Guterres warns one in 12 people will go to bed hungry

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that one in 12 people will go to bed hungry, calling on governments and other groups to turn food-security commitments into action at a committee meeting in Rome.

In a video message for the 54th session of the Committee on World Food Security on 19 October, Guterres said conflict, climate pressures and rising costs were making basic nutrition unaffordable for millions. He also warned that an intensifying El Niño threatened food systems, particularly in developing countries. [1]

Guterres urged delegates to protect women and smallholder farmers, use data to anticipate risks and safeguard the rights of pastoralists and Indigenous Peoples. He said peace, open food and fertiliser supply chains and multilateral co-operation were also essential to food security.

The committee brings together governments, farmers, businesses, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, foundations and civil society. Guterres asked participants to use the session to share knowledge, build consensus and translate commitments into action. [1]