Committee publication · Correspondence · 9 June 2026
Correspondence to the Minister for Development and Africa relating to Follow-up on the Committee’s report The Government’s efforts to achieve SDG2: Zero Hunger, 18 May 2026
Summary
The International Development Committee writes to the Minister for Development and Africa seeking clarification on how the Government's new development approach addresses SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). The Committee, noting a year has passed since receiving the Government's previous response, requests specific details on which Community of Expertise oversees food security, how FCDO work coordinates with other departments, alignment of multilateral contributions, and private investment leverage. It also requests progress updates on two accepted recommendations regarding SDG 2's strategic importance and staffing.
Key findings
- The Committee identifies lack of clarity on how SDG 2 will be served through the Four Essential Shifts, bilateral contributions, and Communities of Expertise within the Government's new development approach
- Committee seeks clarification on which Community of Expertise encompasses food security and nutrition
- Committee requests details on coordination between FCDO work and other Government departments on food strategy and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme
- Committee asks how UK multilateral contributions have been aligned with food security and nutrition priorities of development partners
- Committee requests update on two previously accepted recommendations: SDG 2 as a cross-cutting diplomatic issue with head-of-mission reporting requirements, and review of staffing complement and structure for SDG 2 work across departments
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Sarah Champion MP, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, International Development Committee, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, BII (British International Investment)
Notable line
“… there is still detail lacking on how certain thematic areas will be served through: • the Four Essential Shifts; • the UK's bilateral contributions; • and the Communities of Expertise.”
Key Quotes
“It is now a year since we received the Government's response to the Committee's report, The Government's efforts to achieve SDG2: Zero Hunger .”
“… there is still detail lacking on how certain thematic areas will be served through: • the Four Essential Shifts; • the UK's bilateral contributions; • and the Communities of Expertise.”
“Beyond the Nutrition for Growth summit, we encourage the Government to see SDG2 as an issue of vital strategic importance to the UK's national and international interests.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