14 November 2025
PRESS RELEASE
The 22nd Session of the Food Assistance Committee was held remotely on Friday 14 November 2025 under the Chairpersonship of Mr. Max Lamesch, Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Europe, Luxembourg.
Parties of the Convention namely Australia, Austria, Canada, European Union, France, Japan, Luxembourg, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United States of America participated in the session.
The Committee reviewed the global situation regarding hunger, malnutrition and current food emergencies against the backdrop of recent developments, including the supply and demand outlook for global grains, rice and oilseeds markets.
Amid a period of low international prices, the IGC Secretariat provided an update on the global grains market situation, including the latest production forecasts for wheat, rice and pulses for the 2025/26 marketing year. Furthermore, the Secretariat identified the main drivers for global trade in 2025/26 and the latest developments in logistics.
Members also provided information on responses to food emergencies in the most vulnerable regions and on planned operations and recent policy developments, with particular emphasis on food security.
Members considered the FAC Annual Report for 2024 and noted that 2024 had been a year of resilience, solidarity, and innovation. In 2024, all parties fulfilled or substantially exceeded their commitments by collectively contributing over 8.6 billion to the improvement of worldwide food security.
Geographically, the interventions of FAC members focused on food assistance in some of the most critical humanitarian crises in 2024. Amongst others, this included Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Somalia and Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan, Syria and its neighbouring countries, Ukraine and Yemen. Apart from these contributions, several parties to the FAC provided food assistance to people living in so-called forgotten crises, such as the Central African Republic, Haiti, Venezuela and Colombia.
The report also highlighted how innovation is shaping the future of food assistance. From piloting digital payment systems and catastrophe bonds to deploying AI-driven tools and supporting anticipatory action, members have embraced forward-thinking solutions that enhance efficiency, accountability, and impact.
The WFP and FAO provided statements for the session.
Members also confirmed their intended minimum annual commitments for 2026.
The Committee appointed Mr. Max Lamesch, Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Europe, Luxembourg, as Chairperson in 2026 and Ms Helena Vodušek, Head of Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Policies, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Slovenia as Vice-Chairperson.
In conjunction with the session, the Committee held a workshop on "The Role of Cash-Based Assistance in Driving Efficiency" which provided donors with an opportunity to hear directly from DG ECHO, UNHCR, and the ERC about the latest evidence, operational experiences, and strategic perspectives regarding cash-based assistance in humanitarian action.
PR(FAC Nov 2025)
