Regional leaders unite on common commitment to elevate food stability
Korea Bolsters Food Security Efforts through APEC Declaration
In a significant move towards addressing global food security challenges, Korea has actively pursued concrete follow-up projects and diversified diplomatic channels at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. The meeting, chaired by Korea, continued discussions under the theme "Driving Innovation in Agri-food Systems for Shared Prosperity."
During the meeting, APEC's 21 members, including economies from Asia, the Americas, Oceania, Russia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, adopted a joint declaration to accelerate innovation for food security. This declaration reflects a shared commitment among the member countries to advance sustainable agri-food systems.
The key strategies outlined in the joint declaration focus on accelerating agricultural technology innovation across the entire agri-food system. These strategies aim to enhance productivity, sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity.
- Innovation throughout the Food Production Process The declaration emphasises the need to drive innovation throughout the entire process of food production, distribution, and consumption to respond jointly to food security threats.
- Bridging the Digital Technology Gap The strategies also aim to bridge the digital technology gap, ensuring technological benefits reach all member economies and rural areas.
- Strengthening Resilience and Sustainability The declaration seeks to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of agri-food supply chains, addressing challenges such as climate emergencies, regional conflicts, supply chain shocks, labor shortages, and rising food prices.
- Cooperation among Member Economies The strategies also foster cooperation among member economies to promote solidarity and inclusive participation in food systems, improving rural connectivity and supporting young farmers and rural revitalization.
- Open, Fair, Transparent, and Resilient Trade The declaration commits to upholding open, fair, transparent, and resilient trade in agri-food products to guarantee food availability and affordability across the region.
- Long-term Vision and Transformative Approach The declaration also recognizes the need for a transformative approach beyond existing agricultural methods to address complex crises impacting food security.
Apart from these strategies, the declaration sets out plans for rural revitalization, support for young farmers, and improved food accessibility. Korea will host a trilateral agriculture ministers' meeting with China and Japan on Monday to further discuss these matters.
The meeting also provided opportunities for deepening partnerships with Latin American and Southeast Asian countries. Song, the Agriculture Minister of Korea, held bilateral talks with Tran Duc Thang, acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, and Mohamad Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia. The talks focused on agricultural policy priorities and expanding exports of Korean agri-food products.
Minister Song stated that Korea has cemented its position as a key player in setting the agenda on global agricultural challenges and expressed hope that the meeting would promote Korea's agri-food innovation policies and enhance Korea's global standing. K-Food+, which includes agricultural and food products, smart farming, agricultural equipment, and veterinary medicines, is expected to play a significant role in this endeavour.
- The joint declaration adopted at the APEC meeting, chaired by Korea, includes policies that aim to foster innovation across the entire agri-food system, which encompasses policy-and-legislation and politics, in a bid to address global food security challenges.
- In the general-news sphere, Korea's discussions with Southeast Asian and Latin American countries during the APEC meeting highlighted the importance of cooperation and bilateral talks on agricultural policy priorities and exports, reflecting its commitment to advancing sustainable agri-food systems.
