On September 17-18 Florence will host the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting
The meeting will be preceded, on September 16, by the Open Forum on Sustainable Agriculture
September 14th, 2021
The Italian G20 Presidency will host the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Florence on September 17-18, 2021. The meeting will be preceded, on September 16, 2021, by the Open Forum on Sustainable Agriculture.
The G20 Ministers of Agriculture met for the first time in Paris in 2011 to address the impact of the economic crisis on the agricultural sector threatened by price volatility. Since 2015, they have met annually to discuss food security, nutrition and global agricultural development.
The Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting will focus on sustainability of agricultural and food systems and it has been preceded by Agriculture Deputies preparatory Meetings and by the Meeting of the Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS). Since 2012, the Agricultural Chief Scientists have met regularly to identify global priorities and scientific research objectives, promoting cooperation between the public and private sectors. The Italian G20 Presidency organised two scientific workshops on antimicrobial resistance and on agriculture and climate change.
During the preparatory meetings, the three dimensions of sustainability – economic, environmental and social – and the policies necessary for resilient agriculture were discussed. The G20 delegates focused their debate on the role of research and innovation and on the necessity of sharing the technological knowledge as tools to ensure sustainability and resilience. New breeding techniques and digital traceability were also discussed.
The protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, responsible investments, trade in the agri-food sector, the enhancement of people’s role in the production system, and environmentally- friendly agricultural practices respectful of natural resources have been set at the basis of the path for a transition towards sustainable food and agricultural models.
Recalling the commitments of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, Delegates discussed of the upcoming United Nations Food Systems Summit, trusting for balanced results and objectives that recognise the diversity of food production systems.
The Ministerial Meeting on 17 and 18 September 2021, will bring together the G20 Ministers of Agriculture, Guest Countries and leaders of the main International Organizations involved in the agricultural sector – among them FAO, OECD, WORLD BANK, OMC, WFP, WHO, ILO, CGIAR and IFAD – to discuss the five themes identified by the presidency:
– How to combine the three dimensions of sustainability in food systems: challenges, opportunities and successful experiences.
– Sustainable agriculture in times of global health emergency: the possible responses through the One Health approach.
– Research as a driving force behind sustainability.
– Working together to achieve the Zero Hunger goal: successful projects implemented by the Ministries of Agriculture.
– G20 Contribution to the upcoming UNFSS and COP 26.