Vienna, 1 October 2024 – Today, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) hosted a briefing session for Member States on the upcoming World Without Hunger Conference, co-organized with the African Union Commission, the Government of Ethiopia, and with the technical assistance of FAO, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 5 to 7 November 2024. The session, moderated by UNIDO's Kai Bethke, Director of Policymaking Organs and Communications, provided an in-depth overview of the conference. Other UNIDO representatives, including Gunther Beger, Managing Director of the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, and Akos Koeszegvary, Chief of the Division of Public-Private Partnerships, joined Communications Officer Esther Salguero-Gomez in outlining the conference’s key objectives, agenda, and expected outcomes. 

His Excellency, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to UNIDO, opened the session with remarks highlighting the significance of the upcoming Conference for both Ethiopia and the global community. He emphasized that the event addresses two of the most urgent challenges of our time: hunger and food insecurity, providing a platform for policymakers, financial institutions, the private sector, and development partners to explore collaborative solutions aimed at eradicating hunger. 

He expressed gratitude to UNIDO for its ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable economic and industrial development while underscoring the importance of global cooperation in addressing these critical issues. Ambassador Tsegab concluded by inviting all Member States to participate actively in the conference, saying, “Let the conference be a moment where we come together, share our successes and renew our commitment to a world free of hunger.” 

Building on Ambassador Tsegab’s emphasis on the urgency of addressing hunger and food insecurity, Managing Director Gunther Beger highlighted that ending hunger is one of the three priorities of UNIDO. Beger emphasized UNIDO's commitment to improving food security in partner countries through sustainable industrialization, technology and knowledge transfer, as well as investment in agribusiness. “We believe that a world without hunger is possible”, he asserted, noting that UNIDO is currently implementing over 100 projects in 42 countries within the agrifood sector. 

He also stressed the importance of collaborative efforts amongst all stakeholders involved, including international financial institutions and the private sector.

The session also featured a detailed presentation outlining the structure and thematic focus of the World Without Hunger Conference. Akos Koeszegvary characterized the three-day event as action-oriented, aimed at identifying new investment opportunities and forging strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships. A joint study by UNIDO and FAO on ending hunger will set the stage for the conference by reviewing recent developments in the field. 

• Day 1 will address "Challenges and solutions to combat hunger and food security issues" starting with an opening plenary and followed by technical sessions on agribusiness, climate change, and fair trade. 

• Day 2 will focus on "Mobilizing investments for sustainable food security initiatives" highlighting investment opportunities in agribusiness and allowing governments and SMEs to pitch projects to investors. 

• Day 3 will center on "Global action against hunger" concluding with a collective call to action amongst all stakeholders. 

Esther Salguero-Gomez emphasized the efforts to maximize awareness and outreach through social media, in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission. Salguero-Gomez highlighted how the conference will also unfold into an exhibition space, designed to showcase innovative solutions and facilitate dialogue amongst decision-makers, industry leaders, and investors.

The briefing concluded with an open dialogue, allowing Member States to ask questions and discuss their roles in the upcoming WWHC. Participants were encouraged to register to actively engage in discussions. For more information and to register for the World Without Hunger Conference, please visit the dedicated webpage and the registration page.  

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