Minderoo’s Ukraine aid surpasses $30 million as Dr Forrest calls on global investors to back Ukraine’s strategic food bowl
Minderoo Foundation’s support for Ukraine has now surpassed AU$30 million, with Dr Andrew Forrest AO announcing a new US$5 million contribution.
The package will help revitalise Ukraine’s agricultural sector, the world’s strategic food bowl, and was announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.
In announcing this further contribution, Dr Forrest will work alongside Ukrainian leaders to rally practical investment into scalable demining funds. Clearing unexploded ordnance is critical for Ukraine’s recovery, with more than 25 per cent of the nation’s productive land contaminated. Successful demining could unlock up to US$10 billion in annual agricultural output and protect the livelihoods of millions.
“Is this really our battle? Yes, it is. Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine because a fair go is in our DNA and Ukraine has been treated with breathtaking injustice,” Dr Forrest said.
“Europe is muscling up to empower Ukraine’s victory. It’s time for all of us governments, business, foundations to do the same.
“This is not charity, this is a vote of confidence in Ukraine’s future. Ukraine is totally investable. Its people are investable. Its agriculture industry is at a pivotal point. Let’s put capital to work for good.”
Minderoo Foundation’s new commitment will:
- Expand large-scale demining programs in key frontline agricultural regions including Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Dnipro.
- Fast-track best practice policies to rebuild Ukraine’s farming sector.
- Drive climate-resilient technology, modern farming, and skills training to boost production.
- Ensure Ukraine’s grain keeps feeding food-insecure nations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Dr Forrest emphasised Ukraine’s pivotal role in global food security: “While everyone talks about critical minerals and rare earths and as one of the world’s biggest miners, I assure you there’s nothing rare about rare earths, it’s food we could run out of. Ukraine’s strategic advantage as a food bowl must be protected.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, mines, shelling and attacks on vital transport links have devastated Ukraine’s agricultural production and global exports.
“Drone attacks keep threatening farmers. Fields are contaminated. Rural communities are displaced,” Dr Forrest said. “Yet this brave nation keeps growing its economy maintaining 5 per cent growth even under attack, outstripping Russia.”
Dr Forrest closed his remarks in Rome with a clear call to action: “Europe must lead. We must have a Ukrainian future determined by Ukraine, and a European future determined by Europe which includes Ukraine.
“I stand ready to back that leadership. Let’s get behind it, together.”
Minderoo Foundation’s Ukraine support to date:
- More than AU$30 million committed since 2022.
- Funding large-scale demining of farmland to safely bring arable land back into production.
- Working with the UN World Food Programme to deliver 23,000 metric tons of wheat to the Horn of Africa.
- Partnering with the Olena Zelenska Foundation to build homes for displaced families.
- Providing generators, grain storage solutions, microfinance, and peacebuilding projects to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience.
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