Addis ababa: Kenyan President William Ruto called for urgent coordinated action to transform global food systems in the face of worsening food insecurity, climate change, and economic instability. Speaking at the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, President Ruto reflected on the initial summit held four years ago, which aimed to galvanize global action in transforming the way food is produced, processed, and consumed.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, while the momentum has led to improvements in food availability, job creation, and economic growth, the gains remain uneven. President Ruto stated that the global food system now contributes between 10% and 12% of global GDP, translating to about 8 trillion USD or 10 trillion USD. This progress has improved livelihoods, created job opportunities, and raised living standards for millions worldwide. However, this encouraging trajectory is not universal, as starvation, malnutrition, and undernutrition remain harsh daily realities for many.
Starvation, undernutrition, and food insecurity continue to plague large populations, while health issues like obesity and diet-related diseases are rising at alarming rates, straining public health systems and hampering socioeconomic development. President Ruto also pointed to the environmental costs of current food systems, which contribute to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These factors, combined with soil degradation and erratic weather patterns, are causing productivity losses estimated at 12% of global GDP.
Despite these challenges, President Ruto expressed optimism, saying it is still possible to realign global food systems to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized the need for full integration of food strategies into national policies and stronger governance structures to address fragmentation and ensure accountability. He underscored the importance of supporting research institutions and expanding the use of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and climate-smart agriculture.
The President also highlighted the critical role of smallholder farmers, women, youth, and indigenous communities in achieving food security and called for their greater inclusion in decision-making processes. He emphasized the need to improve access to tailored financial services, citing Kenya's M-PESA as a model for empowering farmers and entrepreneurs through digital finance. Ruto called on global leaders to act with urgency and scale, deepen partnerships, and ensure that commitments are met with resources and political will.