Addis ababa: Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, has emphasized the urgent need to accelerate global efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The minister underscored the summit’s significance in addressing the global food system crisis.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Minister of Agriculture Girma Amente, Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lobrigiada, and UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed held a joint press briefing to highlight the importance of the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit underway in Addis Ababa. ‘Our world faced unprecedented shocks from the climate crisis to global geopolitical conflicts and economic volatility,’ Girma stated.

The minister noted that these challenges have proven that the food systems are not as resilient as they need to be, making the summit a vital platform to renew and strengthen shared commitment to transforming food systems for a sustainable future. He highlighted that the discussions and engagements over the past two days reflect a high level of global commitment.

Delegates who participated in field visits observed firsthand the innovative solutions and persistent challenges facing food system transformation efforts, particularly in Ethiopia. Girma emphasized that countries making progress, such as Ethiopia, must intensify their efforts to meet the SDGs by 2030. ‘This is not about charity,’ he said. ‘It is about smart, strategic investment in our shared future.’

Girma stressed the need to unlock and redirect significant public and private financial resources toward building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems worldwide. Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary General, emphasized that many countries are proactively adopting measures to safeguard food security. She highlighted that governments are actively formulating and implementing policies and strategies in this regard.

She further underscored the importance of reinforcing multilateralism, explaining that collective action is essential for navigating global crises. Reflecting on her recent visit to Ethiopia, she expressed admiration for the country’s efforts. Observing Ethiopia’s comprehensive initiatives firsthand, she described the work as both impressive and indicative of strong leadership commitment.