Topic: Global Food Crisis
Country: Romania
Delegate Name: Matt Paradiso
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Romania position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Over the past two years, food prices have increased rapidly. Many of the world’s main food sources have been doubled in price, thus creating a Global Food Crisis. In the past year, the price of grain has inflated and rice, the main food source for much of the developing world, has specifically risen 74%. Over the last three years, the global food prices rose over 83%. Initial causes of the 2006 price jumps included serious droughts in grain producing nations as well as oil producing nations which is increasing demand for both. This has been fatal to people all across the globe, but particularly in developing nations. Romania wants to act now and is willing to do what ever is necessary to end this food crisis as soon as possible.
Developing countries cannot afford to be in a global food crisis. Romania is still struggling from the switch from communism to a democracy and can relate to the severe economic struggles in the developing world. When a plan is implemented, Romania feels that they can help with their prior knowledge and experience in times past. Romania knows that if things stay the same, all nations will eventually feel the same pain that Romania has felt as well as developing nations across the globe.
Romania feels that a mandatory step for survival is to eliminate things that have put the globe in this situation. Such things consist of; high agriculture production costs, tight commodity supplies and Bio-fuels. Ethanol, one of the most popular Bio-fuels, has contributed to the price of food escalating because of the corn and sugar that are needed to be produced. To eliminate this “fixable” problem, Romania would like to see electric energy increased in their country as well as the world.
In numerous countries, the Global Food Crisis has recently resulted in riots. From Senegal to Pakistan, more violent acts are occurring because of the same reason: the food shortage. These riots range from burning government buildings and food-rationed stores, to massive protests leaving several dead. This has grown to become a serious security issue for many countries and is the last thing countries need when in time of a crisis.
Romania has recognized significant issues that are causing and resulting in the Global Food Crisis. Romania is prepared to end this crisis with the help of other nations across the globe. If this crisis is not soon ended, it will push over 100 million people into poverty and eventually death.
