The problem of hunger threatens many regions this year, 2023 may be worse – rice and corn crops will suffer due to rising prices for fertilizers and energy, said UN Secretary General António Guterres, addressing the G7 Ministerial Conference on Global Food Security.
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The conference is taking place in Berlin. The participants were shown a video message from Guterres.
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According to the Secretary General, according to the World Food Program, over the past two years, the number of people in the world experiencing severe food insecurity has more than doubled and reached 276 million people.
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“There is a real risk that famine will be declared in many places in 2022. And 2023 could be even worse,” Guterres said.
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He noted that the main costs of farmers are related to fertilizers and energy resources.
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“Over the past year, fertilizer prices have increased by more than half, and energy prices by more than two-thirds. All crops will suffer, including rice and corn, which will affect billions of people in Asia, Africa and the Americas,” Guterres said.
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“Problems with access to food this year could turn into a global food shortage next year. No country will be immune from the social and economic consequences of such a catastrophe,” he concluded.
