The Diplomat The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, highlighted yesterday Spain's "active" commitment, through policies and resources, to try to mitigate the impact and consequences of the war in Ukraine, especially in the food field. Sánchez participated, along with other international leaders, in the working group dedicated to food security, 'Food is not a weapon', within the framework of the Peace Summit in Ukraine, held this weekend in the Swiss city from Lucerne. This panel, which took place behind closed doors, highlighted that almost 282 million people in 59 countries and territories suffered from high levels of acute hunger in 2023, a global increase of 24 million compared to the year former. For four consecutive years, the proportion of people facing acute food insecurity has remained persistently high, notably exceeding pre-pandemic levels. In the debate it was agreed that "Russian aggression against Ukraine has aggravated the global food insecurity crisis", and, according to Moncloa on its website, Spain has "actively" committed itself, with policies and resources, to trying to mitigate the impact and consequences of this crisis, through different contributions. Specifically, Spain will contribute 236.5 million euros over three years for Official Development Assistance; with 14.4 million euros for the Shock Plan against the Food Emergency; with 100 million euros in guarantees from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to help Ukrainian municipalities and protect food security; and with 2.3 million euros to the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad). Furthermore, in the period between 2021 and 2023, Spain chaired the United Nations Committee on World Food Security. Likewise, Spain will host the IV International Development Financing Conference next year, which represents an opportunity to address the resource mobilization necessary to end hunger and malnutrition through a just transition of the food system.
