The 60th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development 2022
Oral Statement
Title: One Billion Bamboo Initiative by 2030 for Ending Hunger, Building Resilience for
Food Security, Creating Green Decent Jobs and Providing Access to Digital Technology
Submitted by: VIVAT International
Endorsed by: Salesians Missions, The Philippine District Religious of the Sacred Heart,
Sisters of Charity Federation, Dominican Leadership Conference, Congregation of the
Mission, Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-Onlus, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary,
Congregations of St. Joseph, The International Presentation Association, Soroptimist
International, Leadership Conference of Women Religious and JPIC Commission USGUISG.
Delivered by Rev. Fr. Benigno P. Beltran SVD
VIVAT International, a member of NGO Committee for Social Development and other
NGOs welcome the 60th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development,
underlining the priority theme “Inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for
sustainable livelihoods, well-being, and dignity for all: eradicating poverty and hunger in all
its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.”
In the spirit of the SDGs’ Decade of Action, Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Encyclical on Care
for Our Common Home, and the New Social Contract highlighted by the UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres in “Our Common Agenda,” VIVAT members in the Philippines
together with Church communities, educational institutions of all levels, from kindergarten to
university, and indigenous peoples are trying to put the theme into practice through planting 1
billion bamboo trees by 2030.
Why Bamboo? Bamboo trees absorb 35% more carbon dioxide than an ordinary tree. One
hectare of bamboo absorbs 12 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Bamboo trees also prevent
erosion and flooding. A clump of bamboo absorbs 30,000 liters of water annually.
Furthermore, bamboo is helpful for job creation. When the bamboo plants are processed,
bamboo poles can be turned into furniture and construction material. Bamboo shoots can be
eaten, and the leaves can be shredded to feed farm animals. The Philippine government
estimates that if we plant a billion bamboo trees, this will result in 15 billion dollars annual
income.
Finally, the “Billion Bamboo Project” will make use of cutting-edge technology to monitor
the planting and nurture the seedlings by using an app with geotagging features: the “Earth
Project app.” This is designed to engage young people in climate action projects, including
planting bamboo trees and others.
By planting 1 billion bamboo trees, we endeavor to end hunger, build resilience for food
security, build a green recovery, create decent jobs, and offer a huge opportunity for young
people, indigenous communities, and local farmers to access digital technology as enjoyment
of their fundamental rights.
We, therefore, recommend to member states and UN agencies
- to support us technologically and financially in this capacity-building endeavor. Help
us build Bamboo Tissue Culture Laboratories in order to produce seedlings in
greenhouses. - Promote decent work, education, and upskilling for sustainable livelihoods for all.
- Strive for coherence between climate, biodiversity, disaster risk reduction and
sustainable development goals, with the support of public work programs in green
sectors. - Support North/South technology transfer, strengthening science and technology
cooperation, promoting sustainable global and domestic investments in infrastructure
capabilities.
