FAO warns Middle East conflict driving up agriculture costs, risks global food price rise

Escalating conflict in the Middle East is driving up energy and agriculture costs, a shock that could ripple through global food markets in the months ahead, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s chief economist Maximo Torero warned.

Global food commodity prices climbed for a second consecutive month in March, driven mainly by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East, the FAO said in a report released on Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally traded food commodities, averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4 percent from February and 1.0 percent above its level a year ago.

The report said ample global food supply has so far curbed price increases, but warned that persistently high energy costs would keep upward pressure on markets. It added that the Middle East, as a key transit route for energy and fertilizer raw materials, could further drive up agricultural production costs if supply is disrupted or transport expenses rise.

"Everything will depend on the duration of the conflict. Why? Because through this trade, we have between 35 percent of the oil, between 20 to 30 percent of the fertilizers and 25 percent of natural gas. And also we have 45 percent of sulfur. Sulfur is used to create phosphates, which are an important input for fertilizers too. So this is impacting the the farmers," Torero said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).

Torero said agricultural input costs have already surged due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, rising far faster than grain prices. He warned that farmers may cut spending or alter planting patterns, changes that would not cause immediate shortages but could gradually reduce output and strain food markets in the coming quarters.

"In the case of the consumers, who will be the most affected? The food import-dependent countries, because they will have to pay if the prices of food grow next year, at the end of this year, and that will be affecting the most vulnerable people or the most dependent people," he said.

FAO said the outlook will depend on how long the Middle East conflict lasts, warning that prolonged disruption could push up farm costs and global food prices. Import-dependent nations would bear the brunt, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to higher bills and greater food insecurity.

FAO warns Middle East conflict driving up agriculture costs, risks global food price rise

FAO warns Middle East conflict driving up agriculture costs, risks global food price rise

The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Monday decided not to include in its agenda a so-called proposal on Taiwan's participation in the annual assembly as an observer.

This marks the 10th consecutive year that the WHA has rejected such a Taiwan-related proposal.

Addressing the assembly, Jia Guide, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, reiterated that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

Jia said that the issue regarding the Taiwan region's participation in the WHA must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle as affirmed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the WHA Resolution 25.1.

Jia said that due to the stubborn adherence to the persistent separatist stance of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, the political foundation for the Taiwan region to participate in the WHA no longer exists.

Prior to the opening of this year's WHA, the overwhelming majority of countries in the international community have reiterated to China their firm support for the one-China principle and their opposition to Taiwan's participation in the WHA, Jia noted.

Jia emphasized that the so-called claim of a "gap in the international epidemic prevention system" is sheer nonsense.

China's central government has always attached great importance to the well-being of Taiwan compatriots and has made proper arrangements for the Taiwan region's participation in technical activities of the WHO on the premise of adhering to the one-China principle, he added.

Jia said the Taiwan-related proposal severely violates the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

In order to pursue their own political interests, the separatist forces in the Taiwan region have instigated certain countries to put forward the Taiwan-related proposal to engage in Taiwan secessionist activities at the WHA, Jia said.

Such acts are doomed to gain no support and will inevitably end in failure, he added.

World Health Assembly rejects Taiwan-related proposal for 10th consecutive year