Port Vila - Messages resonating from the inaugural Pacific Food Summit are clear: everyone – from the Government to food traders to producers to community groups to individuals- has responsibility for making sure that all Pacific people have access to safe, nutritious, local food. This is critical to ensure the future health and prosperity of the Pacific.

More than 170 delegates gathered over 3 days to discuss current concerns and potential solutions to the issue of food security in the Pacific.

"The challenge to food security in our region is not only urgent but enormous. This historical gathering of a vast range of stakeholders has recognised access to safe, nutritious, quality food is a basic human right and a development issue that poses challenges for the future well being across the region," said Dr Chen Ken, Chair of the Summit Secretariat and WHO Representative for the South Pacific, World Health Organisation (WHO).

"Over the last 3 days, representatives gathered here have debated and formulated a Framework for Action that outlines a plan for an ambitious, but practical collaborative approach to pool resources, and to coordinate regionally for national benefit to sustain human life, minimise early death and ensure healthy and productive people."

For the first time in the region, trade, health and agriculture ministers - building on the vision of ‘Healthy Islands’ and recognizing the priority given to action on food security in the Pacific Plan - have jointly developed an approach to food security to support country action.

"The outcome document marks the commitment of countries, regional agencies and all other stakeholders to a coordinated multi-sectoral response to food security as envisaged by leaders in the 39th Forum Leaders Meeting in 2008," said Feleti Teo, Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).

"Government representatives have undertaken to present the Framework to their leaders for endorsement and develop national implementation plans. Participating agencies will continue to support the implementation and resourcing of the strategies. The private sector must continue to provide input and consider innovating for food security solutions. Our development partners are vital in supporting the actions that flow from the Framework."

The Government of Vanuatu has made a commitment to present the Framework to leaders at the 41st Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in August as the basis for further actions at national and regional levels to address food security challenges in a more comprehensive, inclusive and coordinated manner.

"Food is central to our Pacific way of life. This Summit has shown us that we must build stronger partnerships and learn from our experience. We do not have all the answers to the challenges we face, but we have begun. And now, as we heard one of our esteemed ministers remind us today: we must make your plan, follow our plan and do what we plan, so that we are better prepared to protect this precious resource now and for the future," ended Mr Teo.

For further information, please contact Dirk Schulz, FAO Food and Nutrition Officer based in Samoa, email [email protected]

More information at:
http://www.foodsecurepacific.org