Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Algeria
Delegate Name: Maximus Hengeveld
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GMOs and Food Security
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Maximus Hengeveld
Forest Hills Eastern High School
In the last four years global hunger has increased. It is projected that 582 million people will be undernourished by 2030. The United Nations created the FAO to try and combat this problem. The FAO has its food price index (FFPI) and global funding such as the FIFF as attempts to lower global hunger and give people more healthy and sustainable food. Although now GMOs are more prevalent and are more of a problem than they ever were. GMOs is food that has been genetically changed to make it more cost effective and reduce crop loss. This at first seems great but GMOs in fact are not good for the environment or the health of people. GMOs can get into food from animals eating it, labs, or even just the plants themselves. There are no easy solutions to GMOs which is why it must be brought up. Algeria wants to help solve this problem and build a solution to fix it.
Although Algeria has been mostly independent in fixing its GMO problem it has seeked help from a small non-profit organization called GRAIN. GRAIN supports small farmers and advocates for community controlled food systems. In 2000 Algeria banned imports, marketing, and the utilization of GMOs. They have also put in place strict regulations including a National Biosafety Framework to help stop GMOs. Additionally also aided in spreading awareness to educate its citizens about the risks GMO presents. Finally Algeria has been supporting traditional agriculture methods and sustainable farming practices. Algeria would like to get more help with stopping GMOs in its country and is willing to work towards a resolution to fix them.
Algeria could invest more in scientific research against the risks of GMOs to make better decisions, and they could also partake more internationally to help combat against the increasing GMOs. Algeria would like to combat GMOs by maintaining its strict import bans, marketing, and the use of GMOs. Additionally Algeria would like to strengthen its biosafety regulations to stop the introductions of more GMOs. Algeria would promote spreading awareness of the risks that GMOs bring to people’s health and the environment. Finally Algeria encourages the committee to work with other countries and organizations that have similar views for stopping GMOs.
