22-Jul-2022: The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (Agreement) at the WTO Ministerial meeting to prohibit subsidies from being provided for Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfished stocks

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (Agreement) agreed at the recently concluded World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial meeting will prohibit subsidies from being provided for Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfished stocks. Under the Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), Developing Countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have been allowed a transition period of two years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement.  The Agreement also prohibits providing subsidies for fishing on high seas, which are outside the jurisdiction of coastal countries and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations/ Arrangements (RFMO/As).

As per the Agreement, no prohibition has been imposed on a WTO Member regarding granting or maintaining subsidy to its vessel or operator as long as it is not carrying out IUU. Similarly, no prohibition on providing subsidies has been imposed for fishing regarding overfished stocks as long as such subsidies are implemented to rebuild the stock to a biologically sustainable level.

India’s stand is that we are one of the lowest fisheries subsidisers despite such a large population and one of the disciplined nations in sustainably harnessing the fisheries resources. India does not exploit the resources indiscriminately like other advanced fishing nations and India's fisheries sector primarily depends on several millions of small-scale and traditional fishers. Therefore, those WTO Members who have provided huge subsidies in the past, and engaged in large-scale industrial fishing, which is responsible for the depletion of fish stocks, should take more obligations to prohibit subsidies based on the ‘polluter pay principle’ and ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’. 

The Agreement will eliminate the subsidies granted to fishing vessels or fishing operators engaged in IUU fishing. Such disciplining will check large-scale IUU fishing which deprives coastal countries like India of fisheries resources, thereby significantly impacting the livelihoods of our fishing communities. This Agreement also provides flexibility to extend subsidies concerning overfished stocks if measures are taken to rebuild fish stocks to a biologically sustainable level, which supports our fishing communities. Developing Countries and Least Developed Countries have been allowed Special and Differential Treatment, with no obligation to implement disciplines for a period of two years from the date of entry into force of the Agreement.

10-Jun-2022: There is no alternative to the rules based multilateral trading system and that strong commitment to the WTO rules is the only way forward

The 12th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting was held in virtual format on yesterday. Smt. Anupriya Patel, MoS for Commerce and Industry represented India. Intervention of the MoS mainly touched upon certain burning and relevant issues requiring attention.

During COVID-19 pandemic, digitalization has emerged as the key driver for global economic growth. Recognizing that Digital Economy is central to the promotion of innovation, pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, creation of jobs, efficiency in services and importantly a marketplace for high value technology based products and solutions and the fact that almost half the world’s population does not have access to high-speed broadband and is hence deprived of the access to virtual platforms, tele-medicine, distance education and e-payments the MoS stressed upon making the digital revolution inclusive by creating an environment where nobody is left behind.

On supply chains MoS mentioned that the supply chain disruptions,  as a result of  lockdowns, limited economic activities and economic slowdown has forced manufacturers everywhere to reassess their supply chains. The main point of supply chain resilience is minimizing negative impacts on people's lives and the economy even in the event of supply chain disruptions caused by pandemics, natural disasters, or regional conflicts. In this context, the MOS highlighted the statement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that Transparent, Trusted Sources and Timeframe is critical for improving global supply chain resilience which is imperative for trade revival.

While we are conscious of the climate change and the responsibility we have taken on ourselves through reduction of carbon footprint and preventing further degradation of the environment, we should be mindful that any measure taken to implement these should not be trade restrictive, arbitrary and discriminatory.

While acknowledging that trade should become the engine for reviving global growth, the MoS stated that there is no alternative to the rules based multilateral trading system and that strong commitment to the WTO rules is the only way forward. The WTO reforms must strengthen the fundamental principles of the WTO including consensus-based decision making, inclusivity, equitable, non-discrimination, special and differential treatment.

For MC12 to be successful, the WTO members need to build trust among each other and repose confidence in the multilateral trading system. The decision on the matter of public stockholding for food security needs to be delivered in order to honor the mandate decided by the Ministers. The MoS emphasized that while we look forward for a fair, balanced and equitable outcome in the Fisheries Subsidy Negotiations in MC12, the principle of ‘Polluter Pays’ and ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibility’ should be applied. Moreover, it is imperative that the S&DT provisions continue to be relevant for the developing countries. The MoS also emphasized upon the need for flexibility in order to make available vaccines, medicines, therapeutics etc. to world citizens in a timely manner and at affordable cost.

