We, the G20 Ministers responsible for Food Security and Nutrition, met in Cape Town, South Africa on 19 September 2025. The African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because you are,” envisions a world where no one is left behind, in our quest of re-imagining food systems. The interdependence across communities, borders, and generations requires us to prioritise dignity, agency, and solidarity in food systems and food security. Whilst respecting the diverse food security contexts and nationally determined priorities, and in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, the Ubuntu Approaches on Food Security and Nutrition, and Excessive Food Price Volatility are set out to safeguard access to affordable, safe, and nutritious food, and deliver resilient and sustainable food systems.
1. There is a need to build food systems that are adaptive, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient, diversifying and increasing the reliability of food sources, including domestic production and international trade, to reduce the effects of excessive food price volatility and persistent food inflation, currency fluctuations, and trade-related disruptions, particularly for the net food importing countries.
2. Food systems that entrench risk planning and adaptation should be encouraged. These should be guided by climate-responsive and evidence-based planning, and supported by effective early warning systems and accessible data that is locally relevant, and respects diverse contexts and national circumstances.
3. Communication and timely sharing of policy decisions, coordinated response measures, and reliable market information systems such as the G20’s AMIS are essential to minimise the adverse effects of disruptions, reduce duplication and avoid unintended consequences.
4. Fair, transparent and rules-based trade, that creates a level playing field for all, is essential to protect food producers and consumers, reduce trade distortions, and ensure sustainable, resilient, and well-functioning food systems. To support this, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), as well as responsible business conduct of producers, traders, and other actors across supply chains are encouraged.
5. Where appropriate, effective and robust, well-designed, safety net programmes like cash vouchers and in-kind transfers that aim to provide assistance to individuals and families who are most vulnerable to poverty and economic shocks, can be vital tools in preventing food insecurity and malnutrition. Protecting purchasing power and ensuring access to balanced and healthy diets remains a priority and should be designed with the needs of smallholder and family farmers, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, low-income urban and rural populations, and people in vulnerable situations in mind. Participatory learning and accountability systems to track the effectiveness and fairness of such policies should be implemented and strengthened.
6. Supporting responsible public and private investments is essential, especially in infrastructure, research and development, and education and training to strengthen production and distribution systems, reduce postharvest losses, lower transportation costs, support the adoption of innovative farming technologies, promote sustainable agriculture practices, and facilitate access to markets, including for smallholder and family farmers. This may include scaling up investments in climate resilient and environmentally friendly technologies, agroecological practices and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture, strengthening supply chains, and promoting diversified and nutrient- rich production systems that support cultural and ecological outcomes, and affordable healthy diets for all. Measures should be carefully targeted and inclusive, where appropriate, focus on reducing inequalities and securing land rights, equitable access to inputs and finance.
7. In certain contexts, well designed, targeted, and WTO compliant emergency food reserves that do not distort international trade can mitigate supply disruptions and excessive food price volatility and protect people in vulnerable situations during exceptional circumstances, when managed effectively. These should be built upon transparent and non-discriminatory processes and governed by protocols, informed by early warning systems and food security monitoring.
8. An open, transparent, fair, predictable, rules-based, non-discriminatory, inclusive, sustainable, equitable multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, plays a crucial role in enhancing global food security and nutrition. The development of export and import diversification strategies will reduce risk exposure and improve supply chain planning, operations and efficiency that contributes to food accessibility and affordability. This may include, where appropriate, coordination by regional bodies to enhance resilience, including for import dependent countries.
9. Agriculture and food systems resilience can be enhanced through sustainable management of soil, water, and biodiversity. Sustainable production systems and food supply chains can enhance biodiversity, build climate resilience, restore degraded ecosystems, and enable equitable, sustainable agriculture and food systems. Investing in research and development, as well as in education and training, can drive agricultural productivity, resilience, and sustainability, including advancing inclusive and affordable innovation and technologies for plant and animal breeding, agricultural inputs, and sustainable and resilient agriculture management practices. Improving sustainability practices in fisheries and aquatic foods is also crucial for preserving marine and aquatic biodiversity and fish stocks and enhancing resilience. Food loss and waste reduction is critical for food security and nutrition.
10. A systems-based approach to policy development can strengthen cross-sector coherence by integrating shared information systems, co-financing models, and joint accountability. Effective coordination between public and private sectors, supported by PPPs, farmer organisations, and multisectoral planning, is essential for transforming agriculture and food systems. Embedding food security and nutrition policies across development and budgetary cycles enhances coherence, effectiveness, and investment capacity.
11. Promoting integrated actions that prioritise nutrition in policy and investment decisions is essential. Effective coordination is vital for ensuring that food safety policies and standards contribute to food security and nutrition. Science- and evidence-based nutrition labelling, which is WTO compliant, is important to inform consumer choices, and could be promoted in agriculture and food systems policy frameworks.