ROME: The three-day United Nations Food Systems Summit opened in Rome on Monday with the aim of addressing the “broken” global food system, where millions suffer from hunger, two billion are overweight or obese, and the planet faces environmental challenges.
The summit comes at a time of increasing food insecurity worldwide, with UN agencies warning of a rising number of people experiencing chronic hunger. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern at the opening of the meeting, stating, “In a world of plenty, it is outrageous that people continue to suffer and die from hunger. Global food systems are broken — and billions of people are paying the price.”
Global Hunger and Waste of Food
According to Guterres, more than 780 million people are hungry globally, while almost one-third of the world’s food is wasted or lost. Additionally, 462 million people are underweight, while two billion are overweight or obese. The summit brings together representatives from the UN’s three food agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Program (WFP), along with heads of states, government representatives, and delegates.
Transforming food systems to make them more sustainable, efficient, and equitable is a complex task that involves multiple sectors and actors. These systems are influenced by various trends, including urbanization, climate change, technology, and government policies. Weather shocks, the Covid pandemic, and conflicts have contributed to an increase in the number of people facing hunger by 122 million since 2019, according to the WFP.
Guterres stressed the importance of addressing Russia’s decision to quit a grain deal that allowed cargo ships carrying Ukrainian grain to depart Black Sea ports, as it affects global food security, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The FAO has emphasized the need for a “radical transformation in how food is produced, processed, traded, and consumed” to feed the world’s growing population. Guterres called for at least $500 billion per year to support needy countries in scaling up long-term financing for higher performing food systems, as inaction would incur social and economic costs of $12 trillion annually, according to IFAD.
Unsustainable practices in food production, packaging, and consumption are also contributing to climate change, generating one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, using 70 percent of the world’s freshwater, and driving biodiversity loss, Guterres added.
The summit aims to review progress in meeting past commitments and identify bottlenecks to progress over the three days. Finance plays a crucial role in this transition, and summit director Nadine Gbossa emphasized the need for financial support. She stated that without financing, the transition would be a “death sentence for the planet,” with the private sector also playing a significant role.
The conference comes two years after the UN’s first-ever summit on food systems in 2021 and precedes a summit on sustainable development goals in New York in September. Addressing the global food crisis and inequities is of paramount importance to ensure a sustainable future for the planet and its inhabitants.
