“Zero Hunger is no more dream with the sympathy of over 50 senior diplomats including envoys”
By 2050, world’s population will increase up to 10 billion peoples. So by
2050, an estimate study also exists that 50% more foods than
current times are needed, according to the Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs.
In order to successfully support the hosting of the 2018
PyeongChang Winter Olympics and promote domestic products
and last but not least Korean culture by inviting global leaders
to participate in Olympic related events, the Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs from the Republic of Korea
hosted its 2018 PyeongChang Food Summit spanning during
two days on Feb. 12th(Monday) at the YongPyong Resort while
Diplomatic Community
also were invited in partnership with The NDNnews(www.ndnnews.co.kr)
& Korea Culture Ambassador Friendship Association,
an affiliate organization of the NDNnews as a media partner
to share the necessity of future foods which
will nurture next generations in several decades to follow.
Agriculture Minister Kim Young-Rok hosting welcomg luncheon for envoys & famed scholars who attended the 2018 PyeongChang Food Summit at YongPyong Resort. |
Charge d’Affaires a.i Marc Knapper from the US Embassy, Finland Amb.
Eero Suominen, Ireland Amb. Julian Clare, Mexico Amb. Bruno
Figueroa and last but not least Honduras Amb. Virgilio Paredes
Trapero & his spouse were chief guests among over 50
diplomats who were consisted of commercial attaches mainly
including Austrade Head Ms. Amanda Hodges and Director
Garrett Wilkerson from Provincial Programms Office, US Embassy etc.
Before the luncheon, visiting diplomatic community dropped
by K-Food Plaza which is promoting the excellence of Korean
food at PyeongChang to be recognized more widely.
Edible insects publicity booths within the 2018 PyeongChang Food Summit |
Minister Young Rok Kim from MAFRA (Ministry of Agriculture,
Food & Rural Affairs) welcomed participating envoys as well as
senior diplomats at the luncheon venue, the YongPyong Dragon
Hotel to express the Ministry’s thanks for their attendance despite
of their busy schedules.
The 2018 PyeongChang Food Summit took place at the Wellness
Hall, Bliss Hill Stay within YongPyong Resort where the pre
welcoming reception for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter
Olympics participants including US Vice President Mike Pence
was held with a State Dinner hosted by President Moon Jae-in,
Republic of Korea.
Food Summit |
In his congratulatory message, Minister Kim expected various
discussions on future food resources and food will be presented
as concrete alternatives to the survival and wellbeing of humankind.
To solve the world-wide hunger problems, study on the development of food
resources, and recognition and approach on future food to
the industry and consumers is required, he pointed out. (See
Congratulatory message from MAFRA Minister Kim at the end of this article!)
Panelists who joined the 2018 Pyeongchang Food Summit, are sympathetic of the fact that Zero Hungert is no more dream. |
US Charge d’Affaires a.i Marc Knapper also was recognizing the importance
of food security by saying: “As we face rapid population growth,
increasing food demands, and concerns about sustainable
agriculture, however, I continue to be encouraged by the new
and innovate ways in which governments, companies, and
farmers approach food security. From vertical farms to plant-
and insect-based alternate food products, agriculture is being
revolutionized by the creative approaches that you all bring
to these challenging issues.” (See the return addresses of US
CDA Knapper at the end of this article!)
In his keynote speech, deputy director Rasmus Egendal of
Government Partnership Division from UN WFP deplored the
fact that one third of world food production volume are being
wasted, adding Zero Hunger is no more dream.
Envoys, from left, Ireland Amb. Julian Clare, Honduras Amb. Virgilio Paredes Trapero (third from left) and last but not least Mexico Amb. Bruo Figueroa corresponding to a group photo in front of Mexico food pavilion which was installed within K-Food Plaza in PyeongChang. |
In Session 1 with a topic regarding future prospects of the
food industry, prof. Kim Nam-jo presented his opinion that
the prospect of future food
industry is not bright due to climate change, the lack of
farmlands and conflicts between countries.
Prof. Min Kyung Park from George Mason University Korea
who attended as a panelist said that edible insects amounting
to about 19 million kinds can be an alternative for future foods,
adding vertical farming or
hydroponic farming can have a positive impact on agricultural
tourism as well as food tourism.
Envoys & senior diplomats hearing a briefing about K-Food Plaza in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province. |
In a discussion session between panelists, Mr. Rasmus from
UN WFP pointed out the distribution problem and market
system, saying that the food amounts we produce, are sufficient.
