A World Without Hunger

Mr. Mulrean,
Mr. Trambajolo,
Ms. Fiorentino,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is real a pleasure to welcome you to the opening of this powerful exhibition of quilts entitled A World Without Hunger. My most sincere thanks go to the Permanent Mission of the United States of America in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Italy for making this event possible. And certainly a great thanks to our curator, Ms. Fiorentino, for having put this really wonderful exhibition together.

Quilting is often automatically associated with American culture. It is not surprising that this art form has been used often and very effectively by the United States Mission to raise awareness of global challenges. Italy’s participation in this exhibition underscores its key role as host country to the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agricultural Development organizations that hundreds of millions of the most vulnerable people around the world primarily look to for their very survival. It is all the more fitting that this exhibition has already been on show in Rome.

Quilts link generations and tell stories. They communicate events that have marked the fabric of history and they convey important messages. The message behind these quilts is particularly important, and highlights the tragic hunger situation we face today. In a world that has more than enough food for everyone, approximately one billion people go hungry.

The United Nations Organization, together with other key stakeholders among governments and civil society, have made significant progress towards achieving the hunger reduction target within the Millennium Development Goals. As we work together to put in place a new universal development agenda, eradicating hunger will remain a top priority. The many Geneva-based entities will not only be important in formulating this agenda, but will be essential in its implementation.

Quilting is an art which is found in various forms in many countries worldwide. As in this instance, it can be used as a compelling form of visual communication, transcending linguistic and literacy barriers and sharing a common message that can be understood by everyone. This exhibition uses the creative medium of quilting to awaken viewers to the scourge that is hunger for hundreds of millions of people.

Isn’t it remarkable that these quilters, embracing three continents, have managed to use their artistic skills to provide us with this stark reminder that there should be no place for hunger on our planet. Let this exhibition serve as a confirmation, through artistic means, of the magnitude and urgency of keeping the struggle against poverty and hunger high on the post-2015 development agenda.

I would like once again to express my gratitude to the Permanent Mission of the United States of America and the Permanent Mission of Italy for bringing this significant exhibition to the Palais des Nations. I am confident that everyone who views this exhibit will not only enjoy the creativity displayed in the works and appreciate the time and effort that was put into their creation, but they will also have cause to reflect on the pressing issue of world hunger and be encouraged to become actively engaged in the fight against hunger.

Thank you and enjoy the exhibition.