We are tackling hunger, malnutrition and poverty by advocating sustainable agricultural and food systems and supporting the human right to adequate food. We are supporting the Global Alliance for Food Security to help partner countries be prepared for looming hunger crises.

• Germany has been the world’s second largest bilateral donor in the area of food security for many years. In 2022, Germany invested around €5 billion to cushion the impacts on global food security caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The German Chancellor is a Champion of the Global Crisis Response Group on Food Energy and Finance (GCRG) convened by the UN Secretary-General.

• In May 2022, the G7 German presidency, together with the World Bank, spearheaded the Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS). The Alliance’s goal is to enable close coordination worldwide to facilitate a rapid response to crises and needs.

• As the second largest donor to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program trust fund (GAFSP), the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports transformative programmes of international organisations in the context of smallholder farming (2022 new pledge: €208.8 million). This enhances food security and strengthens the resilience of local agricultural and food systems.

• Through its involvement in the World Bank Food Systems 2030 Trust Fund, the BMZ is investing in the practical implementation of the Repurposing Agricultural Support Agenda to repurpose agricultural support measures that distort prices and are environmentally harmful and/or socially unjust (pledge 2022: €121.7 million). The BMZ funding is used to examine existing agricultural support measures in different partner countries and develop and implement alternative measures that contribute to achieving the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda.

• Germany advocates the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and capacity building for the European Solidarity Lanes (ESLs) to counteract the global food crisis caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

• Germany is driving forward the global transformation of agricultural and food systems at all levels. It is providing long-term support to its partners of the Global South to expand sustainable regional and local production of food and fertilisers, e.g. through the relevant G7 and G20 working groups. For example, Germany is providing €22 million for a school meals programme to enhance local food production, climate-friendly food preparation and education (especially for girls).

• In the framework of international cooperation, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is making valuable contributions to food security and the transformation of agricultural and food systems. The BMEL has provided around €44 million in 2023 through its Bilateral Cooperation Programme, the Bilateral Trust Fund with the FAO and the Research Cooperation for Global Food Security.

• We are providing financial and personnel support to the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) to enhance rights-based policies. As a multi-stakeholder platform, the CFS promotes cooperation between policy-makers, industry, the scientific community and civil society in drawing up strategies to help in the fight against hunger. The CFS is a key component of the global governance of food security.

• Germany is supporting the follow-up process to the UN Food Systems Summit through the Joint SDG Fund Food Systems Transformation Window, which fosters implementation of national pathways for transformation of agricultural and food systems in partner countries. We are also providing financial support to the UN special rapporteur on the right to food to establish the link to rights-based policies in the follow-up process.

• Germany is supporting the African Union in the framework of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit and the resulting 10-year Action Plan, for example through a planned follow-up project of the global project on soil protection and rehabilitation for food security and the Africa Climate Summit, as well as close, long-term cooperation in the framework of an agricultural policy dialogue.

• Financing a follow-up project with IFAD (€13.6 million) for the CompensACTION Initiative initiated by Germany under its G7 presidency. The project’s goal is to provide financial compensation to smallholders for their contribution to preserving ecosystems. It therefore contributes to securing liveable incomes and increased productivity while at the same time creating incentives for climate action, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.