Madam High Commissioner,

I am pleased to deliver this Joint Statement on behalf of [xxx] countries. We encourage you to engage on the global food security crisis as an important part of your work for the coming year. The latest report from the UN Secretary General suggests that more than 1.7 billion people across over 100 countries are affected by this crisis, with over 43 million people at risk of famine.

We see the effects of this humanitarian and human rights crisis within countries affected by armed conflict. But we also see how armed conflict in one country can exacerbate food insecurity globally.

The war on Ukraine, a major producer of wheat, corn and cooking oil, has disrupted agricultural production, blocked ports and destroyed infrastructure. It has deepened disruptions, caused unprecedented risks for global supply chains and accelerated food insecurity, increasing the risk of hunger and famine with huge implications of worsening livelihoods around the world.

Madam High Commissioner,

Hunger constitutes an outrage and a violation of human dignity. It must never be used as a weapon of war. We must all work together to ensure that sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious food is available and accessible to everyone, including the poorest and most vulnerable.

Thank you