The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirmed that it has taken important steps to improve food security and has developed strategies to boost food production and address climate change and water scarcity. These efforts have contributed to improving the food security record in the Kingdom.
This is stated in the Kingdom’s speech delivered on behalf of His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Foreign Minister, Engineer Waleed bin Abdul Karim Al Khuraji, during the Ministerial Conference on Global Food Security, which was called today United States of America at the United Nations.
His Excellency thanked US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for convening this important ministerial meeting on one of the most important issues facing the world today, namely global food security.
Engineer Al-Khuraiji said: “The challenges facing the international community require strengthening international multilateral cooperation. The common challenge we face today, namely the threat to food security, has proven that the path to a sustainable recovery depends on our cooperation to counter this .
He stated that while the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals were a model and approach to development adopted by governments to meet the aspirations of their peoples and achieve a better and more sustainable future, and despite levels progress made by the development process since its inception, the achievement of these goals has become very difficult, as global forecasts and indicators show a deviation from the path to achieving the second goal of the sustainable development goals, which includes the eradication of hunger.
His Excellency noted that there are a number of problems and risks that pose a real threat to the completion of the development process and global food security.
He added: “Among the global health concerns is the spread of epidemics, as the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us the fragility of the international system in the fight against the virus invisible to the naked eye, which has led to serious unrest that has affected society and the economy and has had a devastating impact on life. people and livelihoods; And on economic indicators as their trajectory changed from an upsurge to a sharp downturn.
He pointed out that this has had a negative impact on hard-won development gains, as it has reduced food requirements around the world and led to a significant increase in food insecurity, especially in the poorest countries.
He further said: Emphasizing the human right to live in dignity in a healthy, sustainable and integrated environment where all amenities are available, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made great efforts to lead the global response to this pandemic that has accompanied the Kingdom’s G20 Presidency, and my country has supported global efforts to fight this pandemic. In the amount of 500 million US dollars, in addition to providing 300 million US dollars to assist the efforts of countries to fight the pandemic, in addition to the huge humanitarian efforts it has provided to countries most in need to combat the negative effects of the pandemic.
Engineer Al Hurayji noted that among environmental issues and climate change, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pays great attention to protecting the planet and biodiversity, as well as maintaining healthy ecosystems, which is the main reason for maintaining food security.
He explained that the Kingdom’s ambitious vision for 2030 aims, as part of its sustainable development efforts, to create a sustainable agricultural sector, strengthen sectors that support food systems, develop systems and increase agricultural productivity, and also aims to strengthen research and innovation capacity to ensure sustainable progress in food security.
And he added: The Kingdom is aware of the importance of concerted efforts to solve environmental problems, and from this point of view, it has presented quality initiatives that are important for the region and the world as a whole, and has become a roadmap for solving these problems. issues, most notably the Saudi Arabian Green Initiatives and the Green Middle East, and the circular economy of carbon and emissions management, which are among those that contribute effectively and influentially to the achievement of international goals in this area and mitigation climate change. .
And he pointed out that among the challenges there are security challenges and armed conflicts, which are the most visible and dangerous challenges because of the direct threat they pose to the development wheel and global food security, and the situation is exacerbated when conflicts and wars intensify, wherever development or empowerment of youth and women cannot be achieved without achieving Peace, just as it is impossible to eradicate poverty and hunger without achieving security and stability, and it is impossible to advance the economy without achieving justice and eliminating corruption.
His Excellency Engineer Al Khuraji reaffirmed that the Kingdom’s foreign policy attaches great importance to strengthening security and stability, promoting dialogue and peaceful solutions, and providing an environment that supports development and realizes the aspirations of peoples for a better future, whether in the Middle East or around the world. and peace efforts testify to that. The Kingdom is making efforts to achieve this goal.
He emphasized that the Kingdom attaches great importance to development and humanitarian efforts that contribute to supporting developing countries and those most in need to increase their resilience, help them meet common challenges and risks, increase their food security and eradicate hunger and poverty in the implementation of the second goals of sustainable development goals.
He said: Based on its humanitarian and pioneering role and aware of its responsibility to the international community, the Kingdom has always reaffirmed its commitment to this great role in helping countries most in need and countries affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. It is the largest donor of humanitarian and development assistance at the Arab and Islamic levels, and one of the top three donors at the international level.
At the end of his speech, His Excellency Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Al-Khuradji drew attention to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on the importance of strengthening the values of pluralism and international cooperation enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Nations, to achieve sustainable development plans and goals and to overcome growing international challenges, to achieve a more open and just world, and to promote the prosperity and well-being of peoples, and we are confident that we can overcome this crisis without leaving anyone behind.