Topic:
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Jaelyn Stokes
United Nations Development Programme
Food Instability and Political Crises
The Kingdom of Denmark
Jaelyn Stokes, Forest Hills Northern High School
Conflict, droughts, crop failure, and pandemics have arisen in countless countries worldwide, causing food instability to become a dominant issue globally. Denmark’s priority has always been to address global challenges, such as food insecurity and political instability, with a strong focus on individual human beings and their rights. Because of this, Denmark has committed itself to eradicate this issue by investing in long-term solutions, such as partnering with WFP in their goal to end world hunger by 2030 and promoting peace and stability in countries with conflict.
Because food instability is such a pressing issue, the UN has made it a priority. One of the most significant ways they have done this is through their humanitarian organization, The World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP works to provide food assistance in emergencies and help communities and governments become self-reliant by improving their resilience and nutrition. Recently, they have prioritized areas affected by Covid-19 and places directly affected by the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Over the last several decades, it has been a priority for Denmark to support others in food emergencies and crises in an attempt to strengthen food security. The primary way that Denmark does this is through its partnership with WFP. Denmark is one of the WFP’s most consistent and valued partners. This year, Denmark and the WFP signed their second Strategic Partnership Agreement, a contract between Denmark and the WFP that talks about how both parties will support important causes. Kristian Jensen, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, explained that “Through this agreement with WFP, we will support some of the world’s hungriest and most vulnerable people: women, children, the elderly, refugees, the internally displaced, and others caught up in conflict and crisis.”
The agreement has topic areas that are both Denmark’s and the WFP’s priorities. These priority areas are the solutions that Denmark has invested in, in the hopes of working towards a world without food instability. The first goal is to fight food insecurity so that they can meet people’s needs in food emergencies. The second priority is called Advance Climate Adaptation and Anticipatory Action. Global warming has had a direct impact on food growth. As a result, this act helps fight off drastic climate changes. The final goal is called Roll-out Humanitarian Development-Peace Nexus Approach to Food Security which talks about the importance of supporting people during short-term food emergencies while working towards long-term sustainability in those communities.
According to the WFP, 828 million people, around the world, do not have enough food. Denmark has decided to take the next step towards eradicating that number, in hopes that someday, there will be no more hunger. Denmark is ready to partner with other countries such as Germany, the United States, France, The United Kingdom and other countries who are working towards the same goals.
