The world is now facing the possibility of a crisis in global food security. In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February and the widespread dislocations to supplies of wheat, maize, vegetable oils, fertilizers and natural gas, such needed global public interventions will be extremely hard to design, agree on, and implement. But they must be attempted.

Fortunately, a unique opportunity to do exactly this is presented by Indonesia’s chairing the G-20 meeting in Bali in November. Two tracks would need to work hand in hand for the G20 Summit to succeed on food security: (1) the diplomatic and institutional coordination processes by which decisions are made; and (2) the substance of those decisions. The first is working smoothly, with the Government of Indonesia actively taking the lead in placing food security at the top of the G20 agenda for the Summit Meeting. Because the needed policies and programs are still to be formulated, now is the time for progress in identifying the substantive topics and measures that might be considered and agreed by the G20 Summit members.

Thus the U.S.-Indonesia Society (USINDO) and IFPRI, are partnering to present this Special Open Forum on “What Can the G-20 Meeting Do to Enhance Global Food Security?” Five distinguished panelists, all experts in their fields, will build our collective understanding of these vital issues and the possibilities for action.

Panelists

• Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI
• Rob Vos, Director of Markets, Trade and Institutions Division, IFPRI