ID :
183351
Fri, 05/20/2011 - 14:09
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/183351
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Thailand joins APEC in coping with natural disasters and food insecurity
MONTANA, May 20 (TNA) - As many countries have suffered from natural disasters, including earthquakes and tsunamis as well as global warming and weather fluctuations which have affected global food production, the 17th Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT), being held at Big Sky Resort in the US Montana State from May 19-20, have raised the issues.
The 17th MRT Meeting has, so far, agreed that member economies, including Thailand, boost their cooperation to cope with such natural disasters. Some member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), namely Chile, New Zealand and Brazil, have suffered from earthquakes and Japan has also been heavily damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11.
Food security and food safety were also reportedly included as top agenda, as the World Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the APEC ministers to ensure that there will be enough food for the global population which has increased by as much as 40 per cent.
APEC members are both food exporters and importers, but they still face some obstacles because many countries have protected their local food industries; while many countries, including the United States, have called for food trade liberalization.
The issues raised at the 17th MRT forum will be further discussed at this year's APEC summit, set to be held in the United States in November.
Washington also took the two-day opportunity to actively call for progress of the long time-stalled Doha Round of multilateral trade talks under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). (TNA)
The 17th MRT Meeting has, so far, agreed that member economies, including Thailand, boost their cooperation to cope with such natural disasters. Some member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), namely Chile, New Zealand and Brazil, have suffered from earthquakes and Japan has also been heavily damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11.
Food security and food safety were also reportedly included as top agenda, as the World Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the APEC ministers to ensure that there will be enough food for the global population which has increased by as much as 40 per cent.
APEC members are both food exporters and importers, but they still face some obstacles because many countries have protected their local food industries; while many countries, including the United States, have called for food trade liberalization.
The issues raised at the 17th MRT forum will be further discussed at this year's APEC summit, set to be held in the United States in November.
Washington also took the two-day opportunity to actively call for progress of the long time-stalled Doha Round of multilateral trade talks under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). (TNA)
