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Vienna, 15 October 2024 – The United Nations in Vienna launched a groundbreaking initiative to combat global food insecurity. The Group of Friends of Food Security, endorsed by the African Group and co-chaired by the Permanent Missions of Sudan and Italy, officially began its mission to foster collaboration and share best practices among Vienna-based Organizations (VBOs) and their Member States.
This new Group seeks to build on the collective successes of key international organizations headquartered in Vienna, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). By strengthening cooperation, it aims to enhance ongoing projects and develop innovative strategies to address the urgent and pressing challenges related to global food security.
Core Objectives of the Group:
- Sharing Success Stories: The Group will highlight and raise awareness of the important contributions VBOs have made to tackle food insecurity.
- Fostering Partnerships: It aims to enhance partnerships and create synergies between key agriculture and food security stakeholders, both within Vienna and globally.
- Developing Actionable Proposals: The Group will work towards creating proposals to advance food security efforts across the board.
- Mobilizing Resources: A critical goal is to mobilize resources for research, technical cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that a real impact can be made on the ground.
Speakers and Highlights
Several distinguished speakers graced the event, offering insights into the importance of this initiative and the need for collective action. Among them were: Ambassador Maurice Makoloo of Kenya, Ambassador Debora Lepre of Italy, Ambassador Magdi A. Mofadal of Sudan, UNODC Executive Director Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director, IAEA Deputy Director General Najat Mokhtar, Mr. Gunther Berger, UNIDO Managing Director of Information and Economic Transformation, and Mr. Driss El Hadani, UNOOSA Deputy Director General. Together, they underscored the urgency of global cooperation in tackling food insecurity, particularly in the face of evolving climate challenges and increasing global demand for sustainable food systems. Each speaker emphasized the importance of pooling efforts and resources to strengthen agricultural systems and food security, recognizing the increasing threats of climate change, conflict, and economic instability.
By bringing together key players from different sectors, the Group of Friends of Food Security will be instrumental in generating innovative solutions and providing a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing, and joint action. This launch marks a critical step forward in the global fight against hunger and malnutrition and a testament to the power of international cooperation.
Moving Forward
The launch of the Group of Friends of Food Security marks the beginning of an important new platform that will foster international cooperation to combat one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. As highlighted by the speakers, this initiative is a crucial step in ensuring that agriculture and food security efforts are amplified and supported by the best practices and resources available across VBOs and Member States.
As this Group embarks on its important mission, it will undoubtedly pave the way for greater collaboration and practical solutions to the complex challenge of food insecurity. The VBOs, in partnership with their Member States, are poised to make a significant difference.
With strong leadership, the Group of Friends of Food Security is set to become a pivotal force in shaping a future where food security is accessible for all. By fostering cooperation, sharing knowledge, and mobilizing resources, this initiative stands as a beacon of hope for global efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
Photos by: Joel Rojas
About the Author
Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas is a dynamic leader and influential figure in Filipino and international communities. As the Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria) and a board member of ENFiD, she champions the cause of Filipino expatriates in Europe. She also serves as the President of the Bikol Society Austria (BSA) and is the Founder and former President of the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES). She is also the Adviser and Former President of the Vienna International Centre Club Filipino (VIC CF), a Board Member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), and a Councillor for the Philippines with the European Police Association (EPA). Her passion extends to community building, as shown by her work as an Auditor for the Vienna International Centre Gastronomy Club (VIC GC) and her involvement with the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), which honored her with the prestigious “Most Influential Filipina Women in the World” (Global FWN100™) award in 2019.
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