Topic: 2024-Famine in Conflict Zones
Country: Russian Federation
Delegate Name: Kenna Charbauski
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights conflict as a leading factor contributing to global food insecurity. Recent reports state that conflict causes over 70% of global acute food insecurity. Among these, the effects of the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine are particularly felt worldwide, as the conflict is exacerbated by economic sanctions. The Russian Federation seeks true multilateral collaboration within the United Nations(UN) to address this pressing crisis.
The Russian Federation is a firm supporter of the Sustainable Development Goals and prioritizes decreasing global food insecurity. In 2020, Russia updated its Food Security Doctrine to emphasize national commitment to achieving global food security. Current data shows that the production of all food and fertilizer meets global needs, but distribution does not. Russian wheat yield in 2024 is nearly equal to the yield in 2020, however, due to economic sanctions imposed on Russia by G7 nations, wheat exports have decreased. These sanctions fail to consider the global food chain, and directly affect the supply of agricultural products to nations experiencing conflict and insecurity. Nations placing these sanctions are opportunistic and actively amplifying food crises. In response, the Russian Federation left the Black Sea Grain Initiative. In place from 2020 to 2023, the initiative enabled the safe export of agricultural products from Ukraine on the Black Sea. Since the sanctions continue to target Russia’s economy, it cannot support the initiative under the current circumstances. Despite these sanctions, the Russian Federation continues to supply surplus grain directly to Middle Eastern and African nations. At the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit, The Russian Federation reaffirmed its mission to assist nations facing insecurity. Sudan, Libya, and Syria are among nations already receiving support. These actions are primarily facilitated by nongovernmental organizations(NGOs) and through bilateral agreements.
Recognizing the need for change in international policy, the Russian Federation recommends the implementation of new multilateral agreements accounting for all aspects of the food crisis. This global humanitarian issue, and needs to be handled accordingly. It should be addressed with impartiality and should not be driven by geopolitical interests or national self-interest. This policy includes the lifting of current sanctions to restore the global food supply chain, respecting national sovereignty while allowing more comprehensive support for food-insecure nations. Without sanctions, the Russian Federation could aid significantly more nations. Additionally, the global food market would potentially stabilize. The Russian Federation encourages nations with surplus agricultural products to form bilateral agreements with food-insecure nations. These agreements allow for the direct transfer of aid and successfully alleviate hunger. NGOs can be used to execute such agreements fairly. The Russian Federation remains optimistic about the decrease in conflict-induced hunger, urging the UN to act cooperatively and rationally when dealing with the issue.
