EU Statement -- UN Security Council: Open Debate on Conflict-related Hunger

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Let me start by recalling that we are off track for achieving SDG2 Zero Hunger by 2030. Acute hunger has tripled in the last decade. We see rising global needs, whilst international priorities are shifting and resources diminishing. Acute hunger is today at its highest level, affecting nearly 300 million people. There are many causes, but three stand out: conflict and insecurity, climate change, and economic shocks and fragility.

Mr. President, for the first time since the IPC was established in 2004, two famines are unfolding simultaneously — in Sudan and Gaza — while South Sudan, Haiti, Yemen and Mali remain at risk of famine. These food and malnutrition crises are entirely man-made and preventable. Yet humanitarian access is denied, aid workers are attacked, and civilians and food-related infrastructures are being targeted. 

In line with Security Council Resolution 2417, we strongly condemn the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as prohibited by international humanitarian law. 

As we have heard today, across Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, DRC, Haiti, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Sahel and other regions, a combination of conflict and/or climate shocks, with economic instability, are disrupting food systems and driving food insecurity to unprecedented levels. FAO and WFP have stressed that these crises are foreseeable and preventable, calling for urgent early action, restored funding, protection of data and evidence systems, and political engagement to tackle the root causes of conflict and hunger. Humanitarian access should be ensured and respect for the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence strengthened. Regional organizations, such as the African Union and others, play a vital role in preventing and responding to these crises, and the EU remains committed to working in close partnership with them. 

The right to adequate and nutritious food is a human right. We have a duty to uphold this right, and our humanitarian and development efforts drive its progressive realisation. Fighting hunger and malnutrition lies at the heart of our work, and we will stand firm in our engagement.  The EU is a member of the ‘Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty’ and intends to uphold relevant commitments. 

We are deeply concerned by the persistent violations of international humanitarian law, the shrinking of humanitarian space, and the record number of attacks against humanitarian and UN personnel in 2023 and 2024 — the highest numbers in recent decades.
In line with our efforts to promote respect for international humanitarian law, monitoring and reporting violations, the EU supports a pilot project with Action Against Hunger to track violations of Resolution 2417, and contributes through the Global Network Against Food Crises to regular reporting to the Security Council on conflict-driven hunger. But advocacy alone is not enough: people need food now. This requires the right resources.

As global funding for food crises declines, the European Union has been and will remain a stable and reliable donor. Team Europe response to global food insecurity in our partner countries since 2022 has amounted to EUR 18 billion. In 2024 alone, our humanitarian and nutrition assistance amounted to EUR 720 million – a 7.5% increase over the previous year. Looking further ahead, the European Commission’s proposal for 2028–2034 foresees a substantial increase of around 40% in the humanitarian budget, underscoring our long-term commitment to global food security. 

As to some recent debates about the impact of international measures like sanctions on global food security, let me be crystal clear: All EU actions taken in response to grave violations of international law are not only lawful, proportionate, and fully justified in protecting the principles of the UN Charter, but also, in every instance, carefully designed to ensure that civilians are protected, that food reaches those who need it most, and that collateral consequences for global food security, trade, or access to essential goods are avoided. 

On the contrary, the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its deliberate targeting of agricultural infrastructure and the obstruction of maritime routes have severely disrupted exports, driven up food and fertilizer prices, and put additional pressure on vulnerable populations worldwide. Any restrictive measures adopted by countries in response to Russia’s violation of the UN Charter were thus not the cause of agricultural disruption.

Colleagues, beyond funding, urgent action is needed: 

First, unimpeded, sustained, rapid, and safe access. Through humanitarian diplomacy, we must push to protect civilians, infrastructure, and aid workers.

Second, we need to condemn, unreservedly, the persistent disrespect for international humanitarian law, the shrinking of humanitarian space, and the record number of attacks against humanitarian and UN personnel, especially local and national.  
The EU is committed to strengthening humanitarian diplomacy efforts to ensure respect for IHL, facilitate access, and promote accountability for violations. 

Third, the international community needs to support humanitarian actors deliver assistance more effectively and efficiently, while ensuring the safety and security of those providing it. This means ensuring sustainable and predictable funding, linking emergency response to prevention, resilience, and long-term recovery, promoting cash transfers, improving targeting to reach those most in need, and further advancing anticipatory action, so that we act before crises hit. And of course, we must strengthen the humanitarian–development–peace nexus, ensuring that life-saving assistance goes hand in hand with structural interventions that address the root causes of hunger. 

As principled donors and partners, the EU and its Member States remain invested in actively supporting an inclusive, sustainable and truly transformative Humanitarian Reset. We also need a more connected humanitarian response with increased interoperability for digital solutions.

In these difficult times, we must stand in solidarity, united and determined.
A crisis of this magnitude and complexity demands collective, immediate, and coherent action.

Thank you.