World lags on poverty goals, food security key: G8
Monday, 20 April 2009
CISON DI VALMARINO,Apr 19 (Reuters):- Poor progress in tackling poverty and problems in balancing supply and demand mean fears about how to feed the developing world will persist, a draft G8 farm ministers' paper said on Sunday.
The world is struggling to meet a pledge to bring millions out of hunger, a problem worsened by the financial crisis, it said, while price volatility and the tenuous balance between food supply and demand mean fears about global security will continue.
Draft conclusions from the first meeting of agriculture ministers from G8 and G5 countries betrayed concerns that the world was lagging on commitments to tackle poverty and hunger, and hampered by its inability to guarantee food supply.
"The Millenium Declaration aimed to halve the proportion of the world population facing poverty and undernourishment by the year 2015," the draft declaration from the G8 ministers said.
"We are very far from reaching this goal, according to the alarming data provided by the relevant international bodies."
Prices have fallen for many consumers, but remain well above previous lows, it said. The depth of the current economic recession means that the number of poor and hungry people has increased since last year, the statement added.
"Structural factors may underpin prices over the medium term and increased volatility and demand raise important questions about food security for the future," it said.
The final version of the document is expected to be issued on Monday, officials say.
The wording on global grain stocks is expected to be vague because many delegations -- including the United States -- have voiced doubts about how effective such a system would be, or if it would even work or be needed.
"There's going to be language on real and virtual stocks," one summit delegate told Reuters, adding that it would be "uncommitting" and call for further examination of the issue.
"It will refer to humanitarian needs and stock management with a view towards limiting price volatility," he said.
The world is struggling to meet a pledge to bring millions out of hunger, a problem worsened by the financial crisis, it said, while price volatility and the tenuous balance between food supply and demand mean fears about global security will continue.
Draft conclusions from the first meeting of agriculture ministers from G8 and G5 countries betrayed concerns that the world was lagging on commitments to tackle poverty and hunger, and hampered by its inability to guarantee food supply.
"The Millenium Declaration aimed to halve the proportion of the world population facing poverty and undernourishment by the year 2015," the draft declaration from the G8 ministers said.
"We are very far from reaching this goal, according to the alarming data provided by the relevant international bodies."
Prices have fallen for many consumers, but remain well above previous lows, it said. The depth of the current economic recession means that the number of poor and hungry people has increased since last year, the statement added.
"Structural factors may underpin prices over the medium term and increased volatility and demand raise important questions about food security for the future," it said.
The final version of the document is expected to be issued on Monday, officials say.
The wording on global grain stocks is expected to be vague because many delegations -- including the United States -- have voiced doubts about how effective such a system would be, or if it would even work or be needed.
"There's going to be language on real and virtual stocks," one summit delegate told Reuters, adding that it would be "uncommitting" and call for further examination of the issue.
"It will refer to humanitarian needs and stock management with a view towards limiting price volatility," he said.