G20 Matera: Foreign and Development Ministers adopt Zero Hunger goal

MATERA, JUNE 29th – The G20 Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Economic Development today reaffirmed the necessity of achieving the United Nations Zero Hunger goal by 2030. “Poverty reduction, food security and sustainable food systems are key to ending hunger, encouraging social cohesion and community development, as well as reducing socio-economic inequalities both between and within countries. Achieving Zero Hunger is furthermore key to developing human capital, promoting gender equality and youth empowerment, and promoting inclusive global economic growth and sustainable development,” stated the Ministers in the Matera Declaration, adopted at the end of their first G20 ministerial meeting.

In the declaration, the ministers of the G20 -whose countries account for 90% of global GDP- committed to “deliver on food security priorities by enhancing efforts in ensuring safe and adequate nutrition for all, ending all forms of malnutrition, preserving agro-biodiversity, as well as relying on science, innovation, advanced business practices and responsible behavior complementing traditional knowledge, local food culture and best practices in order to achieve SDG 2 targets”.

“I am proud that we all reaffirmed our commitment against food insecurity, through the adoption of the Matera Declaration. And I am also very proud that the adoption took place here, a proof of Italy’s leadership role,” said Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio in his opening speech. “The Italian G20 presidency has put the crucial issue of food security back at the center of the debate. All the more necessary after the pandemic,” added Maurizio Martina, Deputy Director General of FAO, presenting, together with Italy, the “Food Coalition” program. The Coalition is meant to establish operational partnerships between countries, research centers, associations, universities and the provate sector, to support the global food-systems further weakened by the pandemic. “Today starts this new path of commitment, supported by Italy, which already sees different realities from the United States to Ghana, from Holland to Morocco, from Israel to Zimbabwe as protagonists,” continued Martina.

At the final press conference of the ministerial meeting, Di Maio confirmed that Italy will soon appoint a Special Envoy for the Climate, following the example of the United States and the United Kingdom: “It is a fundamental role which will help ensure the sustainability of our societies and our economic models, as well as reduce the impact on the environment,” he explained.

“The current priority is to stop the virus, vaccinate everyone and mitigate the immediate socioeconomic consequences of the crisis. We must however not lose sight of the root causes of this pandemic, and the crisis yet to come. Together, we must build a more sustainable development model,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Marina Sereni, co-Chair of the first G20 Ministerial Meeting for Development and International Cooperation. (@OnuItalia)