Amid growing global concern over rising food prices and worsening inequalities, the UN’s latest SOFI report was unveiled in Addis Ababa during the second day of the UNFSS+4 summit. The launch brought together high-level leaders, including Ethiopian President Taye Astke-Selassie and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, calling for urgent, coordinated efforts to address the deepening food and nutrition crisis.
On the 2nd day of the UNFSS+4, the High-Level Launch of the State of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI) took place in the presence of the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Taye Astke-Selassie. In his opening remarks, President Taye mentioned that UNFSS+4 is not only about food but also about art, culture, and the effective leadership of youth. He stated that it helps to inform policies to bring forth quick gains and also long-term solutions. The President emphasized the need for coordinated and sustainable efforts at national, regional, and global levels to address food security challenges and promote access to adequate nutrition for all.
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The SOFI offers new estimates on the cost and affordability of healthy diets and assesses the progress.
The 2025 edition of SOFI places special emphasis on the global impact of rising food prices, shedding light on how elevated inflation has eroded purchasing power, particularly among low-income populations, thus limiting access to healthy diets, as mentioned by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed. Ms. Amina also stated that skipping meals, selling assets, or pulling children out of school just so families can afford to eat is happening in every region. These overlapping crisesconflict, climate shocks, inflation, and displacement are all exposing the deep fragility of our food systems.
Ermias Tilahun , Correspondent,Addis Ababa
