In a speech addressed to the opening of the UN Food and Agriculture Forum in Rome, President Higgins said that progress on the Sustainable Development Goals had been 'dismal'.

President Higgins warned the forum today that as a species we are  on 'the verge of an abyss'. Higgins continued to say that there has been unprecedented increases in 'expenditure on armaments rather than food'. The President said that it was critical for us 'to reject the suggestion that war is the natural condition of humanity'.

In his speech Higgins further urged young people in particular to 'not to repeat our disastrous and destructive mistakes'.

Higgins spoke to the summit highlighting the problem of the precious yet ever-dwindling resource: 'We must face up to some sobering facts such as that of 1.6 billion tonnes of primary food production being wasted annually in so-called developed countries, while obesity levels continue to rise'.

In the 2022 food security index, Ireland ranked 2nd globally, losing top spot to Finland.

He also spoke about the stress faced by the planet’s water resources saying that the world is at 'a perilous tipping point'. Continuing: 'Today, 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries. Many of those affected are smallholder farmers, particularly women, who struggle to meet their daily needs, as well as Indigenous Peoples, migrants, and refugees'

Higgins said that competition for food and water as a resource is becoming 'an ever-increasing cause of conflict'.

President Higgins remarks of 'hunger becoming  a weapon of war', are seen as echoing those of UN chief Antonio Guterres made last week in relation to Israel's planned siege of Gaza. Guterres remarks highlighted his distress in the stripping of fuel, electricity and food as a weapon of war.

The speech given at the world Food and Agriculture forum is part of a five-day program of events the President will attend including an audience with the Pope, a meeting with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and a wreath laying ceremony to honour  Irish man the late Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who saved thousands of jews from the holocaust in World War II.