Russia - Food security APEC's top priority in 2012

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has identified food security as one of the group's top four priorities in 2012, incoming APEC chair Russia said Wednesday.

In a statement issued by an informal meeting of senior officials in St Petersburg, Russia said the theme for next year's APEC meetings leading to a summit in Vladivostok in September would be “Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper,” and pledged to facilitate collective efforts to increase sustainability and the pace of development.

In addition to strengthening food security, Russian Senior Official Gennady Ovechko said other priorities in 2012 would be expanding trade and investment liberalization as well as regional economic integration, establishing reliable supply chains and fostering innovative growth.

Ovechko expressed concern that the Eurozone crisis could distort commodity markets, trade and investment.

"To address these concerns, APEC will seek to make progress on a number of issues such as integration, investments, fighting protectionism, securing food markets, establishing reliable supply chains and fostering innovation policies," he said, adding that APEC had an "important role" to play in improving regional and global food security.

"Facing major challenges to the food supply, such as price fluctuations, APEC will search for sustainable development in the agricultural sector, facilitation of investment and trade, establishing efficient and resilient food markets and market infrastructure," Ovechko said.

"In 2012, APEC will pursue proposals for sustainable agricultural development and stable markets including   increased transparency, monitoring and information exchange on agricultural production, and developing policies for community resilience and a more inclusive food supply for socially vulnerable population groups."

APEC officials will convene throughout 2012 in Russia, including Moscow in February, Kazan in June and Vladivostok in September. Ministers will also meet during the year in these cities, as well as St Petersburg, Khabarovsk and Yaroslavl.

The annual APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, which was most recently chaired by US President Barack Obama in Hawaii last month, will be held in Vladivostok on September 8-9.

Founded in 1989, the 21-member group includes leading economies such as Australia, China, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia and the United States. With the exception of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, it also includes  all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), currently chaired by Cambodia. Russia is one of the group's youngest members having joined in 1997, the same year as Peru and Vietnam.

News Desk

Rasmei Kampuchea Daily

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