UNGA 75: Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition

 

 

75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Second Committee

Agenda Item 26. Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition

Statement by Carla Mucavi, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York
on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Programme

 

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is clear that we are not on track to eradicating hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition by 2030. This has become even more challenging with the onset of COVID-19.

The pandemic and the related measures of containment are leading to a slow-down in economic growth, which is further threatening food security, particularly for rural and vulnerable communities.

However, we can also choose to approach the pandemic as an opportunity, building on lessons learned and recognize food systems as one of the key entry points to leverage interlinkages and accelerate progress and transformation across all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), even in times of crises.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of the SDGs, a food systems approach has the potential to help eliminate hunger and all other forms of malnutrition, eradicate poverty through economic growth and employment, sustaining biodiversity and natural resources, and addressing climate change.

This was the focus of the 2020 Report of the Secretary-General to the 75th session of the General Assembly on Agriculture Development, Food Security and Nutrition was entitled: Accelerating Transformational Change and Enhancing Food Security and Nutrition in Times of Global Crisis.

This report explores how transformational change in food systems can help accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and enhance food security and nutrition, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the food system perspective, the report elaborates on five entry points for transformation  reflected in several themes taken up during the 2020 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, namely:

         i.            food systems transformation to end hunger and improve nutrition and human health;

         ii.            the linkages between poverty and food insecurity and malnutrition;

         iii.           the key role of biodiversity and ecosystems in supporting sustainable food systems;

         iv.           sharing economic benefits to address inequalities; and

         v.            territorial approaches to bolster local action to accelerate implementation.

Within this framework, the report puts forward information, available analysis and recommendations to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on sustainable food systems, and highlights partnership initiatives that can, even in the midst of crisis, mobilize the necessary means of implementation and strengthen collective action to build back better and improve food systems for sustainable development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We must increase long-term investment to transform our food systems to be more sustainable and equitable, to help mitigate food loss and waste, and to not adversely impact climate so that we can reduce the cost of nutritious foods and ensure that everybody can afford a healthy diet.

We should all actively participate in preparations towards the UNSG’s Food Systems Summit with a view to consolidate evidence, knowledge and understanding about interconnections, interactions and trade-offs inherent in a systems-oriented approach and to engage with diverse stakeholders in identifying opportunities for improved collective action at territorial, national, regional and global scales,

At the country level, governments must act, taking into consideration their specific contexts, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution to achieving this transformation.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extraordinary measures adopted to suppress it, and the subsequent economic impacts have exposed significant vulnerabilities in many contemporary food systems.

These vulnerabilities threaten food security and nutrition and exacerbate inequalities in access to healthy diets. At the same time, they represent potential entry points for deliberate action to accelerate progress to transform agriculture, food security and nutrition towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

We must also recognize the linkages between poverty and food insecurity and malnutrition; the link between hunger, conflict and economic downturn, the key role of biodiversity and ecosystems in promoting healthy diets and sustainable food systems; sharing economic benefits to address inequalities, particularly regarding rural and vulnerable populations; and territorial approaches to bolster local action to accelerate implementation.

To achieve this, we will need to redouble our efforts. And - we need to act now! For better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.

Thank you.