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Cabinet officials

WTO Director-General Urges G20 Agriculture Ministers to Act Against Food Shortages

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

At a critical moment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Trade Organization's Director-General, Roberto Azevedo, has emphasized the need for collective action to prevent unintended food shortages. In a virtual meeting with G20 agriculture ministers on 21 April, Azevedo underscored the importance of safeguarding global food security and nutrition, while also highlighting the risks of tightened border controls and supply shocks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Director-General warned that deep shocks to supply and demand, along with tightened border controls and travel restrictions, have dealt a serious blow to international trade, particularly in the food and agriculture sector.
  • Azevedo emphasized the importance of ensuring that food continues to flow from countries with a surplus to those in deficit, as three billion people depend on international trade for their food security.
  • The Director-General urged G20 governments to lead by example on transparency, referring to the WTO's monitoring of COVID-related trade measures.
  • He emphasized that any trade measures should be targeted, proportionate, temporary, and transparent to avoid disrupting global food supplies.
  • Azevedo stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic already poses significant economic and social challenges, and that a food security crisis must be avoided.
  • The WTO Director-General welcomed the joint declaration from G20 agriculture ministers to cooperate closely and take concrete actions to safeguard global food security and nutrition.

Statistics:

  • Three billion people depend on international trade for their food security.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a serious blow to international trade, particularly in the food and agriculture sector.
  • The WTO is monitoring COVID-related trade measures for transparency.

Sources:

  • WTO press release, "WTO Director-General's remarks to G20 agriculture ministers' meeting on COVID-19 response", 21 April
  • G20 joint declaration on safeguarding global food security and nutrition, 21 April
  • World Trade Organization press release, "Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic: WTO Director-General's statement to the G20", 20 April

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