"Pakistan believes that food security in conflict zones and the boarder issues discussed in the UNSC debate must be addressed through a comprehensive and principled approach: First, international humanitarian law must be upheld - fully, consistently and without selectivity. Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is clearly prohibited. Food, water, agricultural assets and other objects indispensable to civilian survival must be protected. Second, humanitarian assistance cannot be subjected to political or military calculations. There must be safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access. Humanitarian personnel must be able to operate safely, and assistance must reach those in need without impediment. Accountability for deliberate obstruction or delays is a must. Third, early warning leads to early action. Resolution 2417 provides an important basis for alerting the Council when conflicts threaten widespread food insecurity. Yet warnings serve little purpose if the international community comes into action only after hunger has turned into famine. Credible assessments by the Secretary-General, WFP, FAO and other relevant UN entities should enable timely attention and preventive engagement.- Our national statement at the Security Council high-level Open Debate on Food Under Fire: The Security Councils Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises"
At a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate focused on food security in conflict zones, Pakistan emphasized the need for a comprehensive and principled approach to address this pressing issue. With ongoing conflicts around the world severely jeopardizing civilian access to essential resources, it is vital to commit to international humanitarian laws that protect those in need.
Pakistan's stance is grounded in the principle that international humanitarian law must be upheld fully and without selectivity. The use of starvation as a weapon of war is strictly prohibited, and protecting food, water, and other essential assets for survival is paramount. Pakistan strongly argues that humanitarian assistance cannot be entangled with political or military calculations. Access to humanitarian aid should be safe, rapid, and unhindered, ensuring that aid workers can operate effectively in conflict-affected areas. Delaying or obstructing assistance is unacceptable and must be met with accountability.
The call for greater adherence to humanitarian standards has garnered attention from various member states and organizations. There is an emerging consensus that early warnings must lead to early actions, as evident in the notation of UNSC Resolution 2417, which serves as a mechanism to alert the Council to burgeoning food insecurity during conflicts. However, debates continue regarding the timely nature of responses, highlighting the need for the international community to act proactively rather than reactively to avoid humanitarian crises from escalating into famine.
Moving forward, it is essential for Pakistan and the global community to engage in continuous dialogue on the nexus between conflict and food security. Concerted efforts must be made to ensure that credible assessments from the Secretary-General, World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other pertinent UN bodies are a regular part of the decision-making process. This strategic foresight could enable timely interventions that protect civilian populations and prevent deplorable humanitarian consequences.
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