323 Million World Population Threatened By Food Insecurity, President Jokowi: G7 And G20 Have Responsibility To Overcome This Crisis

President Jokowi with the leaders of friendly countries while attending the G7 Summit in Germany. (Twitter/@jokowi

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on G7 and G20 countries to jointly overcome the food crisis, which currently threatens people in developing countries to fall into extreme hunger and poverty.

This was stated by President Jokowi when conveying his views at the G7 Summit session II on the topic of food security and gender equality, which took place in Elmau, Germany, on June 27, 2022.

"323 million people in 2022, according to the World Food Program, are at risk of facing acute food insecurity. The G7 and G20 have a big responsibility to overcome this food crisis," said President Jokowi, launching the website of the President of the Republic of Indonesia on June 28.

"Let's fulfill our responsibilities, now, and from now on," said President Jokowi to the heads of state and government present.

According to the President, food is the most basic human rights issue. It is certain that women from poor families suffer the most from food shortages for their children and families.

"We must act quickly to find concrete solutions. Food production must be increased. The global food and fertilizer supply chain must return to normal," said President Jokowi.

President Jokowi further emphasized the importance of the support of the G7 countries to reintegrate Ukrainian wheat exports and Russia's exports of food and fertilizer commodities in global supply chains.

According to the President, there are two ways to realize this. The first is that the facilitation of Ukraine's grain exports can begin immediately. Second, proactive communication to the world public that food and fertilizer commodities from Russia are not subject to sanctions.

"This intensive communication needs to be carried out so that there is no prolonged doubt in the international public. This intensive communication also needs to be strengthened by communication to related parties such as banks, insurance, shipping, and others," explained the President.

Apart from food, President Jokowi also highlighted the impact of the war on the supply of fertilizers. "Especially for fertilizers, if we fail to handle it, then a rice crisis involving 2 billion people, especially in developing countries can occur," said President Jokowi.

At the end of his remarks, the President again invited G7 leaders to attend the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.

"I am waiting for the G7 leaders to attend the G20 summit. See you in Bali, 15-16 November 2022," concluded President Jokowi.