UN Food Systems Coordination Hub steps up momentum for agrifood system transformation

Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the recently established Office of Sustainable Development Goals at FAO, was invited by the United Nations Agencies in Brussels to give a presentation on the follow-up to the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), with a particular focus on the role of the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub, which he heads. The presentation took place during a session of the UN Brussels Working Group on the European Green Deal, co-chaired by FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Fotiou explained that the Hub was launched with the aim of acting on the United Nations Secretary-General’s commitment to draw upon the wider UN system’s capacities to ensure the long-term impact of the UN Food Systems Summit, which was held in New York in September 2021. He outlined the key role played by the Hub at country level, through a triangular structure which involves UN Resident Coordinators, UNFSS focal points and the UNFSS convener.  

Presenting the mechanisms designed to support countries, Fotiou stressed that their goal was to help transform national food systems by 2030.  

“We are looking at the Hub as an entity that will focus on comprehensive coordination,” he said. “We see the Hub as a circle of support to assist countries to implement their food systems pathways.”

The Hub is already working closely with countries to assess their needs and monitor progress in agrifood system transformation.