Addressing Global Acute Food Insecurity and Famine Risk;
What more can policy makers in New York do?
18 April 2023
Statement of Italy, delivered by Ambassador Gianluca Greco, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Thank you to the briefers for their interventions.
It is an honor to address this gathering today and participate in the discussion on one of the most critical issues of our time – food insecurity. As a co-organizer of this event and the host country of United Nations food agencies, Italy recognizes the significance of tackling this key issue and the need for a coordinated effort from all stakeholders.
We are currently witnessing unprecedented levels of food insecurity across the globe. However, we must consider that it is not just about providing food to those in need. It is about addressing the root causes of food insecurity, which requires a holistic approach. As delegates, we can leverage specific policy opportunities to shape global understanding and priorities.
By advocating for a comprehensive, flexible, and multisectoral approach to reducing acute food insecurity, we can make significant progress towards a world where everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Additionally, innovative and appropriate financing solutions should also be explored to address current and future food crises; otherwise, the number of forgotten and protracted crises will increase even more.
Italy is committed to not only providing humanitarian assistance but also promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. We believe that a people-centered approach is key to addressing food insecurity, empowering individuals and communities to build resilience and participate in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. It requires a coordinated effort at all levels, from local to global, to ensure that policies and programs are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Anticipatory action in humanitarian assistance is another critical aspect of our engagement to address food insecurity, given profound and increasing adverse humanitarian impacts of climate change and other disasters.
In this regard, Italy will chair the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment in Geneva this year, with a focus on food insecurity as the key theme. During the negotiations for the resolution, which we will co-facilitate with our dear colleagues from Kenya, we hope to reinforce the language on food insecurity and famine risk.
We are also looking forward to co-chairing a Ministerial Humanitarian Conference on the Horn of Africa on May 24th in New York, together with OCHA, USA, UK, and Qatar. The conference will focus also on the dire humanitarian needs in the region, including the food insecurity crisis, which has reached unprecedented and alarming levels.
In conclusion, Italy remains committed to working with all stakeholders to address food insecurity and find durable and shared solutions. We believe that by taking a people-centered approach and addressing the root causes of food insecurity, we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient world.
Thank you.
