More than 100 countries came together at the recent United Nations (UN) Food Systems Pre-Summit to discuss how they will transform their national food systems. The event serves as a preliminary gathering which will culminate into a Head of State-level Summit in New York, USA, next month.
The pre-summit talks focussed on how governments would implement more sustainable, equitable, resilient, and nutritious food systems. Delegates raised these points after an extensive process of engagement and dialogues seeking new ideas and evidence-based solutions.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed said:
“Anything we do must always include those at the centre of our food systems: smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples and especially women and youth.”
She added: “Just as food brings us together as cultures and communities, it can bring us together around solutions. But what is clear is there is no one-size fits all solution. Our diversity is our strength and reflects the complexity of our world.”
Some of the commitments declared during the pre-summit include an initiative by the US and the UAE to set out an Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate). This initiative aims to increase and accelerate global research and development on agriculture and food systems supporting climate action. Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Israel, Singapore, the UK, and Uruguay endorses this plan.
Japan, meanwhile, outlined its alignment with the European Union on the importance of innovation to transforming food systems, along with a balanced diet, while emphasising the need for solutions adapted to regional contexts.
The pre-summit also touched on transforming food systems to contend with and tackle climate change, particularly among Small Island Developing States. The UN said these are the countries facing the worst impacts of rising global temperatures. (Image from Unsplash)
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