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INTERVENTION BY H.E. AMBASSADOR SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

FOR

HIGH-LEVEL SPECIAL EVENT

“TIME TO ACT TOGETHER: COORDINATING POLICY RESPONSES

TO THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS”

 

 

Mr. Moderator,

 

I wish to express my appreciation to you and Ambassador Ferrero y De Loma-Osorio for convening this important event.

 

2.       It is clear from the event that the global food system is facing multiple challenges. The numbers are alarming and the international community must take immediate action.

 

3.       As observed by many speakers today, not all countries are exposed in the same way. Some are more vulnerable than others and need assistance immediately. Malaysia joins others in calling for immediate support to urgently assist these adversely affected countries.

 

4.       In the longer term, the international community must mobilise greater efforts to improve food system resilience especially in developing countries. This would require greater partnership in food production and investments in the agricultural sector. Financial institutions should also support farmers to innovate using new technology by offering them lower interest rates. Further, Malaysia believes it is crucial to keep the market for food and agriculture open through the promotion of non-discriminatory, equitable and rules-based multilateral trading system under the WTO to ensure that stability be restored in the global food markets.

 

Mr. Moderator,

 

5.       At the national level, Malaysia through our National Agrofood Policy 2.0 aims to support the national agrofood sector to be more sustainable, resilient and high-technology driven, particularly in protecting smallholder farmers and food producers. As such, Malaysia believes that upscaling investment in agricultural capacities through better technology and innovation would contribute towards achieving resilient food systems.

 

6.       To conclude, Malaysia welcomes the establishment of the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance by the Secretary-General. Malaysia stands ready to move towards coordinating a strong and comprehensive global response in food and agricultural cooperation.

 

I thank you.