Europe Must Lead Global Effort to Prevent Food Crisis

Global food prices have skyrocketed to almost 75% higher than their 1999 lows, affecting over 2.2 billion people worldwide who face food insecurity.

The looming catastrophe is a result of three converging factors: Russia's war in Ukraine disrupting agricultural exports from both countries, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz restricting fertiliser shipments, and this year's El Niño event causing widespread droughts.

As the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approaches, global food affordability and availability are at risk, threatening millions of lives and global security.

A comprehensive global effort is required to address the crisis on several fronts: drought, support for farmers, the Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and access to fertiliser. Europe should lead this initiative by convening a coalition of influential states among combatants in the Iran and Ukraine conflicts, as well as those exposed to the crisis.

The joint initiative would involve distributing food relief and technical assistance on drought-resistant agriculture and soil fertility, and securing practical arrangements for fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.