Thematic Review of implementation: SDG 2; High-Level Political Forum

Excellency,

Distinguished guests,

Colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

My remarks are made on behalf of the Rome-based agencies: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

 

For the first time in many years, there is evidence that the major gains that have been made toward ending hunger may be at risk as climate change, conflict, lack of appropriate policies and insufficient investment, are threatening food security in many countries across the globe.

 

Most worrying, some 20 million people are at high risk of famine, and many millions more are experiencing severe food insecurity. In South Sudan, 45 000 people are in famine-like conditions. The need for decisive action in the short and medium term is especially acute.

 

And this is happening less than two years after we agreed to eradicate hunger by 2030.

 

The SDG2 presents a vision for integrated approaches leading to eradication of hunger and malnutrition, through sustainable, resilient and inclusive food and agriculture systems.

 

A transformation of the rural economy is necessary, putting small scale producers at the centre of all interventions as critical agents of change, as underlined in the Expert Group Meeting on SDG2 held in June, in support of the HLPF.

 

Sustainable agriculture and food systems (in all its dimensions) are central for economic growth, poverty alleviation and resilience to shock, disasters and support adaptation and mitigation to climate change.

 

To meet growing needs, sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity, including genetic resources is key to ensure diversification of production for healthy diets.

 

Ensuring adequate means of implementation is key, particularly finance and investment. Actual flows have not substantially increased, however, and there is little evidence that family farmers, small-scale producers and the rural poor are benefitting from any news investments.

 

We can only achieve Zero Hunger if we transform the rural economy, put smallholders at the centre and invest in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

 

Thank you for your attention.