World leaders have pledged to invest $4.7 billion in order to address a staggering global food crisis and nutrition needs that are affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world.
They also pledged to accelerate efforts to support sustainable agriculture, monitor markets affecting food systems, keep food, fertilizer, and agricultural markets open, and avoid unjustified restrictive measures, among others.
The commitments were made during a side-line meeting co-chaired by the United States, the European Union, and the African Union, in the 77th UN General Assembly.
During this meeting, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said, “There is no reason why Africa should be experiencing food insecurity given its natural advantages. We must act quickly and decisively to deliver measurable results on the ground.
“I am convinced from the time that I’ve spent recently in a number of countries in Africa, that the capacity is there, but it needs help, and we need to help. We have heard that call.
“The goal of the Summit, held one year after the UN Food Systems Summit, is to catalyse greater global action to advance food security by showcasing current, tangible actions and, highlighting exceptional efforts in the seven broad key areas outlined in the Roadmap for Global Food Security Call to Action.
“As of today, more than 200 million people in the world are facing the acute need for food as the world grapples with pressures from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and other ongoing conflicts.”
According to the World Food Programme, the Russia-Ukraine war alone may add about 70 million people to acute food insecurity. From this, Africa is disproportionately impacted.
President of the European Council, Charles Michel said amidst today’s global food crisis that there was the need to adapt responses to local needs.
“We need to make sure all our global initiatives are well coordinated and tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable. We need to develop capacities for production, especially in Africa”.
