New York, August 27 (QNA) - The State of Qatar stressed the importance of protecting food security and strengthening the resilience of countries vulnerable to food insecurity.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani before the Security Council open debate on “Food Under Fire: The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises,” held under the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Her Excellency noted that eight years after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018), armed conflicts remain among the main drivers of food insecurity, as they destroy food systems, disrupt trade and energy flows, close transport routes, and impede humanitarian access. She added that hunger exacerbates instability, underscoring the need to ensure compliance with the prohibition against using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and to protect objects indispensable to their survival.

She said that the world has recently witnessed numerous cases of food insecurity, some reaching the level of famine, noting that the Gaza Strip is a clear example of the humanitarian suffering caused by armed conflicts.

The State of Qatar, as part of its continued role in facilitating the implementation of the comprehensive peace plan for Gaza and the ceasefire agreement it helped broker alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United States of America, and the Republic of Turkiye, stresses the need to ensure the immediate, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the Gaza Strip.

It also reiterates the urgent need for the comprehensive plan endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) to be fully implemented as a pathway towards ending the war, advancing reconstruction, and achieving a just and lasting peace based on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the two-state solution, HE noted.

Developments in the Strait of Hormuz demonstrate how a conflict can affect global food security. The continued closure of the Strait threatens the vital interests of countries in the region and the global economy. Disruptions to maritime trade also drive up costs and affect fertilizer and food markets, with import-dependent and most vulnerable countries bearing the heaviest burden.

The State of Qatar affirms that freedom of navigation through this vital waterway is a non-negotiable principle, requiring the restoration of its navigation in accordance with international law and Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), she added.

The State of Qatar’s priority is to contain the escalation and reopen the way for diplomatic efforts. Qatar, as a contributor to mediation efforts, is seeking to reopen the Strait as soon as possible and stresses that any future arrangements concerning its management or other related issues should be based on regional consensus and full respect for international law, in a manner that safeguards the region’s security and stability, she noted.

The State of Qatar has demonstrated its commitment to global food security by providing support to help alleviate the burden that conflicts place on civilians and strengthen community resilience in the Gaza Strip and other regions. These efforts complement Qatar’s humanitarian assistance and its initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of countries vulnerable to food insecurity, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said.

Her Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar will continue cooperating with its partners across the United Nations system, providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflicts, and supporting food systems. At the same time, it will maintain its active role in addressing the root causes through preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and peacebuilding. (QNA)