Remarks by Representative of Kiribati President, Minister for Fishery and Marine Resource Development Honorable Ribanataake Tiwau at the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

Remarks by Representative of Kiribati President,

Minister for Fishery and Marine Resource Development

Honorable Ribanataake Tiwau

at the International Forum on

Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen, 

On behalf of my President, HE Te Beretitenti Taaneti Mamau, I bring warm greetings from the people and Government of Kiribati and greet you in His Holy Name KAM NA BANE NI MAURI. I am honored for the opportunity to address this important forum on Food Security.

Allow me first to commend the co-hosts-the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China and the National Food and Strategy Reserves Administration for organizing this timely and relevant forum. As we meet today, we do so amid a growing and alarming global food security crisis. Food Security is a fundamental human right that must be addressed through genuine partnerships. As a developing nation, Kiribati acknowledges this fact and regards food security as a primary development goal. This is further encapsulated in its Kiribati Development Plan 2020-2023 and its Kiribati Vision for 20 years. 

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The driving factors of food insecurity are increasingly complex and interconnected. These factors include, but are not limited to, Covid-19, Conflicts and Climate Change.With the closure of borders came a global economic chaos that disrupted food supplies. While developed countries have to date been able to reorganize themselves to ensure food supplies continue, the situation for developing nations such as Kiribati remains distressful. Supplies of household food staples are a common shortage with families having to resort to limited local agricultural commodities for sustenance. Likewise, deteriorating conflicts and the war in Ukraine have compounded these challenges with fuel and food prices soaring to unprecedented levels. For a country like Kiribati, which is heavily reliant on imported foods, the increase in fuel prices has threatened inclusive economic access to essential food supplies. 

But it does not end there for us. The crises of today all come at the apex of a worsening climate change. As peoples of the Ocean, the people of Kiribati have relied on the ocean for sustenance for many generations. Yet, this is being challenged by a warming and the impact of plastic pollution to our ocean. A catch of the day is becoming more difficult to get, if not impossible. The implications of climate change go beyond the ocean, reaching our lands, water supplies and consequently the very fabrics of our livelihoods. According to a UNICEF report, 9 out of 10 children in Kiribati face food poverty. This is unacceptable and we need to step up together to ensure we provide the future of tomorrow with adequate food and nutrition. It is for these reasons that we welcome this initiative to be deliberated through this Forum. A hybrid rice cooperation offers great potential in the production of rice against the threats of climate change and the many other crises of today. Let me reiterate that Kiribati values its partnership with the People's Republic of China and in this spirit, we welcome future cooperation on this front to further boost this much-needed rice production. 

With those few remarks, l wish you all a successful forum and bestow upon us all our traditional Kiribati blessings of Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa, meaning Health, Peace and Prosperity. Kam bati n rabwa. Thank you.