– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
13 July 2020
Your Excellency Ambassador Mona Juul, President of the Economic and Social Council,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
I commend the President of the Economic and Social Council for hosting this important launch event at a time when achieving the goal of Zero Hunger faces even heightened challenges. I also congratulate Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and all the UN agencies involved in the preparation of this year’s report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition Around the World.
As we contend with the COVID-19 pandemic, the SOFI report is timely. I trust that the data, analyses and projections will assist us in gauging the scale of the challenges ahead and equip us to make informed decisions to end hunger. In 2015 the world pledged to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. We need to redouble our efforts to fulfill this pledge, especially during this crisis.
Over two billion people today suffer from malnutrition. Indeed, those suffering from hunger are at greater risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms as a result of associated health conditions, such as malnutrition and non-communicable diseases, which compromise immune system. Compounding this is the fact that those who are hungry are often trapped in poverty and do not have access to health services, water and sanitation facilities, or indeed the space to quarantine or practice social distancing.
To this end, I welcome the priority actions outlined in Secretary General’s Policy Brief regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Nutrition. In both our rapid response to the pandemic, and our long-term planning, we must bolster our food supply chains.
Indeed, it is critical to focus attention where the risk is greatest. We must preserve critical humanitarian food supplies, expand social protection measures and prioritise nutrition assistance programmes for the most vulnerable.
Excellencies,
Today’s discussion and indeed the SOFI report itself will enrich our work as we approach the Food Systems Summit in 2021. I thank the Secretary-General for his leadership in convening this timely event as we embark upon the Decade of Action and Delivery to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on the need for urgent action on nature. We must proceed in a sustainable manner, ensuring a pathway toward efficient land use, biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
To improve nutrition, we must transform our food systems into equitable, efficient, resilient and sustainable systems which are fit for purpose. As a result of rapid urbanization, multinational corporations, traders and retailers have gained a crucial role in food supply chains. I trust that governments will forge new partnerships and deepen existing connections with private sector and other stakeholders to develop synergies and enhance the outreach and health impact of our food systems.
It is critical to focus attention where the risk is greatest. We must preserve critical humanitarian food supplies, expand social protection measures and prioritise nutrition assistance programmes for the most vulnerable.
Excellencies,
Malnutrition continues to surge at alarming rates with obesity, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiency affecting communities, and in particular low-income groups, around the world. Women and children are disproportionately affected. One in three women of reproductive age suffer from anemia as a result of malnutrition. Moreover, more than one in five children under the age of five is stunted. This is a scourge unbefitting of our era and demonstrates the deep structural flaws in our food systems in a world where about one third of all food produced is wasted or lost.
As we build back better, we must prioritise the farm to fork process of ensuring nutrient-rich food. I call on all stakeholders to work with farmers to promote nutrient-dense crops and biofortification, paying particular heed to the needs of smallholder and subsistence farmers, women, and children. This is the foundation of healthy food environments where food production, marketing, placement and pricing policies are all geared toward nutrient rich diets.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
The health and socio-economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted life as we know it. Communities will endure the consequences of this fall-out for some time to come, and for some developing countries that are dependent on commodities, tourism and migrant remittances, the road to recovery will be even more arduous.
I trust that in this 75th anniversary year of the United Nations, we will emulate the resilience and fortitude of our predecessors and strive together to build a better world for all. I thank you for your continued commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and your determination to end hunger and malnutrition.
I thank you
