France Presse-Folha de São Paulo, 07/01/2009
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke as an official guest at the opening ceremony of the 13th Summit of the African Union (AU), a gathering of all the African heads of state in Sirte, Libya, this Wednesday.
In keeping with an official theme of the summit, agricultural development, Lula pledged to help the African countries carry out their “green revolution.”
“I reiterate the promise that my government made to help Africa promote its own ‘green revolution.’ This revolution will take place only with support from subsistence farmers and the creation of jobs and higher salaries in the countryside,” said Lula.
“The Brazilian experience shows that productivity in small agriculture and the sustainable production of foodstuffs are fundamental steps in eradicating hunger.”
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[Translated by Carey Carpenter]
Filed under: Environment and Science, Regional and International Relations | Tagged: African Union, environmental sustainability, Lula
