G20 Ministers of Agriculture Gathered in Brazil to Discuss Ways to Bolster Global Food Security

Sejong, 13 November 2024 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea participated in the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting held in Cuiabá, Brazil, on 12 and 13 September 2024.

This year’s meeting was attended by the representatives of the G20 members and invited countries, as well as high-level officials of international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The discussion at the meeting centred around the following: (a) sustainability of agriculture and food systems; (b) enhancing international trade’s contribution to food security and nutrition; (c) elevating the essential role of family farmers, smallholders, indigenous peoples and local communities in sustainable, resilient and inclusive agriculture and food systems; and (d) promoting the integration of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture into local and global value chains. 

The Republic of Korea, at the meeting, expressed its commitment to join with the international community in addressing food security, and then shared its policy efforts it has been making in connection with main agenda topics discussed at the meeting. Such policy efforts are being directed towards digitization of agricultural systems (e.g. smart farms); official development assistance projects in agriculture (e.g. K-Ricebelt); revitalizing rural areas; and a master plan to nurture young and succeeding farmers.

Director-General Chong Hairyon of the International Cooperation Bureau of the MAFRA, who attended the meeting, said: “The meeting served as an opportunity for the G20 members to share the same view on the importance of global food security. The meeting also served as an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation in addressing the challenges faced by the world’s agriculture and food systems.”