We live in a world full of competing interests and disagreements. Yet despite this, there is one underlying interest that we all share. It is in all our interests to have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food at all times. The question is will there be enough food for all in the not-too-distant future, and will it be produced sustainably?
The answer is not so affirmative without immediate action. Despite our common interest, Asia and the Pacific region is backsliding into greater hunger and malnutrition.
According to one recent UN report, Asia and the Pacific is so off track, it would need an additional 35 years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals -- in 2065. Some of the backsliding is obvious. This year, in Asia and the Pacific, we've witnessed droughts and floods, and faced a crisis of five "Fs" -- lack of food, feed, fuel, fertiliser and finance. Also, it's predicted there could be reductions of cereal output next year due to fertiliser shortages in some countries in the region.
