FAO Representative Speaks About Global Food Security
Dr. Ayşegül Akın, deputy country representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, visited Bilkent University on December 12 as a part of the IR course "Sustainable Development and Climate Change" taught by Dr. Göktuğ Kara.
Dr. Akın first introduced the role of FAO as a UN organization and stated its main objectives. Food security and action against worldwide hunger are the most important policy areas for FAO. Although some nations are doing well economically in today's world, a considerable number of countries still face the brutal consequences of hunger and undernourishment. With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the world will need to feed more people despite there being less arable land and less water available as pressure on these scarce resources grows due to increasing urbanization. Food security and food safety will become a major issue unless significant steps are taken now.
In her presentation, Dr. Akın explained what food security really means, and also discussed the term "adequate food" in reference to individuals' needs for food. Graphs about trends in world hunger were shown, and Dr. Akın provided data from FAO about food scarcity and food shortages.
Another issue she discussed was the importance of climate change in relation to agricultural activities, noting that the role of water in ensuring food security is critical. Without securing water resources, ensuring food security will be much more difficult and challenging. In addition, rapid urbanization rates and increasing incomes have a large negative influence on food security. Dr. Akın stated that in dealing with such issues and determining international agricultural standards, FAO is a key player, with a number of initiatives and projects in place.
After the presentation, a question and answer session focused on topics that included future prospects concerning the issue of food security and Turkey's place within the situation.
Celal Onur Uyanık (MIAPP/II)
Deniz Tuğuşlu (MIAPP/II)