Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Máximo Torero Cullen is one of the world’s leading voices on global hunger and food security. Currently serving as Chief Economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he uses his economic expertise to work towards the goal of a world where nobody goes to bed hungry.

“I have been through many problems in life, which I have learned a lot as an economist. I was in the hyperinflation in Peru. I was in wars in Peru and terrorism… I have been in massive earthquake situations. So I have seen a lot, but I never expected how complex this sector would become.”

FAO partners with governments around the world to invest in areas with untapped agricultural potential, transforming lives in rural farming communities. It also works to secure the global food supply during crises such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or the crisis in Strait of Hormuz. In this episode, Máximo Torero Cullen reflects on the process of dampening food price shocks, on investing in sustainable nutrition, and shares why he always trusts the knowledge of farmers.

[00:00] Introduction
[00:24] An accidental path into economics
[02:00] Growing up in Lima and discovering rural Peru
[04:45] Using technology, nutrition, and education to transform lives
[9:29] Choosing a career in international development
[12:06] His journey to FAO
[13:48] Investing in rural communities
[18:58] The challenge of producing food sustainably
[21:00] What keeps Maximo awake at night
[24:40] The hidden fragility of food systems
[28:40] Hunger crises around the world
[31:06] When evidence is ignored
[32:17] Life in Rome and family influences
[36:39] Closing remarks

Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #UnitedNations #AwakeAtNight #FAO #food #hunger #agriculture

About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzRaFSKPW_s

Source: United Nations (video statements)

@unitednations
▶ https://youtu.be/XzRaFSKPW_s

Máximo Torero Cullen is one of the world’s leading voices on global hunger and food security. Currently serving as Chief Economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he uses his economic expertise to work towards the goal of a world where nobody goes to bed hungry.

“I have been through many problems in life, which I have learned a lot as an economist. I was in the hyperinflation in Peru. I was in wars in Peru and terrorism… I have been in massive earthquake situations. So I have seen a lot, but I never expected how complex this sector would become.”

FAO partners with governments around the world to invest in areas with untapped agricultural potential, transforming lives in rural farming communities. It also works to secure the global food supply during crises such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or the crisis in Strait of Hormuz. In this episode, Máximo Torero Cullen reflects on the process of dampening food price shocks, on investing in sustainable nutrition, and shares why he always trusts the knowledge of farmers.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZjEuxh255UY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Remarks by Yasmine Fouad, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification during the Opening Ceremony of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to UNCCD COP17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7lLhgnnY6A

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon
– Yemen
– Sudan
– Central African Republic

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

In the Occupied West Bank, UN humanitarian colleagues on the ground report that UN teams reached families in Qusra village in the northern West Bank, a village where Palestinian families had been trapped in following the establishment of an Israeli settlement outpost next to their homes and much tighter access restrictions imposed on them.

UNICEF team delivered water, food, medicines and hygiene items, as well as recreational kits for children.

As of earlier today, OCHA reports that three Palestinian families in the village remained surrounded by a heavy presence of Israeli forces as well as settlers.

Meanwhile, UN humanitarian colleagues say that separate efforts by municipal workers to repair water and electricity connections damaged over the past week faced serious impediments but were ultimately successful. Israeli settlers did attack the municipal workers, and Israeli forces detained some of them.

Israeli forces had also reportedly ordered a nearby Palestinian factory to suspend operations, affecting people’s livelihoods.

Elsewhere in the West Bank, UN humanitarian colleagues say that multiple people were injured over the weekend, including by live ammunition, in two incidents in Hebron governorate involving Israeli forces, settlers as well as Palestinians.

UN Deputy Special Coordinator Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, who also serves as the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said that recent developments in the West Bank underscore the urgent need to protect civilians, safeguard homes and property, and ensure access to essential services. He stresses that what is happening in Qusra must not become the new normal.

In Gaza, UN humanitarian partners remain concerned about the impact of continued Israeli strikes on civilians.

Over the weekend, UN partners leading on security and safety have reported multiple air strikes and incidents of shelling, gunfire and naval fire, primarily west of the so-called "Yellow Line," which is where most of Gaza’s 2.1 million people are now confined, that is an area that is less than half of the Gaza Strip’s land. Civilians were reported among some of the casualties.

UN humanitarian partners also say that preparations for the coming rainy season are facing funding shortfalls and other limitations. It is critical that these preparations take place now.

They estimate that ahead of winter, the UN and its partners have been able to buy less than 30,000 tents, most of which are still stuck outside of Gaza. That’s compared with an estimated need of 80,000 to 130,000 tents, which depends on whether more durable supplies are allowed in.

Less than 40 per cent of the $4 billion required for humanitarian support across Gaza and the West Bank has been secured this year.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-08-17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCoKdtwXnjg