Bruno Le Maire : Food provision is also a question of human rights

The  French Agriculture Minister, Bruno Le Maire,  who is in Baku  with an official visit made a speech today at the University of ADA before first-year students "Global Outlook: Catering mankind until 2050 ."

"I wish that you , future young politicians, diplomats , civil servants, have contributed in bringing to the world community the history and culture of your people. Be brave, as called for in the early 20th century French socialist Jean Jaures," said Le Meur , a  graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Sciences, from which he graduated 25 years ago. Today  the priorities of the French policy  is youth and education , and proper education is the key for sustainable development, he added.

Le Maire said that the international economic crisis is not only obstacles, but also opportunities for the creation of a "balanced world." "The balance should be between finance and industry, agriculture and the environment. This trend opens spaces for mutually beneficial economic cooperation. Within this context, France is not only interested in increasing its own production capacity, but also their partners, because to meet the growing need for  food new sources are needed," said the French minister.

New challenges  of  France are; more production and more exports. Today in France agribusiness employs 500,000 people , and the annual food exports reached 150 billion euros. But this is not enough. Every day malnourished people of the world population is up to one billion. By 2050, world population will increase from  seven billion  to  nine billion people, which would be difficult to feed. Under the conditions where 30% of world food production are at a loss or dissipation , it will be even harder . "Ensuring people worthy and quality food is a human rights issue. Moreover, it is the factor of political stability, peace in the world. In parallel, it also means economic stability. All this is possible to achieve justice and solidarity," concluded Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Le Maire.

Rector of  ADA University, Fariz Ismayylzade thanked the distinguished guest for  his speech which the students " wil never forget." The meeting was attended by representatives of the accredited diplomatic corps in Baku several countries.

Meetings on "Global Perspectives" at the ADA  University  are traditional, and its  guests have always been prominent state and government leaders of the various countries. --08C