Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has raised concerns about the alarming rise in global hunger, with 733 million people now affected, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Speaking at the World Food Forum in Rome, she emphasized that Africa and South Asia are the most impacted regions and that the world is far from meeting the goal of ending hunger by 2030.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the role of climate change in exacerbating food insecurity, stressing that over half of the world's food production occurs in water-scarce regions. She also pointed out how agricultural production is distorted by trade restrictions and environmentally harmful subsidies, which undermine sustainable farming.
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She underscored the importance of a fair and predictable global trade system, calling for modernized WTO trade rules to ensure global food security. The WTO has been collaborating with FAO to update trade regulations and promote policies that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
In other remarks, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala urged WTO members to make progress on key issues like agriculture and fisheries subsidies, emphasizing that reforms are critical for achieving sustainable outcomes. She also stressed the need for continued constructive engagement on trade and development negotiations.
