Distinguished Chair,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China in explanation of position after the adoption of the draft resolution on "Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations".

2. At the outset, let me congratulate you for the successful planning and organization of this year's Humanitarian Affairs Segment, in the context of very complex and challenging circumstances. The Group also wishes to thank the missions of Kenya and Italy in New York for their devoted and constructive conduct of substantive and productive negotiations for almost two months. The group notes with appreciation that the final draft reflects some of the global south priorities, including those related to capacity building and urgent and adequate funding of UN humanitarian appeals, as well as the recognition of food insecurity as a driver of displacement. The Group is confident that through the resolution just adopted, the coordination and actualization of emergency humanitarian assistance by the United Nations as a whole will be strengthened.

3. Although consensus was reached on the text, some important issues for developing countries were not included in the final version of the resolution, mainly Preambular Paragraph 30 bis, which referred, using agreed language, to the need to put an end to the scourge of famine, and further reaffirmed the right of everyone to have access to safe, sufficient, nutritious and sustainably produced food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger, so as to be able to fully develop and maintain his or her physical and mental capacities.

4.This fact is regrettable, particularly in a year, in which the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of ECOSOC is entitled "Strengthening humanitarian assistance at a time of unprecedented global humanitarian needs", such as to address the pressing challenges of rising food insecurity and the risk of famine, among others.

5.The fundamental right to food is a basic human right that protects the dignity and well-being of all people. It implies that everyone should have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food.

6.The right to food is internationally recognized. It was first proclaimed in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, and later reaffirmed in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in 1966. Other international instruments that protect the right to food include the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Additionally, for many years the General Assembly has adopted numerous resolutions reaffirming the right to food, with an overwhelming support from Member States. The last 77/217 was adopted by consensus in 2022.

7.The right to food in its relationship with humanitarian assistance is therefore a complex and multifaceted issue that requires constant attention and action from all actors. The ultimate goal is to ensure that no one suffers from hunger or malnutrition for any reason, and that everyone can enjoy their right to be free from hunger and their right to food in dignity and peace.

8. While joining consensus, the Group wishes to reiterates the need to address, these and other legitimate concerns of developing countries, in future exercises. The most affected people all over the world are watching us and waiting for real solutions.

Thank you.