The 5-year Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security was launched on Agri-Food Systems Day at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on December 5, 2024. The Initiative emerged in 2024 out of a partnership between the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and the Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food Security, and Agriculture chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Michael Kremer at the University of Chicago to develop a Flagship focusing on the Sahel for UNCCD COP16. Developed in collaboration with the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), this groundbreaking Initiative represents a unified global effort to address desertification, land degradation, and their socio-economic impacts. Backed by early support from AGFUND, BADEA, and cross-sector partners, the Initiative aims to deliver scalable, science-driven solutions that prioritize food security, climate resilience, and rural economic development across Africa’s most vulnerable regions. Special attention will be given to addressing the unique challenges faced by women, who are disproportionately impacted by land degradation and climate change due to their pivotal roles in agriculture, water management, and household sustainability. The Initiative will focus on diversifying agrifood systems, improving access to resources, financial inclusion, and education for women, empowering them to drive economic growth and resilience in their communities. The Flagship acknowledges that addressing new and emerging global challenges demands bold, innovative financing solutions and transformative reforms. It aligns with ongoing initiatives and efforts by the UN, international financial institutions, and UN Member States to significantly scale up financing for sustainable development. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the Flagship aims to bridge critical funding gaps, promote financial inclusion, and mobilize resources at an unprecedented scale. It emphasizes leveraging public-private partnerships, enhancing access to concessional finance, and developing mechanisms to de-risk investments in high-impact development projects. This holistic approach ensures that financial systems are adaptable, resilient, and equipped to meet the complex demands of a rapidly changing world. AGFUND’s and BADEA’s collaboration with the Science Summit at UNGA has underscored the transformative potential of evidence-based approaches in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The discussions at the Summit highlighted the essential role of sustainable financing, cross-sector collaboration, and scientific research in driving measurable social impacts that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the time of the launch in December 2024, the Flagship Initiative had already transformed into a Global Flagship Initiative:  In its Communiqué dated December 3, 2024, the Heads of the Arab Coordination Group institutions commended the efforts of the Flagship Initiative led by AGFUND, BADEA, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund), the Innovation Commission, and the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust). They back up these efforts with USD 10 billion by 2030. This investment will be instrumental in mobilizing and attracting further resources from the international community. It will also be crucial in scaling up innovations and nature-based solutions and enhancing resilience to climate impacts, benefiting populations and ecosystems worldwide with a focus on the wider Sahel.  Beyond the Arab Coordination Group, the CRDB Bank Plc (Tanzania), the governments of Djibouti and Somalia, the Regional Initiative Building Resilience in the Dry Corridor and Arid Zones of the SICA region (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic), the Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Center (China), the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (Norway), Partners of the Americas (USA), Fiera Capital Corporation (Canada), the Aavishkaar Group (India), CropLife Africa Middle East (Belgium), Bayer AG (Germany), AVPN (Singapore), the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens (Austria), the Hack for Earth Foundation (Sweden), and many other partners from around the world have already joined the Flagship Initiative. This Global Flagship Initiative focuses on impact, identifying and promoting the scaling of evidence-based, cost-effective and scalable innovations that support the transformation towards diverse, resilient, sustainable and nutritious agri-food systems to help millions of people in some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable regions, in particular drylands. It remains open for any partner that wishes to join. A key element of the Flagship is a strong involvement of the private sector. During UNCCD COP16, the Flagship Initiative engaged with researchers from around the world, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, and many others. Key to the Initiative’s success will be its dedicated Secretariat, hosted by the Crop Trust, a recognized international organization in Bonn, Germany. As of February 1, 2025, the Secretariat will oversee research efforts, foster global partnerships, and manage the rollout of projects designed to mitigate the effects of climate change while strengthening local economies. In terms of next steps, the Secretariat will draft a 5-year strategic engagement plan that will serve as the basis for a convening of all Flagship members in Bonn beginning of March 2025. The Secretariat will also prepare an events, outreach and communication strategy. Key milestone events in 2025 will be in Beijing as well as on the occasion of the UN Science Summit in New York during UNGA 80 and the World Food Day in Rome. Looking ahead, the Initiative will also advocate for increased funding for science-driven interventions at the UN Financing for Development Conference in Seville in 2025. This global platform will be pivotal in mobilizing support from governments, philanthropy, and private sector stakeholders to expand solutions that promote food security, social equity, resilience, and economic inclusivity in vulnerable regions. Through this initiative, AGFUND, BADEA, the Crop Trust and all partners continue their mission to enhance food security, empower communities, and build a sustainable future for Africa and the world. By leveraging partnerships and innovative solutions, the Initiative ensures a lasting impact in the fight against poverty and climate change.