Iran warns FAO conference of global food crisis amid US terrorist war

Iran’s Minister of Agriculture Gholamreza Nouri has underscored the detrimental impact of US aggression on food security across the globe, noting that it poses a significant obstacle to the realization of the objective of "zero hunger."

Nouri made the remarks in an address to the second session of the 38th Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Asia and the Pacific, held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on Thursday.

He said that the illegal US-Israeli military aggressions in the region have severely disrupted supply chains, particularly in the fuel, energy, and fertilizer sectors, and cast a dark shadow over the attainment of the global "zero hunger" goal.

Nouri urged all regional and independent nations to vehemently denounce the military aggression and illegal blockade against Iran, advocating for a permanent and sustainable cessation of these unlawful attacks to ensure the continuity of agricultural production.

Nouri expressed his condolences for the loss of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with other fellow citizens, especially those active in agriculture and food sectors, who have fallen victim to the brutal US-Israeli military assaults.

The Iranian minister said the plight of the Asia-Pacific region is further worsened by an array of interconnected challenges, including widespread malnutrition, land degradation, water resource depletion, and ongoing geopolitical unrest that disrupt trade and supply chains.

These issues have considerably impacted the agricultural and food systems, hindering the achievement of the "zero hunger" goal—recognized as a pivotal objective by the global community—and have weakened the resilience of these systems, he said.

Nouri stressed the significance of adopting collaborative strategies to transform agricultural practices and bolster food systems to ensure resilience against these adversities.

He also highlighted the importance of water transformation, which addresses the scarcity and mismanagement of water resources, alongside initiatives for forestry and wood cultivation.

This not only aims to increase food production but also contributes to ecological sustainability, he said.

Nouri indicated the necessity of developing strategic plans that prioritize safe and nutritious diets while enhancing food security.

“Our approach must be comprehensive, focusing on the interplay between agriculture, environmental challenges, and community needs,” he said

Nouri also spoke of Iran’s commitment to environmental initiatives, particularly an extensive tree planting program initiated three years ago.

The initiative, he said, is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s agricultural capacity, leveraging a robust network of research institutions and experts in various fields, including fisheries.

He also reaffirmed Iran's readiness to engage in global water transformation efforts, asserting the nation’s knowledge and technological capabilities to contribute effectively.

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