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The
summit, a joint initiative between Britain, Somalia, the UAE,
the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, is due to be attended by
representatives from more than 20 countries.
"We must take action to address the underlying, and often
unseen, causes of global food insecurity," Sunak said.
"From the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, to the effect of
major natural disasters on food production ... alongside our
partners, the UK is playing a leading role in finding solutions
to some of the greatest global challenges of our time."
Britain said the new virtual science hub would be led CGIAR, a
global research partnership which unites international
organizations working on food security, and would link UK
scientists with research initiatives to develop crops that can
withstand the impacts of climate change and are more disease
resistant.
The British government will also publish details of a new
international development policy document, or White Paper, on
food insecurity setting out plans to work in partnership with
countries to tackle extreme poverty and climate change rather
than just providing aid money.
Priorities will include mobilising international finance and
harnessing innovation, Britain's Foreign Office said.
Britain also said it was providing up to 100 million pounds
($125 million) in humanitarian funding to countries worst hit by
food insecurity including Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and
Afghanistan, and to countries impacted by climate-related
cyclones and drought like Malawi.
($1 = 0.8025 pounds)
(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by David Holmes)
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