Saudi Arabia Stresses Global Collaboration to Tackle Hunger at Addis Ababa Conference.

Addis Ababa: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of agriculture as a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development, economic growth, the prosperity of local communities and providing employment opportunities. Delivering the Kingdom's speech at the World Without Hunger Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti called for strengthening support systems for farmers and encouraging modern agricultural practices to increase production and improve efficiency, thereby ensuring food security. According to Saudi Press Agency, the conference, held from November 5 to 7, aims to enhance cooperation and strategic partnerships, explore innovative technologies, and promote sustainable practices to ensure global food security. Al-Mushaiti explained that the Kingdom's participation in the conference is part of its leading role and commitment to eradicating poverty and hunger and to building a world capable of meet ing the growing demand for food. The official noted that, despite the significant advancements in the fields of science, innovation, and modern technologies, progress in enhancing food security is still insufficient. He highlighted the importance of intensifying global efforts and activating policies to develop practical and effective solutions to overcome these challenges. He also noted that direct food aid and humanitarian relief plays a key role in providing short-term solutions to food security challenges in many parts of the world. He highlighted in this regard the efforts exerted by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), which has implemented approximately 900 food security projects across 78 countries, reflecting the Kingdom's humanitarian and moral values and its continuous support for peoples facing extreme humanitarian conditions. Al-Mushaiti underlined the importance of boosting investment in agriculture and food to eradicate hunger and enhance food security worldwide, th rough the adoption of innovation and modern technological practices and providing flexible financing solutions to increase production and build resilience in agricultural and food systems. "Saudi Arabia is keen to expand agricultural investment in countries with competitive advantages, abundant natural resources, and growing markets, which offer opportunities for diverse agricultural activities. This would contribute to utilizing integrated agricultural capabilities, creating additional job opportunities, and ultimately achieving food security," he said. The World Without Hunger Conference is co-organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the African Union Commission, and the Ethiopian government, with the participation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The three-day conference discusses various issues related to agriculture, food production, the technologies, food security, financing, infrastructure, among others.