Vatican at UN: Poverty is the greatest challenge facing our world today

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

On 14 October 2026, in New York, His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Z El Kassis, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the joint debate under Agenda Item 21: Eradication of Poverty and Agenda Item 23: Agriculture development, food security and nutrition, of the Second Committee of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Archbishop El Kassis stressed that poverty is the greatest challenge facing our world today and that poverty eradication must remain central to sustainable development in respect of the inherent dignity of every person.

He highlighted the persistence of hunger and malnutrition despite sufficient global food production, calling attention to food loss and waste and the barriers that prevent access to adequate, affordable and nutritious food. He underscored the impact of conflict, climate change, unfair economic structures and inadequate infrastructure, particularly on smallholder farmers.

He called for human dignity to be placed at the centre of international efforts, with the political will and resources necessary to address poverty and food insecurity.

The full text of the statement follows.
Mr Chair,

Poverty is the greatest challenge facing our world today. In its many forms, it is not only a lack of material resources, but also a deprivation of the conditions for everyone to fulfil their potential, with full respect for their inherent God-given dignity. Therefore, eradication of poverty must remain at the core of the shared commitment to achieving sustainable development.

One of the most destructive consequences of poverty is hunger and malnutrition. A lack of adequate food has a detrimental impact on the health, education and livelihoods of millions of people. It forces parents to make the difficult choices between meeting their children's and their own basic needs.

The situation is made even more unjust by the fact that, despite enough food being produced to feed everyone, hunger and starvation remain a daily reality for far too many people. At the same time, the deeply concerning extent of food loss and waste must be addressed.

Pope Leo XIV observes that "The continuing tragedy of widespread hunger and malnutrition, which persists in many countries today, is sadder and more shameful when we realize that, although the earth is capable of producing enough food for all human beings, and despite international commitments to food security, it is unfortunate that so many of the world's poor still lack their daily bread."[1]

This paradox reminds us that eradicating hunger is not simply a matter of increasing production. Firstly, it requires addressing the conditions that prevent people from accessing sufficient, affordable and nutritious food including conflicts, climate change, unfair economic structures and inadequate infrastructures, particularly for smallholder farmers who are left without access to land, markets or a fair price for their labour.

Secondly, it prompts reflection on how collective resources and priorities are allocated. As Pope Leo XIV states, "Financial resources and innovative technologies are being diverted from the eradication of poverty and hunger in the world to the manufacture and trade of weapons. In this way, questionable ideologies are promoted while human relations cool, debasing communion and stifling fraternity and social friendship."[2]

In this regard, it is essential that the international community places human dignity at the centre of its work. This means translating commitments on poverty eradication and food security into the political will and allocate the resources needed to reach those most in need.

I thank you, Mr Chair.

[1] Pope Leo XIV, Message to participants in the 44th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization Conference, 30 June 2025.
[2] Ibid.