Thank you to Ireland for convening this meeting, and to our speakers for so clearly setting out the scale of food insecurity, its relationship to conflict, and the precariousness of the situation.

But today’s discussion is particularly timely because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has disrupted the export of one third of the world’s wheat. So, Russia’s actions directly result in 1.7 billion people, in 107 economies, being severely exposed to at least one of rising food, or energy prices, or tighter finance conditions.

In short, Russia has violated a sovereign nation, killed civilians and destabilised the global economy.

As a result, countries on the Security Council’s peace and security agenda are increasingly fragile. The risk of famine in Yemen is exacerbated as nearly 50% of its wheat is imported from Ukraine and Russia, so seven million Yemeni people are expected to be one step away from famine by June 2022. And that can only put the recent truce under pressure.

We know that Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan are likely to be hardest hit – wheat prices there have already tripled in the last 8 weeks. But many other countries will feel the impacts too. And worldwide, it’s harder for the world food programme and OCHA to deliver food aid.

The UK is working with the international community to take action, including at this week’s spring meetings.

First, we want the World Bank to prioritise support for Ukraine and other countries hardest hit. This includes expanded social safety nets, finance for agricultural trade, advocating against export bans, and ensuring the Crisis Response Window and Early Response Financing is sufficiently resourced and flexible. The $93 billion International Development Association replenishment should be deployed quickly and effectively to help countries most in need.

Second, the UK is providing bilateral funding and technical advice to countries to support their transition to renewable energy, helping Small Island Developing States access concessional finance, and providing funding to support the livelihoods of farmers and vulnerable populations.

Third, we are supporting the better use of data and technology for early warning, as Amina so eloquently recommended.

In conclusion, today we join resounding calls for Russia to end their attack on Ukraine. The war must stop now – so we can help Ukraine and the world recover.

Thank you.

The UN Human Rights Council concluded its 49th session on Friday 1 April, adopting important resolutions on South Sudan, Syria, Iran, Belarus, Myanmar, and Human Rights Defenders, among many other pressing issues.

At the start of the session, the Foreign Secretary delivered the UK national statement, in which she condemned Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. I welcome the Council’s establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate Russia’s actions in Ukraine, which will play an essential role in documenting and drawing international attention to the most grievous human rights violations and abuses, and in ensuring accountability. I also welcome the decision of the UN General Assembly to suspend Russia’s membership of the Human Rights Council – it is unconscionable that Russia should remain a member as evidence continues to emerge of egregious acts by Russia’s invading forces in towns such as Irpin and Bucha. The UK stands with the people of Ukraine, and calls on Russia once again to end its war and withdraw its troops.

I welcome the Council’s adoption of the resolution on South Sudan. The renewal of the mandate for the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is a strong signal of the international community’s support to help South Sudan and address serious human rights concerns. Comprehensive monitoring and reporting is an important part of the country’s path to reconciliation, particularly with a view to potential elections. I urge South Sudan to continue its cooperation with the Commission and work with the international community to help end the suffering of the South Sudanese people.

This month marks the 11th anniversary of the Syrian conflict. It is deplorable that the Asad regime continues this brutal assault against its own people. I am pleased that the Council has once again adopted the resolution on Syria. The resolution highlights the Commission of Inquiry’s latest findings, confirming over a decade of appalling atrocities including enforced disappearances, torture and sexual violence. It is right that the resolution mandates the Commission to continue assessing the human rights concerns. We must not forget the plight of the Syrian people.

The human rights situation in Iran continues to be of concern. The UK remains deeply concerned about increases in executions, high rates of child forced marriages and excessive use of violence against peaceful protestors. We are working closely with the United States to secure Morad Tahbaz’s permanent release and departure from Iran. It remains in Iran’s gift to release any unfairly detained British nationals. I welcome the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, which signals the international community’s continued commitment to ensuring inalienable human rights are respected. Iran should now permit an in-country mission by the Special Rapporteur to enable him to fulfil his mandate.

I am pleased that the Council has once again adopted a resolution on Myanmar. The resolution rightly condemns last February’s coup in the strongest terms. It highlights the severe deterioration in the human rights environment, including human rights violations against the Rohingya and other minorities. We continue to stand with the people of Myanmar and call for an end to violations and abuses.

I welcome the adoption of the resolution on the Human Rights situation in Belarus. While he has rightly faced widespread condemnation for his support for Russia’s unprovoked and premeditated invasion of Ukraine, it is important that the international community also continues to hold Lukashenka and his regime to account for the human rights violations perpetrated daily against the Belarusian people

Human Rights Defenders play a crucial role in society, often at great risk to themselves. The UK welcomes the resolution on Human Rights Defenders and its reinforcement that they should be treated as civilians and protected in conflict scenarios. Sadly, this role is not universally respected and the treatment of women human rights defenders working in peace and security is of particular concern.

