FAO statement at UNGA77 Second Committee side event – 'The role of trade and logistics in getting food and energy to all'

77^th session of the General Assembly - Second Committee 

Side-event “The role of trade and logistics in getting food and energy to all”

Statement by FAO, delivered by

Mr QU Guangzhou, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the UN in New York

Thank you, Chair. I would like to add a few points from FAO’s perspective.

Let me start by recalling that world food prices remain high, despite the sixth consecutive monthly fall in FAO’s Food Price Index in September. We still need a mix of responses to address this.

First, keep global markets of food, energy, and agricultural inputs open and trade flowing smoothly. 

The G20 Agricultural Market Information System, an interagency platform hosted in FAO, helps this by enhancing food market transparency and encouraging coordination of policy actions. 

The system has been playing an important role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. 

Second, ensure supply and access to food. The Black Sea Grain Initiative has helped increase the availability of food and feed. 

The recently approved IMF food shock window, mentioned by my IMF colleague earlier, takes forward the Food Import Financing Facility proposed by FAO, will be an important complement to the Initiative. 

Third, ensure fertilizer supply for the upcoming agricultural season. Currently, high prices and availability of fertilizers pose a risk for next year. Recent developments can help improve this situation, including: Letters of comfort issued by the United States on imports of food and fertilizers; European Union guidelines on how fertilizers from the Russian Federation can flow through its ports to developing countries; and The “Save the Crops Operation” to promote access to fertilizers and other critical inputs by vulnerable countries.

Fertilizers are important but not enough: they must be used efficiently. FAO is developing soil nutrient maps to help in this direction. 

Fourth, ensuring food security requires measures outside international food markets, including strengthening social protection, supporting local food production, reducing food loss and waste, and transforming agrifood systems, so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

Thank you, Chair.