Mariam Almheiri calls for urgent global action on food security and climate during meetings

Mariam Almheiri calls for urgent global action on food security and climate during meetings

DUBAI: Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, has called for urgent global action to tackle food insecurity and climate change at Security Council sessions at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA. The minister also discussed key related topics with Alain Berset, the President of Switzerland and current President of the UN Security Council.

At the UN Security Council Meeting titled ‘Ensuring the security and dignity of civilians in conflict: addressing food insecurity and protecting essential services’, Almheiri emphasised the rapidly escalating impact of climate change on food security, the need for increased international humanitarian law compliance, and the role of climate change as a ‘threat multiplier’. Her key points aligned with the Secretary-General’s report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, which highlighted that in 2022, over a quarter of a billion people faced acute hunger in 58 countries, many amidst armed conflict.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Almheiri said: "A significant reason that civilians continue to suffer from conflict-induced food insecurity is the gap in implementing clearly defined rules. Our collective recommitment to upholding international humanitarian law is essential."

She added: "At COP28, which will be hosted in the UAE later this year, we