In conclusion, the MoS stated that as a human society, today, we occupy a very unique position in history. Our immediate actions will decide the future course of life on our planet, Mother Earth.

28-Apr-2022: India’s food security approach and innovations were widely appreciated in the WTO seminar on Food Security

India’s food security approach and innovations that reflect the Government of India’s concern and sensitivity towards poor and vulnerable sections of society were widely appreciated by participants in the WTO seminar from across the globe.

The WTO high-level seminar on Food Security was held in Geneva on 26th April 2022 to facilitate dialogue on trade and food security among Geneva-based trade officials, policymakers, experts from international organizations and think tanks, etc.

Joint Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, S. Jagannathan, who represented India in the WTO Seminar, highlighted India’s outstanding experience in successfully ensuring dignified & foolproof access to adequate food grains to the most vulnerable people in the country, especially during COVID, through a series of bold technology-based reforms and landmark innovations in the Public Distribution System.   He made a detailed presentation on the Indian perspective in the panel on ‘National and Regional Experiences’ at the ‘WTO high-level seminar.

He also highlighted the Government’s efforts to forge inter-departmental data sharing to deepen the outreach of mass citizen-centric government programmes across the country.

In recent times, as India’s food security response to the COVID-19 crisis is being hailed as a shining example for its unparalleled speed, scale & transparency, and rightful targeting, S. Jagannathan explained these successful strategies adopted by the Government of India for ensuring the Availability, Affordability, and Accessibility of both normal and free food grains at all times.

He highlighted the crucial role played by Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) in ensuring additional food security for around 800 million beneficiaries in the country during the COVID period and how the scheme continues to cushion them against supply shocks and rising inflation during the period of recovery, with an additional food subsidy outlay of nearly USD 45 billion apart from the regular food subsidy of nearly USD 22 billion.

Further, he highlighted how India’s food security measures in the PDS, ICDS and PM Poshan, and PMGKAY directly contribute to the attainment of some of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the field of Women and Child nutrition, health, education, and food security, being the foundational indicators of Human Development as well.

He highlighted the landmark technology-based innovation One Nation One Ration Card Plan that allows all NFSA beneficiaries, particularly migrant beneficiaries, to claim either full or part foodgrains from any of the 0.5 million Fair Price Shops (FPS) in the country through existing ration card with biometric/Aadhaar authentication in a seamless manner. The system also allows their family members back home, if any, to claim the balance of food grains on same the ration card. Speedy implementation of ONORC during COVID has enabled beneficiaries to avail of nearly USD 5 billion of food subsidy through nearly 580 million portable transactions and around 650 million portable transactions since the beginning.

National experiences from different countries and world regions were shared & discussed in the Seminar with a focus on the relationship between trade and the multiple dimensions of food security, including access, availability, stability, and use, in the light of existing and future challenges.

18-Aug-2021: Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between Permanent Mission of India to the WTO, Centre for Trade and Investment Law (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade) and Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (The Graduate Institute, Geneva)

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Permanent Mission of India to the WTO (PMI), Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, and Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI) within The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva.

Benefits: The MoU with CTEI of The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva will provide valuable academic and research opportunities to the employees of CTIL and the Department of Commerce in the field of international trade and investment law. In addition, capacity-building programmes or activities will be carried out under the MoU to enhance the understanding of the DOC officials, CTIL researchers and academics on contemporary issues of international trade and build support for India’s positions in international trade and investment law.

The proposed collaborations under the MoU with CTEI are academic in nature under which the researchers and academicians from India, including employees from CTIL and Department of Commerce and other government agencies would benefit from capacity-building and research-oriented activities. This would be beneficial to formulating India’s positions on various issues on international trade negotiations and dispute settlement.

Details: The collaboration between academicians, practitioners, jurists, policy makers, and students from India, Switzerland and other countries would help create a technical and nuanced understanding of emerging and new areas of international trade and investment law and related disciplines. The MoU will remain in force for three years.

7-Jan-2021: Seventh Trade Policy Review of India at the WTO begins

India’s seventh Trade Policy Review (TPR) began on Wednesday, 6th January 2021, at the World Trade Organization in Geneva. The TPR is an important mechanism under the WTO’s monitoring function, and involves a comprehensive peer-review of the Member’s national trade policies. India’s last TPR took place in 2015.

 India’s official delegation for the TPR is headed by the Commerce Secretary, Dr. Anup Wadhawan. In his opening statement to the WTO Membership on the occasion, Commerce Secretary emphasized that this TPR is taking place at a time when the world is witnessing an unprecedented health and economic crisis. He highlighted the far-reaching efforts made by India to effectively address the health and economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.

Dr. Anup Wadhawan reaffirmed India’s commitment to ensuring equitable and affordable access to vaccines and COVID-treatments for all, and underlined the critical role that multilateral trading system can play in this regard. He highlighted that, in order to deal with the immediate fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic, India has advocated a short-term package of effective measures at the WTO that includes a temporary waiver of certain TRIPS provisions to increase manufacturing capacity and ensure timely and affordable availability of new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19; a permanent solution for Public Stockholding (PSH) for food security purposes to address food security concern; and a multilateral initiative that provides for easier access to medical services under mode-4 to facilitate easier cross-border movement of health care professionals.

The Commerce Secretary emphasized that in the last 5 years, since India’s previous TPR, the Government has worked diligently to reform and transform the entire economic eco-system to meet the socio-economic aspirations of a billion plus Indians. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, path-breaking reforms in the labour sector, an enabling and investor friendly FDI Policy, and various national programmes like Make in India, Digital India, Startup India and Skill India to bring about rapid transformation across sectors in our manufacturing environment, were emphasized in this regard. The improvement in the economic and business environment, on account of the wide-ranging reforms, has enabled India to better its position in the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking from 142 in 2015 to 63 in 2019. This improvement is also endorsed by investors who continue to view India as a desirable investment destination even during the testing time of the pandemic, with FDI inflow rising by more than 10 per cent year-on-year to reach USD 40 billion in the first six months of 2020-21.  In 2019-20, India received highest ever FDI inflow of USD 74.39 billion.

A comprehensive Report issued by the WTO Secretariat on the occasion, chronicling all major trade and economic initiatives that India took over the last five years, acknowledged India’s strong economic growth at 7.4% during the period under review and made a positive note of India’s reform efforts during this period. The Report noted that strong economic growth led to an improvement in socio-economic indicators, such as per-capita income and life expectancy in India. The Secretariat report also commended India for liberalizing its FDI policy, ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement and implementing several trade-facilitation measures during the period under review.

In his opening comments, the Chair of the WTO’s TPR Body, Ambassador Mr. Harald Aspelund of Iceland congratulated India for its strong economic growth during the period under review. He commended India for its considerable efforts to facilitate trade and for enacting various programmes and legislations to facilitate women’s participation in the Indian economy. He also commended India for its timely and comprehensive responses to more than 700 questions received from WTO members ahead of its TPR.

The Discussant for India’s TPR, Ambassador (Ms.) Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of Thailand noted that this TPR is of one of the most important Members who is also a key and invaluable contributor to the WTO.  She strongly commended India for its robust economic growth and wide-ranging economic and structural reforms taken during the period under review. She stated that these reforms have increased the efficiency and inclusiveness of the Indian economy and India emerged as 5th largest economy in 2019.  She also lauded India for liberalizing its FDI regime and undertaking significant reforms in the agriculture sector.

 More than 50 WTO Members who delivered statements on the occasion, commended India for its strong and resilient economic growth and for the vast improvement in its ease of doing business, as acknowledged by the World Bank. Members mentioned remarkable forward steps taken by India to improve trade and economic policies in a more inclusive and sustainable manner. Several Members applauded India’s leadership role in the global efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, acknowledging India’s position as the ‘pharmacy of the world’. Liberalization of India’s FDI regime, implementation of several trade facilitation measures, and the enactment of India’s National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy were other reform measures that garnered praise from the WTO Membership. Several Members also appreciated India’s excellent notification and transparency record at the WTO.

With an eye on the rapidly expanding size of the Indian market, leading industrialized and developed countries sought greater liberalization of India’s trade policy, especially in the area of agriculture, harmonizing its standards regime with international standards as well as reducing anti-dumping and other trade-remedy measures. Several Members also made a reference to India’s importance to them as a strategic and trading partner, and wished to continue making progress in their bilateral or regional free trade agreements with India. Several Members lauded India’s leadership role in WTO and also appreciated India for pursuing the interest of developing countries including Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The TPR Meeting will continue into its second day on 8th January 2021, when further discussions on India’s trade and economic policies will continue among Members.

18-Mar-2020: WTO Ruling against India

A Dispute Settlement Panel of WTO in its report issued to members on 31 October 2019 has ruled India’s export promotion schemes (e.g. Merchandise Exports from India Scheme, Export Oriented Units Scheme, Special Economic Zone Scheme, Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme and Duty Free Imports for Exporters Scheme etc) to be export contingent and in the nature of prohibited subsidies under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and thus inconsistent with WTO norms. The Panel has given time-frame of 90-180 days for withdrawal of these schemes. However, India has appealed the Panel Report on 19 November, 2019 and due to non-functioning of Appellate Body, the appeal has been kept in suspension. Till the appeal is disposed of, India is under no obligation to implement the recommendations of Panel.

Though US has claimed that India is providing subsidies on above mentioned schemes, India has taken the stand in dispute that the subsidies are not export contingent and thus consistent with WTO  norms. India has filed appeal against the Panel ruling.

25-Oct-2019: South Korea to give up developing country status in WTO talks

South Korea will no longer seek special treatment reserved for developing countries by the World Trade Organization in future negotiations given its enhanced global economic status.

In late July, U.S. President Donald Trump put pressure on the WTO to change how it designates developing countries, singling out China, with which the United States is engaged in a trade war, for unfairly getting preferential treatment.

South Korea’s developing country status was self-designated. The government decided not to seek special treatment as a developing country from future negotiations at WTO.

This decision is “not to forego the developing country status, but is to not seek any special treatment from the negotiations going forward.”

South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, has maintained its developing country status as a member of the WTO since the body’s creation in 1995, mainly to guard its agriculture industry. The government would make every effort to protect the country’s agriculture industry.

18-Jul-2022: Executive Director of World Food Programme Mr. David Beasley calls on Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar

Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Mr. David Beasley, called on the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in New Delhi today. During the meeting, Mr. Beasley lauded India's achievements in the Agriculture and Food sector and hoped that India will continue to provide its support for the smooth supply of food grains to the world in association with the World Food Programme.

Welcoming the World Food Programme delegation led by Mr. Beasley, Shri Tomar said that India and the WFP have been working closely in the agriculture sector since 1968 to ensure food security. Referring to the various schemes being run by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the welfare of farmers, Shri Tomar said that through our Public Distribution System (PDS), the Government has distributed free food grains to 80 crore people of India during the Covid pandemic. Apart from meeting its domestic needs, Shri Tomar said that India has provided food grains to many countries, thereby upholding India’s ancient tradition and importance of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family).

Mr. Beasley expressed satisfaction at WFP and India's efforts on Agricultural Development and Food Security, as well as lauded India's progress and said he would highlight India’s achievements in agriculture during the upcoming US Congressional meeting. On being informed by Shri Tomar that next year the International Year of Millets would be celebrated under the leadership of India, Mr. Beasley assured WFP’s full cooperation in the promotion of Nutritious Cereals.

21-Dec-2021: MoU with United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP)

The MoU on cooperation for 2019-2023 signed between Government of India & the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) (the Parties) on 1st February 2019 builds upon the “Basic Agreement” entered into by the Parties in 1968. Through this MoU, the parties mutually agreed on the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2019-2023. The MoU enjoins on each party:

1. To cooperate and facilitate the implementation of the CSP subject to UNWFP securing funds for the components described under each Strategic Outcome.
2. To mobilize resources in support of the CSP, including undertaking resource mobilization activities involving, without limitation, other governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, National and multinational corporations, individuals and the private sector to meet the resource gap of the CSP. In support of the needs of the CSP, Government will support UNWFP to mobilize resources from prospective donor partners and endorse, as appropriate.
3. The expansion of activities in additional states or the addition of any activities will be discussed and agreed through annual organization of Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) and Annual Work Planning Process.
4. The implementation of the CSP will follow a four-phased approach:
5. Designing pilot projects or approaches on the basis of sound situation analysis to address known gaps in design, knowledge or technology,
6. Implementation of pilot projects or approaches and demonstration of the results,
7. Assessment, evaluation, documentation and preparation of replicable, cost-effective models and advocacy for scale-up and
8. Providing support for scale-up.

The Government has committed to allocate its portion of necessary resources as required in the CSP 2019-2023 as well as to contribute a substantial portion of the costs of the UNWFP Country office. A Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) comprising representatives from the concerned Ministries and the NITI Aayog has been constituted to review the Progress of CSP. Three Ministries have been designated as the Lead Ministries for 03(Three) Strategic Outcomes to facilitate the need-based co-ordination with other ministries, the state governments, according approvals for the studies, assessments and facilitate sharing of learning across the states.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has developed a National Indicator Framework (NIF) along with identified data sources and periodicity to facilitate the monitoring of country’s progress with regard to SDGs. As informed by the MoSPI, there are 8 targets in SDG 2 to measure the availability of food, improvement in nutrition and promotion of sustainable agriculture. A total of 18 indicators have been included in the NIF to measure and monitor the progress of these targets.

Under the MoU the country will gain from the global experience of UNWFP and receive technical assistance from the UNWFP in furtherance of the Objectives and Outcomes described in the CSP. The UNWFP will also provide technical assistance for assessment and development of cost effective replicable models. This may include consultancy services for the design of the solutions, assessment of the operational environment and development of plans for scale-up and advocacy. Support will also be provided by UNWFP for pertinent monitoring and evaluation related activities, food security analysis and hunger mapping.

21-Dec-2021: NITI Aayog signs a Statement of Intent with United Nations World Food Program (WFP)

Recognizing the importance of millets, Government of India observed 2018 as a year of millets to encourage and promote the millet production. Leading this initiative further, GoI spearheaded the UNGA resolution for declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.

Numerous steps have been taken to promote millets including establishment of centre for Excellence, Integration of nutri-cereals in National Food Security Act and establishment of Millet Mission in multiple states. Despite this, various challenges in terms of production, distribution and adaptability among consumers remain. Under the distribution system, it is time that we shift the focus of food distribution programmes from ‘calories fundamentalism’ to providing a more diversified food basket, including coarse grains and millets to improve the nutritional status of pre-school children and women of reproductive age. NITI Aayog and WFP intend to identify and address these challenges in a systematic and effective manner.

NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent with United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on 20th December 2021. The partnership focuses on mainstreaming of millets and supporting India in taking lead globally in knowledge exchange using the opportunity of 2023 as an International Year of Millets. Further, the partnership will aim at building resilient livelihoods for small-holder farmers and adaptation capacities to climate change and transforming food systems.

The Sol focuses on strategic and technical collaboration between NITI Aayog and WFP, to strengthen the climate resilient agriculture for enhanced food and nutrition security in India.

The parties will be working on the following activities:

• Joint development of a compendium of good practices around millets mainstreaming in priority states and development of a scaling up strategy.
• To provide technical support for scaling up of millets mainstreaming through intense engagement in select states with support from state governments, IIMR & other associated institutions. Parties will jointly organize a national consultation for line ministries of the Government of India, concerned departments of State governments, select academic institutions and organizations working in the field of millets mainstreaming.
• To support leveraging of India’s expertise to benefit other developing countries for millets mainstreaming by creation of knowledge management platforms and facilitation of knowledge exchange.

The outcome of this partnership will be achieved in following four phases:

Phase I: Development of a best practice compendium around millet mainstreaming and a scale-up strategy

Phase II: Support scale-up of millet mainstreaming through knowledge sharing and intense engagement with select states

Phase III: Leverage India’s expertise to support developing countries for millet mainstreaming

Phase IV: Working on building capacities for climate resilient and adaptive livelihood practices

19-Jun-2020: UN World Food Programme and IIT Delhi come together to enhance food safety nets

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi come together to develop innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Government's food safety nets. The partnership will create sustainable models that can be replicated across the country to support governments in their work on food and nutrition security.

“This partnership is of strategic importance, as it combines expertise in on-ground implementation with research and development to further strengthen systems that will impact the lives of millions of vulnerable people,” said Bishow Parajuli, WFP’s Country Director in India. “We hope that the evidence generated under this collaboration not only supports other states in India but can also be replicated in the region.”

The partnership will use advanced analytics and operations research to develop practical solutions that support long term strategic planning of procurement, storage and movement of food grains by agencies such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Cost-effective supply chain networks for distribution of food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) will also be developed. This will be especially relevant for states like Uttarakhand where maintaining consistent availability and supply of food grains year-round is a challenge due to factors such as difficult terrain, limited availability of transporters, restricted windows for transportation and disintegrated storage spaces.

“This strategic partnership is particularly important as it has the potential to result in advanced solutions for key problems of India and the world. It also manifests our intent to work closely with the government and other public agencies for systemic reforms,” said Professor V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi. “I am confident this partnership will showcase the extent of enhancements possible in our public systems when such partners join hands.”

Working together with the state and national governments, IIT Delhi and WFP will collect and analyse important operational data such as current stocks, projected harvest yields and consumption figures to develop TPDS supply chain networks that will ensure a steady supply of food grains in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

25-Sep-2019: Cinema proves effective weapon against world hunger

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched the next phase of a cinema ad campaign that has yielded dramatic results, generating a 40% increase in brand awareness in North America about WFP’s life-saving work on the frontlines of world hunger. The “Feed our Future” campaign is part of a unique partnership between SAWA, the Global Cinema Advertising Association, its network of Global Cinema Advertising companies and WFP, which is the leading humanitarian agency supporting development and responding to hunger needs in global hotspots.

The new campaign aims to build on last year’s results that helped to double awareness of WFP among those who saw the ad and raised more than half a million dollars through online giving and through a 38% increase in downloads of the agency’s Share the Meal donation App.

The Cinema Medium makes the most of its space, creative and audience to deliver gripping content, showing consumers advertising at its very best. In 2020 the Cinema Medium is predicted to become the fastest-growing ad medium ahead of the internet. For brands like the World Food Programme who want to reach the hearts and minds of millennials, the immersive experience that Cinema gives is the most powerful of all storytelling mediums.

The creative force behind the new advertisement is Sir John Hegarty, of The Garage SOHO, who has delivered a product designed to appeal directly to cinema audiences. The advert highlights the potential lost to the world when children’s voices are silenced due to hunger. The poignant narrative of the ad sees a group of Syrian refugee children who were selected from the local community playing in rubble and gazing out of bombed-out buildings in an apparent war zone. Softly, a small chorus of voices begins singing “How Can I Tell You” by Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens. As the short film progresses, one by one these children disappear until only one voice remains -- an unnerving conclusion that mirrors the harsh realities faced by the 3 million children around the world who lose their lives to hunger or malnutrition.

Cinema is still the most amazing medium for any creative person to work in. A place for you to tell your story on the ‘mother of all screens’. It’s not surprising that it’s so important and continues to capture the public’s imagination.

In 2018, SAWA and WFP challenged Facebook to translate Sir John Hegarty’s big screen concept to trigger donations on the social media platform, converting cinema goers into donors. Together with ShareTheMeal, online donors have provided one million meals to children in need around the world through WFP. As the leading agency fighting hunger worldwide, WFP reaches more than 52 million children every year, providing vital food and nutrition to help them not only survive, but thrive.

Thanks to the generosity of SAWA and its network of Global Cinema Advertising companies, and the support of Unique X who distributes the ad, “Feed Our Future” will air on cinema screens from September to November 2019 in more than 35 countries around the world. 

