Explanation of Position by John F. Sammis, Deputy Representative to ECOSOC, on the Second Committee Resolution A/C.2/66/L.62 "Women in development,"

John F. Sammis
United States  Deputy Representative to ECOSOC 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

December 1, 2011

AS DELIVERED

The United States is committed to empowering women as agents of transformation in the economic development of their countries, and therefore the world. By considering women in all of our policy initiatives -- global health, food security, climate change, economic issues, human rights, and peace and security --we ensure those initiatives are stronger and more successful.

However, the United States must note that this resolution includes language on a continuing world food crisis. Whereas we agree that we are experiencing regional crises, particularly in the Horn of Africa, and we are experiencing a period of food and commodity price volatility in some parts of the world, we, along with many other members of the world community, do not believe we are currently in a world food crisis.

This view has been reinforced by UN bodies including the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), which have issued warnings about high food prices and price volatility, but said that the current situation is not a world food crisis.

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