COVID-19 Initiative: Protecting Global Food Security Through Open Trade

News: Cairns Group has launched a “COVID-19 Initiative: Protecting Global Food Security Through Open Trade” to support the global agricultural and food system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facts:

• Cairns Group:It was established in 1986 in Cairns, Australia.It is a coalition of 19 agricultural exporting countries and one observer country.
• Objective: To liberalize global trade in agricultural produce by abolishing export subsidies and trade-distorting domestic support for agricultural products.
  • The coalition also attempts to present a common front in multilateral trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization(WTO).
• Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Uruguay and Vietnam.
• Observer: Ukraine.