'Global food prices are up 83 per cent compared with three years ago. The resulting food price crisis constitutes an unprecedented threat to the livelihoods and well-being of millions of rural and urban households who are net food buyers.

This briefing note sets out a series of steps, both short- and medium-term, to deal with the current food crisis, and to put in place the reforms required to prevent future repetitions.'

'Oxfam is calling for climate change adaptation policies at every level to be gender-sensitive so that they address both women’s and men’s needs and interests. Only this approach will be effective in building community-wide resilience to climate change, reducing gender inequalities, and so also promoting development.'

'The current biofuel policies of rich countries are neither a solution to the climate crisis nor the oil crisis, and instead are contributing to a third: the food crisis. In poor countries, biofuels may offer some genuine development opportunities, but the potential economic, social, and environmental costs are severe, and decision makers should proceed with caution.'

'The paper continues the long-term strategy adopted as the core of Danish development policy; a policy which is based on an active and mutually binding partnership with the programme countries as well as the most important multilateral organisations. The Government’s development policy priorities for 2008-12 follow up on the previously announced political objectives and ensure that these goals will still be implemented.

Africa remains at the heart of Danish development policy, because this more...

'Trends in Sustainable Development, is a colorful compilation of maps and graphs devoted to the discussion of interrelated challenges being addressed at the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (May 1-12, 2006). The four areas are: energy for sustainable development, industrial development, atmosphere and air pollution, and climate change.'

Important international policies and legal agreements acknowledge the key role that women play, especially in the developing world, in the management and use of biological resources. Despite this increased recognition at international levels, little has yet been done to clarify the nature of the relationship between agro-biological diversity and the activities, responsibilities and rights of men and women. In fact, women's key roles, responsibilities and management practices for the conservation more...

In the 21st century, rural women in developing countries hold the key to the future of the Earth's agricultural systems and to food and livelihood security through their roles in the selection of seed, the management of small livestock and the conservation and sustainable use of plant and animal diversity. Rural women's key role as food providers and food producers links them directly to the management of genetic resources for food and agriculture and has given them unique knowledge of local spe more...

The paper summarizes the efforts of the Bank Group over the past decade (1992-2002) to assist client countries to conserve, and manage forest biodiversity. It reflects investments in forest ecosystems, and forest biodiversity since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992; this time span also covers the period that the Bank's current Forest Policy has been in force. The review includes all projects, and project components which contribute directly to conservation, and sustainable use of forest more...

When farmers get access to credit and reliable storage facilities for their grain, it gives them the option to sell it when they can get the best price. The warehouse receipt system, introduced in some districts of Tanzania through an IFAD-supported programme, is now being introduced throughout the country by the government.

Poor rural farmers and herders in developing countries that bear the brunt of land degradation and desertification are also part of the solution, according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development.