ECOSOC Management Segment 2020: population and development

 

 

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Management Segment

Agenda item 18(f): population and development

statement delivered on behalf of the Rome-Based Agencies (RBAs)

by Carla Mucavi, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York

 

Thank you for giving me the floor. Thank you for the report and thank you to Japan.

The RBAs worked closely with DESA to prepare this year’s session of the CPD.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPD could not take the planned in-depth look to the issue of population, food security, nutrition and sustainable development. But the RBAs would like to recognize and thank the efforts of the Chair of the Commission Ambassador Braun, its bureau, and Members to have been able to adopt a short declaration focusing on this year’s theme, in the context of the pandemic.

Even if it was not possible for the Commission to agree on an outcome, a rich conversation took place. Delegates discussed the importance of social protection, the impact of the pandemic on food systems and livelihoods, and the need to keep food systems alive and food trade functioning. All these issues continue to be relevant for governments to consider as they respond to COVID-19.

We also welcome the decision by the CPD to maintain the focus on food security and nutrition in next year’s session.

The latest edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, launched last week, estimates that world hunger continued to increase in 2019. COVID-19 is expected to worsen the situation: the pandemic could tip over 130 million more people into chronic hunger by the end of the year. In addition, a staggering three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet because of the high cost of nutritious foods compared to their low income.  

In this scenario, and considering the challenges to feed a growing global population as well as the environmental footprint of current food systems, food security and nutrition remains an important topic for the CPD. We therefore look forward to collaborating again with DESA and to support the Chair, Ambassador Tiare, and the bureau in their work.

Thank you for your attention.