LONDON
Jordan’s King Abdullah on Tuesday called for global partnerships to tackle the increasing array of interlocking crises gripping the world, calling out world hunger as the top priority. Addressing the UN General Assembly, he said conflict, climate catastrophes, hunger and spiraling inflation were meshing and ringing “alarm bells” for the governments of developing countries and wealthier nations alike. “We meet with the alarm bells ringing all around us. Developing countries are hardest hit, but many wealthy nations are beginning to experience empty shelves,” he added.
“Food security is the global priority. People are going to bed hungry — that number is climbing. How can children sleep if they are hungry, students learn, or workers do their best?
“Wealthy countries are experiencing a truth developing countries have known for a long time. For countries to succeed, they must eat. We need global partnerships to bring about the change required to ensure this.”
The king said Jordan is looking to act as a bridgehead uniting regional allies in a series of effective partnerships that could sustainably address the challenges faced by the world.
He urged leaders to not allow immediate short-term crises to derail efforts, adding: “Too often, sustainable growth and development have been the first victim of a global crisis.”
