Leaders from around the world gathered for the first-ever UN Food Systems Summit in an effort to spur national and regional action to deliver the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through transforming food systems. With the COVID-19 pandemic having increased poverty and undernourishment around the world, countries must join forces to improve living conditions.
The United States administration pledged $10 billion to address climate change and food insecurity following a recent IPCC report, which raised a ‘code red’ for human-driven global heating. Half of these funds will be invested domestically in ‘recognition that all countries, even those that produce a surplus of food, must take steps to improve nutrition and adapt their food systems to a changing climate.’
“We, as the global community, are not delivering on our promises to eradicate hunger,” said President Sauli Niinistö of Finland.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, highlighted the need to focus on ‘quality food for everyone.’ Likewise, Burkina Faso committed to including the right to food in their constitution.
Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji said, “Just as our environment, peoples, and food systems are profoundly interwoven and mutually sustaining, so must our response be, for the sake of our and future generations.”
The United Arab Emirates announced the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate launched with the United States.
“We must use the power of ingenuity to improve on food systems so they provide safe, nutritious, affordable, and accessible food for all, while conserving natural resources, and combating the climate crisis,” said the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who announced New Zealand would join the Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems Coalition, said, “We are committed to ensuring Indigenous Peoples can help lead the way forward.”
Other countries pledged support for indigenous rights, including Honduras, Samoa, Peru and the Philippines.
All submissions are being compiled in an official compendium, while all commitments are lodged in an online commitments registry.
New five-year funding of US$922 million focused on nutrition was also announced by Melinda Gates of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
