Regional Integration and Food Security in Developing Countries

Contents: Foreword. Acronyms. Executive summary. 1. Introduction. 2. Economic aspects of regional integration. 3. Institutional aspects of regional integration. 4. Legal aspects of regional integration. 5. Regionalism and food security. 6. Regional integration in Africa. 7. Conclusions. Bibliography.

"Regional trade arrangements are increasingly important elements of the global trade environment. However, especially when developing countries are concerned, there are differing viewpoints on the desirability and the efficient design of regional integration. This document reviews the regional integration debate for those involved in the preparation of food security strategies as part of programmes for developing countries. The document is aimed at providing a better understanding of the motivation, processes and constraints to regional integration and cooperation, and at identifying the potential role of these arrangement in promoting food security. It directly addresses issues such as the impact of regional integration on food security in developing countries and how these regional groupings might contribute to promoting food security; how poverty and hunger can be alleviated by regional integration; and the possible opportunities for regional integration to promote food security."