After steadily declining for over a decade, global hunger has reached an all-time high. Continued supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, escalating …
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After steadily declining for over a decade, global hunger has reached an all-time high. Continued supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, escalating inflation and a rapidly changing climate, have exacerbated challenges around the world, particularly in developing countries, and today, as many as 828 million people still go hungry.
Experts point out that hunger is not just a product of such crises, it can perpetuate more hunger and regional instability, especially in areas already experiencing violent conflict.
"Heightened levels of food insecurity make it much more difficult for communities to build lasting peace, which in turn, leads to greater food insecurity," said Dan Glickman, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. "By working with our partners around the world, America and American farmers can help save lives at this critical moment."
These issues were front-and-center at the recent U.S. Global Leadership Coalition's (USGLC) 2023 Heartland Summit, which took place in two Heartland cities: Detroit, Michigan and Sioux City, Iowa. The annual summit brings together leaders from across the Heartland for critical conversations on how global investments in agriculture and U.S. international affairs programs help to create jobs, feed the hungry and reduce poverty around the world.
According to event leaders, these are this year's biggest lessons and takeaways:
To watch the 2023 Heartland Summit, visit heartland.usglc.org.
"Fighting global hunger by strengthening our nation's leadership around the world, enabling our nation's farmers to compete, and building new stable markets for our agricultural exports is a moral imperative and a matter of U.S. economic and national security," Glickman said.