17 Oct 2014   

International Gathering in Jakarta to Discuss Food Security

The Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF) recently hosted Asia-Pacific’s leading Food Security Summit. The 2nd annual AIDF Food Security Summit opened on Wednesday 8th October at the stunning Ambara Hotel in Jakarta. Building on the success of the inaugural 2013 event, this year’s summit attracted in total 200 delegates and over 50 speakers.

  With opening remarks from Dr. Ir. H. Suswono, Minister of Agriculture, Indonesia, Dr. Henri Bastaman, Deputy Minister of Environment, Indonesia and H.E. Dr. Harbrinderjit Singh Dillon, Special Envoy to the President of Indonesia for Poverty Alleviation, the 2-day event kicked-off with much momentum.

  Throughout the event, government & UN representatives, NGOs, regulators, civil society leaders, private sector organisations and other key decision-makers contributed to sessions, exploring sustainable agriculture and nutrition policies, practices, mechanisms and tools.

  Dr. Ir. H. Suswono, Minister of Agriculture, Indonesia said: ‘We have faced challenges of food security & energy security. In this global situation the world population is expected to grow quickly, from 7 billion to 9 billion by 2045. Nations will face competitive situations with poor resources for daily needs. The competition for energy, food and clean water will become a part of the global competition.’ Dr. Sumiter Singh Broca, Policy Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said ‘Food Security is a very complex and multifaceted phenomenon, so tackling it requires actions on many fronts. The single most important thing that governments must do in the region, is for different government’s ministries to work together. Because too often this task is left to the Department of Agriculture or Health and there is little or no coordination between them.’

  Amit Wadhwa, Head of Food and Nutrition Security Analysis, WFP Indonesia commented: ‘AIDF Food Security Summit provides a very useful forum for people to come together to discuss burning issues facing food security issues in the world, and for people to meet like-minded individuals who are trying to address these issues within the powers that they have. By combining our forces and coming together it gives us an opportunity to collectively affect the change.’

  Deepti Gulati, Senior Associate, GAIN – Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (India) added: ‘’AIDF provides a very good opportunity to engage with different partners in Asian countries to discuss projects that are on the ground, the technological innovations that are taking place and also as a platform to exchange views, knowledge and learn from each other.’

  AIDF, along with the support of their strategic partners, including BASF, Glanbia Nutritionals, FrieslandCampina, FMC, Kubota, INVE Aquaculture, and Valley Irrigation reflected their common interest through the expressive open exhibition floor, showcasing special focus areas of agriculture and nutrition.