Achieving Universal Food Security in an Adversely Changing Climate

Achieving universal food security — healthy diets for all, from sustainable food systems — will require a comprehensive investment strategy that increases food supply, enhances distribution and access, reduces food losses and waste, and improves nutrition for all, while addressing and mitigating climate change. Despite increases in agricultural productivity and a sharp reduction in the proportion of undernourished people over the past 50 years, universal food security remains elusive. About 673 million people — 8.2 percent of the world population — are undernourished, and almost three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. Our food systems are vulnerable to climate change while contributing one third of greenhouse gas emissions. Conflict and trade disruptions further compound the challenge and undermine past successes. Yet, we are incongruously underinvesting in agricultural improvement and food systems transformation, beginning with woefully inadequate support for international agricultural research: the foundation for more productive and resilient food systems. Food security has emerged as a geopolitical priority across the Indo-Pacific region. Leaders of China, India, ASEAN nations, the Pacific, and beyond have raised alarms and are looking for actionable policies and investments. In this address, I will outline a set of practical actions that Australia could take to advance food security in the Indo-Pacific region. Stepped-up action and investment by Australia in support of agricultural research and development would be widely welcomed in the region. As a nation, we have exceptional expertise and well-established partnership models in agriculture and food security that, if better supported and deployed, could serve our collective desire for regional peace and prosperity.