The current war (in Ukraine) has shattered a global food system already weakened by the pandemic and climate change.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi together with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Germany, France, the Foreign Ministers of the United States and Senegal have co-chaired the Ministerial Conference on Uniting for Global Food Security which was held by Germany as the President of the G7 in Berlin on a hybrid basis on Friday, June 24.
In the conference which was attended by more than 25 countries, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized that war has always been a humanitarian tragedy and its impact is not limited to one area.
The current war (in Ukraine) has shattered a global food system already weakened by the pandemic and climate change.
"In this difficult time, the world has no other choice but to unite to restore global food security," said Foreign Minister Retno, in a statement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Sunday, June 26, 2022.
Regarding this matter, Foreign Minister Retno conveyed two important things to do in the short term. First, while upholding international law, the global community must not give up on finding a peaceful solution in Ukraine.
"This war must stop immediately, and all parties must contribute to this goal," said Foreign Minister Retno.
Second, restore global food supply chains. The impact of the war on food and fertilizer is clear. If the international community fails to overcome the fertilizer crisis, there will be a rice crisis affecting the fate of more than 2 billion people in the world.
An effective solution to the food crisis requires the reintegration of Ukrainian food production and Russian food and fertilizer production on world markets, independent of war.
"It is necessary to secure a grain corridor from Ukraine, and to open up exports of food and fertilizers from Russia. All countries must refrain from actions that will exacerbate the food crisis," said Foreign Minister Retno.
Furthermore, he explained that the world needs to collaborate to do 3 things, namely:
1. Encouraging investments that can increase agricultural productivity;
2. Diversify food production and imports; and
3. Encourage non-discriminatory trade in agricultural products.
