Transformation of Global Food Systems

Food systems embrace all the elements (environment, people, inputs, processes, infrastructure, institutions, markets and trade) and activities that relate to the production, processing, distribution and marketing, preparation and consumption of food and the outputs of these activities.

  • A sustainable food system encourages local production and distribution infrastructures and makes nutritious food available, accessible, and affordable to all. Further, it is humane and just, protecting farmers and other workers, consumers, and communities.”
  • The massive global food systems generate a third of the world's GDP, but they are also the biggest contributor of biodiversity loss while creating more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions

Challenges of Global Food Systems

  • Food crisis
  • The rapid increase of population
  • Poor agricultural practices
  • Food loss and food waste
  • Climate change

Suggestions

  • Reinvent agriculture
  • Diversify plant species to enhance resilience
  • Transform food environments for healthy diets
  • Recognize, maintain and scale up traditional and indigenous food systems
  • Mitigate climate change
  • Productively engage the private sector
  • Influence public policy priorities
  • Establish true cost accounting of food
  • Take deforestation and conversion out of supply chains
  • Invest in communities for sustainable supply chains

State Action

  • The UN Food Systems Summit was held during the UN General Assembly in New York on 23rd September 2021. It set the stage for global food systems transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
  • The Summit served as a historic opportunity to empower all people to leverage the power of food systems to drive our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and get back on track to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
  • As a people’s summit and a solutions summit, it has recognized that everyone, everywhere must take action and work together to transform the way the world produces, consumes, and thinks about food.
  • The Summit called for actions from governments, businesses and citizens – at every level and throughout every sector of society.

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