New york: The State of Qatar emphasized the critical need to protect food security and enhance the resilience of nations susceptible to food insecurity. This statement was delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, during the Security Council open debate titled 'Food Under Fire: The Security Council's Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises.' This meeting was held under the agenda item 'Maintenance of international peace and security' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
According to Qatar News Agency, Her Excellency highlighted that eight years after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018), armed conflicts continue to be significant drivers of food insecurity. These conflicts destroy food systems, disrupt trade and energy flows, close transport routes, and impede humanitarian access. She further stressed that hunger fuels instability and underscored the importance of complying with prohibitions against using starvation of civilians as a warfare method and protecting objects indispensable to their survival.
Her Excellency pointed out recent instances of food insecurity, with some reaching famine levels, citing the Gaza Strip as a prominent example of humanitarian suffering due to armed conflicts. Qatar, in its ongoing role in facilitating the comprehensive peace plan for Gaza and the ceasefire agreement brokered alongside Egypt, the USA, and Turkiye, emphasized the necessity for immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance delivery throughout Gaza.
Qatar also reiterated the urgent need for the comprehensive plan approved by Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) to be implemented fully. This implementation is seen as essential for ending the war, advancing reconstruction, and achieving lasting peace based on the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the two-state solution, as noted by Her Excellency.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz was also highlighted as an example of how conflicts can impact global food security. The closure of the Strait threatens regional and global economic interests, affecting maritime trade and driving up costs in fertilizer and food markets, with the most vulnerable countries bearing the heaviest burden.
Qatar affirmed that freedom of navigation through this strategic waterway is essential and called for the restoration of navigation in line with international law and Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026). Qatar's priority is to de-escalate tensions and enable diplomatic efforts. As a mediator, Qatar seeks to reopen the Strait and stresses that future management arrangements should be based on regional consensus and full respect for international law, ensuring the region's security and stability.
Qatar has shown its commitment to global food security by supporting efforts to alleviate the impacts of conflicts on civilians and strengthen community resilience in the Gaza Strip and other regions. These actions complement Qatar's humanitarian assistance and initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of food-insecure countries, stated Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani.
Her Excellency affirmed that Qatar will continue working with partners across the United Nations system, providing humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected individuals, and supporting food systems. Concurrently, Qatar will maintain its active role in addressing root causes through preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention, peaceful dispute resolution, and peacebuilding.