Role of Trade for Food Security and Sustainability Explored
Trade plays a key role in achieving food security and sustainability, but it depends on use of trade and trade policy from a developmental perspective. This was one of the key messages from an event, held virtually on 29th September 2020, jointly organized today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). This event was part of the Geneva Trade Week 2020, a digital global conversation about trade, trade policy and the international trading system, organized by the Geneva Trade Platform (GTP).
Mr. Ahmad Mukhtar, Economist (Trade and Food Security,) FAO Liaison Office, Geneva and moderator of the session set the scene for discussions by highlighting the interlinkages between trade and trade policy and its role in generating enabling conditions for achieving food security and sustainability. The discussion on this topic was timely and benefited from a series of technical papers recently released by FAO on this topic. (see list below).
H.E Cheryl Spencer, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva, brought the perspective of Small Island Developing Countries and Small Vulnerable Economies. “The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of developing countries”, said Ambassador Spencer. Speaking on challenges arising from COVID-19, she cautioned that even temporary export restrictions may have long-lived effects on food security and livelihoods. The need for preserving policy spaces is critical. As Jamaica enters the digital path, she shared the good news on the opening of its very first virtual farmers market, an important tool for farmers and consumers.
Sustainability agenda at national level and global value chains is moving forward. However, there are some challenges. Best practices, in form of the Alliances for Action, were presented by Federica Angelucci from the International Trade Centre (ITC). The trade and food security linkages, particularly in the context of global shocks, including COVID-19 and the Climate Change, were presented by Mr. Jonathan Hepburn, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) . Ms. Martina Bozzola, Zurich University of Applied Sciences brought the academic perspective and highlighted the importance of sustainability.
As international agricultural and food markets have witnessed a number of changes and challenges which impacts on both domestic and international markets over past decades, this session made important contribution to the debate over the role of trade and trade policy in ensuring food security and sustainability. From climate change to most recent COVID-19 pandemic, these challenges are adversely affecting food security, including through its effects on trade and markets. Trade itself can constitute an adaptation strategy.
Related links:
Watch the webcast of the Session S13: Ensuring Food Security, Sustainably: What Role for Trade?
Technical paper "Policy space for sustainable agriculture in the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement on agriculture" by Mr. Ahmad Mukhtar, FAO Economist (Trade and Food Security)
Balancing the Food Security Equation: C3/T3
The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2020