In order to address the growing global food crisis, Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, called for bold and coordinated actions on Monday.
“We face a real risk of multiple famines this year. And next year could be even worse,” Guterres warned in his video remarks to a UN General Assembly high-level special event entitled “Time to Act Together: Coordinating Policy Responses to the Global Food Crisis.”
But, “we can avoid this catastrophe if we act now” and “if we act together to craft bold and coordinated policy responses,” the UN chief noted.
This entails maintaining commerce open and swiftly reintegrating the food production of Russia, Ukraine, and both countries into the global market.
Additionally, Guterres emphasized the need to address the global financial crisis, promptly mobilize all available resources to strengthen social protection, and assist smallholder and family farmers in raising their production and self-sufficiency.
“And it means transforming food systems at every level to put affordable, healthy and sustainable diets within reach of every person, everywhere,” he added.
