Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, appealed to the international community to take serious measures to prevent the aggravation of the global food crisis, especially during exceptional circumstances due to the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Saudi minister also called for the enactment of laws that contribute to obtaining safe and nutritious, as the pandemic has taken its toll at all levels, especially the food and agricultural sectors.

Al-Fadhli made the remarks on the occasion of the ministry’s celebration of the 40th World Food Day, which falls on Oct. 16 of each year. The theme of this year is "Together We Grow, Nourish, and Maintain Sustainability ... Our Actions Are Our Future. The day also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The Saudi minister also underlined the need for the international community to seize this opportunity to work to deliver food to the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the populations in the developing countries, which are most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Al-Fadhli indicated that Saudi Arabia is moving forward to achieve goals of sustainable development (2030), which is the elimination of hunger, in line with its humanitarian, moral, and religious duty.

He pointed to the unprecedented efforts and the huge aid that Saudi Arabia has provided and continues to do for fighting hunger to reduce poverty and supporting refugees around the world, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), which is one of the most important arms of the Kingdom in assisting needy people.

Al-Fadhli stressed that the Kingdom started the implementation of the national food security strategy forging cooperation between the governmental and private sectors, which helped overcome the disruption in supply chains.

He also said that the Saudi government cares for the agricultural sector and its workers and therefore it has enacted policies, regulations, and prepared strategies that support small farmers and livestock owners in rural areas, with the aim of increasing and diversifying agricultural production, and achieving sustainability and self-sufficiency.

SOURCE SAUDIGAZETTE