Natural and human disasters had major impacts on food security. Continued slow economic growth, particularly in China and Russia, combined with low oil prices reduced food security in Central Asia and the Arab region, and have slowed growth throughout Asia and Latin America. The expanding conflict in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen led to unprecedented numbers of displaced persons and refugees, with global impacts. Continuing conflicts and violence in Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Somalia, and South Sudan, and in Central America, drew less attention but nevertheless slowed progress in reducing hunger and food insecurity. Weather extremes associated with El Niño—predicted to be one of the largest ever—are already linked to a drought in Ethiopia that has left over 8 million in need of food aid, and impacts are expected to be severe in Central America and the Philippines.
In 2016 the world will begin to address the new global commitments on food security, nutrition, and poverty. This is an extraordinary opportunity to build on the synergies between human development and sustainability, and truly end hunger and food insecurity by 2025.