STATEMENT BY MISS CINDY EU, DELEGATE TO THE 70TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON AGENDA ITEM 26, ON AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION, SECOND COMMITTEE, 2 NOVEMBER 2015
2 November 2015
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Mr Chairman,
1 I would like to align Singapore with the statements made on this agenda item by South Africa, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China; and Myanmar, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Mr Chairman,
2 Food security, or the resilient supply of safe and nutritious food at affordable prices, is a global challenge. In 2012 to 2014, an estimated 1 in 9 people were suffering from chronic hunger. The underlying supply and demand factors which have led to rising food prices and periods of price volatility have existed for some time now. Global agricultural productivity has been in decline due to years of under-investment in agriculture, while global food demand has been steadily increasing due to a growing population. Climate change and extreme weather events have compounded the problem.
3 Food security is a complex sustainable development issue. Singapore is thus heartened that today, food security is squarely on the agenda of key regional and multilateral fora that have not traditionally focused on this issue. First, closer to home, ASEAN has endorsed the revised ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and the new Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security (SPA-FS) 2015-2020, to realise the common goal of long-term food security and nutrition.
4 Second, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers issued the Beijing Declaration on APEC Food Security in September 2014, which outlines key areas of focus including boosting agricultural productivity, improving post-harvest management, enhancing food safety and quality, and strengthening prevention and control of trans-boundary animal and plant diseases.
5 Third, the G20’s Action Plan on Food Security and Sustainable Food Systems, and the Implementation Plan of the G20 Food Security and Nutrition Framework, can improve food security policy coherence and effectiveness. The Global Governance Group or 3G has shared its views with the G20 through a paper on food security, which will be circulated as a United Nations document in due course. The 3G supports the Turkish Presidency’s priorities in implementing the Food Security and Nutrition Framework.
6 Recognising the importance of regional and international cooperation in ensuring global food security is a step in the right direction, but countries now need to work on putting plans into action. An open, rules-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is a cornerstone to achieving food security. In this regard, Singapore calls for the full implementation of the Bali Package from the WTO 9th Ministerial Conference in December 2013, and for substantive outcomes at the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, in December this year.
Mr Chairman,
7 Singapore ranked second, behind the United States, on the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) in 2015. This is a major achievement for us. As a small city-state with no hinterland that imports over 90 per cent of our food supply, Singapore is vulnerable to fluctuations in food supply and prices, as well as food safety incidences overseas.
8 Diversification of food sources is a core strategy in the Singapore Food Security Roadmap. For instance, Singapore imports our meat products from as far as Brazil and Argentina. This means we are better buffered against short-term supply disruptions from any one source. Food source diversification can also be enhanced by moving upstream. In securing food at source, such as through contract farming, we can better control the supply and quality of food, as well as obtain the first right of purchase in times of supply shortages.
9 Optimising local production is another core strategy. In August 2014, our government announced a new USD44 million (or SGD63 million) Agriculture Productivity Fund to help our local farms to increase their productivity and yields. It also supports research and development in new farming technologies that could help Singapore become more self-sustainable in food production.
10 Stockpiling, which can help to stabilise prices in times of short-term shortages, is the third core strategy. In Singapore, rice importers must hold a two-month stockpile in government warehouses.
11 The roadmap also consists of “supporting” strategies, including food waste reduction and greater engagement with social agencies to ensure that the poor are able to access food. As an “enabling” strategy, a multi-agency committee facilitates coordination among agencies in food security policy formulation and implementation.
Mr Chairman,
12 Singapore takes a broader, more holistic view of food security, including on how we can contribute to global food security. Singapore became a member of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in June 2013. In June 2015, Singapore and the FAO signed our first Memorandum of Understanding to jointly enhance food security and nutrition in Southeast Asia, focusing on food safety and fisheries.
13 Although Singapore is not an agricultural country, we can contribute to aspects of the food value chain. This includes research and development, which offers opportunities to feed into the work of FAO and other relevant organisations; and exchange knowledge with other countries. Singapore is also committed to sharing our experience in urban agriculture innovation, including vertical farms and rooftop gardens, where relevant and useful.
Mr Chairman,
14 As food security issues transcend national boundaries, we must seek to forge win-win partnerships and work closely with one another. To ensure food security, it is not enough to just maintain a steady supply of food for the population. It is also crucial to ensure that the available food, whether imported, locally produced, in fresh or processed forms, is safe to eat and affordable for all.
15 I thank you.
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