The Third International Summit on Food Security, held in Kyiv on November 23, 2024, brought together global leaders and stakeholders to address the escalating food crises driven by economic, climate, and security challenges.

Participants issued a joint statement reaffirming their collective commitment to ensuring food access as a fundamental human right and condemning the use of food as a weapon of war.

“We remind that global food security relies on the uninterrupted production, storage, and supply of food products,” the statement emphasised, adding that “deliberately starving civilians is unacceptable as a method of warfare” in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2417.

Ukraine’s Role in Global Food Security

Despite facing significant challenges from the ongoing Russian aggression, which has destroyed 30% of its agricultural potential and occupied nearly 20% of its farmland, Ukraine continues to play a vital role in global food security.

Through the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative launched in 2022, the country has delivered over 286,000 tons of agricultural products to 12 nations experiencing acute food shortages.

The summit highlighted Ukraine’s resilience and contributions, stating that the initiative not only addresses global hunger but also supports Ukrainian producers who continue to operate under war conditions.

The participants also stressed the importance of maritime safety for uninterrupted food transportation and called for action against the illegal trade of stolen grain and the destruction of port infrastructure.

A Call for Collective Action

Acknowledging the interconnectedness of global food systems, the summit urged the international community to shield food security from the influence of military conflicts and aggression.

“We call on the global community to keep food security issues beyond the influence of military conflicts and aggression,” the statement read, stressing the need for stable food supplies and sustainable agricultural practices.

The summit also recognised the importance of child nutrition as a cornerstone of food security, advocating for initiatives to provide balanced meals to schools in countries facing food shortages.

“Access to balanced and nutritious food is critical for the physical and cognitive development of children and for building healthy nations,” the joint statement noted.

Long-Term Solutions and Innovation

The summit underscored the need for investments in education, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient food production systems.

It highlighted Ukraine’s reforms in school meals and innovations in agriculture as models for addressing food challenges globally.

Leaders also called for stronger international cooperation to implement advanced practices and technologies to ensure long-term food security.

Global Solidarity

The joint statement concluded with a commitment to expanding the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative to reach additional countries in need while attracting further resources and partners to implement sustainable food security solutions.

Countries participating in the summit included Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.