Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations at the debate (Photo: VNA) During the debate, the Vietnamese diplomat said Vietnam shares the international community's common concern about increasing challenges facing the global foodsystem due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and naturaldisasters.
This seriously affects the food security of countries, especially developingcountries and countries with conflicts, he said.
Besides humanitarian efforts, sustainable measures are needed to strengthen thecapacity of developing and conflict-affected countries to secure food suppliesand improve living standards for people, as well as promote the settlement of rootcauses of conflicts, peace building, and conflict prevention, Giang stressed.
He spoke highly of efforts made by the UN, the Food and AgricultureOrganisation (FAO), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and international donors in responding to hunger,and suggested the UN and its partners promptly share information on food insecuritycaused or aggravated by conflicts, thus timely responses can be made.
The diplomat also underlined the responsibility of parties involved in conflictsfor respecting international humanitarian law and not to use starvation of civilians as a method of warfare which are stated in Resolutions 2417 and 2573of the UNSC.
While highlighting Vietnam’sefforts in ensuring food security, Giang said Vietnam aspires to become aregional “food innovation hub” and continue to contribute to joint efforts inaddressing global food security challenges.
Participants expressed deep concern about the unprecedentedincrease in food insecurity today with more than 811 million people sufferingfrom food shortage.
The international community urgently needs to strengthen coordination todeal with food shortages and related challenges, they said./.
VNA
