Noura Al Kaabi, the Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), urged the international community to join forces in tackling the pressing issue of food insecurity. Al Kaabi delivered the UAE’s statement during a United Nations Security Council open debate on “Famine and Conflict-Induced Global and Food Insecurity,” a meeting convened by the United States and chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
During her address, Al Kaabi stressed that ending food insecurity requires a collective effort and that no one should endure famine. She called for strengthened international partnerships and emphasized the importance of utilizing multilateral platforms at both the global and regional levels.
Al Kaabi advocated for innovative responses to the crisis, particularly addressing the growing challenge of food insecurity driven by climate change. She highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, especially women and youth, and emphasized the need for their active and meaningful involvement in designing responses. Recognizing the disparity alone is not enough; Al Kaabi urged for full and equal participation of these marginalized groups.
The UAE has been actively engaged in addressing food insecurity through various initiatives. Al Kaabi highlighted the UAE’s involvement in public-private partnerships, exemplified by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives’ annual “One Billion Meals” campaign.
Additionally, the UAE, in partnership with the US, launched the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate, which aims to promote innovation in climate-smart agriculture. The initiative has successfully raised over US$13 billion to support transformative changes in the agriculture sector.
During her visit to New York, Al Kaabi held meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yamada Kenji to further discuss collaborative efforts in addressing food insecurity and related challenges.
Al Kaabi delivered the UAE’s statement during a United Nations Security Council open debate on “Famine and Conflict-Induced Global and Food Insecurity” convened by the United States and chaired by Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State.
“Bringing food insecurity to an end is a collective endeavor. No one should experience famine,” said Al Kaabi. “We must deepen international partnerships and make the most of multilateral fora at both the international and regional levels.”
In her statement, Al Kaabi advocated forformulating novel responses to the crisis and tackling a growing driver of food insecurity: climate change. She emphasised that those disproportionately affected by food insecurity and climate change – in particular women and youth – must be front and centre when designing responses. “Recognising the disparity is not enough, we must encourage their full, equal, and meaningful participation,” she stated.
Al Kaabi also highlighted UAE-led efforts to tackle the issue as food insecurity continues to rise. “The UAE is actively engaged in public-private partnerships, such as the Mohammad Bin Rashid Global Initiatives’ annual one billion meals campaign.”
