Countries. [chimes] the 9392nd meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is maintenance of International Peace and security, famine, and conflictinduced global Food Insecurity. The agenda is adopted. First, i wish to warmly welcome the distinguished ministers and other highlevel representatives. Your presence here today underscores the importance of the subject matter that is under discussion. In accordance with rule 37 of the councils provisional rules of procedure, i invite the representatives of algeria, argentina, armenia, australia, azerbaijan, bangladesh, belarus, the National State of bolivia, burkina faso, cambodia, chile, cuba, denmark, egypt, estonia, ethiopia, georgia, germany, guatemala, guyana, haiti, india, indonesia, ireland, israel, italy, jordan, kenya, latvia, lebanon, liberia, liechtenstein, mexico, morocco, myanmar, the kingdom of the netherlands, nigeria, oman, pakistan, panama, philippines, poland, portugal, qatar, the republic of korea, romania, saudi arabia, sierra leone, singapore, slovakia, slovenia, south africa, spain, thailand, tunisia, turkey, ukraine, the bolivarian republic of venezuela, vietnam, and yemen, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the councils provisional rules of procedure, i invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting. Ms. Rena gala, United Nations famine profession and response coordinator, mr. David miliband, president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue committee, and ms. Naveen salam, founder and chief executive officer of adecia. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the councils provisional rules of procedure, i also invite the following to participate in the meeting. His excellency, delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, and his excellency, mr. Paul beresford hill, permanent observer of the sovereign order of malta to the United Nations. It is so decided. I propose that the council invite the permanent observer of the observer state of the holy see to the United Nations to participate in this meeting in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and the previous practice in this regard. There being no objection, it is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council Members to document s 2023 560. A letter dated 26 july, 2023 from the permanent representative of the United States of america to the United Nations addressed to the president of the Security Council transmitting a concept paper on the item under consideration. The council has before it the text of a statement by the president on behalf of the council on the subject of todays meeting. I thank the Council Members for their valuable contributions to this statement. In accordance with the Understanding Reached among the members of the council, i shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol s prst 2023 4. I now give the floor to ms. Rena galani. Over to you. Thank you, mr. President , excellencies, and thank you for the opportunity to take part in this briefing today. Mr. President , this council is more than aware of the multiple challenges and threats the world is facing today. But the threat of famine, people starving slowly to death, must be a red line. And yet the number of people suffering from acute Food Insecurity reached a quarter of a billion last year. This is the highest recorded in recent years. These people, some 376,000, were facing faminelike conditions in seven countries. Another 35 Million People were on the edge. As in all crisis situations, women and children are the most impacted. This situation has not come as a surprise. It is a manmade crisis that has been swelling for years. We are now at the tipping point. Mr. President , hunger and conflict feed off each other. Conflict and insecurity remain key drivers of hunger and famine. Every one of the seven countries where people faced faminelike conditions last year were affected by Armed Conflict or extreme levels of violence. Five of those seven countries, afghanistan, haiti, somalia, south sudan, and yemen, are regularly on this councils agenda. Armed conflict destroys food systems, shatters livelihoods, and drives people from their homes, leaving many extremely vulnerable and hungry. Sometimes these impacts are byproducts of war, but all too often they are inflicted deliberately and unlawfully with hunger utilized as a tactic of war. Conflict does not spare those who are providing assistance to stave off famine. Last year, dozens of humanitarian workers were killed and many more were kidnapped or injured in situations of conflict. Humanitarian facilities and supplies also often come under attack, are looted, or used for military purposes. The difficulties the United Nations, ngos, and their partners are facing in sudan is a stark reminder, and our deepest condolences to the families of the 11 humanitarian workers killed in sudan. Food insecurity itself also fuels instability. For example, recent research highlighted by the World Food Program has shown how Food Insecurity, when coupled with preexisting grievances, desperation too often fueled by poverty and inequality, and governance issues cause people to choose violence over peace. It is the straw that breaks the camels back, often resulting in conflict. Mr. President , excellencies, conflictinduced hunger is compounded by a toxic mix of Climate Change and economic shocks. Climate change is increasingly becoming a threat multiplier as the stress on water and other Natural Resources leads to increased competition and displacement. Conflicts and hunger spread. Of the 10 countries most vulnerable to climaterelated risks, seven are affected by conflict, six host a u. N. Peacekeeping or special political mission, and four have more than a Million People one step away from famine. At the same time, insecurity and conflictaffected countries hinders Climate Adaptation efforts. This leaves already vulnerable communities even poorer, hungrier, and less resilient. Mr. President and excellencies, the challenge may appear overwhelming, but progress has been, and is again, possible. So what can we do . First and foremost, we must redouble efforts to prevent, reduce, and end conflict in all its forms. There needs to be a renewed commitment to peace through a reinvigorated multilateral system where governments, the United Nations, and regional organizations work hand in hand. Where peace may still take time, five things are critical to reduce suffering and prevent famine. One, ensuring parties to conflicts respect International Humanitarian law. What can we do . Quick to the impact of war, such solutions are possible. We have resolutions in this council but they require political courage and compromise. For all, women and girls must be at the center of our efforts. They also hold the key to lasting solutions. Research has shown that involving local women increases the probability that violence will end by 24 . We also need to acknowledge that a halfway fragmented response will not cut it. We need adequate humanitarian funding on which the lives of millions depend. The secretary general has prioritized the threat of eminent and hunger among other initiatives in 2041, he created a Highlevel Task force on famine prevention. To organize a cohesive system response. Together, we are in the process to provide dedicated support to countries. As small children fought the dashboard for their lives, that eerie silence is deafening. Theyd never leave you. That silence is a call for action. As Martin Luther king said, famine is wholly unnecessary in the modern world. There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is human will. I think you for your briefing. This debate means a lot to us and to our client. Every day, our staff lived out a simple mantra. Focus on the solutions, not the subject. My breathing takes the form of a plea to focus on the solutions, not the suffering. Five years ago, the council recognized the need to break the link of Armed Conflict and Food Insecurity. Five years later, there is more Armed Conflict, more famine, more malnutrition and more and more Food Insecurity. Food insecurity, the euphemism that is used for hunger and starvation. Today, oracle is to help 75,000 people facing famine like conditions. We have more than enough analysis. Prices are driven up. Competent box supplies. Coping capacities are depleted. We also note countries. Every single assessment has the same list. Somalia, afghanistan, nigeria, south sudan. The analysis is not in dispute. The analysis is too often followed by paralysis. We need new muscle in the international system. Not debating strategies and plans but the muscle of taking action. I present to the council five current problems followed by five immediate solutions. My colleagues on the federal right they draw attention to the impact of last years funding increases on children who have been treated. The year on year statistics show 80 of the worlds children are not getting any treatment at all. Different treatment and diagnosis protocols. Different products. Complicated Measurement Systems ill suited to conditions of conflict. The solution is staring us in the face. A simplified system in the hands of parents and Community Health workers who use tape to diagnose acute penetration and administer one or two doses of ready to use therapeutic food per day depending on whether the case is severe. Her old Impact Evaluation shows this approach will be tested on 27,000 children in mali. We show a 92 success rate with treatment with a cost saving of 30 . So more children can be reached for the same amount of money. This report should be made the norm. With delivery and funding to match. Problem number two, there is proliferation of different global initiatives on famine and Food Insecurity. Given new focus and a new mandate. Frankly, when the support for National Famine action plans in the countries most at risk. Support from national and local authorities. Support for global and Financial Institutions in funding and financing those plans. Support in diplomacy to unlock barriers on the grounds to scale up a response is important port entering delivery plans into action starting at the september meetings in the city. Problem number three, the United Nations Development Program reports that the more fragile the context, the more amount of conflict, the less money is spent on Climate Adaptation. Her clients represent a disproportionate amount of climate risk. They are highly vulnerable and lack investment and resilience. The solution is to give climate finance humanitarian phase. Addressing the finance cap and this delivery gap. The finest cap arises because it is only 8 of all climate finance and adaptation is geared toward richer countries. We argue that a set percentage of every Adaptation Fund should be directed to fragile and conflicted states. We argue that donors need to increase the ratio of grants to concessional funding. They dont want to take on new loans. For example, treating them as the g20 panel recommended two weeks ago. There is a delivery gap. The money will not be spent in fragile and conflict states unless this is addressed. That means making it the norm. Not the exception for funding to be directed through Civil Society. This would be real localization. Problem number four, the rise of impunity and competence. This destroys firms and food warehouses. All illegal as well as immoral. The solution is the perpetrators need to be held to account. We do not need new resolutions for this but we need resolutions to uphold existing ones. The next time there is evidence of hunger, it must trigger action. All Nine Countries are at risk of famine. That is another euphemism for stopping humanitarian aid workers reaching people in need. We propose an independent office for the protection of humanitarian office which would ensure that when competence denies it, this information is reported without flavor to this council. Problem number five. Ngos usually start by asking for more money. I will end with it instead of starting with. The World Food Program is cutting its lifesaving Food Assistance programs today. Sometimes by as much it does not have as much money to the job. The solution is not complicated. Humanitarian response plans were on average only 50 funded in 2022. If these were funded to the same proportion as ukraine leicester, there would be another 5 billion in the system to address the most acute needs just in those Nine Countries. We need to address the threat of famine by look into the windshield, not through the rearview mirror. Once the famine is declared, it is too late for too many. Half the people who died died before the famine declaration was made. It is too late for too many to wait for a famine declaration. Phase three of the system, the international system, the crisis phase is triggered when one in five families are so desperate to find the next meal that they are considering marrying off their children were sending them out to work. This depends on cash being available. I want to end by quoted the Nobel Laureate whose landmark work on famine 50 years ago starts with these words. Starvation is the characteristic of not having enough food to eat. It is not the characteristic of their being theyre not being enough food to eat. We in Civil Society do not like ideas for which actions to take. But we need is the bill to enable them to happen. Thank you very much indeed. I give the floor now. Thank you, mr. President and to your excellencies. Today, i just met a twoyearold that weighed the same as my newborn daughter. It changed me forever. I have been just a vase with a mother and a starving child and i know we dont have time to spare. I feel the urgency and i see the fear in her eyes. I have seen children take their last breath. I watched their hearts stop beating. The first thing i hear is that deafening silence. The children dont have the strength to sit up. All of their energy is conserved to keep their organs from shutting down. We have that miracle. I am resenting the private sector. We make the food that saves lives. It is used in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition and is used by unicef, the World Food Program and usaid. It is a highly fortified Peanut Butter that is revolutionary in humanitarian settings. It delivers lifesaving nutrition. It has the power to rehabilitate 92 of children and just two months. We were 24 hours a day to produce enough of these miracle foods. Every day, the needs grow. More is needed. We manufacture here in the United States. Another eight partners are in the global south. Just a few months ago, i was deeply saddened. Everything was destroyed. Including thousands of boxes of the peanut that are going to go to the children of sudan. In haiti, violence persists. At everincreasing levels, forcing them to construct new security walls. The two biggest contributive factors to hunger and malnutrition are Climate Change and conflict. We have the easier problem to solve. Even if all the good effort put into addressing Climate Change, it will still take many decades. This is not true for conflict. We can the conflict. We, right here in this room. Right now, we have two choices. Annually, 1. 7 billion is needed to feed severely malnourished children. We have the responsibility to take action. 100 per child. They are struggling with critical funding shortfalls and are only able to reach 50 of the need. They are faced with the impossible decision of which appleby sentenced. Every day they must decide which programs will receive funding and wish will be cut. The kingdom of nederland, ireland and private philanthropies made a historic commitment for 500 million to combat malnutrition. The global momentum proved we could double the supply of bumpy not nut in a matter of months. 7. 