On October 16, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, gave an intervention during the Second Committee debate on Agenda Item 25, dedicated to “Agricultural Development, Food Security and Nutrition.”
In his statement, Archbishop Auza said that recent news revealing the number of hungry people has increased sharply in the last year to 108 million and that the world is not on track to eradicate hunger and nutrition by 2030, as the international community committed itself to achieve in Sustainable Development Goal 2, is severely disappointing. What is needed, he said, quoting Pope Francis, is practical solidarity to ensure the right of every person to be free of poverty and hunger. Hunger and malnutrition flow not only from local, natural and structural problems, but also widespread indifference and selfishness. Therefore, there is a need not only for technological expertise to increase agricultural productivity and better food security, but for the increased human expertise of solidarity and compassion.
The statement can be found here.