FAO Council 174

1. Thank you, Chair

2. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway. We fully align ourselves with the EU statement.

3. The food security situation in the world continues to be alarming. Humanitarian needs are increasing due to conflicts, climate crisis, and economic shocks.  Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has worsened global food insecurity.

4. Russia’s unilateral decision to leave the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), and its attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure, has worsened the situation.

5. Russian aggression has destroyed key infrastructure and hindered agricultural production in Ukraine. Rebuilding the country will take years. Meanwhile, despite being subjected to the unprovoked aggression – Ukraine – one of the world’s major breadbaskets – has shown impressive efforts to address the challenges of global food insecurity.

6. In this dire situation with increasing humanitarian needs and scarce resources, we appreciate that FAO is delivering according to its mandate.

7. The FAO Council has clearly condemned Russia’s actions and provided guidance on how to tackle their global impacts, including on food security. We, the Nordic countries, request FAO to continue implementing the 169th Council decisions.

8. We strongly support the call to keep food trade open, avoid all export restrictions and resume food export from Ukraine. 

9. We highlight the importance of AMIS and continued collaboration with all relevant partners to monitor the situation, ensure transparency, and minimize any adverse effects on global markets.

10. Russia`s unprovoked, unjustifiable, and illegal full-scale invasion has inflicted incalculable devastation on Ukraine, including potentially irreversible consequences for Ukraine’s environmental landscape. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam is just one example.

We also share the concerns for risks related to animal health and diseases and the need to address these, in accordance with FAOs responsibilities and particularly through a One Health approach.

11. It is crucial that we respond to the immediate humanitarian needs, in Ukraine and in other crises around the world. The Nordic countries are major donors to the UN development system, and we will continue our support to humanitarian crises around the world. We will continue to focus on flexible and predictable core support and encourage others to do the same.

12. We strongly reiterate the call for Russia to immediately and unconditionally cease its aggression against Ukraine and withdraw its forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. 

13. Thank you