Global food security: Challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

The aim of this study was to substantiate the peculiarities of the current state of global food security. In the process of writing the article, the following methods were applied: bibliometric analysis (using Google Analytics, Vosviewer v.1.6.18 and SciVal), system-structural analysis and synthesis, historical, dialectical, graphical and descriptive-statistical methods. The article clarifies the essence of the economic category “global food security”, which is considered as a state of the world food system, in which all people in all regions of the world have physical, social and economic access to an adequate volume of safe, high-quality, nutritious and wholesome food to ensure an active and healthy life over the long term. It is noted that advancement toward fulfilling the 2nd Sustainable Development Goal “ending hunger” is insufficient and uneven. In 2023, more than 700 million individuals in the world suffered from hunger, and 29% of the world’s population faced food insecurity. Forecasts show that achieving the 2nd Sustainable Development Goal by 2030 will be impossible without increased efforts and innovation. It has been established that the dynamics of food insecurity vary greatly between regions. The situation is the worst in Africa, with the food insecurity rate reaching 58% in 2023. Conflict, extreme climate events, economic crises and income inequality are the main factors that worsen the food security situation.These factors create a synergistic negative impact, especially in countries with low and middle incomes, and require the development of comprehensive measures to address food security issues. The study’s practical value is found in the application of the results of the food security monitoring, which will contribute to the adoption of effective solutions to overcome hunger and achieve the goals of sustainable development