3 million children were treated in 2022. The incredible effort should be recognized and celebrated. Doctors described this intervention as nothing short of a miracle. But i once stopped producing this miracle. We should not be waiting until a child is days away from death to treat them with food. The longterm goal needs to be a shift toward prevention. Early intervention ensures children will not only survive but thrive and reach their full potential. I sit here today representing the thousands of communitybased Health Care Workers and millions of merrill malnourished children that are desperately asking for our help and our partnership. After all, we are responsible for their circumstances. May history look at us sitting here today around this table as those who stood up for humanity. Understand the power of our collective leadership here in this room and say to staff it to stop these conflicts for the sake of our children. There are not many problems in the world that we cannot solve. Malnutrition is not one of them. I think all three of our grippers work there compelling and important contributions this morning. I would like to draw the attention of speakers to paragraph 22. Which encourages all participants in Council Meetings to deliver their statements in five minutes or less. I shauna i shall make a statement. Thank you for giving a refocus on what is really at stake here. It is easy to get caught up in numbers and statistics and big concepts but it ultimately comes down to people. To all three of our breeders, you have powerfully illustrated the challenge before us. You have given us very good ideas for how to address the challenge. Last september, President Biden told the General Assembly in every court every country in the world, parents who cannot feed their children, nothing else matters. In some ways, it is as simple and stark as that. Too many families are experiencing the overwhelming urgency, the consequence of unprecedented global food crisis. That is fueled by clement and covid as well. Hunger and conflict are linked. Scarce resources, heightened tensions. Warring parties, weaponized food. Conflict is the largest driver on Food Insecurity. Incident, the fighting is disrupted the summer planning season. One in five people is severely undernourished. The military regime is making the problem worse. In yemen, some families have resorted to boiling leaves to stay alive. They call that famine food. Unless the word acts. All of somalia could experience famine next year. Pause for that for a moment. Think about what that actually means. You heard the compelling description of what that is actually all about. Having that image in our minds, tying it to our own motivations. The United States has provided more than 17. 5 billion to address them and Food Insecurity. We convened this council in 2021 and 2022. Today, more than 100 countries have signed that pledge. And began to take concrete steps to actually implement it. As this crisis ramped up, so must our efforts. We cannot preserve peace and security without strengthening Food Security. Each of us has a responsibility to act. For the first time in three years, this counsel has unanimously put conflict, hunger and famine as well as Climate Change at the center of its agenda. Lets combat Food Insecurity around the world. This counsel adopted we can build on these efforts. Nearly 90 countries including the United States have already signed a new communique that we drafted and circulated committee and on hunger must not be weaponized. I recall amber states to call this do in this communique. Using satellite imagery to maximize. The United States alone provided more than 7. 2 million funding roughly half of the World Food Programs budget. These and other efforts help the world narrowly avoid famine last year. The World Food Program estimates it has to spend millions of dollars. Countries have funded only 4. 5 billion. In other words, 18 of what is required. The cost of that shortfall will be measured in lives lost. While we welcome smaller countries punching above their weight, the Worlds Largest economies should be the Worlds Largest donors. All of us can dig deeper. Of coarse, we know while it is necessary, it is not sufficient to meet immediate needs. We have to build greater resilience to future shocks. Farmers confront soaring temperatures. Disappearing groundwater. By 2050, Climate Change could cut up by as much as 20 even as global food demand increases by over 50 . A population as much as 10 billion people with demand going up in accordance and yet supply is declining. As urgent as the situation is now, we can see what is coming. We cannot see what is coming if we dont take the necessary steps to address it. Mitigating Climate Impact is essential. A public and private partnership to strengthen food systems and expand social safety nets, enhance nutrition in 40 countries around the world. We devoted over a billion dollars every year to this effort. To build on this work, we have launched call vision for adopted crops in soils in february, alongside the African Union and food and agricultural organization. Through this program, we are identifying the most nutritious indigenous african crops, assessing how Climate Change will affect them, and investing in using the most climate resilient and most resilient varieties. As well as improving the soil they will grow in. We will be looking to governments and philanthropists continue to improve nutrition. Finally, we must address russias work of aggression against ukraine and the resulting assault on the global food system. This past year, the black Sea Grain Initiative, negotiate by the u. N. , delivered over 32 million tons of ukrainian foodstuffs to the world. Eight exports were the equivalent of 18 billion loaves of red. Of bread. Keep in mind this initiative never should have been necessary. It was only necessary because of russias invasion of ukraine and its blockade of ukrainian courts. But the initiative produce concrete, powerful results in making sure that products continue to get to World Markets , going to those that need it. And lets be clear about who benefited from this initiative. Over half of the food product exported through this effort, and two thirds of the week, went to developing countries. These shipments help to lower global food prices for everyone by quarter since russias invasion. Since they pulled out of the arrangement, ignoring the rules appeals, grain prices have risen by 8 around the world kenyas Foreign Ministry called russias move a stab in the back. The claims that it tore up the deal because sanctions were restricting its exports. In reality, sanctions explicitly exclude food and fertilizer. In fact, at the time it abandoned initiative, russia was exporting more grain at higher prices than ever before. And what has russias sponsor been to the world distress and outrage . Bombing cranium granaries, mining port entrances, threatening to attack any vessel in the black sea, no matter its flag or cargo. These actions are consistent with russias decision last month to block their reauthorization of assistance to syria them a country where after a devastating earthquake, 12 Million People do not have enough to eat. U. S. Is prepared to renew efforts to mandate this vital lifeline if the United Nations can find a way forward. Appreciate working to reinstate the grain deal. Every member of this council, every member of the union you, should tell moscow, enough. Enough using the black sea as lachman. As blackmail. Enough treating the worlds most Vulnerable People as leverage. Enough of this unjustified, unconscionable or. War. Strengthening Food Security is essential. To save generations from the scores of war andrea form the dignity and reaffirm the dignity of every single human being. At hope is embodied in one of the statutes outside of this building. These words of scripture are not yet in reach. But we can at least commit not to use our swords to destroy others ploughs. We can deliver aid in urgent need. We can assure people around the globe are fed. Now and for years to come. If we do that, if we build a healthier, more stable, more Peaceful World for all, we will have at least begun to live up to the responsibility entrusted to us, and trusted to this council, and trusted to this institution. Thank you. I resume my function as president of the council and i give the floor to our their excellency. Minister of state of the united arab emirates. Thank you for convening this important meeting today. And to our referrers for bringing their valuable perspectives to our discussion. We align our sense with the statement made on behalf of the Elf Corporation counsel. More than 700 Million People are going hungry around the world. While a third of the worlds population, almost 2. 5 billion people had restricted access last year. As we have heard, there is no single reason for global Food Insecurity. The reasons for it are complex, human cost is plain to see. 45 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition. Millions of people are driven to undertake a dangerous migration journeys. There is increased factual and genderbased violence. We know that Food Insecurity contributes to conflict and instability. While the reverse is also true. Intricately linked as they are, within the council and globally, we cannot afford not to act. Today, there are three points i want to make. First, Food Insecurity is preventable. Preventing Food Insecurity is a political choice. Bringing Food Insecurity to an end is a collective endeavor. No one should experience famine. And conflict, is clear, Armed Conflict much take Constant Care for the objects necessary to produce food and drinking water, and they must never target civilian objects. There is not only a moral but legal duty to uphold these norms and recall we call upon all parties to adhere to their responsibilities. It is also important that those in a position to support lifesaving humanitarian efforts to so. The uae has contributed 1. 4 billion u. S. Dollars in assistance over the past five years address security. Conflicts such as in ukraine can contribute to global feud Food Insecurity. Its affects on World Markets mean that those living far beyond any battlefield struggle to feed their families, especially in the middle east and parts of africa. Where countries rely heavily on grain imports. In these instances we must support National Strategies and develop supports and partnerships. Second, ensuring mobile Food Security requires all hands on deck. We must deepen International Partnerships and the most of multilateral at both the international and regional levels. We saw the potential of multilateral efforts to reduce Food Insecurity through the establishment of flaxseed Great Initiative. Of the black Sea Grain Initiative. It came to an end, the uae is saddened by this development. A state of ambition and global collaboration is needed to tackle a growing driver of Food Insecurity, private change. July was hottest month on record. We must seek unity of purpose at the highest levels to reverse this disturbing trend by taking tangible measures to prevent the rise of temperatures above 1. 5 degrees and issuing, mitigation measures, particularly and fragile areas. All hands on deck means all hands. And all voices. Those disproportionately affected by Food Insecurity and Climate Change, in particular women and, must be front and center when designing responses. Recognizing the disparity as not enough among we must encourage the full equal and meaningful participation. Third and finally, we need novel approaches to this challenge. The command the dedicated efforts of government international, regional organizations, private sector errors, actors and humanitarian groups and their achievements in the field. Yet Food Insecurity continues to rise. It is time to expand our approaches. Public private partnerships are vital to tackling challenge. The uae is actively engaged in Public Private partnerships. In 2021, the uae and u. S. Want the agriculture innovation agent for climate catalyze innovation and Climate Smart agriculture. It now works with over 15 government partners. The private sector and Civil Society and has raised more than 13 billion to accelerate transformational change. Mr. President , the world cannot maintain peace and security without one of the most basic needs for humanity, the trend we are witnessing is a testament to the need to redouble our efforts. It is my hope we sees the opportunity of this meeting to take greater action globally to overcome challenge. Thank you, mr. President. Sec. Blinken thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to his excellency mr. Amata. Japan welcomes issuance, and commends all of the work of all of you. Made by each member state. It is crucial that the Council Speaks in one voice on its commitment to address conflict through Food Insecurity. Mr. President and colleagues, japan is. Sleep concerned that a huge number of people are facing famine and other Food Insecurity caused by conflict and Climate Change. Food is a basic human need, it should not be weaponized at any time. Every day, we hear voices of Food Insecurity caused by manmade conflict. Japan regrets russia its preoccupation and Great Initiative which allowed rain exports from ukraine and contributed to global Food Security. Russia has wasted tremendous amount of grain i attacking by attacking rain storage. Meanwhile, russia now says it will replace ukraine in supply and grains to african countries. We should not accept russias attempt to weaponize food to destroy grains in ukraine while increasing its own exports. Japan firmly urges russia to recount to the International Framework associated with the u. N. , to resume rain exports from ukraine in order to relieve Food Insecurity. Japan continues to support led solidarity, which looks to ensure ukraine can export rain. Grain. The u. N. And this counsel should combat Food Security issues while exerting the influence and solidarity. Conflict induced Food Insecurity requires shortterm efforts, such as emergency Food Assistance, but also edm and longterm actions, based on the concept of human security. Such as to prevent conflict, a root cause of Food Insecurity, is also important. Japan believes that it would be beneficial to reduce future humanitarian aid by addressing a comprehensive way through humanitarian, development approach. In conflict, it is crucial to protect the people Vulnerable People such as women and children. In order to realize the provision of lifesaving assistance, parties to conflict must comply with International Humanitarian law. Mr. President and colleagues, security and human assistance have been humanitarian assistance has been a top priority for japan. We have a long history of providing various assistance and International Cooperation. Including humanitarian aid among necessary for those suffering from famine and conflict induced Food Insecurity. Japan has also spoken out about the necessity of humanitarian passage in the black sea, after russias aggression. Japan is proud to have issued the hero statement hiroshima statement. To gather with countries representing various regions around the world. It can be a comprehensive for responding to immediate Food Security crisis is and establishing agriculture and assistance in the medium and longterm in closing, allow me to touch on the issue of famine and Food Insecurity in each station. East asia. In north korea, many people are suffering from severe hunger. On the other hand, north korea is spending vast resources on nuclear development. They are diverting Critical Resources away from its people at tremendous cost. Violating multiple u. N. Resolutions, north korea has been repeatedly launching Ballistic Missiles and threatening ease and stability in asia. Mr. President and colleagues, it is extremely regrettable that the Security Council has not been able