The 47th session of the Committee on World Food Security opened via videoconference on 8 February. Russia is represented by an interdepartmental delegation headed by the Permanent Representative to FAO and other UN Agencies in Rome Ambassador Victor L. Vasiliev.

This Committee is the main specialized platform for the Rome-based UN Agencies for a comprehensive dialogue on the issues of food security and nutrition in the world. Representatives of 112 member states, non-governmental and international organizations, business circles (about 2 thousand delegates altogether) take part in the event.

The participants will address topical issues of global food security and nutrition, including the support to the states in the context of protracted crises. In addition, the Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition, which have been developed by the Committee over the past three years and will form the basis for the UN Summit on Food Systems in 2021, are to be approved.

The General Director of FAO Qu Dongyu, Executive Director of the WFP David Beasley, and the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) J. Houngbo addressed the participants with welcoming speeches.

In turn, Victor L. Vasiliev emphasized the need for coordinated efforts of all stakeholders in solving hunger problems, ensuring global food security and healthy nutrition in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Head of the Russian delegation also drew attention to the Food Safety Doctrine approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin in January 2020 and informed about our country's commitment to improving quality control and food safety.

The speech was posted on the website of the Permanent Mission.

The session is scheduled to end on 11 February.