An Australian delegation recently travelled to Peru to attend APEC Food Security Week.
At the Food Security Ministers' Meeting, Australia advocated strongly that future prosperity and food security of our region and the globe can be achieved through:
- sustainable agricultural production
- free and open trade
- preventing and reducing food loss and waste.
Australia also worked with APEC members to issue a ministerial statement focussed on addressing the global food security crisis—including the role of free, fair and open trade—and collective efforts to improve agricultural sustainability across the APEC region.
The value of Australia's voice at APEC
Tina Hutchison, the department's Deputy Secretary of the Agricultural Trade and Regulation Group, led the delegation and spoke positively of the international meeting.
'It's incredibly valuable for Australia to have a voice in multilateral meetings like APEC to ensure the interests of our agricultural sector are being represented and we are influential on the world stage,' said Ms Hutchison.
'As a major producer of food and an exporter of around 72% of what we produce, Australia has an important role to play in global food security, including in the APEC region.'
Australia was also instrumental in achieving consensus among the APEC economies on a framework to promote action to address food loss and waste—named the Trujillo Principes for Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Australian experts at workshops from food loss to Indigenous youth and climate change
Other Australian experts accompanied our delegation and participated in a range of workshops on food loss and waste, data driven policy making, and the role of Indigenous youth in addressing climate change and global food security.
Sam Oakden from End Food Waste Australia, presented on how Australia is tackling the global food loss and waste problem through public-private partnership and data-driven actions.
"Australia has a compelling story to share on food loss and waste action and a lot that we can learn from other APEC economies—we must keep working together across APEC for the best outcomes," Mr Oakden said.
Dr Michael Crawford from the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils presented what the Soil CRC is doing to support data driven policy making through its soil research and data capabilities.
"Australia is well-regarded in a whole range of different ways including what we've done from a research and science perspective and how we can share that experience with the other members of APEC.
"There's lots of good experiences and expertise coming from other members, but you definitely feel like Australia has a lot to offer," said Dr Crawford.
Allira Alvoen and Saisha Schonenberger from the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation also contributed to discussions on the role that Indigenous youth can play.
"As Indigenous future leaders we're stepping up to support our Elders, get involved, and contribute positively" Ms Alvoen said.
Ms Schonenberger added: "It's been an eye-opener to see other Indigenous representatives showcasing their knowledge and culture from different parts of the world—it's been good to do the same and to demonstrate how Indigenous people can be part of the solution."
Bilateral priorities and meeting international ministers
The APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting gave an opportunity for the Australian delegation to discuss bilateral priorities with Canada, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei, as well as engage with Agriculture Ministers and representatives from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Peru, Malaysia and the United States, among others.
We continue to hold a leadership role in the APEC forum—sharing ideas and best practices, strengthening relationships with our near neighbours, and influencing international decision making.
We continue to hold a leadership role in the APEC forum—sharing ideas and best practices, strengthening relationships with our near neighbours, and influencing international decision making.
Learn more about the 9th APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting and the Trujillo Principles for Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the Asia-Pacific Region.