Crawford Fund for Food Security backs call for bold action on global hunger

July 23, 2025

The Crawford Fund for Food Security welcomes the establishment of a new US initiative, the Food Security Leadership Council (FSLC), urging a transformative rethink of how the world confronts hunger and malnutrition.

FSLC calls for a bold new blueprint—rooted in innovation, trade, multilateral policy, humanitarian action, and local agricultural development.

“FSLC’s message resonates deeply with our mission,” said Shaun Coffey, CEO of the Crawford Fund for Food Security.

“With over 700 million people hungry and agricultural systems under threat from climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity, the time for incremental responses has passed. We must rebuild our policies, investments, and partnerships.”

The new initiative was launched (22 July, Washington) by Dr Cary Fowler, President of the Council, former U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, and 2024 World Food Prize Laureate. Two Australians connected with the FSLC are Nobel Prize Winner Dr Brian Schmidt and internationally renowned economist Dr Phil Pardey.

The Crawford Fund supports FSLC’s emphasis on:

• Restoring soils and water systems as a foundation for food security
• Boosting investment in agricultural research and development
• Leveraging trade and multilateral cooperation
• Advancing nutrition security alongside food availability

“Our focus in Australia and our international networks is to support science‑led innovation, foster local leadership, and build collaborative pathways to resilience,” Mr Coffey said.

“This is not only the right thing to do—it is in the interest of a stable and secure world.”

We look forward to discussing a range of these issues at the Fund’s annual conference, Australia’s key food security event, Progress and Prospects for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems: Actionable Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners, in the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra 11-12 August.

Some of the media coverage around our support for FSLC is below:

Crawford Fund for Food Security backs call for bold action on global hunger (22m25s to 26m10s) 
ABC Country Hour – 29 July 2025

Crawford Fund for Food Security backs call for bold action on global hunger
The Asian Compass – 29 July 2025