UN General Assembly Catch Up: Day Three

It’s just over half-way through the UNGA High Level Week and already New York has seen renewed commitments to achieve Agenda2030, including ending hunger, addressing climate change and interfaith collaboration. Here’s a recap of day 3.

Hunger has no religion

The interfaith event Breaking Bread was the highlight of day 3. It saw representatives from different faith-based organizations come together with representatives from the UN to celebrate the inspirational role of faith communities in alleviating hunger, and to affirm joining together to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger.

Singer Cody Chesnutt performs as part of the Breaking Bread interfaith event to the backdrop of breads from across countries and religious traditions. Photo: WFP/Catianne Tijerina

“We are gathered together tonight as communities of faith,” opened Master of Ceremonies, Joshua DuBois, who worked on faith-based partnerships for US President Barack Obama. “With the power of faith and the diligence of our work together, we believe that zero hunger is achievable in our lifetimes”.

“Hunger has no religion; hunger has no culture; hunger has no nationality. Yet every religion, every faith, requires that we feed the hungry,” said Executive Director of the World Food Programme Ertharin Cousin. “Tonight as we break bread, express our support and honour faith, we symbolize our friendship, commitment and solidarity towards the 795 million people who will go to bed hungry tonight, who are depending on us to change the opportunities for them.”

The event was co-hosted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Caritas, Islamic Relief, and the Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD).

Graziano da Silva from UN FAO.

Asma Lateef from Bread for the World.

People from different faiths tied zero hunger ribbons to symbolize commitment and collaboration. Photos: WFP/Catianne Tijerina

The event was streamed live on Facebook, and people from around the world watched and shared what #BreakingBread means to them.

Catch up by watching on Facebook Live.

You can also read more about the event on WFP’s webpage.

Climate change is a hunger issue

Also on Wednesday, momentum for the Paris Agreement on climate change surged forward when 31 countries formally joined the pact, raising hopes that it will enter into force by the end of the year.

Strengthening supply chains

At an event hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative, high-level representatives discussed the importance of partnerships in strengthening food supply chains.

You can catch up on the conversation…

…or watch an interview with WFP’s Ertharin Cousin and Devex shortly after the event.

Scaling Up Nutrition leaders’ group inauguration

As one of 30 newly appointed members of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Lead Group, Ertharin Cousin participated in the group’s inauguration event alongside high-level representatives from the African Development Bank, Save the Children, the EAT Foundation, UNICEF, and the governments of Canada, Guatemala, Indonesia and the United Kingdom among others.

Priti Patel, UK Secretary of State for International Development

Learn more about the World Food Programme by visiting www.wfp.org, and join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Tomorrow we’ll be sharing day four’s highlights — stay tuned!