#UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil

[thxnews]

Combatting Food Insecurity: Global Challenges and Solutions

  The following is an announcement by Secretary Antony J. Blinken. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE

The transcript is unedited. Last week, as the United States took over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August, I traveled to New York City to lead the Open Debate on Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Insecurity. The Security Council is charged with maintaining international peace and security, and we cannot do that without strengthening food security. Each of us has a responsibility to act so no one goes hungry. Here’s what I said after the meeting: We’re here today and using our presidency of the Security Council this month to focus in on the rising challenge of global food insecurity. We’ve seen an almost perfect storm emerge in recent years – a combination of climate change, of COVID, and now particularly of conflict – that is driving this food insecurity. There are now about 260 million people around the world who are acutely food insecure. And in turn, this food insecurity itself drives conflict. It drives forced migration. It stunts growth, both physical growth and economic growth. It holds countries back. It holds people back. The flip side of the coin is we’re also increasingly seeing food being used as a weapon of war – for leverage and for political purposes, in conflict after conflict. So, we wanted to put the focus on both of these challenges: rising food insecurity and the use of food as a weapon of war. We’ve just had 91 countries commit in a joint communique to ending the use of food as a tool of war. That, in and of itself, is a powerful statement, and we urge others to join. Of course, the place where we’re seeing this most immediately and most acutely is in Ukraine, where, as part of Russia’s aggression, it initially blockaded Ukraine’s ports – in effect blocking the export of grains to the world that Ukraine had been a key country for providing. Then, thanks to the good work of the United Nations Secretary-General and Türkiye, an agreement was put in place that allowed grain to flow through the Black Sea: the Black Sea Grain Initiative. While that agreement was in force, more than 30 million tons of grain were able to get out of Ukraine and to markets around the world – well over half of that to developing countries and, in fact, two-thirds of the wheat to developing countries. It was the equivalent of 18 billion loaves of bread. A few weeks ago, Russia tore up that agreement. The result has been rising prices for countries around the world. The result has been a diminution in the access to these food products, particularly for developing countries. Russia has also intentionally targeted food silos in Ukraine – literally destroying food as well as the means to produce it – while holding ports and sea lanes at risk to prevent countries from shipping these products out of Ukraine and to the people who need it. We’ve heard from around the world a chorus of condemnation for this action and the strong desire on the part of many, many countries that the Black Sea Grain Initiative be put back in place. It’s very simple. It’s on Russia to decide whether to do so. Of course, it could end the war that it started tomorrow, and that would solve the problem definitively. But short of that, at the very least, the world is insisting that it restore the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The urgent assistance that we’re providing to countries around the world – not just in the context of Ukraine, but of other serious risks of famine – has been significant. Over the last year and a half, the United States has provided an additional $14.5 billion in food assistance to countries around the world. We are the largest contributor by far to the World Food Programme – 50 percent of its budget every single year. And today, I was able to announce another $360 million in assistance to combat food insecurity in Haiti and 11 African countries. But for all the emergency assistance that we’re providing, and others are providing, it’s not enough. The United Nations and the World Food Programme has determined that, right now, to address the food insecurity for well over 100 million people around the world, we need $25 billion. To date, only $4.5 billion of that has been pledged by various countries. We have to do better. We have to do more. We have to do it now. Finally, as important as these urgent appeals and the work that we’re doing to address immediate needs are, we also have to take a long-term perspective. By 2050, it is estimated that the population of this planet could be as many as 10 billion people. Demand for food is likely to increase by 50 percent over what it is today. And yet yields – what’s actually being produced – are going down, not up. We have to – and we are – addressing this challenge. I spoke today at the Security Council about one of the initiatives the United States is advancing, which is the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils. We know that we have the ability to produce seeds for planting that are resilient – certainly more resilient to climate change – and are much more nutritious than some of the things being planted today. We also know that the quality of soil makes all the difference in the world. We now have the ability to map pretty much any terrain anywhere in the world to determine the quality of its soil – where it’s good, where it’s bad, where we can improve it, and how we can improve it. You put those two things together – seeds and soil – and you can powerfully address the challenge of producing sustainable agricultural production capacity with better yields and more nutritious crops. We are putting $100 million to that effort. Other countries are joining in, and we expect to see significantly more come forward in the weeks and months ahead. This is a powerful new way to really make a difference over the long term in making sure that we have strong agricultural capacity and production around the world, and notably in Africa. Sources: THX News & US Department of State. Read the full article

