STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. PARYSA KHUNWUTHIKORN, ATTACHE, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 25, AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION, IN THE SECOND COMMITTEE OF THE SEVENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 25 October 2016)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. At the outset, the Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Secretary-General (SG) for comprehensive report submitted under this important Agenda item which provide a good reference for further deliberation on the issue of agriculture development, food security and nutrition. We also commend the Secretary-General for his tireless efforts in working towards achieving a world free from hunger, especially through his initiative, the Zero Hunger Challenge, launched in 2012.

3. It is worth noting that the SG's report indicates the progress in addressing undernourishment, with a reduction from over one billion people in the period form 1990-1992 to 780 million people in the period from 2014-2016, while the goal of eradicating hunger is still far from reach. In this context, the Group wish to highlight that the full and effective implementation of the SDG2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture) and its targets is indispensable in order to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, as well as achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. SDG2 underpins almost all other Goals, including the overarching objective of sustainable development, namely eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty.

Mr. Chairman,

4. It is undeniable that the existing challenges of ensuring food security and nutrition including but not limited to, prolonged weakness in global recovery, food crises occurring in different parts of the world, excessively volatile food prices, and sharp decline of commodity exports, are intensified by changing global environment, characterized by movements of population, rapid urbanization, as well as limited natural resources and climate change.

5. The Group of 77 and China further express our deep concerns that these challenges adversely affect the developing countries, especially agro-based economies and net food importers, and pose serious threats to attain food security of developing countries. Against these backdrops, the Group attach great importance to the following key values, among others, to overcome these challenges and to achieve SDGs, including SDG2 with its possible inter-linkages with other SDGs included in the Agenda.

6. First, the Group of 77 and China reaffirm the right to adequate food and the fundamental right to be free from hunger, so as to be able to fully develop and maintain physical and mental capacities. Therefore, we urge the international community to step up their effort in fulfilling the right to food for all by mainstreaming food security and nutrition and the promotion of healthy diets in the food and agriculture policies and investment plans. We also urge for a comprehensive twin-track approach to food security and nutrition that consists of direct action to immediately tackle hunger for the most vulnerable as well as medium- and long-term sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition, and rural development programme to eliminate the root causes of hunger and poverty, in order to leave no one behind.
 
7. Second, the Group of 77 and China wish to highlight that agriculture remains a fundamental and key sector for developing countries, which immensely contributes to economic growth and well-being of their nationals. Therefore, it is crucial that the international community work towards eliminating all forms of protectionism and enhance commitments to improve market access, reduce trade-distorting national support and eliminate all forms of export subsidies and disciplines. In this regard, The Group would like to welcome the outcome of the 10th Ministerial conference of the WTO in Nairobi, in December 2015, including the conclusion of a ministerial declaration and six ministerial decisions, four of which refer specifically to agriculture, as well as the commitments made on export competition to immediately eliminate export subsidy entitlement by developed countries.

8. Third, as the world population continues to increase, technology and innovation are urgently needed, especially for developing countries, in order to sustainably increase agricultural production to meet with the rising demands, improve the global supply chain and decrease food loss and food waste. In this regard, it is essential to promote transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms. The Group call for sustained funding and increased targeted investment to enhance food production for developing countries, as well as new and additional financial resources from all sources to assist developing countries in achieving sustainable agriculture development and food security.

9. Fourth, it is undeniable that agriculture and food systems are both victims and drivers of climate change. The adverse impacts of climate change undermine the ability of all countries to achieve food security and sustainable development, while unsustainable agriculture and food systems, in particular food loss and waste, is a major contributor to climate change and accounts for around 8 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the SG's report. Therefore, a systematic transformation of agricultural and food policies is urgently required to ensure that they are truly sustainable and compatible with challenges imposed by climate change.

10. Fifth, the Group of 77 and China would like to highlight the crucial role of small-scale farmers and fishers in eradicating hunger, reducing rural poverty and improving global food security, especially when these farmers and fishers are assisted to achieve sustainable agricultural production and use of marine resources. The Group therefore urge national, regional and international strategies to promote the inclusive participation of farmers and fishers, especially smallholder farmers, including women, in community, national, regional and international markets.
Mr. Chairman,
 
11. Lastly, ending hunger, achieving food security and nutrition, as well as promoting sustainable agriculture development require a collective and dedicated efforts from all States, UN system, as well as relevant stakeholders to revitalize the Global Partnership focusing on these common goals in order to translate the commitment in to concrete action. A comprehensive and coordinated response to address these challenges in the short, medium and long term is required to effectively cope with the challenges in a timely manner.

12. The Group of 77 and China are looking forward to working closely with our development partners for the successful deliberation of this important Agenda item. We believe that by our collective efforts and cooperating in good faith, we can create a world free from hunger within our generation.

I thank you.