As global leaders gather at the Munich Security Conference in Germany this week, the impact of geopolitical tensions on global food systems is increasingly difficult to ignore. More than ever, we need our leaders to recognize that stability and food security are inseparable.
An interconnected “perfect storm” of unrest, weather shocks, competition over resources, migration, and rising food prices is reshaping global security. Conflict and hunger are deeply intertwined. Food insecurity can drive instability, fueling unrest and displacement, while conflict pushes countries and regions into food insecurity by disrupting production, supply chains, and markets. In 2024, nearly 140 million people across 20 countries and territories faced food insecurity that was primarily driven by conflict and instability.
Yet while governments ramp up spending on defense, agricultural research — a powerful tool to build lasting peace and stability — remains underfunded.
About the authors
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon served as the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations from 2007 to 2016, leading the efforts for the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. He currently serves as cochair of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation in Vienna, Austria, empowering youth and women to become global citizens for a sustainable future.
Ismahane Elouafi
Ismahane Elouafi leads CGIAR, advancing global food security by transforming food production while protecting the environment. She previously served as chief scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization. Her honors include the TIME100 and the Jean Mayer Prize for Excellence in Nutrition Science and Policy.
