Discussion on Food Security in Preparation for the September UN Mid- to Long-Term Food Strategy Meeting

Second Meeting Following March 30th Held on the 21st by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Korea Rural Economic Institute
Two More Meetings Scheduled Before July UN Summit Preparation Meeting

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced on the 20th that it will hold the second domestic meeting to prepare for the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit scheduled for September. The mid- to long-term food policy covering agricultural production, processing, distribution, and consumption will be prepared domestically by the end of June and then presented at the UN in September. Ahead of the summit in September and the preparatory meeting in July, two more meetings will be held by early next month to ensure thorough preparation.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, together with the Korea Rural Economic Institute, announced that on the 21st at 2 p.m., they will hold the "Food Systems 2nd Meeting" in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, focusing on food security. Food systems refer to the overall food environment including agricultural production, processing, distribution, and consumption. Ahead of the UN meeting in September, the UN requested member countries to actively conduct domestic discussions, and so far, 95 countries have responded that they will hold domestic discussions. We designated Kim Hongsang, president of the Korea Rural Economic Institute, as the domestic chairperson in February and notified the UN accordingly.

At this meeting, policy directions on detailed tasks such as stable food supply, maintenance of production base, and strengthening crisis response capabilities will be discussed under the theme of food security. Producers, consumers, experts, related companies and associations, and international organizations will participate. Next week, a meeting will be held on "Sustainable Production and Consumption," and two more meetings on "Food Guarantee" will be held in early next month. Discussion materials and results will be posted on the Korea Rural Economic Institute website during the next month. A feedback board will also be operated.

As of the 1st of this month, over 1,200 opinions on hunger resolution, including improvements in nutrition support through social security systems, have been received by the UN. Not only the government but also individuals can participate. The domestic discussions, independent discussions, and survey results collected from each country will be reflected in the comprehensive report that the UN is preparing for the September summit.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "The domestic discussions continuing until early next month are an opportunity to exchange diverse opinions to create a sustainable food system in our country before the July preparatory meeting." He added, "We will conduct domestic discussions so that various people can express their opinions in line with the purpose of the summit, which is a 'people-centered summit.'"

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