The Kofi Annan Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation Announce New Commission to Transform Global Food Security Governance
Amid overlapping climate and food crises, the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security will review and reimagine current systems to reach zero hunger.
GENEVA / NEW YORK | 11 December 2023 – As the world faces an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis, the Kofi Annan Foundation, with the support of The Rockefeller Foundation, announces today the creation of a new initiative to transform current global food security governance. The initiative will convene an eminent group of leaders – the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security – to review the current challenges to the global food security architecture; develop policy recommendations and possible models for a transformed global food governance system; and mobilize political commitment to adopt a new system that is fit-for-purpose to achieve a world with sustainable, equitable and resilient food security.
“As both the climate and food crises continue to grow, we hope this new Commission will bring urgent answers in the form of a reenergized global governance structure to the persistent challenge of food insecurity.”
“Kofi Annan referred to the lack of food security for almost one billion people as an ‘unconscionable moral failing,’ and ‘a major brake on overall socio-economic development,’” said Elhadj As Sy, Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation. “As both the climate and food crises continue to grow, we hope this new Commission will bring urgent answers in the form of a reenergized global governance structure to the persistent challenge of food insecurity.”
Since the mid-2010s, progress against food insecurity and poor diet quality has stalled. Multiple shocks, including the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, have exacerbated the situation and put the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 on Zero Hunger further out of reach. According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2023 report, about 29.6 percent of the global population – 2.4 billion people – were moderately or severely food insecure in 2022, with food security disproportionately affecting women and people living in rural areas.
Governments in both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries have made commitments to address food insecurity, but the need for humanitarian food aid continues to grow. The Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security will make an in-depth and frank review of the governance architecture – including both formal organizations and the web of less-formal public and private networks – that shape global action on food and nutrition. The Commission will complement these existing efforts by focusing specifically on multilateral mechanisms and other elements of the global governance structures for food and security, and on opportunities for improvements, innovation or even a complete redesign of these structures.
“As it stands today, our food system is failing to adequately nourish over 3 billion people. To achieve a zero-hunger future, we need to make big bets that will reimagine our food systems,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “This initiative led by the Kofi Annan Foundation will bring bold thinking and encourage renewed momentum to build the fit-for-purpose governance system that the world needs to end hunger once and for all.”
The Commission will have a one-year programme of work, releasing its final recommendations before the end of 2024. A public announcement about the Commission members will be made in early 2024.
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About the Kofi Annan Foundation
Founded in 2007 by Kofi Annan, the Kofi Annan Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to build on Kofi Annan’s legacy for peace by advancing democracy, youth leadership and international cooperation.
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About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.
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Media Contact
Genna Ingold at Kofi Annan Foundation
