FAO to G7: agriculture and rural development crucial in responses to conflicts, hunger and migration

At the G7 Agriculture Ministers Meeting today, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva stressed the role of agriculture and rural development in addressing prevention and responses related to conflicts, migration, and food security.

The G7 ministers were informed by the Director-General about FAO's intention, as co-chair - with the International Organization for Migration - in 2018, of the United Nations Global Migration Group (GMG), to emphasize the linkages between agricultural and rural development and migration.

Addressing the G7 ministers, Graziano da Silva cited FAO and the International Food Policy Research Institute's (IFPRI) joint brief which includes five pathways towards durable and sustainable solutions to help to prevent conflicts and address some of the underlying causes of forced migration.

These include the need to support risk and shock responses through resilience by investing in strengthening livelihoods and to foster inclusive and participatory processes on access to and use of natural resources.

"The G7 has helped to sharpen focus on the need to make food systems more sustainable, including through territorial approaches and we welcome the recognition that the role of women and young people is essential for achieving food security." Graziano da Silva said.

On Monday, several of the G7 ministers will join a World Food Day ceremony at FAO's headquarters in Rome where Pope Francis will deliver the keynote speech. World Food Day 2017's theme is: Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development.