to take tangible action on this matter. The council must overcome and take steps with a united voice. We sincerely ask for your understanding and support. Thank you. Sec. Blinken thank you. I now give the floor to her excellency, deputy minister from albania. Thank you mr. President. Let me begin by thanking the United States residency for convening this debate and welcome secretary blinken. We are grateful to the u. S. For its coherent and contained action and keeping the focus on this issue of paramount importance. Especially for those anywhere who continue to struggle to make ends meet in this respect we welcome the pr sd proposed by the u. S. And adopted this morning as a timely reminder of the collective we need to put everything in place to assure upper responses to address conflict induced Food Insecurity. I also think all three refers for their faithful presentations and presenting before us of the most realistic needs required worldwide today. Food insecurity is a pressing mobile challenge and today more than ever a range of factors such as conflict, Climate Change, underdevelopment are threatening level Food Security. The number of people facing acute Food Insecurity has increased from 193 million in 2021 two 228 million. More than a quarter of a billion people faced acute hunger last year. In 19 countries, roughly 170 Million People suffer from high levels of acute insecurity do to conflict and insecurity. This has put a heavy toll on humanitarian interventions and Food Assistance efforts to meet the needs. Acute hunger, one step away from famine, recently alarming and constitutes a threat to the communities and populations, but also to peace and security in many regions. This is what is happening in afghanistan, haiti, south sudan, yemen, where population states face starvation. This is what is happening in syria. The russian veto on the crossborder authorization has endangered the lifesaving aid and Food Security for over 4 Million People in northwest syria. Leaving them to the mercy of a ruthless regime known for its brutality. The russian withdrawal from the black Sea Grain Initiative confirms a policy of weaponization of food and the use of famine as a bargaining to political gain. But russia did not stop there. With its daily bombardments targeting rain facilities, grain facilities, they are committing crimes. Moscows premises to several african countries for modest amount of free grain supplies, ridiculous pair to the actual needs, are part of his efforts to capitalize on the collapse of the bfg i and gain support in the african continent. Be aware, this humanitarian charity will come with a better price tag. Without urgent action, more people in africa, the middle east and beyond will slip into hunger. Mr. President , the biggest challenge in every conflict is protecting civilians. It is a collective, solemn commitment. Resolution 2417 resolution represent a breakthrough moment. The security counsel acknowledges the link between conflict induced Food Insecurity and famine. It is wrong and criminal. It is prohibited by international imminent. Law and we must never tolerate any unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians of what is indispensable to their survival. We must never tolerate impunity for violations of International Military and law, targeting civilians and food related services. Albania commands the efforts and actions of Member States, the u. N. , its partners, Civil Society and the private sector in addressing immediate humanitarian needs, Food Security and resilience. But the best and most effective way of preventing famine is to prevent conflict, stop worse, tackle the stop wars and invest in peace and development. In line with the objectives of the u. N. 2030 agenda. Let me conclude by saying the world has enough food, no one needs to go hungry. Yet if we really want to ensure Food Security, we should act to prevent and stop conflict by choosing peace and development, by engaging in inclusive peace processes, by building resilience, working together in favor of life, with rights and acne tea. And dignity. This requires vision, leadership among political will, and decisive action. I thank you. Sec. Blinken i think you for your statement. I give the floor to the representative of switzerland. I would like you first of all to congratulate the u. K. On its presidency on the council in july, and i wish you every success. You can count on switzerlands support. I would like to thank you for organizing this timely debate and the speakers for their contributions. We also welcome the presence of highlevel representatives. War breeds hunger, and hunger reads war. These days, countries and regions, under the swiss presidency, continue to worsen in somalia, sudan, south sudan, afghanistan, syria and elsewhere. We regret russias decision to cease the implementation of the black Sea Grain Initiative and condemn the recent attacks on cranium ports. Ukrainian ports. In adopting the resolution, the council recognized the needs to put an end of arm conflict and Food Insecurity. It pledged to pay full attention to this issue in order to better prevent famine. The councils role in crisis prevention is also at the heart of the new agenda for peace. Switzerland calls for the implementation of the prevention mechanisms provided for the resolution and welcomes the meeting on Food Security in the democratic republic of congo, burkina faso and haiti. In order to prevent food crises, my country calls for the following three areas to be strengthened. First, respect for International Humanitarian law and human rights by all parties is impurity of to minimize the impact of Armed Conflict on the food situation. Access by civilians to essential goods and Services Must be preserved. Essential to civilian survival, food, water and other infrastructure, needed for Food Production and supply, must not be attacked. And must be protected as required by International Humanitarian law. We call on the parties concerned to guarantee the rapid unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. We deplore the fact that humanitarian actors are not always able to carry out their operations as is currently the case across the corridor. He also called the importance of implementing the resolution which phyllis is which facilitates humanitarian second, and many fragile contacts, it is women and girls who eat last and eat least. This is even truer in situations of conflict, where women and girls also Seek Solutions and as pointed out. We must not underestimate the fact that Food Insecurity increases the risk of exposure sexual violence. This is why we need to ensure that a gender perspective is integrated into measures to improve Food Security. Third, impunity, particularly for those who deliberately starve civilians as a message of warfare must be combated. All too often, the civilian population is deprived of its means of subsistence, causing suffering and further destabilizing, click zones. In 2019, the statute of the International Criminal court was amended so that this crime can also be prosecuted in situations of internal conflict. We call on on state parties to ratify the amendment. You cannot build peace on empty stomachs, as this makes it important to tackle the root causes of Food Insecurity. Armed conflict and violence. The growing pressure exerted by Economic Crises and Climate Change add to the difficulties. Solutions to conflicts must be with our global approach to eliminating hunger, ensuring access to adequate for all and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems. I think you. I thank you. Thank you mr. President , i think the briefers for the compelling info. We think the u. S. For providing this opportunity to advance our fight against conflicting conflict induced Food Insecurity. We congratulate the u. S. On the initiative and the council on the adoption of the president ial statement on conflict induced security. According to the 2023 state of Food Security report, almost 600 Million People will be facing hunger by 2030. In 2022, 2. 4 billion people lacked adequate nutritious, safe and sufficient. The combination of the pandemic, climate, high food and Energy Prices and conflicts has put global Food Security in dire straits with Armed Conflict as a prominent driver of hunger. Brazil bullies to the best way to prevent hunger and malnutrition is longterm to assure the countries have a capacity to build resilient agricultural systems. We must take into account structural causes of hunger, including inequalities between and within countries, barriers to food, sanctions and weak or absent social protection and Poverty Alleviation policies. To assure continuity and Food Production, financial developing disaster resilience infrastructures and promoting diversified system. Ensuring the proper function of agrifood system to markets is essential to sustained food in colic situations. Conflict situation. Productive technologies, is central to ensuring diversified, resilient and Sustainable Food systems. In line with the secretarygeneral initiative, the International Community must support dedicated Capacity Building and developing countrys to be better prepared or shocks on the availability and accessibility of food. To reach this goal, Cash Transfer programs should be prioritized to sustain local supply and demand. Tools should be further explored to reach financing needs while avoiding work at disruptions. The reform of multilateral cultural trade rules is essential. Many countries are affected by conflict and share Agricultural Development by trade and price distorting subsidies. An important element of this debate refers to collaboration between the Security Council, u. N. , and actors to catalyze global efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance and minimize the effects of conflict induced Food Insecurity. Member states must fully incorporate in their work the tools already in place in the u. N. To fight conflict induced hunger. Risks of acute Food Insecurity and countries with conflict situations through different reports including notes mandated by the resolution. The council must dedicate full attention. An efficient response to conflict induced famine must encompass the appropriate use of this information in response to it. International humanitarian laws prickly prohibits starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, and grants special protections to objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, including food crops, livestock and other essential resources necessary for Food Production. However, even when parties in conflict comply, food systems can be disrupted by the secondary impacts of conflict. Humanitarian exemptions, exception also need to be systematically included in sanction resumes regimes. Otherwise humanitarian actors have to overcome complex legal and logistical roadblocks to ensure that those in need to get appropriate assistance. Humanitarian needs plate and essential role, but they can be utter supported. Dedicated agricultural, technical and subsistence support. International cooperation. Generous, sustain, result oriented International Cooperation is essential to achieve this goal. We pledge tomorrow. Each situation of conflict presents different challenges for agrifood systems and the affected populations. For instance, women are more vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity as they continue to face additional risks, barriers and disadvantages due to their gender. Our response to conflict induced Food Insecurity must involve the three pillars of the United Nations, humanitarian, the needs delivery in an impartial manner. Council must use its political capacity to push for solutions to conflicts that can alleviate challenges related to food accessibility. We will remain engaged in these fronts, and continue to be a firm advocate of the right of every person to sufficient, nutritious and adequate food. I reaffirm the highest priority given by the brazilian government to eliminate and all situations. Only a short way to end conflict is peace. I think the representative of result and give the floor to the representative of thank you president. I congratulate the u. S. For assuming the presidency of the council for taking the initiative to hold this important debate that highlights the link between Food Insecurity and conflict. I would like to think the u. N. Coordinator for the response to famine, for her valuable contribution. I listened very carefully, to the briefing. The debate is being held one week after the u. N. Summit on assistance. It called the world attention onto famine around the world and hammered home the urgency and need to tackle this. Our meeting today is being held at the time when International Security is raising more questions than answers. By adopting the geneva conventions and protocols, the people of the world have clearly enshrined in their social contract that war has rules. And that belligerency is absolutely not a legal vacuum were all types of cruelty may be permitted. This framework for war has connected us to our humanity even at the most troubled times. We cannot, and we must not cite of the fact that famine is shameful. It is a grave violation of Human Dignity. It is even more intolerable when famine is planned or maintained. Especially when resources are not lacking, as highlighted before. Unfortunately in various battlegrounds and hotbeds of tension, mn is used as a famine is used as a weapon of war. As a result of senseless calculation, access to food is heated impeded the shortages that result from this relieved lead to famine. And contribute to undoing the very social fabric of humanity, in particular women and children are the most exposed to its impacts. When it is not used as a weapon of war, famine is a source of conflict and instability in fragile states. As africans we know of what we speak. More than 80 of people who are confronted with Food Insecurity live in zones affected by conflict. Our recent report from the u. N. On Food Insecurity around the world clearly highlights how famine can bring about Armed Conflict and drive forward other threats to peace. Alongside to this, Armed Conflict can trigger humanitarian crises, poverty and famine. These factors interact with one another and are mutually reinforcing, creating a vicious cycle of intolerable distress. President , a solution 2417, recognizes how tight the link is between Armed Conflict and Food Insecurity. The persistence of hunger challenges not only our humanity, reduces to a fiction the efforts of the International Community to ring an end to Armed Conflict. In various regions of the world, especially in the region of the great lakes and africa, armed groups and terrorist groups deliberately destroyed food storage areas. They burned fields, prevent peasants from cultivating crops, destroy infrastructure for production and distribution of food. In these regions where instability has become chronic, children die of hunger, they are this situation is morally intolerable. We must respond as the Security Council, the people of the world have made us the custodians of their security. Our response must vote beyond superficial statement and it must be commensurate with the challenge. The momentum behind our mobilization us to be global in order to deal with the impact of Armed Conflict on Food Security, and ultimately preventing the emergence of new areas of famine. First of all, we must make a stronger commitment to finance adaptation to Climate Change and invest in Sustainable Agriculture and longterm security. This involves supporting smallscale farmers come a improving agricultural infrastructure and promoting agricultural practices with respect to the environment. The call to action to accelerate food systems is to be welcomed. It also should find a favorable response from all of us. We must strengthen the mechanism for Emergency Response to dealing with acute food crises. We should do so by strengthening Early Warning systems, by providing emergency food aid and coordinating efforts across humanitarian agencies. Thirdly, we must ensure that emergency food reserves are strengthened by consolidating existing mechanisms or prevention resolution and postconflict consolidation and integrate them fully in the management of crisis. In compliance with the provisions of resolution 2217, 2573, and also resolution 2417 that requires parties to a conflict not to obstruct the proper functioning of food facilities and markets in conflict situations. And at the same Time Offering Technical Assistance fragile countries in the area of reserve storage and adequate technologies. It is clear that insecurity is a threat to International Peace and security. It also exacerbates humanitarian crises. Food insecurity is a refection of the crisis of solidarity that is challenging us as representatives of the people of the world and men beings. We must nineday more effective way of responding to do this. Now more than ever it is time we tackle the underlying causes of conflict, it is also fundamental promote dialogue, mediation and diplomacy to resolve disputes and tensions that could lead to Armed Conflict. Prevention is a key factor to guaranteeing Food Security and halting indignity that famine presents. I thank you. I thank the representative for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of ghana. I acknowledge the United States leadership on the important issue of Food Insecurity. Cooperation during your presidency, congratulate ambassador woodward for effectively leading the council during the month of july. We also think the briefer switch underscore the magnitude and severity of conflict induced Food Insecurity for vulnerable populations in africa. Food insecurity is alarming. 