At a recent meeting in Syracuse, Italy, G7 agriculture ministers reaffirmed their common commitment to building more efficient, resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, thus contributing to strengthening efforts to ensure food security.
Building sustainable agricultural systems is an essential part of achieving the goal of ending hunger. Sustainable agricultural systems can help address climate change, halt and reverse biodiversity losses, and contribute to global economic prosperity and integration. These were highlighted in the joint statement issued by G7 agriculture ministers following the meeting.
According to G7 agriculture ministers, conflicts, climate change, and economic recession remain the main causes of hunger. Conflicts disrupt supply chains and increase the input costs for agriculture, such as animal feed and fertilisers, exacerbating global food insecurity, especially in the most vulnerable countries.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that about 733 million people, or 9.1% of the world’s population, faced hunger in 2023. This figure in Africa alone, the region with the largest percentage of people facing hunger, was about 298 million last year and is expected to increase by a further 10 million by 2030.
According to the UN agency, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people who cannot afford a healthy diet has grown significantly, especially in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. The FAO predicts that 19.5% of children under five years old worldwide will be stunted by 2030.
Speaking at the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu sounded the alarm that the goal of eradicating hunger is still a long way off. Qu said, without more support for sustainable agricultural systems, the world will continue to be off track in its efforts to end hunger and achieve food security by 2030 or even later years. But he also cited encouraging progress in some regions, including Latin America, as reasons for hope.
Recognising the difficult problems, G7 agriculture ministers affirmed their commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural systems and food supply chains. The G7 agreed to invest in agricultural systems that can provide good quality and affordable food for all people, as well as solutions to respond to climate change and protect the environment and biodiversity.
In addition, the G7 highlighted the importance of reducing food waste from production to consumption. In addition, the application of science, technology and innovation in agriculture, the contribution of fisheries to food security, and empowerment of the young generation in the agricultural sector were discussed at the meeting in Italy.
Agriculture is considered the backbone of sustainable development, playing an essential role in the prosperous future of African countries. This was emphasised not only by G7 agriculture ministers but also by the participants at the conference in Italy, including the FAO and the African Union. Therefore, the G7 is committed to strengthening relations with African partners through sharing experiences in increasing productivity and value of the agricultural sector, using natural resources effectively, and so on, to reduce poverty and enhance resilience to climate change in the continent.
Italy is currently holding the G7 presidency in 2024. Supporting African development is not only the focus of this G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting but also one of the main priorities Italy will pursue during its tenure, alongside issues such as migration and artificial intelligence governance.
Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida affirmed the G7’s support for the development process of African countries, stating that this brings benefits to its member countries. Francesco Lollobrigida believes that, with multilateral efforts, the young generation in many African countries will no longer have to flee from hunger.
