To improve the food supply, Ambassador Muhith pledged full support for the secretary general’s call to keep markets open, remove unnecessary export restrictions, and release food reserves.
Bangladesh has addressed strict condemnation against the use of famine and starvation as tools of war. The country urges all member states to avoid employing hunger as a tactic in conflicts and calls upon conflicting parties to uphold international law and humanitarian principles.
On August 3, United Nations Security Council held an open debate on Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Insecurity in New York. Where New York’s permanent representative of Bangladesh, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith addressed a strong urge against the use of famine and starvation as a war tool.
Muhith stated that “In the face of conflict-induced global food insecurity, a fragmented approach will not suffice. We must come together in a collective endeavor to address this crisis”
About the Open Debate
This debate was the first attempt of the UNSC to raise its voice got global food insecurity and the debate was chaired by Antony John Blinken the United States secretary of state. 91 countries participated in the day-long debate with 80 speakers on the row voicing alarm and urging unity to address the growing scale of food insecurity and human suffering due to conflict and violence. The Provisional adopted Agenda for this meeting was Maintenance of International Peace and Security, Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Insecurity.
Abdul Muhith’s Stance on UNSC Open Debate
Ambassador Muhith highlighted the devastating impact of ongoing conflicts and climate change on global food security. He mentioned that the Bangladesh government has taken various measures to address food insecurity both at the national and international levels. These measures include fiscal and policy initiatives to tackle the conflict-driven global food crisis. The government has also prioritized investments in agri-food systems to strengthen the agricultural sector which is one of the high-budgeted sectors of Bangladesh. In addition to the government’s efforts, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged citizens to actively participate in homegrown food production practices and cultivate unused lands in every household. This is seen as a way to boost food production and enhance self-sufficiency.
Ambassador Muhith stressed the importance of addressing underlying factors that affect food prices and access to food during conflicts. To improve the food supply, he pledged full support for the secretary general’s call to keep markets open, remove unnecessary export restrictions, and release food reserves.
Furthermore, he emphasized the urgency of renewing the “Black Sea Grain Initiative” to ensure stable food supplies. Additionally, he highlighted the need for increased international cooperation, climate financing, technology transfer, and South-South cooperation to support vulnerable countries like Bangladesh in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on food security.
Proposal for Boosting International Cooperation
Ambassador Muhith stressed the importance of increasing international cooperation, including South-South cooperation, climate financing, and technology transfer, to assist vulnerable countries like Bangladesh in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on food security. He strongly condemned the use of famine and starvation as weapons of war. He called on all member states to refrain from employing starvation as a tactic of warfare and urged conflicting parties to adhere to international law and humanitarian principles.
Immediate Attention for Protracted Rohingya Crisis
Regarding the protracted Rohingya crisis and the funding shortfall in the humanitarian response plan for the Rohingya, Ambassador Muhith drew the Security Council’s attention to the situation in Myanmar. He appealed for immediate attention to the issue and urged collective efforts to create a conducive environment in Myanmar to enable safe and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas. Additionally, he called upon the international community to continue providing sufficient funding to support the displaced Rohingyas until their return can be facilitated.
In conclusion, a notable addition to the resolution from this debate involves underscoring the pivotal role of regional and subregional organizations in supporting international endeavors to uphold the Charter and prevent famine, as well as conflict-induced food insecurity and malnutrition. This highlights the collective responsibility of the global community to address and mitigate these critical challenges.
