Virtual Event - Food and Agricultural Trade in the New Policy Environment: How Can WTO Members Support Recovery and Resilience in Africa (English panel)?
CGIAR News Dec. 8 2020 by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
The coronavirus outbreak has affected trade in food and farm goods, imperiling efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition and adding to pressure already on the farm sector from climate change. The pandemic-induced postponement of the WTO’s next ministerial conference and ongoing tensions among major economies have affected both the substance and process of updating the global trade rulebook. As governments revisit priorities in this new context, they should engage with various constituencies in their region and beyond to build an inclusive public policy vision – one that can contribute to economic recovery and improve resilience to future food system shocks.
In Africa, continentwide economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will transform food and agricultural markets, with policymakers focused on increased value addition and value chain integration. Tariff and nontariff measures continue to affect trade in Africa’s agrifood sector, while the prevalence of informal trade makes it difficult for policymakers to access timely and accurate data. While food demand in urban areas will continue to grow and evolve, small producers in rural areas face serious obstacles in accessing markets and boosting yields sustainably. The increase in extreme weather events associated with climate change presents particular challenges and requires new thinking to ensure that trade policies and rules support improved resilience.
This will be the third in a series of events on the same topic, each with a regional perspective. The events will cover Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
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