UN on Spirulina

General Assembly

The use of Spirulina to combat hunger and malnutrition and help achieve sustainable development

The General Assembly,
Noting with concern that hunger and malnutrition are a major impediment to sustainable development, and reaffirming that reducing hunger is a primary target of the Millennium Development Goals.

Recognizing the value of new technologies to enhance food security in environmentally compatible ways, including through public-private alliances for rural development.

Noting that the nutritional benefits of Spirulina (food micro-algae) have been reported in academic research and in the work of agencies of the United Nations system, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

Noting in particular that the merits of Spirulina have been recognized through the adoption of international agreements, namely the Free Agreement for Cooperation in Scientific Research and Humanitarian Use of Micro-alga Spirulina as Food1 and the Convention for the Use of Food Micro-algae and the Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Spirulina against Malnutrition.

Taking into account that an intergovernmental organization known as “Convention for the Use of Food Micro-algae and the Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Spirulina against Malnutrition” has been established in keeping with the above agreements and has been granted observer status in the work of the Economic and aiming to encourage greater attention to the production and use of Spirulina for the reduction of hunger and poverty and to combat the food crises.

1. Takes note of the potential of Spirulina to reduce hunger and malnutrition and to improve the prospects for sustainable development;
2. Calls upon Member States, United Nations agencies and other intergovernmental organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to encourage the production and use of Spirulina;
3. Emphasizes the importance of assisting national activities for the production and use of Spirulina, especially in member countries of the Convention for the Use of Food Micro-algae and the Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Spirulina against Malnutrition;
4. Decides to review at its sixty-second session, the progress made in these areas, and requests the Secretary-General to submit a report, through the Economic and Social Council, on the relevant efforts.

Source: IIMSAM Spirulina Pledge
U.N. on Spirulina