-Aiming for breakthroughs in agribusiness, food security
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has finalized preparations to host the 2024 World without Hunger Conference, organized by the Ethiopian government, UNIDO, and the African Union, with technical support from FAO.
The conference, set for November 5-7, will bring together over 1,500 participants in Addis Ababa to address the global challenges of poverty and hunger by advancing sustainable investment in agribusiness.
During a media briefing yesterday, Industry Minister Melaku Alebel highlighted the global hunger crisis, noting that over 733 million people-one in every 11 globally and one in five in Africa-still suffer from hunger, despite the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-2) aiming to eradicate hunger by 2030.
He underscored that recent drops in public, domestic, and foreign direct investments have stalled progress toward sustainable development and failed to adequately address these pressing challenges.
“Sustainable investment in agribusiness and food systems must be at the heart of government actions if we are to achieve the SDG goal of a world without hunger,” Melaku noted. The conference will serve as a critical platform to renew commitments and address vital topics such as agribusiness policy, infrastructure for agriculture, digital innovation, climate resilience, and fair trade practices. The minister indicated that the recent setbacks in fighting hunger are linked to economic slowdowns, climate change impacts, and ongoing conflicts.
UNIDO’s Director of Agribusiness and Infrastructure, Dejene Tezera, echoed these concerns, stating that hunger will persist beyond 2030 without urgent action. “Investing in agro-industrialization is essential for sustainable agricultural practices and resilient food systems,” he remarked. The conference will also host forums focused on mobilizing investments to ensure food security and sustainable development.
The World Without Hunger Conference will bring together heads of state, UN agencies, policymakers, international financial institutions, private sector representatives, and leading scientists to share insights and drive actionable solutions toward eradicating hunger.
Ethiopia has made significant strides in eradicating hunger and improving food security through various initiatives, garnering recognition from international partners.
BY HAILE DEMEKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2024
