Deputy Secretary-General Urges Increased Capital Access at AGFUND Event to Support Sustainable Food Security and Resilience in Africa
It is a critical time for global food security as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed addressed the rising hunger crisis during the UN Food Systems Summit+4 in Addis Ababa. With over 800 million people facing food insecurity, the need for urgent action is evident. Mohammed emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, which aims to mobilize investment and empower local communities to tackle this pressing issue.
The Rising Hunger Crisis
Amina Mohammed highlighted the alarming reality of increasing hunger worldwide, where over 800 million individuals are currently food insecure. The dual threats of climate change and conflict are severely impacting food systems, while inflation and economic instability further undermine livelihoods. The consequences of this crisis are dire, particularly for vulnerable populations. Children are experiencing stunted growth, mothers are forced to skip meals, and farmers find themselves trapped in cycles of debt due to failed harvests. Mohammed described this situation as both a development emergency and a solvable failure, stressing that the knowledge and means to address it exist, but the necessary scale of investment is lacking.
Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security
In her remarks, Mohammed introduced the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, launched under Saudi leadership at COP16. This initiative aims to provide a structured response to the urgent needs of food security. It brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including over 30 partners from science, policy, and local communities, to create a comprehensive approach to food security. The initiative focuses on directing resources to those most in need, particularly smallholder farmers, women producers, and fragile ecosystems. By empowering local communities and strengthening Indigenous knowledge systems, the initiative seeks to ensure that women, who play a crucial role in food production, have equal access to resources and decision-making power.
Challenges and Financing Gaps
Despite the progress made, Mohammed acknowledged the significant challenges that remain, particularly in terms of financing. The estimated annual financing gap for transforming food systems exceeds $300 billion. This gap is most acutely felt in least developed countries and small island developing states, which are often the most affected by climate change yet receive the least support. To address this issue, there is a pressing need to unlock capital from both traditional and innovative sources, including environmental, social, and governance bonds, responsible land investments, and climate-aligned funds.
Call to Action and Acknowledgments
As the summit progressed, Mohammed expressed gratitude to the partners who have contributed to the initiative’s development, including AGFUND and the Crop Trust. She emphasized that the work ahead is not merely about agriculture but is fundamentally about dignity, justice, and the future we owe to one another. With a shared determination, the call to action is clear: transforming food systems requires purpose, partnership, and persistence. The time to act is now, as the world confronts one of the great injustices of our time.
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