With over 780 million people suffering from hunger and nearly one-third of all food produced wasted, the broken global food systems have imposed a heavy toll on billions worldwide. In a compelling address at the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment in Rome this week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical need to address global hunger and revamp food systems to combat the detrimental impact of climate change on food production.
The Secretary-General urged cooperation between businesses and governments and stressed the importance of sustainable practices to combat climate change. The global food systems issue is multifaceted, requiring a comprehensive critical analysis that delves into the complexities of hunger, waste, climate change, geopolitical influences, financial investments, and technological innovations. A thorough examination can help identify viable solutions and pave the way for a more equitable, sustainable and resilient future for all.
ADDRESSING THE BROKEN SYSTEMS
“Global food systems are broken – and billions of people are paying the price,” stated Guterres. “The situation is dire, with approximately 780 million people experiencing hunger and almost one-third of global production lost or wasted. Additionally, nearly three billion individuals cannot afford healthy diets, especially in developing countries where limited resources and debt burdens hinder investments in nutritious food systems for all.”
CLIMATE CRISIS CONNECTION
Unsustainable production, packaging, and consumption are significantly contributing to the climate crisis, accounting for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of the world’s freshwater usage while driving biodiversity loss. Recent geopolitical developments, such as the termination of the Black Sea Initiative by Russia, have further aggravated the situation, affecting global food security and price stability.
THREE KEY AREAS FOR ACTION
To tackle these challenges head-on, the UN chief highlighted three key areas for action. First and foremost, he stressed the urgent need for “massive” investment in sustainable food systems, calling on governments to support long-term financing with an SDG Stimulus of at least $500 billion annually for countries in need.
Secondly, Guterres urged governments and businesses to prioritize people over profit and collaborate in building food systems that ensure the availability of fresh, healthy eatables for all. This includes keeping markets open, removing trade barriers and export restrictions.
Recognizing the crucial role of food systems in reducing carbon emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Secretary-General called for significant efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of processing, packaging, and transportation. Emphasizing the importance of harnessing new technologies to promote sustainable practices in production and agriculture, he urged stronger and faster action to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 for developed countries and 2050 for emerging economies.
ASSESSING PROGRESS
During the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment, held from July 24 to 26, Director-General of FAO Qu Dongyu highlighted the importance of evaluating progress in agrifood systems transformation to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notable progress has been made in identifying solutions for better production, nutrition, and environment, including sustainable farming, efficient water management, responsible packaging, reforestation, and reduced waste. These efforts depend on transforming global agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
SUMMIT’S FOCUS
The UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment convened participants from over 160 countries to review progress on commitments made during the first Food Systems Summit in 2021. The summit encompassed a wide range of high-level events, dialogues, and side events addressing crucial topics such as food waste, climate change, healthy diets, partnerships, science and technology, indigenous people’s knowledge, and transportation.
