Global Flagship Initiative: A Strong Start

• First funded projects launched in Ethiopia and Niger
• Establishment of the Flagship Secretariat at the Crop Trust in February 
• Adoption of the initiative’s strategy at the first Members’ Meeting in Bonn in May

This section provides an overview of the first year of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, a multi-partner platform with its own governance and Secretariat hosted by the Crop Trust. The Flagship Initiative brings together governments, development finance institutions, and international organizations and partners from the private sector, civil society and academia to scale solutions for food security. In 2025, the Crop Trust supported the establishment and early operations of the Initiative. 

The Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security was established at the 16^th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP 16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hosted by the Crop Trust with support of partners in the Arab Coordination Group, the Initiative will identify and support the scaling of cost-effective, evidence-based innovations for diverse and sustainable agri-food systems. 

In 2025, the Flagship Initiative made solid progress during its first full year, engaging more than 100 development partners globally and implementing the platform’s first funded projects in Africa. These early interventions support weather forecasting services for farmers in Ethiopia and strengthen local capacities for rainwater harvesting in Niger. They also demonstrate the Initiative’s ability to translate global commitments into action.

During this crucial first year, key milestones paved the way to agree on an ambitious agenda. 

• In February, the Crop Trust established the Initiative’s secretariat in Bonn, Germany. 
• In May, its strategy was adopted at the inaugural Members’ Meeting in Bonn. 
• In July, a ministerial communiqué was endorsed by member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Africa, boosting the initiative’s international visibility and high-level political backing.

A range of development organizations – including the United Nations and African Development Bank – provided further support for the Initiative. The Flagship was recognized at events such as the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4), the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA80), the Second World Summit for Social Development, and several intergovernmental G20-related fora. Major international institutions publicly aligned with Flagship Initiative objectives, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, the World Food Programme and leading development finance institutions.

New partnerships were also established with the UN Capital Development Fund, CRDB Bank of Tanzania, and the World Agricultural Forum, alongside close collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator system, the Joint SDG Fund and the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development.

From its inception, the Flagship Initiative has garnered support from institutions in the Arab Coordination Group, including AGFUND, BADEA, IsDB, and the OPEC Fund. This represents a potential commitment of up to USD 10 billion by 2030. This funding can play a crucial role in mobilizing additional international financial resources to scale innovations, implement nature-based solutions and strengthen resilience.