Ending hunger is within our reach. But unless we solve this problem today, we face the spectre of global food shortages in the coming months ... Our only chance of lifting millions of people out of hunger is to act together, urgently and with solidarity.

The war on Ukraine is senseless in its scope, ruthless in its dimensions and limitless in its potential for global harm. We need quick and decisive action to ensure a steady flow of food and energy in open markets, by lifting export restrictions, allocating surpluses and reserves to those who need them, and addressing food price increases to calm market volatility.

[L]et me say that, in many ways, we are at ground zero for the world we need to build – a world of respect for international law, the UN Charter and the power of multilateralism, a world that protects civilians, a world that advances human rights, a world where leaders live up to the values that they have promised to uphold.

[I] call on Russians and Ukrainians to silence the guns and forge a path to safety for so many at immediate risk. The 4-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine.

The people of Ukraine cannot bear the violence being inflicted on them. And the most vulnerable people around the globe cannot become collateral damage in yet another disaster for which they bear no responsibility. We need to silence the guns and accelerate negotiations towards peace, now. For the people of Ukraine. For the people of the region.