British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed on Monday the United Kingdom’s initiative to launch a novel scientific endeavor aimed at supporting the cultivation of crops resilient to climate change impacts, including disease-resistant wheat and flood-tolerant grains.
During a Global Food Security Summit in London, Sunak engaged with representatives from approximately 20 nations, advocating for the utilization of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to combat global hunger.
Sunak stressed the necessity for a “fundamental shift” to tackle the escalating food security challenges exacerbated by climate change. He underscored the significance of research efforts and announced the establishment of a “virtual research hub” by the United Kingdom to unite global researchers focusing on enhancing crop resilience. This hub will be integrated into the CGIAR global research partnership.
The Prime Minister highlighted the escalating challenges faced by food supplies due to climate change, conflicts, and population expansion. He emphasized the urgency of preemptive measures to avert food crises and underscored the imperative of leveraging science and technology to develop materials resilient to threats like conflicts, droughts, and floods.
The summit, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Somalia, in collaboration with the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, drew attention to the pressing need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, where Palestinian protesters are advocating for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict to facilitate the delivery of essential provisions and aid.
While acknowledging the global discourse on food security, Melanie Ward, the chief executive of the protesting group, emphasized the critical situation in Gaza, where 2.2 million individuals are at risk of starvation. She highlighted the inadequacy of recent aid deliveries, which barely sustain the population for a couple of days, leaving a substantial food deficit.
Sunak appealed to Israel to authorize “immediate and substantial humanitarian pauses” to enable the provision of food, fuel, and medical supplies to Gaza, aligning with the United States’ call for a cease-fire.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, Sunak emphasized the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
