Tajikistan: The Holy See has warned that wars, economic crises, climate disasters, and political instability are creating serious damage to global food systems and increasing hunger across many parts of the world.
Speaking at the 35th Session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization regional conference for Europe in Dushanbe, Msgr. Fernando Chica Arellano, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the FAO, IFAD, and WFP, said the world is facing a dangerous moment for food security.
He said recent years have shown how fragile agrifood systems can become when countries face conflict, financial problems, and extreme weather conditions at the same time.
“The combination of merciless wars, economic recessions, extreme climate events, political instability, and market volatility has given rise to a lethal combination for the world’s food systems,” he said.
The Vatican representative stressed that millions of people continue to suffer because of disruptions in food production and supply chains caused by conflicts around the world.
He referred to the Russia Ukraine war, which severely affected grain exports and fertilizer supplies, leading to rising food prices in many countries. He also pointed to the ongoing tensions involving Iran and the United States, which have already pushed up fuel and fertilizer costs globally.
Msgr. Chica Arellano also highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where war has devastated local food systems and caused severe shortages of food in major cities. International aid agencies have repeatedly warned that hunger levels in Sudan are becoming increasingly alarming.
Addressing delegates at the conference, the Holy See official said countries must work together in solidarity to overcome what he called a “very negative trend” affecting the global food system.
He said the main goal should be to ensure that every person has permanent access to enough nutritious and safe food to live with dignity and peace.
The Vatican also encouraged European countries and the wider international community to adopt stronger legal frameworks that support food systems based on social justice, environmental protection, and respect for human dignity.
Msgr. Chica Arellano said the world cannot continue relying on old methods of food production that often exploit land and people for profit. Instead, he called for greater investment in vulnerable rural communities and support for sustainable agriculture.
He especially emphasized the importance of helping young people remain engaged in agriculture rather than abandoning rural areas because of poverty and discouragement.
“The agricultural sector should be supported by wise economic and political decisions,” he said, adding that young people need opportunities and hope if farming communities are to survive.
The Holy See also underlined that food production must protect future generations and promote decent work opportunities at the local level.
The FAO regional conference in Tajikistan has brought together representatives from across Europe and Central Asia to discuss food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural development at a time when global hunger and food prices remain major international concerns.