 The Food Coalition is a multi-stakeholder global alliance. It is a network of nations that will also include experts of all kinds, academic thought leaders, researchers and scientists, farmer and other food and agricultural organizations, parliamentarians, private sector and civil society representatives, and many others. Working together for a unified global action in response to COVID-19. The Food Coalition will be an advocate for strengthening agri-food systems around the world. It will raise awareness, mobilize financial resources and technical expertise, and source innovation and knowledge in support of those countries most in need. There are two dynamics at work today that necessitate the coming together of the Food Coalition. The first is COVID-19. In only six months, the virus reached every part of the world, and we can already be certain that the pandemic will have long-term effects on food systems and also food security and nutrition, especially for the most vulnerable. In 2019, 690 million people were hungry, and another 2 billion people did not have consistent access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. COVID-19 will push many more into hunger. The pandemic is a global problem that requires a global response and action if we are all committed to preventing this health crisis from becoming a food crisis. The second is our shared commitment to the 2030 agenda. We are not on track to achieve the most critical of the sustainable development goals. COVID-19 is further deteriorating our progress. It will take all of us to bring resources, knowledge, partnerships and solutions to our next decade of work. As a response to COVID-19, FAO launched a comprehensive response and recovery program designed around seven priority areas of work to help countries not only deal with the immediate crisis of the pandemic, but to prepare for recovery and building back. Thanks to Italy and several other FAO members, there was an immediate recognition that a coalition could leverage high-level political, financial and technical support to quickly respond to the response and recovery program and, most importantly, to country-level needs and demands. To draw attention to these needs and to start the necessary matchmaking, FAO has established a food coalition web-based hub. Here, members and other partners can easily access a basket of project-focused information and data and also see the funding gap that exists on the ground and the types of assistance that are required. Country needs, necessary actions and desired results are also available in the form of action sheets that have been developed by FAO country and regional offices in consultation with national governments and stakeholders. FAO will serve as the convener of the food coalition and will further delineate its organization and its work. We have a unique structure and capacity to bring this global alliance together. We can provide a space for constructive dialogue among our 194 members and have strong linkages to many other important partners. Last but not least, FAO's expansive network of country offices all around the world and across five regions ensures that the views and needs of countries and national partners are fully prioritized.