Group of Seven leaders have pledged to step up efforts against global malnutrition, according to a draft statement on Friday that noted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had “aggravated” the world’s food problems. The G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative (AFSI) – named after the Southern Italian region hosting the leaders’ summit – will aim to “overcome structural barriers to food security and nutrition,” according to the draft.
Quick Read
- G7 leaders pledge to enhance efforts against global malnutrition, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an aggravating factor.
- The G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative (AFSI) aims to “overcome structural barriers to food security and nutrition,” focusing on low-income countries, particularly in Africa.
- The initiative is a priority under Italy’s G7 presidency, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasizing its importance to address illegal migration to Europe.
- G7 commits to “improve the fiscal space for food security” by reducing borrowing costs for poorer nations, utilizing mechanisms such as debt swaps.
- Debt-for-nature swaps are included, allowing debt reduction in exchange for protecting vital ecosystems.
- Details of the AFSI initiative to be finalized by G7 development ministers in the coming months.
- African agricultural groups criticize the initiative for lack of consultation with family farmers’ organizations.
- Ibrahima Coulibaly, President of the West African Network of Peasants and Agricultural Producers, emphasizes the need to involve small-scale producers and ensure financing supports diverse, nature-friendly approaches.
- Coulibaly calls for G7 to address these gaps urgently.
The Associated Press has the story:
Group of Seven Leaders launch an initiative for global food security
Newslooks- BARI, Italy, (AP)
Group of Seven leaders have pledged to step up efforts against global malnutrition, according to a draft statement on Friday that noted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had “aggravated” the world’s food problems.
The G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative (AFSI) – named after the Southern Italian region hosting the leaders’ summit – will aim to “overcome structural barriers to food security and nutrition,” according to the draft.
The initiative will focus on low-income countries and support projects in Africa, one of the top priorities under Italy’s rotating G7 presidency this year.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a flagship Italian plan to help Africa earlier this year and has repeatedly said that support for the continent is essential to address the root cause of illegal migration to Europe.
The Western powers also committed to work together to “improve the fiscal space for food security” including by reducing borrowing costs for poorer nations via mechanisms such as debt swaps.
Debt-for-nature swaps are financial instruments through which a developing country’s debt is cut in return for protecting vital ecosystems.
The AFSI initiative, whose details will be agreed by G7 development ministers in the coming months, drew criticism from African agricultural groups who said they had not been consulted.
“It is missing family farmers organisations that have not been involved even though small-scale producers will be key to its success,” said Ibrahima Coulibaly, President of the West African Network of Peasants and Agricultural Producers. 00:13G7 leaders sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Germany’s Scholz
“And it’s missing a plan to ensure that the finance raised gets to family farmers and supports a shift to more diverse and nature friendly approaches which are key to adaptation. The G7 urgently needs to fill these gaps.”
