07/24/2023 06:57:14

What Must Happen at the 2023 UN Food System Summit?

The United Nations Food System Summit is an international conference held every two years that brings together scientists, businessmen, and politicians to negotiate the implementation of sustainable food systems. The summit raises awareness about issues such as food security, including farmers, indigenous groups, environmentalists, and other key stakeholders in discussions and debates. As this year’s summit approaches, we try to answer the question as to whether the UN has succeeded in achieving the objectives set two years ago, and what we can expect from the upcoming meeting.

Key Achievements at the 2021 United Nations Food System Summit

The United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) was first held in September 2021 in New York. The summit prompted world leaders and stakeholders from important sectors, including agriculture, policymaking, business, and food aid to work together to develop sustainable food systems and promote food security for vulnerable people. With youth empowerment being the top priority at the summit, youth champions were also involved in the debate and process of creating five action tracks, goals the UN aim to achieve before the next conference kicks in.

An occurring discussion was the outbreak of Covid19 in early 2020 and how it slowed down the UN’s progress in achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2020, between 720 and 811 million people faced hunger. While the number plateaued between 2014 and 2019, undernourishment spiked again in 2020, climbing to around 9.9%. In the same year, nearly one in three people did not have access to adequate food.

Here’s a summary of the five action tracks set at the 2021 summit:

  • Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all. 
  • Shift to sustainable consumption patterns.
  • Boost nature positive production. 
  • Advance equitable livelihoods. 
  • Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress.

According to the Report of the Secretary-General, the needs to improve sustainability are recognised worldwide, with 122 countries adopting national pathways and 155 appointed food systems national convenors. 101 countries have voluntarily submitted progress reports. 

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