Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Krishna Mano
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
GMOs and Food Security
Israel
Krishna Mano
City High Middle School
In a world that is becoming increasingly populated, it is essential that we ensure that this growth occurs at a sustainable pace. Continuing violence and escalating tensions in regions around the world have hindered our ability to make progress in our everlasting goal to eliminate food insecurity. Israel seeks to use scientific developments such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to solve this pressing issue of malnutrition and undernourishment within our nation as well as with our global partners. Despite the progress we have made so far as an international community, there is still far more work to be done. For these advancements to occur, Israel urges the FAO to update our existing regulatory guidelines in order to match the circumstances that we, along with the rest of the world, are experiencing in the status quo.
As a signatory to the International Plant Protection Convention since 1956 and party to the The Convention on Biological Diversity since 1995, Israel has long been committed to researching the safe and sustainable development of GMOs to provide food security for people in our country and across the world. Both the IPPC and the CBD provide strong frameworks to promote the research of GMOs as a method for increased long-term sustainability. To ensure that our nation and its activities follow through with the agreed-upon standards, our national government established a Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development in Israel in 2003 which, among other matters, addresses the need for scientific research to increase the food supply while ensuring that this growth occurs at a steady, renewable rate. These measures have proven to be successful thus far, as Israel now hosts one of the fastest growing agricultural technology (AgTech) sectors in the entire world. This recent expansion, driven by the kibbutz (village) cooperative farming movement, has led to a marked rise of wheat, citrus, and other vegetable cultivation. However, while our nation has committed to a periodic review of our progress regarding these goals, the international guidelines which we, along with several other nations, have based our individual goals on must be revised and updated in a changing global environment.
When it comes to maintaining peace and stability, and enduring difficulties in doing so, Israel carries a unique perspective that many countries do not share. Our nation’s sovereignty and dignity has been infringed upon by the various terrorist groups and militias that wreak havoc on our people and our neighbors in the Middle East. Israel wants no part in these conflicts but, for the safety of our citizens and the security of our national boundaries, are forced to engage. Although limiting the illicit activities committed by these subversive organizations are beyond the jurisdiction of this committee, the conflicts that they fuel have been a primary factor in leaving 16.2% of Israeli households food insecure. Our nation finds GMOs to be an essential remedy to this problem, but also notes that current regulations and international guidelines are insufficient in addressing ongoing conflicts or threats of military engagement. Hence, Israel urges a prompt and thorough update to the existing frameworks to continue the safe and responsible development of GMOs. We support international cooperation to the highest degree possible as the entire world seeks to see an increased quality of life for all of our citizens.
