Media release

2 June 2008

Foreign Minister's Travel to Italy, The Vatican and the United Kingdom, 2 - 7 June

I will be travelling to Italy to participate, on 3 and 4 June, in the High Level Conference on Global Food Security being organised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Over 50 countries will be represented at the meeting in addition to the UN Secretary General and President of the European Commission.

The High Level Conference on Food Security will discuss the current global food crisis, which is threatening to push vulnerable communities into poverty as a direct result of rapidly rising staple food prices. The Conference will discuss the causes of the crisis and seek to identify immediate, medium and long term measures.

Tackling the many and inter-related causes of food insecurity requires a systematic and sustained response.

To address the immediate humanitarian crisis, Australia has already committed A$30 million to the World Food Programme’s emergency appeal, in addition to the A$60 million previously provided this financial year. Australia is a strong supporter of the World Food Programme, having provided over $1 billion since 1963.

Beyond this immediate response, the Government will develop a comprehensive action plan to lift Australia’s engagement in international efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity.

This will include a stronger focus on rural development assistance - as recommended recently by the World Bank – to lift agricultural productivity in key staple crops and to improve rural livelihoods by increasing the competitiveness of agriculture, fisheries and other rural enterprises.

Australia will also use Australia’s expertise in scientific agricultural research to further boost agricultural productivity.

Dismantling trade barriers in agricultural products must also be a central part of the international response. The Australian Government will continue its strong advocacy for trade liberalisation in multilateral trade policy, including the Doha round, and in bilateral and regional trade policy dialogue.

Australia also recognises the need to adapt to climate change and has provided $130 million to help Australia’s primary industries adapt and $150 million for climate change adaptation in East Timor and the Pacific.

In Rome I will also meet with representatives of the new Berlusconi Government, including my counterpart the Hon Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and undertake bilateral calls at the Holy See in advance of the visit to Australia by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in July for World Youth Day.

Later in the week, in the United Kingdom, I will be taking forward the Prime Minister’s commitment during his visit in April, to build an enhanced relationship with the UK. This will include a range of bilateral meetings with UK counterparts focusing on stronger cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change, development and the strengthening of global institutions.

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555