UN Food Systems Summit... South Korea Emphasizes Food Security, Sustainability, and Accessibility

Proposals for Achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
South Korea Introduces Three Major Tasks of the National Food Plan

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 26th that Minister Kim Hyun-soo participated in the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit and explained South Korea's three strategic tasks of the National Food Plan: food security, sustainable production and consumption systems, and accessibility.

According to the Ministry, the summit held on the 23rd and 24th was convened at the proposal of UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, emphasizing the need for system transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The summit, held during the high-level week of the 76th UN General Assembly, was attended by representatives from over 150 UN member states, heads of major UN agencies, and stakeholders from youth, indigenous peoples, women, and the private sector.

In his keynote speech, UN Secretary-General Guterres stated, "Hunger and malnutrition are not caused by nature but by actions we have taken or failed to take," and emphasized, "Let us work together to build food systems for people, the planet, and prosperity."

UN agencies support member states in implementing system transformation to achieve the SDGs. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and World Food Programme (WFP) will lead international cooperation on system transformation. They plan to prepare annual progress reports on system transformation and hold review meetings chaired by the Secretary-General every two years. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed said, "This summit marks another starting point for the nine years of efforts leading up to 2030 (SDG achievement)," and stressed, "Let us keep the promises we made for today's youth, the future generations."

South Korea introduced its recently established National Food Plan as a measure to achieve the 2030 SDGs. The plan emphasized the three strategic tasks of strengthening food security, producing and consuming agricultural, fishery, and food products with reduced environmental burden, and ensuring access to healthy food, while explaining key detailed tasks. A Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs official said, "It is significant that a consensus was formed at this summit that food systems are closely related to the common goals of all humanity," and added, "We will consider specific ways to contribute to global food system transformation using our country's official development assistance (ODA) and consult with the international community."

Participants in the meeting emphasized the need to secure sustainable food systems for humanity. Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy, attending as the chair of the Group of Twenty (G20), recalled, "We must promote healthy diets that preserve traditional food cultures and recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution." FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu stressed the need to work together for food system transformation tailored to each member state's priorities and conditions, stating, "FAO will play a leading role in ensuring the summit outcomes are well implemented." David Beasley, WFP Executive Director, emphasized, "No child can live on empty promises," calling for action to secure child food security and nutrition. Gilbert Houngbo, IFAD President, highlighted the innovation of financial systems for vulnerable groups to support food system transformation.

International organizations and member states introduced various initiatives requiring international cooperation for food system transformation. These initiatives were presented as areas requiring joint efforts by member states during the one and a half years of summit preparations. The UN announced various initiatives proposed and formed by member states and international organizations within the framework of four agreed action areas during the summit preparation process.

Four agreed practical areas and examples of initiatives during the preparation process for the summit. (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)