Food security ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member-economies have reaffirmed their commitment to food security by, among others, combatting food loss and waste.
“Food security has consistently been a top priority in the Philippines, where the prevention and reduction of food loss and waste are crucial,” Philippine Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro said at the 9th APEC ministerial meeting on August 18, 2024 in Trujillo, Peru.
Representing Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Navarro reiterated the outlook of attendees from the 20 other APEC member-economies.
In a joint statement, the APEC food security ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the APEC Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030. This roadmap emphasizes the need for open, fair, transparent, productive, sustainable, resilient, innovative, and inclusive agri-food systems.
The officials noted that the APEC Leaders’ 2023 declaration acknowledged the necessity for tailored approaches to agricultural sustainability rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
For the Philippines, Navarro highlighted several ongoing initiatives by the Department of Agriculture. These include developing advanced post-harvest technologies, improved storage facilities, better packaging solutions, and enhanced distribution systems.
At the meeting attended by Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra and chaired by Peru’s Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation Angel Manuel Manero Campos, Navarro said these efforts aim to support farmers, fisherfolk, and stakeholders across the food value chain and agro-processing industry.
Acknowledging the significant impact of food loss and waste on food security, the ministers endorsed the Principles for Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the APEC region.
Aimed at fostering multisectoral, context-specific, voluntary, and science-based approaches to tackle food loss and waste, the principles focus on strengthening institutional frameworks; promoting public-private partnerships and stakeholder coordination; encouraging research, innovation, technology, and digitalization;
Enhancing capacity building, awareness, and education; improving data collection and knowledge management; creating an enabling environment for infrastructure investment; and promoting food rescue and donation.
Recognizing the ongoing challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition, the ministers cited the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition Report, which highlighted that up to 757 million people faced hunger in 2023. The ministers pledged to support access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food while addressing climate change and promoting biodiversity conservation.
Assistant Secretary Paz Benavidez II, Agriculture Counsellor Lupiño Lazaro, Jr., Executive Assistant Lee Andrew Calimutan, and Agriculturist Ma. Lobelle Esguerra also participated in the APEC meeting.
The meeting was a pivotal moment for reinforcing APEC’s collective efforts to address food security challenges and implement effective strategies for reducing food loss and waste and complement efforts to promote circular economy in the region. ###
