Guyana's President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, emphasizes the need for the United Nations Security Council to consider the significant impacts on food security and climate change when addressing conflicts and war.

While chairing the special council meeting today, the Guyanese Head of State emphasised that these issues are intricately linked to the rule of law, democracy and governance.

“We, therefore, are of the very strong view that the Security Council should outline a series of steps that include a full analysis of the impact, and just as we adopt measures to safeguard humanitarian interests, we must adopt measures in our procedures to deal with the effects on food and climate.”

The Head of State underscored that the Council must be bold enough to take the necessary actions and make the needed changes.

President Ali also spoke extensively on the effects of war and conflict, on land degradation, deforestation, food insecurity; climate change, pollution, generational disruption and its impact on social costs, among other areas.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd; Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett accompanied the President to the meeting, which was held under the theme: “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Climate, Food Security and Conflict”.

Guyana is at the helm of the Presidency of the 15-member Security Council for the month of February, 2024.