Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, Madam Nyenkan-Nimley, delivered a powerful call to action at the World Without Hunger Conference, urging global leaders, international organizations, and all sectors of society to rally around a shared commitment to end hunger worldwide. Addressing the high-level political forum, Madam Nyenkan-Nimley underscored the moral and practical necessity of achieving a hunger-free world, emphasizing that the global community has both the resources and responsibility to make this vision a reality.

In her address to a diverse audience that included heads of state, ministers, representatives from the United Nations, private sector leaders, financial institutions, donor communities, civil society, and academia, Madam Nyenkan-Nimley highlighted that hunger remains “one of our greatest shared challenges.” She called for unified efforts and sustainable strategies to overcome food insecurity and to build a world founded on “stability, security, and peace.”

“Today’s gathering is more than just a meeting of minds; it is a powerful testament to our collective commitment to ending hunger in our world,” said Madam Nyenkan-Nimley. She stressed that global hunger is not merely a matter of humanitarian aid but a critical factor in achieving peace, stability, and sustainable development worldwide.

Madam Nyenkan-Nimley praised the conference as a vital platform for collaboration, recognizing the efforts of UNIDO, the African Union, the Government of Ethiopia, and the FAO for fostering a space where stakeholders can convene and chart a course toward Zero Hunger. “This forum represents a clear acknowledgment that hunger remains one of our greatest shared challenges and that only through our united efforts can we achieve a world free from hunger,” she said.

Reflecting on the urgent need for concrete action, Madam Nyenkan-Nimley challenged leaders to move beyond rhetoric and commit to “measurable steps” that address the root causes of hunger. She called for the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices that protect the environment while bolstering food security and resilience against climate change. “To truly address hunger, we must adopt smart, sustainable agricultural practices that enhance our food systems while reducing their vulnerability to climate change,” she emphasized.

The Acting Minister also encouraged the formation of a global declaration on hunger eradication, one that would serve as a guiding framework for countries and institutions to align their policies and actions towards Zero Hunger. “I encourage us all to support the adoption of a declaration that reaffirms our global commitment to ending hunger,” she stated. “Such a declaration would serve as a shared roadmap, guiding our policies and actions towards tangible, measurable outcomes.”

As she concluded her speech, Madam Nyenkan-Nimley invoked a vision of a future free from poverty and hunger, urging the global community to rise to the challenge. “Together, we can create a legacy of hope and resilience for generations to come—a legacy defined by our courage, conviction, and dedication to a hunger-free world,” she said. “Let us be the leaders who turned the tide, who, with unwavering resolve, made hunger a relic of the past.”

The World Without Hunger Conference, held from November 5-7, 2024, brings together influential leaders and organizations to strengthen partnerships, share innovative solutions, and reaffirm commitments to eradicating hunger and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.