5 Questions for Gunther Beger (BMZ): What must be done?

 

After decades of steady decline, the number of people suffering from hunger has been on the rise again since 2015, i.e. since the 17 goals for sustainable development came into force. How does this contradiction come about?

 

According to the FAO, the number of people suffering from hunger worldwide recently rose to 690 million, in fact. There are a number of reasons for this. In recent years, climate extremes – drought and floods in particular – and increases in armed conflicts have undermined efforts to end hunger and malnutrition. The population of sub-Saharan Africa, where almost one in four people is malnourished, is most affected.

 

These existing disasters were exacerbated in 2020 by the ongoing Covid19 pandemic and the worst plague of locusts in decades to an extent no one could have expected or foreseen. Curfews prevent small farmers from cultivating their fields and bringing their produce to local markets. Since the beginning of the year, millions of desert locusts have invaded whole swathes of African farmland, destroying fields and pastures. The people have hardly found any time for recovering between overlapping disasters.

 

Is the goal of eradicating global hunger still achievable by 2030 in light of this situation?

 

The figures suggest that, despite intensive efforts, achieving SDG2 "Zero Hunger" by 2030 is at risk. It is therefore imperative we act quickly and in a targeted manner. Challenges such as the corona pandemic, climate change and the increasing scarcity of natural resources call for global responses. Investments and reconstruction must be designed in such a way that the populations affected are better prepared for future shocks.

 

Germany is playing a pioneering role in this field by assuming political responsibility and mobilising urgently needed funds. But we cannot do it alone. We need joint, coordinated efforts, in Europe and globally. And we need to know what it will cost in concrete terms to bring about a sustainable world without hunger by 2030 and which measures are most effective. Answers to these questions can be found in two studies commissioned by the BMZ, the results of which will be presented by the German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development at the virtual event "One World no hunger is possible – What must be done" on 13 October.

 

We can still beat hunger! However, the longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to achieve a world without hunger.

 

Can you describe these studies in more detail?

 

The two studies are based on a similar question, but aim in slightly different directions. The study by the international research project Ceres2030 used specially developed artificial intelligence for a comprehensive analysis of scientific studies. On the one hand, it models the costs required to end hunger worldwide through increased agricultural productivity. Another key aspect taken into account was the sustainable use of available resources. In addition, the meta-study shows which measures are most effective in ending hunger worldwide. In short: Where do we achieve the greatest possible effect with every euro spent in order to achieve our common goal?

 

The second study was conducted by the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn in cooperation with the FAO. This study specifically analyses how much the G7 countries have responded to the challenges of fighting hunger and achieved the commitments to lift 500 million people out of hunger and poverty. This was our promise at the G7 summit in 2015 in Elmau under the German Presidency. Here too, identifying the most effective and cost-effective investment opportunities plays an important role. However, the focus is more on recommendations for action for political decision-makers.

 

And what are the findings of the studies? What needs to be done?

 

Both studies agree we can still beat hunger! To reach this goal by 2030, we need to act immediately. We cannot waste any more time. The longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to achieve a world without hunger. Moreover, investments in the countries in Africa and Asia that suffer most from hunger must be coordinated as efficiently as possible. Here, holistic solutions are needed that take the entire food system into account and incorporate and put individual measures into action. The key message is that the G7 countries will have to double their financial resources to achieve the goal they have set themselves of freeing 500 million people from hunger.

 

Women must be better integrated, and above all on equal footing with men in all levels of agricultural and food systems.

 

These funds are to be used for various activities, including training programmes, strengthening social security systems and modernising and adapting agriculture. But we also need to make supply chains fairer and more sustainable. Furthermore, women must be better integrated, and above all on equal footing with men in all levels of agricultural and food systems. We must always see the bigger picture in the context of sustainable management of natural resources. If these approaches are consistently implemented, they will not only contribute to SDG2. These approaches also contribute to achieving other UN goals, such as SDG13 – mitigating climate change – and SDG10 – reducing inequalities – or SDG5 – participation of women in economic development.

 

What happens next?

 

With its special initiative ONE WORLD No Hunger (SEWOH), Germany has achieved a lot in the global fight against hunger in recent years and will continue to do so in the future. But this alone is not enough against the backdrop of complex global challenges. Like the initiative’s strategy, we need a broad, science-based approach and a broad alliance of all actors from politics, the private sector, science and civil society, acting within a strong multilateral system. The EU in particular is called upon to assume its global responsibility in the fight against hunger and poverty. We want to leverage the German EU Council Presidency to use our experience from the work of recent years to help realign European development policy.

 

As one step on this path, the research teams will present an action plan for joint action on achieving SDG2 to Federal Minister Dr. Gerd Müller and EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen at the event on 13 October. As a further sign that increased international commitment is urgently needed, the replenishment phase of the World Bank's GAFSP fund, the Global Agriculture & Food Security Program, will start immediately afterwards. The fund mobilises international funds to strengthen the global food system and make smallholder farmers more resilient to disasters. Here too, Germany is leading the way. It is currently the largest donor and is chairing the fund's steering committee.