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Whereas the problem of hunger is not new to the developing world it is a problem which is regarded to be solvable as enough food to cover the needs of the worlds’ population is being produced every year. The main problem is linked to the adequate distribution of this food. A fairly recent element contributing to food insecurity in the developing countries has been sharply rising food prices, especially in 2008/2009 and in 2011. There are several underlying causes for this price development and it is not yet clear whether, climate change and the increased use of biofuels or speculation at the stock exchange markets are the main drivers. Political attention on the subject has increased due to these developments and at the recent G8 summit in May 2012 in Camp David Food Security and agriculture featured high on the agenda with the launch of a “New Alliance to improve Food and nutrition security” which aims at increasing private sector involvement in the subject.

Both the international community and the countries affected by food insecurity are increasingly aware of the necessity for sustainable mechanisms against food insecurity. One example for such a mechanism has been put in place in Ethiopia. Until the 1990s, Ethiopia used to be one of the countries most associated with hunger crisis and food insecurity. Through the implementation of an effective Early Warning System and a so called Productive Safety Net which serves to increase the resilience of communities by revitalizing ground which has suffered erosions, Ethiopia has achieved an improvement in terms of supply of foods for its citizens.

Climate Change acts as a multiplier in terms of increased occurrence of extreme whether events such as the current drought in the Sahel. The Expert Roundtable will discuss with representatives from the region and the EU about the best practices experience from Ethiopia, the influence of bio fuel production and climate change as well as the conflict situation in the Sahel on food security in order to discuss policy recommendations and support a comprehensive approach towards stabilization in the region.

confirmed speakers include:

Michèle Striffler, MEP, First Vice-Chair of the Committee on Development, European Parliament

Karl Deering, Climate Change and Food Security Team Leader, Care International, UK

Teferi M. DESTA, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Ethiopia to the EU and the Benelux countries, Belgium

Philippe Scholtès, Director, Agribusiness Development Branch, UNIDO

Jean-Pierre Halkin, DG DEVCO, Head of Unit Rural Development, Food Security and Nutrition

Hugo Valin, Research Scholar Ecosystems Services and Management, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria

Rob Vierhout, Secretary-General, ePURE – European Renewable Ethanol

Claude Nankam, PhD, Food Security and Capacity Building Advisor, World Vision, West Africa Regional Office, World Vision International

Bartosz Lercel, Responsible at the Council for the Working Party on Humanitarian Aid and Food Aid, Unit Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, General Secretariat of the Council of the EU