UN FAO Board Member: "War-Driven Grain Price Surge, Severe Food Insecurity in Poorest Countries"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Member countries of the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Council expressed concern over the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has led to a decrease in food trade and a sharp rise in grain prices, causing severe food insecurity in the poorest and developing countries. They emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among member states and opening trade between countries to overcome the crisis, and called for FAO to continue playing a proactive role.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 19th that it attended the 170th UN FAO Council meeting held over five days starting from the 13th. The FAO Council meeting is attended by 49 member countries including South Korea, as well as related international organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The meeting was held in Rome, Italy, where the FAO headquarters is located, and council members, observer countries, and international organization officials participated both on-site and via video conference.

To respond to the recent food crisis, FAO proposed policies including assessing the investment needs for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukrainian agriculture, managing animal health in Ukraine and neighboring countries, and evaluating food insecurity in vulnerable countries.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, in his opening remarks, described the establishment of climate change and scientific innovation strategies as an "amazing result of joint efforts."

The member countries agreed that the two strategies established by FAO are important measures to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. They also requested the prompt establishment of a detailed action plan through a transparent process to maximize synergy effects through close linkage between the two strategies.

The South Korean delegation introduced that South Korea is also promoting the development of smart farm-related technologies using science and innovation, automating logistics in agricultural and livestock product distribution, and establishing an online marketplace.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.