Economia
Food for everyone
Food is to take the centre stage at the G20 in June. The EESC is collecting civil society's views
di Staff
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in partnership with the European Commission is hosting an international conference on food security on Monday 23 May. The conference debates will lead to conclusions which will represent the civil society’s recommendations to the next G-20 meeting of agriculture ministers taking place on 22-23 June.
In a video message this week, the president of the EESC, Staffan Nilsson, reminds European civil society that by 2050 there will be 9 billion people in the world, each one requiring water and food. “Population increase, the demand for agricultural products from emerging economies and environmental changes, all intensified by food price volatility, energy demand and urbanisation are just a few of the challenges of global food security. These challenges are complex and the solutions must be equally varied and tailored. Exposed to food price volatility and extreme fluctuations in agricultural commodities, too many people in developing countries struggle to feed themselves and their families.”
The French G20 Presidency has made food security one of its key political priorities, and asked the EESC to provide an input to the forthcoming meeting of G20 Agriculture Ministers. As the voice of civil society in Europe and a place for dialogue and participation, the EESC will bring together international political and civil society representatives, as well as recognised experts to discuss global food security challenges and possible solutions to them.
Speakers at the event will include:
Opening session: Mr. Staffan Nilsson, EESC President, Mr. Dacian Ciolos, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Rural Affairs and Planning of France, Mr. Hafez Ghanem, FAO Representative, Mr. Jean-Paul Delevoye, President, Economic, social and environmental Council of France.
Debate and workshops: Mr. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development, Mr. Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.
Find out more:
Watch President Nilsson’s video-message