820 8 Million People are reported to be suffering from hunger, 50 Million People are on the brink of starvation. These numbers reflect the lives of real people and tell the harrowing story of our collective failure to address this basic human need. Five years since the adoption of resolution 2417, conflict has been, a main driver. Insecurity is not just a concert once a violent conflict, combined with other factors it can be a contributor. In several cases across the world, rising food prices have led to widespread stability. On the african continent, food prices have correlated with political protest and agitation that have affected political stability. Today as a result of the impact of the war on you and, we see the disruptive influence of Food Insecurity in every country and on everyone. We are bound in our experience by the strong headwinds, that the aggression against ukraine has created. While we welcome the recent announcement by the Russian Federation, to provide shipments six african, countries, the are concerned and disappointed that the black sea crane and has not been renewed. A renewal of the initiative represents a way to prevent spikes in mobile food prices and strengthen global Food Security while mitigating effects. We call on all parties to work constructively to ensure the renewal of the initiative. As we reflect the implementation of the resolution, i have an important contribution and to the important contribution, donna believes we must focus on the task of breaking the destructive link between Armed Conflict and hunger by ensuring that food systems can promote peace and the supply of nutritious food to civilians. In this regard, we continue to ask the International Community to implement a series of emergency measures and pursue longterm investments to break the fishes cycle of hunger and conflict. Donna urges ghana purchased for a response to Food Insecurity and people in conflict situations around the world, especially in africa we call on the International Community to respond to underfunded humanitarian response plans for african countries. By helping to meet their target required to tackle the tierney. We aim to strengthen assets of humanitarians to connect food stocks quickly with the growing humanitarian needs. We encourage the deployment of two reverse the rapid interior ration of Food Security. An urge a unified call by the International Immunity in demanding the parties in conflict to comply with obligations of International Law , International Humanitarian law and human rights law. We emphasize the need for longterm investment, especially in countries where there is an acute alignment between Food Security and conflict. Our actions must continue to emphasize the preservation of spirit the prevention of conflict and early deployment of specific means for resolution of disputes before they lead to violent. Our actions must focus on building resilience in economies and food systems. Besides acknowledging Climate Change, and conflicts, we should also support efforts for measures in developing countries and cultural initiatives. Facilities, Food Security preserves and effective implementation of African Development facilities to boost Food Security, nutrition and resilience on the african continent. We need to break the gap between needs and supplies, especially to people experiencing drought and Climate Change. We support the implementation of the african Continental Free Trade Area Food Supply Chain disruption on the african continent. In concluding, we would like to underscore need to act with urgency in concert to the response to Food Insecurity of millions of Vulnerable People around the world. We must resolve to provide assistance, build resilience of the most vulnerable, and strengthen sustainable resilience and inclusive systems in line with the agenda for Sustainable Development. I thank you. I think the representative of ghana for their statement. I give the floor to the representative of malta. Allow me to think you for organizing todays debate and i wish you and your team every success. I would like to think thank you k for presiding over the council for the month of july. I will think todays meeting with testimony, and direct calls for action. Malta welcomes this mornings for todays meeting. Today the world is experiencing a rise in Food Insecurity. This threatens the lives of millions and societal fabric. Representing a grave threat to International Peace and security. It requires a response commensurate to the over 258 Million People globally will require urgent and sustained aid. From afghanistan to haiti, populations are in dangerous crises of hunger. Peak Global Hunger is projected for this december. This crisis is not genderneutral. Insecurity and vendor inequality are interlinked as women and girls often have less access and control over land, agriculture markets, and humanitarian assistance. A conflict with sudan has disrupted the production of crops in the country, with estimates that 40 of the population are facing alarming levels of hunger. As the conflict has disrupted farming, it has also disrupted sowing and harvesting. With limited access to seed and fertilizer, the next season is in major doubt. Unless urgently addressed, this will compound hunger and guarantee human induced famine. This situation would have a catastrophic consequence for sudan and the region, where agriculture is a principal source of income. Just as conflict is a driver of hunger, violence can drive humanitarian operations out of areas of extreme danger. Violence constrains access for medical and humanitarian organizations. Leaving organizations to go where they can. Today instances of this in haiti, yemen my congo and kenya faso. Yemen, congo, and burkina faso. This counsel should never accept attempts to instrument International Law. Neither should we accept attempts at this counsel scrutiny. We urge the u. N. To continue detailing impediments. While coordinating with the host state, on the development of documents, the u. N. Must assess its operation. Only by doing so can they act in a timely manner. This counsel must take seriously accountability for those who have participated in the distraction or prevented the civilian infrastructure critical for the production of. Impunity only begets further violations. Consequences must follow from violations. To this end, we call on the u. N. To closer with warring parties to ensure that is conducted. We regret the rushes involvement in the black Sea Grain Initiative. It had assured the safe passage of food commodities from ukrainian ports, relieving hunger. We urge the Russian Federation to reinstate and reconsider the dramatic impact of this action in conclusion, without coordinated humanitarian intervention, our inaction could condemn aliens starvation. Millions to starvation. We have learned that efforts abet famine are affected when the International Community Work Together in a coordinated manner. On crucial Early Agricultural intervention power meant to stabilize the worst of the coming Global Hunger crisis. Alleviating acute hunger is the first step on the roast on the road to peace building. Thank you. I now give the floor to the representative of mozambique. Mozambique congratulates your excellency in your years of governance. We plan to cooperate fully with the u. N. And the u. S. And the Security Council. We highly commend the u. S. For placing the topic, Food Insecurity, on the agenda of the council. In that connection, we welcome the statement just adopted morning. We wish to pay tribute to our excellency ambassador of the u. K. , and the you pay the u. K. Team for their excellence in the month of july. We thank the distinguished brie for their important insights. Briefers for their important insights. Madam president , and hunger, chief Food Security, improve nutrition and improve agriculture, is one of the stated goals of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. One of the major obstacles of achieving goals is the growing incidence in the world of Armed Conflicts, terrorism and other related factors. They affect Food Security where the fighting takes place and beyond. He conflicts disrupt and destroy assistance, decrease famine populations, reduce resilience and increase vulnerability. According to the world report on the food crisis, on the conflicts and other threats to security, close to 139 Million People are in acute Food Insecurity in 2021. This is an increase of almost 40 Million People, compared to the year before. In 2022, the situation has worsened further as the impacts of the Armed Conflict were felt across the globe. The 2023 report suggests conflict pushed over 117 Million People into acute Food Insecurity in the first half of the here alone. The year alone. In addition to other negative factors such as economic shocks and extreme weather conditions. We come from africa, a region where our heads of state and government have committed themselves to a collective policy of silencing the guns and promoting development for peace and prosperity of our nations. We are therefore aware of this vicious link between insecurity and Armed Conflicts. Many countries in africa and asia are the focus of the attention of foreign reporters. These are countries where the specter of Food Insecurity could be dramatic if an urgent and consistent humanitarian action is not taken. We believe cooperation and understanding between stages or worrying parties to extend humanitarian aid and safeguard the Human Dignity would immensely contribute to minimizing the suffering of those populations who live the tragedy of war on a daily basis. Mozambique stands in solidarity with all populations that in the aftermath of various conflicts, including those motivated by transnational terrorists are forced to leave their production areas, thereby increasing the pressure for humanitarian aid. We defend the creation of conditions for access to humanitarian aid without hindrance in full compliance with International Humanitarian law. Madame president , countering prevailing gloomy Situation Requires among other things, an in depth knowledge of the evolving threats and challenges we are confronted with. It also requires the ability to reach the affected segments of population, provided them with individualized and well timed support in response to their needs and strengthen their positive coping mechanisms. This is the best this is best done through partnership and collaboration that reinforce existing support structures and leverage the comparative advantages of the Many Organizations and entities present in any humanitarian crisis. Taking into account the local, national, and regional realities. To achieve this end, mozambique encourages the adoption of a humanitarian integrated and inclusive approach based on an inter sectoral coordination to all levels between the local, national, regional and international partners. Public and private sector should be included in order to ensure Sustainable Food and nutritional security for needy populations. With a view to creating Sustainable Food systems. Madame president , based on our own experience in mozambique, we are of the view that Food Security at a national or International Level comes with peace and a normalization of peoples lives. It comes with the will and the strength to negotiate and settle peacefully, the disputes everywhere they arise. In the meanwhile, to mitigate dire humanitarian situations, some actions must be taken individually or collectively by states, donors, and organizations that include one, strengthening the productive capacity of concerned countries by facilitating access to Production Technologies including Adequate Funding for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors in order to prevent conflict. Lifting all constraints, barriers and Protection Measures to the distribution chain of fertilizers and inputs. Three, encouraging strict compliance with obligations under International Humanitarian law. Reminding all parties to conflicts that indispensable objects for the survival of civilians are to be respected and safeguarded. Four, providing Technical Assistance and inclusion of groups most vulnerable to conflict in food systems. Value chains. These include women, youth and the individuals with disabilities. Madame president , mozambique calls on the Security Council to do all in its power towards achieving a cessation of hostilities in all conflicts that continue to claim human lives in the world. It is our duty under the charter to free innocent civilians from the scourge of war and from perpetual situation of hunger and famine. We urge the United Nations Member States to channel all means and the resources to the attainment of peace, security, and stability. These are in our view, the solid foundations for promoting and rebuilding global Food Security worldwide. I think you, madam president thank you, madam president. I thank the representative of mozambique for their statement and i now give the floor to the representative of china. Thank you, madam president. Madame president. I thank miss kalani, mr. Milliband, and miss for their briefings. Food issue concerns peoples livelihoods and security. It is complex and sensitive. It has a wide linkage to production and supply chains and is one of the long term and recurrent global challenges. The Security Council is highly concerned about this issue and has taken positive action from different perspectives including the adoption of resolution 2417, which sets clear requirements for protecting civilians and agricultural facilities and increasing humanitarian inputs in Armed Conflicts. The International Community should Work Together to promote the implementation and effective effectiveness of Relevant Council resolutions adhere to political settlement of disputes and break the vicious cycle of conflict and famine. At present, the global Food Security situation is getting worse. The data shown in un reports and the situation