[G20] Though ‘Secretively’, Everything On Track With Global Cooperation

Written by Alternet

Group of 20 (G20), a unique platform for international discourse and diplomacy, is quietly, yet efficiently, having their conference ongoing on the topic of Global Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, and only key information will be released after the conference. Although there is no media supervision, the process of G20 discussion seems relatively smooth and heading in the correct direction. With short term action plans being discussed first, several action plans having been passed in just the first three council sessions, addressing the issues regarding food security and sustainable agriculture at a steady pace. 

With the primary goal of establishing a coherent framework for combating food insecurity during the pandemic through reinforcing the global supply chain and devising sustainable practices for the agricultural industry, G20 serves as a platform for the world’s largest economy bodies to communicate over this pressing issue under the circumstances of the pandemic and US-China Trade War.

After one day’s fruitful and methodical discussions, delegates seemed to achieve several agreements on the creation of international fund pools, financial aid to Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs), as well as sharing of information between the More Economically developed Countries (MEDCs) and LEDCs.

The generosity and progressive views of the MEDCs largely benefit the smooth functioning of the council. The countries are working together to ensure no one is left behind amid the problem of food insecurity. The short term solutions the delegates came up with so far are thoughtful, thorough and most importantly, aimed at tackling the two most significant obstacles, i.e. the pandemic situation and the US-China trade war.

For the pandemic situation, the action plan on Vaccination and Minimising Impact of Covid-19 aimed at protecting the human rights of the food supply workers. With reasonable and specific instructions like ‘suggests that countries only resume operations for food supply workers once vaccination rates hit minimum 60% have been given at least 1 dose within the next 3.5 months’, it would serve as a good advisory for sure even though G20 is not legally binding. 

For the on-going US-China Trade War, the action plan on Subsidies and Trade Agreements encourages multilateral trade cooperation. With suggestions like removal of trade tariffs on food imports and the creation of trade bubbles, as well as the financial aid provided to the LEDCs, this not only ensures stability of global supply chains, but also helps to mitigate the fallout of the US-China trade war. Going against Trumpism, the multilateral approach towards trade cooperation and freedom of market economy creates a far more positive and rational solution for the problem of food insecurity and sustainable agricultural. 

Throughout the council sessions, members of the European Union seem to be taking the leading role of promoting the meeting process, notably the effort of the delegates of Italy, France and Germany. Although the US delegates remain relatively quiet throughout the session, they are positively seeking cooperation and working towards ensuring the human rights of the whole world, trying their best to reverse the negative effects brought by Trumpism. 

On the other hand, China, the major contributor to global greenhouse emission and a rising economic power, seems to be avoiding its responsibilities in this council by pulling out of the discussion resolutely, leaving questions regarding its emissions and human rights violations unanswered. 

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