Transatlantic Taskforce on Development
Japan and China
Background
The Transatlantic Taskforce on Development, co-chaired by former Congressman Jim Kolbe andthe Swedish Minister for International Development, Gunilla Carlsson gathered a diverse groupof 24 experts from the United States, Canada and Europe – from all sides of the politicalspectrum, as well as from different stakeholder groups. It set out to identify priority challenges todevelopment and produce policy recommendations. The four key challenges addressed by theTaskforce were: 1) the Development/Democracy/Security Nexus, 2) Climate Change, 3) Food
Security, and 4) Effective Support for Development. The Taskforce report and list of Taskforce
members may be found at: http://www.gmfus.org/taskforce/.
Since the launching of the Taskforce report in February 2009, the German Marshall Fund of theUnited States (GMF) has been disseminating and elevating Taskforce recommendations in highlevel policy discussions, often in partnership with other organizations. These activities haveengaged legislators, policymakers, NGOs and other influencers from the United States, Europeand Africa. China and Japan are playing vital and increasing roles in development-related
dialogues, for instance within the G20. Both have a critical stake in how the international
community responds to the challenges surrounding food security. Accordingly, a select group ofTaskforce members plan to travel to Beijing and Tokyo in May 2010 to discuss food security
issues and learn more about Chinese and Japanese policy orientations in this realm.
Mission and Policy Environment
The purpose of this trip is to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Chinese and Japanese
government officials, academics, policymakers and other development stakeholders on the topicsof food security and development. The Taskforce provides impetus behind transatlantic andglobal solutions to increase aid effectiveness, reduce poverty, and promote global stability. This
exchange will add to the momentum started by the Taskforce’s recommendations on foodsecurity and seeks to build understanding through dialogue between U.S., European and Asian
stakeholders. The global scope of a challenge such as food security requires global and collectiveaction.
Since the launching of the Taskforce report in February 2009, the world has changed
dramatically. Over a billion people go hungry each day – nearly one-sixth of the world’s
population – a historical number reached in the wake of the food and financial crises.
Demographic and income trends point to a world where demand for food will outpace production
well into the future. Food riots among a number of fragile states have further increased attention
on food security. Food insecurity threatens millions around the world. Asian and Africancountries will feel increasing pressure on food supply in light of rising populations and climatechange.
After years of underinvestment in agriculture, global leaders – across the U.S., Europe, Asia andthe developing world – are rethinking development policies. Enhanced farm productivity and thenecessary business climate improvements to strengthen food markets locally and globally areseen as the way forward. Greater access to land, water, rural finance, seeds, tools and fertilizer
are required. Better transport links, supply chains, and trade will help. Additional investments inlocal research and development and technology will allow markets not only grow but adjust tothe evolving and sometimes volatile marketplace. Many of these and other Taskforce
recommendations on food security are gaining traction on national and international policy
agendas.
At the 2009 meeting of the G-8 in L’Aquila, world leaders committed $20 billion over three
years for sustainable agriculture development and safety nets for vulnerable populations. There isincreased focus not only on food security, but also on how to create more effective policies toachieve it. The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has launched a U.S. Global Hunger andFood Security Initiative and among its pillars are a comprehensive approach, investing incountry-led plans, and strengthening strategic coordination globally, regionally, and locally.
On the European side, Spain has joined the United States and Canada in creating a multilateraltrust fund at the World Bank, food security is on the agenda of the forthcoming U.S.-EU summit,
and a €1 billion food security facility has been established at the EU level with unspent funds
from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). European Union’s Policy Coherence forDevelopment (PCD) points to global food security as one area where improvements are neededin reducing overlap, cutting transactions costs, and ensuring more efficient aid. The EU’s Codeof Conduct calls for a better division of labor among donors to reduce the fragmentation in aid
programs.
But, will these efforts lead to greater or less fragmentation within the international aid
architecture? There is a risk that well-intended investments by U.S., European and Asian donors
could result in more incoherence and complexity in the system. How might the U.S., Europe, andAsian partners forge greater understanding and build networks and frameworks for enhancing
global development cooperation? Food security – like climate change, organized crime andfragile states – is a transnational problem requiring collective action by many countries.
The Transatlantic Taskforce on Development was launched just over a year ago and provided
innovative recommendations for addressing the food security challenge. Many key points madeby the Taskforce are now part of these high-level policy discussions and food security has risen
as a priority issue on the transatlantic agenda. But are policymakers pursuing the changes needed
to development policy and practice to implement them?
China is an important emerging donor and Japan is a leader among traditional donors. Foodsecurity is a critical issue impacting policymaking in these countries and their respective
relations with the United States and Europe. Accordingly, Taskforce co-chair Jim Kolbe isplanning to take a small group of Taskforce members to Beijing and Tokyo. They will present
the findings of the Taskforce report and latest policy perspectives from the United States andEurope and participate in a series of constructive dialogues with Chinese and Japanesestakeholders.
The G8 L’Aquila Initiative for Food Security was endorsed by Japan and China along with otherleading nations. Its mission includes enhancing cooperation to achieve global food security,promoting better coordination at the country level and ensuring that local and regional interests
are duly voiced and considered. Donors must act with urgency to achieve sustainable foodsecurity through effective coordination, mutual accountability and a sound policy environment.
They must also pursue a comprehensive approach focusing on agriculture and rural economicgrowth.
It is with this impetus and urgency that the Taskforce members wish further the dialogue
between Asia, Europe and the United States to address the pressing challenge of food security
and accelerate economic growth and poverty alleviation in a collective manner.