Video Message by UN Deputy Secretary-General to 'International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security'

A recording of these remarks can be found on YouTube and Tencent Video

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We meet today with a shared aim: to drive forward-looking solutions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Achieving zero hunger and ensuring food security and nutrition for all are essential for our common progress.

We need to pool our expertise, resources and know-how for these ends.

So, I am pleased to thank the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration for hosting this International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security.

Cascading food, energy and cost of living crises exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic have severely affected global food security

Chronic hunger rose to as many as 828 million people in 2021.

222 million more are expected to face acute food insecurity in 2022.

Climate disruption is making the prognosis even worse.

Increasing weather extremes and climate variability are severely affecting the food and agriculture sector.

These impacts affect the whole supply chain, with farmers and vulnerable groups most affected by the debilitating effects on crop yields.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Rice is a staple food for more than 3.5 billion people.

Its production remains critical to global food security.  

I therefore welcome innovative approaches, including those under the framework of South-South Cooperation, such as the development of hybrid rice technologies that can ensure higher yields, greater resilience to climate shocks, higher productivity, and increased revenue for farmers.

By merging cutting-edge and forward-looking technologies with traditional agricultural methods we can enhance cooperation and strengthen global food security for all, especially for rural households and women farmers.

Science and technology must be equitably harnessed to achieve SDG 2, reduce inequalities and promote economic growth and decent livelihoods.

We must make the transition from humanitarian relief to resilient, inclusive and sustained development, to addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

Only by investing in sustainable development, driven by transformed and reconceptualized food systems, can we address hunger and malnutrition systemically.

So, I commend the efforts across sectors and disciplines – including harnessing the catalytic potential of private sector innovation -- to address food security.

Let’s continue to work together to achieve Zero Hunger worldwide by 2030.  
 


Thank you.