Current: Chief economist and senior vice-president at the FAO, guiding hunger and nutrition policy. In 2025, global hunger declined for the third straight year, underscoring progress yet highlighting fragility and the need for continued action.
The latest SOFI report shows 645 million people faced hunger in 2025, a drop from 2024 but still above prepandemic levels. Africa now hosts the most hungry people in absolute terms, with 309 million, while Africa and other regions face rising food insecurity driven by conflict, climate extremes and higher costs. Nutrition indicators remain poor, with stunting, obesity and low diet diversity continuing to challenge progress.