World Free of Hunger, Malnutrition Key to Post-2015 Development Agenda,

Secretary-General Tells Committee on Food Security

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by David Nabarro, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Food Security and Nutrition, to the Committee on World Food Security, in Rome on 7 October:

I am pleased to send greetings to the fortieth session of the Committee on World Food Security.  The 1974 World Food Conference, which recommended this Committee’s foundation, resolved that all Governments should work for the day when “no child will go to bed hungry, no family will fear for its next day's bread and no human being’s future and capacities will be stunted by malnutrition”.

I share the Committee’s vision of eliminating hunger.  Last year, I launched the Zero Hunger Challenge, so all can realize the right to food and nutrition, even in times of crisis.  It is based on promoting sustainable family-based farming and food systems that minimize loss or waste of food.  This Committee is the point of reference for all who seek to achieve this vision through collaboration with Governments, social movements, farmers’ organizations, business and the research community.

The reformed Committee on World Food Security addresses food security crises, while also seeking to tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity and hunger.  Working with a spirit of trust and mutual accountability, multiple actors are collaborating to address some of the thorniest issues of food security:  land tenure; climate change; food price volatility; biofuels; and responsible investment in agriculture.

Member States and other stakeholders have embarked on a process to craft a post-2015 development agenda.  The high-level thematic consultation hosted by Spain and Colombia in Madrid this year determined that a world free of hunger and malnutrition is a key feature of the future we want.  This Committee, chaired by His Excellency Yaya Olaniran of Nigeria, has engaged fully in this vital process.  I count on you to continue to lend your advice and experience to the deliberations.  You will be fully supported by all entities in my High-level Task Force on Global Food Security — especially the three agencies based here in Rome:  FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) and WFP (World Food Programme).

I wish you a successful meeting.

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For information media • not an official record