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  • Publication | 2024

Food Systems Coordination Hub – Biennial Work Plan 2024-2026 - Coordinating ecosystem-wide support to enable food systems transformation for SDGs acceleration

Global Food and Nutrition Security

Summary of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub Work Plan 2024-2026

Introduction

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub's Biennial Work Plan for 2024-2026 addresses the ongoing challenges in global food systems exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising malnutrition, inflation, economic hardships, and conflicts. The 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) and subsequent stocktaking moments highlighted the need for sustainable food systems as a critical driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Vision and Mission

The Hub's vision is to convene, stimulate, and support action towards food systems transformation to accelerate the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The mission focuses on providing systemic, demand-driven, and customized support to countries in translating their commitments into effective actions for sustainable food systems. The Work Plan is structured around five coordination clusters.

Key Functions and Coordination Clusters

  1. Landing the Vision - Overarching Cluster: Ensures strategic focus, functioning, and accountability across all clusters.

  1. Policy and Governance Cluster: Elevates priority topics identified through the UNFSS, supports national pathways, and promotes the integration of food systems transformation efforts with country demand.

  1. Science and Knowledge Cluster: Focuses on leveraging data, science, and innovation to support evidence-based approaches to food systems transformation.

  1. Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration Cluster: Enhances collaboration with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, coalitions, and the private sector, to scale up transformative investments and actions.

  1. Finance and Investment Cluster: Aims to improve the level and quality of financing for food systems transformation through domestic public spending, private investments, and concessional financing.

Governance and Coordination

The Hub, hosted by FAO, operates under FAO rules of procedure and is managed by the FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG). An Oversight Steering Group, comprising principals from FAO, WFP, IFAD, UN-DCO, WHO, and UNDP, steers the strategic work and decision-making of the Hub. This group engages with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and the UN Sustainable Development Group on the Hub’s work, ensuring a coordinated approach across the UN system.

Operational Modalities

The Hub aligns with existing UN functions and capacities, continuing its support for national pathways and transformative actions. It maintains connectivity with a broader ecosystem of actors for sustainable food systems and promotes better integration of efforts with country demand. The Hub’s staff structure includes seconded full and part-time professionals, project staff, consultants, and Junior Professional Officers sponsored by member states.

Focus Areas for 2024-2026

  1. Transformative Private-Sector Investments: Initiatives to support countries in tracking and enhancing private sector financial flows towards food systems transformation.

  1. Inclusive Consultations: Public-private consultations on scaling up transformative investments in countries most in need.

  1. Leveraging Financial Tools: Development of tools to track progress in financial flows and benchmarking the quality of private sector financing.

The Hub’s Work Plan emphasizes a coordinated, integrated approach to tackle the interconnected challenges facing global food systems, with the ultimate goal of making significant strides towards the 2030 SDGs through sustainable food systems transformation.

Disclaimer: This summary has been generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) system.