Food security remains a global priority – Dr Ashni Singh
…tells Pakistan ministerial session of Guyana’s efforts in food productivity
Senior Minister in the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh, currently in Pakistan for the 48th Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), used the occasion to impress on the world the importance of food security, among other things.
During his address to the gathering on Tuesday, Minister Singh noted that concerted global action is needed to tackle various global problems. These problems include the post-COVID pandemic recovery and food security.
The Minister reminded that more than 800 million people worldwide still go hungry daily and almost 700 million persons worldwide are malnourished, opining that food security is, therefore, a global imperative.
“Within the Caribbean, Guyana is leading efforts to scale up food production and productivity rapidly, and to strengthen food systems with the aim of improving food security in our region as part of the global effort to tackle this problem,” he told officials.
“Additional investment in agriculture by both the public and private sectors, and dismantling of the barriers to trade in agricultural produce, are urgently needed globally,” the Finance Minister also said.
While commending the Government and people of Pakistan on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana on the occasion of Pakistan’s 75th Independence Anniversary, Minister Singh also reiterated to officials in attendance that concerted global action is now even more urgent to tackle the global problems being faced.
“First is the question of full and lasting recovery from COVID-19. All our countries felt the pandemic’s impact, both humanitarian and economic. Effective responses necessitated international collaboration. Likewise, sustainable recovery needs joint action. Resurgence in any country anywhere threatens the recovery in all countries everywhere.”
“As OIC Member States, we need to stay focused on addressing the issues that are critical for safeguarding and sustaining the recovery. These include further strengthening our healthcare systems, and improving access to vaccines and other medical supplies, even as our economies reopen,” Dr Singh strongly urged.
The Minister also spoke of climate change, another issue he said must be confronted more urgently on a global scale. He added that as a low-lying coastal state, Guyana is amongst the most vulnerable, and the climate crisis threatens not only its development prospects but Guyana’s very existence.
“Guyana has outlined a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which places our economy on a path to accelerated sustainable development. Shared commitment and joint action are critical for limiting global warming and we urge adherence to the global agenda for combating this crisis,” Dr Singh explained.
According to Minister Singh, Guyana, as a heavily forested country, needs more meaningful global recognition of the contribution being made by standing forests in the fight against climate change.
He concluded that while examining the various resolutions at the forum, Guyana’s delegation took note of the number of conflicts that are still ongoing, and how these conflicts are impeding the advancement of human rights and hindering development. As such, he expressed Guyana’s stance on the need for political will and concrete actions to resolve these issues.
“Guyana expresses its continued unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle to live in peace and dignity,” the Finance Minister said, adding in Guyana, the country has embraced a philosophy of oneness in the concept of “One Guyana” aimed at reinforcing the strength Guyanese derive from diversity and promoting the unity and prosperity of all of its people.
According to Minister Singh, this process is being led by the President himself. Dr Singh further reaffirmed Guyana’s steadfast commitment to the values of the OIC and to contributing to the furtherance of the Organisation’s objectives.