Addressing the UN Security Council’s high-level open debate on “Impact of Climate Crisis, Food Insecurity on Efforts to Achieve Peace, Development” on February 14, Nguyen emphasised that poverty is both the root and a consequence of conflicts, while climate change is a factor that worsens food insecurity and increases threats to international peace and stability.
The UN Security Council needs and can do more to break the vicious cycle of climate change, food insecurity and conflicts, he stated.
First, the council needs to promote its role in preventing conflicts, take a more comprehensive and balanced approach between traditional and non-traditional security threats. Second, it is necessary to strengthen consultation and coordination with UN agencies, relevant mechanisms and initiatives at the international, regional and national levels to promptly handle security risks from climate change and food insecurity. And third, it is also important to ensure compliance with international law and the UN Charter in conflicts, the Vietnamese representative said.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored that climate chaos and food crises are serious and mounting threats to global peace and security and, as such, should be addressed by the Security Council.
