Food and Nutrition Security Must Be Part of the Conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos

by Shenggen Fan  
Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)  

Jan. 16, 2015, Davos, Switzerland--Food security and nutrition are foundations of human and economic well-being. Without them, people experience poor health outcomes that lead to low productivity and stymied economic growth at the national level. The effects of food insecurity go beyond human and economic well-being: Research shows that food insecurity is a key trigger for political unrest.

The World Economic Forum is a great opportunity to focus the attention of world leaders from government, business, and society on the pressing need for food security and nutrition for all. It is imperative that that the poor and vulnerable do not get left behind in a cycle of poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition; instead they should benefit from and contribute to a country’s rising prosperity. Innovative solutions are necessary to break this cycle, as the growing threat of climate change is expected to hinder production of staple foods in regions of high vulnerability and pre-existing hunger and malnutrition.

As the post-2015 agenda takes shape through the formation of the Sustainable Development Goals, we must take advantage of the occasion at Davos to put the elimination of hunger and malnutrition at the center of the conversation, and to continue working together towards eliminating these global challenges. 

For more information or to request an interview with Dr. Shenggen Fan, please contact Deborah Horan at d.horan@cgiar.org or +1 (202) 627-4310.