WTO Ministerial Meeting Day 2 To discuss how to deal with rising food prices

The WTO = World Trade Organization Ministerial Meeting has entered its second day, and thematic meetings have begun.

Of these, the importance and countermeasures for "food security," such as responding to soaring food prices due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, are expected to be discussed.

The WTO Ministerial Meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, began on the 13th and 2nd day of Japan time, and a meeting to discuss the agenda by theme began.

Regarding "food security," it is expected that discussions will be held on how to deal with the spread of the new coronavirus infection and the military invasion of Russia, which has led to a global stagnation in the supply of agricultural products and soaring food prices.

Specifically, it is unnecessary as a WTO in light of the situation where food exporting countries are restricting exports to prioritize supply to their own countries and the situation where grains such as wheat cannot be exported from ports in southern Ukraine due to the interference of Russian troops. It means discussing the thoroughness of rules that do not restrict exports and the need to create rules that do not interfere with exports.

In addition, as a response to the spread of the new corona infection, discussions are being held on making it possible for each country to procure drugs including vaccines fairly and opening vaccine patents to emerging countries.

At the time of the Russian representative speech, the Japanese magistrate is "absent" instead of leaving

Regarding the response of the Japanese government when representatives from about 30 countries left during the speech by the Russian representative at the meeting on the first day, a person in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "When the Russian representative's speech began, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Miyake was present. I wasn't at the conference hall after I had already left due to another schedule. I didn't leave with the intention of opposition to Russia. "

What is the current status of grain exporters such as wheat?

Russia and Ukraine are the world's largest exporters of wheat, with Russia being the world's largest exporter in 2020 and Ukraine being the fifth largest.

The combined export volume of both countries accounts for nearly 30% of the world total, and exports to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and so on.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, wheat harvest areas have shrunk in Ukraine since the military invasion, grain storage facilities and transportation infrastructure have been damaged, and the port of Odesa, a southern city facing the Black Sea, has been closed to Russia. It has been done.

For this reason, the amount of wheat exported from Ukraine to the world is expected to decrease by about half from summer to next year.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East Africa has reached about 90% dependence on imports from Russia and Ukraine, and there are concerns about food shortages in Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and other countries.

In Africa, 350 million people are said to be facing a serious food crisis, and countries with weaker food production capacity are more affected by the situation in Ukraine.

Ukraine has the fourth largest export volume of corn in the world, and Russia has the 11th largest export volume.

The OECD = Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has become one of the factors accelerating inflation in the world, with exports stagnation since the start of Russia's military invasion, with wheat prices rising 88% and corn rising 42%. I am analyzing that there is.

Regarding the impact on the economy, the OECD views that global growth will weaken while inflation will increase, and is concerned that the situation will worsen in some situations.

Each country restricts exports of wheat etc.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as of March, Russia has restricted exports of wheat and barley, and Argentina and Ukraine have also restricted exports of wheat.

Last month, the Government of India announced measures to immediately ban wheat exports in order to provide a stable supply to the country.

In addition, 19 countries, including Russia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, took measures to regulate the export of grains when the infection of the new coronavirus spread.

The WTO does not prohibit member countries from giving priority to domestic supply, but if the impact on the food security of the importing country is taken into consideration and export control measures are taken, the WTO should be notified in advance. I am asking you to comply with.

What are the views of the experts at this Council of Ministers?

Regarding the discussion on food security at the WTO Ministerial Meeting, Junichi Sugawara, Senior Researcher of Mizuho Research & Technologies, said, "WTO rules allow food to be given priority to the domestic market when necessary. Therefore, it is not possible to completely ban export restrictions. On the other hand, the key is whether each country can restrain itself from imposing unnecessary export restrictions and whether there is an agreement for cooperation between nations. I'm talking.

In addition, while the "advanced committee" for resolving trade disputes has virtually stopped functioning, the role required of the WTO is "The world situation such as the new Corona and the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It has changed so much that the global free trade system itself is at stake. Under these circumstances, it is very important that the WTO, which is responsible for protecting the free trade system, is functioning. The important point is whether or not we can produce concrete results and show that they are functioning properly. "