UN General Assembly: G5 Sahel Heads of State Event

New York, 22 September 2019

 

UN General Assembly: G5 Sahel Heads of State Event

 

I am the FAO Director-General. I am honored to participate in this discussion.

Since 2005, the Sahel region has been hit by repeated crises, each leaving the most vulnerable more exposed.

Food insecurity and youth unemployment remain persistently high in the region.

The climate crisis threat is increasing local conflict between pastoralists and farmers over land and water.

It’s clear that the challenges of Sahel need a coordinated and coherent response by remodeling agriculture and food systems.

FAO is also supporting the G5 Sahel, leading the pastoralism efforts under the resilience pillar of the investment plan.

Last time we had the TICAD 7 in Japan. Also the UN Secretary-General called all the UN agencies to work together to help you.

I would like to highlight that the UN Rome-based Agencies, FAO, IFAD and WFP, are combining their strengths to implement the Plan of Action for the Sahel together with national authorities and regional bodies like the G5.

The best example of this collaboration is in Niger where our agencies are supporting the Government within the 3N initiative.

These joint efforts are providing alternative job opportunities, restoring livelihoods, and building resilience for some of the region’s most vulnerable communities.

In another example, FAO and the European Union are working together to strengthen the resilience of transboundary agropastoral communities to food crises in the Sahel.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a real opportunity to address the effects of climate change and build more resilient agri-food systems across the Sahel if we commit to work together in partnership. And the leadership is for leaders of Sahel countries.

FAO will continue to support the governments and people of the Sahel, and to build more dynamic and more tangible results for people in need.

Thank you.