The G7 nations pledged $2.5 billion to combat food insecurity in the most vulnerable countries, French Economy Minister Roland Lescure announced Thursday.
Lescour told reporters on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Bangkok that the World Bank had identified 44 countries threatened by food insecurity due to the sharp rise in global energy prices.
"The G7 also paid close attention to the most vulnerable in the current global situation, namely the poorest countries," he added. "We all pledged $2.5 billion to help achieve food security, particularly in a very important area: fertilizers."
The war in the Middle East, which erupted with a US-Israeli attack on Iran in February, has led to a sharp rise in global energy prices, affecting fertilizer supplies and causing food prices to soar.
Lescourt reported that the G7 ministers also focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adding, "We all want to continue supporting Ukraine."
He explained that the seven countries had raised €260 million to help repair the leak-proof dome at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site, which was damaged by Russian attacks in February 2015.
France, which currently holds the presidency of the group of world's leading industrialized nations, announced in March that the repairs would cost €500 million and called on the other members to contribute to the funding.
The United States announced in April that it would contribute $100 million to the repair work.
"A few million euros still need to be raised," Lescourt said on Thursday, adding that a donors' conference would be held in Paris in November.
0 Comments