As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to gather pace and humanitarian emergencies abound, the impacts of the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, overlapping with the persistent challenges of hunger and poverty, FAO claims to be responding by urgently building resilient agri-food systems. 

This is according to QU Dongyu, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), who recently made comments on food security during the seventh session of the Informal North American Regional Conference (INARC).

QU Dongyu, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

QU Dongyu, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

“The US will look to FAO to use its voice, its data, its policy recommendations, and its leadership to implement the Council’s decision and address the far-reaching food security effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine,” says Ambassador Cindy McCain, permanent representative of the US Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome (FAO, WFP, IFAD). 

“We also are ready to work with FAO to achieve an ambitious climate change strategy that addresses mitigation and adaptation and bolsters agricultural resilience while making food systems part of the solution. And, we will support the science and innovation strategy as a critical tool,” she adds. 

“It is in all of our interests that FAO succeeds, to avoid the human suffering, instability, and loss of potential that we know food insecurity causes, and to ultimately get back on track to achieve SDG 2 and the broader 2030 Agenda,” adds Ambassador Elissa Golberg, permanent representative of Canada to the UN Agencies in Rome (IFAD, FAO, WFP). 

“Canada stands ready to be a constructive Member, a thoughtful partner, and an active stakeholder as we seek to deliver effective solutions for sustainable transformation of food systems.”  

Over the three-day conference, FAO’s leadership presented the Organization’s vision as outlined in the Strategic framework 2022-31, which aims to support the 2030 Agenda by creating more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems.

Driving innovation for sustainable agri-food systems
The informal conference was updated on the impacts of the war in Ukraine on global food value-chains for grains, oilseeds and fertilizer, which threaten food security in countries that are already highly vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. 

Canada and the US emphasized the need for FAO and other UN agencies to assess the loss and damage from this conflict and contribute to a reconstruction plan.

Last week, FoodIngredientsFirst reported how EU officials are working with the UN’s World Food Programme to counter the growing impact of ingredient and fertilizer shortages in vulnerable areas like the MENA region and Balkans – something blamed on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

And last month, the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) held a crisis meeting with farmers to brainstorm solutions to mitigate burgeoning fertilizer prices.

Ammonium nitrate fertilizer prices alone were up to £1,000 (US$ 1,300) a metric ton compared with £280 (US$370) a ton last year. The fertilizer cost first rose in response to the increase in wholesale gas prices, based on the energy levels needed for production.

Other key areas discussed were climate adaptation and mitigation, gender equality, private sector engagement, science and innovation, FAO’s governance reforms and FAO’s lead role in the UN Food Systems Summit Coordination Hub.

Overall, the two FAO Members recognized and encouraged FAO’s leadership in the areas of agri-food systems transformation and resilience building, capitalizing on FAO’s organizational capacities and competencies to provide tools, guidance and support to Members. 

The INARC was established in 2010 as a forum to strengthen collaboration between FAO and the North American Region, comprising Canada and the US. It provides an opportunity for these two FAO Members to share their priorities with FAO and for mutual exchange on the way forward for the effective implementation of the FAO Strategic framework 2022-31.  

The next INARC will take place in 2024 and will be hosted by the government of Canada. 

Edited by Gaynor Selby