At a pivotal meeting in New York, United Nations (UN) officials issued an urgent call for investment and innovation to transform global food systems. Current data from 2024 reveals that approximately 2.3 billion people worldwide face moderate or severe food insecurity. Furthermore, chronic hunger has impacted 96 million more individuals compared to 2015, signaling a profound crisis within existing food infrastructures.
Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), emphasized in his opening remarks, “Food systems lie at the heart of progress in our societies.” He highlighted these systems as the nexus connecting the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
Globally, food and agriculture systems form the bedrock of livelihoods, employing over 39% of the global workforce and supporting approximately 64% of jobs in Africa. Beyond sustenance, these systems shape rural economies, public health, trade, and environmental sustainability. Thapa indicated that transforming these systems could yield benefits ranging from 5 to 10 trillion dollars in health, economic growth, and environmental protection. He also noted that with a projected 7% increase in the global youth population by 2030, ensuring their meaningful participation is crucial for making food system transformations inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready.
Youth Engagement is Vital
Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, described the meeting as occurring “at a pivotal moment.” She stated, “Hunger continues to remain at unacceptable levels. Fiscal space is narrowing, and the pressures on food systems are mounting.” Since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, 130 countries have developed national roadmaps outlining how food is grown, processed, and distributed. However, Mohammed stressed the need for this momentum to translate into concrete outcomes. “This momentum must be translated into delivery, leaving no one behind, by scaling up these solutions, aligning financing with national priorities, and accelerating action where needs are greatest,” she urged.
Addressing Gender Inequality is Key
Marking the observance of 2026 as the International Year of Farmers, Mohammed asserted, “Women farmers are essential to food security, nutrition, and economic resilience globally.” She added, “Addressing gender inequalities is not only a matter of justice but also a powerful driver for better outcomes for all.” Discussions centered on mobilizing more financing and leveraging digital innovation, from data systems to emerging technologies, to boost productivity, create decent jobs, and strengthen resilience against climate shocks and market volatility. “By turning ambition into action and coordination into results, we can enhance productivity, create decent jobs, and build resilience. We can make food systems a powerful engine to accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leaving no one behind,” Mohammed concluded.
