An increase in extreme poverty in developing countries — for the first time in two decades — is inextricably linked to the global food insecurity crisis, senior United Nations officials warned the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today, calling for urgent strategies to turn back the tide.
Benjamin Davis, Director of the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), presented reports of the Secretary-General titled “Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (document A/78/238) and “Agriculture development, food security and nutrition” (documents A/78/218, A/78/233, A/78/74). He noted that more than 80 per cent of the world’s extreme poor live in rural areas — at rates nearly three times higher than among urban residents. He called for the implementation of inclusive, environmentally sustainable strategies that put the eradication of rural poverty at the centre.
With regard to the report on agriculture development, food security, and nutrition, he stated that 391 million more people, or about 29.6% of the world’s population, will experience moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022 than in 2019, primarily women and those living in rural areas. To address structural issues like political and economic shocks, unsustainable resource management, and socioeconomic marginalization, a long-term, comprehensive strategy is required.
Similarly, John Wilmoth, Officer-in-Charge of the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, introduced the report of the Secretary-General titled “Implementation of the third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018-2027)” (document A/78/239), spotlighting that about 670 million people were estimated to be living in extreme poverty in 2022, an increase of 70 million people compared with pre-pandemic projections. He stressed that the poorest countries spent billions on debt payments, preventing them from investing in sustainable development.
In the ensuing debate, speakers echoed the urgency of addressing the dangers of the regressive poverty trend. Congo’s representative lamented that, after recording substantial progress in reducing extreme poverty, the world now finds itself in a state of indescribable poverty. He called for urgent action to reverse the negative trends, highlighting the need to connect rural and urban areas with infrastructure, public goods and capacity-building, as “eradicating poverty in all its forms is essential”.
The representative of Nepal, speaking on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries, noted that those States are host to over half of the world’s extreme poor, facing “unprecedented levels of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition”. Agriculture, being the most important sector of the economy for these countries, has been hard hit by conflicts, leading to high costs of agricultural inputs and fertilizer shortages, a result of which “about two thirds of people facing extreme poverty in the world are workers and families in the agriculture sector”.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the delegate from Viet Nam highlighted that up to 32% of the region’s population and 22% of its gross domestic product were employed in agriculture. He continued by saying that sustainable agriculture and food systems are crucial to guarantee the accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of food items for everyone, citing their enormous contribution to the eradication of poverty and the reduction of hunger. Therefore, reducing poverty and fostering rural development are top concerns.
The representative of Nicaragua, stressing the key priority of eradicating extreme poverty, called for a new global order and a multipolar world characterized by transparent, equitable agreements and solidarity. Many developing countries struggle with indebtedness, requiring the financial system to put forward monetary policies that are fair. She also criticized illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed by imperial and neocolonial countries on more than 30 countries, affecting more than 2 billion people.
Taking up the theme of food security as a major solution to extreme poverty, speakers pointed to its promise and potential, while lamenting that the agriculture sector is underdeveloped, underfunded and beset by crises. The representative of Samoa, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, said the group considers agricultural development, food security and nutrition critical. Reversal of progress in this regard is therefore a source of concern for those States, requiring drastic action to invert the disturbing trend.
Niger’s representative said that the agricultural sector employs nearly 80 per cent of its working population and represents on average 40 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). However, despite the significant assets that Niger has — 19 million hectares of arable land — and the enormous efforts that have been made, “we face agricultural challenges” including lack of access to technology for producers and an underdeveloped agricultural transport sector.
In an upbeat tone, the United Republic of Tanzania’s envoy emphasized that his nation wants to serve as a hub and a source of food for all of Africa. He noted a transparent land ownership policy, a 29% rise in the agriculture budget between 2022 and 2024, and fertilizer and seed subsidies. The nation is testing a youth program to promote agriculture and hopes to create more than 10,000 businesses in that time.
The Director of FAO’s Partnerships and United Nations Collaboration Division also delivered a report.
On Thursday, October 12, the Committee will reconvene to wrap up its joint discussion of eradicating poverty and advancing agriculture, food security, and nutrition before beginning operational tasks.
