Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stressed that the threat of famine limits the ability of countries and governments to fully implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the "UN Food Systems Summit" via videoconference, Sisi said that the summit comes at a delicate and pivotal moment for the whole world.
He indicated that creating sustainable food systems that achieve food security for societies is a top priority, particularly amid the exacerbation of climate change and the rise in temperatures and water scarcity.
Egypt has hence realized early that this summit represents a favorable opportunity for coming up with ideas and solutions to these challenges, said Sisi, adding that it can also promote international cooperation and mobilize the necessary funds.
Cairo launched a comprehensive national dialogue in December 2020, including all concerned government institutions, representatives of the private sector, and civil society organizations.
"As a result, they agreed to adopt a national document to transform into a healthy and sustainable food system."
Egypt also joined the global "School Meals Coalition," believing in the importance of providing healthy food for all students and the centrality of ensuring that international partnerships contribute to achieving this goal.
"Egypt has hence become one of the top countries have moved forward in implementing this program in the region," asserted Sisi.
At a regional level, the Egyptian president has engaged in formulating a unified African position that reflects the priorities of the peoples of the continent and the particularities of their food security challenges during the summit.
"We intend to continue working with our African brothers to face these challenges, in an effort to expedite the implementation of the African Union'sUnion's Agenda 2063," he added.
The president asserted that success today depends on the ability to come up with results that contribute to formulating a feasible, sustainable and ambitious food system – one that considers each country's peculiarities and priorities without imposing specific visions or models.
Results should also provide the necessary support through creative financing mechanisms and practical international cooperation that brings countries together with the UN parties and development partners.
He concluded his speech by saying that effective and flexible follow-up mechanisms shall be devised nationally and internationally in maintaining "our desired goals and in fulfillment of our legitimate aspirations to meet the needs of our peoples."
