World leaders have committed to invest $4.7 billion to help address a staggering global food crisis and nutrition needs which 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 on Tuesday, September 20, during a sideline meeting co-chaired by the United States, the European Union, the African Union, ahead of the 77th UN General Assembly. The goal of the Summit, held one year after the UN Food Systems Summit, is to catalyze 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 acute need of 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. During his address, President Paul Kagame said that there is a significant need for investment in food processing and value addition in Africa but also in the context of the continent becoming more resilient and productive. “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,” he added. Antony J. Blinken, United States Secretary said: “Back in May, when we hosted the food ministerial, many of our African colleagues especially made clear that as much as they needed emergency relief, what they really needed was more investment in agricultural innovation, sustainability, self-sufficiency.” “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. Charles Michel, President of the European Council said amidst today’s global food crisis, there is a 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,” Michel said while pointing at the priority of tackling the shortage of fertilizers. At the recent African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) held in Kigali earlier this month, African governments and experts continue to make case for food resilience and less reliance on imports. While speaking to The New Times recently, Jennifer Baarn, Acting Managing Director of the AGRF, said it is critical to have a shared responsibility and alignment regarding leadership, investments and collective will to advance action. “We want to have conversations about the money at different levels. How can we mobilize investments? How can we make sure these investments happen? How can we make sure SMEs, small farmers, benefit? What are central banks doing in order to move on more financing to the agriculture sector?” she cited.
