UK Leader Rishi Sunak Urges World To Use AI And Science To End Malnutrition

LONDON, England – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Monday that the United Kingdom is launching a new science program to aid in developing flood-resistant rice, disease-resistant wheat, and other climate-resilient crops.

Sunak urged world leaders to use artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technology to address global malnutrition at the one-day Global Food Security Summit in London. Ministers, diplomats, and philanthropists from about 20 countries also attended.

Sunak warned delegates that a “fundamental shift” is necessary to address a food-security catastrophe made worse by climate change. He emphasized the importance of science, stating that the United Kingdom would establish a “virtual science hub” to connect international experts working on more robust crops. The UK hub will be part of the CGIAR, a global research cooperation.

UK Leader Rishi Sunak Urges World To Use AI And Science To End Malnutrition

“Climate change, conflict and population rise mean ever greater challenges to food supplies,” Sunak told the BBC. “As a result, we need a fundamental shift in how we approach food security, with a focus on long-term solutions to prevent food crises from occurring.” And we must fully utilize the potential of science and technology to ensure that supplies are robust to challenges such as conflict, drought, and flooding.”

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also co-hosted the event, which Somalia and the United Arab Emirates also co-hosted.

The conference coincided with releasing a “re-energized” UK development policy aiming to eradicate extreme poverty, combat climate change, and restore biodiversity.

UK Leader Rishi Sunak Urges World To Use AI And Science To End Malnutrition

The document outlines the United Kingdom’s aid objectives until 2030 and confirms that Britain will not restore development aid to 0.7% of GDP, as it was reduced to 0.5% during the coronavirus pandemic, unless “the fiscal situation allows.” Instead, the UK says it will spend more wisely, allocating funds to help countries strengthen their natural catastrophe defenses, raising more private-sector funds for development, and fostering “mutually respectful” ties with developing countries.

“Today’s answer cannot be about rich countries ‘doing development’ for others,” Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated in his introduction. “We need to work together as partners, shaping narratives which developing countries own and deliver.”

Medical goods for Palestinian activists picketed the Lancaster House conference location, appealing for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict to send desperately needed food and humanitarian goods into Gaza.

UK Leader Rishi Sunak Urges World To Use AI And Science To End Malnutrition

“It is encouraging that they are discussing global food and security issues. “But if they’re going to do that seriously, they can’t ignore the situation in Gaza, where 2.2 million people face starvation,” said Melanie Ward, the group’s chief executive.

“Due to the siege imposed on Gaza, the amount of aid received in the last month is only enough for about two normal days in Gaza.” So only around 10% of the food needed to keep people alive in Gaza comes in.”

The United Kingdom, like the United States, has not called for a cease-fire, but Sunak has asked Israel to agree to “urgent and substantive humanitarian pauses” to allow food, fuel, and medicine into the country.

“The situation on the ground is truly tragic and getting worse,” he told reporters.

SOURCE – (AP)