STORY: UN chief urges global response to climate-induced food insecurity, conflict
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 13, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:58
LOCATION: United Nations
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Security Council Chamber
2. wide shot of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaking
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
4. various of delegates
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
5. various of delegates
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
7. various of Security Council Chamber

STORYLINE:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged a worldwide response to the challenges posed by climate-driven food insecurity and conflict.

Addressing the Security Council high-level open debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security, the UN chief called for global action to "build a livable, sustainable future, free from hunger, and free from the scourge of war."

Guterres painted a grim picture of the current global situation.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"A global food crisis is creating a hellscape of hunger and heartache for many of the world's poorest people. And the climate crisis is accelerating with a deadly force - last year was the hottest ever. Both these facts undermine peace. Empty bellies fuel unrest."

The secretary-general invoked a proverb to illustrate the dire consequences of food scarcity, "In Portugal, we have a saying: 'In a house with no bread, everyone argues, and no one is right.'"

He further elaborated on how climate disasters and conflict exacerbate inequalities, endanger livelihoods, and displace populations, potentially leading to heightened tensions and conflict, especially in regions with fragile institutions and marginalized communities.

Highlighting the disproportionate impact on women and girls, Guterres pointed out that "women and girls pay the highest price. Just as they do when food is short and climate disasters hit."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"Where wars rage, hunger reigns - whether due to displacement of people, destruction of agriculture, damage to infrastructure, or deliberate policies of denial. Meanwhile, climate chaos is imperiling food production the world over. Floods and droughts destroy crops, ocean changes disrupt fishing, rising seas degrade land and freshwater, and shifting weather patterns ruin harvests and spawn pests. Climate and conflict were the main causes of acute food insecurity for almost 174 million people in 2022."

Drawing attention to specific regions, Guterres shared distressing examples from around the globe, including Syria, Myanmar, Gaza, Haiti, Ethiopia, and the Sahel, where the confluence of climate change and conflict has led to severe humanitarian crises.

In his call to action, Guterres outlined several critical steps to mitigate these threats, including adherence to international humanitarian law, full funding of humanitarian operations, conflict resolution, progress towards Sustainable Development Goals, climate action, and targeted financial interventions.

Guterres concluded with a message of hope and urgency.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"The message is clear: We can break the deadly nexus of hunger, climate chaos, and conflict, and quell the threat they pose to international peace and security."
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from the United Nations.
(XHTV)