KUALA LUMPUR – In a world where food security and climate change crises loom large, the United Kingdom (UK) is stepping up its efforts to combat these global threats.
This has been revealed by the newly appointed British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ailsa Terry in an exclusive interview with Sinar recently, who is shedding light on the commitment on addressing food security and its plan to engage with the international community.
Terry expressed her deep concern for food security, highlighting her involvement in imposing sanctions on Russia last year.
"This move was not only a response to Russia’s disruptive actions on global food supplies but also an opportunity to engage with numerous countries in Africa and Asia regarding food security challenges.
"The UK recognises that while Russia plays a significant role in disrupting global food supplies, other factors contribute to this issue, affecting countries worldwide, including the UK itself, where the high cost of living is a growing concern,” she said.
To tackle these pressing issues head-on, she revealed that the UK is currently gearing up to host a food security conference in the upcoming autumn.
"The conference aims to bring together nations from around the world to discuss practical solutions and strategies for addressing food security challenges.
"In the context of Malaysia, one of the UK’s top priorities is to resolve supply chain issues. Both the UK and Malaysia boast sophisticated supply chains that require proper management to ensure the efficient flow of goods and resources,” she elaborated.
On a global scale, Terry expressed her hope that all affected nations can collaborate to find effective ways to reduce the prices of essential goods, which concerted effort aims to ease the burden on populations facing rising costs of living.
"As food security remains a critical global issue, the UK is committed to addressing it comprehensively, both at home and through international cooperation.
"The forthcoming food security conference is poised to be a pivotal moment, bringing together nations to formulate effective solutions that safeguard global food supplies and alleviate the challenges faced by countries across the globe,” she said.