President William Ruto has issued a strong appeal to world leaders to accelerate efforts to end hunger and overhaul the global food system, saying millions remain trapped in food insecurity despite decades of international progress.
Speaking at the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Ruto said current progress remains uneven with millions still trapped in hunger and malnutrition, particularly in developing countries.
He warned that hunger, malnutrition, and under-nutrition remain a daily reality for far too many, despite decades of progress.
The President made a passionate appeal for targeted financial support to small-scale farmers and the integration of digital innovation, like Kenya’s M-PESA, to build more inclusive, resilient food economies. With global food systems contributing nearly 10 trillion dollars annually to the world economy, President Ruto said the benefits are still barely felt in countries like Kenya where small-scale farmers are battling climate shocks, rising costs, and limited access to finance.
The head of state pushed for tailored financial products, like mobile-based innovations, to support agri-preneurs and unlock new value chains.
He also called for greater investment in research, AI, and climate-smart farming, framing them as tools to feed future generations.
The summit, co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy , drew global attention to the urgent need to rethink food supply systems in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