Confirming once again that one third of annual world food
production amounts are being wasted, he said to allow supply
chain to function properly is necessary. As deputy director
of Governmentr Partnership Division from UN WFP, Rasmus
valued the role of Korea highly, adding Korea is a respected
partner for the world food security and MAFRA agreed to
provide rice 50,000 tons which will be distributed to Syria and Yemen etc.
Summit participants inspecting its publicity booths during the coffee break time at the Wellness Hall, Blisshill Stay, PyeongChang YongPyong Resort. |
In Session 2 after coffee break regarding Key to the
commercialization of Future Food, participants were
sympathetic about the fact that Zero Hunger is our all responsibility.
AeroFarms CEO David Rosenberg introduced that as a future
innovator, in AeroFarms, soil, sunlight and water to grow
crops is not necessary, adding this means that any place can
be a fertile farmland regardless of its climate.
The following is a congratulatory message from the MAFRA
Minister Kim during the opening ceremony to mark the
2018 PyeongChang Food Summit. –
MAFRA Minister Kim Young-Rok (right) chatting with Ireland Amb. Julian Clare during the Official Opening Ceremony to mark the 2018 PyeongChang Food Summit whcih was held during one day at Yongpyeong Resort. (Courtesy: MAFRA) |
Welcome to 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and 2018
PyeongChang Food Summit. Korea is hosting Olympic Games
after 30 years since the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In particular,
we are welcoming delegations from 92 countries and 2,925
athletes competing in the largest number of disciplines,
enhancing the Olympic spirit of promoting world peace through sports.
This momumental international event, provides a
meaningful opportunity for world-renowned scholars, related
CEOs and interested parties
around the world to come together and discuss food for
our next generations.
Various discussions on future food resources and food will be
presented as concrete alternatives to the survival and
wellbeing of humankind. To solve the world-wide hunger problems, study on the development of food
resources, and recognition and approach on future food to
the industry and consumers is required. Moreover, development
of technologies to commercialize future foods resources such
as urban agriculture and plant factories. It will serve as a
landmark in the development of the food industry in the future.
In this Summit, exhibition booths are prepared to display
rice cakes and snacks made of edible insects. Guests can
also taste Korean fermented food such as our traditional
liquors. Moreover, we are running K-Food Plaza, arranged
of Korean food exhibition and experience center, to provide
various opportunities for Korean food experience to all Olympic
participants and visitors during the PyeongChang Olympics.
With the rising popularity of Korean wave as a global trend,
Korean food and our food culture are spreading around the
world as well. The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Rural
Affairs will make efforts to promote the excellence of Korean
food to be recognized more widely, further ensure our food
and ingredients to lead the worldwide food market.
Once again, thank you for joining us today. Please keep
supporting and sharing wisdom for successful Olympic
Games and, moreover, for the field of our agricultural food.
I hope all of you enjoy your time here. Thank you.
The following is a congratulatory speech, delivered by
Charge d’Affaires a.i. Marc Knapper, US Embassy during the Opening
Ceremony to commemorate the 2018 PyeongChang Food
Summit at YongPyong Resort. –Ed.
Charge d'Affaires a.i. Marc Knapper, US Embassy at PyeongChang. (Courtesy: US Embassy) |
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to
extend my sincere thanks to the Minister of Agriculture Kim Yung-rok and the Governor of Gangwon Province Mr. Choi Moon-soon for hosting us today at the PyeongChang Food Summit.
Congratulations on putting together such an interesting and
important event. I know that we will have the opportunity to
enjoy many thought-provoking discussions this afternoon as well as at the Seoul
Future Food Seminar tomorrow.
I can’t imagine a better backdrop for this summit than a city in
the midst of hosting the Olympics. Just like sports, which
have a way of bringing together individuals from a variety
of backgrounds to enjoy a shared love of competition, so
food has the power to communicate culture across borders.
And as our brothers and sisters from around the world
compete in the Games in a spirit of friendship, we are here
today to work through some of the challenges that we face
together. The future of food is an issue that affects us all,
no matter which country or Olympic team we represent.
As we face rapid population growth, increasing food demands,
and concerns about sustainable agriculture, however, I
continue to be encouraged by the new and innovate ways
in which governments, companies, and farmers approach food
security. From vertical farms to plant- and insect-based alternate food products, agriculture is being
revolutionized by the creative approaches that you all bring
to these challenging issues.
Living in Seoul, I’ve been privileged to explore the many
textures, flavors, and
smells associated with Korean cooking. I’m excited to see how Korean chefs adapt new technologies
and ideas into Korean-style cuisines in the future.
Thank you for challenging us today to consider where the
future of international agriculture will take us. I look forward
to the imaginative ideas that will stem from our discussions
at this event and beyond. Congratulations on a successful summit.