The Kingdom confirmed that it has taken important steps to improve food security and has developed strategies to stimulate food growth and address climate change and water scarcity. These efforts have contributed to the improvement of the Kingdom’s food security record.
This was in a Kingdom speech delivered on behalf of His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Foreign Minister, and Deputy Foreign Minister Walid bin Abdul Karim Al Khuraji, engineer, during the Ministerial Conference on World Food Security convened by the United States of America at the UN.
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.
He pointed to the presence of a number of challenges and risks that pose a real threat to the completion of the development process and global food security.
And he went on to say: The Kingdom, emphasizing the human right to live in dignity in a healthy, sustainable and holistic environment where all amenities are available, has made great efforts to lead the global response to this pandemic that has accompanied the Kingdom. Presidency of the G20, and my country has supported the global effort to fight this pandemic with $500. One million US dollars, in addition to the $300 million humanitarian effort it has provided to countries most in need to combat the negative effects of the pandemic.
Al-Huraji drew attention to the fact that among environmental issues and climate change, the Kingdom pays great attention to protecting the planet and biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems, which is the main reason for maintaining food security.
An ambitious vision for sustainable development
Al Khuraji explained that the Kingdom’s ambitious 2030 vision aims, as part of 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 expand research and innovative 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 Green Saudi Arabia and Green Middle East initiatives, the circular economy, 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.
Security challenges and armed conflicts
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. Al Khuraji reaffirmed that the Kingdom’s foreign policy attaches great importance to strengthening security and stability, supporting dialogue and peaceful solutions, and providing an environment conducive to development and the realization of people’s aspirations for a better tomorrow, whether in the Middle East or in the world at large. This is evident in the peaceful efforts the Kingdom is making to achieve this goal.
Helping countries most in need
He said: “From 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, countries affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises, and is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance. and development assistance at the Arab and Islamic levels and one of the top three donor countries at the international level.
At the end of his speech, Deputy Foreign Minister Engineer Al Khuraji drew attention to the Kingdom’s emphasis on the importance of strengthening the values of pluralism and international cooperation enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations in order to achieve sustainable development. plans and goals, as well as overcoming the growing international challenges to build a more open and just world and improve the well-being and well-being of peoples. We are confident that we can overcome this crisis without leaving anyone behind.