Excellencies,

Esteemed guests,

I would like to warmly welcome you to our annual spring reception here in the blooming Residence garden.

The UN has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Whether as a farmer in the fields or as the head of a farming business – women are shaping agriculture around the world.

That is why the Embassy invited women with hands-on experience and from the research community to a discussion this morning. Because in China too, female entrepreneurs contribute to the production of high-quality, healthy food and play a vital role in food security.

SDG – Zero Hunger

Ten years ago, in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s nations called for the global eradication of hunger and better nutrition for all by 2030. The current situation could not be further from this goal. Indeed, the outlook is very bleak:

According to the UN report „State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World“, between 640 and 720 million people suffered from chronic hunger in 2024. That is almost 10% of the world’s population!

There is a danger that hunger and need could worsen dramatically in 2026. And women and children in crisis regions and fragile states will suffer the most.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the war in the Middle East pose a threat to global food security. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is not only causing an energy crisis but also hindering the production and export of fertilisers – and no fertilisers means smaller harvests and less food for a growing global population. The long-term consequences are still impossible to predict.

An alarming study by the World Food Programme in mid-March 2026 predicted that an additional 45 million people could face hunger this year if the instability in the Middle East due to the Iran war continues beyond the middle of the year. That would be almost as many people as the combined population of Beijing and Shanghai. This suffering is being caused by humans!

Climate and security

Rapid climate change is also a consequence of human development. It undermines food security, forces people to migrate, causes local conflicts over valuable resources, such as water, and can destabilise entire regions.

Germany put climate and security on the UN Security Council’s agenda years ago.

Germany’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in 2027/2028 demonstrates our willingness to take on responsibility again. You can be certain that, as a member of the Security Council, Germany will work to ensure that the links between wars and conflicts on the one hand, and hunger, food security, climate and development on the other, are taken into account and actively incorporated into the debates. We want discussions on security to focus more on preventative measures, international cooperation and sustainable strategies.

We are not alone in this, but part of international partnerships seeking to achieve the UN’s development and climate goals. In short, we are counting on all of you, our partners in every region of the world, to promote innovative, forward-looking solutions

The United Nations plays a central role in resolving conflicts, protecting those in need and mitigating the consequences of war and disasters. Organisations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and OCHA provide vital assistance by offering food and protection to people in crisis and conflict zones, as well as giving them prospects for the future.

Unfortunately, however, we see that these very organisations are coming under increasing financial pressure – for example, as the result of the withdrawal of key donor countries.

Germany is assuming responsibility here: last year, we provided WFP alone with over 500 million euro, in addition to our contributions to UNHCR, UNICEF and other humanitarian programmes.

It is our joint task to ensure the survival of millions of people and the stability of regions that are particularly vulnerable to conflict and the consequences of climate change.

I therefore appeal to all member states of the United Nations: we must increase our support and strengthen multilateral structures – especially in times of crisis.

Only by working together can we break the vicious cycle of poverty, hunger and conflict.

Thank you very much.