Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has today, 15 November 2009, arrived in Rome, Italy to participate in the World Food Summit.
The Deputy President is accompanied by Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Deputy Ministers Mathume Joseph Phaahla of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and Ebrahim Ebrahim of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
The visit takes place within the context of strengthening North-South Dialogue and directly corresponds to South African foreign policy objectives of creating a better world for all by eradicating poverty and promoting food security particularly on the African continent.
Accordingly, issues to be addressed at the World Food Summit include, among others, the following:
• Consideration of measures to eradicate hunger from the face of the earth by 2025.
• Establishment of a coherent and effective system of global governance of world food security (Reformed CFS).
• Efforts to mobilise USD 30 billion per year for public and private sector investments in rural infrastructure to enhance food production.
• Establishment of early warning mechanism for food crisis.
• Development of consensus on fair rules and mechanisms for farmers in developed and developing countries to profit from agriculture without market distortions.
South Africa is expected to call for measures to strengthen the international resolve, by agreeing to implement commitments already made in previous meetings, particularly the commitment by G8 countries at L’Aquila to mobilise US$20 billion for food security and agricultural development.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has appealed during 2008 for US$1.7 billion to support the urgent activities under its initiative on soaring food prices.
For more information contact:
Vusi Mona
Cell: 082 047 2260
Issued by: The Presidency
15 November 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
