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OPENING STATEMENT ON THE SOFI REPORT 2024

Thank you, Mrs. Chairperson,

1. Pakistan has the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. According to the 2024 SOFI Report, between 713 and 757 million people may have faced hunger in 2023 – one out of 11 people in the world. An estimated 28.9 percent of the global population – 2.33 billion people – were moderately or severely food insecure; which confirms that the world is still far off track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger.

3. The increase of food insecurity and malnutrition in the world is a structural, persistent and multifactor issue, including those described in paragraph 30 of the Agenda 2030.  The impact of global shocks and crises disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations. We also acknowledge that this reality has been exacerbated, among others, by the worst pandemic humanity has faced in the past century, by the ongoing climate change, by growing inequalities and by conflicts, including those of a protracted nature; undermining many governments’ ability to continue progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

4. On this note, G77 & China Members understand that the Committee on World Food Security, is one of important Committees within FAO and given its inclusive nature, is called to augment its efforts to boost the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security in order to achieve a world free from hunger.

5. In the 20 anniversary of the “The Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security”, we  highlight the right to food and the right of everyone to be free from hunger as an inalienable human right of each human being and, thus, reiterate our firm commitment to sparing no effort towards ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture, in line with our relevant international commitments, including those derived from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and with our respective national programs on this important field.

Mrs. Chairperson, 

6. Not only do shocks or crises compound each other, but their fallout also unfolds more brutally given persistent structural vulnerabilities, such as limited access to education, health and other basic services, poor rural infrastructure and economic and gender inequalities that leave people, communities and nations and entire agrifood systems without social safety-nets, resilience to overcome shocks and coping capacity. Taken together, shocks, crises and structural vulnerabilities increasingly put food security and nutrition at risk.

7. For this reason, the G77 & China calls once again for FAO Members to take concrete steps not to prevent efforts in meeting the needs of the many, and stresses the necessity for Members to take this into account when pushing their national or even regional interest-driven agendas in the UN multilateral fora.

8. In this regard, we strongly condemn the use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare. We also urged the states to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries.

9. We emphasize the value of international cooperation as a tool to share experiences, to transfer knowledge and technology, and to create positive synergies for climate action and environmental sustainability, while boosting economic and social wellbeing. At the same time, we believe that South-South and Triangular cooperation actions should be strengthened and adapted to local needs, as massive drivers to implement and achieve food security and nutrition.

10. Recognizing the urgent need to accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030, the G77 & China welcomes the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, by Brazil. This initiative represents a crucial step in promoting South-South and Triangular cooperation, as it emphasizes mobilizing resources and sharing knowledge on successful public policies, for the most part created and implemented by countries in the Global South. We call upon all countries and relevant stakeholders to actively join and support this important initiative, ensuring collective action and global solidarity in the fight against these pressing challenges.

11. We also reaffirm the importance of keeping food and agriculture supply chains functioning, and ensuring trade channels and markets open for food, fuel, fertilizers and other agricultural products, by promoting a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory, and equitable multilateral trading system under the WTO. We must eliminate any unilateral and protective measures that run counter to the spirit and rules of the WTO.

Mrs. Chairperson,

12. With these comments, the Group of 77 and China would like to insist on the necessity to tackle hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition as an overarching priority not only at CFS, within its specific mandate, but also for FAO taking into account their comparative advantages in achieving a world free from hunger.

13. Thank you very much.