From Principle to Plate: How Past G20 Summits Shape Our Food Future
G20 engagement with food security accelerated after the 2008 global food crisis. Member nations recognised the need for coordinated action to ensure stable food supplies and manage market volatility.
While the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit acknowledged development and food issues, the Seoul (2010) and Cannes (2011) agendas—alongside the 2011 Agriculture Ministers’ work—produced the first coordinated G20 initiatives on agricultural market stability and price volatility.
One notable outcome of the 2011 process was the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), launched in 2011 at the request of G20 agriculture ministers. Hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, AMIS aims to increase transparency in agricultural markets by providing timely information on key commodities. This helps to reduce extreme price swings and avoid uncoordinated policies that can destabilise global food markets—a matter of direct relevance for many African nations dependent on food imports.
In 2023, under India’s presidency, G20 Agriculture Ministers adopted the Deccan High-Level Food Security and Nutrition Principles. These broadened the focus beyond supply to include climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and humanitarian assistance for vulnerable populations. Leaders referenced these principles in the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
Brazil’s 2024 presidency saw the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio on 18 November 2024. This Alliance aims to accelerate progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger) by mobilising resources and facilitating knowledge exchange among members.
Impact on Food Security in Africa
South Africa is the only African country in the G20. Since September 2023, the African Union has also been a permanent G20 member, creating a broader platform for African priorities in global policymaking.
During its presidency, South Africa has stated priorities that include advocating for African food security and smallholder farmer inclusion within G20 forums. If translated into concrete outcomes, the G20’s emphasis on inclusive and sustainable food systems could help direct more investment toward rural infrastructure and climate-smart agricultural practices, benefiting smallholder farmers across the continent.
G20 commitments to open, fair, predictable and rules-based agricultural, food and fertiliser trade—reaffirmed in 2023—are particularly important for Africa. Reducing unjustified trade barriers can improve market access for African producers.
Climate change disproportionately affects Africa’s agricultural sector. The G20’s increasing focus on climate-resilient agriculture, including measures in the Deccan Principles, provides a framework for policies that support sustainable resource management and help safeguard African agriculture from extreme weather events.
Cairo 2025: A Moment for Action
The upcoming Third Task Force 2 Meeting on Food Security in Cairo provides an opportunity to consolidate these past commitments into measurable progress.
South Africa can use its presidency to encourage:
- Increased investment in sustainable agricultural practices suited to African contexts, including agroecology, water-efficient irrigation and soil health management, aligning with the Deccan Principles and Global Alliance objectives.
- Strengthened regional food value chains in Africa through improved infrastructure, reduced intra-African trade barriers, and enhanced market information systems.
- Support for humanitarian food assistance and resilience-building in conflict-affected and climate-vulnerable regions.
By focusing on practical, evidence-based solutions and fostering collaboration among G20 members, South Africa can help convert broad summit principles into concrete benefits for African food systems. The Cairo meeting will be critical for turning global commitments into action that can be felt at markets, farms and households across the continent.
References
- African Union Commission & G20 India Presidency, 2023. African Union joins G20 as a permanent member. [online] Available at: https://au.int/ [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), n.d. About AMIS. [online] FAO. Available at: http://www.amis-outlook.org/ [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- Associated Press, 2023. African Union joins G20 as permanent member. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/african-union-g20-membership [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), n.d. AMIS Secretariat hosted by FAO. [online] Available at: https://www.fao.org/ [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- G20 Brazil 2024 Presidency, 2024. Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty launched during Rio G20 Leaders’ Summit. [online] Available at: https://www.g20.org/en/brasil-2024 [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- G20 Cannes Summit, 2011. G20 Leaders’ Declaration, Cannes Summit, 4 November 2011. [online] Available at: https://www.g20.org [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- G20 India 2023, 2023. Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition. [online] Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Available at: https://www.g20.org/en/media-resources/ [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- G20 India 2023, 2023. G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, 9–10 September 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.g20.org [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- G20 Seoul Summit, 2010. G20 Seoul Leaders’ Declaration, 12 November 2010. [online] Available at: https://www.g20.org [Accessed 14 August 2025].
- G20 South Africa Presidency, 2025. Events calendar. [online] Available at: https://www.g20.org.za [Accessed 14 August 2025].
