Geneva (VNA) – Vietnam recognises the importanceof humanitarian assistance and supports the role by relevant UnitedNations agencies and regional agencꦕies in mobilising and deliveringhumanitarian assistance in conflicts, disasters, other emergency situations,for saving lives, effective response to food insecurity, emergencies, said a Vietnamese representative at the meeting of theUnited Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Hu🌠manitarianAffairs Segment 2023.

Addressing the meeting that took place on June 21-23in Geneva, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, said that Vietnam shares the concerns of and joins with theinternational community in addressing the risk of a global food securitycrisis which directly threatens the lives of hundreds of millions of peoplearound the world, especially in the least developed countries and those affected by conflicts, disasters, epidemic, climate change, and economicstagnation. According to Mai, Vietnam has contributed to the COVAXFacility in joining the international community’s efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Vietnam contributed to the United Nationshumanitarian emergency funds to support those people in need. She said that addressing the global challenge of foodinsecurity and risk of famine requires multilateral cooperation andinternational solidarity to find a global and comprehensive solution.  In the coming time, countries threatened by thefood crisis need to be supported, the global supply chain restoredand the pressure of increasing prices of agricultural products controlled for post-pandemic recovery.  In the long term, member states need to work towards theoverarching goal of building an inclusive and sustainable food system andinvest in climate-resilient agriculture to increase future harvests, inassociation with addressing the linkage between peace and development, foodproduction, energy, water resources and climate change adaptation.  Mai said that Vietnam believes that peace and stability arethe precondition for humanitarian assistance activities, adding safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian relief for thosein need can be only ensured in an environment of peace and stability.  Meanwhile, humanitarian activities should be based on theprinciples of neutrality, impartiality, and independence, upholding the UnitedNations Charter and international humanitarian law. Humanitarian solutionsshould also be compatible with the specific conditions, circumstances and needsof each country. Vietnam hasalways implemented a people-centred policy and focused on achievements inensuring national food security as well as in contributing to world foodsecurity. It is implementing agricultural restructuring, associated withdealing with the relationship between food production, energy, water resourcesand adaptation to climate change, promoting green transition, circular economyand building new-styled rural areas, post-pandemic recovery, and inclusivedevelopment.

Mai also emphasised that Vietnam is ready to join theinternational community’s efforts to ensuring the world’s food security as wellas addressing the urgent challenges of rising food insecurity and the risk offamine. The country is also willing to share with other countries itsexperiences in guaranteeing national food security. 

This year, ECOSOC’s meeting concentrated on discussions about addressing theunprecedented global challenge of food insecurity and the risk of famine:scaling u🍸p prevention, response and resilience.

During the meeting, representatives of countries, international organisations and speakersdiscussed the humanitarian challenges facing the world, particularly the riskof hunger, global food insecurity, increasing impacts of climate change. The challengesare threatening the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world,especially in underdeveloped countries and countries affected by conflicts,natural disasters, epidemics and climate change, with women and children beingthe most affected./.