L’AQUILA, ITALY – On the last day of the G8 Summit, members pledged $20 billion over the next three years for agriculture production in some of the poorer countries around the world. The G8 members said they will "partner with vulnerable countries and regions to help them develop and implement their own food security strategies and together substantially increase sustained commitments of financial and technical assistance…," according to a statement released during the meeting.
Rather than impose a strategy outside of recipient countries, the food security plan calls for channeling resources through credible, country-owned plans. The Comprehensive Agriculture Development Program was highlighted as a model for developing such a partnership.
"The L’Aquila Joint Statement on Global Food Security signals a welcome and encouraging shift of policy in favor of helping the poor and hungry to produce their own food," said Jacques Diouf, director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "I am convinced that you will ‘walk the talk’ not only for natural, ethical considerations but also for sound economic reasons and, last but not least, to ensure peace and security in the world."