VIENNA - November 25 - UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller and UN World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to new cooperation on combating hunger particularly by boosting the resilience of smallholder farmers. The newly signed MoU replaces the previous agreement signed on June 8, 2022. This updated MoU broadens the scope of the already established cooperation between the two Organizations, adopting a comprehensive food systems approach to better address global food security and nutrition challenges.

The MoU expands UNIDO-WFP cooperation in the food industry, supply chain, and storage infrastructure to boost local production for humanitarian response and local markets, while ensuring access for all people to safe and nutritious food. Joint efforts will also strengthen institutional, policy and regulatory frameworks to enhance food systems transformation, value addition, food safety and quality, trade and investment.

The signing of the MoU which came just after the World Without Hunger Conference held in Addis Ababa on November 5-7, underscores the commitment of UNIDO and WFP to intensify joint UN efforts to end hunger at a time when it is more urgent than ever. Despite progress, the global community is falling short of the Agenda 2030 goal to eradicate hunger. Currently, 733 million people are affected by hunger, and 582 million will still face food insecurity by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food security disruptions, creating "lost years" in the pursuit of SDG 2 (zero hunger) and related goals. Ongoing conflicts and climate change have further strained food production and supply chains, particularly in regions dependent on food imports. Additionally, the lack of infrastructure, technology, and relevant knowledge has exacerbated food losses and waste, amounting to approximately $1 trillion at the post-harvest level.

This new level of cooperation with the WFP is part of UNIDO Director General Müller’s strategic engagements to fast-track progress towards SDGs 1, 2, and 9 through innovative, coordinated solutions. By harnessing the complementary strengths of WFP and UNIDO, the partnership is driving the transformation of local food systems. WFP’s unique ability to support value chain development - leveraging its vast procurement capacity - helps strengthen smallholder agriculture and market initiatives. Meanwhile, UNIDO’s technical expertise in the agri-food sector ensures the delivery of locally-sourced, safe, and nutritious food, while fostering job creation, boosting incomes, and diversifying livelihoods. Through this MoU, the two UN agencies will develop an innovative funding model that leverages resources from international and regional financial institutions to maximize impact.

In 2022, a WFP-UNIDO technical working group was established, resulting in the creation of a Global Programme Framework and Action Plan for regional and national projects. Since then, the two organizations have been jointly programming and implementing initiatives for food systems transformation in partner countries worldwide, with a special focus on Africa. This has included the Comprehensive Food Value Chain Optimization, Resilience and Trade (COMFORT) programme in West Africa, Burkina Faso Strategic Food Reserve support, Cameroon and Egypt smallholder farmers resilience support projects, and local sourcing technical supports initiatives in Ethiopia and Kenya.

As WFP and UNIDO mobilize resources for the MoU’s implementation, they call on all development partners, member states, civil society, and the private sector to accelerate action towards achieving food security and prosperity for all. A world without hunger is possible!