Lecture by H.E. Ambassador Dennis Francis, President of UNGA 78 “Accelerating progress towards zero hunger for the current and future generations” Welcome Remarks

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear colleagues, 

Good morning from Rome.

I am very pleased to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, who accepted my invitation to come to FAO Headquarters.

I also welcome all our guests and participants, both here in Rome and those connected from around the world.

In fact, FAO is not new to Ambassador Francis, as he was previously accredited as Permanent Representative to FAO, as Head of Mission of Trinidad and Tobago in Geneva some years ago – however it is in fact “new” for you after five years since I took office!

Dear Ambassador Francis,

Your return as President of the UN General Assembly highlights your continued – and our shared – commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition, and our friendship.

I am sure that returning to FAO, you have found a renovated building, but more importantly a new, transformed FAO, with a renewed commitment, focus and ongoing passion, at the service of its Members, and the farmers and consumers of the world.

As President of the General Assembly, with your long diplomatic experience, you have demonstrated strong leadership, steering global dialogue to accelerate action for the transformation of global agrifood systems in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In September last year, when we met during the High-Level Week of the General Assembly, I noted your dedication to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly for the eradication of poverty and hunger.

Your vision for 'Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability' is aligned with FAO’s vision and commitment to transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, for the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life - leaving no one behind. This is at the core of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, to guide the work of our Organization over the next decade.

We also continue to affirm that there can be no food security without peace, and that food security is a basic human right. No matter where you are, or who you are.

I recall in your vision statement, you emphasized that without a quantum leap in commitment and transformational action, the SDGs would not be achieved, and you have used your mandate to mobilize action. Such as by organizing the groundbreaking “Sustainability Week”, which brought together diverse General Assembly events to address inter-connected global challenges, and to call for urgent action on the food and humanitarian crises we face.

As a national from a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), your strong support for SIDS, LDCs, and LLDCs mirrors our own at FAO and has been visible in many ways, including through the re-activation of a dedicated Advisory Board to better support these vulnerable countries - of which FAO is proud to be an active member.

Since taking office, I also established a new FAO Office for SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs, and I appointed a woman to lead the Office, in line with FAO’s policy on gender balance.

FAO is also engaged in other events under your leadership, including the high-level El Niño event, the AMR Multi-Stakeholder hearing and ongoing process, and the 2024 SIDS Conference, among others. 

Dear Colleagues,

Ambassador Francis's visit today is an important moment on our collective journey towards sustainable development and a world without hunger. It provides us with an opportunity to take stock of where we are along our path, and how to best move forward.

The 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI) Report, launched last week at the G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty Ministerial Meeting in Brazil, is also an urgent reminder of the critical need for transformative action.

SOFI emphasizes that we are at a standstill in the global fight against hunger.

The Report confirms that more than 730 million people worldwide faced hunger in 2023, and more than 2.3 billion were moderately or severely food insecure.

Without immediate transformative change, it is projected that 580 million people will still be hungry in 2030.

This is unacceptable. And we have less than six years to make things right!

On a positive note, SOFI also shows us encouraging progress in South America, and in sub-regions of Southern Asia. This is progress that can be replicated in other regions of the world, with the appropriate enabling policies, and by ensuring access to adequate, innovative and affordable financing. We need financing, innovation and technology, and more importantly political will. It can be done!

That is a key message of SOFI, and one that has been highlighted by Ambassador Francis in different forums.

At the SOFI Special Event held earlier this month during this year’s High-Level Political Forum in New York, Ambassador Francis underlined that “to ensure our survival – as a global community – we must mobilize adequate financial resources to cultivate efficient, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.”

And I fully agree.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, also agreed with me on this critical issue when we last met.

Dear Colleagues, 

The title of Ambassador Francis’ lecture today is “Accelerating progress towards ending hunger for the current and future generations”.

It is a reminder of the urgent need to do more and better, together.

For people, planet and prosperity, for present and future generations.

And this is also what is guiding our work in preparation for the Summit of the Future in September.

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Please join me in welcoming His Excellency Ambassador Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to deliver his lecture.

Thank you.