introduced by the briefers are shocking and worrying. China supports un agencies in utilizing their professional advantages and coordinating growth by mobilizing the International Community, especially developed countries to increase humanitarian assistance and to fill the funding gap in global humanitarian response. So as to alleviate the urgent needs of people in countries while addressing urgent issues in order to thoroughly solve the food crisis, it is necessary to focus on the root causes and conduct a systematic review. The biggest victims of the food crisis are all developing countries without exception, Food Insecurity is essentially the result of insufficient and unbalanced development on a global scale. And it is a concrete manifestation of the Development Gap between the north and the south. It is closely related to the long standing unjust and unreasonable Food Production and trade system and International Governance system. The International Community should seize the opportunity of the sdg summit in september and the summit for the future next year to address both the symptoms and root causes to improve rules and regulations and take comprehensive measures to achieve the goal of zero hunger in 2030 as scheduled. I would like to make the following points. First, firmly establish the concept of Common Security. The causes of food crisis are complex and it is intertwined with other traditional and non traditional security issues. Without the Common Security of the International Community. It is difficult to have sustainable Food Security. We should uphold a common comprehensive cooperative and sustainable security concept. Stay committed to settling disputes in peaceful manners and advocate dialogue and respond to various challenges such as Food Insecurity with the spirit of unity and win win mindset. We must firmly oppose unilateral sanctions and actions that affect international Food Security and Global Cooperation such as decoupling and disrupting supply chain, disrupting market order or suppressing enterprises from other countries. China urges relevant countries to immediately stop such practice that lack legal foundations and is also in contrary to fairness and justice. The black Sea Grain Initiative and the mou on russias grain and fertilizer exports have a positive impact on maintaining global Food Security at present. The window of opportunity for restoring the package agreement still exists. China hopes that all relevant parties will intensify dialogue and consultation, meet each other halfway, strive to balance and solve the legitimate concerns of all parties and restore the exports of food and fertilizers from russia and ukraine as soon as possible. China supports the secretary general and relevant parties in continuing efforts to descend. Second bridge the Development Gap between north and south with a fast pace. Sustainable development is the most fundamental guarantee for achieving common Food Security. The International Community should address the issue of Food Insecurity in the context of Sustainable Development and take advantage of the stock taking moments of 2023 such as the sdg summit and the un food system summit. Listen carefully to the voice of developing countries. Strengthen northsouth dialogue and coordination, gather more development, resources and build Greater Development synergies. We should vigorously assist developing countries in need to solve problems in areas such as agriculture, growers and farmers to enhance resilience to Climate Change and natural disasters and increase Food Production and self sufficiency. Developed countries should cancel unreasonable agricultural subsidies and adopt reasonable monetary policies. Reduce the impact of import inflation, exchange rate, fluctuations and other factors on Food Security in developing countries. At the same time, it is necessary to earnestly fulfill their oda commitments, refrain from technology lockdowns and the practice of small yards and high fence. Rather, we should accelerate the Technology Transfer application and sharing of knowledge in areas such as biology, digital and space to create a better condition for developing countries to strengthen Capacity Building and achieve Sustainable Development. Third, improve the global food and agriculture governance system. The International Grain market has long faced problems such as monopoly of Pricing Power by major grain merchants, structural imbalance in production and supply chain and high monetization of agriculture products. Certain country has permanently implemented unilateral course of measures causing serious difficulties in agriculture and Economic Development of the targeted countries. The International Community should attach great importance to these persistent problems that undermine global Food Security and promote their solutions and take an overall consideration in the preparation process of the sdg summit and the future summit. Improve global food and agriculture governance from institutional and rules making levels and focusing on increasing the representation, voice and Decision Making power of developing countries. Efforts should be made to remove the restrictions of unilateral sanctions on Food Production and exports combat speculative capitals and price monopoly to build a safe, stable, efficient, open, inclusive and mutual beneficial supply chain system as well as a more fair and reasonable International Food trade order. Madam president , actions speak louder than words. China has made contributions to maintaining global Food Security with proactive actions. China has proposed Global Development initiatives and international Food Security cooperation initiative, advocating for deepening practical food cooperation. We have been assisting developing countries in the form of Funding Technology and market to improve their Food Production storage and loss reduction capabilities. China has carried out agriculture cooperation with more than 140 countries and regions, promoted more than 1000 agriculture technologies to developing countries, trained more than 14,000 professionals in hybrid Rice Technology for more than 80 developing countries, launched and we have also provided emergency food aid to countries in need. We stand ready to work with other countries to make great contributions to global Food Security with deepened exchanges and cooperation. I think you thank you, madam president. I thank the representative of china for their statement and i now give the floor to the representative of france president. Madam president , i congratulate you and thank the United States for convening this open debate on a very important subject. This also follows the meeting organized by the british presidency on july 17th in which the minister for europe and Foreign Affairs took part. And i also thank each of the briefers for their enlightening statements. The year 2022 has been a dark year for Food Security. And after the russian withdrawal from the black sea deal, we can fear the worst for the coming months. This acute crisis affects the whole world, and it is severely hitting the most vulnerable and poorest countries. And id like to begin with that point. Russias war of aggression against ukraine continues to aggravate an already very worrying situation caused through the multiplication of Armed Conflicts, the impact of Climate Change, the erosion of biodiversity and the covid19 pandemic. Russia is directly responsible for the aggravation of this multi faceted conflict. Deaf to the efforts of the secretary general and turkey, it unilaterally and abruptly put an end to the black Sea Green Initiative which allowed green grain to be transported to 45 countries and to vulnerable populations including via humanitarian aid. Through the World Food Program. It allowed to stabilize world prices and shortages by depriving ukrainian grain of access to World Markets by blocking navigation in the black sea. Russia is directly threatening world Food Security and the supply of the most affected countries. It also seeks to destroy ukrainian production and export capacities including by bombing Port Infrastructure and Grain Terminals in complete violation of International Law. Its goal is to stifle the ukrainian agricultural system, not only in order to reduce ukraines income, but also to assume a dominant market position and serve its own economic interests and those of its agricultural businesses. The increase in grain prices that it intends to cause would be to its benefits but to the detriment of all the other countries. And so after exercising unacceptable blackmail for the renewal of the black sea agreement, russia now adds irresponsibility to cynicism in its instrumental organization of the world food crisis. Russia Must Immediately stop using hunger as a weapon of war. Madam president , the response to Food Insecurity and malnutrition is everyones responsibility. France is fully committed to this effort and immediately took the initiative to respond to the global food crisis by launching a number of initiatives such as farm and harvest rescue. We have mobilized more than 900 million for emergency food aid, agricultural resilience and the development of agricultural systems in the most Vulnerable Countries, including 160 million for the World Food Program and this is double the amount compared to 2021. I recall that in the same period, russia has cut its contribution to the wfp by half while it also deprives it of ukrainian wheat. But there are european partners. We support the solidarity corridors put in place by the eu which have made it possible to transport 41 million tons of Grain Products out of ukraine since march 22. They are currently the only transport route for ukrainian grain and we intend to strengthen them. France will continue to take the lead in the coming months and will host the first global meeting of the School Meals Coalition in paris in october of this year. This initiative, this coalition sets the goal of enabling each child to benefit from at least one healthy nutritious meal daily. This is something that represents a social safety net but also a lever to promote school attendance. France will also host the next nutrition for growth summit. Madam president , as food and security reaches unprecedented levels. Respect for International Humanitarian law is imperative to allow the delivery of aid to populations in need. France recalls that deliberately starving civilians constitutes a war crime. This crime must not go unpunished. Humanitarian assistance must be able to be delivered safely , quickly and without hindrance to all those in need. And as the briefers recalled, access to aid is key is critical for countries that are at the highest risk of famine. France also calls today for the lifting of to the delivery of humanitarian assistance for the population of Nagorno Karabakh through the leshin corridor as well as obstacles to movement in accordance with the order of the icj in february. At a time when the humanitarian space is shrinking. France reiterates its full and complete support for humanitarian actors in the exercise of their difficult missions. France supports the draft president ial statement put forward by the United States and thank them. Thank you. I thank the representative of france for their statement and i now give the floor to the representative of ecuador. Madam president , i thank you for convening this debate. I also thank the briefers for their valuable statements. Ecuador aligns itself with the statement that is to be delivered by the delegation of ireland on behalf of the group of friends on action on conflict and hunger that we co chair. How hard was it for this council to adopt resolution 24 17 and 2018 on hunger and conflict. Today, it is now a valuable tool for Early Warning and response. Specifically, last week, we held an informal interactive dialogue on the risks of Food Security. In order to consider the note, the white note alerting to the risky situation in burkina faso, democratic republic, haiti. We hope that todays session will serve as an echo chamber to mobilize efforts and resources of the wfp, the fao, humanitarian actors and donors in order to alleviate the crisis in these countries. But what more we do as the Security Council . We are not claiming that there is a one size fits all solution that can be applied to all states. But peace and stability are a necessary setting. In the case of haiti, with resolution 2692 the last 14th of july, we address the main recommendations. The Council Urged all parties including those with the capacity to influence armed groups to take measures so that roads would no longer be blocked , roads that are necessary in order to supply local markets. We called for an end to damage on sources of food, to crops and to livestock or medical and humanitarian supplies. We also took into account the need for secure, swift and unhindered humanitarian access. Of course, we hope that there will be sufficient support for this to be implemented on the ground. The deployment of a specialized support force to support the Haitian Police will support the efforts in haiti. Security is indispensable but it is not in itself sufficient. For this reason, we must at the same time make progress in implementing other strategies that require cooperation of donors for haiti in the Socio Economic sphere. Ladies and gentlemen, with more than 250 Million People suffering from hunger since 2022 in acute hunger. In one third of the Member States of this organization, the focus on Food Security is crucial. Even more so when most of these cases involve environments of crisis and armed violence. We reiterate the obligation of all parties to do everything possible, to guarantee the proper functioning of food systems and markets, protecting production, storage and distribution of food as well as water supplies. The council must ensure compliance with resolution 2573 on the protection of essential goods co sponsored by ecuador in 2021. We thus reiterate the prohibition against attacking, destroying, pillaging or rendering useless agricultural goods and crops. We condemn any practice to impose hunger on a population as a tactic of war and any obstruction or aggression against those who provide humanitarian assistance. While we know that 25,000 people die of hunger every day, we must ask how many people have died of acute hunger over the last five years . How many people have lost their lives because of a lack of food since that debate to the council in march 2021 or since may 2022. How many have died since the debate just a few months ago . And how many since the start of this session . But we must also be able to ask how many lives have the United Nations saved and how many have been saved by this council . What are we doing to avoid more countries falling into the trap of starvation . In april last year, ecuador hosted the regional conference of the fao for latin america and the caribbean. Due to the concern over the increasing level of hunger and Food Insecurity in my region and the world. We reiterate the need to restore the black Sea Initiative and to establish other mechanisms that will allow us to avoid deterioration of global Food Insecurity. Similarly, trade in fertilizer, seeds and other agricultural inputs should not suffer restrictions. We must drive deeper effort by all organs and agencies of the un system and by Member States in order for us to turn the page over a chapter of humanity in which military spending reaches 2 trillion and 1 3 of the production of healthy food is wasted. Meanwhile, boys and girls are eating mud cookies. I thank you. I thank the representative of ecuador for their statement and i now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom. Thank you, madame president. Let me start by welcoming you and your team to the Security Council, presidency, and thank the