Related Documents

Recommendations to the United Nations’ Food Systems Summit Scientific Group from the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group to assess needs and options to strengthen the international Science Policy Interface for Food Systems Governance

In Feb 2021, as a tangible contribution to the first ever UN Food Systems Summit (2021), the European Commission established a 19-member High Level Expert Group and asked the
Group to explore the needs, gaps and options to strengthen the international science policy interface for food systems transformation. The experts’ initial findings are reflected in this short concept note with recommendations to the United Nations Food Systems Summit Scientific Group.

Council conclusions on the EU’s priorities for the United Nations Food Systems Summit – May 2021

11 game- changing solutions: A contribution from the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) and its partners to the public consultations of the Action Tracks

This document gathers the core set of 11 evidence-based game changing solutions elaborated by the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry, as proposals to the UN Food Systems Summit.

Food system impacts on biodiversity loss. Three levers for food system transformation in support of nature

In the light of key international events in 2021, in particular the UNFSS, the CHATAM – UNEP report provides a number of policy recommendations for the transition toward more sustainable food systems.

International decision-makers need to recognize the interdependence of supply-side and demand-side action. Shifting to diets based more on plants is necessary for the scaling-up of nature-friendly farming systems and for setting aside land for biodiversity.

The transition toward sustainable food systems must take into account climate and biodiversity international negotiations.

The coherence between global agreements and national-level action must be strengthen.

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food launches Systemic Solutions for Healthy Food Systems, a guide for governments to take action for better food systems that promote human, ecological, and animal health and well-being. Supported by a set of case studies from different countries, cultures, and contexts, the Guide provides 14 recommendations to tackle the interconnectedness of food systems through policy and practice.
With a call to move away from a productivist “feed the world” narrative towards prioritizing human, ecological, and animal health and well-being, the Guide advocates for greater government intervention and leadership in a context of collaboration and deeper dialogue.

Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on Food Security

“There is more than enough food in the world to feed our population of 7.8 billion people. But, today, more than 820 million people are hungry. And some 144 million children under the age of 5 are stunted – more than one in five children worldwide. We need to act now to avoid the worst impacts of our efforts to control the pandemic.”

Food security and nutrition: building a global narrative towards 2030

“The impact of the covid-19 crisis has been profound, revealing many aspects of food systems that require urgent rethinking and reform if we are to assure food security and the right to food for all.”

Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems  that enhance food security and nutrition

“The global agricultural and food systems are currently not meeting the world’s expectations for sustainability. Sustainable food systems are needed to ensure appropriate food production and reduce losses and waste, while also safeguarding human and environmental health, political stability and better livelihoods with less environmental consequences.”

Farm to Fork strategy: towards a more healthy and sustainable food system

Farm to Fork will make European food famous for its sustainability, and this can only be achieved within the global context. The EU is committed to lead by example on the transition to sustainable food systems, not only within its borders, but also outside. The EU will work with third countries and international partners to support a global transition towards sustainable food systems.

Sustainable value chains and circular economy: an opportunity to reset the economy after COVID-19

Shifting to sustainable food systems in which resource efficiency is a core element would help restore forests, freshwater resources and vital ecosystems. It would add value worth over USD 2 trillion by 2030 and create millions of jobs, mainly in developing countries, while also enhancing the resilience of food value chains.

OECD work on food system

“Food security and nutrition, resources use and climate change, livelihoods and rural development:

What makes matters complicated are the synergies and trade-offs between these challenges”

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 (SOFI 2020)

The report complements the usual assessment of food security and nutrition with projections of what the world may look like in 2030, if trends of the last decade continue. Projections show that the world is not on track to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 and, despite some progress, most indicators are also not on track to meet global nutrition targets. The food security and nutritional status of the most vulnerable population groups is likely to deteriorate further due to the health and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021 - IFAD Paper

This note outlines the background to the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021, IFAD’s role in the Summit, and main outreach messages. It is intended to aid internal coherence in IFAD’s engagement and to promote external dialogue with partners – especially Member States – around the issues at stake at the Summit.

Related Events

United Nations Summit on Biodiversity / 30 September 2020

The United Nations Summit on Biodiversity will be convened by the President of the General Assembly on 30 September 2020, at the level of Heads of State and Government under the theme of “Urgent action on biodiversity for sustainable development.”

Committee on World Food Security (CFS) High-Level Special Event on Food Security and Nutrition / October 2020

CFS will organize a High-Level Virtual Special Event on Food Security and Nutrition, 13 - 15 October 2020, with the following objectives:

1. Take stock of the global food security situation guided by the SOFI 2020 and the HLPE report on Building a Global Narrative towards 2030;
2. Reflect on the impacts of COVID-19 on food security and nutrition and the global efforts needed to “build back better”; and,
3. Discuss the draft CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition and the draft CFS Policy Recommendations on Agroecological and Other Innovative Approaches, and their relevance to the objectives of the UN

World Food Day / October 2020

“World Food Day 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of FAO in an exceptional moment as countries around the world deal with the widespread effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a time to look into the future we need to build together.” (FAO)

Farm to Fork Conference / October 2020

The Farm to Fork 2020 Conference - Building sustainable food systems together, held on the occasion of the World Food Day, is the first in what will be an annual gathering of European stakeholders interested in helping to shape the EU’s path towards sustainable food systems.

