GPPi contributes to discussion on food security

On 11 April 2012, GPPi Research Associate Alexander Gaus co-moderated a discussion on food security as part of a larger debate on the subject held at London’s Natural History Museum. Organized by the Ecologic Institute, the discussion was administered in Berlin.

Ahead of the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development, organized by the UN and set for June 2012, the Berlin discussion raised key issues related to food security and sustainable agriculture.

As an introduction to the discussion, he talked about the role of development assistance in supporting food-insecure countries, and how this year’s G8, G20 and Rio+20 summits can shape the future of food security. Achieving food security sustainably, Gaus argued, requires the international community to focus on two aspects in particular. One, industrialized countries and rising economies need to reduce the ecological footprint of their agricultural sectors. This will ensure the protection of assets for future generations. Two, food-insecure countries need more support addressing food security. After decades of neglect, food-insecure countries have benefited from a revival in aid to food security. This momentum should not be lost. Donors need to further emphasize food assistance in humanitarian emergencies and increase the amount of development assistance for sustainable agricultural. There also needs to be greater collaboration among donors to improve the quality of aid.