Denmark to Push the Security Council to Stop Conflict-Driven Hunger

Denmark is set to challenge the United Nations Security Council to take stronger action against the use of hunger as a weapon in warfare, following a surge in conflict-driven food insecurity across multiple regions. On August 3, 2026, Christina Markus Lassen, Denmark's permanent representative to the United Nations, announced that her country would lead a critical debate in the Security Council aimed at addressing the growing crisis. This initiative follows escalating tensions in Ukraine, Sudan, and the Palestinian territories, alongside disruptions in the strategic Strait of Hormuz caused by ongoing hostilities involving the United States and Iran. The debate, titled “Food Under Fire: The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises,” is scheduled for August 25, 2026, during Denmark’s tenure as the rotating council president. The discussion will center on how armed conflicts and geopolitical instability have exacerbated global food shortages, making hunger a direct consequence of war. Lassen emphasized the need for a broader dialogue within the UN system, urging both member states and the international community to recognize the connection between conflict and food insecurity. This effort builds upon Resolution 2417, adopted in 2018 by the Security Council under Dutch leadership. The resolution explicitly condemned the deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare and recognized such actions as potential violations of international law. However, despite this formal acknowledgment, reports indicate that the implementation of these principles has remained inconsistent. Over the past eight years, instances of famine, acute hunger, and restricted humanitarian access have become common in areas affected by prolonged conflict. Recent assessments highlight the severity of the situation. According to the United Nations Secretary-General’s annual report on civilian protection, conflict-related food insecurity impacted 147 million individuals across 19 nations and territories in 2025. Notably, for the first time in two decades, two separate famines were confirmed within the same year, occurring in parts of Sudan and the Gaza Strip. These developments underscore the increasing role of hunger as a tool of political coercion and military strategy. The 2026 Global Report on Food Crises further illustrates the magnitude of the issue, revealing that 266 million people in 47 countries faced severe food insecurity in 2025. Additionally, approximately 35.5 million children aged five to six years were classified as acutely malnourished in regions grappling with nutritional crises. In his foreword to the report, Guterres issued a stark warning that hunger is increasingly being weaponized in modern conflicts, posing a serious threat to global stability. The disruption of maritime trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz has compounded these challenges. Since February 28, 2026, international shipping has been severely hindered due to attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces on Iranian vessels. This blockade has disrupted the supply of essential goods including humanitarian aid, fertilizers, and energy resources. While negotiations between Iran and Oman continue to seek temporary solutions, the situation remains volatile and unresolved. Experts such as Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation, point to persistent obstacles in enforcing Resolution 2417 effectively. De Waal noted that previous attempts to invoke the resolution have typically focused on individual states, often leading to diplomatic pushback over issues of sovereignty. He praised Denmark’s proposed approach, which emphasizes a more regional and thematic framework to address the root causes of food insecurity linked to conflict. As the Security Council prepares for its upcoming debate, the stakes remain high. With global hunger reaching unprecedented levels and the use of food as a weapon becoming more prevalent, the outcome of this session could shape future efforts to protect vulnerable populations from the devastating effects of war. The coming weeks will determine whether the council can move beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful action.