Insights from the 4th International Conference on Food Security in Samarkand

In Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the 4th International Conference on Food Security recently convened, drawing together leaders, experts, and policymakers from across the globe. Against a backdrop of persistent hunger and an urgent need for access to healthy diets, the conference served as a platform for addressing one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: food security.

As of 2022, an alarming 735 million people worldwide faced hunger and a lack of access to nutritious food. This staggering statistic underscores the persistence of a problem that has remained largely unresolved for decades. Participants at the conference acknowledged the gravity of the situation and called for a united effort to ensure food security for all.

Organized by Uzbekistan with Support from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the conference brought together agriculture ministers from various countries and leading food security experts. Central to the discussions was the ambitious goal set by the United Nations: achieving zero hunger by 2030 as part of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2). Corinna Hawkes, the Director of the Food Systems and Food Safety Division, shared a sobering assessment: achieving SDG2 by 2030 appears increasingly elusive based on current data. To address the multifaceted challenges within food systems, she emphasized the necessity of cooperation. Inefficiencies in food production, distribution, and consumption must be addressed through cross-sectoral collaboration.

Several threats to global food security were highlighted during the conference, including armed conflicts, disruptions in supply chains, poverty, and the impact of Climate change. Since 2019, over 122 million more people have faced food insecurity due to a combination of factors, including conflicts, pandemics, and extreme weather events. Yerlan Baidaulet, the Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, pointed out that climate change and socio-economic instability are significant contributors to food insecurity, particularly in countries like Afghanistan and Yemen. He stressed the importance of global partnerships to mobilize resources, expertise, and scientific solutions on the ground.

The Samarkand Declaration, adopted at the conference, paints a stark picture. By 2030, it is projected that 670 million people will still suffer from hunger if current trends continue. Ali Abusabaa, the Director General at the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, highlighted the importance of addressing food accessibility and affordability. Diversifying livelihoods and creating opportunities for rural populations are crucial steps toward improving food security.

Innovations in science and technology hold immense potential for transforming agricultural and food systems—a key pillar of food security. Vincent Martin, the Director of the Office of Innovation, emphasized the need to bridge the gap between strategic thinking and practical implementation at the community level. Ensuring that marginalized communities have access to innovative solutions is essential.

Uzbekistan, a double landlocked country grappling with Climate change challenges, places a high priority on food security. The nation is pursuing a strategy to reduce water consumption in agriculture through the adoption of modern water-saving technologies. Minister of Agriculture Aziz Voitov highlighted collaborative efforts with neighboring countries to efficiently use land and resources. In the Jomboy district of Uzbekistan, an innovative agricultural complex, supported by the World Bank and the EU, is actively contributing to the country’s food security strategy. The complex utilizes InVitro laboratories to cultivate clonal rootstocks of fruit trees that are resistant to Climate change and disease. Farmers can access soil analysis data to select the most suitable rootstocks for their land.

The 4th International Conference on Food Security in Samarkand served as a rallying point for global leaders and experts to confront the pressing issue of hunger and food insecurity. As the conference messages made clear, addressing this formidable challenge requires nations to unite and collaborate, harnessing innovation, technology, and sustainable practices to ensure a future where no one goes to bed hungry. The path to achieving SDG2 and zero hunger by 2030 may be daunting, but the message from Samarkand is that collective action is the way forward.

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