FOOD FOR ALL: FOOD CONFLICTS AND THE FUTURE OF FOOD SYSTEMS

 FOOD FOR ALL: FOOD CONFLICTS AND THE FUTURE OF FOOD SYSTEMS 

Speech by
Dr. QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General 

31 May 2021

 

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

1.              The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World had already warned us in 2017 that together with climate-related shocks, conflicts and economic downturn were the cause of much of the increase in food insecurity.

2.              Data showed higher levels of chronic and acute food insecurity and undernutrition in countries affected by conflict.

3.              Earlier this month, FAO and partners, launched the 2021 edition of the Global Report on Food Crises.

4.              The report confirmed an accelerating trend of rising acute food insecurity, where conflict, economic crises and extreme climate events continued to be the main drivers.

5.              In 2020, at least 155 million people experienced acute food insecurity, at crisis level or worse, across 55 countries and territories - an increase of around 20 million people from the previous year.

6.              Two-thirds of them - almost 100 million people - were pushed into acute food insecurity by conflicts.

7.              Conflict and hunger are mutually reinforcing, we need to address them together to end this vicious cycle.

8.              To be clear: addressing hunger is a foundation for stability and peace.

9.              FAO is an active member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Task Force on Preventing Famine in 2021, which seeks to do just that.

10.           This is indeed critical.

11.           And yet, it is more important than ever that we address the root causes of the rising levels of acute food insecurity.

12.           Yes, we want to beat back the risk of worse case situations in 2021.

13.           But we cannot find ourselves having to do so again next year or the year after.

14.           The cycle must end!

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

15.           The outlook for 2021 and beyond is grim.

16.           The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of our global agri-food systems.

17.           It highlighted the need for MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

18.           More than 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by conflict and fragility.

19.           One of the greatest and most pressing challenges of our time is therefore, to help those countries find a path towards sustainable peace and development.

20.           Coherent actions are needed among humanitarian, development and peace actors, to address the root causes of acute food insecurity.

21.           At FAO, increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods is a corporate priority.

22.           FAO’s experience shows that interventions that support livelihoods and food security have important impacts on local peace, as they address not only the symptoms, but also the root causes of conflict.

23.           For example, instability has become a prominent feature in the Sahel, where countries have been particularly hard hit by acute food insecurity in 2020.

24.           Despite large-scale, internationally backed efforts, peace remains fragile in many areas.

25.           This has been particularly the case for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, whose livelihoods have been increasingly eroded in the Sahel and elsewhere.

26.           In this region, livestock production contributes almost half of agricultural Gross Domestic Products.

27.           And pastoralism represents one of the most viable livelihood options in the drylands, contributing to social, environmental and economic wellbeing.

28.           In many areas, the relationship between farmers and pastoral herders, which was once collaborative, has become confrontational as they seek to use the same scarce resources.

29.           FAO and other agencies are strengthening the resilience of these communities, with a focus on cross-border areas, where insecurity and fragility are particularly acute.

30.           Conflicts also cause disruptions to production, processing, and distribution, which leads to food losses.

31.           Analyses have demonstrated an inverse correlation between food production and instances of violence.

 

Dear Friends,

32.           The evidence is clear: Where there is widespread conflict and instability there is food insecurity, food loss and less resilient agri-food systems.

33.           And hunger is often a contributor to instability and conflict. 

34.           Multiple shocks are likely to continue pushing more people into acute food insecurity.

35.           Addressing food crises requires sufficient and well-targeted investments across the humanitarian-development nexus supporting peace, in addition to a sustained humanitarian response.

36.           We can reverse the trends of rising acute food insecurity and transform agri-food systems.

37.           Let’s combine our efforts and seize a better future together!

38.           With better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life,

39.           With no one left behind and Food for All!

40.           Thank you.