Context: 

Ahead of the 13th ministerial conference of World Trade Organization (WTO), a majority of the G-33 countries have called for a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security in a ministerial statement on agriculture trade negotiations.

Background:

The statement emphasized the crucial role of public stockholding in ensuring food and livelihood security, rural development, and support for low-income or resource-poor producers in developing countries, including least developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs).

About G33: 

1. The G-33 is a coalition of developing nations within the World Trade Organization (WTO).
2. It was established prior to the 2003 Cancun ministerial conference.
3. India, being a dominant member of this group, was part of the G33 since its inception.
4. The group coordinates during the Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations, specifically in regard to agriculture.
5. The group includes countries like India, China, and Indonesia, totalling 47 nations.
6. They advocate for flexibility in market opening for agriculture, focusing on special products that are crucial for their development.
7. The primary purpose of the G-33 is to advocate for the interests of developing countries in World Trade Organization negotiations, particularly in relation to agriculture.

The group focuses on:

1. Special Products: They argue for flexibility in market opening for agricultural products that are crucial for their development.
2. Public Stockholding: The G-33 calls for a permanent solution that allows them to maintain public stockholding programs for food security purposes. These programs play a crucial role in ensuring food security, livelihood security, rural development, and support for low-income or resource-poor producers in developing countries.
3. Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM): The group asserts the right of developing country Members to the SSM, an important instrument against major import surges or sudden price declines.
4. Through these efforts, the G-33 aims to ensure that the interests of developing countries are adequately represented and protected in global trade negotiations.