China News Agency, United Nations, May 19. The Security Council held an open debate on conflict and food security on the 19th.
Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, delivered a speech at the meeting, expounding China's views.
On the same day, UN Secretary-General Guterres, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, and World Food Programme Executive Director Beasley delivered briefings.
Guterres pointed out that due to the combined effects of armed conflicts, climate change, economic risks, the new crown epidemic and other factors, the global food security problem is constantly intensifying, and the progress made by the United Nations in eliminating hunger in the past few decades is being reversed.
Zhang Jun said that food security is a top priority related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and it is also a challenge faced by the international community for a long time.
At present, food prices have risen sharply, the imbalance between supply and demand has become more prominent, and the vast number of developing countries have been severely impacted.
We must take a calm, objective and pragmatic attitude to comprehensively examine food security issues, and based on solving problems, we must clear the "blocking points" and "breakpoints" of the food industry chain and supply chain in a timely manner, and jointly respond to challenges.
He made three points:
First, it is necessary to strengthen coordinated actions to stabilize the global food market.
The food crisis is caused by reduced supplies, blocked circulation and, in particular, rising prices.
To make up for the supply gap, the international community should work together to find diversified food supplies and maintain the smooth operation of international agricultural trade.
It is of great significance to return the agricultural products and fertilizers of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus to the international market, and we welcome the efforts made by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to this end.
We call for the lifting of restrictions on food production and exports by unilateral sanctions as soon as possible, so that food production and supply can be stabilized and flown smoothly.
Major grain exporters and countries where major grain companies are located should combat hoarding, limit financial speculation, inject stability and confidence into the market, and curb the rising trend of grain prices.
Second, we must increase emergency assistance to help fragile countries tide over difficulties.
Some 193 million people in 53 countries have faced food insecurity in the past year, and this year the situation will only get worse.
The international community, especially developed countries, should increase emergency food supplies and assistance, and provide timely and accurate assistance to vulnerable groups such as women and children.
International financial institutions and developed economies should strengthen policy and financing support for developing countries facing special difficulties.
Individual countries should adopt responsible monetary policies, fully consider the spillover effects of their own interest rate adjustments, and avoid increasing the debt repayment burden on developing countries.
Third, we must promote deep transformation and enhance the resilience of the global food system.
Like the food crises that have erupted many times since the 20th century, this crisis has once again highlighted the structural problems of the global food system.
The three UN food and agriculture agencies and international financial institutions should combine their own advantages to play an active role in situation analysis, policy advice, aid coordination, etc., and provide more support for developing countries.
Developed countries should reduce trade and technical barriers, give more help to developing countries in terms of capital, technology, market, and capacity building, and play their due role in building an efficient, open and fair global food supply system.
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