us presidency for bringing the issue of Food Insecurity back to this Council Following Security Council resolution 24 17. I also want to thank rena gillani, david miliband, and naveen salem for bringing your expertise and critically your proposals for action to the council. Since 2021, as we have all heard, the number of people facing acute Food Insecurity has skyrocketed from 193 million to over a quarter of a billion today. And as weve heard, conflict is the main driver. Last week, the council met to discuss the u. S. Warning on rapidly deteriorating Food Security in haiti, drc and burkina faso. The message was clear, act now to prevent further deterioration. So in that spirit, i want to join others in focusing on actions and propose three. They overlap with those that have been proposed by others during the course of our debate. And in particular with those proposed by the United Nations famine prevention and response coordinator. First, this council should take concerted action to tackle the drivers of conflict and invest in inclusive, sustainable peace. The secretary generals new agenda for peace calls for renewed multilateral cooperation and putting women who are uniquely impacted by Food Insecurity at the center of peace initiatives. In afghanistan, if they cannot bear to watch their children die, some mothers face a harrowing choice. Sell their children or starve. Congolese women in displacement camps are forced into sex work just to buy food. Second, we call on parties to conflict, to abide by International Humanitarian law and to allow humanitarians rapid and unimpeded access to people in need. In sudan and somalia, starving communities are surrounded by fighting and humanitarians cannot reach them with food. International humanitarian law is our greatest defense against hunger in Armed Conflict and those who violate it should be held to account. Finally, we need to protect global food systems. The black Sea Grain Initiative got nearly 33 million tons of grain into World Markets. Russias decision to end the initiative has raised food prices, hitting the worlds hungriest people. Russias offer to give 50,000 tons of grain to each of six countries will not bring grain prices back down nor help those facing famine in other countries. This inadequate gesture falls far short of solving the global problem that russia has created , and lets be clear. U. K. , u. S. , and eu sanctions do not target food and fertilizer. They target russias war machine. As south africas president ramaphosa said, the black sea should be open. We call on russia to rejoin the bsgi immediately. Madam president , we know what we need to do to stop these soaring levels of hunger. Lets now turn that into action. I thank you. I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for their statement and i now give the floor to the Russian Federation. Amb. Polyanskiy thank you, madam president. We thank the u. N. Famine prevention and response coordinator for her briefing. We also listen to Civil Society representatives who spoke at the suggestion of the United States. The topic of todays meeting, fighting hunger, is of course extremely important. Russia, just as the ussr before it, attaches great priority to this issue, and historically, not just in connection with specific conflicts, but in the broader context of the struggle for socioeconomic human rights. The efforts of the soviet union in this area are remembered with gratitude in many regions. Of the world. Im pleased that our western colleagues have also begun to think about this problem. But as their statements make clear, their interest is unfortunately purely opportunistic. They have become concerned about the threat of world hunger only recently and only in so far as they think they can attempt to exploit this topic to demonize russia. Moreover, it is clear to us that many and in fact, the most acute food crises are directly or indirectly provoked by the actions of the u. S. And their allies or the consequences of their long term policies. For example, afghanistan, which was mentioned by our u. K. Colleagues, is struggling to climb out of the abyss of hunger and poverty for over 20 years now because of the experiments carried out by the u. S. Led coalition to democratize this deeply traditional country in a western fashion. Despite the fact that our colleagues, the western members of the Security Council, did not have the courage to honestly name the root causes of food and other crises in countries such as iraq, libya and syria. We all understand full well that they are caused by illegal interventions by western states. In the case of syria, which was once a bread basket for many of its neighbors, the u. S. Is still occupying large swaths of this country and stealing oil, grain and other Natural Resources. Whatever the case may be, dear colleagues, i propose that we begin by addressing the root causes of threats to Food Security, which our western colleagues are bashfully silent. Silent about. According to u. N. Estimates, technically there is no acute food shortage in the world. That is the problem isnt that there isnt enough food, there is enough food produced in the world. The problem is its uneven distribution when the west has accumulated excess stocks while developing countries have a deficit. The second reason is what economists call the price environment. In other words, when it benefits the largest producers of agroindustrial products to maintain prices high. We are talking about the so called big four, the u. S. Companies archer daniels, midland b and cargill, as well as the dutch company, louis dreyfus. They account for 75 to 90 of global agricultural trade. In fiscal year 2022, caargill cargill alone increased sales by 23 to 165 billion, posting a record 5 billion net income, dear colleagues. And now let us ask ourselves why as the western agroindustrial is raking in super profits, the threat of famine is hitting developing countries with growing populations the most. Why are their economies unable to cope with it . The answer is very simple. In the past western colonialists deliberately tailored them to extract maximum profits for their empires and not so that they would be able to feed their populations. Monocultural agricultural specialization was forced upon them with the results that their exports now often consist of one or two types of goods. This economic structure makes them extremely sensitive to Price Fluctuations in global food markets. And the current instability in those markets is due to the fact that during the covid19 pandemic, western states rush to save their own economies, not caring one bit about how their rash actions in the financial , economic, and energy, as well as other sectors, would hit more vulnerable actors in the global economy. Colleagues, one year ago, in response to the appeals of the u. N. , we put aside our doubts and agreed to a green deal. But here too, western countries have managed to turn everything in their favor. One of the two parts of the deal, the black Sea Initiative, quickly turned from a humanitarian one into a commercial one. As a result, only 3 of the exported grain went to countries in need while the lions share ended up in western countries. Is this what we agreed to . The duplicity of our former western partners was even more clear in their arrogant unwillingness to fulfill the second part of the deal. The russiau. N. Memorandum on the supply of russian food and fertilizers to World Markets and this is despite the fact that russias share of the global wheat market is 20 , while ukraines is less than 5 . This means that russia makes a significant contribution to global Food Security and is a solid responsible International Supplier of cultural products. Not to mention the exceptional role played by russian fertilizers and global Food Security. It would seem that given these obvious facts, western countries need to focus on ensuring that russian grain and fertilizers can get to countries in need without hindrance. Yet, this is not part of our western colleagues plans. This was unambiguously confirmed by you the day before yesterday, madam president. So how can we talk about any kind of desire in your countrys part to address international Food Security issues . All that drives you is the desire to punish russia and your pipe dreams of dealing it a strategic defeat. You do not care the slightest bit about the interests of the countries of the global south, but we do. Therefore, i repeat once again, that if all the problems that have been publicly raised by us including in this chamber regarding the implementation of the russianu. N. Memorandum are eliminated, we will be ready to once again take part in the black Sea Initiative. Dear colleagues, western delegations today poured forth numbers detailing the humanitarian aid rendered by them to developing countries. Whether this is enough to compensate for the damage caused by centuries of cruel colonial policies of plundering Natural Resources and exporting populations is not for us to judge, but rather for those states that have suffered from it. Do western countries help a lot or a little . Its not polite to count other peoples money but its hard not to notice that the amount of assistance provided by the u. S. And its allies to the countries of the global south cannot be compared to what the west has spent on weapons in less than two years for its proxy war with russia to the last ukrainian. According to the most conservative estimates, this amounts to 80 billion euros, while the total amount of funds allocated to ukraine is 100 65 billion euros. 165 billion euros. And this is given that requested 55. 2 billion from donors for all of its humanitarian operations for 2023. And only 24. 8 of this amount has been funded to date. Can you imagine how much good could be done in the world if the u. S. And its allies were as willing to spend money on Development Assistance as they are on sponsoring wars around the world . But now i want to draw attention to something else. Despite all of their benevolent slogans, donor assistance from western states is not selfless and always comes with political preconditions. A clear example of this is the situation with the cross border humanitarian mechanism for syria where western states are essentially openly blackmailing the Syrian People seeking a change of power. Another example is the threats were hearing now from joseph barrel as well as the leadership of the u. K. , france, and the u. S. To stop helping niger. Did people suddenly stop starving there after the coup . Its obvious in other words that all of this humanitarian aid is being used by the west solely as a tool of control over states that are forced to resort to it. The needs of the population are not taken into account in this. Dear colleagues from developing countries, make no mistake. The habits and methods of former colonizers have not changed. Only the packaging has. For every dollar allegedly spent on aid, they will demand that you pay with your sovereignty and political independence. Many african states have already experienced this firsthand and dont want to put up with such an approach. And this is something that makes mr. Borrell lose sleep in his garden. He suddenly decided today that selling grain at low prices, russia is somehow making its buyers dependent. I wont comment on the perverted logic of the head of eu diplomacy. I will simply say that the facts are not in his favor. Russia has never considered asia , africa, or latin america as a space for extracting profits. Despite all of the obstacles put in place by the u. S. And its allies, we have helped, are helping, and will continue to help those in need around the world free of charge. We have built and will continue building factories, schools, hospitals and universities so that you can use your Natural Resources to create goods with added value instead of exporting Raw Materials so that your young people can stay home rather than leaving the country en masse. We understand the importance of the uninterrupted supply of food to african countries. This is important for socioEconomic Development and for maintaining political stability. That is why we are particularly focused on shipments of wheat, barley, corn, and other grains to our african friends, including through the u. N. World food program. Last year, trade and Agricultural Products between russia and african countries grew by 10 and amounted to 6. 7 billion. Whereas in the First Six Months of this year, it has increased by another record. 60 . Russia exported 11. 5 million tons of grain to africa in 2022. And just in the First Six Months of this year, we have already exported nearly 10 million. And i want to stress that this has all taken place despite the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on our exports which seriously impede the supply of russian food and complicate transportation, logistics , insurance, and bank payments. Moreover, as announced at the recent russiaafrica summit, we will be able to provide burkina faso, zimbabwe, mali, somalia, the Central African republic and eritrea with 25 to 50,000 tons of grains free of charge in the coming months and we will ensure the free delivery of this as well. I also recall our readiness to donate mineral fertilizers to the poorest countries in need. Of the 262,000 tons of these fertilizers that are currently blocked in european ports, only two shipments have been sent so far. 20,000 tons to malawi and 34,000 to kenya, the rest remains in the hands of european states. And this is despite the fact that we are talking about a purely humanitarian effort to which no sanctions should apply. Dear colleagues, we believe that the vast majority of countries including african ones which are seeing an alarming trend in the area of Food Security, have sufficient fertile land. That is, there is a foundation there for building Food Sovereignty and it must be strengthened not through humanitarian aid but through the implementation of projects in the area of Sustainable Development as a whole, the transfer of necessary technologies, fertilizers, weather resistant seeds. We are convinced that with the use of appropriate agricultural technologies and Proper Organization of Agricultural Production, africa will in the future not only be able to feed itself and ensure its own Food Security, but also become an exporter of various types of food. For its part, russia is ready to share its expertise with african states and other interested developing countries in the area of Agricultural Production and assist in implementing cutting edge technologies. Unlike western neo colonialists, we are interested in building a more equitable system of resource distribution so that developing states are not forever hooked on the needle of politically conditioned humanitarian aid from the west, which is nothing other than primitive blackmail. This is so that they can overcome the challenges of the transitional period, form strong, sustainable, selfsufficient economies which can help ensure social stability and the well being of the population. In other words, this will give them complete freedom in exercising their sovereignty and making all domestic and Foreign Policy decisions. Russia is ready to help you with this in every possible way. Madam president , we note the work carried out by our american colleagues in advance of todays meeting to agree on a statement by the president of the Security Council on hunger and conflicts. Despite the fact that this document did not end up incorporating all the provisions we proposed, we considered it possible to support it in the spirit of compromise. The consequences of illegitimate, unilateral restrictive measures and sanctions that have a direct negative impact on Food Security in the world have been left out of the document. It would have also been appropriate to recall