The 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have come together to accelerate agricultural technology innovation to strengthen food security.
APEC member countries adopted a joint statement containing directions for expanding cooperation and technological advancement at the APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting held in Songdo, Incheon, on the 10th, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
At this meeting, member countries agreed to work together to address threats to food security through innovation in all processes of food production, distribution, and consumption, and to bridge the digital technology gap.
Song Mi-ryung, the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs and chair of this APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting, said, "Complex crises such as the climate crisis, regional conflicts, and supply chain shocks threaten the resilience and sustainability of our food systems," and added, "We must accelerate transformational approaches across the entire food system, beyond traditional methods."
Minister Song noted, "We have various technologies, including smart agriculture, data-driven policies, and digital distribution, and the important topic became 'how and with whom to connect these elements to bring about tangible change.' I hope that through this meeting, based on Korea's experiences in overcoming food crises and its policies for agricultural innovation and the value and excellence of K-Food+, we could enhance Korea's global standing."
At this meeting, member countries shared innovative case studies and discussed cooperation plans for utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).
They also conducted a mid-term review of the '2030 Food Security Roadmap' established at the 2021 APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting.
The Korean government also held an event to promote K-Food, taking advantage of the participation of APEC member countries. It promoted export processed foods and agricultural products, as well as traditional liquors, and also showcased smart farms and agricultural machinery and technology.
On the 11th, a trilateral meeting of agriculture ministers from Korea, China, and Japan will be held. The meeting will seek cooperation measures for sustainable agriculture and is expected to adopt a separate joint declaration.