The World Bank Senior Managing Director, Axel van Trotsenburg, delivered remarks at the launch of the Global Report on Food Crises 2025. Van Trotsenburg emphasized the increasing importance of this report, which has served as a warning to the international community about global food insecurity since 2016.
"The situation is alarming," he stated, highlighting that it jeopardizes not only individual lives but also the economic potential and stability of societies. He noted that financing for food and nutrition crises is diminishing amid soaring needs.
Van Trotsenburg called for unity and immediate action: "This is a wake-up call—we need to unite in solidarity with those who are suffering, double down on what works, and scale smart, cost-effective solutions to maximize impact, fast."
The World Bank Group is intensifying its efforts by fast-tracking Food and Nutrition Security Crisis Preparedness Plans across 28 countries. These plans enable access to emergency funding like the IDA Crisis Response Window during crises.
In collaboration with partners, the World Bank co-invests in tools such as the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard to strengthen early warning systems. The new Global Challenge Program on Food and Nutrition Security aims to scale impactful solutions addressing global hunger.
Van Trotsenburg stressed long-term strategies: "Strong food systems are smart insurance. They cut future emergency costs and deliver lasting development outcomes." Effective interventions integrate multiple targets like improving diets, supporting social safety nets, rural jobs, supply chains, and building climate resilience.
Examples of these efforts include initiatives in Yemen with FAO, UNDP, and the World Food Program assisting 3.5 million people with irrigation infrastructure and market access. In Mali, collaboration with IFAD focuses on diversifying income opportunities through aquaculture and poultry value chains.
He concluded by thanking the Global Network for launching this critical report: "The World Bank Group looks forward to working with all of you to stop future food crises in their tracks and progress towards a world free of hunger."