Your Excellency Ms. Amira Gornass, Chair of the Committee on World Food Security,
Mr. José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization,
Distinguished Committee Members and United Nations colleagues,
 
I am pleased to send greetings to the Committee on World Food Security.
 
You have a key role to play in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, which will soon enter into force.
 
The decisions you make at this session can directly support the Goal to end hunger.
 
In turn, food security, improved nutrition and sustainable agriculture will help efforts across the 2030 Agenda.
 
I welcome your strategy to combat malnutrition in all its forms.
 
And I commend the proposed recommendations on connecting smallholders to markets.
 
This can significantly increase productivity, income, and food and nutrition security. 
 
Four years ago, I launched the Zero Hunger Challenge.
 
I asked leaders and development partners to work for a world free from hunger and malnutrition within a generation. 
 
This vision now lies at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
I thank the members of the Committee on World Food Security for your efforts. 
 
I count on you to continue to work to end hunger and to promote sustainable agriculture so we may all enjoy peace, prosperity and opportunity on a healthy planet.
 
I wish you a fruitful meeting.
 
Thank you.