President Jokowi: G7, G20 Must Immediately Tackle Food Crisis

President Jokowi attends G7 Summit at Schloss Elmau, Germany, Monday (06/27). (Photo: BPMI/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on the G7 and G20 countries to jointly overcome the food crisis that currently threatens people in developing countries to fall into extreme hunger and poverty.

He made the statement at the G7 Summit session II on the topic of food security and gender equality, which took place in Elmau, Germany, Monday (06/27).

“(A total of) 323 million people in 2022, according to the World Food Programme, are at risk of facing food crisis. The G7 and G20 have a big responsibility to overcome this crisis. Let’s fulfill our responsibilities now and from now on,” said President Jokowi.

According to the President, food is the most basic human rights issue and women from poor families suffer the most from food shortages for their children and families.

“We must act immediately to find a concrete solution. Food production must be increased. The global food and fertilizer supply chain must return to normal,” said the President.

In his remarks, President Jokowi also emphasized the importance of G7 countries’ support for the reintegration of Ukraine’s wheat exports and Russia’s exports of food and fertilizer commodities in global supply chains.

He added that there are two ways to realize this: First, the facilitation of Ukraine’s grain exports must begin immediately; Second, proactive communication to the world public that food and fertilizer commodities from Russia are not subject to sanctions.

“This intensive communication is necessary so that there is no prolonged doubt in the international public. This intensive communication also needs to be strengthened with communication to related parties such as banks, insurance, shipping and others,” explained the President.

He also paid great attention to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on food and fertilizer supply chains.

“Especially for fertilizers, if we fail to handle it, then a rice crisis, involving two billion people especially in developing countries, can occur,” said the President.

At the end of his remarks, the President reiterated the importance of the G7 and G20 countries to jointly overcome this food crisis, also inviting G7 leaders to attend the G20 Summit in Bali.

“I look forward to meeting you, the G7 leaders, at the G20 Summit. See you in Bali, November 15-16, 2022,” President Jokowi remarked. (BPMI/UN) (EST/MUR)