Global hunger continues to be a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has emphasized the urgent need to invest in sustainable food systems to combat the global hunger crisis. In his address at the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment in Rome, Guterres highlighted the broken nature of global food systems and the devastating consequences it has on billions of people.
According to UN estimates, over 780 million people experience hunger, while nearly one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted. Additionally, almost three billion people cannot afford healthy diets. Developing countries face additional challenges as limited resources and debt burdens prevent them from fully investing in food systems that can provide nutritious food for their populations.
The unsustainable production, packaging, and consumption of food also contribute significantly to the climate crisis. These activities account for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, 70 percent of global freshwater usage, and drive biodiversity loss. The recent termination of the Black Sea Initiative by Russia has further exacerbated the situation. This initiative allowed the export of millions of metric tons of food from Ukrainian ports and played a crucial role in global food security and price stability.
Guterres emphasized the vital importance of investing massively in sustainable food systems. Starving these systems of investment directly translates to starving people. He called on governments to respond to the UN’s call for an SDG Stimulus, which would amount to at least $500 billion annually to support long-term financing for countries in need.
Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General urged governments and businesses to collaborate and prioritize people over profit when it comes to building food systems. This includes exploring new ways to increase the availability of fresh and healthy food for all individuals, removing trade barriers and export restrictions to keep food markets open, and encouraging sustainable farming practices.
Addressing the environmental sustainability aspect, Guterres highlighted the critical role of food systems in reducing carbon emissions and limiting global warming. He called for food systems that focus on reducing the carbon footprint of food processing, packaging, and transportation. Harnessing new technologies to minimize the unsustainable use of resources in food production and agriculture is also essential.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General, Qu Dongyu, also emphasized the need to assess progress in transforming agrifood systems to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This transformation requires making global agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
The UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment, which takes place from July 24 to 26, brings together over 2,000 participants from 160 countries to review progress made since the first Food Systems Summit in 2021. The summit aims to identify successes, address continuing challenges, and refocus priorities in transforming agrifood systems.
In conclusion, the global hunger crisis demands immediate action. Investing in sustainable food systems is crucial to address this crisis and alleviate the suffering of billions of people. Governments, businesses, and international organizations must prioritize collaboration, environmental sustainability, and long-term financing to ensure food security for all. By working together, we can build a future where no one suffers from hunger and where food systems contribute to a healthier planet.
