The World Food Summit is a landmark in the series of recent United Nations conferences that will guide global, economic, social and human development in the years to come. We are facing an immense challenge. But Finland firmly believes that through our joint and sincere commitments sustainable food security can be achieved. Food security is about people. Sustainable progress can be made only through empowerment of people, through people's participation and by enhancing their social and economic development.
Women play a crucial role in food production and in food security generally.
It is also important that women have an equal right to the ownership of land, property inheritance and credit. Gender aspects should also be integrated into macro-economic policies and programmes. Food is mostly produced and consumed locally. It is therefore important to find local solutions and to employ local resources in enhancing food security. In this connection, I would like to point out that Finland has a long and highly positive experience of family farming.