Ukraine called on PACE to strengthen international mechanisms to protect food security

Ukraine has called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to strengthen international mechanisms for protecting food security in times of war, stressing that the Russian Federation is deliberately using hunger as a weapon.

This was reported by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture following the meeting of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, which took place in Paris on December 4.

Russia is deliberately using hunger as a weapon

Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky stressed that before the full-scale war, Ukraine provided food to up to 400 million people in the world. Today, despite the enemy’s attacks, the state remains a critically important participant in the global food market.

“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, about 250 million tons of food have been exported, of which more than 165 million tons are grain crops. In particular, 36% of world exports of sunflower oil, 38% of sunflower meal, 13% of corn, 7% of wheat, etc.,” the report says.

Vysotsky drew special attention to humanitarian programs, in particular Grain from Ukraine, which has already helped about 20 million people in the most vulnerable regions of Africa and Asia.

“Today, international food security is a matter not only of economics, but also of survival. Russia is deliberately using hunger as a weapon, destroying Ukraine’s agricultural and energy infrastructure. Such actions endanger millions of people far beyond its borders,” Vysotsky noted.

PACE resolution

Following the results of the meeting, a resolution was adopted “Ensuring Sustainable Food Security in Times of Crisis.”

As emphasized during the event, the document is consistent with key international norms that prohibit the use of hunger as a method of warfare. Ukraine also called for strengthening international mechanisms to protect food security and to ensure that Russia is held accountable for using hunger as a weapon.

“The PACE resolution is an important step in protecting the right to food and building sustainable food systems in Europe and the world. Ukraine will continue to be a guarantor of global food security, but for this we need a unified position of the international community and effective mechanisms for holding the aggressor accountable,” Vysotsky emphasized.

Tags: food security, war