A group, Global Development Initiative (GDI), led by China has submitted a joint proposal to the UN on addressing the global food crisis through enhanced policy coordination.
Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN, delivered the joint statement by the GDI Group of Friends at a General Assembly high-level special event.
The proposal is entitled: Time to Act Together: Coordinating Policy Responses to the Global Food Crisis.
“We are deeply concerned about the current state of global food insecurity, especially in developing countries,’’ Zhang said.
GDI Group of Friends called on the international community to urgently support countries affected by the food crisis, including through coordinated actions and enhanced partnership.
The areas of collaboration should include range from food production, storage, transport, and waste reduction to increasing public and private investments in the agriculture sector and improving food self-sufficiency.
He urged all stakeholders, including developed countries, to strengthen cooperation and keep a strong focus on the transformation of the global agrifood system towards its fairness and sustainability.
Zhang underscored the importance of keeping food and agriculture supply chains functioning and ensuring trade channels and markets open for food, fuel, fertiliser and other agricultural products.
“We must eliminate any unilateral and protectionist measures that run counter to the spirit and rules of the WTO,’’ he said.
The GDI Group of Friends was launched by China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in January 2022.
Zhang’s speech was the first joint statement delivered by the Group of Friends of the GDI since its establishment.
It marks a new and significant step in the implementation of the GDI and the cooperation of the group which now has 60 countries.
In delivering Monday’s statement, Zhang pointed out that food security was a key area of the GDI, adding that Group of Friends was determined to work with all parties.
Zhang said the GDI Group of Friends would spare no efforts to continue to work with UN member states, to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
“We strongly encourage more member states to join our group,’’ he said.