I also welcome the renewal of the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the DPRK and the adoption of the resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights in Nicaragua and the technical co-operation with Georgia.

The Human Rights Council continues to play an essential role in promoting human rights. The UK remains strongly committed to supporting the Council and the wider international community in championing human rights and holding to account those who violate or abuse them.

Let me begin by congratulating Special Representative Ziadeh on her appointment, and thank her for her briefing. We welcome the opportunity new leadership provides for an improved relationship with the Kosovo government, and a fresh look at how UNMIK can adapt to serve the current conditions in Kosovo.

We encourage continued constructive engagement between the new SRSG, UNMIK and the Kosovo government. UNMIK has played a vital role in the incredible progress Kosovo has made since resolution 1244 was adopted in 1999. But conditions on the ground are unrecognisable from 1999, and a review of UNMIK’s role and responsibilities is needed.

Kosovo’s democracy and institutions continue to show their maturity. In this context, we must condemn last weekend’s violent attacks against the Kosovo Police, who represent and protect all of Kosovo’s citizens.

We congratulate the current government of Kosovo on its first year in office. In particular, we welcome:

the renewed commitment to prioritising the rule of law and fighting corruption, including through legal reforms and anti-corruption initiatives;

the government’s continuing commitment to addressing the legacies of the 1998/99 conflict, including through commissions for missing persons and victims of sexual violence; and

Kosovo’s ongoing international contribution, through its support to the evacuation from Kabul, and the humanitarian response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

We note, however, perceptions in some quarters that the Kosovo Serb community’s concerns and views sometimes go unheard. The recent decision on voting in Kosovo, in Serbia’s elections, is an example. We encourage the government to refocus its efforts to meet its Constitutional duty to integrate minority communities and address their concerns.

We are concerned by the increase of dangerous rhetoric in Kosovo and the region leading to security incidents. The deployment of fighter jets to the Kosovan border in September is an example of this.

Reports of the United Kingdom supplying anti-tank missiles, referred to by the Russian Federation, are baseless. But to be clear, the UK supports Kosovo’s right to develop its own armed forces.

Finally, I would like to emphasise the UK’s renewed commitment to peace and security in the region, including through our Prime Minister’s appointment of a Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach.

We fully support the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo under EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak. Now is the moment for both parties to engage in the Dialogue in good faith, honour their Dialogue commitments, be open to compromise and creativity, and avoid actions or rhetoric that could reduce prospects for a comprehensive and sustainable normalisation agreement that benefits the people of both countries.

Let me begin by thanking our briefers, Mr Lacroix and Ms Tetteh, and in particular, wishing Ms Tetteh all the best in her new role. I also welcome the presence of Representatives of Sudan and South Sudan, and I commend the two countries for their improved bilateral engagement, including the mutual support for their respective peace processes.

The United Kingdom is encouraged by the latest joint session of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism and the Joint Border Commission, held in October.

But it is regrettable that such positive developments have not led to tangible progress for ordinary people in Abyei, or on agreeing a political solution for the region.

We therefore urge both countries to organise a further meeting of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee and echo the Secretary-General’s encouragement for the African Union to intensify its mediation efforts to help facilitate such efforts.

Turning to UNISFA, we are glad to see that the rotation of troops has almost concluded. We commend the dedication of Ethiopian peacekeepers in their work to support peace and security in Abyei over the last decade.

It is our hope that attention can now return to the full implementation of UNISFA’s mandated tasks and improving the lives of citizens in Abyei, who continue to suffer.

To this end, we repeat our call on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to remove the operational obstacles that limit UNISFA’s ability to implement its mandate in full.

We also remain concerned at the continued restriction of UNISFA’s freedom of movement, including on vital border monitoring activities.

We call on both countries to remove restrictions on the freedom of movement of UNISFA, and urge the Government of South Sudan to allow the re-operationalisation of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism Headquarters in Gok Machar.

We also join our fellow Council Members in expressing concern over the two armed attacks on UNISFA forces during the reporting period.

The safety and security of UN peacekeepers is vital and we echo the Secretary-General’s call for the relevant authorities to investigate and hold those responsible to account.

Lastly, we would like to express deep concern at the outbreak of violence in Agok, during which two humanitarian workers were killed and activities suspended.

The United Kingdom urges all parties to fully respect International Humanitarian Law and allow humanitarian actors to deliver aid to those in need in all parts of Abyei, without hindrance.