[mitchell721]

United Nations #unitednations #un #unitednationssecuritycouncil (at United Nations Headquarters) https://www.instagram.com/p/COvi5oetKMl/?igshid=1bukzkiaymo6q

[indian-news-network]

India has been elected as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council for the 8th time for 2021-2022 two year term. India got 184 out of 192 valid votes polled. The next session is set to begin from January-2021. #UNSC #IndiaUNSCmember #India #UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil https://www.instagram.com/p/CBjOt1bpvme/?igshid=1wp468kw0zdnb

[therealdizzik]

Posted @withregram • @politicalkhabar It also listed its five priorities at the UN including an effective response to international terrorism and said its 'overall objective' would be its new approach for reforms in global multilateral institutions. New Delhi said its confidence in electoral victory stemmed from the fact that it is the 'single endorsed candidate of the Asia-Pacific Group'. This would be India's eighth term on the UN Security Council once it is elected. #UNSC #UN #unitednations #unitednationssecuritycouncil #asiapacific #geopolitics #India #politicalkhabar https://www.instagram.com/p/CBFvkZpDahL/?igshid=n2nhfpj9uamj

[ostrowska-dominika]

What is the United Nation’s Security Council and Why Doesn’t it Work?

Whether its issues around the abuse of power, lack of representation or failure to aid in humanitarian missions, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has faced a lot of scrutiny throughout the years. However, in today’s post I want to focus more on explaining how the UNSC is structured, how the Right to Veto works, and the problems around that privilege.  

Structure of the United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is composed of 15 members. It has 5 permanent members known as the ‘P5’, and 10 non-permanent members which are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The ‘P5’ include the United States, United Kingdom, France, People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation. The other non-permanent members are chosen at the end of the term year (which lasts two years) and as of 2020 include: Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Indonesia and South Africa. In 2021 Estonia, Niger, Tunisia, Vietnam and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will join. As of 1963, the Assembly decided that the non-permanent members of the Council should be elected according to the following pattern (resolution 1991 A (XVIII)): 5 states from African and Asia, 1 state from Eastern Europe, 2 states from Latin America, and 2 states from Western Europe. States which are part of the UN but not of the Security Council can still participate but only when its countries interests are affected. As stated on the UN’s ‘current members’ page:

           “Both Members and non-members of the United Nations, if they are parties to a dispute being considered by the Council, may be invited to take part, without a vote, in the Council's discussions”

So, in essence, they have to be invited by the Security Council in order to have any say. Ultimately, it is the Council that sets out conditions for participation of non-member states.

Right to Veto

The power of Veto on a security council resolution is probably the most important privilege of the P5. To exercise veto is the ability to reject a decision proposed by the security council. Article 27 (3) of the UN Charter establishes that all substantive decisions of the Council must be made with “the concurring votes of the permanent members”. In other words, all permanent members of the Security Council need to agree in order to pass any resolution. However, it only takes one of the P5 countries to veto for a resolution not to be passed. The Right to Veto grants the permanent members of the UNSC an enormous amount of power.

Why Veto and Problems

According to Security Council Reports.org some of the reasons why a member state would choose to veto include:

-       Defending national interests

-       To uphold tenant of their foreign policy

-       To promote a single issue of particular importance to a state

Additionally, it is not unusual for a draft resolution not to be formally tabled because of the threat of a veto by one or more of the permanent members. This is worrying because this means a resolution to a big issue might not even be presented to the Council if there is suspicion it might not pass. This leads to bigger questions of international aid.

As an example, let’s take a look at China and the Ethnic Genocide which is happening in its Western region of Xinjiang. We all truly know what’s happening to the Uyghur ethnic minority of China. Most reports of China’s unlawful detention of members of the Uyghur community started surfacing in 2018. As more information started to surface, more questions have been asked by the international community. For example, in the UK, the BBC have reported on the situation which is a huge step in increasing interest in the issue within the British public.

