The Third Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) which kicked off here this morning started its Session Two on food security. Discussions on this theme included national competition in world food markets, and the impact of current financial crisis on increase of agricultural production. Nestlé President and CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, said that the food crisis started in 2006, and that it affected 100 million living in poverty and one billion of hungry people all over the world. President and CEO of Yara International ASA Thorleif Enger the financial crisis caused lower output of fertilizer companies thereby affecting food prices. The third theme of culture and competitiveness of nations focused on the need to foster arts by government and private institutions and to provide teaching materials for arts in all schooling stages. Saeb Eigner Chairman of the Lonworld Group stressed the need to have building for artworks of various countries. CEO of Redefining Progress James Barret said that economy and art relate to per capita income and individual welfare. Ex-Irish President Mary Robinson pointed out that illegal immigration from poor to rich countries should be limited by creating jobs and having governments aware of human rights.
