6, 10-11 October 2022 – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) participated in the World Bank and IMF Global Parliamentary Forum, which was held virtually on 6, 10 and 11 October 2022. On this occasion, PAM was represented by Hon. Giulio Centemero (Italy), the Co-Chair of the PAM Panel on Trade and Investments.
The Forum, themed “Innovative Solutions for Turbulent Times”, represented an excellent opportunity for MPs to share best practices and innovative solutions to the current food security crisis, while addressing the current global food chains disruptions and the urgent need for climate action.
Addressing the Panel on “Safeguarding Food Supply Chains”, Hon. Centemero expressed PAM’s concerns about surging energy prices and the generalized level of inflation, caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, but also by the disruptions of Global Value Chains (GVCs).
Hon. Centemero stressed the importance of guaranteeing free trade and refraining from protectionist measures that could further hamper the global food supply chain, as clearly indicated by the WTO during the recent MC12, where PAM also participated.
Aware of the possible long-term consequences of the current food crisis, Hon. Centemero highlighted the importance of investing on a profound transformation of the current food systems, which would be able to foster more resilient a sustainable regional food value chain.
At the Forum, MPs agreed on the need to boost food production, invest in climate-resilient agriculture, and addressing the inefficiencies of subsidies regimes, often contrasting with the international efforts to promote sustainable food systems.
Finally, in addressing the climate emergency and possible innovative solutions, World Bank and IMF experts recommended MPs to closely monitor the findings of their Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs), which constitute a useful guideline for parliamentarians in designing legislative proposals to fight Climate Change, reduce GHG emissions and catalyze private and public capital in adaptation and mitigation efforts.//