Hosted by the FAO in Rome, the summit re-focussed attention on the ongoing ‘silent hunger crisis’ that continues to jeopardise food security for more than a billion people, most in developing countries. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:19:46 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=346&Itemid=78 Bonn, 10 Nov. The Platform is pleased to welcome the World Food Programme (WFP) as its newest member, bringing the overall membership to 32 organisations. We look forward to the perspective and knowledge WFP brings to our network,and to working together for more and better aid to agriculture and rural development. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=322&Itemid=78 See the profile page… (content/view/319/245) Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=329&Itemid=210 FSN Forum, 2-23 Nov 2009. Ensuring that the billions of people living in cities have adequate access to safe and nutritious food represents a global development challenge. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=297&Itemid=210 Addis Ababa, 6–9 Sep 2009. Organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Platform, the meeting brought donors and CAADP institutions together to evolve a proposed ‘Donor Approach to Supporting CAADP Compacts’. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=299&Itemid=210 New York, 23 Sep 2009. A roundtable to initiate a coordinated global response to the trend of major agricultural investment and acquisition of rights to land and related resources, particularly in the developing world. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=295&Itemid=210 Maputo, 1–4 Sep 2009. The theme for the 2009 annual dialogue is “True Contribution of Agriculture to Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Southern African countries”. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:30:31 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=293&Itemid=157 Sonja Palm reflects on three years as Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:46:59 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=292&Itemid=78 The schedule for the CAADP national round tables has been fixed. With the anticipated signing of 15 compacts in the ECOWAS region (Togo, being the first in the region - 29 30 July) and up to nine compacts in COMESA, as well as regional compacts in both ECOWAS and COMESA before the end of the year, the development community and the African CAADP constituencies view 2010 as a year when priority areas of investment crafted following CAADP approaches have to start to be funded and capacity development activities especially at country level taken in earnest. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:38:59 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=290&Itemid=157 Climate change is a wake-up call to the importance of sustainable rural development, says UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=288&Itemid=209 Tackling food insecurity, curbing increasing poverty, and responding to climate change in developing countries demands ‘urgent’ and ‘decisive action’, says the 10 July statement issued at the G8 Summit in l’Aquila. The ‘L’Aquila’ Joint Statement on Global Food Security emphasises the need for increased investment in agriculture and rural development. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:16:56 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=289&Itemid=157 DFID's Elwyn Grainger-Jones weighs in on the relationship between climate change, carbon markets, and ARD. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=286&Itemid=157 Smallholders' interests must be factored into post-2012 climate change arrangements, says IFPRI's Gerald Nelson. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=285&Itemid=157 Agriculture has come a long way in the climate change negotations, says FAO's Wendy Mann, but the real work still lays ahead. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=284&Itemid=210 Brussels, 25 Jun 2009. The event provided a venue for representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor organisations, UN agencies, farmers’ associations and civil society to exchange information and views, and to advance the agenda for agriculture in the run-up to the UNFCCC COP15 negotiations in Copenhagen and beyond. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=283&Itemid=210 Tripoli, 27 Jun 2009. Celebrated in Tripoli, Libya, ‘CAADP Day’ reaffirmed the commitments of key CAADP stakeholders in Africa and those of the international development community to the provision of coordinated support to CAADP-reliant agricultural planning and policy development. Organised in the run up to the 13th AU Summit, which is deliberating on the theme ‘Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security’, the CAADP Day drew attention to the work being done under CAADP and to further underscore the importance of country ownership and coalition building in agriculture. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:21:22 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=252&Itemid=209 The European Commission has adopted a €394 million package of projects to support agriculture and food security in developing countries. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:27:03 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=251&Itemid=209 The report cautions that without “strong and urgent” actions, progress made toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) could be seriously undermined. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:07:05 +0100 http://www.donorplatform.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250&Itemid=209 The European Commission adopts overall plan and first implementation decision. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100