paragraph three of article 54 of the Additional Protocol to the geneva conventions of 1949, according to which the prohibitions on attacking or destroying agricultural infrastructure do not apply if such infrastructure is used as sustenance for the members of the armed forces or in direct support of military action. During todays debate, the representative of venezuela will speak on behalf of the group of friends of the u. N. Charter. We associate ourselves with a statement which reflects in a much fuller way, the approach to solving problems that are the focus of our meeting today. Madam president , in conclusion i wish to say that because the importance of russian food and fertilizers is so great for the socioEconomic Development and Food Security of the countries asia, africa, latin america and the middle east, the choice now lies with you and your ally, allies until the illegitimate obstacle artificially created by the west affecting russian economic operators ability to supply Agricultural Products are eliminated. It will hardly be possible to restore the normal functioning of supply change and address other global Food Security issues. No matter how much you may try to shift the blame to russia, the facts are not in your favor. So you must therefore decide what is more important for the u. S. And its allies, geopolitical considerations or the desire to help the developing world. If its the formal, then there is no need to mislead anyone including by initiating debates like todays and drawing up beautiful joint documents. What we need is not words but actions. We have been and remain ready to participate in joint efforts to strengthen international Food Security. Are you . We have serious doubts about that. Thank you. I thank the Russian Federation for their statement. I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than three minutes in order to enable the council to carry out its work expeditiously. Flashing lights on the collars of the microphones will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after three minutes. I give the floor to his excellency, the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of the republic of armenia. Thank you. Thank you, madam president. I would like to express my appreciation to the United States for convening this open debate on such a pertinent topic. I thank the famine prevention and response coordinator and other distinguished briefers for presenting their views on the ways to prevent and address famine by strengthening the Food Security in conflict situations. Starvation has been repeatedly used as a method of warfare and perpetration of genocide throughout history. But today, im not going to recall examples from the past or assess future risks of famine in the context of the conflict. Instead, i would like to bring to the attention of the council a situation which is happening right now, a situation wherein people do not know whether today they will be able to find milk formula for their babies, loaf of bread for their children or provide medicines to critically ill relatives. As we meet, the people of Nagorno Karabakh face threat to their very existence resulting from the complete blockade imposed by azerbaijan. For more than seven months, azerbaijan continues to block a humanitarian lifeline connecting Nagorno Karabakh with the outside world. This illegal and inhumane action is in blatant violation of the order of International Court of justice of 22 february, 2023 reaffirmed by july 6th order norms of International Humanitarian law and the trilateral statement of 9 november 2020. The complete halt of any humanitarian supplies by azerbaijan since june 15 this year has led to a critical shortage of food, medical supplies and other essential goods, creating a full fledged humanitarian crisis. Disruption of electricity and gas supplies has been paralyzing social and Health Care Services and transportation system, depriving the besieged population of their fundamental human rights. The blockade has a particular devastating impact on the most vulnerable segments of the population. Due to the lack of essential foods and vitamins, approximately 2000 pregnant women, around 30,000 children, 20,000 elder persons and 9000 persons with disabilities are struggling to survive under conditions of malnutrition, absence of basic supplies and medicines. Moreover, azerbaijan continuously targets civilians conducting agricultural works, augmenting its manifest intent to impose starvation on the population. These warning signs have already been communicated by the icrc, which remains the only International Humanitarian mission in Nagorno Karabakh. In its july 25 news release, the International Committee of the red cross expressed concern over a growing humanitarian needs and emphasized that its not currently able to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population through the latin corridor while stressing that its the humanitarian aid convoys are lifeline for the population in the area. After three days of this communication, azerbaijan arrested a person who was being transported by icrc from Nagorno Karabakh to armenia for medical treatment. The arrest of a person on the icrc protection whose transfer was preliminary agreed with azerbaijan is not merely perfidious act but well calculated obstruction of the ic rc work in Nagorno Karabakh to address life saving needs of the most vulnerable. On july 26, the government of armenia decided to deliver a consignment of around 360 tons of essential goods, mainly food and medical supplies to Nagorno Karabakh. We appealed to the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation to organize the delivery of the humanitarian assistance to those in need, which was established practice through past months. However, up until now, the humanitarian cargo remains at the entrance to the corridor due to the obstruction denial by the azerbaijani side of its transport. Madam president , the dire humanitarian situation on the ground and risks of evolving hunger in nagornokarabakh require efficient and timely response by the International Community to ensure full and unconditional implementation of the icj decisions and full respect of International Human rights and International Humanitarian law. We hope that yesterdays statement of the u. N. Secretarygeneral wherein he expressed deep concern on humanitarian situation and emphasized the need of implementation of icj orders for ensuring unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along latin corridors will be the First Step Towards full u. N. Engagement on the ground. This engagement is as needed as ever. The cost of inaction is too high to be sustained, and this mass atrocity being perpetrated through starvation should and can be prevented and stopped. We call on the u. N. And the Security Council to undertake urgent measures to ensure full adherence of azerbaijan to its legally binding obligations under the icj orders and the International Humanitarian law, immediately restore the freedom of Movement Across the latin corridor and allow safe and unimpeded humanitarian access of the u. N. Agencies and the icrc to Nagorno Karabakh. I thank you. I thank his excellency for his statement and i now give the floor to his excellency, the first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of cuba. Madam president , we align ourselves with this statement that is to be delivered by the representative of the bolivarian republic of venezuela on behalf of the group of friends in defense of the charter of the United Nations. At the world summit on food that was held in 1996, the historic leader of the cuban revolution, fidel castro rous, announced the root causes of inequalities and hunger when he said as follows, it is capitalism, neo liberalism, the laws of unbridled market, external debt, underdevelopment, Unequal Exchange that kills so many people around the world. A profoundly unjust, antidemocratic, and exclusionary order persists. It has provoked an exponential growth in hunger, poverty and Food Insecurity. The current multi dimensional Global Crisis has contributed to increasing the gaps between the north that is increasingly wealthy and the south that is increasingly poor and marginalized. There is a proliferation of protectionist policies and speculative practices of big capital that have sent food prices soaring. The irrational patterns of capitalist production and consumption continue destroying the ecological balance of the planet. Trillions of dollars are invested and wasted in military spending instead of being used to protect life and contribute to Sustainable Development. Against this complex backdrop, there have been also increases in unilateral coercive measures and legal blockades such as the one exercised against cuba. The government of the u. S. Has converted this recurrent criminal punishment against millions of people into a flagship of its Foreign Policy by means of measures aimed at strangling the economy of many countries with a view to obtaining political advantage. The main obstacle to Food Security of the cuban people is the economic commercial and financial blockade that has been imposed for more than 60 years by the government of the United States. It has been further increased by the fraudulent inclusion of our country in the arbitrary list of states that purportedly sponsor terrorism. This cruel policy has a staggering impact on all sectors of life in our country and derails Economic Development, and social development as well as the implementation of agenda 2030. The embargo is a grave flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of the cuban people, including the rights to food and development. The Security Council with its limited composition is scarcely a representation of the entire International Community and should adjust its mandate and stop interfering in areas outside of its remit. The General Assembly is the body that is called on to lead International Efforts to achieve the goals of ending hunger, achieving Food Security and improved nutrition and promoting Sustainable Agriculture. We must bring about a fair democratic and Equitable International order that allows us to unearth the root causes of poverty and hunger and promote Sustainable Development for all people, eliminating potential causes of conflict that affect its national security. We need International Corporation solidarity, multilateralism to guarantee full realization of all of these rights to food and to development. Cuba will continue firmly developing these goals together with the countries of the global south. Thank you. I thank his excellency, mr. Porto for his statement. I give the floor to his excellency, the undersecretary of state of the ministry of Foreign Affairs of poland. Poland aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. We believe that the strong focus on famine and conflict induced global Food Insecurity is now of crucial importance. Hunger should not be a weapon of war. Global Food Supply Chains cannot be taken hostage by aggressors in order to achieve their military goals. As stated in the recent un interagency report on the state of Food Security and nutrition in the world, Global Hunger is still far above prepandemic levels. Let me first address two questions posed in the excellent concept paper presented by the United States prior to this debate, namely the importance of anticipatory action and the role of investments to tackle the root causes of Food Insecurity. International community should focus on building resilience of local food systems. Countries that can increase their own Food Production and build their own Distribution Systems are less vulnerable to conflict and climateinduced insecurity that ultimately result in famine. Publicprivate partnerships should be mobilized to build to reliable transport and storage infrastructure. Such actions are under are taken through the global gateway strategy of the European Union or the three Cs Initiative of 12 Central European nations. Poland built on these examples when initiating the un General Assembly resolution, emphasizing the Critical Role of resilient infrastructure in safeguarding the delivery of essential goods and services. Madam president , even if we cannot prevent all new conflicts or stop the existing ones, we can start to counter the Food Insecurity crisis right now. It is worth considering the International Monetary fund recommendations. First, rapidly and adequately support people vulnerable to Food Insecurity through humanitarian assistance from the World Food Program and other programs alongside effective domestic fiscal measures. Second, maintain open trade including within regions to allow food to flow from surplus areas to those in need. Third, increase Food Production and improve distribution, increasing trade financing and reinforcing supply chains. Fourth, invest in climate resilient agriculture. Excellencies, 18 months after the launch of russias full scale aggression against ukraine, theres no doubt that food again has become a weapon deliberately creating a food crisis. Russia shows disregard to the un Security Council resolution 24 17 which condemns the starving of civilians as a method of warfare. We denounced moscows decision to withdraw from the black Sea Grain Initiative which played a stabilizing role for global Food Security. We consider this move as a manifestation of economic aggression against the countries of the global south, political hypocrisy and cynicism. Recent escalation of russian attacks on ukrainian ports and mining sea corridors used for Grain Transport constitutes yet another proof of the russian determination to prolong its war of aggression at any cost. Including to the detriment of people who are most vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. Madam president , poland is ready not only to undertake emergency actions but also to facilitate Capacity Building of more resilient production systems. In 2022, we supported the World Food Program to ease the Food Security crisis in african countries. We have engaged in food solidarity initiatives besides the eu solidarity lanes and the black Sea Grain Initiative. We supported the humanitarian program grain from ukraine and have declared to finance shipments worth 20 million dollars. In closing, let me emphasize that for poland protection of civilians and promoting compliance with International Humanitarian law are longstanding priorities. We remain committed to contribute to actions aimed at the protection of civilians in Armed Conflict and tackling global Food Security crisis. I think his excellency for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of algeria. Oh, thank you, madam president. First of all, i congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. And i wish you all success in this endeavor. I congratulate also our colleague from uk and her team for the excellent work done last month. Todays topic is crucial as we are facing a rise in acute food and security worldwide. Food insecurity worldwide. Different un report outlined that millions face starvation while necessary humanitarian assistance is lacking. As mentioned recently by the secretarygeneral, if Current Trends continue, by 2030 nearly 670 million will suffer hunger. Moreover, the situation differs from one region to another. Africa is by far the most fragile region. Many of its inhabitants suffer from Food Insecurity, particularly in the sahara and the horn of africa. A sad reality especially that the african continent can become the bread basket of the world with more investment and Technology Transfer. The u. N. System, but also, the Financial Institutions should catalyze global efforts and address the root causes to reverse this situation. Namely, underdevelopment, Climate Change and conflict. Madam president , we conclude with the concept note that the challenge