US Advances Global Efforts to Combat Hunger

With the United States’ commitment to combat global hunger, the Acting Special Representative for Global Food Security Jonathan Shrier will welcome global food security representatives to Washington today to advance mutual accountability and coordination of efforts in fulfilling our leaders’ food security commitments.

Under U.S. leadership of the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI) in 2012, the two-day meeting will be held at the Department of State, bringing together over 50 food security officials from 30 countries, and international and regional organizations.

Global leaders and President Obama had endorsed the L’Aquila Joint Statement on Global Food Security at the 2009 G8 Summit, marking a turning point for international efforts to achieve sustainable global food security.

The agreement was reached to a take a comprehensive approach to ensuring food security; coordinate effectively; support country-owned processes and plans; engage multilateral institutions in advancing efforts to promote food security worldwide; and deliver on sustained and accountable commitments.

This year marks the final year of the AFSI donor governments’ pledge to mobilize $22 billion USD toward global food security over three years.

Under the Obama administration, the government considers food security is closely linked to economic growth, social progress, political stability, and peace. The administration gives importance that there must be real progress in delivering on commitments to improve food security.

AFSI participants convene twice annually to review progress toward meeting commitments.

Participants will hear from civil society and partner countries, and will discuss coordination efforts between partner and donor governments; investments in research to improve food security; tracking progress toward meeting the L’Aquila commitments; and using Managing for Development Results to enhance the impact of investments in food security.

In response to the spike in global food prices in 2007-2008, President Obama pledged $3.5 billion to help poor countries fight hunger by investing in agricultural development. The U.S. Government’s Feed the Future Initiative utilizes innovation, research, and development to improve agricultural productivity, link farmers to local and regional markets, enhance nutrition, and build safety nets. These investments will increase the supply of food where it is needed and help vulnerable people withstand price shocks better.

G-8 countries announced in July 200 that L’Aquila Food Security Initiative that will provide $20 billion over three years towards agricultural development in impoverished countries.