G20 matera declaration calls for investing more and better in food systems to achieve zero hunger

BY SWATI MALHOTRA AND ROB VOS

Global hunger has been on the rise since 2014, and the world is not on track to achieve the goal of Zero Hunger (SDG2). If current trends continue without concerted and collaborative actions to tackle the challenge, 840 million people will come under the grip of hunger by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where compounding effects—conflict, economic downturns and shocks, and climate variability—are causing distress.

On June 29, the G20 foreign affairs and development ministers signed the Matera Declaration (named for the town in southern Italy where they met), which outlines an agenda for addressing global food insecurity and putting the world back on track to end hunger within the decade. These commitments are ambitious, but—as always—the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Photo credit: G20