President Pahor starts the formal part of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference – COP27 by participating in a round table discussion on food security

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, is attending the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. President Pahor is representing Slovenia in the high-level segment attended by numerous world leaders at the invitation of the host country. The fundamental purpose of COP27 is to encourage State Parties to confirm their commitments regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, thus limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C as per the Paris Agreement. The conference discusses the climate change adaptation and commitments to rise climate financing, especially for the most vulnerable countries.

Today, President Pahor attended a round table discussion on food security. In his address, the President emphasised the correlation between food security and conservation of the environment and biodiversity.

This afternoon, President Pahor will participate in the first part of the high-level segment of COP27 and deliver the national statement.


Photo: UPRS

Speech by President Pahor in English (Spoken word applies.):

Food is a foundation for stability and peace.

Slovenia has tripled its contribution for food security since 2019.

Food security goes hand in hand with protection of environment.

We should do more to become more sustainable. Agriculture should not aggravate climate change.

In food production, we need both - more efficient measures to prevent further global warming, and better adaptation to already existing change of climate.

In this context, I was honoured to participate at the launch of the International year of millet 2023.

The draught and water crisis we face more and more often, demands diversification of diets and a focus on cereals that can grow in more demanding environments.

Protection of food production is much linked with conservation of the earth's biodiversity.

As a country of very rich biodiversity, it was Slovenia that initiated the campaign to proclaim 20 May World Bee Day, unanimously approved by the UN five years ago.

Our intention has been to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators for sustainable food systems.

We know we should and could do more: We should reduce our food waste and search for ways of going back to local, seasonal and traditional.

We cannot think about food security out of the context of climate change and vice-versa.

I thus warmly welcome the decision to put this issue on the agenda of COP27.

Thank you for your attention.