Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) last night, Sunday evening, hosted a special event at the National Palace, calling for urgent, unified action to transform global food systems.
During his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that "food is never just a commodity," but rather "memory, identity, national sovereignty, and ultimately survival."
He urged leaders from various nations and organizations to embrace "resilience, equity, and trust" in building sustainable food systems, highlighting that while "solutions are not scarce," "what is scarce is time."
"Tonight, we gather to share a meal, but most importantly, to honour a shared journey," Prime Minister Abiy stated, reflecting on the insights from the recent Food Systems Summit.
He stressed that "food is never just a commodity. It is memory, identity, national sovereignty, and ultimately survival." He drew a direct parallel between what is cultivated in the soil and the values that must be upheld in global systems: "resilience, equity, and trust."
The event brought together leaders from nations, international organizations, and global partnerships, each, as the Prime Minister noted, contributing "hard-earned lessons, bold ambitions, and the determination to do better for farmers, for families, for future generations."
Acknowledging the immense challenges facing food systems worldwide, Prime Minister Abiy highlighted that "solutions are not scarce," citing a wide array of innovations from "digital innovations to indigenous practices, from climate-smart agriculture to inclusive finance." He then underscored the critical urgency: "What is scarce is time."
Despite the pressing need for action, the Prime Minister conveyed a message of hope and collective forward momentum. "Tonight, let us not only speak of what we must fix, but also of what is growing: collaboration, creativity, and courage."
In a poignant moment, Prime Minister Abiy articulated Ethiopia's contribution to this global effort: "As your hosts, we are proud to contribute not just a venue, but a spirit, a belief: unity of purpose can nourish the world as deeply as any harvest." He connected this spirit to "medmer or synergy," an Ethiopian concept signifying "a way of coming together, across disciplines, across borders, to build food systems rooted in trust, inclusive, and resilience."
The Prime Minister concluded by expressing gratitude for the dedication of those present, stating, "Thank you for the work you do, the hope you carry, and the future you help shape. May this meal be a celebration of what we build when we act as one."
The address served as a compelling call to action, blending historical reflection with a forward-looking vision for a more food-secure and equitable world, all from the symbolic setting of the National Palace.
