FAO Director-General Addresses G20, Linking Food Security to Peace and Stability Amid Global Crises

Johannesburg - The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, addressed G20 Foreign Ministers in Johannesburg, emphasizing the critical link between food security, peace, stability, and human dignity. He cited UN figures indicating that 733 million people globally face chronic hunger, 2.3 billion are food insecure, and 2.8 billion lack access to healthy diets. Conflict, climate events, and policy failures were identified as major threats to food security, particularly in regions like the Sahel, Haiti, Ukraine, and Gaza. The Director-General underscored the importance of addressing inequalities in access to innovation, technology, and resources to strengthen agrifood systems. He also noted the vital role of international trade and initiatives like the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) in ensuring efficient food distribution and market transparency. Qu urged immediate action to secure political commitment and investment in nutritious foods for all.