An organisation called the World Uyghur Congress was established in 2004 particularly to resolute this issue and they have been working closely with the UN to try and end the victimisation of Uyghurs by China, as well as raise awareness around it. Let me say this again: an organisation which was set up in order to help Uyghurs who have been victimised by China, is working closely with the UN on the issue, while China remains a permanent member on the United Nations Security Council! Evidently, the international community, countries around the world, and member-states of the UN are very aware of what’s going on in Xinjiang. However, even if members of the UN wanted to do anything about it, China would veto the resolution, and nothing could be done. (But that doesn’t even scratch the surface of why nothing is really done. China is an economic superpower and in the capitalist system we are living in, profit will always out-weight human life).

Member States Call for the Removal of Veto Power and More Representation

The argument that member states need better representation at the UNSC is not new. African countries, although talked about often, lack a voice to speak for themselves. Delegates from underrepresented countries have asked to increase the number of permanent members and abolishing the right to veto. One attempt occurred in November of 2018, and really this issue has been on the Assembly’s agenda for over 20 years, however no consensus has been reached till this day. Perhaps this is because truthfully the UNSC doesn’t want any changes as they like the way in which the system works, because it benefits them.

           Take Africa for example. Despite having the largest number of member states in the UN, countries from the region continue to be undermined and under-represented in the council. There is almost a neo-colonial feeling to this fact.

In an effort to bring attention to this issue in 2017, then Assembly President of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčák stated in his opening remarks that the Council’s work could mean the difference between life and death. He went on to suggest that it is the Council itself which has the power to change this, to extend equality beyond the elites. But it is very apparent that they don’t want to change and there will be no reform. It comes down to the most powerful wanting to stay as such, and everyone else is left with the only choice which is to abide by their rules.

My list of sources:

1.     https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/current-members

2.     https://www.un.org/en/ga/62/plenary/election_sc/bkg.shtml

3.     https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/un-security-council-working-methods/the-veto.php

4.     https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cpz1y9ney3mt/uighurs

5.     https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/activities-overview/

6.     https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/introducing-the-world-uyghur-congress/

7.     https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/ga12091.doc.htm

8.     https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/ga11969.doc.htm

9.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPAONq36HKg

[welcometodreamsvillerecords]

“#Displacedsocieties are of value. Their issues are our issues.” #Cynthia Basinet This #quote was from my first @unitednations #UNSC #UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil #speech on behalf of #WesternSahara #Saharawian in 2005. As I, a single mom (in #Hollywood) understood only to well what #angrywhitemales (#AWM) with #power and #money turn to control! #mediawars #cyberwarfare #misogyny... #istandwithilhan #WeStandWithIhan #UnitedWeStand #unitedwestanddividedwefall ... #freewesternsahara #freewestpapua #freewesternsahara🇪🇭 #womensrights #refugees #worldrefugeeday #thesquad #santababy #ipaintfree #protectmyimage #sagaftra #sagaftramember #amazonprimeday #talentandwomenarenotswappable #deepfakes https://www.instagram.com/p/B0EFUECH7au/?igshid=pm2ci8teke40

[ofotis]

Οι ...ειρηνιστές - δημοκράτες ηγέτες (χωρίς έγκριση των Κοινοβουλίων τους και του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών) είναι ...λίγο επιθετικοί προς τους Σύριους, τους Κούρδους κλπ, γιατί τους ...εξοντώνουν όλους. ...Διπλωματική απάντηση μαθητή: "ο Οδυσσέας ήταν λίγο επιθετικός προς τους μνηστήρες, γιατί τους σκότωσε όλους" #War #WW3 #Συρια #Syria #syriastrikes #Kurds #UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1007331 (στην τοποθεσία Syria)

[regism1701]

#ONU #UN #NYC #UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil (at United Nations Security Council)

[countymn]

Palestinians: Israeli occupation must end in 2016 | minnesota.allembru.com

[omgsumandakmovement]

Praying for all the innocent civilians. It's not right for the people to live in a country where they fear war and death every second, minute and hour of their lives! We need to live in Peace no matter how hard we have to fight for it. Enough. ✌️🌍#gazaunderattack#Gazaandisraelconflict#bring#Peace#unitednationssecuritycouncil#ceasefire#today🙏

[allfresh-blog]

Security Council to decide Sudan mission future

Security Council2 decide Sudan mission future:It is up2 not governm http://bit.ly/lt66AJ

[countymn]

Palestinian leader in new UN bid to end occupation | minnesota.allembru.com

[allfresh-blog]

Libya: Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa Support No-Fly Zone Vote:On Thursday UNSC ado http://bit.ly/i8Fr0g