23 June 2011: The first meeting of the G20 Agriculture Ministers concluded with the adoption of an Agriculture Ministerial Declaration and Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture that supports initiatives on food production and information exchange, including the International Research Initiative for Wheat Improvement (IRIWI), the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), and the Global Agricultural Geo-Monitoring Initiative (GAGI).

The meeting took place from 22-23 June 2011 in Paris, France. The AMIS framework includes a rapid response forum hosted at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). As part of their risk management strategy, the ministers agreed to establish an Agriculture and Food Security Risk Management Toolbox.

The Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture also launches actions to address challenges facing vulnerable nationals and populations. The World Food Programme (WFP) issued a statement indicating that the Action Plan will ensure that the hungry have access to food in emergencies by: removing taxes and barriers for humanitarian food; providing new crisis information systems; and helping move the WFP from food aid to food assistance. These efforts will reduce the risk of farmers worldwide and increase their capacity to adapt to climate change impacts. [WFP Statement on G-20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting] [World Bank Statement at G-20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting] [Ministerial Meeting Agriculture Website] [UN Press Release]