The report of the General Secretary to the UNFSS + 4 Stock take moment reports on the key advancements, evidenced by the voluntary national progress reports.

Main findings:

Since UNFSS+2, countries have reported encouraging progress in transforming food systems:

• In all regions, countries are placing the right to food at the core of their strategies, safeguarding dignity and human rights.
• Countries are accelerating the implementation of national food systems pathways by integrating food systems into national development plans and policy frameworks.
• Countries are establishing high-level governance mechanisms to support bottom-up and integrated approaches to food systems transformation.
• Countries are building and strengthening inclusive partnerships and coalitions to advance national food systems pathways, including through international collaboration.
• Countries report strong collaboration amongst National Convenors, civil society, academia, local actors, Indigenous Peoples, youth, food producers, consumers, and businesses.
• Many countries report that there has been strong collaboration and are advancing inclusivity by prioritizing the needs of women, young people, Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and producers, and persons with disabilities in national food systems policies and initiatives.
• Through the UN Food Systems Task Force and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the UN has contributed to joint programming, policy guidance, regional cooperation, and strategic financing in support of national priorities.
• Countries have committed to adopting and investing in science, technology, data systems, artificial intelligence, and evidence-based policymaking as essential drivers of implementation, investments, and accountability.
• Mobilizing finance for food systems transformation was a top priority during the period, following the Secretary-General's 2023 UNFSS+2 Call to Action. Countries reported reallocating national budgets, accessing climate finance, engaging regional banks and international financial institutions, and advancing innovative financing strategies.

Recommendations:

This report outlines recommendations for guiding action in the 2025-2027 biennium to achieve sustainable and equitable food systems:

1. Empowering National Convenors: National Convenors should be empowered to implement updated, cost-effective national food systems pathways that are rights-based, people-centered, and gender-responsive.
2. Inclusive Governance: Inclusive governance should be deepened by bringing together state and non-state actors in decision-making processes.
3. Enhanced Investments in Scientific Capacity: Investments in scientific capacity, data availability, and context-specific technologies are essential to foster innovation and adaptability.
4. Unlocking Finance: Efforts should focus on developing de-risking instruments, enabling supportive policy environments, expanding access to climate finance, and strengthening long-term public-private partnerships.
5. Private Sector Engagement: The private sector plays a vital role in enabling innovation and securing investments and finance, in line with the public good as captured in the vision set forward by the Food Systems Summit, the Sustainable Development Goals, and broader international instruments.