NEW DELHI, India, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali proposed a new global food system incorporating a tax and financial system to combat hunger directly in his address at the inaugural Voice of Global South Summit that began here on Thursday.
He emphasized India’s strengths in technology, research and development, agro-processing, and human and technical capacity. He called for a team of experts to assist food production in low-light and small-island developing states.
“I suggest India because, in our honest reflection, it is clear that the multilateral organizations have not brought the required results in addressing hunger,” the president told those attending the two-day event, which is the first summit of developing countries from Asia, Africa, and South America. “Today, Latin America and the Caribbean have more top position as the most food insecure region in the world. We must arrest the situation now.”
The Guyanese head of state highlighted that India has demonstrated that it can respond to global challenges and needs whenever needed.
Within this context, President Ali commended the South Asian state on hosting the special virtual summit, noting that it demonstrates its noble intention of becoming a voice for the South.
“India’s presidency of the G20 and its proclaimed commitment of being the advocate of the South offers hope that within the global governance architecture, the concerns of the South will enjoy greater traction,” he pointed out.
The president further highlighted the threats of physical extinction facing small islands and low-lying coastal states due to climate change, energy and food crises, the global pandemic, and interstate conflicts.
He underscored the need for increased, improved, and fast access to concessional financing for climate adaptation to ensure greater resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.
President Ali stated that sustainable development is only achievable with food security, so the South must collaborate to guarantee its complete security.
“It can do so by dismantling artificial and unwarranted barriers to trade in agricultural commodities, attracting great investments in food production, and promoting the wider dissemination of agricultural technologies, especially climate-smart technologies,” he said.
The president also expressed support for India’s proposal to the United Nations to designate 2023 as the Year of Millets, small, round whole grains grown in India, and congratulated India on the recognition. He also recommended that the Voice of Global South Summit convened by the Prime Minister of India be part of an ongoing conversation involving not only the countries of the South but also organizations such as the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States, Group of 77 and China. He reassured Guyana’s unwavering support in food security, energy security, climate security, human dignity, and prosperity.
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