G20 Ministers: Innovation in Agriculture the Key to Ending Extreme Hunger

Agriculture ministers from the world's 20 major economies convened in Xi'an, China on June 3, 2016 for the 2016 G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting to discuss global agricultural development and cooperation. The G20 ministers were joined by ministers from guest countries, and leaders of international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The 2016 meeting, the third since the G20 was established, revolved around the theme "Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Development." In the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting Communiqué, the Ministers state, "We reaffirm that agriculture and rural development are crucial to global food security and poverty alleviation and can contribute significantly towards inclusive economic growth, social stability and the sustainable use of natural resources." The Ministers agree that the opening of agricultural markets and trade could improve access to more affordable food. The Communiqué also states that science, technology and social innovation play an important and leading role in sustainable agricultural growth.

For more details, read the news release at the G20 2016 website, where the Meeting Communiqué is also available.