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste / September 2020

Food loss and waste puts unnecessary pressure natural resources and on the environment, and generates greenhouse gases.

250 participants attended this first-ever observance of this International Day. Members of the development community and other partners discussed new strategies, innovation and digitalization, looking at how these could help us to produce and consume food while diminishing loss and waste in the process.

You can access the recording here

FAO Regional Conference for Europe / 2 to 4 November 2020

The Conference participants will be able to discuss sustainable food systems and healthy diets in Europe and Central Asia, as well as the solutions for youth, employment and developing rural areas, including discussing the situation analysis of smallholders, family farms, and rural youth in agriculture, including a review of strategies that can potentially foster the revitalization of rural areas in the region.

Transforming agrifood systems and fostering inclusive rural development in the context of COVID-19 to end rural poverty / 2 December 20

As the General Assembly holds a special session in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the side-event “Transforming agrifood systems and fostering inclusive rural development in the context of COVID-19 to end rural poverty” will analyze the economic, social and environmental potential of an inclusive process of agrifood system transformation for the eradication of rural poverty and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Looking towards the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, the discussion will highlight the holistic nature of the 2030 Agenda, and the strong interlinkages between the Sustainable Development Goals, their targets and the entire 2030 Agenda.

4th International Conference on Global Food Security / December 2020

The 4th International Conference on Global Food Security addresses the topic of food security at all spatial levels from local to global, and from an interdisciplinary and systemic food systems perspective.

The 2020 EU Agricultural Outlook Conference - Next generation EU agriculture: from the Covid-19 crisis to green recovery / Brussels, 16-17 December 2020

This year’s edition will reflect on the lessons learnt from the Covid-19 crisis and look at pathways to a green recovery. It will also offer an opportunity to present and discuss the results of the foresight study on the “Farmers of the future”.

One Planet Summit / January 2021

Faced with ecological, economic and social consequences of climate change, the One Planet Coalition mobilizes public and private actors. Through 12 commitments, this international coalition calls for concrete actions.

Global Forum for Food and Agriculture conference / January 2021

13th Global Forum on Food and Agriculture (GFFA) “How to feed the world in times of pandemics and Climate Change? The aim of the conference is to address key questions regarding the future of the global agri-food industry.

Towards The United Nations Food Systems Summit and Beyond: bonding science and policy to accelerate food systems transformation / February 2021

This event aims at contributing to the preparation of the UN-FSS by catalysing science-based policy action to transform food systems.

Fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly / 22 -26 February 2021 - Nairobi, Kenya

The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, with a universal membership of all 193 Member States.

Through its ministerial declaration and resolutions, the Assembly provides leadership, catalyzes intergovernmental action on the environment, and contributes to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development .

The theme of the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly is: Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

World Food Summit 2021 – Copenhagen - 15-16 April 2021

The World Food Summit seeks to establish a platform for leaders across globe, to contribute in the transformation of the current global food system towards a system where sustainability and health is at the forefront. The summit will mobilize and invite individuals from governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society, to rethink our current food system.

The World Food Summit - Better Food for More People aim to push forward solutions concerning sustainable food systems and healthy lives to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Three themes address this challenge: Ensuring Food safety and Food Security, Better Health and Diets and Improved Resource Efficiency.

Science Days for the UN Food Systems Summit / 8-9 July 2021

The Science Days will focus on highlighting the centrality of science, technology and innovation for food systems transformation. The event will encourage a diversity of perspectives based on science, thereby facilitating rationalization and inclusiveness of debate. More specifically, the objectives are to:

• Assess the challenges confronting food systems, and share robust science-based evidence and options to achieve more healthy diets and more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable food systems.
• Explore the frontiers of science and opportunities offered to catalyze food systems’ transformation to achieve the SDGs.
• Critically assess risks, opportunities and controversies in science, technology and innovation for food systems, with attention to equity and to resilience.
• Strengthen the science–policy interface so that existing scientific evidence can effectively inform policy and policy in turn can better use science to support the transition to sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems.

UN Food Systems Pre-Summit / 26-28 July 2021

Tokyo Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit / December 2021

The Summit will be held in December 2021 under the auspices of the government of Japan. The summit is intended to signal the beginning of a new race toward a healthier, better-nourished future—a race toward a world in which all people, including the most vulnerable, have access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food by 2030.