Global food systems are in urgent need of transformation, as approximately 2.3 billion people worldwide experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2024, with an additional 96 million facing chronic hunger. This stark reality was highlighted at a United Nations forum.
Senior UN officials have issued a pressing call for immediate investment and innovation to reform global food systems, which encompass the entire chain from agriculture and fishing to food processing, transport, marketing, and consumption. ECOSOC President Lok Bahadur Thapa stated in his opening address, “Food systems are central to progress in our societies” and “are the thread that connects the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.”
Food and agriculture systems are foundational to livelihoods globally, supporting over 39% of the global workforce and approximately 64% of jobs in Africa. Transforming these systems is projected to yield benefits ranging from $5 to $10 trillion across health, economic growth, and environmental protection. With a projected 7% increase in the global youth population by 2030, ensuring their meaningful participation is crucial for inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready food system transformations.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described the meeting as occurring at a “critical juncture,” noting that “hunger continues to remain at unacceptable levels, fiscal space is narrowing, and pressures on food systems are mounting.” Since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, 130 countries have developed national roadmaps for how food is grown, processed, and distributed. However, the need to translate these aspirations into tangible results was emphasized. “This momentum must be turned into delivery by scaling up these solutions, aligning financing with national priorities, and accelerating action where needs are greatest, so that we leave no one behind,” Mohammed added.
Looking ahead to 2026, designated as the International Year of Farmers, Mohammed highlighted that “women farmers are vital for food security, nutrition, and economic resilience worldwide.” She stated, “Closing the gender gap is not only a matter of justice but also an enabler of better outcomes for all.” Discussions focused on mobilizing greater financing and leveraging digital innovation, from data systems to emerging technologies, to boost productivity, create decent jobs, and enhance resilience against climate shocks and market volatility. “By turning ambition into action and coordination into results, we can boost productivity, create decent jobs, and strengthen resilience,” Mohammed asserted, adding, “We can make food systems a powerful engine accelerating progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leaving no one behind.”
