By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministers have pledged stronger cooperation to safeguard food supplies across the region amid growing threats from climate change, supply chain disruptions and poverty, according to local media on Sunday.
The commitment came in a joint statement at the close of the two-day APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Incheon, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Seoul. Ministers responsible for food security from all 21 member economies – including the US, China, Japan and Thailand – discussed the theme Driving Innovation in Agri-food Systems for Shared Prosperity, Yonhap News reported.
“We remain committed to promoting cooperation among APEC member economies and fostering solidarity to strengthen food security through productive, sustainable, resilient and innovative agri-food systems for the prosperity of all our people and future generations,” the statement said.
The ministers reaffirmed their backing for APEC’s road map to secure regional food supplies by 2030 and to build a resilient, peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040.
They agreed on the need for more sustainable farming practices, efficient use of resources and policies that boost agricultural productivity. They also called for greater use of advanced technologies – such as artificial intelligence – in farming and food distribution to reinforce supply chain sustainability, noting the “critical” role of trade in meeting food needs.
“We already possess various technologies, such as smart farming and data-driven policies, to enhance food security, and the key question now is, ‘With whom and how will we connect these elements to create real change?’” South Korean Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said.