The three-day World Without Hunger Conference, organized by UNIDO, the Ethiopian Government, and the African Union with FAO’s support, was held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, concluding on November 7, 2024.
Key attendees included Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, UNIDO Director-General Gerd Muller, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled, and leaders from UN agencies, private sector entities, DFIs, NGOs, academia, and the media.
Prime Minister Abiy opened the conference, commending UNIDO’s efforts to combat global hunger. Discussions centered on agribusiness, innovation, climate resilience, and fair trade, with four technical sessions highlighting various contributions toward a secure and sustainable food system. CEOs and stakeholders also participated in a field visit arranged with Ethiopian authorities.
On the final day, government leaders made statements and participated in a government-to-business (G2B) dialogue, with the conference closing on the “Addis Ababa Call to Action for A World Without Hunger.” UNIDO emphasized the need for a $50 billion investment over the next decade to achieve a hunger-free world.
Sudan, represented by Agriculture Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Omar Al-Bushra, engaged with UNIDO, securing pledges for ongoing support, including a Canadian-funded $6 million project for women’s agricultural enterprises and a 5-million-euro EU-funded sesame crop initiative in Sudan’s Al-Gadarif State. The conference also discussed irrigation and solar projects for Sudan’s Red Sea State. Dr. Al-Bushra requested UNIDO’s aid in reconstructing the Gezira Scheme, particularly in irrigation and gene banking, with Director-General Muller affirming UNIDO’s commitment to Sudan’s agricultural development.