UN Chief Calls for Immediate Global Response to Worsening Hunger Crisis

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning about the growing global hunger crisis, calling for urgent international action to address what he described as a worsening emergency threatening millions of lives around the world.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming Global Food Security Summit, Guterres stressed that hunger and malnutrition are once again on the rise, driven by a deadly combination of armed conflict, climate shocks, economic instability, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation, he said, is most dire in the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities.

“The number of people going hungry is increasing. This is a stain on our collective conscience,” Guterres said, urging world leaders to act swiftly and decisively.

He pointed to the devastating consequences of child malnutrition, including stunted growth and impaired cognitive development, which can undermine the future of entire generations. Women and the elderly, he added, are also among those bearing the brunt of the crisis.

The UN chief called on governments, international organizations, and private sector partners to rally behind efforts to overhaul global food systems, improve access to nutritious food, and invest in sustainable agriculture. He also emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of hunger, including the ongoing impact of war and environmental degradation.

Guterres's remarks come at a pivotal moment as humanitarian agencies warn of deepening food insecurity in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Without immediate and coordinated intervention, experts fear the world could see a reversal of decades of progress in the fight against hunger.

Ending hunger, Guterres insisted, is not only a moral obligation but a prerequisite for global peace and stability. “A world without hunger is possible,” he said, “but only if we act together, and act now.”