February 5, 2013 - Canada, a global leader in combatting food insecurity, is committed to achieving long-term results that improve the lives of women, men, and children living in poverty. Today, joined by development partners and business leaders at the Saskatchewan Global Food Security Forum, the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, highlighted Canada's commitment to food security and opportunities for Canada's globally competitive firms to grow in the developing world.
"The Global Food Security Forum provides an opportunity to advance innovative solutions to global food insecurity. By bringing together Canada's best and brightest from the agriculture and agri-food industries, the World Food Programme, and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canada can contribute to and benefit in the long term by helping our neighbours around the world move from food insecurity to food security and greater prosperity," said Minister Fantino. "Canada's support will help address the basic food and nutrition needs of millions of people facing hunger. Canada's broader focus on strengthening food security helps developing countries move beyond basic subsistence toward a self-sustaining future, one which provides the prospect of sustainable economic growth and economic opportunities for the global community."
While at the Forum, Minister Fantino announced Canada's annual pledge under the newFood Assistance Convention, which promises to make the provision of food assistance more efficient and effective. "Canada's generous commitment will help address the basic food and nutrition needs of millions of people facing hunger," said Minister Fantino.
Approximately 900 million children, women, and men do not have enough nutritious food to eat due to extreme poverty, natural disasters, and conflicts resulting in 50 million children under the age of five suffering from acute malnutrition. The new Convention, an outcome of recent international negotiations led by Canada, requires member countries to pledge a minimum annual level of quality food assistance to developing countries. The World Food Programme receives support through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and their purchases include globally competitive food sourced from Canada.
"As part of an international coalition promoting reform of this treaty, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank was pleased to see Canada take leadership in negotiating the new treaty," said Jim Cornelius, Executive Director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
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For more information, media should contact:
Daniel Bezalel Richardsen
Press Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Email: danielbezalel.richardsen@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
Email: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
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