G20 Summit: World Vision welcomes B20 action to improve food security and nutrition, but needs clear plan

Los Cabos, MEXICO (June 17, 2012) — Today, on the eve of the G20 Summit, the Business20 (B20) is presenting its recommendations to G20 leaders. A specific Task Force on Food Security acknowledged that increases in agriculture production won’t necessarily mean improved nutrition or progress on food security for the 925 million people who don’t have enough nutritious food.

World Vision Vice-President for Advocacy Adam Taylor says:

"We welcome private sector involvement and concrete action from the B20 in improving food security and nutrition. We share their goal that, “nutrition, agriculture and health programs should be integrated to be mutually reinforcing". In particular, agricultural programs must be designed to meet nutritional and health needs. We note however, that while the specific B20 plan for food security is in line with civil society recommendations, these are the least well developed and least specific of all of the B20 task force recommendations. The B20 needs to do a lot more work to ensure that goal is truly met. The B20 makes their intention clear to change biofuel subsidies, but fall short of providing a clear plan to drastically reduce subsidies. Diverting food crops to fuel production will further drive food prices out of reach for the poorest.

"We already live in a world that currently produces more than enough food to feed everyone on the planet well, yet almost a billion people don’t eat well enough to be healthy. In the face of declining global food stocks over the past decade, we can only expect this situation to get worse. A market-led approach that only improves agricultural production is not enough to benefit the poorest and most vulnerable. Creating a hunger free world must be rooted in strong social policy, including safety nets, championed by the 20 most powerful leaders.

"World Vision calls on the G20 to work alongside the B20, adopting their recommendations for public sector action on food security and nutrition, but the G20 must go much further in developing a concrete measureable plan than the one presented by business. G20 leaders have to meet their commitments to reduce childhood stunting by 40 percent by 2025 and all of them must support and take part in the Scaling Up Nutrition movement. Forty-two percent of the world’s malnourished children live in G20 countries, therefore national as well as global commitments are needed from each G20 leader."

- Adam Taylor, Vice President for Advocacy, World Vision U.S.

World Vision Mexico National Director Luis del Rio says:

"The B20 is leading the way for civil organizations to take their model in terms of organization and impact within the G20. The aim is that the international civil society organizations are increasingly included in the debate to promote a more inclusive perspective.

"The knowledge, experience and field of civil organizations strengthen agricultural productivity initiatives, particularly for small farmers. A tripartite effort between private sector, civil society and government would generate a comprehensive effort and greater impact on food security/nutrition issues, climate change and green growth."

- Luis del Rio, National Director, World Vision Mexico

- END -

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews