G20 Foreign Ministers denounce weaponisation of food supply chains

The G20 foreign ministers convened in Atlanta, Georgia, to address the growing concern of weaponization of food supply chains as a tool for geopolitical gain. They expressed alarm over governments using trade restrictions as a means to pressure other nations over unrelated issues. After the meeting on Saturday, they issued a joint statement emphasizing that food and agricultural trade should not be weaponized for economic or political coercion.

During the discussion, the ministers also focused on securing reliable and resilient energy flows. This included ensuring safe passage through international waterways and safeguarding critical infrastructure. They addressed the accessibility of fertilizers for food production, raw materials for manufacturing, and critical minerals essential for energy security and emerging technologies.

G20 members highlighted the importance of supply chain resilience, stressing the need for information sharing, transparency, investment mobilization, and updated regulations and permitting processes. The delegation included foreign ministers from Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, and Mexico.

South Africa was absent due to tensions with the US, which was not invited to the event. Other G20 members, the European Union, and the African Union were represented, alongside Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, who attended as an invited guest.

The meeting, presided over by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, took place prior to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Miami, Florida, hosted by President Donald Trump. The US presidency emphasized economic prosperity through reducing regulatory burdens, ensuring affordable and secure energy supply chains, and fostering innovation in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.