FAO Director-General video message at the 46th Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 and China: Addressing the food, fuel, and finance crises and pathways towards achieving the SDGs

 

46^th ANNUAL MEETING OF MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA

“Addressing the food, fuel, and finance crises and pathways towards achieving the SDGs”

Video message delivered by

FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu

 Excellences, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The meeting is taking place at a very crucial moment, when the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts , as well as extreme climate events, are posing significant challenges to food security and nutrition, in particular for the most vulnerable countries and populations.

We are not on track in our commitments to end hunger and eliminate all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

Our latest estimates show that as many as 828 million people suffered chronic hunger globally in 2021 – an increase of about 150 million since the outbreak of the pandemic, and 46 million more than in 2020.

Projections indicate that nearly 670 million people would still face chronic hunger in 2030, if we do not take appropriate actions now.

The number of people unable to afford a healthy diet rose by 112 million to almost 3.1 billion people in 2020, reflecting the impacts of rising consumer food prices during the pandemic.

The situation has been made worse with the rising prices of food, feed, fertilizer and fuel, due to the war in Ukraine and other ongoing conflicts,

Creating a food access and food affordability problem, and could lead to a food availability problem next year.

Consumer food prices are soaring and inflation rates are extremely high, despite the recent declines in world prices.

They are causing increased food import bills, and putting additional fiscal pressure, especially on the budgets of low-income countries.

The global food import bill is expected to hit a new record level in 2022, due to higher prices and transport costs, rather than volumes.

In response, FAO has proposed the establishment of a Food Import Financing Facility to provide balance-of-payment support to 62 affected countries.

Fertilizer prices are also soaring because of high energy and natural gas prices, raising the costs of production and reducing the profitability of farmers who may have to reduce their production or even abandon farming. 

It is essential to improve fertilizer use efficiency, and FAO has proposed the use of soil nutrition maps to farmers to identify the best blending of fertilizers and thus increase fertilizer use efficiency and reduce production costs. 

Experience has shown impressive results.

It is also important to ensure well-functioning markets and global trade for addressing both short- and medium-term challenges to food security.

FAO provides timely and objective data and information on markets, monitors trade policy developments, promotes dialogue, and proposes policy recommendations. 

Dear Friends,

In the face of global crises, we need global solutions and global efforts. 

We must continue to work together for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

We must work together to transform our agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.

Let us build forward better, together, by implementing sustainable and holistic solutions that address the current challenges, while addressing long-term inclusive development to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

FAO is committed to work with all partners to achieve this vision.

Thank you.