At the Global Food Security Summit held in London, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday the establishment of a new science initiative aimed at developing flood-tolerant rice, disease-resistant wheat, and other crops that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. The event brought together ministers, diplomats, and philanthropists from approximately 20 countries, emphasizing the urgency of utilizing artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to combat global malnutrition.

Sunak stressed the need for a "fundamental shift" in addressing the food security crisis, which has been exacerbated by climate change. He emphasized the critical role of science and unveiled the United Kingdom's plan to create a "virtual science hub" that would connect international researchers focused on developing more resilient crops. This hub would be part of the global research partnership known as CGIAR. The Prime Minister highlighted the increasing challenges to food supplies resulting from climate change, conflict, and population growth, urging leaders to adopt long-term solutions to prevent future food crises. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the power of science and technology to ensure food supplies remain resilient to threats such as droughts, floods, and conflicts.

The summit, co-hosted by Somalia and the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the Children's Investment Fund Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, coincided with the release of the U.K.'s “re-energized” development strategy. This strategy, which outlines the nation's aid plans until 2030, addresses the goals of ending extreme poverty and combating climate change and biodiversity loss. Notably, the document confirmed that the U.K. would not restore development aid to 0.7% of gross national income, as it was reduced to 0.5% during the COVID-19 pandemic, until "the fiscal situation allows." Instead, the U.K. intends to allocate aid more strategically, focusing on strengthening countries' resilience to natural disasters, attracting private-sector investments for development, and establishing "mutually respectful" partnerships with developing nations.

However, the summit faced criticism from activists demanding urgent action in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Medical Aid for Palestinians protesters picketed outside the Lancaster House conference venue, calling for a cease-fire to enable the delivery of food and humanitarian aid to Gaza. The organization highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, where 2.2 million people are at risk of starvation due to the ongoing siege. They emphasized that the aid received in the past month was only sufficient for two normal days in Gaza, covering less than 10% of the required food supply. Chief Executive Melanie Ward urged global leaders not to overlook the crisis in Gaza while discussing food security worldwide. While the United States and the U.K. have not explicitly called for a cease-fire, Sunak urged Israel to agree to "urgent and substantive humanitarian pauses" to ensure the delivery of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine, considering the worsening situation on the ground.

In conclusion, the Global Food Security Summit held in London highlighted the U.K.'s commitment to developing flood-tolerant and disease-resistant crops through a new science initiative. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the urgent need for a shift in the approach to food security and the utilization of science and technology to combat the challenges posed by climate change. The summit also coincided with the publication of the U.K.'s development strategy, which outlines plans to end extreme poverty, tackle climate change, and biodiversity loss by 2030. However, the event faced criticism from activists demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.