On February 13 and 14, in New York - USA, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a high-level open discussion on "The impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security" chaired by the President of the Republic of Guyana - the Council President in February 2024, with the participation and speeches of representatives of nearly 90 countries, the UN Secretary-General and leaders of a number of relevant international organizations. In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the world is facing a food crisis while climate change is becoming increasingly serious, threatening peace and human life, increasing instability and inequality in many parts of the world. Delegates shared assessments from many perspectives on the relationship between climate change, food insecurity and international peace and security; Call for enhanced global cooperation, including further promoting the role of the United Nations and the Security Council, to minimize the negative impacts of these elements, especially in countries and regions affected by conflict.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, speaks at the discussion session.
Speaking at the discussion, Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, emphasized that poverty is both the root cause and consequence of conflict, while climate change is a factor that aggravates food insecurity and increases the risk of threats to international peace and stability. The Vietnamese representative said that the UNSC needs and can do more to break the vicious cycle of climate change, food insecurity and conflict. Firstly, the UNSC needs to promote its role in preventing conflicts more effectively, and have a more comprehensive and balanced approach between traditional and non-traditional security threats. Secondly, it is necessary to strengthen consultation and coordination with UN agencies, relevant mechanisms and initiatives at the international, regional and national levels to promptly handle security risks from climate change and food insecurity. Third, it is necessary to ensure compliance with international law and the UN Charter in conflict, whereby the parties concerned must not attack and destroy essential climate infrastructure and civilian infrastructure, especially water and food supply facilities, in accordance with Security Council Resolutions 2417 and 2573. As one of the countries vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, having experienced decades of war and transformed from a food-poor country into the world's leading exporter of agricultural products, Vietnam is committed to actively contributing to global efforts to maintain international peace and security through cooperation to address the impacts of climate change and food insecurity.
PV