Unity urged to deal with global food shortages

China's ambassador to the United Nations reiterated on Monday that the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative will work with countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure that "no country and no one is left behind". The ambassador also called for more countries to join the group.

"Food security is a key area of the GDI. The group is committed to strengthening cooperation with all parties, adhering to the principles of solidarity and cooperation, multilateralism and people-oriented approach, to jointly address the global food crisis," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations during a high-level special General Assembly event.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has currently swallowed up the development achievements of countries, the world economic recovery is difficult, and climate change and the disruption of global supply chains have caused price fluctuations of food and agricultural products. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda faces severe challenges," he said.

This year, China launched the Group of Friends of the GDI at the UN headquarters in New York. At present, 60 countries have joined the group to promote international cooperation, implement the UN 2030 Agenda and address global challenges.

Monday's speech was the first joint speech since the establishment of the group. It marks a new important step in the implementation of the China-proposed initiative and cooperation of the group.

"In times of crisis, it is even more necessary to strengthen long-term cooperation in the field of global food and agriculture," Zhang said.

The international community should provide emergency support to countries affected by the food crisis, especially developing countries.

Zhang added that the international community should coordinate action in areas such as food production, storage and transportation, food loss and waste reduction, investment, self-sufficiency enhancement and the strengthening of partnerships between countries and relevant stakeholders.

"We should urge developed countries and other parties to strengthen cooperation, focus on the transformation of the food and agricultural system, strengthen support for farmers in scientific and technological innovation and capacity building," he said.

It is necessary to maintain the effective operation of the global food and agricultural supply chain, ensure smooth trade and open markets for agricultural products such as fertilizers, maintain the multilateral trading system, and remove unilateral and protectionist measures that violate the spirit and rules of the World Trade Organization, Zhang said.