UNFSS+2: FAO reiterates commitment to accelerating pace of agrifood systems transformation

The UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2) has come to a close at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) after three days of high-level events, meetings and dialogues bringing together over 2000 participants from 180 countries, including over 20 Heads of State and Government and 125 Ministers, to explore challenges and opportunities to transform agrifood systems in Rome.

While speaking during the closing ceremony, the FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, said the stocktaking moment has provided a holistic window to see “where we stand, what we have done so far, and how much we need to do going forward.

“The path is long and we need to accelerate our step. The organisation is committed to supporting members along their national pathways toward better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Dongyu said he hoped participants left Rome with key takeaways to support their national pathways, after collectively recognising that the drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition have become even more complex due to the reinforcing and interconnected risk and impact of the climate crisis, economic shocks, and ongoing conflicts.

“We have heard about the many challenges you are facing, but also that in every difficulty emerges opportunity,” he highlighted, also acknowledging the discussions about the need for a high-level, long-term political commitment.

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, officially closed the UNFSS+2 Stocktaking Moment by presenting Call-to-Action on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.

She advocated for urgent action at scale to close the implementation gap, highlighting the linkages to financing for development, debt relief, inclusion, engagement with non-state actors, and access to science, technology and innovation for all.

She also outlined key priorities for further action, including establishing food system strategies across all national policies and promoting multi-stakeholder partnering.

“This Stocktaking Moment has confirmed what we learned at the first Food Systems Summit in 2021 — that we can increase ambition and accelerate action. Let us take the spirit of this convening into the broader push to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and into the concrete, day-to- day efforts to make food systems work for everyone,” she said.

The closing ceremony also had the participation of the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario, and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme.