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International Partnerships
News announcement4 April 2022BrusselsDirectorate-General for International Partnerships

Food crisis: EU kick starts a week of intensive multilateral engagement to address food insecurity in the Sahel

food security sahel

Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, will participate this week in key multilateral events to address the food insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa, aggravated by the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The EU will call on partners to step up action in support of a region facing multiple challenges ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing climate change impact and hike in food prices due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On Monday, 4 April, Commissioner Urpilainen will address the General Assembly of the Sahel Alliance in Madrid to discuss its worsening food and nutrition situation, including the impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the region, an issue discussed last week during her mission to Niger, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana to strengthen partnerships for sustainable investments under the new Global Gateway strategy. During her mission, the Commissioner reiterated the EU's full support to the partners and maintained that in the current geopolitical context solid partnerships are needed more than ever. In Madrid, she will also meet with fourth Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares Bueno and Secretary of State for International Cooperation Pilar Cancela Rodríguez, as well as members of the civil society.

On Wednesday 6 April, both Commissioner Urpilainen and Commissioner Lenarčič will participate in a high-level forum on Food Security and Nutrition in the Sahel and West Africa Region, jointly organised by the EU, the OECD's Sahel and West Africa Club as well as the Global Network Against Food Crises. This high-level event, which is the first implementing phase of the process to increase food security in the region, was launched at the first European Humanitarian Forum end of March and will focus on how to respond effectively to the nutrition crisis in the region by raising awareness and increasing support from international partners. The EU as a major humanitarian and development actor in food and nutrition security provides substantial financial support to partner countries.

 

Details

Publication date
4 April 2022
Author
Directorate-General for International Partnerships
Location
Brussels