Prime Minister Imran Khan in his address to the International Fund for Agricultural Development on Wednesday highlighted the issue of food insecurity among other challenges the world is faced within the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Over 20 countries are food insecure. The World Food Programme has warned of famine in the world’s poorest countries and conflict zone,” he said.
PM Khan added that the world stood at the precipice of massive food scarcity and not much has been done to make a viable recovery to ensure the achievement of vital sustainable goals of ending poverty and eliminating hunger.
PM Imran Khan, addressing the conference, said that over 20 countries are food insecure. The World Food Programme has warned of famine in the world’s poorest countries and conflict zone.
He said that the world faces multiple challenges in recovering from the pandemic and achieving vital sustainable development goals — no poverty and zero hunger.
There is a lack of financing, shortage of investment, trade distortions, unsustainable and consumption patterns, degradation of agricultural land and forest, an impending water crisis, loss of biodiversity, and polluted rivers and oceans, he said.
Live Stream: Prime Minister of Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI's address at the Governing Council of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome, Italy (17.02.2021)#PrimeMinisterImranKhan https://t.co/AGdKGm4elW
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 17, 2021
PM Imran Khan noted that the concepts of geostrategic adversaries of regional or global domination, of the political advantages of foreign intervention and occupation, and the oppression of people are outdated and will be soon seen as irrelevant.
We need a common global plan for the survival and prosperity of all mankind, the prime minister said, adding that he had proposed a debt suspension program last year.
The premier said that global lenders had helped the developing world, however, citing reports he said that the developing countries needed $4.3 to recover from the pandemic and achieves the SDGs.
