This Monday began in Rome the United Nations Summit on Food Systems +2which for three days will seek to determine the achievements made since the countries committed themselves two years ago to transform existing models for the production, distribution and marketing of food in a world where 780 million people suffer from hunger and humanity as a whole suffers from the increasingly disastrous effects of climate change.
Some 2,000 representatives from 160 countries and more than 20 heads of state and government will participate in the high-level conclave convened by the UN and hosted by Italy, who will discuss the urgency of achieving Substantial improvements in food production, nutrition, the environment and living conditions of the population without leaving anyone behind, as set out in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
Opening the meeting, the General secretary of the United Nations affirmed that more than about food systems, the conference is about people in need and about the need to fulfill one of the most basic human rights: The right to food.
abundance and hunger
“In a world of abundance, it is outrageous that people continue to suffer and starve”, said António Guterres.
Declaring that the world’s food systems are broken and taking its toll on billions of poor people who cannot buy food or cannot afford healthy diets with the health consequences that this has, he warned that many communities are on the brink of falling into food insecurity or famineto join those who already live it.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), more than 3.1 billion people in the world, or 42% of the world population, could not afford a healthy diet in 2021 and if immediate measures are not taken, by 2030 the number of chronically malnourished people will reach 600 million.
Secretary General António Guterres speaks at the United Nations Summit on Food Systems+2.
Multiple and interconnected crises
Guterres alluded to the interconnected crises that particularly plague developing economies, recalling that without access to financing and debt reliefthese countries cannot invest in food systems that can provide all people with the nutrition they need for a healthy life.
“Meanwhile, Unsustainable food production, packaging and consumption are fueling the climate crisisgenerating a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, using 70% of the world’s fresh water and driving the loss of biodiversity on an epic scale”, he stressed, highlighting another of the planetary crises.
In it political planeGuterres cited last week’s termination of the Black Sea Initiative as another gloomy element in the global picture, which is already driving up global grain prices.
“This is especially devastating for vulnerable countries struggling to feed their people. As food prices rise, hopes for developing countries fall. Russia and Ukraine are essential for global food security”, he pointed out, noting that these two nations supply 30% of world exports of wheat and barley, a fifth of corn and more than half of sunflower oil.
The head of the UN took advantage of this point to endorse his commitment to facilitate unimpeded access to world markets for food products and fertilizers for both Ukraine and Russia and called on the latter country to return to the full implementation of that agreement. He also urged the international community to stand together to find immediate solutions in that regard.
Enough food and money
On the other hand, he maintained that in the world there is enough food for everyone, as well as money for finance efficient and sustainable food systems that feed all the inhabitants of the planet and represent decent work for those who work in the sector.
In addition, he continued, there are agricultural technologies that can put healthy food available to everyone.
Despite the fact that many countries are making an effort, he asserted that it is imperative to act urgently in three key areas, the first of which is invest massively in sustainable, equitable, healthy and resilient food systems.
He explained that this would include major investments in adaptation and food, health, water, sanitation and agriculture systems that can resist the impacts of climate changeas well as early warning systems.
FAO implemented a project in India to support 92 smallholder farmers with innovative techniques, such as rain shelters and plastic tunnels, to produce high-quality seeds and better crop yields.
people first
The second area of action involves governments and businesses joining forces to build systems that put people above earnings.
In this regard, he urged governments and the food, agricultural, transportation and retail industries to explore new ways to reduce the cost and increase the geographic availability of fresh and healthy food for all people, which means “keeping food markets open and remove trade barriers and export restrictions”, harnessing science and technology to improve the efficiency and reach of food systems.
“We must also promote the supporting the women and men around the world who bring food systems to lifefrom farmers and food workers to those who transport food to market, “he added.
clean systems
The third area is the move from current systems to food systems that do not harm the environment with carbon emissions.
Guterres explained that this transformation means new and sustainable food systems that can Reduce the carbon footprint of food processing, packaging, and transportation.
“It means taking advantage of new technologies to reduce unsustainable land use, Water and other resources in food production and agriculture”, he specified.
In the same vein, he asserted that the population must demand that governments and companies take stronger and faster measures to address the climate crisis and provide environmental and climate justice.
“The transformation of food systems requires all hands on deck. (…) Together, let’s continue promoting change. (…) Let us transform food systems for the future and ensure that all people, in all communities and countries, have access to the safe and nutritious food they need and deserve”, concluded the Secretary General.
