1st Ministerial Mediterranean Dialogue On The Food Security Crisis Statement
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
08/06/2022
1st Ministerial Mediterranean Dialogue On The Food Security Crisis
Statement
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
8 June 2022
Your Excellency Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I would like to thank Minister Di Maio for convening this important meeting.
2. And to congratulate the Government of Italy for its strong leadership in this difficult period.
3. Today, in the aftermath of the pandemic, with the war in Ukraine and conflicts in a number of countries across the world, the global scenario is very complicated.
4. FAO appreciates the commitment of Italy to the G20 Matera Declaration, which calls for strengthened collective efforts to achieve the SDG2 targets and end all forms of malnutrition,
5. In particular, for proposing the establishment of the Food Coalition, acknowledged in the G20 Matera Declaration and the G20 Rome Leaders' Declaration.
6. The Mediterranean Sea region is surrounded by 22 countries on 3 different continents - for centuries your ancestors shared this big lake for peace and prosperity.
7. While they have access to the same sea, the countries are very diverse: diverse in size, in natural resources, in agricultural traditions, and in their potential to produce.
8. Agriculture provides livelihoods for many people across the region.
9. Farmers have always been coping with climate risks, but now the frequency and severity of shocks are increasing.
10. Agrifood systems are under pressure from longer-term stresses.
11. The increase in energy and fertilizer prices is putting at risk the next harvest globally,
12. And farmers are facing higher costs for fuel, feed and other inputs.
13. The lack of access to key agricultural inputs represents a particular risk for countries where low natural soil fertility means that chemical fertilizer is often essential for food production.
14. While some countries in the region have strong agricultural sectors, many rely on imports of cereals to feed their population.
15. Even prior to the war in Ukraine, most countries in the region had shown an increasing food import trend to meet domestic consumption needs.
16. For reasons of geographic proximity, wheat and other cereals were often sourced from Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
17. In March this year, the FAO Food Price Index reached an all-time high of 160 points.
18. Despite a slight decrease since then, in May the FAO Food Price Index remained over 22.8% higher than in May 2021.
19. As farmers in Ukraine and other parts of the world keep producing despite the challenges of the war, and the disruption to the trade and supply chain of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and feed,
20. It is logistically difficult to get their production to the international markets.
21. If the current situation continues, importing countries will have to resort to alternative suppliers, but this will take time, and they will also have to pay higher transportation costs.
Dear Colleagues,
22. As mentioned by Minister Di Maio, today we are also here to discuss 4 critical areas of work that would allow us to address the current challenges, as well as to accelerate the transformation required.
23. We must invest in countries most in need that are severely affected by the increase in food prices.
24. Second, we must reduce food loss and waste.
25. Currently the high amounts of food loss and waste could feed around 1.26 billion people per year,
26. And results in a huge negative impact on the environment.
27. If we reduce food loss and waste by 50%, there would be sufficient fruits and vegetables available in the food supply to cover the recommended amount of 400 grams per person per day.
28. Third, we need to ensure better and more efficient use of available fertilizer.
29. We should use technology to improve fertilizer use efficiency and transition to a green ammonia, with great potential for the Mediterranean countries.
30. This work could be supported by fast implementation of detailed soil maps that would support the most vulnerable countries to use their fertilizers efficiently.
31. Last, but not least, a key accelerator to all these points is the importance of innovation, science and research.
32. For instance, innovations in data availability could help to improve fertilizer use efficiency, and their applications.
33. Technological and social innovation can significantly reduce market failures in agriculture and improve market functioning.
Excellences,
34. Food insecurity and high prices can become a trigger for instability, particularly in contexts with sharp inequalities and fragile institutions.
35. We must keep our global trade system open, and ensure that agrifood exports are not restricted or taxed.
36. Market transparency and coordination is crucial in times of uncertainty and helps stabilize markets and prices.
37. FAO remains committed to enhancing global market transparency through the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), which is an essential tool to foster confidence in global markets.
38. We must continue to work together in an efficient, effective and coherent manner to identify options for producing more and better.
39. Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and production is critical.
40. We need to offer and apply risk management tools that will allow all farmers – big and small – to manage their production and supply chain risks.
41. We must also help those who are most affected by the crisis by strengthening social protection and providing targeted assistance.
42. FAO has been analysing the global food security situation and its major drivers to provide the required data for tailored and efficient action by Members and the international community.
43. We must work together for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.
44. It is high time to transform agrifood systems for people, peace, and prosperity, by working together in partnership.
45. FAO is committed to continue working with all countries in the Mediterranean Sea region, and globally, for a world free of hunger and malnutrition.
46. Thank you.