HRC55 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food - EU Statement
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
55th session
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food
7 March 2024
EU statement
Mr President,
The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report on the Right to Food.
Food insecurity and malnutrition are global challenges, which are exacerbated by climate change and conflicts.
We share your concern that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing not only contributes to the extinction of species, but also has a negative impact on marine ecosystems and aggravates climate change. The support to sustainable fisheries, including to small-scale fisheries which play an important role in food security and nutrition locally, is key in that regard. Indigenous Peoples have a role to play as critical custodians and defenders of biodiversity and sustainable land management. Yet they remain, along with women and girls, among the first to face the direct and adverse consequences of climate change.
The next UN Ocean Conference in June 2025 must highlight these issues and lead to concrete outcomes to realize both SDG 14 on the marine environment and SDG 2 on zero hunger.
Immediate worldwide climate action is necessary to address the increasing hunger crisis. We must continue our work to ensure that short-term efforts to counter the current global food crisis also support the transition towards sustainable and resilient global food systems in the long run.
The EU and its Member States are the largest providers of climate financing globally and will continue to work actively to secure global food security and nutrition.
Mr Rapporteur, beyond the framework you presented in your report, what would be your recommendations for alleviating global food insecurity and malnutrition in the context of climate change?