International World Food Day in the Federated States of Micronesia

Honourable Officials of Pohnpei and FSM Government

Development Partners

Ladies and Gentlemen

Kaselehlie, Mogethin, Ran Annim, Len Wo (Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae)

KaMoRaLe

Good Morning

We have come together to celebrate World Food Day. A day when we celebrate the founding of UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. This year we unite under the motto "Water is Life, Water is Food—Leave No One Behind". A theme that deeply resonates with the challenges and opportunities that the Federated States of Micronesia and the world face in ensuring food security for all.

As we all appreciate, water isn't just a resource; it is at the very heart of lives and livelihoods. It plays a crucial role in reducing hunger and poverty, and it is instrumental in achieving all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the last two decades, we've witnessed a concerning trend. Approximately one-fifth of the world's available freshwater has been lost, and in some regions, these losses have been even more significant. Despite being considered both renewable and non-renewable, water is becoming increasingly scarce and is anticipated to reach a critical point by 2040.

The challenges in FSM and other Small Island Developing States are stark. Not just on low lying islands, but also on higher ground islands such as Pohnpei and Kosrae. Even if rainfall is plenty, run-off is just as fast leading to waterlenses not being replenished as well as they should, especially in eroded and buildup areas. Rising sea levels aggravates saltwater intrusion on low lying areas and islands impacting taro and breadfruit trees that depend on fresh water. Even on islands where fresh water is plenty, challenges are compounded by lack of access to clean water from our drinking taps and the absence of effective waste management systems that impact our health.

For our UN Country Team in Micronesia, improving water quality is a central, cross-cutting priority that not only protects communities and helps prevent disease but also feeds into our broader efforts to help address the Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. In doing so, we recognize that smallholder farmers, among others, face the greatest vulnerability.

To address this critical challenge of water scarcity, we must harness the potential of science. We must think out of the box and explore new and innovative ways of growing food that is relevant to the local context. We must transform local and global agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable to effectively address the water scarcity challenge we are facing. We must explore non-traditional agriculture such as aeroponics, hydroponics and aquaponics. We must consider floating solutions in lagoons. This is important as agriculture is the largest consumer of the world's freshwater resources, accounting for 70% of its consumption.

I am happy to advise that FAO and other UN organizations, including UNDP and UNICEF, are working with your Government and others across Micronesia to support you in advancing this agenda on the basis on your identified priorities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Water is life, water is food.

Together, we can take water action for food and be the change.

Let’s leave no one behind.

Thank you