UNITED NATIONS: President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) called for stronger cooperation with other UN members to boost food security in the Philippines amid the disruption of global food supply due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“We need to take concrete steps toward a modern and resilient agriculture. For food is not just a trade commodity nor a livelihood; it is an existential imperative, and a moral one. It is the very basis of human security,” said Marcos during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly here.

“We look forward to forging cooperation with the UN and our partners to boost agricultural productivity and food security,” added Marcos, who is also the country’s Agriculture secretary.

The President stressed the need to reinvigorate the world economy as well as the utilization of public and private resources to expand trade, investment and technology.

“We must use public and private resources to encourage the expansion of trade, investment, and technology transfers to accelerate development. Knowledge and intellectual gains must flow freely to allow those lagging behind to catch up,” Marcos said.

“Sustainable development will be hampered, to the detriment of all, if existing structures in the global economy remain unreformed,” he added.

Food security has been one of the key promises of Marcos before he officially took oath as the 17th President of the Philippines.