THE ROLE OF THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

The article defines the role of the informal sector in ensuring food security. It confirms the multidimensional nature of food security, the concept of which is evolving and acquiring new features. The study substantiates the main stages of development of the concept of food security and identifies changes in the role of the informal economy in ensuring it. It has been established that under the influence of the global food crises of the 1970s, the formation of the institutional basis for global collective responsibility began. In the period from 2000 to 2010, the concept of collective responsibility acquired the features of a multi-level architecture. The paper confirms that, at the present stage, global collective responsibility encompasses ESG, international standards, and the integration of digital technologies into global food systems management. It substantiates the emergence of new collective responsibility tools and the need for further transformation, given the mixed trends in reducing hunger and ensuring food security. Key features of global collective responsibility have been identified, including joint recognition of hunger issues, international legal and political frameworks, financial solidarity mechanisms, humanitarian responsibility, global policy coordination, consideration of the interests of vulnerable groups, etc. The role of the informal economy in sustaining economic activity through informal employment levels and, consequently, maintaining food security is examined. The study analyses the level of informal employment in agriculture in countries with different income levels and finds that it is highly stable in low-income countries. It identifies the reasons for this situation. The functions of the informal sector in ensuring food security have been identified. It has been confirmed that it reduces unemployment, quickly adapts to economic and social challenges, and forms short supply chains. The re- search proves that the informal sector of the economy is closely linked to formal markets, therefore global collective responsibility for ensuring food security must take into account the gradual formalisation of the informal sector of the economy and its inclusive integration.