Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai (in cobalt blue), head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), WTO and other international organisations in Geneva. (Photo: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – Vietnam recognises the importance of humanitarian assistance and supports the role by relevant United Nations agencies and regional agencies in mobilising and delivering humanitarian assistance in conflicts, disasters, other emergency situations, for saving lives, effective response to food insecurity, emergencies, said a Vietnamese representative at the meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Humanitarian Affairs Segment 2023.
Addressing the meeting that took place on June 21-23 in Geneva, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, said that Vietnam shares the concerns of and joins with the international community in addressing the risk of a global food security crisis which directly threatens the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world, especially in the least developed countries and those affected by conflicts, disasters, epidemic, climate change, and economic stagnation.
According to Mai, Vietnam has contributed to the COVAX Facility in joining the international community’s efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Vietnam contributed to the United Nations humanitarian emergency funds to support those people in need.
She said that addressing the global challenge of food insecurity and risk of famine requires multilateral cooperation and international solidarity to find a global and comprehensive solution.
In the coming time, countries threatened by the food crisis need to be supported, the global supply chain restored and the pressure of increasing prices of agricultural products controlled for post-pandemic recovery.
In the long term, member states need to work towards the overarching goal of building an inclusive and sustainable food system and invest in climate-resilient agriculture to increase future harvests, in association with addressing the linkage between peace and development, food production, energy, water resources and climate change adaptation.
Mai said that Vietnam believes that peace and stability are the precondition for humanitarian assistance activities, adding safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian relief for those in need can be only ensured in an environment of peace and stability.
Meanwhile, humanitarian activities should be based on the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence, upholding the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law. Humanitarian solutions should also be compatible with the specific conditions, circumstances and needs of each country.
Vietnam has always implemented a people-centred policy and focused on achievements in ensuring national food security as well as in contributing to world food security. It is implementing agricultural restructuring, associated with dealing with the relationship between food production, energy, water resources and adaptation to climate change, promoting green transition, circular economy and building new-styled rural areas, post-pandemic recovery, and inclusive development.
Mai also emphasised that Vietnam is ready to join the international community’s efforts to ensuring the world’s food security as well as addressing the urgent challenges of rising food insecurity and the risk of famine. The country is also willing to share with other countries its experiences in guaranteeing national food security.
This year, ECOSOC’s meeting concentrated on discussions about addressing the unprecedented global challenge of food insecurity and the risk of famine: scaling up prevention, response and resilience.
During the meeting, representatives of countries, international organisations and speakers discussed the humanitarian challenges facing the world, particularly the risk of hunger, global food insecurity, increasing impacts of climate change. The challenges are threatening the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world, especially in underdeveloped countries and countries affected by conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics and climate change, with women and children being the most affected./.
