'Global food crisis' looming amid Strait of Hormuz closure

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that the world is 'sleepwalking into a global food crisis' due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has restricted the movement of fertiliser and fuel, threatening global food security and potentially pushing nearly 45 million more people into acute food insecurity. Cooper emphasized the need for urgent global action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease supply chain disruptions during the Global Partnerships Conference in London. She stated that the crisis affects both developed and developing nations, highlighting the risks to harvests worldwide. The conference, co-hosted by the UK, South Africa, British International Investment (BII), and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), focuses on reshaping international development partnerships. It introduces the Global Partnerships Compact, a framework to strengthen crisis resilience, attract investment, and help countries take ownership of their growth. Baroness Chapman, Minister for Development, noted that traditional aid alone cannot meet current challenges, calling for innovative finance and technology, including AI, to address food and energy insecurity. The UK aims to unlock billions in funding to build more self-sufficient systems and mitigate future shocks. Cooper stressed that instability abroad impacts global food and energy prices, making international cooperation essential for UK security. The conference seeks to foster partnerships that enhance economic stability, reduce crises, and create a more prosperous future.