Conflict and hunger are intertwined: If one escalates, the other follows. As regional crises intensify across Ukraine, Syria, Ethiopia, and beyond, the nexus linking food and national security tightens. When high-export countries like Ukraine quit production and grain prices rise, ripple effects are global. Increased oil prices along with the escalation of climate change-related drought have devastated the production of fertilizers, wheat, and cooking oils. The poorest are the most vulnerable to deprivation. Conditions demand investment in agricultural resilience to prevent further destabilization and famine. While businesses and philanthropies are stepping up with governments to craft financial action plans to bring a measure of relief, more is needed. Panelists will focus on how we can save lives in the near term, measures we can take to address food insecurity and resilience in the long term.  

Moderator

Mina Al-Oraibi

Editor in Chief, The National

Speakers

H.E. Hawaa Althahak Almansoori

Member, Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates

Dan Pathomvanich

CEO, NR Instant Produce

Mark Tester

Founder, RedSea

Björn Witte

Managing Partner and CEO, Blue Horizon