Ministers Sajjan and Bibeau participate in Ministerial Conference “Uniting for Global Food Security” and announce $5 million matching fund in response to hunger crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa

June 24, 2022 – Ottawa, Canada – Global Affairs Canada

As the world faces a food security crisis, Canada remains committed to being a reliable global partner in addressing global hunger, taking action on climate change, and collaborating with like-minded partners on solutions to lift people out of extreme poverty.

Canada is extremely concerned by the deepening global food and nutrition crisis and its impact on vulnerable groups, such as displaced populations, women and adolescents and children, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insecurity and climate change, compounded by disruptions in food, fertilizer and fuel supply chains caused by the war in Ukraine, are exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that is leaving millions of people facing acute hunger.

Today the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, participated in the Ministerial Conference “Uniting for Global Food Security,” where Minister Sajjan announced the launch of a matching fund as part of Canada’s response to the hunger crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Every donation made by individual Canadians to the Humanitarian Coalition and its members between June 15 and July 17, 2022, will be matched up to a maximum of $5 million.

The matching fund, created in collaboration with the Humanitarian Coalition, will help Canada mobilize resources to deliver life-saving services, including emergency food and nutrition assistance and emergency cash and vouchers, as well as necessary water, sanitation and health services to support food and nutrition outcomes.

During the Uniting for Global Food Security conference, G7 ministers, ministers from countries impacted by the food security crisis, members of the UN Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance, and international partners discussed joint actions in response to the multidimensional global crisis facing agriculture and food systems.

Ministers Sajjan and Bibeau, along with G7 partners, strongly condemned Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, including its blockade of Ukrainian ports, and emphasized the strain that it has placed on global food security. Ministers reinforced their commitment to provide support that enables Ukrainian farmers to feed their population and reiterated the importance of supporting Ukraine in exporting its grain to contribute to global food security.

Minister Sajjan highlighted Canada’s engagement in international and country-led efforts to address the current global food security crisis, including through the Global Alliance for Food Security and other efforts in close collaboration with international partners and organizations beyond the G7. Minister Sajjan met with Josefa Sacko, the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment; Esther Penunia, Secretary General of the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development; Gabriel Ferrero, Chairperson of the UN Committee on World Food Security; and Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, to see what more Canada can do to strengthen food security around the world.

While contributing to the session on action for sustainable agri-food systems, Minister Bibeau reiterated Canada’s commitment to strengthening global food security and highlighted Canada’s leadership in adopting environmentally friendly practices and energy-efficient technologies, and reducing emissions. Participants agreed on the need to prioritize increasing food productivity in a sustainable manner by leveraging innovative solutions.

Both ministers reiterated Canada’s steadfast support for those most impacted by the global food security crisis, and for the Ukrainian people. They reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to work closely with G7 partners to help address the global food security crisis that has been exacerbated by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.