ABOUT SAWA: SAWA, the Global Trade Body to the Cinema Medium, builds and develops international standards and best practice for the Cinema Medium; raising the profile through research and marketing initiatives. SAWA’s ultimate aim is to improve communication between Cinema Advertising companies around the world; in turn facilitating the easier buying of the Cinema Medium for brands and agencies.  Since 2015, SAWA has supported the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in 2018 and 2019 partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support efforts to reach  SDG2: Zero Hunger.

ABOUT THE GARAGE SOHO: “The Garage Soho is an early stage investor and brand builder. Sir John Hegarty, the creative founder of global advertising agency BBH, and his team at The Garage leverage their experience to increase capital for their portfolio companies. The team works closely with companies on their brand strategy, creative and often media partnerships. In this instance, Sir John wrote and creatively directed ‘Feed our Future’ utilizing his legendary skill in the communications industry to bring attention and action towards the SDG of Zero Hunger. "

8-Jul-2019: 50 years of partnership with UNWFP

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launched a Coffee Table Book, along with Dr. Hameed Nuru, Representative and Country Director, UN World Food Programme in India, to commemorate five decades of partnership between the Ministry and the agency towards addressing food and nutritional security in India.

Given the importance of rural India and linkages of agriculture with multiple targets of Sustainable Development Goal 2 -the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare continues to play a critical role in achieving the collective target of ‘ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture’. Organisations like UN World Food Programme are prime partners of the Ministry in this endeavor.

WFP’s journey in India has been a long and successful one. It has been fortunate to witness significant positive changes in the food and nutritional security status of people, and substantial efforts made by the Government to address malnutrition. The successes achieved have been, in large part, due to the strong relationship between Government of India and WFP, and the commitment of the Government and people of India towards uplifting the nation — towards a better and brighter future.

The Coffee Table Book – 50 years of Partnership for Change- showcases key milestones achieved by the Government of India in its efforts to make the nation free from hunger and malnutrition and WFP’s role in this endeavour. Some of the major turning points in India’s journey towards food and nutrition security captured in the book include the Green Revolution, the White revolution, improvements in livestock and dairy development and digitization of food safety nets.

21-Mar-2019: Japan provides US$69 million to save lives and change lives in 28 countries

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a total of US $69 million in funding from the Government of Japan to provide vital food, nutrition and resilience building support in 28 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Of the total contributions, US$18 million will be used to continue to support vulnerable families in Yemen where over 20 million people are struggling to meet their daily food needs.

Japan continues to support the Sahel where conflict and climate change have pushed millions into food insecurity. A total of US$3.5 million will be used to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance to Malian refugees in Mauritania, internally displaced populations and host communities affected by conflict and food insecurity in Mali. A contribution of US$1.5 million will be used to support the recovery and build the resilience of  people affected by climate issues in Sierra Leone.

WFP’s nutrition assistance in Sub-Saharan African countries will also benefit from Japan’s generous support to promote the full growth of children and the health of pregnant and breastfeeding women to help change lives and break the cycle of poverty.

“We are very grateful for the generous support from the Government and people of Japan, which contributes to our work transitioning from humanitarian emergencies to longer-term development,” said Naoe Yakiya, Director of WFP Japan Office. “Today, we are facing a rise in the number of hungry people globally, reaching 821 million people. To address both urgent needs and underlying causes of hunger, we are working to promote the Humanitarian Development-Peace nexus because without peace and stability, we will not achieve our long-term goal of Zero Hunger.”

Japan has consistently been one of WFP’s top donors and has contributed US$958 million since 2014.

29-Mar-2017: UN appoints David Beasley to head World Food Programme.

The United Nations announced the appointment of David Beasley of the United States as the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which delivers emergency food assistance around the world and works with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and José Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), announced the appointment after consulting with the WFP Board at a special session in Rome.

Secretary-General Guterres said that Mr. Beasley “brings to the position extensive experience with key governmental and business leaders and stakeholders around the world, with very strong resource mobilisation skills.”

Mr. Beasley, who is the Chair of the Center for Global Strategies, was Governor of the state of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999.

He will replace Ertharin Cousin, also a US national, whose five-year term expires on 4 April.