of addressing food and insecurity requires resilient food systems. Furthermore, to prevent the most severe form of hunger and ensure the Food Security of all, it is paramount to first adopt a holistic and integrated approach that involve all relevant stakeholders. Such an approach will build strong and resilient food systems. It is the cornerstone to ensure Food Security. Second, accelerate transfer of technology and Capacity Building of developing countries to produce their food. Achieving Food Security is a precondition of lasting peace and stability. Third, fulfill engagement under international agreement. In particular, those related to climate financing. This will allow Vulnerable Countries facing the adverse effect of Climate Change on their food system. Fourth, mobilize sustainable financing for agriculture in developing countries. In particular, african countries. International Financial Institution should adopt and implement solution to support developing countries including by concessional finance and grant. Fifth, fully respect International Humanitarian law and implement Security Council resolution. In particular, resolution 2417, it is key to facilitate access to humanitarian assistance. In line with resolution 46182 it will reduce Food Insecurity and prevent famine in the context of humanitarian crisis. Algeria has spared no effort in providing assistance to his neighbor, in the sahara especially while they were , facing conflict, consequences and natural disaster. Madam president , achieving Sustainable Development, especially svg 2 is the only way to break the link between conflict and Food Insecurity. Therefore, we urge the Security Council to work closely with the General Assembly to promote Development Solution that leaves no one behind in access to safe food. Thank you, madam president. I thank the representative of algeria for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of egypt. Mr. President allow me at the , outset to congratulate the United States of america for assuming the position of president of the Security Council for the month of august 2023. I would also like to express our appreciation to the initiative of the u. S. To hold todays high level open debate. Egypt is fully cognizant of the severe impacts that hunger and failure to achieve Food Security pose on human livelihood as well as contribute to increase the risk of conflict, especially in countries that suffer from economic vulnerability. Hence, we stress the strong and deep linkage between Food Security, hunger and conflict. Mr. President , the world is currently witnessing an unprecedented Food Insecurity crisis that is a result of our failure to achieve a Sustainable Development goal to end hunger. This was exacerbated by the implications of the covid19 pandemic as well as conflict, failure to achieve Food Security and end hunger will pose a threat to security and stability of countries and will further fuel ongoing conflicts. The challenges of achieving Food Security are further deepened by other factors such as the ongoing impact of climate that exacerbate risks related to energy production, Food Security, availability of water and Economic Development. Water scarcity in several regions in the world, especially in africa have severe manifestations on the activities of agriculture and the efforts to achieve Food Security. In light of the above we would like to highlight the following points. One, the importance of addressing the challenges facing countries affected by and emerging from conflict. Special attention must be must be paid to Food Security, providing health care to the civilian Population Based on the principles of International Humanitarian law and in accordance with national sovereignty. Also, it is important to ensure access of food aid to the civilian population in conflict areas and protecting them from the risk of famine. Including in this regard, the provision of food for people forcibly displaced. Two, egypt reaffirms that Sustainable Solutions to current global conflicts necessitates the promotion of the peaceful settlement of disputes, ensuring that all efforts are taken into account the need to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, in addition to addressing the root causes of Armed Conflict which includes promoting Sustainable Development. Three, i would like to highlight that egypt is the most densely populated water scarce country in the world. Currently, water scarcity affects 2. 5 billion people around the globe. And it is expected that Climate Change will result in putting half of the World Population under severe water stressed by 2050. Moreover, water scarcity could displace 700 Million People by 2030. These figures are a clear proof of the negative impact of water scarcity on peace and security, achieving Sustainable Development and fulfilling human rights. In this context, we urge the International Community to address the needs of the most vulnerable water scarce countries and promote transboundary cooperation in accordance with the applicable International Law. Fourth, Food Security and conflict must be addressed in a holistic and comprehensive approach that takes into consideration the humanitarian and developmental factors. Immediate action must be taken to alleviate hunger while also implementing plans to assist developing countries, especially net food importing developing countries in achieving Food Security through Sustainable Agriculture. In this regard, i would like to recall the Egyptian Initiative to utilize egypt geographic location to establish a Logistics Center for grains to address the challenges facing the global Food Supply Chains, especially in developing countries. Mr. President , in conclusion, we would like to stress the urgency to address the challenges of Food Security and its linkage to conflicts in a comprehensive approach that aims at its core to achieve Sustainable Development of developing countries while ensuring their stability and prosperity. I thank you. I thank the representative of egypt for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of liechtenstein. Thank you, mr. President. Liechtenstein welcomes this open debate on conflict and Food Security as hunger reaches new and concerning levels. Conflict is the primary driver of Food Insecurity in seven of the eight cases designated as hotspots with catastrophic conditions by the World Food Program and the food and agriculture organization. It has a devastating impact on every part of the food system from planting to distribution. Often it exacerbates already dangerous conditions for Food Insecurity. At the same time, Food Insecurity is itself a driver of further violence in regions like the sahel, renewing the cycle of conflict and hunger. We therefore must take on a holistic approach that addresses the catastrophe of hunger both as a cause and consequence of conflict. Mr. President , if hunger as such is an a fraud to Human Dignity. Upfront affront to Human Dignity. The weaponizing of food is an outrage and it is a criminal act. The intention of starvation of civilians is a war crime in international and Non International Armed Conflicts as reflected in the rome statute of the icc. We encourage all states to join us in ratifying the amendments to the rome statute presented by switzerland that deal with the inclusion of starvation of civilians in internal Armed Conflict. In addition, liechtenstein calls on conflict parties to adhere to their obligation under International Law as well as relevant Security Council resolution notably 2417 and 2573. In ethiopia Armed Conflict along with the devastating drought has driven more than 20 Million People into Food Insecurity. A crisis which has persisted even after last years ceasefire agreement. The conflict in sudan where reportedly over 40 of the population is experiencing hunger, also threatens to have knock on effects in ethiopia and throughout the region. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen Remains considerable and we condemned the recent killing of the head of the World Food Program office in yemen as well as of its workers in sudan. Earlier this year. Russias war of aggression against ukraine exemplifies the outside impact that conflict can have on Food Security both domestically and abroad. Throughout the country, farms have been mined, water system s destroyed and grain storage sites explicitly targeted in the text. By withdrawing from the black Sea Grain Initiative in mid july, russia once again acted in direct opposition to the security of millions of people worldwide. We also deplored the russian to blocking cross border humanitarian aid to syria. The challenges the world faces today, climate, disaster, conflict, displacement and Food Insecurity are deeply interconnected. We encourage the International Community and particularly Member States of the council to address these interlinks through the perspective of human security, which acknowledges that peace and security is about people, their survival, livelihood and dignity. We can begin by responding to the immediate needs of food insecure people around the world including through increased funding for the World Food Program and humanitarian organizations. And urging parties to arm conflict to protect food systems and infrastructure and refrain from turning access to food into a weapon of war. I thank the representative of liechtenstein for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of germany. Thank you. Mr. President , resolution 2417 of this council has been a real landmark decision. In 2018, all of its members have condemned starving of civilians as a means of warfare. Five years later, a permanent member of the Security Council is using food as a weapon. Russia has unilaterally withdrawn from the black Sea Grain Initiative and is destroying grain warehouses and Port Infrastructure in ukraine with missiles. The kremlin is doing so in order to recklessly fill its war chest. As a consequence, global food prices are rising and access to food is getting much harder for millions in need worldwide. Germany urges russia to immediately stop these attacks. To stop blocking ukrainian ports and to rejoin the black Sea Grain Initiative. We strongly support the us and turkiyes efforts to reinvigorate this initiative. Ultimately, germany calls on russia to immediately withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of ukraine in its internationally recognized borders. This will not only allow for grain exports to resume but will return peace to ukraine. Mr. President , germany is strongly committed to combating global Food Insecurity and malnutrition. Food security and nutrition was high on our agenda as g7 presidency in 2022. Germany is the second largest donor to the wfp with a contribution of 1. 1 billion euros in 2022. We support farmers in Countries Worldwide to produce their own food and we will continue our efforts to export agricultural goods from ukraine through the eu solidarity lanes and other alternative routes. Our joint efforts towards Sustainable Solutions need to be comprehensive and creative. Allow me to touch upon a few specific issues. First, Climate Change, the Global Community needs to drastically lower its emissions to fight the Climate Crisis and its negative repercussions on Food Security and malnutrition in many parts of the world. This is part of the nexus between Climate Change and peace and security. And we believe that the Security Council should discuss the issue systematically and on a regular basis. Second, we also believe that the Peace Building Commission can play a more systematic role in addressing these interconnected issues. It could for example, give advice to the Security Council on countryspecific situations where Armed Conflict and Climate Change exacerbate Food Insecurity. Lastly, we need to be creative and specific and find tailored solutions. One example, locally produced green nitrogen fertilizer has a lot of potential to support Food Security. It can increase resilience to price volatility and supply chain disruptions while also contributing to reducing Carbon Emissions from the agricultural sector. We hope to develop this technology in innovative partnerships that enable more green growth. Conflicts are among the main contributors to manmade global Food Insecurity, locally but also globally. Security Council Resolution 2417 is Crystal Clear in its obligations for all Member States. We call upon all Member States to respect them and start by stopping using food as a weapon of war. I thank the representative of germany for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of mexico. Thank you very much, president. Mexico thanks the United States for convening this open debate. We hope that it will allow us to identify specific actions that can strengthen the systems for Food Security around the world and prevent future famine. We are also grateful for the briefings that we have heard this morning. Joint and coordinated work by the agencies of the United Nations is essential for addressing and effectively mitigating the growing impact of the Food Security crisis. For this reason, we feel that the decision by the secretary general to appoint madame hila ni as the coordinator to prevent and address in a timely manner. Any risk of famine is a positive one. The Early Warning mechanisms are fundamental to avoiding humanitarian catastrophes. However, even more important is a timely and efficacious response. President , it is unacceptable that in a world of abundance, there is a constant increase in the number of People Living in Food Insecurity. In may, we stated at this council that there were 193 Million People in the situation of Food Insecurity. Now there are already 258 Million People affected by this. This is truly a tragedy. An increase of such magnitude in the space of just one year should be alarming to each and every one of us. While the causes of Food Insecurity are multidimensional, Armed Conflicts constitute a decisive factor in exacerbating these. Some specific cases represent particularly critical conditions such as burkina faso, haiti, mali, sudan, afghanistan, nigeria, somalia, south sudan. All of these cases demonstrate that when a conflict is prolonged, it almost inevitably leads to Food Insecurity. In our region the gravest case is unfortunately haiti. Half of its population 4. 9 Million People need Food Assistance. In haiti, a series of diverse but interlinked causes have led to this situation. The economic recession, natural disasters, the harmful impacts of Climate Change and a fall in Agricultural Production that has been exacerbated by the increase of armed violence and the lack of sustained investment. All of these have led the country to a situation of grave food emergency. President , it is imperative that we recognize that the food systems of the world as a whole are interdependent. An Armed Conflict can alter the food system as a whole. Mexico hopes that it will soon be possible to reactivate the black Sea Grain Initiative which had a positive impact on food prices and thus reduced Food Insecurity in the poorest countries. By way of conclusion, mexico once again calls on all parties to conflict to fully abide by the provisions of resolution 24 17 of this council and to abstain from any action that can affect the production and distribution of food. Or attacking objects that are indispensable for the survival of the civilian population. Let us not forget of course, that famine or starvation as a tactic of war is an International Crime and cannot go unpunished. I thank the representative of mexico for his statement. Colleagues there are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting. I intend with the concurrence of members of the council to suspend the meeting until 3 p. M. The meeting is suspended. [gavels]
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