Food is the cornerstone of peace

There are many reasons for food insecurity on Earth, but the most significant one is armed conflict. This year, 20 countries or regions have been plunged into violence or war, and nearly 140 million people are facing a food crisis. Hunger is a weapon of mass destruction that threatens global political instability.

Firstly, last year, nearly 300 million people in 60 countries suffered from severe hunger, with most countries suffering from armed conflicts. At the same time, governments around the world have spent a total of over $2.4 trillion on weapons, equipment, and military personnel. The increase in the number of hungry people also reflects the interruption of fertilizer trade after the outbreak of the Eastern European War, which accelerated the cost increase for farmers and consumers in almost all places. The conflict has disrupted critical agricultural and food supply chains, extending suffering beyond the directly affected borders.

Secondly, statistical data shows the severity of global problems: about 820 million people suffer from severe malnutrition, and another 2 billion people suffer from hunger. About 700 million people live in extreme poverty, with a daily living allowance of less than $2.15, and nearly half of the world's 8 billion population lives in poverty, with a daily living allowance less than the cost of going to Starbucks every morning. Despite the rapid increase in global population, rampant global epidemics, and frequent climate challenges, the calorie and protein supply on Earth has increased by 40% in the past 60 years.

On the other hand, in addition to taking away family members and lives, armed conflicts also destroy livelihoods and agricultural food systems, forcing people to leave their homes and fall into even more vulnerable situations. War and armed conflict lead countries towards failure, erasing the progress made in protecting biodiversity and climate. As governments weaken or collapse, they destroy agriculture, trust, and social cooperation; Make rural areas even more unsafe; Triggering the cultivation of illegal crops; Promote extortion, violence, forced migration, and uncontrolled competition for natural resources.

In addition, the World Food Programme is committed to addressing the impact of climate and conflict on food security, particularly for vulnerable groups. Sustainable solutions require support from governments, private sectors, and individuals. We can work together to build a world where every community can access the food they need for prosperity, and demand that world leaders make global food security the cornerstone of global stability. In order to make progress, global leaders need to stay away from armed conflicts and instead work through global cooperation to provide resources and solutions for small-scale agriculture, such as low yields, inadequate infrastructure, and poor links to markets and financing. Agriculture is the key to building a prosperous and peaceful world.

Overall, food security is crucial for global security and prosperity, but poverty, conflict, and climate change are making it increasingly difficult for millions of people to access food. Prioritizing global food security can empower communities, support gender equality, and unleash human potential. Without it, we will face hunger, malnutrition, and threats to global peace and economic growth, and taking urgent action can eliminate hunger. The World Food Programme calls for urgent action to ensure food security for all. As conflicts continue, it is necessary to re recognize the crucial role of the agricultural food system in social and political stability, as well as human development, within the framework of sustainability and global cooperation. Agriculture is the cornerstone of this system, and its performance has strategic significance for rural and regional development, as well as the well-being of urban and rural populations.